Cigarette smoking and the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence: a hypothesis to explain the paradox

As recognized precursor lesions to colorectal cancer, colorectal adenomatous polyps have been studied to enhance knowledge of colorectal cancer etiology. Although most of the known risk factors for colorectal cancer are also associated with the occurrence of colorectal adenomas, cigarette smoking has had a strong, consistent relationship with colorectal adenomas but is generally not associated with colorectal cancer. The explanation for this paradox is unknown. With data collected in 1986-1988 during a large case-control study based on colonoscopy results in New York City, New York, the authors investigated the possibility that the paradox may arise because subjects with colorectal adenomas were included in the control group of cancer case-control studies. The authors found a statistically significant increased risk between heavy cigarette smoking (smokers with > or = 40 pack-years of smoking) and risk of adenoma (odds ratio (OR) = 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.44). They saw no increased colorectal cancer risk from heavy cigarette smoking (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.52-1.99) using a "manufactured" control group to simulate a typical unscreened, population-based control group. When the authors compared these colorectal cancer cases with an adenoma-free control group examined by colonoscopy in a polytomous model with several case groups (newly diagnosed adenomas, carcinoma in situ, intramucosal carcinoma, and colorectal cancer), they found that the risk for 20-39 pack-years of smoking was elevated, although not statistically significant, and was similar for all four case groups. The risk for the highest smoking category (> or = 40 pack-years) was more strongly elevated in all four case groups, although it was statistically significant for only the newly diagnosed adenoma and the carcinoma in situ cases (adenomas, OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.42; carcinoma in situ, OR = 2.05, 95% CI 1.01-4.15; intramucosal carcinoma, OR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.61-2.77; and colorectal cancer, OR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.64-2.65). While the authors' study is weakened by the lack of statistical significance concerning risk for colorectal cancer, these data offer some support for the hypothesis that the association between cigarette smoking and risk of colorectal cancer may have been masked by inclusion in the control group of subjects with adenomas. They also suggest that the major effect of smoking on the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence occurs in the earlier stages of the formation of adenoma and the development of carcinoma in situ.     

New aspects of transversal1H-NMR relaxation in natural rubber vulcanizates

Summary Structure and dynamics of unfilled and carbon black filled natural rubber vulcanizates were investigated by means of transversal¹H-NMR-relaxation. A simple theoretical model including different motions in polymer network was extended by the discussion of an anisotropy parameter of segmental motion not only for the intercrosslink chains but also for the dangling ends. It makes characterization of the filling state of the network possible to approximate. The effect of increasing correlation times _f of the fast anisotropic local motion with reduction of the molecular mass of intercrosslink chains which was observed, but not cleared up in previous investigation is evidently smaller by using this modified model in accordance with the expectation of a local motion. The determined values of M_c are in good agreement with the results of fits by using the unmodified relaxation function.¹³C-NMR-spectra and stress-strain-experiments are leading in most cases to similar results, especially for M_c.     

Influence of hypertonic saline solution infusion on defibrillation efficacy

BACKGROUND: Transplantation of lung allografts from the same donor into 2 recipients ("twinning") provides an opportunity to study recipient and donor factors that influence early allograft function. METHODS: Twenty-seven pairs of recipients were identified and evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). Four measures of early graft function were analyzed: alveolar-arterial gradient in the operating room, first alveolar-arterial gradient in the intensive care unit, alveolar-arterial gradient at 24 hours, and days of mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Analysis of the pooled data without regard to pairing showed that alveolar-arterial gradient in the operating room was influenced by donor age, length of donor hospitalization, recipient mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure at unclamping, and transplantation of a left lung. The alveolar-arterial gradient in the intensive care unit was correlated with donor age, donor cause of death, and mean PA pressure on arrival in that unit. Only mean PA pressure remained significant at 24 hours. Days of mechanical ventilation was determined by mean PA pressure on arrival in the intensive care unit, drop in mean PA pressure during operation, and diagnosis of the recipient. In the paired analysis, receiving a left lung, recipient diagnosis (pulmonary hypertension worse than others), and need of cardiopulmonary bypass were significantly associated with immediate graft dysfunction, although these influences did not persist beyond the immediate postoperative period. Donor arterial oxygen tension and time of ischemia were not significant predictors in any analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate allograft function was associated with donor-related characteristics initially, but these lost importance over the ensuing 24 hours. Recipient PA pressure was an immediate and persisting influence. In the analysis of differences in function between the members of each pair, transplantation of the left lung, recipient diagnosis, and cardiopulmonary bypass were identified, but their influence did not persist beyond the first 6 hours.     

The effect of urinary tract reconstruction on neurologically impaired women previously treated with an indwelling urethral catheter

PURPOSE: We investigated the changes in sexuality and quality of life that evolve after lower urinary tract reconstruction in neurologically impaired women previously treated with an indwelling urethral catheter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 neurologically impaired women treated with an indwelling urethral catheter underwent bladder reconstruction. Pubovaginal sling urethral compression was required to restore perineal dryness in 13 patients and was the only operation required in conjunction with intermittent catheterization in 3. Eight patients underwent ileocystostomy, that is creation of a "bladder chimney," and 4 underwent augmentation cystoplasty with creation of a continent catheterizable stoma. In 3 patients ileocystoplasty alone with intermittent urethral catheterization was performed. All patients were followed 6 to 40 months (mean 18) after reconstructive surgery using a 9-part questionnaire to score numerically the effect of surgical reconstruction on sexuality and quality of life issues. RESULTS: On a scale of 0 (worst) to 5 (best) mean score for self-esteem improved from 1 preoperatively to 4 postoperatively, self-image from 1 to 4, sexual desire from 2 to 4 and ability to cope with disability from 1 to 4, respectively. In 4 of the 15 women who were sexually active preoperatively the frequency of sexual intercourse doubled from a mean of 3 to 6 times per month, respectively, and all 4 women reported improved sexual satisfaction. All 13 patients with pelvic pain and 5 with symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia noticed significant improvement if not complete resolution of the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction treated with an indwelling urethral catheter is detrimental to sexuality and quality of life in neurologically impaired women. Urinary tract reconstruction restores not only quality of life but also sexuality by improving self-image, self-esteem and the ability to cope. Indwelling catheterization as a method of long-term urinary treatment should be avoided in women.     

