bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of MRI and dynamic FET PET for initial glioma grading
Authors: Maeder P. , Nicod-Lalonde M. , Lhermitte B. , Pollo C. , Bloch J. , Stupp R. , Meuli R. , Prior J. O. , Dunet V.
Published: April 2014

Aim: MRI and PET with 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyro- sine (FET) have been increasingly used to evaluate patients with gliomas. Our purpose was to assess the additive value of MR spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion imaging and dynamic FET-PET for glioma grading. Patients, methods: 38 patients (42 ± 15 aged, F/M: 0.46) with untreated histologically proven brain gliomas were included. All underwent conventional MRI, MRS, diffusion sequences, and FET-PET within 3±4 weeks. Performances of tumour FET time-activity-curve, early-to-middle SUVmax ratio, choline / creatine ratio and ADC histogram distribution pattern for gliomas grading were assessed, as compared to histology. Combination of these parameters and respective odds were also evaluated. Results: Tumour time-activity- curve reached the best accuracy (67%) when taken alone to distinguish between low and high-grade gliomas, followed by ADC histogram analysis (65%). Combination of time-activity-curve and ADC histogram analysis improved the sensitivity from 67% to 86% and the specificity from 63-67% to 100% (p < 0.008). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, negative slope of the tumour FET time-activity-curve however remains the best predictor of high-grade glioma (odds 7.6, SE 6.8, p = 0.022). Conclusion: Combination of dynamic FET-PET and diffusion MRI reached good performance for gliomas grading. The use of FET-PET/MR may be highly relevant in the initial assessment of primary brain tumours.
Combined Effects of Connective Tissue Growth Factor-Modified Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and NaOH-Treated PLGA Scaffolds on the Repair of Articular Cartilage Defect in Rabbits
Authors: Zhu Songsong , Zhang Bi , Man Cheng , Ma Yongqing , Liu Xianwen , Hu Jing
Published: April 2014

In cartilage tissue engineering using stem cells, it is important to stimulate proliferation and control the differentiation of stem cells to specific lineages. Here we reported a combined technique for articular cartilage repair, consisting of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) transfected with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene and NaOH-treated poly(lactic- co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) scaffolds. In the present study, BMMSCs or CTGF-modified BMMSCs seeded on PLGA or NaOH-treated PLGA scaffolds were incubated in vitro and NaOH-treated PLGA significantly stimulated proliferation of BMMSCs, while CTGF gene transfer promoted chondrogenic differentiation. The effects of the composite on the repair of cartilage defects were evaluated in rabbit knee joints in vivo. Full-thickness cartilage defects (diameter: 5 mm; depth: 3 mm) were created unilaterally in the patellar groove. Defects were either left empty ( n = 18) or implanted with BMMSCs/ PLGA ( n = 18), BMMSCs/NaOH-treated PLGA ( n = 18), or CTGF-modified BMMSCs/NaOH-treated PLGA ( n = 18). The defect area was examined grossly, histologically, and mechanically at 6, 12, and 24 weeks post-operatively. Implanted cells were tracked using adeno-LacZ labeling at 6 weeks after implantation. Overall, the CTGF-modified BMMSCs/NaOH-treated PLGA group showed successful hyaline-like cartilage regeneration similar to normal cartilage, which was superior to the other groups using gross examination, qualitative and quantitative histology, and mechanical assessment. The in vivo viability of the implanted cells was demonstrated by their retention for 6 weeks after implantation. These findings suggested that a combination of CTGF-modified BMMSCs and NaOH-treated PLGA may be an alternative treatment for large osteochondral defects in high-loading sites.
Hepatic Fibrosis and the Microenvironment: Fertile Soil for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development
Authors: Wallace Michael C. , Friedman Scott L.
Published: April 2014

Hepatocellular carcinoma is an emerging worldwide health threat that has few curative treatment options and poor overall survival. Progressive hepatic fibrosis is a common pathway for all forms of chronic liver disease and is closely linked epidemiologically to hepatocellular carcinoma
risk. However, the molecular events that predispose a fibrotic liver to cancer development remain elusive. Nonetheless, a permissive hepatic microenvironment provides fertile soil for transition of damaged hepatocytes into hepatocellular carcinoma. Key predisposing features include alterations
in the extracellular matrix, bidirectional signaling pathways between parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells, and immune dysfunction. Emerging research into the contributions of autophagy, tumor-associated fibroblasts, and hepatocellular carcinoma progenitor cells to this dangerous milieu also
provides new mechanistic underpinnings to explain the contribution of fibrosis to cancer. As effective antifibrotic therapies are developed, these approaches could attenuate the rising surge of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with chronic liver disease.
Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in Hepatocarcinogenesis by MicroRNAs
Authors: Reyes Ryan K. , Motiwala Tasneem , Jacob Samson T.
Published: April 2014

