bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Rho-Kinase Gene Polymorphisms and Protein Expressions in Colorectal Cancer Development
Authors: Sari Ibrahim , Berberoglu Betul , Ozkara Esma , Oztuzcu Serdar , Camci Celaletdin , Demiryurek Abdullah T.
Published: January 2013

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between Rho-kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Methods: Eighty-five patients operated due to CRC and 178 healthy controls with similar age and sex were included to this study. Genomic DNA from the patients and the healthy control cases was analyzed by a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system. The protein expressions of ROCK1, ROCK2 and p53 were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: There were significant associations between ROCK1 (rs73963110 and rs35996865) and ROCK2 gene polymorphisms (rs2290156, rs10178332, rs35768389, rs10929732 and rs34945852) with CRC development. However, no marked associations were found between ROCK2 gene rs965665, rs2230774, rs6755196 and rs1515219 polymorphisms and the risk of developing CRC. Rho-kinase and p53 immunohistochemical stainings were markedly elevated in the tumor tissue. There were significant correlations between vascular and perineural invasions with ROCK2 or p53 protein expressions. Conclusions: These results are the first to demonstrate the contribution of Rho-kinase in CRC development in patients. Our data showed that the ROCK1 and ROCK2 genes might be a risk factor for CRC development and that genetic polymorphisms in these genes may modify individual susceptibility to CRC in the Turkish population.
Primary Care Physician Management, Referral, and Relations with Specialists Concerning Patients at Risk for Cancer due to Family History
Authors: Wood M.E. , Flynn B.S. , Stockdale A.
Published: January 2013

Background: Risk stratification based on family history is a feature of screening guidelines for a number of cancers and referral guidelines for genetic counseling/testing for cancer risk. Aims: Our aim was to describe primary care physician perceptions of their role in managing cancer risk based on family history. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted by a medical anthropologist with primary care physicians in 3 settings in 2 north-eastern states. Transcripts were systematically analyzed by a research team to identify major themes expressed by participants. Results: Forty interviews were conducted from May 2003 through May 2006. Physicians provided a diversity of views on roles in management of cancer risk based on family history, management practices and patient responses to risk information. They also provided a wide range of perspectives on criteria used for referral to specialists, types of specialists referred to and expected management roles for referred patients. Conclusion: Some primary care physicians appeared to make effective use of family history information for cancer risk management, but many in this sample did not. Increased focus on efficient assessment tools based on recognized guidelines, accessible guides to management options, and patient education and decision aids may be useful directions to facilitate broader use of family history information for cancer risk management.
Cysteine Oxidative Posttranslational Modifications
Authors: Chung Heaseung S. , Wang Sheng-Bing , Venkatraman Vidya , Murray Christopher I. , Van Eyk Jennifer E.
Published: January 2013

In the cardiovascular system, changes in oxidative balance can affect many aspects of cellular physiology through redox-signaling. Depending on the magnitude, fluctuations in the cell’s production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can regulate normal metabolic processes, activate protective mechanisms, or be cytotoxic. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can have many effects including the posttranslational modification of proteins at critical cysteine thiols. A subset can act as redox-switches, which elicit functional effects in response to changes in oxidative state. Although the general concepts of redox-signaling have been established, the identity and function of many regulatory switches remains unclear. Characterizing the effects of individual modifications is the key to understand how the cell interprets oxidative signals under physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we review the various cysteine oxidative posttranslational modifications and their ability to function as redox-switches that regulate the cell’s response to oxidative stimuli. In addition, we discuss how these modifications have the potential to influence other posttranslational modifications’ signaling pathways though cross-talk. Finally, we review the increasing number of tools being developed to identify and quantify the various cysteine oxidative posttranslational modifications and how this will advance our understanding of redox-regulation.
Hexokinase II and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Pasdois Philippe , Parker Joanne E. , Griffiths Elinor J. , Halestrap Andrew P.
Published: January 2013

Rationale:

Mitochondrial-bound hexokinase II (HK2) was recently proposed to play a crucial role in the normal functioning of the beating heart and to be necessary to maintain mitochondrial membrane potential. However, our own studies confirmed that mitochondria from ischemic rat hearts were HK2-depleted, yet showed no indication of depolarization and responded normally to ADP.

Objective:

To establish whether the human TAT-HK2 peptide used to dissociate mitochondrial-bound HKII in the Langendorff-perfused heart may exert its effects indirectly by impairing coronary function.

