bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knockdown of the nucleosome binding protein 1 inhibits the growth and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Ji Shi-Qi , Yao Lin , Zhang Xiao-Yu , Li Xue-Song , Zhou Li-Qun
Published: April 2012

Background

The nucleosome binding protein 1 (HMGN5/NSBP1) is a member of the HMGN protein family and is highly expressed in several kinds of cancer. Nevertheless, the role of NSBP1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to confirm the oncogenic role of NSBP1 in ccRCC using in vitro and in vivo models and explore the mechanism by which NSBP1 contributes to ccRCC tumorigenesis.

Methods

NSBP1 expression was detected in renal tissues from 152 ccRCC patients by immunohistochemistry, and examined in ccRCC cell lines by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. ccRCC cells were transfected by NSBP1 RNAi and cell viability, apoptosis and invasion were detected by cell vitality test, flow cytometry and transwell assay in vitro. Xenograft in nude mice was also employed to examine the tumorigenesis of ccRCC cells depleted of NSBP1.

Results

Immunohistostaining showed strong immunoreactivity of NSBP1 in all ccRCC tissues and NSBP1 expression level was associated with tumor grade (p = 0.04). NSBP1 expression at mRNA and protein levels was high in ccRCC cell lines. Knockdown of NSBP1 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and inhibited invasion in 786-O cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2, CyclinB1, VEGF, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, c-fos and c-jun in 786-O cells depleted of NSBP1. In vivo study further showed that knockdown of NSBP1 affected the tumorigenesis of ccRCC cells in nude mice.

Conclusions

NSBP1 plays oncogenic role in ccRCCs by promoting cell proliferation and invasion, and could be exploited as a target for ccRCC treatment.
Towards a more accurate annotation of tyrosine-based site-specific recombinases in bacterial genomes
Authors: Van Houdt Rob , Leplae Raphael , Lima-Mendez Gipsi , Mergeay Max , Toussaint Ariane
Published: April 2012

Background

Tyrosine-based site-specific recombinases (TBSSRs) are DNA breaking-rejoining enzymes. In bacterial genomes, they play a major role in the comings and goings of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as temperate phage genomes, integrated conjugative elements (ICEs) or integron cassettes. TBSSRs are also involved in the segregation of plasmids and chromosomes, the resolution of plasmid dimers and of co-integrates resulting from the replicative transposition of transposons. With the aim of improving the annotation of TBSSR genes in genomic sequences and databases, which so far is far from robust, we built a set of over 1,300 TBSSR protein sequences tagged with their genome of origin. We organized them in families to investigate: i) whether TBSSRs tend to be more conserved within than between classes of MGE types and ii) whether the (sub)families may help in understanding more about the function of TBSSRs associated in tandem or trios on plasmids and chromosomes.

Results

A total of 67% of the TBSSRs in our set are MGE type specific. We define a new class of actinobacterial transposons, related to Tn554, containing one abnormally long TBSSR and one of typical size, and we further characterize numerous TBSSRs trios present in plasmids and chromosomes of α- and β-proteobacteria.

Conclusions

The simple in silico procedure described here, which uses a set of reference TBSSRs from defined MGE types, could contribute to greatly improve the annotation of tyrosine-based site-specific recombinases in plasmid, (pro)phage and other integrated MGE genomes. It also reveals TBSSRs families whose distribution among bacterial taxa suggests they mediate lateral gene transfer.
Effects of cyclin D1 gene amplification and protein expression on time to recurrence in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with anastrozole or tamoxifen: a TransATAC study
Authors: Lundgren Katja , Brown Matthew , Pineda Silvia , Cuzick Jack , Salter Janine , Zabaglo Lila , Howell Anthony , Dowsett Mitch , Landberg Göran ,   the TransATAC investigators
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Gene amplification of CCND1 is observed in a subgroup of breast cancers with poor prognosis, whereas overexpression of the protein cyclin D1 has been linked to both worse and better clinical outcome. CCND1 amplification and protein overexpression have also been associated with resistance to treatment with tamoxifen or even to a potentially detrimental effect of tamoxifen.

Methods

To clarify these challenging and partly contrasting treatment predictive and prognostic links for cyclin D1 we analysed a large cohort of postmenopausal breast cancer patients randomised to receive either adjuvant anastrozole or tamoxifen, as part of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial. The CCND1 amplification status and protein expression of cyclin D1 were assessed by chromogenic in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry, respectively, in 1,155 postmenopausal, oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer patients included in the TransATAC substudy.

Results

Amplification of CCND1 was observed in 8.7% of the tumours and was associated with increased risk of disease recurrence (hazard ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 2.41) after adjustment for other clinicopathological parameters. In contrast, nuclear expression of cyclin D1 protein was associated with decreased recurrence rate (hazard ratio = 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.39 to 0.92). The intensity of nuclear or cytoplasmic expression was not of prognostic value. There was no significant interaction between cyclin D1 status and treatment efficacy, ruling out any major detrimental effect of tamoxifen in CCND1-amplified postmenopausal breast cancer.