In the past decade, considerable effort has been made in elucidating the mechanism underlying the high level of aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. While some recent studies have attempted to address this issue, the potential role of microRNAs in this process has not been explored until
recently. These studies have demonstrated involvement of just five deregulated miRNAs in glucose metabolism in hepatocarcinogenesis. This review discusses the metabolic significance of these miRNAs in hepatoceullular carcinoma, their targets in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and pentose phosphate
pathways, and provides an insight into the therapeutic potential of targeting specific miRNAs.
On-Treatment Low Serum HBV RNA Level Predicts Initial Virological Response in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Receiving Nucleoside Analogue Therapy
Authors: Huang Yi-Wen , Takahashi Shoichi , Tsuge Masataka , Chen Chi-Ling , Wang Ting-Chuan , Abe Hiromi , Hu Jui-Ting , Chen Ding-Shinn , Yang Sien-Sing , Chayama Kazuaki , Kao Jia-Horng
Published: April 2014

Background

Serum HBV RNA is detectable during nucleoside/nucleotide analogue therapy as a result of unaffected RNA replicative intermediates or interrupted reverse transcription. We studied the predictive value of serum HBV RNA for initial virological response during nucleoside analogue therapy.

Methods

Serum HBV RNA was quantified before and at 12 and 24 weeks of lamivudine or entecavir therapy. Serum HBV DNA was measured every 4–12 weeks during treatment to define initial virological response.

Results

Serum HBV RNA was detectable in 21 of 52 (40%) consecutive patients with a mean of 5.2 log copies/ml (male/female 35/17, mean age of 60 years with a range of 31–82, 44% HBeAg-positive, and 26 with lamivudine and 26 with entecavir) before treatment. Serum HBV RNA level at week 12 in patients with an interval from detectable to undetectable serum HBV DNA level <16 weeks was significantly lower than those with an interval ≥16 weeks (3.8 +3.8 versus 6.6 +3.5 log copies/ ml, P=0.013). After adjustment for serum HBV DNA level at week 12, serum quantatitive HBsAg level at week 12 and pretreatment ALT level, low serum HBV RNA level at week 12 predicted a shorter interval to undetectable serum HBV DNA level (adjusted hazard ratio =0.908, 95% CI 0.829, 0.993, P=0.035).

Conclusions

Low serum HBV RNA level at week 12 of nucleoside analogue therapy independently predicts initial virological response in treated chronic hepatitis B patients. Serum HBV RNA levels may thus be useful for optimizing treatment of chronic hepatitis B.
Development of Quality Indicators for an Integrated Approach of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Grypdonck Lies , Aertgeerts Bert , Luyten Frank , Wollersheim Hub , Bellemans Johan , Peers Koen , Verschueren Sabine , Vankrunkelsven Patrik , Hermens Rosella
Published: April 2014

Objective.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of disability worldwide. Knee OA care is often suboptimal. A first necessary step in quality improvement is to gain a clear insight into usual care. We developed a set of evidence-based quality indicators for multidisciplinary high-quality knee OA care.

Methods.

A Rand-modified Delphi method was used to develop quality indicators for knee OA diagnosis, therapy, and followup. Recommendations were extracted from international guidelines as well as existing sets of quality indicators and scored by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Based on median score, prioritization, and agreement, recommendations were labeled as having a high, uncertain, or low potential to measure quality of care and were discussed in a consensus meeting for inclusion or exclusion. Two final validation rounds yielded a core set of recommendations, which were translated into quality indicators.

Results.

From a total of 86 recommendations and existing indicators, a core set of 29 recommendations was derived that allowed us to define high-quality knee OA care. From this core set, 22 recommendations were considered to be measurable in clinical practice and were transformed into a final set of 21 quality indicators regarding diagnosis, lifestyle/education/devices, therapy, and followup.

Conclusion.

Our study provides a robust set of 21 quality indicators for high-quality knee OA care, measurable in clinical practice. These process indicators may be used to measure usual care and evaluate quality improvement interventions across the entire spectrum of disciplines involved in knee OA care.
Folic Acid and Folinic Acid for Reducing Side Effects in Patients Receiving Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Shea Beverley , Swinden Michael V. , Ghogomu Elizabeth Tanjong , Ortiz Zulma , Katchamart Wanruchada , Rader Tamara , Bombardier Claire , Wells George A. , Tugwell Peter
Published: April 2014

Objective.

To perform a systematic review of the benefits and harms of folic acid and folinic acid in reducing the mucosal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and hematologic side effects of methotrexate (MTX); and to assess whether folic or folinic acid supplementation has any effect on MTX benefit.

Methods.

We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and US National Institutes of Health clinical trials registry from inception to March 2012. We selected all double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials in which adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were treated with MTX (dose ≤ 25 mg/week) concurrently with folate supplementation. We included only trials using low-dose folic or folinic acid (a starting dose of ≤ 7 mg weekly) because the high dose is no longer recommended or used. Data were extracted from the trials, and the trials were independently assessed for risk of bias using a predetermined set of criteria.

Results.

