Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Sberia: Set Based Gene Environment Interaction Test For Rare And Common Variants In Complex Diseases, Shuo Jiao, Li Hsu, Stéphane Bézieau, Hermann Brenner, Andrew T. Chan, Jenny Chang-Claude, Loic Le Marchand, Mathieu Lemire, Polly A. Newcomb, Martha L. Slattery, Ulrike Peters

Shuo Jiao

Identification of gene-environment interaction (GxE) is important in understanding the etiology of complex diseases. However, partially due to the lack of power, there have been very few replicated GxE findings compared to the success in marginal association studies. The existing GxE testing methods mainly focus on improving the power for individual markers. In this paper, we took a different strategy and proposed a Set Based gene EnviRonment InterAction test (SBERIA), which can improve the power by reducing the multiple testing burdens and aggregating signals within a set. The major challenge of the signal aggregation within a set is how to …

Mixtures Of Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves, Mithat Gonen

Mithat Gönen

Rationale and Objectives: ROC curves are ubiquitous in the analysis of imaging metrics as markers of both diagnosis and prognosis. While empirical estimation of ROC curves remains the most popular method, there are several reasons to consider smooth estimates based on a parametric model.

Materials and Methods: A mixture model is considered for modeling the distribution of the marker in the diseased population motivated by the biological observation that here is more heterogeneity in the diseased population than there is in the normal one. It is shown that this model results in an analytically tractable ROC curve which is itself …

Piscine Myocarditis Virus (Pmcv) In Wild Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) is a severe cardiac disease of sea-farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., but CMS-like lesions have also been found in wild Atlantic salmon. In 2010 a double-stranded RNA virus of the Totiviridae family, provisionally named piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), was described as the causative agent of CMS. In the present paper we report the first detection of PMCV in wild Atlantic salmon. The study is based on screening of 797 wild Atlantic salmon by real-time RT-PCR. The samples were collected from 35 different rivers along the coast of Norway, and all individuals included in the study were …

Intrinsic Rhinitis, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Intrinsic rhinitis is defined as a non infective and non allergic condition characterised by nasal block, rhinorrhoea and hyposmia. This is purely a medical condition. Awareness of this condition will help us to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures on patients suffering from this disorder. Surgery should be reserved only for cases that are intractable to medical management. This article discusses the complete gamut of this disorder.

Relaxation Thyroplasty – A Classical Surgical Approach For Puberphonia, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Karthikeyan Arjunan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Abstract: The persistence of adolescent voice even after puberty in the absence of organic cause is known as puberphonia. 1,2,3 The condition is commonly seen in males.1-7 . This case report illustrates a novel surgical method “Retrusion thyroplasty” in the management of puberphonia. Introduction: The persistence of adolescent voice even after puberty in the absence of organic cause is known as puberphonia. 1,2,3 The condition is commonly seen in males.1-7 Normally adolescent males undergo voice changes due to sudden increase in length of vocal cords due to enlargement of thyroid prominence (Adam’s apple). This is uncommon in females because their …

Role Of X-Rays In Rhinology, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

X-rays in the present day context is considered to be outdated by Rhinologists. CT scan images have replaced conventional x-ray imaging. Current concensus is that still x-rays have a role in the field of rhinology. Its inherent advantages like easy availability, cost effectiveness makes this investigation still relevant in the present day scenario. Bony lesions involving nose and sinuses, can be evalutated with reasonable degree of accuracy by performing conventional radiographs. Air present inside the paranasal sinuses serve as excellent contrast medium for plain x-ray evaluation. Pathologies involving paranasal sinuses encroach upon these air spaces causing alterations in their translucency.

Effect Of Paired Apertures In A Periodic Hole Array On Higher Order Plasmon Modes, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

We demonstrate that the transmission of higherorder surface plasmon modes in the mid-infrared range can be enhanced through rectangular hole array on the basis of paired apertures. Experiments prove that enhanced high-order transmission can be generated by either identical shapes or combinations of different hole shapes in pairs. The structure factor is adopted to explain the observed intensity of enhanced transmission. Numerical simulations of the enhanced secondorder mode verify a significant field enhancement in a unit cell of pairs. It is clarified that the separation between the paired apertures and the paired resonance is the key to determine certain higher-order …

Halloween 2012 Jack O'Lanterns Trick Or Treat, George Mcnamara

George McNamara

Halloween 2012 makes trick or treating more visual and interactive than in past years.

the download is a ZIP file containing three files.