Methods and Results:

Ischemic preconditioning was blocked in rat hearts perfused with 2.5 µmol/L TAT-HK2 before ischemia or at the onset of reperfusion. However, TAT-HK2 also decreased the phosphocreatine:ATP ratio that correlated with reduced rate pressure product and increased diastolic pressure. These effects were preceded by increased aortic pressure (Langendorff constant flow) or decreased coronary flow (Langendorff constant pressure), which was also observed, albeit less pronounced, at 200 nmol/L TAT-HK2 and was prevented by coperfusion with the NO-donor diethylamine NONOate. Mitochondria from TAT-HK2–perfused hearts showed no loss of bound HK2, unlike mitochondria from ischemic hearts where the expected loss was prevented by ischemic preconditioning.

Conclusions:

In the perfused rat heart, TAT-HK2 should be used with caution and careful attention to dosage because some of its effects may be mediated by vasoconstriction of the coronary vasculature rather than dissociation of HK2 from myocyte mitochondria.
Living Without Creatine
Authors: Lygate Craig A. , Aksentijevic Dunja , Dawson Dana , ten Hove Michiel , Phillips Darci , de Bono Joseph P. , Medway Debra J. , Sebag-Montefiore Liam , Hunyor Imre , Channon Keith M. , Clarke Kieran , Zervou Sevasti , Watkins Hugh , Balaban Robert S. , Neubauer Stefan
Published: January 2013

Rationale:

Creatine is thought to be involved in the spatial and temporal buffering of ATP in energetic organs such as heart and skeletal muscle. Creatine depletion affects force generation during maximal stimulation, while reduced levels of myocardial creatine are a hallmark of the failing heart, leading to the widely held view that creatine is important at high workloads and under conditions of pathological stress.

Objective:

We therefore hypothesised that the consequences of creatine-deficiency in mice would be impaired running capacity, and exacerbation of heart failure following myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results:

Surprisingly, mice with whole-body creatine deficiency due to knockout of the biosynthetic enzyme (guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase [GAMT]) voluntarily ran just as fast and as far as controls (>10 km/night) and performed the same level of work when tested to exhaustion on a treadmill. Furthermore, survival following myocardial infarction was not altered, nor was subsequent left ventricular (LV) remodelling and development of chronic heart failure exacerbated, as measured by 3D-echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics. These findings could not be accounted for by compensatory adaptations, with no differences detected between WT and GAMT
−/−
proteomes. Alternative phosphotransfer mechanisms were explored; adenylate kinase activity was unaltered, and although GAMT
−/−
hearts accumulated the creatine precursor guanidinoacetate, this had negligible energy-transfer activity, while mitochondria retained near normal function.

Conclusions:

Creatine-deficient mice show unaltered maximal exercise capacity and response to chronic myocardial infarction, and no obvious metabolic adaptations. Our results question the paradigm that creatine is essential for high workload and chronic stress responses in heart and skeletal muscle.
One Color—A White Asbestos (Chrysotile) Painting
Authors: Foster Chris
Published: January 2013

The artist describes in this article the first known direct use of asbestos as an artistic material in the production of a single “asbest-painting.” The article includes a brief history of asbestos, an overview of its toxic and environmental impact on a local and international scale, and a look at the health and safety aspects of using asbestos—especially as an artist's tool.
Long-Term Simulations of Thermally Driven Flows and Orographic Convection at Convection-Parameterizing and Cloud-Resolving Resolutions
Authors: Langhans Wolfgang , Schmidli Juerg , Fuhrer Oliver , Bieri Susanne , Schär Christoph
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this paper is to validate the representation of topographic flows and moist convection over the European Alps in a convection-parameterizing simulation (CPM; Δx = 6.6 km) and two cloud-resolving simulations (CRM; Δx = 1.1 and 2.2 km). All simulations and further sensitivity experiments are validated against a large set of observations for an 18-day fair-weather summer period. The episode considered is characterized by pronounced plain–valley pressure gradients, strong daytime upvalley flows, and weak nighttime down-valley flows. In addition, convective precipitation is recorded during the late afternoon and is preceded by a phase of shallow convection. The observed transition from shallow to deep convection occurs within a 3-h period. The results indicate good agreement between both CRMs and the observed diurnal evolution in terms of near-surface winds, cloud formation, and precipitation. The differences between the two CRMs are surprisingly small. In contrast, the CPM produces too-early peaks of cloud cover and precipitation that are due to a too-early activation of deep convection. Detailed sensitivity experiments show that the convection scheme, rather than the underresolved small-scale topography, is responsible for the poor performance of the CPM. In addition, observations and simulations show that late-morning mass convergence does not correlate with afternoon precipitation. Rather, it is found that enhanced convective activity is related to increased conditional instability.
The Enduring Indispensability of the Controlled Comparison
Authors: Slater Dan , Ziblatt Daniel
Published: January 2013