Six trials with 624 patients were eligible for inclusion. Most studies had low or unclear risk of bias for key domains. The quality of the evidence was rated as “moderate” for each outcome as assessed by the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) working group, with the exception of hematologic side effects, which were rated as “low.” There was no significant heterogeneity between trials, including where folic acid and folinic acid studies were pooled. For patients supplemented with any form of exogenous folate (either folic or folinic acid) while receiving MTX therapy for RA, a 26% relative (9% absolute) risk reduction was seen for the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.92; p = 0.008). Folic and folinic acid also appear to be protective against abnormal serum transaminase elevation caused by MTX, with a 76.9% relative (16% absolute) risk reduction (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.34; p < 0.00001), as well as reducing patient withdrawal from MTX for any reason [60.8% relative (15.2% absolute) risk reduction, RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.53; p < 0.00001].

Conclusion.

The results support a protective effect of supplementation with either folic or folinic acid for patients with RA during treatment with MTX. There was a clinically important significant reduction shown in the incidence of GI side effects and hepatic dysfunction (as measured by elevated serum transaminase levels), as well as a clinically important significant reduction in discontinuation of MTX treatment for any reason.
Osteoarthritis Incidence and Trends in Administrative Health Records from British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Rahman M. Mushfiqur , Cibere Jolanda , Goldsmith Charlie H. , Anis Aslam H. , Kopec Jacek A.
Published: April 2014

Objective.

To calculate the incidence rates of osteoarthritis (OA) and to describe the changes in incidence using 18 years of administrative health records.

Methods.

We analyzed visits to health professionals and hospital admission records in a random sample (n = 640,000) from British Columbia, Canada, from 1991/1992 through 2008/2009. OA was defined in 2 ways: (1) at least 1 physician diagnosis or 1 hospital admission; and (2) at least 2 physician diagnoses in 2 years or 1 hospital admission. Crude and age-standardized rates were calculated, and the annual relative changes were estimated from the Poisson regression models.

Results.

In 2008/2009, the overall crude incidence rate (95% CI) of OA using definition 1 was 14.6 (14.0–14.8); [12.5 (12.0–13.0) among men and 16.3 (15.8–16.8) among women] per 1000 person-years. The rates were lower by about 44% under definition 2. For the period 2000/2001–2008/2009, crude incidence rates based on definition 1 varied from 11.8 to 14.2 per 1000 person-years for men, and from 15.7 to 18.5 for women. Annually, on average, crude rates rose by about 2.5–3.3% for both men and women. The age-adjusted rates increased by 0.6–0.8% among men and showed no trend among women.

Conclusion.

Our study generated updated incidence rates of administrative OA for the Province of British Columbia. Physician-diagnosed overall incidence rates of OA varied with the case definitions used; however, trends were similar in both case definitions. Age-adjusted rates among men increased slightly during the period 2000/2001–2008/2009. These findings have implications for projecting future prevalence and costs of OA.
L'hystérie dans l'air du temps
Authors: Pickmann Claude-Noële
Published: April 2014

Non seulement l’hystérie est toujours actuelle, mais elle occupe une fonction civilisatrice majeure, celle de « lanceur d’alerte » sur ce qui ne va pas dans nos sociétés modernes. Ce dont témoignent ses présentations les plus contemporaines.
Folie hystérique et hystérie virile
Authors: Douville Olivier
Published: April 2014

Lier hystérie et féminité n’a pas été une opération diagnostique faite en tout temps et en tout lieu. L’hystérie masculine connue et reconnue avant la naissance de la psychiatrie, à la fin du XVIII e siècle, a été oubliée par Pinel pour ressurgir à la fin du XIX e siècle en étant alors largement confondue avec la névrose traumatique. Freud n’a pas cédé aux facilités qu’apportait une telle confusion. En effet, son travail sur une « Névrose démoniaque au XVII e siècle » explore et enrichit le lien entre hystérie masculine et complexe paternel. Plus encore, il voit le ressort ultime de l’hystérie masculine en un refus de la castration maternelle, ce qui mène à une comparaison avec les tableaux plus répandus de la névrose hystérique. La clinique de l’hystérie serait-elle sexuée ?
« Ma fille est hystérique »
Authors: de Rouvray Patricia
Published: April 2014

Moments de travail analytique avec une enfant de 7 ans dont le symptôme est la provocation dite « hystérique ». La mise en mots de son rapport au père et la mise à distance de sa mère dans la cure nous indiquent le chemin de sa castration. Et démontrent le travail complexe de l’analyse d’enfant qui doit composer avec la structure des parents. Nous voyons comment l’enfant se sert de son symptôme pour interroger et mettre à jour celui de sa famille. Une des questions est de savoir si l’on peut parler de structure hystérique chez l’enfant ? Et quelle trace la cure pourra-t-elle laisser ?
« L'être aimée » de l'hystérie
Authors: Pesenti-Irrmann Marie
Published: April 2014

