bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver function predicts survival in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation following cardiovascular surgery
Authors: Roth Christian , Schrutka Lore , Binder Christina , Kriechbaumer Lukas , Heinz Gottfried , Lang Irene M. , Maurer Gerald , Koinig Herbert , Steinlechner Barbara , Niessner Alexander , Distelmaier Klaus , Goliasch Georg
Published: March 2016

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents a valuable and rapidly evolving therapeutic option in patients with severe heart or lung failure following cardiovascular surgery. However, despite significant advances in ECMO techniques and management, prognosis remains poor and accurate risk stratification challenging. We therefore evaluated the predictive value of liver function variables on all-cause mortality in patients undergoing venoarterial ECMO support after cardiovascular surgery.

Methods

We included into our single-center registry a total of 240 patients undergoing venoarterial ECMO therapy following cardiovascular surgery at a university-affiliated tertiary care center.

Results

The median follow-up was 37 months (interquartile range 19–67 months), and a total of 156 patients (65 %) died. Alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were the strongest predictors for 30-day mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) per 1–standard deviation increase of 1.36 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.10–1.68; P = 0.004) and 1.22 (95 % CI 1.07–1.40; P = 0.004), respectively. The observed associations persisted for long-term mortality, with adjusted HRs of 1.27 (95 % CI 1.03–1.56; P = 0.023) for alkaline phosphatase and 1.22 (95 % CI 1.07–1.39; P = 0.003) for total bilirubin.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that elevated values of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin are sensitive parameters for predicting the short-term and long-term outcomes of ECMO patients.
The association between lactate, mean arterial pressure, central venous oxygen saturation and peripheral temperature and mortality in severe sepsis: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Houwink Aletta P. I. , Rijkenberg Saskia , Bosman Rob J. , van der Voort Peter H. J.
Published: March 2016

Background

During resuscitation in severe sepsis and septic shock, several goals are set. However, usually not all goals are equally met. The aim of this study is to determine the relative importance of the different goals, such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and central to forefoot temperature (delta-T), and how they relate to intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study in a 20-bed mixed medical and surgical ICU of a teaching hospital we studied consecutive critically ill patients who were admitted for confirmed infection and severe sepsis or septic shock between 2008 and 2014. All validated MAP, lactate levels, ScvO2 and delta-T for the first 24 hours of ICU treatment were extracted from a clinical database. Logistic regression analyses were performed on validated measurements in the first hour after admission and on mean values over 24 hours. Patients were categorized by MAP (24-hour mean below or above 65 mmHg) and lactate (24-hour mean below or above 2 mmol/l) for Cox regression analysis.

Results

From 837 patients, 821 were eligible for analysis. All had MAP and lactate measurements. The delta-T was available in 812 (99 %) and ScvO2 was available for 193 out of these patients (23.5 %). Admission lactate (p < 0.001) and admission MAP (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of ICU and hospital mortality. The 24-hour mean values for lactate, MAP and delta-T were all independent predictors of ICU mortality. Hospital mortality was independently predicted by the 24-hour mean lactate (odds ratio (OR) 1.34, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.30–1.40, p = 0.001) mean MAP (OR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.95–0.97, p = 0.001) and mean delta-T (OR 1.09, 95 % CI 1.06–1.12, p = 0.001). Patients with a 24-hour mean lactate below 2 mmol/l and a 24-hour mean MAP above 65 mmHg had the best survival, followed by patients with a low lactate and a low MAP.

Conclusions

Admission MAP and lactate independently predicted ICU and hospital mortality. The 24-hour mean lactate, mean MAP and mean delta-T independently predicted hospital mortality. A Cox regression analysis showed that 24-hour mean lactate above 2 mmol/l is the strongest predictor for ICU mortality.
Hypoxic conditioned medium from mesenchymal stem cells promotes lymphangiogenesis by regulation of mitochondrial-related proteins
Authors: Lee Chang Youn , Kang Jin Young , Lim Soyeon , Ham Onju , Chang Woochul , Jang Dae-Hyun
Published: March 2016

Background

Recently, cell-based therapeutic lymphangiogenesis has emerged and provided hope for lymphatic regeneration. Previous studies have demonstrated that secretomes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) facilitate the regeneration of various damaged tissues. This study was conducted to evaluate the lymphangiogenic potential of hypoxic conditioned media (HCM) from MSCs.

Methods

To investigate the effects of MSC-secreted factors in starved human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLEC), hLECs were treated with endothelial basal medium (EBM)-2 (control), normoxic conditioned media (NCM), or HCM in vitro and in vivo.

Results

MSCs expressed lymphangiogenic factors including EGF, FGF2, HGF, IGF-1, and VEGF-A and -C. hLECs were treated with each medium. hLEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation were improved under HCM compared with NCM. Moreover, expression of mitochondrial-related factors, MFN1and 2, were improved in HCM-treated hLECs. Lymphedema mice injected with HCM showed markedly decreased lymphedema via increased lymphatic vessel formation when compared with EBM-2- or NCM-treated mice.