Conclusions

In summary, CCND1 amplification and low nuclear expression of cyclin D1 predicted poor clinical outcome in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with either anastrozole or tamoxifen.

Trial Registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN18233230.
GEOPHYSICS BRIGHT SPOTS
Authors: Sun Yonghe
Published: April 2012

Bright Spots is a recurring column written by Yonghe Sun that spotlights articles in our sister publication, Geophysics. The articles featured this month are from the March–April issue of GEOPHYSICS:

• A new approach for detecting topographic and geologic information in seismic data by Adam Gersztenkorn

• Multicomponent f-x seismic random noise attenuation via vector autoregressive operators by Mostafa Naghizadeh and Mauricio Sacchi.

• Hierarchical Bayesian lithology/fluid prediction: a North Sea case study by Kjartan Rimstad, Per Avseth, and Henning Omre.

• A new approach for detecting topographic and geologic information in seismic data by Adam Gersztenkorn.

• Seismic imaging of the water column deep layer associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by John Hildebrand, Laurence Armi, and Paul Henkart.

• 3D migration for rapid imaging of total magnetic intensity data by Glenn Wilson, Michael Zhdanov, Xiaojun Liu, and Le Wan.
Recent production and drilling success of the Stag oil field from multidisciplinary evaluation of OBC seismic data
Authors: Anderson Paul F. , Bingaman Paul , Graves Kyle , Fernandes Fred , O'Sullivan Fiona , Betts Sam
Published: April 2012

Originally discovered in 1993, the Stag oil field, on the North West Shelf of Western Australia, has proven to be both a prolific and complicated reservoir since production began in 1998. To date, more than 56 million barrels have been produced, in addition to significant volumes of water and glauconite, which has resulted in complex changes to the reservoir over time as the field has produced. Because the reservoir is shallow, at 680 m true vertical depth subsea (TVDSS) with shallow carbonates causing noise issues and imaging challenges, Stag Field remained largely invisible on seismic data. To address these issues, a 220-[Formula: see text] 4C-3D ocean-bottom cable survey (OBC) was acquired in early 2008. Subsequent processing and interpretation of these data, including a joint multicomponent inversion, have resulted in drilling six successful new wells with additional wells currently underway and planned in the near future.
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) field trial during two wide-azimuth geophysical surveys
Authors: Barousse Chuck , Rooney Terry , Padovani Bernard , Snyder Rebecca , Unietis Anne , Wyatt Roy
Published: April 2012

Issues surrounding marine mammals and sound waves are technically complex, highly emotive, and not well understood, but it is a concern that must be addressed to ensure marine mammals are safeguarded. With this in mind, marine geophysical surveys implement mitigation measures. One important form of mitigation involves efforts to locate marine mammals within a prescribed area (frequently called the mitigation zone) surrounding air-gun arrays. These mitigation zones often extend to distances of 500 m from air-gun arrays. Independent marine mammal observers (MMO) visually monitor mitigation zones and operations are delayed or suspended when marine mammals are seen within the mitigation zone. Many marine mammals surface for no more than a few seconds at a time and can be difficult to see. Fog, precipitation, snow, and rough seas decrease the likelihood of visually detecting marine mammals, and visual monitoring is not as effective during hours of darkness. As a response to the need to better detect marine mammals in the vicinity of geophysical operations, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is sometimes utilized. PAM uses hydrophones to detect and localize vocalizations from marine mammals. PAM, like visual monitoring, may not detect all marine mammals, but it should improve detection rates. Unlike visual monitoring, it requires sophisticated hardware and software and its use for mitigation is not yet widely accepted.
A large-scale validation of OBN technology for time-lapse studies through a pilot test, deep offshore Angola
Authors: Boelle J.-L. , Brechet E. , Ceragioli E. , Nawab R. , Lecerf D. , Lafram A.
Published: April 2012

In early phases of offshore field development, repeated marine seismic surveys recorded with towed streamers have been successfully processed to image changes in reservoir fluids through time and hence have contributed to important reservoir development decisions such as elaborating future production and injection plans. In such cases, the negative impact of surface or underwater obstacles on the final image has been mitigated using undershooting strategies. Nevertheless, even in the most favorable cases, this has been achieved at the expense of 4D repeatability because short-offset illumination is missing in the undershoot survey and the azimuthal distribution within the offset classes becomes inconsistent with the base streamer data. As the field development proceeds, especially in deep offshore contexts, a complex network of in-sea and subsea installations is progressively put in place and the Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) issues related to seismic vessels or recording cables coming close to production facilities can no longer be neglected, making the conventional streamer or OBC acquisitions challenging, or simply not feasible. As a result, industry is proposing a “sea-floor receiver” solution with ocean-bottom nodes (OBN) for imaging and monitoring reservoir production below infrastructures. OBN are autonomous seismic recording systems deployed on the seafloor with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Previous tests and studies (Boelle et al., 2005; Ceragioli et al., 2006) have shown that OBN technology may be appropriate for reservoir monitoring. Here we present the results of the first large-scale OBN project completed by Total E&P Angola, between September 2008 and April 2009, over the deep-water Dalia Field, Block 17, with the aim of validating the use of this technology for 4D seismic reservoir monitoring.
Estimates of the anomaly threshold in controlled-source electromagnetics
Authors: Filina Irina , Ball Vaughn , Morton Scott , Terentyev Sergey , Prindle Kenton , McCalla Mac
Published: April 2012

