bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Rights: Why Countries Differ
Authors: Rindermann Heiner , Carl Noah
Published: March 2018

Countries differ with respect to human rights. Using the cross-countryciridata (Cingranelli & Richards), the authors tested two theories. The cognitive-moral enlightenment theory going back to Piaget and Socrates postulates that individuals and nations with higher levels of cognitive ability think and behave in a way more conducive to human rights. The culture-religion theory going back to Weber, Sombart and Voltaire postulates that different religious beliefs shape attitudes, and propel societies toward institutions that are more or less supportive of human rights. Cognitive ability had a positive impact on human rights but its effect varied depending on the country sample. More important was religion, both in cross-sectional and longitudinal models. Percentage of Christians had a positive impact (r= .62, total effectβ= .63), percentage of Muslims had a negative one (r= −.57, total effectβ= −.59). Political institutions are highly correlated with human rights, but religion is the decisive background factor.
Social Topography for Sustainable Innovation Policy: Putting Institutions, Social Networks and Cognitive Frames in Their Place
Authors: Modic Dolores , Rončević Borut
Published: March 2018

Building upon social fields theory, the authors analyze the impact of the three social forces – institutions, social networks and cognitive frames – on the social topography of regional innovation systems. Unlike previous studies, which focused on individual social force, the authors’ fuzzy-set comparative analysis of fifteen diverse regions from four continents reveals nuanced impact of individual forces and shows that a well-functioning regional innovation system is the outcome of their combined influence. This implies a need for a coherent, reflexive, context-specific and multi-level innovation policy that supports the balanced development of an institutional framework, encourages the formation of social networks and enables supportive cognitive frames.
Wireless charging with textiles through harvesting and storing energy from body movement
Authors: Jeong Min Joo , Park Kunho , Baek Jong Jin , Kim Se Woong , Kim Youn Tae
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a wireless charging method based on textiles through harvesting and storing energy from human movement. The proposed method uses resonant coils made of a conductive yarn and a flexible printed circuit board. The conductive yarn consists of polyurethane-coated copper and polyester filaments. The transmission characteristics of the resonant coils, which were worn on the arm of a human body, were evaluated using simulation and measurement tools. It was determined that the change in the resonant frequency of the conductive-yarn resonant coils can be obtained from the coil length, stitch intervals, and fabric thickness using equations. The measured resonant frequencies of the sending and receiving coils were designed to achieve a resonant frequency of 13.56 MHz when the coils are worn. The resonant coils were worn on the arm of a subject, who moved at various speeds, and the transmission efficiency was measured using an alternating current–direct current converter. The measurement results showed a maximum transmission efficiency of 55.1%, even though the resonant coils were worn around the arm and not the leg, and an average transmission efficiency of 52.1% when the subject was moving at a speed of 6 km/h.
Effectiveness of treatment regimens for Typhoid fever in the nalidixic acid-resistant S. typhi (NARST) era in South India
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Rini , Balaji Veeraghavan , Yadav Bijesh , Jasmine Sudha , Sathyendra Sowmya , Rupali Priscilla
Published: March 2018

The epidemiology of typhoid fever in South Asia has changed. Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella typhi ( S. typhi) is now frequently resistant to nalidixic acid and thus labelled NARST. Treatment failure with the use of fluoroquinolones has been widely noted, forcing clinicians to adopt alternative treatment strategies. In this observational study, we looked at various treatment regimens and correlated clinical and microbiological outcomes. In 146 hospitalised adults, the median minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for ciprofloxacin was 0.38 µg/mL with a median fever clearance time (FCT) of eight days (range = 2–35 days). Of the regimens used, gatifloxacin and azithromycin had a shorter FCT of six days compared to ceftriaxone (ten days; P < 0.001). Though mortality and relapse in our cohort was low, NARST seemed to correlate with mortality ( P = 0.006). Gatifloxacin or azithromycin clearly emerge as the drugs of choice for treatment of typhoid in South India.
Clinical significance of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome: A retrospective case-control study
Authors: Shimoda Masami , Oda Shinri , Shigematsu Hideaki , Hoshikawa Kaori , Imai Masaaki , Komatsu Fuminari , Hirayama Akihiro , Osada Takahiro
Published: March 2018

Introduction

We previously reported centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction at the time of thunderclap headache remission in patients with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Here we examine the clinical significance of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction.

Methods

Participants comprised 48 patients who underwent magnetic resonance angiography within 72 h of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome onset and within 48 h of thunderclap headache remission.

