bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative Medicine and Drug-Induced Vestibulopathy following Brucellosis Treatment: Clinical Practice
Authors: Avijgan Majid , Avijgan Mahtab , Najafi Mohamad Reza , Salek Najmeh , Momeni Azin , Shabani Shiva , Salehi Fahimeh
Published: March 2015

Brucellosis is still one of the most common causes of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in endemic areas and is associated with several complications. Here, we report a patient with a diagnosis of brucellosis and FUO who developed a rare complication of vestibulopathy in the course of treatment and follow-up. We treated the vestibulopathy with acupuncture, and during 10 days of treatment, the irreversible complication of vestibulopathy disappeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of brucellosis with vestibulopathy treated with traditional medicine that achieved complete improvement within 10 days.
Skin Tumour Surgery in Primary Care: Do General Practitioners Need to Improve Their Surgical Skills?
Authors: van Rijsingen Margit C.J. , Vossen Robin , van Huystee Barbara E.W.L. , Gorgels Wim J.M.J. , Gerritsen Marie-Jeanne P.
Published: March 2015

Background: Due to a rapid increase in the incidence of skin cancer, it seems inevitable that general practitioners (GPs) will play a larger role in skin cancer care. Objectives: To assess surgical procedures used by GPs in skin tumour management. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 1,898 pathology reports of skin tumours excised by GPs in 2009. Results: In 22.9% no diagnosis was provided on the application form. Mostly, once-off excisions (no preceding biopsy) were performed, 7% of the excised lesions were malignant, and 35% of incisions were incomplete. Excisions in the face and neck region were incomplete in 65.4%; 22% of melanomas were biopsied or shaved. Conclusion: This study underlines the difficulties in skin tumour management in primary care. To stimulate adequate resource use, the number of excisions of benign lesions could be lowered, and pretreatment biopsy in non-melanoma skin cancer management should be encouraged. GPs should be aware of their limitations and consider referral of high-risk malignancies.
Changes in Gut Microbiota May Be Early Signs of Liver Toxicity Induced by Epoxiconazole in Rats
Authors: Xu Cheng , Liu Qian , Huan Fei , Qu Jianhua , Liu Wei , Gu Aihua , Wang Yubang , Jiang Zhaoyan
Published: March 2015

Objective: The gut microbiome is essential for human health due to its effects on disease development, drug metabolism and the immune system. It may also play a role in the interaction with environmental toxicants. However, the effect of epoxiconazole, a fungicide active ingredient from the class of azoles developed to protect crops, on the abundance and composition of the gut microbiome has never been studied. We put forward the hypothesis that changes in gut microbiota may be early signs of toxicity induced by epoxiconazole. Methods: In this study, female rats were fed with epoxiconazole-adulterated diets (0, 4 and 100 mg/kg/day) for 90 days. The gut microbiome was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Body and organ weight, and blood biochemistry were also measured after 90 days of oral epoxiconazole exposure. Results: Interestingly, the abundance of gut Firmicutes decreased, and Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased. At family level, Lachnospiraceae and Enterobacteriaceae were selectively enriched following epoxiconazole exposure. Our results indicate that epoxiconazole exposure may induce changes in the gut microbiome and potential liver toxicity. Conclusion: Changes in the gut microbiome may be used as early indicators for monitoring the health risk of the host.
Usefulness of Noninvasive Methods for the Study of Bronchial Inflammation in the Control of Patients with Asthma
Authors: Muñoz Xavier , Bustamante Victor , Lopez-Campos José-Luis , Cruz María-Jesús , Barreiro Esther
Published: March 2015

Bronchial asthma is one of the most prevalent respiratory conditions. Although it is defined as an inflammatory disease, the current guidelines for both diagnosis and follow-up of patients are based only on clinical and lung function parameters. Current research is focused on finding markers that can accurately predict future risk, and on assessing the ability of these markers to guide medical treatment and thus improve prognosis. The use of noninvasive methods to study airway inflammation is gaining increasing support. The study of eosinophils in induced sputum has proved useful for the diagnosis of asthma; however, its clinical implementation is complex. Some studies have shown that the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) may also be useful to establish disease phenotypes and improve control. Others have found that the measurement of pH and certain markers of oxidative stress, cytokines and prostanoids in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) may also be useful as well as the measurement of the temperature of exhaled breath and the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In conclusion, since asthma is an inflammatory disease, it seems appropriate to try to control it through the study of airway inflammation using noninvasive methods. In this regard, the analysis of induced sputum cells has proved very useful, although the clinical implementation of this technique seems difficult. Other techniques such as temperature measurement, the analysis of FeNO, the analysis of the VOCs in exhaled breath, or the study of certain biomarkers in EBC require further study in order to determine their clinical applicability.
Effect of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy on the Long-Term Outcome of Patients with Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Turan Burak , Erkol Ayhan , Gül Mehmet , Fındıkçıoğlu Uğur , Erden İsmail
Published: March 2015