Do controlled comparisons still have a place in comparative politics? Long criticized by quantitatively oriented methodologists, this canonical approach has increasingly been critiqued by qualitative methodologists who recommend greater focus on within-case analysis and the confinement of causal explanations to particular cases. Such advice accords with a welcome shift from a combative “tale of two cultures” toward mutual respect for research combining qualitative and quantitative methods in the simultaneous pursuit of internal and external validity. This article argues that controlled comparisons remain indispensable amid this “multimethod turn,” explicating how they too can generate both internal and external validity when their practitioners (a) craft arguments with general variables or mechanisms, (b) seek out representative variation, and (c) select cases that maximize control over alternative explanations. When controlled comparisons meet these standards, they continue to illuminate the world’s great convergences and divergences across nation-states in a manner that no other methods can surpass.
The Role of Moral Values in Instigating Morally Responsible Decisions
Authors: Bagozzi Richard P. , Sekerka Leslie E. , Hill Vanessa , Sguera Francesco
Published: January 2013

What drives the decision to act with virtue when one faces an ethical challenge? Events occurring in social interactions pose moral queries that drive people to respond with ethical strength, or to turn away. To understand the role of values in motivating morally responsible behavior, we identify military managers’ reasons for action when faced with a wartime moral dilemma. We employ qualitative methods to reveal a network of interconnected values, reflecting inferences between them and paths serving as motivations for action. Our approach unpacks what lies behind values that drive virtuous decisions, which we test quantitatively. The laddering technique we employ also serves as a tool, shedding light on the cognitive backstage of ethical decision making. Helping managers become aware of their tacit assumptions will be useful to augment ethics training and management practice. Implications and suggestions for additional research are presented.
The background to Part B of the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise: Evaluation of theories for predicting failure in polymer composite laminates under three-dimensional states of stress
Authors: Hinton MJ , Kaddour AS
Published: January 2013

The Second World-Wide Failure Exercise was launched and organised by the authors to determine the accuracy of current theories for predicting failure in polymer composite laminates under three-dimensional states of stress. This paper provides an introduction to the second stage (‘Part B’) of Second World-Wide Failure Exercise within which the level of maturity and accuracy of the leading three-dimensional failure theories for composites are assessed against experimental data, their strengths and weaknesses are identified and conclusions are drawn. The Second World-Wide Failure Exercise builds upon the process and philosophy developed during the First World-Wide Failure Exercise with the clear aims of ensuring that the assessment is objective, transparent and an effective, accessible benchmark for use by the composites community.
Dynamic compression failure mechanisms and dynamic effects of integrated woven sandwich composites
Authors: Fan Hualin , Zhao Long , Chen Hailong , Zheng Jingjing , Jiang Yifan , Huang Shiqing , Kuang Ning , Ye Chenxuan
Published: January 2013

Low-velocity dynamic compression tests were performed to reveal the failure mechanism and the energy absorption capacity of the integrated woven sandwich composite. Shear deformations were induced by the tilting of fiber piles in the core of the integrated woven sandwich composite. Ductile load–displacement curves are featured by a long deformation plateau originated from rotations of the core piles. Densification is apparent in the later stage of compression. Stout piles in the core also lead to plastic compression failure mode accompanying with much smaller rotations of core piles. Controlled by the latter failure mode, the dynamic strength and the energy absorption of the panel are stronger. In dynamic compression experiments, the integrated woven sandwich composite panels exhibit similar failure modes with those observed in quasi-static compression tests. The dynamic strength is much greater and the corresponding deformation plateau is much more stable, which leads to greater energy absorption. The dynamic effects of the strength and the energy absorption were explained by the dynamic buckling of the woven struts in the core. The tests suggest that the integrated woven sandwich composite is ideal to serve as a lightweight anti-impact material in engineering structures.
Intragroup Functional Diversity and Intergroup Relations in American and Chinese Workgroups
Authors: Zhang Yan , Tsui Anne
Published: January 2013

The authors investigate the role of intragroup functional diversity in influencing intergroup relations, defined as intergroup cooperation and group-level citizenship behavior toward other workgroups. Based on predominantly Western literature, the authors hypothesize that groups working in an American culture will show an inverted U-shaped relationship and that groups operating in a Chinese culture will show a J-shaped relationship. The two hypotheses are tested using 67 American workgroups in eight companies and 149 Chinese workgroups in 12 companies. The hypotheses are largely supported with some nuanced departure from the predicted curves. In particular, except for one negative linear relationship, American workgroups and workgroups with highly individualistic values display an inverted J-shape, with both homogenous and moderately diverse groups showing more positive intergroup behaviors than extremely diverse groups. Chinese workgroups exhibit a U-shaped pattern, with both homogenous and highly diverse groups showing the most positive intergroup cooperation. All Chinese groups show a high level of group citizenship behavior regardless of diversity. Collectivistic groups show the J-shape regarding both outcomes, as hypothesized. The article concludes with implications of findings for future research on workgroup diversity and for practices in cross-cultural management.
The Public Stigma of Mental Illness
Authors: Pescosolido Bernice A.
Published: January 2013

