bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nervous system of Xenacoelomorpha: a genomic perspective
Authors: Perea-Atienza Elena , Gavilán Brenda , Chiodin Marta , Abril Josep F. , Hoff Katharina J. , Poustka Albert J. , Martinez Pedro
Published: February 2015

Xenacoelomorpha is, most probably, a monophyletic group that includes three clades: Acoela, Nemertodermatida and Xenoturbellida. The group still has contentious phylogenetic affinities; though most authors place it as the sister group of the remaining bilaterians, some would include it as a fourth phylum within the Deuterostomia. Over the past few years, our group, along with others, has undertaken a systematic study of the microscopic anatomy of these worms; our main aim is to understand the structure and development of the nervous system. This research plan has been aided by the use of molecular/developmental tools, the most important of which has been the sequencing of the complete genomes and transcriptomes of different members of the three clades. The data obtained has been used to analyse the evolutionary history of gene families and to study their expression patterns during development, in both space and time. A major focus of our research is the origin of ‘cephalized’ (centralized) nervous systems. How complex brains are assembled from simpler neuronal arrays has been a matter of intense debate for at least 100 years. We are now tackling this issue using Xenacoelomorpha models. These represent an ideal system for this work because the members of the three clades have nervous systems with different degrees of cephalization; from the relatively simple sub-epithelial net of Xenoturbella to the compact brain of acoels. How this process of ‘progressive’ cephalization is reflected in the genomes or transcriptomes of these three groups of animals is the subject of this paper.
The ctenophore lineage is older than sponges? That cannot be right! Or can it?
Authors: Halanych Kenneth M.
Published: February 2015

Recent phylogenetic analyses resulting from collection of whole genome data suggest that ctenophores, or comb jellies, are sister to all other animals. Even before publication, this result prompted discussion among researchers. Here, I counter common criticisms raised about this result and show that assumptions placing sponges as the basal-most extant animal lineage are based on limited evidence and questionable premises. For example, the idea that sponges are simple and the reported similarity of sponge choanocytes to Choanflagellata do not provide useful characters for determining the positions of sponges within the animal tree. Intertwined with discussion of basal metazoan phylogeny is consideration of the evolution of neuronal systems. Recent data show that neural systems of ctenophores are vastly different from those of other animals and use different sets of cellular and genetic mechanisms. Thus, neural systems appear to have at least two independent origins regardless of whether ctenophores or sponges are the earliest branching extant animal lineage.
Eye movements are coordinated with pectoral fin beats during locomotion in a marine teleost fish
Authors: Mandecki Joanna L. , Domenici Paolo
Published: February 2015

Animals must simultaneously engage multiple functional systems in order to navigate, feed, and survive in complex environments. Nearly all vertebrates perform rapid gaze-shifting eye movements called saccades, but we know little about the behaviour of saccades during rhythmic locomotion. This study examines how saccades are coordinated with locomotor movements in a pectoral-fin-propelled teleost fish, Cymatogaster aggregata, the shiner surfperch. Twelve individuals were filmed swimming in a flow tank at 10 cm s−1, and timing data were analyzed using circular statistics. Results reveal that Cymatogaster generates saccades non-uniformly throughout the pectoral fin cycle. Saccades primarily occur during fin abduction, when a large amount of thrust is produced, and rarely occur during the thrust-free refractory phase. Because vision is known to be impaired during saccades, we hypothesize that Cymatogaster synchronizes saccades with periods of high acceleration in order to stabilize retinal images during low-acceleration phases, which are nearly saccade-free.
Fenofibrate in cancer: mechanisms involved in anticancer activity
Authors: Koltai Tomas
Published: February 2015

Objective: To review the mechanisms of anti-cancer activity of fenofibrate (FF) and other Peroxisome Proliferator Activator Receptor α (PPARα) agonists based on evidences reported in the published literature.

Methods: We extensively reviewed the literature concerning FF as an off target anti-cancer drug. Controversies regarding conflicting findings were also addressed.

Results:The main mechanism involved in anti-cancer activity is anti-angiogenesis through down-regulation of  Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) and Hypoxia Inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α), inhibition of endothelial cell migration, up-regulation of endostatin and thrombospondin-1, but there are many other contributing mechanisms like apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, down-regulation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) and Protein kinase B (Akt) and decrease of cellular energy by impairing mitochondrial function. Growth impairment is related to down-regulation of Phospho-Inositol 3 Kinase (PI3K)/Akt axis and down-regulation of the p38 map kinase (MAPK) cascade. A possible role should be assigned to FF stimulated over-expression of Tribbles Homolog-3 (TRIB3) which inhibits Akt phosphorylation. Important anti-cancer and anti-metastatic activities are due to down-regulation of MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), decreased Metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) production, weak down-regulation of adhesion molecules like E selectin, intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM) and Vascular Endothelial Adhesion Molecules (VCAM), and decreased secretion of chemokines like Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and down-regulation of cyclin D-1. There is no direct link between FF activity in lipid metabolism and anticancer activity, except for the fact that many anticancer actions are dependent from PPARα agonism. FF exhibits also PPARα independent anti-cancer activities.