En inventant la psychanalyse, Freud découvrait avec ses patientes hystériques la dimension de l’amour tel qu’il se déploie dans le transfert mis en œuvre dans la cure, tout en en méconnaissant la visée. Lacan en précisera l’enjeu en définissant l’amour comme moyen, comme intermédiaire entre désir et jouissance et saura reconnaître l’absolu que vise la jouissance de l’hystérique. En reprenant deux exemples empruntés à l’histoire de la psychanalyse, Dora et Sabina Spielrein, l’auteur se propose d’interroger cette nécessité pour l’hystérique d’être aimée et ses conséquences dans la cure.
Intelligent Agent (IA) Systems to Generate User Stories for a Positive User Experience
Authors: Olaverri-Monreal Cristina , Hasan Ahmed Elsherbiny , Bengler Klaus
Published: April 2014

In User Centered Design (UCD) approaches within software development processes, understanding of users, tasks and environments identifying needs and establishing requirements for a positive user experience (UX) is essential to achieve a high usability. The quantitative measurement of UX relies on the fulfillment of psychological needs that can be addressed in storyboards in order to create a context for a certain experience with a particular application. To facilitate the process of capturing software products functionality, we present in this work a framework based on Intelligent Agent (IA) systems to semi-automatically generate user stories. A strong story line is guaranteed by a character-centric approach and additional supportive agents that are defined through characters' properties in form of needs, behaviors skills and goals. Moreover, we allow for the storage of the created characters into a database, so that they can be reused for further stories and we perform a usability evaluation on the user interface to ensure that it meets users' expectations. The system was classified as easy to use and suitable to perform the intended tasks and it also met users' expectation.
Redesigning the Healthcare Model to Address Obesity Problem Using Incentives Delivered through a Combination of Processes and Mobile Technologies
Authors: Lokshina Izabella V. , Bartolacci Michael R.
Published: April 2014

Obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses are among the top global healthcare challenges today. Obesity in young population is an alarming predictor for obesity in adulthood, but also entails different short term health complications. Knowing how to stay healthy is not enough to motivate young individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles. However, relevant progress can be achieved with use of incentives delivered through combination of processes and mobile technologies. Recognizing effectiveness of new healthcare model to prevent obesity in young population, an innovative multi-dimensional cross-disciplinary ICT framework should be developed, which uses sophisticated game mechanics to motivate behavior changes towards healthier lifestyles and supports three main functions: individual & environmental monitoring, including wearable sensors, mobile phones and multimedia diaries; feedback to users, presenting personalized healthy options for alternative lifestyles; and social connectivity, encouraging involvement in sharing experiences through social networks and social engagement. System development should be based on user-centered design, social and networking games and online education and supported by a wide stakeholder's ecosystem, including health authorities and research institutions, industries and academia from the ICT and healthcare sectors, as well as food companies and SMEs.
State-of-the-Art GPGPU Applications in Bioinformatics
Authors: Papangelopoulos Nikitas , Vlachakis Dimitrios , Filntisi Arianna , Fakourelis Paraskevas , Papageorgiou Louis , Megalooikonomou Vasileios , Kossida Sophia
Published: April 2014

The exponential growth of available biological data in recent years coupled with their increasing complexity has made their analysis a computationally challenging process. Traditional central processing unist (CPUs) are reaching their limit in processing power and are not designed primarily for multithreaded applications. Graphics processing units (GPUs) on the other hand are affordable, scalable computer powerhouses that, thanks to the ever increasing demand for higher quality graphics, have yet to reach their limit. Typically high-end CPUs have 8-16 cores, whereas GPUs can have more than 2,500 cores. GPUs are also, by design, highly parallel, multicore and multithreaded, able of handling thousands of threads doing the same calculation on different subsets of a large data set. This ability is what makes them perfectly suited for biological analysis tasks. Lately this potential has been realized by many bioinformatics researches and a huge variety of tools and algorithms have been ported to GPUs, or designed from the ground up to maximize the usage of available cores. Here, we present a comprehensive review of available bioinformatics tools ranging from sequence and image analysis to protein structure prediction and systems biology that use NVIDIA Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) general-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) programming language.
Autoimmunity and epilepsy in children
Authors: Berio A. , Mangiante G. , Piazzi A.
Published: April 2014

Objective of this paper is to investigate whether autoantibodies are present in a cluster of patients with epilepsy. In 3 out of 88 epileptic patients, in whom no metabolic, bacterial, viral or malformative origin war demonstrated, the Authors showed the presence of antibodies to thyroid microsomes in 2, to nucleus (ANA) in 2, to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in 1, to transglutaminase in 1. In 2, reduced seizures by immunomodulant therapy were observed. The autoantibodies may have played a role in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, as demonstrated by positive result of the immunomodulant therapy. On the basis of the result the Authors suggest the need to search autoimmunity in ever case of epilepsy.
Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies and EEG pattern in celiac patients on prolonged gluten-free diet
Authors: Berio A. , Badolati G. , Mangiante G. , Calcagno E. , Piazzi A.
Published: April 2014

The Authors investigate the relationship between serum anti-tTG antibodies and EEG pattern in 12 celiac patients of various age on gluten-free diet for 1-10 years. In a group of 6 patients with good compliance with the diet, anti-tTG antibodies were normal in all and EEG in 5; in another group of 6 patients with poor compliance with the diet, serum anti-tTG antibodies were raised in all; EEG abnormalities of various gravity were reported in 5 patients. The concomitance of raised anti-tTG antibodies and EEG abnormalities is stressed, as possible expression of an immune-inflammatory reaction persistent in Central Nervous System.
Chlorine dioxine DBPs (disinfection by-products) in drinking water
Authors: Lasagna C. , Raffo E. , Bianchi M. , Pocaterra L.
Published: April 2014

