Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B in a Chinese patient

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B syndrome is rarely reported in Chinese patients. A 25-year-old Chinese male presented with full-blown clinical features of this syndrome, including bilateral phaeochromocytomas, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and characteristic phenotypic features. One-stage surgical treatment was performed and subsequent genetic analysis confirmed a point mutation at codon 918 in exon 16 of the RET proto-oncogene. The mutation was arising de novo as there was no corresponding mutation found in both this parents or younger sister. Data published to date suggest there is no difference in the genetic and pathophysiologic basis, nor clinical characteristics of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B in Chinese patients. As the disease can be lethal, early diagnosis by prompt recognition of the characteristic phenotypic features followed by surgical treatment should improve the outcome. Family screening is essential to identify at-risk family members for prophylactic treatment.published_or_final_versio

Resection of phaeochromocytoma extending into the right atrium in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A

We report the first case of successful surgical resection of a malignant phaeochromocytoma with tumour extension into vena cava and right atrium in a patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A. A 21-year-old woman with genetic confirmation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A syndrome was diagnosed with a very rare case of malignant phaeochromocytoma with tumour thrombus extension into vena cava and right atrium causing Budd-Chiari syndrome. It posed a challenge to the surgeons with regard to complete tumour resection and vascular control. Reviewing the limited literature, surgical resection by means of cardiopulmonary bypass with hypothermic circulatory arrest has been reported with success in phaeochromocytoma with advance vascular involvement. Adopting this approach, adrenalectomy with complete thrombus excision by inferior vena cava exploration and right atriotomy were performed successfully by a multidisciplinary team.published_or_final_versio

An evolutionary video assignment optimization technique for VOD system in heterogeneous environment

2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Total thyroidectomy replaces subtotal thyroidectomy as the preferred surgical treatment for Graves' disease

Background: Total thyroidectomy is increasingly being adopted for patients requiring surgical treatment for Graves' disease based on a comparable surgical risk and the lack of recurrence, as well as the questionable ability of subtotal thyroidectomy to maintain euthyroidism. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate its safety and efficiency. Methods: Total thyroidectomy was adopted as part of the routine surgical treatment for Graves' disease from 2000. Patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) from 1995 to 1999 (n = 119) were compared with those who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) from 2000 to 2003 (n = 98) with respect to immediate postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome. Results: Fourteen (11.8%) and 22 patients (22.4%) required calcium supplement on discharge in the STT and TT groups, respectively (P < 0.05). One (0.8%) and three patients (3.1%) developed permanent hypocalcaemia, respectively. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 9.2% (n = 11) and 5.1% (n = 5) of patients or 5.0% and 2.6% of nerves at risk after STT and TT, respectively. None of the patients had permanent nerve palsy. The estimated blood loss was less and hospital stay shorter after TT. During a mean follow up of 64 months, 86 patients (72.3%) in the STT group required thyroxine replacement and seven patients (5.9%) developed relapse. Conclusion: Subtotal thyroidectomy was associated with relapse as well as hypothyroidism in a significant proportion of patients during long-term follow up. Total thyroidectomy can be performed as safely as STT and should be recommended as the procedure of choice for patients requiring surgical treatment for Graves' disease.postprin

Validation of the psychometric properties of the health-promoting lifestyle profile in a sample of Taiwanese women

PURPOSE: To examine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Chinese health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP II) among Taiwanese women. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from 137 middle-aged women in southern Taiwan. HPLP II reliability was estimated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and concurrent validity was estimated with Pearson's correlation between the HPLP II, the World Health Organization's abbreviated Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF), perceived health, and demographic variables. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) evaluated construct validity. RESULTS: Initial CFA using a six-factor measurement model aligned with the original HPLP II, excepting the factor loading of one subsequently excluded item. CFA of the revised 51-item HPLP II yielded a good estimate of fit. Correlations between the revised instrument and the six subscales were acceptable >0.7. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient surpassed 0.7 for the revised instrument and six subscales ranged from 0.71 to 0.91. The relationships between the 51-item instrument, perceived health, WHOQOL-BREF domain scores, and demographic variables were also significantly positive. CONCLUSIONS: The revised HPLP II scale is appropriate to measure the health-promoting lifestyles of Taiwanese women.published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 21 Feb 201

