bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game
Authors: Schmitz Eva A , Banerjee Robin , Pouw Lucinda BC , Stockmann Lex , Rieffe Carolien
Published: February 2014

Much controversy surrounds questions about whether humans have an aversion to inequity and how a commitment to equality might play a role in cooperation and other aspects of social interactions. Examining the social decisions of children with autism spectrum disorders provides a fascinating opportunity to explore these issues. Specifically, we evaluated the possibility that children with autism spectrum disorders may be less likely than typically developing children to show a prioritisation of equality. A total of 69 typically developing (mean age 11;6 years) and 57 cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders (mean age 11;7 years) played a social decision game in which the equality option was pitted against alternatives that varied in instrumental outcomes. Results showed that both groups were more likely to choose the equality option when there was no cost to the self. However, even though children with autism spectrum disorders appeared to view equality as preferable to causing explicit harm to others, they departed from an equality stance when there was an opportunity to increase instrumental gain without any obvious harm to the self or the other. Typically developing children, in contrast, showed similar prioritisation of equality across these contexts. Future research needs to address the question of how differences in the commitment to equality affect children’s social behaviour and relationships in daily life.
Poorer self-rated health in residential areas with limited healthcare supply
Authors: Haraldsdóttir Sigríður , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A , Guðmundsson Sigurður
Published: February 2014

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore differences in self-rated health and physician-diagnosed disease across geographical regions in Iceland to better understand regional requirements for health services. Methods: Data on self-rated health and diagnosed disease from a 2007 national health survey ( n=5909; response rate 60.3%) across geographic regions were analysed. Area of residence was classified according to distance from the Capital Area (CA) and availability of local health services. We used regression models to calculate crude and multivariable adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of self-rated health and diagnosed diseases by area of residence. Models were adjusted for age, gender, education, civil status, and income. Results: Residents in rural areas with no local health service supply rated their physical health worse than residents of areas with diverse supply of specialised services (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.21–1.61). Residents outside the CA rate both their physical (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.23–1.50) and mental (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.06–1.30) health worse than residents in the CA. In contrast, we observed a lower prevalence of several diagnosed chronic diseases, including cancers (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.60–0.99) and cardiovascular disease (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.95) outside the CA. Conclusions: These findings from a national survey of almost 6000 Icelanders indicate that self-rated health is related to regional healthcare supply. The findings have implications for national planning of health services aiming at equality both in health and access to health services.
Three discursive dilemmas for Israeli religious settlers
Authors: Ellis Donald
Published: February 2014

Israeli religious settlers live in contested territory that they claim is promised to them by God. The settlers are at the center of the Israeli–Palestinian dispute and are the recipients of international condemnation for their illegal behavior. Because the territories are neither sovereign nor legally recognized by Israel, their definition is open to construction. Religious settlers make arguments to satisfy three discursive dilemmas that must be solved in order to normalize their lives. They must 1) construct their own authenticity, 2) marginalize the native others, and 3) establish cultural authority. These dilemmas are explicated in this essay.
The erasure of antagonisms between popular music and advertising
Authors: Eckhardt Giana M. , Bradshaw Alan
Published: February 2014

While the use of music in advertising dates back centuries, using popular music in advertisements was often seen as the ultimate sellout that offended aesthetic and bohemian values. By contrast, today advertisements represent one of the best opportunities for many musicians to gain access to mainstream markets. We chart this warming of relationships between music and advertising by chronicling the practices of music industry insiders and evaluating the political economy and ideological consequences of such a nominal paradigm shift. We demonstrate that the convergence of these two media is perceived to be nonproblematic and suggest that this may be an enactment of the true industrialization of culture, with important consequences for our dialectical understanding of branding.
An Integrative Literature Review to Introduce Socio-Networked Learning
Authors: Cutler White Carol
Published: February 2014

Human resource development (HRD) practitioners have a critical role to play in understanding interdisciplinary learning among cross-sector stakeholders addressing large-scale social issues. Recent trends within philanthropic and governmental grant making agencies reveals a movement toward prioritizing and funding large-scale social change rather than the historical focus on individual project solutions. This shift has precipitated a need for cross-sector collaborative organizations dedicated to social innovation to learn from each other, lending themselves to study by HRD professionals. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Peter Senge’s shared vision discipline as applied to an inter-organizational learning context of multiple stakeholders working toward social innovation. A new model and theoretical HRD understanding will be introduced hereafter referred to as socio-networked learning to identify the learning across organizations dedicated to social innovation. Socio-networked learning is therefore learning across organizations (public and private) dedicated to addressing large-scale social issues.
Effects of diethylstilbestrol on luteinizing hormone-producing cells in the mouse anterior pituitary
Authors: Ishikawa Machiko , Murai Erina , Hashiguchi Yuka , Iguchi Taisen , Sato Tomomi
Published: February 2014

Gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Neonatal diethylstilbestrol (neoDES) treatment affects reproductive function of male and female mice, but the effect of this treatment on the development as well as direct effects on pituitary gonadotrophs have not been ascertained. We investigated LH-secreting gonadotropes and the expression of genes involved in the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins in the anterior pituitary of neoDES mice using immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The percentage of LH-secreting gonadotropes in 90-day-old female mice treated neonatally with an oil vehicle (neoOil) was significantly lower than in 30-day-old neoOil females but not in males, indicating a significant reduction after reproductive maturation in females. The percentage of LH-secreting gonadotropes in the medial area of 90-day-old neoDES females was significantly lower than that of 90-day-old neoOil females, ovariectomized neoOil females, and neoOil and neoDES males. The expression of the LH beta ( Lhb) subunit in the anterior pituitary of 90-day-old neoDES females was similar to that in neoOil females, but it was significantly lower than that observed in 90-day-old males. Ovariectomy increased the expression of the alpha subunit of glycoprotein hormones, FSH beta ( Fshb) subunit and Lhb subunit both in neoOil and neoDES females, suggesting that the anterior pituitary of neoDES female mice is regulated by ovarian hormones via negative feedback. In organ-cultured, anterior pituitaries exposed to DES exhibited no change in the number of LH-secreting gonadotropes but did reduced gene expression. These results suggest that LH-secreting gonadotropes in the female mice are not only directly affected by neoDES but also are influenced by the masculinization of the hypothalamus. That is, neonatal DES exposure can masculinize or defeminize the hypothalamus of female mice. However, the regulation of the pituitary gonadotropins by the hypothalamus could be different from that in intact male mice.
Brazilian Garden Cities and Suburbs
Authors: Rego Renato Leão
Published: February 2014

This article discusses some adaptations of the garden-city concept in Brazil and reveals how a foreign physical model was conveniently matched to specific civic purposes. The layout of three planned new towns—Águas de São Pedro, Maringá, and Goiânia—and two garden suburbs (Jardim América and Jardim Shangri-lá) are analyzed along with their planners’ discourses and their representations in the contemporary local press. The analysis reveals that the garden-city concept was used as a path to modernity, a civilizing instrument, and a tool for real-estate venture by involving processes of representation and institutionalization which were different to those at their point of origin.
The relationship between complete blood count parameters and Fontaine’s Stages in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Demirtas Sinan , Karahan Oguz , Yazici Suleyman , Guclu Orkut , Caliskan Ahmet , Yavuz Celal , Kucuker Aslihan , Mavitas Binali
Published: February 2014

Objective

The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether blood count parameters differ according to the stages of Fontaine’s classification and to investigate the relationship between hemogram parameters and the severity of the disease.

Method

Eighty-two peripheral arterial disease patients were examined prospectively. Patients were classified according to the Fontaine classification system. Fifty newly diagnosed patients were included in the study. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, mean platelet volume, and red blood cell distribution width values were recorded.

Results

Mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio values were found to be 3.31 ± 1.1% in Stage I, 3.11 ± 1.3% in Stage II, and 3.48 ± 1.1% in Stage III ( p > 0.05). Mean platelet volume values were found to be 7.8 ± 0.6 fl (Stage I), 8.2 ± 1.0 fl (Stage II), and 9.0 ± 0.9 fl (Stage III) ( p < 0.05). Red blood cell distribution width values were found to be 13.6 ± 1.0% in Stage I, 14.8 ± 1.7% in Stage II, and 15.4 ± 2.3% in Stage III, being significantly different among all three stages ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Both red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume are found to be associated with the severity of atherosclerotic disease in patients with peripheral arterial disease. This finding hypothesizes that complete blood counting parameters may serve as a beneficial and cost-effective method for monitoring atherosclerotic peripheral disease.
Comparison of Cost-Effectiveness, Safety, and Efficacy of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, and Simvastatin in Dyslipidemic Diabetic Patients With or Without Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Bener Abdulbari , Dogan Muzeyyen , Barakat Lolwa , Al-Hamaq Abdulla O. A. A.
Published: February 2014

