bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The need for systematic ethnopsychology: The ontological status of mentalistic terminology
Authors: Turner Robert
Published: February 2012

The conceptual foundations and ontology of cognitive neuroscience are rarely analysed in cross-cultural perspective, although they are manifestly the outcome of historical currents in specifically Western psychological science. How robust such concepts are, and how generalizable to other cultures, is thus quite problematic. Users of empirical techniques in imaging neuroscience are now actively exploring such topics as attention, volition, emotion and empathy, but with little awareness of how well or badly these concepts can be translated. This essay addresses issues of cultural bias and the potentially misleading use of extended metaphors in the typical deployment of mentalistic terminology, and suggests that there may be alternative conceptualizations, perhaps inspired by phenomenology, which would have less cultural baggage. Ultimately, the most scientifically useful ontology for interpreting and predicting human action may result from an integration of high quality ethnographic reports of mentalistic concepts and terminology found in other cultures. Social and cultural anthropologists are urged to prioritize the identification of such concepts during their fieldwork experience.
Lifelong death penalty: Adorno, Beckett’s drama, sociology
Authors: Benzer Matthias
Published: February 2012

The article examines the sociological dimension of Adorno’s analyses of Beckett’s dramatic work. It unearths intersections between Adorno’s literary-critical writings on Beckett, on the one hand, and his sociological investigations of contemporary social life and methodological writings on nineteenth- and twentieth-century social science, on the other. The article demonstrates how Adorno’s sociological and methodological thought informed his reading of Beckett and how his engagement with Beckett helped him deepen his critical inquiries into capitalist society. Adorno deciphers Beckett’s dramas as expressions of a damaged individual existence and as articulations of underlying social conditions: their functional exchange context, the mechanism of social reproduction, reification, and estrangement. These diagnoses of injured individual and social life draw attention to Beckett’s problematization of death. Adorno’s comments on death in Beckett elucidate an important connection between the emancipatory dimensions of his Beckett interpretation and his sociology.
Political friendship in the era of ‘the social’: Theorizing personal relations with Alexis de Tocqueville
Authors: Mallory Peter
Published: February 2012

This article examines the contribution Tocqueville’s work can make to recent scholarly debates on political friendship in modernity. Tocqueville, unlike most modern classical social theorists, does not treat friendship as a private bond devoid of political significance. For him, political friendship contributes to the success of democracy and is so crucial that its absence leads to despotism. The reason Tocqueville is attuned to the political significance of personal bonds when most modern theorists are not is his interpretation of ‘the social.’ This article investigates Tocqueville’s account of political friendship relative to his analysis of the new social basis of modern democracies. I argue that, in linking friendship to the social, Tocqueville provides an account of political friendship apposite to a modern society of strangers.
An exploration of the idea of the tragic in the writings of Georg Simmel: Peripeteia and modernity
Authors: Button Robert
Published: February 2012

Highlighting the lack of critical attention directed to the tragic as a distinct concept in Simmel’s thought, this paper seeks to elucidate the tragic as a specific dialectical process and to draw attention to the grounding of this concept in the German philosophical tradition that Peter Szondi has identified as ‘the philosophy of the tragic’. In the course of the argument care is taken to illuminate Simmel’s understanding through reference to tragic drama itself, thus emphasizing the properly aesthetic context of the tragic as a distinct philosophical idea relevant to socio-cultural life. In recovering Simmel’s definition of the tragic, the author seeks to counter the common conflation of Simmel’s use of the tragic concept in his understanding of socio-cultural life with a normative position akin to ‘cultural pessimism’, and to elucidate the way in which the tragic ultimately indicates a form of affirmation, albeit one replete with nihilistic implications.
Addressing emergent charisma in Roman military leaders: Triumphal practices in the Republican period
Authors: Migone Andrea
Published: February 2012

Starting from the premise that charisma is to be understood as both a social and political process, it is argued that in Republican Rome it represented a moment of political and personal consecration for military leaders. Within this context some of the practices associated with the triumph had the function of dampening emergent charisma. They helped to maintain as foremost the institutions of the Republic in the face of extremely successful military leaders who had the potential to radically alter them. Their capacity was at its peak during the classical Republican period, but progressively diminished during the late stages of the Roman Republic.
‘Are You Guys Girls?’: Boys, Identity Texts, and Disney Princess Play
Authors: Wohlwend Karen E.
Published: February 2012

