bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Achilles tendon rupture
Authors: Nandra Rajpal S , Matharu Gulraj S , Porter Keith M
Published: September 2011

Achilles tendon rupture is a common sports-related injury, with the incidence of acute ruptures continuing to increase. Achilles ruptures can be missed, or presentation may be delayed. Clinical tests assist diagnosis, with the Thompson and Matles tests being the most sensitive and specific. Ultrasound provides a valuable adjunct for diagnosing acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Traditionally, operative management has led to lower re-rupture rates than conservative treatment, but surgery increases the risk of complications such as adhesions and wound infection. More recently, however, non-operative treatment consisting of early mobilisation and rehabilitation, produces comparable re-rupture rates and functional outcomes to surgery. Percutaneous surgery may reduce the risk of operative complications, but needs to be more widely practised. In the present review we discuss the anatomy, aetiology, mechanism of injury, clinical assessment and investigations for diagnosing acute Achilles tendon ruptures. The debate regarding operative versus non-operative management is also considered.
Pediatric spinal trauma
Authors: Li Ying , Glotzbecker Michael P , Hedequist Daniel , Mahan Susan T
Published: September 2011

Spine fractures are rare in the pediatric population. Children have different injury patterns compared with adults secondary to distinct anatomic and biomechanical features in the immature spine. Upper cervical spine injuries are more common in children 8 years or less and lower cervical spine injuries are more common in children over 8 years. Young children have a disproportionately large head and should be transported on a specialized backboard to prevent excessive neck flexion. Initial assessment consists of a thorough history, physical examination and plain radiographs. Normal radiographic variants in the pediatric spine can mimic injury and understanding of these parameters is critical. Unique pediatric injuries include fractures through the synchondrosis, apophyseal injuries and spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful to further evaluate these injuries. Treatment consists of immobilization in an appropriate orthosis or surgical stabilization. A high index of suspicion and systematic evaluation and treatment of pediatric spine injuries can limit morbidity and lead to an improved outcome.
Political activism and ethnic revival of a cultural symbol
Authors: Sharaby Rachel
Published: September 2011

This article discusses the ethnic revival of the Mimouna holiday, a traditional holiday of immigrants from North Africa in Israel. Its revival was one of the main expressions for the ethnic revival of these immigrants after their immigration. The article analyzes the evolution of the Mimouna from an ‘unknown’ holiday celebrated by only a part of the immigrants from North Africa in a limited ritual system into a very prominent holiday among these immigrants, which was even awarded recognition and prominence in the ‘public sphere’. The article focuses on the political activism of party representatives and immigrants from North Africa as the major factor that set in motion the process of the introduction of the Mimouna holiday into the cultural mainstream in Israel.
The character of womanhood: How African American women’s perceptions of womanhood influence marriage and motherhood
Authors: Chaney Cassandra
Published: September 2011

This qualitative paper will focus on how black women understand and perceive womanhood, and will explore how black women’s perceptions regarding womanhood shape their attitudes and behaviours toward marriage and motherhood. Using a black feminist approach, I assert that black women’s perceptions of womanhood are not based on European notions as the family structure and experiences of African American women is characteristically different from that of white women. Further, I assert that African American women create a modified version of womanhood based on their education, social class and economic position in relation to black men, and which may, in turn, inform their decisions regarding marriage and motherhood. Specifically, I examine the written responses of fifteen African American women between the ages of 18 and 55 (mean age of 32.6 years) regarding what is expected of them as women. Qualitative analyses of the data revealed that womanhood was defined in terms of feminine attitudes (strength, sensitivity and sensuality) and feminine behaviours (familial care, their own physical appearance and self-respect). In addition, womanhood was demonstrated through a woman’s ability to care for her home and to take the lead in the absence of male leadership. Supporting qualitative data are presented in connection with each theme. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
Illustrating Medicine: Line, Luminance and the Lessons from J.C.B. Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy (1943)
Authors: Sawchuk Kim , Woolridge Nicholas , Jenkinson Jodie
Published: September 2011

The onset of the Second World War created a temporary crisis in the North American medical community when the supply of medical textbooks from Europe, used to train physicians and surgeons, was threatened. In 1941, Dr J.C.B. Grant of the University of Toronto proposed a new anatomical atlas, comprising both tonal and line drawings, to address this need. In this visual essay, the authors briefly illustrate Grant’s method for creating these drawings, and his systematic and deliberate use of photography in the process. They explain the reasons for Grant’s use of black and white images, and examine the specific illustration techniques used by these artists. A series of close-ups of the original drawings produced for the Atlas in the 1940s highlight the visual communication strategies deployed by these skilled illustrators. In so doing, they make an argument for the importance of examining how images are produced for medical publication, and not merely examining what is produced.
Tracing Place, Locating Self: Embodiment and Remediation In/Of Tourist Spaces
Authors: Jaworski Adam , Thurlow Crispin
Published: September 2011