Aim: The aim of the current study was to determine the efficacy of the 4 most commonly prescribed statins (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin) for managing dyslipidemia among diabetic patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). Material and Methods: This was a cohort observational population-based study conducted at Hamad Medical Hospital and Primary Health Care Centre. The participants were 1542 consecutive diabetes patients who were diagnosed with dyslipidemia and were prescribed any of the indicated statins. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were taken from medical records, and lipid profile at baseline and 2 years after the initiation of statin therapy were retrieved from electronic medical records database (EMR-viewer). Reduction in different lipid profile after 2 years of therapy was compared among different types of statins between patients with and without MetS. Results: Out of total 1542 subjects, 562(36.4%) were diagnosed with MetS using the criteria of International Diabetes Federation. Among those with MetS, 125 were prescribed with atorvastatin, 162 pravastatin, 177 rosuvastatin, and 98 simvastatin. Among those without MetS, 365 used atorvastatin, 172 pravastatin, 345 rosuvastatin, and 98 simvastatin therapies. Among patients with MetS, rosuvastatin therapy resulted in significantly higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol reduction (23%, P = .006; and 20.3%, P = .015, respectively) as compared with other statins. Similarly, significantly higher percentage of patients receiving rosuvastatin therapy were successful in achieving the target of total cholesterol <4 mmol/L and triglycerides <1.7 mmol/L after 2 years (38.4%, P = .012; and 67.2%, P = .010, respectively) as compared with other therapies. In contrast, among patients without MetS, rosuvastatin therapy resulted in highest percentage drop in total cholesterol (20.1%; P = .016) than other statin therapies. Conclusion: The present study confirmed that rosuvastatin therapy in commonly prescribed doses is the most effective statin for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal achievement and for improving the lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic diabetic patients with and without MetS.
Open Reconstruction of Complex Proximal Metadiaphyseal Fragility Fractures of the Humerus
Authors: James Isaac B. , Farrell Dana J. , Evans Andrew R. , Siska Peter A. , Tarkin Ivan S.
Published: February 2014

Purpose:

A proactive surgical and rehabilitation protocol was implemented to manage humeral fractures involving both the proximal end and shaft in an older patient population. Primary treatment goals were early return to function and reliable fracture union with minimal complications.

Methods:

From 2008 to 2012, 21 such operations were performed; 18 were considered “fragility” fractures based on mechanism, patient age, and evidence of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Open reduction and internal fixation ( ORIF) was employed using direct reduction and fixation with a long periarticular locking plate. Physiotherapy was commenced 2 weeks postoperatively. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess functional outcome at a time point greater than 1 year postoperative.

Results:

The study group consisted primarily of elderly females (83% with a median age of 69 years) whom sustained complex metadiaphyseal proximal humeral fractures after simple mechanical fall (78%). Uneventful union occurred in all cases. Local complications included 1 case of partial radial nerve palsy, which had resolved completely by 1 year. No cases of infection were identified. Long-term return to functionality was evident with a median DASH score of 12 (mean = 21, standard deviation = 20, n = 13). Seventy five percent of patients reported minimal or no pain (question [Q] 24), and 75% achieved return of overhead function (Q6, 12, and 15).

Conclusion:

Treatment of complex metadiaphyseal fragility fractures with anatomic reduction, fixed angle plating, and early physiotherapy returns the older patient to optimized functionality with minimal risk of complication. The DASH outcomes are equivalent to ORIF of isolated proximal humerus fractures and clinically indistinguishable from the general population.
“some kind of thing it aint us but yet its in us”
Authors: Eve Martin Paul
Published: February 2014

This article appraises the debt that David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas owes to the novels of Russell Hoban, including, but not limited to, Riddley Walker. After clearly mapping a history of Hoban’s philosophical perspectives and Mitchell’s inter-textual genre-impersonation practice, the article assesses the degree to which Mitchell’s metatextual methods indicate a nostalgia for by-gone radical aesthetics rather than reaching for new modes of its own. The article not only proposes several new backdrops against which Mitchell’s novel can be read but also conducts the first in-depth appraisal of Mitchell’s formal linguistic replication of Riddley Walker.
Children’s Play Space and Safety Management
Authors: Spiegal Bernard , Gill Tim R. , Harbottle Harry , Ball David J.
Published: February 2014

The provision of stimulating and engaging play space for children and young people is increasingly recognized as an important societal goal, not the least because it provides the young with opportunities to develop and gain experience in experimenting with risk. Research in several disciplines now suggests that achievement of this goal has however been impeded in recent decades, and reasons commonly cited have included fear of injury and avoidance of litigation. International standards on play equipment have also been promulgated and justified in terms of securing young people’s “safety,” most usually narrowly defined as injury reduction. There appears to be a widespread presumption that measures aimed at injury prevention are necessarily beneficial overall for young people’s welfare. In this article, we subject European standards for play equipment and surfacing to scrutiny. In particular, we examine underlying motives, consistency of purpose, use of evidence, philosophical leanings, scope, practicalities of application, systems of management, and legal ramifications. From this, we identify a number of fundamental issues that suggest that as a consequence of compartmentalized thinking and misunderstandings, these standards have invaded areas of decision making beyond their legitimate territory. The consequence of this is that play provision is skewed away from what are properly play provision objectives. In such circumstances, local decision makers are often disempowered, and their ability to provide optimal play spaces thereby circumscribed.
Up Against the Boards
Authors: Smith Lauren Reichart
Published: February 2014