Since the 1970s it has been well known that, though water for human consumption is generally disinfected before being distributed along the network, the use of chemicals results in the formation of many different Disinfection By-Products (DBPs). In the case of chlorine dioxide, the most important and represented DBPs are chlorite and chlorate: after an introduction concerning the current Italian regulation on this subject, in the experimental part the results of a 7-year minitoring campaign, concerning water of different origin collected from taps in various Italian regions, are shown. The analytical technique used for the determination of chlorite and chlorate was Ion Chromatography. The result obtained are finally discussed.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene +489 polymorphisms: association with psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Murdaca G. , Puppo F.
Published: April 2014

Objective of this work was to investigate the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at position +489 of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene in generic susceptibility and severity of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Fifty-seven Caucasian PsA patients diagnosed according to CASPAR criteria and 155 healthy matched controls were studied. PASI score, DAS28 and Disability INdex HAQ were calculated. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and SNPs +489 G>A (rs 80267959) were amplified by PCR. The SNP +489 genotype was significantly associated with PsA susceptibility (p=0.0136) and severity of clinical and laboratory parameters (p values ranging from 0.016 to 2.908 x 10-12). The difference in severity was accounted for by the difference between the AA and GA genotypes with respect to the GG genotype. These findings suggest that TNF-α gene polymorphisms may influence PsA susceptibility and severity. Psoriatics arthritis (PsA) is a complex immunemediated disease that results from the interplay between multiple genetic and environmental factor [1]. Although the pathogenesis of PsA remains elusive, there is evidence that genetic factors may contribute to the etiology of the disease [2]. Is has been estimated that at least one third of the genetic contribution to PsA resides in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region [2]. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene, which is located in the short arm of chromosome 6 in the MHC class III region between the HLA-B and HLA-DR genes, has been proposed as a major candidate gene in PsA [3]. This hypothesis is supported by studies which have found high serum, synovial fluid and synovial membrane TNF-α levels in patients with PsA [4,5]. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (PNPs) have been identified in the TNF-α gene promoter [6]. In particular, two common polymorphisms, namely G to A substitutions at positions -238 and -308 have been studied in patients with PsA. However, association studies of these two TNF-α polymorphisms and genetic susceptibility to PsA have lead to conflicting results [7-12]. Previous studies have indicated the potential role of the SNP at +489 position in the first intron of the TNF-α gene in the susceptibility to some rheumatic autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis [13], systemic lupus erythematosus [14] and systemic sclerosis [15]. However, to our present knowledge, studies on the association of +489 polymorphism with PsA susceptibility and response to TNF-α inhibitors are not reported in the literature. Is this study we investigated the role of SNPs at +489 within the TNF-α gene in PsA susceptibility and severity.
Methodological approach for the evaluation of homologous bone graft use in post-extractive atrophic alveolar ridges
Authors: Musante B. , Romano F. , Baldi D. , Pera P. , Grillo F. , Fulcheri E.
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo efficacy of Puros® cancellous particulate allograft bone in the regeneration of post-extractive sites. Twelve molar or premolar sites were selected. Seven days after minimally invasive tooth extraction, Puros® cancellous particulate allografts were inserted into the elected sites. TC Cone-Beam investigation and at 4 months from surgery; bone height and width were evaluated. Five months after surgery, biopsy samples of the regenerated sites were taken and histologically analyzed to qualitatively evaluate bone regeneration. TC analysis showed, a mean bone gain of 4.1 mm in height and 2.02 mm in width. The histological analysis of the samples showed intense bone metabolic activity with active osteoblasts on the implant surface, at the level of the native bone-graft interface and in the grafted area. The radiographic and histological analyses demonstrate an optimal bonen regeneration, both in terms of quality and quantity using Puros®.
Management of diabetes during natural emergencies
Authors: Baruah Mintu , Kumar K.V.S.
Published: April 2014

