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Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first-choice exploration in case of overt small bowel bleeding (SBB). An early CE is known to increase diagnostic yield, but long reading times may delay therapeutics. The study evaluates the diagnostic performance of the artificial intelligence tool TOP100 in patients with overt SBB undergoing early CE with Pillcam SB3. Methods: Patients who underwent early CE (up to 14 days from the bleeding episode) for suspected overt SBB were included. One experienced endoscopist prospectively performed standard reading (SR) and a second blind experienced endoscopist performed a TOP100-based reading (TR). The primary endpoint was TR diagnostic accuracy for lesions with high bleeding potential (P2). Results: A total of 111 patients were analyzed. The most common clinical presentation was melena (64%). CE showed angiodysplasias in 40.5% of patients (45/111). In per-patient analysis, TR showed a sensitivity of 90.48% (95% CI 82.09–95.80), specificity of 100% (95% CI 87.23–100) with a PPV of 100% (95% CI 94.01–100), NPV of 77.14% (95% CI 63.58–86.71) and diagnostic accuracy of 92.79 (86.29–96.84). At multivariate analysis, adequate intestinal cleansing was the only independent predictor of concordance between TR and SR (OR 2.909, p = 0.019). The median reading time for SR and TR was 23 min (18.0–26.8) and 1.9 min (range 1.7–2.1), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: TOP100 provides a fast-reading mode for early CE in case of overt small bowel bleeding. It identifies most patients with active bleeding and angiodysplasias, aiding in the prioritization of therapeutic procedures. However, its accuracy in detecting ulcers, varices and P1 lesions seems insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidental or target capture of sea turtles by small–scale fisheries (SSF) has been receiving increasing attention in recent years due to its high impact. Here, we evaluated the impact of the SSF on sea turtles in Cabo Verde, which hosts the largest rookery of the endangered Eastern Atlantic loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) population. This is the most comprehensive study evaluating the impact of SSF on sea turtles in the Cabo Verde Archipelago involving more than 85% of boats and more than 20% of the fishermen registered in the archipelago. Between the years of 2011 and 2014, 763 artisanal fishermen were interviewed at all the main ports and fishing communities of seven islands. Artisanal fishermen reported a mean annual capture of 1.5 turtles per boat indicating that a minimum of 1675 sea turtles could be landed per year in this fishing sector alone, with 65% in Santiago Island (which host the country's capital, Praia). Most captures (95.7%) occurred from May to September and coincided with the loggerhead turtle nesting season. These results suggest a severe impact of the SSF on adult loggerheads turtles in Cabo Verde as well as green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) juvenile turtles. To mitigate this impact, measures such as revising the current legislation for fisheries, the supervision and control of landings, especially in the most remote ports of the Archipelago, the regulation of the SSF during the nesting season around the main nesting areas, awareness–raising campaigns, sustainable activities, and alternative sources of income in fishing communities are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using panel data on small, open economies, this paper analyses the effect of trade liberalization on economic growth, placing a particular focus on the mechanisms that can potentially explain the estimated effects. I categorize the countries into four different sub-groups based on their predominant exports (agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and services), to identify the subgroup of countries that have benefitted the most from trade liberalization. Based on the comparative case studies employed using the synthetic control method, it is evident that the sub-group of countries with a primary focus on manufacturing exports have experienced the highest benefits overall from trade liberalization. Resource-rich economies appear to have benefitted least from opening their economy. Findings also suggest that the group of countries that have performed well (i.e. manufacturing-oriented countries) also experience significant increases in manufacturing exports post-liberalization. Results remain robust to various tests employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern spotted skunks are of conservation concern, where competition and predation are possible causes of their decline. Using camera traps at a food subsidy, we investigated nocturnal temporal overlap of spotted skunks with co-occurring predators. Spotted skunks were more active during dark nights, when their activity overlapped with the largest predator (coyotes), but not with other mesopredators, thus possibly avoiding interspecific competition. Spotted skunk activity shifted during moonlit nights, where overlap with all predators was reduced, suggesting avoidance of both predators and competitors. This implies that both predation and interspecific competition could limit spotted skunk populations, and one mechanism they apply to coexist is nocturnal light-specific temporal partitioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop new approximation algorithms for classical graph and set problems in the RAM model under space constraints. As one of our main results, we devise an algorithm for d - H I T T I N G S E T that runs in time n O (d 2 + (d / ϵ)) , uses O ((d 2 + (d / ϵ)) log n) bits of space, and achieves an approximation ratio of O ((d / ϵ) n ϵ) for any positive