bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban markets as a ‘corrective’ to advanced urbanism: The social space of wet markets in contemporary Singapore
Authors: Mele Christopher , Ng Megan , Chim May Bo
Published: March 2014

The renewed popularity of urban markets has generated substantial attention among policymakers, planners and urban scholars. In addition to their potential local economic impact, markets provide spaces for a variety of social exchanges and interactions that may strengthen communal ties, reproduce existing social tensions or simply reflect everyday diversity; consequently, the social functions of urban markets differ depending on the specific social, political and economic context in which individual markets operate. Based on data from interviews, questionnaires and participant observation, this article examines social exchanges and interactions within wet markets (meat, fish, fruits and vegetable markets) in Singapore. The types of social interactions found in wet markets are wide-ranging and informal, and occur across different ethnicities, generations, social statuses and classes; they can range from casual exchanges to planned gatherings to sustained relations based on mutual reciprocity and trust. Wet markets are significant to Singaporeans because they are spaces of unmediated social interactions and, within the context of state governance and ongoing modernisation, increasingly exceptional. The attachment to wet markets is a collective, social response to an ongoing process in which existing and meaningful social spaces (e.g. neighbourhoods and markets) are being erased by a redeveloped urban landscape, a concomitant disappearance of unregulated community space, and the pervasiveness of normative consumerism.
Pushing in the Dark
Authors: Ames Daniel R. , Wazlawek Abbie S.
Published: March 2014

Do people know when they are seen as pressing too hard, yielding too readily, or having the right touch? And does awareness matter? We examined these questions in four studies. Study 1 used dyadic negotiations to reveal a modest link between targets’ self-views and counterparts’ views of targets’ assertiveness, showing that those seen as under- and over-assertive were likely to see themselves as appropriately assertive. Surprisingly, many people seen as appropriately assertive by counterparts mistakenly thought they were seen as having been over-assertive, a novel effect we call the line crossing illusion. We speculated that counterparts’ orchestrated displays of discomfort might be partly responsible—behaviors we termed strategic umbrage. Study 2 revealed evidence for widespread strategic umbrage in real-world negotiations and Study 3 linked these behaviors to the line crossing illusion in a controlled negotiation. Study 4 showed that this illusion predicted outcomes in a multi-round negotiation.
Clinical Outcomes Do Not Support Arthroscopic Posterior Capsular Release in Addition to Anterior Release for Shoulder Stiffness
Authors: Kim Yang-Soo , Lee Hyo-Jin , Park In-Joo
Published: March 2014

Background:

Arthroscopic capsular release is an effective treatment for shoulder stiffness, yet its extent is controversial.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic capsular release in patients with and without posterior extended capsular release for shoulder stiffness.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Methods:

Between January 2008 and March 2011, 75 patients who underwent arthroscopic capsular release for shoulder stiffness were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups. In group I (n = 37), capsular release was performed, including release of the rotator interval and anterior and inferior capsule. In group II (n = 38), capsular release was extended to the posterior capsule. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder Test, visual analog scale for pain, and range of motion (ROM) were used for the evaluation before surgery and at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up.

Results:

Preoperative demographic data of age, sex, symptom duration, and clinical outcomes showed no significant differences ( P > .05). The average follow-up was 18.4 months. Both groups showed significantly increased ROM at the last follow-up compared with preoperative ROM ( P < .05). At the last follow-up, no statistical differences were found ( P > .05) between groups I and II in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (91.3 vs 79.5), Simple Shoulder Test (83.3 vs 83.3), and visual analog scale (1.5 vs 2.2). There were also no statistical differences between the 2 groups at the last follow-up ( P > .05) in ROM: forward flexion, 145.2° vs 143.3°; external rotation with 90° of abduction, 88.1° vs 86.2°; external rotation at side, 88.9° vs 82.9°; and internal rotation, 9.1° vs 8.3°.

Conclusion:

Posterior extended capsular release might not be necessary in arthroscopic surgery for shoulder stiffness.
Depressive Symptoms and Longitudinal Changes in Cognition
Authors: Goveas Joseph S. , Espeland Mark A. , Hogan Patricia E. , Tindle Hilary A. , Shih Regina A. , Kotchen Jane M. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Barnes Deborah E. , Resnick Susan M.
Published: March 2014

Elevated depressive symptoms (DS) are associated with incident mild cognitive impairment and probable dementia in postmenopausal women. We examined the association of elevated DS with domain-specific cognitive changes and the moderating role of cardiovascular risk factor severity and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A total of 2221 elderly women who participated in the Women’s Health Initiative Study of Cognitive Aging were separated into those with (N = 204) and without (N = 2017) elevated DS. The DS and multidomain cognitive outcomes were measured annually for an average follow-up of 5.04 years. Women with elevated DS showed baseline multidomain cognitive deficits but longitudinal declines in global cognition only. Persistent DS was related to greater global cognition, verbal knowledge and fluency, and memory declines. Significant DS-CVD interactions were observed cross-sectionally (but not longitudinally) for figural memory and fine motor speed. Future studies should investigate the role of nonvascular mechanisms linking DS and cognitive decline.
Crisis bargaining, domestic opposition, and tragic wars
Authors: Arena Philip
Published: March 2014

