bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Special education and care services for children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorders in France: Families’ opinion and satisfaction
Authors: Rattaz Cécile , Ledesert Bernard , Masson Olivier , Ouss Lisa , Ropers Géraldine , Baghdadli Amaria
Published: October 2012

This study focused on parents’ satisfaction with the special education and care services proposed to their child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Data were collected in three regions of France, using a questionnaire designed for the purpose of this study. Among the 530 families contacted, 212 filled in the questionnaire (response rate = 40.8%). Results showed that parents were globally satisfied with providers’ involvement and motivation, but they felt they were not involved enough in their child’s individualized program, that communication with providers was insufficient and that the services lacked ASD’s specific tools and interventions. Among all families interviewed, parents of adolescents were the most unsatisfied and we hypothesized that this could be due to the specific issues regarding developmental changes and concern about the future at this period of life. Congruently with the literature, variables related to parental overall satisfaction were a regular communication with professionals, a specific, regularly updated individual program in which parents are associated, and specialized tools and interventions. The implications of these findings are discussed as well as future directions for clinicians to improve service delivery and allow the persons with ASD and their families to be more involved in the services.
Empathy and punishment
Authors: Brown Michelle
Published: October 2012

With its foundations of injury, harm, and pain, the sociology of punishment is poised to give attention to the role of empathy at precisely those instances of social experience where human connection, understanding, and social knowing are destroyed, avoided, prohibited, or simply impossible. I explore this predicament through a specific case drawn from fieldwork in a geriatric prison, where institutional and intersubjective relations established by prison workers challenge empathic connections. The ‘graying’ of the prison population, one of mass incarceration’s unanticipated consequences, brings issues of pain, death, and dying to the fore. The majority of research to date on aging and dying in prison has had an important descriptive and policy orientation. There has been less of an emphasis upon the theoretical underpinnings of such a turn and the nature of intersubjective relations at the intersection of care and punishment. There have been no intensive ground-level analyses of aging in prison against the backdrop of mass incarceration in the contemporary era. This study seeks to fill that vacuum while offering a more complex understanding of the relevance and limits of empathy to the study of punishment.
Civil death: An examination of ex-felon disenfranchisement and reintegration
Authors: Miller Bryan Lee , Spillane Joseph F
Published: October 2012

In the state of Florida, when someone is found guilty of a felony crime they forfeit the right to vote, serve on a jury, and run for elected office. These civil rights are lost regardless of whether they are sentenced to incarceration, probation, or released into the community. The process to regain these civil rights can be difficult, time consuming, and impossible for some. Research on prisoner reentry suggests that the loss of these civil rights constitutes a barrier to full citizenship that may impede the process of community reintegration. This research employs 54 semi-structured interviews with ex-felons who have lost the right to vote to better understand the meaning former offenders attribute to the loss of their civil rights and to assess the impact this may have on staying out of trouble. Findings from this study suggest that for a significant number of ex-offenders the loss of voting rights poses an obstacle to successful reintegration.
The children of immigrants’ diminishing perceptions of just and fair punishment
Authors: Peguero Anthony A
Published: October 2012

Perceptions of school rules and punishment practices, particularly for racial and ethnic minority youth, are related to educational progress, psychological well-being, and adult stability and success. What remains uncertain is how the fastest growing segment of the population in the USA, the children of immigrants, perceives the rules and punishment practices within their schools. This study utilizes data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 and incorporates multilevel analysis to examine the children of immigrants’ perceptions of the school rules and punishment practices, which indeed reveal imperative findings. First generation youth have increased perceptions of just and fair punishment practices within their schools; however, Black/African American and Latino American third-plus generation youth have diminished perceptions of just and fair punishment practices within their schools. The implications of the evident racial and ethnic, as well as generational, disparities in the perceptions of the school rules and punishment practices in the USA are discussed more generally.
Web 2.0 platforms and the work of newspaper sport journalists
Authors: Sherwood Merryn , Nicholson Matthew
Published: October 2012

This article reports on research that explores whether Australian newspaper sport journalists use Web 2.0, the second generation of the internet, in their work and, if they do, how. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 newspaper sport journalists, three from each of the nine Australian daily newspapers with the highest circulation. The research found that the most common Web 2.0 platforms used by Australian newspaper sport journalists in their everyday work practices were Twitter, fan forums and Facebook. While each is used differently for reporting, sourcing and researching news, and for interacting with readers, this study found that most sports journalists used this technology within the boundaries of traditional journalistic practices and norms.
Shaping acting space: In search of a new political awareness among local authority planners
Authors: Grange Kristina
Published: October 2012

