bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Regulation in Environmental Chemical Carcinogenesis and its Applicability in Human Health Risk Assessment
Authors: Kuppusamy Senthilkumar P. , Kaiser J. Phillip , Wesselkamper Scott C.
Published: August 2015

Although several studies have shown that chemically mediated epigenetic changes are an etiological factor in several human disease conditions, the utility of epigenetic data, such as DNA methylation, in the current human health risk assessment paradigm is unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the points of departure (PODs) for cancer incidence and DNA methylation changes in laboratory animals exposed to the following environmental toxicants: bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, chloroform, hydrazine, trichloroethylene, benzidine, trichloroacetic acid, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP; a known reproductive toxicant). The results demonstrate that the PODs for cancer incidence and altered DNA methylation are similar. Furthermore, based on the available data, the POD for DNA methylation appeared more sensitive compared to that for cancer incidence following the administration of DEHP to rats during different life stages. The high degree of correlation between PODs for cancer incidence and DNA methylation (for both total DNA and individual genes) suggests that DNA methylation end points could potentially be used as a screening tool in predicting the potential toxicity/carcinogenicity and in prioritizing large numbers of chemicals with sparse toxicity databases. The life stage during which treatment occurs is also an important consideration when assessing the potential application of epigenetic end points as a screening tool.
Mediation effect of recent loss events on weight gain in obese people who experienced childhood parental death or separation
Authors: Alciati Alessandra , Caldirola Daniela , Grassi Massimiliano , Foschi Diego , Perna Giampaolo
Published: August 2015

Adverse events during childhood, including loss of a parent, are related to a higher risk of adult obesity. We investigated whether childhood parental loss is related to adult rapid weight gain through exposition to a later loss event. We assessed the mediation effect of recent loss and non-loss events on the association between childhood loss and rapid weight gain in 138 individuals seeking bariatric surgery. Our results showed that recent loss events mediate the effect of childhood parental loss on rapid weight gain (0.790; p < .001), suggesting the need for specific programs to prevent and treat obesity in individuals with multiple losses.
Heavy Matters
Authors: Re Daniel E. , Rule Nicholas O.
Published: August 2015

People can reliably infer various traits, states, and group memberships from minimal cues. Despite impressive demonstrations of the breadth of social perception, however, few studies have critically examined the sensitivity and limits of social perception in specific quantitative terms. Here, we investigated the just noticeable difference for perceptions of a facial trait with profound consequences for social behavior, that is, facial attractiveness. Building on research examining facial adiposity, we determined the changes in body mass index needed to meaningfully alter perceivers’ judgments of weight and attractiveness. Although perceivers recognized differences as small as 1.33 kg/m2, changes of roughly twice that size (2.38 kg/m2 and 2.59 kg/m2 for women and men, respectively) were necessary to alter attractiveness. These findings contribute to a greater basic understanding of the precision and limits of social perception and may provide information of value to medical practitioners and individuals seeking to manage changes in weight.
An ideal Indonesian in an increasingly competitive world: Personal character and values required to realise a projected 2045 ‘Golden Indonesia’
Authors: Malihah Elly
Published: August 2015

The goal of this article is to examine the way character education and multicultural values’ education can contribute to a perfect and transformed Indonesia by 2045. At this time (i.e. 2045), the Republic of Indonesia will be 100 years old. The presence of an ideal Indonesian will contribute to high national growth and development. This will depend on the understanding of multiculturalism and cooperative attitudes of the future Indonesian citizens. In such a situation, a variety of methods, media and instruments need to be prepared in order to achieve the country’s 2045 dream, among the various aspects which must be considered is character and multicultural values’ education. Both forms of education should not be limited to mere conceptualisation, but should lead to an understanding of personality traits in an Indonesian context and of course taking in consideration the globalisation aspect. Early research on contemporary and future Indonesia generates a clear overview of the Indonesian traits. Based on this, the present study investigates two groups comprising 100 respondents, divided into pessimistic and optimistic respondents. The pessimistic respondents are of the view that a competitive Indonesia will depend on today’s generation and their character. While, on the contrary, the optimistic respondents indicate that a competitive Indonesia is that which will be able to compete with other nations in this rapidly changing world. However, it is concluded that both groups are optimistic to the new birth of a great Indonesia, if good character and well-planned multicultural education is in place and of course well taught to students.
Usefulness of Leukocyte Esterase Test Versus Rapid Strep Test for Diagnosis of Acute Strep Pharyngitis
Authors: Nibhanipudi Kumara V.
Published: August 2015