Optimization problems in contracted tensor networks

We discuss the calculus of variations in tensor representations with a special focus on tensor networks and apply it to functionals of practical interest. The survey provides all necessary ingredients for applying minimization methods in a general setting. The important cases of target functionals which are linear and quadratic with respect to the tensor product are discussed, and combinations of these functionals are presented in detail. As an example, we consider the representation rank compression in tensor networks. For the numerical treatment, we use the nonlinear block Gauss?CSeidel method. We demonstrate the rate of convergence in numerical tests.     

Rechtliche Fragen zur Praxis IT-forensischer Analysen in Organisationen

Der Einsatz von Informationstechnologie (IT) in Organisationen bietet viele M?glichkeiten des Missbrauchs. Besch?ftigte k?nnen sich die besonderen Eigenschaften der IT zunutze machen, um sich etwa in gesch?ftssch?digender Weise Vorteile zu verschaffen. Gleichzeitig erm?glicht IT aber auch, verbotene Handlungen aufzuspüren und zu belegen (IT-Forensik). Der Beitrag beschreibt die technische Praxis von IT-forensischen Analysen und geht auf damit verbundene rechtliche Fragestellungen ein.     

ALTDSE: An Arnoldi–Lanczos program to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation

We describe a general ab initio and non-perturbative method to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for the interaction of a strong attosecond laser pulse with a general atom. While the field-free Hamiltonian and the dipole matrices may be generated using an arbitrary primitive basis, they are assumed to have been transformed to the eigenbasis of the problem before the solution of the TDSE is propagated in time using the Arnoldi–Lanczos method. Probabilities for survival of the ground state, excitation, and single ionization can be extracted from the propagated wavefunction.

Program summary

Program title: ALTDSECatalogue identifier: AEDM_v1_0Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/AEDM_v1_0.htmlProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.htmlNo. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 2154No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 30 827Distribution format: tar.gzProgramming language: Fortran 95. [A Fortran 2003 call to “flush” is used to simplify monitoring the output file during execution. If this function is not available, these statements should be commented out.].Computer: Shared-memory machinesOperating system: Linux, OpenMPHas the code been vectorized or parallelized?: YesRAM: Several Gb, depending on matrix size and number of processorsSupplementary material: To facilitate the execution of the program, Hamiltonian field-free and dipole matrix files are provided.Classification: 2.5External routines: LAPACK, BLASNature of problem: We describe a computer program for a general ab initio and non-perturbative method to solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) for the interaction of a strong attosecond laser pulse with a general atom [1,2]. The probabilities for survival of the initial state, excitation of discrete states, and single ionization due to multi-photon processes can be obtained.Solution method: The solution of the TDSE is propagated in time using the Arnoldi–Lanczos method. The field-free Hamiltonian and the dipole matrices, originally generated in an arbitrary basis (e.g., the flexible B-spline R-matrix (BSR) method with non-orthogonal orbitals [3]), must be provided in the eigenbasis of the problem as input.Restrictions: The present program is restricted to a ¹S^e initial state and linearly polarized light. This is the most common situation experimentally, but a generalization is straightforward.Running time: Several hours, depending on the number of threads used.References: [1] X. Guan, O. Zatsarinny, K. Bartschat, B.I. Schneider, J. Feist, C.J. Noble, Phys. Rev. A 76 (2007) 053411. [2] X. Guan, C.J. Noble, O. Zatsarinny, K. Bartschat, B.I. Schneider, Phys. Rev. A 78 (2008) 053402. [3] O. Zatsarinny, Comput. Phys. Comm. 174 (2006) 273.     

The Complexity of Hybrid Logics over Equivalence Relations

This paper examines and classifies the computational complexity of model checking and satisfiability for hybrid logics over frames with equivalence relations. The considered languages contain all possible combinations of the downarrow binder, the existential binder, the satisfaction operator, and the global modality, ranging from the minimal hybrid language to very expressive languages. For model checking, we separate polynomial-time solvable from PSPACE-complete cases, and for satisfiability, we exhibit cases complete for NP, PSpace, NExpTime, and even N2ExpTime. Our analysis includes the versions of all these languages without atomic propositions, and also complete frames.     

Parsing human skeletons in an operating room

Multiple human pose estimation is an important yet challenging problem. In an operating room (OR) environment, the 3D body poses of surgeons and medical staff can provide important clues for surgical workflow analysis. For that purpose, we propose an algorithm for localizing and recovering body poses of multiple human in an OR environment under a multi-camera setup. Our model builds on 3D Pictorial Structures and 2D body part localization across all camera views, using convolutional neural networks (ConvNets). To evaluate our algorithm, we introduce a dataset captured in a real OR environment. Our dataset is unique, challenging and publicly available with annotated ground truths. Our proposed algorithm yields to promising pose estimation results on this dataset.