bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiomics in Head and Neck Cancer: Extracting Valuable Information from Data beyond Recognition
Authors: Scheckenbach Kathrin , Colter Lena , Wagenmann Martin
Published: February 2017

In oncology, biomarkers that describe the characteristics of a malignancy on different levels (clinical, histological, molecular) and the patient's outcome and treatment response are increasingly integrated into the clinical routine. Extensive screening tools, “omics,” offer incredible opportunities and vast amounts of data. During the last years, the field of “omics” gained a new promising partner, the “radiomics.” Based on radiological imaging, multiple features can be extracted and linked to clinical, genomic, and histopathological data from other sources. Extracted traits describe radiological intensity, shape and texture characteristics and can be analyzed on routinely performed images. These specific radiomic markers and patterns are currently developed for multiple tumor entities, and first studies for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck have been initiated.
Response Evaluation in Head and Neck Oncology: Definition and Prediction
Authors: Hoffmann T.K. , Schuler P.J. , Laban S. , Grässlin R. , Beer M. , Beer A.J. , Friebe-Hoffmann U. , Bullinger L. , Möller P. , Wiegel T.
Published: February 2017

Curative treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma includes surgery and/or (chemo)radiation, whereas in the palliative setting, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy represent(s) the standard approach. With regard to quality control, methods for determining treatment response are sorely needed. For surgical therapy, histopathology is the standard quality control. Established criteria for high-risk patients include resection margins of the primary tumor and extracapsular extension of lymph node metastases. After definitive chemoradiation, treatment response is generally evaluated by tomographic imaging combined with endoscopy including re-biopsy of the tumor region. Single-cycle induction chemotherapy may be used to determine the radiosensitivity of tumors, helping to define surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Innovative approaches with implications for prognosis include the analysis of immune infiltrates, liquid biopsy, molecular characterization (proteomics, genomics), molecular and functional imaging (PET-CT, PET-MRI), as well as advanced imaging data analysis (radio[geno]mics/texture analysis). Human papilloma virus, as a prognostically relevant parameter, is currently being investigated for de-escalation strategies. With regard to the extended personalization of oncologic therapy, markers predicting treatment response are desirable and seem to be important, also from a socioeconomic perspective.
Predictive Success Factors in Selective Upper Airway Stimulation
Authors: Heiser Clemens , Hofauer Benedikt
Published: February 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common diseases in Western industrialized countries. A variety of conservative and surgical treatment options are available for its treatment. In recent years, selective upper airway stimulation (sUAS) has been shown to be effective and safe. Different biomarkers have been investigated as predictive clinical success factors in a number of clinical trials. Age does not matter in sUAS, as compared to its predictive role in other therapies. Weight seems to play a limited role, depending on drug-induced sleep endoscopy to rule out a complete concentric collapse with an increased body mass index. For surgical success and the related postoperative tongue motions, a nerve integrity monitoring methodology has been developed for predicting correct cuff placement. Postoperative sonography remains a promising method for the future assessment of predictive markers in sUAS.
Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema
Authors: Bas Murat , Storck Katharina , Strassen Ulrich
Published: February 2017

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema (ACEi-AE) is the most frequent drug-induced angioedema. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential biomarkers for the detection of the risk to develop an ACEi-AE. Methods: Adult patients who started antihypertensive treatment with ramipril were included and followed up for 4-6 weeks. At baseline, 3 days, and 4-6 weeks after onset of therapy, blood samples were obtained. Results: Twenty-four patients could be enrolled. The thromboxane values were very heterogeneous, and none of the group differences observed was statistically significant. The values obtained for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) showed a statistically significant increase with 10 mg/day doses under ramipril therapy. Conclusions: In this small patient population, it could be shown that determination of 6-keto-PGF1α is feasible. It may prove to be a valuable blood marker for assessing the risk of developing ACEi-AE.
Checkpoint Inhibition in Head and Neck Cancer: Immune Therapeutic Options, Limitations, and Beyond
Authors: Höchst Bastian , Knolle Percy A.
Published: February 2017

The immune system functions to defend the organism against infectious microorganisms but also against transformed cells. This key role of the immune system, in particular cancer-specific T cells, in eliminating cancer cells is compromised by various immune escape strategies employed by cancer cells and the cancer microenvironment. Here, we review the current knowledge about the immune escape mechanisms of cancer and the attempts to reconstitute cancer-specific immunity by using checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. We discuss the different options of immune therapy based on a mechanistic understanding of the relevance of co-inhibitory signaling, regulatory T cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. A thorough mechanistic understanding of cancer immune escape mechanisms and their presence in the individual patient is required in order to design effective multicomponent immune therapies in the future.
Long-Term Relief of Cerebral Radiation Necrosis Treated with Low-Dose Bevacizumab - a Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Hu Qiongge , Zhao Juan , Xu Jing , Zhou Xiaofeng , Shui Yongjie , Shen Li , Wei Qichun
Published: February 2017

