bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Return to Sport Following Shoulder Surgery in the Elite Pitcher
Authors: Harris Joshua D. , Frank Jonathan M. , Jordan Mark A. , Bush-Joseph Charles A. , Romeo Anthony A. , Gupta Anil K. , Abrams Geoffrey D. , McCormick Frank M. , Bach Bernard R.
Published: March 2013

Context:

The ability to return to elite pitching, performance, and clinical outcomes of shoulder surgery in elite baseball pitchers are not definitively established.

Objective:

To determine (1) the rate of return to sport (RTS) in elite pitchers following shoulder surgery, (2) postoperative clinical outcomes upon RTS, and (3) performance upon RTS and to compare RTS rates in different types of shoulder surgery.

Data Sources:

Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and checklist, Medline, SciVerse Scopus, SportDiscus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched.

Study Selection:

Levels I-IV evidence were eligible for inclusion if performance-based (eg, RTS) and/or clinical outcome–based reporting of outcomes were reported following surgical treatment of shoulder pathology in elite pitchers (major or minor league or collegiate).

Data Extraction:

Subject, shoulder, and pre- and postoperative performance-based variables of interest were extracted. All shoulder surgery types were potentially inclusive (eg, open, arthroscopic, rotator cuff, labrum, biceps, acromioclavicular joint, fracture). Study methodological quality was analyzed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score (MCMS).

Results:

Six studies were analyzed (287 elite male pitchers [mean age, 27 years] who underwent shoulder surgery, with 99% on the dominant, throwing shoulder). MCMS was 38 (poor). Most pitchers were professional, with a mean career length of 6.58 years and postoperative clinical follow-up of 3.62 years. In 5 of 6 studies, multiple diagnoses were addressed concomitantly at surgery. Rate of RTS was 68% at mean 12 months following surgery. Twenty-two percent of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers never RTS in MLB. Overall performance did improve following surgery; however, this did not improve to pre-injury levels.

Conclusion:

In this systematic review, the rate of return to elite baseball pitching following surgery was established. Performance tended to decrease prior to surgery and gradually improve postoperatively, though not reaching pre-injury levels of pitching.

Level of Evidence:

IV (systematic review of studies level I-IV evidence), therapeutic.
Endometriosis-associated pain syndrome: a nurse-led approach
Authors: Cambitzi Julia , Nagaratnam Maya
Published: March 2013

Endometriosis is an enigmatic disease and its fundamental cause is still unknown. Endometriosis-associated pain syndrome is a common problem; it is underdiagnosed and patients suffering from the syndrome are rarely seen in specialist pain clinics. The correlation between the extent of the disease and pain is weak. Endometriosis-associated pain syndrome may be cyclical or persistent and the pain may radiate to other pelvic organs. Optimum treatment is timely intervention using a multidisciplinary approach.
Sonographic Evaluation of a Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy
Authors: Payken Laura A.
Published: March 2013

Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening condition that warrants immediate treatment due to the risk of rupture and resultant hemorrhaging. Less than 1% of all pregnancies are ectopic; of these, 90% or more are located in the fallopian tubes. In a clinical setting, sonography can diagnose an ectopic pregnancy in conjunction with beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) levels above 1500 mIU. A case is presented in which the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was supported through sonographic features. Medication was given to terminate the ectopic pregnancy; however, surgery was later needed when the ectopic ruptured.
Comparison of the dry densities of highly compacted bentonites
Authors: Kaufhold S. , Klinkenberg M. , Dohrmann R.
Published: March 2013

Bentonites are in worldwide use as candidate materials for the encapsulation of high-level radioactive waste (HLRW). To effectively seal waste canisters, bentonite is compacted to bentonite blocks which can be used to build a wall around the canisters. Compaction significantly improves the swelling pressure, which is currently considered as one of the most important parameters for assessing barrier performance. Most of the studies on compressibility of bentonites consider a few different materials only, which does not lead to a general understanding of bentonite performance. In order to identify the actual compressibility differences of different bentonites, a sizeable set of well characterized materials was investigated with respect to the dry densities after compaction.

Different results were obtained for bentonites that had been dried and bentonites that were equilibrated at 70% r.h. (relative humidity) prior to compaction. The dry density of dried bentonites depends on total porosity and particle density. However, the dry density of microporous bentonites depends on the microporosity rather than total porosity because microporosity is not reduced upon compaction. On the other hand, for the samples previously equilibrated at 70% r.h., the water content is most important. However, the water content, i.e. the water uptake capacity at 70% r.h., in turn largely depends on the CEC but also on microporosity. Therefore, under a given load, the 36 bentonites studied showed a significant range of resulting dry densities, depending on water content, CEC and porosity.

In conclusion, for a given bentonite, the dry density after compaction explains some geotechnical parameters such as the swelling pressure. However, for reasons explained in the present study, the dry density cannot be generally used to predict these parameters.
Simultaneous thermal analysis of different bentonite–sodium carbonate systems: an attempt to distinguish alkali-activated bentonites from raw materials
Authors: Steudel A. , Mehl D. , Emmerich K.
Published: March 2013

Alkali activation with sodium carbonates is a traditional method to improve bentonite properties for a variety of applications. In some applications, natural sodium-rich bentonites are preferred, and custom regulations require proper declaration of Na-rich bentonites, with respect to activation. Consequently, there is need for a method that can unambiguously distinguish between natural and activated Na-rich bentonites.