Drawing from critical sociocultural perspectives that view play, literacy, and gender as social practices, boys’ Disney Princess play is examined as a site of identity construction and contestation situated within overlapping communities of femininity and masculinity practice where children learn expected practices for ‘doing gender’. The article presents critical discourse analysis of two instances of five- and six-year-old children’s doll play excerpted from data collected during a year of weekly visits to one focal kindergarten in a US Midwest public school, which is part of a larger three-year study of literacy play as mediated discourse. Through princess play, children enacted femininities and masculinities and negotiated character roles with peers in ways that enforced and contested gender expectations circulated in media marketing and enacted in play groups. Findings indicate that doll play is a productive pedagogy for mediating gendered identity texts circulating through global media and for creating spaces for diverse gender performances in early childhood settings.
Laparoscopic Management of Large Ovarian Cysts
Authors: Vlahos N. F. , Iavazzo C. , Marcopoulos M. C. , Alamanou A. , Kouiroukidou P. , Chatzidakis V. , Botsis D. , Creatsas G.
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to describe a new technique for laparoscopic removal of large ovarian cystic masses. The authors performed a retrospective study during the period January 2008 to December 2009 in the Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Aretaieion University Hospital; 19 women with large ovarian cysts were included in the study. During the study period, 53 women underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian cysts. Among them, 19 had very large complex ovarian cysts with a mean diameter of 8.4 cm. The mean age of the patients was 32.1 years. Ultrasound examination revealed findings suggestive of benign disease in all patients. In 8 out of 19 patients CA-125 levels were elevated, ranging from 40.5 to 194.7 IU/mL. A 5-mm suprapubic trocar was directly inserted into the cyst and fluid contents aspirated, so the decompressed cyst could fit in a 5-cm laparoscopic bag. The cyst wall was carefully detached from the healthy ovarian tissue and placed in the bag without any spillage. The remaining cyst wall was removed from the peritoneal cavity with the laparoscopic bag. The mean operative time was 45 minutes. No operative or postoperative complications were noted. There was no conversion to laparotomy. Mean hospital stay was 1 day. Pathology revealed 7 endometriomas, 3 mucinous cystadenomas, 3 serous cystadenomas, 3 serous cysts, and 3 teratomas. Direct trocar insertion within the ovarian cyst followed by aspiration of the fluid contents is a safe and feasible method for the laparoscopic management of large ovarian cysts.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Common Data Element Project – approach and methods
Authors: Grinnon Stacie T , Miller Kristy , Marler John R , Lu Yun , Stout Alexandra , Odenkirchen Joanne , Kunitz Selma
Published: February 2012

Background In neuroscience clinical research studies, much time and effort are devoted to deciding what data to collect and developing data collection forms and data management systems to capture the data. Many investigators receiving funding from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are required to share their data once their studies are complete, but the multitude of data definitions and formats make it extremely difficult to aggregate data or perform meta-analyses across studies.

Purpose In an effort to assist investigators and accelerate data sharing in neuroscience clinical research, the NINDS has embarked upon the Common Data Element (CDE) Project. The data standards developed through the NINDS CDE Project enable clinical investigators to systematically collect data and should facilitate study start-up and data aggregation across the research community.

Methods The NINDS CDE Team has taken a systematic, iterative approach to develop the critical core and the disease-specific CDEs. The CDE development process provides a mechanism for community involvement and buy-in, offers a structure for decision making, and includes a technical support team.

Results Upon conclusion of the development process, the CDEs and accompanying tools are available on the Project Web site – http://www.commondataelements.ninds.nih.gov/ . The Web site currently includes the critical core (aka general) CDEs that are applicable to all clinical research studies regardless of therapeutic area as well as several disease-specific CDEs. Additional disease-specific CDEs will be added to the Web site once they are developed and vetted over the next 12 months.

Limitations The CDEs will continue to evolve and will improve only if clinical researchers use and offer feedback about their experience with them. Thus, the NINDS program staff strongly encourages its clinical research grantees to use the CDEs and is expanding its efforts to educate the neuroscience research community about the CDEs and to train research teams to incorporate them into their studies.

Conclusions Version 1.0 of a set of CDEs has been published, but publication is not the end of the development process. All CDEs will be evaluated and revised at least annually to ensure that they reflect current clinical research practices in neuroscience.
Early onset group B streptococcus sepsis: guidelines review
Authors: Martin Alice , Vergnano Stefania , Heath Paul T , Anthony Mark , Russell Alison Bedford , Kennea Nigel , Watts Timothy , Embleton Nick , Collinson Andrew
Published: February 2012

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the commonest cause of early onset sepsis in UK newborns. Several risk factors for early onset GBS sepsis (EOGBS) have been described. The presence of these risk factors provides an opportunity for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) and forms the basis of current UK EOGBS prevention guidance. Having observed poor compliance with national guidelines in a review of EOGBS cases within the UK Neonatal Infection Surveillance Network (NeonIN), we reviewed 14 NeonIN unit guidelines. We found substantial variation in recommendations within and between units on indications for IAP and treatment of asymptomatic neonates, and discrepancies between obstetric and neonatal guidelines, potentially increasing infants’ risk of infection. The lack of high quality evidence in this area and related ambiguity in national guidance may have contributed to diverse local approaches. A common approach would permit prospective evaluation of an EOGBS prevention strategy, generating an evidence base to benefit future guidelines.
CD86 is expressed on murine hematopoietic stem cells and denotes lymphopoietic potential
Authors: Shimazu Tomoyuki , Iida Ryuji , Zhang Qingzhao , Welner Robert S. , Medina Kay L. , Alberola-lla José , Kincade Paul W.
Published: February 2012