This study represents an analysis of eight games from National Broadcasting Company’s broadcast of the 2010 Olympic ice hockey coverage. Since ice hockey is a sport considered to be “masculine,” the study is ground in hegemonic masculinity. The visual production techniques were analyzed using Zettl’s applied media aesthetics approach to analyze camera shots, angles, motion, and replays. Results show the women’s games to be more visually exciting through the use of camera shots, angles, and slow-motion replay effects. These findings, a departure from previous research, still reinforce notions of hegemonic masculinity, portraying women’s ice hockey as the “inferior” event.
Rehearsal Characteristics of “Superior” Band Directors
Authors: Juchniewicz Jay , Kelly Steven N. , Acklin Amy I.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rehearsal characteristics of “superior” middle and high school band directors. A total of 131 respondents from Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina who received a “superior” rating for 4 out of the past 5 years, completed an open-ended essay question online asking them to describe which aspects and/or elements they considered to be the most important during their music rehearsal. Using a previously established descriptive approach consisting of qualitative coding techniques, responses were analyzed and placed into a taxonomic structure according to similar themes that emerged from the data. Results from the 792 comments listed indicate that both middle and high school directors spend the most time working on “Music Fundamentals,” with “Tone Quality/Production” listed as the most frequent response for both groups. Additionally, directors placed importance on “Conductor/Teacher Behaviors,” “Teaching Techniques,” “Classroom Environment/Behavior,” “Use of Specific Warm-ups to Teach,” “Selecting Literature,” and “Good Relations with Students.”
In APS, two A1’s are better than one!
Authors: Giannakopoulos Bill , Krilis Steven
Published: February 2014

In this issue of Blood, Kolyada and colleagues elegantly demonstrate the therapeutic utility of a novel, synthetically constructed molecule, the A1 dimer (A1-A1), in preventing anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) autoantibody-mediated thrombosis in 2 distinct murine antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) thrombosis models. Current therapies for thrombotic APS entail long-term anticoagulation, with the associated risk of bleeding complications. The findings presented by Kolyada et al raise the possibility of perhaps using this agent to treat thrombotic APS patients in the future, allowing for a reduction in bleeding risk.1
SAMHD1: a new gene for CLL
Authors: Rossi Davide
Published: February 2014

In this issue of Blood, Clifford et al broaden the horizons of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) genetics by adding SAMHD1 to the compendium of driver genes recurrently mutated in this tumor.1,2
On locally contractive fuzzy set-valued mappings
Authors: Ahmad Jamshaid , Azam Akbar , Romaguera Salvador
Published: February 2014

We prove the existence of common fuzzy fixed points for a sequence of locally contractive fuzzy mappings satisfying generalized Banach type contraction conditions in a complete metric space by using iterations. Our main result generalizes and unifies several well-known fixed-point theorems for multivalued maps. Illustrative examples are also given.

MSC:46S40, 47H10, 54H25.
Should we educate about the risks of medication overuse headache?
Authors: Lai James TF , Dereix John DC , Ganepola Ravi P , Nightingale Peter G , Markey Kiera A , Aveyard Paul N , Sinclair Alexandra J
Published: February 2014

Background

Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is caused by the regular use of medications to treat headache. There has been a lack of research into awareness of MOH. We distributed an electronic survey to undergraduate students and their contacts via social networking sites. Analgesic use, awareness of MOH, perceived change in behaviour following educational intervention about the risks of MOH and preferred terminology for MOH was evaluated.

Findings

485 respondents completed the questionnaire (41% having received healthcare training). 77% were unaware of the possibility of MOH resulting from regular analgesic use for headache. Following education about MOH, 80% stated they would reduce analgesic consumption or seek medical advice. 83% indicated that over the counter analgesia should carry a warning of MOH. The preferred terminology for MOH was painkiller-induced headache.

Conclusions

This study highlights the lack of awareness of MOH. Improved education about MOH and informative packaging of analgesics, highlighting the risks in preferred lay terminology (i.e. painkiller-induced headache), may reduce this iatrogenic morbidity and warrants further evaluation.
Prediction and classification of ncRNAs using structural information
Authors: Panwar Bharat , Arora Amit , Raghava Gajendra PS
Published: February 2014

Background

Evidence is accumulating that non-coding transcripts, previously thought to be functionally inert, play important roles in various cellular activities. High throughput techniques like next generation sequencing have resulted in the generation of vast amounts of sequence data. It is therefore desirable, not only to discriminate coding and non-coding transcripts, but also to assign the noncoding RNA (ncRNA) transcripts into respective classes (families). Although there are several algorithms available for this task, their classification performance remains a major concern. Acknowledging the crucial role that non-coding transcripts play in cellular processes, it is required to develop algorithms that are able to precisely classify ncRNA transcripts.