The paper deals with the preparation of several alkali-activated sets, specifically (a) anhydrous Na2CO3 with trace amounts of thermonatrite (Na2CO3.H2O) and trona (Na3(CO3)(HCO3).2H2O), hereafter called ASC, (b) mixtures of ASC with CaCO3, and (c) mixtures of ASC with CaCO3 and a Ca2+-rich bentonite at different moisture contents, to distinguish natural and alkali-activated bentonites by simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) linked with a mass spectrometer for the analysis of evolved gases. STA linked with MS revealed alkali activation of bentonites, even in the presence of CaCO3. The moisture content during activation and storage of activated samples, however, has a strong influence on the detection of activated samples by STA-MS. Uncertainties remain with respect to unknown foreign phase contents of technical ASC used for alkali activation in practice and the influence of carbonates like dolomite or siderite, which are often present in natural bentonites.
Stichtite: a review
Authors: Theiss F. L. , Ayoko G. A. , Frost R. L.
Published: March 2013

Stichtite is a naturally occurring layered double hydroxide (LDH) with the ideal chemical formula Mg6Cr2CO3(OH)16.4H2O. It has received less attention in the literature than other LDHs and is often described as a rare mineral; however, abundant deposits of the mineral do exist. In this article we aim to review a number of significant publications concerning the mineral stichtite, including papers covering the discovery, geological origin, synthesis and characterizsation of stichtite. Characterization techniques reviewed include powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), near infrared spectroscopy (NIR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), thermogravimetry (TG) and electron microprobe analysis.
Genomic instability may originate from imatinib-refractory chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells
Authors: Bolton-Gillespie Elisabeth , Schemionek Mirle , Klein Hans-Ulrich , Flis Sylwia , Hoser Grazyna , Lange Thoralf , Nieborowska-Skorska Margaret , Maier Jacqueline , Kerstiens Linda , Koptyra Mateusz , Müller Martin C. , Modi Hardik , Stoklosa Tomasz , Seferynska Ilona , Bhatia Ravi , Holyoake Tessa L. , Koschmieder Steffen , Skorski Tomasz
Published: March 2013

Key Points

Imatinib does not prevent accumulation of genomic instability in CML-CP. Imatinib-refractory leukemia stem cells may be a source of genomic instability in CML-CP.
The expression and regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 is critically modulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide with heterogeneous lipid A structures in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Herath Thanuja D K , Wang Yu , Seneviratne Chaminda J , Darveau Richard P , Wang Cun-Yu , Jin Lijian
Published: March 2013

Background

Porphyromonas gingivalislipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a crucial virulence factor strongly associated with chronic periodontitis which is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults. It exhibits remarkable heterogeneity containing tetra-(LPS1435/1449) and penta-(LPS1690) acylated lipid A structures. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) as the main resident cells of human gingiva play a key role in regulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and contribute to periodontal homeostasis. This study investigated the expression and regulation of MMPs1-3 and tissue inhibitors of MMP-1 (TIMP-1) in HGFs in response toP. gingivalisLPS1435/1449and LPS1690and hexa-acylatedE. coliLPS as a reference. The expression of MMPs 1–3 and TIMP-1 was evaluated by real-time PCR and ELISA.

Results

The MMP-3 mRNA and protein were highly upregulated inP. gingivalisLPS1690- andE. coliLPS-treated cells, whereas no induction was observed inP. gingivalisLPS1435/1449-treated cells. On the contrary, the expression of MMP-1 and −2 was not significantly affected byP. gingivalisLPS lipid A heterogeneity. The TIMP-1 mRNA was upregulated inP. gingivalisLPS1435/1449- andE. coliLPS-treated cells. Next, signal transduction pathways involved inP. gingivalisLPS-induced expression of MMP-3 were examined by blocking assays. Blockage of p38 MAPK and ERK significantly inhibitedP. gingivalisLPS1690-induced MMP-3 expression in HGFs.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that the heterogeneous lipid A structures ofP. gingivalisLPS differentially modulate the expression of MMP-3 in HGFs, which may play a role in periodontal pathogenesis.
Factors affecting mortality of hospitalized chest trauma patients in United Arab Emirates
Authors: AlEassa Essa M , Al-Marashda Mariam J , Elsherif Amgad , Eid Hani O , Abu-Zidan Fikri M
Published: March 2013

Background

Predictors of mortality of chest trauma vary globally. We aimed to define factors affecting mortality of hospitalized chest trauma patients in Al-Ain City, United Arab Emirates.

Methods

The data of Al-Ain Hospital Trauma Registry were prospectively collected over a period of three years. Patients with chest trauma who were admitted for more than 24 hours in Al-Ain Hospital or who died after arrival to the hospital were included in the study. Univariate analysis was used to compare patients who died and those who survived. Gender, age, nationality, mechanism of injury, systolic blood pressure and GCS on arrival, the need for ventilatory support, presence of head injury, AIS for the chest and head, presence of injuries outside the chest, and ISS were studied. Significant factors were then entered into a backward stepwise likelihood ratio logistic regression model.

