bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Endothelial Cells in Humanized Mouse Models Harboring a Human Immune System
Authors: Yang Heung-Mo , Moon Sung-Hwan , Choi Young-Sil , Park Soon-Jung , Lee Yong-Soo , Lee Hyun-Joo , Kim Sung-Joo , Chung Hyung-Min
Published: October 2013

Objective—

Allogeneic transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derivatives has the potential to elicit the patient’s immune response and lead to graft rejection. Although hESCs and their derivatives have been shown to have advantageous immune properties in vitro, such observations could not be determined experimentally in vivo because of ethical and technical constraints. However, the generation of humanized mice (hu-mice) harboring a human immune system has provided a tool to perform in vivo immunologic studies of human cells and tissues. Using this model, we sought to examine the therapeutic potential of hESC-derived endothelial cells, human embryonic fibroblasts, and cord blood–derived endothelial progenitor cells in a human immune system environment.

Approach and Results—

All cell types transplanted in hu-mice showed significantly reduced cell survival during the first 14 days post-transplantation compared with that observed in immunodeficient mice. During this period, no observable therapeutic effects were detected in the hindlimb ischemic mouse models. After this point, the cells demonstrated improved survival and contributed to a long-term improvement in blood perfusion. All cell types showed reduced therapeutic efficacy in hu-mice compared with NOD scid IL2 receptor gamma chain knockout mice. Interestingly, the eventual improvement in blood flow caused by the hESC-derived endothelial cells in hu-mice was not much lower than that observed in NOD scid IL2 receptor gamma chain knockout mice.

Conclusions—

These findings suggest that hESC derivatives may be considered a good source for cell therapy and that hu-mice could be used as a preclinical in vivo animal model for the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy to predict the outcomes of human clinical trials.
Extradural Internal Carotid Artery Caliber Dysregulation Is Associated With Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Schimansky Sarah , Patel Samir , Rahal Jason , Lauric Alexandra , Malek Adel M.
Published: October 2013

Background and Purpose—

Flow-induced hemodynamic forces are critical in extra- and intracranial arterial caliber regulation and have been proposed to mediate intracranial aneurysm (IA) formation and rupture. We hypothesized that vascular structural control may be impaired in patients harboring brain aneurysms and sought to examine any differences in extradural internal carotid artery (ICA) caliber profiles.

Methods—

Ninety-six catheter 2-dimensional angiograms were divided into 3 subgroups: (1) ICA leading to IA (n=38), (2) matched contralateral ICA (n=25), and (3) ICA from nonaneurysmal controls (n=33). ICA diameter was measured proximally beyond the bulb (
D
Prox
) and distally at the extradural point of maximal dilation (
D
MaxDist
), yielding maximal distal-to-proximal ratio (
R
Mdp
).

Results—

Unlike non-IA controls that tapered smoothly, ICAs leading to IA consistently demonstrated focal sites of abnormal dilation in the distal cervical or petrous extradural segments.
R
Mdp
was greater in ICAs leading to IA compared with non-IA controls (1.17±0.1 versus 1.0±0.08;
P
<0.0001). Matched-pair analysis showed
R
Mdp
to be higher in ICAs leading to IA than the corresponding contralateral ICAs (1.19±0.1 versus 1.07±0.11;
P
=0.001);
R
Mdp
from contralateral ICAs was greater than non-IA controls (
P
=0.005). Among ICAs leading to IA, women showed higher
R
Mdp
(1.11±0.12 versus 1.05±0.11;
P
=0.02) with no relationship to intradural IA location.

Conclusions—

Measurements of the extradural ICA in patients harboring intradural IA suggest an association with a remote upstream abnormal vascular caliber control consistent with a diffuse flow–mediated structural dysregulation showing laterality and sex dependence.
Understanding Student Engagement and Achievement in Chinese Universities: A Study of Beijing College Students
Authors: Zhu Hong , Arnold Karen
Published: October 2013

China’s higher education system has experienced a profound process of restructuring and transformation from elite to mass higher education in the past decades. College students are struggling with an increasingly disconnected learning experience which is caused by a more competitive learning environment. Under these new circumstances, what is the nature of student engagement in China’s colleges and universities? How do different forms of student engagement affect undergraduates’ success in college? This empirical study examined self-reported data of 18,607 students from 55 Chinese colleges in Beijing through structural equation modeling. The main findings are: student learning experience in college is integrated; different forms of student engagement have a complex mechanism of impacting on each other and consequently directly and indirectly contribute to student gains in college. Findings indicate that institutions in China and other Asian countries need to capture a comprehensive picture of how students change through assessing student overall college experience from a variety of perspectives.
Egalitarianism in Canadian Higher Education: Retrospect and Prospect
Authors: Zha Qiang
Published: October 2013