Background: Radiation necrosis is 1 of the most significant complications of brain tumor irradiation. The standard treatment for patients with radiation necrosis consists of corticosteroids to reduce the amount of cerebral edema and, if required, cyst drainage. Case Reports: 2 patients with symptomatic radiation necrosis initially unresponsive to steroid treatment were treated with repeated low-dose bevacizumab at 5 mg/kg body weight. Rapid and lasting symptom relief, as well as neuroradiological improvement was seen in both cases. A dramatic rapid magnetic resonance imaging response with decrease in contrast enhancement was found shortly after administering the first dose of bevacizumab. The improvement of perifocal edema was relatively slower than of the reduction of enhancement. Only a slight reduction in size of the involved area could be expected after the first dose of bevacizumab. Further shrinkage was seen after the second and third doses. The individuals reported have been doing well for more than 45 and 22 months, respectively, after the initiation of bevacizumab treatment. Conclusion: Our data add to the literature supporting of the use of bevacizumab as an effective therapeutic agent for radiation necrosis, particularly in cases unresponsive to steroid treatment.
Pediatric Hangman's Fracture: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Montalbano Michael , Fisahn Christian , Loukas Marios , Oskouian Rod J. , Chapman Jens R. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: February 2017

Purpose: Over 170 years ago, traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis or hangman's fracture was described. Most descriptions of this entity have focused on adult presentations. Methods: We review the literature on pediatric cases of hangman's fracture emphasizing the embryological as well as presentation aspects. Results: The majority of cervical spine fractures in children occur at C1 and C2 vertebrae. A normal anterolisthesis of C2 can be seen in younger children and can mimic the anterolisthesis seen after traumatic spondylolisthesis. Conclusions: Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis in children requires further investigation due to the current emphasis in the literature on adult clinical findings and diagnostic challenges from the developmental immaturity of the pediatric skeleton.
Is Imprint Cytology Useful to Diagnose Malignancy for Brenner Tumors? A Case Series at a Single Institute
Authors: Minato Junko , Tokunaga Hideki , Okamoto Satoshi , Shibuya Yusuke , Niikura Hitoshi , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: February 2017

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate cytological features of Brenner tumors according to tumor grade using imprint cytology. Case: Between 2004 and 2015, intraoperative imprint cytology was performed on 8 patients with Brenner tumors suspected to be malignant neoplasmas on gross examination because of their large size and solid part. These consisted of 1 benign, 3 borderline, and 4 malignant tumors. In patients with benign and borderline tumors, naked nucleus-like stromal cells and tumor cells in a sheet-like arrangement were observed against a clear background. The nuclei were round to oval-shaped with finely granular chromatin patterns and small nucleoli. Papillary cell clusters and high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratios were only observed in 1 borderline case. In cases with malignancy, the background was necrotic. The tumor cells occurred in large papillary clusters. The nuclei showed a high degree of nuclear atypia. Nuclear grooves were present in 6 of our 8 cases and they were scant in the malignant cases. Conclusion: Imprint cytology of Brenner tumors provided no characteristic findings to enable a definitive distinction of benign versus borderline tumors, but it enabled discrimination between malignant and other tumors. Imprint cytology can facilitate intraoperative diagnosis and aid in selecting the appropriate surgical procedure.
HIV-Associated Anal Dysplasia and Anal Carcinoma
Authors: Oette Mark , Mosthaf Franz A. , Sautter-Bihl Marie-Luise , Esser Stefan
Published: February 2017

Anal carcinoma shows an increasing incidence in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in whom it is also much more common compared to the HIV-negative population. Human papillomavirus infection is the etiological basis of malignant development in the anal epithelium. Therefore, adequate diagnosis and treatment of the precursor lesions (anal intraepithelial neoplasia) is of clinical importance. In cases with preserved immune function, anal cancer can be treated according to guidelines issued for HIV-negative patients. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding anal malignancies in HIV-positive patients.
Molecular Characterization of Koolen De Vries Syndrome in Two Girls with Idiopathic Intellectual Disability from Central Brazil
Authors: Nascimento Gustavo R. , Pinto Irene P. , de Melo Aldaires V. , da Cruz Damiana M. , Ribeiro Cristiano L. , da Silva Claudio C. , da Cruz Aparecido D. , Minasi Lysa B.
Published: February 2017