Disaster preparedness is an important but often a neglected part in the management of chronic disorders. India is facing an epidemic of diabetes and the patients with diabetes are also exposed to the risk of natural disaster along with other members of the society. India faced many disasters in the past including the Bhopal gas leak, Gujarat earthquake and Andaman tsunami. These disasters exposed the lacunae in the disaster preparedness and lead to devastating health consequences. Previous research focused more on the immediate, traumatic aspects of the disasters and neglected the impact on chronic disorders. The experience of managing diabetes after Hurricane Katrina gave important insights into the short and long term consequences of a disaster. Our article provides information about the impact of disasters on diabetes, difficulties in the management and suggested measures at various levels to improve the disaster preparedness.
Assessment of quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients with newly diagnosed non alcoholic fatty liver disease using quality of life instrument for Indian diabetes patients
Authors: Roy Kuhu , Iyer Uma
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is emerging as a public health problem among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. It has an impact on quality of life, which is meagrely explored. Aim: To assess quality of life of type 2 diabetes patients with newly diagnosed non alcoholic fatty liver disease. Materials and Methods: Confirmed cases of newly diagnosed non alcoholic fatty liver disease with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 55) were enrolled. Clinical, anthropometric and medical profiles were assessed. Quality of life was assessed with the help of quality of life instrument for Indian diabetes patients. Results: Weight (P = 0.005) and body mass index (P 0.008) in grade 3 hepatic steatosis were higher than grade 2 steatosis. Physical health deteriorated from grade 1 to grade 3 hepatic steatosis. The mean likert scores decreased significantly (P 0.000) from grade 2 to grade 3 and between grade 1 and grade 3 (P 0.0014) hepatic steatosis in the physical endurance domain. Perceptions regarding general health and treatment satisfaction revealed existing loopholes in the health system and one′s general attitude towards health. The dietary domain was marked with gross dissatisfaction amongst most with hepatic steatosis with a significant reduction in mean likert scale score between grade 1 and grade 2 (P 0.012) of hepatic steatosis. Conclusions: Modifiable domains of quality of life should be addressed as a core component of standard care in newly diagnosed non alcoholic fatty liver disease with type 2 diabetes mellitus to avert future cardiac and hepatic events.
Attitude of health care professionals about the diabetes from India
Authors: Kumar K.V.S. , Gupta A. , Kumar Amit
Published: April 2014

Background: Health care workers should have adequate knowledge and the correct attitude to deal with the diabetes. We conducted this study among nursing and medical students to assess their attitude regarding diabetes. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on medical (Group 1, N = 50) and nursing (Group 2, N = 50) students. Data was collected using the Diabetes Attitude Scale questionnaire developed by the University of Michigan Diabetes Research and Training Centre. The scores identify the attitude regarding five key areas of diabetes, namely need for special training, seriousness of diabetes, value of tight control, psychosocial impact and patient autonomy. The data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests using GraphPad Prism Software, version 6 (GraphPad Software, San Deigo, CA, USA). Results: The study participants consist of 100 students of which 27 were male and 73 were female with a mean age of 22.9 ± 3.3 year. The scores in any subscale did not differ between the medical and nursing students. The correlation analyzes revealed that seriousness of diabetes is increasing linearly with age (P = 0.0325) and all the five key areas of diabetes showed a significant correlation with the increasing duration of residency (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Increasing age and more exposure to formal education are the major determinants of an individual′s attitude toward diabetes. Our study attempts to highlights the need of education for all health care workers involved in the management of diabetes.
Burden of diabetes among various ethnic minorities in US and its implications
Authors: Mundra Vishal
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Diabetes is one of the major healthcare issues worldwide. The average prevalence of diabetes was 11.7% in adults between 20-79 years of age in the US in 2011. This is a brief review of diabetes etio-pathogenesis and prevalence amongst various ethnic groups in the US. Materials and Methods: A pubmed search was done using key words diabetes, minorities and prevalence on September 15 2013. Relevant studies were selected for further review. In addition, more information was obtained from CDC websites. Discussion: As per CDC fact sheet 2011, 11.3% of all US adults ≥20 years of age had diabetes. 7.1% of non-Hispanic Whites, 8.4% of Asian Americans, 11.8% of Hispanics, and 12.6% of African-Americans (non-Hispanic Blacks) had diabetes in adults ≥20 years of age. Overall, 26.9% of adults of ≥65 years of age had diabetes in 2010. Amongst Native Indians, the prevalence ranges from 5.5% in Alaska natives to 33.5% amongst natives in Arizona. For immigrant south Asian population to the US (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), the prevalence has been documented to be varying from 17% to 29%. The wide variation in prevalence of diabetes poses a tough challenge to confine the epidemic as the measures have to be tailored to the needs of different race and ethnic groups. Conclusion: As these ethnic groups continue to grow, management of diabetes in these minorities confers a major health issue in the US.
Therapy in type 2 diabetes: A logical empiricism - based approach
Authors: Kalra Sanjay , Gupta Yashdeep
Published: April 2014

There is ongoing debate about the relevance of the ‘guideline approach,” vis-a-vis the “pathophysiologic approach” in the management of diabetes. However, it is disheartening to note that both these stands neglects the most important people involved in diabetes management: The person with diabetes, the family, and the treating physician. We discuss a logical empiricism based approach for diabetes care in this brief communication.
Limited prosthesis wear in geriatric diabetic edentulous patients: A social morbidity
Authors: Rathee Manu , Tamrakar Amit
Published: April 2014

Tooth loss is a widespread geriatric healthcare issue. The problems with the complete denture wear in edentulous patients are compounded by the coexisting diabetes. The dryness of thin oral mucosa resultant from diabetes or as side effect of medications used for various advanced age health problems lead to restricted prosthesis wear. Impaired chewing ability and denture problems can cause isolation among geriatric population.
Article Commentary: Promise and Reality in the Expanding Field of Network Interaction Analysis: Metabolic Networks
Authors: Bazzani Susanna
Published: April 2014

