bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Nonobstructive and Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease Detected by Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography to Identify Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Bittencourt Marcio Sommer , Hulten Edward , Ghoshhajra Brian , O’Leary Daniel , Christman Mitalee P. , Montana Philip , Truong Quynh A. , Steigner Michael , Murthy Venkatesh L. , Rybicki Frank J. , Nasir Khurram , Gowdak Luis Henrique W. , Hainer Jon , Brady Thomas J. , Di Carli Marcelo F. , Hoffmann Udo , Abbara Suhny , Blankstein Ron
Published: February 2014

Background—

The contribution of plaque extent to predict cardiovascular events among patients with nonobstructive and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is not well defined. Our objective was to evaluate the prognostic value of plaque extent detected by coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods and Results—

All consecutive patients without prior CAD referred for coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate for CAD were included. Examination findings were classified as normal, nonobstructive (<50% stenosis), or obstructive (≥50%). Based on the number of segments with disease, extent of CAD was classified as nonextensive (≤4 segments) or extensive (>4 segments). The cohort included 3242 patients followed for the primary outcome of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction for a median of 3.6 (2.1–5.0) years. In a multivariable analysis, the presence of extensive nonobstructive CAD (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–6.4), nonextensive obstructive (hazard ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–6.9), and extensive obstructive CAD (hazard ratio, 3.9; 95% confidence interval, 2.2–7.2) were associated with an increased rate of events, whereas nonextensive, nonobstructive CAD was not. The addition of plaque extent to a model that included clinical probability as well as the presence and severity of CAD improved risk prediction.

Conclusions—

Among patients with nonobstructive CAD, those with extensive plaque experienced a higher rate of cardiovascular death or myocardial infarction, comparable with those who have nonextensive disease. Even among patients with obstructive CAD, greater extent of nonobstructive plaque was associated with higher event rate. Our findings suggest that regardless of whether obstructive or nonobstructive disease is present, the extent of plaque detected by coronary computed tomography angiography enhances risk assessment.
Retinal Microvascular Abnormalities Predict Progression of Brain Microvascular Disease
Authors: Hanff Thomas C. , Sharrett A. Richey , Mosley Thomas H. , Shibata Dean , Knopman David S. , Klein Ronald , Klein Barbara E.K. , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: February 2014

Background and Purpose—

Brain microvascular disease leads to leukoaraiosis and lacunar infarcts and contributes to risk of stroke and cognitive decline. Given a shared pathophysiology, retinal microvascular signs are expected to predict brain microvascular disease progression. We investigated if either leukoaraiosis volume progression measured continuously or combined with incident lacunar infarcts would better demonstrate expected associations with retinal disease than has previously been shown.

Methods—

Eight hundred thirty participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study aged ≥55 years and without previous stroke received an initial brain magnetic resonance imaging, retinal photography, and, 10 years later, a follow up magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated retinal vascular sign phenotypes as predictors of (1) leukoaraiosis volume increase, and (2) a new score combining leukoaraiosis volume change and incident lacunar infarcts. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were evaluated as confounders and effect modifiers.

Results—

Individuals with any retinopathy (3.34 cm
3
; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74–5.96) or with arteriovenous nicking (2.61 cm
3
; 95% CI, 0.80–4.42) each had greater progression of leukoaraiosis compared with those without these conditions. Any retinopathy (odds ratio [OR], 3.18; 95% CI, 1.71–5.89) or its components—microaneurysms (OR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.33–7.07) and retinal hemorrhage (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.27–7.20)—as well as arteriovenous nicking (OR, 1.93; 95%, CI 1.24–3.02) and focal arteriolar narrowing (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.19–2.59), were associated with a higher quartile of a novel brain microvascular disease score combining leukoaraiosis progression with incident subclinical lacunes.

Conclusions—

A novel scoring method revealed associations of retinal signs with leukoaraiosis progression and brain microvascular disease, which have not been shown before.
“We have Sinned and Rebelled; You have Not Forgiven”
Authors: Bier Miriam J.
Published: February 2014

Conventional readings of Lamentations invariably appeal to the “central” chapter 3 and its male character, the רבג, as pivotal for the meaning and purpose of Lamentations. Such readings emphasize the sin of humanity and the justice of God and can be broadly described as theodic in character. A number of more recent readings that can be aptly described as antitheodic, however, react against this centralizing tendency, emphasizing instead the protesting voice of Zion in chapters 1 and 2. Neither the רבג nor Zion’s discourses, however, is as homogeneously theodic or antitheodic as these readings and counter-readings would suggest. Rather, both speakers present elements of penitence and submission to suffering (theodicy), on the one hand, and protest and accusation of God (antitheodicy), on the other. 

