Semantic Jira - Semantic Expert Finder in the Bug Tracking Tool Jira

The semantic expert recommender extension for the Jira bug tracking system semantically searches for similar tickets in Jira and recommends experts and links to existing organizational (Wiki) knowledge for each ticket. This helps to avoid redundant work and supports the search and collaboration with experts in the project management and maintenance phase based on semantically enriched tickets in Jira.Comment: published in proceedings of the 9th International Workshop on Semantic Web Enabled Software Engineering (SWESE2013), Berlin, Germany, December 2-5, 201

Modeling migraine severity with autoregressive ordered probit models

This paper considers the problem of modeling migraine severity assessments and their dependence on weather and time characteristics. Since ordinal severity measurements arise from a single patient dependencies among the measurements have to be accounted for. For this the autore- gressive ordinal probit (AOP) model of Müller and Czado (2004) is utilized and fitted by a grouped move multigrid Monte Carlo (GM-MGMC) Gibbs sampler. Initially, covariates are selected using proportional odds models ignoring this dependency. Model fit and model comparison are discussed. The analysis shows that humidity, windchill, sunshine length and pressure differences have an effect in addition to a high dependence on previous measurements. A comparison with proportional odds specifications shows that the AOP models are preferred

Skin erythrodiapedesis during chronic venous disorders

Background: Extravasation of erythrocytes (erythrodiapedesis [ED]) is currently included among causes of skin damage in legs with chronic venous disorders (CVD) and ascribed to venular hypertension. ED is followed by erythrocyte disruption, degradation of hemoglobin, and storing of ferric iron into hemosiderin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of ED in the skin of legs with different clinical stages of CVD. Methods: One hundred eighteen skin biopsies from legs with CVD underwent histologic evaluation for ED and hemosiderin deposition (HD). Results: ED was found in only 21/118 specimens. In particular, it was found in ulcer samples, in tissues surrounding varicophlebitis and, finally, in acute eczematous skin. ED was found in only 15/30 samples showing HD. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the occurrence of ED during CVD. However, it was found only in concomitance of severe dermal inflammation. Hemosiderin deposition in the absence of actual ED could be explained with previous healed episodes of skin inflammation. However, ED is not likely the only cause of skin iron overload, which could also occur by a molecular mechanism. Further studies are needed to define the mechanism of iron deposition in the skin of legs afflicted with CVD. (J Vase Surg 2011;53:1649-53.

Primary vaginal leiomyosarcoma, a rare tumour: case report and review

Primary vaginal leiomyosarcomas (pvLMS) are rare, recurrent tumours accounting for ca. 2% of all vaginal cancers. The etiology is still unknown, the prognosis is poor and there is no consensus guideline on its management. Diagnosis is usually made during the 5th decade due to the presence of a vaginal mass or nodule [1-2]. Current medical literature reports about 200 cases (PubMed®); only 3 studies have considered the ultrastructure [2-4]. Herein a pvLMS is presented and discussed. A nodular, 25 x 23 x 28 mm-mass, infiltrating the urethra but not the rectovaginal septum, was widely excised from the superior vaginal wall of a 58-year-old previously hysterectomized woman. Macroscopic images and MRI were performed. Iliac lymph nodes and HMB45 were negative. The sample was fixed and prepared for light microscopy, transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. Semithin sections showed a storiform pattern of spindle shaped cells with blunt-ended nuclei. Cells arranged in interwoven fascicles within a dense and richly vascularised stroma (neoangiogenesis). Some atypic mitotic figures and focal necrosis were seen. SEM evidenced a dense collagenous stroma with numerous microvessels. TEM showed neoplastic and pleomorphic cells with complex cytoplasm projections containing paranuclear crowds of dilated mitochondria, free ribosomes and a well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum. Nuclei were large, mostly hyperchromatic, usually indented, with prominent nucleoli and nucleolonema. The dense intercellular space contained dense bundles of collagen fibers. A high and reactive endothelium lined blood vessels. After 4 follow-ups, the patient is fine and without recurrence. Best outcomes occur when the tumour is small, localized, and can be removed surgically with wide, clear margins, as it was for this case. As there are different kinds of LMS, biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy still represents a good diagnostic choice. References [1] Umeadi et al. (2008) Vaginal leiomyosarcoma. J Obstet Gynaecol 28(5): 553-554. [2] Tobon et al. (1973) Primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina. Light and electron microscopic observations. Cancer 32(2): 450-457. [3] Akhtar et al. (1978) Primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina: light and electron microscopic study of a case with review of literature. Tex Med 74(9): 67-71. [4] Rastogi et al. (1984) Primary leiomyosarcoma of the vagina: a study of five cases. Gynecol Oncol 18(1): 77-86