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been traditionally associated with increased mortality and adverse cardiovascular events. We sought to determine whether CIN has a negative impact on the long-term outcome of patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: A total of 312 consecutive patients (mean age 59 years, 76% male) who presented with NSTEMI and had undergone an early invasive procedure were retrospectively included. CIN was defined as either a 25% or 0.5-mg/dl increase in baseline serum creatinine (Cr) 72 h after the procedure. The primary endpoint of the study was mortality in the long-term follow-up (38 months, interquartile range 30-40). The secondary endpoint consisted of mortality and myocardial infarction (MI). Results: CIN developed in 30 (9.6%) patients. Independent predictors of CIN were the contrast volume-to-Cr clearance ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction and hemoglobin concentration. The primary (20 vs. 8.5%, p = 0.042) and secondary endpoints (33.3 vs. 17%, p = 0.029) were observed more frequently in patients with CIN during long-term follow-up. The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) of CIN was 2.55 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.04-6.24, p = 0.040] for mortality and 2.15 (CI 1.09-4.25, p = 0.028) for mortality/MI. However, after adjustment for confounding factors, CIN was not an independent predictor of either mortality (OR 1.62, CI 0.21-12.57, p = 0.646) or mortality/MI (OR 1.12, CI 0.31-4.0, p = 0.860). Conclusion: The effect of CIN on the long-term outcome of patients with NSTEMI was substantially influenced by confounding factors. CIN was a marker, rather than a mediator, of increased cardiovascular risk, and the baseline renal function was more conclusive as a long-term prognosticator.
Interactions between Neutrophils and Leishmania braziliensis Amastigotes Facilitate Cell Activation and Parasite Clearance
Authors: Carlsen Eric D. , Jie Zuliang , Liang Yuejin , Henard Calvin A. , Hay Christie , Sun Jiaren , de Matos Guedes Herbert , Soong Lynn
Published: March 2015

Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania amazonensis are both causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America. However, patient prognosis and the host immune response differ considerably depending on the infecting parasite species. The mechanisms underlying these differences appear to be multifactorial, with both host and parasite components contributing to disease outcome. As neutrophils are a prominent component of the inflammatory infiltrate in chronic cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous and mucocutaneous lesions, we examined neutrophil activation and microbicidal activity against amastigotes of L. amazonensis and L. braziliensis. We found that murine neutrophils internalized L. braziliensis amastigotes with greater efficiency than did L. amazonensis amastigotes. Additionally, L. braziliensis infection was a potent trigger for neutrophil activation, oxidative burst, degranulation and the production of interleukin (IL)-22 and IL-10, while L. amazonensis amastigotes poorly induced these responses. Finally, neutrophils were able to kill L. braziliensis amastigotes, especially when cells were activated with phorbol myristate acetate. L. amazonensis amastigotes, however, were highly resistant to neutrophil microbicidal mechanisms. This study reveals, for the first time, differential neutrophil responsiveness to distinct species of Leishmania amastigotes and highlights the complexity of neutrophil-amastigote interactions during chronic leishmaniasis.
Interplay between the Virus and Host in Rift Valley Fever Pathogenesis
Authors: Terasaki Kaori , Makino Shinji
Published: March 2015

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) belongs to the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae, and carries single-stranded tripartite RNA segments. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes and has caused large outbreaks among ruminants and humans in sub-Saharan African and Middle East countries. The disease is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, photophobia, and weakness. In most cases, patients recover from the disease after a period of weeks, but some also develop retinal or macular changes, which result in vision impairment that lasts for an undefined period of time, and severe disease, characterized by hemorrhagic fever or encephalitis. The virus also causes febrile illness resulting in a high rate of spontaneous abortions in ruminants. The handling of wild-type RVFV requires high-containment facilities, including biosafety level 4 or enhanced biosafety level 3 laboratories. Nonetheless, studies clarifying the mechanisms of the RVFV-induced diseases and preventing them are areas of active research throughout the world. By primarily referring to recent studies using several animal model systems, protein expression systems, and specific mutant viruses, this review describes the current knowledge about the mechanisms of pathogenesis of RVF and biological functions of various viral proteins that affect RVFV pathogenicity.
Task Shifting and Skin Punch for the Histologic Diagnosis of Kaposi's Sarcoma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Public Health Solution to a Public Health Problem
Authors: Laker-Oketta Miriam O. , Wenger Megan , Semeere Aggrey , Castelnuovo Barbara , Kambugu Andrew , Lukande Robert , Asirwa F. Chite , Busakhala Naftali , Buziba Nathan , Diero Lameck , Wools-Kaloustian Kara , Strother Robert Matthew , Bwana Mwebesa , Muyindike Winnie , Amerson Erin , Mbidde Edward , Maurer Toby , Martin Jeffrey
Published: March 2015