In the last few decades, metabolic networks revealed their capabilities as powerful tools to analyze the cellular metabolism. Many research fields (eg, metabolic engineering, diagnostic medicine, pharmacology, biochemistry, biology and physiology) improved the understanding of the cell combining experimental assays and metabolic network-based computations. This process led to the rise of the “systems biology” approach, where the theory meets experiments and where two complementary perspectives cooperate in the study of biological phenomena. Here, the reconstruction of metabolic networks is presented, along with established and new algorithms to improve the description of cellular metabolism. Then, advantages and limitations of modeling algorithms and network reconstruction are discussed.
Principles of capitalistic commodity production: a rejoinder
Authors: Helmedag Fritz
Published: April 2014

Reich (2013) recapitulates my model (Helmedag 2012a) incorrectly. Above all, he mixes up exogenous with endogenous variables. Moreover, Reich's interpretation of the system's dynamics is on the one hand formally insufficient; on the other hand, matters are presented in a more complicated way than necessary.
The implications of TARGET2 in the European balance of payments crisis and beyond
Authors: Cesaratto Sergio
Published: April 2014

The paper provides an account of the meaning and implications of TARGET2 in the eurozone (EZ) balance of payments crisis. In this context, it discusses Hans-Werner Sinn's thesis about a stealth bail-out of the EZ periphery by the ECB from a heterodox perspective. Financial liberalisation, a relatively loose monetary policy and the provisional fading of devaluation risks generated ephemeral growth in some peripheral EZ countries sustained by capital flows from core countries. This has been followed by real exchange rate revaluation and deterioration of foreign accounts. As a result, external financing flows dried up and the previous stock of loans began to be repatriated. TARGET2 has played a fundamental role in avoiding a precipitous crisis. This distinguishes the European crisis from more traditional balance of payments crises. However, the presence of TARGET2 does not offset the absence of the financial crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms that are characteristic of fully fledged political and currency unions.
‘Contraflows’ in de literaire journalistiek? - Een vergelijkende analyse van de aandacht voor niet-westerse schrijvers uit binnen- en buitenland in Franse, Duitse, Nederlandse en Amerikaanse dagbladen, 1955-2005
Authors: Berkers Pauwke , Janssen Susanne , Verboord Marc
Published: April 2014

In contrast to most studies on cultural globalization, this article examines the dynamics of cross-cultural exchange between and within (western) nation-states. Through content analysis, we examine the extent and composition of the newspaper coverage given to literary authors of non-western ethnic origin – both foreign and domestic – in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States between 1955 and 2005. Newspaper attention to ethnic minority authors appears to be related to the size of the ethnic minority population, their language proficiency and educational background and the extent to which key institutions in the national literary field are receptive to ethnic diversity, leading to extensive coverage in the U.S. and limited attention in Germany. Newspapers in countries that hold a central position in the literary world-system (United States) appear to be more strongly focused on domestic ethnic minority authors, whereas newspapers in less central countries cover more foreign authors originating in non-western countries, particularly when they have strong geo-linguistic ties with these countries (France). Finally, our results indicate that U.S. ethnic minority authors first gained recognition within the national literary field, and later on, through the centrality of the United States in the literary world-system, also acquired international literary prestige.
‘Zo schrijft hij en zo doet hij’ - Literatuur als bewijsmateriaal in strafzaken tegen schrijvers
Authors: Grüttemeier Ralf
Published: April 2014

This article adresses the question of the institutional position of literature within jurisdiction and of the poetics of jurisdiction with regard to cases in which writers are accused of crimes that have nothing to do with literature. Dutch cases from the 1920s onwards are taken in order to see whether literature is dealt with in these procedures and if so, how it was looked at. This focus will be combined with using the Oscar Wilde-case in specific regards as a mirror for the less documented Dutch cases. It turns out that the standard way of literature within legal decision making is a referential and ethical one focussing on the character of the accused. By this, it reproduces a view that can be dated back into Greek-Roman antiquity – changes towards a more autonomistic poetics within jurisdiction are nowhere to be found. Also a relative growth of institutional autonomy of literature within legal decision making can hardly be discovered in the trials analysed here.
‘Je lijkt me gevaarlijker dan al die hoge heren bij elkaar’ - Referentialiteit en retorica in De keisnijder van Fichtenwald (1976) van Louis Ferron
Authors: Konst J.W.H.
Published: April 2014

This article offers a new interpretation of one of the main works of Louis Ferron: De keisnijder van Fichtenwald [The stone-cutter of Fichtenwald] (1976). The hypothesis elaborated here is that, in the guise of Friedolien Mahler, voice is given to a Nazi-Täter who does all he can to obscure his role in the war and his ideas, which are fed into by the ideology of national socialism. In order to show this, a rhetorical reading of the novel is offered, i.e. one which assumes that Friedolien practises impression management from the beginning to the end and is out to manipulate the reading public. For this purpose he for example makes use of the stylistic repertoire of irony and goes in for role-playing of an especially subtle kind in which he, the SS man and guard at the Konzentrationslager Fichtenwald, makes it appear as if he were a victim, a convert and a harmless madman respectively. The stress laid on Friedolien’s guilt here is new in the reception of Ferron’s novel. Finally, the last pages of this article show that Friedolien is ultimately a figure thought up by the camp doctor Jankowsy on which the latter projects his own Nazi past.
‘Met zijn rug naar de toekomst’ - Harry Mulisch als historicus van de Tweede Wereldoorlog
Authors: Sander Bax
Published: April 2014