Canada is often cited as an exception to academic capitalism, and features the egalitarianism in conducting and managing higher education. Over the years, Canadian universities served to provide comparable university education to a population that was sparsely distributed over an immense geographical area. The increasing scarceness of resources for higher education, fuelled by a largely neoliberal process of globalization, has been causing changes in Canadian higher education towards forming a differentiated university sector. Nevertheless, the traditions die hard. With a predominant social value deeply rooted in equity and social justice, Canadian higher education and universities continue to profile many aspects of the egalitarian legacy. Drawing on the notions of liberalism (pure liberalism, compensatory liberalism and neoliberalism) and academic capitalism, this paper analyzes the data displayed in Maclean’s University Rankings and CAUT’s (Canadian Association of University Teachers) Almanac of Post-Secondary Education in Canada, and illustrates the above points.
The Subjective Present and Its Modulation in Clinical Contexts
Authors: Tschacher Wolfgang , Ramseyer Fabian , Bergomi Claudia
Published: October 2013

Time is a basic dimension in psychology, underlying behavior and experience. Timing and time perception constitute implicit processes that are often inaccessible to the individual person. Research in this field has shown that timing is involved in many areas of clinical significance. In the projects presented here, we combine timing with seemingly different fields of research, such as psychopathology, perceptual grouping, and embodied cognition. Focusing on the time scale of the subjective present, we report findings from three different clinical studies: (1) We studied perceived causality in schizophrenia patients, finding that perceptual grouping (‘binding’, ‘Gestalt formation’), which leads to visual causality perceptions, did not distinguish between patients and healthy controls. Patients however did integrate context (provided by the temporal distribution of auditory context stimuli) less into perceptions, in significant contrast to controls. This is consistent with reports of higher inaccuracy in schizophrenia patients’ temporal processing. (2) In a project on auditory Gestalt perception we investigated auditory perceptual grouping in schizophrenia patients. The mean dwell time was positively related to how much patients were prone to auditory hallucinations. Dwell times of auditory Gestalts may be regarded as operationalizations of the subjective present; findings thus suggested that patients with hallucinations had a shorter present. (3) The movement correlations of interacting individuals were used to study the non-verbal synchrony between therapist and patient in psychotherapy sessions. We operationalized the duration of an embodied ‘social present’ by the statistical significance of such associations, finding a window of roughly 5.7 seconds in conversing dyads.

We discuss that temporal scales of nowness may be modifiable, e.g., by mindfulness. This yields promising goals for future research on timing in the clinical context: psychotherapeutic techniques may alter binding processes, hence the subjective present of individuals, and may affect the social present in therapeutic interactions.
The Seasonal Effects of ENSO on Atmospheric Conditions Associated with European Precipitation: Model Simulations of Seasonal Teleconnections
Authors: Shaman Jeffrey
Published: October 2013

The seasonal upper-tropospheric teleconnection between ENSO and the North Atlantic/European sector is explored through a series of model experiments. A barotropic vorticity equation model is linearized about climatological conditions for each season of the year, and divergence forcing is applied over the equatorial Pacific to mimic El Niño–related convective activity. During boreal fall, winter, and spring, this forcing similarly excites a northeastward-propagating stationary barotropic Rossby wave train that extends across the North Atlantic to the European coast. Strong anomalies develop over the British Isles in the vicinity of the North Atlantic jet exit. Solutions during boreal summer produce no clear wave train; however, evidence exists for a North Atlantic response because of both eastward- and westward-propagating signals. These direct responses over the Atlantic and Europe are qualitatively similar to observed ENSO-associated anomalies during boreal spring and fall, but differ structurally during summer and winter. Further experiments with the vorticity equation model using full Rossby wave source forcing, which included vorticity advection, increase the amplitude of the response over Europe during some seasons; however, structural differences persist.

Finally, experiments with the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM), version 4, reveal that the basic northeastward-propagating response is modulated by downstream feedbacks. These changes are most profound during boreal winter and engender an arching wave train pattern that, matching observations, reflects off the jet over North America, propagates southeastward over the North Atlantic, and fails to reach the European coast. Overall, the simulations with CAM correctly depict observed seasonal changes in the magnitude of the ENSO–North Atlantic/European teleconnection by producing a strong fall and winter response but a weaker spring and summer response. The CAM experiments also indicate that the seasonal response is not dependent on antecedent conditions; however, CAM simulations fail to project the upper-tropospheric anomalies appropriately to the lower troposphere.
Personal Value Priorities and Life Satisfaction in Europe
Authors: Sortheix Florencia M. , Lönnqvist Jan-Erik
Published: October 2013