In light of the pervasive influence of the “central” chapter 3 in readings of Lamentations, I focus this paper on the רבג’s discourse. I read Lamentations 3 as the רבג’s internal dialogue as he expresses various understandings of the extreme suffering in which he finds himself. I use Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of the dialogic interaction between authoritative and internally persuasive discourses as a framework for illustrating the various moods through which the רבג moves. While the רבג appeals to authoritative discourses, I conclude that he does not, finally, find the “central” faithful statements, so often appealed to as determinative for meaning, to be internally persuasive.
Implementation of the Directive on the Application on Patient’s Rights in Cross-border Healthcare (2011/24/eu) in Finland
Authors: Kattelus Mervi
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Implementation of the Directive on the Application on Patient’s Rights in Cross-border Healthcare (2011/24/eu) has proved to be quite challenging in Finland.
The Implementation of the Directive on the Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-border Healthcare in the Netherlands
Authors: Bongers L.M.H. , Townend * D.M.R.
Published: February 2014

Abstract

This article discusses the significance of the Directive 2011/24/eu on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare for the protection of individual patients’ rights in the Netherlands by describing how its provisions are implemented in Dutch health law. The responsible Dutch authorities take the view that most of the Directive’s provisions and requirements are covered in existing Dutch law. Implementation of the Directive would only require adaptations to national legislation with regard to the establishment of a national contact point for cross-border healthcare and the recognition of medical prescriptions issued in another Member State. This article looks into the question of how far the Dutch law meets the requirements of the Directive in relation to the individual patients’ rights addressed in this special issue of the European Journal of Health Law.
A new hybrid from Taiwan, Elatostema ×hybrida (Urticaceae), is the first confirmed natural hybrid for Urticaceae
Authors: Tseng Yu-Hsin , Hu Jer-Ming
Published: February 2014

Explosive pollen dispersal is common in Urticaceae and they are thought to be wind-pollinated. Despite a lack of obvious mechanism for preventing cross-species pollination, putative hybrid species in Urticaceae are rarely documented. Here we described the first natural hybrid in Urticaceae Elatostema ×hybrida from Taiwan. Morphological characters in E. ×hybrida are intermediate between putative parental species: E. lineolatum var. majus and E. platyphylloides. Six hybrid populations of E. ×hybrida were found in Taiwan that exhibited largely overlapping distribution patterns with its putative parents. Phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast DNA showed that the hybrid species is more closely related to E. lineolatum var. majus suggesting that the latter is the maternal parent and that hybridization is unidirectional. The chromosome number of E. ×hybrida remains the same as its putative parents (2n = 26). We speculate that the examined hybrids are natural first-generation results of independent hybridization events. Based on the morphology, spatial distribution, DNA sequence data, pollen viability and cytological observations, we hypothesize that E. ×hybrida is derived from natural hybridization events between E. lineolatum var. majus (♀) and E. platyphylloides (♂).
Stages and Levels of Automation in Support of Space Teleoperations
Authors: Li Huiyang , Wickens Christopher D. , Sarter Nadine , Sebok Angelia
Published: February 2014

Objective:

This study examined the impact of stage of automation on the performance and perceived workload during simulated robotic arm control tasks in routine and off-nominal scenarios.

Background:

Automation varies with respect to the stage of information processing it supports and its assigned level of automation. Making appropriate choices in terms of stages and levels of automation is critical to ensure robust joint system performance. To date, this issue has been empirically studied in domains such as aviation and medicine but not extensively in the context of space operations.

Method:

A total of 36 participants played the role of a payload specialist and controlled a simulated robotic arm. Participants performed fly-to tasks with two types of automation (camera recommendation and trajectory control automation) of varying stage. Tasks were performed during routine scenarios and in scenarios in which either the trajectory control automation or a hazard avoidance automation failed.

Results:

Increasing the stage of automation progressively improved performance and lowered workload when the automation was reliable, but incurred severe performance costs when the system failed.

Conclusion:

The results from this study support concerns about automation-induced complacency and automation bias when later stages of automation are introduced. The benefits of such automation are offset by the risk of catastrophic outcomes when system failures go unnoticed or become difficult to recover from.

Application:

A medium stage of automation seems preferable as it provides sufficient support during routine operations and helps avoid potentially catastrophic outcomes in circumstances when the automation fails.
Adult Literacy Reform Through a Womanist Lens
Authors: Ntiri Daphne W.
Published: February 2014

This article explores nuances of power and powerlessness in adult literacy, pedagogy in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. Drawing from interdisciplinary literature, this article places Bernice Violanthe Robinson’s adult, literacy reforms within the revolutionary framework of Highlander Folk, School in Monteagle, Tennessee, and shows how such reforms became a transformative force that helped give the vote to thousands of disenfranchised African Americans. The article examines Robinson’s remarkable service and leadership in the context of womanist theory to address the range of African American women’s lived experiences of the three interlocking systems that oppress them: race, class, and gender. Her work exemplified key principles of the womanist epistemology, emphasizing self-help, self-definition, and community mobilization within the African American community. The article also explores Robinson’s body of work in adult literacy, which resonates with later adult learning theories of political consciousness. Finally, by examining contemporary uses for Robinson’s work, I hope to show the importance of her unique contributions and draw her distinguished career away from the margins.
Ethnic residential segregation and immigrants’ perceptions of discrimination in West Germany
Authors: Dill Verena , Jirjahn Uwe
Published: February 2014

