bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromechanical instabilities in fiber-constrained, dielectric-elastomer composites subjected to all-around dead-loading
Authors: Siboni Morteza H , Avazmohammadi Reza , Castañeda Pedro Ponte
Published: October 2014

In this work we investigate the possible development of instabilities in a certain class of dielectric-elastomer composites (DECs) subjected to all-around dead electromechanical loading. The DECs consist of a dielectric elastomer matrix phase constrained to plane strain deformations by means of aligned, long, rigid dielectric fibers of elliptical cross-section that are also aligned but randomly distributed in the transverse plane. Two types of instabilities are considered: loss of positive definiteness (LPD), and loss of strong ellipticity (LE). LPD simply corresponds to the loss of local convexity of the homogenized electroelastic stored-energy function for the DECs and can be of two types depending on the resulting instability modes. When the modes are aligned with the ‘principal’ solution, the instability corresponds to a maximum in the nominal electric field, possibly followed by snapping behavior. Alternatively, when the modes are orthogonal to the principal solution, the instability corresponds to a bifurcation from the principal solution. The LE, on the other hand, corresponds to LPD of the electromechanical acoustic tensor and manifests itself by the onset of highly localized shear band instabilities. Our results show that the stability, as well as the type of instability (when stability is lost), of the DECs depends sensitively on the loading conditions and is also affected by the microstructure of the DECs (i.e. the volume fraction of the fibers and their aspect ratio). In particular, it is found that the non-aligned LPD instabilities typically precede aligned LPD and LE instabilities, especially for in-plane isotropic microstructures, but aligned (limit load) LPD and LE instabilities are also possible for composites with anisotropic microstructures. In this context, it should be noted that the possible development of non-aligned LPD bifurcation instabilities appears to have been ignored by prior work. Fortunately, however, such instabilities can usually be avoided by orienting the long (in-plane) axis of the fibers parallel to the tensile stress direction and orthogonal to the applied electric field.
Culturally Appropriate Assessment of Functional Impairment in Diverse Children: Validation of the ADHD-FX Scale With an At-Risk Community Sample
Authors: Haack Lauren M. , Gerdes Alyson C.
Published: October 2014

Objective: In an effort to reduce disparities in ADHD diagnoses and treatment across cultures, the current study sought to establish initial psychometric and cultural properties of the ADHD-FX: a culturally sensitive assessment measure of functional impairment related to ADHD for diverse families. Method: Fifty-four Latino parents (44 mothers and 10 fathers) of school-aged children completed the ADHD-FX, as well as several other measures assessing child behavior and parent acculturation. Results: The ADHD-FX demonstrated adequate reliability (as demonstrated by internal consistency and test–retest reliability), psychometric construct validity (as demonstrated by associations with theoretically related measures), and cultural validity (as demonstrated by or lack of associations with acculturation measures). Conclusion: Initial psychometric and cultural properties suggest that the ADHD-FX is a reliable, valid, and culturally appropriate measure to assess functional impairment related to ADHD (i.e., difficulties with academic achievement, social competence, and familial relationships) in an at-risk, school-aged population.
Psychostimulant Prescription for ADHD in New South Wales
Authors: Prosser Brenton , Lambert Matthew C. , Reid Robert
Published: October 2014

Objective: There is a need for Australian studies of ADHD that utilize the individual child as the unit of analysis because they provide a more accurate picture of national patterns (in new prescriptions, start age, and duration). The aim of this study was to build toward a national picture of patterns in psychostimulant use for ADHD by undertaking a retrospective analysis of archival data on prescriptions within New South Wales (NSW), Australia’s most populated state. Method: A person-based data set was used to assess (a) rate of new prescriptions by age group, (b) demographic characteristics (age of start, male:female ratio), (c) duration of use, and (d) comparisons across the two decades. Results: Five findings were observed: (a) The prevalence of psychostimulant use was 1.24% in 2010, (b) there was significant variability in the rate of new prescriptions by age group after 2003, (c) start age declined over the 1990 to 2000 period, but began to increase from 2000 to 2010, (d) the male:female ratio declined, and (e) the duration of psychostimulant use declined consistently. Conclusion: Results suggest disconnect between persistence across the life span and actual treatment patterns. A decline in medication treatment for more than 1 year and the growing proportion of discontinuous treatment suggests a need for strategies to assist families with the transition onto and off medications.
Protecting privacy in a clinical data warehouse
Authors: Kong Guilan , Xiao Zhichun
Published: October 2014

Peking University has several prestigious teaching hospitals in China. To make secondary use of massive medical data for research purposes, construction of a clinical data warehouse is imperative in Peking University. However, a big concern for clinical data warehouse construction is how to protect patient privacy. In this project, we propose to use a combination of symmetric block ciphers, asymmetric ciphers, and cryptographic hashing algorithms to protect patient privacy information. The novelty of our privacy protection approach lies in message-level data encryption, the key caching system, and the cryptographic key management system. The proposed privacy protection approach is scalable to clinical data warehouse construction with any size of medical data. With the composite privacy protection approach, the clinical data warehouse can be secure enough to keep the confidential data from leaking to the outside world.
Producing persuasive findings: Demystifying ethnographic textwork in strategy and organization research
Authors: Jarzabkowski Paula , Bednarek Rebecca , Lê Jane K
Published: October 2014