Koolen de Vries syndrome (KDVS; MIM 610443) is a genomic disorder caused by a recurrent microdeletion derived from nonallelic homologous recombination mediated by flanking segmental duplications. Clinical manifestations of this syndrome are characterized by intellectual disability, hypotonia, a friendly behavior, distinctive facial features, and epilepsy. Herein, we report a case of 2 girls who revealed global developmental delay, mild facial dysmorphisms, friendly behavior, and epileptic seizure with a de novo 17q21.31 microdeletion detected by chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Conventional cytogenetics analysis by GTG-banding showed a female karyotype 46,XX for both girls. CMA revealed a microdeletion spanning approximately 500 kb in 17q21.31 in both girls, encompassing the following genes: CRHR1, MGC57346, CRHR1-IT1, MAPT-AS1, SPPL2C, MAPT, MAPT-IT1, STH, and KANSL1. Haploinsufficiency of one or more of these genes within the deleted region is the most probable cause of the probands' phenotype and is responsible for the phenotype seen in KDVS. CMA is a powerful diagnostic tool and an effective method to identify the de novo 17q21.31 microdeletion associated with KDVS in our probands.
HIV-Associated Urogenital Malignancies
Authors: Hentrich Marcus , Pfister David
Published: February 2017

Non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for HIV-infected subjects. The risk of testicular germ cell cancer (GCC) and renal cell cancer is slightly increased in the setting of HIV, whereas there is a slightly decreased risk of prostate cancer and bladder cancer. As in industrialized countries the majority of people living with HIV are men, and people aged 55 and older now account for more than a quarter of persons living with HIV, both testis and prostate cancer are assumed to occur with increased frequency in HIV-infected subjects. Overall, treatments should be the same as in HIV-negative patients with urogenital malignancies. Since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) the outcome appears to have improved due to a decrease in HIV-related deaths. HIV-infected men who are treated with standard therapies for GCC now have a similar cancer-free survival compared with their HIV-negative counterparts. Screening and treatment for prostate cancer should follow recommendations established for HIV-negative men. During radio- or chemotherapy patients should receive concurrent cART but the drug-drug interaction potential must be taken into account.
Analysis of a Surgical Treatment for Persistent Urorectal Fistulas after Radical Cancer Surgery: A Comparison of Prostate Cancer and Rectal Cancer
Authors: Sakai Yasuyuki , Komai Yoshinobu , Saito Norio , Ito Masaaki , Sakuraba Minoru
Published: February 2017

Introduction: The study aimed to present our experience of surgical treatment for urorectal fistulas (URF) that develop after cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients with URF who were treated at our institution from 2005 through 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Among these, 7 patients had previous surgical treatment of prostate cancer (PC) and the other 7 had been treated for rectal cancer (RC). The fistula was resected through a perineal incision, and the urinary and fecal defects were separately closed with the hinge flap method followed by interposition of a muscle flap transfer. Results: The overall fistula closure rate was 79%. Although the closure rate of the URF was lower in patients with previous RC surgery compared to the PC patients (57 vs. 100%), it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: URF treatment using an interposition muscle flap offers a high success rate of fistula closure. However, complicated fistulas occurring after RC surgery involving the prostate or the seminal vesicle might be difficult to repair by this surgery alone.
Detection of procoagulant imbalance
Authors: Tripodi Armando
Published: February 2017

Each individual possesses his/her own endogenous-thrombin-potential (ETP) (i. e. the ability to generate thrombin) which depends on the relative strength of the pro- and anticoagulant drivers operating in plasma. This ability depends in turn on the clinical conditions in which the balance between the two drivers is variably affected. One of the major determinants of this balance is the factor (F)VIII-protein C(PC) axis and its effect can be conveniently explored by the thrombin generation procedures with results expressed as ETP ratio with/without thrombomodulin (TM) (ETP-TM ratio). Furthermore, owing to the many feedback mechanisms mediated by thrombin (e. g. activation of PC, FXI, FV, FVIII, platelets etc.) it is also possible that any perturbation of the balance between pro- and anticoagulants that may occur in plasma even outside the FVIII-PC axis could result in an increased ETPTM ratio and therefore may suggest a procoagulant imbalance. Indeed, other non-coagulation moieties (e. g. microparticles, neutrophil extracellular traps, pro-inflammatory cytokines and others) circulating in blood of patients with various clinical conditions may also contribute to the procoagulant imbalance even when FVIII and/or PC are apparently normal. It can be postulated that dual ETP measurements performed in the presence and absence of TM with results expressed as their ratio may be the candidate procedure to detect subtle procoagulant imbalance in many clinical conditions characterised by an increased risk of thromboembolism. This article aimed at reviewing the clinical conditions in which evidence for the value of the ETP-TM ratio has been provided.
Impact of Workplace Physical Activity Interventions on Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Health Among Working-Age Women
Authors: Reed Jennifer L. , Prince Stephanie A. , Elliott Cara G. , Mullen Kerri-Anne , Tulloch Heather E. , Hiremath Swapnil , Cotie Lisa M. , Pipe Andrew L. , Reid Robert D.
Published: February 2017

Background—

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Physical activity is protective for cardiovascular disease. The realities of modern life require working-age women to address work-related, family, and social demands. Few working-age women meet current moderate-to-vigorous–intensity physical activity (MVPA) recommendations. Given that working-age women spend a substantial proportion of their waking hours at work, places of employment may be an opportune and a controlled setting to implement programs, improving MVPA levels and enhancing cardiometabolic health.