Fueled by HIV, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in the world. Despite this, KS diagnosis in the region is based mostly on clinical grounds. Where biopsy is available, it has traditionally been excisional and performed by surgeons, resulting in multiple appointments, follow-up visits for suture removal, and substantial costs. We hypothesized that a simpler approach - skin punch biopsy - would make histologic diagnosis more accessible. To address this, we provided training and equipment for skin punch biopsy of suspected KS to three HIV clinics in East Africa. The procedure consisted of local anesthesia followed by a disposable cylindrical punch blade to obtain specimens. Hemostasis is facilitated by Gelfoam®. Patients removed the dressing after 4 days. From 2007 to 2013, 2,799 biopsies were performed. Although originally targeted to be used by physicians, biopsies were performed predominantly by nurses (62%), followed by physicians (15%), clinical officers (12%) and technicians (11%). There were no reports of recurrent bleeding or infection. After minimal training and provision of inexpensive equipment (USD 3.06 per biopsy), HIV clinics in East Africa can integrate same-day skin punch biopsy for suspected KS. Task shifting from physician to non-physician greatly increases access. Skin punch biopsy should be part of any HIV clinic's essential procedures. This example of task shifting may also be applicable to the diagnosis of other cancers (e.g., breast) in resource-limited settings.
Dominant Frontotemporal Dementia Mutations in 140 Cases of Primary Progressive Aphasia and Speech Apraxia
Authors: Flanagan Eoin P. , Baker Matthew C. , Perkerson Ralph B. , Duffy Joseph R. , Strand Edythe A. , Whitwell Jennifer L. , Machulda Mary M. , Rademakers Rosa , Josephs Keith A.
Published: March 2015

Background: Mutations in three genes [chromosome 9 open-reading-frame 72 (C9ORF72); microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and progranulin (GRN)] account for the vast majority of familial, and a proportion of sporadic, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases. Progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS) is a type of FTD characterized by speech production deficits without a known cause. Methods: We therefore assessed for genetic mutations in C9ORF72, MAPT and GRN in 40 prospectively recruited PAOS patients. For comparison, we also assessed these mutations in 100 patients with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), including logopenic PPA (n = 54), nonfluent/agrammatic PPA (n = 17), semantic PPA (n = 16), and unclassifiable PPA (n = 13). Results: The mean age at onset of PAOS patients was 66.7 years (± 9.3); 50% were women. Ten patients (25%) had ≥1 first-degree relative with a neurodegenerative disease. No mutations were found in any PAOS patient. In comparison, 36% of the PPA patients had a family history and 5 (5%) had a genetic mutation detected: MAPT (n = 0), GRN (n = 3) and C9ORF72 (n = 2). Conclusions: Although limited by an overrepresentation of logopenic PPA, which frequently predicts Alzheimer's disease pathology, this study suggests that mutations in the three genes most commonly associated with FTD are not associated with PAOS and are not commonly associated with PPA.
Safety and Feasibility of Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) in Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Results of a Prospective Study
Authors: Paiella Salvatore , Butturini Giovanni , Frigerio Isabella , Salvia Roberto , Armatura Giulia , Bacchion Matilde , Fontana Martina , D''Onofrio Mirko , Martone Enrico , Bassi Claudio
Published: March 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of the NanoKnife Low Energy Direct Current (LEDC) System (Irreversible Electroporation, IRE) in order to treat patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, single-center clinical evaluation of ten patients with a cytohystological diagnosis of unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) that was no further responsive to standard treatments. The primary outcome was the rate of procedure-related abdominal complications. The secondary endpoints included the evaluation of the short-term efficacy of IRE through the evaluation of tumor reduction at imaging and biological tumor response as shown by CA 19-9, clinical assessments and patient quality of life. Results: Ten patients (5 males, 5 females) were enrolled, with a median age of 66 and median tumor size of 30 mm. All patients were treated successfully with a median procedure time of 79.5 min. Two procedure-related complications were described in one patient (10%): a pancreatic abscess with a pancreoduodenal fistula. Three patients had early progression of disease: one patient developed pulmonary metastases 30 days post-IRE and two patients had liver metastases 60 days after the procedure. We registered an overall survival of 7.5 months (range: 2.9-15.9). Conclusions: IRE is a safe procedure in patients with LAPC and may represent a new technological option in the treatment and multimodality management of this disease.
Thrombolysis in Chinese Ischemic Stroke Patients with Renal Dysfunction
Authors: Lo Wai Ting , Cheung Chi Yuen , Li Chung Ki , Chau Ka Foon , Fong Wing Chi
Published: March 2015

Background: Current data concerning the relationship between renal function and clinical outcome among stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy are conflicting. Our aim is to analyze whether the clinical outcome of Chinese ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombolytic therapy is affected by the presence of renal dysfunction. Methods: Chinese patients who received intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke were recruited. Renal dysfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <90 ml/min/1.73 m2. The primary outcome was independent function (modified Rankin Scale, mRS, 0-2) at 3 months, while secondary outcomes included early improvement of the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥4 points at 24 h, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) within 36 h of treatment and 30-day mortality. Results: A total of 199 patients were recruited, of whom 51.3% had renal dysfunction. There were no significant differences in functional independence at 3 months, NIHSS improvement at 24 h post-thrombolysis and 30-day mortality between patients with or without renal dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that eGFR as a continuous variable was not an independent risk factor for symptomatic ICH. Conclusion: Chinese ischemic stroke patients with renal dysfunction who received thrombolytic therapy had clinical outcomes similar to those without renal dysfunction.
Corneal Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi
Authors: Chaidaroon Winai , Tananuvat Napaporn , Chavengsaksongkram Pimploy , Vanittanakom Nongnuch
Published: March 2015