Despite the importance and proliferation of ethnography in strategy and organization research, the central issue of how to present ethnographic findings has rarely been discussed. Yet, the narratives we craft to share our experience of the field are at the heart of ethnographic papers and provide the primary basis for our theorizing. In this article, we explain the “textwork” involved in writing persuasive findings. We provide an illustrative example of ethnographic data as it is recorded within fieldnotes and explain the necessary conceptual and writing work that must be done to render such data persuasive, drawing on published exemplars of ethnographic articles. This allows us to show how such texts, through various forms of writing and data representation, are transformed from raw fieldnotes to comprehensible findings. We conclude by asserting the value of these specifically ethnographic ways of presenting evidence, which are at odds with the canonical methods of data presentation in management studies.
Common Pathways Toward Informing Policy and Environmental Strategies to Promote Health
Authors: Neri Elizabeth M. , Stringer Kate J. , Spadaro Antonia J. , Ballman Marie R. , Grunbaum Jo Anne
Published: October 2014

This study examined the roles academic researchers can play to inform policy and environmental strategies that promote health and prevent disease. Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) engage in academic–community partnerships to conduct applied public health research. Interviews were used to collect data on the roles played by 32 PRCs to inform policy and environmental strategies that were implemented between September 2009 and September 2010. Descriptive statistics were calculated in SAS 9.2. A difference in roles played was observed depending on whether strategies were policy or environmental. Of the policy initiatives, the most common roles were education, research, and partnership. In contrast, the most prevalent roles the PRCs played in environmental approaches were research and providing health promotion resources. Academic research centers play various roles to help inform policy and environmental strategies.
The impact of Indonesian generic medicine pricing policy on medicine prices
Authors: Anggriani Yusi , Ibrahim Mohamed Izham M , Suryawati Sri , Shafie Asrul A
Published: October 2014

Introduction:

The government of Indonesia has established a commitment to the provision of affordable medicines. The retail price of unbranded generic cannot exceed the maximum retail price set by the Ministry of Health. The generic medicine pricing policy that has been implemented by the Indonesian government must be evaluated.

Objectives:

To evaluate the impact of the generic medicine pricing policy on the price of selected medicines and to measure the differences between the prices paid by patients for unbranded generic medicines and the maximum retail price.

Method:

The study design was a cross-sectional survey and policy evaluation. Medicine prices were measured in 2010 at nine public hospitals, 64 private pharmacies, and nine non-governmental organisation hospitals in four provinces in Indonesia. The price of the lowest price generic (LPG) and innovator brand (IB) medicines in 2010 was compared to the price of the medicines before policy implementation. The results from a 2004 survey conducted by the Indonesian National Health Research Institute and Health Action International were used as the baseline data for the comparison. The price of unbranded generic medicine paid by patients was compared to the price in the generic medicine pricing policy 2010 edition.

Results:

The results indicated that the price of LPG and IB medicines was lower in 2010 than in 2004. The decline was approximately 40% to 2200%. Wide variations were observed in the excess of the unbranded generic medicine price paid by patients compared with the maximum retail price from the Ministry of Health, exceeding the maximum price by approximately 2% to 600%.

Conclusion:

Generic medicine pricing policies have succeeded in lowering the price of unbranded generic medicines. The price of IB medicines has declined but remains high compared to the international reference price. The prices paid by patients for unbranded generic medicines are more expensive than the maximum prices in the policy.
The use of negative emotions in health communication messages: Study of the effects of fear, guilt, and shame
Authors: Becheur Imène , Valette-Florence Pierre
Published: October 2014

This work examines the effects of the use of three negative emotions – fear, guilt and shame – in anti-alcohol messages. Perceptions of two types of threat – physical and social – create negative emotions related to fear, shame and guilt, which in turn have an impact on persuasion. More than 1000 young students were subjected to experiments manipulating the three negative emotions studied. The results show that, like fear, guilt and shame also increase persuasion. Specifically, the study argues for the use of shame in ads fighting against alcohol abuse among young people. Shame resulting from exposure to a social threat related to peer evaluation had the strongest impact on persuasion compared to the other two emotions. Moreover, some individual variables such as affect intensity and self-efficacy would promote persuasion.
An Analysis of 1-Year Impacts of Youth Transition Demonstration Projects
Authors: Fraker Thomas M. , Luecking Richard G. , Mamun Arif A. , Martinez John M. , Reed Deborah S. , Wittenburg David C.
Published: October 2014

This article examines the impacts of the Youth Transition Demonstration, an initiative of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to improve employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. Based on a random assignment design, the analysis uses data from a 1-year follow-up survey and SSA administrative records for 5,203 youth in six research sites to estimate demonstration effects. Three of the six demonstration projects had positive impacts on the rate at which youth were employed during the year after they entered the evaluation. Those impacts were concentrated in sites where the projects provided more hours of services, counterfactual services were weak, and the target population of youth had more severe disabilities.
Impact of Poor Retention in HIV Medical Care on Hepatitis B Vaccination
Authors: Franco Ricardo A. , Tamhane Ashutosh , Overton Edgar Turner
Published: October 2014

Background:

We identified factors associated with complete hepatitis B vaccination of patients with HIV.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing HIV clinic orientation from 2000 to 2010. Vaccine-eligible patients had negative hepatitis B serologies at baseline. Receipt of at least 3 doses was defined as complete vaccination.