A unique subset of CD86− HSCs was previously discovered in mice that were old or chronically stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Functionally defective HSCs were also present in those animals, and we now show that CD86− CD150+ CD48− HSCs from normal adult mice are particularly poor at restoring the adaptive immune system. Levels of the marker are high on all progenitors with lymphopoietic potential, and progressive loss helps to establish relations between progenitors corresponding to myeloid and erythroid lineages. CD86 represents an important tool for subdividing HSCs in several circumstances, identifying those unlikely to generate a full spectrum of hematopoietic cells.
Phase 2 study of rituximab plus ABVD in patients with newly diagnosed classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Younes Anas , Oki Yasuhiro , McLaughlin Peter , Copeland Amanda R. , Goy Andre , Pro Barbara , Feng Lei , Yuan Ying , Chuang Hubert H. , Macapinlac Homer A. , Hagemeister Fredrick , Romaguera Jorge , Samaniego Felipe , Fanale Michelle A. , Dabaja Bouthaina Shbib , Rodriguez Maria A. , Dang Nam , Kwak Larry W. , Neelapu Sattva S. , Fayad Luis E.
Published: February 2012

In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of rituximab in combination with standard doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (RABVD) in patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). In this phase 2 study, patients with chemotherapy-naive, advanced-stage cHL were treated with rituximab 375 mg/m2 weekly for 6 weeks and standard ABVD for 6 cycles. The primary outcome was event-free survival (EFS) at 5 years. Eighty-five patients were enrolled, of whom 78 were eligible. With a median follow-up duration of 68 months (range, 26-110), and based on an intent-to-treat analysis, the 5-year EFS and overall survival rates were 83% and 96%, respectively. The 5-year EFS for patients with stage III/IV cHLwas 82%. Furthermore, the 5-year EFS for patients with an International Prognostic Score of 0-2 was 88% and for those with a score of > 2, it was 73%. The most frequent treatment-related grade 3 or 4 adverse events were neutropenia (23%), fatigue (9%), and nausea (8%). Our results demonstrate that the addition of rituximab to ABVD is safe and has a promising clinical activity in patients with advanced-stage cHL. These data are currently being confirmed in a multicenter randomized trial. This trial has been completed and is registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00504504.
Pre-gestational stress reduces the ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT and the expression of 5-HT1A receptor and serotonin transporter in the brain of foetal rat
Authors: Huang Yuejun , Xu Hongwu , Li Hui , Yang Hanhua , Chen Yunbin , Shi Xuechuan
Published: February 2012

Background

Many studies have found that stress before or during pregnancy is linked to an increased incidence of behavioural disorders in offspring. However, few studies have investigated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and the serotonergic system as a consequence of pregestational stress. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pre-gestational stress on HPA axis activity in maternal rats and their foetuses and examined whether changes in HPA axis activity of maternal rats produced functional changes in the serotonergic system in the brain of foetuses.

Results

We used the behavioural tests to assess the model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) in maternal rats. We found the activity in the open field and sucrose consumption was lower for rats with CUS than for the controls. Body weight but not brain weight was higher for control foetuses than those from the CUS group. Serum corticosterone and corticotrophin-releasing hormone levels were significantly higher for mothers with CUS before pregnancy and their foetuses than for the controls. Levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were higher in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of foetuses in the CUS group than in the controls, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were lower in the hippocampus in foetuses in the CUS group than in the control group. Levels of 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus did not differ between foetuses in the CUS group and in the control group. The ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT was significantly lower for foetuses in the CUS group than in the control group. Levels of 5-HT1A receptor were significantly lower in the foetal hippocampus in the CUS group than in the control group, with no significant difference in the hypothalamus. The levels of serotonin transporter (SERT) were lower in both the foetal hippocampus and foetal hypothalamus in the CUS group than in the control group.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that pre-gestational stress alters HPA axis activity in maternal rats and their foetuses, which is associated with functional changes in 5-HT activity (5-HT, 5-HIAA and ratio of 5-HIAA to 5-HT), as well as the levels of the 5-HT1A receptor and SERT in the hippocampus and hypothalamus of foetuses.
Serum contents of endocannabinoids are correlated with blood pressure in depressed women
Authors: Ho W S Vanessa , Hill Matthew N , Miller Gregory E , Gorzalka Boris B , Hillard Cecilia J
Published: February 2012

Background

Depression is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Since recent preclinical evidence suggests that endogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids) are involved in both cardiovascular function and depression, we asked whether endocannabinoids correlated with either in humans.