Purpose: To report 2 unusual cases of fungal keratitis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Methods: Two patients were diagnosed with Fonsecaea pedrosoi keratitis. Their files were reviewed for predisposing factors, clinical characteristics, microbiological study, treatment, and outcome. Results: Two consecutive patients presented with brownish pigmented corneal ulcers in their eyes after sustaining eye trauma from vegetative matter. In both cases, corneal scrapings were collected for microscopic examination and culture. Dematiaceous hyphae were seen on the smears, and dark pigmented colonies grew on the culture media, identified as F. pedrosoi. Both patients were treated and cured with combined topical antifungal agents and oral itraconazole. The first patient required an amniotic membrane patch, while the second received an intracameral amphotericin B injection. Conclusions: Pigmented infiltrates can be an important diagnostic clue, but a microscopic evaluation and culture are required to obtain an accurate diagnosis of Fonsecaea keratitis. The prompt diagnosis and combined antifungal treatment can prevent morbidity associated with this fungal infection.
Balo's Concentric Sclerosis with Acute Presentation and Co-Existing Multiple Sclerosis-Typical Lesions on MRI
Authors: Purohit Bela , Ganewatte Eranga , Schreiner Bettina , Kollias Spyros
Published: March 2015

Balo's disease also known as Balo's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare demyelinating disorder which is characterized pathologically and radiologically by concentric rings of demyelinated and relatively myelin-preserved white matter. We describe the case of a 25-year-old female presenting with stroke-like symptoms who was diagnosed with BCS on MRI. At clinical onset, she also showed co-existing multiple sclerosis (MS)-typical lesions in the brain. This report extends the recent concept that BCS may share similar pathogenesis and radiological progression as MS lesions, that they may occur simultaneously in the same patient and that they may represent different manifestations of the same disease process. Also, BCS needs not be a fulminant disease and may often show a benign self-limiting course as in our case.
New combinations and lectotype designations in Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae
Authors: Martínez-Azorín Mario , Crespo Manuel B. , Dold Anthony P. , Pinter Michael , Wetschnig Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Hyacinthaceae (Asparagaceae subfam. Scilloideae) are commonly hysteranthous or proteranthous plants, in which leaves and inflorescences usually are not present simultaneously. Consequently, to facilitate future identification, type “specimens” were sometimes prepared to combine fragments gathered at different times so as to include as many vegetative and reproductive structures as possible. However, this is not acceptable under the rules of nomenclature. We here lectotypify four species names of Hyacinthaceae for which the intended types do not conform to the ICN (Melbourne Code). Furthermore, seven new combinations are presented to transfer recently described units of Ornithogaloideae and Urgineoideae to their proper genera, characterized by distinct and consistent morphological syndromes.
Pterolepis haplostemona (Melastomataceae): a new serpentine endemic from Goiás, Brazil
Authors: Almeda Frank , MARTINS ANGELA B.
Published: March 2015

Pterolepis haplostemona from ultramafic outcrops in Goiás, Brazil is described, illustrated, and compared with presumed relatives, all of which are also endemic to Brazil. It is distinguished by its annual habit, simple hypanthial trichomes and intercalycine emergences, haplostemonous flowers, rostrate antesepalous stamens, short pedoconnective, linear-lanceolate cauline leaf blades, calyx lobes tipped with a rigid unbranched trichome, and 3-4-locular ovary. This species and Microlicia macedoi appear to be the only known Melastomataceae that are endemic to serpentine substrates in Brazil. A conservation assessment based on IUCN criteria is also provided.
A review of the genus Lamellipalpodes Maulik (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Authors: BOCAKOVA MILADA , BOCAK LADISLAV , GIMMEL MATTHEW L. , FRIEDLOVA TEREZA
Published: March 2015

The Ototretinae genus Lamellipalpodes Maulik, 1921 is reviewed. Four species are proposed as new to science, L. bajhangensis Bocakova sp. nov., L. holzschuhi Bocakova sp. nov. and L. godawarensis Bocakova sp. nov., all from Nepal, and L. yunnanensis Bocakova sp. nov. from China (Yunnan) and northern Laos. Six species are redescribed. Illustrations of diagnostic characters are included, with a checklist and a key to Lamellipalpodes species. The genus is newly recorded from China and Laos.
A new species of Geholaspis Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae) from Northern Iran
Authors: BABAEIAN ESMAEIL , HALLIDAY BRUCE , SABOORI ALIREZA
Published: March 2015

Geholaspis (Geholaspis) pennulatus sp. nov. is described from females and males collected from forest leaf litter in Northern Iran. The new species can be easily recognised by its barbed setae j2 and z1, dorsal shield seta j5 located posterior to j6 and z6, a very wide ventri-anal shield, and the shape of the epistome. Geholaspis (G.) comelicensis Lombardini, 1962 is considered as a junior synonym of G. (G.) pauperior (Berlese, 1918). A new key for the separation of females of known species of Geholaspis (Geholaspis) is presented.
A new species of decorator crabs, genus Menaethiops Alcock, 1895 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Majoidea: Epialthidae), from Abu-Musa Island, Persian Gulf, Iran
Authors: NADERLOO REZA
Published: March 2015

