A rare cause of congenital portosystemic shunt: type 2 Abernethy malformation

The Abernethy malformation is characterised by congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts and is divided into two groups according to the type of anastomosis. In type 1, all portal venous blood is discharged into the inferior vena cava and there is no intrahepatic portal vein. In type 2, the portal vein is partially discharged to the inferior vena cava via side-by-side anastomoses. Imaging has an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this malformation. Magnetic resonance imaging should be preferred to demonstrate both vessel anatomy and associated anomalies. The aim of this study was to present a 17-year-old male patient and to discuss the imaging findings of Abernethy malformation

Rates of lobar atrophy in asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate the rates of lobar atrophy in the asymptomatic microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) mutation carriers.MethodsMAPT mutation carriers (n = 14; 10 asymptomatic, 4 converters from asymptomatic to symptomatic) and noncarriers (n = 13) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and were followed annually with a median of 9.2 years. Longitudinal changes in lobar atrophy were analyzed using the tensor-based morphometry with symmetric normalization algorithm.ResultsThe rate of temporal lobe atrophy in asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers was faster than that in noncarriers. Although the greatest rate of atrophy was observed in the temporal lobe in converters, they also had increased atrophy rates in the frontal and parietal lobes compared to noncarriers.DiscussionAccelerated decline in temporal lobe volume occurs in asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers followed by the frontal and parietal lobe in those who have become symptomatic. The findings have implications for monitoring the progression of neurodegeneration during clinical trials in asymptomatic MAPT mutation carriers

A novel computer adaptive word list memory test optimized for remote assessment: Psychometric properties and associations with neurodegenerative biomarkers in older women without dementia

Introduction: This study established the psychometric properties and preliminary validity of the Stricker Learning Span (SLS), a novel computer adaptive word list memory test designed for remote assessment and optimized for smartphone use. Methods: Women enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) were recruited via e-mail or phone to complete two remote cognitive testing sessions. Convergent validity was assessed through correlation with previously administered in-person neuropsychological tests (n = 96, ages 55-79) and criterion validity through associations with magnetic resonance imaging measures of neurodegeneration sensitive to Alzheimer\u27s disease (n = 47). Results: SLS performance significantly correlated with the Auditory Verbal Learning Test and measures of neurodegeneration (temporal meta-regions of interest and entorhinal cortical thickness, adjusting for age and education). Test-retest reliabilities across two sessions were 0.71-0.76 (two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients). Discussion: The SLS is a valid and reliable self-administered memory test that shows promise for remote assessment of aging and neurodegenerative disorders

Cost and energy efficient operation of converged, reconfigurable optical wireless networks

This paper presents a converged fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) based access network architecture featuring wireless services. In order to fulfill the bandwidth demands from end users, a dynamic architecture is proposed with co-existence of LTE, WiMax and UWB technologies. Hybrid wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and a time division multiplexing (TDM) based optical access network offer reconfigurable provision. This enhances the ability to allocate different wavelengths to different optical networking units (ONUs) on demand. In addition, two different channel routing modules (CRMs) are introduced in order to address the cost effectiveness and energy efficiency issues of the proposed network. Take-up rate adaptive-mode operation and traffic-adaptive power management are utilized to optimize the benefits of low investment cost with energy efficiency. Up to 26% power consumption reduction is achieved at the time of minimum traffic conditions while 10% consumption is achieved at the time of maximum traffic conditions. Besides, 23% energy saving can be achieved compared to conventional systems in fully operated stage

Spontaneous Formation and Rearrangement of Artificial Lipid Nanotube Networks as a Bottom-Up Model for Endoplasmic Reticulum

We present a convenient method to form a bottom-up structural organelle model for the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The model consists of highly dense lipidic nanotubes that are, in terms of morphology and dynamics, reminiscent of ER. The networks are derived from phospholipid double bilayer membrane patches adhering to a transparent Al2O3 substrate. The adhesion is mediated by Ca2+ in the ambient buffer. Subsequent depletion of Ca2+ by means of BAPTA/EDTA causes retraction of the membrane, resulting in spontaneous lipid nanotube network formation. The method only comprises phospholipids and microfabricated surfaces for simple formation of an ER model and does not require the addition of proteins or chemical energy (e.g., GTP or ATP). In contrast to the 3D morphology of the cellular endoplasmic reticulum, the model is two-dimensional (albeit the nanotube dimensions, geometry, structure, and dynamics are maintained). This unique in vitro ER model consists of only a few components, is easy to construct, and can be observed under a light microscope. The resulting structure can be further decorated for additional functionality, such as the addition of ER-associated proteins or particles to study transport phenomena among the tubes. The artificial networks described here are suitable structural models for the cellular ER, whose unique characteristic morphology has been shown to be related to its biological function, whereas details regarding formation of the tubular domain and rearrangements within are still not completely understood. We note that this method uses Al2O3 thin-film-coated microscopy coverslips, which are commercially available but require special orders. Therefore, it is advisable to have access to a microfabrication facility for preparation

