bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unstable Trochanteric Fractures in Elderly Osteoporotic Patients: Role of Primary Hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Karthik Karuppaiah , Natarajan Mayilvahanan 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveUnstable intertrochanteric fractures in osteoporotic patients are difficult to treat. Fixation failure often leads to prolonged morbidity and poor functional outcomes. The objective of the present study was to investigate primary replacement as a suitable option that could minimize complications in selected patients.MethodsFrom January 2004 to March 2007, 28 elderly osteoporotic patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures were included in this study. Their fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification (8 patients, 31A2.2; 17 patients, 31A2.3 and 3 patients, 31A3.3) and their osteoporosis was confirmed by bone densitometry. Hemiarthroplasty was performed in all patients and the outcomes analyzed using the Harris hip score system.ResultsOf the 28 patients, 19 were women and the mean age was 79 years (range, 52–95 years). At a mean follow up of 4.2 years (range, 3–6 years), there were 17 excellent, 7 good, 2 fair and 2 poor results according to the Harris hip score system.ConclusionIn elderly osteoporotic patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures, hemiarthroplasty is a reliable alternative to internal fixation. The functional outcome has been encouraging and we suggest it as a method of treatment in this group of patients.
Motion Analysis of Single‐Level Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chen Jian , Fan Shun‐wu , Wang Xin‐wei , Yuan Wen 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveThe purpose of this review was to investigate whether cervical total disc arthroplasty (CTDA) preserves motion of the treated level and what its effect is on adjacent segments.MethodsRelevant published reports were collected from PubMed, Medline and Cochrane library. The original studies were considered eligible only if the range of motion (ROM) of the index or adjacent level had been investigated. A meta‐analysis was then performed on the collected data. Statistical heterogeneity across the various trials was tested using Cochran's Q statistic and I
2; in the case of heterogeneity, a random effect model was used.ResultsThe weighted mean differences (WMDs) of the index level were 0.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.53∼1.21, P = 0.440) and 0.23 (95% CI, −1.92∼2.38, P = 0.834) in all included studies and randomized control trials (RCTs), respectively. The WMDs of the cranial adjacent levels, caudal adjacent levels and whole cervical spines were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.55∼1.47, P = 0.000), 1.10 (95% CI, 0.61∼1.59, P = 0.000) and 3.40 (95% CI, −6.02∼12.82, P = 0.479), respectively.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the protective effect against adjacent segment degeneration provided by cervical arthroplasty might not be as good as has been believed. Long‐term supporting evidence is still needed.
Medial Patellar Retinaculum Plasty Versus Medial Capsule Reefing for Patellar Subluxation in Adult
Authors: Ma Long‐fei , Wang Fei , Chen Bai‐cheng , Wang Cheng‐hai , Zhou Jian‐wei , Ji Gang , Dong Jiang‐tao 
Published: May 2012

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional results of surgical treatment for patellar subluxation.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken between October 2004 and April 2009 of 78 cases of patellar subluxation: 40 cases with medial capsule reefing, of which 15 cases had the combination of lateral retinacular release (Group A); and 38 cases with medial patellar retinaculum plasty, of which 12 cases had the combination of lateral retinacular release (Group B). All patients had CT scans available for reviewing congruence angle (CA) with knee flexion at 30 degrees. In addition, knee function was evaluated using the Kujala score and subjective questionnaires.ResultsPatients were followed up for a mean 60 months (33–87 months). The Kujala score improved significantly from 78.3 ± 1.0 to 88.3 ± 1.6 in Group A and from 77.8 ± 0.9 to 91.2 ± 1.7 in Group B (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, the CA on CT scan had a statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The subjective questionnaire revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05), including 12 excellent, 20 good and eight fair in Group A, and 25 excellent, and 13 good in Group B.ConclusionThe medial retinaculum plasty was better than medial capsule reefing in improving the subjective effects and decreasing the patellar subluxation rate.