Controlled-source electromagnetics (CSEM) has been commercially applied for hydrocarbon exploration for more than 10 years. The normalized amplitude response (NAR), a common measure for CSEM anomaly strength, is the ratio of the CSEM response at the target to the background response. Use of this measure allows anomaly strength to be quantified but leaves open the question of how strong the NAR level needs to be before it can be considered significant for hydrocarbon exploration. We apply three statistical approaches to determine the appropriate NAR threshold for defining a CSEM anomaly and for estimating the overall significance of the CSEM method in hydrocarbon exploration. The analysis is based on the published data in Hesthammer et al. (2010a, 2010b), referred to here as “the Hesthammer database.” This database reports NAR levels and hydrocarbon exploration outcomes versus the depth to the target for a set of drilled prospects. The database authors used an NAR level of 1.15 (or 15%) for their anomaly threshold, while all three of our analyses indicate that this threshold should be higher.
To CSEM or not to CSEM? Feasibility of 3D marine CSEM for detecting small targets
Authors: Frenkel Michael A. , Davydycheva Sofia
Published: April 2012

The marine controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) method is an important tool for offshore exploration. It allows recovery of subsurface resistivity, a key hydrocarbon (HC) indicator, using modeling- and inversion-based interpretation of the EM data acquired on the seafloor. Application of CSEM can reduce risk and optimize drilling operations, as well as improve estimates of HC reserves. The CSEM workflow consists of the following main steps: feasibility study, survey design, data acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Feasibility study and data interpretation rely heavily on 3D EM modeling to properly select and plan surveys and recover the 3D subsurface resistivity image. Detection of deep small targets immersed in anisotropic environments is a challenging task for the current CSEM technology, making it essential to employ the best practices in performing reliable feasibility studies. To manage this task, a skilled modeler needs to take into account all available geological and geophysical data to build a 3D Earth model and utilize accurate 3D EM modeling software. The fast and reliable 3D EM modeling that can accurately handle arbitrary anisotropic resistive media with complex structural interfaces and HC reservoirs would make a crucial contribution to the success of CSEM technology.
Reducing child conduct problems and promoting social skills in a
middle-income country: cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Baker-Henningham Helen , Scott Stephen , Jones Kelvyn , Walker Susan
Published: April 2012

Background

There is an urgent need for effective, affordable interventions to
prevent child mental health problems in low- and middle-income
countries.

Aims

To determine the effects of a universal pre-school-based intervention on
child conduct problems and social skills at school and at home.

Method

In a cluster randomised design, 24 community pre-schools in inner-city
areas of Kingston, Jamaica, were randomly assigned to receive the
Incredible Years Teacher Training intervention (n = 12)
or to a control group (n = 12). Three children from each
class with the highest levels of teacher-reported conduct problems were
selected for evaluation, giving 225 children aged 3–6 years. The primary
outcome was observed child behaviour at school. Secondary outcomes were
child behaviour by parent and teacher report, child attendance and
parents' attitude to school. The study is registered as
ISRCTN35476268.

Results

Children in intervention schools showed significantly reduced conduct
problems (effect size (ES) = 0.42) and increased friendship skills (ES =
0.74) through observation, significant reductions to teacher-reported (ES
= 0.47) and parent-reported (ES = 0.22) behaviour difficulties and
increases in teacher-reported social skills (ES = 0.59) and child
attendance (ES = 0.30). Benefits to parents' attitude to school were not
significant.

Conclusions

A low-cost, school-based intervention in a middle-income country
substantially reduces child conduct problems and increases child social
skills at home and at school.
Clinicopathological significance of psychotic experiences in non-psychotic young people: evidence from four population-based studies
Authors: Kelleher I. , Keeley H. , Corcoran P. , Lynch F. , Fitzpatrick C. , Devlin N. , Molloy C. , Roddy S. , Clarke M. C. , Harley M. , Arseneault L. , Wasserman C. , Carli V. , Sarchiapone M. , Hoven C. , Wasserman D. , Cannon M.
Published: April 2012

Background

Epidemiological research has shown that hallucinations and delusions, the classic symptoms of psychosis, are far more prevalent in the population than actual psychotic disorder. These symptoms are especially prevalent in childhood and adolescence. Longitudinal research has demonstrated that psychotic symptoms in adolescence increase the risk of psychotic disorder in adulthood. There has been a lack of research, however, on the immediate clinicopathological significance of psychotic symptoms in adolescence.