Results

474 patients having a median (range) age of 35 (1–90) years were studied. 90% were males and 18% were UAE citizens. The main mechanism of injury was road traffic collisions (66%) followed by falls (23.4%). Penetrating trauma occurred in 4 patients (0.8%). 88 patients (18.6%) were admitted to the ICU. The median (range) ISS was 5 (1–43). 173 patients (36.5%) had isolated chest injury. Overall mortality rate was 7.2%. Mortality was significantly increased by low GCS (p < 0.0001), high ISS (p = 0.025), and low systolic blood pressure on arrival (p = 0.027).

Conclusion

Chest trauma is associated with a significant mortality in Al-Ain City. This was significantly related to the severity of head injury, injury severity score, and hypotension on arrival.
Nocardia veterana endogenous endophthalmitis in a cardiac transplant patient
Authors: Scott Megan , Mehta Sonia , Rahman Hassan T , Grossniklaus Hans E , Yeh Steven
Published: March 2013

Background

Endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to Nocardia species is extremely rare but often portends a poor visual prognosis often owing to the advanced nature of disease at presentation and delay in diagnosis. Patients who are systemically immunosuppressed are at greatest risk and early suspicion of the role of this organism in patients with acute panuveitis is paramount.

Findings

A 66-year-old cardiac transplant patient on oral prednisone, Myfortic, and tacrolimus developed unilateral panuveitis with a focal white subretinal and retinal lesion. His past medical history was notable for Aspergillus pneumonia and cytomegalovirus retinitis in the contralateral eye 12 months prior. Aqueous humor sampling for eubacterial, eufungal, and viral PCR testing, as well as vitreous cultures for bacteria and fungi were unsuccessful in the identification of a causative organism. Progressive enlargement of the lesion was noted despite intravitreal foscarnet, vancomycin, ceftazidime, and voriconazole. A pars plana vitrectomy and retinal and subretinal biopsy led to the identification of Nocardia veterana, a recently identified Nocardia species. A combination of linezolid, meropenem, azithromycin, ceftriaxone, and intravitreal amikacin resulted in eradication of the infection.

Conclusion

This is the first reported case of N. veterana endogenous endophthalmitis in an immunosuppressed patient. Pars plana vitrectomy with a subretinal biopsy was required to establish a diagnosis, as other testing including aqueous PCR and vitreous cultures were negative. The poor visual outcome in our patient highlights the importance of early consideration of Nocardia in the differential diagnosis of panuveitis with subretinal disease in the context of immunosuppression.
The acute and long‐term management of food allergy: protocol for a rapid systematic review
Authors: de Silva Debra , Panesar Sukhmeet S , Thusu Sundeep , Rader Tamara , Werfel Thomas , Muraro Antonella , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber Karin , Roberts Graham , Sheikh Aziz ,   European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines group
Published: March 2013

Background

Allergic reactions to plant and animal derived food allergens can have serious consequences for sufferers and their families. The associated social, emotional and financial costs make it a priority to understand the best ways of managing such immune‐mediated hypersensitivity responses. Conceptually, there are two main approaches to managing food allergy: those targeting immediate symptoms and those aiming to support long‐term management of the condition. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is developing guidelines about what constitutes an effective treatment for food allergies. As part of the guidelines development process, a systematic review is planned to examine published research about the management of food allergy in adults and children.

Methods

Seven bibliographic databases were searched from their inception to September 30, 2012 for systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, quasi‐randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before‐and‐after studies and interrupted time series. Experts were consulted for additional studies. There were no language or geographic restrictions. Studies were critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program and Cochrane EPOC Risk of Bias tools. Only studies where people had a diagnosis of food allergy or reported a history of food allergy were included. This means that many studies of conditions that may be caused by food allergy are omitted, because only research in people with an explicit diagnosis or history was eligible.

Discussion

Many initiatives have been tested to treat the immediate symptoms of food allergy (acute management) and to deal with longer lasting symptoms or induce tolerability to potential allergens (long‐term management). The best management strategies for people with food allergy are likely to depend on the type of allergy, symptom manifestations and age. There is a real need to increase the amount of high quality research devoted to treatment strategies for food allergy. Food allergy can be debilitating and is affecting an increasing number of children and adults. With such little known about how to effectively manage the condition and its manifestations, this appears a priority for future research.
The roles of complement receptor 3 and Fcγ receptors during Leishmania phagosome maturation
Authors: Polando Rachel , Dixit Upasna Gaur , Carter Cristina R , Jones Blake , Whitcomb James P , Ballhorn Wibke , Harintho Melissa , Jerde Christopher L , Wilson Mary E , McDowell Mary Ann
Published: March 2013

Opsonophagocytosis influences phagosomal trafficking of Leishmania without altering the intracellular fate.