Results:

Of 1242 patients, 519 (42%) were completely vaccinated. Complete vaccination was positively associated with missing ≤25% of the visits during the first year of care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.79-3.09), being naive to care (aOR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.13-1.99), and living at the clinic’s county (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75). Complete vaccination was negatively associated with failure to remain in care >2 years (aOR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.13-0.24), history of intravenous drug use (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.27-0.87), and baseline CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53-0.92).

Conclusion:

Poor retention in HIV care is strongly associated with suboptimal hepatitis B vaccination.
Modern steels at atomic and nanometre scales
Authors: Caballero F. G. , Garcia-Mateo C. , Miller M. K.
Published: October 2014

Processing bulk nanocrystalline materials for structural applications still poses a significant challenge, particularly in achieving an industrially viable process. Recent work in ferritic steels has proved that it is possible to move from ultrafine to nanoscale by exploiting the bainite reaction without the use of severe deformation, rapid heat treatment or mechanical processing. This new generation of steels has been designed in which transformation at low temperature leads to a nanoscale structure consisting of extremely fine, 20–40 nm thick plates of bainitic ferrite and films of retained austenite. A description of the characteristics and significance of this remarkable microstructure is provided here.
Nanostructured 2024Al–SiCp composite coatings
Authors: Tailor S. , Mohanty R. M. , Sharma V. K. , Soni P. R. , Doub A. V.
Published: October 2014

The microstructure and mechanical properties of plasma sprayed nanostructured 2024Al alloy were investigated before and after adding SiC particles on weathering steel (Cor-Ten A242) substrate. Mechanical alloying (MA) was used to synthesise the nanostructured 2024Al and 2024Al–15 wt-%SiC composite powders. X-ray diffraction studies showed SiCp embedment in the Al matrix after MA and nanograins in the MA powder and coatings. It was found that the porosity level in the coating was reduced to 2% and the coating hardness was increased to 3276 MPa. The high adhesion strength of the coatings observed can be attributed to the higher degree of diffusion at the interface. In these experiments, there was 60% decrease in the wear rate of the coatings. Results show that MA decreases the size of the matrix grains to 45 nm for the MA powder and 17 nm for the coating. The results of mechanical and wear tests also indicate that MA and the addition of SiC particles increased the strength, hardness and wear resistance of 2024Al and remarkably decreased its ductility.
Changes in regulation of human monocyte proteins in response to IgG from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Ripoll Vera M. , Lambrianides Anastasia , Pierangeli Silvia S. , Poulton Katie , Ioannou Yiannis , Heywood Wendy E. , Mills Kevin , Latchman David S. , Isenberg David A. , Rahman Anisur , Giles Ian P.
Published: October 2014

Key Points

Comprehensive proteomics analysis in human monocytes exposed to APS-IgG has identified and characterized several novel proteins. These proteins have functional relevance to the APS.
A phase 1 trial of the Fc-engineered CD19 antibody XmAb5574 (MOR00208) demonstrates safety and preliminary efficacy in relapsed CLL
Authors: Woyach Jennifer A. , Awan Farrukh , Flinn Ian W. , Berdeja Jesus G. , Wiley Elizabeth , Mansoor Sharmeen , Huang Ying , Lozanski Gerard , Foster Paul A. , Byrd John C.
Published: October 2014

Key Points

XmAb5574 is an Fc-engineered CD19 monoclonal antibody that is well tolerated as a single agent in patients with relapsed or refractory CLL. XmAb5574 has preliminary efficacy as a single agent in CLL and is of interest for further study in this disease.
Adenylyl Cyclase Subtype 1 is Essential for Late-Phase Long Term Potentiation and Spatial Propagation of Synaptic Responses in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex of Adult Mice
Authors: Chen Tao , O'Den Gerile , Song Qian , Koga Kohei , Zhang Ming-Ming , Zhuo Min
Published: October 2014

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a key cellular mechanism for pathological pain in the central nervous system. LTP contains at least two different phases: early-phase LTP (E-LTP) and late-phase LTP (L-LTP). Among several major cortical areas, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a critical brain region for pain perception and its related emotional changes. Periphery tissue or nerve injuries cause LTP of excitatory synaptic transmission in the ACC. Our previous studies have demonstrated that genetic deletion of calcium-stimulated adenylyl cyclase 1 (AC1) or pharmacological application of a selective AC1 inhibitor NB001 blocked E-LTP in the ACC. However, the effect of AC1 on L-LTP, which requires new protein synthesis and is important for the process of chronic pain, has not been investigated. Here we tested the effects of NB001 on the ACC L-LTP and found that bath application of NB001 (0.1 μM) totally blocked the induction of L-LTP and recruitment of cortical circuitry without affecting basal excitatory transmission. In contrast, gabapentin, a widely used analgesic drug for neuropathic pain, did not block the induction of L-LTP and circuitry recruitment even at a high concentration (100 μM). Gabapentin non-selectively decreased basal synaptic transmission. Our results provide strong evidence that the selective AC1 inhibitor NB001 can be used to inhibit pain-related cortical L-LTP without affecting basal synaptic transmission. It also provides basic mechanisms for possible side effects of gabapentin in the central nervous system and its ineffectiveness in some patients with neuropathic pain.
Extraction and characterization of keratin from bovine hoof: A potential material for biomedical applications
Authors: Kakkar Prachi , Madhan Balaraman , Shanmugam Ganesh
Published: October 2014

