bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macrophage Deletion of SOCS1 Increases Sensitivity to LPS and Palmitic Acid and Results in Systemic Inflammation and Hepatic Insulin Resistance
Authors: Sachithanandan Nirupa , Graham Kate L. , Galic Sandra , Honeyman Jane E. , Fynch Stacey L. , Hewitt Kimberly A. , Steinberg Gregory R. , Kay Thomas W.
Published: June 2011

OBJECTIVE

Macrophage secretion of proinflammatory cytokines contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance. An important regulator of inflammation is the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1), which inhibits the JAK-STAT and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) pathways. Despite the reported role of SOCS1 in inhibiting insulin signaling, it is surprising that a SOCS1 polymorphism that increases SOCS1 promoter activity is associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity despite obesity. In the current study, we investigated the physiological role of myeloid and lymphoid cell SOCS1 in regulating inflammation and insulin sensitivity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We used mice generated by crossing SOCS1 floxed mice with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the LysM-Cre promoter (SOCS1 LysM-Cre). These mice have deletion of SOCS1 in macrophages and lymphocytes. We assessed macrophage inflammation using flow cytometry and serum cytokine levels using Bioplex assays. We then measured insulin sensitivity using glucose tolerance tests and the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Using bone marrow–derived macrophages, we tested the effects of SOCS1 deletion in regulating responses to the TLR4 ligands: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and palmitic acid.

RESULTS

SOCS1 LysM-Cre mice had increased macrophage expression of CD11c, enhanced sensitivity to LPS, and palmitic acid and increased serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein. Increased inflammation was associated with impaired glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemia as a result of reduced hepatic but not skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of SOCS1 in hematopoietic cells protects mice against systemic inflammation and hepatic insulin resistance potentially by inhibiting LPS and palmitate-induced TLR4 signaling in macrophages.
Hypogeal geological survey in the “Grotta del Re Tiberio” natural cave (Apennines, Italy): a valid tool for reconstructing the structural setting
Authors: Ghiselli Alice , Merazzi Marzio , Strini Andrea , Margutti Roberto , Mercuriali Michele
Published: June 2011

As karst systems are natural windows to the underground, speleology, combined with geological surveys, can be useful tools for helping understand the geological evolution of karst areas.

In order to enhance the reconstruction of the structural setting in a gypsum karst area (Vena del Gesso, Romagna Apennines), a detailed analysis has been carried out on hypogeal data. Structural features (faults, fractures, tectonic foliations, bedding) have been mapped in the ”Grotta del Re Tiberio” cave, in the nearby gypsum quarry tunnels and open pit benches. Five fracture systems and six fault systems have been identified. The fault systems have been further analyzed through stereographic projections and geometric-kinematic evaluations in order to reconstruct the relative chronology of these structures. This analysis led to the detection of two deformation phases.

The results permitted linking of the hypogeal data with the surface data both at a local and regional scale. At the local scale, fracture data collected in the underground have been compared with previous authors’ surface data coming from the quarry area. The two data sets show a very good correspondence, as every underground fracture system matches with one of the surface fracture system. Moreover, in the cave, a larger number of fractures belonging to each system could be mapped. At the regional scale, the two deformation phases detected can be integrated in the structural setting of the study area, thereby enhancing the tectonic interpretation of the area (e.g., structures belonging to a new deformation phase, not reported before, have been identified underground). The structural detailed hypogeal survey has, thus, provided very useful data, both by integrating the existing information and revealing new data not detected at the surface. In particular, some small structures (e.g., displacement markers and short fractures) are better preserved in the hypogeal environment than on the surface where the outcropping gypsum is more exposed to dissolution and recrystallization.

The hypogeal geological survey, therefore, can be considered a powerful tool for integrating the surface and log data in order to enhance the reconstruction of the deformational history and to get a three-dimensional model of the bedrock in karst areas.
Methodological Approaches to Simple Enzyme Polymorphism Analyses of Amaranth Species (Amaranthus SP.)
Authors: Múdry Pavol , Hricová Andrea , Libiaková Gabriela , Gajdošová Alena
Published: June 2011

Methodological Approaches to Simple Enzyme Polymorphism Analyses of Amaranth Species (AmaranthusSP.)

Amaranths have drawn a great interest in last years as an agronomic crop, alternative energy source and ornamental plants around the world. Several of them are cultivated as the leaf vegetables, cereals, or as the colourful, quick growing garden plants. Increasing demand for the breeding and proteomic study inAmaranthusspecies led us to test some methodological approaches to enzyme polymorphism analysis. For these experiments genotypes ofAmaranthus cruentusL. (genotype Ficha) and mutant line of hybrid K-433 were selected, characterized by a good seed quality and quantity, suitable for food production. The attention was devoted to test of published methodology, which were slightly modified for enzyme (ACP, ADH, CAT, DIA, GOT, IDH, MDH, PGD, PGI and PGM) multiplicity analysis for amaranths and testing of feasibility of chosen analysed organ weights, dimensions of Whatman No. 2 wicks and different volumes of extract buffer. Results from enzyme multiplicity analysis are presented by means of photographed fingerprints and phenotypes are expressed in diagrams where positions of zymograme bands are marked by using factors of relative mobility (Rm).
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Underlying Principles
Authors: McMahon Katie L. , Cowin Gary , Galloway Graham
Published: June 2011