Objective: A study to compare the usage of throat swab testing for leukocyte esterase on a test strip(urine dip stick-multi stick) to rapid strep test for rapid diagnosis of Group A Beta hemolytic streptococci in cases of acute pharyngitis in children. Hypothesis: The testing of throat swab for leukocyte esterase on test strip currently used for urine testing may be used to detect throat infection and might be as useful as rapid strep. Methods: All patients who come with a complaint of sore throat and fever were examined clinically for erythema of pharynx, tonsils and also for any exudates. Informed consent was obtained from the parents and assent from the subjects. 3 swabs were taken from pharyngo-tonsillar region, testing for culture, rapid strep & Leukocyte Esterase. Results: Total number is 100. Cultures 9(+); for rapid strep== 84(-) and16 (+); For LE== 80(-) and 20(+) Statistics: From data configuration Rapid Strep versus LE test don’t seem to be a random (independent) assignment but extremely aligned. The Statistical results show rapid and LE show very agreeable results. Calculated Value of Chi Squared Exceeds Tabulated under 1 Degree Of Freedom (P<.0.0001) reject Null Hypothesis and Conclude Alternative Conclusions: Leukocyte esterase on throat swab is as useful as rapid strep test for rapid diagnosis of strep pharyngitis on test strip currently used for urine dip stick causing acute pharyngitis in children.
Ranibizumab
Authors: Akiyode Oluwaranti , Dunkelly-Allen Nikeshia
Published: August 2015

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacotherapy role of ranibizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Data Sources: PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov searches (January 2000-May 2015) were conducted for articles published in English, and limited to clinical trials using the key words ranibizumab, DR, DME, anti-VEGF, and DR treatment. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Following PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov searches, 4 clinical trials were identified and included in this review. Phase III/IV studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of ranibizumab versus placebo, ranibizumab versus laser, and ranibizumab versus other anti-VEGF agents were selected and evaluated. Data Synthesis: Ranibizumab administered to patients with DME for 12 to 36 months improved and prevented worsening of visual acuity. At month 36 the ranibizumab-treated eyes had a >2 or >3 step DR improvement compared with the sham crossover eyes. Ranibizumab was also found to be superior to laser treatment. Patients receiving ranibizumab gained 6.0 letters, improved tritan and protan color contrast thresholds, and demonstrated improved retinal sensitivity versus the subjects receiving laser treatment who lost 0.9 letters. When ranibizumab was compared with other anti-VEGF agents (aflibercept, pegaptanib, and bevacizumab), it was not always demonstrated to be significantly superior. Conclusion: Ranibizumab has been shown to be safe and efficacious for use in the treatment of DR in patients with DME. Thus, it is an alternative treatment approach to laser photocoagulation therapy.
Autophagic vesicles on mature human reticulocytes explain phosphatidylserine-positive red cells in sickle cell disease
Authors: Mankelow Tosti J. , Griffiths Rebecca E. , Trompeter Sara , Flatt Joanna F. , Cogan Nicola M. , Massey Edwin J. , Anstee David J.
Published: August 2015

Key Points

Reticulocyte maturation involves the release of intact, inside-out autophagic vesicles with PS exposed on their surface. Elevated levels of autophagic vesicles on circulating reticulocytes cause PS exposure in patients with SCD.
How I treat high-risk myeloma
Authors: Lonial Sagar , Boise Lawrence H. , Kaufman Jonathan
Published: August 2015

The treatment of patients with myeloma has dramatically changed over the past decade due in part to the development of new agents and myeloma-specific targets. Despite these advancements, a group for whom the long-term benefit remains less clear are patients with genetically or clinically defined high-risk myeloma. In order to successfully treat these patients, it is important to first identify these patients, treat them with aggressive combination therapy, and employ the use of aggressive long-term maintenance therapy. Future directions include the use of new immune-based treatments (antibodies or cellular-based therapies) as well as target-driven approaches. Until these treatment approaches are better defined, this review will provide a potential treatment approach for standard- and high-risk myeloma that can be followed using agents and strategies that are currently available with the goal of improving progression-free and overall survival for these patients today.
A performance analysis on packet scheduling schemes based on an exponential rule for real-time traffic in LTE
Authors: Ang Ee Mae , Wee KuokKwee , Pang Ying Han , Phang Keat Keong
Published: August 2015