Menaethiops abumusa n. sp. is closely similar to M. bicornis Alcock, 1985, and M. gadaniensis Kazmi & Tirmizi, 1999, regarding the relatively contiguous rostral spines. The new species is easily distinguishable from its two congeners by having distinctly round angles of orbital eaves and distally divergent rostral spines. Whereas in M. bicornis, and M. gadaniensis, the angles of orbital eaves are anteriorly produced and rostral spines are closely attached to each other along their entire length.  Other morphological differences include the carapace spination/granulation, basal antennal segments, and morphology of the male’s first gonopod. Menaethiops gadaniensis was described from Gadani, Pakistan and was only known from the type locality, but is here recorded for the first time from the Gulf of Oman.
A new species of philichthyid copepod (Crustacea: Cyclopoida) parasitic on
Stellifer spp. (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: POMBO MAÍRA , TURRA ALEXANDER , PASCHOAL FABIANO , LUQUE JOSÉ LUIS
Published: March 2015

A new species of copepod, Colobomatus stelliferi n. sp., belonging to the cyclopoid family Philichthyidae Vogt, 1877 is proposed based on female specimens collected from the mandibular canals of three species of sciaenid teleosts: Stellifer brasiliensis (Schultz) (type-host), S. rastrifer (Jordan) and S. stellifer (Bloch), collected in Caraguatatuba Bay, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its closest congeners by the absence of lateral processes in the genital somite, the presence of one cephalic process in the cephalosome and one pair of dorso-lateral processes on the fused pedigerous somites. This is the first species of Colobomatus Hesse, 1873 described as parasites of species of the teleost genus Stellifer.
A new freshwater snail (Caenogastropoda: Cochliopidae) from the Atacama Desert, northern Chile
Authors: COLLADO GONZALO A.
Published: March 2015

In the family Cochliopidae, Heleobia Stimpson, 1865 is the most speciose genus in South America, with about 90 species (Hershler & Thompson 1992; Cazzaniga 2011). A recent molecular and morphological analysis performed in northern Chile (Atacama Desert) showed that the previously undescribed springsnails from Aguada de Chorrillos belong to Heleobia (Collado et al. 2013). In this study I formally describe this new species. Although this paper does not treat morphology in detail, the anatomical characters, in combination with the previously published molecular data provides a strong basis for recognizing this population as a distinct species.
Race differences in acceptance of cremation: Religion, Durkheim, and death in the African American community
Authors: Buchanan Tom , Gabriel Paige
Published: March 2015

Research has demonstrated race differences in the acceptance and occurrence of cremation (International Cemetery and Funeral Association [ICFA], 2005). However, there has not been an attempt to explain these differences sociologically. Two phases of research were conducted to investigate race differences in the acceptance of cremation. In phase one, using a representative sample of university students at a university in the southern United States ( N=510), racial differences in the acceptance of cremation were examined. Quantitative results suggest that African Americans are less accepting of cremation than whites, yet the specific mechanisms that produce this difference remain unclear. In the second phase of this study, qualitative interviews ( N=17) were used to further investigate the robust race difference. African Americans report both social as well as religious reasons for greater adherence to traditional burial customs. Higher levels of cohesion and religiosity, combined with a history of oppression among African Americans, are considered within a Durkheimian framework as mechanisms that contribute to the difference in attitudes.
Christian-Muslim couples in the Veneto region, northeastern Italy: Dealing with religious pluralism in everyday family life
Authors: Cerchiaro Francesco , Aupers Stef , Houtman Dick
Published: March 2015

Based on a three-year ethnographic study of processes of identity construction in 15 Christian-Muslim couples in Italy, this paper focuses on religion and analyses how partners rely on various strategies in order to deal with religious differences within the context of family life. Does religious pluralism emerge as a problem actually perceived by those couples? Chosen as a paradigmatic case study of ‘mixed’ couples, the analysis shows how partners, united by a common purpose to minimize their religious differences, often overcome religious pluralism. Four strategies to accomplish this are distinguished: ‘renunciation’, ‘closeting’, ‘conversion’ and ‘spiritualization’. It is concluded that what is defined in public debate as ‘mixed’ – in terms of religious differences – is not always experienced as such within the family context.
Globalization, Neoliberal Reforms and Inequality
Authors: Gamage Siri
Published: March 2015

In the relevant literature, there is an ongoing debate about the nature, merits, and outcomes of globalization as they apply to the Global South. The questions about the merits of neoliberal economic globalization as a vehicle for alleviating poverty is one of the most prominent in the literature on globalization. The shifting of power from the nation-state to international and regional centers with a controlling or hegemonic slant is an important discourse with regard to political globalization. There is another important discourse about the trends in cultural globalization, for example, homogenization (uniform culture) vs. heterogeneity (cultural diversity). This article primarily focuses on the discourse about neoliberal economic globalization and its effects on developing countries, especially in the context of poverty alleviation, social welfare provision, marginalization of intact communities, and inequality. The article centers on a critical review of the available literature, and a contribution to the substantive topics indicated in the title. Case studies are used to support the arguments presented wherever possible.
Religion in the Age of Globalization: Reflections on a Village in West Bengal, India
Authors: Samajdar Aritra
Published: March 2015