ϵ ≤ 1 and any d ∈ N . In particular, this yields a factor- O (log n) approximation algorithm which runs in time n O (log n) and uses O (log 2 n) bits of space (for constant d). As a corollary, we obtain similar bounds for V E R T E X C O V E R and several graph deletion problems. For bounded-multiplicity problem instances, one can do better. We devise a factor-2 approximation algorithm for V E R T E X C O V E R on graphs with maximum degree Δ , and an algorithm for computing maximal independent sets, both of which run in time n O (Δ) and use O (Δ log n) bits of space. For the more general d - H I T T I N G S E T problem, we devise a factor-d approximation algorithm which runs in time n O (d δ 2) and uses O (d δ 2 log n) bits of space on set families where each element appears in at most δ sets. For I N D E P E N D E N T S E T restricted to graphs with average degree d, we give a factor-(2d) approximation algorithm which runs in polynomial time and uses O (log n) bits of space. We also devise a factor- O (d 2) approximation algorithm for D O M I N A T I N G S E T on d-degenerate graphs which runs in time n O (log n) and uses O (log 2 n) bits of space. For d-regular graphs, we show how a known randomized factor- O (log d) approximation algorithm can be derandomized to run in time n O (1) and use O (log n) bits of space. Our results use a combination of ideas from the theory of kernelization, distributed algorithms and randomized algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A retrospective analysis was carried out to compare the results of patch repair using ready-made, synthetic mesh (PR) and sutured repair (SR) based on standard protocols. The accumulated recurrence rate was accepted as the primary outcome. Pain at rest and during exercise, cosmetic effect and treatment satisfaction were chosen as the secondary endpoints.Methods: Adult patients after elective, open surgical repair of a single, primary umbilical hernia < 2 cm in diameter were included. Patients with incarceration or strangulation, after previous umbilical hernia repair or other abdominal surgical interventions were excluded. In the SR group, single-layer sutures were placed using the short-stitch technique. In PR group, a 6.3-mm ready-made Parietene Ventral Patch (Medtronic) was used.Results: 161 patients (104 in PR and 57 in SR groups) were included in the study (22 months follow-up). Nine recurrences were observed [six in PR (5.8%) and three in SR group (5.2%)]. In PR group, three patients (2.9%) reported complaints at rest and none in SR group, while 18 patients (17.3%) in PR group reported pain during exercises and 7 (12.3%) in SR group.Conclusion: For the smallest umbilical hernias, the use of dense fascia suturing (short-stitch technique) may be an effective alternative to patch repair techniques in patients with no additional risk factors for recurrence. The mesh patch repair method is associated with a significantly higher risk of postsurgical pain. Diastasis recti is a factor favoring umbilical hernia recurrence after both pure tissue repair and patch repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nanomaterials in biomedical fields is greatly influenced by their properties such as size, morphology, and surface properties. The deformability of nanomaterials in recently found influence the blood circulation, pharmacokinetics, tumor accumulation, and treatment performance for diseases. In the work, we successfully fabricated small-sized deformable mesoporous organosilica nanocapsules (SDMONC) via a preferential etching approach. To synthesize the SDMONC, a series of small mesostructured organosilica nanoparticles (MONs) are prepared by adjusting the concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). After etching the interiors of the MONs with NaOH, small-sized SDMONC with diameters ranging from 70 to 156 nm are obtained. The prepared SDMONC have uniform diameter, high specific surface area (266 m2 g−1), uniform pore diameter (4.0 nm), and excellent biocompability. The cellular uptake of the SDMONC was investigated, which exhibited higher cellular uptake efficiency and cancer cell-killing efficiency than the nondeformable nanoparticles, showing great promise for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To formulate consensus recommendations for CT angiography technical parameters used to evaluate overt gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods: An electronic questionnaire consisting of 17 questions was sent to a panel of 16 radiologists with expertise on the imaging of GI bleeding from the Society of Abdominal Radiology GI Bleeding disease-focused panel to obtain consensus agreement on issues related to CTA technical parameters for imaging overt GI bleeding. A multi-round Delphi method of voting was performed to obtain consensus which was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. Results: Consensus agreement was reached in 15/17 (89%) of the questions including the technique for the administration of IV contrast, the number of phases, scan timing, and image reconstruction. Conclusions: A panel of experts on the imaging of GI bleeding from the Society of Abdominal Radiology was able to reach consensus on the majority of technical parameters used for CTA of overt GI bleeding. These recommendations should improve the quality of patient care by adopting these minimal technical requirements for optimal exam performance and lead to less variation in the performance of these exams which will facilitate collecting and comparing published data from different centers. These recommendations will need revisions as additional scientific data become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The need to treat small (<7 mm) unruptured aneurysms is still controversial, despite data