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) was implemented to fulfill and satisfy users’ needs as well as their demands for an improvised, fast and efficient Quality of service (QoS). A minimal aggregate of waiting time in return would give users a better Quality of experience (QoE). Real-time service packet scheduling is an important process in allocating resources to users. An efficient packet scheduling scheme will be able to cater fairly and efficiently to its users in the LTE network. Hence, studies are performed focusing on real-time traffic which includes video as well as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) transmissions. In this work, the existing exponential rule (EXP rule) is utilized to benchmark our proposed packet scheduling techniques so that we are able to further evaluate the scheduling performance. In response to the increasing likelihood of losing packets in the EXP rule’s algorithm and maximizing the throughput rate, several schemes have been experimented with. The proposed schemes include 1) simplified EXP rule (sEXP Rule), 2) modified EXP rule (mEXP Rule), 3) EXP rule with maximum throughput (MT) (EXP_MT Rule), and 4) enhanced EXP rule with MT (E2M). By adding MT as a weight to the EXP rule, the throughput is maximized, thus providing higher throughput rates for real-time and non-real-time traffic. The simulation results show that the sEXP rule has a better performance in throughput, packet loss rate (PLR), and spectral efficiency for video traffic. Aside from this, our proposed E2M rule performs better than the benchmark EXP rule and outperforms the other proposed schemes, as well. It is observed that the E2M rule has better QoS support for real-time transmission in terms of delay, packet loss, throughput and spectral efficiency, within the LTE network. Hence, our proposed E2M rule is an enhancement of the benchmark EXP rule, which is commonly used in LTE packet scheduling.
Modified Picard-Mann hybrid iteration process for total asymptotically nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Thakur Balwant Singh , Thakur Dipti , Postolache Mihai
Published: August 2015

In this paper, using the modified hybrid Picard-Mann iteration process, we establish Δ-convergence and strong convergence theorems for total asymptotically nonexpansive mappings on a $CAT(0)$
C
A
T
(
0
)
space. Results established in the paper extend and improve a number of results in the literature. A numerical example is also given to examine the fastness of the proposed iteration process under different control conditions and initial points.
Acute Kidney Injury: Preclinical Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities for Translation
Authors: Silver Samuel A. , Cardinal Héloise , Colwell Katelyn , Burger Dylan , Dickhout Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2015

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinically important condition that has attracted a great deal of interest from the biomedical research community. However, acute kidney injury AKI research findings have yet to be translated into significant changes in clinical practice.

Objective:

This article reviews many of the preclinical innovations in acute kidney injury AKI treatment, and explores challenges and opportunities to translate these finding into clinical practice.

Sources of Information:

MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science

Findings:

This paper details areas in biomedical research where translation of pre-clinical findings into clinical trials is ongoing, or nearing a point where trial design is warranted. Further, the paper examines ways that best practice in the management of AKI can reach a broader proportion of the patient population experiencing this condition.

Limitations:

This review highlights pertinent literature from the perspective of the research interests of the authors for new translational work in AKI. As such, it does not represent a systematic review of all of the AKI literature.

Implications:

Translation of findings from biomedical research into AKI therapy presents several challenges. These may be partly overcome by targeting populations for interventional trials where the likelihood of AKI is very high, and readily predictable. Further, specific clinics to follow-up with patients after AKI events hold promise to provide best practice in care, and to translate therapies into treatment for the broadest possible patient populations.
Rhesus macaque θ-defensin RTD-1 inhibits proinflammatory cytokine secretion and gene expression by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and MAPK pathways
Authors: Tongaonkar Prasad , Trinh Katie K , Schaal Justin B , Tran Dat , Gulko Percio S , Ouellette André J , Selsted Michael E
Published: August 2015

θ-Defensins are pleiotropic, macrocyclic peptides that are expressed uniquely in Old World monkeys. The peptides are potent, broad-spectrum microbicides that also modulate inflammatory responses in vitro and in animal models of viral infection and polymicrobial sepsis. θ-Defensins suppress proinflammatory cytokine secretion by leukocytes stimulated with diverse Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Studies were performed to delineate anti-inflammatory mechanisms of rhesus θ-defensin 1 (RTD-1), the most abundant θ-defensin isoform in macaque granulocytes. RTD-1 reduced the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-8 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human blood monocytes and THP-1 macrophages, and this was accompanied by inhibition of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Peptide inhibition of NF-κB activation occurred following stimulation of extracellular (TLRs 1/2 and 4) and intracellular (TLR9) receptors. Although RTD-1 did not inhibit MAPK in unstimulated cells, it induced phosphorylation of Akt in otherwise untreated monocytes and THP-1 cells. In the latter, this occurred within 10 min of RTD-1 treatment and produced a sustained elevation of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) for at least 4 h. pAkt is a negative regulator of MAPK and NF-κB activation. RTD-1 inhibited IκBα degradation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, and stimulated Akt phosphorylation in LPS-treated human primary monocytes and THP-1 macrophages. Specific inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) blocked RTD-1-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and reversed the suppression of NF-κB activation by the peptide. These studies indicate that the anti-inflammatory properties of θ-defensins are mediated by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and suppression of proinflammatory signals in immune-stimulated cells.
Sulforaphane inhibits multiple inflammasomes through an Nrf2-independent mechanism
Authors: Greaney Allison J , Maier Nolan K , Leppla Stephen H , Moayeri Mahtab
Published: August 2015