A shift in governing modes is increasingly leading to new conditions for professionals. In view of such change, there is a need for deeper awareness of how hegemonic power struggles and processes of identification are deeply interconnected. In order to illustrate how such processes shape the acting space of professionals, a critical reflection on changing conditions for English local authority planning 1998–2010 is presented. The analysis focuses on deconstruction of power as ability, authority and identity. The conclusion is that if society is to reconsider the value of local authority planners having influence, then it is time to introduce a new perception of the political into planning. Such a perception hinges on increased understanding within the profession itself of how power shapes acting space.
Augustine and the liberal arts
Authors: Kenyon Erik
Published: October 2012

In an early dialogue, On Order, Augustine sets out a program for thinking about thinking. Through such reflections, students attain self-knowledge and prepare for philosophical inquiry. The liberal arts are useful for this project, insofar as they provide opportunities for thinking, yet they are not ultimately necessary. I suggest that On Order’s program, correctly understood, provides a rationale for Augustine’s beginning but never completing a set of works on the seven liberal arts, and that his approach has contemporary relevance. Current discussions of the liberal arts move between concerns for particular content, which after a canon war may seem political or arbitrary, and useful skills, which reduce the liberal arts to quasi-vocational programs. Augustine’s focus on rational activity escapes the content/skills dilemma and gives us a fresh perspective on the liberal arts’ value.
‘When they’re making breakfast they’ll talk. . .’: Narrative approaches in the evaluation of Nurture Groups
Authors: Billington Tom
Published: October 2012

This article reports a small-scale qualitative study of work with staff in five Nurture Groups (NGs) for pupils aged 5–11 years. Three separate sessions in each Nurture Group were conducted according to narrative methodology and the following themes emerged in analysis within the context of the relationships developed with staff including: 1) the positive accounts of children who might otherwise be perceived negatively and ‘at risk’ from a number of factors associated with life outcomes (e.g. low academic attainments, school exclusion, family breakdown); 2) an emphasis on the value of establishing good relationships with parents who would otherwise be alienated from school processes (e.g. on account of language, cultural or other social barriers), and 3) expressions of dedication, commitment and the sheer enthusiasm of Nurture Group staff for their work, the children and their parents. It is suggested that narrative methods are a valuable resource in both research and professional practice, in particular, for professionals who work with children considered vulnerable and their families and who also wish to evaluate the quality of their own work.
The role of naftopidil in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Hara Noboru , Mizusawa Takaki , Obara Kenji , Takahashi Kota
Published: October 2012

Naftopidil, which to a certain extent shows an affinity to α1D-adrenoceptor subtype in addition to a high affinity to α1A-adrenoceptor, has been used for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The aim of the present review is to systematically refer to the published studies on this unique agent for BPH. Based on a randomized prazosin-controlled study and another double-blind placebo-controlled study, which verified the dose-dependent effects of naftopidil, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved naftopidil for treating men with BPH in 1996. Several tamsulosin-controlled studies have suggested treatment effects of naftopidil similar to those of tamsulosin and potentially higher efficacy for alleviating storage symptoms by naftopidil. Although well-designed, randomized studies are warranted to confirm the long-term outcomes and effector/target of naftopidil, the α1A-antagonist naftopidil, which also blocks α1D-adrenoceptor, improves voiding symptoms, and may also be useful for the management of men with storage symptoms represented by nocturia, retrieving their quality of life impaired by BPH-associated LUTS.
Glucocorticoids
Authors: Gensler Lianne S.
Published: October 2012

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Their mechanism of action is most commonly rooted in genomic effects that have both beneficial and adverse consequences. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential complications and side effects that may occur with GC use. Many of these complications are related to the dose and duration of therapy used. Evidence-based preventative strategies are discussed. Many recommendations are based on expert opinion and not on strong evidence. A 54-year-old man presents with proximal upper and lower extremity weakness. There are no rashes. The antinuclear antibody is negative; the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein are 24 mm/h and 3 mg/dL, respectively. An electromyography displays myopathic motor unit potentials with fibrillation and a muscle biopsy confirms polymyositis. Prednisone of 60 mg/d is initiated. What are the risks associated with GC use? What other studies and interventions should occur in this patient starting long-term GC therapy?
Culture Moderates the Genetic and Environmental Etiologies of Parenting
Authors: Shikishima Chizuru , Hiraishi Kai , Yamagata Shinji , Neiderhiser Jenae M. , Ando Juko
Published: October 2012