Tourists’ encounters with/in places, while powerfully represented and organized by visual imagery, are also experienced through material exchange, social interaction and physical movement. We offer a visual ethnography of the embodied, re/mediating inter/actions of tourists in a range of different sites. Our images are organized into five compositional themes or narratives: (1) self-locational rituals and spectacles; (2) tactile engagements with place; (3) digital remediation of embodied actions; (4) scaling the ‘Top of Europe’; (5) the fleeting inscription of permanence. It is through their ways of seeing the world that tourists become viewing subjects and through their bodies that they become doing subjects. In both cases, their viewing and their doing produce tourists as knowing subjects, with a sense of the world as attainable and conquerable.
Diabetes alters cardiovascular responses to anaesthetic induction agents in STZ-diabetic rats
Authors: Crespo Maria J , Marrero Miguel , Cruz Nildris , Quidgley Jose , Creagh Osmar , Torres Hector , Rivera Karines
Published: September 2011

Background: People with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality during surgery. The most appropriate anaesthetic induction agent for these patients is unknown.

Methods and results: We assessed the CV effects of propofol, etomidate and ketamine in streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, IP) diabetic rats. In non-diabetic rats, none of these anaesthetics significantly modified cardiac output, heart rate or stroke volume, but ketamine increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to etomidate and propofol (89.6 ± 2.4 mmHg, vs. 72.7 ± 3.0 and 75.4 ± 1.9; p < 0.05). In diabetic rats, by contrast, cardiac output was lower with ketamine (82.6 ± 14 ml/min) and etomidate (78.2 ± 15.8 ml/min) than with propofol (146 ± 21 ml/min, N = 8, p < 0.01). SBP, however, was higher in the propofol-treated group (93.3 ± 3.4 mmHg, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: These results suggest that hyperglycaemia modifies CV responses to induction anaesthetics.
Basic Emotions in Social Relationships, Reasoning, and Psychological Illnesses
Authors: Oatley Keith , Johnson-Laird Philip N.
Published: September 2011

The communicative theory of emotions postulates that emotions are communications both within the brain and between individuals. Basic emotions owe their evolutionary origins to social mammals, and they enable human beings to use repertoires of mental resources appropriate to recurring and distinctive kinds of events. These emotions also enable them to cooperate with other individuals, to compete with them, and to disengage from them. The human system of emotions has also grafted onto basic emotions propositional contents about the cause of the emotion, the self, and other matters. Complex emotions always contain such contents, whereas basic emotions can be experienced without them. This article explains the role of basic emotions in social relationships, their effects on reasoning, and their pathology in psychological illness, such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
What is Meant by Calling Emotions Basic
Authors: Ekman Paul , Cordaro Daniel
Published: September 2011

Emotions are discrete, automatic responses to universally shared, culture-specific and individual-specific events. The emotion terms, such as anger, fear, etcetera, denote a family of related states sharing at least 12 characteristics, which distinguish one emotion family from another, as well as from other affective states. These affective responses are preprogrammed and involuntary, but are also shaped by life experiences.
Emotional Behaviors, Emotivational Goals, Emotion Strategies: Multiple Levels of Organization Integrate Variable and Consistent Responses
Authors: Roseman Ira J.
Published: September 2011

Researchers have found undeniable variability and irrefutable evidence of consistencies in emotional responses across situations, individuals, and cultures. Both must be acknowledged in constructing adequate, enduring models of emotional phenomena. In this article I outline an empirically-grounded model of the structure of the emotion system, in which relatively variable actions may be used to pursue relatively consistent goals within discrete emotion syndromes; the syndromes form a stable, coherent set of strategies for coping with crises and opportunities. I also discuss a framework that can integrate dimensional and discrete perspectives on emotions.
Don’t Give Up on Basic Emotions
Authors: Scarantino Andrea , Griffiths Paul
Published: September 2011

We argue that there are three coherent, nontrivial notions of basic-ness: conceptual basic-ness, biological basic-ness, and psychological basic-ness. There is considerable evidence for conceptually basic emotion categories (e.g., “anger,” “fear”). These categories do not designate biologically basic emotions, but some forms of anger, fear, and so on that are biologically basic in a sense we will specify. Finally, two notions of psychological basic-ness are distinguished, and the evidence for them is evaluated. The framework we offer acknowledges the force of some of the objections to basic emotion theory whilst demonstrating that the notion of a basic emotion, once properly reformulated, is still of scientific value.
2008 Was a Bad Year for Broadcast News Salaries
Authors: Papper Bob
Published: September 2011

The 2009 RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey found that staff cutbacks and salary give-backs—especially at the upper end of the food chain—meant a drop in salaries in both radio and television news. That's the first time that's happened in the 15 years I've been doing the Annual Survey. Overall, TV news salaries fell 4.4% in 2008, and radio news salaries slid by 1.8%. Tack on inflation at 3.8%, and real wages (adjusted for inflation) fell by 8.2% in TV news and 5.6% in radio news.
Perceptions of Bias in Political Content in Late Night Comedy Programs
Authors: Arpan Laura M. , Bae Beom , Chen Yen-Shen , Greene Gary H.
Published: September 2011

