bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventional Nephrology
Authors: Urbanes Aris Q.
Published: April 2013

The patient’s vascular access is critical in ensuring that hemodialysis is successful, effective, relatively uncomplicated, and consistently reproducible from one treatment to another. The choice of vascular access is dictated by a multitude of factors, some of which are generalizable to a larger system, and others of which are flavored by local experience and expertise; an important fraction is specific to the patient presenting to the clinician at a particular point in time. Some of these factors, such as patient age and sex, are not modifiable; others, like comorbidity, vessel size and urgency of presentation to the renal provider, are manageable and sometimes modifiable. The role of the autologous arteriovenous fistula as the ideal conduit for hemodialysis treatments is well established. The role of the prosthetic graft warrants discussion and investigation to most optimally apply to patients this important alternative within the armamentarium of vascular access.
Impaired Kidney Function at Hospital Discharge and Long-Term Renal and Overall Survival in Patients Who Received CRRT
Authors: Stads Susanne , Fortrie Gijs , van Bommel Jasper , Zietse Robert , Betjes Michiel G.H.
Published: April 2013

Background and objectives

Critically ill patients with AKI necessitating renal replacement therapy (RRT) have high in-hospital mortality, and survivors are at risk for kidney dysfunction at hospital discharge. The objective was to evaluate the association between impaired kidney function at hospital discharge with long-term renal and overall survival.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Degree of kidney dysfunction in relation to long-term effects on renal survival and patient mortality was investigated in a retrospective cohort study of 1220 adults admitted to an intensive care unit who received continuous RRT between 1994 and 2010.

Results

After hospital discharge, median follow-up of survivors (n=475) was 8.5 years (range, 1–17 years); overall mortality rate was 75%. Only 170 (35%) patients were discharged with an estimated GFR (eGFR) >60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that age, nonsurgical type of admission, preexisting kidney disease, malignancy, and eGFR of 29–15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (hazard ratio [HR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 2.58) and eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.23 to 3.02) at discharge were independent predictors of increased mortality. Renal survival was significantly associated with degree of kidney dysfunction at discharge. An eGFR of 29–15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (HR, 26.26; 95% CI, 5.59 to 123.40) and <15 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (HR, 172.28; 95% CI, 37.72 to 786.75) were independent risk factors for initiation of long-term RRT.

Conclusions

Most critically ill patients surviving AKI necessitating RRT have impaired kidney function at hospital discharge. An eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m2 is a strong risk factor for decreased long-term survival and poor renal survival.
Sialolithiasis: An unusually large asymptomatic submandibular salivary stone
Authors: Kamtane Smita , Ghodke Monali
Published: April 2013

Salivary gland calculi account for the most common disease of salivary
glands. The majority of sialoliths occur in submandibular gland or its duct
and they are a common cause of acute and chronic infections. This case report
describes an asymptomatic patient presenting with a large submandibular duct
sialolith, the subsequent non surgical management of the patient along with
etiology, diagnosis and various treatment modalities available for the
treatment of salivary gland calculi depending on their site and size.
Last tango in the Euro Area: Cracks in foundations of the Euro construct
Authors: Radonjic Ognjen , Zec Miodrag
Published: April 2013

The crisis of sovereign debt and banking system in the Euro Area seriously
endanger not only economic stability of the Old continent, but also of the
world economy as a whole. In this study, we identify causes of the crisis and
point towards plausible solutions aiming at a provisional overcoming of the
recession. If, on the other hand, central European countries continue to
insist on further implementation of deflationary oriented economic measures
in peripheral European economies the break-up of the Euro Area is likely.
Final, potentially devastating consequences of this possible grim event are
at this moment very hard to predict.
Sociological issues in the first decade of 21st century: Comparative analysis of Serbia and Croatia
Authors: Vuletic Vladimir , Stanojevic Dragan
Published: April 2013

The paper analyzes the thematic orientation of sociological works published
in three sociological journals in Serbia and Croatia (Sociologija, Socioloski
pregled and Revija za sociologiju) during two last decades of 20th and the
first decade of 21st century. The aim of the paper, set in the opening
section, is to investigate the topics which are dealt with by sociologists in
Serbia during this turbulent historical period. On the basis of this
analysis, answers to the following questions will be attempted: has Serbian
sociology kept track, and to what extent, of the changes taking place in the
society, and hence how much it has been under the influence of the latter. In
the second part of the article the openness of the Serbian sociology toward
the world is discussed in the context of aforementioned changes. In order to
make judgments and conclusions as objective as possible this topic is
considered in a comparative framework - comparing it with conditions in
Croatian sociology.
Social context, personality and illegal substance use in adolescence
Authors: Maric Mia
Published: April 2013