Why do democracies sometimes fight long, politically divisive wars that end poorly? I argue that electoral accountability, induced by party competition, can sometimes promote this and other tragic outcomes. To demonstrate this, I analyze a bargaining model in which one state is conceived of as a unitary actor while the other consists of a government and an opposition that is motivated both by electoral ambition and concern for the national interest. Perhaps surprisingly, it is the opposition’s concern for the national interest that causes the most tragic outcomes, as they may choose not to advocate peace when doing so would prevent war so as to avoid undercutting the government’s bargaining position. I close with a discussion of why the United States appears to be particularly prone to such tragic outcomes, treating the Vietnam War as an illustrative example.
Reversibly texturing active surfaces with spatial and temporal control
Authors: Chatterjee Sourav , Velankar Sachin S
Published: March 2014

Textured surfaces, formed through wrinkling and folding, are observed abundantly in nature. We are especially motivated by the unique capabilities of some species of cuttlefish that camouflage themselves by rapidly switching from smooth to textured skin by expressing protuberances called papillae. Inspired by this, we developed a shape memory alloy–elastomer composite as a platform for reversible surface texture. A shape memory alloy wire embedded in an elastomer is forced to shrink due to Ohmic heating. This shrinkage is used to drive the reversible buckling of a thin stiff film attached to the elastomer surface. The platform is scalable, produces wrinkling patterns in the flip of a switch, operates at voltages under 10 V, and can be operated reversibly over multiple cycles. The amplitude and kinetics of the surface wrinkling are experimentally characterized. The wrinkle patterns appear and disappear in timescales ranging from tens of seconds to as little as a second depending on the voltage actuating the shape memory alloy wire. Finally, this platform can create reversible wrinkle patterns in a spatially reconfigurable fashion, that is, the location of the texture changes can be varied in real time. A two-dimensional shear lag model is developed to establish the important design parameters governing the formation of wrinkles.
Framing in the Making
Authors: Bensel Tusty ten
Published: March 2014

Previous research on sexual violence has focused on individual-level behaviors that typically include a single victim in an isolated event. Criminologists have failed to examine sexual violence as a group-level phenomenon, which is often exhibited during war. For this study, case study methodology was used to analyze court transcripts from the United Nations, detailing the conflict of Sierra Leone. By utilizing the framing perspective, the purpose of this study was to determine the nature of sexual violence during war, focusing specifically on whether the evolution of sex offending motivations changes overtime. A better understanding of how sex offending becomes a group behavior will expand the current literature on collective and sexual violence, identify preconflict indicators of collective sexual violence, and provide strategies for postconflict mediations in warring countries.
Evaluation of Dabigatran Exposures Reported to Poison Control Centers
Authors: Conway Susan E. , Schaeffer Scott E. , Harrison Donald L.
Published: March 2014

Background: Dabigatran is a novel oral anticoagulant for which a well-defined range of toxicity and proven antidote has not been established. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to characterize dabigatran exposures reported to poison centers by dose ingested, clinical effects, treatments used, and managment sites to gain a better understanding of patient outcomes. Methods: A retrospective database review was conducted for dabigatran exposures reported to the National Poison Data System for the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) over the period October 2010 to December 2012. Results: There were 802 human dabigatran exposures involving adults predominantly (91% of cases). Exposure chronicity was acute in 43%, acute-on-chronic in 46%, and chronic in 11%, with the most common reason for an exposure call being an unintentional therapeutic error (70.6%). The most common management sites were on-site in 72% of cases and within a health care facility for 26%. Bleeding events and coagulopathies were the most commonly observed clinical effects. Treatments administered included activated charcoal, blood and coagulation products, hemodialysis, and supportive measures. Confirmed outcomes included death in 13 patients (1.6%), major effects in 23 (2.9%), and moderate effects in 50 (6.2%). More severe outcomes were significantly associated with adverse drug reactions, patients ≥65 years of age, those treated with blood and coagulation products and/or dialysis, and renal dysfunction ( P < .05). Children experienced few moderate effects and no major effects or deaths. Conclusions: Severe outcomes from dabigatran exposures were not common, occurring in approximately 5% of cases.
Evaluation of Impact of Statin Use on Development of CPK Elevation During Daptomycin Therapy
Authors: Berg Melody L. , Estes Lynn L. , Dierkhising Ross A. , Curran Brian , Enzler Mark J.
Published: March 2014