Conclusions

This study suggested that HCM from MSCs contain high levels of secreted lymphangiogenic factors and promote lymphangiogenesis by regulating mitochondrial-related factors. Thus, treatment with HCM may be a therapeutic strategy for lymphedema.
Polymer mesh scaffold combined with cell-derived ECM for osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Noh Yong Kwan , Du Ping , Kim In Gul , Ko Jaehoon , Kim Seong Who , Park Kwideok
Published: March 2016

Background

Tissue-engineered scaffold should mimic the structure and biological function of the extracellular matrix and have mechanically supportive properties for tissue regeneration. In this study, we utilized a PLGA/PLA mesh scaffold, coated with cell-derived extracellular matrix (CDM) and assessed its potential as an osteogenic microenvironment for human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSCs). CDM was obtained by decellularization of in vitro-cultured type I collagen overexpressing (Col I -293 T-DK) cells. Test groups are mesh itself (control), fibronectin-coated (FN-mesh), and CDM-coated mesh scaffold (CDM-mesh). CDM was then solubilized and used for scaffold coating.

Results

CDM was successfully collected and applied to mesh scaffolds. The presence of CDM was confirmed via SEM and FN immunofluorescence. After then, UCB-MSCs were seeded into the scaffolds and subjected to the induction of osteogenic differentiation for 21 days in vitro. We found that the seeded cells were viable and have better proliferation activity on CDM-mesh scaffold. In addition, when osteogenic differentiation of UCB-MSCs was examined for up to 21 days, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteogenic marker (COL I, ALP, osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein) expression were significantly improved with UCB-MSCs when cultured in the CDM-mesh scaffold compared to the control and FN-mesh.

Conclusion

Polymer mesh scaffold incorporated with CDM can provide UCB-MSCs with a better microenvironment for osteogenesis in vitro.
Long noncoding RNAs as regulators of Toll-like receptor signaling and innate immunity
Authors: Murphy Michael B , Medvedev Andrei E
Published: March 2016

Sensing of microbial pathogens and endogenous “alarmins” by macrophages and dendritic cells is reliant on pattern recognition receptors, including membrane-associated TLRs, cytosolic nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptors, and absent in melanoma 2-like receptors. Engagement of TLRs elicits signaling pathways that activate inflammatory genes whose expression is regulated by chromatin-modifying complexes and transcription factors. Long noncoding RNAs have emerged as new regulators of inflammatory mediators in the immune system. They are expressed in macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, NK cells, and T- and B-lymphocytes and are involved in immune cell differentiation and activation. Long noncoding RNAs act via repression or activation of transcription factors, modulation of stability of mRNA and microRNA, regulation of ribosome entry and translation of mRNAs, and controlling components of the epigenetic machinery. In this review, we focus on recent advances in deciphering the mechanisms by which long noncoding RNAs regulate TLR-driven responses in macrophages and dendritic cells and discuss the involvement of long noncoding RNAs in endotoxin tolerance, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. The dissection of the role of long noncoding RNAs will improve our understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of inflammation and may provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
CD63 is tightly associated with intracellular, secretory events chaperoning piecemeal degranulation and compound exocytosis in human eosinophils
Authors: Carmo Lívia A S , Bonjour Kennedy , Ueki Shigeharu , Neves Josiane S , Liu Linying , Spencer Lisa A , Dvorak Ann M , Weller Peter F , Melo Rossana C N
Published: March 2016

Eosinophil activation leads to secretion of presynthesized, granule-stored mediators that determine the course of allergic, inflammatory, and immunoregulatory responses. CD63, a member of the transmembrane-4 glycoprotein superfamily (tetraspanins) and present on the limiting membranes of eosinophil-specific (secretory) granules, is considered a potential surface marker for eosinophil degranulation. However, the intracellular secretory trafficking of CD63 in eosinophils and other leukocytes is not understood. Here, we provide a comprehensive investigation of CD63 trafficking at high resolution within human eosinophils stimulated with inflammatory stimuli, CCL11 and tumor necrosis factor α, which induce distinctly differing secretory processes in eosinophils: piecemeal degranulation and compound exocytosis, respectively. By using different transmission electron microscopy approaches, including an immunonanogold technique, for enhanced detection of CD63 at subcellular compartments, we identified a major intracellular pool of CD63 that is directly linked to eosinophil degranulation events. Transmission electron microscopy quantitative analyses demonstrated that, in response to stimulation, CD63 is concentrated within granules undergoing secretion by piecemeal degranulation or compound exocytosis and that CD63 tracks with the movements of vesicles and granules in the cytoplasm. Although CD63 was observed at the cell surface after stimulation, immunonanogold electron microscopy revealed that a strong CD63 pool remains in the cytoplasm. It is remarkable that CCL11 and tumor necrosis factor α triggered increased formation of CD63+ large vesiculotubular carriers (eosinophil sombrero vesicles), which fused with granules in the process of secretion, likely acting in the intracellular translocation of CD63. Altogether, we identified active, intracellular CD63 trafficking connected to eosinophil granule-derived secretory pathways. This is important for understanding the complex secretory activities of eosinophils underlying immune responses.
PKC-δ activation in neutrophils promotes fungal clearance
Authors: Li Xun , Cullere Xavier , Nishi Hiroshi , Saggu Gurpanna , Durand Enrique , Mansour Michael K , Tam Jenny M , Song Xiu-yu , Lin Xin , Vyas Jatin M , Mayadas Tanya
Published: March 2016