Synopsis

The creation of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) and its inherent contrast are controlled by a variety of anatomical structure- and sequence-dependent parameters. While these may seem confusing to the uninitiated, they provide MRI with great flexibility and make it a powerful clinical tool. This article describes the principles of basic physics behind magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and imaging, including a basic description of the properties of magnetic resonance compatible nuclei, how a radiofrequency (RF) pulse produces a signal, and how this signal can be spatially encoded to produce an image. The relaxation properties of the MRI signal depend on biological tissue type and can provide information on tissue composition, environment, and pathological changes. The contrast properties within an image can be manipulated based on the relaxation properties of the anatomical sample and the nature of the imaging sequence. The benefits of T1- and T2-weighted images in musculoskeletal imaging and the common sequences used (including turbo spin echo [TSE], fat suppression sequences such as STIR, and rapid breath-hold sequences such as HASTE and FISP) are discussed. The principles behind contrast agents and diffusion-weighted imaging and how they can be applied in the body are considered. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(11):806–819, Epub 7 June 2011. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3576
Mixed and Mixture Regression Models for Continuous Bounded Responses Using the Beta Distribution
Authors: Verkuilen Jay , Smithson Michael
Published: June 2011

Doubly bounded continuous data are common in the social and behavioral sciences. Examples include judged probabilities, confidence ratings, derived proportions such as percent time on task, and bounded scale scores. Dependent variables of this kind are often difficult to analyze using normal theory models because their distributions may be quite poorly modeled by the normal distribution. The authors extend the beta-distributed generalized linear model (GLM) proposed in Smithson and Verkuilen (2006) to discrete and continuous mixtures of beta distributions, which enables modeling dependent data structures commonly found in real settings. The authors discuss estimation using both deterministic marginal maximum likelihood and stochastic Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The results are illustrated using three data sets from cognitive psychology experiments.
Men and Teaching: Good Intentions and Productive Tensions
Authors: Davison Kevin G. , Nelson Bryan G.
Published: June 2011

This article points to the complex context of what often is seen as both unproblematic and problematic simultaneously—men and teaching. In addition to brief words on the articles included in this special issue of JMS, the Guest Editors reflect on the contradictions, tensions, strategies and experiences of men who teach. This introduction aims to cultivate a greater awareness of the personal and political debates from which this collection of research arises so that educators may develop and harvest the great pedagogical contribution that men can offer—not just by being biologically male, but by recognizing the potential of modeling the multiplicity of manhood. The authors remind readers that a critical gender analysis of men in classrooms must serve the ultimate goal of improving the educational and social lives of children—both boys and girls.
Male Preservice Teachers and Discouragement from Teaching
Authors: Weaver-Hightower Marcus B.
Published: June 2011

Driven largely by concerns over boys' education, countries worldwide have seen crisis discourses over small numbers of male teachers, particularly those teaching young children. Despite public desires and policy movements to increase their numbers, important barriers and challenges remain for male teachers. Preservice teachers' experiences, especially, might illuminate challenges to the recruitment and retention of males. Using a (pro)feminist, social interactionist framework and qualitative discourse analysis methods, this study examines discouragements from peers, family, and teacher education as faced by three male student teachers. These included gendered teasing about the ease of and “cuteness” required in education coursework, gendered objections to “wasting” their ability, and gendered suspicions of sexual predation. The analysis focuses on strategic performances the men used to cope with discouragements and persist in teaching. I argue that foregrounding such performances can disrupt barriers for males and thus increase their numbers.
A Mechanochemical Approach to Porous Silicon Nanoparticles Fabrication
Authors: Russo Luigi , Colangelo Francesco , Cioffi Raffaele , Rea Ilaria , Stefano Luca De
Published: June 2011

Porous silicon samples have been reduced in nanometric particles by a well known industrial mechanical process, the ball grinding in a planetary mill; the process has been extended to crystalline silicon for comparison purposes. The silicon nanoparticles have been studied by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, gas porosimetry and transmission electron microscopy. We have estimated crystallites size from about 50 nm for silicon to 12 nm for porous silicon. The specific surface area of the powders analyzed ranges between 100 m2/g to 29 m2/g depending on the milling time, ranging from 1 to 20 h. Electron microscopy confirms the nanometric size of the particles and reveals a porous structure in the powders obtained by porous silicon samples which has been preserved by the fabrication conditions. Chemical functionalization during the milling process by a siloxane compound has also been demonstrated.
Synthetic Routes and Biological Evaluation of Largazole and Its Analogues as Potent Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Authors: Li Shang , Yao Hequan , Xu Jinyi , Jiang Sheng
Published: June 2011