Background: Because both daptomycin and statins may increase creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, the manufacturer of daptomycin suggests considering holding statins during daptomycin therapy. Published evidence suggests potential detrimental effects of withdrawing statin therapy. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of concurrent statin therapy on peak CPK values, incidence of CPK elevation in patients receiving daptomycin therapy, and clinical factors associated with increased risk of developing CPK elevation. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients ≥18 years of age who received daptomycin for ≥72 hours and had ≥1 follow-up CPK during a 5-year period. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate time to CPK elevation. Cox regression analyses were used to compare the risk of developing elevated CPK between 3 study groups: those receiving daptomycin alone, daptomycin with concurrent statin therapy, and statin therapy held while on daptomycin. Results: 498 patients were included in the study—384 received daptomycin alone, 63 received daptomycin concurrent with statin, and 51 with statin held during daptomycin therapy. Cumulative incidence of CPK elevation was 5.1% and 12% at 7 and 14 days. Those on daptomycin and statin concurrent therapy demonstrated an approximately 2-fold risk of CPK elevation compared with those having their statin therapy held, but the overall group effect was not statistically significant ( P = .17). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that holding statin during daptomycin therapy may not be necessary, but may indicate need for increased frequency of CPK monitoring when these medications are used concurrently.
Longitudinal Effects of Medication Nonadherence on Glycemic Control
Authors: Egede Leonard E. , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Echols Carrae , Lynch Cheryl P.
Published: March 2014

Background: Medication nonadherence is known to worsen glycemic control. Few studies have examined this relationship over several years. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the longitudinal effect of medication nonadherence on glycemic control among a large cohort of veterans. Methods: Analysis was performed on a cohort of 11 272 veterans with type 2 diabetes followed from April 1994 to May 2006. The primary outcome measures were mean glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (A1C) and proportion in poor control (A1C > 8%) over time. The main predictor was medication nonadherence based on medication possession ratio (MPR). Other covariates included sociodemographics and ICD-9 coded medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to assess the relationship between MPR and A1C after adjusting for covariates. Results: Mean follow-up was 5.4 years. In the linear mixed model, after adjusting for baseline A1C and other confounding variables, mean A1C decreased by 0.24 ( P < 0.001) for each 10% increase in MPR (95% CI = −0.27, −0.21). In the fully adjusted GLMM, each percentage increase in MPR was associated with a 48% lower likelihood of having poor glycemic control (odds ratio = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.4, 0.6). In both continuous and dichotomized A1C analyses, average A1C showed a decreasing trend over the study period ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes, glycemic control worsens over time in the presence of medication nonadherence. Future studies need to take into account the complexity of patient- and system-level factors affecting long-term medication adherence to improve diabetes-related outcomes.
ALK-Positive Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Abdomen With Widespread Microscopic Multifocality
Authors: Lorenzi Luisa , Cigognetti Marta , Medicina Daniela , Pellegrini Vilma , Balzarini Piera , Cestari Renzo , Facchetti Fabio
Published: March 2014

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a locally aggressive neoplasm, most frequently occurring in the abdominal cavity as multiple recurrent nodules. We report a case of IMT in a 24-year-old male presenting as multiple nodules involving the omentum, the liver, and the colon. Spindle tumor cells expressed ALK with a cytoplasmic granular distribution, the CLTC-ALK fusion gene was demonstrated by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis, and break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes for the ALK gene showed a pathological pattern (single red signal associated with 1/2 normal fused signals) highly suggestive for combined gene fusion and deletion. To reduce the surgically unresectable liver mass, the patient was treated with crizotinib, and after 4 months of treatment the disease was defined stable according to RECIST criteria. Interestingly, ALK and FISH/FICTION analysis revealed that tumor cells were widely dispersed as multiple microscopic foci or as single cells beneath the omental mesothelium. These findings indicate that IMT multifocality might result either from dissemination from the main tumor mass or development of multiple independent neoplastic foci; furthermore, they underline the need of omentectomy in abdominal IMT to obtain surgical radicality.
Hyaline Globules in Mammary Myofibroblastoma
Authors: Ozerdem Ugur , Wells Justin , Hoda Syed A.
Published: March 2014

A 52-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with a solitary firm mass in the right breast. Histopathological evaluation of the 1.5-cm mass showed a mammary myofibroblastoma of the conventional spindle-cell type. High-power examination of hematoxylin–eosin-stained sections showed round, eosinophilic, intracytoplasmic, as well as extracellular, hyaline globules. These 5- to 20-µm globules appeared gray with a pinkish rim on Masson’s trichrome stain. Immunohistochemically, the hyaline globules were strongly reactive with smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, desmin, and caldesmon. Histologically similar inclusion bodies have been reported in phylloides tumors—including those with myoid differentiation. To our knowledge, this is the first description of hyaline globules, a peculiar histological curiosity with no known clinical significance, in mammary myofibroblastoma.
Examining the Factor Structure of the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a Post-9/11 U.S. Military Veteran Sample
Authors: Green Kimberly T. , Hayward Laura C. , Williams Ann M. , Dennis Paul A. , Bryan Brandon C. , Taber Katherine H. ,   Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center Workgroup, Davidson Jonathan R. T. , Beckham Jean C. , Calhoun Patrick S. , Ingle Sarah J. , Miller-Mumford Marinell , McDonald Scott D. , Pickett Treven C. , Yoash-Gantz Ruth E. , Brancu Mira , Morey Rajendra A. , Strauss Jennifer J. , Tupler Larry A. , Dennis Michelle F.
Published: March 2014