Politicians, scholars, and young viewers have been paying increased attention to political content in late night comedy over the past decade. Because young viewers seem to treat the content as a source of news, a survey examined perceptions of bias in comedy content as compared to those for mainstream, broadcast news. Political content in comedy programs was rated by respondents as more biased than such content in traditional news programs. Further, a hostile media effect was found for political content about three topics across five comedy shows, with republicans, democrats, and independents reporting significantly different perceptions of the extent of bias in the content.
Quantification of protein group coherence and pathway assignment using functional association
Authors: Chitale Meghana , Palakodety Shriphani , Kihara Daisuke
Published: September 2011

Background

Genomics and proteomics experiments produce a large amount of data that are awaiting functional elucidation. An important step in analyzing such data is to identify functional units, which consist of proteins that play coherent roles to carry out the function. Importantly, functional coherence is not identical with functional similarity. For example, proteins in the same pathway may not share the same Gene Ontology (GO) terms, but they work in a coordinated fashion so that the aimed function can be performed. Thus, simply applying existing functional similarity measures might not be the best solution to identify functional units in omics data.

Results

We have designed two scores for quantifying the functional coherence by considering association of GO terms observed in two biological contexts, co-occurrences in protein annotations and co-mentions in literature in the PubMed database. The counted co-occurrences of GO terms were normalized in a similar fashion as the statistical amino acid contact potential is computed in the protein structure prediction field. We demonstrate that the developed scores can identify functionally coherent protein sets, i.e. proteins in the same pathways, co-localized proteins, and protein complexes, with statistically significant score values showing a better accuracy than existing functional similarity scores. The scores are also capable of detecting protein pairs that interact with each other. It is further shown that the functional coherence scores can accurately assign proteins to their respective pathways.

Conclusion

We have developed two scores which quantify the functional coherence of sets of proteins. The scores reflect the actual associations of GO terms observed either in protein annotations or in literature. It has been shown that they have the ability to accurately distinguish biologically relevant groups of proteins from random ones as well as a good discriminative power for detecting interacting pairs of proteins. The scores were further successfully applied for assigning proteins to pathways.
Patterns of biologic agent utilization among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ogale Sarika , Hitraya Elena , Henk Henry J
Published: September 2011

Background

The role of biologic therapies in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has expanded, but dosing patterns in the first versus subsequent lines of therapy have not been thoroughly explored.

Methods

In order to describe patterns of biologic agent utilization among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, health care claims data on use of abatacept, rituximab, or the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents etanercept, adalimumab, and infliximab in first- or subsequent-line settings were used to form patient cohorts. Variables included: starting dose (first administration or fill), maintenance dose (third administration or fill), average dose, dose escalation, inter-infusion interval, and discontinuation (gap in therapy > 60 days or switch). Time to discontinuation was assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Over 1 year, average (SD) doses of first-line etanercept (N = 1593; 45.4 [8.8] mg/week), adalimumab (N = 1040; 40.7 [10.4] mg/2 weeks), and abatacept (N = 360; 715.4 [214.5] mg/4 weeks) were similar to the starting and maintenance doses; the average infliximab dose (N = 538; 441.0 [209.2] mg/8 weeks) was greater than the starting and maintenance doses. Trends in the subsequent-line anti-TNF cohorts were similar. The percentages with a dose escalation or discontinuation were greater in the subsequent-line anti-TNF cohorts. The proportion with a dose escalation was greatest for the infliximab cohorts (61.2% first-line and 80.2% subsequent-line). The average period between abatacept infusions was 4.8 [1.4] weeks (4-week approved schedule); and 6.8 [2.6] months between rituximab courses (currently approved schedule is 6 months). Time to discontinuation was significantly shorter for subsequent-line than first-line anti-TNF therapy (median 9.7 vs. 12.5 mo; p < 0.001). The hazard ratio for discontinuing subsequent-line versus first-line anti-TNF therapy was 1.177 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Subsequent-line anti-TNF therapy cohorts had higher rates of discontinuation, dose escalation, and shorter time to discontinuation than first-line anti-TNF cohorts.
ReishiMax, mushroom based dietary supplement, inhibits adipocyte differentiation, stimulates glucose uptake and activates AMPK
Authors: Thyagarajan-Sahu Anita , Lane Brandon , Sliva Daniel
Published: September 2011

Background

Obesity is a health hazard which is closely associated with various complications including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In spite of numerous preclinical and clinical interventions, the prevalence of obesity and its related disorders are on the rise demanding an urgent need for exploring novel therapeutic agents that can regulate adipogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated whether a dietary supplement ReishiMax (RM), containing triterpenes and polysaccharides extracted from medicinal mushroomGanoderma lucidum, affects adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells.

Methods

3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes and treated with RM (0-300 μg/ml). Adipocyte differentiation/lipid uptake was evaluated by oil red O staining and triglyceride and glycerol concentrations were determined. Gene expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Glucose uptake was determined with [3H]-glucose.