Aims

To investigate the relationship between psychotic symptoms and non-psychotic psychopathology in community samples of adolescents in terms of prevalence, co-occurring disorders, comorbid (multiple) psychopathology and variation across early v. middle adolescence.

Method

Data from four population studies were used: two early adolescence studies (ages 11–13 years) and two mid-adolescence studies (ages 13–16 years). Studies 1 and 2 involved school-based surveys of 2243 children aged 11–16 years for psychotic symptoms and for emotional and behavioural symptoms of psychopathology. Studies 3 and 4 involved in-depth diagnostic interview assessments of psychotic symptoms and lifetime psychiatric disorders in community samples of 423 children aged 11–15 years.

Results

Younger adolescents had a higher prevalence (21–23%) of psychotic symptoms than older adolescents (7%). In both age groups the majority of adolescents who reported psychotic symptoms had at least one diagnosable non-psychotic psychiatric disorder, although associations with psychopathology increased with age: nearly 80% of the mid-adolescence sample who reported psychotic symptoms had at least one diagnosis, compared with 57% of the early adolescence sample. Adolescents who reported psychotic symptoms were at particularly high risk of having multiple co-occurring diagnoses.

Conclusions

Psychotic symptoms are important risk markers for a wide range of non-psychotic psychopathological disorders, in particular for severe psychopathology characterised by multiple co-occurring diagnoses. These symptoms should be carefully assessed in all patients.
CD98 at the crossroads of adaptive immunity and cancer
Authors: Cantor Joseph M. , Ginsberg Mark H.
Published: April 2012

Adaptive immunity, a vertebrate specialization, adds memory and exquisite specificity to the basic innate immune responses present in invertebrates while conserving metabolic resources. In adaptive immunity, antigenic challenge requires extremely rapid proliferation of rare antigen-specific lymphocytes to produce large, clonally expanded effector populations that neutralize pathogens. Rapid proliferation and resulting clonal expansion are dependent on CD98, a protein whose well-conserved orthologs appear restricted to vertebrates. Thus, CD98 supports lymphocyte clonal expansion to enable protective adaptive immunity, an advantage that could account for the presence of CD98 in vertebrates. CD98 supports lymphocyte clonal expansion by amplifying integrin signals that enable proliferation and prevent apoptosis. These integrin-dependent signals can also provoke cancer development and invasion, anchorage-independence and the rapid proliferation of tumor cells. CD98 is highly expressed in many cancers and contributes to formation of tumors in experimental models. Strikingly, vertebrates, which possess highly conserved CD98 proteins, CD98-binding integrins and adaptive immunity, also display propensity towards invasive and metastatic tumors. In this Commentary, we review the roles of CD98 in lymphocyte biology and cancer. We suggest that the CD98 amplification of integrin signaling in adaptive immunity provides survival benefits to vertebrates, which, in turn, bear the price of increased susceptibility to cancer.
Clinical use of Skype: a review of the evidence base
Authors: Armfield Nigel R , Gray Leonard C , Smith Anthony C
Published: April 2012

Skype is a popular and free software application that allows PCs and mobile devices to be used for video communication over the Internet. We reviewed the literature to determine whether the clinical use of Skype is supported by evidence. One small ( n = 7) controlled clinical trial had assessed the effect of nursing communication using Skype on elderly patients with dementia and their carers. However, we were unable to identify any large, well-designed studies which had formally evaluated the safety, clinical effectiveness, security and privacy of Skype for the routine delivery of patient care. While there were many case reports and small studies, no firm evidence either in favour of, or against the use of Skype for clinical telehealth was found. The risks and benefits of using Skype for clinical purposes are not known.
Feasibility and accuracy of medication checks via Internet video
Authors: Bradford Natalie , Armfield Nigel R , Young Jeanine , Smith Anthony C
Published: April 2012

We investigated the feasibility and accuracy of using Internet-based videoconferencing for double-checking medications. Ten participants checked 30 different medications using a desktop PC and a webcam. The accuracy of the video-based checks was compared with ‘face-to-vial’ checks. The checks included the drug name, dosage and expiry dates of ampoules, vials and tablets, as well as graduations on syringes. There was 100% accuracy for drug name, dosage, and graduations on syringes greater than 1 unit. The expiry dates proved more difficult to read, and accuracy was only 63%. The mean overall accuracy was 91% for all items. Internet video-based medication double-checks may have a useful role to play in processes to ensure the safe use of medications in home care.
Telehealth for nursing homes: the utilization of specialist services for residential care
Authors: Gray Leonard C , Edirippulige Sisira , Smith Anthony C , Beattie Elizabeth , Theodoros Deborah , Russell Trevor , Martin-Khan Melinda
Published: April 2012