The present study examined the structural validity of the 25-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in a large sample of U.S. veterans with military service since September 11, 2001. Participants ( N = 1,981) completed the 25-item CD-RISC, a structured clinical interview and a self-report questionnaire assessing psychiatric symptoms. The study sample was randomly divided into two subsamples: an initial sample (Sample 1: n = 990) and a replication sample (Sample 2: n = 991). Findings derived from exploratory factor analysis (EFA) did not support the five-factor analytic structure as initially suggested in Connor and Davidson’s instrument validation study. Although parallel analyses indicated a two-factor structural model, we tested one to six factor solutions for best model fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Results supported a two-factor model of resilience, composed of adaptability- (8 items) and self-efficacy-themed (6 items) items; however, only the adaptability-themed factor was found to be consistent with our view of resilience—a factor of protection against the development of psychopathology following trauma exposure. The adaptability-themed factor may be a useful measure of resilience for post-9/11 U.S. military veterans.
The Effect of Tourist Relationship Perception on Destination Loyalty at a World Heritage Site in China
Authors: Su LuJun , Hsu Maxwell K. , Swanson Scott
Published: March 2014

This study focuses on domestic tourists at a World Heritage Site located in China and investigates the relationship of three important visitor perceptions (i.e., service fairness, destination image, and service quality) with tourism destination loyalty (i.e., positive word-of-mouth referrals and revisit intentions) through overall destination satisfaction and trust toward destination service providers. The structural equation modeling findings generally support the conceptual model and indicate that service fairness and service quality have a significant and positive impact on overall destination satisfaction and trust toward destination service providers, while destination image has a significant effect on overall destination satisfaction but not on trust toward destination service providers. In addition, the investigated perceptions-loyalty relationships are found to be mediated by overall destination satisfaction, but not necessarily by trust toward destination service providers. The paper includes discussions of the theoretical and managerial implications of the findings.
Computational study on recompression reaction of the pilot-injected fuel during negative valve overlap by using a cycle-coupled, isooctane-fueled homogeneous charge compression ignition engine model
Authors: Lee Tae K , Song Han H
Published: March 2014

In residual-effected homogeneous charge compression ignition, substantial exhaust-gas-recirculation is applied to limit the high rate of pressure rise from rapid combustion process. However, significant dilution, especially at low load, may lead to incomplete combustion and unstable operation. To improve the low-load-limit behavior, direct-fuel-injection during negative valve overlap was suggested by many researchers. Due to the high temperature and pressure conditions during negative valve overlap, the injected fuel experiences chemical reactions with trapped exhaust, referred to as recompression reaction. In this study, the possibility of the low-load-limit extension using this injection strategy during negative valve overlap is demonstrated from our previous experiments using isooctane fuel, and simulation with cycle-coupled, zero-dimensional homogeneous charge compression ignition engine model is conducted to understand the effects of recompression reaction. There are three major conclusions from our simulation. First, thermal consequence of the recompression reaction depends on the leftover oxygen in the trapped exhaust gas. Two equivalence ratios, 0.85 and 0.95, are tested in our simulation, and the overall recompression reaction is net-exothermic at 0.85, while net-endothermic at 0.95. Both conditions show significant fuel pyrolysis and reforming reactions during negative valve overlap, which are mostly endothermic, but sufficient oxidation reaction at 0.85 overcompensates for the endothermicity, leading to net-exothermicity in the end. Second, during the main compression stroke, the resultant fuel mixture from recompression reaction has overall higher specific heat ratio than the fresh fuel mixture in comparable operating conditions, which achieves higher mixture temperature rise at a given compression ratio and reaches ignition temperature earlier. Finally, in order to understand the chemical effect of the recompression reaction, ignition delays of the fuel mixture with or without recompression reaction are compared. The results show that the former has overall shorter ignition delay than the latter, which demonstrates overall improved ignitability of the fuel mixture by recompression reaction.
The paradox of dementia: Changes in assimilation after receiving a diagnosis of dementia
Authors: Lishman Emma , Cheston Richard , Smithson Janet
Published: March 2014

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore how six people talked about their difficulties before and after a dementia diagnosis. Participants’ accounts of their memory problems were analysed in terms of the verbal Markers of Assimilation of Problematic Voices Scale. This analysis indicated that after diagnosis some participants were able to integrate aspects of their illness that had previously been too painful, and which had been warded off. The process by which individuals were able to integrate a dementia diagnosis into their sense of self-involved stepping in and out of awareness, with both acceptance and denial featuring in their accounts as they approached and then retreated from addressing the diagnosis. In contrast, other participants resisted moving towards explicitly acknowledging their dementia but were instead able to express concerns about what this movement would entail, for instance voicing their fears that it would mean that they had surrendered. Social support seems to have been crucial in enabling participants to sustain a positive sense of self in the face of this adjustment.
Road registers
Authors: Stewart Kathleen
Published: March 2014