The inflammasomes are intracellular complexes that have an important role in cytosolic innate immune sensing and pathogen defense. Inflammasome sensors detect a diversity of intracellular microbial ligands and endogenous danger signals and activate caspase-1, thus initiating maturation and release of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-18. These events, although crucial to the innate immune response, have also been linked to the pathology of several inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The natural isothiocyanate sulforaphane, present in broccoli sprouts and available as a dietary supplement, has gained attention for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive properties. We discovered that sulforaphane inhibits caspase-1 autoproteolytic activation and interleukin-1β maturation and secretion downstream of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor leucine-rich repeat proteins NLRP1 and NLRP3, NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein 5/NLR family caspase-1 recruitment domain-containing protein 4 (NAIP5/NLRC4), and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasome receptors. Sulforaphane does not inhibit the inflammasome by direct modification of active caspase-1 and its mechanism is not dependent on protein degradation by the proteasome or de novo protein synthesis. Furthermore, sulforaphane-mediated inhibition of the inflammasomes is independent of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like factor 2 (Nrf2) and the antioxidant response-element pathway, to which many of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of sulforaphane have been attributed. Sulforaphane was also found to inhibit cell recruitment to the peritoneum and interleukin-1β secretion in an in vivo peritonitis model of acute gout and to reverse NLRP1-mediated murine resistance to Bacillus anthracis spore infection. These findings demonstrate that sulforaphane inhibits the inflammasomes through a novel mechanism and contributes to our understanding of the beneficial effects of sulforaphane.
Religions and the Religion of Animals
Authors: McGregor Richard
Published: August 2015

This essay focuses on animals as a site for religion and identifies what McGregor calls the “religion of animals.” The construction of the human-animal divide is explored through the Quran, Islamic theology, and philosophy, with particular attention paid to the encyclopedic epistle The Case of the Animals versus Man from tenth-century Iraq. The same human-animal divide is shown to be maintained variously among European philosophers. McGregor argues that both modern and medieval formulations are organized around a series of assumptions about language, the self, and the religious other. The study of comparative religion is thus usefully decentered by the question of the animal. The Case of the Animals versus Man, the essay contends, represents a solution to the challenges of comparison. The religion of others, then, along with the religion of animals creates a discursive gesture of openness: an opening that points beyond the exclusivity of communitarianism and the ego-centered limitations of religion.
Reading Gandhi
Authors: Subramanian Lakshmi
Published: August 2015

This article responds to Isabel Hofmeyr's Gandhi's Printing Press: Experiments in Slow Reading, a story of Gandhi's printing experiences, intentions, and experiments in South Africa — a little-known story in India. It reflects on the articulation of Gandhi's meditations on sovereignty, national imaginings, and citizenship both as ideas and practices. Here Subramanian analyzes the act of slow, deliberate reading and thoughtful reflection that Gandhi cultivated and adopted as key conditions toward the realization of truth and self-rule.
“A Sense of Possibility and a Belief in Collective Power”: A Labor Strategy Talk with Karen Nussbaum
Authors: Windham Lane
Published: August 2015

Historian and former union organizer Lane Windham sits down with longtime labor activist and leader Karen Nussbaum to discuss the promises and challenges in today's worker's movement through the lens of Nussbaum's own life. In 1973, Nussbaum cofounded 9to5, a groundbreaking women office workers' group, and now directs Working America, a community-based AFL-CIO group for working people who do not have a union, founded in 2003. Windham paints Nussbaum as a foremother of contemporary “alt-labor,” labor groups like Working America that are not based in traditional collective bargaining. Nussbaum and her 9to5 cofounders rode the momentum of the women's movement in the 1970s just as workers' organizations today build from the immigration, sustainable food, and global justice movements. Highlights of the article include Nussbaum's motivations for founding Working America, her thoughts on labor's future, and a discussion of strategies necessary for a potent new workers' movement.
MyoD transcription factor induces myogenesis by inhibiting Twist-1 through miR-206
Authors: Koutalianos D. , Koutsoulidou A. , Mastroyiannopoulos N.P. , Furling D. , Phylactou L.A.
Published: August 2015

Twist-1 is mostly expressed during development and has been previously shown to control myogenesis. Since its regulation in muscle has not been fully exploited, the aim of the project was to identify miRNAs in muscle which regulate Twist-1. miR-206, one of the most important myomiRs, was identified as a possible candidate for Twist-1 mRNA. Luciferase assays and transfections in human foetal myoblasts showed that Twist-1 is a direct target for miR-206 and through this pathway muscle cell differentiation is promoted. We next investigated whether MyoD, a major myogenic transcription factor regulates Twist-1, since it is known that MyoD induces miR-206 gene expression. We found that forced MyoD expression induces miR-206 up-regulation and Twist-1 down-regulation through miR-206 promoter binding, followed by increase in muscle cell differentiation. Finally, experiments were performed in muscle cells from patients with congenital Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 which fail to differentiate to myotubes. MyoD overexpression inhibited Twist-1 through miR-206 induction, followed by an increase in muscle cell differentiation. These results reveal a novel mechanism of myogenesis which might also play an important role in muscle disease.
Ancient Pottery from Archaeological Sites in Southern Italy: First Evidence of Red Grape Product Markers
Authors: Bianco Giuliana , Granafei Sara , Colivicchi Fabio , Cataldi Tommaso R.I. , Buchicchio Alessandro
Published: August 2015