Using survey data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, this study shows that immigrants living in segregated residential areas are more likely to report discrimination because of their ethnic background. This applies to both segregated areas where most neighbours are immigrants from the same country of origin as the surveyed person and segregated areas where most neighbours are immigrants from other countries of origin. The results suggest that housing discrimination rather than self-selection plays an important role in immigrant residential segregation.
Measuring Users’ Value Experience on a Travel Website (e-Value)
Authors: Mohd-Any Amrul Asraf , Winklhofer Heidi , Ennew Christine
Published: February 2014

Despite the widespread use of travel websites, our understanding of how best to capture users’ value experiences when using such websites is limited. This article introduces a multidimensional measurement of a user’s value experience on a travel website (e-Value). We then assess the extent to which website users contribute to their own value experience. Based on 175 UK survey respondents, e-Value is formed mainly by cognitive effort, utilitarian value/control, and to a lesser extent by perceptions of emotional value and value for money. Social value experiences do not contribute to e-Value. A user’s own activities on a website (i.e., participation) affect most value dimensions but at different magnitudes. Our findings suggest that website “participation” should be seen as phenomenologically determined by the user as perceived participation affects e-Value dimensions more strongly than actual participation.
Scrub typhus in Punjab: an acute febrile illness with multisystem involvement
Authors: Loomba Vikas , Mani Anna , John Mary , Oberoi Aroma
Published: February 2014

Scrub typhus is an important cause of acute febrile illness. This observational study describes the clinical features and complications of the patients diagnosed to have scrub typhus in Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. The diagnosis of scrub typhus was made by using Bioline SD Tsutsugamushi test kit which detects IgM, IgG or IgA antibodies to Orientia tsutsugamushi. Sixty-two patients of scrub typhus were seen during the study period of 1 year. The mean age of the study group was 39.9 years. All the patients presented with fever, and of these 31 (50%) had non-specific symptoms. All others had some complication, namely ARDS/ALI in 18 (29%), neurological involvement in 12 (19.4%), acute kidney injury (AKI) in 16 (25.8%), hypotension in eight (12.9%), thrombocytopenia in 23 (37.1%), hepatitis in 34 (54.8%) and MODS in 19 (30.7%). Eschar was present only in nine patients. Three patients expired due to multi-organ failure, hypotension and metabolic acidosis.
Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) on an IVUS Circular Array
Authors: Patel Vivek , Dahl Jeremy J. , Bradway David P. , Doherty Joshua R. , Lee Seung Yun , Smith Stephen W.
Published: February 2014

Our long-term goal is the detection and characterization of vulnerable plaque in the coronary arteries of the heart using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters. Vulnerable plaque, characterized by a thin fibrous cap and a soft, lipid-rich necrotic core is a precursor to heart attack and stroke. Early detection of such plaques may potentially alter the course of treatment of the patient to prevent ischemic events. We have previously described the characterization of carotid plaques using external linear arrays operating at 9 MHz. In addition, we previously modified circular array IVUS catheters by short-circuiting several neighboring elements to produce fixed beamwidths for intravascular hyperthermia applications. In this paper, we modified Volcano Visions 8.2 French, 9 MHz catheters and Volcano Platinum 3.5 French, 20 MHz catheters by short-circuiting portions of the array for acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) applications. The catheters had an effective transmit aperture size of 2 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. The catheters were connected to a Verasonics scanner and driven with pushing pulses of 180 V p-p to acquire ARFI data from a soft gel phantom with a Young’s modulus of 2.9 kPa. The dynamic response of the tissue-mimicking material demonstrates a typical ARFI motion of 1 to 2 microns as the gel phantom displaces away and recovers back to its normal position. The hardware modifications applied to our IVUS catheters mimic potential beamforming modifications that could be implemented on IVUS scanners. Our results demonstrate that the generation of radiation force from IVUS catheters and the development of intravascular ARFI may be feasible.
“When We Learn Better, We Do Better”
Authors: Mayfield-Johnson Susan , Rachal John R. , Butler James
Published: February 2014

As change agents in the community, community health advisors (CHAs) are a viable solution to bridge the gap between health service delivery systems and the community. With many CHAs members of the underserved and minority populations they serve, change and empowerment experienced by CHAs should be documented. This phenomenological study describes the empowerment change processes of 30 African American CHAs who participated in focus groups that used photovoice, and were part of a breast and cervical cancer health promotion program in Mississippi and Alabama. Using photos and narratives as primary research methods, these CHAs gave voice to an often-overlooked resource in the improvement of vulnerable populations in the education and promotion of the community’s health.
Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis in Children and Neonates
Authors: Bektaş Ömer , Teber Serap , Akar Nejat , Uysal Leyla Zümrüt , Arsan Saadet , Atasay Begüm , Deda Gülhis
Published: February 2014