This article is an outline of a method to approach an object of analysis as generative, compositional, and immanent to ordinary ways of living and proliferating worlds. Using the case of the American road as an emergent assemblage, I trace its singular forms and the ways in which these forms register forces of all kinds. Road registers are material-symbolic composites charged with potentiality. They form links between disparate phenomena, scales, and compositional modes from literature to state thinking, structure to fantasy. I use creative non-fiction writing as a mode of critique that can follow the lines of diverging tendencies and events in which a range of elements throw together. I present a series of snapshots of the road’s bodies and rhythms, orientations, and atmospheres. Road Registers is a middle-range concept used to rethink designations such as macro and micro, big and small, official and everyday. I elaborate affect theory’s insight that structures of living have not just effects or conditions of possibility, but also capacities to affect and to be affected, or an energetics.
Soy isoflavone affects the autonomic nervous system in a tissue-specific manner in anesthetized rats
Authors: Tanida Mamoru , Imanishi Kazuki , Komatsu Mie , Satomi Jun , Yamamoto Naoki , Wang Mofei , Kurata Yasutaka , Shibamoto Toshishige
Published: March 2014

We examined and compared the effects of taste stimulation by soy saponin as well as soy isoflavone and intragastric (IG) injection of both on the autonomic nerve activities and feeding behavior in rats. We found that taste stimulation by soy saponin or soy isoflavone-rich solution (SIRS) did not affect the activity of the sympathetic nerve supplying the adrenal gland in urethane-anesthetized rats; however, IG injection of SIRS, but not soy saponin, stimulated the adrenal sympathetic nerve activity (ASNA) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, IG injection of SIRS significantly suppressed the activity of the vagus nerve innervating the stomach, whereas sympathetic nerve outflows to brown or white adipose tissue were not affected by IG injection of SIRS. To test the involvement of the afferent autonomic nerve in the abdominal organs for regulation of the efferent ASNA by SIRS, we examined the response of the adrenal sympathetic innervation to SIRS injection in rats with ablated afferent vagus or afferent sympathetic nerves. The activating effect of SIRS on the ASNA was inhibited in sympathectomized rats but not in vagotomized rats. Thus, our data suggest that soy isoflavone might affect tissue-specific autonomic nerves through the afferent sympathetic nerve pathway.
Infliximab attenuates inflammatory osteolysis in a model of periodontitis in Wistar rats
Authors: Gonçalves Davi C , Evangelista Rakel C , da Silva Rafael R , Santos Maria JS , Silva Francisco S , Aragão Karoline S , Brito Gerly AC , Lucena Herene BM , Leitão Renata C , Oriá Reinaldo B
Published: March 2014

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease related to tooth loss in adults. Infliximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against TNF-α and is prescribed for the treatment of systemic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of infliximab on experimental periodontal disease (EPD). EPD was induced by passing a 3.0 nylon thread around the upper left second molar in Wistar rats. Animals were either treated with intravenous infliximab (1, 5, 7, and 10 mg/kg) or saline solution 30 min before the periodontitis induction and were followed until they were sacrificed on the 11th day. A subset of rats was euthanized on the third day for analysis of gingival myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the blood MPO granulocyte index. In addition, we analyzed the bone loss index (BLI), the periodontal histopathological score, and the periodontal collagen network using confocal microscopy. We also analyzed metalloproteinase-1/-8, RANK, RANK-L, and osteoprotegerin in maxillary tissue by immunohistochemistry Gingival MPO, IL-1β, TNF-α were measured by ELISA. EPD caused leukocytosis, significant increases in BLI and gingival pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell infiltrates, with worse histopathological scores and periodontal collagen derangement. Infliximab (5 mg/kg) reduced granulocyte blood counts, gingival IL-1β, TNF-α, and MPO levels, diminished MMP-1/-8, RANK, and RANK-L bone immunolabeling with better periodontal histopathological scores and collagen network in comparison with the challenged saline group. We concluded that infliximab had significant anti-inflammatory and bone-protective effects in Wistar rats challenged by periodontitis.
Epileptiform Discharges and Frontal Paroxysmal EEG Abnormality Act as Predictive Marker for Subsequent Epilepsy in Children With Complex Febrile Seizures
Authors: Kuang Yong-Qin , Kong Bin , Yang Tao , Cheng Lin , Gu Jian-wen , Zhou Hu-Tian , Lu Min , Ran Chun-Mei , Jiang Ling-Li , Cheng Jing-Min , Ma Yuan , Dang Shi-Hua
Published: March 2014