A cultural behavior genetic approach was introduced as a prospective means to describe psychological differences between cultures. We compared genetic and environmental influences on remembered parenting for samples of twins from Japan and Sweden. Data were collected from 720 pairs of young adult Japanese twins and 824 pairs of adult Swedish twins using the Parental Bonding Instrument. In both samples, a very similar phenotypic factor structure was developed for maternal and paternal parenting. However, the genetic and environmental contributions were different. Parenting in Japan showed more genetic influences, whereas parenting in Sweden showed more shared environmental influences. Moreover, covariation among the six dimensions of parenting (i.e., maternal and paternal Warmth, Protectiveness, and Authoritarianism) was due to genetic correlations in Japan and to shared environmental correlations in Sweden. These results are consistent with the cultural psychology argument that parenting practices are child centered in Japan but parent centered in the West.
Everyday Social Behavior During a Major Depressive Episode
Authors: Baddeley Jenna L. , Pennebaker James W. , Beevers Christopher G.
Published: October 2012

Although social functioning deficits are believed to characterize major depressive disorder (MDD), few studies have examined the social behavior of individuals with MDD in everyday life. The current study’s aim is to assess the everyday social behavior of individuals in a current major depressive episode. Participants with current MDD ( n = 29) and healthy controls ( n = 28) wore the electronically activated recorder (EAR), an ambulatory assessment device, for 3–4 days. The EAR recorded 90-second sound clips from participants’ immediate environments. Participants’ conversations were transcribed and locations and activities coded. Indicators of social isolation and negative emotional expression were examined. Individuals with and without MDD spent similar amounts of time talking, laughing, and with another person. However, depressed people spent less time in groups and used more negative emotion words, particularly in reference to the self, and particularly around romantic partners. Findings suggest depressed people’s social interactions suffer in quality but not quantity.
Grape berry ripening delay induced by a pre-véraison NAA treatment is paralleled by a shift in the expression pattern of auxin- and ethylene-related genes
Authors: Ziliotto Fiorenza , Corso Massimiliano , Rizzini Fabio Massimo , Rasori Angela , Botton Alessandro , Bonghi Claudio
Published: October 2012

Background

Auxins act as repressors of ripening inception in grape (véraison), while ethylene and abscisic acid (ABA) play a positive role as inducers of the syndrome. Despite the increasing amount of information made available on this topic, the complex network of interactions among these hormones remains elusive. In order to shed light on these aspects, a holistic approach was adopted to evaluate, at the transcriptomic level, the crosstalk between hormones in grape berries, whose ripening progression was delayed by applying naphtalenacetic acid (NAA) one week before véraison.

Results

The NAA treatment caused significant changes in the transcription rate of about 1,500 genes, indicating that auxin delayed grape berry ripening also at the transcriptional level, along with the recovery of a steady state of its intracellular concentration. Hormone indices analysis carried out with the HORMONOMETER tool suggests that biologically active concentrations of auxins were achieved throughout a homeostatic recovery. This occurred within 7 days after the treatment, during which the physiological response was mainly unspecific and due to a likely pharmacological effect of NAA. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the up-regulation of genes involved in auxin conjugation (GH3-like) and action (IAA4- and IAA31-like). A strong antagonistic effect between auxin and ethylene was also observed, along with a substantial ‘synergism’ between auxins and ABA, although to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

This study suggests that, in presence of altered levels of auxins, the crosstalk between hormones involves diverse mechanisms, acting at both the hormone response and biosynthesis levels, creating a complex response network.
Analyzing the spatio-temporal relationship between dengue vector larval density and land-use using factor analysis and spatial ring mapping
Authors: Sarfraz Muhammad Shahzad , Tripathi Nitin K , Tipdecho Taravudh , Thongbu Thawisak , Kerdthong Pornsuk , Souris Marc
Published: October 2012

Background

Dengue, a mosquito-borne febrile viral disease, is found in tropical and sub-tropical regions and is now extending its range to temperate regions. The spread of the dengue viruses mainly depends on vector population (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), which is influenced by changing climatic conditions and various land-use/land-cover types. Spatial display of the relationship between dengue vector density and land-cover types is required to describe a near-future viral outbreak scenario. This study is aimed at exploring how land-cover types are linked to the behavior of dengue-transmitting mosquitoes.

Methods

Surveys were conducted in 92 villages of Phitsanulok Province Thailand. The sampling was conducted on three separate occasions in the months of March, May and July. Dengue indices, i.e. container index (C.I.), house index (H.I.) and Breteau index (B.I.) were used to map habitats conducible to dengue vector growth. Spatial epidemiological analysis using Bivariate Pearson’s correlation was conducted to evaluate the level of interdependence between larval density and land-use types. Factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to ascertain the variance among land-use types. Furthermore, spatial ring method was used as to visualize spatially referenced, multivariate and temporal data in single information graphic.