Keratin from the hoof is a less explored source for making valuable products. In this paper we present the extraction of pure keratin from bovine hooves and characterized them to better address the possible exploitation of this bio-resource as an alternative material for tissue engineering applications. The keratin protein from the pulverized hooves was extracted by reduction, which was observed to be pure, and two polypeptide chains of molecular weight in the range of 45–50 and 55–60 KDa were determined using SDS-PAGE assay. FTIR analysis complementing circular dichroism (CD) data, established that hoof keratin predominantly adopted α-helical conformation with admixture of β-sheet. The keratin was shown to have appreciably high denaturation temperature (215°C) as indicated by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) also showed the retention of 50% of the original weight of the sample even at a temperature of 346°C. The keratin from the hoof had been observed to be biocompatible when analyzed with MTT assay using fibroblast cells, showing more than 90% cell viability. Hence, hoof keratin would be useful for high value biomedical applications.
Alveolar pentraxin 3 as an early marker of microbiologically confirmed pneumonia: a threshold-finding prospective observational study
Authors: Mauri Tommaso , Coppadoro Andrea , Bombino Michela , Bellani Giacomo , Zambelli Vanessa , Fornari Carla , Berra Lorenzo , Bittner Edward A , Schmidt Ulrich , Sironi Marina , Bottazzi Barbara , Brambilla Paolo , Mantovani Alberto , Pesenti Antonio
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Timely diagnosis of pneumonia in intubated critically ill patients is rather challenging. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase mediator produced by various cell types in the lungs. Animal studies have shown that, during pneumonia, PTX3 participates in fine-tuning of inflammation (for example, microbial clearance and recruitment of neutrophils). We previously described an association between alveolar PTX3 and lung infection in a small group of intubated patients. The aim of the present study was to determine a threshold level of alveolar PTX3 with elevated sensitivity and specificity for microbiologically confirmed pneumonia.

Methods

We recruited 82 intubated patients from two intensive care units (San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy, and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA) undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as per clinical decision. We collected BAL fluid and plasma samples, together with relevant clinical and microbiological data. We assayed PTX3 and soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (sTREM-1) in BAL fluid and PTX3, sTREM-1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in plasma. Two blinded independent physicians reviewed patient data to confirm pneumonia. We determined the PTX3 threshold in BAL fluid for pneumonia and compared it to other biomarkers.

Results

Microbiologically confirmed pneumonia of bacterial (n =12), viral (n =4) or fungal (n =8) etiology was diagnosed in 24 patients (29%). PTX3 levels in BAL fluid predicted pneumonia with an area under the receiving operator curve of 0.815 (95% CI =0.710 to 0.921, P <0.0001), whereas none of the other biomarkers were effective. In particular, PTX3 levels ≥1 ng/ml in BAL fluid predicted pneumonia in univariate analysis (β =2.784, SE =0.792, P <0.001) with elevated sensitivity (92%), specificity (60%) and negative predictive value (95%). Net reclassification index PTX3 values ≥1 ng/ml in BAL fluid for pneumonia indicated gain in sensitivity and/or specificity vs. all other mediators. These results did not change when we limited our analyses only to confirmed cases of bacterial pneumonia. Moreover, when we considered only the 70 patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of pneumonia at BAL fluid sampling, the diagnostic accuracy of PTX levels was confirmed in univariate and ROC curve analysis.

Conclusions

In this hypothesis-generating convenience sample, a PTX3 level ≥1 ng/ml in BAL fluid was discriminative of microbiologically confirmed pneumonia in mechanically ventilated patients.
Early activation of pro-fibrotic WNT5A in sepsis-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Villar Jesús , Cabrera-Benítez Nuria E , Ramos-Nuez Angela , Flores Carlos , García-Hernández Sonia , Valladares Francisco , López-Aguilar Josefina , Blanch Lluís , Slutsky Arthur S
Published: October 2014

Introduction

The mechanisms of lung repair and fibrosis in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are poorly known. Since the role of WNT/β-catenin signaling appears to be central to lung healing and fibrosis, we hypothesized that this pathway is activated very early in the lungs after sepsis.

Methods

We tested our hypothesis using a three-step experimental design: (1) in vitro lung cell injury model with human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B and lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) cells exposed to endotoxin for 18 hours; (2) an animal model of sepsis-induced ARDS induced by cecal ligation and perforation, and (3) lung biopsies from patients who died within the first 24 hours of septic ARDS. We examined changes in protein levels of target genes involved in the Wnt pathway, including WNT5A, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP7), cyclin D1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we validated the main gene targets of this pathway in experimental animals and human lungs.