For a long time it was held that a close link existed between the modernization of a society and the secularization of the population. Consequently, it was argued that the influence of religion declined in post-enlightenment society. Opposed to the modernization–secularization paradigm is the view that the influence of religion in the public sphere has not declined, but in fact, has increased. Nowadays religion has emerged as a powerful influence in the public sphere all over the world. This is particularly so, in India. Globalization, in all its various meanings, represents more continuity than discontinuity with processes originating in various phases of modernization. The significance of religion in public sphere in traditional and modern India no doubt differs qualitatively but it is always a part of public sphere. This study reveals that in modern India religion may be a separate domain but it is there forever.
An Overview of Labor Welfare Measures in India in Response to Globalization
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sharmistha
Published: March 2015

Globalization refers to complex economic networks of international competition, resource suppliers, and product markets. Most organizations achieve high performance within a complex and competitive global environment. Hence we can see it as a trend in which the economic, political, and cultural activities of people in different countries increasingly influence each other and become interdependent. With the change in the global labor market as a result of globalization, welfare measures are considered as a necessary investment that may save money in the long run and provide employers with a stable labor force. Labor welfare is part of social welfare both conceptually and operationally. It encompasses the state of well-being, happiness, satisfaction, conservation, and development of human resources. This article provides an overview of labor welfare in India.
Religious Nationalism in a Global Age
Authors: Annavarapu Sneha
Published: March 2015

This article attempts to present an understanding of the current discussions regarding religious nationalism in a global framework in order to solicit two themes in the case of Hindu Nationalism and revivalism. One, the conflict of interest that arises between globalization as a “means” and as an “end”; two, the implications of network societies and the politics of marginalization. Globalization is looked at from two ends of a spectrum—as an end product versus as a process in itself. This distinction between theorizing globalization as an end or as a means to an end has been made by scholars such as Robertson and White (2007). However, its implications for religious nationalism have not been explored exhaustively. Furthermore, the analysis of Hindu nationalism and revivalism as a peripheral dynamic in the Western nations needs to be problematized in this regard.
A Corpus Study of Bank Financial Analyst Reports: Semantic Fields and Metaphors
Authors: Cheng Winnie , Ho Janet
Published: March 2015

This corpus-based study compares financial analyst reports, collected during the Eurozone financial crisis in 2011, of the BNP Paribas and Bank of China (Hong Kong), which differ in corporate history and backgrounds. The study aims to describe, first, salient semantic and pragmatic meanings characteristic of salient topics in the financial analyst reports of the banks and, second, the patterns of use and function of metaphors specific to key semantic fields of each corpus to shed light on how the genre was exploited by respective banks to achieve organizational, professional, institutional, and sociocultural goals. Metaphors in each corpus were identified and meanings interpreted in the co-text of concordances, following the steps detailed in the metaphorical identification procedure (MIP). The website METALUDE (Metaphor at Lingnan University, Department of English; http://www.ln.edu.hk/lle/cwd/project01/web/introduction.html ) was used as a source of reference. Analysis of key semantic fields shows that the two sets of reports were composed of different topics. Concordance analysis of frequent lexical words in the key semantic fields further reveals semantic and pragmatic meanings. Major findings include BNP Paribas using more empirical research and survey findings in their financial analyst reports to promote their professional image and sense of responsibility to stakeholders, and frequent use of human traits metaphors, depicting different aspects of health, motion, mobility, and injury, revealing the way and extent to which financial analysts describe different business and financial market performance and activities.
Identification of haplotype tag single nucleotide polymorphisms within the nuclear factor-κB family genes and their clinical relevance in patients with major trauma
Authors: Pan Wei , Zhang An Qiang , Gu Wei , Gao Jun Wei , Du Ding Yuan , Zhang Lian Yang , Zeng Ling , Du Juan , Wang Hai Yan , Jiang Jian Xin
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family plays an important role in the development of sepsis in critically ill patients. Although several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the NF-κB family genes, only a few SNPs have been studied.

Methods

A total of 753 patients with major blunt trauma were included in this study. Tag SNPs (tSNPs) were selected from the NF-κB family genes (NFKB1, NFKB2, RELA, RELB and REL) through construction of haplotype blocks. The SNPs selected from genes within the canonical NF-κB pathway (including NFKB1, RELA and REL), which played a critical role in innate immune responses were genotyped using pyrosequencing method and analyzed in relation to the risk of development of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction (MOD) syndrome. Moreover, the rs842647 polymorphism was analyzed in relation to tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production by peripheral blood leukocytes in response to bacterial lipoprotein stimulation.

Results

Eight SNPs (rs28362491, rs3774932, rs4648068, rs7119750, rs4803789, rs12609547, rs1560725 and rs842647) were selected from the NF-κB family genes. All of them were shown to be high-frequency SNPs in this study cohort. Four SNPs (rs28362491, rs4648068, rs7119750 and rs842647) within the canonical NF-κB pathway were genotyped, and rs842647 was associated with sepsis morbidity rate and MOD scores. An association was also observed between the rs842647 A allele and lower TNF-α production.