Results

Results of dengue indices showed that the settlements around gasoline stations/workshops, in the vicinity of marsh/swamp and rice paddy appeared to be favorable habitat for dengue vector propagation at highly significant and positive correlation (p = 0.001) in the month of May. Settlements around the institutional areas were highly significant and positively correlated (p = 0.01) with H.I. in the month of March. Moreover, dengue indices in the month of March showed a significant and positive correlation (p <= 0.05) with deciduous forest. The H.I. of people living around horticulture land were significantly and positively correlated (p = 0.05) during the month of May, and perennial vegetation showed a highly significant and positive correlation (p = 0.001) in the month of March with C.I. and significant and positive correlation (p <= 0.05) with B.I., respectively.

Conclusions

The study concluded that gasoline stations/workshops, rice paddy, marsh/swamp and deciduous forests played highly significant role in dengue vector growth. Thus, the spatio-temporal relationships of dengue vector larval density and land-use types may help to predict favorable dengue habitat, and thereby enables public healthcare managers to take precautionary measures to prevent impending dengue outbreak.
Physicians’ knowledge of and adherence to improving oral health
Authors: Rabiei Sepideh , Mohebbi Simin Z , Patja Kristiina , Virtanen Jorma I
Published: October 2012

Background

Integration of oral health promotion into general health care has been highly recommended by the World Health Organization. Primary-care physicians can as part of their general health care promote and contribute to improved oral health care. Our aim was to investigate primary-care physicians’ knowledge of oral health, their attitudes toward delivering oral health care (OHC), and their willingness to obtain more education in this field.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of all primary-care physicians working in the public health centers of Tehran city. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire queried their knowledge in pediatric- and general medicine-related areas of dentistry, providing knowledge scores to be calculated for three domains. The physicians’ attitudes toward OHC and willingness to pursue continuous education underwent evaluation with statements utilizing a 5-point Likert scale. Totally, 220 physicians took part in the survey (response rate: 92%). Chi-square test, linear and logistic regression, and t-test served for statistical analyses.

Results

The physicians’ knowledge score was significantly lower in the pediatric domain than in the dental and medical domains (p < 0.001). The number of physicians answering correctly to the pediatric questions was less than 40%. Almost all physicians (95%) reported it necessary for a physician to know about OHC and admitted (78%) that physicians’ general knowledge in this field is inadequate. Further, 77% of the physicians expressed a will to implement preventive oral health activities in their practice, and almost two-thirds (62%) of them showed a willingness to pursue further education about OHC. Those with higher knowledge scores had a greater willingness to deliver oral health care to their patients.

Conclusions

Physicians’ lack of knowledge of OHC and their generally positive attitudes toward it revealed a great need for planning of a continuous medical education program in primary care.
A qualitative study into the use of formal services for dementia by carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Authors: Shanley Christopher , Boughtwood Desiree , Adams Jon , Santalucia Yvonne , Kyriazopoulos Helena , Pond Dimity , Rowland Jeffrey
Published: October 2012

Background

People with dementia and their family carers need to be able to access formal services in the community to help maintain their wellbeing and independence. While knowing about and navigating one’s way through service systems is difficult for most people, it is particularly difficult for people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. This study addresses a lack of literature on the use of formal services for dementia by people from CALD backgrounds by examining the experiences and perceptions of dementia caregiving within four CALD communities – Italian, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic-speaking – in south western Sydney, Australia.

Methods

The study used a qualitative design and the methods included focus groups with family carers and one-to-one interviews with bilingual/bicultural community workers, bilingual general practitioners and geriatricians. A total of 121 family carers participated in 15 focus groups and interviews were held with 60 health professionals. All fieldwork was audiotaped, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Results

People from CALD communities are often unfamiliar with the concept of formal services and there may be strong cultural norms about maintaining care within the family, rather than relying on external services. CALD communities often have limited knowledge of services. There is a preference for services that will allow families to keep their relative at home, for safety as well as cultural reasons, and they are particularly reluctant to use residential care. While there is a preference for ethno-specific or multicultural services, mainstream services also need to ensure they are more flexible in providing culturally appropriate care. Positive outcomes occur when ethno-specific services work in partnership with mainstream programs. Dementia service providers need to develop a trusting relationship with their local CALD communities and promote their services in a way that is understandable and culturally acceptable to members of these communities.

Conclusions

While members of CALD communities may have difficulties accessing formal services, they will use them if they are culturally and linguistically appropriate and can meet their needs. There are a number of ways to improve service provision to CALD communities and the responsibility for this needs to be shared by a range of stakeholders.
Scheffersomyces stipitis: a comparative systems biology study with the Crabtree positive yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Papini Marta , Nookaew Intawat , Uhlén Mathias , Nielsen Jens
Published: October 2012

Background

Scheffersomyces stipitis is a Crabtree negative yeast, commonly known for its capacity to ferment pentose sugars. Differently from Crabtree positive yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the onset of fermentation in S. stipitis is not dependent on the sugar concentration, but is regulated by a decrease in oxygen levels. Even though S. stipitis has been extensively studied due to its potential application in pentoses fermentation, a limited amount of information is available about its metabolism during aerobic growth on glucose. Here, we provide a systems biology based comparison between the two yeasts, uncovering the metabolism of S. stipitis during aerobic growth on glucose under batch and chemostat cultivations.