Our aim is to present the etiology and risk factors for cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) and the radiological findings, anticoagulant therapy used, and treatment outcome of patients with CSVT. This study included 12 patients who were treated for CSVT at the Ankara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology. This study included 5 girls (41.7%) and 7 boys (58.3%) with a mean age of symptom onset of 5.2 ± 6.29 years (range: 0-18 years), who were followed at our institution for a mean of 1.8 ± 1.73 years (range: 0-6.5 years). Among the patients, 3 had no risk factors, 2 had 1 risk factor, and 7 had multiple risk factors. Anticoagulant therapy was administered to 4 patients, of which 1 had neurological sequelae; neurological sequelae or exitus occurred in 4 of the 8 patients who did not receive anticoagulant therapy. The present findings showed that appropriate prophylaxis in appropriately selected patients reduced the rate of recurrence of CSVT.
Adolescents With ADHD: Experiences of Having an ADHD Diagnosis and Negotiations of Self-Image and Identity
Authors: Jones Sheila , Hesse Morten
Published: February 2014

Objective: To develop an understanding of the meanings and consequences of a diagnosis of ADHD for young people during the transition from childhood to adolescence. Method: Nine youth with an ADHD diagnosis were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide on topics of management of identity and their own experiences of their difficulties relating to ADHD. Results: The meanings and consequences of the ADHD diagnosis is best understood in terms of overall identity development and social connectedness. In addition, cultural understandings of what ADHD is play a major role in negotiating the role of ADHD in identity. Conclusion: Youth with ADHD moving from childhood to adulthood need support for identity development. Health care professionals should be aware of young people’s experiences of ADHD symptoms in the context of their life situations and the cultural understanding of ADHD during treatment and psychoeducation.
Organisation of evidence-based knowledge production: Evidence hierarchies and evidence typologies
Authors: Hansen Hanne Foss
Published: February 2014

The evidence movement and the idea of systematically synthesising results from primary studies has gained support in recent years. As the movement has moved into still more policy fields, from medical treatment to, for example, public health, social welfare, and education, review practice has also been developed. The initial evidence hierarchy based standard given priority to randomised controlled trials and meta-analysis advocated by the Cochrane and Campbell collaborations has become supplemented with evidence typologies and review practice paradigms stressing the importance of contextual factors as explanations of differences in effects. In addition to analysing and discussing this development, the article discusses the organisation of dissemination of evidence. This topic is interesting because it is part of the self-perception of the evidence movement that evidence should be brought to use in both practice and policy making.
An examination of how student journalists seek information and evaluate online sources during the newsgathering process
Authors: Tylor Julia
Published: February 2014

A thorough understanding of how to evaluate website credibility is a crucial tool for journalists. This study examines how journalism students conduct the online newsgathering process and seeks to understand the decisions they make involving credibility assessment. This was accomplished through a triangulated approach involving a content analysis of video recordings of students’ keystrokes during the newsgathering process, coupled with subsequent semi-structured interviews. The findings suggest that while journalism students exhibit some level of understanding about the importance of verification, they rely strongly on search engines and trust the credibility of search-engine results.
Evaluation of a Group Cognitive–Behavioral Dementia Caregiver Intervention in Latin America
Authors: Arango-Lasprilla Juan Carlos , Panyavin Ivan , Merchán Edna Johanna Herrera , Perrin Paul B. , Arroyo-Anlló Eva Mª , Snipes Daniel J. , Arabia Jaqueline
Published: February 2014

Research has identified unique cultural factors contributing to dementia caregiving in Latin America but very few caregiver interventions have been systematically piloted and evaluated in this region. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a group cognitive–behavioral intervention in improving the mental health of dementia caregivers from Cali, Colombia. Sixty-nine caregivers of individuals with dementia were randomly assigned to the cognitive–behavioral intervention or an educational control condition, both spanning 8 weeks. Compared to controls, the treatment group showed higher satisfaction with life and lower depression and burden over the posttest and 3-month follow-ups although there was no effect of the condition on participants’ stress levels.
Igbttsqqiaa…
Authors: Wilcox Melissa M.
Published: February 2014

Scholar Melissa M. Wilcox provides a historical overview of the development of self-chosen terminology among same-sex attracted and gender-nonconforming people in the twentieth and twenty-first century, particularly in Western Anglophone cultures. She explains why certain terms are preferred over others, as well as when and why the preferred terms have changed.
Survival of the Fastest?
Authors: Hughey Matthew W.
Published: February 2014

Borrowing from Herbert Spencer’s phrase “survival of the fittest,” the documentary film Survival of the Fastest aired just before the 2012 Olympic Games. It recycles the outmoded notion that race is an extant biological category that determines physical and intellectual outcomes. Sociologist Matthew W. Hughey discusses how such archaic racist assumptions are repackaged in the media spectacle of contemporary sporting and the glossy veneer of documentary film.
Rethinking Wikipedia for the Classroom
Authors: Konieczny Piotr
Published: February 2014

Sociologist Piotr Konieczny focuses on the issue of Wikipedia’s reception in the world of academia: in the background of slowly growing acceptance of it as an educational tool, why is a significant portion of the researchers and instructors still uneasy with it?
Single incision thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis
Authors: Baram Aram
Published: February 2014

Background:

Primary hyperhidrosis is characterized by excessive sweating beyond physiological needs. It is a common disease (incidence 2.8%) that causes intense discomfort for patients. In the last decade, advantages of Single-Incision Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy have become clear, particularly in decreasing morbidity of sympathectomy.