Leishmania are intracellular parasites adapted to surviving in macrophages, whose primary function is elimination of invading pathogens. Leishmania entry into host cells is receptor-mediated. These parasites are able to engage multiple host cell-surface receptors, including MR, TLRs, CR3, and FcγRs. Here, we investigated the role of CR3 and FcγR engagement on the maturation of Leishmania-containing phagosomes using CD11b−/− and FcγR−/− macrophages, and assessing EEA1 and lysosome-associated proteins is necessary for the phagosome maturation delay, characteristic of Leishmania infection. Leishmania-containing phagosomes do not fuse with lyosomes until 5 h postinfection in WT mice. Phagolysosome fusion occurs by 1 h in CD11b and FcγR common chain KO macrophages, although receptor deficiency does not influence Leishmania entry or viability. We also investigated the influence of serum components and their effects on phagosome maturation progression. Opsonization with normal mouse serum, complement-deficient serum, or serum from Leishmania-infected mice all influenced phagosome maturation progression. Our results indicate that opsonophagocytosis influences phagosomal trafficking of Leishmania without altering the intracellular fate.
IL-4Rα on CD4+ T cells plays a pathogenic role in respiratory syncytial virus reinfection in mice infected initially as neonates
Authors: You Dahui , Marr Nico , Saravia Jordy , Shrestha Bishwas , Lee Greg I , Turvey Stuart E , Brombacher Frank , Herbert De’Broski R , Cormier Stephania A
Published: March 2013

RSV reinfection increases IL-4Rα expression on T helper cells, responsible for the enhanced immunopathologies in mice initially infected as neonates.

RSV is the major cause of severe bronchiolitis in infants, and severe bronchiolitis as a result of RSV is associated with subsequent asthma development. A biased Th2 immune response is thought to be responsible for neonatal RSV pathogenesis; however, molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that IL-4Rα is up-regulated in vitro on human CD4+ T cells from cord blood following RSV stimulation and in vivo on mouse pulmonary CD4+ T cells upon reinfection of mice, initially infected as neonates. Th cell-specific deletion of Il4ra attenuated Th2 responses and abolished the immunopathophysiology upon reinfection, including airway hyper-reactivity, eosinophilia, and mucus hyperproduction in mice infected initially as neonates. These findings support a pathogenic role for IL-4Rα on Th cells following RSV reinfection of mice initially infected as neonates; more importantly, our data from human cells suggest that the same mechanism occurs in humans.
RAGE regulation and signaling in inflammation and beyond
Authors: Kierdorf Katrin , Fritz Günter
Published: March 2013

RAGE is a key molecule in the onset and sustainment of the inflammatory response. New studies indicate that RAGE might represent a new link between the innate and adaptive immune system. RAGE belongs to the superfamily of Ig cell-surface receptors and is expressed on all types of leukocytes promoting activation, migration, or maturation of the different cells. RAGE expression is prominent on the activated endothelium, where it mediates leukocyte adhesion and transmigration. Moreover, proinflammatory molecules released from the inflamed or injured vascular system induce migration and proliferation of SMCs. RAGE binds a large number of different ligands and is therefore considered as a PRR, recognizing a structural motif rather than a specific ligand. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the signaling pathways activated in the different cell types and discuss a potential activation mechanism of RAGE, as well as putative options for therapeutic intervention.
Genomic Dissection of Hurthle Cell Carcinoma Reveals a Unique Class of Thyroid Malignancy
Authors: Ganly Ian , Ricarte Filho Julio , Eng Stephanie , Ghossein Ronald , Morris Luc G. T. , Liang Yupu , Socci Nicholas , Kannan Kasthuri , Mo Qianxing , Fagin James A. , Chan Timothy A.
Published: March 2013

Context:

Hurthle cell cancer (HCC) is an understudied cancer with poor prognosis.

Objective:

Our objective was to elucidate the genomic foundations of HCC.

Design and Setting:

We conducted a large-scale integrated analysis of mutations, gene expression profiles, and copy number alterations in HCC at a single tertiary-care cancer institution.

Methods:

Mass spectrometry-based genotyping was used to interrogate hot spot point mutations in the most common thyroid oncogenes: BRAF, RET, NRAS, HRAS, KRAS, PIK3CA, MAP2K1, and AKT1. In addition, common oncogenic fusions of RET and NTRK1 as well as PAX8/PPARγ and AKAP9-BRAF were also assessed by RT-PCR. Global copy number changes and gene expression profiles were determined in the same tumor set as the mutational analyses.

Results:

We report that the mutational, transcriptional, and copy number profiles of HCC were distinct from those of papillary thyroid cancer and follicular thyroid cancer, indicating HCC to be a unique type of thyroid malignancy. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of gene expression showed the 3 groups of Hurthle tumors (Hurthle cell adenoma [HA], minimally invasive Hurthle cell carcinoma [HMIN], and widely invasive Hurthle cell carcinoma [HWIDE] clustered separately with a marked difference between HWIDE and HA. Global copy number analysis also indicated distinct subgroups of tumors that may arise as HWIDE and HMIN. Molecular pathways that differentiate HA from HWIDE included the PIK3CA-Akt-mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, potentially providing a rationale for new targets for this type of malignancy.