Natural products with interesting biological properties and structural diversity have often served as valuable lead drug candidates for the treatment of various human diseases. Largazole, isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Symploca sp. has exhibited potent inhibitory activity against many cancer cell lines. Besides, it shows remarkable selectivity between transformed and nontransformed cells, which is the main disadvantage of other antitumor natural products such as paclitaxel and actinomycin D. Due to its potential as a potent and selective anticancer drug candidate, a great deal of attention has been focused on largazole and its analogues. It is the aim of this review to highlight synthetic aspects of largazole and its analogues as well as their preliminary structure–activity relationship studies.
The 2-(Triphenylsilyl)ethoxycarbonyl-(“Tpseoc”-) Group: A New Silicon-Based, Fluoride Cleavable Oxycarbonyl Protecting Group Highly Orthogonal to the Boc-, Fmoc- and Cbz-Groups
Authors: Golkowski Martin , Ziegler Thomas
Published: June 2011

Starting from 2-(triphenylsilyl)ethanol a new oxycarbonyl protecting group cleavable by fluoride ion induced Peterson-elimination has been developed. Known 2-(triphenylsilyl)ethanol has been prepared from commercially available triphenylvinyl-silane by a hydroboration-oxidation sequence using the sterically hindered borane reagent 9-BBN. The silyl alcohol was subsequently transformed into its chloroformate, imidazolylcarboxylic acid ester and p-nitrophenyl carbonate and used in standard protocols for the formation of carbamates and carbonates. The Tpseoc group proved to be highly resistant against acidic conditions applied in removal of tert-butyl esters and the t-Boc-group. It also withstood catalytic hydrogenation, treatment with morpholine, methylhydrazine and Pd-reagents/allyl-scavanger combinations, conditions required to cleave Cbz-, Fmoc-, phthalimide- and Alloc-groups. The Tpseoc-group is cleaved upon treatment with TBAF/CsF at 0 °C or r.t. with cleavage times reaching from < 10 min. to 24 h. Its orthogonality, ease of cleavage and UV-detectability makes the Tpseoc-group a promising alternative to other widely used silicon based amine protecting groups like the Teoc- and SES-groups.
Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Content of Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul. and Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Carlos Henrique Tabosa Pereira da , Sobrinho Tadeu José da Silva Peixoto , Castro Valérium Thijan Nobre de Almeida e , Lima Danielle da Cunha Amaral , Amorim Elba Lúcia Cavalcanti de
Published: June 2011

The aims of this study were to quantify the phenolic content and evaluate the antioxidant potential of extracts from the bark and leaves of C. pyramidalis and S. glandulosum. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total tannin content (TTC) were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, and the total flavonoids content (TFC) was measured via complexation with aluminum chloride. The antioxidant activity was evaluated with DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and FIC (ferrous ion chelating) assays. The TPC ranged between 135.55 ± 9.85 and 459.79 ± 11.65 tannic acid equivalents (TAE) in mg/g material (mg TAE/g). The leaves of both species contained high levels of tannins and flavonoids. The crude ethanol extracts (CEE) from the bark of C. pyramidalis showed high antioxidant activity when compared to ascorbic acid and rutin, whereas the CEE from the leaves was more efficient in chelating ferrous ions. C. pyramidalis had very high phenolic content and anti-radical activity, which indicates a need for further studies aimed at the purification and identification of compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity.
An Air-Ground Wireless Sensor Network for Crop Monitoring
Authors: Valente João , Sanz David , Barrientos Antonio , Cerro Jaime del , Ribeiro Ángela , Rossi Claudio
Published: June 2011

This paper presents a collaborative system made up of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and an aerial robot, which is applied to real-time frost monitoring in vineyards. The core feature of our system is a dynamic mobile node carried by an aerial robot, which ensures communication between sparse clusters located at fragmented parcels and a base station. This system overcomes some limitations of the wireless networks in areas with such characteristics. The use of a dedicated communication channel enables data routing to/from unlimited distances.
Behaviour Change in the UK Climate Debate: An Assessment of Responsibility, Agency and Political Dimensions
Authors: Fudge Shane , Peters Michael
Published: June 2011

This paper explores the politics around the role of agency in the UK climate change debate. Government interventions on the demand side of consumption have increasingly involved attempts to obtain greater traction with the values, attitudes and beliefs of citizens in relation to climate change and also in terms of influencing consumer behaviour at an individual level. With figures showing that approximately 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions are attributable to household and transport behaviour, policy initiatives have progressively focused on the facilitation of “sustainable behaviours”. Evidence suggests however, that mobilisation of pro-environmental attitudes in addressing the perceived “value-action gap” has so far had limited success. Research in this field suggests that there is a more significant and nuanced “gap” between context and behaviour; a relationship that perhaps provides a more adroit reflection of reasons why people do not necessarily react in the way that policy-makers anticipate. Tracing the development of the UK Government’s behaviour change agenda over the last decade, we posit that a core reason for the limitations of this programme relates to an excessively narrow focus on the individual. This has served to obscure some of the wider political and economic aspects of the debate in favour of a more simplified discussion. The second part of the paper reports findings from a series of focus groups exploring some of the wider political views that people hold around household energy habits, purchase and use of domestic appliances, and transport behaviour-and discusses these insights in relation to the literature on the agenda’s apparent limitations. The paper concludes by considering whether the aims of the Big Society approach (recently established by the UK’s Coalition Government) hold the potential to engage more directly with some of these issues or whether they merely constitute a “repackaging” of the individualism agenda.
Polymorphisms of Toll-Like Receptors and Their Pathways in Viral Hepatitis
Authors: Sawhney Rohit , Visvanathan Kumar
Published: June 2011