Methods and Results—

Eight electronic databases were searched to identify all prospective cohort and experimental studies reporting an MVPA outcome of workplace interventions for working-age women (mean age, 18–65 years) in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool; quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A qualitative synthesis was performed for all studies, and meta-analyses were conducted where possible. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria; 20 studies were included in the meta-analyses. Workplace interventions significantly increased minutes per week of metabolic equivalents (4 studies; standardized mean differences, 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44 to 2.69), but not minutes per week of MVPA (13 studies; standardized mean differences, 0.38; 95% CI, −0.15 to 0.92) or metabolic equivalents per week (3 studies; standardized mean differences, 0.11; 95% CI, −0.48 to 0.71). Workplace interventions also significantly decreased body mass (7 studies; mean differences, −0.83 kg; 95% CI, −1.64 to −0.02), body mass index (6 studies; mean differences, −0.35 kg/m
2
; 95% CI, −0.62 to −0.07), low-density lipoprotein (4 studies; mean differences, −0.11 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.17 to −0.04), and blood glucose (2 studies; mean differences, −0.18 mmol/L; 95% CI, −0.29 to −0.07). These workplace interventions targeting MVPA levels and known beneficial cardiometabolic health sequelae were of lower quality evidence.

Conclusions—

Workplace interventions variably improve MVPA levels and related cardiometabolic health sequelae of working-age women in high-income Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Our findings underscore the need for ongoing research in this area but also increased dissemination of the existing programs and knowledge.
Delays in Door-to-Needle Times and Their Impact on Treatment Time and Outcomes in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke
Authors: Kamal Noreen , Sheng Shubin , Xian Ying , Matsouaka Roland , Hill Michael D. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Reeves Mathew J. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Schwamm Lee H. , Smith Eric E.
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—

Despite quality improvement programs such as the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Target Stroke initiative, a substantial portion of acute ischemic stroke patients are still treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (alteplase) later than 60 minutes from arrival. This study aims to describe the documented reasons for delays and the associations between reasons for delays and patient outcomes.

Methods—

We analyzed the characteristics of 55 296 patients who received intravenous alteplase in 1422 hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke from October 2012 to April 2015, excluding transferred patients and inpatient strokes. We assessed eligibility, medical, and hospital reasons for delays in door-to-needle time.

Results—

There were 27 778 patients (50.2%) treated within 60 minutes, 10 086 patients (18.2%) treated >60 minutes without documented delays, and 17 432 patients (31.5%) treated >60 minutes with one or more documented reasons for delay. Delayed door-to-needle times were associated with delayed diagnosis (36 minutes longer than those without delay in diagnosis) and hypoglycemia or seizure (34 minutes longer than without those conditions). The presence of documented delays was associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) and lower odds of independent ambulation at discharge (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–1.0) after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics.

Conclusions—

Hospital and eligibility delays such as delay diagnosis and inability to determine eligibility were associated with longer door-to-needle times. Improved stroke recognition and management of acute comorbidities may help to reduce door-to-needle times.
Afterword: Pushing the Boundaries of Biblical Interpretation
Authors: Callon Callie
Published: February 2017

This afterword draws several conclusions about the implications of the essays in this special issue individually as well as discusses the merits of utilizing an interdisciplinary method more generally. The first encourages critical biblical scholarship to engage classical studies in light of the shared geographical, temporal, and cultural context of their ancient subjects. The second proposes that biblical studies embrace a fuller range of evidence by removing the unfortunate interpretative divide often separating “canonical,” “patristic,” and “apocryphal” material into different disciplinary fields.
A City Who Surrenders: Song 8:8-10
Authors: James Elaine T.
Published: February 2017

This note reviews scholarly proposals for interpreting Song 8:8-10, and then offers a new reading of v. 9 in light of the broader motif of military siege.
Understanding teacher supply: Where do online Initial Teacher Education students fit?
Authors: Edwards Daniel , Weldon Paul
Published: February 2017

Curriculum delivery in higher education is changing rapidly, notably in the area of online delivery. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Australia is no exception to this, and this article explores this growth with a particular focus on its implications for workforce planning for teachers. In this planning in Australia, ITE students are usually considered part of the ‘supply pipeline’ for the state in which their university is located. However, with online delivery, students could potentially be enrolled on the other side of the country (or the world) from the physical location of their institution. The data presented here show that of the growing cohort of external ITE graduates, a small but significant group resides outside of the state in which their institution of enrolment is located. This exploration of data highlights some new evidence which has consequences for teacher supply planning and offers insight to inform future teacher workforce projections.
Recurrence of Fever After Initial Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment in Children With Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Yoshida Masanori , Oana Shinji , Masuda Hiroshi , Ishiguro Akira , Kato Hitoshi , Ito Shuichi , Kobayashi Tohru , Abe Jun
Published: February 2017