The period of adolescence is the most risky stage when it comes to the
beginning of the consumption of illegal psychoactive substances, and the goal
of this research is the examination of social and individual factors that
contribute to this phenomenon. Specifically, this study has aimed to
determine the contribution of personal characteristics, affective states and
characteristics of social environment to the use of illegal psychoactive
substances in adolescence. The sample consisted of 629 adolescents, high
school students. Multivariate analysis of covariance confirmed the existence
of a significant relation between the studied social and individual factors
with the use of illegal psychoactive substances in young people. Social
environment factors, namely the use of illegal psychoactive substances by
peers, proved to be the most important for this behavior in adolescents. In
addition, significant factors of using illegal substances in adolescence have
proved to be personality traits extraversion, openness, agreeableness,
conscientiousness, dysphoria, stressful experiences in a social context - the
total number of stressors, family and school stressors, and the availability
of illegal psychoactive substance in the social environment of adolescents.
These results can be applied to design appropriate prevention programs.
Women in prison in Serbia: Living conditions for female prisoners in the correctional institution for women in Pozarevac
Authors: Copic Sanja , Saciri Bejan
Published: April 2013

The Correctional Institution for Women in Pozarevac is the only institution
in Serbia for serving prison sentence by female persons. In order to find
out what the living conditions in this institution are, Victimology Society
of Serbia conducted an action research in 2011 and 2012. The data was
collected through observation of the conditions in the female prison and
through interviews with female prisoners and the prison staff. The data was
analyzed by the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The aim f
this paper is to present the results of the research in regard to the living
conditions for female prisoners. The data is analyzed in the light of the
Law on the execution of the criminal sanctions of the Republic of Serbia and
the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures
for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules).
The treatment and the realization of the female prisoners’ rights in the correctional institution for women in Pozarevac
Authors: Copic Sanja , Stevkovic Ljiljana , Saciri Bejan
Published: April 2013

In order to enable the development of each individual and his/her
reintegration and social inclusion after imprisonment, the state is obliged
to guarantee certain rights to the prisoners as well as realization of these
rights: the right to work, education, health care, social contacts, support
and assistance, religious rights etc. These rights are guaranteed by relevant
legal acts of the Republic of Serbia. However, women have special needs and
requirements in comparison to male prison population. Due to that, the
treatment of female prisoners should be gender sensitive. Taking that as a
starting point, the action research of the Victimology Society of Serbia,
which was conducted in 2011 and 2012, aimed at getting to know what is the
level of respect of female prisoners? rights in the Correctional Institution
for Women in Pozarevac and to what extent gender sensitive approach is
present. The results of the research are presented in this paper.
Support for women in prison: Analysis of the VDS info and victim support service in 2011
Authors: Nikolic Jasmina , Tripkovic Mirjana
Published: April 2013

VDS info and victim support service is a service for crime victims, which was
founded in 2003 as a part of the Victimology Society of Serbia. The target
group of the Service is comprised of direct and indirect victims of all
forms of crime, of both genders and regardless of any personal features.
Furthermore, the Service provides support for victims during criminal
proceedings, as well as for women who are in prison. In the majority of
cases, the support is provided by volunteers, who had been trained to work
with victims of crime. The text analyzes the work of the Service in the year
2011. Special attention has been paid to the support the Victimology Society
of Serbia has provided to female prisoners in the female prison in
Pozarevac. The support to female prisoners has been provided as part of the
project Promoting respect for human rights of women in prison - Advocacy for
battered women who commit crime. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the
work of the VDS victim support service in the past year with special
emphasis on the support given to women in prison and the problems they are
facing.
Society as a victim of corruption: Political corruption in Serbia as an obstacle on the road to membership in the European Union
Authors: Tanjevic Natasa
Published: April 2013

This paper considers the problem of corruption in Serbia, as a dangerous
phenomenon that is usually classified as a victimless crime, although the
damage it causes is enormous and its consequences affect an indefinite and
large number of victims. Corruption leads to the expansion of economic
inequalities, it slows down and hinders economic growth and development,
destroys the legitimacy of institutions, endangers the protection of basic
human rights and freedoms and undermines the fundamental values on which the
society is based. Particular attention is devoted to the issue od political
corruption because it is the most dangerous form of corruption and this
problem has been marked by the European Commission as the biggest obstacle on
the way of our country towards European integrations. It has been pointed out
that the most dangerous crimes of corruption are under-detected and rarely
prosecuted, which is influenced by the very fact that corruption is an
essential link between the world of politics and economics and that the
perpetrators of these acts are persons that are holding prominent positions
in the government or an exceptional power in society, and on the other hand,
the victims of these acts are all citizens of Serbia.
Intergenerational Financial Literacy: The Case for Teaching Sustainable Financial Decision Making in Schools
Authors: Warner Connor K. , Agnello Mary Frances
Published: April 2013