Conclusions: There are strong evidences indicating that FF can disrupt growth-related activities in many different cancers, due to anti-angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore FF may be useful as a complementary adjunct treatment of cancer, particularly included in anti-angiogenic protocols like those currently increasingly used in glioblastoma. There are sound reasons to initiate well planned phase II clinical trials for FF as a complementary adjunct treatment of cancer.
Case Report: Radical prostatectomy without prostate biopsy in PI-RADS 5 lesions on 3T multi-parametric MRI of the prostate gland
Authors: Keller Andrew , Kua Boon
Published: February 2015

Objective: Current practice mandates a prostate biopsy for histological confirmation of prostate cancer prior to a radical prostatectomy. Prostate biopsy, whether performed trans-rectally or trans-perineally, is an invasive procedure which typically involves an anaesthetic and has the risks of urosepsis, bleeding and haematoma. Post-biopsy inflammatory changes can also obliterate natural tissue planes thereby potentially compromising the quality of a nerve sparing procedure and increasing positive margin rates.

3T-Multi-Parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate (3T mpMRI-P) is gaining increasing acceptance in the identification and localisation of prostate cancer. In experienced centres, the positive predictive value has been reported to be as high as 95%.

Methods: Two patients with rising and elevated age- adjusted PSAs and palpable malignant prostate nodules on Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) underwent 3T mpMRI-P. Both patients had Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) 5 lesions in their peripheral zones corresponding to palpable nodules. Prostate biopsies were offered but declined by both patients. Both were satisfied that there was sufficient evidence on their PSA, DRE and 3T mpMRI-P for a diagnosis of prostate cancer without prostate biopsies and both elected to proceed to a Da Vinci Robotic Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALRP).

Results: Unilateral nerve sparing RALRPs were performed on both patients without complication. Histology demonstrated Gleason 4+4=8 and 4+3=7 prostate adenocarcinomas, with tumour volumes of 14.92cc and 4.5cc respectively.

Conclusions: In appropriately counselled patients who have a high pre-test probability of prostate cancer (rising and elevated PSA, malignant nodule on DRE and a corresponding PI-RADS 5 lesion on 3T mpMRI-P), it may be appropriate to proceed to a radical prostatectomy without a tissue diagnosis if the patients have strong reservations about prostate biopsy.
Psychometric properties of the Polish version of the brief version of Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale – assessment of depression among students
Authors: Mojs Ewa , Bartkowska Weronika , Kaczmarek Łukasz , Ziarko Michał , Bujacz Aleksandra , Warchoł-Biedermann Katarzyna
Published: February 2015

Cel

Zaburzenia depresyjne, które należą do najczęściej występujących przewlekłych zaburzeń psychicznych, dotyczą do 15% osób przed 25 rokiem życia i mogą wiązać się z szeregiem niekorzystnych zjawisk takich jak: porzucenie nauki, uzależnienia i czyny samobójcze. Z badań wynika, że studenci stanowią grupę szczególnie obciążoną ryzykiem wystąpienia depresji. Wiadomo, że wiele przypadków depresji w tej populacji pozostaje niezdiagnozowanych i nieleczonych. Z tego powodu szczególne znaczenie ma opracowanie odpowiednich metod diagnostycznych. Skala Depresji Kutchera (wersja skrócona) jest powszechnie stosowanym testem przesiewowym do wykrywania młodych osób zagrożonych depresją. Składa się z sześciu pytań dotyczących głównych objawów depresji. Celem pracy było sprawdzenie trafności teoretycznej polskiej wersji skali do oceny depresji KADS (wersja skrócona) na próbie złożonej ze studentów metodą konfirmacyjnej analizy czynnikowej.

Metoda

W badaniach wzięło udział 1589 studentów w wieku 18-24 lat, którzy anonimowo i dobrowolnie wypełnili kwestionariusz KADS oraz ankietę demograficzną. Wyniki: Konfirmacyjna analiza czynnikowa wykazała dobre dopasowanie rozwiązania jednoczynnikowego do danych empirycznych. Uzyskane parametry to SB χ² (15) = 968.688, p < .001, RMSEA = .053, CFI = .958, SRMR = .029 oraz ładunki czynnikowe w przedziale od 0,40 do 0,80.

Wyniki

Konfirmacyjna analiza czynnikowa wykazała dobre dopasowanie rozwiązania jednoczynnikowego do danych empirycznych. Uzyskane parametry to SB χ² (15) = 968.688, p < .001, RMSEA = .053, CFI = .958, SRMR = .029 oraz ładunki czynnikowe w przedziale od 0,40 do 0,80.

Wnioski

Badania wersji polskiej testu KADS w grupie studentów w wieku 18-24 lat wykazały, że test ten cechuje się trafnością teoretyczną i wysoką rzetelnością. Dalsze badania powinny zostać skoncentrowane na trafności kryterialnej narzędzia.
Effectiveness of intensive group psychotherapy in treatment of neurotic and personality disorders.
Authors: Mielimąka Michał , Rutkowski Krzysztof , Cyranka Katarzyna , Sobański Jerzy , Müldner-Nieckowski Łukasz , Dembińska Edyta , Smiatek-Mazgaj Bogna , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: February 2015

Cel

Celem badania była analiza skuteczności intensywnej (150 – 210 sesji), krótkoterminowej (10 – 14 tygodni) psychoterapii grupowej w leczeniu zaburzeń nerwicowych i wybranych zaburzeń osobowości.

Metoda

Badaniu poddano 145 pacjentów leczonych w oddziale dziennym z powodu zaburzeń nerwicowych
i wybranych zaburzeń osobowości. Pomiary wykonano dwukrotnie – na początku oraz na końcu pobytu
w oddziale. Skuteczność psychoterapii w zakresie zmniejszenia nasilenia objawów zaburzeń nerwicowych mierzono przy pomocy Kwestionariusza Objawowego „0”. Zmianę nasilenia cech osobowości charakterystycznych dla zaburzeń nerwicowych zbadano przy użyciu Kwestionariusza Osobowości Nerwicowej KON-2006.