The present study examined the relations of personal values to life satisfaction (LS) across 25 European nations. Multilevel statistics with country-level Human Development Index (HDI) as a contextual moderator tested its effect on the individual-level relations between personal values and LS. HDI moderated the relations between LS and 8 of the 10 basic values identified by Schwartz’s values theory. Across countries, high benevolence and hedonism values were associated with heightened LS, whereas high power and security values were related to lower LS. Achievement was positively related to LS in low HDI countries, but negatively in high HDI countries, whereas the opposite pattern occurred for universalism values and LS. Our results emphasize the importance of considering the broader context in which personal values are pursued when examining their implications for LS.
Successful surgical outcome of infected aneurysmal drug-coated stent endocarditis
Authors: Janaswamy Vishwanath , Gargipati Madan Subramanyam , Sudhaker Koneru , Parupati Shyam Sunder Reddy , Alluri Ravi Kumar , Gokhale Alla Gopal Krishna
Published: October 2013

A 52-year-old man developed pyrexia after primary angioplasty following anterior myocardial infarction Noninvasive evaluation revealed staphylococcal septicemia with suspicion of an aneurysm or abscess at the stented segment. Coronary angiography confirmed the presence of a large aneurysm. The infected left anterior descending artery aneurysm was de-roofed and ligated, and a saphenous vein bypass graft was placed, with an excellent outcome.
Complete right ventricular obstruction caused by a giant cardiac myxoid sarcoma
Authors: Soo Alan , Molloy Fiona , Herron Brian , Parissis Haralabos
Published: October 2013

Myxoid sarcoma is a very rare variant of primary malignant sarcoma of the heart, which presents like a myxoma. We describe the case of 21-year-old man with a giant myxoid sarcoma occupying most of the right ventricle. He underwent emergency surgery to resect the tumor and replace the tricuspid valve which was infiltrated. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given postoperatively.
A bailout approach: Transaxillary Impella implantation in toxic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Khaliel Feras , Moss Emmanuel , Demers Philippe , Bouchard Denis
Published: October 2013

The femoral artery has been the traditional approach for implantation of the Impella left ventricular assist device. We describe the case of a young man with toxic (cocaine-related) cardiomyopathy, severe left ventricular dysfunction, and moderate mitral insufficiency who received a transfemoral Impella left ventricular assist device that was relocated to the right axillary artery due to uncontrolled femoral access bleeding. The patient immediately stabilized post-implantation and was successfully bridged to a full recovery 6 days later.
Autobiography, empirical research and critical theory in desistance
Authors: Weaver Allan , Weaver Beth
Published: October 2013

This article seeks to combine an autobiographical account of desistance with research and theory on the subject, to show how they are mutually illuminating, and of equal, complimentary relevance to criminal justice policymakers and practitioners with offenders.
Community engagement
Authors: Senior Paul
Published: October 2013

This article takes an historical perspective, drawing on personal practice in the 1970s and 1980s, research and consultancy in the 1990s and 2000s, in exploring a long history of probation engagement with their local communities. That this history has never been fully embedded in every practitioner’s everyday practice, and indeed it could be said is no longer seen as axiomatic that probation should be so engaged, will be dissected and analysed. It will be suggested that recent practice focusing more on risk management and public protection has potentially alienated practitioners from the communities they serve. This article concludes with suggestions as to how probation practitioners can re-engage with their community, drawing on recent theoretical and policy developments in partnerships, community and restorative justice and theories of desistance.
Touch screen tablet technology
Authors: Burns Ray
Published: October 2013

We live in a world of touch screen technology and computer images where it is commonplace to own a touch screen Smart phone or tablet. This article takes in to account the learning challenges faced by many offenders that can make ineffective the black and white diagrams and blocks of writing often used. It goes on to explain how an offender manager began to use a touch screen tablet to engage offenders and involve them in their sessions. The practitioner explains the impact of the use of colour and animated images on the offenders and how this enhanced their learning. He also describes how being able to personalize the diagrams and charts with their own relevant details greatly helped understanding. Finally, the article outlines the positive impact obtained together with survey results and suggests ways that others could develop the use of touch screen tablets in the same way.
Electronic monitoring and probation in Sweden and England and Wales
Authors: Nellis Mike , Bungerfeldt Jan
Published: October 2013