This article examines national (US) educational financial literacy standards through the lens of sustainability and intergenerational responsibility. Linking financial literacy standards to important sustainability issues like the Bruntland Report, the American Indian seventh generation concept, and future ethics, the article recommends the addition of specific ethical, social, and environmental standards to current financial literacy standards. The example of water is used to illustrate the connection between sustainability and financial literacy, and implications for current educators are discussed.
Entrepreneurs in Kentucky: Exploring Secondary Students' Economic and Entrepreneurial Dispositions and Knowledge
Authors: Clayton-Code Kimberly P.
Published: April 2013

Entrepreneurship education has received increased attention at all levels of education. National content standards for entrepreneurship education have been developed that address content knowledge and attitudinal dispositions from kindergarten through university levels. In conjunction with this increased focus, one initiative that addressed the need for entrepreneurial and economic education at the secondary level was the Kentucky Council on Economic Education's Entrepreneurs in Kentucky curriculum program. This initiative aimed to develop economic and entrepreneurial knowledge and positive dispositions in secondary students. This article presents the dispositional and content knowledge results of students from 15 secondary schools, a total of 281 students, who participated in the initial Entrepreneurs in Kentucky curriculum initiative. Student responses to the project's pretest and posttest instrument were analyzed to examine if there was a significant difference between the mean pretest and posttest scores for student dispositions toward, and knowledge of, economic and entrepreneurial content. Results from the study indicated that there was a significant increase in secondary students' knowledge and attitudinal dispositions related to economic and entrepreneurial concepts as a result of their participation in the innovative curriculum program.
Financial Reporting Quality of U.S. Private and Public Firms
Authors: Hope Ole-Kristian , Thomas Wayne B. , Vyas Dushyantkumar
Published: April 2013

Using a new database that contains accounting data for a large sample of U.S. private firms, we provide an investigation of financial reporting quality (FRQ) of U.S. private versus public firms. We find that in general public firms have higher accrual quality and are more conservative. The results are consistent with public firms' reporting reflecting greater demand for financial information. However, these reporting qualities of public firms are mitigated or eliminated in settings where public firms are more likely to manage earnings or face reduced demand for their financial information. Our study contributes not only to the current debate on private versus public financial accounting, but also to the broader literature attempting to understand the determinants of FRQ.
On the Upsides of Aggregation
Authors: Arya Anil , Glover Jonathan C.
Published: April 2013

Aggregation, and minimizing associated information loss, is a pervasive theme in accounting. In contrast, this paper highlights some potential benefits of aggregation, using simple examples to illustrate ideas from a number of recent papers in a parsimonious manner. Aggregation rules can improve decision making because of their ability to convey appropriate information and because such rules may permit offsetting errors. Turning to control problems, aggregation has merit in the provision of both explicit and implicit incentives. Contracts based on aggregate measures can be part of a conservative process that limits opportunities for cherry-picked corrections by evaluatees, serve as a substitute for the principal's commitment, curb managerial slack by delaying information release, and improve the production versus rents tradeoff by reducing information asymmetry. In the context of implicit incentives, we examine settings wherein effort incentives are provided by the marketplace and/or by an agent's own peers. In light of career concerns and the possibility of mutual monitoring by colleagues, aggregate measures again prove beneficial.
Eosinophilic/T-Cell Chorionic Vasculitis and Chronic Villitis Involve Regulatory T Cells and Often Occur Together
Authors: Katzman Philip J. , Oble Darryl A.
Published: April 2013

Eosinophilic/T-cell chorionic vasculitis (ETCV) is characterized by mixed T-cell, eosinophilic, and histiocytic infiltrates within the chorionic vessel wall. We sought to better characterize this lesion with respect to other pathologic correlates and the T-cell populations involved. Epidemiologic data and other pathologic diagnoses, including concurrent chronic villitis (CV), were tabulated for each case of ETCV diagnosed at our institution over a 6-year period. CD3, CD25, FOXP3, and dual FOXP3-CD3 immunostains were used to identify regulatory T-cell populations in ETCV and CV. Cells positive for CD3, FOXP3, and CD25 were quantitated by manual counts of ×40 fields at the sites of ETCV and CV, and FOXP3:CD3 and CD25:CD3 ratios were calculated. Digital analysis of ETCV and CV using the dual FOXP3-CD3 immunostain was also performed on select cases. Of 31 ETCV cases, 10 (32%) were accompanied by CV and 13 (42%) by a thrombus in the vessel affected by ETCV. The mean Treg cell marker: CD3 ratios in ETCV ranged from 0.18 to 0.26 by manual count and digital analysis, but the counts did not statistically differ by method. The mean Treg cell marker:CD3 ratios in CV ranged from 0.37 to 0.39 by manual count and 0.19 by digital analysis, but these counts also did not statistically differ by method. Chronic villitis was seen in one-third of ETCV cases. FOXP3+ and CD25+ regulatory T cells represent a significant subpopulation of T cells in ETCV and CV, suggesting that they may play a role in these entities.
Serum feline-specific pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations and abdominal ultrasonographic findings in cats with trauma resulting from high-rise syndrome
Authors: Zimmermann Elke , Hittmair Katharina M. , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. , Tichy Alexander , Dupré Gilles
Published: April 2013

Objective—To evaluate serum feline-specific pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) concentrations and abdominal ultrasonographic findings in cats with trauma resulting from high-rise syndrome.