The chemical analysis of tartaric acid (TA) and syringic acid (SA), as grape product markers in ancient ceramic vessels from the sites of Manduria and Torre di Satriano (southern Italy), was successfully performed. Firstly, the fragmentation behaviour of TA and SA as deprotonated molecules, [M-H]−, obtained by collision-induced dissociation, was investigated. Then, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) with electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative ion mode, using a quadrupole linear ion trap in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), was employed. A binary mobile phase composed of water–acetonitrile with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid enabled the optimum ESI efficiency of SA, greatly improving its identification when it occurs in trace amounts. Chemical analysis of ancient pottery fragments is a valid method for establishing the existence of preserved organic residues, which is valuable new evidence for the culture and customs of ancient populations, in this case those of southern Italy. The proposed RPLC-ESI-MRM method allowed a systematic investigation of ceramic fragments of both archaeological sites, thus providing positive evidence for the presence of TA and SA as grape product markers in storage vessels dating back to the ninth to third centuries BC.
Resources, challenges and way forward in rare mitochondrial diseases research
Authors: Rajput Neeraj Kumar , Singh Vipin , Bhardwaj Anshu
Published: August 2015

Over 300 million people are affected by about 7000 rare diseases globally. There are tremendous resource limitations and challenges in driving research and drug development for rare diseases. Hence, innovative approaches are needed to identify potential solutions. This review focuses on the resources developed over the past years for analysis of genome data towards understanding disease biology especially in the context of mitochondrial diseases, given that mitochondria are central to major cellular pathways and their dysfunction leads to a broad spectrum of diseases. Platforms for collaboration of research groups, clinicians and patients and the advantages of community collaborative efforts in addressing rare diseases are also discussed. The review also describes crowdsourcing and crowdfunding efforts in rare diseases research and how the upcoming initiatives for understanding disease biology including analyses of large number of genomes are also applicable to rare diseases.
Antibiotic resistance of strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia in the republic of North Ossetia-Alania
Authors: Гатагонова  , Gatagonova Tamara , Цаллагова  , Tsallagova Olga , Болиева  , Bolieva Laura
Published: August 2015

An increase of antibiotic resistance of bacteria, in particular, Streptococcus pneumoniae, has been registered recently in most developed countries. This necessitates the study of regional characteristics of etiological structure of causative bacterial agents of community-acquired pneumonia and their sensitivity to antibiotics. The aim of the study was to study the spectrum of bacterial pathogens of community-acquired pneumonia and the sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae to antimicrobial agents in hospitalized patients in the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania. Bacteriological examination of sputum with definition of sensitivity of isolated strains of bacteria to antibiotics was performed in 270 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. According to our data, the main causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania is Streptococcus pneumoniae. III generation cephalosporins, respiratory fluoroquinolones, macrolides, showed high activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized patients. Low activity of natural and semi-synthetic penicillins was shown. The obtained results allow optimizing of antimicrobial therapy of community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Statistic analysis of amyloidosis cases in the republic of North-Ossetia Alania for 2012–2013 period
Authors: Козырев  , Kozyrev Konstantin , Урусова  , Urusova Zulfiya
Published: August 2015

In the paper pathomorpfologic particular features of amyloidosis in the different regions of the Republic NorthOsetia Alania in the context of their comparative climatogeographic and statistic characteristic are shown. Heavy involvement and high of invalidization, absence of effective measures of prevention and treatment, variety of organ and system manifestations and poor knowledge in guestions of etiology and pathogenesis cause the actuality of problem and hence vitally important necessity of further investigation of amyloidosis which is common disease among adults of average (reproductive) and old age. This will allow to contribute to the study of the process in the state scale because the information of amyloidosis spreadness along regions and in Russian Federation in the whole are extremely poor. Success on this way will contribute to the increase of life span and guality, to the increase of health level of the population.
Independent association of osteoprotegerin with cardio-vascular damage while chronic kidney disease III–V stages
Authors: Сопоев  , Sopoev Mikhail , Бестаева  , Bestaeva Tamara , Дзгоева  , Dzgoeva Fatima
Published: August 2015