Print out the (unnumbered) image on as large and nice printer paper as possible - I used glossy 44" wide here in Miami (University of Miami, MillerSchool of Medicine, Calder Library, Biomedical Communications dept - I also made another print on "fabric", also 44" wide to take with me to an HHMI Janelia Farm conference on 'turning images into knowledge' that ends on Oct 31 - might stay up for a second conference, "GFP..." that start Nov …

The Return Of The Strangler? Case Report Of A Fatal Case Of Diphtheria, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Srikamakshi Kothandaraman, Seethalakshmi Narashiman

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This article is a case report of a case of diphtheria which presented as diphtheritic tonsillitis in stridor and finally succumbed to diphtheritic myocarditis. Here we describe the case presentation, the treatment modalities undertaken, and the fatal course of events followed by an elaborate discussion on diphtheria.

Two Infrared Emission Modes With Different Wavelengths And Orthogonal Polarization In A Waveguide Thermal Emitter, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

This study investigates a Au/SiO2/Au waveguide thermal emitter incorporating a metallic grating embedded in the SiO2 layer. The metal grating acts as a beam splitter, dividing the device into two waveguide structures determined by the polarization of the waveguide modes. The thermal radiation spectrum exhibits two peaks with orthogonal polarization. The emitted wavelengths of the two waveguide modes can be adjusted by controlling the thickness of the SiO2 layers on both sides of the metallic grating during the fabrication process. The emission peaks have ratios of the full width at half maximum to the peak wavelength of 0.057 and 0.05 …

Libraries At The University Of Massachusetts Amherst: Seeking An International Perspective, Maxine G. Schmidt

Maxine G Schmidt

Presentation delivered to librarians in China, Japan and South Korea as part of my sabbatical research on the use of libraries by Asian students in their home countries.

A Pooled Analysis Of Smoking And Colorectal Cancer: Timing Of Exposure And Interactions With Environmental Factors

Shuo Jiao

Background:Considerable evidence suggests that cigarette smoking is associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. What is unclear, however, is the impact of quitting smoking on risk attenuation and whether other risk factors for colorectal cancer modify this association. Methods:We performed a pooled analysis of 8 studies, including 6,796 colorectal cancer cases and 7,770 controls to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking history and colorectal cancer risk, and to investigate potential effect modification by other risk factors. Results:Current smokers (OR=1.26, 95% CI=1.11-1.43) and former smokers (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.09-1.27), relative to never smokers, showed higher risks of colorectal cancer. Former smokers …

Advanced Anatomy Of Lateral Nasal Wall For The Endoscopic Sinus Surgeon, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Introduction: Anatomy of the lateral nasal wall is highly complex and variable. With the popularity of endoscopic sinus surgery a through knowledge of this complex anatomy is very vital. Highly variable anatomy and paucity of standard landmark makes this region vulnerable for complications during endoscopic sinus surgery. The learning curve for endoscopic sinus surgery is made rather steep by this highly variable anatomy . Study of anatomy of lateral nasal wall dates back to Galen (AD 130-201). He described the porosity of bones in the head. Davinci in his classical anatomical drawings has illustrated maxillary sinus antrum. He also described …

Evaluation Of Lacrimal Apparatus, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Currently otolaryngologists have started doing dacryocystorhinostomy using nasal endoscopes. This procedure done by an otolaryngologist has its own obvious advantages. The first and foremost being the need for external incision has been dispensed with. On the flip side otolaryngologist is not conversant with the examination techniques involving this area. Even the standard text books of otolaryngology are woefully inadequate in details regarding this subject. This e book discusses the examination techniques and investigations pertaining to rhinolacrimal system