Design—Prospective case series.

Animals—34 client-owned cats.

Procedures—From cats evaluated because of high-rise syndrome between March and October 2009, a blood sample was obtained for measurement of serum fPLI concentration within 12 hours after the fall and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the first blood collection. Pancreatitis was diagnosed in cats with an fPLI concentration > 5.4 μg/L. Each cat had abdominal ultrasonography performed twice 48 hours apart, and pancreatic trauma was assessed via detection of pancreatic enlargement, hypoechoic or heteroechoic pancreatic parenchyma, hyperechoic mesentery, and peritoneal effusion. Cats were assigned 1 point for each abnormality present, and a cumulative score ≥ 3 was considered suggestive of traumatic pancreatitis.

Results—Traumatic pancreatitis was diagnosed in 9 and 8 cats on the basis of serum fPLI concentration and ultrasonographic findings, respectively. For cats with pancreatitis, fPLI concentration was significantly higher at 12 and 24 hours after the fall than at 48 and 72 hours after the fall, and serum fPLI concentration decreased as time after the fall increased. Significant agreement existed between the use of serum fPLI concentration and abdominal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of traumatic pancreatitis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Cats with high-rise syndrome often had serum fPLI concentrations > 5.4 μg/L within 12 hours after the fall, and concurrent evaluation of those cats via abdominal ultrasonography twice, 48 hours apart, improved detection of traumatic pancreatitis.
Short- and long-term outcomes after digit amputation in dogs: 33 cases (1999–2011)
Authors: Kaufman Kathryn L. , Mann F. A.
Published: April 2013

Objective—To determine complications and outcomes for dogs that underwent digit amputation.

Design—Retrospective case series and owner survey.

Animals—33 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs that underwent digit amputation were evaluated. Signalment, digits amputated, level of amputation, reason for amputation, and complications were recorded. Owners were contacted via mail or telephone to collect follow-up information.

Results—35 digit amputation procedures were performed for the 33 dogs in the study (1 dog underwent 3 procedures). Short-term (≤ 14 days) complications other than lameness were detected in dogs after 13 of 33 (39.4%) procedures for which follow-up information was available; incisional dehiscence was the most common short-term complication. Long-term (>14 days) lameness was detected in dogs after 8 of 32 (25.0%) procedures for which follow-up information was available; lameness was mild or intermittent after 6 of these procedures. Amputation of a digit in a hind limb was the only variable that was significantly associated with the development of short-term complications. Twenty-four of 33 (72.7%) owners responded to the survey via mail or telephone interview; 23 (95.8%) of those owners were satisfied with the procedure. Most dogs had a good functional outcome (including dogs that underwent amputation of digit 3 or 4 or both).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Amputation of a hind limb digit was the only risk factor identified for development of short-term complications. Dogs that underwent amputation of digit 3 or 4 or both did not seem to have a worse outcome than dogs that underwent amputation of other digits.
Safety of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs and cats: 488 cases (2002–2011)
Authors: Seiler Gabriela S. , Brown James C. , Reetz Jennifer A. , Taeymans Olivier , Bucknoff Melissa , Rossi Federica , Ohlerth Stefanie , Alder Daniela , Rademacher Nathalie , Drost Wm. Tod , Pollard Rachel E. , Travetti Olga , Pey Pascaline , Saunders Jimmy H. , Shanaman Miriam M. , Oliveira Cintia R. , O'Brien Robert T. , Gaschen Lorrie
Published: April 2013

Objective—To determine the incidence of adverse events within 24 hours after contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in dogs and cats and compare the risk of death within 24 hours after imaging for animals that underwent ultrasonography with and without injection of a contrast agent.

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—750 animals (411 case dogs, 238 control dogs, 77 case cats, and 24 control cats).

Procedures—At 11 institutions, medical records were reviewed of dogs and cats that had CEUS performed (cases) as were medical records of dogs and cats with clinical signs similar to those of case animals that had ultrasonography performed without injection of a contrast agent (controls). Information regarding signalment; preexisting disease; type, dose, and administration route of contrast agent used; immediate (within 1 hour after CEUS) and delayed (> 1 and ≤ 24 hours after CEUS) adverse events; and occurrence and cause of death (when available) was extracted from each medical record. Risk of death within 24 hours after ultrasonography was compared between case and control animals.