Rebalancing the Global Economy
Authors: Collignon Stefan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractImbalances are a dominant feature of the world economy and they are often seen as having contributed to the global financial crisis. A revaluation of the Chinese currency is often recommended to reduce the current account imbalance between the US and China. This article argues that emerging Asia’s current account surpluses are a necessary condition for rapid catch‐up growth and should not be eliminated soon; instead the excessive dollar bias in Asian holdings of external claims needs to be reduced, because the problem behind the recent crisis was that the emerging economies have placed their foreign exchange reserves almost exclusively in USD assets and have neglected alternative assets like the Euro and the Yen. A policy proposal for a common Asian peg to a basket of Euro and Yen is made.Policy Implications
Policies to restore global balances must not create additional tensions for China, Asia, Europe or the United States. A cooperative management of the global economy is recommended.
Chinese exchange rates policy must be seen in the broad context of the Asian development model. A rapid revaluation or shift to flexible exchange rates would undermine the Chinese development model and deprive the world of an immense source of economic growth.
The undervaluation of the RMB should only gradually be removed as the Chinese economy improves productivity and catches up to advanced economies’ production standards.
Fixed exchange rates support economic development by reducing uncertainty for investment and trade. Stabilising the exchange rates between major currencies and Asia as a region is important to allow the continuing integration of its developing economies into the world market.
The US economy needs flexibility in exchange rate movement while it is going through the necessary adjustment of its current account balance, but not Asia. Asia should peg to a basket of euro and yen and Chinese foreign exchange reserves should be marginally shifted into these new reserve currencies. Europe must not protect its industries, but rather seek to stimulate economic growth by inviting Chinese and Asian investment by developing its financial markets.
From the State to the Market and Back: Policy Implications of Changing Energy Paradigms
Authors: Goldthau Andreas 
Published: May 2012

AbstractLike almost no other sector, energy reflects changing paradigms. Following a statist approach in which energy services were subject to public provision and administered by state companies, the free market paradigm took over in the 1980s and 1990s, making energy subject to private provision instead. More recently, the world has witnessed a new era of interventionism. Assessing these different phases, this article advances three arguments. First, paradigms matter in energy as they provide for crucial policy prescriptions. Second, agendas have become more complex, adding sustainability and energy poverty to traditional supply security. Third, paradigms are inextricably linked to rule‐setting power, putting the non‐OECD world in charge of defining the next paradigm. With regards to the latter, it is argued that it will likely be one characterised by fragmentation, with elements of state and market coexisting.
Management of malignant pleural effusion: Options and recommended approaches
Authors: Leung Linda , Hsin Michael , Lam Kwok Chi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThere is no consensus on the best management of symptomatic malignant pleural effusion. Drainage with a small bore pleural catheter is preferred over a wide bore catheter or recurrent pleural aspiration in patients with symptomatic malignant pleural effusion, for equivalent efficacy and patient comfort. If resources allow, chemical pleurodesis under thoracoscopy, with talc as sclerosant, is preferred for fully expanded lung over bedside chemical pleurodesis in fit patients. A chronic indwelling catheter is an alternative. Controversy exists over the use of chemical pleurodesis or a long term indwelling catheter as the first line management of choice of malignant pleural effusion. Pleural effusion in the entrapped lung scenario is a problematic situation. Pleuroperitoneal shunting or decortication procedures are out of favor as they are more invasive and present more complications. Management algorithm is recommended based on the current data.