collected through several large cohort studies. Such lesions typically are incidental findings, usually followed for potential growth through serial imaging. For this study, growth estimates for untreated unruptured small-sized aneurysms were generated, examining incidence and related risk factors.Methods: A cohort of 135 consecutive patients harboring 173 untreated unruptured small-sized aneurysms (<7 mm) was subjected to extended monitoring (mean, 73.1 ± 30.0 months). Growth was defined as a 1-mm increase at minimum in one or more aneurysmal dimensions or as a significant change in shape. Medical records and radiological data were reviewed. Cumulative growth rate and related risk factors were analyzed via Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimator.Results: A total of 28 aneurysms (16.2%) displayed growth during continued surveillance (1054.1 aneurysm-years). The annual growth rate was 2.65% per aneurysm-year, with 15 surfacing within 60 months and 13 after 60 months. Multivariate analysis indicated that bifurcation type was the sole significant risk factor (hazard ratio HR = 7.64; p < 0.001) in terms of growth. Cumulative survival rates without growth were significantly lower in subjects with bifurcation aneurysms than with side-wall aneurysms (p < 0.001). During the follow-up period, one patient suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage and then aneurysm growth was detected.Conclusion: Most (83.8%) untreated unruptured small-sized aneurysms (<7 mm) remained stable and devoid of growth in long-term follow-up. Because bifurcation aneurysms were prone to eventual growth, careful long-term monitoring at regular intervals is advised if left untreated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been shown effective in the management of brain metastases, small brain metastases (≤10 mm) can pose unique challenges. Our aim was to investigate the efficacy of SRS in the treatment of small brain metastases, as well as elucidate clinically relevant factors impacting local failure (LF). We utilized a large, single-institution cohort to perform a retrospective analysis of patients with brain metastases up to 1 cm in maximal dimension. Clinical and radiosurgical parameters were investigated for an association with LF and compared using a competing risk model to calculate cumulative incidence functions, with death and whole brain radiotherapy serving as competing risks. 1596 small brain metastases treated with SRS among 424 patients were included. Among these tumors, 33 developed LF during the follow-up period (2.4% at 12 months following SRS). Competing risk analysis demonstrated that LF was dependent on tumor size (0.7% if ≤2 mm and 3.0% if 2-10 mm at 12 months, p = 0.016). Other factors associated with increasing risk of LF were the decreasing margin dose, increasing maximal tumor diameter, volume, and radioresistant tumors (each p < 0.01). 22 tumors (0.78%) developed radiographic radiation necrosis following SRS, and this incidence did not differ by tumor size (≤2 mm and 2-10 mm, p = 0.200). This large analysis confirms that SRS remains an effective modality in treatment of small brain metastases. In light of the excellent local control and relatively low risk of toxicity, patients with small brain metastases who otherwise have a reasonable expected survival should be considered for radiosurgical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal histopathological analysis of biopsies from metastases of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the lung requires more than morphology only. Additional parameters such as Ki-67 labeling index are required for adequate diagnosis, but few studies have compared reproducibility of different counting protocols and modalities of reporting on biopsies of lung NET. We compared the results of four different manual counting techniques to establish Ki-67 LI. On 47 paired biopsies and surgical specimens from 22 typical carcinoids (TCs), 14 atypical carcinoids (ACs), six large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), and five small cell carcinomas (SCCs) immunohistochemical staining of Ki-67 antigen was performed. We counted, in regions of highest nuclear staining (HSR), a full ×40-high-power field (diameter = 0.55 mm), 500 or 2000 cells, or 2 mm2 surface area, including the HSR or the entire biopsy fragment(s). Mitoses and necrosis were evaluated in an area of 2 mm2 or the entire biopsy fragment(s). Between the four counting methods, no differences in Ki-67 LI were observed. However, a Ki-67 LI higher than 5% was found in only four cases when in an HSR, 500 cells were counted (18%), five (23%) when in an HSR 2000 cells were counted, four (18%) when 2 mm2 were counted, and one (5%) TC case when the entire biopsy was counted. A 20% cutoff distinguished TC and AC from LCNEC and SCC with 100% specificity and sensitivity, while mitoses and necrosis failed to a large extent. Ki-67 LI in biopsy samples was concordant with that in resection specimens when 2000 cells, 2 mm2, or the entire biopsy fragment(s) were counted. Our results are important for clinical management of patients with metastases of a lung NET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of an urban settlement system in the post-Soviet space is analyzed by the comparison of the progress of urbanization and changes in migration balances of cities of different size, status, and location in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Despite the differences in size and density of cities, their hierarchical and spatial structure, and management decisions, many trends in the development of city systems were similar in these countries. The reasons for different migration attractiveness of cities of different sizes are discussed including their