Results—Of the 411 case dogs, 3 had immediate adverse events (vomiting or syncope) and 1 had a delayed adverse event (vomiting). No adverse events were recorded for case cats. Twenty-three of 357 (6.4%) clinically ill case animals and 14 of 262 (5.3%) clinically ill control animals died within 24 hours after ultrasonography; risk of death did not differ between cases and controls.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that CEUS was safe in dogs and cats.
Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of deer owners following identification of a cluster of captive deer with rabies in Pennsylvania in July 2010
Authors: Tack Danielle M. , Blanton Jesse D. , Holman Robert C. , Longenberger Allison H. , Petersen Brett W. , Rupprecht Charles E.
Published: April 2013

Objective—To evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of deer owners following identification of a cluster of captive deer with rabies as an aid for the development of rabies prevention educational materials.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Population—Captive-deer owners who were members of the Pennsylvania Deer Farmers Association.

Procedures—Information was obtained via a mailed, self-administered questionnaire.

Results—The questionnaire response rate was 59% (249/425). One hundred three of 206 (50%) respondents had incomplete knowledge of rabies virus vectors, transmission, severity, and prevention measures. Birds or snakes were incorrectly identified as rabies vectors by 96 of 213 (45%) respondents, and most (≥ 94%) respondents identified rabies virus reservoirs as vectors. Ninety of 231 (39%) respondents identified death as an outcome of rabies, and 184 of 235 (78%) respondents would seek emergency treatment if they suspected exposure. Only 62 of 235 (26%) respondents would wash a wound immediately. The majority of respondents (173/239 [72%]) did not know the clinical signs of rabies in deer. Nine respondents indicated that they vaccinated their deer against rabies, and the majority of respondents (158/214 [74%]) would be willing to vaccinate.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that deer owners in Pennsylvania have a basic knowledge of rabies; however, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prevention of rabies transmission could be improved considerably. Rabies educational materials for deer owners should focus on postexposure procedures, disease severity, recognition of rabies in deer, and changes in management practices such as vaccination to prevent rabies.
Role of antioxidant vitamins administration on the oxidative stress
Authors: Tomoeda Miki , Kubo Chiaki , Yoshizawa Hidenori , Yuki Michiko , Kitamura Masanori , Nagata Shigenori , Murakami Masahito , Nishizawa Yasuko , Tomita Yasuhiko
Published: April 2013

The health-promoting effects of antioxidant vitamins C and E supplementation are unclear. This study investigated the effects of vitamins C and E on the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging enzymes and protein and lipid peroxidation statuses under resting and exercise-induced conditions. Thirteen healthy, previously untrained males (age 20–21 years) participated in this study. Seven subjects performed physical exercise using a cycle ergometer, and six performed a 6-min walk test (6MWT) prior to vitamin administration and after 1-week oral administration of vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and vitamin E (300 IU/day). Venous blood samples were collected before and after exercise. Plasma vitamin C concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) contents were measured. Antioxidant supplementation increased vitamin C concentration by 34% (p<0.05), decreased SOD activity by 17% (p<0.05), increased GPx activity by 13% (p<0.05), and increased the GPx/SOD activity ratio by 37% (p<0.05). Protein carbonyl and TBARS contents were unaffected. Antioxidant vitamins effectively increase the plasma GPx/SOD activity ratio, but fail to reduce protein carbonyl levels induced by exercise.
Therapy with acetylsalicylic acid does not interfere with oral surgery
Authors: Dudek Damian , Helewski Krzysztof , Wyrobiec Grzegorz , Harabin-Słowińska Marzena , Kowalczyk-Ziomek Grażyna , Żaba Małgorzata , Wesołowski Piotr , Stawski Tomasz , Wojnicz Romuald
Published: April 2013

The acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treatment is widespread therapeutic strategy in cardiology clinics. On the other hand, patients with heart diseases represent a significant group of cases in dental clinics. Accordingly, we studied the local hemostatic thrombus formation after dental tooth extractions (n=47) and other oral surgery treatment (n=13) in 60 patients with heart disease being on ASA therapy without drug discontinuation. In the control group free of ASA therapy it was: (n=24) and (n=6), respectively. In all studied patients, the aggregative activity of blood platelets by PFA-100 analyzer was assessed. It was found that 61.7% patients treated with ASA presented inhibition of platelets aggregation. Unexpectedly, in 35% of such patients, platelet aggregation function remained unchanged. In the control group, normal platelet aggregation was found in all subjects. It has been shown that ASA therapy has neutral effects on both thrombus formation and pain complications in patients with heart disease underwent tooth extraction and other oral surgery. Thus discontinuation of ASA therapy before surgery seems to be weakly validated.
Variability of total and mobile element contents in ash derived from biomass combustion
Authors: Száková Jiřina , Ochecová Pavla , Hanzlíček Tomáš , Perná Ivana , Tlustoš Pavel
Published: April 2013