Results

In 24 of the 48 patients (50%), centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction occurred on magnetic resonance angiography at the time of thunderclap headache remission. The interval from first to last thunderclap headache in patients with centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction (14 ± 10 days) was significantly longer than that of patients without centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction (4 ± 2 days). In the patients with centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction at the time of thunderclap headache remission, the incidence of another cerebral lesion (38%, 9 of 24 cases) was significantly higher than in patients without centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction (0%). From findings of sequential magnetic resonance angiography before and after thunderclap headache remission, we observed tendencies in which centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction gradually progressed after the onset of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and peaked at the time of thunderclap headache remission. The progress of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction concluded with thunderclap headache remission.

Conclusions

Centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction has clinical significance as an indicator of the severity of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. The presence of centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction is associated with an increased risk of brain lesions and a longer interval from first to last thunderclap headache. Moreover, repeat magnetic resonance angiography to assess centripetal propagation of vasoconstriction during the time from onset to thunderclap headache remission can help diagnose reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.
Alteration of Knee Kinematics After Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Is Dependent on Associated Meniscal Injury
Authors: Akpinar Berkcan , Thorhauer Eric , Irrgang James J. , Tashman Scott , Fu Freddie H. , Anderst William J.
Published: March 2018

Background:

Limited in vivo kinematic information exists on managing meniscal injury during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Hypothesis:

Isolated anatomic ACLR restores knee kinematics, whereas ACLR in the presence of medial meniscal injury is associated with altered long-term knee kinematics.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

From March 2011 to December 2012, 49 of 57 participants in a clinical trial underwent anatomic ACLR with successful kinematic testing at 24 months after ACLR. Twenty-five patients had associated meniscal tears: medial (n = 11), lateral (n = 9), or bilateral (n = 5). With a dynamic stereo radiography system with superimposed high-resolution computed tomography scans of patient knees, kinematics were measured during downhill running. The initial single-support phase of the gait cycle (0%-10%) was analyzed.

Results:

Anterior tibial translation (ATT) was the only kinematic outcome between patients’ ACLR and contralateral knees that had significant interactions among meniscal groups ( P = .007). There was significant difference in ATT between patients with intact menisci and medial tears ( P = .036) and with medial tears and lateral tears ( P = .025). Patients with intact menisci had no difference in ATT, with a negligible effect size between the ACLR and contralateral knees (mean ± SEM: 13.1 ± 0.7 mm vs 12.6 ± 0.5 mm, P = .24, Cohen d = 0.15, n = 24), while patients with medial meniscal tears had an increase in ATT, with a medium effect size between the ACLR and contralateral knees (15.4 ± 1.0 mm vs 13.2 ± 1.0 mm, P = .024, Cohen d = 0.66, n = 11).

Conclusion:

Associated medial meniscal injury in the setting of ACLR leads to increased ATT at 24-month follow-up. Furthermore, isolated anatomic ACLR in the absence of meniscal injury demonstrated no significant difference from native knee kinematics at 24-month follow-up during rigorous “high demand” knee activity with the current sample size. Patients undergoing anatomic ACLR in the presence of medial meniscal injury remained at a higher likelihood of sustaining altered long-term knee kinematics.
Ectopic osteogenesis effect of antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone graft with chitosan/rhBMP-2/bFGF sequential sustained-release nanocapsules
Authors: Li Ze-Jian , Lu Chun-Ting , Lai Ren-Fa
Published: March 2018

To explore the ectopic osteogenesis effect of sequential sustained release application of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone coupled with growth factor-loaded chitosan nanocapsules were implanted in rats in intramuscular site in accordance with the following experimental pattern: group A: simultaneous burst release of rhBMP-2 and bFGF; group B: simultaneous sustained release of rhBMP-2 and bFGF; group C: preferential burst release of rhBMP-2, then sustained release of bFGF; group D: preferential burst release of bFGF, then sustained release of rhBMP-2; group E: sustained release of rhBMP-2 alone; group F: sustained release of bFGF alone, blank control group G: antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone graft only; negative control group H: not filled with anything. Specimens were obtained after executing the animals at 2 and 4 weeks for general observation and weighing, calcium content detection, micro-CT scanning and bone parameter measurement analysis, H&E staining, ALP staining and CD34 staining. The materials weight of A-2, B-2, C-2, A-4, B-4, C-4, D-4 and E-4 were significantly higher than that of preoperative materials ( P < 0.05). The concentration of calcium of group B-4 was the highest (414.7 ± 12.03 mg/dl). Micro-CT scanning and bone parameter measurement analysis showed that the values of bone mineral density and trabecular thickness of group A, B, D, E at 4 weeks were both higher than the ones at 2 weeks ( P < 0.05), and both the bone mineral density (367.52 ± 11.64 mg/cc) and the trabecular thickness (126.17 ± 11.36 μm) of group B-4 were the highest. H&E staining showed that a large region of calcified cartilage and haemopoietic tissues were newly formed, especially in group B-4. ALP staining and CD34 staining showed the most positive expression region in group B-4. Therefore, we conclude that simultaneous sustained release of rhBMP-2 and bFGF is the ideal way to release drug, and has better inducement of antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone graft.
Coupling of PLA and bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) for enhanced properties of biocomposites
Authors: Immonen Kirsi , Anttila Upi , Wikström Lisa
Published: March 2018