Results

RM inhibited adipocyte differentiation through the suppresion of expression of adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory element binding element protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α). RM also suppressed expression of enzymes and proteins responsible for lipid synthesis, transport and storage: fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-CoA synthetase-1 (ACS1), fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP1) and perilipin. RM induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increased glucose uptake by adipocytes.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that RM can control adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake. The health benefits of ReishiMax warrant further clinical studies.
Cell fusion in tumor progression: the isolation of cell fusion products by physical methods
Authors: Pedrazzoli Filippo , Chrysantzas Iraklis , Dezzani Luca , Rosti Vittorio , Vincitorio Massimo , Sitar Giammaria
Published: September 2011

Background

Cell fusion induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) is an efficient but poorly controlled procedure for obtaining somatic cell hybrids used in gene mapping, monoclonal antibody production, and tumour immunotherapy. Genetic selection techniques and fluorescent cell sorting are usually employed to isolate cell fusion products, but both procedures have several drawbacks.

Results

Here we describe a simple improvement in PEG-mediated cell fusion that was obtained by modifying the standard single-step procedure. We found that the use of two PEG undertreatments obtains a better yield of cell fusion products than the standard method, and most of these products are bi- or trinucleated polykaryocytes. Fusion rate was quantified using fluorescent cell staining microscopy. We used this improved cell fusion and cell isolation method to compare giant cells obtained in vitro and giant cells obtained in vivo from patients with Hodgkin's disease and erythroleukemia.

Conclusions

In the present study we show how to improve PEG-mediated cell fusion and that cell separation by velocity sedimentation offers a simple alternative for the efficient purification of cell fusion products and to investigate giant cell formation in tumor development.
Association of the GALNT2 gene polymorphisms and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Mulao and Han populations
Authors: Li Qing , Yin Rui-Xing , Yan Ting-Ting , Miao Lin , Cao Xiao-Li , Hu Xi-Jiang , Aung Lynn Htet Htet , Wu Dong-Feng , Wu Jin-Zhen , Lin Wei-Xiong
Published: September 2011

Background

The association of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine: polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 gene (GALNT2) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and serum lipid profiles in the general population is not well known. The present study was undertaken to detect the association of GALNT2 polymorphisms and several environmental factors with serum lipid levels in the Guangxi Mulao and Han populations.

Method

A total of 775 subjects of Mulao nationality and 699 participants of Han nationality were randomly selected from our stratified randomized cluster samples. Genotyping of the GALNT2 rs2144300 and rs4846914 SNPs was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing.

Results

There were no significant differences in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of both SNPs between the two ethnic groups, or between the males and females. The subjects with TT genotype of rs2144300 in Mulao had lower serum triglyceride (TG) levels than the subjects with CC genotype in females (P < 0.01). The participants with CT/TT genotype of rs2144300 in Han had lower TG and apolipoprotein (Apo) B levels, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ApoA1 levels and the ratio of ApoA1 to ApoB in males; and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and ApoB levels in females than the participants with CC genotype (P < 0.05-0.001). The individuals with GA/AA genotype of rs4846914 in Mulao had higher total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels than the individuals with GG genotype in males (P < 0.05 for each). The subjects with AA genotype of rs4846914 in Han had higher LDL-C and ApoB levels, and lower HDL-C levels and the ratio of ApoA1 to ApoB than the subjects with GG genotype (P < 0.05 for each). The levels of TC in Mulao were correlated with the genotypes of rs4846914 in males (P < 0.05). The levels of ApoA1 in Han were correlated with the genotypes of both SNPs, and the levels of HDL-C and ApoB and the ratio of ApoA1 to ApoB were associated with the genotypes of rs2144300 in males (P < 0.05-0.001). The levels of LDL-C in Han were correlated with the genotypes of rs4846914 in females (P < 0.05). Serum lipid parameters were also correlated with several enviromental factors.

Conclusions

The associations of both GALNT2 rs2144300 and rs4846914 SNPs and serum lipid levels are different in the Mulao and Han populations. These discrepancies might partly result from different GALNT2 gene-enviromental interactions.
Nanoparticle-based delivery of siDCAMKL-1 increases microRNA-144 and inhibits colorectal cancer tumor growth via a Notch-1 dependent mechanism
Authors: Sureban Sripathi M , May Randal , Mondalek Fadee G , Qu Dongfeng , Ponnurangam Sivapriya , Pantazis Panayotis , Anant Shrikant , Ramanujam Rama P , Houchen Courtney W
Published: September 2011

Background

The development of effective drug delivery systems capable of transporting small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been elusive. We have previously reported that colorectal cancer tumor xenograft growth was arrested following treatment with liposomal preparation of siDCAMKL-1. In this report, we have utilized Nanoparticle (NP) technology to deliver DCAMKL-1 specific siRNA to knockdown potential key cancer regulators. In this study, mRNA/miRNA were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR and protein by western blot/immunohistochemistry. siDCAMKL-1 was encapsulated in Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-based NPs (NP-siDCAMKL-1); Tumor xenografts were generated in nude mice, treated with NP-siDCAMKL-1 and DAPT (γ-secretase inhibitor) alone and in combination. To measurelet-7aandmiR-144expressionin vitro, HCT116 cells were transfected with plasmids encoding the firefly luciferase gene withlet-7aandmiR-144miRNA binding sites in the 3'UTR.