Seven samples of the ash derived from biomass, representing both fly and bottom ash, were analysed for a wide spectrum of total and mobile contents of nutrient and potentially risk elements. Several techniques, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), proton-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) and proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS) were compared. The results showed fairly good agreement between the XRF and INAA results, where the correlation coefficients (r) varied between 0.96 and 0.98. Lower contents documenting insufficient dissolution of the ash samples in the applied acid mixture were observed for both ICP-OES and AAS. In this case, weaker correlation with the INAA results not exceeding r = 0.7 were obtained. Therefore, the sample decomposition step is a bottleneck of the accurate analysis of this type of materials. For the assessment of plant-available portions of the elements in the ash samples, the Mehlich III extraction procedure and the extraction with a 0.11 mol L−1 solution of CH3COOH were applied. The results showed relatively low mobility of the elements (especially micronutrients) in the ash samples regardless of their source and composition, suggesting limited immediate effect of direct ash application as a fertilizer.
Facial Pain Associated With Fibromyalgia Can Be Marked by Abnormal Neuromuscular Control: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gui Maísa Soares , Pedroni Cristiane Rodrigues , Aquino Luana M. Martins , Pimentel Marcele Jardim , Alves Marcelo Correa , Rossini Sueli , Reimão Rubens , Berzin Fausto , Marques Amélia Pasqual , Rizzatti-Barbosa Célia Marisa
Published: April 2013

Background

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) development in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is not yet fully understood, but altered neuromuscular control in FMS may play a role in triggering TMD.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to verify the association between neuromuscular control and chronic facial pain in groups of patients with FMS and TMD.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Methods

This study involved an analysis of facial pain and electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles in patients with FMS (n=27) and TMD (n=28). All participants were evaluated according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders and surface electromyography (SEMG). Myoelectric signal calculations were performed using the root mean square and median frequency of signals.

Results

The data revealed premature interruption of masticatory muscle contraction in both patient groups, but a significant correlation also was found between higher median frequency values and increased facial pain. This correlation probably was related to FMS because it was not found in patients with TMD only. Facial pain and increased SEMG activity during mandibular rest also were positively correlated.

Limitations

Temporal conclusions cannot be drawn from the study. Also, the study lacked a comparison group of patients with FMS without TMD as well as a control group of individuals who were healthy.

Conclusions

Altered neuromuscular control in masticatory muscles may be correlated with perceived facial pain in patients with FMS.
“Academic Redshirting” in Kindergarten
Authors: Bassok Daphna , Reardon Sean F.
Published: April 2013

We use two nationally representative data sets to estimate the prevalence of kindergarten “redshirting”—the decision to delay a child’s school entry. We find that between 4% and 5.5% of children delay kindergarten, a lower number than typically reported in popular and academic accounts. Male, White, and high-SES children are most likely to delay kindergarten, and schools serving larger proportions of White and high-income children have far higher rates of delayed entry. We find no evidence that children with lower cognitive or social abilities at age 4 are more likely to redshirt, suggesting parents’ decisions to delay entry may be driven by concerns about children’s relative position within a kindergarten cohort. Implications for policy are discussed.
Wait Times for Physical and Occupational Therapy in the Public System for People with Arthritis in Quebec
Authors: Delaurier Ashley , Bernatsky Sasha , Raymond Marie-Hélène , Feldman Debbie Ehrmann
Published: April 2013

Purpose: Although arthritis is the leading cause of pain and disability in Canada, and physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) are beneficial both for chronic osteoarthritis (OA) and for inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there appear to be problems with access to such services. The aim of this study was to document wait times from referral by physician to consultation with PT or OT in the public health care system for people with arthritis in Quebec, Canada. Method: Appointments were requested by telephone, using hypothetical case scenarios; wait times were defined as the time between initial request and appointment date. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the wait times in relation to diagnosis, service provider and geographic area. Results: For both scenarios (OA and RA) combined, 13% were offered an appointment within 6 months, 13% offered given an appointment within 6–12 months, 24% were told they would need to wait longer than 12 months, and 22% were refused services. The remaining 28% were told they would require an evaluation appointment for functional assessment before being given an appointment for therapy. No difference was found between RA and OA diagnoses. Conclusions: Our study suggests that most people with arthritis living in the province of Quebec are not receiving publicly accessible PT or OT intervention in a timely manner.
BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION, AND GLOBAL POVERTY
Authors: Benhabib Seyla
Published: April 2013