The interest in totally bio-based materials is increasing due to their low carbon footprint and improved properties through intensive research. Polylactide (PLA)-based cellulose fibre compounds are finding their way into various injection-moulded applications. In addition to gain high-performance PLA–cellulose pulp fibre composites, there are also needed for additives such as plasticizers and coupling agents in the compounds. This research presents the use of a renewable material–based combined plasticizer-coupling agent as an additive in PLA bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) composite. An epoxy-modified linseed oil showed capability for cross-linking PLA and cellulose fibre so enabling simultaneously improved strength tensile and impact properties for composite materials when added in amount of below 8% to fibre.
Narrative Misdirection? UK Strategic Communication for Afghanistan and Beyond
Authors: Cawkwell Thomas W.
Published: March 2018

Britain’s war in Afghanistan – specifically its latter stages, where the UK’s role and casualties sustained in the conflict rose dramatically – coincided with the institutional emergence of Ministry of Defence-led ‘Strategic Communication’. This article examines the circumstances through which domestic strategic communication developed within the UK state and the manner in which the ‘narratives’ supporting Britain’s role in Afghanistan were altered, streamlined and ‘securitised’. I argue that securitising the Afghanistan narrative was undertaken with the intention of misdirecting an increasingly sceptical UK public from the failure of certain aspects of UK counter-insurgency strategy – specifically its counter-narcotics and stabilisation efforts – by focusing on counter-terrorism, and of avoiding difficult questions about the UK’s transnational foreign and defence policy outlook vis-à-vis the United States by asserting that Afghanistan was primarily a ‘national security’ issue. I conclude this article by arguing that the UK’s domestic strategic communication approach of emphasising ‘national security interests’ may have created the conditions for institutionalised confusion by reinforcing a narrow, self-interested narrative of Britain’s role in the world that runs counter to its ongoing, ‘transnationalised’ commitments to collective security through the United States and NATO.
In Search of the Wanderer and Free Spirits: The Ascetic Absence of Nietzsche in American Sociology
Authors: Roberts Michael James
Published: March 2018

This article examines the unfortunate absence of Nietzsche from sociological theory as it is practiced and reproduced in American sociology. The first part discusses how Talcott Parsons erased the presence of Nietzsche from Weber’s work as part of a larger ideological maneuver to provide a theoretical grounding for the belief in American exceptionalism. The second part of the article compares and contrasts Nietzsche to the conventional sociology of Weber and Durkheim in order to demonstrate how Nietzsche’s work provides sociologists with valuable material to be used for a critique of conventional sociological theory. American sociology is long overdue for a sustained engagement with Nietzsche. Such an undertaking is particularly relevant for those concerned with the on-going project of reconstructing a critical social theory that has emancipatory aims.
Existential Angst and Identity Rethink: The Complexities of Competition for the Nonprofit
Authors: Sharp Ziva
Published: March 2018

This article explores the concept of competition as perceived by the nonprofit organization (NPO). Based on a series of case studies, the article examines the NPO’s response to competitive analysis within a strategic planning process. The findings suggest that despite behaving competitively, both for funding and in the marketplace, the NPO’s direct, mindful encounter with a distinctly market orientation engenders a reinterpretation of the concept of competition, aligning it with a nonprofit, value-centric mindset. In parallel, the imposition of competitive demands on the NPO may trigger a counterreaction in which the nonprofit launches a reexamination of its organizational identity. This process, in which the NPO may question the justification of its very existence, can generate significant emotional turmoil. The case study findings suggest that the outcome of this process may be the reinforcement and amplification of the organization’s social orientation.
Development of a model for thin films and numerical sensitivity tests
Authors: Simon Amélie , Dorey Jean-Marc , Lance Michel
Published: March 2018

Because the unsteady behavior of liquid films in steam turbines is a key point for additional friction losses and atomization process (that leads to coarse water generation), the development of a dedicated model has been found necessary. A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code for unstructured mesh is being developed using the finite volume method to simulate this thin liquid film. The aim is to predict the formation of the waves in the film since it is suspected to be a key parameter for friction and atomization. Applied as a first step to a plane plate, the code has been verified in a one-dimensional version with analytical solutions and is tested in low-pressure turbine steam conditions. Falling films computations (without gas shear stress) show that the model is capable to reproduce the waves’ shape of experiments from the literature. With steam under low-pressure turbine conditions, and compared to experimental data from the University of Michigan, the model including shear stress and surface tension provides good results for heights. Sensitivity calculations have been undergone showing the crucial influence of the surface tension and the generation of solitary waves for high velocities is captured by the code. The effect of gravity is also quantified.
Impact of moral sensitivity on moral distress among psychiatric nurses
Authors: Ohnishi Kayoko , Kitaoka Kazuyo , Nakahara Jun , Välimäki Maritta , Kontio Raija , Anttila Minna
Published: March 2018