Reducing Bleeding During Fess, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This article discusses the importance of anesthesia in endoscopic sinus surgery. Major aim of anesthetist in FESS should be to reduce blood pressure to such a level that bleeding is minimized. It also discusses the various steps that should be followed by surgeons to reduced intra operative bleeding during the procedure. Introduction: Bleeding is one complication that could increase the risk of complication during endoscopic sinus surgery. Considerable amount of attention should be paid to reduce bleeding on the table during the surgical procedure. Dry surgical field not only improves visibility during endoscopic sinus surgery, it also shortens the duration …

Mcnamara 20120831fri-20120904tue Cosmic Ray Particles By Ccd Imaging, George Mcnamara

George McNamara

McNamara 20120831Fri-20120904Tue Cosmic Ray Particles by CCD imaging.zip contains image files in support of a Microscopy Today article - please see

http://www.microscopy-today.com/

Choanal Atresia, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Choana is also known as posterior nasal aperture. Nasal airway continues with that of posterior nares. Air from nasal cavity finds its way into the lungs via the choanal apertures. In some children the choana may be congenitally closed. This causes either total (bilateral choanal atresia) or partial (unilateral choanal atreisa) nasal obstruction. Child being obligate nasal breathers, find it rather difficult to breathe when there is bilateral choanal atresia. This is more so during the first 6 weeks of life. Hence bilateral choanal atresia should be considered as an emergency in paediatric age group. This article attempts to discuss …

Prevalence Of Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus In Tick Nymphs In Relation To Climatic Factors On The Southern Coast Of Norway, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

BACKGROUND

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is among the most important vector borne diseases of humans in Europe and is currently identified as a major health problem in many countries. TBE endemic zones have expanded over the past two decades, as well as the number of reported cases within endemic areas. Multiple factors are ascribed for the increased incidence of TBE, including climatic change. The number of TBE cases has also increased in Norway over the past decade, and the human cases cluster along the southern coast of Norway. In Norway the distribution and prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in tick populations …

Cosmic Ray Particles Images With Orca-Ii Erg, George Mcnamara

George McNamara

Cosmic ray particles image series acquired using a Hamamatsu ORCA-II ERG scientific grade CCD camera, cooled to -60 C. Each image is a consecutive 600 second (10 minute) exposure time with no light to the camera.

While processing the data, I discoverd that the background changed around planes 25 and 227 (see Excel file and jpeg screenshots), so I also processed only planes 025-227 (203 planes total, 2030 minutes, 33.83 hours). the CCD industry "rule of thumb" for a "typical" CCD sensor (i.e. 1/3" CCD) is that one cosmic ray particle strikes a sensor approximately every 30 seconds (assuming not …

Rhinophyma, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This is a disfigurement of the skin lining the nose. This condition is commonly seen in elderly males. This condition is characterised by slow and progressive hypertrophy of sebaceous glands and connective tissue over the lower portion of dorsum of the nose. The term rhinophyma originates from the Greek word “Rhis” which means nose and “phyma” which means growth. This article attempts to review the hitherto published literature on this subject.

Are Left Handed Surgeons Left Out?, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Srikamakshi Kothandaraman

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

“ If by chance I touched a pencil, a pen or a needle, I was bitterly rebuked, and more than once I have been beaten for being awkward and wanting a graceful manner.” These were the words of Benjamin Franklin, noted left-handed American inventor, scientist, printer, statesman and philosopher, who had a miserable childhood. His words reflect the exact state of affairs and consequently, the state of mind of the lonely left-hander in this right-dominated world. Studies have revealed that left-handers are generally more inhibited and anxious, and this doesn’t go without reason. The scientific reason is that, in left-handers …

Role Of Tissue Adhesive In Otorhinolaryngology, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Karthikeyan Arjunan, Seethalakshmi Narashiman

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This paper summarises the effectiveness of tissue adhesives in otorhinolaryngology. Although the adhesion system cannot and should not replace surgical suture, it provides valuable assistance in tissue synthesis and in local haemostasis, particularly in cases where conventional suture methods are especially difficult to apply. In addition to good adhesion, an elastic consistency, and good tissue compatibility, the adhesive is completely absorbed. The system has been used successfully in myringoplasty, laryngectomy during pharyngeal closure, repair of CSF leak, laryngocele, and ossiculoplasty.