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the world-wide movement of peoples has increased from 175 million in 2000 to 218 million in 2012. Although it is only 3.5 per cent of the world’s population that migrates, the accelerated pace of migrations as well as changing patterns of migrants’ integration and acculturation in host societies have created challenges to devise just citizenship and migrations policies world-wide. How does the control of first entry, citizenship, and naturalization practices by states affect the life chances of the global poor? Is the institution of birthright citizenship justifiable legally and/or morally? This essay considers these questions through a review of Ayelet Schachar’s book, The Birthright Lottery: Citizenship and Global Inequality (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2009).
Fast presurgical functional mapping using task-related intracranial high gamma activity
Authors: Qian Tianyi , Zhou Wenjing , Ling Zhipei , Gao Shangkai , Liu Hesheng , Hong Bo
Published: April 2013

Object

Electrocorticography (ECoG) is a powerful tool for presurgical functional mapping. Power increase in the high gamma band has been observed from ECoG electrodes on the surface of the sensory motor cortex during the execution of body movements. In this study the authors aim to validate the clinical usage of high gamma activity in presurgical mapping by comparing ECoG mapping with traditional direct electrical cortical stimulation (ECS) and functional MRI (fMRI) mapping.

Methods

Seventeen patients with epilepsy participated in an ECoG motor mapping experiment. The patients executed a 5-minute hand/tongue movement task while the ECoG signal was recorded. All 17 patients also underwent extraoperative ECS mapping to localize the motor cortex. Eight patients also participated in a presurgical fMRI study. The high gamma activity on ECoG was modeled using the general linear model (GLM), and the regions showing significant gamma power increase during the task condition compared with the rest condition were localized. The maps derived from GLM-based ECoG mapping, ECS, and fMRI were then compared.

Results

High gamma activity in the motor cortex can be reliably modulated by motor tasks. Localization of the motor regions achieved with GLM-based ECoG mapping was consistent with the localization determined by ECS. The maps also appeared to be highly localized compared with the fMRI activations. Using the ECS findings as the reference, GLM-based ECoG mapping showed a significantly higher sensitivity than fMRI (66.7% for ECoG, 52.6% for fMRI, p < 0.05), while the specificity was high for both techniques (> 97%). If the current-spreading effect in ECS is accounted for, ECoG mapping may produce maps almost identical to those produced by ECS mapping (100% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity).

Conclusions

General linear model–based ECoG mapping showed a superior performance compared to traditional ECS and fMRI mapping in terms of efficiency and accuracy. Using this method, motor functions can be reliably mapped in less than 5 minutes.
Mediation of multiple pathways regulating cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in the human malignant glioma cell line U87MG via unphosphorylated STAT1
Authors: Ju Haitao , Li Xin , Li Hong , Wang Xiaojuan , Wang Hongwei , Li Yang , Dou Changwu , Zhao Gang
Published: April 2013

Object

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is thought to be a tumor suppressor protein. The authors investigated the expression and role of STAT1 in glioblastoma.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of STAT1 in glioblastoma and normal brain tissues. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of STAT1. Cell growth, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and the expression of related genes and proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, p21, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen) were examined in vitro via cell counting kit-8, wound-healing, flow cytometry, Rhodamine B, TUNEL, and Western blot assays.

Results

Human glioblastoma had decreased expression of STAT1 proteins. Transfection of the U87MG cells with STAT1 plasmid in vitro demonstrated significant inhibition of cell growth and an increase in apoptotic cell death compared with cells transfected with vector or mock plasmids. These effects were associated with the upregulation of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, and p21 and the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that increased expression of STAT1 by transfection with STAT1 plasmid synergistically inhibits human U87MG glioblastoma cell growth in vitro.
Comparing fourth ventricle shunt survival after placement via stereotactic transtentorial and suboccipital approaches
Authors: Garber Sarah T. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Bishop Frank S. , Brockmeyer Douglas L.
Published: April 2013

Object

Fourth ventricle hydrocephalus, or a “trapped” fourth ventricle, presents a treatment challenge in pediatric neurosurgery. Fourth ventricle hydrocephalus develops most commonly as a result of congenital anomalies, intraventricular hemorrhage, or infection. Standard management of loculated fourth ventricle hydrocephalus consists of fourth ventricle shunt placement via a suboccipital approach. An alternative approach is stereotactic-guided transtentorial fourth ventricle shunt placement via the nondominant superior parietal lobule. In this report, the authors compare shunt survival after placement via the suboccipital and stereotactic parietal transtentorial (SPT) approaches.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed to find all patients with a fourth ventricle shunt placed between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2011. Time to shunt failure was quantified as the number of days from shunt placement to first shunt revision or removal. Other variables studied included patient age and sex, origin of hydrocephalus, comorbidities, number of existing supratentorial catheters at the time of fourth ventricle shunt placement (as a proxy for complexity), operating surgeon, and number of previous shunt revisions. The crossover rate from one technique to the other after shunt failure from the original approach was also investigated.