Results

Administration of NP-siDCAMKL-1 into HCT116 xenografts resulted in tumor growth arrest, downregulation of proto-oncogene c-Myc and Notch-1 vialet-7aandmiR-144miRNA-dependent mechanisms, respectively. A corresponding reduction inlet-7aandmiR-144specific luciferase activity was observedin vitro. Moreover, an upregulation of EMT inhibitormiR-200aand downregulation of the EMT-associated transcription factors ZEB1, ZEB2, Snail and Slug were observedin vivo. Lastly, DAPT-mediated inhibition of Notch-1 resulted in HCT116 tumor growth arrest and down regulation of Notch-1 via amiR-144dependent mechanism.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that nanoparticle-based delivery of siRNAs directed at critical targets such as DCAMKL-1 may provide a novel approach to treat cancer through the regulation of endogenous miRNAs.
Towards a brief definition of burnout syndrome by subtypes: Development of the "Burnout Clinical Subtypes Questionnaire" (BCSQ-12)
Authors: Montero-Marín Jesús , Skapinakis Petros , Araya Ricardo , Gili Margarita , García-Campayo Javier
Published: September 2011

Background

Burnout has traditionally been described by means of the dimensions of exhaustion, cynicism and lack of eficacy from the "Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey" (MBI-GS). The "Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire" (BCSQ-12), comprising the dimensions of overload, lack of development and neglect, is proposed as a brief means of identifying the different ways this disorder is manifested. The aim of the study is to test the construct and criterial validity of the BCSQ-12.

Method

A cross-sectional design was used on a multi-occupational sample of randomly selected university employees (n = 826). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on half of the sample using the maximum likelihood (ML) method with varimax orthogonal rotation, while confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the other half by means of the ML method. ROC curve analysis was preformed in order to assess the discriminatory capacity of BCSQ-12 when compared to MBI-GS. Cut-off points were proposed for the BCSQ-12 that optimized sensitivity and specificity. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate effect size as an odds ratio (OR) adjusted for sociodemographic and occupational variables. Contrasts for sex and occupation were made using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis tests on the dimensions of both models.

Results

EFA offered a solution containing 3 factors with eigenvalues > 1, explaining 73.22% of variance. CFA presented the following indices: χ2 = 112.04 (p < 0.001), χ2/gl = 2.44, GFI = 0.958, AGFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.059, SRMR = 0.057, NFI = 0.958, NNFI = 0.963, IFI = 0.975, CFI = 0.974. The area under the ROC curve for 'overload' with respect to the 'exhaustion' was = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.71-0.79); it was = 0.80 (95% CI = 0.76-0.86) for 'lack of development' with respect to 'cynicism' and = 0.74 (95% CI = 0.70-0.78) for 'neglect' with respect to 'inefficacy'. The presence of 'overload' increased the likelihood of suffering from 'exhaustion' (OR = 5.25; 95% IC = 3.62-7.60); 'lack of development' increased the likelihood from 'cynicism' (OR = 6.77; 95% CI = 4.79-9.57); 'neglect' increased the likelihood from 'inefficacy' (OR = 5.21; 95% CI = 3.57-7.60). No differences were found with regard to sex, but there were differences depending on occupation.

Conclusions

Our results support the validity of the definition of burnout proposed in the BSCQ-12 through the brief differentiation of clinical subtypes.
Efficacy of lifestyle interventions in physical health management of patients with severe mental illness
Authors: Chacón Fernando , Mora Fernando , Gervás-Ríos Alicia , Gilaberte Inmaculada
Published: September 2011

Awareness of the importance of maintaining physical health for patients with severe mental illnesses has recently been on the increase. Although there are several elements contributing to poor physical health among these patients as compared with the general population, risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity are of particular significance due to their relationship with mortality and morbidity. These patients present higher vulnerability to cardiovascular risk factors based on several issues, such as genetic predisposition to certain pathologies, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, high proportions of smokers and drug abusers, less access to regular health care services, and potential adverse events during pharmacological treatment. Nevertheless, there is ample scientific evidence supporting the benefits of lifestyle interventions based on diet and exercise designed to minimize and reduce the negative impact of these risk factors on the physical health of patients with severe mental illnesses.
Video assisted thoracoscopic resection of a posterior mediastinal Castleman's tumor
Authors: Shetty Shohan , Brenes Robert A. , Panait Lucian , Sanchez Juan A.
Published: September 2011