Dynamic optimization of a gas-liquid reactor

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10910-011-9941-1A dynamic gas-liquid transfer model without chemical reaction based on unsteady film theory is considered. In this case, the mathematical model presented for gas-liquid mass-transfer processes is based on mass balances of the transferred substance in both phases. The identificability property of this model is studied in order to confirm the possible identifiable parameters of the model from a given set of experimental data. For that, a different modeled of the system is given. A procedure for the identification is proposed. On the other hand, the aim of this work is to solve the quadratic optimal control problem, using an explicit representation of the model. The problem includes some results on controllability, observability and stability criteria and the relation between these properties and the parameters of the model. Using the optimal control problem we study the stability of the system and show how the choice of the weighting matrices can improve the behavior of the system but with an increase of the energy control cost. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.This work has been partially supported by PAID-05-10-003-295 and by MTM2010-18228.Cantó Colomina, B.; Cardona Navarrete, SC.; Coll, C.; Navarro-Laboulais, J.; Sánchez, E. (2012). Dynamic optimization of a gas-liquid reactor. Journal of Mathematical Chemistry. 50(2):381-393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10910-011-9941-1S381393502Bayón L., Grau J.M., Ruiz M.M., Suárez P.M.: Initial guess of the solution of dynamic optimization of chemical processes. J. Math. Chem. Model. 48, 28–37 (2010)Ben-Zvi A., McLellan P.J., McAuley K.B.: Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 42, 6607–6618 (2003)Cantó B., Coll C., Sánchez E.: Structural identifiability of a model of dialysis. Math. Comp. Model. 50, 733–737 (2009)Cantó B., Coll C., Sánchez E.: Identifiability of a class of discretized linear partial differential algebraic equations. Math. Probl. Eng. 2011, 1–12 (2011)Craciun G., Pantea C.: Identifiability of chemical reaction networks. J. Math. Chem. 44, 244–259 (2008)Dai L.: Descriptor Control Systems. Springer, New York (1989)Deckwer W.D.: Bubble Column Reactors. Wiley, Chichester (1992)Kantarci N., Borak F., Ulgen K.O.: Bubble column reactors. Proc. Biochem. 40(7), 2263–2283 (2005)Kawakernaak H., Sivan R.: Linear Optimal Control Systems. Wiley-Interscience, New York (1972)Kuo B.C.: Automatic Control Systems, 6th edn. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1991)Navarro-Laboulais J., Cardona S.C., Torregrosa J.I., Abad A., López F.: Practical identifiability analysis in dynamic gas-liquid reactors. Optimal experimental design for mass-transfer parameters determination. Comp. Chem. Eng. 32, 2382–2394 (2008)Navarro-Laboulais J., López F., Torregrosa J.I., Cardona S.C., Abad A.: Transient response, model structure and systematic errors in hybrid respirometers: structural identifiabilit analysis based on OUR and DO measurements. J. Math. Chem. 44(4), 969–990 (2007)Patel R., Munro N.: Multivariable Systen. Theory and Design. Pergamon Press, New York (1982)Sondergeld K.: A generalization of the Routh–Hurwitz stability criteria and a application to a problem in robust controller design. IEEE Trans. Automat. Contr. AC-28(10), 965–970 (1983

Genetic variation in the myeloperoxidase gene and cognitive impairment in Multiple Sclerosis

There is evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) may associated with cognitive impairment in 25 to 40% of cases. The gene encoding myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in molecular pathways leading to β-amyloid deposition. We investigated a functional biallelic (G/A) polymorphism in the promoter region (-463) of the MPO gene in 465 patients affected by MS, divided into 204 cognitively normal and 261 impaired. We did not find significant differences in allele or genotype distributions between impaired and preserved MS patients. Our findings suggest that MPO polymorphism is not a risk factor for cognitive impairment in MS