Specialist care consultations were identified by two research nurses using documentation in patient records, appointment diaries, electronic billing services and on-site observations at a 441-bed long term care facility. Over a six-month period there were 3333 consultations (a rate of 1511 consultations per year per 100 beds). Most consultations were for general practice ( n = 2589, 78%); these consultations were mainly on site (99%), with only 27 taking place off site. There were 744 consultations for specialities other than general practice. A total of 146 events related to an emergency or unplanned hospital admission. The remaining medical consultations ( n = 598, 18%) related to 23 medical specialities. The largest number of consultations were for surgery ( n = 106), podiatry ( n = 100), nursing services including wound care ( n = 74), imaging ( n = 41) and ophthalmology ( n = 40). Many services which are currently being provided on site to metropolitan long-term care facilities could be provided by telehealth in both urban and rural facilities.
Effect of mobile phone-based psychotherapy in suicide prevention: a randomized controlled trial in Sri Lanka
Authors: Marasinghe Rohana B , Edirippulige Sisira , Kavanagh David , Smith Anthony , Jiffry Mohamad T M
Published: April 2012

We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether a Brief Mobile Treatment (BMT) intervention could improve outcomes relative to usual care among suicide attempters. The intervention included training in problem solving therapy, meditation, a brief intervention to increase social support as well as advice on alcohol and other drugs, and mobile phone follow-up. The effect of the intervention was measured in terms of a reduction in suicidal ideation, depression and self-harm at Baseline, six and 12 months. A wait-list control group received usual care. A total of 68 participants was recruited from a Sri Lankan hospital following a suicide attempt. Participants who received the intervention were found to achieve significant improvements in reducing suicidal ideation and depression than those receiving usual care. The BMT group also experienced a significant improvement of social support when compared to the control group. However, the BMT group did not demonstrate a significant effect in reducing actual self-harm and most substance use, and differential effects on alcohol use were restricted to men. Although the present study was limited in revealing which component of the intervention was more effective in preventing suicide, it showed its efficacy in reducing suicide as a whole.
A review of telemedicine interventions in diabetes care
Authors: Siriwardena L S A Nishan , Wickramasinghe W A Sudarshana , Perera K L Dussantha , Marasinghe Rohana B , Katulanda Prasad , Hewapathirana Roshan
Published: April 2012

We reviewed the literature concerning the use of telemedicine interventions in diabetes care. The PubMed database was searched for randomized controlled trials concerning the use of telemedicine for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. A total of 27 articles (studies) met the inclusion criteria. The interventions concerned videoconferencing ( n = 8), mobile phones ( n = 10) and telephone calls ( n = 9). There was metabolic improvement in 23 studies, which was significant in 12 out of 23 (44%). Only two studies (8%) reported a negative clinical outcome. The majority of the studies ( n = 19; 70%) employed behavioural therapy as the key intervention. The medium used for interaction in behavioural therapy intervention was videoconferencing ( n = 7), mobile phone ( n = 4), telephone calls ( n = 8), feedback letters ( n = 2). Telemedicine appears to be a promising alternative to conventional therapy.
A review of Medicare expenditure in Australia for psychiatric consultations delivered in person and via videoconference
Authors: Smith Anthony C , Armfield Nigel R , Croll Jasmine , Gray Leonard C
Published: April 2012

We examined the activity (services recorded) and cost (benefits paid) of reimbursement associated with telepsychiatry services in the Australian public health-care sector. We reviewed the activity and costs administered through the government's Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) from July 2002 to June 2011. During this nine-year-period, almost 14 million psychiatric consultations were funded through Medicare at a cost of $1.6 billion. Of these, 8003 were telepsychiatry consultations which cost $934,000, i.e. the video consultations subgroup represented 0.06% of all psychiatric consultations provided and 0.06% of the total cost to the government for these services. Despite telepsychiatry being a widely reported and successful example of telehealth internationally, the uptake of telepsychiatry in Australia has been slow.
Development of separated elastic stockings
Authors: Hirai M , Iwata H , Miyazaki K , Koyama A , Nakamura H
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To investigate the acceptability of newly developed separated elastic stockings, which are divided into two portions at the ankle.

Methods

The difficulty in putting on and taking off stockings was compared between the original or modified separated stockings with various techniques in order to reduce the shift of the stockings and current non-separated stockings in healthy volunteers and patients with lymphoedema by applying both stockings alternately. In the modified model, the shift during daily activities was measured in healthy volunteers and patients with lymphoedema.

Results

The two items, ‘easier compared with non-separated stockings’ and ‘much easier’, were chosen at rates of 75% and 81% for putting on and taking off stockings for the original separated stockings and 75% and 75% for the modified separated stockings, respectively. Complaints during daily activities with the modified type to the stockings decreased as compared with the original type. The shift of stockings after an average 11-hour application was 1.6 ± 3.0 SD mm (range: 0–10 mm).