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are an important part of the innate immune response to a variety of pathogens including hepatic viral infections. Activation of TLRs stimulates a complex intracellular signalling cascade that results in production of proinflammatory cytokines and interferons important for antiviral responses as well as induction of the adaptive arm of the immune system. There is substantial evidence for an important role for TLRs and TLR-mediated signalling in the pathogenesis and outcomes of hepatitis B and C in particular, but it might also influence responses to other viral hepatitis infections. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TLRs, relevant adaptor molecules and cytokines mediated by TLR signalling have been described that alter innate immune responses and have been implicated in a variety of human diseases including viral and other infections. There is now significant evidence that a number of TLR SNPs can affect various clinical outcomes in Caucasian patients with chronic HCV. However, the role of these polymorphisms in acute and other chronic hepatitis infections, including HBV as well as in non-Caucasian populations, has not been elucidated. In addition, results for SNPs downstream of TLR activation, such as in relevant cytokines, are inconsistent and their influence requires further investigation to determine the clinical significance of genetic variations in these mediators.
Nouveaux textes sur la fabrication de palanquins à mari
Authors: Arkhipov Ilya
Published: June 2011

Résumé Deux lettres acéphales du temps de Zimri-Lim, A.358 et A.3379, contiennent de nouvelles informations relatives à l’artisanat de Mari et à son vocabulaire.
For Those About to Tag
Authors: Kietzmann Jan H.
Published: June 2011

The recent evolution of mobile auto-identification technologies invites firms to connect to mobile work in altogether new ways. By strategically embedding “smart” devices, organizations involve individual subjects and real objects in their corporate information flows, and execute more and more business processes through such technologies as mobile Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID). The imminent path from mobility to pervasiveness focuses entirely on improving organizational performance measures and metrics of success. Work itself, and the dramatic changes these technologies introduce to the organization and to the role of the mobile worker are by and large ignored. The aim of this chapter is to unveil the key changes and challenges that emerge when mobile landscapes are “tagged”, and when mobile workers and mobile auto-identification technologies work side-by-side. The motivation for this chapter is to encourage thoughts that appreciate auto-identification technologies and their socio-technical impact on specific mobile work practices and on the nature of mobile work in general.
Business Models for Mobile Payment Service Provision and Enabling
Authors: Wiedemann Dietmar G. , Palka Wolfgang , Pousttchi Key
Published: June 2011

A sizeable body of research on mobile payment evolved in recent years. Researchers analyzed success factors and acceptance criteria as well as strengths and weaknesses of different mobile payment service providers. This chapter explores business models for mobile payment service provision and mobile payment service enabling. While a mobile payment service provider offers a mobile payment procedure to end-users and merchants, a mobile payment service enabler targets on enabling other companies tooffer mobile payment services. The authors primary contribution is to demonstrate the applicability of a general mobile payment business model framework, which was proposed in prior research. In doing so, they analyze, as an example, the case of SEMOPS as a typical mobile service enabler. Representing any m-payment business model, the resulting framework enables researchers and practitioners for comprehensive analysis of existing and future models and provides a helpful tool for M-Payment business model engineering.
Strong Authentication for Financial Services
Authors: Me Giangluigi , Pirro Daniele , Sarrecchia Roberto
Published: June 2011

Currently the most popular attacks to the E-Banking Web applications target the authentication systems relying on the single-side client authentication, showing their definitively ineffectiveness for financial services. Furthermore, most of the Web authentication systems have been developed on the classic username/password mechanism or One time Password systems using a single channel, either mobile or Web, generating an authentication system at inadequate level, enforcing a false perception of security, as phishing shows. The two factors authentication is not the panacea, but mitigates many threats, especially when combined with a Personal Trusted Device, as the popular smartphones represent. As a rule of thumb, the adoption of authentication systems to provide services B2C is driven by its ease-to-use more than the robustness of the adopted security system. For this reason, the proposed solution represents a system which tries to preserve the usability and to strengthen the authentication, with a combined Web/mobile authentication system.
UbiSrvInt
Authors: Yuan Soe-Tsyr , Chen Fang-Yu
Published: June 2011