socioeconomic statuses and infrastructural arrangement. These countries are characterized by strong contrasts in urban settlement patterns where large and very large centers play a major role and there is a significant proportion of small towns. In all three countries, there are significant differences between the quality of life in large urban centers and small towns. The situation before the military events in Ukraine in 2014 is analyzed. Migration in the period of 1990-2013 mostly from rural areas and from small and medium-sized cities to major centers supports the hypothesis of renewed urbanization that had gone uncompleted in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus in the Soviet era. Two main migration directions can be noted in the post-Soviet period: from rural areas to capitals, their suburbs, and other large cities, and for Russia and Ukraine (until 2014), from the east to the central and southern regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) is used to prevent the development of brain metastases in small cell lung carcinoma. PCI confers an overall survival (OS) benefit in both limited and extensive stage disease. Aims: We analyze the incidence of symptomatic brain metastases, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS in a cohort of patients who received PCI, in a 5-year period. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who had received PCI between 2006 and 2011 at the Whitfield Clinic was completed. Patient- and disease-related characteristics, the number of patients who developed brain metastases, PFS and OS data were collected. Results: 24 patients were identified. 14 (58.3 %) patients were male, 10 (41.7 %) were female, with a mean age of 62.5 years (range 31-78). All patients were smokers. 12 (50 %) patients had limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 12 (50 %) had extensive stage disease. 2 (8.2 %) patients developed brain metastases post PCI ( p = 0.478.) The median PFS for limited stage SCLC was 13 months (range 3-20) and 10 months (range 5-18) for extensive stage SCLC. Median OS was 15 months (range 4-29) in limited stage SCLC, and 11 months (range 5-29) in extensive stage SCLC. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a low incidence of symptomatic brain metastases and favourable median PFS and OS in the patients that received PCI, when compared to published phase III data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to compare double- (DBE) and single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in small bowel disorders with respect to procedural performance and clinical impact. Methods: This retrospective analysis at a tertial referral center included 1,052 DBEs and 515 SBEs performed in 904 patients over 7 years. Procedural and patients' characteristics were precisely analyzed. Results: Significantly more patients with anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding were investigated by DBE ( P < 0.01). Oral insertion depth and length of investigated small bowel in the combined approach were significantly higher in the DBE compared to the SBE group (245 ± 65.3 vs. 218 ± 62.6 and 355 ± 101.9 vs. 319 ± 91.2, respectively; P < 0.001, each). By analyzing only recent years of enteroscopy (2008-2011), no difference in small bowel visualization could be observed. The anal insertion depths and complete enteroscopy rates (CER) were comparable. Procedure times were significantly shorter within the SBE procedure (oral: 50 vs. 40 min; anal: 55 vs. 46 min, P < 0.001) and the usage of sedation was significantly less (propofol: P < 0.001; pethidine: P < 0.05). Diagnostic yield was significantly higher in the SBE, compared to the DBE group (61.7 vs. 48.2 %; P < 0.001). The rate of severe adverse events was close to zero. Conclusion: Both enteroscopy techniques are safe diagnostic tools and proved to be indispensable in the daily gastroenterological practice. The lower insertion depths, but higher diagnostic yield, of SBE may reflect the more focused selection of patients scheduled for small bowel diagnostics in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A knowledge-based network for Section Yidong Bridge, Dongyang River, one tributary of Qiantang River, Zhejiang Province, China, is established in order to model water quality in areas under small data. Then, based on normal transformation of variables with routine monitoring data and normal assumption of variables without routine monitoring data, a conditional linear Gaussian Bayesian network is constructed. A 'two-constraint selection' procedure is proposed to estimate potential parameter values under small data. Among all potential parameter values, the ones that are most probable are selected as the 'representatives'. Finally, the risks of pollutant concentration exceeding national water quality standards are calculated and pollution reduction decisions for decision-making reference are proposed. The final results show that conditional linear Gaussian Bayesian network and 'two-constraint selection' procedure are very useful in evaluating risks when there is limited data and can help managers to make sound decisions under small data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the diagnostic accuracy of enhanced multi-detector CT virtual endoscopy (MDCT-VE) for small intestinal tumors. Materials and methods: 125 patients were examined by multi-detector CT (MDCT: 54 on 4-slice; 71 on 64-slice) following standard gastrointestinal tract cleansing, oral double contrast aerogenesis agent, and rectal gas administration. Unenhanced CT was performed, followed by enhanced CT in supine (30 and 80s delay after 100 mL standard intravenous contrast medium) and prone positions (180s delay). Supplementary CT in the lateral position was performed if small bowel was not well-filled. Images were reviewed on post-processing workstations with Virtual Endoscopy software. Results: 33/125 patients had proven small intestinal tumors: ten stromal tumors, nine lymphoma, eight adenocarcinomas, three hemangiomas, one each lipoma, Brunner gland adenoma, and hamartoma. 