The standard treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD) is high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Some patients experienced recurrent fever after IVIG following defervescence. However, little is known about the frequency of such episodes and the clinical outcome for such patients. We classified 195 KD patients into 4 groups based on their fever patterns after initial IVIG treatment: group NR (no response), group EF (early recurrent fever within 72 hours after defervescence), group LF (late recurrent fever >72 hours after defervescence), and group GR (good response). We compared the clinical characteristics and laboratory data among these groups retrospectively. Nearly a third of patients had recurrent fever (group EF, n = 45; group LF, n = 11). In two-thirds of these patients, the fever had subsided spontaneously without retreatment; 2 patients in Group LF with smoldering KD symptoms had developed coronary artery lesions (CALs) even after additional IVIG. Recurrent fever and smoldering symptoms might be risk factors for CAL.
Analysis of extension–twist coupling of thick-walled composite circular tubes
Authors: Samiezadeh Saeid , Fawaz Zouheir , Bougherara Habiba
Published: February 2017

Existing extension–twist coupling in composite tubes can result in undesirable deformations, which may in turn interfere with their normal performance. In this work, a quantitative factor was developed to examine the existence of such coupling in circular composite tubes using the non-classical composite beam theory. The theoretical formulation considered transverse shear and three-dimensional (3D) elastic effects in laminated walls. Therefore, the coupling factor can be used in both thin-walled and thick-walled composite tubes. The numerical values for the coupling factor calculated using the present approach were compared to those obtained from a 3D validated finite element model on 10 composite tubes with different stacking sequences. The findings suggested that the coupling factor could accurately detect existing coupling between extension and twist in composite tubes regardless of their stacking sequence. The paper also proposed a number of design guidelines that could be used in order to eliminate the extension–twist coupling in composite tubes.
The Greek debt crisis as theodicy: Religious fundamentalism and socio-political conservatism
Authors: Kessareas Efstathios
Published: February 2017

This article analyzes two core ultra-conservative religious frames that were employed for the interpretation of the Greek debt crisis, namely the crisis as a pedagogical punishment from God and as a global conspiracy of the arch-enemies of the Greek nation. Further, it analyzes the corresponding proposed remedies, namely an attitude of repentance and an attitude of dynamic defense of traditional values. Finally, the article explains the seemingly paradoxical attitude of the Greek Orthodox fundamentalists as they both call for resistance and simultaneously condemn the anti-austerity movement of the time. In doing so, the article underscores the highly ideological character of theodicy, since it mobilizes religio-moral and cultural symbolic resources for the legitimization of power relations.
Laudato Si’: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Campos Clement
Published: February 2017

The Indian context is one of religious and cultural pluralism and massive poverty. Despite the reverence for the earth ingrained by its major religions, it has suffered enormous ecological devastation. In the encyclical Laudato Si,’ Pope Francis may very well be addressing India directly. In this article the author highlights its relevance and stresses the necessity of entering into dialogue with the major religions and the poor. In this way, in solidarity with all people, we can strive to recover our God-given place as creatures that share a bond of kinship with all created realities, heal the wounds inflicted on creation and render justice to the victims of ecological degradation.
The State of Our Union
Authors: Himes Kenneth R.
Published: February 2017

A national election provides an opportunity to take a reading of the mood and issues in society. The nomination and election of Donald Trump amounted to a political earthquake that disrupted the establishment of a major political party and set a direction for national leadership that remains uncertain. The rise of populism pushed the issue of social class to the foreground in US politics. There were also issues that continue to divide the nation, particularly race. What is the role for the Catholic Church in post-election America?
The Dynamics of Compensation: When Ingroup Favoritism Paves the Way for Outgroup Praise
Authors: Yzerbyt Vincent , Cambon Laurent
Published: February 2017

Compensation research suggests that when people evaluate their own and another group, the search for positive differentiation fuels the emergence of compensatory ratings on the two fundamental dimensions of social perception, competence and warmth. In two experiments, we tested whether obstacles to positive differentiation on the preferred dimension disrupted compensation. Both experiments showed that high-status (low-status) group members grant the outgroup a higher standing on warmth (competence) when positive differentiation can be achieved on the orthogonal dimension, competence (warmth). Moreover, and in line with the “ noblesse oblige” effect, Experiment 2 confirmed that, among high-status group members, perceived higher pressures toward nondiscrimination were linked to outgroup bias on warmth only when ingroup bias on competence had been secured. The discussion focuses on compensation as one of the factors contributing to cooperative intergroup relations.
Do Gender and Ethnicity Make the Difference? Linguistic Evaluation Bias in Primary School
Authors: Menegatti Michela , Crocetti Elisabetta , Rubini Monica
Published: February 2017