The C-type lectin receptor dectin-1 and the integrin Mac-1 have key roles in controlling fungal infection. Here, we demonstrate that dectin-1- and Mac-1-induced activation of protein kinase Cδ in neutrophils, independent of the Card9 adaptor, is required for reactive oxygen species production and for intracellular killing upon Candida albicans uptake. Protein kinase Cδ was also required for zymosan-induced cytokine generation in neutrophils. In macrophages, protein kinase Cδ deficiency prevented fungi-induced reactive oxygen species generation but had no effect on activation of TGF-β-activated kinase-1, an effector of Card9, or nuclear factor κB activation, nor did it affect phagolysosomal maturation, autophagy, or intracellular C. albicans killing. In vivo, protein kinase Cδ–deficient mice were highly susceptible to C. albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus infection, which was partially rescued with adoptively transferred wild-type neutrophils. Thus, protein kinase Cδ activation downstream of dectin-1 and Mac-1 has an important role in neutrophil, but not macrophage, functions required for host defense against fungal pathogens.
Research Resource: Real-Time Analysis of Somatostatin and Dopamine Receptor Signaling in Pituitary Cells Using a Fluorescence-Based Membrane Potential Assay
Authors: Günther Thomas , Culler Michael , Schulz Stefan
Published: March 2016

Stable somatostatin analogues and dopamine receptor agonists are the mainstay for the pharmacological treatment of functional pituitary adenomas; however, only a few cellular assays have been developed to detect receptor activation of novel compounds without disrupting cells to obtain the second messenger content. Here, we adapted a novel fluorescence-based membrane potential assay to characterize receptor signaling in a time-dependent manner. This minimally invasive technique provides a robust and reliable read-out for ligand-induced receptor activation in permanent and primary pituitary cells. The mouse corticotropic cell line AtT-20 endogenously expresses both the somatostatin receptors 2 (sst2) and 5 (sst5). Exposure of wild-type AtT-20 cells to the sst2- and sst5-selective agonists BIM-23120 and BIM-23268, respectively, promoted a pertussis toxin- and tertiapin-Q-sensitive reduction in fluorescent signal intensity, which is indicative of activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. After heterologous expression, sst1, sst3, and sst4 receptors also coupled to GIRK channels in AtT-20 cells. Similar activation of GIRK channels by dopamine required overexpression of dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). Interestingly, the presence of D2Rs in AtT-20 cells strongly facilitated GIRK channel activation elicited by the sst2-D2 chimeric ligand BIM-23A760, suggesting a synergistic action of sst2 and D2Rs. Furthermore, stable somatostatin analogues produced strong responses in primary pituitary cultures from wild-type mice; however, in cultures from sst2 receptor-deficient mice, only pasireotide and somatoprim, but not octreotide, induced a reduction in fluorescent signal intensity, suggesting that octreotide mediates its pharmacological action primarily via the sst2 receptor.
Retinal development anomalies and cone photoreceptors degeneration upon Bmi1 deficiency
Authors: Barabino Andrea , Plamondon Vicky , Abdouh Mohamed , Chatoo Wassim , Flamier Anthony , Hanna Roy , Zhou Shufeng , Motoyama Noboru , Hébert Marc , Lavoie Joëlle , Bernier Gilbert
Published: March 2016

Retinal development occurs through the sequential but overlapping generation of six neuronal and one glial cell types. Of these, rod and cone photoreceptors represent the functional unit of light detection and phototransduction and are frequently affected in retinal degenerative diseases. During mouse development, the Polycomb group protein Bmi1 is expressed in immature retinal progenitors and differentiated retinal neurons, including cones. We show here that Bmi1 is required to prevent post-natal degeneration of cone photoreceptors and bipolar neurons, and that inactivation of Chk2 or p53 could improve but not overcome cone degeneration in Bmi1−/− mice. The retinal phenotype of Bmi1−/− mice was also characterized by loss of heterochromatin, activation of tandem-repeats, oxidative stress, and Rip3-associated necroptosis. In the human retina, BMI1 was preferentially expressed in cones at heterochromatic foci. BMI1 inactivation in human embryonic stem cells was compatible with retinal induction but impaired cone terminal differentiation. Despite this developmental arrest, BMI1-deficient cones recapitulated several anomalies observed in Bmi1−/− photoreceptors such as loss of heterochromatin, activation of tandem-repeats and p53 induction, revealing partly conserved biological functions between mouse and man.
aura/mid1ip1Lregulates the cytoskeleton at the zebrafish egg-to-embryo transition
Authors: Eno Celeste , Solanki Bharti , Pelegri Francisco
Published: March 2016

Embryos from females homozygous for a recessive maternal-effect mutation in the gene aura exhibit defects including reduced cortical integrity, defective cortical granule (CG) release upon egg activation, failure to complete cytokinesis, and abnormal cell wound healing. Subcellular analysis shows that the cytokinesis defects observed in aura mutants are associated with aberrant cytoskeletal reorganization during furrow maturation, including abnormal F-actin enrichment and microtubule reorganization. Cortical F-actin prior to furrow formation fails to exhibit a normal transition into F-actin-rich arcs, and drug inhibition is consistent with aura function promoting F-actin polymerization and/or stabilization. In mutants, components of exocytic and endocytic vesicles, such as Vamp2, Clathrin and Dynamin, are sequestered in unreleased CGs, indicating a need for CG recycling in the normal redistribution of these factors. However, the exocytic targeting factor Rab11 is recruited to the furrow plane normally at the tip of bundling microtubules, suggesting an alternate anchoring mechanism independent of membrane recycling. A positional cloning approach indicates that the mutation in aura is associated with a truncation of Mid1 Interacting Protein 1L (Mid1ip1L), previously identified as an interactor of the X-linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome gene Mid1. A Cas9/CRISPR-induced mutant allele in mid1ip1L fails to complement the originally isolated aura maternal-effect mutation, confirming gene assignment. Mid1ip1L protein localizes to cortical F-actin aggregates, consistent with a direct role in cytoskeletal regulation. Our studies indicate that maternally provided aura/mid1ip1L acts during the reorganization of the cytoskeleton at the egg-to-embryo transition and highlight the importance of cytoskeletal dynamics and membrane recycling during this developmental period.
Retinoid signaling controls spermatogonial differentiation by regulating expression of replication-dependent core histone genes
Authors: Chen Yao , Ma Li , Hogarth Cathryn , Wei Gang , Griswold Michael D. , Tong Ming-Han
Published: March 2016