Conclusions

Modified separated elastic stockings are easier to put on and take off compared with current non-separated stockings, and they can be used safely because of their low-level shift during daily activities.
Use of ultrasonography by veterinary surgeons in small animal clinical emergencies
Authors: Mantis Panagiotis
Published: April 2012

Computed tomography may be the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing haemorrhage after trauma; however, it has limited availability in veterinary medicine, requires sedation or anaesthesia to restrain the animal, and is expensive. Ultrasound, in many situations, offers a portable, rapid and economic alternative. This article reviews the use of ultrasound by veterinary surgeons in the emergency setting. Both thoracic and abdominal applications are described.
Transformational Tithing
Authors: Premawardhana Devaka
Published: April 2012

This article examines a controversy surrounding the theology of prosperity associated with neo-Pentecostalism: the aggressive soliciting of tithes from largely underclass worshippers, and the eagerness of those worshippers to respond beyond what seems financially sound. Drawing on ethnographic research among Cape Verdean immigrants in a Boston branch of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, I argue that a sense of empowerment often accompanies sacrificial tithing. This sense comes through the insertion of worshippers into multiple relations of reciprocity. Those whom I observed submitting to their pastor's calls to tithe should not, therefore, be glibly dismissed as victims of alienation or brainwashing. Their expressions of devotion are active and creative strategies of self-transformation in response to the precariousness of the migrant's life-world.
Perifosine-mediated Akt inhibition in neuroendocrine tumor cells: role of specific Akt isoforms
Authors: Zitzmann Kathrin , Vlotides George , Brand Stephan , Lahm Harald , Spöttl Gerald , Göke Burkhard , Auernhammer Christoph J
Published: April 2012

The majority of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the gastroenteropancreatic system show aberrant Akt activity. Several inhibitors of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K)–Akt–mTOR signaling pathway are currently being evaluated in clinical phase II and III studies for the treatment of NETs with promising results. However, the molecular mechanisms and particularly the role of different Akt isoforms in NET signaling are not fully understood. In this study, we examine the effect of Akt inhibition on NET cells of heterogeneous origin. We show that the Akt inhibitor perifosine effectively inhibits Akt phosphorylation and cell viability in human pancreatic (BON1), bronchus (NCI-H727), and midgut (GOT1) NET cells. Perifosine treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of Akt downstream targets such as GSK3α/β, MDM2, and p70S6K and induced apoptosis. To further investigate the role of individual Akt isoforms for NET cell function, we specifically blocked Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 via siRNA transfection. In contrast to Akt2 knockdown, knockdown of Akt isoforms 1 and 3 decreased phosphorylation levels of GSK3α/β, MDM2, and p70S6K and suppressed NET cell viability and colony-forming capacity. The inhibitory effect of simultaneous downregulation of Akt1 and Akt3 on tumor cell viability was significantly stronger than that caused by downregulation of all Akt isoforms, suggesting a particular role for Akt1 and Akt3 in NET signaling. Akt3 siRNA-induced apoptosis while all three isoform-specific siRNAs impaired BON1 cell invasion. Together, our data demonstrate potent antitumor effects of the pan-Akt inhibitor perifosine on NET cells in vitro and suggest that selective targeting of Akt1 and/or Akt3 might improve the therapeutic potential of Akt inhibition in NET disease.
Caught in a fire trap: Recurring fire creates stable size equilibria in woody resprouters
Authors: Grady John M. , Hoffmann William A.
Published: April 2012

Globally, fire maintains many mesic habitats in an open canopy state by killing woody plants while reducing the size of those able to resprout. Where fire is frequent, tree saplings are often suppressed by a “fire trap” of repeated topkill (death of aerial biomoass) and resprouting, preventing them from reaching adult size. The ability to tolerate repeated topkill is an essential life‐history trait that allows a sapling to persist until it experiences a long fire‐free interval, during which it can escape the fire trap. We hypothesized that persistence in the fire trap results from a curvilinear relationship between pre‐burn size and resprout size, which causes a plant to approach an equilibrial size in which post‐fire biomass recovery is equal to fire‐induced biomass loss. We also predicted that the equilibrial stem size is positively related to resource availability. To test these hypotheses, we collected data on pre‐burn and resprout size of five woody plant species at wetland ecotones in longleaf pine savanna subjected to frequent burning. As expected, all species exhibited similar curvilinear relationships between pre‐burn size and resprout size. The calculated equilibrial sizes were strong predictors of mean plant size across species and growing conditions, supporting the persistence equilibrium model. An alternative approach using matrix models yielded similar results. Resprouting was less vigorous in dry sites than at wet sites, resulting in smaller equilibrial stem sizes in drier sites; extrapolating these results provides an explanation for the absence of these species in xeric uplands. This new framework offers a straightforward approach to guide data collection for experimental, comparative, and modeling studies of plant persistence and community dynamics in frequently burned habitats.
Self-Perception of Malocclusion Among Nigerian Adolescents Using The Aesthetic Component of The IOTN
Authors: Aikins E.A , daCosta O.O , Onyeaso C.O , Isiekwe M.C
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

The practice of orthodontics is very young in South-South Nigeria and there is need for base line data for informed planning. This study was carried out to investigate the self-perception of malocclusion among Nigerian school children aged 12 to 18 years in order to compare their perception with that of an orthodontist and also to determine the influence of gender and age on self-perception.