The Dutch literary writer Harry Mulisch has an ongoing project of reflecting on the nature of historiography. In several essays he opposed the narrative reconstruction of the historian to the experience of the historical moment itself. History recreates the past as a closed ‘then’, whereas literature can recreate the past in a new kind of ‘present’. In this article Sander Bax relates Mulisch’ philosophical ideas on historiography to the theses of Frank Ankersmit on the sublime experience of the past. His concept of traumatic experience of historical moments seems to fit quite well with the way Mulisch writes on historical moments in some of his novels. Bax proposes new interpretations of Het stenen bruidsbed [The stone bridal bed, 1959] and De aanslag [The assault, 1982]. In both cases Mulisch uses the novel to portray characters that experience the past as traumatic. Norman Corinth’s role in the bombing of Dresden has turned him into a traumatic figure (Het stenen bruidsbed) and Anton Steenwijk’s seperation from his parents in 1945 has made his whole life fractured (De aanslag). Mulisch not only portrays the psychological development of these characters, he also foregrounds them as fictional characters by using a mythical style of writing. In that sense they are part human, part character. By doing this, Mulisch lays bare the problems of linguistic representation of reality. On the one hand he tries to bring the reader closer to the historical event, on the other hand he reflects on the impossibility of literature to close that gap.
Ontworsteling en ontworteling - Kleine verhalen achter een groot verhaal over religie
Authors: Marit Monteiro
Published: April 2014

The recent come-back of master narratives illustrates the political turn in the historical discipline. Poststructural and postmodernist theoretical approaches to history in the past decades have resulted in plural or even fragmented views on the past that are not considered helpful in the search for a coherent national identity. In response to the call for grand and coherent views on the Dutch and their history, a new historical canon was presented in 2007. This canon illustrates the central role of Christian religion in the grand narrative of the Dutch past – a past that is definitely over in a country that profiles itself as secularized. Although this view on religion fits in smoothly with the – by now discredited – secularization thesis it reflects only a partial view on religion and does not account for expressions and meanings of religion beyond the church-based institutions. Historians, historians of religion in particular, have to come to terms with the often capricious role of human agency in religion, in past and present. Contemporary literature, I argue in this article, provides ‘small stories’ of belief and faith that help to re-conceptualize religion as dynamic, lived religion that defies the existing master narrative.
‘Schryver van’ of burgerman? - Het afficheren van cultureel en sociaal kapitaal in Vlaamse negentiende-eeuwse romans
Authors: Bemong Nele
Published: April 2014

In this contribution I examine how Flemish nineteenth-century men of letters, and more specifically: historical novelists, presented themselves on the first textual ‘thresholds’ that readers encounter when they open a book, namely the title page and the dedication. These peritexts not only show how the novelists presented themselves to the outside world, i.e., the profile they wanted to create for themselves; they also provide insights into the social status and economic situation of the men of letters, since underlying motives frequently played a significant role in this respect. Moreover, an analysis of the aspect of self-presentation yields interesting data concerning the process by which the literary field became autonomous with respect to the field of the power. The results of this analysis, which takes the authors’ self-presentation to the reading public as its central perspective, corroborate the existing view that the literary field in Flanders only started to become autonomous with the Van Nu en Straks-movement. During the period between the 1830s and the 1880s, the relationship between authors on the one hand and political, social and ecclesiastical powers on the other was such that artistic freedom and autonomy were luxuries a Flemish author could hardly afford.
Walewein en Ysabele in Endi
Authors: Roel Zemel
Published: April 2014

The Middle Dutch Roman van Walewein is ‘an acknowledged Arthurian masterpiece with few equals in any language’ (Norris Lacy). Striking to the work is that two authors wrote a large romance, in which the nephew of King Arthur is the only protagonist. This choice is something new in comparison with the works of the creator of the genre, Chrétien de Troyes. In his great adventure, that takes place in the Otherworld of Endi, the hero acts in transgression with the rules of the Arthurian romance. The same applies to Ysabele, the princess of Endi, whom Walewein falls in love with. The action of Walewein and Ysabele in Endi shows further a similarity with that of Guillaume and Orable in La Prise d’Orange. The authors of Walewein borrowed from this heroic poem, by which it resounds as a ‘conte en palimpseste’. The deconstruction, which is brought about by this palimpsest, has a poetical meaning. Penninc and Vostaert, the poets of Walewein, put at issue the problem of writing a romance about Arthur’s nephew. Such a project can only succeed, when the creator takes all freedom with regard to the rules of the genre.