Wyniki

Znaczną redukcję nasilenia objawów zaburzeń nerwicowych stwierdzono u 84% badanych (85,7% kobiet i 80,8% mężczyzn). 70,3% badanych uzyskało w pomiarze na końcu terapii wyniki wskazujące na poziom nasilenia objawów zaburzeń nerwicowych poniżej punktu oddzielającego populację osób zdrowych od chorych. Znaczną redukcję nasilenia cech osobowości charakterystycznie występujących u osób cierpiących z powodu zaburzeń nerwicowych stwierdzono u 76% badanych (74,5% kobiet oraz 78,7% mężczyzn). 42,8% badanych uzyskało w pomiarze przeprowadzonym na końcu terapii wartość wskaźnika nasilenia cech osobowości nerwicowej (X-KON) mieszczącą się w zakresie typowym dla populacji osób zdrowych.

Wnioski

Intensywna, krótkoterminowa psychoterapia grupowa z elementami terapii indywidualnej jest skuteczną metodą leczenia zaburzeń nerwicowych. Znaczną poprawę objawową oraz zmniejszenie nasilenia cech osobowości nerwicowej uzyskuje większość leczonych pacjentów.
“Epidemiology of mental disorders and access to mental health care. EZOP - Poland” - research methodology
Authors: Kiejna Andrzej , Adamowski Tomasz , Piotrowski Patryk , Moskalewicz Jacek , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Świątkiewicz Grażyna , Stokwiszewski Jakub , Kantorska-Janiec Monika , Zagdańska Marta , Kessler Ronald
Published: February 2015

Cel

W psychiatrii od drugiej połowy XX wieku, wraz z rozwojem ustrukturyzowanych narzędzi diagnostycznych, prowadzone są badania populacyjne z zakresu epidemiologii zaburzeń psychicznych. Szczególną rolę odgrywa tutaj Światowa Inicjatywa ds. Badań Zdrowia Psychicznego – World Mental Health Survey Initiative (WMH), która zrzesza grupę krajów z różnych kontynentów w celu realizacji badań według ujednoliconej metodologii z zastosowaniem Złożonego Międzynarodowego Kwestionariusza Diagnostycznego (Composite International Diagnostic Interview, CIDI). Do krajów tych dołączyła też Polska dzięki badaniu EZOP, które przeprowadzono zgodnie z wytycznymi WMH. Projekt był realizowany w ramach Norweskiego Mechanizmu Finansowego oraz Mechanizmów Finansowych Europejskiego Obszaru Gospodarczego. Jego celem było oszacowanie rozpowszechnienia wybranych zaburzeń psychicznych w dorosłej populacji Polski, ocena dystansu społecznego do zaburzeń psychicznych oraz uzyskanie wiedzy na temat społecznej percepcji lecznictwa psychiatrycznego.

Metoda

Narzędziem badawczym była polska wersja kwestionariusza CIDI – WHO CIDI ver. 3.0., która została opracowana na rzecz projektu. Badanie zostało przeprowadzone zgodnie z obowiązującymi wytycznymi WMH (wywiady kognitywne, szkolenia ankieterów, standaryzacja procedur terenowych) z wykorzystaniem kwestionariusza w wersji elektronicznej CAPI narzędzia CIDI w ramach 2-etapowo wylosowanej reprezentatywnej próby mieszkańców Polski w wieku 18-64 lata. Oprócz rutynowej kontroli przebiegu badania przez MB SMG/KRC, jego realizacja była systematycznie monitorowana przez Zakład-Centrum Monitorowania i Analiz Stanu Zdrowia Ludności NIZP-PZH, gdzie przygotowano surową bazę danych obejmującą 10 081 wywiadów. Polska baza danych została poddana kontroli wg standardów WMH, w jego centrum analitycznym, w którym wprowadzono również nowe zmienne oparte na algorytmach diagnostycznych w DSM-IV i ICD-10.

Wyniki

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Wnioski

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The place of quetiapine extended release in the treatment of mental disorders
Authors: Styczeń Krzysztof , Datka Wojciech , Jaeschke Rafał , Drozdowicz Katarzyna , Siwek Marcin , Dudek Dominika
Published: February 2015

W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono podsumowanie dostępnych danych na temat zastosowań kwetiapiny o przedłużonym uwalnianiu (quetiapine extended-release – QUE-XR). QUE-XR jest przykładem atypowego leku przeciwpsychotycznego, który można stosować w jednej dawce, tym samym upraszczając schemat terapii. Jest to bardzo ważna kwestia terapeutyczna, ponieważ ok. 50% chorych ma problemy ze stosowaniem się do zaleceń lekarskich, zatem dostępność wygodnego w przyjmowaniu preparatu może istotnie poprawić wyniki leczenia. Z uwagi na działanie przeciwpsychotyczne, przeciwdepresyjne, normotymiczne i przeciwlękowe QUE-XR wydaje się być obiecującym lekiem, o potencjalnie szerokim zastosowaniu (u chorych na schizofrenię, chorobę afektywną dwubiegunową, dużą depresję lub niektóre zaburzenia lękowe – zarówno w ostrej fazie terapii, jak i w leczeniu podtrzymującym). Wartą uwagi cechą QUE-XR jest również pozytywny wpływ na jakość snu, a także wg niektórych badań poprawa jakości życia pacjentów. Ze względu na prosty schemat dawkowania QUE-XR, prowadzenie terapii z użyciem tego leku może przyczyniać się do poprawy współpracy w procesie leczenia. Jednak nadal podstawowym klinicznym kryterium wyboru rodzaju preparatu kwetiapiny powinny być: indywidualne preferencje pacjenta oraz wiedza i doświadczenie lekarza prowadzącego.
The study of the Polish version of the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Disgust Sensitivity (QADS).
Authors: Szewczuk - Bogusławska Monika , Słowińska Aleksandra , Bąk Olga , Oleszkowicz Anna , Kasibowska-Kuźniar Kamilla , Dudek Krzysztof , Stępień Agnieszka , Kaliszewski Krzysztof , Timler Dariusz , Zyśko Dorota
Published: February 2015