By the 1990s, sociology faced a frustrating paradox. Classic work on mental illness stigma and labeling theory reinforced that the “mark” of mental illness created prejudice and discrimination for individuals and family members. Yet that foundation, coupled with deinstitutionalization of mental health care, produced contradictory responses. Claims that stigma was dissipating were made, while others argued that intervention efforts were needed to reduce stigma. While signaling the critical role of theory-based research in establishing the pervasive effects of stigma, both claims directed resources away from social science research. Yet the contemporary scientific foundation underlying both claims was weak. A reply came in a resurgence of research directed toward mental illness stigma nationally and internationally, bringing together researchers from different disciplines for the first time. I report on the general population’s attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral dispositions that targeted public stigma and implications for the next decade of research and intervention efforts.
A Dark Figure of Corrections
Authors: Hamilton Zachary K. , Campbell Christopher M.
Published: January 2013

Given recent fiscal issues and the continual struggle to reduce the nation’s overuse of incarceration, a renewed focus has been placed on the efforts of community corrections and alternative sanctions. Halfway houses represent a common and, until recently, infrequently evaluated intervention for inmates returning to the community. Although the model has advanced over the years, often providing an array of treatments and services, scant research has examined the impact such programs have on participants’ success in the community. These and other interventions like them, although providing a needed service, create additional avenues for failure and recidivism. However, failures that result in a return to prison are rarely disentangled, representing a “dark figure” of corrections. The current study explores failure types, prevalence, and competing risk predictors for a sample ( N = 580) of halfway house participants. Findings both explore and describe the added and varying risks associated with participation community corrections interventions.
An Investigation of the Effectiveness of the Relaxation Skills Violence Prevention (RSVP) Program With Juvenile Detainees
Authors: Jewell Jeremy D. , Elliff Scott J.
Published: January 2013

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Relaxation Skills Violence Prevention (RSVP) program with a sample of juvenile detainees. The RSVP program is a five-session group therapy program that teaches ways to identify and cope with anger using the relaxation skills of deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation. Using a randomized controlled experimental design, the study obtained a total of 137 youth. Results supported the hypothesis that the RSVP group would experience significant declines on a measure of anger and perceived ability to control one’s present and future anger when compared to the control group.
The Role of Aggression-Related Cognition in the Aggressive Behavior of Offenders
Authors: Gilbert Flora , Daffern Michael , Talevski Diana , Ogloff James R. P.
Published: January 2013

Contemporary social cognitive theories of aggression, such as the general aggression model (GAM), highlight the role of several key knowledge structures in aggressive behavior. There has been limited investigation of these structures in offender populations, however, meaning that their relevance to the rehabilitation of violent offenders cannot be adequately determined. In the present study, the role of three aggression-related knowledge structures—normative beliefs, behavioral scripts, and early maladaptive schema—along with trait anger, were examined with respect to the aggressive behavior of an offender sample. Normative beliefs and scripts were associated with aggression over and above the effect of anger, with these variables accounting for almost a quarter of the variance in participants’ aggression. These findings suggest that the knowledge structures described by the GAM concurrently increase aggression and underscore the need for more routine and systematic targeting of aggression-related cognitions in violent offenders.
How Finland Serves Gifted and Talented Pupils
Authors: Tirri Kirsi , Kuusisto Elina
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the ways gifted and talented pupils are served in Finland. The trend toward individualism and freedom of choice as well as national policy affecting gifted education are discussed. Empirical research on Finnish teachers’ attitudes toward gifted education with respect to the national discussion on giftedness is reviewed. Special schools, programs, and summer camps designed for gifted and talented pupils are introduced. Finland’s strengths and weaknesses in supporting academic and creative talent through gifted programs are identified. A greater need to recognize the social and affective needs of gifted pupils is acknowledged.
Intralesional Injection versus Mouth Rinse of Triamcinolone Acetonide in Oral Lichen Planus
Authors: Lee Young Chan , Shin Seung Youp , Kim Sung Wan , Eun Young Gyu
Published: January 2013

Objective

To compare the efficacy, relapse, and adverse effects between intralesional injection and mouth rinse of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP).

Study Design

A randomized controlled study.

Setting

College medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Forty consecutive patients, who had been diagnosed with OLP, were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups using intralesional injection or mouth rinse of TA. The severity of pain and burning sensation on a 10‐cm visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oral Health Impact Profile–14 (OHIP‐14) were assessed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. The signs of OLP were quantified using a special scoring system for OLP. The rate of relapse and the adverse effects were compared between both groups.