Peer-to-Peer applications harness sharing between free resources (storage, contents, services, human presence, etc.). Most existing wireless P2P applications concern merely the sharing of a variety of contents. For magnifying the sharing extent for wireless service provision in the vicinity (i.e., the wireless P2P environments), this chapter presents a novel approach (briefly named UbiSrvInt) that is an attempt to enable a pure P2P solution that is context aware and fault tolerant for ad-hoc wireless service provision. This approach empowers an autonomous peer to propel distributed problem solving (e.g., in the travel domain) through service sharing and execution in an intelligent P2P way. This approach of ad-hoc wireless service provision is not only highly robust to failure (based on a specific clustering analysis of failure correlation among peers) but also capable of inferring a user’s service needs (through a BDI reasoning mechanism utilizing the surrounding context) in ad-hoc wireless environments. The authors have implemented UbiSrvInt into a system platform with P-JXTA that shows good performance results on fault tolerance and context awareness.
Perceptions of Mobile Device Website Design
Authors: Cyr Dianne , Head Milena , Ivanov Alex
Published: June 2011

Anytime anywhere services offered through mobile commerce hold great potential to serve customers in wireless environments. However, there is limited understanding of how mobile Web site design is perceived by diverse users. This chapter explores how users who differ by culture, age, and gender perceive the design of a mobile device and their subsequent level of satisfaction with the device. Sixty subjects were tested in a controlled laboratory experiment on an Internet enabled phone. The results of a quantitative analysis were statistically inconclusive in terms of cultural and gender differences, but significant differences were found between older and younger users. However, an in-depth qualitative analysis of interview transcripts revealed some interesting differences among cultural, gender and age groups. Consistent with findings in the stationary Internet domain, design elements were found to impact satisfaction with mobile services.
Finland
Authors: Pelkonen Tommi
Published: June 2011

This chapter describes the Finnish mobile telecommunications industry trends and prospects. In addition, it presents two theoretical frameworks based on the Finnish companies’ experiences in the turbulent m-commerce markets. First, the internationalization framework is targeted to facilitate m-commerce actors to position themselves in the global telecom business. Second, the mobile media framework is targeted to facilitate analyses related to the emerging mobile media markets. Furthermore, the chapter presents five mini-cases of Finnish m-commerce companies and concludes with theoretical and managerial implications to m-commerce actors.
Mobile Workforce Management in a Service-Oriented Enterprise
Authors: Chiu Dickson K.W. , Cheun S.C. , Leung Ho-Fung
Published: June 2011

In a service-oriented enterprise, the professional workforce such as salespersons and support staff tends to be mobile with the recent advances in mobile technologies. There are increasing demands for the support of mobile workforce management (MWM) across multiple platforms in order to integrate the disparate business functions of the mobile professional workforce and management with a unified infrastructure, together with the provision of personalized assistance and automation. Typically, MWM involves tight collaboration, negotiation, and sophisticated business-domain knowledge, and thus can be facilitated with the use of intelligent software agents. As mobile devices become more powerful, intelligent software agents can now be deployed on these devices and hence are also subject to mobility. Therefore, a multiagent information-system (MAIS) infrastructure provides a suitable paradigm to capture the concepts and requirements of an MWM as well as a phased development and deployment. In this book chapter, we illustrate our approach with a case study at a large telecommunication enterprise. We show how to formulate a scalable, flexible, and intelligent MAIS with agent clusters. Each agent cluster comprises several types of agents to achieve the goal of each phase of the workforce-management process, namely, task formulation, matchmaking, brokering, commuting, and service.
Bringing Secure Wireless Technology to the Bedside
Authors: Turner Dawn-Marie , Hazari Sunil
Published: June 2011

Wireless technology has broad implications for the healthcare environment. Despite its promise, this new technology has raised questions about security and privacy of sensitive data that is prevalent in healthcare organizations. All healthcare organizations are governed by legislation and regulations, and the implementation of enterprise applications using new technology is comparatively more difficult than in other industries. Using a configuration-idiographic case-study approach, this study investigated challenges faced by two Canadian healthcare organizations. In addition to interviews with management and staff of the organizations, a walk-through was also conducted to observe and collect first-hand data of the implementation of wireless technology in the clinical environment. In the organizations under examination, it was found that wireless technology is being implemented gradually to augment the wired network. Problems associated with implementing wireless technology in these Canadian organizations are also discussed. Because of different standards in this technology, the two organizations are following different upgrade paths. Based on the data collected, best practices for secure wireless access in these organizations are proposed.
The usefulness of c-Kit in the immunohistochemical assessment of melanocytic lesions
Authors: Pilloni L. , Bianco P. , DiFelice E. , Cabras S. , Castellanos M.E. , Atzori L. , Ferreli C. , Mulas P. , Nemolato S. , Faa G.
Published: June 2011