Patients and methods:

From January 2010 to December 2012, 39 patients (29 females and 10 males) with primary palmar or axillary hyperhidrosis were treated by thoracoscopic sympathectomy. The age ranged from 18 to 40 years with a mean of 26.28 years. We used single incision thoracoscopic electrocoagulation through 10 mm incision for thoracic sympathetic chain (T2–T4).

Results:

The mean follow-up was 23.6 ± 14.2 months (range = 4–24 months). A total of 97.42% of patients were satisfied with the results. A total of 72.5% of patients had cure, one patient (2.5%) and another patient (2.5%) presented with recurrent axillary hyperhidrosis. The morbidity was 10.2% with no mortality. Percentage of compensatory sweating and gustatory sweating were 5.1% ( p = .353) and 2.5% ( p = .552), respectively. The result of sympathectomy in patients with both palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis was significantly better (17, 43.58%) compared to palmar type (14, 35.89%) or axillary type (7, 17.94%).

Conclusion:

Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a simple, safe, and cost-effective therapy with good results and low complications.
Half-discrete Hilbert-type inequalities involving differential operators
Authors: Adiyasuren Vandanjav , Batbold Tserendorj , Krnić Mario
Published: February 2014

Motivated by some recent results, in this paper we derive several half-discrete Hilbert-type inequalities with a homogeneous kernel involving some differential operators. The main results are proved for the case of non-conjugate parameters. After reduction to the conjugate case, we show that the constants appearing on the right-hand sides of these inequalities are the best possible.

MSC:26D10, 26D15, 33B15.
Patterns of local-regional failure after primary intensity modulated radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Kong Fangfang , Ying Hongmei , Du Chengrun , Huang Shuang , Zhou Junjun , Chen Junchao , Sun Lining , Chen Xiaohui , Hu Chaosu
Published: February 2014

Background

To analyze patterns of local-regional failure after primary intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

A total of 370 non-metastatic NPC patients consecutively treated with IMRT (with or without chemotherapy) were analyzed. Radiotherapy was administered using a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) technique at the total prescribed dose of 66-70.4Gy (2.0-2.2Gy per fraction). The location and extent of local-regional failures were transferred to the pretreatment planning computed tomography (CT) for dosimetric analysis. The dose of radiation received by Vrecur (volume of recurrence) was calculated and analyzed with dose-volume histogram (DVH). Failures were classified as: "in field" if 95% of Vrecur was within the 95% isodose, "marginal" if 20% to 95% of Vrecur was within the 95% isodose, or "outside" if less than 20% of Vrecur was inside the 95% isodose.

Results

With a median follow up of 26 months, 25 local-regional failures were found in 18 patients. The 1- and 2-year actuarial local-regional control rates for all patients were 99.7% and 95.5% respectively. Among the 22 local–regional failures with available diagnostic images, 16 (64%) occurred within the 95% isodose lines and were considered in-field failures; 3 (12%) were marginal and 3 (12%) were outside-field failures.

Conclusions

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy provides excellent local-regional control for NPC. In-field failures are the main patterns for local-regional recurrence. Reducing the coverage of critical adjacent tissues in CTV purposefully for potential subclinical diseases was worth of study. Great attention in all IMRT steps is necessary to reduce potential causes of marginal failures. More studies about radioresistance are needed to reduce in-field failures.
Prognostic Impact of Minimal Pleural Effusion in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ryu Jeong-Seon , Ryu Hyo Jin , Lee Si-Nae , Memon Azra , Lee Seul-Ki , Nam Hae-Seong , Kim Hyun-Jung , Lee Kyung-Hee , Cho Jae-Hwa , Hwang Seung-Sik
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Minimal (< 10 mm thick) pleural effusion (PE) may represent an early phase of malignant PE, but its clinical relevance has rarely been studied. Therefore, we examined the proportion of minimal PE in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its impact on survival. We also considered possible accumulation mechanisms in our data set.

Patients and Methods

On the basis of PE status from chest computed tomography scans at diagnosis, 2,061 patients were classified into three groups: no PE, minimal PE, and malignant PE. Twenty-one variables associated with four factors—patient, stage migration, tumor, and treatment—were investigated for correlation with survival.