The Swedish and the Anglo-Welsh electronic monitoring (EM) schemes are the oldest in Western Europe. England and Wales ran the first EM pilot scheme in 1989/90, but did not create a national scheme until 1999, which rapidly became, and remains, Europe’s largest. Sweden initiated pilots in 1994, which segued into a fully national scheme (Europe’s first) in 1996. Arguably the most striking difference between the two schemes is that from the outset England and Wales outsourced the delivery of EM to the private sector, whereas Sweden developed it from within their probation service, using a commercial organization only to provide technology. This article − a limited exercise in comparative criminal justice − will explore the developmental trajectories of EM policy in the two countries, in three phases, noting the political context in each and focusing on questions of ‘integrating’ EM with probation, both at the institutional level (structures of service delivery) and at the practical level (individual supervision). While there are inevitably difficulties in comparing such differently-sized countries (9.4m and 51m respectively, in 1994), and correspondingly different probation services, it is the relationship between ‘ideology’, ‘policy’ and ‘institutional structures’ (and the effect of the latter on practice) that is being kept to the fore here, in order to illustrate the point that similar ideological and political shifts in two countries may not necessarily reconfigure institutional arrangements in the same way, or at the same pace, or with the same outcomes. The article concludes with reflections on the near-inevitability of EM being used, in some shape or form, by all contemporary penal policy makers, because of its affinity with neoliberal political movements and the increasing ease with which it can be customized from ubiquitous information and communication technology infrastructures.
Forty years on
Authors: Harding John
Published: October 2013

John Harding was the senior probation officer/community service in the Nottinghamshire Home Office pilot area from 1972 to 1974. He was the Chief Probation Officer for Inner London from 1993 to 2001. In this short comment piece, the author provides an insightful personal account of the introduction and implementation of community service in England and Wales.
Out of the box
Authors: James Roger
Published: October 2013

As Google and other members of the Gang of Four (Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google) come under fire for their business practices it is worth reviewing progress towards the information nirvana described by the author just two years ago (in Out of the box: Joining the Dots). In this mid-term report the author develops his doubts about their future because, in 2013, Google turned their back on openness and information fairness. Like Microsoft before them, their strategy crossed from technology led to marketing led. If history repeats its pattern it condemns them to a managerial hubris where legal defence replaces technological determinism. The battle lines are drawn around two little noticed technical changes: the withdrawal of RSS news alert services and the retirement of the synonym operator in search. The first betrays the principle of symmetry essential for information fairness, the second reveals a new master’s voice where the needs of marketing replace Information Science as the guide of product development. In response, it is time to start work on the information responsibility of organizations such as Google and to spell out their responsibilities to maintain an RSS neutral impact on our planet of information.
Connect, communicate, collaborate and create
Authors: Hughes Ceri , Chapel Alex
Published: October 2013

KPMG has introduced an internal social collaboration platform called the Hub with the aim of further enabling effective team working across the organization and providing a further enabler to the delivery of the firm’s Knowledge strategy. Specifically the Hub aims to help KPMG professionals connect, communicate, collaborate and create more effectively together. The Hub is being implemented across KPMG member firms and has executive support from the international senior partner group but also meets the demands of staff wanting to introduce the benefits of social collaboration to their business processes, some of whom were beginning to experiment with the use of free versions of popular social collaboration technology, thereby introducing their own unofficial pilot projects. KPMG operates in a highly regulated environment and, in order to respect this, the introduction of the Hub is accompanied by a very comprehensive and robust user guidance programme and a real time monitoring and moderation process. This introduces an additional complexity to an already multifaceted project as the appropriate steps must be taken to protect confidential data while continuing to encourage widespread adoption and use of a disruptive collaborative technology enabler. The first in a two-part article focuses on the aims of the implementation and the learning from an initial proof of concept exercise, which shaped the design and delivery of the Hub and its supporting adoption and guidance programme.
Imaging of upper urinary tract cancer: using conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI with different b values
Authors: Wu Guang-yu , Lu Qing , Wu Lian-ming , WenKong  , Chen Xiao-xi , Xu Jian-rong
Published: October 2013

Background

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) has been considered to be useful in diagnosing upper urinary tract (UUT) disease; however, the value of DW-MRI with different b values has not been reported.

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of using conventional MRI alone and in combination with DWI with different b values in diagnosing UUT cancer.

Material and Methods

Seventy patients with suspected UUT cancer underwent conventional MRI (T1-weighted and T2-weighted) and DW-MRI (b = 500 and 1500 s/mm2) on a 3 T-MRI scanner. The ureteroscopic and histopathologic findings were compared with the imaging findings. The utility of detecting UUT cancer using conventional MRI (set A), combined DW-MRI (b = 500 s/mm2) and conventional MRI (set B), and combined DW-MRI (b = 1500 s/mm2) and conventional MRI (set C) were independently evaluated by two readers.

Results

A total of 32 patients had verified cancer; 23 patients had benign UUT diseases, and 15 had no abnormality. Sets B and C had significantly improved diagnostic accuracy for UUT cancer compared with set A; the specificity in diagnosing UUT cancer was significantly improved when using set C compared with sets A and B. In patients without UUT obstructions, improved sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosis was achieved when using sets B and C compared with set A.