Cel

Wstręt jako jedna z podstawowych emocji jest przedmiotem badań psychologicznych i psychiatrycznych. Do oceny nasilenia emocji wstrętu powstało kilka narzędzi kwestionariuszowych, których wartość psychometryczną testowano w różnych badaniach. Celem badania była ocena wskaźników psychometrycznych Kwestionariusza Oceny Wrażliwości na Wstręt , który jest polską adaptacją narzędzia opracowanego w Niemczech (Questionnaire for the Assesment of Disgust Sensivity).

Metoda

Kwestionariusz Oceny Wrażliwości na Wstręt wypełniło 820 osób, w tym 631 kobiet (76,8%) i 189 mężczyzn (23%) w wieku od 18 do 69 roku życia (średnia = 27,7). Kwestionariusz podzielony jest na 3 podskale: Wstręt Podstawowy, Wstręt Zwierzęcej Natury oraz Wstręt Zakażenia/Interpersonalny. Kwestionariusz zawiera łącznie 37 stwierdzeń , w których nasilenie uczucia wstrętu oceniane jest na pięciopunktowej skali Likerta (od 1 do 5).

Wyniki

Konfirmacyjna analiza czynnikowa potwierdziła zasadność wyróżnienia trzech podskal: Wstręt Podstawowy, Wstręt do Natury Zwierzęcej oraz Wstręt Zakażenia/Interpersonalny. Inne wskaźniki psychometryczne narzędzia są także zgodne z wersją oryginalną (wysokie interkorelacje między podskalami, wysoka rzetelność). Współczynnik rzetelności ( Cronbacha) w polskiej wersji osiągnął zbliżoną wartość do wersji oryginalnej, zarówno w odniesieniu do całego testu ( Cronbacha = 0,94) jak i dla poszczególnych podskal – co świadczy o wysokiej spójności tego narzędzia.Kobiety charakteryzowały się wyższym poziomem wstrętu niż mężczyźni.

Wnioski

Wskaźniki psychometryczne polskiej wersji są zadowalające, aby rekomendować to narzędzie do badań naukowych i diagnostycznych.
From the Editors
Authors: Dudek Dominika , Sobański Jerzy , Klasa Katarzyna
Published: February 2015

Od redakcji
Evaluation of Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic and Open Pyeloplasty in Children: Single-Surgeon Experience
Authors: Murthy P , Cohn JA , Gundeti MS
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP), the most commonly undertaken paediatric robotic urologic surgery, has not been compared against open pyeloplasty (OPN) by a single surgeon. Here, we describe our experience and outcomes.

Methods

Children undergoing RALP or OPN from 2007 to 2013 were reviewed. Clinical success was defined as resolution of presenting symptoms and improved/stable hydronephrosis on ultrasound.

Results

RALP and OPN cohorts comprised 52 and 40 patients, respectively. RALP patients were significantly older (6.8 vs 1.2 years, p<0.01) and heavier (28.4 vs 8.4 kg, p<0.01). Operative times for RALP were longer (203.3 vs 135.0 min, p<0.01), but decreased significantly with increasing experience (r2=0.42, p<0.01). Seven type-IIIb Clavien–Dindo complications occurred in RALP patients compared with two in OPN cases. There were no differences in postoperative narcotic administration (p=0.92) or duration of stay in hospital (DOSH) (p=0.93). A total of 11/40 (28%) OPN patients required epidural analgesia but none were placed in the RALP cohort. A total of 49/52 (94%) RALP patients and 40/40 OPN cases had successful outcomes. Three RALP patients required revision RALP.

Conclusions

These data show that outcomes for RALP and OPN were comparable. An initial learning curve with RALP is to be expected, but operative times for RALP approached those for OPN. Previously reported benefits of RALP (reduced analgesic requirements, DOSH) were not observed. This difference may have been due to comparison of a heterogeneous cohort. Close evaluation of complications allowed for improved placement of stents in RALP.
Current Outcomes of Emergency Large Bowel Surgery
Authors: Ng HJ , Yule M , Twoon M , Binnie NR , Aly EH
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Emergency large bowel surgery (ELBS) is known to carry an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Previous studies have reported morbidity and mortality rates up to 14.3%. However, there has not been a recent study to document the outcomes of ELBS following several major changes in surgical training and provision of emergency surgery. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the current outcomes of ELBS.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of a prospectively maintained database of the clinical records of all patients who had ELBS between 2006 and 2013. Data pertaining to patient demographics, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) grade, diagnosis, surgical procedure performed, grade of operating surgeon and assistant, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were analysed.