Retinoic acid (RA) signaling is critical for spermatogonial differentiation, which is a key step for spermatogenesis. We explored the mechanisms underlying spermatogonial differentiation by targeting expression of a dominant-negative mutant of RA receptor α (RARα) specifically to the germ cells of transgenic mice to subvert the activity of endogenous receptors. Here we show that (i) inhibition of retinoid signaling in germ cells completely blocked spermatogonial differentiation identical to vitamin A-deficient (VAD) mice; (ii) the blockage of spermatogonial differentiation by impaired retinoid signaling resulted from an arrest of entry of the undifferentiated spermatogonia into S phase; and (iii) retinoid signaling regulated spermatogonial differentiation through controlling expression of its direct target genes including replication-dependent core histone genes. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the action of retinoid signaling on spermatogonial differentiation in vivo is direct through spermatogonia self, and provide the first evidence that this is mediated by regulation of expression of replication-dependent core histone genes.
Did Science Cause the Industrial Revolution?
Authors: Ó Gráda Cormac
Published: March 2016

The role of science and technology in the First Industrial Revolution is still contested. Some scholars, focusing on the textiles sector, argue that skilled and talented artisans with no scientific training were mainly responsible for the key inventions; others, with steam power in mind, hold that the links between science and the crucial inventions of the period were fundamental. Margaret Jacob has been a leading contributor to the debate for nearly four decades. The publication of her The First Knowledge Economy offers an opportunity to review the issues. (JEL J24, L26, N13, N73, O31, O33)
Affirmative Action and the Quality–Fit Trade-off
Authors: Arcidiacono Peter , Lovenheim Michael
Published: March 2016

This paper reviews the literature on affirmative action in undergraduate education and law schools, focusing especially on the trade-off between institutional quality and the fit between a school and a student. We discuss the conditions under which affirmative action for underrepresented minorities (URM) could help or harm their educational outcomes. We provide descriptive evidence on the extent of affirmative action in law schools, as well as a critical review of the contentious literature on how affirmative action affects URM law-school student performance. Our review then discusses affirmative action in undergraduate admissions, focusing on the effects such admissions preferences have on college quality, graduation rates, college major, and earnings. We conclude by examining the evidence on “percent plans” as a replacement for affirmative action. (JEL I23, I26, I28, J15, J31, J44, K10)
Renal protection in cardiovascular surgery
Authors: Di Tomasso Nora , Monaco Fabrizio , Landoni Giovanni
Published: March 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most relevant complications after major surgery and is a predictor of mortality. In Western countries, patients at risk of developing AKI are mainly those undergoing cardiovascular surgical procedures. In this category of patients, AKI depends on a multifactorial etiology, including low ejection fraction, use of contrast media, hemodynamic instability, cardiopulmonary bypass, and bleeding. Despite a growing body of literature, the treatment of renal failure remains mainly supportive (e.g. hemodynamic stability, fluid management, and avoidance of further damage); therefore, the management of patients at risk of AKI should aim at prevention of renal damage. Thus, the present narrative review analyzes the pathophysiology underlying AKI (specifically in high-risk patients), the preoperative risk factors that predispose to renal damage, early biomarkers related to AKI, and the strategies employed for perioperative renal protection. The most recent scientific evidence has been considered, and whenever conflicting data were encountered possible suggestions are provided.
Recent advances in colonoscopy
Authors: Lee Thomas J.W. , Nair Shelley , Beintaris Iosif , Rutter Matthew D.
Published: March 2016

Colonoscopy is an important and frequently performed procedure. It is effective in the prevention of colorectal cancer and is an important test in the investigation of many gastrointestinal symptoms. This review focuses on developments over the last 5 years that have led to changes in aspects of colonoscopy, including patient preparation, technical factors, therapeutic procedures, safety, and quality.
Compensating for Dynamic Supply Disruptions: Backup Flexibility Design
Authors: Saghafian Soroush , Van Oyen Mark P.
Published: March 2016

To increase resilience in supply chains, we investigate the optimal design of flexibility in a backup system. We model the dynamics of disruptions as Markov chains, and consider a multiproduct, multisupplier supply chain under dynamic disruption risks. Using our model, we first show that a little flexibility in the backup system can go a long way in mitigating dynamic disruption risks. This raises an important and fundamental question in designing flexibility in the backup system: to achieve the benefits of full backup flexibility, which unreliable suppliers should be backed up? To answer this question, we connect the supply chain to various queueing and dam models by analyzing the dynamics of the inventory shortfall process. Using this connection, we show that backing up suppliers merely based on first moment considerations such as their average reliability or average product demand can be misleading. All else equal, it is better to back up suppliers with (1) longer but less frequent disruptions, and (2) lower demand uncertainty. In addition to such second moment effects, by employing the Renyi’s Theorem, we demonstrate that when disruptions are relatively long (if they occur), backing up the suppliers for which the expected wasted backup capacity is minimum provides the best backup flexibility design. We also develop easy-to-compute and yet effective indices that (a) guide the supply chain designer in deciding which suppliers to backup, and (b) provide insights into the role of various factors such as inventory holding and shortage costs, purchasing costs, suppliers reliabilities, and product demand distributions in designing backup flexibility.
Smoking and Tuberculosis Risk: High Attributable Risk in a Low- Incidence Environment
Authors: Denholm Justin T , Trauer James M , McBryde Emma S
Published: March 2016

Objectives: To evaluate the potential impact of smoking cessation strategies on TB incidence in Victoria, Australia.