Conclusions:

Our data provide evidence that HCC may be a unique thyroid cancer distinct from papillary and follicular thyroid cancer.
Variations in the Size of the Major Omentum Are Primarily Determined by Fat Cell Number
Authors: Arner Peter , Andersson Daniel Peter , Thörne Anders , Wirén Mikael , Hoffstedt Johan , Näslund Erik , Thorell Anders , Rydén Mikael
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is strongly linked to insulin resistance. Variations in the size of any adipose depot are determined by alterations in adipocyte volume and/or number. The individual contribution of each of the latter factors was determined in the major omentum, a fully resectable VAT depot.

Subjects:

Total removal of the major omentum (omentectomy) was performed in conjunction with bariatric surgery in 55 obese patients. Tissue weight as well as mean adipocyte size and number in the omentum were determined. In subgroups, total VAT was estimated by computerized tomography (n = 17) or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (n = 34).

Results:

The weight of the major omentum (on average 0.6 kg) correlated significantly with total VAT mass estimated by computerized tomography or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (r = 0.48-0.7; P < .01). Omental weight in relation to total body fat correlated with several features of the metabolic syndrome and inversely with serum-leptin (P < .001). Mean adipocyte size and total adipocyte number correlated strongly with omental weight (r = 0.6-0.8; P < .0001), irrespective of body mass index and total body fat mass, and accounted almost in total for interindividual variations in omental size. However, stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that adipocyte number was significantly (P < .0001) more important (62%) than adipocyte size (35%).

Conclusion:

The size of the major omentum is representative for VAT mass and correlates with a pernicious metabolic profile. Variations in omental weight are primarily determined by adipocyte number and to a lesser degree by adipocyte size, suggesting that increased VAT mass in obesity is predominantly dependent on adipocyte proliferation.
Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins Are Regulators of the NIS Gene in Thyroid Cells
Authors: Ringseis Robert , Rauer Christine , Rothe Susanne , Gessner Denise K. , Schütz Lisa-Marie , Luci Sebastian , Wen Gaiping , Eder Klaus
Published: March 2013

The uptake of iodide into the thyroid, an essential step in thyroid hormone synthesis, is an active process mediated by the sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). Despite its strong dependence on TSH, the master regulator of the thyroid, the NIS gene was also reported to be regulated by non-TSH signaling pathways. In the present study we provide evidence that the rat NIS gene is subject to regulation by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), which were initially identified as master transcriptional regulators of lipid biosynthesis and uptake. Studies in FRTL-5 thyrocytes revealed that TSH stimulates expression and maturation of SREBPs and expression of classical SREBP target genes involved in lipid biosynthesis and uptake. Almost identical effects were observed when the cAMP agonist forskolin was used instead of TSH. In TSH receptor-deficient mice, in which TSH/cAMP-dependent gene regulation is blocked, the expression of SREBP isoforms in the thyroid was markedly reduced when compared with wild-type mice. Sterol-mediated inhibition of SREBP maturation and/or RNA interference-mediated knockdown of SREBPs reduced expression of NIS and NIS-specific iodide uptake in FRTL-5 cells. Conversely, overexpression of active SREBPs caused a strong activation of the 5′-flanking region of the rat NIS gene mediated by binding to a functional SREBP binding site located in the 5′-untranslated region of the rat NIS gene. These findings show that TSH acts as a regulator of SREBP expression and maturation in thyroid epithelial cells and that SREBPs are novel transcriptional regulators of NIS.
Localization and Exact Simulation of Brownian Motion-Driven Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Chen Nan , Huang Zhengyu
Published: March 2013

Generating sample paths of stochastic differential equations (SDE) using the Monte Carlo method finds wide applications in financial engineering. Discretization is a popular approximate approach to generating those paths: it is easy to implement but prone to simulation bias. This paper presents a new simulation scheme to exactly generate samples for SDEs. The key observation is that the law of a general SDE can be decomposed into a product of the law of standard Brownian motion and the law of a doubly stochastic Poisson process. An acceptance-rejection algorithm is devised based on the combination of this decomposition and a localization technique. The numerical results corroborates that the mean-square error of the proposed method is in the order of O(t−1/2), which is superior to the conventional discretization schemes. Furthermore, the proposed method also can generate exact samples for SDE with boundaries which the discretization schemes usually find difficulty in dealing with.
Optimal Sampling of Overflow Paths in Jackson Networks
Authors: Blanchet Jose
Published: March 2013

We consider the problems of computing overflow probabilities at level N in any subset of stations in a Jackson network and of simulating sample paths conditional on overflow. We construct algorithms that take O(N) function evaluations to estimate such overflow probabilities within a prescribed relative accuracy and to simulate paths conditional on overflow at level N. The algorithms that we present are optimal in the sense that the best possible performance that can be expected for conditional sampling involves Ω(N) running time. As we explain in our development, our techniques have the potential to be applicable to more general classes of networks.
Diffusion Approximations for G/M/n + GI Queues with State-Dependent Service Rates
Authors: Weerasinghe Ananda
Published: March 2013