Results

A total of 202 patients underwent ELBS during the study period. The mean patient age was 62 years and the most common cause was colonic carcinoma (n=67, 33%). There were 32 patients (15.8%) who presented with obstruction and 64 (31.7%) had bowel perforation. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 14.8% (n=30). A consultant surgeon was involved in 187 cases (92.6%) as either first operator, assistant or available in theatre.

Conclusions

ELBS continues to carry a high risk despite several major changes in the provision of emergency surgery. Further developments are needed to improve postoperative outcomes in these patients.
The Epidemiology of and Outcome from Pancreatoduodenal Trauma in the UK, 1989–2013
Authors: O’Reilly DA , Bouamra O , Kausar A , Dickson EJ , Lecky F
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Pancreatoduodenal (PD) injury is an uncommon but serious complication of blunt and penetrating trauma, associated with high mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, mechanisms of injury, initial operation rates and outcome of patients who sustained PD trauma in the UK from a large trauma registry, over the period 1989–2013.

Methods

The Trauma Audit and Research Network database was searched for details of any patient with blunt or penetrating trauma to the pancreas, duodenum or both.

Results

Of 356,534 trauma cases, 1,155 (0.32%) sustained PD trauma. The median patient age was 27 years for blunt trauma and 27.5 years for penetrating trauma. The male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1. Blunt trauma was the most common type of injury seen, with a ratio of blunt-to-penetrating PD injury ratio of 3.6:1. Road traffic collision was the most common mechanism of injury, accounting for 673 cases (58.3%). The median injury severity score (ISS) was 25 (IQR: 14–35) for blunt trauma and 14 (IQR: 9–18) for penetrating trauma. The mortality rate for blunt PD trauma was 17.6%; it was 12.2% for penetrating PD trauma. Variables predicting mortality after pancreatic trauma were increasing age, ISS, haemodynamic compromise and not having undergone an operation.

Conclusions

Isolated pancreatic injuries are uncommon; most coexist with other injuries. In the UK, a high proportion of cases are due to blunt trauma, which differs from US and South African series. Mortality is high in the UK but comparison with other surgical series is difficult because of selection bias in their datasets.
When might an operative complication be regarded as acceptable? Part 1: Surgical factors that influence courts when finding fault during litigation
Authors: Wheeler R , Blackburn S , Biggs H
Published: February 2015

In cases where surgeons face litigation over operative misadventure, the result of a trial is uncertain. In order to identify factors in cases of surgical litigation that have influenced the final decision of the courts, we have reviewed recent reported cases, noting both surgical and evidential influences on outcome. Taken together, these reveal that among other influential factors, the acceptability of more than one reasonable operative approach, the court’s approach to inappropriate delegation and the uncertainties of expert evidence all play a role in the determination of the case.
Left-Sided Early-Onset vs Late-Onset Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Pilozzi Emanuela , Maresca Carmen , Duranti Enrico , Giustiniani Maria Cristina , Catalanotto Caterina , Lucarelli Marco , Cogoni Carlo , Ferri Mario , Ruco Luigi , Zardo Giuseppe
Published: February 2015

Objectives:

Carcinomas of the left colon represent a neoplasm of older patients (late onset), but epidemiologic evidence has been showing an increasing incidence in patients 50 years or younger (early onset). In this study, we investigate pathologic and molecular features of early- and late-onset carcinoma of the left colon.

Methods:

We selected 22 patients 50 years or younger and 21 patients 70 years or older with left-sided colorectal carcinoma (CRC). All samples were evaluated for pathologic features, microsatellite instability, and KRAS and BRAF mutations. Moreover, both groups were analyzed to identify CpG island methylator phenotype features and assessed with restriction landmark genome scanning (RLGS) to unveil differential DNA methylation patterns.

Results:

Early-onset patients had advanced pathologic stages compared with late-onset patients (P = .0482). All cases showed a microsatellite stable profile and BRAF wild-type sequence. Early-onset patients (43%) more frequently had mutations at KRAS codon 12 compared with late-onset patients (14%) (P =.0413). RLGS showed that patients younger than 50 years who had CRC had a significantly lower percentage of methylated loci than did patients 70 years or older (P = .04124), and differential methylation of several genomic loci was observed in the two groups.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that left-sided CRCs may present differential patterns of aberrant DNA methylation when they are separated by age.
VE1 Antibody Is Not Highly Specific for the BRAF V600E Mutation in Thyroid Cytology Categories With the Exception of Malignant Cases
Authors: Lee Sang-Ryung , Yim Hyunee , Han Jae Ho , Lee Kyi Beom , Lee Jeonghun , Soh Euy Young , Kim Dae Jung , Chung Yoon-Sok , Jeong Seon-Yong , Sheen Seung Soo , Park So Hyun , Kim Jang-Hee
Published: February 2015

Objectives:

We evaluated the utility of the VE1 antibody that can detect a mutant protein resulting from the BRAF V600E mutation as a diagnostic tool for thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

Methods:

We performed VE1 immunocytochemistry on 202 FNAC specimens from surgically confirmed thyroid nodules. The results were compared with the molecular analyses of the BRAF mutation in these specimens matched with their corresponding histology.

Results:

Diagnoses of FNAC specimens included benign (9.4%), atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (11.4%), follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (2.0%), suspicious for malignancy (9.4%), and malignancy (65.8%). VE1 immunostaining was positive in 71.3% of FNAC specimens. The overall sensitivity of the VE1 antibody was 88.8%, specificity was 71.2%, positive predictive value was 88.2%, negative predictive value was 72.4%, and diagnostic accuracy was 83.7%.