C-Kit (CD117), the receptor for the stem cell factor, a growth factor for melanocyte migration and proliferation, has shown differential immunostaining in various benign and malignant melanocytic lesions. The purpose of this study is to compare c-Kit immunostaining in benign nevi and in primary and metastatic malignant melanomas, to determine whether c-Kit can aid in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. c-Kit immunostaining was performed in 60 cases of pigmented lesions, including 39 benign nevi (5 blue nevi, 5 intradermal nevi, 3 junctional nevi, 15 cases of primary compound nevus, 11 cases of Spitz nevus), 18 cases of primary malignant melanoma and 3 cases of metastatic melanoma. The vast majority of nevi and melanomas examined in this study were positive for c-Kit, with minimal differences between benign and malignant lesions. C-Kit cytoplasmatic immunoreactivity in the intraepidermal proliferating nevus cells, was detected in benign pigmented lesions as well as in malignant melanoma, increasing with the age of patients (P=0.007) in both groups. The patientâ€™s age at presentation appeared to be the variable able to cluster benign and malignant pigmented lesions. The percentage of c-Kit positive intraepidermal nevus cells was better associated with age despite other variables (P=0.014). The intensity and percentage of c-Kit positivity in the proliferating nevus cells in the dermis was significantly increased in malignant melanocytic lesions (P=0.015 and P=0.008) compared to benign lesions (compound melanocytic nevi, Spitz nevi, intradermal nevi, blue nevi). Immunostaning for c-Kit in metastatic melanomas was negative. Interestingly in two cases of melanoma occurring on a pre-existent nevus, the melanoma tumor cells showed strong cytoplasmatic and membranous positivity for c-kit, in contrast with the absence of any immunoreactivity in pre-existent intradermal nevus cells. C-Kit does not appear to be a strong immunohistochemical marker for distinguishing melanoma from melanocytic nevi, if we consider c-Kit expression in intraepidermal proliferating cells. The c-Kit expression in proliferating melanocytes in the dermis could help in the differential diagnosis between a superficial spreading melanoma (with dermis invasion) and a compound nevus or an intradermal nevus. Finally, c-Kit could be a good diagnostic tool for distinguishing benign compound nevi from malignant melanocytic lesions with dermis invasion and to differentiate metastatic melanoma from primary melanoma.
Seeking the good (peace) of the republic: The violence against and of difference in defining the public space
Authors: Meylahn Johann-Albrecht
Published: June 2011

This article will reflect on the role of legitimate and authorised violence in state-making. This violence in the name of the good defines the state (Benjamin�s law-making violence) by the exclusion of others (Benjamin 1996). Law-making violence together with the violence that coerces or binds [religare] the public into a common understanding of the good (Benjamin�s law-maintaining violence) is at the exclusion of other interpretations of the good (Benjamin 1996). As the law-making and law-maintaining violence of the state is always at the expense of the excluded other, the excluded other will produce a counter violence of difference seeking a legitimate place within the common space of the republic (Benjamin�s divine violence). What is the church�s role in such a context of violence? Is the church�s role to help clarify and clearly define the good that will bind [religare] the citizens into a stronger and more prosperous and peaceful state � onward Christian soldiers marching as to war? Or is there another calling, to be disciples of Christ � with the Cross of Jesus going on before � and enter the space of violence beyond the knowledge of good and evil as peacemakers? These questions will be examined by bringing into dialogue �i�ek�s (1997) interpretation of Christianity with Derrida�s (2002) interpretation of hospitality, specifically in the violent South African context.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Adults: Focus on Pregabalin
Authors: Boschen Mark J.
Published: June 2011

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic illness which impacts significantly on an individual's functioning and quality of life. Pregabalin is a novel structural analogue of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, acting to reduce calcium ion flow through the α2δ subunit of pre-synaptic voltage-dependent calcium channels. Pregabalin has been used in treatment of GAD in a total of eight published controlled trials. In each trial, pregabalin has demonstrated a superiority over placebo, with response rates of over 40% in all studies, including patients on lower doses. One study has provided preliminary evidence for the efficacy of pregabalin in treatment of GAD in older adults. Pregabalin is generally well tolerated, with the most common adverse events being dizziness and somnolence. Adverse effects are generally mild-to-moderate, and transient. Pregabalin has low abuse potential. Limitations of the current literature are discussed, and directions for future research are proposed.
Post-Exercise Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index Demonstrates Altered Endothelial Function in the Elderly
Authors: Sato Shinji , Masami Kozue , Otsuki Shingo , Tanaka Shiro , Nakayama Noriko , Makita Shigeru , Koshiyama Hiroyuki , Nohara Ryuji
Published: June 2011

Background

The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), the ratio of the systolic blood pressure of the ankle to the systolic brachial pressure, is commonly measured at rest, but ABI values post-exercise enhance the sensitivity of the test and can be used to identify atherosclerotic vascular damage. However, it has not been established whether or not enhanced post-exercise ABI is also associated with endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that a decrease in post-exercise ABI is related to impaired endothelial function.

Purpose

To investigate alterations in post-exercise ABI values and endothelial dysfunction in the elderly.

Methods

The study population comprised 35 men and women aged 51–77 years (mean age: 66 years). Patients with peripheral arterial disease or a history of heart failure were excluded. The ABI was estimated at rest and immediately after exercise. The exercise protocol comprised 2.5 min of active pedal flexion exercises at a speed of 60 times/min. Endothelial function was assessed by measuring flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery using ultrasound imaging.