Results

In this study, we initially develop prediction tools to discriminate coding or non-coding transcripts and thereafter classify ncRNAs into respective classes. In comparison to the existing methods that employed multiple features, our SVM-based method by using a single feature (tri-nucleotide composition), achieved MCC of 0.98. Knowing that the structure of a ncRNA transcript could provide insights into its biological function, we use graph properties of predicted ncRNA structures to classify the transcripts into 18 different non-coding RNA classes. We developed classification models using a variety of algorithms (BayeNet, NaiveBayes, MultilayerPerceptron, IBk, libSVM, SMO and RandomForest) and observed that model based on RandomForest performed better than other models. As compared to the GraPPLE study, the sensitivity (of 13 classes) and specificity (of 14 classes) was higher. Moreover, the overall sensitivity of 0.43 outperforms the sensitivity of GraPPLE (0.33) whereas the overall MCC measure of 0.40 (in contrast to MCC of 0.29 of GraPPLE) was significantly higher for our method. This clearly demonstrates that our models are more accurate than existing models.

Conclusions

This work conclusively demonstrates that a simple feature, tri-nucleotide composition, is sufficient to discriminate between coding and non-coding RNA sequences. Similarly, graph properties based feature set along with RandomForest algorithm are most suitable to classify different ncRNA classes. We have also developed an online and standalone tool-- RNAcon (http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/rnacon).
Is in vitro fertilization associated with preeclampsia? A propensity score matched study
Authors: Watanabe Noriyoshi , Fujiwara Takeo , Suzuki Tomo , Jwa Seung Chik , Taniguchi Kosuke , Yamanobe Yuji , Kozuka Kazuto , Sago Haruhiko
Published: February 2014

Background

Although an increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnancies conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been reported, it remains unknown whether IVF is associated with preeclampsia. In the present study, we sought to investigate whether IVF is associated with preeclampsia in pregnant women using propensity score matching analysis.

Methods

This study included 3,084 pregnant women who visited the National Center for Child Health and Development before 20 weeks of gestation without hypertension or renal disease and delivered a singleton after 22 weeks of gestation between 2009 and 2011. Of the 3084 patients, 474 (15.4%) conceived by IVF (IVF group) and 2,610 (84.6%) conceived without IVF (non-IVF group). The propensity score for receiving IVF was estimated using multiple logistic regression with 27 maternal and paternal variables. This model yielded a c-statistic of 0.852, indicating a strong ability to differentiate between those conceiving with and without IVF. The association between IVF and onset of preeclampsia was assessed by the propensity matched sample (pair of N = 474).

Results

There were 46 preeclampsia cases (1.5%) in the total study population, with a higher proportion of cases in the IVF group (15 cases, 3.2%) than the non-IVF group (31 cases, 1.2%). Before propensity score matching, the IVF group was 2.72 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.46-5.08) times more likely to have preeclampsia when unadjusted, and 2.32 (95% CI: 1.08-4.99) times more likely to have preeclampsia when adjusted for maternal and paternal variables by logistic regression. After propensity score matching, the IVF group did not show a significantly greater association with preeclampsia compared to the non-IVF group (odds ratio: 2.50, 95% CI: 0.49-12.89), although point estimates showed a positive direction.

Conclusions

Propensity score matching analysis revealed that the association between IVF and preeclampsia became weaker than when conventional adjustments are made in multivariate logistic regression analysis, suggesting that the association between IVF and preeclampsia might be confounded by residual unmeasured factors.
Differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never, former and current injecting, problematic hard-drug users in the Netherlands
Authors: Havinga Petra , van der Velden Claudia , de Gee Anouk , van der Poel Agnes
Published: February 2014

Background

Injecting drug users are at increased risk for harmful effects compared to non-injecting drug users. Some studies have focused on differences in characteristics between these two groups (e.g., housing, overall health). However, no study has investigated the specific Dutch situation which in the last years has seen a decrease in homelessness among problematic hard-drug users and an increasing focus on physical health in low-threshold addiction care. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in sociodemographic, drug use and health characteristics between never-injecting (NIDUs), former-injecting (FIDUs) and current-injecting drug users (IDUs) and describe injecting practices.

Methods

A total of 202 problematic hard-drug users (NIDU = 64; FIDU = 76; IDU = 62) were recruited from 22 low-threshold care facilities, including drug consumption rooms, methadone maintenance treatment, heroin-assisted therapy, day shelter and/or night shelter, supported housing and day activity centres. Data were collected on-site through structured face-to-face interviews.

Results

Results indicate that IDUs represented a separate group of problematic hard-drug users, with distinct sociodemographic and drug use characteristics. Overall, IDUs appeared to be the group with least favourable characteristics (unstable housing/homelessness, illegal activities, polydrug use) and NIDUs appeared to have the most favourable characteristics (stable housing, help with debts, less polydrug use). The FIDU group lies somewhere in between. The three groups did not differ significantly in terms of health. Regarding injecting practices, results showed that majority of IDUs had injected drugs for over 10 years and IDUs injected heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and/or methadone in the past 6 months. Sharing syringes was not common. A quarter reported public injecting.