Results

Starting from the analysis of physiological data, we confirmed through 13C-based flux analysis the fully respiratory metabolism of S. stipitis when growing both under glucose limited or glucose excess conditions. The patterns observed showed similarity to the fully respiratory metabolism observed for S. cerevisiae under chemostat cultivations however, intracellular metabolome analysis uncovered the presence of several differences in metabolite patterns. To describe gene expression levels under the two conditions, we performed RNA sequencing and the results were used to quantify transcript abundances of genes from the central carbon metabolism and compared with those obtained with S. cerevisiae. Interestingly, genes involved in central pathways showed different patterns of expression, suggesting different regulatory networks between the two yeasts. Efforts were focused on identifying shared and unique families of transcription factors between the two yeasts through in silico transcription factors analysis, suggesting a different regulation of glycolytic and glucoenogenic pathways.

Conclusions

The work presented addresses the impact of high-throughput methods in describing and comparing the physiology of Crabtree positive and Crabtree negative yeasts. Based on physiological data and flux analysis we identified the presence of one metabolic condition for S. stipitis under aerobic batch and chemostat cultivations, which shows similarities to the oxidative metabolism observed for S. cerevisiae under chemostat cultivations. Through metabolome analysis and genome-wide transcriptomic analysis several differences were identified. Interestingly, in silico analysis of transciption factors was useful to address a different regulation of mRNAs of genes involved in the central carbon metabolism. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the metabolism of S. stiptis is investigated in details and is compared to S. cerevisiae. Our study provides useful results and allows for the possibility to incorporate these data into recently developed genome-scaled metabolic, thus contributing to improve future industrial applications of S. stipitis as cell factory.
Fastbreak: a tool for analysis and visualization of structural variations in genomic data
Authors: Bressler Ryan , Lin Jake , Eakin Andrea , Robinson Thomas , Kreisberg Richard , Rovira Hector , Knijnenburg Theo , Boyle John , Shmulevich Ilya
Published: October 2012

Genomic studies are now being undertaken on thousands of samples requiring new computational tools that can rapidly analyze data to identify clinically important features. Inferring structural variations in cancer genomes from mate-paired reads is a combinatorially difficult problem. We introduce Fastbreak, a fast and scalable toolkit that enables the analysis and visualization of large amounts of data from projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas.
Craniofacial reconstruction based on a hierarchical dense deformable model
Authors: Hu Yongli , Duan Fuqing , Zhou Mingquan , Sun Yanfeng , Yin Baocai
Published: October 2012

Craniofacial reconstruction from skull has deeply been investigated by computer scientists in the past two decades because it is important for identification. The dominant methods construct facial surface from the soft tissue thickness measured at a set of skull landmarks. The quantity and position of the landmarks are very vital for craniofacial reconstruction, but there is no standard. In addition, it is difficult to accurately locate the landmarks on dense mesh without manual assistance. In this article, we propose an automatic craniofacial reconstruction method based on a hierarchical dense deformable model. To construct the model, we collect more than 100 head samples by computerized tomography scanner. The samples are represented as dense triangle mesh to model face and skull shape. As the deformable model demands all samples in uniform form, a non-rigid registration algorithm is presented to align the samples in point-to-point correspondence. Based on the aligned samples, a global deformable model is constructed, and three local models are constructed from the segmented patches of the eye, nose, and mouth. For a given skull, the global and local deformable models are matched with it, and the reconstructed facial surface is obtained by fusing the global and local reconstruction results. To validate our method, a face deformable model is constructed and the reconstruction results are evaluated in its coefficient domain. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method has good performance for craniofacial reconstruction.
Interactive wiimote gaze stabilization exercise training system for patients with vestibular hypofunction
Authors: Chen Po-Yin , Hsieh Wan-Ling , Wei Shun-Hwa , Kao Chung-Lan
Published: October 2012

Background

Peripheral vestibular hypofunction is a major cause of dizziness. When complicated with postural imbalance, this condition can lead to an increased incidence of falls. In traditional clinical practice, gaze stabilization exercise is commonly used to rehabilitate patients. In this study, we established a computer-aided vestibular rehabilitation system by coupling infrared LEDs to an infrared receiver. This system enabled the subjects’ head-turning actions to be quantified, and the training was performed using vestibular exercise combined with computer games and interactive video games that simulate daily life activities.