Oral Histories in Meteoritics and Planetary Science – XV: John Wood
Authors: SEARS Derek W. G. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract– John Wood (Fig. 1) was trained in Geology at Virginia Tech and M.I.T. To fulfill a minor subject requirement at M.I.T., he studied astronomy at Harvard, taking courses with Fred Whipple and others. Disappointed at how little was known in the 1950s about the origin of the earth, he seized an opportunity to study a set of thin sections of stony meteorites, on the understanding that these might shed light on the topic. This study became his Ph.D. thesis. He recognized that chondrites form a metamorphic sequence, and that idea proved surprisingly hard to sell. After brief service in the Army and a year at Cambridge University, John served for 3 years as a research associate with Ed Anders at the University of Chicago. He then returned to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he spent the remainder of his career. At Chicago, he investigated the formation of the Widmanstätten structure, and found that the process informs us of the cooling rates of iron meteorites. Back in Cambridge, he collaborated with W. R. Van Schmus on a chondrite classification that incorporates metamorphic grade, and published on metal grains in chondrites, before becoming absorbed by preparations for the return of lunar samples by the Apollo astronauts. His group’s work on Apollo samples helped to establish the character of the lunar crust, and the need for a magma ocean to form it. Wood served as President of the Meteoritical Society in 1971–72 and received the Leonard Medal in 1978. John Wood.image
Impact of pneumococcal microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules on colonization
Authors: Voß S. , Gámez G. , Hammerschmidt S. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMicroorganisms have evolved elaborate strategies to adhere to host cells and to evade the host complement and immune attack, ensuring survival in various host niches and dissemination into sterile parts of the human body. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is not only a commensal of the human respiratory tract but also the etiological agent of severe and life‐threatening diseases. Pneumococcal attachment to mucosal surfaces is a highly dynamic process requiring the contact of pneumococcal surface‐exposed proteins with soluble or immobilized host factors. These avid interactions may trigger proteolytic cascades or result in engagement of cell surface receptors and intracellularly associated signaling machineries for subsequent uptake of pneumococci into host cells. In the present review, the intimate communication of S. pneumoniae molecules recognizing adhesive matrix molecules (microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules) with their host counterparts and their individual role in pneumococcal colonization is discussed.
Pneumococcal surface proteins: when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Authors: Pérez‐Dorado I. , Galan‐Bartual S. , Hermoso J.A. 
Published: May 2012

SummarySurface‐exposed proteins of pathogenic bacteria are considered as potential virulence factors through their direct contribution to host–pathogen interactions. Four families of surface proteins decorate the cell surface of the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Besides lipoproteins and LPXTG proteins, also present in other gram‐positive bacteria, the pneumococcus presents the choline‐binding protein (CBP) family and the non‐classical surface proteins (NCSPs). The CBPs present specific structural features that allow their anchorage to the cell envelope through non‐covalent interaction with choline residues of lipoteichoic acid and teichoic acid. NCSP is an umbrella term for less characterized proteins displaying moonlighting functions on the pneumococcal surface that lack a leader peptide and membrane‐anchor motif. Considering the unceasing evolution of microbial species under the selective pressure of antibiotic use, detailed understanding of the interaction between pathogen and the host cells is required for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat pneumococcal infections. This article reviews recent progress in the investigation of the three‐dimensional structures of surface‐exposed pneumococcal proteins. The modular nature of some of them produces a great versatility and sophistication of the virulence functions that, in most cases, cannot be deduced by the structural analysis of the isolated modules.
Two GABAA responses with distinct kinetics in a sound localization circuit
Authors: Tang Zheng‐Quan , Lu Yong 
Published: May 2012

Key points
It is known that synaptic inhibition plays important roles in auditory binaural neurons involved in sound localization.
Here, we show that GABAergic inhibition exhibits characteristic frequency (CF)‐dependent kinetics in auditory binaural neurons.
We further show that differential profiles of asynchronous release and spillover of GABA account for the distinct kinetics.
GABAergic inhibition regulates neuronal excitability in a CF‐dependent manner.
The results suggest that GABAergic inhibition may exert a dynamic modulation of sound localization processing in a CF‐dependent manner.