Computers from plants we never made. Speculations

We discuss possible designs and prototypes of computing systems that could be based on morphological development of roots, interaction of roots, and analog electrical computation with plants, and plant-derived electronic components. In morphological plant processors data are represented by initial configuration of roots and configurations of sources of attractants and repellents; results of computation are represented by topology of the roots' network. Computation is implemented by the roots following gradients of attractants and repellents, as well as interacting with each other. Problems solvable by plant roots, in principle, include shortest-path, minimum spanning tree, Voronoi diagram, $\alpha$-shapes, convex subdivision of concave polygons. Electrical properties of plants can be modified by loading the plants with functional nanoparticles or coating parts of plants of conductive polymers. Thus, we are in position to make living variable resistors, capacitors, operational amplifiers, multipliers, potentiometers and fixed-function generators. The electrically modified plants can implement summation, integration with respect to time, inversion, multiplication, exponentiation, logarithm, division. Mathematical and engineering problems to be solved can be represented in plant root networks of resistive or reaction elements. Developments in plant-based computing architectures will trigger emergence of a unique community of biologists, electronic engineering and computer scientists working together to produce living electronic devices which future green computers will be made of.Comment: The chapter will be published in "Inspired by Nature. Computing inspired by physics, chemistry and biology. Essays presented to Julian Miller on the occasion of his 60th birthday", Editors: Susan Stepney and Andrew Adamatzky (Springer, 2017

Mp1p Is a Virulence Factor in Talaromyces (Penicillium) marneffei

published_or_final_versio

Feeding spectra and activity of the freshwater crab Trichodactylus kensleyi (Decapoda: Brachyura: Trichodactylidae) at La Plata basin

Background: In inland water systems, it is important to characterize the trophic links in order to identify the ‘trophic species’ and, from the studies of functional diversity, understand the dynamics of matter and energy in these environments. The aim of this study is to analyze the natural diet of Trichodactylus kensleyi of subtropical rainforest streams and corroborate the temporal variation in the trophic activity during day hours. Results: A total of 15 major taxonomic groups were recognized in gut contents. The index of relative importance identified the following main prey items in decreasing order of importance: vegetal remains, oligochaetes, chironomid larvae, and algae. A significant difference was found in the amount of full stomachs during day hours showing a less trophic activity at midday and afternoon. The index of relative importance values evidenced the consumption of different prey according to day moments. Results of the gut content indicate that T. kensleyi is an omnivorous crab like other trichodactylid species. Opportunistic behavior is revealed by the ingestion of organisms abundant in streams such as oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. The consumption of allochthonous plant debris shows the importance of this crab as shredder in subtropical streams. However, the effective assimilation of plant matter is yet unknown in trichodactylid crabs. Conclusions: This research provides knowledge that complements previous studies about trophic relationships of trichodactylid crabs and supported the importance of T. kensleyi in the transference of energy and matter from benthic community and riparian sources to superior trophic levels using both macro- and microfauna.Fil: Williner, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: de Azevedo Carvalho, Debora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Collins, Pablo Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto Nacional de Limnología. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto Nacional de Limnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentin

RAFI replication: easier done than said?

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in The Journal of Asset Management. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Glabadanidis, Paskalis Teodoros; Obaydin, Ivan; Zurbruegg, Ralf, RAFI replication: easier done than said?, The Journal of Asset Management, 2012; 13(3):210-225 is available online at: dx.doi.org/10.1057/jam.2012.7We investigate whether adding fundamental indices to a portfolio provides increased diversification benefits. Our results show that equity investors who care only about portfolio mean and variance will benefit from including a fundamental index in their portfolios. This benefit is especially pronounced during periods of average stock market volatility. We also find that investors can construct a do-it-yourself buy-and-hold replicating portfolio that frequently outperforms the Research Affiliates Fundamental Index®(RAFI®), exchange traded fund out-of-sample.Paskalis Glabadanidis, Ivan Obaydin, Ralf Zurbrueg