In two studies, we examined how primary school teachers use the subtle structural properties of language to communicate different evaluations of students who achieve higher versus lower marks, boys versus girls, and students with immigrant versus nonimmigrant origins. Written judgments of final evaluation records were coded for language abstraction. Results showed that students with higher marks are described with more abstract positive and more concrete negative terms than those receiving lower marks. By varying language abstraction teachers also communicate more favorable evaluations of girls than boys and of students with nonimmigrant than immigrant origins. These findings uncovered a linguistic evaluation bias that implicitly enhances girls’ qualities and performance, but hinder improvements of boys and students of immigrant families by focusing on their stable negative characteristics.
Achieving Aesthetic Results by Using Laser in Minimally Invasive Dentistry Approach
Authors: Elson Natalia , Brandes Irene
Published: February 2017

The preservation of healthy human body and function for every patient should be the goal of all health practitioners. Dentistry is not an exception to this philosophy. In past few decades, the improvements of scientific method and technology has led to a better understanding of oral microflora and dental materials resulted in the shifting of caries management method from G. V. Black’s “extension for prevention” to the modern “minimally invasive” approach in dentistry. The minimally invasive approach to dental caries establishes a proper doctor-patient relationship, thus empowering and educating the patient to take responsibility for their own dental health. The proper sequence of caries management should be the introduction of preventive strategies such as oral hygiene instructions, reminialization regiments, and risk assessments followed by minimal surgical interventions. Using the laser technology in the aspect of surgical intervention has many clinical advantages. Some of the clinical benefits include its selectivity for carious tissue, reduction of needs for local anesthesia, decontamination effect of preparation surfaces, minimal thermal stimulus to pulp chamber, increase in surface adhesion for composite materials, and other soft tissue applications. The combination of caries prevention program, disease control, risk assessment, and laser technology application on the surgical intervention significantly reduces the long-term restorative needs and thus preserves more healthy natural tooth structures, which complement the concept of minimally invasive dentistry. In cosmetic surgery, the same rules apply. The same laser types are used as well.
Protein Turnover and Metabolism in the Elderly Intensive Care Unit Patient
Authors: Phillips Stuart M. , Dickerson Roland N. , Moore Frederick A. , Paddon‐Jones Douglas , Weijs Peter J. M.
Published: February 2017

Many intensive care unit (ICU) patients do not achieve target protein intakes particularly in the early days following admittance. This period of iatrogenic protein undernutrition contributes to a rapid loss of lean, in particular muscle, mass in the ICU. The loss of muscle in older (aged >60 years) patients in the ICU may be particularly rapid due to a perfect storm of increased catabolic factors, including systemic inflammation, disuse, protein malnutrition, and reduced anabolic stimuli. This loss of muscle mass has marked consequences. It is likely that the older patient is already experiencing muscle loss due to sarcopenia; however, the period of stay in the ICU represents a greatly accelerated period of muscle loss. Thus, on discharge, the older ICU patient is now on a steeper downward trajectory of muscle loss, more likely to have ICU‐acquired muscle weakness, and at risk of becoming sarcopenic and/or frail. One practice that has been shown to have benefit during ICU stays is early ambulation and physical therapy (PT), and it is likely that both are potent stimuli to induce a sensitivity of protein anabolism. Thus, recommendations for the older ICU patient would be provision of at least 1.2–1.5 g protein/kg usual body weight/d, regular and early utilization of ambulation (if possible) and/or PT, and follow‐up rehabilitation for the older discharged ICU patient that includes rehabilitation, physical activity, and higher habitual dietary protein to change the trajectory of ICU‐mediated muscle mass loss and weakness.
The Witch-Hunt Narrative
Authors: Gillies Esther H.
Published: February 2017

Responding to Ross E. Cheit’s Witch-Hunt Narrative, this article is a commentary chronicling the emergence of child sexual abuse as a social issue in Los Angeles County in the 1980s. Based on the responses to child sexual abuse in Los Angeles County as experienced by one social worker during the McMartin years, it discusses the impact of the McMartin case on the identification and intervention in child sexual abuse cases and tracks the evolution and changes that took place in the 1980s and 1990s in Southern California. It offers some insight into a rationale for the denial of child sexual abuse which continues to this day.
A Commentary From a Law Enforcement Perspective on The Witch-Hunt Narrative by Ross E. Cheit
Authors: Lanning Kenneth V.
Published: February 2017