Conclusion

Using DW-MRI in combination with conventional MRI provides increased diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity in patients without UUT obstruction. The combination of conventional MRI and DW-MRI with a higher b value (1500 s/mm2) improved the specificity in diagnosing UUT cancer compared to conventional sequences and DW-MRI with a lower b value (500 s/mm2).
Word Problem Strategy for Latino English Language Learners at Risk for Math Disabilities
Authors: Orosco Michael J.
Published: October 2013

English Language Learners (ELLs) at risk for math disabilities (MD) are challenged in solving word problems for numerous reasons such as (a) learning English as a second language, (b) limited experience using math vocabulary, and (c) lack of strategies to improve word-problem-solving skills. As a result of these difficulties, ELLs may not only need math support but also oral language and reading development assistance. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a math comprehension strategy procedure based on a dynamic assessment (DA) framework. The strategy provided scaffolding support based on the student’s reading and language comprehension levels. A multiple baseline was used to assess 6 third-grade Latino ELLs at risk for MD. As compared with baseline, the strategy increased problem-solving ability for all participants. All students’ level of performance was maintained during follow-up sessions. Results suggest that a focus on comprehension strategies may help facilitate math skills development for ELLs at risk for MD.
Anti–Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibody Associated Limbic Encephalitis in a Child
Authors: Mishra Navin , Rodan Lance H. , Nita Dragos A. , Gresa-Arribas Nuria , Kobayashi Jeff , Benseler Susanne M.
Published: October 2013

Anti–glutamic acid decarboxylase directed antibodies are a rare cause of autoimmune limbic encephalitis that is relatively resistant to immunotherapy. Here we report a 15-year-old boy with nonparaneoplastic, anti–glutamic acid decarboxylase limbic encephalitis presenting with subacute headache, memory disturbance, psychiatric symptoms, and seizures. At onset, his memory disturbance manifested as transient global amnesia-like episodes. Clinical remission was achieved with rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin, and corticosteroids.
Anti–N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Encephalitis
Authors: Scott Ori , Richer Lawrence , Forbes Karen , Sonnenberg Lyn , Currie Angela , Eliyashevska Myroslava , Goez Helly R.
Published: October 2013

Anti N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis in children is associated with psychiatric changes, seizures, and dyskinesias. We present the first report of autistic regression in a toddler caused by this entity. A 33-month-old boy presented with decreased appetite, irritability, and insomnia following an upper respiratory tract infection. Over the next few weeks he lost language and social skills, and abnormal movements of his hand developed. Within a month, this patient came to fit the diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum disorder. Upon investigation, anti-NMDA receptor antibodies were found in the boy's cerebrospinal fluid. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and steroids, resulting in reacquisition of language and social skills and resolution of movements. Our case emphasizes the significance of suspecting anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis as the cause of autistic regression, even in an age group where the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder is typically made, and especially when presentation follows a febrile illness.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Crohn disease
Authors: Yanagida Hidehiko , Sugimoto Keisuke , Izu Akane , Wada Norihisa , Sakata Naoki , Takemura Tsukasa
Published: October 2013

Development of both Crohn disease and Guillain-Barré syndrome likely involves autoimmunity associated with excessive inflammatory cytokines. We treated a girl who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome during the course of Crohn disease. Although high-dose γ-globulin therapy administered initially for Guillain-Barré syndrome was ineffective, plasmapheresis ameliorated her acute neuropathic symptoms. Crohn disease was managed with Salazopyrin administration and enteral feeding. Chronic inflammation of the intestinal mucosa caused by Crohn disease can allow presentation of microbial intestinal antigens normally hidden from the immune system. Such presentation could incite an extraintestinal immune response on the basis of molecular mimicry, leading to activation of systemic autoimmunity against the nervous system. Accordingly, concurrence of Guillain-Barré syndrome and Crohn disease in our patient appeared to result from shared autoimmune mechanisms and systemic and local increases in cytokine concentrations. The patient also developed erythema nodosum and gall stones, relatively common complications of Crohn disease. However, Guillain-Barré syndrome is rare.
Synesthesia for Color Is Linked to Improved Color Perception but Reduced Motion Perception
Authors: Banissy Michael J. , Tester Victoria , Muggleton Neil G. , Janik Agnieszka B. , Davenport Aimee , Franklin Anna , Walsh Vincent , Ward Jamie
Published: October 2013

Synesthesia is a rare condition in which one property of a stimulus (e.g., shape) triggers a secondary percept (e.g., color) not typically associated with the first. Work on synesthesia has predominantly focused on confirming the authenticity of synesthetic experience, but much less research has been conducted to examine the extent to which synesthesia is linked to broader perceptual differences. In the research reported here, we examined whether synesthesia is associated with differences in color and motion processing by comparing these abilities in synesthetes who experience color as their evoked sensation with nonsynesthetic participants. We show that synesthesia for color is linked to facilitated color sensitivity but decreased motion sensitivity. These findings are discussed in relation to the neurocognitive mechanisms of synesthesia and interactions between color and motion processing in typical adults.
Damage in lupus patients—what have we learned so far?
Authors: Eder L , Urowitz MB , Gladman DD
Published: October 2013