Methods

Three unilateral and one bilateral vestibular hypofunction patients volunteered to participate in this study. The participants received 30 minutes of computer-aided vestibular rehabilitation training 2 days per week for 6 weeks. Pre-training and post-training assessments were completed, and a follow-up assessment was completed 1 month after the end of the training period.

Results

After 6 weeks of training, significant improvements in balance and dynamic visual acuity (DVA) were observed in the four participants. Self-reports of dizziness, anxiety and depressed mood all decreased significantly. Significant improvements in self-confidence and physical performance were also observed. The effectiveness of this training was maintained for at least 1 month after the end of the training period.

Conclusion

Real-time monitoring of training performance can be achieved using this rehabilitation platform. Patients demonstrated a reduction in dizziness symptoms after 6 weeks of training with this short-term interactive game approach. This treatment paradigm also improved the patients’ balance function. This system could provide a convenient, safe and affordable treatment option for clinical practitioners.
Ethno-botanical study of the African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don) in the Southern Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Houessou Laurent G , Lougbegnon Toussaint O , Gbesso François GH , Anagonou Lisette ES , Sinsin Brice
Published: October 2012

Background

In addition to plant species biology and ecology, understanding the folk knowledge systems related to the use of plant species and how this knowledge system influences the conservation of plant species is an important issue in the implementation of sustainable strategies of biodiversity conservation programs. This study aimed at providing information on the use and local knowledge variation on Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don a multipurpose tree species widely used in southern Benin.

Methods

Data was collected through 210 structured interviews. Informants were randomly selected from ten villages. The fidelity level and use value of different plant parts of C. albidum were estimated. The variation in ethnobotanical knowledge was assessed by comparing the use value between ethnic, gender and age groups. In order to assess the use pattern of the different plant parts in folk medicine, a correspondence analysis was carried out on the frequency citation of plant parts.

Results

Four categories of use (food, medicine, firewood and timber) were recorded for C. albidum. With respect to the different plant parts, the fleshy pulp of the African star apple fruit showed high consensus degree as food among the informants. Fifteen diseases were reported to be treated by the different parts of C. albidum in the region. Correspondence analysis revealed the specificity of each part in disease treatment. There was no significant difference among ethnic groups regarding the ethno-botanical use value of C. albidum. However, significant difference existed between genders and among age groups regarding the knowledge of the medical properties of this species.

Conclusions

C. albidum is well integrated in the traditional agroforestry system of the southern Benin. Despite its multipurpose character, this species remains underutilized in the region. Considering the current threat of habitat degradation, action is needed in order to ensure the long term survival of the species and local communities’ livelihoods.
Completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer treatment: early and long term outcomes
Authors: Zhang Peng , Jiang Chao , He Wenxin , Song Nan , Zhou Xiao , Jiang Gening
Published: October 2012

Background

To analyze the experience of completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer at a single institution in China.

Methods

From January 1988 to December 2007, 92 patients underwent completion pneumonectomy for the treatment of lung cancer. The indications were second primary lung cancer (n = 51), Local metastasis (n = 37) and Lung metastasis (n = 4). The median interval between the primary operation and CP was 24.4 months (1.5-145 m).

Results

There was no intraoperative deaths. The CP procedure lasted 4.3 h (1.5-8 h). Blood loss in the CP performance was 1854.5 ml (200-9100 ml) 9 (9.78%) patients died in the postoperative period: pulmonary embolism (n = 2), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) after the multisystem failure (n = 1), respiratory failure after contralateral pneumonia (n = 5), bronchopleural fistula (BPF) with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 1) 31(33.7%) patients had at least one major nonfatal complication. The 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates were 81%, 26% and 14% respectively.

Conclusions

Completion pneumonectomy for lung cancer is a safe surgical procedure for the skilled surgeon though it has a relatively higher complications and the long-term survival is acceptable.
A review on delayed toxic effects of sulfur mustard in Iranian veterans
Authors: mansour Razavi Seyed , Salamati Payman , Saghafinia Masoud , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: October 2012

Iranian soldiers were attacked with chemical bombs, rockets and artillery shells 387 times during the 8-years war by Iraq (1980–1988). More than 1,000 tons of sulfur mustard gas was used in the battlefields by the Iraqis against Iranian people. A high rate of morbidities occurred as the result of these attacks. This study aimed to evaluate the delayed toxic effects of sulfur mustard gas on Iranian victims. During a systematic search, a total of 193 (109 more relevant to the main aim) articles on sulfur mustard gas were reviewed using known international and national databases. No special evaluation was conducted on the quality of the articles and their publication in accredited journals was considered sufficient. High rate of morbidities as the result of chemical attacks by sulfur mustard among Iranian people occurred. Iranian researchers found a numerous late complications among the victims which we be listed as wide range of respiratory, ocular, dermatological, psychological, hematological, immunological, gastrointestinal and endocrine complications, all influenced the quality of life of exposed victims. The mortality rate due to this agent was 3%. Although, mortality rate induced by sulfur mustard among Iranian people was low, variety and chronicity of toxic effects and complications of this chemical agent were dramatic.
Structural defects in cilia of the choroid plexus, subfornical organ and ventricular ependyma are associated with ventriculomegaly
Authors: Swiderski Ruth E , Agassandian Khristofor , Ross Jean L , Bugge Kevin , Cassell Martin D , Yeaman Charles
Published: October 2012