Results

In the 29 fourth ventricle shunts placed during the study period, 18 were placed via the suboccipital approach (62.1%) and 11 via the SPT approach (37.9%). There was a statistically significant difference in time to shunt failure, with the SPT shunts lasting an average of 901 days and suboccipital shunts lasting 122 days (p = 0.04). In addition, there was a significant difference in the rate of crossover from one technique to another, with 1 SPT shunt changed to a suboccipital shunt (5.6%) and 5 suboccipital shunts changed to SPT shunts (45.5%).

Conclusions

Fourth ventricle shunt placement using an SPT approach resulted in significantly longer shunt survival times and lower rates of revision than the traditional suboccipital approach, despite a higher rate of crossover from previously failed shunting procedures. Stereotactic parietal transtentorial shunt placement may be considered for patients with loculated fourth ventricle hydrocephalus, especially when shunt placement via the standard suboccipital approach fails. It is therefore reasonable to offer this procedure either as a first option for the treatment of fourth ventricle hydrocephalus or when the need for fourth ventricle shunt revision arises.
Intrasacral meningocele in the pediatric population
Authors: Lohani Subash , Rodriguez Diana P. , Lidov Hart G. W. , Scott R. Michael , Proctor Mark R.
Published: April 2013

Object

Intrasacral meningoceles are rare cystic lesions that can cause focal compression within the bony sacral canal. Their mechanisms are poorly understood, but most intrasacral meningoceles appear to be intrasacral extradural cysts caused by arachnoid herniating through a small dural defect in the caudal end of the thecal sac. As opposed to perineural cysts, they are not associated with an exiting nerve root. When symptomatic, they can cause sacral pain or sacral nerve root dysfunction due to local compression.

Methods

This is a retrospective series from Boston Children's Hospital. All patients in whom symptomatic intrasacral meningocele that required surgical treatment was diagnosed between May 1994 and March 2011 were included in the study. Spine MRI was the diagnostic modality of choice. All patients underwent sacral exploration, with ligation and obliteration of the cyst. Resected cyst wall was subjected to pathological examination.

Results

There were 13 patients (11 boys and 2 girls) who underwent operation for intrasacral meningocele. The median age was 8 years (range 5 months–16 years). The most common presenting symptom was back pain (in 5) often described as deep tail bone pain, followed by urinary incontinence (3) and constipation (2). Three patients had evidence of associated tethered cord on MRI studies. Four patients were asymptomatic and their diagnosis was made following imaging for other reasons; they were surgically treated because of the increasing size of the lesion or association with other congenital lesions. Most patients had symptomatic improvement after surgery.

Conclusions

Intrasacral meningoceles are rare lesions that may result from a congenital dural weakness and a resultant arachnoid diverticulum. They present in childhood either incidentally or with symptoms secondary to nerve root compression. Identification of the point of herniation through the dura mater and ligation of the lesion provides cyst cure and resolution of symptoms in most patients.
Congenital hypoplasia or aplasia of the lumbosacral pedicle as an unusual cause of spondylolisthesis in the pediatric age group
Authors: Patel Akash J. , Vadivelu Sudhakar , Desai Sohum K. , Jea Andrew
Published: April 2013

The authors describe rare cases of congenital hypoplasia of the L-5 pedicles and the congenital absence of the left S-1 pedicle in 2 young girls, respectively, including the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Moreover, they review the literature on this clinical entity. The patients presented with intractable chronic low-back pain. Plain radiographs and 2D CT scanning revealed the presence of the aforementioned anomalies. Degenerative changes to adjacent level and contralateral facet joints were thought to be the result of overload and instability and seemed to have led to spondylolisthesis, micromotion at L-5 and S-1, and subsequent low-back pain. The pediatric patients were treated with posterior instrumented fusion with good functional outcomes at a minimum 3-month follow-up. To the best of the authors' knowledge, these are the first reports of intractable low-back pain and spondylolisthesis accompanied by hypoplastic-aplastic pedicles at the lumbosacral junction in children.
Quantitative evaluation of the anatomical parameters for subaxial cervical spondylectomy: an anatomical study
Authors: Şimşek Serkan , Uz Aysun , Er Uygur , Apaydın Nihal
Published: April 2013

Object

The object of this investigation was to conduct a morphometric study in cadavers to determine anatomical structures, their relationships, and their morphometry for subaxial cervical spondylectomy.

Methods

Forty sides of 20 cadavers were used for this study. Dissections were performed in 2 stages (anteriorly and posteriorly). Twenty-one morphometric measurements were performed for both sides of the C3–6 vertebrae. Data were analyzed statistically.

Results

Morphometry of the laminas, tuberculum posterius, pedicle, corpus, foramen transversarium, and processus costalis were measured.

Conclusions

Detailed quantitative anatomical knowledge for operations requiring wide dissection and resection, such as cervical spondylectomy, lowers the morbidity rate.