To detect the pathophysiologic link between osteoprotegerin with myocardial failare in chronic kidney disease (СКD) stages III–V was the aim of his research. Osteoprotegerin was measured using commercially kits in 72 CKD stages III–V patients (40 females and 35 males aged 34–67 years). The patients were examined clinically with estimation of the levels of calcium, phosphorus parathormone. Echocardiography on Aloka-4000 unit was made. Left ventricular geometry was assessed by J.Gottdiener classification. Therapy included the correction of anemia, arterial hypertension and phosphorus-calcium metabolism. Mean age of patients was 48±6 years, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 161±22/81±11 mm Hg. Osteoprotegerin high level correlated with renal function and severity of left ventricular hypertrophy. We have shown that the changes of mediator of mineral-bone metabolism osteoprotegerin induced by CKD are independently associated with cardiovascular disfunction.
Desynchronizing effects of comorbid pathology: psoriasis and arterial hypertension
Authors: Рагозин  , Ragozin Roman
Published: August 2015

The paper describes the results of the analysis of biological rhythms of blood pressure in patients with living in the northern region. The comparative analysis of chronograms of blood pressure shows that rhythmic pattern changes with the appearing of short ultradian rhythms, the decrease of phases dispersion of the studied arameters, reducing synchronization between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and diurnal variation of synchronization re observed in patients with psoriasis.
The study of systemic microcirculation and main clinical syndromes under the influence of combined and intravenous methods of laser therapy while chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Гутнова  , Gutnova Svetlana , Тадтаева  , Tadtaeva Diana
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the systemic microcirculation and main clinical syndromes under the influence of combined and intravenous methods of low-intensive laser therapy (LILT) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (ChP) in acute phase. 123 patients aged 36-77 years old were examined and divided into 2 groups: the experimental (78 patients) and the control group (45 patients). 30 men were in addition surveyed who composed the healthy group. The experimental group has had a complex drug and laser therapy of various therapeutic techniques: I subgroup – intravenous laser blood irradiation (IVLT) and in II group - combined method of laser therapy (LT). Control group has had only drug therapy. The basic clinical syndromes in patients with chronic pancreatitis is the pain, incretory insufficiency, dyspeptic syndrome and asthenovegetative syndrome. The study of microcirculation was carried out by laser Doppler flowmetry on the device LAKK-02 («LAZMA» production, Russia). Heterogeneity of microcirculation types with tht reliable increase of the pathologic types – spastic, hyperemic, congestion-stasis was revealed on the examined patients. Essential improvement of microcirculation condition in patients of experimental group was established, positive influence was revealed on the basic clinical syndromes in phase of chronic pancreatitis exacerbation.
The adaptive capacity of the female body after conducting medical abortion
Authors: Алексеюк  , Alekseyuk Maksim
Published: August 2015

Based on the evaluation of the clinical course and the adaptive capabilities of the organism in the postabortion period after manual vacuum aspiration in 128 patients found that disorder of adaptation and the most frequent complications in the postabortion period observed in the production of abortion in the second phase of the suppositive menstrual cycle , especially in first time pregnant patients. In this way, the abortion in the first phase of "suppositive" menstrual cycle is the reserve for increasing the safety of abortion by MVA.
Structural Health Monitoring and Residual Life Evaluation of Complex Structures
Authors: Рябцев  , Rabtsau U. , Ротков  , Rotkov Sergey , Клименко  , Klimenko Stanislav , Венгринович  , Vengrinovich Valeriy , Прудников  , Prudnikov Andrey
Published: August 2015

The problem of accident prevention for complex structures is considered as multifactor forecasting problem, covering the tasks of Structural Health Monitoring, Non-Destructive Testing, situational modelling for joint behaviour of the object and multi sensor system in extreme cases, risk and residual life time evaluation. This task is considered as an inverse problem being solved in the Bayesian formulation. We introduce three principal characteristics of object behaviour, namely: impact, risk of direct consequences (vulnerability), and risk of indirect consequences. Interaction of the object under observation and monitoring system respectively is displayed in the form of graph, described with a matrix of transition probabilities, given opportunity to evaluate condition probability. The example is given for the calculation of residual life time for the steel cable roof of large sport building, basing on the estimate of operating reliability as a probability integral of critical parameters of detected defects.
AE Sources Localization Accuracy Improvement During Cross-country Gas Pipelines Testing
Authors: Жуков  , Zhukov Anton
Published: August 2015

Introduction. The research was carried out to improve sources localization accuracy during cross-country gas pipelines testing. The research purpose is to determine an algorithm of choice for operation frequency range, AE transducers and input filters of AE equipment for different pipeline wall thicknesses

Method. The AE signal was simulated on the pipelines with wall thickness from 8 to 24 mm. A few types of transducers with different amplitude-frequency characteristics were chosen for signal detection. Further we analyzed forms of the detected AE signals and stability of their velocity.