As a result of his assignment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Behavioral Science Unit, the author consulted on and has firsthand knowledge of most of the cases discussed in Cheit’s book. He came to believe that there is a middle ground. Some of what victims allege may be true and accurate, some may be misperceived or distorted, some may be symbolic, and some may be contaminated or false. The problem and challenge, however, is to determine which is which. He basically agrees with much of what Cheit sets forth about seeds of truth in many allegations. He has concerns about some confusing and inconsistent definitions. What was and is referred to by many as the backlash can be confused with what Cheit refers to in his book as the witch-hunt narrative. Many professionals, including possibly Cheit, do not seem fully aware of the wide diversity of ways in which children are sexually victimized. The author believes that any delayed reporting and minimization of recent cases involving the Catholic priests and Penn Sate have more to do with inaccurate stereotypes perpetuated by child abuse idealists than some witch-hunt narrative. From a law enforcement perspective, more benefit would have come had Cheit’s extensive research focused more on documenting how allegations became so bizarre and inaccurate and less on the alleged far-ranging harm caused by the witch-hunt narrative. In the author’s opinion, it is that process and not the witch-hunt narrative that caused most of the long-term damage discussed.
An investigation of the surface quality of burnished AISI 4340 steel
Authors: Boozarpoor Mehrzad , Elyasi Majid , Hosseinzadeh Morteza
Published: February 2017

In the present work, an attempt is made to study the predominant factors of ball burnishing namely, burnishing speed, burnishing feed, burnishing force, and pass number on the surface roughness, surface hardness, and out-of-roundness error of hard-turned AISI 4340 rods. Response surface methodology was used to correlate the empirical relationship between the process factors and responses. Also, the minimum surface roughness, out-of-roundness error, as well as the maximum hardness were taken into consideration for finding the optimal parameter setting. Analysis of variances was also performed to check the adequacy of the developed models. Results indicated that the most influential parameters for the surface roughness and roundness error is the burnishing feed. Also, for surface hardness, it was found that the pass number had the greatest influence. It was further seen that a burnishing speed of 150 r/min, burnishing feed of 0.16 mm/rev, burnishing force of 24.5 N, and pass number 4 yields the desirable burnishing quality characteristics. The obtained results were then validated through performing morphological study and microstructural observation of the burnished surface.
Therapeutic effects of oral liothyronine on aluminum phosphide poisoning as an adjuvant therapy
Authors: Goharbari MH , Taghaddosinejad F , Arefi M , Sharifzadeh M , Mojtahedzadeh M , Nikfar S , Baeeri M , Rahimifard M , Abdollahi M
Published: February 2017

Background:

In aluminum phosphide (AlP) poisoning, death is mainly due to cardiovascular failure and refractory acute heart failure. There is a lot of evidence showing thyroid hormones have cardioprotective effects.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral liothyronine in the treatment of AlP poisoning.

Methods:

Twenty-four patients from intensive care unit of Baharloo Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were included based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were randomly divided into two parallel groups of 12 cases and 12 controls. Intervention in the case group was administration of 50 µg liothyronine via nasogastric tube after gastric lavage, in the first 6 h of poisoning. In both groups, the routine treatment of AlP poisoning was performed. Blood samples were prepared at the beginning of the study and after 12 h. Patients were followed up till discharge from the hospital or death.

Results:

The findings demonstrated that oral liothyronine was able to significantly improve systolic blood pressure, arterial blood pH, and total thiol molecules and also could decrease lipid peroxidation, increase catalase activity, and prevent further decline in total antioxidant capacity.

Conclusion:

Liothyronine administration is effective in controlling AlP poisoning and can improve patients’ outcome.
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity of diosmin in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis
Authors: Shalkami AS , Hassan MIA , Bakr AG
Published: February 2017

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting colon. The primary symptoms of UC are diarrhoea with blood and mucus and sometimes associated with pain.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diosmin (DIO) on UC.

Methods:

UC was induced in rats by rectal administration of acetic acid (AA). The degree of mucosal ulceration and damage was determined by evaluating the disease activity index (DAI) and colon damage index scores. Inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptotic responses were determined by measuring the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-II), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in addition to myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and caspase-3 expression.

Results:

The results of this study indicate that AA caused increase in DAI and colon damage index scores. Also, markers of inflammation (TNF-α, COX-II and MPO) and oxidative stress (MDA and reduced GSH) were significantly elevated. These changes were associated with increases in colon caspase-3 expression. Treatment of rats with two doses of DIO produced a dose-dependent decline in DAI and colon damage index scores. Also, DIO resulted in significant reduction of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers as well as reduced the expression of caspase-3.

Conclusion:

DIO therapy decreased UC development depending on its ability to decreases inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat colon.
Lupus nephritis in the Western Cape, a high prevalence area: an experience over three decades
Authors: Brijlal U , Bates W D , Moosa M R
Published: February 2017

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem disease with serious complications, including lupus nephritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus is prevalent in the Western Cape, predominantly affecting women in the prime of their lives. Renal biopsy is an important tool for the management of the lupus patient with kidney disease, guiding treatment and assessing prognosis.