Results

Resting blood pressure and serum content of endocannabinoids in ambulatory, medication-free, female volunteers with depression (n = 28) and their age- and ethnicity-matched controls (n = 27) were measured. In females with depression, both diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were positively correlated with serum contents of the endocannabinoids, N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. There was no correlation between blood pressure and endocannabinoids in control subjects. Furthermore, depressed women had significantly higher systolic blood pressure than control subjects. A larger body mass index was also found in depressed women, however, it was not significantly correlated with serum endocannabinoid contents.

Conclusions

This preliminary study raises the possibility that endocannabinoids play a role in blood pressure regulation in depressives with higher blood pressure, and suggests an interrelationship among endocannabinoids, depression and cardiovascular risk factors in women.
Effects of methylphenidate on attentional set-shifting in a genetic model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Cao Ai-hua , Yu Lin , Wang Yu-wei , Wang Jun-mei , Yang Le-jin , Lei Ge-fei
Published: February 2012

Background

Although deficits of attentional set-shifting have been reported in individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is rarely examined in animal models.

Methods

This study compared spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs; a genetic animal model of ADHD) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (normoactive control strains), on attentional set-shifting task (ASST) performance. Furthermore, the dose-effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on attentional set-shifting of SHR were investigated. In experiment 1, ASST procedures were conducted in SHR, WKY and SD rats of 8 each at the age of 5 weeks. Mean latencies at the initial phase, error types and numbers, and trials to criteria at each stage were recorded. In experiment 2, 24 SHR rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 8 each-- MPH-L (lower dose), MPH-H (higher dose), and SHR-vehicle groups. From 3 weeks, they were administered 2.5 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg MPH or saline respectively for 14 consecutive days. All rats were tested in the ASST at the age of 5 weeks.

Results

The SHRs generally exhibited poorer performance on ASST than the control WKY and SD rats. Significant strain effects on mean latency [F (2, 21) = 639.636, p < 0.001] and trials to criterion [F (2, 21) = 114.118, p < 0.001] were observed. The SHRs were found to have more perseverative and regressive errors than the control strains (p < 0.001). After MPH treatment, the two MPH treated groups exhibited significantly longer latency and fewer trials to reach criterion than the SHR-vehicle group and the MPH-L group exhibited fewer trials to reach criterion in more stages compared with the MPH-H group. Significant main effects of treatment [F (2, 21) = 52.174, p < 0.001] and error subtype [F (2, 42) = 221.635, p < 0.01] were found.

Conclusions

The SHR may be impaired in discrimination learning, reversal learning and attentional set-shifting. Our study provides evidence that MPH may improve the SHR's performance on attentional set-shifting and lower dose is more effective than higher dose.
Prenatal diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome confirmed by comparative genomic hybridization array: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Sifakis Stavros , Manolakos Emmanouil , Vetro Annalisa , Kappou Dimitra , Peitsidis Panagiotis , Kontodiou Maria , Garas Antonios , Vrachnis Nikolaos , Konstandinidou Anastasia , Zuffardi Orsetta , Orru Sandro , Papoulidis Ioannis
Published: February 2012

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a well known genetic condition caused by a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4. The great variability in the extent of the 4p deletion and the possible contribution of additional genetic rearrangements lead to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The majority of the reports of prenatally diagnosed WHS cases are associated with large 4p deletions identified by conventional chromosome analysis; however, the widespread clinical use of novel molecular techniques such as array comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) has increased the detection rate of submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations associated with WHS phenotype. We provide a report of two fetuses with WHS presenting with intrauterine growth restriction as an isolated finding or combined with oligohydramnios and abnormal Doppler waveform in umbilical artery and uterine arteries. Standard karyotyping demonstrated a deletion on chromosome 4 in both cases [del(4)(p15.33) and del(4)(p15.31), respectively] and further application of a-CGH confirmed the diagnosis and offered a precise characterization of the genetic defect. A detailed review of the currently available literature on the prenatal diagnostic approach of WHS in terms of fetal sonographic assessment and molecular cytogenetic investigation is also provided.
Identification of circulating miRNA biomarkers based on global quantitative real-time PCR profiling
Authors: Kang Kang , Peng Xiao , Luo Jun , Gou Deming
Published: February 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs (18-25 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of miRNAs in the blood circulation. Deregulation of miRNAs in serum or plasma has been associated with many diseases including cancers and cardiovascular diseases, suggesting the possible use of miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers. However, the detection of the small amount of miRNAs found in serum or plasma requires a method with high sensitivity and accuracy. Therefore, the current study describes polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods for measuring circulating miRNAs. Briefly, the procedure involves four major steps: (1) sample collection and preparation; (2) global miRNAs profiling using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); (3) data normalization and analysis; and (4) selection and validation of miRNA biomarkers. In conclusion, qRT-PCR is a promising method for profiling of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers.
Topography, Clinical, and Genomic Correlates of 5q Myeloid Malignancies Revisited
Authors: Jerez Andres , Gondek Lukasz P. , Jankowska Anna M. , Makishima Hideki , Przychodzen Bartlomiej , Tiu Ramon V. , O'Keefe Christine L. , Mohamedali Azim M. , Batista Denise , Sekeres Mikkael A. , McDevitt Michael A. , Mufti Ghulam J. , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Interstitial deletions of chromosome 5q are common in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), pointing toward the pathogenic role of this region in disease phenotype and clonal evolution. The higher level of resolution of single-nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-A) karyotyping may be used to find cryptic abnormalities and to precisely define the topographic features of the genomic lesions, allowing for more accurate clinical correlations.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed high-density SNP-A karyotyping at diagnosis for a cohort of 1,155 clinically well-annotated patients with malignant myeloid disorders.