Conclusions

Unstable housing and homelessness are related to (former) injecting drug use, and stable housing is related to never-injecting drug use. Our study suggests that the number of ‘new’ IDUs is low. However, public injecting among IDUs is not uncommon and is associated with unstable housing. This emphasizes the potential of housing projects as a component of harm reduction measures. Therefore, prevention of (risks associated with) injecting drug use and supported housing programmes for problematic hard-drug users deserve the continuous attention of policymakers and professionals in low-threshold addiction care.
A strong convergence theorem for equilibrium problems and split feasibility problems in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Tang Jinfang , Chang Shih-sen , Yuan Fei
Published: February 2014

The main purpose of this paper is to introduce an iterative algorithm for equilibrium problems and split feasibility problems in Hilbert spaces. Under suitable conditions we prove that the sequence converges strongly to a common element of the set of solutions of equilibrium problems and the set of solutions of split feasibility problems. Our result extends and improves the corresponding results of some others.

MSC:90C25, 90C30, 47J25, 47H09.
Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of nano - and microparticulate copper oxide: role of solubility and intracellular bioavailability
Authors: Semisch Annetta , Ohle Julia , Witt Barbara , Hartwig Andrea
Published: February 2014

Background

Nano- or microscale copper oxide particles (CuO NP, CuO MP) are increasingly applied as catalysts or antimicrobial additives. This increases the risk of adverse health effects, since copper ions are cytotoxic under overload conditions.

Methods

The extra- and intracellular bioavailability of CuO NP and CuO MP were explored. In addition, different endpoints related to cytotoxicity as well as direct and indirect genotoxicity of the copper oxides and copper chloride (CuCl2) were compared.

Results

Comprehensively characterized CuO NP and CuO MP were analysed regarding their copper ion release in model fluids. In all media investigated, CuO NP released far more copper ions than CuO MP, with most pronounced dissolution in artificial lysosomal fluid. CuO NP and CuCl2 caused a pronounced and dose dependent decrease of colony forming ability (CFA) in A549 and HeLa S3 cells, whereas CuO MP exerted no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 50 μg/mL. Cell death induced by CuO NP was at least in part due to apoptosis, as determined by subdiploid DNA as well as via translocation of the apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) into the cell nucleus. Similarly, only CuO NP induced significant amounts of DNA strand breaks in HeLa S3 cells, whereas all three compounds elevated the level of H2O2-induced DNA strand breaks. Finally, all copper compounds diminished the H2O2-induced poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, catalysed predominantly by poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1); here, again, CuO NP exerted the strongest effect. Copper derived from CuO NP, CuO MP and CuCl2 accumulated in the soluble cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of A549 cells, yielding similar concentrations in the cytoplasm but highest concentrations in the nucleus in case of CuO NP.

Conclusions

The results support the high cytotoxicity of CuO NP and CuCl2 and the missing cytotoxicity of CuO MP under the conditions applied. For these differences in cytotoxicity, extracellular copper ion levels due to dissolution of particles as well as differences in physicochemical properties of the particles like surface area may be of major relevance. Regarding direct and indirect genotoxicity, especially the high copper content in the cell nucleus derived after cell treatment with CuO NP appears to be decisive.
A primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the scalp and intracranial tumor bleeding: a case report
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhong Weiming , Xu Yinghui , Feng Le , Li Yang , Dong Bin
Published: February 2014

Introduction

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurring on the scalp near a primary operation site is extremely rare.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old Chinese man presented with a one-month history of recurrent headaches, vomiting and left limb atony. He had undergone a successful clipping operation through the pterional approach for an anterior communicating aneurysm five years previously. One month before presentation, he developed a headache without apparent cause that was especially severe in the right frontal region. He also had a small tumor on the right side of his forehead at the original incision site. The tumor had gradually increased from soybean size to egg size in one month; this growth was accompanied by nausea, projectile vomiting of gastric contents and left limb atony. The subcutaneous tumor was totally resected along with some affected cranial tissues. Our patient’s postoperative recovery was good, and he was safely discharged 20 days after the surgery. He was free of recurrence over two years of follow-up.