Castleman's disease (CD) or angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia is a rare spectrum of lymphoproliferative disorders. CD tumors are commonly localized in the mediastinum and are usually asymptomatic. The mainstay of treatment is surgical resection and has typically been performed using open thoracotomy. Few reports in the literature describe video assisted thoracoscopic resection of these tumors. The differential diagnosis for mediastinal masses is extensive, and CD tumors, although uncommon, should be considered. We describe a case report of a posterior mediastinal Castleman's tumor adherent to the esophagus, which was resected thoracoscopically and review the literature.
Chemometric analysis of biofluids from mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Li Jia V , Saric Jasmina , Wang Yulan , Keiser Jennifer , Utzinger Jürg , Holmes Elaine
Published: September 2011

Background

The urinary metabolic fingerprint of a patent Schistosoma mansoni infection in the mouse has been characterized using spectroscopic methods. However, the temporal dynamics of metabolic alterations have not been studied at the systems level. Here, we investigated the systems metabolic changes in the mouse upon S. mansoni infection by modeling the sequence of metabolic events in urine, plasma and faecal water.

Methods

Ten female NMRI mice, aged 5 weeks, were infected with 80 S. mansoni cercariae each. Ten age- and sex-matched mice remained uninfected and served as a control group. Urine, plasma and faecal samples were collected 1 day before, and on eight time points until day 73 post-infection. Biofluid samples were subjected to 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analyses.

Results

Differences between S. mansoni-infected and uninfected control mice were found from day 41 onwards. One of the key metabolic signatures in urine and faecal extracts was an alteration in several gut bacteria-related metabolites, whereas the plasma reflected S. mansoni infection by changes in metabolites related to energy homeostasis, such as relatively higher levels of lipids and decreased levels of glucose. We identified 12 urinary biomarkers of S. mansoni infection, among which hippurate, phenylacetylglycine (PAG) and 2-oxoadipate were particularly robust with regard to disease progression. Thirteen plasma metabolites were found to differentiate infected from control mice, with the lipid components, D-3-hydroxybutyrate and glycerophosphorylcholine showing greatest consistency. Faecal extracts were highly variable in chemical composition and therefore only five metabolites were found discriminatory of infected mice, of which 5-aminovalerate was the most stable and showed a positive correlation with urinary PAG.

Conclusions

The composite metabolic signature of S. mansoni in the mouse derived from perturbations in urinary, faecal and plasma composition showed a coherent response in altered energy metabolism and in gut microbial activity. Our findings provide new mechanistic insight into host-parasite interactions across different compartments and identified a set of temporally robust biomarkers of S. mansoni infection, which might assist in derivation of diagnostic assays or metrics for monitoring therapeutic response.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Mast cells are the main interleukin 17-positive cells in anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive and -negative rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis synovium
Authors: Suurmond Jolien , Dorjée Annemarie L , Boon Mariëtte R , Knol Edward F , Huizinga Tom WJ , Toes René EM , Schuerwegh Annemie JM
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Mast cells have been implicated to play a functional role in arthritis, especially in autoantibody-positive disease. Among the cytokines involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), IL-17 is an important inflammatory mediator. Recent data suggest that the synovial mast cell is a main producer of IL-17, although T cells have also been implicated as prominent IL-17 producers as well. We aimed to identify IL-17 expression by mast cells and T cells in synovium of arthritis patients.

Methods

Synovial samples of anticitrullinated protein antibody-positive (ACPA+) and ACPA-negative (ACPA-) RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients were stained for IL-17 in combination with CD117 (mast cells), CD3 (T cells) and CD68 (macrophages). Concentrations of IL-17 in synovial fluid were determined by ELISA.

Results

The number of IL-17+ cells in synovium was comparable in all groups. Although the vast majority of IL-17+ cells are mast cells, no difference in the percentage of IL-17+ mast cells was observed. Nonetheless, levels of IL-17 in synovial fluid were increased in ACPA+ RA patients compared to ACPA- RA and OA patients.

Conclusions

The synovial mast cell is the main IL-17+ cell in all three arthritis groups analyzed. These data are relevant for studies aimed at blocking IL-17 in the treatment of arthritis.
A validity-driven approach to the understanding of the personal and societal burden of low back pain: development of a conceptual and measurement model
Authors: Buchbinder Rachelle , Batterham Roy , Elsworth Gerald , Dionne Clermont E , Irvin Emma , Osborne Richard H
Published: September 2011

Introduction

While the importance and magnitude of the burden of low back pain upon the individual is well recognized, a systematic understanding of the impact of the condition on individuals is currently hampered by the lack of an organized understanding of what aspects of a person's life are affected and the lack of comprehensive measures for these effects. The aim of the present study was to develop a conceptual and measurement model of the overall burden of low back pain from the individual's perspective using a validity-driven approach.

Methods

To define the breadth of low back pain burden we conducted three concept-mapping workshops to generate an item pool. Two face-to-face workshops (Australia) were conducted with people with low back pain and clinicians and policy-makers, respectively. A third workshop (USA) was held with international multidisciplinary experts. Multidimensional scaling, cluster analysis, participant input and thematic analyses organized participants' ideas into clusters of ideas that then informed the conceptual model.