Conclusions:

VE1 immunocytochemistry in thyroid FNAC as a screening test for BRAF mutations is highly specific for malignant category cases but can be suboptimal due to its high false-positive rate for the nonmalignant cases.
Visual Memory Effects on Intraoperator Study Design
Authors: Campbell W. Scott , Talmon Geoffrey A. , Foster Kirk W. , Baker John J. , Smith Lynette M. , Hinrichs Steven H.
Published: February 2015

Objectives:

The objective of this research was to determine test intervals between intraoperator case reviews to minimize the impact of recall.

Methods:

Three pathologists were presented with a group of 120 slides and subsequently challenged with a study set of 120 slides after 2-week and 4-week intervals. The challenge set consisted of 60 slides seen during the initial review and 60 slides previously unseen within the study. Pathologists rendered a diagnosis for each slide and indicated whether they recalled seeing the slide previously (yes/no).

Results:

Two weeks after having been shown 60 cases from a challenge set of 120 cases, the pathologists correctly remembered 26, 22, and 24 cases or 40% overall. After 4 weeks, the pathologists correctly recalled 31% of cases previously seen.

Conclusions:

Pathologists were capable of recalling from memory cases seen previously at 2 and 4 weeks. Recall rates may be sufficiently high to affect intraobserver study design.
Measuring the success of facilitated engagement between knowledge producers and users: a validated scale
Authors: Dwan Kathryn Madonna , McInnes Peter , Mazumdar Soumya
Published: February 2015

Researchers are increasingly being asked to demonstrate the impact of their research on policy. Unfortunately, evidence on what works is scarce because it is rarely reported and evaluated. This paper describes a programme of facilitated engagement between knowledge producers and users on topics of joint research and policy interest, and validates a six-item evaluation instrument. Our results confirm a simple instrument can be used to assess the effectiveness and relevance of presentations and to gauge the users’ receptivity to research. The success of our knowledge mobilisation strategy relies upon a favourable alignment of the social, political and economic contexts.
Measuring the effectiveness of knowledge creation activity as a means to facilitate evidence-informed practice: a study of early years settings in Camden, London
Authors: Brown Chris , Rogers Sue
Published: February 2015

This paper has two key aims. First, it examines the authors’ attempts to use knowledge creation activity as a way of developing evidence-informed practice amongst a learning community of 36 early years practitioners in Camden, London. Second, it illustrates how the authors approached the idea of measuring evidence use and our engagement with two separate measurement scales; the trustworthiness of which are subsequently tested in interviews and observation data. Our findings are encouraging, suggesting that knowledge creation activity provides an effective way of communicating research; also, that our measurement scales provide meaningful ways to ascertain levels of expertise in evidence use.
Developing an evidence-informed support service for schools – reflections on a UK model
Authors: Sharples Jonathan , Sheard Mary
Published: February 2015

This paper reports on a ‘proof-of-concept’ for evidence-informed practice, whereby schools are provided with tailored support in accessing research evidence and help in implementing evidencebased approaches. Two aspects of intermediary brokerage are explored: a) creating tailored summary materials for schools, based on education research, and b) developing an iterative process of engagement, whereby leadership teams interact with this information and relate it to practice. The model supports an emerging view of research use as a dynamic and social process, which is enhanced by supportive interactions between research providers and users.
The intergenerational transmission of fatherhood: perspectives from the UK and Italy
Authors: Bosoni Maria Letizia , Baker Sarah
Published: February 2015

This article explores the issue of intergenerational transmission of caring practices and parental style, focusing specifically on findings from various research studies on men and fathers in the United Kingdom and Italy. It considers the tension between change and continuity in the context of fathering/fatherhood and family practices through an intergenerational lens, it discusses key cultural differences and similarities between the two countries, and it critically examines the language and semantics of the ‘new’ fatherhood discourse.
Embryo Genome Profiling by Single-Cell Sequencing for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis in a β-Thalassemia Family
Authors: Xu Yanwen , Chen Shengpei , Yin Xuyang , Shen Xiaoting , Pan Xiaoyu , Chen Fang , Jiang Hui , Liang Yu , Wang Wei , Xu Xun , Wang Jian , Zhang Xiuqing , Zhou Canquan , Wang Jun
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

The embryonic genome, including genotypes and haplotypes, contains all the information for preimplantation genetic diagnosis, representing great potential for mendelian disorder carriers to conceive healthy babies.

METHODS

We developed a strategy to obtain the full embryonic genome for a β-thalassemia–carrier couple to have a healthy second baby. We carried out sequencing for single blastomere cells and the family trio and further developed the analysis pipeline, including recovery of the missing alleles, removal of the majority of errors, and phasing of the embryonic genome.