Results

Minimal PE presented in 272 patients (13.2%). Of 2,061 patients, the proportion of each stage was the following: 5.2% stage I, 10.9% stage II, 13.2% stage IIIA, 23.8% stage IIIB, and 13.9% stage IV. Minimal PE correlated significantly with shorter survival time than did no PE (median survival time, 7.7 v 17.7 months; log-rank P < .001), even after full adjustment with all variables (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.62). Prognostic impact of minimal PE was higher in early versus advanced stages (Pinteraction = .001). In 237 patients (87.8%) with minimal PE, pleural invasion or attachment as a direct mechanism was observed, and it was an independent factor predicting worse survival (P = .03).

Conclusion

Minimal PE is a commonly encountered clinical concern in staging NSCLCs. Its presence is an important prognostic factor of worse survival, especially in early-stage disease.
Methotrexate-Induced Neurotoxicity and Leukoencephalopathy in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Bhojwani Deepa , Sabin Noah D. , Pei Deqing , Yang Jun J. , Khan Raja B. , Panetta John C. , Krull Kevin R. , Inaba Hiroto , Rubnitz Jeffrey E. , Metzger Monika L. , Howard Scott C. , Ribeiro Raul C. , Cheng Cheng , Reddick Wilburn E. , Jeha Sima , Sandlund John T. , Evans William E. , Pui Ching-Hon , Relling Mary V.
Published: February 2014

Purpose

Methotrexate (MTX) can cause significant clinical neurotoxicity and asymptomatic leukoencephalopathy. We sought to identify clinical, pharmacokinetic, and genetic risk factors for these MTX-related toxicities during childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy and provide data on safety of intrathecal and high-dose MTX rechallenge in patients with neurotoxicity.

Patients and Methods

Prospective brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed at four time points for 369 children with ALL treated in a contemporary study that included five courses of high-dose MTX and 13 to 25 doses of triple intrathecal therapy. Logistic regression modeling was used to evaluate clinical and pharmacokinetic factors, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify germline polymorphisms for their association with neurotoxicities.

Results

Fourteen patients (3.8%) developed MTX-related clinical neurotoxicity. Of 13 patients rechallenged with intrathecal and/or high-dose MTX, 12 did not experience recurrence of neurotoxicity. Leukoencephalopathy was found in 73 (20.6%) of 355 asymptomatic patients and in all symptomatic patients and persisted in 74% of asymptomatic and 58% of symptomatic patients at the end of therapy. A high 42-hour plasma MTX to leucovorin ratio (measure of MTX exposure) was associated with increased risk of leukoencephalopathy in multivariable analysis (P = .038). GWAS revealed polymorphisms in genes enriched for neurodevelopmental pathways with plausible mechanistic roles in neurotoxicity.

Conclusion

MTX-related clinical neurotoxicity is transient, and most patients can receive subsequent MTX without recurrence of acute or subacute symptoms. All symptomatic patients and one in five asymptomatic patients develop leukoencephalopathy that can persist until the end of therapy. Polymorphisms in genes related to neurogenesis may contribute to susceptibility to MTX-related neurotoxicity.
StatsDB: platform-agnostic storage and understanding of next generation sequencing run metrics
Authors: Ramirez-Gonzalez Ricardo H. , Leggett Richard M. , Waite Darren , Thanki Anil , Drou Nizar , Caccamo Mario , Davey Robert
Published: February 2014

Modern sequencing platforms generate enormous quantities of data in ever-decreasing amounts of time. Additionally, techniques such as multiplex sequencing allow one run to contain hundreds of different samples. With such data comes a significant challenge to understand its quality and to understand how the quality and yield are changing across instruments and over time. As well as the desire to understand historical data, sequencing centres often have a duty to provide clear summaries of individual run performance to collaborators or customers. We present StatsDB, an open-source software package for storage and analysis of next generation sequencing run metrics. The system has been designed for incorporation into a primary analysis pipeline, either at the programmatic level or via integration into existing user interfaces. Statistics are stored in an SQL database and APIs provide the ability to store and access the data while abstracting the underlying database design. This abstraction allows simpler, wider querying across multiple fields than is possible by the manual steps and calculation required to dissect individual reports, e.g. ”provide metrics about nucleotide bias in libraries using adaptor barcode X, across all runs on sequencer A, within the last month”. The software is supplied with modules for storage of statistics from FastQC, a commonly used tool for analysis of sequence reads, but the open nature of the database schema means it can be easily adapted to other tools. Currently at The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC), reports are accessed through our LIMS system or through a standalone GUI tool, but the API and supplied examples make it easy to develop custom reports and to interface with other packages.
An image-based, dual fluorescence reporter assay to evaluate the efficacy of shRNA for gene silencing at the single-cell level
Authors: Kojima Shin-ichiro , Borisy Gary G.
Published: February 2014