Using electroencephalography (EEG) for diagnosing subsequent epilepsy in children after febrile seizure (FS) is not common. The present study investigates the relationship between epileptiform discharges and subsequent epilepsy, and looks for the predictive marker for this disorder. A total of 378 children with complex FS and whose EEG showed epileptiform discharges or normal EEG were included. Development of FS was compared between those with epileptiform discharges and those with normal EEG. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression to clarify their effects on subsequent epilepsy. The association between generalized or focal EEG localization, and between frontal epileptiform discharges and subsequent epilepsy, were analyzed. Among 378 patients with complex FS, 51 showed epileptiform discharges. History of epilepsy, frontal seizure, number of FS, and prolonged seizure were the risk factors for epileptiform discharge. Subsequent epilepsy was significantly frequent in patients with more than 2 risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.1-29.6). Prolonged seizure (OR = 4.98; 95% CI = 1.63-13.29), FS number (OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.23-10.51), and family history of epilepsy (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.05-7.63) were significantly correlated with subsequent epilepsy. Of 9 patients with paroxysms in the frontal region, 8 (88.9%) developed epilepsy. There was concordance between frontal epileptiform discharges and subsequent epilepsy (κ = .901). In conclusion, epileptiform discharges are risk factors for subsequent epilepsy. Frontal paroxysmal EEG is a marker for subsequent epilepsy.
Porphyromonas gingivalis-impaired innate immune response via NLRP3 proteolysis in endothelial cells
Authors: Huck Olivier , Elkaim René , Davideau Jean-Luc , Tenenbaum Henri
Published: March 2014

Porphyromonas gingivalis ( Pg) is involved in the link between periodontal diseases and atherosclerosis worsening. In periodontal cells, Pg modifies IL-1β expression via the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway activation. Our aim was to investigate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in endothelial cells (ECs) after Pg infection and Pg-LPS stimulation. In both situations, RT-PCR experiments demonstrated an increase of the NLRP3 mRNA level that can be potentiated by pre-treatment of ECs with 5 mM ATP. However, Western blotting analysis revealed that Pg infection induced a proteolysis of NLRP3 protein and a major decrease of the native protein. After ATP pre-treatment and/or Pg-LPS stimulation, this proteolysis was not observed, while NLRP3 protein levels were increased. Proteolysis of the NLRP3 protein was not observed with heat-killed Pg and inhibition of ECs protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not abolish the NLRP3 protein degradation induced by Pg infection in ATP pre-treated cells. Additionally, significant increases of secreted IL-1β were measured after ATP pre-treatment and/or Pg-LPS stimulation, but not after Pg infection. These data showed that Pg and Pg-LPS differentially controlled the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in ECs, and suggested a novel potential mechanism developed by Pg to reduce IL-1β secretion and to escape host immune response.
How the Religious Cleavages of Civil Society Shape National Identity
Authors: Schnabel Annette , Hjerm Mikael
Published: March 2014

This article focuses on religion and the embeddedness in civil society. We examine the relationship between religion and national identity (ethnic and civic). Our findings show that individual religiosity continues to play an important role in sustaining both forms of national identity. In addition to other studies, we examine the relationship between religion as a societal phenomenon and individual national identity and find the following: The stronger the relationship between state and religion, the stronger the ethnic identity; the more the religious homogeneity, the stronger the ethnic identity; and there is no relationship between aggregated degree of religious organizations and identity. We conclude that religion continues to play a major role in the making of civil society, but the specific circumstances vary according to the religious representation. In other words, religion can both make and unmake national identity.
A Procedure to Assess Interviewer Effects on Nonresponse Bias
Authors: Loosveldt Geert , Beullens Koen
Published: March 2014

It is generally accepted that interviewers have a considerable effect on survey response. The difference between response success and failure does not only affect the response rate, but can also influence the composition of the realized sample or respondent set, and consequently introduce nonresponse bias. To measure these two different aspects of the obtained sample, response propensities will be used. They have an aggregate mean and variance that can both be used to construct quality indicators for the obtained sample of respondents. As these propensities can also be measured on the interviewer level, this allows evaluation of the interviewer group and of the extent to which individual interviewers contribute to a biased respondent set. In this article, a procedure based on a multilevel model with random intercepts and random slopes is elaborated and illustrated. The results show that the procedure is informative to detect influential interviewers with an impact on nonresponse basis.
A talin mutant that impairs talin-integrin binding in platelets decelerates αIIbβ3 activation without pathological bleeding
Authors: Stefanini Lucia , Ye Feng , Snider Adam K. , Sarabakhsh Kasra , Piatt Raymond , Paul David S. , Bergmeier Wolfgang , Petrich Brian G.
Published: March 2014

Key Points

Mice expressing a talin(L325R) mutant that binds to, but does not activate integrin αIIbβ3, have impaired hemostasis. Talin(W359A) reduces integrin binding, decelerates integrin activation and protects mice from thrombosis without pathological bleeding.
Monitoring early lung disease in cystic fibrosis: where are we now?
Authors: Duncan Julie A. , Aurora Paul
Published: March 2014

Educational aims

To understand which techniques are available to monitor early lung disease in cystic fibrosis, recognise difficulties inherent to each measure, and describe the use of tests in clinical practice or interventional trials.

It is a particular challenge to detect and monitor lung disease in children younger than 6 years old. Various methods exist that can reveal abnormality in young children, but each technique presents difficulties on performing the test or interpreting results. Most children with cystic fibrosis are now diagnosed shortly after birth, but it is still unclear how to evaluate new therapies, or at what age to initiate them. This review summarises current options for monitoring early disease, limitations of individual techniques and how evidence to date influences their use in research and clinical practice.