Results

Protein levels of WNT5A, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, total β-catenin, MMP7, cyclin D1, and VEGF increased after endotoxin stimulation in BEAS-2B and MRC-5 cells. Lungs from septic animals and from septic humans demonstrated acute lung inflammation, collagen deposition, and marked increase of WNT5A and MMP7 protein levels.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway is activated very early in sepsis-induced ARDS and could play an important role in lung repair and fibrosis. Modulation of this pathway might represent a potential target for treatment for septic and ARDS patients.
Structural changes of hip osteoarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Teichtahl Andrew J , Wang Yuanyuan , Smith Sam , Wluka Anita E , Giles Graham G , Bennell Kim L , O’Sullivan Richard , Cicuttini Flavia M
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Few data are available concerning structural changes at the hip observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in people with or without hip osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to compare cartilage volume and the presence of cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in participants with and without diagnosed hip OA.

Methods

Femoral head cartilage volume was measured by MRI for 141 community-based persons with no diagnosed hip OA, and 19 with diagnosed hip OA. Cartilage defects and BMLs were regionally scored at the femoral head and acetabulum.

Results

Compared with those without diagnosed hip OA, people with diagnosed hip OA had less femoral head cartilage volume (1763 mm3 versus 3343 mm3; p <0.001) and more prevalent cartilage defects and BMLs (all p ≤0.05) at all sites other than the central inferomedial region of the femoral head. In those with no diagnosed hip OA, cartilage defects in the anterior and central superolateral region of the femoral head were associated with reduced femoral head cartilage volume (all p ≤0.02). Central superolateral BMLs at all sites were associated with reduced femoral head cartilage volume (all p ≤0.003), with a similar trend occurring when BMLs were located in the anterior region of the hip (all p ≤0.08).

Conclusions

Compared with community-based adults with no diagnosed hip OA, people with diagnosed hip OA have less femoral head cartilage volume and a higher prevalence of cartilage defects and BMLs. For people with no diagnosed hip OA, femoral head cartilage volume was reduced where cartilage defects and/or BMLs were present in the anterior and central superolateral regions of the hip joint. Cartilage defects and BMLs present in the anterior and central superolateral regions may represent early structural damage in the pathogenesis of hip OA.
Canadian Organ Replacement Register (CORR): Reflecting the Past and Embracing the Future
Authors: Moist Louise M , Fenton Stanley , Kim Joseph S , Gill John S , Ivis Frank , de Sa Eric , Wu Juliana , Al-Jaishi Ahmed A , Sood Manish M , Klarenbach Scott , Hemmelgarn Brenda R , Kappel Joanne E
Published: October 2014

Introduction:

The Canadian Organ Replacement Register (CORR) is the only Canadian information system on kidney and extra-kidney organ failure and transplantation in Canada. CORR's mandate is to record and analyze the level of activity and outcomes of vital organ transplantation and treatment of end stage kidney disease using dialysis, either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, activities across Canada. The Canadian Organ Replacement Register was officially launched in 1987, and it included transplantation of extra-renal vital organs (liver, heart, lung, pancreas, bowel), in addition to renal transplantation and replacement therapy, with new financial support from the provinces.

Objective:

This manuscript describes the process of data acquisition and reporting, focusing on the patients with end stage kidney disease on dialysis, with data reported from the 2014 CORR Annual Data Report and the Center-Specific Reports on Clinical Measures.

Methods:

CORR is currently housed in the Canadian Institute for Health Information and collects data from hospital dialysis programs, regional transplant programs, organ procurement organizations and kidney dialysis services offered at independent health facilities. Data on patients is collected by completion of survey forms for each patient at the start of dialysis or receiving a transplant, using the Initial Registration form, and yearly follow up forms, which collects data on the status of the patient as of October 31st.

Results:

The incident rate per million population (RPMP) has remained stable with the exception of the 65+ age group with has experience a modest decrease since 2001. However, there has been an increasing prevalence of ESKD diagnoses, with the highest rate per million population (RPMP) amongst the age group 65+ years. This is likely attributed to gradual improving patient survival. Between 2003 and 2012, nearly 90% of dialysis patients younger than < 18 and 26% of patients 75+ years survived for at least five years.

Conclusion:

As the number of people treated for end-stage organ failure grows, so does the importance of understanding their treatment and outcomes. In 2014, CORR continues to evolve and support the important information need to advance ESRD research and clinical practice.
Genetic Predisposition to Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Involvement of FOXE1, TSHR, and a Novel lincRNA Gene, PTCSC2
Authors: He Huiling , Li Wei , Liyanarachchi Sandya , Jendrzejewski Jaroslaw , Srinivas Mukund , Davuluri Ramana V. , Nagy Rebecca , de la Chapelle Albert
Published: October 2014

Context:

By genome-wide association studies, the risk allele [A] of SNP rs965513 predisposes strongly to papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is located in a gene-poor region of 9q22, some 60 kb from the FOXE1 gene. The underlying mechanisms remain to be discovered.