Results

The VAS scores for pain and burning mouth sensation and objective scoring for OLP were significantly improved at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 weeks in both groups. The changes in the VAS for burning mouth sensation, OHIP‐14, and objective scoring for OLP were similar between both groups. The change in the VAS for pain from baseline to week 1 in the intralesional injection group was significantly higher than in the mouth rinse group. The rate of adverse effects was significantly higher in the mouth rinse group than in the intralesional injection group (44.4% vs 5.0%).

Conclusion

The efficacies of both treatments were similar. The rate of adverse effects was significantly lower for intralesional injection of TA than mouth rinse of TA.
Supranational cultural norms, domestic value orientations and the diffusion of same-sex union rights in Europe, 1988–2009
Authors: Fernández Juan J , Lutter Mark
Published: January 2013

The process of policy diffusion is gaining increasing attention among social scientists. Following world society theory, a burgeoning literature reports a positive relationship between national linkages to global cultural norms and the diffusion of public policies. However, previous analyses do not simultaneously control for time-varying domestic cultural orientations. In order to conduct a stricter test of this theory, this article examines the wave of same-sex union (SSU) laws in Europe. While in the mid-1980s, no European country provided explicit recognition to gay and lesbian couples, by 2009, 16 European countries had legalized these unions. Using event history models, the article tests predictions of the world society theory and Inglehart’s domestic-cultural theory. Results provide strong support for the world society and domestic-cultural theories. Countries with a higher level of value secularization and stronger links to the global cultural order are more likely to introduce legal protections for SSUs.
Securing the resurgence of African cities
Authors: Turok Ivan
Published: January 2013

After two decades of stagnation and decline, there has been a turnaround in the fortunes of many African economies. The implications of this for the burgeoning urban population remain unclear because the connections between economic development and urbanisation appear to be weaker in Africa than elsewhere. It is possible that the benefits of the recovery could by-pass more than benefit the cities because growth is being driven mainly by the extraction of natural resources and not by broad-based industrialisation. The article argues therefore that economic policy in Africa needs a stronger spatial dimension, and that urban policy needs a stronger economic dimension.
The 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan enhances fear of simulated speaking and reduces plasma levels of prolactin
Authors: de Rezende Marcos Gonçalves , Garcia-Leal Cybele , Graeff Frederico Guilherme , Del-Ben Cristina Marta
Published: January 2013

This study measured the effects of the preferential 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan in healthy volunteers who performed the Simulated Public Speaking Test (SPST), which recruits the neural network involved in panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. In a double-blind, randomised experiment, 36 males received placebo (12), 50 mg (12) or 100 mg (12) of sumatriptan 2 h before the SPST. Subjective, physiological and hormonal measures were taken before, during and after the test. The dose of 100 mg of sumatriptan increased speech-induced fear more than either a 50mg dose of the drug or placebo. The largest dose of sumatriptan also enhanced vigilance more than placebo, without any change in blood pressure, heart rate or electrical skin conductance. Sumatriptan decreased plasma levels of prolactin. A significant but moderate increase in plasma cortisol after SPST occurred, independent of treatment. Because sumatriptan decreases 5-HT release into the extracellular space, the potentiation of SPST-induced fear caused by the drug supports the hypothesis that 5-HT attenuates this emotional state. As acute administration of antidepressants has also been shown to enhance speaking fear and increase plasma prolactin, in contrast to sumatriptan, the 5-HT regulation of stress-hormone release is likely to be different from that of emotion.
Increases in triglyceride levels are associated with clinical response to clozapine treatment
Authors: Lally John , Gallagher Anne , Bainbridge Emma , Avalos Gloria , Ahmed Mohamed , McDonald Colm
Published: January 2013

Increases in serum triglyceride (TG) levels are associated with clinical response to clozapine treatment. Clozapine is the most efficacious therapy for treatment of refractory schizophrenia, although its use is well recognised to be associated with substantial metabolic dysfunction. Interestingly, there is some evidence that the therapeutic benefit of clozapine is associated with treatment-emergent weight gain and dyslipidaemia, specifically hypertriglyceridaemia. In this prospective observational study, we examine associations between therapeutic response to clozapine in 49 patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and lipid dysregulation. An increase in TG levels was strongly predictive of clinical improvement ( B=9.33, t =3.56, df=4, p<0.001) and of improvement in positive PANSS scores ( B=2.85, t=3.61, df=4, p=0.001) as well as negative PANSS scores ( B=1.93, t=2.36, df=4, p=0.02), when controlling for potential confounds of weight gain, change in waist circumference, baseline antipsychotic polypharmacy and serum clozapine levels. This finding suggests that clozapine’s therapeutic efficacy is linked to serum lipid changes. Hypertriglyceridaemia as a predictor of clinical response in patients treated with clozapine merits further investigation in order to better elucidate its effect on the pharmacological activity of clozapine.
Preoperative MRI Underestimates Articular Cartilage Defect Size Compared With Findings at Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Authors: Campbell Andrew B. , Knopp Michael V. , Kolovich Gregory P. , Wei Wendo , Jia Guang , Siston Robert A. , Flanigan David C.
Published: January 2013

Background:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used as a preoperative tool to estimate the size of articular cartilage defects to optimize treatment selection. However, the reliability of MRI sizing of cartilage defects is not well understood.