RNA interference (RNAi) is widely used to suppress gene expression in a specific manner. The efficacy of RNAi is mainly dependent on the sequence of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in relation to the target mRNA. Although several algorithms have been developed for the design of siRNA, it is still difficult to choose a really effective siRNA from among multiple candidates. In this article, we report the development of an image-based, quantitative, ratiometric fluorescence reporter assay to evaluate the efficacy of RNAi at the single-cell level. Two fluorescence reporter constructs are used. One expresses the candidate small hairpin RNA (shRNA) together with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP); the other expresses a 19-nt target sequence inserted into a cassette expressing a red fluorescent protein (either DsRed or mCherry). Effectiveness of the candidate shRNA is evaluated as the extent to which it knocks down expression of the red fluorescent protein. Thus, the red-to-green fluorescence intensity ratio (appropriately normalized to controls) is used as the read-out for quantifying the siRNA efficacy at the individual cell level. We tested this dual fluorescence assay and compared predictions to actual endogenous knockdown levels for three different genes (vimentin, lamin A/C and Arp3) and twenty different shRNAs. For each of the genes, our assay successfully predicted the target sequences for effective RNAi. To further facilitate testing of RNAi efficacy, we developed a negative selection marker (ccdB) method for construction of shRNA and red fluorescent reporter plasmids that allowed us to purify these plasmids directly from transformed bacteria without the need for colony selection and DNA sequencing verification.
Characterization of a SAM-dependent fluorinase from a latent biosynthetic pathway for fluoroacetate and 4-fluorothreonine formation in Nocardia brasiliensis
Authors: Wang Yaya , Deng Zixin , Qu Xudong
Published: February 2014

Fluorination has been widely used in chemical synthesis, but is rare in nature. The only known biological fluorination scope is represented by theflpathway fromStreptomyces cattleyathat produces fluoroacetate (FAc) and 4-fluorothreonine (4-FT). Here we report the identification of a novel pathway for FAc and 4-FT biosynthesis from the actinomycetoma-causing pathogenNocardia brasiliensisATCC 700358. The new pathway shares overall conservation with theflpathway inS. cattleya. Biochemical characterization of the conserved domains revealed a novel fluorinase NobA that can biosynthesize 5’-fluoro-5’-deoxyadenosine (5’-FDA) from inorganic fluoride andS-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM). The NobA shows similar halide specificity and characteristics to the fluorination enzyme FlA of theflpathway. Kinetic parameters for fluoride (Km4153 μM,kcat0.073 min-1) and SAM (Km416 μM,kcat0.139 min-1) have been determined, revealing that NobA is slightly (2.3 fold) slower than FlA. Upon sequence comparison, we finally identified a distinct loop region in the fluorinases that probably accounts for the disparity of fluorination activity.
Сriteria of observance of principle of honesty by the subjects of civil legal relationships
Authors: Гаврилов Юрий , Gavrilov Yuriy
Published: February 2014

Honesty, being one of principles of civil law, reflects essence

of right, that is expressed in moral categories, such as a conscience

and good. It is assumed that principle of honesty tells to us that the

subject of civil legal relationships must operate not only coming from the rights and duties, and foremost with kind intentions, for example,

not to harm the rights to other man, not to put him in scienter unprofitable

position. The unproper use of civil laws blights to not only

the separate citizen but also all society on the whole.
Justice as the value of law
Authors: Халиков Аслям , Khalikov Aslyam
Published: February 2014

The category of justice from the standpoint of philosophy and law is viewed in the article. The various viewpoints of philosophers and jurists on the notion of justice from antiquity to the present day are analyzed. The notions of laws and justice are determined to have some difference in case of injustice of laws themselves. Examples of criminal proceedings on the problems of justice definition connected with a number of officials are given. In general, the author comes to the conclusion that the problem of justice cannot be solved in the modern law.
Application of Non-Parametric Statistics and Econometrics Methods in HR-processes Analysing
Authors: Косолапова  , Kosolapova Natalya , Михалкина  , Mikhalkina Elena , Скачкова  , Skachkova Liudmila
Published: February 2014

Methods of non-parametric statistics, facilitating analysis of processes in the human resource management sphere are reviewed. Such methods allow to explore

relationships between qualitative characteristics, between quantitative and qualitative attributes, and to evaluate results generated by expertise. The authors

draw examples, showing how to use Spearman’s coefficient, Kendall’s coefficient, coefficient of concordance in studying particular HRM problems, such as

employee turnover, job satisfaction level of employees etc. Revealed are the capabilities of correlation and regression analysis and of cluster analysis for evaluating

coordinated changes of quantitative factors and for describing dependent variable behaviour with the set of appropriate independent variables. The

described analytical toolkit in terms of theory will afford enhancement of research results quality and credibility, and in terms of practice — refinement of

source information analysis for further effective decision-making on the HRM issues.
Technologies of Administrative Staff’s Corporate Training on the Experience of Companies of South Russia
Authors: Коробкина  , Korobkina M. , Серегина  , Seregina Tatiana
Published: February 2014