RESULTS

The final accuracy for homozygous and heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms reached 99.62% and 98.39%, respectively. The aneuploidies of embryos were detected as well. Based on the comprehensive embryonic genome, we effectively performed whole-genome mendelian disorder diagnosis and human leukocyte antigen matching tests.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study in a β-thalassemia family demonstrates a method for embryo genome recovery through single-cell sequencing, which permits detection of genetic variations in preimplantation genetic diagnosis. It shows the potential of single-cell sequencing technology in preimplantation genetic diagnosis clinical practices.
Food in the British immigrant experience
Authors: Kershen Anne J.
Published: February 2015

The relationship between migration and food is one that takes many forms. For the migrant in Britain food has played a much greater role than simply providing nourishment on a regular basis. This article illustrates the way in which, for migrants, food has contributed to the construction and perception of outsider identity; how it has been used as a weapon by the racist and xenophobic, yet for other incomers has been the source of entrepreneurial wealth. In addition, it highlights the way in which food has contributed to cultural fusion and cultural separation as well as to religious tolerance and antipathy.
The impacts of power domains on irregular migrants as seen in La vida precoz y breve de Sabina Rivas
Authors: Mejía Glenda
Published: February 2015

This article analyses a recent Latin American film by Luis Mandoki, La vida precoz y breve de Sabina Rivas/The Precocious and Brief Life of Sabina Rivas (2012), whose main character, a 16-year-old Honduran girl, is exploited and prostituted. This article explores the issues of oppression, intersectionality and border crossings as depicted in this film. I examine how this film deals with the portrayal of intersecting systems of oppression (e.g. race, social class, gender and age) and interrelated domains of power (structural, disciplinary, hegemonic and interpersonal) that structure irregular migrants’ experience at the border. Irregular migration at the Guatemala-Mexican and Mexican-United States borders is commonly associated with oppressive treatment and the abuse of authority. Therefore, my analysis of this film also demonstrates the complex ways in which young irregular migrants are subjected to many forms of abuse by the authorities in power at the border-crossings.
Fernando Pessoa’s heteronyms: A nationhood of ‘invisible translators’
Authors: Sousa Lisandra
Published: February 2015

This article argues that Portuguese modernist writer Fernando Pessoa reconceptualizes the nation in modernity. For this, the article explores how Pessoa’s heteronyms (poetic personas) reveal a nationhood of ‘invisible translators’ in a transnational space, for the purpose of cultural transformation. In this way, Pessoa advances with a mapping of the nation that includes diasporas, émigrés, exiles and all of those who, in the Portuguese language, contribute to the transformation of culture from beyond the frontiers and territories of nation states. The heteronyms’ translational dialogue in Portuguese acknowledges the transits of nationals in modernity beyond the national narrative of dispersal in the world found in Luís de Vaz Camões Portuguese epic Os Lusíadas. This Camonean narrative persists as the primordial source of identity for the Portuguese nation, as it portrays Portugal’s oceanic expansion. In contrast, Pessoa’s reconceptualization of nationhood in modernity suggests a nationhood of translational Portuguese in the twentieth century.
Ubiquitous Technology in the Media Age and the Ideal of Sustainability
Authors: Gumpert Gary , Drucker Susan
Published: February 2015

Ideas about sustainability can be distilled into two primary strands: (a) the sustainable media environment in which communication technology is seen as a fundamental social and economic force, and (b) sustainable development in which community, self-sufficiency, and conservation are key partners associated with the focus on local conditions, including natural resources, politics, features of the community, and quality of life. The problem is that the two perspectives are seldom linked, but must be if 21st century sustainability is to be achieved. Media environment and community are inextricably bound.
How to Quit Smoking Using Only Your Cell Phone
Authors: Schuchardt Read Mercer
Published: February 2015

The symbolic role of mobile phones and smoking in modern adolescent cultures needs to be studied.
Walter J. Ong, Sj (1912-2003): Some Personal Reflections
Authors: Farrell Thomas J.
Published: February 2015

Walter J. Ong, SJ (1912-2003) outlived his former teacher and friend Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) by more than two decades. Never publicized by the popular media to the extent McLuhan was, Ong’s star in the galaxy of notable persons rose in the 1960s alongside that of his far more publicized friend. But Ong further established his stellar reputation by publishing two impressive 350-page collections of essays in the 1970s and three book-length studies in the 1980s, including Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word (1982), his most widely known work. Thus, he lived a long and remarkably productive life. In the first part of this article, I recount my experiences in taking courses from Ong at Saint Louis University in the 1960s and some subsequent experiences as well. Then in the second part, I set forth my personal reflections on the importance of various themes in Ong’s extensive body of work from the 1940s through 2002.
The Profession of Walter Ong
Authors: Zlatic Thomas D.
Published: February 2015

The consummate scholar, Walter J. Ong wrote with clarity and grace detailed investigations and far-reaching speculations within a dozen disciplines. But Ong not only presented a model for how scholarship should be done; he also modeled a rationale for why it should be done. He urged that scholarship be dialogue, conversation rooted in I-thou relationships, with a recognition of the historicity of all human knowing, the radical incompleteness of all human utterance, and the consequent need to interpret all statement within the living present. His own scholarship is an expression of his personalist philosophical leanings and his Incarnational Christian beliefs, but those who do not share his philosophical and religious orientations can still appreciate his remarkable insights and profit from the example he gave for how teaching and scholarship are anchored in trust. This personalism is a motivation for Ong’s several investigations into media ecology, into the transformations of the word. The promise of electronic technology, with its implications of secondary orality, is not a return to a primitive or pristine oral-aural psychodynamics, but rather an attempt, through reflection, to find how, within an evolving consciousness and evolving world, new media can promote personalist encounters in original ways.
The Orality of Business: Acting on the Edge of Literate Culture
Authors: Cyphert Dale
Published: February 2015