92 were nontumors. MDCT-VE correctly identified 30/33 cases with one false-positive diagnosis: sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 98.9% and accuracy 96.8%. Conclusion: Small intestinal MDCT-VE technique has high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of intestinal tumors. Contrast enhancement and adequate intestinal tract gas-filling can improve the detection rate for small intestinal tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are still concerns about renal transplantation in small children. The aim of this study was to identify prenatal data, underlying diseases, patient and graft survival, graft function and growth in young renal transplant recipients at our center. A retrospective analysis was performed on 50 kidney transplants performed during the period 1981-2008 in children weighing <13 kg. Their median age at transplantation was 1.4 (range 0.4-3.7) years and the median weight was 9.5 (3.4-12.1) kg. The underlying diseases were congenital in 88% of the patients and acquired in 12%. Ten-year patient survival was 88% (82% before 1998 and 95% since 1998). Ten-year graft survival was 82% (75 and 95%, respectively). Graft function (glomerular filtration rate) deteriorated from a mean of 75-48 ml/min/1.73 m within 10 years. There was rapid catch-up growth within the first years post-transplant, from a median height of −2.44 standard deviation score (SDS) at transplantation to −0.74 SDS after 3 years. In small children, patient and graft survival were as good as those in older children. Renal function deteriorated during the first years post-transplant but stabilized within a few years. In most children, there was a substantial improvement in growth within the first years after transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification performance of an ensemble method can be deciphered by studying the bias and variance contribution to its classification error. Statistically, the bias and variance of a single classifier is controlled by the size of the training set and the complexity of the classifier. It has been both theoretically and empirically established that the classification performance (hence bias and variance) of a single classifier can be improved partially by using a suitable ensemble method of the classifier and resampling the original training set. In this paper, we have empirically examined the bias-variance decomposition of three different types of ensemble methods with different training sample sizes consisting of 10% to maximum 63% of the observations from the original training sample. First ensemble is bagging, second one is a boosting type ensemble named adaboost and the last one is a bagging type hybrid ensemble method, called bundling. All the ensembles are trained on training samples constructed with small subsampling ratios (SSR) 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 and bootstrapping. The experiments are all done on 20 UCI Machine Learning repository datasets and designed to find out the optimal training sample size (smaller than the original training sample) for each ensemble and then find out the optimal ensemble with smaller trianing sets with respect to the bias-variance performance. The bias-variance decomposition of bundling shows that this ensemble method with small subsamples has significantly lower bias and variance than subsampled and bootstrapped version of bagging and adaboost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the impact of size and age on small firms' export behaviour. A review of the literature reveals that the extant conclusions are fragmented, inconclusive and limited in geographical scope. This study aims to address these limitations by analysing small, locally owned firms' export behaviour from a novel location that has never been studied in the extant literature. The study draws on data from Jamaica, a small, open Caribbean economy. The statistical analysis revealed that size, not age, has a significant impact on export behaviour. Furthermore, other factors such as the owner's previous international job experience and foreign travel experience also play an important role. These findings have implications for future research on the export behaviour of small firms, especially those from emerging environments. In addition, they provide export policy makers who are engaged in export stimulation among small, locally owned firms, with profile of firms that have a greater proclivity to export. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We survey recent results concerning the combinatorial size of subsets of groups. For a cardinal κ, according to its arrangement in a group G, a subset of G is distinguished as κ-large, κ-small, κ-thin, κ-thick, and P-small. By analogy with topology, there arise the following combinatorial cardinal invariants of a group: density, cellularity, resolvability, spread, etc. The paper consists of 7 sections: Ballean context, Amenability, Ideals, Partitions, Packings, Around thin subsets, and Colorings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a valuable tool in evaluation of small bowel Crohn's disease. MRI provides several advantages to other imaging modalities, including the lack of ionizing radiation, multiplanar capability, and functional information. Intravenous contrast administration is a routine portion of MR enterography protocol, and aids in detection of disease extent, extramural complications such as fistula and abscess, and assessment