Results

We identified chromosome 5q deletions in 142 (12%) of 1,155 patients and uniparental disomy segments (UPD) in four (0.35%) of 1,155 patients. Patients with deletions involving the centromeric and telomeric extremes of 5q have a more aggressive disease phenotype and additional chromosomal lesions. Lesions not involving the centromeric or telomeric extremes of 5q are not exclusive to 5q− syndrome but can be associated with other less aggressive forms of MDS. In addition, larger 5q deletions are associated with either del(17p) or UPD17p. In 31 of 33 patients with del(5q) AML, either a deletion involving the centromeric and/or telomeric regions or heterozygous mutations in NPM1 or MAML1 located in 5q35 were present.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the extent of the affected region on 5q determines clinical characteristics that can be further modified by heterozygous mutations present in the telomeric extreme.
FACT: An Open-Label Randomized Phase III Study of Fulvestrant and Anastrozole in Combination Compared With Anastrozole Alone As First-Line Therapy for Patients With Receptor-Positive Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Authors: Bergh Jonas , Jönsson Per-Ebbe , Lidbrink Elisabet Kerstin , Trudeau Maureen , Eiermann Wolfgang , Brattström Daniel , Lindemann Justin P.O. , Wiklund Fredrik , Henriksson Roger
Published: February 2012

Purpose

To compare the effect of therapy with anastrozole versus a combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole in women in first relapse of endocrine-responsive breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Postmenopausal women, or premenopausal women receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, with estrogen receptor– and/or progesterone receptor–positive disease at first relapse after primary treatment of localized disease were open-label randomly assigned to a fulvestrant loading dose (LD) regimen followed by monthly injection plus 1 mg of anastrozole daily or to 1 mg of anastrozole daily alone. The primary end point was time to progression (TTP).

Results

In all, 514 women were randomly assigned to fulvestrant plus anastrozole (experimental arm; n = 258) or anastrozole (standard arm; n = 256). Approximately two thirds had received adjuvant antiestrogens, but only eight individuals had received an aromatase inhibitor. Median TTP was 10.8 and 10.2 months in the experimental versus standard arm, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.20; P = .91); median overall survival was 37.8 and 38.2 months, respectively (HR = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.32; P = 1.00). Incidences of prespecified adverse events (AEs) were similar. Hot flashes were more common in the experimental arm: 63 patients (24.6%) versus 35 patients (13.8%) in the standard arm (P = .0023). Death owing to AEs was reported in 11 (4.3%) and five patients (2.0%) in the experimental versus standard arm, respectively.

Conclusion

Fulvestrant (250 mg + LD regimen) in combination with anastrozole offered no clinical efficacy advantage over anastrozole monotherapy in this population of individuals with a relatively high proportion of previous adjuvant antiestrogen exposure.
Cost Effectiveness of Fracture Prevention in Postmenopausal Women Who Receive Aromatase Inhibitors for Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Ito Kouta , Blinder Victoria S. , Elkin Elena B.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) increase the risk of osteoporosis and related fractures in postmenopausal women who receive adjuvant AIs for hormone receptor (HR) –positive early breast cancer (EBC). We compared the cost effectiveness of alternative screening and treatment strategies for fracture prevention.

Methods

We developed a Markov state transition model to simulate clinical practice and outcomes in a hypothetical cohort of women age 60 years with HR-positive EBC starting a 5-year course of AI therapy after primary surgery for breast cancer. Outcomes were quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), lifetime cost, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). We compared the following strategies: no intervention; one-time bone mineral density (BMD) screening and selective bisphosphonate therapy in women with osteoporosis or osteopenia; annual BMD screening and selective bisphosphonate therapy in women with osteoporosis or osteopenia; and universal bisphosphonate therapy.