Background

Hydrocephalus is a heterogeneous disorder with multiple etiologies that are not yet fully understood. Animal models have implicated dysfunctional cilia of the ependyma and choroid plexus in the development of the disorder. In this report, we sought to determine the origin of the ventriculomegaly in four Bardet Biedl syndrome (BBS) mutant mouse strains as models of a ciliopathy.

Methods

Evans Blue dye was injected into the lateral ventricle of wild- type and BBS mutant mice to determine whether obstruction of intra- or extra-ventricular CSF flow contributed to ventriculomegaly. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine the ultrastructure of the choroid plexus, subfornical organ (SFO), subcommisural organ (SCO), and ventricular ependyma to evaluate their ultrastructure and the morphology of their primary and motile cilia.

Results and discussion

No obstruction of intra- or extra-ventricular CSF flow was observed, implying a communicating form of hydrocephalus in BBS mutant mice. TEM analyses of the mutants showed no evidence of choroidal papillomas or breakdown of the blood:CSF barrier. In contrast, structural defects were observed in a subpopulation of cilia lining the choroid plexus, SFO, and ventricular ependyma. These included disruptions of the microtubular structure of the axoneme and the presence of electron-dense vesicular-like material along the ciliary shaft and at the tips of cilia.

Conclusions

Abnormalities in cilia structure and function have the potential to influence ciliary intraflagellar transport (IFT), cilia maintenance, protein trafficking, and regulation of CSF production. Ciliary structural defects are the only consistent pathological features associated with CSF-related structures in BBS mutant mice. These defects are observed from an early age, and may contribute to the underlying pathophysiology of ventriculomegaly.
Association of radiotherapy with preferential depletion of luminal epithelial cells in a BRCA1 mutation carrier
Authors: Chiang Huai-Chin , Nair Sreejith J , Yeh I-Tien , Santillan Alfredo A , Hu Yanfen , Elledge Richard , Li Rong
Published: October 2012

Radiation therapy (RT) after breast conservation therapy has recently been linked with significant reduction in risk of ipsilateral breast cancer among BRCA1 mutation carriers. However, the exact mechanism by which RT reduces incidence of BRCA1-associated cancer remains unclear. Here we studied fresh breast tissue from a BRCA1 mutation carrier who was initially treated with a lumpectomy and RT for a unilateral cancer and two years later chose a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy while remaining cancer-free. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a strikingly lower luminal cell population in the irradiated breast as compared to the non-irradiated breast, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, the irradiated breast tissue exhibited very low progenitor cell activity in vitro. Given the emerging evidence that BRCA1 tumors originate from luminal progenitor cells, our observations suggest that preferential and long-lasting elimination of luminal ductal epithelium may partly underlie the mechanism of RT-associated reduction in recurrence of BRCA1-associated cancer.
Tall or taller, pretty or prettier: is discrimination absolute or relative?
Authors: Hamermesh Daniel S
Published: October 2012

Using microeconomic data sets from the United States and the Netherlands, this study considers how agents perceive characteristics that are discriminated against. It uses the examples of beauty and height to examine whether: 1) Absolute or relative differences in a characteristic affect labor-market and other outcomes; and 2) The effects of a characteristic change when all agents acquire more of it. Decision-makers seem to respond more to absolute than to relative differences among individuals. Weaker results show that an increase in the mean of a characteristic’s distribution does not alter market responses to differences in it.
Personality and marital surplus
Authors: Lundberg Shelly
Published: October 2012

This paper uses data from the German Socio-economic Panel Study to examine the effect of personality traits on the formation and dissolution of domestic partnerships. Selection into marriage is associated with distinctly different personality profiles for men and women born before 1960, suggesting that gender-specialized contributions to household public goods were an important source of marital surplus for these cohorts. The effects of personality on marriage are more similar for younger men and women; this is consistent with marital returns based on joint consumption. Divorce is associated with low expected marital surplus, low emotional stability for women, and male extroversion.
Another economic miracle? The German labor market and the Great Recession
Authors: Rinne Ulf , Zimmermann Klaus F
Published: October 2012