Results

One hundred and ninety-nine statements were generated. Considerable overlap was observed between groups, and four major clusters were observed - Psychosocial, Physical, Treatment and Employment - each with between two and six subclusters. Content analysis revealed that elements of the Psychosocial cluster were sufficiently distinct to be split into Psychological and Social, and a further cluster of elements termed Positive Effects also emerged. Finally, a hypothesized structure was proposed with six domains and 16 subdomains. New domains not previously considered in the back pain field emerged for psychometric verification: loss of independence, worry about the future, and negative or discriminatory actions by others.

Conclusions

Using a grounded approach, an explicit a priori and testable model of the overall burden of low back pain has been proposed that captures the full breadth of the burden experienced by patients and observed by experts.
The chemokine receptor CX3CR1 is directly involved in the arrest of breast cancer cells to the skeleton
Authors: Jamieson-Gladney Whitney L , Zhang Yun , Fong Alan M , Meucci Olimpia , Fatatis Alessandro
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Skeletal metastases from breast adenocarcinoma are responsible for most of the morbidity and mortality associated with this tumor and represent a significant and unmet need for therapy. The arrival of circulating cancer cells to the skeleton depends first on the adhesive interactions with the endothelial cells lining the bone marrow sinusoids, and then the extravasation toward chemoattractant molecules produced by the surrounding bone stroma.

We have previously shown that the membrane-bound and cell-adhesive form of the chemokine fractalkine is exposed on the luminal side of human bone marrow endothelial cells and that bone stromal cells release the soluble and chemoattractant form of this chemokine. The goal of this study was to determine the role of fractalkine and its specific receptor CX3CR1 in the homing of circulating breast cancer cells to the skeleton.

Methods

We employed a powerful pre-clinical animal model of hematogenous metastasis, in which fluorescent cancer cells are identified immediately after their arrival to the bone. We engineered cells to over-express either wild-type or functional mutants of CX3CR1 as well as employed transgenic mice knockout for fractalkine.

Results

CX3CR1 protein is detected in human tissue microarrays of normal and malignant mammary glands. We also found that breast cancer cells expressing high levels of this receptor have a higher propensity to spread to the skeleton. Furthermore, studies with fractalkine-null transgenic mice indicate that the ablation of the adhesive and chemotactic ligand of CX3CR1 dramatically impairs the skeletal dissemination of circulating cancer cells. Finally, we conclusively confirmed the crucial role of CX3CR1 on breast cancer cells for both adhesion to bone marrow endothelium and extravasation into the bone stroma.

Conclusions

We provide compelling evidence that the functional interactions between fractalkine produced by both the endothelial and stromal cells of bone marrow and the CX3CR1 receptor on breast cancer cells are determinant in the arrest and initial lodging needed for skeletal dissemination.
Changes of monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression as a reliable predictor of mortality in severe sepsis
Authors: Wu Jian-Feng , Ma Jie , Chen Juan , Ou-Yang Bin , Chen Min-Ying , Li Li-Fen , Liu Yong-Jun , Lin Ai-Hua , Guan Xiang-Dong
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Many studies have shown that monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR (mHLA-DR) expression may be a good predictor for mortality in severe septic patients. On the contrary, other studies found mHLA-DR was not a useful prognostic marker in severe sepsis. Few studies have taken changes of mHLA-DR during treatment into consideration. The objective of this study was to estimate the prognostic value of changes of mHLA-DR to predict mortality in severe sepsis.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, mHLA-DR was measured by flow cytometry in peripheral blood from 79 adult patients with severe sepsis. mHLA-DR levels were determined on day 0, 3, 7 after admission to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) with a diagnosis of severe sepsis. ΔmHLA-DR3 and ΔmHLA-DR7 were defined as the changes in mHLA-DR value on day 3 and day 7 compared to that on day 0. Data were compared between 28-day survivors and non-survivors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to measure the performance and discriminating threshold of ΔmHLA-DR3, ΔmHLA-DR7, ΔmHLA-DR7-3, mHLA-DR0, mHLA-DR3 and mHLA-DR7 in predicting mortality of severe sepsis.

Results

ROC curve analysis showed that ΔmHLA-DR3 and ΔmHLA-DR7 were reliable indicators of mortality in severe sepsis. A ΔmHLA-DR3 value of 4.8% allowed discrimination between survivors and non-survivors with a sensitivity of 89.0% and a specificity of 93.7%; similarly, ΔmHLA-DR7 value of 9% allowed discrimination between survivors and non-survivors with a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 90.0%. Patients with ΔmHLA-DR3 ≤4.8% had higher mortality than those with ΔmHLA-DR3 > 4.8% (71.4% vs. 2.0%, OR 125.00, 95% CI 13.93 to 1121.67); patients with ΔmHLA-DR7 ≤9% had higher mortality than those with ΔmHLA-DR7 > 9% (52.9% vs. 2.0%, OR 54.00, 95% CI 5.99 to 486.08). The mean change of mHLA-DR significantly increased in the survivor group with the passage of time; from day 0 to day 3 and day 7, changes were 6.45 and 16.90 (P < 0.05), respectively.