Aims

The aim of this study was to ascertain if there has been a change in the spectrum of renal pathology, patient characteristics and long-term outcomes in patients with lupus nephritis in our region over three decades.

Methods

We reviewed 315 records of systemic lupus erythematosus patients with suspected renal disease who underwent renal biopsy in the Renal Unit at Tygerberg Hospital over three decades between January 1983 and December 2012.

Results

Lupus nephritis consistently affected young women. Class IV lupus nephritis remained the most common pattern throughout the three decades. The overall five-year survival for this cohort was 67% (95% confidence interval (CI), 60–72%).

Conclusion

Class IV lupus nephritis remained the most frequent class in our cohort of patients with the poorest survival rates compared to other classes. The prognosis of lupus nephritis in our region is considerably worse than that reported elsewhere in the world.
Risk of infective endocarditis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Chang Y S , Chang C C , Chen Y H , Chen W S , Chen J H
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are considered vulnerable to infective endocarditis and prophylactic antibiotics are recommended before an invasive dental procedure. However, the evidence is insufficient. This nationwide population-based study evaluated the risk and related factors of infective endocarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Methods

We identified 12,102 systemic lupus erythematosus patients from the National Health Insurance research-oriented database, and compared the incidence rate of infective endocarditis with that among 48,408 non-systemic lupus erythematosus controls. A Cox multivariable proportional hazards model was employed to evaluate the risk of infective endocarditis in the systemic lupus erythematosus cohort.

Results

After a mean follow-up of more than six years, the systemic lupus erythematosus cohort had a significantly higher incidence rate of infective endocarditis (42.58 vs 4.32 per 100,000 person-years, incidence rate ratio = 9.86, p < 0.001) than that of the control cohort. By contrast, the older systemic lupus erythematosus cohort had lower risk (adjusted hazard ratio 11.64) than that of the younger-than-60-years systemic lupus erythematosus cohort (adjusted hazard ratio 15.82). Cox multivariate proportional hazards analysis revealed heart disease (hazard ratio = 5.71, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio = 2.98, p = 0.034), receiving a dental procedure within 30 days (hazard ratio = 36.80, p < 0.001), and intravenous steroid therapy within 30 days (hazard ratio = 39.59, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for infective endocarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Conclusions

A higher risk of infective endocarditis was observed in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Risk factors for infective endocarditis in the systemic lupus erythematosus cohort included heart disease, chronic kidney disease, steroid pulse therapy within 30 days, and a recent invasive dental procedure within 30 days.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus: impact on quality of life
Authors: Monahan R C , Beaart-van de Voorde L J J , Steup-Beekman G M , Magro-Checa C , Huizinga T W J , Hoekman J , Kaptein A A
Published: February 2017

Objective

Assess quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms (neuropsychiatric SLE, NPSLE).

Methods

Quality of life was assessed using the Short-Form 36 item Health Survey (SF-36) in patients visiting the Leiden NPSLE clinic at baseline and at follow-up. SF-36 subscales and summary scores were calculated and compared with quality of life of the general Dutch population and patients with other chronic diseases.

Results

At baseline, quality of life was assessed in 248 SLE patients, of whom 98 had NPSLE (39.7%). Follow-up data were available for 104 patients (42%), of whom 64 had NPSLE (61.5%). SLE patients presenting neuropsychiatric symptoms showed a significantly reduced quality of life in all subscales of the SF-36. Quality of life at follow-up showed a significant improvement in physical functioning role ( p = 0.001), social functioning ( p = 0.007), vitality ( p = 0.023), mental health ( p = 0.014) and mental component score ( p = 0.042) in patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms not attributed to SLE, but no significant improvement was seen in patients with NPSLE.

Conclusion

Quality of life is significantly reduced in patients with SLE presenting neuropsychiatric symptoms compared with the general population and patients with other chronic diseases. Quality of life remains considerably impaired at follow-up. Our results illustrate the need for biopsychosocial care in patients with SLE and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Conditional independence test by generalized Kendall’s tau with generalized odds ratio
Authors: Ji Shuang , Ning Jing , Qin Jing , Follmann Dean
Published: February 2017

Determining conditional dependence is a challenging but important task in both model building and in applications such as genetic association studies and graphical models. Research on this topic has focused on kernel-based methods or has used categorical conditioning variables because of the challenge of the curse of dimensionality. To overcome this challenge, we propose a class of tests for conditional independence without any restriction on the distribution of the conditioning variables. The proposed test statistic can be treated as a generalized weighted Kendall’s tau, in which the generalized odds ratio is utilized as a weight function to account for the distance between different values of the conditioning variables. The test procedure has desirable asymptotic properties and is easy to implement. We evaluate the finite sample performance of the proposed test through simulation studies and illustrate it using two real data examples.