Methods: A previously validated model of TB in migrants was adapted to concentrate on the attributable TB risk arising from smoking. This model included realistic estimates of population smoking rates, and incorporation of risk factors for TB disease such as smoking, HIV and diabetes. A baseline scenario was compared with an alternative scenario in which a hypothetical public health strategy eliminating smoking was introduced.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome was the number of TB cases in the Australian state of Victoria in the year 2050. Secondary outcomes considered were total case burden during the period considered and the population attributable fraction of TB cases related to smoking.

Results: Under the baseline scenario, a median of 318 cases of TB occurred in the target year of 2050, corresponding to an estimated incidence of 3.5 cases/100,000 population. The alternative scenario, where no smoking occurred, found 272 cases (2.95 cases/100,000 population) occurring in 2050; a 14.5% reduction in TB cases. Over the entire period considered, 1650 fewer cases of TB occurred in the alternative scenario, suggesting a population attributable fraction of 11.2% of TB cases from smoking in the Australian context.

Conclusions: Smoking cessation strategies may have disproportionate benefits in TB incidence reduction. Such benefits should be considered in additional to other well-recognised population health effects from smoking reduction.
Responsiveness and ceiling effects of the Forgotten Joint Score-12 following total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Hamilton D. F. , Giesinger J. M. , MacDonald D. J. , Simpson A. H. R. W. , Howie C. R. , Giesinger K.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To assess the responsiveness and ceiling/floor effects of the Forgotten Joint Score -12 and to compare these with that of the more widely used Oxford Hip Score (OHS) in patients six and 12 months after primary total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

We prospectively collected data at six and 12 months following total hip arthroplasty from 193 patients undergoing surgery at a single centre. Ceiling effects are outlined with frequencies for patients obtaining the lowest or highest possible score. Change over time from six months to 12 months post-surgery is reported as effect size (Cohen’s d).

Results

The mean OHS improved from 40.3 (sd 7.9) at six months to 41.9 (sd 7.2) at 12 months. The mean FJS-12 improved from 56.8 (sd 30.1) at six months to 62.1 (sd 29.0) at 12 months. At six months, 15.5% of patients reached the best possible score (48 points) on the OHS and 8.3% obtained the best score (100 points) on the FJS-12. At 12 months, this percentage increased to 20.8% for the OHS and to 10.4% for the FJS-12. In terms of the effect size (Cohen’s d), the change was d = 0.10 for the OHS and d = 0.17 for the FJS-12.

Conclusions

The FJS-12 is more responsive to change between six and 12 months following total hip arthroplasty than is the OHS, with the measured ceiling effect for the OHS twice that of the FJS-12. The difference in effect size of change results in substantial differences in required sample size if aiming to detect change between these two time points. This has important implications for powering clinical trials with patient-reported measures as the primary outcome. Cite this article: Dr D. F. Hamilton. Responsiveness and ceiling effects of the Forgotten Joint Score-12 following total hip arthroplasty. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:87–91. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.53.2000480.
Can a total knee arthroplasty be both rotationally unconstrained and anteroposteriorly stabilised?
Authors: Scott G. , Imam M. A. , Eifert A. , Freeman M. A. R. , Pinskerova V. , Field R. E. , Skinner J. , Banks S. A.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Throughout the 20th Century, it has been postulated that the knee moves on the basis of a four-bar link mechanism composed of the cruciate ligaments, the femur and the tibia. As a consequence, the femur has been thought to roll back with flexion, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prostheses have been designed on this basis. Recent work, however, has proposed that at a position of between 0° and 120° the medial femoral condyle does not move anteroposteriorly whereas the lateral femoral condyle tends, but is not obliged, to roll back – a combination of movements which equates to tibial internal/ femoral external rotation with flexion. The aim of this paper was to assess if the articular geometry of the GMK Sphere TKA could recreate the natural knee movements in situ/in vivo.

Methods

The pattern of knee movement was studied in 15 patients (six male: nine female; one male with bilateral TKAs) with 16 GMK Sphere implants, at a mean age of 66 years (53 to 76) with a mean BMI of 30 kg/m2(20 to 35). The motions of all 16 knees were observed using pulsed fluoroscopy during a number of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing static and dynamic activities.

Results

During maximally flexed kneeling and lunging activities, the mean tibial internal rotation was 8° (standard deviation (sd) 6). At a mean 112° flexion (sd 16) during lunging, the medial and lateral condyles were a mean of 2 mm (sd 3) and 8 mm (sd 4) posterior to a transverse line passing through the centre of the medial tibial concavity. With a mean flexion of 117° (sd 14) during kneeling, the medial and lateral condyles were a mean of 1 mm (sd 4) anterior and 6 mm (sd 4) posterior to the same line. During dynamic stair and pivoting activities, there was a mean anteroposterior translation of 0 mm to 2 mm of the medial femoral condyle. Backward lateral condylar translation occurred and was linearly related to tibial rotation.