of activity. Additionally, promising techniques such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI may provide quantitative measures to assess bowel perfusion, which may enhance evaluation of disease activity. This article will provide an overview of the technical aspects of contrast-enhanced MR enterography, describe common pathologic findings involving the small bowel in Crohn's disease, summarize its role in determination of activity with an emphasis on endoscopic and histologic correlation, and compare its efficacy with other imaging modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special considerations and techniques are desired for the preparation of small actinide counting sources. Counting sources have been prepared on metal disk substrates (planchets) with an active area of only 0.079 mm2. This represents a 93.75% reduction in deposition area from standard electrodeposition methods. The actinide distribution upon the smaller planchet must remain thin and uniform to allow alpha particle emissions to escape the counting source with a minimal amount of self-attenuation. This work describes the development of micro-electrodeposition methods and optimization of the technique with respect to deposition time and current density for various planchet sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a case of small-bowel duplication, a rare congenital malformation, in an adult with abdominal pain and sub-obstruction signs. CT enteroclysis allowed the diagnosis that conventional imaging failed to demonstrate and it confirmed itself the most accurate exam in small-bowel disease diagnosis. This is the first report of a small-bowel duplication diagnosed by CT enteroclysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lipid triad is the association of small, dense (sd) low-density lipoprotein (LDL), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and hypertriglyceridemia, all of which play a role in coronary artery disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although statins have demonstrated clear positive effects on cardiovascular morbidity/mortality in patients with diabetes and on single components of the lipid triad, it remains controversial whether they affect all components of the triad in these patients. Therefore, we performed a single-center, parallel-group, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE)-type comparison of fluvastatin extended-release (XL) 80 mg (n=48) and simvastatin 20 mg (n=46), each given once daily for 2 months to patients with type 2 diabetes with the lipid triad, who were enrolled after a 1-month lifestyle modification and dietary intervention program. After fluvastatin therapy, LDL (-51%; P > .01), apolipoprotein B (ApoB;-33%; P > .01, intermediate-density LDL (idLDL) (-14.3%; P > .05), sdLDL (-45%; P > .01), and triglycerides (-38%; P > .01) were significantly decreased, and HDL (+14.3%; P > .05) and apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I; +7%; P > .05) were increased; large buoyant (lb) LDL did not change (P=NS). Simvastatin therapy decreased LDL (-55.1 %; P > .01), ApoB (-46%; P > .01), lbLDL (-33.3%; P > .05), idLDL (-22.7%; P > .05), sdLDL (-33.3%; P > .05), and triglycerides (-47.9%; P > .01); HDL was not changed (P=NS) after simvastatin, but ApoA-I was increased (+11.3%; P > .01). HDL increases (P > .01) and sdLDL decreases (P > .01) were significantly greater after fluvastatin compared with simvastatin therapy; LDL, triglycerides, ApoB, and idLDL changes were similar after both therapies (P=NS), and lbLDL decreases were greater with simvastatin therapy (P > .05). With both treatments, classic mean LDL and ApoB target levels were achieved in most patients. We conclude that the lipid triad can be controlled with fluvastatin XL 80 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To examine the impact of nonfat and low-fat phytosterol-enriched beverages on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) electrophoretic characteristics.Design:Double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled dietary trial.Setting:Diets were prepared and consumed at the Mary Emily Clinical Nutrition Research Unit of McGill University. Analyses were performed at the Institute on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods of Laval University.Subjects and intervention:In total, 15 moderately hypercholesterolemic persons consumed each of three experimental diets that each comprised a different beverage: nonfat placebo (NF control), nonfat with phytosterols (NFPS) or low-fat with phytosterols (LFPS). Participants consumed three beverages daily at meal time for a total of 1.8 g of phytosterols per day. Nondenaturing 2–16% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoreses were used to characterize LDL size characteristics.Results:The NFPS and LFPS beverage induced no significant changes in several features of the LDL size phenotype compared to the control diet.Conclusion:The consumption of phytosterol-supplemented nonfat and low-fat beverages is not associated with clinically meaningful changes in the LDL particle size phenotype.Sponsorship:This study was supported partly by the Canada Research Chair in Nutrition, Functional Foods and Cardiovascular Health (B Lamarche) and by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 801–804. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602142 Published online 27 April 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two characters φ and ψ of a finite group G are called semiproportional if they are not proportional and there exists a set M in G such that the restrictions of φ and ψ to M and G \ M are proportional. We obtain a description for all pairs of proportional irreducible characters of symmetric groups. Namely, in Theorem 1 we prove equivalence of the following conditions for a pair (φ,ψ) of different irreducible characters of Sn (n ∈ N): φ and ψ are semiproportional; (2) φ and ψ have the same roots; and (3) φ are ψ are associated (i.e., φ = ψξ where ξ is a linear character of Sn with kernel An). Note that (1) and (2) are in general not equivalent for arbitrary finite groups. For the symmetric groups, the equivalence of (1) and (3) validates the following conjecture proven earlier by the author for a number of group classes: semiproportional irreducible characters of a finite group have the same degree. The alternating groups seem to have no semiproportional irreducible characters. Theorem 2 of this article is a step towards proving this conjecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have examined the effects of hibernation on the neurochemical composition of myenteric neurones in the small and large intestine of the golden hamster using immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques. Hibernation was induced in golden hamsters by altering the photoperiod and external ambient temperature. Age-matched hamsters kept at room temperature and those kept at 5°C but which failed to hibernate were used as controls. Cell counts were carried out to examine possible changes in the numbers of cell bodies immunoreactive to all of the markers examined. The results demonstrated a significant increase during hibernation in the number of neurones immunoreactive to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide; cell bodies positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, which were largely absent in the control animals, were prominent in the hibernating animals. There was a significant decrease in the number of neurones immunoreactive to 5-hydroxytryptamine, and no significant changes in the numbers of neurones immunoreactive to protein gene-product and nitric oxide synthase. It is suggested that selective upregulation and downregulation of myenteric neurones containing certain neurotransmitters may occur as a protective mechanism during hibernation to maintain the integrity of the muscular and mucosal layers of the intestine in the absence of luminal contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of a pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the factors that has the greatest impact on the prognosis of the disease. Precise measurement of tumor size in such cases can obviously be achieved only by the pathologist, but, as a result of the increasingly widespread use and refinement of imaging procedures, a fairly accurate preoperative estimate now appears feasible for identifying those lesions which measure ≤2 m in size and which are conventionally defined as 'small tumors.' At tomography, 15/72 patients (20.8%) with cancer of the head of the pancreas observed in our department over the period 1991 to 1994 were prospectively identified as having tumors measuring ≤2 cm. Histology subsequently confirmed that the growths measured 2 cm or less in size in only 4 of these patients, thus revealing that the imaging technique tended to underestimate the tumor diameters. If we exclude the mean time elapsing from onset of symptoms to diagnosis, which was found to be significantly shorter in small than in non-small tumors (6.3 vs 34.2 days, P <0.01), no statistically significant differences were observed in any of the clinical and blood chemistry data evaluated (including CA 19-9 values) in patients with small vs non-small tumors who underwent radical resection. Small tumors of the pancreas are still rare and their diagnosis is often incidental (2/4 in this case series) and can only be confirmed by pathology findings. The radiological detection of a small tumor, however, is strongly suggestive of resectability (more than 70% in this series). This should prompt the surgeon to adopt an aggressive approach, even though the topographical location and biological nature of tumors measuring ≤2 cm are known to be capable of substantially undermining their potentially better prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A degP ( htrA)-like gene of Bradyrhizobium japonicum was identified immediately downstream of two genes ( hspB and hspC) coding for small heat-shock proteins. All three genes are oriented in the same direction and are separated by only 85 and 72 bp, and a heat-inducible transcript covering hspB, hspC, and degP was detected by RT-PCR. These results show that the genes are organized in an operon. Two mutants, a degP insertion mutant and a Δ hspBCdegP mutant, were constructed by marker replacement mutagenesis. Immunoblot analysis performed with a serum raised against the amino-terminal end of IbpA, an HspB homolog of Escherichia coli, identified three heat-inducible protein bands in B. japonicum extract, one of which was missing in the deletion mutant. None of the mutants showed an obvious defect during growth at different temperatures, after heat-shock treatment, or in the presence of solvents. Moreover, they were not affected in root-nodule symbiosis, indicating that the small heat-shock proteins HspB and HspC and the DegP homolog of B. japonicum are not required under a wide range of growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arguments are presented for a substantial, unexplored population of comets with radii less than 1 km. Known examples confirm this population and extrapolation of any plausible size-distribution function indicates large numbers. However, their accurate numbers, orbital characteristics, and physical properties are unknown. Thus, even though the small comets may be the most frequent cometary bodies impacting the planets, a quantitative evaluation is not currently possible. We advocate an optimized, dedicated search program to characterize