Background:

Moral distress occurs when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action. Moral distress was found to cause negative feelings, burnout, and/or resignation. Not only external factors such as lack of staff but also internal ones affect moral distress. Moral sensitivity, which is thought of as an advantage of nurses, could effect moral distress, as nurses being unaware of existing ethical problems must feel little distress.

Objectives:

To examine the impact of moral sensitivity on moral distress among psychiatric nurses, and affirm the hypothesis that nurses with higher moral sensitivity will suffer moral distress more than nurses with less moral sensitivity in two different samples.

Ethical consideration:

The study obtained ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine at Mie University (# 1111, 20.4.2010), and by the Turku University Ethics Board (29.5.2012). Permissions to undertake the study was obtained from the in two hospital districts and in one city (§ 48/4.10.2012, § 63/4.9.2012, 51/2012 27.8.2012). Informed consent was not formally obtained, because the questionnaire was anonymously reported by the participants who volunteered to answer. The participants responded voluntarily and anonymously.

Methods:

An anonymous questionnaire containing the Revised Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and the Moral Distress Scale for Psychiatric nurses was conducted to 997 nurses in 12 hospitals in Japan, and 974 nurses in 10 hospitals in Finland after obtaining of approval by research ethics committees. Data were analyzed using a multi-group structural equation model analysis.

Findings:

A set of analyses imply that the association of moral sensitivity with moral distress is significant and similar between Japan and Finland, whereas the factor structures of moral sensitivity and moral distress may be partially different.

Discussion:

The result of this study may indicate that nurses with high moral sensitivity can sense and identify moral problems, but not resolve them. Therefore, supporting nurses to solve ethical problems, not benumbing them, can be important for better nursing care and prevention of nurses’ resignation.

Conclusion:

Moral sensitivity and moral distress were positively correlated among psychiatric nurses in both Japan and Finland, although the participating nurses from the two countries were different in qualification, age, and cultural background. Nurses with high moral sensitivity suffer from moral distress.
Navigating manuscript assessment: The new practitioner’s guide to primary literature peer review
Authors: Smith Devlin V , Stokes Laura B , Marx Kayleigh , Aitken Samuel L
Published: March 2018

For pharmacists, the first years after graduation are spent developing their knowledge base, advancing as a practitioner, and honing their abilities as healthcare providers and drug information experts. New practitioners encounter many challenges during this time, which for many include publishing original research or reviewing manuscripts for colleagues and medical journals. Inexperience navigating the publication process, from submission to receipt of (and response to) peer review commentary, is often cited as a major barrier to timely publication of resident and new practitioner research. Serving as a peer reviewer in turn provides the new practitioner with insight on this process and can be an enlightening experience used to garner confidence in subsequently submitting their own formal manuscripts. A number of publications describing steps for peer review are available, however, many of these articles address more experienced reviewers or critique the peer review process itself. No definitive resource exists for new pharmacy practitioners interested in developing their peer review skills. The information presented in this summative guide should be used in conjunction with practice opportunities to help new practitioners develop proficiency at peer review.
Low-velocity impact of multilayer sandwich beams with metal foam cores: Analytical, experimental, and numerical investigations
Authors: Zhang Jianxun , Qin Qinghua , Chen Shangjun , Yang Yan , Ye Yang , Xiang Chunping , Wang TJ
Published: March 2018

This paper uses the analytical, experimental and numerical methods to investigate the low-velocity impact response of fully clamped multilayer sandwich beams with metal foam cores struck by a heavy mass. Using the quasi-static method, analytical solutions for dynamic response of the fully clamped multilayer sandwich beams are derived including the interaction between bending and stretching induced by large deflections. Effects of local denting and core strength on the overall bending are considered. The low-velocity impact experiments and numerical calculations are carried out to validate the analytical model. The present analytical model captures experimental and numerical results reasonably. It is shown that the energy absorption of multilayer sandwich beams increases with decrease of multilayer factor and increase of the core strength.
Fear's Slave: The Mass Media and Islam after September 11
Authors: Padgett Andrew , Allen Beatrice
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates the purpose of society's construction of ‘others’ through the gaze of the mass media. During times of crisis, the paper argues, Western mass media are faced with an irreconcilable paradox: the simultaneous demand for, and denial of, a fear-inspiring other (the Soviet Union, Al Qaeda, etc.) This paradigm of otherness was overcome in the period post-Cold War and pre-9/11 as the US media was able to demonise ‘others’ at home — the war on drugs, for example. The question this paper will address, then, is: what are the motives driving the US mass media towards an other constructed along lines similar to the Soviet-era other? Who is to ‘blame’ for this phenomenon — the media, or the society in which these media operate?
Speaking up and Talking Back: News Media Interventions in Sydney's ‘Othered’ Communities
Authors: Dreher Tanja
Published: March 2018