Germany’s labor market responded only mildly to the Great Recession. Important factors for this development include the strong economic position due to recent labor market reforms, the crisis affecting mainly export-oriented companies, the extension of short-time work, time buffers due to working time accounts, the behavior of social partners, and automatic stabilizers. We emphasize the important interaction between short-time work and long-term shortages of skilled workers in sectors particularly affected by the crisis. Although Germany’s experience is in stark contrast to the United States, we identify and discuss common challenges at the center of the future jobs debate.
Human capital transmission and the earnings of second-generation immigrants in Sweden
Authors: Hammarstedt Mats , Palme Mårten
Published: October 2012

We compare the earnings and the intergenerational earnings mobility of immigrants with natives in Sweden. We find an overall convergence in average earnings between immigrants and natives across generations. This convergence hides a divergence in average earnings between groups of immigrants with different ethnic origins. We also find that, on average, immigrants have lower intergenerational earnings mobility within groups with similar ethnic backgrounds. Immigrant groups with relatively low intergenerational earnings mobility increased their average relative earnings in the second generation. The interpretation of this is that immigrant groups with a high degree of intergenerational transmission of human capital from parent to offspring improve their position on the labor market across generations.
Microhardness of bi-antibiotic-eluting bone cement scaffolds
Authors: Musib Mrinal , Jones Jeremy , Chakote Karunesh , Hayes Westley , Saha Subrata
Published: October 2012

Bi-antibiotic-impregnated bone cements (BIBCs) are widely used in orthopaedics as a prophylactic agent (depot) to address post-surgical infections. Although hardness is widely considered a viable index to measure the integrity of the cement structure, there are few specific studies involving changes in hardness characteristics of BIBCs post elution of high doses of two widely used antibiotics: tobramycin and gentamicin. Increased doses of antibiotics and increased duration of elution may also decrease the hardness of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, thus increasing the chances of shattering, scratching, and deformation.

In this project, we have investigated the changes in surface hardness of five different antibiotic-loaded specimens: 0.5 g tobramycin and 0.5 g gentamicin together, 1 g tobramycin, 1 g gentamicin, 5 g tobramycin and 5 g gentamicin together, and 10 g tobramycin (each added to 40 g of PMMA), post elution for various time periods (1, 3, and 21 days). The effect of hydration on the hardness of bone cement was studied to replicate in vivo conditions. The micro-indentation tester (Buehler m5103) was utilized to determine if the increased antibiotic loads would compromise the integrity of the bone cement matrix.

The results demonstrated that the amount of drug initially incorporated determined the hardness of the cement post elution. As compared to the control (no antibiotic), specimens containing 1 and 10 g of antibiotic exhibited over 50% and 73% decrease in hardness, respectively. The different treatment durations (post 1 day) as well as the hydration conditions had insignificant effect on the hardness of the cement.
Validation of a Gene Expression Signature for Assessment of Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: van Hooff Sander R. , Leusink Frank K.J. , Roepman Paul , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Speel Ernst-Jan M. , van den Brekel Michiel W.M. , van Velthuysen Marie-Louise F. , van Diest Paul J. , van Es Robert J.J. , Merkx Matthias A.W. , Kummer J. Alain , Leemans C. René , Schuuring Ed , Langendijk Johannes A. , Lacko Martin , De Herdt Maria J. , Jansen Jeroen C. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Slootweg Piet J. , Takes Robert P. , Holstege Frank C.P.
Published: October 2012

Purpose

Current assessment of lymph node metastasis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not accurate enough to prevent overtreatment. The aim of this study was validation of a gene expression signature for distinguishing metastasizing (N+) from nonmetastasizing (N0) squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity (OSCC) and oropharynx (OPSCC) in a large multicenter cohort, using a diagnostic DNA microarray in a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments/International Organization for Standardization–approved laboratory.

Methods

A multigene signature, previously reported as predictive for the presence of lymph node metastases in OSCC and OPSCC, was first re-evaluated and trained on 94 samples using generic, whole-genome, DNA microarrays. Signature genes were then transferred to a dedicated diagnostic microarray using the same technology platform. Additional samples (n = 222) were collected from all head and neck oncologic centers in the Netherlands and analyzed with the diagnostic microarray. Human papillomavirus status was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The negative predictive value (NPV) of the diagnostic signature on the entire validation cohort (n = 222) was 72%. The signature performed well on the most relevant subset of early-stage (cT1-T2N0) OSCC (n = 101), with an NPV of 89%.

Conclusion

Combining current clinical assessment with the expression signature would decrease the rate of undetected nodal metastases from 28% to 11% in early-stage OSCC. This should be sufficient to enable clinicians to refrain from elective neck treatment. A new clinical decision model that incorporates the expression signature is therefore proposed for testing in a prospective study, which could substantially improve treatment for this group of patients.