Results

ICERs for annual BMD screening followed by oral bisphosphonates for those with osteoporosis, annual BMD screening followed by oral bisphosphonates for those with osteopenia, and universal treatment with oral bisphosphonates were $87,300, $129,300, and $283,600 per QALY gained, respectively. One-time BMD screening followed by oral bisphosphonates for those with osteoporosis or osteopenia was dominated. Our results were sensitive to age at the initiation of AI therapy, type of bisphosphonates, post-treatment residual effect of bisphosphonates, and a potential adjuvant benefit of intravenous bisphosphonates.

Conclusion

In postmenopausal women receiving adjuvant AIs for HR-positive EBC, a policy of baseline and annual BMD screening followed by selective treatment with oral bisphosphonates for those diagnosed with osteoporosis is a cost-effective use of societal resources.
A Strategic Empty Container Logistics Optimization in a Major Shipping Company
Authors: Epstein Rafael , Neely Andres , Weintraub Andres , Valenzuela Fernando , Hurtado Sergio , Gonzalez Guillermo , Beiza Alex , Naveas Mauricio , Infante Florencio , Alarcon Fernando , Angulo Gustavo , Berner Cristian , Catalan Jaime , Gonzalez Cristian , Yung Daniel
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we present a system that Compañía Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV), one of the world's largest shipping companies, developed to support its decisions for repositioning and stocking empty containers. CSAV's main business is shipping cargo in containers to clients worldwide. It uses a fleet of about 700,000 TEU containers of different types, which are carried by both CSAV-owned and third-party ships. Managing the container fleet is complex; CSAV must make thousands of decisions each day. In particular, imbalances exist among the regions. For example, China often has a deficit of empty containers and is a net importer; Saudi Arabia often has a surplus and is a net exporter. CSAV and researchers from the University of Chile developed the Empty Container Logistics Optimization System (ECO) to manage this imbalance. ECO's multicommodity, multiperiod model manages the repositioning problem, whereas an inventory model determines the safety stock required at each location. CSAV uses safety stock to ensure high service levels despite uncertainties, particularly in the demand for containers. A hybrid forecasting system supports both the inventory and the multicommodity network flow model. Major improvements in data gathering, real-time communications, and automation of data handling were needed as input to the models. A collaborative Web-based optimization framework allows agents from different zones to interact in decision making. The use of ECO led to direct savings of $81 million for CSAV, a reduction in inventory stock of 50 percent, and an increase in container turnover of 60 percent. Moreover, the system helped CSAV to become more efficient and to overcome the 2008 economic crisis.
Retail Price Optimization at InterContinental Hotels Group
Authors: Koushik Dev , Higbie Jon A. , Eister Craig
Published: February 2012

PERFORMSM with price optimization is the first large-scale enterprise implementation of price optimization in the hospitality industry. The price optimization module determines optimal room rates based on occupancy, price elasticity, and competitive prices. The approach used is a major advancement over existing revenue management systems, which assume that demands by rate segments are independent of price and of each other. As of this writing, over 2,000 InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) hotels use the price optimization module; all IHG properties will eventually use it. To date, price optimization has achieved $145 million in incremental revenue for IHG. At full rollout, we anticipate that this capability will generate approximately $400 million per year.
Linear aromatic amide foldamer-derived supramolecular architectures and materials
Authors: Li Zhan-Ting , Zhang Kang-Da , Shi Zhu-Ming , Wang Lu , Zhou Cen , Lu Ben-Ye
Published: February 2012

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in oligomeric aromatic amides may induce the backbones to adopt folded, zigzag, or other extended conformations, depending on the positions of the amide units and the hydrogen-bonding sites on the aromatic rings. This article summarizes our efforts in exploring the applications of this family of preorganized oligomers in supramolecular and materials chemistry. Several series of preorganized frameworks or foldamers have been developed as efficient acyclic receptors for binding both neutral and ionic guests. The backbones have been modified with discrete functional groups from the ends or the side chains. The resulting molecules have been applied for designing new molecular tweezers, assembling ordered supramolecular architectures (organogels and vesicles), and directing the formation of complicated macrocyclic and capsular systems. When the hydrogen-bonded folded segments are connected to n-butyl methacrylate copolymers as cross-links, the resulting copolymers display unique reversible mechanical properties owing to the breaking and recovering of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds. When the folded segments are incorporated into the dumbbell components of the donor–acceptor interaction-based pseudo[2]rotaxanes and [2]rotaxanes, they are capable of tuning the slippage/deslippage and switching of the ring component between the discrete “stations” in their dumbbell component.
Forfeiture Provisions and the Criminal/Civil Divide
Authors: Gray Anthony Davidson
Published: February 2012

The Australian Government has recently implemented civil forfeiture provisions for property suspected to have been acquired unlawfully. The Australian Federal Police may seek a preliminary unexplained wealth order. The Court may make such an order if there is evidence the wealth may have been acquired from unlawful means. Once the order is made, a full hearing takes place. There it is presumed that such property was unlawfully gained, unless the person who owns the property can show otherwise. Such proceedings can take place without the property owner being charged.