We consider a sequence of many-server queueing systems with impatient customers of the type G/M/n + GI in heavy traffic. This sequence is indexed by n, where the parameter n represents the number of servers in the nth system. The state process is considered to be the diffusion-scaled total customer count in the system and the service rate is a state-dependent perturbation of a given basic service rate μ0 > 0. When the system is critically loaded in the Halfin-Whitt heavy traffic regime, we obtain the limiting diffusion for the state processes. We also establish the asymptotic relationships among the diffusion-scaled processes representing the total customer count, virtual waiting time, and the number of customer abandonments. Motivated by the cost structures of telephone call centers, we formulate a cost functional and show that the expected value of this cost functional in the nth system converges to that of the limiting diffusion under mild assumptions.
Nonlinear Augmented Lagrangian and Duality Theory
Authors: Wang C. Y. , Yang X. Q. , Yang X. M.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a unified framework of a nonlinear augmented Lagrangian dual problem is investigated for the primal problem of minimizing an extended real-valued function by virtue of a nonlinear augmenting penalty function. Our framework is more general than the ones in the literature in the sense that our nonlinear augmenting penalty function is defined on an open set and that our assumptions are presented in terms of a substitution of the dual variable, so our scheme includes barrier penalty functions and the weak peak at zero property as special cases. By assuming that the increment of the nonlinear augmenting penalty function with respect to the penalty parameter satisfies a generalized peak at zero property, necessary and sufficient conditions for the zero duality gap property are established and the existence of an exact penalty representation is obtained.
Approximations for Monotone and Nonmonotone Submodular Maximization with Knapsack Constraints
Authors: Kulik Ariel , Shachnai Hadas , Tamir Tami
Published: March 2013

Submodular maximization generalizes many fundamental problems in discrete optimization, including Max-Cut in directed/undirected graphs, maximum coverage, maximum facility location, and marketing over social networks.

In this paper we consider the problem of maximizing any submodular function subject to d knapsack constraints, where d is a fixed constant. We establish a strong relation between the discrete problem and its continuous relaxation, obtained through extension by expectation of the submodular function. Formally, we show that, for any nonnegative submodular function, an α-approximation algorithm for the continuous relaxation implies a randomized (α − ε)-approximation algorithm for the discrete problem. We use this relation to obtain an (e−1 − ε)-approximation for the problem, and a nearly optimal (1 − e−1 − ε)-approximation ratio for the monotone case, for any ε > 0. We further show that the probabilistic domain defined by a continuous solution can be reduced to yield a polynomial-size domain, given an oracle for the extension by expectation. This leads to a deterministic version of our technique.
Percepção do risco entre policiais civis de diferentes territórios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Constantino Patrícia , Ribeiro Adalgisa Peixoto , Correia Bruna Soares Chaves
Published: March 2013

Objetiva-se identificar a percepção de risco dos policiais civis do Estado do Rio de Janeiro a partir de suas áreas de atuação: Capital, Interior e Baixada Fluminense, analisando de forma comparativa a vitimização desses policiais. Trata-se de um estudo transversal que usou a triangulação de métodos. A pesquisa quantitativa investigou 533 policiais na Capital; 159 no Interior e 222 na Baixada Fluminense; a abordagem qualitativa contou com 17 entrevistas com delegados e 15 grupos focais nas três áreas. Os resultados indicam que as percepções de risco dos policiais e as estratégias que usam para minimizá-los são características que os unem. Apesar do seu caráter universal o risco ganha gradientes diferenciados em relação à função e ao território de atuação. Na Capital estão mais expostos ao risco pelo maior confronto com a criminalidade, menor valorização do policial pela população, mas por outro lado, nessa área existe maior apoio operacional da corporação. Ao contrário da percepção, a vitimização está relacionada ao território de ação: 67,8% dos policiais da Capital, 13,7% da Baixada e 9,7% do Interior foram vitimizados no último ano. Espera-se que as análises subsidiem a gestão para o apoio técnico e a assistência à saúde dos policiais, considerando as especificidades do trabalho nos diversos territórios.
Class II malocclusion with deep overbite: a sequential approach
Authors: Martinelli Fernando Lima , Reale Chalana Sangalli , Bolognese Ana Maria
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this case report was to evaluate the results of deep overbite correction by the segmented arch technique. METHODS: The first stage of the treatment was performed with this technique to intrude incisors and canines. A maxillary transpalatal bar and a mandibular lingual arch using 0.051-in archwire were employed associated to a facial bow, anchored primarily with occipital pull and, after molar relationship correction, changed to high pull. RESULTS: Upper incisors presented a great amount of intrusion and some palatal root inclination as programmed in the treatment plan. The skeletal mandibular response was favorable to achieve profile balance. Periapical radiograph showed rounded apex of incisor roots, expected in any orthodontic intrusion movement. CONCLUSION: The clinical results present the successful approach to deep overbite malocclusion.
Unity through nonlinearity: a unimodal coral–nutrient interaction
Authors: Gil Michael A.
Published: March 2013