Conclusions

rs842647 polymorphism might be used as relevant risk estimate for the development of sepsis and MOD syndrome in patients with major trauma.
Kaleidoscope
Authors: Tracy Derek K. , Joyce Dan W. , Shergill Sukhwinder S.
Published: March 2015

Special K’ has had various connotations over the years, and with
respect to depressive illness ketamine has most recently been mooted as a
potential antidepressant. It is intriguing because of its almost
immediate effects, and a pharmacology that has little connection with the
predominant monoamine hypothesis. How does its blockade of
glutamatergic NMDA receptors alleviate depressed mood? New data1
suggest that a critical step is that this stabilises an adaptor protein,
14-3-3η, which decouples GABAB receptor signalling and influences
the activity of the intracellular protein mTOR. The upshot is a change in
synaptic structure that produces a therapeutic effect; the rather
innocuously named 14-3-3η protein seems to be the essential link for
fast-acting antidepressants. Formidable problems exist with using ketamine
as a therapeutic option, including a very quick decay in effectiveness, as
well as concerns about the intravenous administration of a compound that is
an anaesthetic, a commonly misused recreational drug, and a pro-psychotic.
However, an improved understanding of its mechanisms of action is essential
in enhancing our knowledge of the neuropathology of depression, offering the
potential for development of novel compounds circumventing some of these
limiting factors.
Letters, green cards, telephone calls and postcards: Systematic and meta-analytic review of brief contact interventions for reducing self-harm, suicide attempts and suicide
Authors: Milner Allison J. , Carter Greg , Pirkis Jane , Robinson Jo , Spittal Matthew J.
Published: March 2015

Background

There is growing interest in brief contact interventions for self-harm and suicide attempt.

Aims

To synthesise the evidence regarding the effectiveness of brief contact interventions for reducing self-harm, suicide attempt and suicide.

Method

A systematic review and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted of randomised controlled trials using brief contact interventions (telephone contacts; emergency or crisis cards; and postcard or letter contacts). Several sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine study quality and subgroup effects.

Results

We found 14 eligible studies overall, of which 12 were amenable to meta-analyses. For any subsequent episode of self-harm or suicide attempt, there was a non-significant reduction in the overall pooled odds ratio (OR) of 0.87 (95% CI 0.74–1.04,P= 0119) for intervention compared with control. The number of repetitions per person was significantly reduced in interventionv.control (incidence rate ratio IRR = 066, 95% CI 0.54–0.80,P<0001). There was no significant reduction in the odds of suicide in intervention compared with control (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.24–1.38).

Conclusions

A non-significant positive effect on repeated self-harm, suicide attempt and suicide and a significant effect on the number of episodes of repeated self-harm or suicide attempts per person (based on only three studies) means that brief contact interventions cannot yet be recommended for widespread clinical implementation. We recommend further assessment of possible benefits in well-designed trials in clinical populations.
Common and disorder-specific neural responses to emotional faces
in generalised anxiety, social anxiety and panic disorders
Authors: Fonzo Gregory A. , Ramsawh Holly J. , Flagan Taru M. , Sullivan Sarah G. , Letamendi Andrea , Simmons Alan N. , Paulus Martin P. , Stein Murray B.
Published: March 2015

Background

Although evidence exists for abnormal brain function across various
anxiety disorders, direct comparison of neural function across diagnoses
is needed to elicit abnormalities common across disorders and those
distinct to a particular diagnosis.

Aims

To delineate common and distinct abnormalities within generalised anxiety
(GAD), panic and social anxiety disorder (SAD) during affective
processing.

Method

Fifty-nine adults (15 with GAD, 15 with panic disorder, 14 with SAD, and
15 healthy controls) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging
while completing a facial emotion matching task with fearful, angry and
happy faces.

Results

Greater differential right amygdala activation to matching fearful
v. happy facial expressions related to greater
negative affectivity (i.e. trait anxiety) and was heightened across all
anxiety disorder groups compared with controls. Collapsing across
emotional face types, participants with panic disorder uniquely displayed
greater posterior insula activation.

Conclusions

These preliminary results highlight a common neural basis for clinical
anxiety in these diagnoses and also suggest the presence of
disorder-specific dysfunction.
Out-of-body experiences–100 words
Authors: Fenwick Peter
Published: March 2015

Out-of-body experiences, in which the person feels they are viewing the
world from outside their body, may be spontaneous or triggered by pain or
fear, due to failure to integrate proprioceptive, tactile and visual
information in the right parieto-temporal junction. They are similar to
autoscopy, namely seeing your body in extra-personal space. But out-of-body
experiences can occur in a near-death state during a cardiac arrest and be
remembered even though brain processes are distorted or absent. Reliable
accounts of patients who have acquired verifiable information while
clinically dead suggest that consciousness may not after all be limited to
the brain.
Aldose Reductases Influence Prostaglandin F2α Levels and Adipocyte Differentiation in Male Mouse and Human Species
Authors: Pastel Emilie , Pointud Jean-Christophe , Loubeau Gaëlle , Dani Christian , Slim Karem , Martin Gwenaëlle , Volat Fanny , Sahut-Barnola Isabelle , Val Pierre , Martinez Antoine , Lefrançois-Martinez Anne-Marie
Published: March 2015