Hypothesis/Purpose:

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the size of knee articular cartilage defects on MRI to arthroscopic visualization after debridement. It was hypothesized that MRI sizing would produce measurements that were no different than those made during arthroscopic knee surgery.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

Seventy-seven patients (age [mean ± SD], 38 ± 10.7 years) who met inclusion criteria underwent preoperative knee MRI of at least 1.5 T within 1 year of arthroscopic knee surgery for a high-grade cartilage defect. Postdebridement defect sizes were obtained from intraoperative surgery notes and compared with retrospective MRI estimates.

Results:

Ninety-two total cartilage defects were analyzed with an average of 1.2 high-grade defects per knee and average postdebridement defect area of 2.99 cm2 per lesion (95% CI, 1.63-2.26 cm2). Preoperative MRI analysis estimated a lesion area that was an average of 1.04 cm2 smaller (95% CI, 0.70-1.39 cm2; P < .0001). In 74% of the lesions analyzed, defect size was larger on arthroscopic visualization than was estimated by MRI sizing. On average, MRI underestimated the defect area by 70% compared with arthroscopic visualization.

Conclusion:

Magnetic resonance imaging underestimates the size of articular cartilage defects compared with final postdebridement size as measured during arthroscopic knee surgery. Thus, before arthroscopic surgery, orthopaedic surgeons should consider treatment strategies that are appropriate for a larger defect than predicted by preoperative MRI.
Collaborative, Comparative Inquiry and Transformative Cross-Cultural Adult Learning and Teaching
Authors: Coryell Joellen E.
Published: January 2013

Intentionally designing international perspectives into adult educator preparation programs is a step toward developing instructors’ social and instructional cache of understandings about learning, knowledge, and facilitative methodologies that transcend their own Western cultural influences. In a class offered through an MA in adult learning and teaching program at a large Southwestern university, students examined their personal perceptions about adult education and investigated adult learning and knowing in international settings. Through symbolic convergence and narrative analyses, the research found that the use of a collaborative, comparative inquiry framework indicated an initial Western educational metanarrative. Throughout the course, the framework also provided a cognitive and emotional scaffold to underpin the social nature of transformative learning and to inspire a global educational vision.
Challenges and Solutions of Sustainable Apparel Product Development
Authors: Curwen Lisa G. , Park Juyeon , Sarkar Ajoy K.
Published: January 2013

The three-fold purpose of this study is to document current challenges the apparel industry experiences in developing sustainable apparel, discover product development strategies for fulfilling sustainable business goals, and determine the principles guiding successful interaction between designers and the upstream supply chain. This study adopted a case study method to identify and communicate practical challenges and solutions of Eileen Fisher, a women's apparel manufacturer. Data were collected from thirteen in-depth interviews conducted with members of the case company and its suppliers, with secondary data analysis from the case company's website and archival records. The study identified five challenges the case company encountered with respect to maintaining product value, quality, and aesthetics, meeting needs of suppliers, and coping with higher material and labor costs. Five solutions were put into place supporting sustainability objectives, and which highlight the practice of innovation in design, optimizing timing and resources, gathering and diffusing information, relationship management, and making trade-offs for cost and value. Five principles, which guided the design team and its interaction with upstream suppliers, were identified and modeled. The implication for other apparel companies in overcoming challenges of sustainable product development is that it begins with a clear mission, strong company mandate, and like-minded supply partners. The authors believe that, in beginning to fill an area of limited research, examination of the connections between design process and the supply chain is imperative for advancing sustainable practices in the apparel and textile industry.
Curing behavior and dielectric properties of amino-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/cyanate ester resin hybrids
Authors: Zhang Zengping , Liang Guozheng , Wang Xiaolei , Adhikari Sanjeev , Pei Jianzhong
Published: January 2013