The article considers the historical basis of such orders, and their use in the United States and United Kingdom. It is argued that such proceedings are in fact criminal in nature, despite how they are labelled. The article engages with the discusssion in the larger context of the divide between criminal and civil, and whether some “middle ground” should be acknowledged. If forfeiture provisions are in substance criminal, perhaps due process obligations apply, including the presumption of innocence. This argument is more difficult in Australia, given the lack of an express bill of rights. However, it can be argued from previous cases that there is an implicit right to a fair trial, including a presumption of innocence.
Discomfort and Pain in Newborns With Myelomeningocele: A Prospective Evaluation
Authors: Ottenhoff Myrthe J. , Dammers Ruben , Kompanje Erwin J. O. , Tibboel Dick , de Jong T. H. Rob
Published: February 2012

OBJECTIVE:

In a worldwide debate on deliberately terminating the lives of newborns, proponents point at newborns with very severe forms of myelomeningocele (MMC) and their assumed suffering, claiming there are no effective means of alleviating their distress. Nevertheless, the degree of discomfort and pain in these newborns has never been assessed in a structured manner.

METHODS:

In a prospective cohort study, 28 consecutive newborns with MMC were included over a 5-year period and were followed up throughout their hospital stay for initial treatment. We created 2 disease severity groups on the basis of the Lorber criteria. The primary outcomes were discomfort and pain, assessed by simultaneously scoring 2 validated scales: the visual analog scale for pain and the Comfort Behavioral Scale for discomfort. These scores were coupled to a validated and evidence-based analgesia algorithm.

RESULTS:

Overall, discomfort related to pain was measured in 3.3% of the scores. This percentage differed little between the preoperative and postoperative periods and did not significantly differ between newborns with less severe MMC and severe MMC (3.9% vs 2.8%; P = .3). The mean dosage of paracetamol was 35 mg/kg per day (95% confidence interval: 32–39); the mean dosage of morphine was 0.9 μg/kg per hour (95% confidence interval: 0.6 –1.2).

CONCLUSION

Over the length of their hospital stays for initial treatment, all newborns with MMC presented with low levels of discomfort and pain independent of disease severity and time frame.
Evaluation of EnSeal®, an adaptive bipolar electrosurgical tissue-sealing device
Authors: Dunay Miklós , Jakab Csaba , Németh Tibor
Published: February 2012

Relatively few, and inconsistent, data are available in the literature about the properties of EnSeal®, an electrosurgical tissue-sealing device. For this reason, we conducted control safety tests on experimental pigs. The mean burst pressure of sealed vessels (2–7 mm in diameter) proved to be 873.89 ± 120.57 mmHg (n = 60). Surface temperature increased to 69.25 ± 0.98 °C in average (n = 22). The mean diameter of the collateral microscopic thermal injury zone was found to be 0.28 ± 0.04 mm, and it did not show significant differences among the groups of tissues studied (n = 183). During our studies, the device worked reliably and met the relevant requirements in all cases. It can be established that EnSeal® enables high-safety clinical interventions at high blood pressure values, in different tissues and even at sites adjacent to heat-sensitive tissues, and thus it paves the way for new operative solutions in both human and veterinary surgery. In our opinion, the discrepancies between data reported in the literature arise from differences in the design of studies and in the designated limit values. To ensure standardisation, we recommend the use of the nitroblue-tetrazolium chloride/lactate dehydrogenase (NBTC/LDH) enzyme histochemical technique for studying thermal injury induced by the different performance levels and application times of devices operating with electromagnetic energy.
Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and ovariectomy in standing horses using the EnSeal® tissue-sealing device
Authors: Dunay Miklós , Németh Tibor , Makra Zita , Izing Simon , Bodó Gábor
Published: February 2012

In the present series of cases, 8 laparoscopic cryptorchidectomies and 4 laparoscopic ovariectomies were carried out in sedated standing horses. Sedation involved a lesser anaesthesiological risk than does general anaesthesia. As compared to laparotomic exposure, the minimally invasive laparoscopic intervention provided better visualisation, shorter operative time and faster recovery. The blood vessels supplying the testes and ovaries and the suspensory ligaments of the organs were sealed and cut with EnSeal®, an adaptive bipolar electrosurgical blood vessel- and tissue-sealing device. The clinical use of the blood vessel- and tissue-sealing device proved to be successful in all cases. Gradual separation of the intact tissue from the treated, compacted, dehydrated and homogenised tissue areas and occlusion of the lumen of blood vessels treated with the device could be observed in all histological sections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of EnSeal® for laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and ovariectomy in horses.
Survey of nine abortifacient infectious agents in aborted bovine fetuses from dairy farms in Beijing, China, by PCR
Authors: Yang Na , Cui Xia , Qian Weifeng , Yu Shanshan , Liu Qun
Published: February 2012