Since August 2001, Arab and Muslim communities in Sydney's western suburbs have been caught up in a spiral of signification that linked ‘gang’ activity in the area to the standoff over asylum seekers aboard the MV Tampa, a federal election campaign fought on the theme of ‘border protection’ and global news reporting of September 11 and the ‘war on terror’. Many people who live and work in the Bankstown area responded to this intense news media scrutiny by developing community-based media interventions that aimed to shift the mainstream news agenda. Through media skills training, forums, events and cultural production, Arab and Muslim Australians in the Bankstown area positioned themselves as the subjects rather than the objects of news. This paper analyses news intervention strategies in terms of media power and the politics of representation. I argue that the activities of those working with racialised communities suggest valuable models for the wider process of improving the reporting of cultural differences in multicultural Australia.
Synthesis of peptide nanotubes for fabricating a new type of bio-functional textiles
Authors: Shakeri Mina , Hemmatinejad Nahid , Bashari Azadeh
Published: March 2018

Peptides are one of the most important biological molecules which can be used in drug delivery applications. Peptides are composed of amino acids and are connected together by a peptide bond. These biomaterials have drawn lots of attention in recent years because of their biocompatibility, antibacterial effect, and medical and clinical applications.

In this paper, phenylalanine amino acid is used to synthesize peptide nanotubes. The method used for synthesis of peptide nanotubes was self-assembly which is efficient and spontaneous. According to the experimental evaluations of peptide nanotubes, the best concentration of amino acid solution for peptide nanotubes synthesis was 0.005 mg/ml. In this concentration, the tubes show their hollow, long structure. The average diameter of the tubes is 120 nanometer and they have an aspect ratio of 45. To investigate the drug releasing ability of nanotubes, ascorbic acid solution was loaded on them. The solution was applied on cotton fabric to examine the possibility of producing cosmetotextiles. The ability of cotton fabrics to release ascorbic acid in different temperatures and mediums were examined using different conditions. UV-Visible spectroscopy was also used to measure the amount of ascorbic acid release from peptide nanotubes. The antibacterial test was also carried out to determine the antibacterial activity of amino acid molecules on cotton fabric.
Myo- and cardiotoxic effects of the wild winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) on mice
Authors: Mustonen Anne-Mari , Määttänen Maija , Kärjä Vesa , Puukka Katri , Aho Jari , Saarela Seppo , Nieminen Petteri
Published: March 2018

Rhabdomyolysis (destruction of striated muscle) is a novel form of mushroom poisoning in Europe and Asia indicated by increased circulating creatine kinase levels. Particular wild fungi have also been reported to induce elevated creatine kinase activities in mice. Flammulina velutipes (enokitake or winter mushroom) is one of the most actively cultivated mushroom species globally. As it is marketed as a medicinal mushroom and functional food, it is important to examine whether it could induce potentially harmful health effects similar to some previously studied edible fungi. The present study examined the effects of F. velutipes consumption on the plasma clinical chemistry, hematology, and organ histology of laboratory mice. Wild F. velutipes were dried, pulverized, mixed with a regular laboratory rodent diet, and fed to the animals at 0, 3, 6, or 9 g/kg body mass/day for five days ( n = 6/group). F. velutipes consumption caused increased activities of plasma creatine kinase and the MB-fraction of creatine kinase at 6–9 g/kg/d, indicating potentially deleterious effects on both skeletal and cardiac muscle. The plasma total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (at 9 g/kg/d) and white blood cell and lymphocyte counts (at 6–9 g/kg/d) decreased. Although the cholesterol-lowering properties of F. velutipes can be beneficial, the previously unexamined, potentially hazardous side effects of mushroom consumption (myo- and cardiotoxicity) should be thoroughly investigated before recommending this mushroom species as a health-promoting food item.