Aldose reductases (AKR1B) are widely expressed oxidoreductases whose physiological function remains elusive. Some isoforms are genuine prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) synthases, suggesting they might influence adipose homeostasis because PGF2α inhibits adipogenesis. This was shown by Akr1b7 gene ablation in the mouse, which resulted in increased adiposity related to a lower PGF2α content in fat. Yet humans have no ortholog gene for Akr1b7, so the role of aldose reductases in human adipose homeostasis remains to be explored. We analyzed expression of genes encoding human and mouse aldose reductase isoforms in adipose tissues and differentiating adipocytes to assess conserved mechanisms regulating PGF2α synthesis and adipogenesis. The Akr1b3 gene encoded the most abundant isoform in mouse adipose tissue, whereas Akr1b7 encoded the only isoform enriched in the stromal vascular fraction. Most mouse aldose reductase gene expression peaked in early adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells and diminished with differentiation. In contrast with its mouse ortholog Akr1b3, AKR1B1 expression increased throughout differentiation of human multipotent adipose-derived stem cells, paralleling PGF2α release, whereas PGF2α receptor (FP) levels collapsed in early differentiation. Pharmacological inhibition of aldose reductase using Statil altered PGF2α production and enhanced human multipotent adipose-derived stem adipocyte differentiation. As expected, the adipogenic effects of Statil were counteracted by an FP agonist (cloprostenol). Thus, in both species aldose reductase-dependent PGF2α production could be important in early differentiation to restrict adipogenesis. PGF2α antiadipogenic signaling could then be toned down through the FP receptor or aldose reductases down-regulation in human and mouse cells, respectively. Our data suggest that aldose reductase inhibitors could have obesogenic potential.
Guiding School-Choice Reform through Novel Applications of Operations Research
Authors: Shi Peng
Published: March 2015

In January 2012, Boston initiated a school-assignment reform. After attending several community meetings, I formulated the reform as an optimization problem of finding school-choice menus and priorities that induce the best combination of equity of access, proximity to home, predictability, and community cohesion. Using previous school-choice data, I fit a discrete choice model of how families select schools, and created a simulation engine that estimated a variety of outcome measures for any plan. I also proposed several new plans, and helped Boston Public Schools analyze a short list of plans in detail. In March 2013, Boston adopted one of these plans, which will affect the 9,500 children who apply to Boston elementary schools each year.
Entry and Subcontracting in Public Procurement Auctions
Authors: Branzoli Nicola , Decarolis Francesco
Published: March 2015

We empirically study how the interplay between entry and subcontracting choices is affected by the use of different auction formats in public procurement. The difference-in-differences strategy used exploits a data set of auctions for public works run alternately under first price and average bid auctions. We find that the use of first price auctions causes a marked decline in both entry and subcontracting. We also find that the type of firms entering first price auctions changes with firms becoming more likely to bid jointly with other firms in ad hoc joint ventures.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2071 .

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.
Structural Properties of Voronoi Diagrams in Facility Location Problems with Continuous Demand
Authors: Averbakh Igor , Berman Oded , Kalcsics Jörg , Krass Dmitry
Published: March 2015

We consider facility location problems where the demand is continuously and uniformly distributed over a convex polygon with m vertices in the rectilinear plane, n facilities are already present, and the goal is to find an optimal location for an additional facility. Based on an analysis of structural properties of incremental Voronoi diagrams, we develop polynomial exact algorithms for five conditional location problems. The developed methodology is applicable to a variety of other facility location problems with continuous demand. Moreover, we briefly discuss the Euclidean case.
Reviews
Authors: Frederick Ursula K. , Hourigan Sally , Mason Andrew
Published: March 2015

Elvis at 21, National Portrait Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 7 December 2013–10 March 2014

head.wear, Caboolture Regional Art Gallery, Queensland, 30 April–5 July 2014
HIGH-TEMPERATURE GASIFICATION OF RDF WASTE AND MELTING OF FLY ASH OBTAINED FROM THE INCINERATION OF MUNICIPAL WASTE
Authors: Lázár Marián , Čarnogurská Mária , Lengyelová Marta , Korba Ján
Published: March 2015

Objective of this paper is to describe innovative solutions of thermal processing of selected components of municipal waste (so-called RDF waste) using low-ionized depended plasma arc generated by a progressive and promising technology, which is plasma reactor. Its application can transform hazardous waste into inert waste while significantly reducing the volume of waste. Results given in this paper indicate experimentally achieved outputs with thermal disposal of RDF waste and ash from municipal waste.

 
ISING MODEL SIMULATIONS AS A TESTBED OF NUCLEATION THEORY
Authors: Kulveit Jan
Published: March 2015

In this short review article we discuss the use of Ising lattice model as a testbed for improvement of theory of both homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation theory. First we briefly overview the classical nucleation theory (CNT), and two typical simple systems on which simulations are performed - hard spheres, and Ising lattice model. Than we overview some results obtained by this approach and point to possible new directions of research and improvement.