Long-standing enmities abound between the Enlightenment spheres of economic, moral, and civic society. Walter Ong’s notion of orality as a rhetorical mindset, which encompasses social, epistemological, and discursive elements, casts these conflicts in terms of communication culture.
Rewriting Literacy: How Contemporary Media Influence Young Adult Interest in Reading and Writing
Authors: Ramos Lori
Published: February 2015

This article suggests some ways of understanding how young adult perceptions of literacy are shaped by the present media environment. It begins with a brief description of the modes of learning and knowing that have characterized oral cultures on the one hand and print-literate cultures on the other. Finally, I argue that our present multimedia environment has fostered orally biased conceptions and approaches to writing among today’s young adults.
Ong, Interiority, and the Narrative Turn in Psychology
Authors: Hevern, SJ Vincent W.
Published: February 2015

Ong explored the role of the spoken voice as it relates to human interiority as well as the psychological effects of writing’s development in fostering exteriority, a loss of voice, and a preference for the visible and objectively observable. Ong’s analyses offer potential insights for contemporary psychology’s rejection of radical positivism and its turn to discourse, narrative production, and the recovery of voice in individual human experience. Furthermore, his investigations of technology’s impact on human noetic processes address crucial questions about human differences in various fields of cross-cultural and ethnic psychological research.
Being in Communication: Walter Ong’s Orality and Speech Pedagogy
Authors: Haynes W. Lance
Published: February 2015

Walter Ong’s depiction of oral mind and culture reveals the importance of and the means to distinguish the discipline of speech as antecedent and corrective to disciplines and practices later engendered by literacy.
Reviews
Authors: Tropp Laura
Published: February 2015

Wasser, Frederick. Veni, Vidi, Video: The Hollywood Empire and the VCR. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2002. 270 pp. Cloth $50.00, ISBN 0-292-79145-3. Paper $22.95, ISBN 0-292-79146-1.
Testing for Wilson's quantum field theory in less than 4 dimensions
Authors: Tao Yong
Published: February 2015

Wilson's quantum field theory (QFT) in less than 4 dimensions has achieved a great success in the study of critical phenomenon but is still not tested within the scope of particle physics. To guarantee the validity of Wilson's QFT in less than 4 dimensions, Newton–Leibniz's differential-integral formulas must be extended to the noninteger dimensional situation. We show that this leads to a new prediction that Planck's constant will be expressed in terms of three fundamental constants: critical time scale, dimension of time axis, and total energy of universe. We propose the corresponding methods to measure these three constants. It will be thus interesting to compare the well-known value of Planck's constant with the potential theoretical value consisting of three fundamental constants.
Presepsin as a potential marker for bacterial infection relapse in critical care patients. A preliminary study
Authors: Sargentini Valeria , Ceccarelli Giancarlo , D’Alessandro Mariadomenica , Collepardo Daniela , Morelli Andrea , D’Egidio Annalia , Mariotti Sabrina , Nicoletti Anna Maria , Evangelista Berta , D’Ettorre Gabriella , Angeloni Antonio , Venditti Mario , Bachetoni Alessandra
Published: February 2015

Systemic bacterial infection carries a high risk of mortality in critical care patients. Improvements in diagnostic procedures are required for effective management of sepsis. Recently, the soluble CD14 subtype, or presepsin, has been suggested as a reliable marker of sepsis, and we set out to compare its diagnostic performance with that of procalcitonin (PCT). We focused on a cohort of septic patients who, during their hospitalization, relapsed after a period of clinical relief from symptoms.

In total 21 adult patients were studied during their hospitalization in the Critical Care Unit of Policlinico Umberto I hospital; 74 plasma samples were collected at multiple time points, and presepsin levels were measured using a PATHFAST

Presepsin and PCT were significantly lower in healthy controls than in sepsis or severe sepsis (p<0.001), both enabled a significant difference to be detected between systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and severe sepsis (p<0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) calculated from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was 0.888 for presepsin and 0.910 for PCT. In those patients in whom a clinical recurrence of sepsis was observed, while PCT levels normalized during the transient remission phase, presepsin levels (>1000 pg/mL) remained high.

This study confirms the importance of monitoring a combination of several biomarkers in order to obtain a reliable diagnosis. Maximal presepsin levels could alert clinicians not to suspend antibiotic treatments and to carefully monitor septic patients’ state of health, even after clinical symptoms have disappeared and PCT levels returned to normal.
Analysis of degradation products in rayon spinning baths
Authors: Liftinger Eva , Zweckmair Thomas , Schild Gabriele , Eilenberger Gottfried , Böhmdorfer Stefan , Rosenau Thomas , Potthast Antje
Published: February 2015

An analytical method for the determination and quantification of the main organic degradation products of viscose spinning baths was outlined herein and successfully applied. Samples were ethoximated and silylated for GC-MS analysis. The main challenge in the analysis was the quantification of the degradation products because standard compounds are often not commercially available. Analyte recovery was optimized with regard to pH and lyophilization conditions. Given that the spinning bath analytes showed a very broad range of volatility, internal standardization by the degradation product of uniformly 13C-labeled glucose in alkaline media was used. This approach allowed for the first time for the accounting of a major part of the organic components in the viscose spinning baths. On average, 57% of total organic carbon was characterized by quantifying 21 individual substances. The methodology opens new perspectives of keeping track of the formation and origin of organic degradation products. It is a prerequisite to all further efforts to avoid contamination of the spinning bath and achieve a higher product quality and a better closure of process cycles. Furthermore, it can be easily applied to other highly complex industrial process streams involving polysaccharide degradation products as they are emerging, for instance, in biorefineries.