Impact statement

This work is important to the field of functional foods, as it provides novel information about the potential myo- and cardiotoxic properties of an edible mushroom, Flammulina velutipes. The results are useful and of importance because F. velutipes is an actively cultivated mushroom and marketed as a health-promoting food item. The findings contribute to the understanding of the complexity of the balance between the beneficial and potentially harmful effects of mushroom consumption.
Disruption of transient receptor potential melastatin 2 decreases elastase release and bacterial clearance in neutrophils
Authors: Qian XiaoWei , Zhao Hang , Chen XinZhong , Li Jun
Published: March 2018

Elastase released by neutrophils is critical for eliminating Gram-negative bacteria. Ca2+ influx plays a key role in elastase release and bacterial clearance in neutrophils. Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) is a Ca2+-permeable cation channel highly expressed in neutrophils. Here, we explore the role and possible mechanism of TRPM2 in bacterial clearance in TRPM2 knockout (TRPM2-KO) mice neutrophils. After exposure to Escherichia coli, TRPM2–KO bone marrow neutrophils (BMNs) had increased bacterial burden and decreased elastase release. The same was observed for septic TRPM2-KO mice which also had decreased survival rate. After stimulation with chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), elastase release was lower in TRPM2-KO BMNs than in wild type (WT) BMNs. Pre-treatment of WT BMNs with p38 MAPK inhibitor reduced fMLP-induced elastase release. Compared with WT BMNs, TRPM2-KO BMNs had decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation after fMLP stimulation. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ reduced fMLP-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and elastase release. The concentration of intracellular Ca2+ decreased in TRPM2-KO BMNs compared with WT BMNs after fMLP treatment. Hence, TRPM2 plays an important role in bacterial clearance in neutrophils, possibly by regulating elastase release. TRPM2-mediated Ca2+ influx regulates elastase release partially via p38 MAPK phosphorylation in neutrophils.
The Processing of Homicides in the Courts: An Examination of Multiple Case Outcomes
Authors: Pizarro Jesenia M. , Zgoba Kristen M. , Salerno Laura M. , Circo Giovanni
Published: March 2018

The current study employs focal concerns theory to address the role that race/ethnicity plays on various court dispositions of homicide offenders in Newark, NJ, a location where the majority of residents are African American and Latino. Two research questions are examined: (1) Does ethnicity play an important role in the decision to dismiss a case against a homicide offender, convict via a plea deal, convict via trial, acquit via trial, and sentence length? and (2) Which legal and extralegal factors play a role in these decision points during the processing of homicide offenders? The findings suggest that when there is little ethnic variation of defendants, victims, and the citizenry, other extralegal variables take precedence in informing the focal concerns of court actors. The results also suggest that different legal and extralegal variables affect the odds of distinct court outcomes. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Biology of classical Hodgkin lymphoma: implications for prognosis and novel therapies
Authors: Mottok Anja , Steidl Christian
Published: March 2018

Hodgkin lymphoma is considered a prime example of treatment success, with cure rates exceeding 80% using modern combined modality therapies. However, especially in adolescents and young adults, treatment-related toxicity and long-term morbidity still represent persistent challenges. Moreover, outcomes in patients with relapsed or refractory disease remain unfavorable in the era of high-dose chemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation. Hence, there is a high demand for novel and innovative alternative treatment approaches. In recent years, many new therapeutic agents have emerged from preclinical and clinical studies that target molecular hallmarks of Hodgkin lymphoma, including the aberrant phenotype of the tumor cells, deregulated oncogenic pathways, and immune escape. The antibody-drug conjugate brentuximab vedotin and immune checkpoint inhibitors have already shown great success in patients with relapsed/refractory disease, leading to US Food and Drug Administration approval and new trials testing these agents in various clinical settings. The expanding knowledge and understanding of Hodgkin lymphoma biology and disease progression, as well as the development of robust tools for biomarker-driven risk stratification and therapeutic decision making, continue to be fundamentally important for the success of these and other novel agents. We anticipate that the availability and clinical implementation of novel molecular assays will be instrumental in an era of rapid shifts in the treatment landscape of this disease. Here, we review the current knowledge of Hodgkin lymphoma pathobiology, highlighting the related development of novel treatment strategies and prognostic models that hold the promise to continually challenge and change the current standard of care in classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
Antiphospholipid antibodies induce thrombosis by PP2A activation via apoER2-Dab2-SHC1 complex formation in endothelium
Authors: Sacharidou Anastasia , Chambliss Ken L. , Ulrich Victoria , Salmon Jane E. , Shen Yu-Min , Herz Joachim , Hui David Y. , Terada Lance S. , Shaul Philip W. , Mineo Chieko
Published: March 2018

Key Points

The activation of PP2A in endothelium underlies thrombus formation induced by aPL in mice. Endothelial apoER2 serves as a scaffold for aPL-induced assembly of a Dab2 and SHC1- containing complex that assembles and activates PP2A.
Next-generation sequencing of idiopathic multicentric and unicentric Castleman disease and follicular dendritic cell sarcomas
Authors: Nagy Alexandra , Bhaduri Aparna , Shahmarvand Nahid , Shahryari Jahanbanoo , Zehnder James L. , Warnke Roger A. , Mughal Tariq , Ali Siraj , Ohgami Robert S.
Published: March 2018