Materials and Methodology:

A total of 612 randomly selected schoolchildren comprising 299 (48.9%) males and 313 (51.1%) females with a mean age of 15 + 2.0 years were included in the study, the Aesthetic Component (AC) of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) was the instrument used to measure the perception of malocclusion by both the school children and the orthodontist.

Results:

Majority of the students (82.5%) rated their teeth towards the more attractive end of the scale (Grades 1-4). Although self - perception was not found to be related to gender, older children (16-18 years) had an increased level of perception of need. Males and older children were found to be more in need of treatment by the orthodontist.

Conclusions:

A significant difference was found between the orthodontist’s rating and the students’ ratings of the attractiveness of their occlusions. Age and gender were not found to influence self- perceived orthodontic treatment need. Therefore, for effective orthodontic care, self- perception and not only professional assessment must be taken into consideration when formulating treatment plans to ensure patient satisfaction.
Percutaneous Tennis Elbow Release Under Local Anaesthesia
Authors: Nazar MA , Lipscombe S , Morapudi S , Tuvo G , Kebrle R , Marlow W , Waseem M
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

When the non-operative treatment of tennis elbow fails to improve the symptoms a surgical procedure can be performed. Many different techniques are available. The percutaneous release of the common extensor origin was first presented by Loose at a meeting in 1962. Despite the simplicity of the operation and its effectiveness in relieving pain with minimal scarring this procedure is still not widely accepted. This study presents the long-term results of percutaneous tennis elbow release in patients when conservative measures including local steroid injections have failed to relieve the symptoms.

Patients and Methods:

Percutaneous release of the extensor origin was performed in 24 consecutive patients (seven male and seventeen female), providing 30 elbows for this study. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 71 years with mean age of 55 years. The technique involved a day case procedure in the operating theatre using local anaesthesia without the need for a tourniquet. The lateral elbow was infiltrated with 5mls 1% lignocaine and 5mls 0.5% bupivicaine with 1:200,000 adrenaline. All operations were performed by the senior author. The patients were assessed post operatively by using DASH (disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand) score and Oxford elbow scores. The mean follow up period was 36 months (1-71months).

Results:

Twenty one patients returned the DASH and Oxford elbow questionnaires. Four patients were lost in the follow up. The post operative outcome was good to excellent in most patients. Eighty seven percent of patients had complete pain relief. The mean post-op DASH score was 8.47 (range 0 to 42.9) and the mean Oxford elbow score was 42.8 (range 16 to 48). There were no complications reported. All the patients returned to their normal jobs, hobbies such as gardening, horse riding and playing musical instruments.

Conclusion:

In our experience Percutaneous release of the epicondylar muscles for humeral epicondylitis has a high rate of success, is relatively simple to perform, is done as a day case procedure and has been without complications. Percutaneous release is a viable treatment option after failed conservative management of tennis elbow.
The Integrated Proactive Surveillance System for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Wang Haibin , Yatawara Mahendra , Huang Shao-Chi , Dudley Kevin , Szekely Christine , Holden Stuart , Piantadosi Steven
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we present the design and implementation of the integrated proactive surveillance system for prostate cancer (PASS-PC). The integrated PASS-PC is a multi-institutional web-based system aimed at collecting a variety of data on prostate cancer patients in a standardized and efficient way. The integrated PASS-PC was commissioned by the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and built through the joint of efforts by a group of experts in medical oncology, genetics, pathology, nutrition, and cancer research informatics. Their main goal is facilitating the efficient and uniform collection of critical demographic, lifestyle, nutritional, dietary and clinical information to be used in developing new strategies in diagnosing, preventing and treating prostate cancer.

The integrated PASS-PC is designed based on common industry standards – a three tiered architecture and a Service- Oriented Architecture (SOA). It utilizes open source software and programming languages such as HTML, PHP, CSS, JQuery, Drupal and MySQL. We also use a commercial database management system – Oracle 11g. The integrated PASS-PC project uses a “confederation model” that encourages participation of any interested center, irrespective of its size or location. The integrated PASS-PC utilizes a standardized approach to data collection and reporting, and uses extensive validation procedures to prevent entering erroneous data. The integrated PASS-PC controlled vocabulary is harmonized with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Thesaurus. Currently, two cancer centers in the USA are participating in the integrated PASS-PC project.