Results. We have established that for each pipeline wall thickness there is a proper operation frequency range, within which the velocity of AE signals is stable and predictable. For example, for the 8 mm wall thickness the optimum frequency range is from 60 to 200 kHz. The suitable transducer for work within this range is GT200. If the work is held out of stated range, the AE signal velocity is not predictable and can vary from 500 to 5100 m/s; therefore localization of AE source turns to be impossible.
Risky Business: The Decline of Defined Benefit Pensions and Firms’ Shifting of Risk
Authors: Cobb J. Adam
Published: August 2015

Since the early 1980s, employment in the United States has undergone significant transformation as the large corporations that once safeguarded employees with stable jobs and rewards for loyalty have replaced these employment relationships with ones based on cost containment and flexibility. One important consequence of these developments is that firms have abdicated their role as a critical risk bearer in society. Although evidence suggests that firms have increasingly shifted market risks onto their workforce, to date, there have been few detailed analyses exploring what factors have driven this phenomenon. This study adds to our understanding of why firms have transferred risk to their employees by examining the decline of a highly institutionalized practice wherein large U.S. firms used to bear retirement risk: the defined benefit (DB) pension plan. Through a detailed analysis, I show that variance in the presence, power, and interests of shareholders and employees at the firm level differentially affect a firm’s willingness to shift the risk of retirement onto its workers. Specifically, I demonstrate empirically that different types of shareholders have differential effects on a firm’s retirement practices, suggesting that the changing equity ownership structure of large U.S. firms has played a key role in how risk is allocated between workers and firms. Declines in employee power have also played a role because firm levels of unionization positively affect rates of DB participation for both unionized and nonunionized workers.
Catheter securing and fixation devices: do they really matter?
Authors: Yates Ann
Published: August 2015

Ann Yates believes the short answer to this question is ‘yes’. With a wide range available, it is crucial to choose a device that suits the individual needs of the patient, rather than to adopt a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach
Undertaking the Care Certificate: your personal development
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: August 2015

In the third part of a new series, Adrian Ashurst offers some practical tips around developing a personal development plan. This might include identifying individual ambitions and goals, agreeing objectives, and developing knowledge and skills
How to… deal with relationship breakdowns or bereavement
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: August 2015

In this article Adrian Ashurst discuss one of the most sensitive roles that the care home manager may have to undertake—providing support for individuals following the breakdown of a relationship or bereavement
AHP PRIORITIES AND MARKOV-CHAPMAN-KOLMOGOROV STEADY-STATES PROBABILITIES
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan
Published: August 2015

An AHP matrix of the quotients of the pair comparison priorities is transformed to a matrix of shares of the preferences which can be used in Markov stochastic modeling via the Chapman-Kolmogorov system of equations for the discrete states. It yields a general solution and the steady-state probabilities. The AHP priority vector can be interpreted as these probabilities belonging to the discrete states corresponding to the compared items. The results of stochastic modeling correspond to robust estimations of priority vectors not prone to influence of possible errors among the elements of a pairwise comparison matrix.

 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS IN SOLVING TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
Authors: Baric Danijela , Starcevic Martin
Published: August 2015

This paper presents the analysis of the implementation of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in solving problems in the area of transport. The transport sector is currently one of the most important sectors, and an efficient transport system requires continuous planning. Investments in transport infrastructure are projects that have specific characteristics. These projects have an extremely long lifetime (some thirty years), are not profit-oriented, are usually financed by the state of the local administration, and are primarily for social use. The decision-making process, which includes making decisions on investments, is extremely complex. The decision-maker has to envisage the future, and consequently make decisions in a modern and flexible manner. The methods used in the process of evaluating the investment projects in transport are numerous and usually distinguished by the optimization criteria. The projects can be evaluated through the prism of a single criterion or several criteria. The most common optimization criterion is the economic system; however, long-term and high-quality solutions require the introduction of other optimization criteria such as technological, technical, ecological and many others. Therefore, in such situations it is essential to implement multi-criteria decision methods which will eventually result in making the optimal decision. It will be determined in the paper to what extent the AHP method is implemented regarding transport problems and for which categories of transport problems.
Youngstown State University Awards Professor Birsen Karpak Title of Distinguished Professor
Authors: Ferretti Valentina
Published: August 2015

Youngstown State University awards Professor Birsen Karpak title of Distinguished Professor
Stapled haemorrhoidopexy: is it time to move on?
Authors: Aly EH
Published: August 2015

Stapled haemorrhoidectomy was proposed as an ‘ideal’ solution for symptomatic haemorrhoids, with minimal postoperative pain, no perianal wound requiring postoperative wound care and a relatively short operative time. Some randomised controlled trials and reviews confirmed these findings, claiming that stapled haemorrhoidopexy is the most effective and safe procedure for haemorrhoids. However, there are increasing number of publications highlighting that the technique is associated with serious and life threatening complications. Maybe it is now the time to accept that stapled haemorrhoidopexy has done its role in directing our attention to the fact that modern surgical treatment of haemorrhoids should avoid excision of anorectal skin but should instead aim at treatment intervention above the dentate line.
Delayed laparoscopic mesh infection presenting as an abdominal mass
Authors: Williamson JML , Newman P , Armstrong CP
Published: August 2015