With the improvement of survival of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, prevention of organ damage has become a major goal in the management of these patients. The need for a reliable tool for assessment of cumulative damage over time led to the development of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI) that allowed a standardized measurement of damage and facilitated research in the field. Damage accumulates over the course of the disease; however, some patients do not accrue any damage even after many years. Damage accrues at a higher rate among patients with more active disease, highlighting the importance of prompt control of disease manifestations. However, medications administered to control disease activity, particularly corticosteroids, can also result in organ damage, emphasizing the need for adjustment of these agents as soon as disease is under control.
Premature coronary heart disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: what risk factors do we understand?
Authors: Nikpour M , Gladman DD , Urowitz MB
Published: October 2013

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This ‘accelerated atherosclerosis’ is due to a combination of traditional risk factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and also disease-related factors such as chronic inflammation. Recent work has provided valuable insights into the relative contribution of various risk factors and also identified novel risk factors. An understanding of risk factors is fundamental to the prevention of CHD in SLE. In this review, we will discuss the role of risk factors for CHD in SLE and offer some strategies for their assessment and management.
Infection risk in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: susceptibility factors and preventive strategies
Authors: Danza A , Ruiz-Irastorza G
Published: October 2013

Infection is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Bacterial infections are most frequent, followed by viral and fungal infections. The impaired cellular and humoral immune functions seen in patients with SLE are predisposing conditions, whilst disease activity, prednisone doses over 7.5–10 mg/day, high doses of methylprednisolone or cyclophosphamide are well-recognised risk factors for infection. The first six months after rituximab treatment and the use of more than three courses are also associated with an increased susceptibility for infection. It has not been established whether belimumab, azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil increase the risk of serious infections. Most vaccines are effective and safe in SLE patients, although vaccination should be avoided during periods of active disease. Live virus vaccines are contraindicated for immunosuppressed patients. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are universally recommended. Tuberculosis prophylaxis should be considered in selected cases. Therefore, it is advisable not to exceed doses of 5 mg/day of prednisone in chronic treatment. Methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide should be used in low-dose regimens. Antimalarials have a well-known protective role against infection, in addition to other beneficial properties, thus, hydroxychloroquine is recommended for all SLE patients where no contraindication exists.
SLE and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Parker B , Bruce IN
Published: October 2013

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a recently defined clustering of cardiovascular risk factors associated with insulin resistance and an increased risk of future type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have an increased prevalence of MetS and an increased prevalence of insulin resistance. Chronic inflammation may predispose to these complications in SLE and there is also evidence that corticosteroid therapy also contributes, although this finding has not been as consistent as would be predicted from the known metabolic effects of corticosteroids. MetS may represent a good model in which to begin to understand how SLE drives an increased risk of CVD. For now, the utility of identifying MetS in patients is to identify a subset in which more focused lifestyle interventions should be targeted and in whom medication review and adjustment (especially corticosteroid doses) should be considered to help modify future CVD risk.
Ethnicity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): its influence on susceptibility and outcomes
Authors: González LA , Toloza SMA , McGwin G , Alarcón GS
Published: October 2013

Ethnicity is a biological and a social construct which encompasses ancestral genes, cultural, geographic and socioeconomic characteristics shared within a population. It is clear that no homogeneous racial groups exist within the human race as demonstrated when examining ancestry informative markers. Both the genetic and non-genetic components of ethnicity exert influence in the expression and outcome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including disease activity, damage accrual, work disability and mortality. Although it is difficult to determine the extent to which the differences observed in these parameters are caused by genetic or non-genetic factors, early in the disease genetic factors seem to play a more important role as determinants of the differences observed between SLE patients from various ethnic groups. Over the course of the disease, non-genetic factors seem to play a more important role. By and large, SLE is more frequent and more severe with higher disease activity and more damage accrual in non-Caucasian populations (Hispanics, African descendants and Asians) than in Caucasians. To overcome these differences it is necessary to optimize health care access to disadvantaged populations and use innovative tools to increase disease awareness and improve treatment adherence.
The challenge of pregnancy for patients with SLE
Authors: Ateka-Barrutia O , Khamashta MA
Published: October 2013