Objective:

Our objective was to identify novel transcripts in the 9q22 locus and correlate gene expression levels with the genotypes of rs965513.

Design:

We performed 3′ and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends and RT-PCR to detect novel transcripts. One novel transcript was forcibly expressed in a cell line followed by gene expression array analysis. We genotyped rs965513 from PTC patients and measured gene expression levels by real-time RT-PCR in unaffected thyroid tissue and matched tumor.

Setting:

This was a laboratory-based study using cells from clinical tissue samples and a cancer cell line.

Main Outcome Measures:

We detected previously uncharacterized transcripts and evaluated the gene expression levels and the correlation with the risk allele of rs965513, age, gender, chronic lymphocyte thyroiditis (CLT), and TSH levels.

Results:

We found a novel long intergenic noncoding RNA gene and named it papillary thyroid cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (PTCSC2). Transcripts of PTCSC2 are down-regulated in PTC tumors. The risk allele [A] of rs965513 was significantly associated with low expression of unspliced PTCSC2, FOXE1, and TSHR in unaffected thyroid tissue. We also observed a significant association of age and CLT with PTCSC2 unspliced transcript levels. The correlation between the rs965513 genotype and the PTCSC2 unspliced transcript levels remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, and CLT. Forced expression of PTCSC2 in the BCPAP cell line affected the expression of a subset of noncoding and coding transcripts with enrichment of genes functionally involved in cell cycle and cancer.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest a role for PTCSC2, FOXE1, and TSHR in the predisposition to PTC.
MAP1S controls microtubule stability throughout the cell cycle in human cells
Authors: Tegha-Dunghu Justus , Bausch Elena , Neumann Beate , Wuensche Annelie , Walter Thomas , Ellenberg Jan , Gruss Oliver J.
Published: October 2014

Understanding the molecular basis for proper cell division requires a detailed functional analysis of microtubule (MT) associated proteins. MT associated protein 1S (MAP1S), the most ubiquitously expressed MAP1 family member, is required for accurate cell division.

Using quantitative analysis of MT plus end tracking we show here that MAP1S knockdown alters MT dynamics throughout the cell cycle. Surprisingly, MAP1S downregulation results in faster growing, yet short-lived MT in all cell cycle stages and a global loss of MT acetylation. These aberrations correlate with severe defects in the final stages of cell division. In monopolar cytokinesis assays, we demonstrate that MAP1S guides MT dependent initiation of cytokinesis. Our data underline the key role of MAP1S as a global regulator of MT stability and demonstrate a novel primary function of MAP1S to regulate MT dynamics at cytokinesis onset.
CD44 regulates dendrite morphogenesis through Src tyrosine kinase-dependent positioning of the Golgi apparatus
Authors: Skupien Anna , Konopka Anna , Trzaskoma Paweł , Labus Josephine , Gorlewicz Adam , Swiech Lukasz , Babraj Matylda , Dolezyczek Hubert , Figiel Izabela , Ponimaskin Evgeni , Wlodarczyk Jakub , Jaworski Jacek , Wilczynski Grzegorz M. , Dzwonek Joanna
Published: October 2014

The acquisition of proper dendrite morphology is a critical aspect of neuronal development toward the formation of a functional network. The role of the extracellular matrix and its cellular receptors in this process has remained enigmatic. We report that CD44 adhesion molecule, the main hyaluronan receptor, is localized in dendrites and plays a crucial inhibitory role in dendritic tree arborization in vitro and in vivo. This novel function is exerted by the activation of Src tyrosine kinase, leading to the alteration of Golgi apparatus morphology. The mechanism operates during normal development, but its inhibition may have a protective influence on dendritic trees under toxic conditions, in which the silencing of CD44 expression prevented dendritic shortening induced by glutamate exposure. Overall, our results indicate a novel role for CD44 as an essential regulator of dendritic arbor complexity in both health and disease.
The distribution of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in relation with secretory sites in chromaffin cells
Authors: Villanueva José , Viniegra Salvador , Gimenez-Molina Yolanda , García-Martinez Virginia , Expósito-Romero Giovanna , del Mar Frances Maria , García-Sancho Javier , Gutiérrez Luis M.
Published: October 2014

The distribution of mitochondria and ER in relation to exocytotic sites is relevant to understand the influence of these organelles in tuning calcium signals and secretion. Confocal images of probes tagged to mitochondria and F-actin cytoskeleton revealed the existence of two populations of mitochondria, one cortical and the other perinuclear. This mitochondrial distribution was also confirmed by using electron microscopy. In contrast, ER was sparse in the cortex and more abundant in deep cytoplasmic regions. The mitochondrial distribution may be due to organellar transport, which experiences increasing restrictions in the cell cortex. Further study of organelle distribution in relation to SNARE microdomains or the granule fusion sites revealed that 1/3 of the cortical mitochondria co-localized with exocytotic sites whereas another 1/3 located at a distance smaller than 2 vesicle diameters. ER structures were also present in the vicinity of secretory sites but at a lower density. Therefore, mitochondria and ER have a spatial distribution that suggests a specialized role in modulation of exocytosis and fits with cytosolic Ca2+ microdomains described before.
Just nipping outside for a quick smoke
Authors: Furniss Lee
Published: October 2014