Conclusions

Dissection of the temporal muscles and deep fascia using electric resection and electrocoagulation through the pterional approach may cause tissue degeneration, which may in turn lead to cancer development. In our patient’s case, the reason for the development of the tumor five years after his surgical aneurysm repair was unclear; it may have represented a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the scalp that had no relationship to the operation. We followed up our patient for two years and he had no tumor recurrence. Because malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the scalp has a high degree of malignancy and readily recurs in situ, early diagnosis and radical surgical resection are key to a successful outcome.
Lung abscess without sepsis in a patient with diabetes with refractory episodes of spontaneous hypoglycemia: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Toda Gotaro , Fujishiro Midori , Yamada Tomohide , Shojima Nobuhiro , Sakoda Hideyuki , Suzuki Ryo , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Ueki Kohjiro , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Hypoglycemia is a cause of considerable morbidity. Although hypoglycemia has been documented in the setting of septic shock and has been associated with higher mortality, hypoglycemia in infection without sepsis has not been reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 72-year-old Japanese woman treated with high-dose glucocorticoids for autoimmune hemolytic anemia, as well as intensive insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes, presented with severe hypoglycemia. A lung abscess was diagnosed by imaging studies and treated with intravenous antibiotics. Hypoglycemia spontaneously recurred during lung abscess exacerbations, despite appropriate de-escalation of antidiabetic therapy. Only mild sporadic episodes of hypoglycemia occurred after the lung abscess was controlled. Infection accompanied with malnutrition and immunosuppression, although in the absence of sepsis, may have contributed to hypoglycemia.

Conclusions

Caution is warranted in the management of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes with the conditions described here, that is malnutrition and immunosuppression, as infection may be a contributing factor.
Effects of rutin on acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Motamedshariaty Vahideh Sadat , Amel Farzad Sara , Nassiri-Asl Marjan , Hosseinzadeh Hossein
Published: February 2014

Background

Rutin is an important flavonoid that is consumed in the daily diet. The cytoprotective effects of rutin, including antioxidative, and neuroprotective have been shown in several studies. Neurotoxic effects of acrylamide (ACR) have been established in humans and animals. In this study, the protective effects of rutin in prevention and treatment of neural toxicity of ACR were studied.

Results

Rutin significantly reduced cell death induced by ACR (5.46 mM) in time- and dose-dependent manners. Rutin treatment decreased the ACR-induced cytotoxicity significantly in comparison to control (P <0.01, P < 0.001). Rutin (100 and 200 mg/kg) could prevent decrease of body weight in rats. In combination treatments with rutin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), vitamin E (200 mg/kg) and ACR, gait abnormalities significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). The level of malondialdehyde significantly decreased in the brain tissue of rats in both preventive and therapeutic groups that received rutin (100 and 200 mg/kg).

Conclusion

It seems that rutin could be effective in reducing neurotoxicity and the neuroprotective effect of it might be mediated via antioxidant activity.
Transgenic tomato line expressing modified Bacillus thuringiensis cry1Ab gene showing complete resistance to two lepidopteran pests
Authors: Koul Bhupendra , Srivastava Sugandha , Sanyal Indraneel , Tripathi Bhuminath , Sharma Vinay , Amla Devindra Vijay
Published: February 2014

The modified truncated Bt-cry1Ab gene of Bacillus thuringiensis has been used for the development and selection of over expressing transgenic events in a commercially important variety of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by Agrobacterium-mediated leaf-disc transformation procedure. The integration and inheritance of cry1Ab gene in T0 transgenic plants and their progenies were determined by PCR, RT-PCR and Southern blot hybridization analysis. The toxin expression was monitored by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). The transgenic line Ab25 E, expressing 0.47 ± 0.01% Cry1Ab toxin of total soluble protein (TSP) was finally selected in the T4 generation from the segregating population, showing 100% mortality to the second instar larvae of H. armigera and S. litura and minimal damages to leaves and fruits. Southern blot analysis data revealed single copy introgression of cry1Ab gene in highly-expressing Ab25 E transgenic line and expression of Cry1Ab toxin of molecular mass ~65 kDa was evident in Western blot analyses in transgenic plants of T4, T5 and T6 generation. Receptor binding assay performed with partially purified Cry1Ab protein from Ab25 E transgenic tomato line, confirmed efficient protein-protein interaction of Cry1Ab toxin with receptor(s) of both the insects. The higher level of Cry1Ab toxin (≈ 0.47 ± 0.01% TSP) did not affect the normal in vitro regeneration, plant development and fruit yield in this transgenic line. This high expressing Cry1Ab homozygous transgenic line can be a useful candidate in tomato breeding programmes for introgression of important agronomical traits.
Interaction of the endocrine system with inflammation: a function of energy and volume regulation
Authors: Straub Rainer H
Published: February 2014