this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the amphibian small intestine, the epithelial transformation from the larval to adult type is mainly the result of degeneration of the larval epithelium and development of the new (adult) epithelium. In this analysis at the cellular level, we chronologically examined apoptosis and cell proliferation in the Xenopus intestine by using in situ nick end-labeling of genomic DNA (TUNEL) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. During pre- and prometamorphosis, few apoptotic cells were detected by TUNEL, and a small number of proliferating cells randomly distributed in the larval epithelium were labeled by BrdU. At the beginning of the metamorphic climax, when primordia of the adult epithelium were first detected, numbers of apoptotic cells suddenly increased in the larval epithelium, whereas numbers of proliferating cells increased only in the adult epithelium. Subsequently, a dramatic cell loss of the larval epithelium and a rapid growth of the adult epithelium occurred. Following complete epithelial replacement, the adult epithelium became differentiated into a simple columnar epithelium possessing a cell renewal system similar to that of mammalian intestinal epithelium. These results indicate that larval epithelial apoptosis progresses simultaneously with active proliferation of the adult epithelium during the early period of metamorphic climax, which coincides with the modification of the basement membrane lining both types of epithelia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The projections of myenteric neurons within the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig small intestine were established using retrograde tracing in organotypic culture. Three days after applying the fluorescent dye DiI to a single internodal strand in the myenteric plexus, 500-1000 nerve cell bodies were labelled. Of these, 77% were located oral to the application site, 15% were located anally and 7% were located within 1 mm of this site. Three major morphological types of neurons could be distinguished. Dogiel type I neurons had lamellar dendrites and single axons, Dogiel type II neurons had large smooth cell bodies and several long processes, and filamentous neurons had smooth ovoid cell bodies, single axons and several filamentous dendrites. Dogiel type I, II and filamentous neurons accounted for 54.6%, 38% and 7.4% of all filled cells, respectively. Labelled nerve cell bodies were present up to 13 mm aboral to the DiI application site; all neurons more than 2 mm aboral had Dogiel type I features. On the oral side, Dogiel type I neurons were found up to 110 mm, Dogiel type II neurons up to 100 mm and filamentous neurons up to 80 mm. Neurons with 2 mm oral or aboral to the DiI application site were located up to 7 mm circumferentially and were mainly Dogiel type II cells. This work revealed remarkable polarity within the myenteric plexus, with a significant prevalence of myenteric neurons projecting anally for longer distances than those projecting orally. These long pathways are probably involved in the coordination of intestinal motility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that a matrix metalloproteinase, stromelysin-3 (ST3), is an important enzyme for epithelial transformation; the ST3 gene is known to be regulated by thyroid hormone during Xenopus metamorphosis. In this study, we have examined the distribution of ST3 mRNA in the small intestine of Xenopus during metamorphosis by using in situ hybridization. Around stage 58, ST3 mRNA is first detectable in larval fibroblasts near the muscular layer, and then increases in amount throughout the entire region of connective tissue. By stage 61, when connective tissue cells are rapidly increasing in number, ST3 mRNA is localized in fibroblasts just beneath the epithelium. This localization of ST3 mRNA is in good temporal accordance with modification of the basement membrane and epithelial transformation from the larval to adult form. Thereafter, ST3 mRNA gradually decreases and is no longer detected after stage 63 when the adult epithelium has completely replaced the larval type. The transient expression of ST3 mRNA in the fibroblasts of connective tissue during metamorphosis indicates that it plays an important role in epithelial transformation by changing the basement membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a rare right paraduodenal hernia discovered during an elective laparoscopic colon resection. Our patient was a 60-year-old Asian man with a history of multiple bouts of diverticulitis and a lifelong history of mild constipation and postprandial abdominal pain. Prior CT scans and preoperative barium enema confirmed the diagnosis of diverticular disease, and no other abnormalities were appreciated. At laparoscopic exploration, a right paraduodenal hernia was found with complete herniation of the small intestine under the ascending colon and hepatic flexure. The unclear anatomy prompted conversion to an open laparotomy. This allowed safe reduction of the hernia and sac excision. Adhesions were lysed to relieve a partial duodenal obstruction, and a Ladd's procedure was performed to correct the incomplete rotation. Additionally, a sigmoid colectomy was performed. After prolonged ileus, the patient was discharged on postoperative day 14. At 6-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and doing well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borreria terminalis Small is recognized as a species distinct from S. verticillata L. and as an endemic to southern Florida and is transferred to the genus Spermacoce L. A new combination, S. terminalis (Small) Kartesz & Gandhi, is proposed, and a lectotype is designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]