Key points

Lung disease remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis

Despite clear improvements in outcomes such as nutrition, the benefit of early diagnosis by newborn screening on pulmonary health in cystic fibrosis has yet to be proven.

Early lung disease is challenging to detect and monitor in young children with cystic fibrosis, but there is an urgent requirement to define useful outcome measures in this population, particularly as new treatments emerge.

Many techniques are available, but difficulties with measurement or interpretation must be recognised when appraising past studies, considering their use in practice or as endpoints in clinical trials.

There is no superior monitoring test at present, but emerging evidence from longitudinal studies in children with cystic fibrosis will help define which are most useful.
Support Healthy Lungs for Life: holding a spirometry event
Authors: Powell Pippa , Masefield Sarah , Anderson Lauren , Fletcher Monica
Published: March 2014

The aim of this article is to introduce you to the new European Respiratory Society (ERS)/European Lung Foundation (ELF) initiative “Healthy Lungs for Life”, and to provide you with ideas and guidance on ways that you can join in and take part in this exciting campaign. The article will focus on spirometry and how running a testing event in your community can help put lung health at the forefront of public thinking.
Association of Trypanosoma cruzi infection with risk factors and electrocardiographic abnormalities in northeast Mexico
Authors: Molina-Garza Zinnia Judith , Rosales-Encina José Luis , Mercado-Hernández Roberto , Molina-Garza Daniel P , Gomez-Flores Ricardo , Galaviz-Silva Lucio
Published: March 2014

Background

American trypanosomiasis is a major disease and public health issue, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The prevalence of T. cruzi has not been fully documented, and there are few reports of this issue in Nuevo Leon. The aim of this study was to update the seroprevalence rate of T. cruzi infection, including an epidemiological analysis of the risk factors associated with this infection and an electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation of those infected.

Methods

Sera from 2,688 individuals from 10 municipalities in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an indirect hemagglutination assay. An ECG case–control study was performed in subjects seropositive for T. cruzi and the results were matched by sex and age to seronegative residents of the same localities. A univariate analysis with χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests was used to determine the association between seropositivity and age (years), sex, and ECG changes. A multivariate analysis was then performed to calculate the odd ratios between T. cruzi seropositivity and the risk factors.

Results

The seropositive rate was 1.93% (52/2,688). In the ECG study, 22.85% (8/35) of the infected individuals exhibited ECG abnormalities. Triatoma gerstaeckeri was the only vector reported. The main risk factors were ceiling construction material (P ≤ 0.0024), domestic animals (P ≤ 0.0001), and living in rural municipalities (P ≤ 0.0025).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate a 10-fold higher prevalence of Chagas disease than previously reported (0.2%), which implies a serious public health threat in northeastern Mexico. The epidemiological profile established in this study differs from that found in the rest of Mexico, where human populations live in close proximity to domiciliary triatomines.
Androgen receptor CAG repeats, non-random X chromosome inactivation, and loss of heterozygosity at Xq25 in relation to breast cancer risk
Authors: Chen Hui-Tzu , Wu Yao-Chung , Chen Shou-Tung , Tsai Hsien-Chang , Chien Yi-Chih
Published: March 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the association of non-random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at Xq25 with breast cancer development.

Methods

Seventy-nine breast cancer patients, 39 female lung cancer patients, 30 other cancer patients and 77 healthy females were analysed for LOH using a panel of 11 microsatellite markers spanning Xq25. The androgen receptor (AR) gene was chosen as an XCI marker.

Results

LOH of at least one microsatellite locus at Xq25 was identified in 46/65 breast cancers examined, while only 10/25 cancers of other origins demonstrated LOH in this region (p = 0.014). The critical deletion region in breast cancer was around marker DXS1047 (47.23%). Moreover, we found that tissues from eight breast cancers showed LOH at all of the informative loci tested at Xq25, while the other 38 showed partial (interstitial or telomeric) alterations at Xq25. Interestingly, the pattern of XCI of these eight breast cancers tended to be non-random. We estimated the frequencies of AR alleles and found that women with two long AR alleles (≥21 CAG repeats) had an increased risk of developing breast cancer, while those with two short AR alleles (<21 CAG repeats) were likely to be normal (p = 0.00069).

Conclusions

The extraordinary high frequencies of LOH at Xq25 found in this study strongly imply that there might be one or more tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) related to the development of breast cancer at Xq25 in the Taiwanese female population.
Akt inhibitor MK-2206 promotes anti-tumor activity and cell death by modulation of AIF and Ezrin in colorectal cancer
Authors: Agarwal Ekta , Chaudhuri Anathbandhu , Leiphrakpam Premila D , Haferbier Katie L , Brattain Michael G , Chowdhury Sanjib
Published: March 2014

Background

There is extensive evidence for the role of aberrant cell survival signaling mechanisms in cancer progression and metastasis. Akt is a major component of cell survival-signaling mechanisms in several types of cancer. It has been shown that activated Akt stabilizes XIAP by S87 phosphorylation leading to survivin/XIAP complex formation, caspase inhibition and cytoprotection of cancer cells. We have reported that TGFβ/PKA/PP2A-mediated tumor suppressor signaling regulates Akt phosphorylation in association with the dissociation of survivin/XIAP complexes leading to inhibition of stress-dependent induction of cell survival.