Key Points

A single rare DNMT3A mutation and recurrent amplification of ETS1, PTPN6, and TGFBR2 are identified in iMCD and UCD. Genetic alterations in oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and chromatin-remodeling genes are seen in FDCS.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: The suppressing role of miR-622 in renal cell carcinoma progression by down-regulation of CCL18/MAPK signal pathway
Authors: Li Tian , Sun Xiangzhou , Xu Kewei
Published: March 2018

Background

MicroRNAs have emerged as critical modulators of carcinogenesis and tumor progression including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). MiR-622 plays as a tumor inhibitor in some types of cancer, however, its role in kidney cancer is unknown. The purpose of the present work is to investigate the functional behaviors and regulatory mechanism of miR-622 in RCC.

Results

We examined the expression of miR-622 in RCC and adjacent normal tissues and then explored the roles of miR-622. The results of this analysis indicated that miR-622 activity was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues compared with the corresponding normal tissues, so did in RCC cell lines. MiR-622 was associated with RCC aggressiveness. MiR-622 in RCC cells decreased CCL18 expression and suppressed CCL18 activated MAPK signal pathway. Using Western blot and luciferase reporter assays, it was verified that CCL18 was a direct target of miR-622. A specific and inverse correlation between miR-622 and CCL18 expression was found in human RCC samples.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that miR-622 acted as a tumor-promoting miRNA by targeting CCL18 in RCC.
Depth estimation from downward continuation: An entropy-based approach to normalized full gradient
Authors: Florio Giovanni , Fedi Maurizio
Published: March 2018

The normalized full gradient is based on the noticeable stability of the modulus of the analytic signal of downward potential fields. We have developed a new approach to the study of the normalized full gradient, based on assessing the entropy of the normalized modulus of the analytic signal at each level of continuation. The increased disorder of progressively downward continued fields implies an increase of the computed entropy. However, a local decrease of the entropy is expected at the source level, where the field gets singular, as entropy decreases when the information is concentrated. Thus, our method is based on a simple search for a minimum of the computed entropy versus depth curve, and the estimated depth will be that at which the minimum is attained. The method is sensitive to interference and other types of noise, and specific strategies to deal with these limitations are defined and tested on synthetic data. The depth estimate is obtained without the assumption of a specific source shape. The depth could correspond to the top or center in case of a simple, one-point source, or it may be related to an intermediate depth between the source top and its center in case of a finite, general source. We applied this method to real magnetic data from an unexploded ordnance survey, and it could verify a rather accurate depth-to-source estimate when compared with excavation results.
A prediction model for amplitude-frequency characteristics of blast-induced seismic waves
Authors: Yu Chenglong , Wang Zhongqi , Han Wengong
Published: March 2018

We have developed a prediction model for dominant frequency and amplitude of blast-induced seismic waves. A blast expansion cavity is used to establish a relationship between the explosive properties and amplitude frequency of blast-induced seismic waves. In this model, the dominant frequency and amplitude of blast-induced seismic waves are mainly influenced by the initial pressure and the adiabatic exponent of explosives in the same medium. The dominant frequency increases with the decreasing initial pressure or the increasing adiabatic exponent. This prediction model is compared with the experiments. The difference in the blast cavity between the prediction model and the field experiment is in the range of 5%–9%, and the difference in the dominant frequency is within 18.8%–46.0%. The comparison indicates that the model can reasonably predict the frequency and amplitude of blast-induced seismic waves.
Patient perspectives on repeated MRI and PET/CT examinations during neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer
Authors: Goense Lucas , Borggreve Alicia S , Heethuis Sophie E , van Lier Astrid LHMW , van Hillegersberg Richard , Mook Stella , Meijer Gert J , van Rossum Peter SN , Ruurda Jelle P
Published: March 2018

Objective:

The perceived burden of diagnostic tests by patients during the assessment of esophageal cancer warrants attention with the current increase in repeated imaging for purposes of disease monitoring during and after treatment. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the experienced burden associated with repeated MRI and positron emission tomography with integrated CT (PET/CT) examinations during neoadjuvant treatment for esophageal cancer from the perspective of the patient.

Methods:

In 27 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal cancer MRI and PET/CT examinations were performed before nCRT, during nCRT and before surgery. The experienced burden during repeated MRI and PET/CT examinations was evaluated with a self-report questionnaire addressing discomfort, pain, anxiety and embarrassment, each measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = none; up to 5 = very much). In addition, a comparative assessment was used to rank MRI, PET/CT and baseline endoscopy.