The magnitude and direction of biological effects of environmental disturbances can vary considerably, especially among studies that use presence/absence manipulations. Because nonlinearities (e.g., humped relationships) are common in biological systems, this heterogeneity in effects may arise if systems are similar in their responses but specific studies use few (e.g., two) levels, or a narrow range, of a factor. To test whether nonlinearity can explain heterogeneous responses to a common environmental disturbance, I examined the effect of nutrient enrichment on coral growth, which has been previously shown using simple (e.g., two‐level) manipulations to yield positive, negative, or neutral responses. I subjected corals (Porites) to a nutrient gradient in situ for 28 days. Coral growth rate increased (2.4‐fold) then decreased (2.7‐fold) with enrichment, returning to near‐ambient values at the highest nutrient levels. This unimodal response could explain disparities among past findings and provides a compelling case for using regression designs to understand heterogeneity within ecological interactions.
Erythema Multiforme vs. Dress Syndrome Associated with the Combined Use of Lamotrigine and Cyclobenzaprine: A Case Report
Authors: Bicknell Lindsay T. Morgan , Sanches Marsal , Schatte Dawnelle J.
Published: March 2013

Lamotrigine is FDA-approved as a maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder, but its common off-label uses include bipolar depression and antidepressant augmentation in patients with major depressive disorder. Among other adverse effects, cutaneous reactions, particularly erythema multiforme, are cited as concerns during treatment with this medication. In order to minimize the risk of cutaneous side effect, efforts have been made to identify factors associated with a higher rate of lamotrigine-induced rash. We report here a case of Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms apparently precipitated by the associated use of lamotrigine and cyclobenzaprine.
Depression Ratings and Antidepressant Use among Outpatient Heart Failure Patients: Implications for the Screening and Treatment of Depression
Authors: Jiménez Jessica A. , Redwine Laura L. , Rutledge Thomas R. , Dimsdale Joel E. , Pung Meredith A. , Ziegler Michael G. , Greenberg Barry H. , Mills Paul J.
Published: March 2013

Objective:

To investigate the characteristics of antidepressant use among heart failure (HF) outpatients.

Methods:

Self-reported data on antidepressant use, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) ratings, and demographics, as well as HF diagnosis severity, was collected from 218 New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classes I–IV HF outpatients (mean age 57.29 years).

Results:

The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms (BDI ⩾ 10) was 43.1% ( n = 94); 23.4% had a prior diagnosis of depression. Thirty-three percent of patients were taking antidepressants but, despite this treatment, 64% still showed at least mild-moderate depressive symptoms (BDI ⩾ 10) compared to 34% of patients not currently receiving antidepressants ( p = 0.05). When asked if their mood had improved as a result of antidepressant therapy, 45% reported responses ranging from “halfway back to normal” to no improvement at all; BDI scores were related to self-reports of how well antidepressant therapy affected patient's mood ( p < .01). Among patients receiving antidepressants (primarily SSRIs), 26% did not have a formal depression diagnosis prior to receiving antidepressants, and 39.1% reported never having had a dose adjustment in antidepressant medication. Similar numbers of patients were prescribed antidepressants by primary care physicians as mental health providers, while much fewer cardiologists prescribed antidepressants.

Conclusions:

Findings provide insight into practice and provider patterns related to antidepressant use in HF. HF patients treated with antidepressants still show high rates of depressed mood, and follow-up and monitoring of effectiveness of antidepressant therapy needs attention. Effective treatment of depression could support improved clinical outcomes and better quality of life for HF patients.
Variable Clinical Presentations of Secondary Delusional Infestation: An Experience of Six Cases from a Psychodermatology Clinic
Authors: Altunay Ilknur K. , Ates Bilge , Mercan Sibel , Demirci Gulsen Tukenmez , Kayaoglu Semra
Published: March 2013

Objective:

Delusional Infestation (DI) is a relatively rare condition with a fixed belief of being infested with living organisms, despite a lack of medical evidence of such infestation. Although it seems to be a psychiatric disease, patients commonly are admitted to dermatology clinics because of skin findings. Psychiatrists can underestimate its prevalance, whereas dermatologists can miss the diagnosis. It should be managed as a psychodermato-logical disease. Our aim in the study was to evaluate six patients with different clinical presentations of DI and to emphasize some clinical features.

Method:

All patients were internalized in the psychodermatology clinic for this study. Medical history and clinical data from dermatologic and psychiatric examinations were noted; Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI-Plus) and laboratory investigations including blood and urine analyses, microscopic analysis of so-called pathogens, and skin biopsy if needed, were performed. The diagnosis was made based on detailed history, dermatologic and psychiatric examinations, and laboratory investigations.

Results:

All patients had symptoms of itching, burning, or crawling sensations dermatologically and thus were admitted to dermatology clinic. They were all considered secondary DI to another medical condition or to psychiatric illness. Vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, and hypothyroidism were the underlying medical conditions. Related psychiatric illnesses were trichotillomania and schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, shared pychotic disorder, and brief psychotic disorder. Two patients had delusions of inanimate materials; four patients had partial and complete remissions; and two patients have dropped out.

Conclusion:

Each patient had different clinical characteristics creating diagnostic challenges. All complaints were related to the infestation of the skin. The presence of different psychiatric comorbidities is remarkable. It seems that both psychiatrists and dermatologists can face diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of this complex disease in clinical settings, particularly if there are unusual clinical features of DI. Therefore, both psychiatrists and dermatologists should be well aware of DI.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder in a Nigerian Boy Presenting as Depression: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Adebayo Kazeem Olaide , Gureje Oye , Nuhu Tajudeen Folorunsho
Published: March 2013

Background:

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has been described widely in the Western world as relatively common yet under-recognized, but rarely in Africans and none in Nigeria to the best of our knowledge.