Results

No correlation was found between FMD and the ABI at rest. However, a weak correlation was found between FMD and post-exercise ABI (r = 0.46, P = 0.06). A strong correlation was observed between FMD and a decrease in post-exercise ABI compared to baseline readings (r = –0.52, P = 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to generate a prediction equation for FMD using the percentage decrease in post-exercise ABI. Significant correlations were observed between the ultrasound imaging-measured FMD and the predicted FMD (R2 = 0.27, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Post-exercise ABI appears to be a simple surrogate marker for endothelial function in the elderly, although larger studies are required for validation.
On Universal Osher-Type Schemes for General Nonlinear Hyperbolic Conservation Laws
Authors: Dumbser Michael , Toro Eleuterio F.
Published: June 2011

This paper is concerned with a new version of the Osher-Solomon Riemann solver and is based on a numerical integration of the path-dependent dissipation matrix. The resulting scheme is much simpler than the original one and is applicable to general hyperbolic conservation laws, while retaining the attractive features of the original solver: the method is entropy-satisfying, differentiable and complete in the sense that it attributes a different numerical viscosity to each characteristic field, in particular to the intermediate ones, since the full eigenstructure of the underlying hyperbolic system is used. To illustrate the potential of the proposed scheme we show applications to the following hyperbolic conservation laws: Euler equations of compressible gas-dynamics with ideal gas and real gas equation of state, classical and relativistic MHD equations as well as the equations of nonlinear elasticity. To the knowledge of the authors, apart from the Euler equations with ideal gas, an Osher-type scheme has never been devised before for any of these complicated PDE systems. Since our new general Riemann solver can be directly used as a building block of high order finite volume and discontinuous Galerkin schemes we also show the extension to higher order of accuracy and multiple space dimensions in the new framework of PNPM schemes on unstructured meshes recently proposed in [9].
Grupo de Pesquisa em Enfermagem na Prevenção e Controle de Infecções: 20 anos de contribuições
Authors: Pereira Milca Severino , Ribeiro Luana Cássia Miranda , Mendonça Katiane Martins , Tipple Anaclara Ferreira Veiga , Souza Adenícia Custódia Silva e , Palos Marinésia Aparecida do Prado , Barreto Regiane Aparecida dos Santos Soares
Published: June 2011

Relato de experiência sobre as atividades realizadas por um Núcleo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Enfermagem, no desenvolvimento da temática de prevenção e controle de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde. O estudo teve como objetivo descrever a trajetória histórica, a importância e contribuição de um grupo de pesquisa da área de prevenção e controle de infecção em seus vinte anos de existência. O texto discute a trajetória do grupo, que foi pioneiro na área de enfermagem na região Centro Oeste do Brasil e destaca a relevância da experiência no fortalecimento, consolidação da produção de conhecimento dos pesquisadores envolvidos e na formação de jovens pesquisadores. O grupo de pesquisa constitui-se em oportunidade de compartilhar conhecimentos teóricos e práticos, instigar estudantes e docentes à criação e aos estudos, com foco na busca de soluções para problemas identificados na realidade. Descritores: Enfermagem; Grupos de pesquisa; Educação em Enfermagem; Infecção Hospitalar.
As repercussões de viver com uma colostomia temporária nos corpos: individual, social e político
Authors: Souza Pollyane Chris Menino de , Costa Valéria Rossi Marques da , Maruyama Sônia Ayako Tao , Costa Aldenan Lima Ribeiro Correa da , Rodrigues Alessandra Emanuelle Cunha , Navarro Jacqueline Pimenta
Published: June 2011

O presente estudo abordou o tema colostomia temporária e teve como objetivo analisar suas repercussões na vida das pessoas com base nos corpos: individual, social e político. Estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, com base na História de Vida Focal. Os sujeitos do estudo foram oito pessoas com colostomia temporária que frequentaram o ambulatório de estomias de um hospital universitário público de Cuiabá-MT. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, no período de outubro a novembro de 2008. As entrevistas foram gravadas e, após transcritas, procedeu-se a análise temática. Foram assim, identificadas duas categorias: as repercussões das informações sobre a necessidade da colostomia e seu cuidado; as repercussões de viver com uma colostomia temporária nos corpos individual, social e político. Ressaltamos a importância do papel da enfermagem em focalizar as particularidades das pessoas com colostomias temporárias, considerando o contexto sociocultural e a subjetividade de cada uma delas. Descritores: Colostomia; Cultura; Enfermagem.
O trabalho em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial: dificuldades e facilidades da equipe de enfermagem
Authors: Zerbetto Sonia Regina , Efigênio Elizangela Boni , Santos Nayra Luci Nayrovisk dos , Martins Sabrina Casale
Published: June 2011