Abortion in dairy cattle causes considerable economic losses to the dairy industry. Aborted fetuses and samples from the corresponding aborting dams from 12 dairy herds in Beijing were tested for 9 abortifacient infectious pathogens by PCR between 2008 and 2010. From a total of 80 abortion cases collected during this period, infectious agents were detected in 45 (56.3%) cases, 22 (48.9%) of which represented co-infections with two or three infectious agents. The detected pathogens included infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (36.3%) andNeospora caninum(31.3%), followed by bovine viral diarrhoea virus (7.5%),Brucella abortus(6.3%),Tritrichomonas foetus(5%) andToxoplasma gondii(1.3%).Campylobacter fetus, Coxiella burnetiiandChlamydophila psittaciwere not detected in any abortion case. Findings from this study indicated that infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus andNeospora caninumwere the main potential causes of abortions in Beijing dairy herds, whereas the bacterial pathogens were not, in contrast to reports from other countries. This is the first study to test nine abortifacient infectious agents by PCR at the same time, and it is also the first time to report the involvement of a variety of infectious agents in bovine abortion cases in China.
Artificial insemination of small ruminants — A review
Authors: Faigl Vera , Vass Nóra , Jávor András , Kulcsár Margit , Solti László , Amiridis Georgios , Cseh Sándor
Published: February 2012

Artificial insemination (AI) can undoubtedly be regarded as the oldest and most widely used assisted reproductive technique/technology (ART) applied in livestock production and it is one of the most important ARTs. The three cornerstones of its application are that it is simple, economical and successful. Artificial insemination offers many well-known benefits for producers. Fresh, fresh + diluted + chilled and frozen semen can be used for AI in small ruminants. To ensure its successful use, the AI technique must be selected on the basis of the type of semen planned to be used. This review paper gives a detailed overview of semen processing and its effects on semen quality, as well as of the AI techniques applied in small ruminants and their success rates.
Seasonal fertility differences in synchronised dairy cows: Ultrasonic, metabolic and endocrine findings
Authors: Balogh Orsolya , Fébel Hedvig , Huszenicza Gyula , Kulcsár Margit , Abonyi-Tóth Zsolt , Endrődi Tamás , Gábor György
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to identify relationships among seasonal differences of fertility, metabolic parameters and appearance of irregular luteal forms in high-yielding dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows were put on the Provsynch regimen in winter (n = 10) and in summer (n = 10). Blood sampling (starting 35 days post partum) and rectal ultrasound examinations (starting post insemination) were carried out once a week in each examination period. Metabolic [plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and serum beta-carotene] and endocrine parameters [plasma thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and insulin levels] were measured. In summer, two cows were excluded from the study because of metritis and none of the remaining animals became pregnant, but 6 of the 8 cows had irregular luteal forms (ILF) on their ovaries. In winter, one cow was excluded because of metritis and 6 of the 9 cows became pregnant, while 2 of the 3 open cows had irregular luteal forms. In summer the mean plasma NEFA and BHB concentrations were significantly higher, while serum carotene and plasma IGF-I concentrations were significantly lower than in winter. The high plasma NEFA concentration found in summer seemed to be in association with the lower body condition score (BCS) caused by depressed appetite. In conclusion, statistical analysis supports the hypothesis that increased plasma NEFA and BHB and decreased plasma IGF-I concentrations may result in reduced fertility in summer. These changes may be associated with the more frequent appearance of ILFs and probably have a negative effect on ovarian function and/or oocyte quality.
Evaluation of the on-line electrical conductivity of milk in mastitic dairy cows
Authors: Gáspárdy András , Ismach Gil , Bajcsy Árpád , Veress Gyula , Márkus Szilárd , Komlósi István
Published: February 2012

Mastitis is a persistent, inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue, which entails a decline in potassium, and is also responsible for a higher somatic cell count (SCC) and electrical conductivity (EC) of milk. The measurement of EC is an indirect, rapid method to detect subclinical mastitis from milk. The aim of this study was to analyse the EC of milk throughout the lactation, around the day of mastitis detection, and also to estimate its heritability based on data from a large-scale dairy farm. Shortly after calving the EC value generally decreases; however, it was discovered that from the thirteenth week onwards, substantial differences arise between the mastitic and healthy groups of cows. The authors observed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in EC before the detection of clinical mastitis. This higher value (around 11 mS) persisted for 4 days, then it gradually returned to the normal level. The EC of milk from daughters sired by different bulls responded differently in case of mastitis. The heritability of EC seems to be high (h2 = 0.56). Therefore, the EC trait can be a beneficial indicator in detecting mastitis and should be considered in sire selection.