Conclusions

The change of mHLA-DR over time may be a reliable predictor for mortality in patients with severe sepsis.
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Accessing Adjuvant Radiotherapy Among Canadian Women With Breast Cancer
Authors: Lauzier Sophie , Levesque Pascale , Drolet Mélanie , Coyle Douglas , Brisson Jacques , Mâsse Benoît , Robidoux André , Robert Jean , Maunsell Elizabeth
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Patients with breast cancer incur out-of-pocket costs when they receive adjuvant radiation. These treatments are administered in dedicated centers on a daily basis over 4 to 5 weeks. We assessed the extent of out-of-pocket costs to access radiotherapy and identified women at risk of experiencing higher costs.

Patients and Methods

This prospective study was conducted among 800 women from eight Quebec hospitals (participation, 86%), of whom 693 women received adjuvant radiotherapy. Costs to access treatment (transportation, parking, lodging, and meals) were estimated on the basis of information collected by telephone interviews. Generalized linear models were used to identify women at risk of having higher costs.

Results

Mean and median total costs (including financial aid received) to access radiotherapy were 445 Canadian dollars (Can$; standard deviation, Can$407) and Can$311, respectively. Women who lived at home but far from the radiotherapy center had the highest risk of experiencing weekly costs of at least Can$122 (highest quartile; prevalence ratio [PR], 5.8; 95% CI, 4.7 to 7.1) followed by women who lived away from home and farther from the center (PR, 4.5; 95% CI, 3.4 to 6.0) and by women who lived away from home and closer to the center (PR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.5). When women stayed at a cancer lodge during treatment, costs were reduced by 80%.

Conclusion

Considered in and of themselves, out-of-pocket costs for access to radiotherapy appeared relatively modest. Financial assistance initiatives for women who lived away from home during treatments contributed to a substantial reduction of access costs. These efforts should be maintained, but financial assistance should also target patients with cancer who live at home during treatments but have to travel relatively long distances on a daily basis.
Hostage to Fortune: Edward Chamberlin and the Reception of The Theory of Monopolistic Competition
Authors: Aslanbeigui Nahid , Oakes Guy
Published: September 2011

In February 1933, Edward Chamberlin published The Theory of Monopolistic Competition. Joan Robinson's The Economics of Imperfect Competition followed in the spring. A disciplinary consensus quickly formed, holding that the two books represented simultaneous discoveries of the same theoretical ideas and covered the same ground. Chamberlin was adamant in insisting on fundamental differences between their positions. Convinced of the superior explanatory power of his work, he devoted much of his post–Monopolistic Competition career laboring to reverse the disciplinary consensus. We analyze the main tactics he employed in attempting to gain control of the reception of his theory and consider why they failed.
Feudal Desires: Sexualizing Agriculture in the Philippine Film Industry
Authors: Yapan Alvin
Published: September 2011

The article problematizes the trend in the sex films Kesong puti (White Cheese, 1997), Talong (Eggplant, 1999), Kangkong (Water Spinach, 2000), and Itlog (Egg, 2002) to derive their titles from agricultural produce and contextualize their narratives within the agricultural industry. Not to be dismissed as simple promotional lures to capture viewer's attention and simultaneously evade state censorship, this trend is read against the backdrop of the nation's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995. These films share the same response to trade globalization of the agricultural sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), tasked with the country's food security and sufficiency. The response is a nostalgia for the feudal economic setup, which has long plagued the nation's history. With globalization ushering in a new economic order no longer to be determined by patronage but by competition, the old feudal system hastens to arrive at a compromise with those it previously marginalized by trying to resolve past social class conflicts through sex and legitimation bestowed by the Church. Sex becomes the form of compromise with the feminization of globalized labor for the Filipino with the deployment of sex workers, caregivers, entertainers, nurses, and household helpers from the country. The patriarch, now emasculated, tries to impede further erosion of his hold on the social system by conceding to share power with previously marginalized sectors, the lower class and woman workers, who somehow find themselves more mobile in the global economic system.
Selective Accommodation: The Hadhramis in Indonesia During World War II and the Struggle for Independence
Authors: Jonge Huub de
Published: September 2011

After the Japanese occupation of the Netherlands East Indies, the Hadhramis living in the archipelago were, at least initially, treated as untrustworthy by the new colonizers. At the same time they were cut off from their homeland Hadhramaut and had to reconsider their relationships with the indigenous Indonesians. After the Japanese capitulation they were forced to side with either the new Indonesian republic or the returning Dutch administration. In both periods all kinds of new relationships came into being, both transient and lasting, and often mutually contradictory. World War II as well as the struggle for Indonesian independence led to drastic changes in the orientation and identity of the Hadhrami minority. Besides dealing with the vicissitudes, strategies, and loyalties of these inhabitants of Arabs descent, this article argues that the turbulent time they went through increased the pace of their awareness of belonging to Indonesia.