In order to improve the dielectric and overall properties of cyanate ester (CE) resin, octa(aminopropyl)silsesquioxane (POSS-NH2) was used to modify CE. A series of POSS-NH2/CE hybrids containing different contents of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were elaborated by melt casting and then curing. The curing kinetics and reaction mechanisms of the resin systems were studied using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR). Dielectric properties, thermal stability, and hot/wet resistance of the hybrids have been investigated. FT-IR results show that both temperature and POSS content may influence the curing reaction of CE. POSS-NH2 mainly displays the catalytic effect at higher temperature (220°C). Dielectric results indicate that NC1 containing 1 wt% of POSS displays not only the lowest dielectric constant but also the lowest dielectric loss. The increase in POSS content leads to significant increase in glass transition temperature ( Tg) at lower POSS content (≤5 wt%). However, further increase in POSS content (>5 wt%) does not lead to great increase in Tg. Besides, all the POSS-NH2/CE hybrids show lower water absorption than that of CE.
Chemical and structural changes in preserved white egg during pickled by vacuum technology
Authors: Ji Ling , Liu Huiping , Cao Chunling , Liu Pingwei , Wang Hao , Wang Hongni
Published: January 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical and structural changes in preserved white egg during pickled by vacuum technology. In order to evaluate the changes of preserved egg white during its salted period, sulfhydryl group, disulfide bond contents, and surface hydrophobicity were measured. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism analysis were performed by considering changes of the secondary structural elements, the protein components of egg white was also studied in more detail by electrophoresis. Results showed that the sulfhydryl group and surface hydrophobicity were increased with increasing salting time, whereas a decrease in the disulfide bond contents was observed. Regarding the secondary structure analysis, a decrease in α-helices and β-turns were accompanied by increases in β-sheets and random coils, which indicating a decrease in non-random structure while ever increasing of unordered structure. Electrophoresis shows no significant differences in protein patterns among fresh egg white and samples salting for up to 4 days. Disappearance of most protein was at the 5th day. Single band of ovalbumin can be readily observed from the 6th day to the ripening period finished. Our findings reveal that high pH could induce duck egg white protein aggregation when salting eggs in strong alkaline solution for a long time.
Gender, Basque nationalism and women’s associations: The case of Lanbroa
Authors: Crumly Amy
Published: January 2013

Since the beginning of the twentieth century in the Spanish Basque Country, Basque nationalism has served as a unifying movement that encouraged women to participate in women’s associations. Women’s associations offered a metaspace in which public and private spheres overlap, where, women began to reconstruct meanings of nationalism and gender relations in distinct ways. As a result, the particular foci of these associations reflected each individual association’s specific understanding of gender relations and their relations to different interpretations of Basque nationalism. This historical tradition has continued into the twenty-first century as women’s associations that are structured by distinct systems of gender relations provide a number of social services and educational services to promote gender equality. Through the examination of the metaspace of the women’s association Lanbroa, this article explores the ways in which the women’s movement and feminism have influenced the functioning of this association and the ways in which association members contest traditional Basque gender relations.
The quality of gender equality policies: A discursive approach
Authors: Krizsan Andrea , Lombardo Emanuela
Published: January 2013

Can the quality of gender+ equality policies be defined in ways that apply across different policy contexts and different policy moments? In light of different scholarly debates and empirical material from gender violence policy debates especially in Southern and Central Eastern Europe, this article discusses dilemmas around defining the quality of gender+ equality policies. It proposes a two-dimensional model. The first dimension links quality to procedural aspects: empowerment of women’s rights advocates at different stages of the policy process, and transformation with reference to prevailing contextual legacies. The second dimension is more substantive, and includes genderedness, intersectionality and the structurally transformative focus of policies. The article illustrates how within the framework set by these criteria, the quality of gender equality policies is constructed through policy debates in ways that are dependent on the different discursive, institutional and structural factors specific to various policy contexts.
Anatomical brain connectivity can assess cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bozzali M , Spanò B , Parker GJM , Giulietti G , Castelli M , Basile B , Rossi S , Serra L , Magnani G , Nocentini U , Caltagirone C , Centonze D , Cercignani M
Published: January 2013

Background:

Brain disconnection plays a major role in determining cognitive disabilities in multiple sclerosis (MS). We recently developed a novel diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) tractography approach, namely anatomical connectivitity mapping (ACM), that quantifies structural brain connectivity.

Objective:

Use of ACM to assess structural connectivity modifications in MS brains and ascertain their relationship with the patients’ Paced-Auditory-Serial-Addition-Test (PASAT) scores.

Methods:

Relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) patients ( n = 25) and controls ( n = 25) underwent MRI at 3T, including conventional images, T1-weighted volumes and DW-MRI. Volumetric scans were coregistered to fractional anisotropy (FA) images, to obtain parenchymal FA maps for both white and grey matter. We initiated probabilistic tractography from all parenchymal voxels, obtaining ACM maps by counting the number of streamlines passing through each voxel, then normalizing by the total number of streamlines initiated. The ACM maps were transformed into standard space, for statistical use.

Results:

RRMS patients had reduced grey matter volume and FA, consistent with previous literature. Also, we showed reduced ACM in the thalamus and in the head of the caudate nucleus, bilaterally. In our RRMS patients, ACM was associated with PASAT scores in the corpus callosum, right hippocampus and cerebellum.