Abstract  The temporal characteristics and functional diversity of GABAergic inhibition are determined by the spatiotemporal neurotransmitter profile, intrinsic properties of GABAA receptors, and other factors. Here, we report two distinct GABAA responses and the underlying mechanisms in neurons of the chicken nucleus laminaris (NL), the first encoder of interaural time difference for sound localization in birds. The time course of the postsynaptic GABAA currents in NL neurons, recorded with whole‐cell voltage clamp, differed between different characteristic frequency (CF) regions. Compared to low‐CF (LF) neurons, middle/high‐CF (MF/HF) neurons had significantly slower IPSCs, with a 2.6‐fold difference in the decay time constants of spontaneous IPSCs and a 5.3‐fold difference in the decay of IPSCs elicited by single‐pulse stimulus. Such differences were especially dramatic when IPSCs were elicited by train stimulations at physiologically relevant frequencies, and at high stimulus intensities. To account for these distinct GABAA responses, we showed that MF/HF neurons exhibited more prominent asynchronous release of GABA. Supporting this observation, replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with Sr2+ increased the decay of IPSCs in LF neurons, and EGTA‐AM reduced the decay of IPSCs in MF/HF neurons. Furthermore, pharmacological evidence suggests that GABA spillover plays a greater role in prolonging the IPSCs of MF/HF neurons. Consequently, under whole‐cell current clamp, synaptically released GABA produced short‐ and long‐lasting suppression of the neuronal excitability of LF and MF/HF neurons, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that the GABAergic inputs to NL neurons may exert a dynamic modulation of interaural time difference (ITD) coding in a CF‐dependent manner.
Plasticity of NMDA receptor‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents at perforant path inputs to dendrite‐targeting interneurons
Authors: Harney Sarah C. , Anwyl Roger 
Published: May 2012

Key points
NMDA receptors (NMDARs) activated by the neurotransmitter glutamate underlie certain forms of synaptic plasticity in the brain.
These receptors are also subject to plasticity and we have previously described both long‐term potentiation (LTP) and long‐term depression (LTD) of NMDARs in the principal granule cells of the dentate gyrus region of hippocampus.
The functional significance of these changes in NMDARs on hippocampal network activity depends on whether this occurs only on principal, excitatory neurons or if it also occurs on inhibitory interneurons.
Here we demonstrate differences in NMDAR subtype expression and plasticity in dendrite‐targeting interneurons compared to granule cells.
Interneurons displayed LTD of NMDAR‐mediated synaptic transmission in response to perforant path activation and had a high threshold for induction of LTP of NMDAR‐mediated synaptic currents, suggesting that opposing forms of plasticity at inputs to interneurons and principal cells may act to regulate granule cell dendritic integration and processing.
Abstract  Synaptic plasticity of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) has been recently described in a number of brain regions and we have previously characterised LTP and LTD of glutamatergic NMDA receptor‐mediated EPSCs (NMDAR‐EPSCs) in granule cells of dentate gyrus. The functional significance of NMDAR plasticity at perforant path synapses on hippocampal network activity depends on whether this is a common feature of perforant path synapses on all postsynaptic target cells or if this plasticity occurs only at synapses on principal cells. We recorded NMDAR‐EPSCs at medial perforant path synapses on interneurons in dentate gyrus which had significantly slower decay kinetics compared to those recorded in granule cells. NMDAR pharmacology in interneurons was consistent with expression of both GluN2B‐ and GluN2D‐containing receptors. In contrast to previously described high frequency stimulation‐induced bidirectional plasticity of NMDAR‐EPSCs in granule cells, only LTD of NMDAR‐EPSCs was induced in interneurons in our standard experimental conditions. In interneurons, LTD of NMDAR‐EPSCs was associated with a loss of sensitivity to a GluN2D‐selective antagonist and was inhibited by the actin stabilising agent, jasplakinolide. While LTP of NMDAR‐EPSCs can be readily induced in granule cells, this form of plasticity was only observed in interneurons when extracellular calcium was increased above physiological concentrations during HFS or when PKC was directly activated by phorbol ester, suggesting that opposing forms of plasticity at inputs to interneurons and principal cells may act to regulate granule cell dendritic integration and processing.