Training the "clinical eye". Rubens' Three Graces: how many pathologies?

Art can serve as a powerful resource for medical students to both train the so called “clinical eye” and to better understand disease [1]. Herein a paleopathological analysis is performed on one of Ruben’s final artworks, “The Three Graces” (1630- 1635; oil on oak panel; 220.5 x 182 cm; Museo del Prado, Madrid). Rubens depicts the three Graces beside a fountain, under a garland of flowers in a landscape. The circular rhythm and elegant undulation are based on classical sculpture. Painted shortly after his marriage, it bears witness to the happiness of the artist’s life. The figure on the left is directly inspired by his second wife, Hélène Fourment (23 years old); the central and right Graces probably illustrate Rubens’ sisters-in-law. Besides overweight, scoliosis, and hyperlordosis observed in all three Graces, the left Grace evidences flat feet; hyperextension of the right metacarpal joints; signs of rheumatoid arthritis (even fibromyalgia has been proposed); lateral deviation of the nipple (Mondor’s disease?); varicose thighs, and right hallux vagus. The central Grace (Clara Fourment?), in turn, shows cellulite and, interestingly, positive Trendelenburg sign. Finally, the Grace on the right -Susanna Fourment- has been subject of a long debate on signs of a locally advanced breast cancer in the left external upper quadrant. In fact, several specialists agree in the observation of signs of an open ulcer; redness of the surrounding skin (an inflammatory sign); nipple retraction; reduction of the left breast volume, and enlarged axillary lymph nodes [2-3]. Rubens was one of main Baroque and realist painters, i.e. he painted whatever his eyes captured. If the Graces were sisters, then they are likely to share genetic traits. The latter, together with all the other signs described, favour the working diagnosis of familial benign hypermobility syndrome. Observation has a key role in clinical medicine; the paleopathological observation in art show us how artists could record abnormalities long before doctors did [2]. Therefore, artworks still represent useful teaching tools for refining visual skills in traditional and innovative medical education. References [1] Hinojosa-Azaloa A. & Alcocer-Varela J. (2014) Art and rheumatology: the artist and the rheumatologist’s perspective. Rheumatology 53: 1725-1731. [2] Dequeker J. (2007) Medicine and the artist. Age and Ageing 37: 4-5. [3] Grau et al. (2001) Breast cancer in Rubens paintings. Breast Ca Res Treat 68: 89-93

Present and future prospects of timber in Tasmania

Paper read by W. Heyn, Timber Department, Admiralty Harbour Works, Dover, at a Meeting of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 29th April, 1901.To give you some idea of the magnitude of this work, only as far as the timber required in its construction is concerned, I give you the quantities which can be regarded as the minimum required before it is completed :—Hardwoods, principally greenheart and rockelm, 25,000 cubic feet, and softwood, pitch-pine, redwood, &c., 75,000 cubic feet for permanent work; and for merely temporary staging, 550,000 cubic feet bluegum and other hardwood; and pitch pine, &c., for superstructure, 700,000 cubic feet; so that an undertaking which will consume some 27,000 to 30,000 loads, or 1,500,000 cubic feet, in its construction, is not a matter which any timber-producing country can regard with indifference