Pregnancy poses an important challenge for doctors looking after women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Knowledge about safety of medications, the effect of pregnancy on such disease, and vice versa, together with multidisciplinary team care, are basic cornerstones needed to provide the best obstetric and medical care to these women. Pre-conceptional counselling constitutes the ideal scenario where a patient's previous obstetric history, organ damage, disease activity, serological profile and additional medical history can be summarized. Important issues regarding medication adjustment, planned scans and visits, and main risks discussion should also be raised at this stage. Planned pregnancies lead to better outcomes for both mothers and babies. Close surveillance throughout pregnancy and the puerperium, and tailored management approach guarantee the highest rates of successful pregnancies in these women.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension in SLE: what do we know?
Authors: Prabu A , Gordon C
Published: October 2013

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can occur at any time during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and can be independent of lupus disease activity in other systems. The pathogenesis of PH in SLE can be multifactorial, but pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the commonest cause of PH in SLE. The international PH registries have published that approximately 15% of connective tissue disease-associated PH is lupus related in their cohorts. As the symptoms of PH in SLE can be mild and non-specific in early stages, an increasing awareness of this devastating complication is essential for early diagnosis. Echocardiographic evaluation of several right heart variables in addition to systolic pulmonary artery pressure estimation reduces false positive rates for PH detection. Antiphospholipid antibodies may predict SLE-PAH. Prompt treatment of PAH with newer PAH therapy as well as immunosuppression can reduce morbidity and prolong survival. The survival in SLE-associated PAH is better compared with systemic sclerosis-associated PH but worse than idiopathic PAH. Pregnancy in SLE-PAH can result in a fatal outcome, especially in severe and poorly controlled PH at onset.
Moral distress experienced by nurses
Authors: Oh Younjae , Gastmans Chris
Published: October 2013

Nurses are frequently confronted with ethical dilemmas in their nursing practice. As a consequence, nurses report experiencing moral distress. The aim of this review was to synthesize the available quantitative evidence in the literature on moral distress experienced by nurses. We appraised 19 articles published between January 1984 and December 2011. This review revealed that many nurses experience moral distress associated with difficult care situations and feel burnout, which can have an impact on their professional position. Further research is required to examine worksite strategies to support nurses in these situations and to develop coping strategies for dealing with moral distress.
Sport journalists’ views on gay men in sport, society and within sport media
Authors: Kian Edward M , Anderson Eric , Vincent John , Murray Ray
Published: October 2013

In this research, interviews were conducted with 10 US newspaper sport journalists to gauge their experiences and attitudes toward issues and coverage of open and closeted gay men in sport, sport media, and within society. Concerning closeted athletes, most of these journalists are reluctant to report on athletes’ non-normative sexual orientation, even if that means a competitor could scoop them on a story about a major athlete being gay. Most of these reporters believe that US sport fans are ready for openly gay athletes in professional men’s team sports, but that locker rooms might be slower to adapt. Despite these progressive attitudes and more than 220 years of collective professional media experience, none of these journalists ever worked with a sports reporter who was openly gay to all of their colleagues. Therefore, it was not surprising that most believed sport journalism would be a challenging career for openly gay men, particularly if those individuals also did not conform to gender-normative notions of masculinity.
A career intervention for humanitarian entrant students: An example
Authors: Hughes Catherine , Scott Rachel
Published: October 2013

An example is presented of a career intervention developed for a group of seven refugee or humanitarian entrant non-university bound senior high school students aged 15–19 years, enrolled at a, years 7–12, catholic education college in a small regional city in Australia. The intervention was based on the Guiding Circles and Hope-Filled Engagement approaches to self-awareness and career exploration and included intervention strategies found to be critical to positive career development outcomes as well as work experience and post work experience follow-up. To evaluate the intervention, students answered questions about their perception of the most and least beneficial aspects of the intervention and their perception of the usefulness of the intervention. In addition, vocational identity and choice certainty were measured before and after the intervention. Post-school access to targeted career interventions was an implication for this group.
Mergers and Acquisitions in a Business Game
Authors: Thavikulwat Precha , Chang Jimmy , Sanford Douglas
Published: October 2013

We apply a design-science approach to examine the merger and acquisition features of a business game. These features include an experience-curve model that constitutes the endogenous incentive for horizontal integration, supplemented with a production capacity limit and a business license fee for each firm. Procedures for acquisitions include the ability of firms to found subsidiary firms and to purchase firms by submitting market offers to buy shares, by accepting market offers to sell shares, and by engaging in statutory takeovers. The game was administered to 180 college undergraduates for 200 periods over the duration of one semester. By the end of the exercise, the participants had founded 285 firms across five interdependent industries. About 28% of the firms had acquired other firms. Forward acquisitions exceed backward and conglomerate acquisitions throughout the duration of the exercise, forward acquisitions exceed horizontal acquisitions when the economy is less mature, and horizontal acquisitions increase more than forward, backward, and conglomerate acquisitions when the economy is more mature. On the whole, participants behaved rationally, evidence that the merger and acquisition features function as intended. A follow-up study of hubris in mergers and acquisitions is suggested.
Role Ambiguity, Role Conflict, or Burnout
Authors: Phillips Jane , Andrews Lisa , Hickman Louise
Published: October 2013

Objective:

To determine whether burnout, role ambiguity, or conflict affects Australian hospice volunteers.