A 56-year-old man presented with a delayed mesh infection 8 years following an elective laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) bilateral hernia repair. Sterile pus was drained percutaneously as a temporising measure prior to removal of the right-hand mesh; the left-sided mesh was adherent to the femoral vessels and minimally contaminated. Delayed mesh infection is a rare occurrence. This case is the fourth example and the longest following initial operation. Removal of the infected mesh is advocated.
Half Full or Half Empty: The Measurement of Mental Health and Mental Illness in Emerging Australian Adults
Authors: Teng Emmelin , Venning Anthony , Winefield Helen , Crabb Shona
Published: August 2015

Narrow approaches to the conceptualisation and measurement of ‘mental health’ are regularly but inconsistently adopted in research and practice. For example, an exclusive focus on the identification of mental illness or mental wellbeing runs the risk of failing to detect individuals with low or high levels of the other, and does nothing to represent an individual’s level of complete mental health (i.e., taking both mental wellbeing and illness into account). The current study compared three approaches to the measurement of mental health regularly applied in the literature - an exclusive mental wellbeing / an exclusive mental illness / and a complete mental health approach – to determine if they produce similar outcomes. South Australian emerging adults were recruited (N=117; M=24.4 years, SD=0.75) and categorised into four mental health groups according to the Complete State Model (CSM; Keyes & Lopez, 2002) of mental health: flourishing (complete mental health), languishing or struggling (incomplete mental health or illness), or floundering (complete mental illness) and categories were compared. Results showed that the ‘mental health’ of the sample differed depending on the measurement approach used, and lend support to a complete mental health approach to better inform, develop, and target health promotion strategies.
Detecting Long-term Drift in Reagent Lots
Authors: Liu Jiakai , Tan Chin Hon , Loh Tze Ping , Badrick Tony
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Between-reagent lot verification is a routine laboratory exercise in which a set of samples is tested in parallel with an existing reagent lot and a candidate reagent lot (before the candidate lot is committed to test patient samples). The exercise aims to verify and maintain consistency in the analytical performance of a test. We examined the limitations of a routine between-reagent lot verification procedure in detecting long-term analytical drift and looked for a more sensitive alternative.

METHOD

Via numerical simulations, we examined the statistical power of the current regression-based (weighted Deming regression) procedure for between-reagent lot verification in detecting proportional bias and constant bias. An alternative procedure applying the Student t-test to separately examine cumulative regression slopes and intercepts across multiple reagent lots was proposed and evaluated by numerical simulations.

RESULTS

The regression-based procedure had poor statistical power in detecting proportional bias and constant bias when small numbers of samples were used in each between-reagent lot verification exercise. Furthermore, the method failed to detect long-term drifts in analytical performance. The proposed approach based on the Student t-test can detect long-term (cumulative) drifts in regression slopes and intercepts. This method detected a mild downward drift in the serum sodium assay in our hospital that was missed by routine between-reagent lot verification.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed method objectively and systematically detects long-term proportional and constant bias separately. However, the statistical power of this procedure remains unsatisfactory when used with small sample sizes. Sharing of information between laboratories may provide sufficient statistical power to detect clinically important analytical shifts.
The right to the city (If You Want It): Marshall Berman and urban culture
Authors: Millington Gareth
Published: August 2015

This article examines how Marshall Berman’s writings on urban culture and politics illuminates and extends our understanding of the role that culture plays in Henri Lefebvre’s emancipatory notion of the right to the city, a role that tends to be underplayed by contemporary critical urbanists. The article begins by summarizing Lefebvre’s arguments about the importance of culture in understanding the right to the city. Next, it is suggested that Berman understands culture in two ways that are helpful in terms of augmenting Lefebvre’s arguments. The first is urban culture as spectacle and the second is culture as appropriation. The article then reviews Berman’s account of the birth of hip hop from the South Bronx in order to demonstrate how urban culture is imbricated in the right to the city before discussing the implications and challenges posed by Berman’s arguments.
Madrid’s Gran Vía: An urban cultural history and digital project
Authors: Fraser Benjamin
Published: August 2015

A major urban project begun on 4 April 1910, the Gran Vía is a street in central Madrid, Spain, constructed in three segments that connect Calle de Alcalá with the Plaza de España. Imagined on the heels of other urban reforms of the mid-to-late nineteenth century – chief among them the Puerta del Sol, which gained more recent international notoriety as the base of protests by the Indignados – the Gran Vía sought to establish Madrid as a modern European city and by extension testify to the urban modernity of the Spanish state. This famed thoroughfare has been represented in artistic products (theatre, novels, films and paintings) throughout the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries as an enduring symbol of the Spanish capital’s urban modernity. This short-form article explores the potential for social sciences and humanities approaches to combine in a site-focused, interdisciplinary approach to urban culture. At the same time, it also documents the potential of digital projects on cities to involve students and faculty in collaborative research within a new educational paradigm.