During acute systemic infectious disease, precisely regulated release of energy-rich substrates (glucose, free fatty acids, and amino acids) and auxiliary elements such as calcium/phosphorus from storage sites (fat tissue, muscle, liver, and bone) are highly important because these factors are needed by an energy-consuming immune system in a situation with little or no food/water intake (sickness behavior). This positively selected program for short-lived infectious diseases is similarly applied during chronic inflammatory diseases. This review presents the interaction of hormones and inflammation by focusing on energy storage/expenditure and volume regulation. Energy storage hormones are represented by insulin (glucose/lipid storage and growth-related processes), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (muscle and bone growth), androgens (muscle and bone growth), vitamin D (bone growth), and osteocalcin (bone growth, support of insulin, and testosterone). Energy expenditure hormones are represented by cortisol (breakdown of liver glycogen/adipose tissue triglycerides/muscle protein, and gluconeogenesis; water retention), noradrenaline/adrenaline (breakdown of liver glycogen/adipose tissue triglycerides, and gluconeogenesis; water retention), growth hormone (glucogenic, lipolytic; has also growth-related aspects; water retention), thyroid gland hormones (increase metabolic effects of adrenaline/noradrenaline), and angiotensin II (induce insulin resistance and retain water). In chronic inflammatory diseases, a preponderance of energy expenditure pathways is switched on, leading to typical hormonal changes such as insulin/IGF-1 resistance, hypoandrogenemia, hypovitaminosis D, mild hypercortisolemia, and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Though necessary during acute inflammation in the context of systemic infection or trauma, these long-standing changes contribute to increased mortality in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Application of QbD Principles for the Evaluation of Empty Hard Capsules as an Input Parameter in Formulation Development and Manufacturing
Authors: Stegemann Sven , Connolly Paul , Matthews Wayne , Barnett Rodger , Aylott Mike , Schrooten Karin , Cadé Dominique , Taylor Anthony , Bresciani Massimo
Published: February 2014

Understanding the product and process variable on the final product performance is an essential part of the quality-by-design (QbD) principles in pharmaceutical development. The hard capsule is an established pharmaceutical dosage form used worldwide in development and manufacturing. The empty hard capsules are supplied as an excipient that is filled by pharmaceutical manufacturers with a variety of different formulations and products. To understand the potential variations of the empty hard capsules as an input parameter and its potential impact on the finished product quality, a study was performed investigating the critical quality parameters within and in between different batches of empty hard gelatin capsules. The variability of the hard capsules showed high consistency within the specification of the critical quality parameters. This also accounts for the disintegration times, when automatic endpoint detection was used. Based on these data, hard capsules can be considered as a suitable excipient for product development using QbD principles.
Stage-dependent requirement of neuroretinal Pax6 for lens and retina development
Authors: Klimova Lucie , Kozmik Zbynek
Published: February 2014

The physical contact of optic vesicle with head surface ectoderm is an initial event triggering eye morphogenesis. This interaction leads to lens specification followed by coordinated invagination of the lens placode and optic vesicle, resulting in formation of the lens, retina and retinal pigmented epithelium. Although the role of Pax6 in early lens development has been well documented, its role in optic vesicle neuroepithelium and early retinal progenitors is poorly understood. Here we show that conditional inactivation of Pax6 at distinct time points of mouse neuroretina development has a different impact on early eye morphogenesis. When Pax6 is eliminated in the retina at E10.5 using an mRx-Cre transgene, after a sufficient contact between the optic vesicle and surface ectoderm has occurred, the lens develops normally but the pool of retinal progenitor cells gradually fails to expand. Furthermore, a normal differentiation program is not initiated, leading to almost complete disappearance of the retina after birth. By contrast, when Pax6 was inactivated at the onset of contact between the optic vesicle and surface ectoderm in Pax6Sey/flox embryos, expression of lens-specific genes was not initiated and neither the lens nor the retina formed. Our data show that Pax6 in the optic vesicle is important not only for proper retina development, but also for lens formation in a non-cell-autonomous manner.
Divergence of zebrafish and mouse lymphatic cell fate specification pathways
Authors: van Impel Andreas , Zhao Zhonghua , Hermkens Dorien M. A. , Roukens M. Guy , Fischer Johanna C. , Peterson-Maduro Josi , Duckers Henricus , Ober Elke A. , Ingham Philip W. , Schulte-Merker Stefan
Published: February 2014

In mammals, the homeodomain transcription factor Prox1 acts as the central regulator of lymphatic cell fate. Its restricted expression in a subset of cardinal vein cells leads to a switch towards lymphatic specification and hence represents a prerequisite for the initiation of lymphangiogenesis. Murine Prox1-null embryos lack lymphatic structures, and sustained expression of Prox1 is indispensable for the maintenance of lymphatic cell fate even at adult stages, highlighting the unique importance of this gene for the lymphatic lineage. Whether this pre-eminent role of Prox1 within the lymphatic vasculature is conserved in other vertebrate classes has remained unresolved, mainly owing to the lack of availability of loss-of-function mutants. Here, we re-examine the role of Prox1a in zebrafish lymphangiogenesis. First, using a transgenic reporter line, we show that prox1a is initially expressed in different endothelial compartments, becoming restricted to lymphatic endothelial cells only at later stages. Second, using targeted mutagenesis, we show that Prox1a is dispensable for lymphatic specification and subsequent lymphangiogenesis in zebrafish. In line with this result, we found that the functionally related transcription factors Coup-TFII and Sox18 are also dispensable for lymphangiogenesis. Together, these findings suggest that lymphatic commitment in zebrafish and mice is controlled in fundamentally different ways.