Lee Furniss urges members of the health care team to become skilled in giving smoking cessation advice, and spread the word about the dangers of smoking.
Answer to ECG of the month
Authors: Whitbread Mark
Published: October 2014

Mark Whitbread gives the answer to this month's ECG.
Mental capacity and mental health acts part 3: deprivation of liberty
Authors: Griffith Richard
Published: October 2014

Following the introduction of the deprivation of liberty safeguards, the courts initially insisted that a deprivation of liberty for the treatment of a mental disorder was authorised under a section of the Mental Health Act 1983 as it had primacy in matters concerning mental disorder ( GJ v The Foundation Trust [2009] ). The courts later refined that approach to primacy and accepted that, where appropriate, decision makers could use either the Mental Health Act 1983 or the Mental Capacity Act 2005 deprivation of liberty safeguards to authorise a deprivation of liberty for the treatment of a mental disorder. In this third article on the interface between the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005, the author considers when it would be necessary to detain an adult who lacked capacity under the Mental Health Act 1983 instead of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 deprivation of liberty safeguards.
Stammering: The importance of providing support early
Authors: Lepkowska Dorothy
Published: October 2014

Stammering can have an important impact on children and young people's self-esteem. Dorothy Lepkowska looks at the importance of early detection, forms of treatment and providing the right sort of support in school.
Meeting identified needs: Innovation in practice, part 2
Authors: Sherwin Sarah , Ferrier-Hixon Heidi , Leask Alison , Poole Sharon
Published: October 2014

Being able to assess the health needs of children and young people and deliver appropriate health interventions in line with current policy is a central principle of school nursing practice. This series of articles looks at ideas and projects that have been developed by SCPHN School Nursing students.
eGEMs’ Early Adventures in Open Access Publishing
Authors: Holve Erin
Published: October 2014

Introduction: In January 2013 AcademyHealth officially launched eGEMs (Generating
Evidence and Methods to improve patient outcomes) to rapidly disseminate peer-reviewed
approaches using electronic health data (EHD) to advance research and quality
improvement (QI), with the overall goal of improving patient and community outcomes.
Instigated by the publication of eGEMs 50th paper, Dr. Erin Holve, eGEMs editor-in-chief
reviews the EDM Forum’s early experiences with open access publishing.eGEMs to Date: As
of the end of September 2014 eGEMs has published 59 manuscripts and received nearly 150
submissions. These early findings demonstrate eGEMs is filling a need for dissemination
outlets that bridge the gap between the health research and practice communities.
Published papers are distributed across the EDM Forum’s four thematic domains:
governance (n=5), informatics (n=14), methods (n=13) and learning health systems (n=27).
While system design issues are a consistent theme, papers addressing priority health
topics such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity are frequently submitted. Authors include
more than two hundred experts in the field representing nearly all of the EDM Forum’s
core stakeholder groups: research/QI, nonprofit/policy, healthcare delivery, government,
industry, and patients/consumers.What’s Next: With the help of our diverse
community, eGEMs will continue to expand its depth and reach. Forthcoming special issues
on community-level transformation using Health IT, and ways to improve user-experience
and system design will add to the journal’s robust portfolio of work identifying and
addressing shared challenges using EHD. The EDM Forum, working closely with our partners
at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, will work diligently to
ensure eGEMs is accelerating the pace at which the community translates and disseminates
key lessons, with the ultimate goal of helping transform knowledge into actions that can
improve health and health care.
A New Cycloheptapeptide from Zanthoxylum mezoneurispinosum AkÃ© Assi (Rutaceae)
Authors: A. Yao-Kouassi Philomene , Caron Catherine , Aké-Assi Emma , Martinez Agathe , Le Magrex-Debar Elisabeth , C. Gangloff Sophie , Zéches-Hanrot Monique
Published: October 2014

A new cycloheptapeptide named akeassimezorine 1 and twelve known compounds: methoxy-chelerythrine 2, chelerythrine 3, nitidine 4, methoxyfagaridine 5, jatrorrhizine 6, tembetarine 7, N-methylatanine 8, magnoflorine 9, skimmianine 10, sesamine 11, hesperidine 12, and lupeol 13 were isolated from the roots of Zanthoxylum mezoneurispinosum AkÃ© Assi (Rutaceae). The structures of those compounds were elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Antibacterial activity of compound 1 was evaluated against pathogenic agents. This study constituted the first phytochemical investigation of the roots of Zanthoxylum mezoneurispinosum.
The Role of Shari'a-Based Restorative Justice in the Transition from Armed Conflict to Peacebuilding: Do Somalis Hold the View That the Restorative Justice Aspects within Qisas Offer a Solution?
Authors: Abdulkadir Rahma , Ackley Caroline
Published: October 2014