Results:

All scans were performed without the occurrence of an adverse event. Few patients experienced discomfort (mean score ±SD: 1.9 ± 1.0 for MRI v  s 2.0 ± 1.0 for PET/CT, p = 0.586), pain (1.1 ± 0.4 for MRI v  s 1.3 ± 0.7 for PET/CT, p = 0.059), anxiety (1.0 ± 0.2 for MRI v  s 1.0 ± 0.2 for PET/CT, p = 1.000) and embarrassment (1.0 ± 0 for MRI v  s 1.0 ± 0.2 for PET/CT, p = 0.317) during both MRI and PET/CT. Patients preferred MRI over PET/CT (67% vs 22%, respectively, p = 0.023), and MRI over endoscopy (59% vs 19%, respectively, p = 0.027). In the comparison between PET/CT and endoscopy, 59% of patients preferred PET/CT and 26% preferred endoscopy (p = 0.093).

Conclusion:

Repeated imaging with both MRI and PET/CT is generally well-tolerated for the assessment of response to treatment in esophageal cancer patients. Shorter acquisition times and altered body positioning during scanning will likely improve patient experience.

﻿Advances in knowledge:

This paper demonstrates that MRI and PET/CT are generally well-tolerated imaging procedures for the assessment of response to treatment in esophageal cancer patients. When asked to rank different tests, patients preferred MRI over PET/CT and endoscopy.
18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma being considered for multimodality therapy: experience of a tertiary referral center
Authors: Elliott Hugh S , Metser Ur , de Perrot Marc , Cho John , Bradbury Penelope , Veit-Haibach Patrick , Hussey Douglas , Noam Tau
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To compare the N- and M-staging accuracy of PET v  s CT, as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) being considered for multimodality therapy in a tertiary referral center. A secondary aim was to assess survival outcome of patients chosen for surgical management after PET.

Methods:

A retrospective, single institution comparison of PET and CT was performed in patients with histologically proven MPM being considered for multimodality therapy. Performance of each modality in identifying nodal category and presence or absence of distant metastases was abstracted from electronic patient records. The standard of reference was surgical histopathology for nodal stage and histopathology or clinical and imaging follow-up of >3 months for distant metastases.

Results:

There were 101 eligible patients with complete data sets; 82 males, 19 females with a mean age of 66.6 years (range: 39–85). Most patients (n = 68) had epithelioid histology. Surgery was performed in 61/101 patients (60.4%), most of whom had multimodality therapy. Nodal category was concordant to surgical histopathology in 38/60 patients (63.3%) on PET, compared to 27/60 (45%) on CT (p = 0.001). For detection of ≥N1 disease only, PET and CT correctly staged 15/37 patients (40.5%) and 8/37 (21.6%), respectively (p = 0.023). Distant metastases were identified uniquely on PET in eight patients and on CT only in one patient. Overall, PET and CT correctly identified 11/12 (91.6%) and 4/12 (33.3%) patients with distant metastases, respectively (p = 0.0391).

Conclusion:

PET identifies significantly more patients with nodal or distant metastatic disease than CT and may contribute to more appropriate selection of patients with MPM for surgery or multimodality therapy.

Advances in knowledge:

In patients with MPM, fludeoxyglucose-PET/CT detects significantly more patients with distant metastases than CT. PET/CT can help in the selection of patients with MPM who would benefit from surgery or multimodality therapy.
Quantifying changes in nigrosomes using quantitative susceptibility mapping and neuromelanin imaging for the diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Takahashi Hiroto , Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Tanaka Hisashi , Mihara Masahito , Mochizuki Hideki , Liu Tian , Wang Yi , Tomiyama Noriyuki
Published: March 2018

Objective:

To quantify nigral changes with a focus on their spatial variation within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) for diagnosing early-stage Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods:

The study participants were 18 patients with early-stage PD (PD group) and 18 healthy controls (HC group) who underwent quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and neuromelanin imaging. The QSM and neuromelanin values in each whole SNpc containing the entire nigrosome and dorsolateral SNpc containing nigrosome 1 were calculated. The neuromelanin area was defined as the volume with a signal-to-noise ratio higher than that of the background region. The significance of intergroup differences in the QSM value and neuromelanin area in each SNpc region was tested. Logit (p) was used to estimate the probability of PD in relation to the QSM value and the neuromelanin area, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed for each value.

Results:

In both SNpc, QSM values were significantly higher and neuromelanin areas were significantly lower in the PD group compared with the HC group (p < 0.05). The respective areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the two groups were 0.70/0.73 for the QSM value, 0.81/0.78 for the neuromelanin area in the whole/dorsolateral SNpc, and 0.86 for logit (p) in relation to the QSM value of the dorsolateral SNpc and the neuromelanin area of the whole SNpc.

Conclusion:

Comprehensive MRI assessment of the abnormality involving the nigrosomes can yield a high diagnostic performance for early-stage PD.

Advances in knowledge:

Focusing on spatial differences in nigral changes within the SNpc can increase the sensitivity of the detection of PD-related neurodegenerative changes.