Conclusions:

ACM opens a new perspective, clarifying the contribution of anatomical brain disconnection to clinical disabilities in MS.
Mood symptoms and personality dimensions as determinants of health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Buneviciute Juste , Staniute Margarita , Brozaitiene Julija , Girdler Susan S , Bunevicius Robertas
Published: January 2013

This study examined the effects of personality dimensions in relation to the symptoms of depression and anxiety on health-related quality of life in coronary artery disease patients ( N = 514). A linear regression analysis showed that symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as personality trait of emotional stability have independent significant effect on the health-related quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease. Psychological interventions in coronary artery disease patients should not only be limited to the treatment of symptoms of depression and anxiety but should also be extended to the management of personality traits.
Perceived relationship with God fosters positive body image in college women
Authors: Homan Kristin J , Cavanaugh Brianna N
Published: January 2013

Positive body image is defined as healthy body-related attitudes that go beyond the absence of distressful symptoms. A warm and secure relationship with an important other person has been linked with attitudes of acceptance and appreciation toward one’s body as well as adaptive eating patterns. This study tested whether a warm and secure relationship with God was similarly related to positive body image. Undergraduate women completed self-report measures of religiosity, life satisfaction, body appreciation, body acceptance by others, functional orientation, and intuitive eating. Multiple regression analyses showed that relationship with God contributed variance to most of the well-being variables.
Spousal undermining of older diabetic patients’ disease management
Authors: Henry Shayna L , Rook Karen S , Stephens Mary AP , Franks Melissa M
Published: January 2013

Marriage can enhance health for individuals with a chronic disease, yet spouses may also undermine disease management. The current study investigated spousal undermining of dietary regimen in 129 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 40 patients reported that their spouses tempted them with forbidden foods, and 15 reported that their spouses conveyed disregard for their diabetic diet. Spousal tempting was associated with worse dietary adherence, and spousal disregard with worse nondietary adherence. Spousal undermining is relatively rare but is associated with patients’ disease management and warrants further investigation to better understand how spouses influence partners’ day-to-day management of chronic diseases.
Complementary and alternative medicines, embodied subjectivity and experiences of healing
Authors: Sointu Eeva
Published: January 2013

Despite a paucity of scientific evidence, complementary and alternative medicines have been found to give rise to feelings of control, empowerment, and agency. These healing experiences call for the development of analytical frameworks beyond biomedical ideas of scientific effect. This article is premised on a phenomenological understanding of embodied subjectivity as paving way for more nuanced understanding into experiences of healing. As such, this article contends that ill health transcends the biomedical body. Healing experiences are also entwined with the values and ideals that are normalized in the complementary health sphere. Discourses of health and wellness thus also play a role in the generation of healing experiences. I draw on qualitative research with clients and practitioners involved in complementary and alternative medicines in England. I will first introduce phenomenological ideals of the body, and the methods underlying the data that are drawn on. I will then turn to interviewee perspectives on the interconnectedness of the mind and the body, before outlining client experiences of alternative health practices. I argue that ideals, such as awareness, that are emphasized in the holistic health domain are important for the generation of healing experiences. Healing experiences also, however, emerge through the caring touch of trusted practitioners. This article will finally turn to the intersections between embodied experience and social inscription.
Human rights, Islam and the failure of cosmopolitanism
Authors: Edmunds June
Published: January 2013

The rise of global human rights has been presented as compelling evidence for cosmopolitan progress, especially in Europe, with particular benefits for ethnic and religious minorities. New conceptions of citizenship – post-national, de-nationalized, disaggregated and cosmopolitan – have been used to show how minorities have created and profited from European cosmopolitanism. Some theorists have pointed to human rights activism, especially around the foulard affair, to illustrate the arrival of cosmopolitan justice. However, this paper suggests that cosmopolitan optimism has misjudged the magnitude of the impact of human rights. European cosmopolitanism’s commitment to ‘cool’ attachments has difficulty with ‘thick’ religious attachments. Muslim cosmopolitanism – expressed for example though religious pilgrimages – makes Muslims ‘bad’ cosmopolitans in the European version. This clash needs to be reconciled before Europe can define itself as the unrivalled source of cosmopolitan justice.
Zoned not planned
Authors: Tarlock A Dan
Published: January 2013

There is a long and active tradition of land use planning in the United States, and planners have tried to subordinate regulation, primarily zoning, to prior planning. However, this project has met with only limited success. Americans prefer to make small-scale, ad hoc land use decisions. The reasons include the tradition of plans as blueprints for unlimited growth, the legal ability of local governments to ignore the regional impacts of their decisions, America’s preference for sprawling suburbia, the marginal status of plans in zoning law, and the chilling impact of the Supreme Court’s takings jurisprudence.