Segmentation of ultrasonic breast tumors based on homogeneous patch
Authors: Gao Liang , Yang Wei , Liao Zhiwu , Liu Xiaoyun , Feng Qianjin , Chen Wufan 
Published: May 2012

Purpose:Accurately segmenting breast tumors in ultrasound (US) images is a difficult problem due to their specular nature and appearance of sonographic tumors. The current paper presents a variant of the normalized cut (NCut) algorithm based on homogeneous patches (HP‐NCut) for the segmentation of ultrasonic breast tumors.Methods:A novel boundary‐detection function is defined by combining texture and intensity information to find the fuzzy boundaries in US images. Subsequently, based on the precalculated boundary map, an adaptive neighborhood according to image location referred to as a homogeneous patch (HP) is proposed. HPs are guaranteed to spread within the same tissue region; thus, the statistics of primary features within the HPs is more reliable in distinguishing the different tissues and benefits subsequent segmentation. Finally, the fuzzy distribution of textons within HPs is used as final image features, and the segmentation is obtained using the NCut framework.Results:The HP‐NCut algorithm was evaluated on a large dataset of 100 breast US images (50 benign and 50 malignant). The mean Hausdorff distance measure, the mean minimum Euclidean distance measure and similarity measure achieved 7.1 pixels, 1.58 pixels, and 86.67%, respectively, for benign tumors while those achieved 10.57 pixels, 1.98 pixels, and 84.41%, respectively, for malignant tumors.Conclusions:The HP‐NCut algorithm provided the improvement in accuracy and robustness compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods. A conclusion that the HP‐NCut algorithm is suitable for ultrasonic tumor segmentation problems can be drawn.
In Vitro
Combination of Anidulafungin and Voriconazole against Intrinsically Azole-Susceptible and -Resistant Aspergillus spp
Authors: Planche Virginie , Ducroz Sebastien , Alanio Alexandre , Bougnoux Marie-Elisabeth , Lortholary Olivier , Dannaoui Eric 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

In vitro
interaction of anidulafungin with voriconazole was tested by a microdilution broth checkerboard technique and an agar diffusion method against 30
Aspergillus
clinical isolates belonging to five different species. By using a complete inhibition endpoint, indifferent interactions were observed for 97% of the isolates by the checkerboard technique (FIC index from 0.5 to 2) and for 100% of the isolates by the agar diffusion method (variation of −2 to +1 log
2
dilutions).
Extended Protection against Phlebovirus Infection Conferred by Recombinant Adenovirus Expressing Consensus Interferon (DEF201)
Authors: Gowen Brian B. , Ennis Jane , Sefing Eric J. , Wong Min-Hui , Jung Kie-Hoon , Turner Jeffrey D. 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT

Punta Toro virus (PTV;
Bunyaviridae
,
Phlebovirus
) is related to Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a pathogenic agent which causes severe disease in humans and livestock primarily in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. The recent range expansion of RVFV and the potential for its intentional release into naïve populations pose a significant threat to public health and agriculture. Studies modeling disease in rodents and nonhuman primates have shown that PTV and RVFV are highly sensitive to the antiviral effects of alpha interferon (IFN-α), an important component of the innate antiviral host response. While recombinant IFN-α has high therapeutic value, its utility for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases is hindered by its short
in vivo
half-life and costly production of longer-lasting pegylated IFNs. Here, we demonstrate extended preexposure protection against lethal PTV challenge following a single intranasal administration of DEF201, which is a replication-deficient human adenovirus type 5 vector engineered to constitutively express consensus IFN-α (cIFN-α) from transduced host cells. DEF201 was also efficacious when administered within 24 h as a postexposure countermeasure. Serum concentrations of cIFN-α could be detected as early as 8 h following treatment and persisted for more than 1 week. The prolonged antiphlebovirus prophylactic effect, low production costs, and ease of administration make DEF201 a promising agent for intervention during natural disease outbreaks and for countering possible bioterrorist acts.