Methods

IGF1R-dependent colon cancer cells (GEO and CBS) were used for the study. Effects on cell proliferation and cell death were determined in the presence of MK-2206. Xenograft studies were performed to determine the effect of MK-2206 on tumor volume. The effect on various cell death markers such as XIAP, survivin, AIF, Ezrin, pEzrin was determined by western blot analysis. Graph pad 5.0 was used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

We characterized the mechanisms by which a novel Akt kinase inhibitor MK-2206 induced cell death in IGF1R-dependent colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with upregulated PI3K/Akt signaling in response to IGF1R activation. MK-2206 treatment generated a significant reduction in tumor growth in vivo and promoted cell death through two mechanisms. This is the first report demonstrating that Akt inactivation by MK-2206 leads to induction of and mitochondria-to-nuclear localization of the Apoptosis Inducing Factor (AIF), which is involved in caspase-independent cell death. We also observed that exposure to MK-2206 dephosphorylated Ezrin at the T567 site leading to the disruption of Akt-pEzrin-XIAP cell survival signaling. Ezrin phosphorylation at this site has been associated with malignant progression in solid tumors.

Conclusion

The identification of these 2 novel mechanisms leading to induction of cell death indicates MK-2206 might be a potential clinical candidate for therapeutic targeting of the subset of IGF1R-dependent cancers in CRC.
Development and validation of a health belief model based instrument for measuring factors influencing exercise behaviors to prevent osteoporosis in pre-menopausal women (HOPE)
Authors: Soleymanian Atoosa , Niknami Shamsaddin , Hajizadeh Ebrahim , Shojaeizadeh Davoud , Montazeri Ali
Published: March 2014

Background

The health belief model (HBM) is the most commonly used conceptual framework for evaluating osteoporosis health belief and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a health belief model based questionnaire for exercise behavior for preventing osteoporosis among women aged 30 years and over.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study of a convenience sample of women aged 30 years and over in Tehran, Iran using a theory-based instrument (HOPE). The instrument contained 39 items covering issues relate to osteoporosis prevention behavior. In this methodological study, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for psychometric evaluation. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the reliability of the scale.

Results

In all 240 women participated in the study. The mean age of participant was 39.2±7.8 years. The initial analysis extracted nine factors for the questionnaire that jointly accounted for 66.5% of variance observed. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the data obtained was fit with Health Belief Model (HBM) and self-regulation construct (X2=1132.80, df=629, P<0.0001, CFI=0.94, GFI=0.91, RMSEA=0.05 and SRMR=0.06). The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the subscales ranged from 0.72 to 0.90 and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.71 to 0.98; well above acceptable thresholds.

Conclusions

The HOPE was found to be appropriate instrument for measuring health belief and self-regulation for prevention of osteoporosis.
Clinical and prognostic factors associated with diagnostic wait times by breast cancer detection method
Authors: Plotogea Amalia , Chiarelli Anna M , Mirea Lucia , Prummel Maegan V , Chong Nelson , Shumak Rene S , O’Malley Frances P , Holloway Claire MB ,   The Breast Screening Study Group
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Although prognostic differences between screen-detected, interval and symptomatic breast cancers are known, factors associated with wait times to diagnosis among these three groups have not been studied.

Methods

Of the 16,373 invasive breast cancers diagnosed between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 2003 in a cohort of Ontario women aged 50 to 69, a random sample (N = 2,615) were selected for chart abstraction. Eligible women were classified according to detection method; screen-detected (n = 1181), interval (n = 319) or symptomatic (n = 406). Diagnostic wait time was calculated from the initial imaging or biopsy to breast cancer diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis examined associations between diagnostic wait times dichotomized as greater or less than the median and demographic, clinical and prognostic factors separately for each detection cohort.

Results

Women who underwent an open biopsy had significantly longer than median wait times to diagnosis, compared to women who underwent a fine needle aspiration or core biopsy; (screen-detected OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.14-3.56; interval OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.50-4.35; symptomatic OR = 5.56, 95% CI = 3.33-9.30). Additionally, screen-detected breast cancers diagnosed with stage II and symptomatic cancers diagnosed at stage III or IV had significantly shorter diagnostic wait times compared to those diagnosed at stage 1 (OR = 0.66 95% CI = 0.50-0.87 and OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.25-0.85 respectively).

Conclusions

Our study is consistent with expedited diagnostic work-up for breast cancers with more advanced prognostic features. Furthermore, women who had an open surgical biopsy had a greater than the median diagnostic wait time, irrespective of detection method.