Aim:

To report a case of BDD in a Nigerian boy presenting with depression to the psychiatric unit of a teaching hospital.

Method:

A 17-year-old secondary school boy with BDD presenting with depression is reported and relevant literature is reviewed.

Conclusion:

BDD is rare and hardly reported in this environment and high index of suspicion is necessary in patient presenting with medically unexplained physical complaints and depression.
Nonparametric Bayesian Multiple Imputation for Incomplete Categorical Variables in Large-Scale Assessment Surveys
Authors: Si Yajuan , Reiter Jerome P.
Published: March 2013

In many surveys, the data comprise a large number of categorical variables that suffer from item nonresponse. Standard methods for multiple imputation, like log-linear models or sequential regression imputation, can fail to capture complex dependencies and can be difficult to implement effectively in high dimensions. We present a fully Bayesian, joint modeling approach to multiple imputation for categorical data based on Dirichlet process mixtures of multinomial distributions. The approach automatically models complex dependencies while being computationally expedient. The Dirichlet process prior distributions enable analysts to avoid fixing the number of mixture components at an arbitrary number. We illustrate repeated sampling properties of the approach using simulated data. We apply the methodology to impute missing background data in the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.
Socialists May be Christians; Christians Must be Socialists. Karl Barth Was!
Authors: Rumscheidt Martin
Published: March 2013

The title of my essay includes a statement by a Christian in Germany who wished to specify how he understood his personal theological existence. Adolf Grimme spoke those words in 1946, in the aftermath of Germany's defeat in World War II. Hunger was widespread, material deprivation extensive, and untold human tragedy weighed down a people dehumanized by the idolatry of National Socialism. A collective shouldering of the burden of reconstructing Germany gave the word "socialism" a powerful appeal. Whether it was infused with a Christian or a Marxist meaning was secondary to the vision of freeing this concept from the Nazis' barbaric distortion of it. Grimme belonged to the tradition known as "Religious Socialism;" it landed him in prison during the Hitler years. He envisioned the overturning of those social conditions that are based in capitalistic private ownership. In that aim he was as unequivocal as Hermann Kutter, the Swiss Religious-Socialist of the early part of the twentieth century, who, in 1903, had published his manifesto Sie müssen!They Must! Grimme's imperative "must" is derived from that work and expresses precisely what Kutter's conclusion had been: Christians must be Socialists. It is historically illuminating that in 1946 the reaction of Christians to Grimme was quite mild. Kutter, on the other hand, reaped anger. Today, in the context of the churches' and the Western theological guild's accommodation with neo-liberal capitalism, professing that as a Christian one must be a Socialist is met with the same anger.
Assault on Abraham: Thoughts after Fifty Years
Authors: Fackenheim Emil
Published: March 2013

Only once in forty years of lecturing could I not go on. What I had to say was shaking me, and I needed a few minutes' respite. In Toronto, I had given a course on the "golden age" in German philosophy. I was fond of it because, on the one hand, it was German philosophy but, on the other, it was far enough away from our terrible century. I saw no reason for a change when I moved from Toronto to Jerusalem. But there was a need for a new emphasis. For, while the age was "golden" for German philosophy, it was not so for Jews, still struggling for emancipation- with others, of course, but also with themselves for self-emancipation. Even Moses Mendelsohn admired—nay, celebrated—as a "modern Socrates" needed permission to live in Berlin, and probably only received it on account of his "reason." A wit has said that the Jews of Berlin esteemed reason, more so than Christians, who could live in Berlin even without it.
Piety in the Church—Gottesvergessenheit in Society: Obvservations on an Aspect of the Church's Task in Eastern Germany
Authors: Krötke Wolf
Published: March 2013

The possibilities for knowing how to handle the concept of piety theologically are, as is also the case with the concept of religion, manifold and widely varied. And again as with the concept of religion, virtually everything that constitutes the Christian faith can be expressed by this concept. Schleiermacher proceeded in this way in his portrayal of the Christian faith as an expression of the religious self-consciousness of the Christian and, in this respect, of Christian piety.2 But the concept of piety can also be interpreted more narrowly, expressing the subjective enactment and representation by an individual human being of the relationship that God creates with humanity. In what follows, piety will be spoken of in this sense. It is not a matter of the constitution of faith, but rather of the unsubstitutable individual enactment of the relationship to God, and so too of faith in the context of the world. Having the individual human being particularly in view does not exclude the fact that piety is always of course a communal structuring and representation of faith; whoever has faith in Jesus Christ is simultaneously a member of the Christian community. One's own piety is shaped by others' forms of life and is itself enacted together with others in the gathering of the community. Undoubtedly there exists the threat of a purely habitual performance that renders the life of faith superficial. Yet, a merely habitual and superficial piety would ultimately no longer be piety at all. Rather, it belongs to the very nature of piety that it set forth the concerns of the faithful in an irreplaceable manner; no one can relieve another of his or her piety, nor can one force it upon another, because the significance that God has for a person's existence finds expression in it.