Conclusion

The GMK Sphere TKA in our study group shows movements similar in pattern, although reduced in magnitude, to those in recent reports relating to normal knees during several activities. Specifically, little or no translation of the medial femoral condyle was observed during flexion, but there was posterior roll-back of the lateral femoral condyle, equating to tibiofemoral rotation. We conclude that the GMK Sphere is anteroposteriorly stable medially and permits rotation about the medial compartment. Cite this article: Professor G. Scott. Can a total knee arthroplasty be both rotationally unconstrained and anteroposteriorly stabilised?: A pulsed fluoroscopic investigation. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:80–86. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.53.2000621.
From lonesome cowboys to geek masculinities: A study of documentary films on the financial crisis
Authors: Raesch Monika , Lee Micky , Cooper Frank Rudy
Published: March 2016

Space is a vantage point from which masculinity can be critiqued and understood. Documentary film-makers employ specific mode(s) to relate space to masculinity by positioning themselves vis-à-vis the interviewees, and the interviewees vis-à-vis the viewers. A financial crisis may threaten the hegemonic masculinity embodied by Wall Street’s lonesome cowboys and provide a chance for film-makers to critique this type of masculinity. This article analyses three documentary films, I.O.U.S.A., Capitalism: A Love Story and Floored, which were released after the 2008 economic crisis in the United States. The films contain three prototypes: the lonesome cowboy; white, working-class masculinity; and hypermasculinity. These films may portend a new masculinity that prioritizes intellectual bravado, geek masculinity.
‘Will I do myself proud or only what’s allowed?’ Performing masculinities and Generation X men in contemporary Hollywood comedies
Authors: Pace Tom
Published: March 2016

This article explores how Generation X men are portrayed in romantic comedies featuring friendships between men, or bromances, including films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and This is 40, directed by Judd Apatow and Juno, directed by Jason Reitman. Using Judith Butler’s theories of gender performativity, this article explores how these films perform competing masculinities and how they at times signify these masculinities by focusing on the body. As such, these films portray Generation X men variously as contradictory, as adaptable (or not) to changing circumstances, as unsure in their relationship with women in a post-feminist world, and at odds with their Baby Boomer predecessors and Millennial successors.
Pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin after single intravenous and intracrop bolus administrations to broiler chickens
Authors: AwadAllah Hanady , Awidat Shaban , El-Mahmoudy Abubakr
Published: March 2016

The pharmacokinetics of clarithromycin at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight was evaluated after single intravenous (i.v.) and intracrop (i.c.) bolus administrations in broilers. An HPLC assay using pure clarithromycin base as a standard was used to measure its concentrations in plasma. Following an i.v. bolus injection, the plasma concentration-time curves of clarithromycin were best represented by two-compartment open models. The drug was rapidly distributed and moderately eliminated with half-lives of distribution (t1/2α) and elimination (t1/2β) of 0.38 and 4.58 h, respectively. The volume of distribution was large with (Vdss) value of 6.89 L. The total body clearance (ClB) was 1.2 L/h. After i.c. bolus administration of the same dose, clarithromycin was moderately absorbed in broilers with an intermediate absorption half-life (T½ab) of 0.72 h with peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.69 μg/ml attained at 1.7 h (Tmax) and systemic bioavailability of 66.54%. The elimination half-life following i.c. administration was 2.11 h. The extent of plasma protein binding percent was 52%. The study recommends the use of clarithromycin in broilers because of its good pharmacokinetic profile indicated by good absorption, bioavailability and plasma concentrations ≥ MICs of many sensitive microorganisms.
Sexism: Ambivalence toward men
Authors: Ayan Sezer
Published: March 2016

Objective. The objective of the study is to test the Ambivalence toward Men Inventory (AMI) that is developed for the purpose of estimating the ambivalence of women towards men on the basis of Ambivalent Sexism.Method. The sample consists of 421 university students. A survey questionnaire was used in the research in order to determine the socio-demographic properties of the participants, and AMI was used in order to measure their social sexism tendencies.Findings. The general average of AMI is 4,22; and it was seen that men and women have ambivalence above the average towards each other. By gender, there is a significant difference between hostile attitudes towards men (HM) (t(421)=-15,33 p<0,05), and benevolent attitudes towards men (BM) (t(421)=-5,18 p<0,05). Sub-factor correlations showed that there is a significant relationship between HM and BM. In contrast with women, encountering a significant relationship between only maternity and compensatory gender differentiation in men showed that women’s domestic responsibilities and maturity are determinative in the development of benevolent behaviours in men towards women.Discussion. The positive relationship observed between HM and BM in AMI shows that women participants resist the male-dominant system on the one hand, while they also have the tendency to justify and support this system.
On the Solvability of Some Nonlinear Neumann Problems
Authors: Piccirillo A. M. , Toscano L. , Toscano S.
Published: March 2016

In this paper we study the existence of solutions of some nonlinear Neumann problems and the main tool used is the fibering method.
Distributional Chaos of Cournot maps
Authors: Peña José Salvador Cáovas , López Gabriel Soler , Marín Manuel Ruiz
Published: March 2016

We study the notion of distributional chaos for a class of two-dimensional maps called Cournot maps, which models a competitive economic process (Cournot duopoly). Among other results, we prove that a Cournot map has positive topological entropy if and only if it is distributionally chaotic.
On the Solvability of Some Nonlinear Systems of Elliptic Equations
Authors: Piccirillo A.M. , Toscano L. , Toscano S.
Published: March 2016