A Strain Of Piscine Myocarditis Virus (Pmcv) Infecting Argentina Silus (Ascanius), Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

No abstract.

Nasal Myasis An Analysis, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This article discusses Nasal myasis, its common causes and treatment modalities followed to remove the same. Myasis Narium is also commonly known as Peenash in India. Maggots are larvae hatched from eggs laid inside the nasal cavity by certain flies. The commonest fly implicated being Sarcophagia Georginia. These flies gets attracted by stench emanating from the nasal cavity of patients. They manage to lay eggs inside the nasal cavity. These flies are capable of laying more than 200 eggs at a time. These eggs take just a day to hatch.

Acute Otitis Media An Overview And Literature Review, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Definition: Acute otitis media is defined as middle ear infection of 3 weeks duration. In acute otitis media there is evidence of acute illness along with symptoms like pain, fullness of ear. On examination the ear drum appears to be bulging and under high tension. If there is associated accumulation of fluid in the middle ear cavity then it is termed as otitis media with effusion (OME). In otitis media with effusion there is absence of these dramatic signs and symptoms. Only positive history being ear block, Introduction: Inorder to decide on the optimal management modality it is vital to …

Comparing Years Of Healthy Life, Measured In 16 Ways, For Normal Weight And Overweight Older Adults, Paula Diehr

Paula Diehr

Introduction. The traditional definitions of overweight and obesity are not age specific, even though the relationship of weight to mortality is different for older adults. Effects of adiposity on aspects of health beside mortality have not been well investigated. Methods. We calculated the number of years of healthy life (YHL) in the 10 years after baseline, for 5,747 older adults. YHL was defined in 16 different ways. We compared Normal and Overweight persons, classified either by bodymass index (BMI) or by waist circumference (WC). Findings. YHL for Normal and Overweight persons differed significantly in 25% of the comparisons, of which …

Nanoprojection Lithography Using Self-Assembled Interference Modules For Manufacturing Plasmonic Gratings, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

Abstract—A new nanoprojection lithography (NPL) is proposed to manufacture plasmonic nanogratings. Here, low-cost self-assembly elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane wavy structures are used as the interference modules, with their periods and amplitudes largely controlled by the applied mechanical strain in the synthesis process. Well defined plasmonic grating couplers with desired feature sizes and wavelengths of operation were obtained. This NPL may enable large-area and flash manufacturing of plasmonic nanogratings with tunable array periods.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhoea An Overview, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

This article discusses etiopathogenesis, clinical features and management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea is the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space into the nasal cavity due to defect in both dura and bone. Various causes of CSF rhinorrhoea include: 1. Traumatic 2. Iatrogenic 3. Idiopathic 4. Tumors

Huge Epiglottis Cyst Causing Upper Air Way Obstruction A Case Report And Literature Review, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan, Karthikeyan Arjunan

Balasubramanian Thiagarajan

Cystic lesions involving larynx are fairly common. They constitute about 5% of benign laryngeal lesions. Majority of cysts arise from epiglottis. Lingual surface of epiglottis is commonly involved. These cysts have the potential to cause acute upper airway obstruction. This article discusses a patient who presented with a large epiglottic cyst with acute upper airway obstruction. This case is being reported not only for its rarity but also for management challenges it provides.

Quantification Of Piscine Reovirus (Prv) At Different Stages Of Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar Production, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

The newly described piscine reovirus (PRV) appears to be associated with the development of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. PRV seems to be ubiquitous among fish in Norwegian salmon farms, but high viral loads and tissue distribution support a causal relationship between virus and disease. In order to improve understanding of the distribution of PRV in the salmon production line, we quantified PRV by using real-time PCR on heart samples collected at different points in the life cycle from pre-smolts to fish ready for slaughter. PRV positive pre-smolts were found in about …