Somalia's civil war has been ongoing for more than two decades. While there are studies that investigate possible conflict resolution mechanisms and peacebuilding processes for Somalia, there are not many scholarly works that look at specific instances of mass violence through the eyes of the public. This article presents qualitative findings from an ethnographic research study conducted on public opinion among Somalis regarding transitional conflict resolution approaches that address occurrences of mass violence that have taken place over the last two and half decades in this war torn country. The findings suggest that there is significant support for a model of transitional justice based on Islamic jurisprudence for Somalia. In particular, the interviewees in this study agree that certain elements of Islamic jurisprudence (e.g., restorative justice aspects of qisas) can be important tools for addressing instances of mass violence. However, it is imperative to note that many participants in this study expressed concerns about some of the distortions in the interpretation and application of Shari'a by extremist groups such as Al Shabaab in Somalia.
Arthur Rimbaud in Harär: Images, Reality, Memory
Authors: Ben-Dror Avishai
Published: October 2014

This article offers an alternative history of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud (1854–91) and his late nineteenth century life in Harär. It introduces Rimbaud not as a poet or humanist who travelled to Harär due to his inherent attraction to the exotic Orient, but as a white merchant and colonialist who desired to become rich in a colonial context. Examining Rimbaud's integration with the denizens of Harär and his refined writing from the town, it is clear that unlike many of his European colleagues, Rimbaud did not portray a binary reality of civilized West and barbaric Orient, and his case thus demonstrates the dynamism and variation of the travel writing genre, an integral part of its reciprocal relations with the indigenous sphere. The article also examines current research that characterizes Rimbaud as a memory agent of Harär, and analyzes the city's Rimbaud Museum as a site of memory. It thus deals with the “museumization” of Rimbaud in Harär as another aspect of the “orientalization” of his image and the instrumentalization of the town as an Oriental stage for the “poet” character.
“Bury Their Hearts”: Some Thoughts on the Specter of Homosexuality Haunting Russia
Authors: Essig Laurie
Published: October 2014

Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws and anti-gay sentiment have shocked many in the West. They shouldn’t have. In Soviet Russia, the homosexual was seen as a sign of foreign pollution, a temporary aberration—like a criminal or a disease—that will disappear in a more socialist future. As a result, queer Russians were not so much the stable homosexual species that they have been in the past 150 years in the West as much as momentary communities of desire. In the post-Soviet era, this history of the homosexual as foreign is now confronted with American understandings of gays and lesbians as “born this way” as well as American homophobia that posits the homosexual as a threat to children and the “traditional” family. By examining the clash between Russian and American histories of sexuality, we can see that the current anti-gay politics in Russia was not predetermined by its history, but certainly shaped by it. With the confluence of an insecure state, growing nationalism, and the increasing importance of conservative Orthodox Christianity, Russia’s history of sexuality has shaped the homosexual into its current form as a threat from outside, akin to Central Asian immigrants in the nationalist imagination, and a threat that must be eliminated.
Laughter in the Archives: Jackie “Moms” Mabley and the Haunted Diva
Authors: Wood Katelyn Hale
Published: October 2014

Scholars and cultural critics often cite Jackie “Moms” Mabley as the first African American stand-up comedienne. Mabley’s career spanned sixty years, from minstrel shows in the early 1900s to sold-out performances at the Apollo in the 1960s. At the peak of her fame, Mabley was one of the country’s most popular comedians and a major figure in the Civil Rights movement. Unfortunately, Mabley’s place in history is marginal at best. This article proposes an intervention in Mabley’s archive by reading her work through three themes: (1) quare/queer performance; (2) Black feminist performance of temporality and (3) re-membering Black feminist agency. I conclude with a call to continue the expansion of queer archives and critical analysis of Mabley’s work. I address these historiographical deficiencies to celebrate her brave and innovative performances, as Mabley’s humor intertwined entertainment and feminist/anti-racist politics to cut through the pains and silences of pre-Civil Rights United States.
Effect of negative pressure therapy on repair of soft tissues of the lower extremities in patients with neuropathic and neuroischaemic forms of diabetic foot syndrome
Authors: Zaytseva Ekaterina Leonidovna , Doronina Ludmila Petrovna , Molchkov Roman Vakhtangovich , Voronkova Iya Alexandrovna , Mitish Valeriy Afanasievich , Tokmakova Alla Yur'evna
Published: October 2014

Aim. To evaluate the efficiency of topical negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) compared with standard therapy for the regeneration of the soft tissues of the lower extremities in patients with diabetic foot syndrome. Materials and Methods. The effects of negative pressure therapy on the clinical (size, tissue oxygenation), histological (light microscopy) and immunohistochemical (CD68, MMP-9, TIMP-1) aspects of repair of the soft tissue of the lower extremities in patients with diabetes mellitus were compared with those of standard treatment. Thirty-one patients with diabetic foot ulcers were included in the study from the moment of debridement until the plastic closure of the wound. During the perioperative period, 13 patients received NPWT (-90 to -120 mmHg) and 18 patients received standard therapy. Results. A reduction of the wound area (26.6%?17.2%) and the depth of the defects (40.5%?25.6%) were achieved with negative pressure therapy compared with baseline data. In the control group, the corresponding values were 25.3%?19.4% and 21.8%?21.6%, respectively. The results of transcutaneous oximetry showed a greater increase in the level of local hemodynamics in the study group (p