Method:

Hospice volunteers (n = 120) were invited to participate in this pilot survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the free-text responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Guidelines have been used to report this data.

Results:

A total of 97 participants completed the survey. The majority were middle-aged women who had been palliative care volunteers for more than 7 years and volunteered 14 hours/week (median). Participants reported low levels of role ambiguity (x = 8.4, standard deviation [SD] ±3.0) and conflict (x = 9.8, SD ±3.4) and described enjoying their volunteering and having no symptoms of burnout (76%).

Significance:

Active hospice volunteers report low levels of role ambiguity, conflict, and burnout. Adopting a range of self-care strategies and working within a structured volunteer program appear to be important protective factors.
Point and Click, Carefully
Authors: Wardell Jeffrey D. , Rogers Michelle L. , Simms Leonard J. , Jackson Kristina M. , Read Jennifer P.
Published: October 2013

This study investigated inconsistent responding to survey items by participants involved in longitudinal, web-based substance use research. We also examined cross-sectional and prospective predictors of inconsistent responding. Middle school ( N = 1,023) and college students ( N = 995) from multiple sites in the United States responded to online surveys assessing substance use and related variables in three waves of data collection. We applied a procedure for creating an index of inconsistent responding at each wave that involved identifying pairs of items with considerable redundancy and calculating discrepancies in responses to these items. Inconsistent responding was generally low in the Middle School sample and moderate in the College sample, with individuals showing only modest stability in inconsistent responding over time. Multiple regression analyses identified several baseline variables—including demographic, personality, and behavioral variables—that were uniquely associated with inconsistent responding both cross-sectionally and prospectively. Alcohol and substance involvement showed some bivariate associations with inconsistent responding, but these associations largely were accounted for by other factors. The results suggest that high levels of carelessness or inconsistency do not appear to characterize participants’ responses to longitudinal web-based surveys of substance use and support the use of inconsistency indices as a tool for identifying potentially problematic responders.
Evolution of FLASH, a multi-physics scientific simulation code for high-performance computing
Authors: Dubey Anshu , Antypas Katie , Calder Alan C , Daley Chris , Fryxell Bruce , Gallagher J Brad , Lamb Donald Q , Lee Dongwook , Olson Kevin , Reid Lynn B , Rich Paul , Ricker Paul M , Riley Katherine M , Rosner Robert , Siegel Andrew , Taylor Noel T , Weide Klaus , Timmes Francis X , Vladimirova Natasha , ZuHone John
Published: October 2013

The FLASH code has evolved into a modular and extensible scientific simulation software system over the decade of its existence. During this time it has been cumulatively used by over a thousand researchers to investigate problems in astrophysics, cosmology, and in some areas of basic physics, such as turbulence. Recently, many new capabilities have been added to the code to enable it to simulate problems in high-energy density physics. Enhancements to these capabilities continue, along with enhancements enabling simulations of problems in fluid-structure interactions. The code started its life as an amalgamation of already existing software packages and sections of codes developed independently by various participating members of the team for other purposes. The code has evolved through a mixture of incremental and deep infrastructural changes. In the process, it has undergone four major revisions, three of which involved a significant architectural advancement. Along the way, a software process evolved that addresses the issues of code verification, maintainability, and support for the expanding user base. The software process also resolves the conflicts arising out of being in development and production simultaneously with multiple research projects, and between performance and portability. This paper describes the process of code evolution with emphasis on the design decisions and software management policies that have been instrumental in the success of the code. The paper also makes the case for a symbiotic relationship between scientific research and good software engineering of the simulation software.
The Counterfactual Self-Estimation of Program Participants
Authors: Mueller Christoph Emanuel , Gaus Hansjoerg , Rech Joerg
Published: October 2013

This article proposes an innovative approach to estimating the counterfactual without the necessity of generating information from either a control group or a before-measure. Building on the idea that program participants are capable of estimating the hypothetical state they would be in had they not participated, the basics of the Roy-Rubin model are used to describe how the “counterfactual self-estimation of program participants” (CSEPP) creates a basis for estimating individual and average treatment effects. The problems confronting the approach are discussed as are the preconditions that need to be fulfilled for its use to be recommendable. Moreover, the article reports on the design and results of an empirical study conducted in order to gain first insights into the practicability and viability of the CSEPP. Finally, because there are some ambiguous findings, the strengths and weaknesses of the approach and the implications of the results for further research are discussed.