We study the solvability and the existence of multiple solutions of nonlinear systems of elliptic equations.
Time-vanishing properties of solutions of some degenerate parabolic equations with strong absorption
Authors: Belaud Y.
Published: March 2016

Let Ω be an open bounded subset of ℝN and b a measurable nonnegative function in ℝ. We study the time compact support property for ∂tu - Δpu + b(x)uq = 0 with p > 2 and for ∂tu - Δ(um) + b(x)uq = 0 with m > 1 where 0 ≤ q < 1. Some criteria involving the asymptotics as h → 0 of the first eigenvalue of

are given which imply such a phenomenon. Applying these criteria we deduce that the time vanishing property occurs when 1/b belongs to Ls(Ω) for some s depending on q, and p or m.
Existence of a Closed Geodesic on Non-compact Riemannian Manifolds with Boundary
Authors: Bartolo Rossella , Germinario Anna , Sánchez Miguel
Published: March 2016

A new result about the existence of a closed geodesic on a Riemannian manifold with boundary is given. A detailed comparison with previous results is carried out.
Uniqueness and Generic Non-degeneracy on Strips
Authors: Dances E.N.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we prove the uniqueness of the positive decaying solution of -Δu = up - λu on S,u = 0 on ∂S where S is an infinite strip in Rn and p > 1 but close to 1. We can use this and real analyticity to prove that for “most” p in (1, (n + 2)/(n - 2)) our problem has a nondegenerate positive decaying solution.
Twist Solutions of a Hill's Equation with Singular Term
Authors: Torres Pedro J.
Published: March 2016

The paper deals with the existence of twist solutions of a Hill's equation with singular term (often called Brillouin equation in the related literature) for a given region of parameters involved on the equation. Solutions of twist type are in particular Lyapunov stable and present interesting dynamical features around them. The techniques of proof include upper and lower solutions, topological degree and classical tools on normal forms of area preserving maps.
Periodic Solutions of Singular Nonlinear Perturbations of the Ordinary p-Laplacian
Authors: Jebelean P. , Mawhin J.
Published: March 2016

Using some recent extensions of upper and lower solutions techniques and continuation theorems to the periodic solutions of quasilinear equations of p-Laplacian type, we prove the existence of positive periodic solutions of equations of the form

(|xʹ|p-2xʹ)ʹ + f(x)xʹ + g(x) = h(t)

with p > 1, f arbitrary and g singular at 0. This extends results of Lazer and Solimini for the undamped ordinary differential case.
Construction of dipole type singular solutions for a biharmonic equation with critical Sobolev exponent
Authors: Baraket Sarni
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we construct positive weak solutions of a fourth order conformally invariant equation on SN. These solutions give rise to complete metrics on the complement of finitely many points of SN whose Q-curvature is constant.
Uniform Bounds for the Best Sobolev Trace Constant
Authors: Bonder Julián Fernández , Rossi Julio D. , Ferreira Raúl
Published: March 2016

We study the Sobolev trace embedding W1,p(Ω) ↪ Lq(∂Ω), looking at the dependence of the best constant and the extremals on p and q. We prove that there exists a uniform bound (independent of (p, q)) for the best constant if and only if (p, q) lies far from (N, ∞). Also we study some limit cases, q = ∞ with p > N or p = ∞ with 1 ≤ q ≤ ∞.
Existence and Uniqueness of Positive Large Solutions to Some Cooperative Elliptic Systems
Authors: García-Melián Jorge , Suárez Antonio
Published: March 2016

In this work we consider positive solutions to cooperative elliptic systems of the form -Δu = λu - u2 + buυ, -Δυ = μυ - υ2 + cuυ a bounded smooth domain Ω ⊂ ℝN (λ, μ ∈ ℝ, b, c > 0) which blow up on the boundary ∂Ω, that is u(x), v(x) → ∞ as dist(x, ∂Ω) → 0. We show existence and nonexistence of solutions, and give sufficient conditions for uniqueness. We also provide an exact estimate of the behaviour of the solutions near the boundary in terms of dist(x, ∂Ω).
A Note on Regularity of Solutions to Degenerate Elliptic Equations of Caffarelli-Kohn-Nirenberg Type
Authors: Felli Veronica , Schneider Matthias
Published: March 2016

We establish Hölder continuity of weak solutions to degenerate critical elliptic equations of Caffarelli-Kohn-Nirenberg type.
Prescribing the Scalar Curvature Problem on Three and Four Manifolds
Authors: Chtioui Hichem
Published: March 2016

This paper is devoted to the prescribed scalar curvature problem on 3 and 4- dimensional Riemannian manifolds. We give a new class of functionals which can be realized as scalar curvature. Our proof uses topological arguments and the tools of the theory of the critical points at infinity.
Existence of Radial Solutions for Quasilinear Elliptic Equations with Singular Nonlinearities
Authors: Acciaio Beatrice , Pucci Patrizia
Published: March 2016

We prove the existence of radial solutions of the quasilinear elliptic equation div(A(|Du|)Du) + f(u) = 0 in ℝn, n > 1, where f is either negative or positive for small u > 0, possibly singular at u = 0, and grows subcritically for large u. Our proofs use only elementary arguments based on a variational identity. No differentiability assumptions are made on f.
Homoclinic Solutions for a Class of Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Boughariou Morched
Published: March 2016