O cotidiano de trabalho da equipe de enfermagem no modelo de atenção psicossocial possibilita a construção de novos saberes e práticas. O estudo objetivou discutir o trabalho de profissionais de enfermagem em um CAPS a partir da perspectiva de seus atores. Pesquisa descritiva, analítica, abordagem qualitativa, realizada em uma cidade do estado de São Paulo, com os membros da equipe de enfermagem. Os dados foram coletados em 2007, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Emergiram quatro categorias temáticas: concepções do modelo psicossocial, as relações estabelecidas dentro da instituição e seu território, as atividades desenvolvidas no cotidiano de trabalho, dificuldades e facilidades no trabalho. Conclui-se que os fatores predisponentes para as dificuldades no cotidiano do trabalho permeiam as dimensões teórico-conceituais (concepção de processo saúde-doença mental, Reforma Psiquiátrica e território). As dificuldades envolveram o âmbito técnico-assistencial, principalmente, as relações da enfermagem com os familiares dos usuários. Descritores: Equipe de enfermagem; Serviços de saúde mental; Saúde mental; Enfermagem psiquiátrica.
Prevention of Hyperopic Surprise after LASIK in Patients with Refractive Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
Authors: Albarrán-Diego César , Muñoz Gonzalo , Ferrer-Blasco Teresa , García-Lázaro Santiago
Published: June 2011

Purpose.

Three cases of patients who developed a similar hyperopic defect in refraction following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) after multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation are described.

Methods.

Ophthalmologic evaluation including refractive status, corrected and uncorrected visual acuity (both at far and near), and corneal topography in patients presenting similar hyperopic refractive surprise in one eye as a result of LASIK refinement of residual ametropia after refractive multifocal IOL implantation.

Results.

Laser in situ keratomileusis enhancement for residual ametropia of −1.00 to −1.50 D in patients with a prior implantation of refractive multifocal IOL resulted in a refractive surprise of +2.25 to +2.50 D. After excluding other possible sources of error, an explanation for such a refractive surprise is suggested, and a simple method for avoiding this error is presented.

Conclusions.

Proper knowledge of the defocus curve and the use of a systematic method for determining subjective refraction in patients implanted with refractive multifocal IOLs will reduce the possibility of refractive surprise after LASIK enhancement in a bioptics procedure.
Effect of Body Weight on the Outcome of Displaced Intracapsular Fracture Neck of Femur Treated by Internal Fixation; A Clinical Study of 198 Patients
Authors: Alazzawi Sulaiman , Mayahi Reza , Parker Martyn J.
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study was to assess any possible correlation between body weight and fracture union following displaced intracapsular fractures of the neck of femur treated by a closed reduction and internal fixation. A total of 198 patients with such injuries treated by closed reduction and internal fixation, were recruited retrospectively. Patients were followed up until fracture endpoint (union or non-union) with a minimum follow up of 100 days. The mean body weight for the 118 patients without fracture healing complications was 64.6kg versus 61.8kg for the 80 patients with complications, a difference that was not statistically significant (p=0.17). Analysis of data related to sex and age also found no relationship between weight and fracture healing complications. Our results indicate there is no relationship between body weight and fracture healing complications following displaced intracapsular fractures treated by internal fixation.
Repair of Gluteus Medius Muscle Avulsion following Transgluteal Hip Replacement
Authors: Groot Diederik , Van Ooij Andre , Haverkamp Daniel , Morrenhof Wim
Published: June 2011

During a transgluteal approach to the hip joint the anterior part of the gluteus medius and minimus muscles are detached and subsequently reattached to the greater trochanter. Avulsion or rupture of these muscles may result in weak abduction, pain and/or instability. 15 patients with these symptoms were treated, of whom 13 had muscle avulsion at surgery. Reinsertion of these muscles resulted in improvement of pain in 6 (55%) patients and improvement of walking ability in 9 (82%) patients. Reinsertion of avulsed gluteal muscles after transgluteal approaches to the hip may relieve pain and improve walking ability.
Application of Spectral Methods to Boundary Value Problems for Differential Equations
Authors: Petronela Ene
Published: June 2011

We try to generalize the concept of a spectrum in the nonlinear case starting from its splitting into several subspectra, not necessarily disjoint, following the classical decomposition of the spectrum. To obtain an extension of spectrum with rich properties, we replace the identity map by a nonlinear operator acting between two Banach spaces and , which takes into account the analytical and topological properties of a given operator , although the original definitions have been given only in the case
and . The FMV spectrum reflects only asymptotic properties of , while the Feng's spectrum takes into account the global behaviour of and gives applications to boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations or for the second-order differential equations, which are referred to as three-point boundary value problems with the classical or the periodic boundary conditions.
Robustness of Krasnoselski-Mann's Algorithm for Asymptotically Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Tang Yu-Chao , Liu Li-Wei
Published: June 2011

Iterative approximation of fixed points of nonexpansive mapping is a very active theme in many aspects of mathematical and engineering areas, in particular, in image recovery and signal processing. Because the errors usually occur in few places, it is necessary to show that whether the iterative algorithm is robust or not. In the present work, we prove that Krasnoselski-Mann's algorithm is robust for asymptotically nonexpansive mapping in a Banach space setting. Our results generalize the corresponding results existing in the literature.