This article raises the problems of training and management training for example, a series of educational programs in large companies the Southern Federal District. According to the authors, in the present conditions the vocational education system could take the role of integrator, a link providing the interaction of organizations and enterprises of the real sector of the economy with the education system. Article aims also to identify the specifics of management training in the corporate format. Approaches to management training and forms of corporate training. Training and retraining of managers in terms of organizations is seen as a serious tool to motivate and retain key employees and requires a systematic approach and in-depth analysis, and should be targeted as a specific result, and in the future - in the area of strategic prospects. What is the experience and training programs in the development of management skills using modern technology described in the article by the authors. The article highlights the experience of interaction faculty of Management and Psychology at Kuban State University with a number of large and well-known enterprises in the Southern Federal District, which demonstrates the challenges and opportunities of such mutual cooperation before the educational institutions and enterprises.
Advertising Project Staff Risks
Authors: Носенко  , Nosenko A.
Published: February 2014

Risks for advertising project personnel are considered based on the case of «Raiffeisenbank» advertising campaign. Virtually all risks, intrinsic to advertising projects, are generated more or less through the personnel risks. Major advertising project risks are described and analyzed, including those of disloyalty, lack of competency, lack of motivation, underfunding, incorrect market segmentation and incorrect choice of distribution channel. Advertising project management are risk-bearing to a substantial degree, and the majority of the said risks are produced and/or manifest themselves not without project personnel. Such feature is conditioned by peculiarities of advertising projects, analyzed by the author in terms of HRM techniques applicable at the stage of project activities organization. Specific emphasize is made on personnel risks in the course of advertising projects implementation and on ways to evaluate and reduce thereof.
Personnel Opportunistic Behavior at Work at the Nationwide and Corporate Levels
Authors: Макарова  , Makarova Stanislava
Published: February 2014

Individual’s attitude to labor in many respects defines his behavior at work. Modern socio-economic realities of this country allows to discuss emergence of a

set of patterns for creating an image of «modern man of labor» which differs from that born under the Soviet rule. Strong addiction to opportunistic behavior

is an integral part of labor in organizations and thus poses urgent problem at micro-level as well as at the level of the national economy as a whole. One of

the effective methods to overcome opportunistic behavior at work is to develop positive work ethics. At the micro-level of organization corporate management

should use a combination of managerial and socio-psychological tools, easily available and appropriate to the given situation, to develop among subordinates

«pattern of sustainable negative attitude» to opportunistic behavior as a sort of deviant behavior.
Problems of Risk-Oriented Approaches for Use in Nuclear Power Industry
Authors: Федорец  , Fedorets Aleksandr
Published: February 2014

In this paper the system analysis of "risk for worker’s life and health, caused by production activity" concept has been carried out for the first time. This risk has been presented as a structure, consisting of isolated compound particular risks, each of which has its personal risk owner. Extra attention has been paid to a "risk owner" concept and its role in risk analysis. Meaninglessness related to analysis, evaluation and management of a "general (abstract) risk" without reference to a particular owner of "specific risk" has been shown. A new approach to the analysis of multilateral risk has been offered. Six risk analysis postulates have been formulated on this new approach’s basis. Based on these postulates next conclusion has been made: subject and object of the risk both are one person this risk owner.
Ecological Risk Assessment at Soil Contamination by Oil Supply Enterprises (as Exemplified by Ivanovo City)
Authors: Уюткин  , Uyutkin V. , Извекова  , Izvekova T. , Гущин  , Gushchin A. , Машкин  , Mashkin D.
Published: February 2014

The paper has been devoted to analysis of ecological risk parameters as a result of natural objects’ soil contamination near oil

enterprises. During investigations levels of harmful impacts (including concentrations of criteria pollutants) on natural objects

near oil tank farm were measured and compared with regulations. The probability of appearance of ecological damage for soil

cover and this damage value from estimated levels of impact have been assessed. An economic damage value due to connected

with soil pollution an life expectancy reduction of those Ivanovo inhabitants, who are living near enterprise, has been estimated.
Analysis of Personnel Industrial Activity
Authors: Клейман  , Kleyman I. , Глебова  , Glebova E. , Волохина  , Volokhina A. , Федотов  , Fedotov I.
Published: February 2014

Analysis related to industrial activity of personnel involved in localization and liquidation of accidents on dangerous

production objects of LLC "Gazprom Transgaz Ugorsk" has been performed through expert interviews and expert assessment

method. As a result of statistical treatment have been revealed operating personnel’s professionally important qualities

needed to perform required production functions. Based on production activity analysis a job description of shift supervisor

(dispatch operator) has been designed.
Interactive System related to Support of Decision-Making at Household Packing Choice on Basis of Life Cycle Analysis in Ecological Marketing
Authors: Пермина  , Permina E. , Смирнова  , Smirnova E. , Чумаченко  , Chumachyenko Pavyel
Published: February 2014

Any production interacts with environment at all stages of this production’s existence, beginning from resources development for manufacture and finishing to utilization or secondary processing. The ISO 14 040 standard "Life Cycle Assessment" allows describe completely this interaction and already on received information basis formulate recommendations related to change of studied production’s manufacture, operation and utilization processes. In presented paper the life cycle assessment is considered on the example of cash desk packing made of plastic of various types, paper and fabric. It has been shown that only the life cycle assessment allows make an eco-friendly packing choice that is inflicting the minimum harm to environment.