We consider the first order Hamiltonian system

q̇ = Hp(p, q),

ṗ = −Hq(p, q), (HS)

where p, q : ℝ → ℝN (N ≥ 3), H ∈ C1 (ℝN × ℝN \ {e}, ℝ ) and behaves roughly like

Under the condition that V has a unique absolute maximum at 0 and some technical assumptions on H, we prove that (HS) has a non-trivial homoclinic solution.
On the Periodic Boundary Value Problem and Chaotic-like Dynamics for Nonlinear Hill’s Equations
Authors: Papini Duccio , Zanolin Fabio
Published: March 2016

We present some results which show the rich and complicated structure of the solutions of the second order differential equation ẍ + w(t)g(x) = 0 when the weight w(t) changes sign and g is sufficiently far from the linear case. New applications, motivated by recent studies on the superlinear Hill’s equation in [57, 58, 59], are then proposed for some asymptotically linear equations and for some sublinear equations with a sign-indefinite weight. Our results are based on a fixed point theorem for maps which satisfy a stretching condition along the paths on two-dimensional cells.
Ground States and Singular Ground States for Quasilinear Partial Differential Equations with Critical Exponent in the Perturbative Case
Authors: Franca Matteo , Johnson Russell
Published: March 2016

We study the structure of the family of radially symmetric ground states and singular ground states for certain elliptic partial differential equations with p- Laplacian. We use methods of Dynamical systems such as Melnikov functions, invariant manifolds, and exponential dichotomy.
A Multiplicity Result for Singularly Perturbed Problems in Topologically Nontrivial Domains
Authors: Cerami Giovanna , Molle Riccardo
Published: March 2016

The problem − ε2Δu + aε(x)u = up−1 with zero Dirichlet boundary condition is considered in a nontrivial bounded domain Ω ⊂ ℝN. Under the assumption that aε(x) ≥ a0 > 0 concentrates at a point of Ω as ε → 0 and has a suitable behaviour at infinity and, moreover, that p > 2 and

if N ≥ 3, the existence of at least (cat Ω̅) + 2 distinct positive solutions is proved.
Multiplicity Results for the Supercritical Hénon Equation
Authors: Badiale Marino , Serra Enrico
Published: March 2016

We study the Dirichlet problem for the Hénon equation ¡Δu = |x|αup-1 in the unit ball B ⊂ RN. For N ≥ 4 and α large we prove the existence of positive nonradial solutions for a range of p's including supercritical values.
On the Variational Approach to the Stability of Standing Waves for the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Hajaiej H. , Stuart C.A.
Published: March 2016

We consider the orbital stability of standing waves of the nonlinear Schrdinger equation

by the approach that was laid down by Cazenave and Lions in 1992. Our work covers several situations that do not seem to be included in previous treatments, namely,

(i) g(x, s) − g(x, 0) → 0 as |x| → ∞ for all s ≥ 0. This includes linear problems.

(ii) g(x, s) is a periodic function of x ∈ ℝN for all s ≥ 0.

(iii) g(x, s) is asymptotically periodic in the sense that g(x, s) − g∞(x, s) → 0 as |x| → ∞ for some function g∞ that is periodic with respect to x ∈ ℝN for all s ≥ 0.

Furthermore, we focus attention on the form of the set that is shown to be stable and may be bigger than what is usually known as the orbit of the standing wave.
Some Remarks on Elliptic Equations with Singular Potentials and Mixed Boundary Conditions
Authors: Abdellaoui Boumediene , Colorado Eduardo , Peral Ireneo
Published: March 2016

We study the problems

where

is a smooth bounded domain with 0 ∈ Ω, and

, mixed boundary condition. Mainly we will be interested in the behavior of the solutions to (0.1) close to the critical constant in the Hardy-Sobolev inequality, ΛN,γ(Ω,Σ1).
Semilinear Integrodifferential Problems With Non-Symmetric Kernels Via Mountain-Pass Techniques
Authors: Mataloni Silvia , Matzeu Michele
Published: March 2016

Integrodifferential equations with non-symmetric kernels are considered. The existence of a non-negative solution is stated through an iterative scheme and a mountain-pass technique.
Precise Asymptotic Properties of Solutions to Two-Parameter Elliptic Eigenvalue Problems in a Ball
Authors: Shibata Tetsutaro
Published: March 2016

We consider the simple pendulum type equation with two-parameters μ, λ > 0 in a ball BR. For a given μ > 0, a solution triple (μ, λ(μ), uμ) ∈ R+
2 × C2(B̅R) is obtained by a variational method, and uμ develops a boundary layer as μ → ∞. We establish the two-term asymptotic formulas for ∥uμ∥∞, u′μ(R)2 and the variational eigencurve λ(μ) as μ → ∞. It is shown that the coefficients of the second terms of ∥uμ∥∞, u′μ(R)2 and λ(μ) depend on 1/R, the mean curvature of ∂BR. Since the second term of the maximum norm of the solution for the corresponding one parameter problems does not depend on the mean curvature of ∂BR, the results obtained here seem to be new.
Existence and Multiplicity of Solution for a Class of Quasilinear Equations
Authors: Alves Claudianor O.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we show the existence and multiplicity of solutions for the following class of quasilinear equations

−Δpu + |u|p−2u = f(u) in Ωλ, u(x) > 0 a.e in Ωλ, u = 0 on ∂ Ωλ

where Ωλ = λΩ, Ω is a bounded domain in ℝN, λ is a positive parameter, 2 ≤ p < N, f is a continuous functions, and Δpu = div(|▽u|p−2▽u) is the p-Laplacian operator. Here, we use variational method to get multiplicity of solution involving the Lusternick- Schnirelman category of B̅ ∥∂ Ω̅ in itself.