The final system has three main components: 1. National Prostate Surveillance Network (NPSN) website; 2. NPSN myConnect portal; 3. Proactive Surveillance System for Prostate Cancer (PASS-PC). PASS-PC is a cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG) compatible product. The integrated PASS-PC provides a foundation for collaborative prostate cancer research. It has been built to meet the short term goal of gathering prostate cancer related data, but also with the prerequisites in place for future evolution into a cancer research informatics platform. In the future this will be vital for successful prostate cancer studies, care and treatment.
Renal Replacement Therapy in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Askenazi David J. , Selewski David T. , Paden Matthew L. , Cooper David S. , Bridges Brian C. , Zappitelli Michael , Fleming Geoffrey M.
Published: April 2012

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a lifesaving procedure used in neonates, children, and adults with severe, reversible, cardiopulmonary failure. On the basis of single-center studies, the incidence of AKI occurs in 70%–85% of ECMO patients. Those with AKI and those who require renal replacement therapy (RRT) are at high risk for mortality, independent of potentially confounding variables. Fluid overload is common in ECMO patients, and is one of the main indications for RRT. RRT to maintain fluid balance and metabolic control is common in some but not all centers. RRT on ECMO can be performed via an in-line hemofilter or by incorporating a standard continuous renal replacement machine into the ECMO circuit. Both of these methods require specific technical considerations to provide safe and effective RRT. This review summarizes available epidemiologic data and how they apply to our understanding of AKI pathophysiology during ECMO, identifies indications for RRT while on ECMO, reviews technical elements for RRT application in the setting of ECMO, and finally identifies specific research-focused questions that need to be addressed to improve outcomes in this at-risk population.
Analyst Initiations of Coverage and Stock Return Synchronicity
Authors: Crawford Steven S. , Roulstone Darren T. , So Eric C.
Published: April 2012

We examine how the information produced by analysts when they initiate coverage contributes to the mix of firm-specific, industry-, and market-wide information available about the firm. We hypothesize that the first analyst to initiate coverage provides low-cost market and industry information allowing him/her to follow more stocks, whereas subsequent analysts provide firm-specific information to distinguish themselves from existing analysts. We use stock return synchronicity to measure the mix of information available about a firm, with higher synchronicity indicating more industry and market information. Coverage initiations of firms with no prior analyst coverage increase synchronicity, suggesting that analysts produce industry- and market-wide information. In contrast, analysts initiating coverage on firms with existing coverage appear to focus on producing firm-specific information as these initiations lead to reduced synchronicity. Together, our findings indicate that the type of information that analysts produce at initiation depends on the information provided by other analysts.

Data Availability: All data are available from public sources identified in the paper.
Facebook Addiction: Concerns, Criticism, and Recommendations—A Response to Andreassen and Colleagues
Authors: Griffiths Mark D.
Published: April 2012

This paper provides a brief critique of the Facebook addiction research field in relation to the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale developed by Andreaessen and colleagues (2012). Just like the term “Internet addiction,” the term “Facebook addiction” may already be obsolete because there are many activities that a person can engage in on the Facebook website (e.g., messaging friends, playing games like Farmville, and gambling). What is needed is a new psychometric scale examining potential addiction to a particular online application (i.e., social networking) rather than activity on a particular website (i.e., Facebook).
Psychometric Properties of a Four-Component Norwegian Organizational Justice Scale
Authors: Olsen Olav Kjellevold , Eidhamar Are , Myrseth Helga , Hystad Sigurd W.
Published: April 2012

Organizational justice has attracted attention as a predictor of employees' mental and physical health as well as commitment and work outcomes. The lack of a Norwegian translation of an organizational justice scale has precluded its use in Norway. Four dimensions of the organizational justice construct were examined in a Norwegian military context, including facet measures of distributional, interpersonal, and informational justice developed by Colquitt in 2001, in addition to procedural justice developed by Moorman in 1991. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-dimensional structure with good internal consistency. Follow-up analyses have suggested that the four dimensions were nested beneath a general, latent organizational justice factor. A positive relationship between organizational justice and self-sacrificial behavior was found, indicating satisfactory construct validity. The results demonstrate that the Norwegian Organizational Justice Scale is a reliable and construct-valid measure of organizational justice in a Norwegian setting.
Effect of Group Means on the Probability of Consensus
Authors: Arima Yoshiko
Published: April 2012

In this study, groups who could not reach a consensus were investigated using the group polarization paradigm. The purpose was to explore the conditions leading to intragroup disagreement and attitude change following disagreement among 269 participants. Analysis indicated that the probability of consensus was low when the group means differed from the grand mean of the entire sample. When small differences among group members were found, depolarization (reverse direction of polarization) followed disagreement. These results suggested the groups which deviated most from the population tendency were the most likely to cause within-group disagreement, while within-group variances determined the direction of attitude change following disagreement within the group.
Motivational Interviewing and Smoking Behaviors: A Critical Appraisal and Literature Review of Selected Cessation Initiatives
Authors: Mantler Tara , Irwin Jennifer D. , Morrow Don
Published: April 2012

The present paper systematically reviewed and critically appraised three different dimensions of motivational interviewing currently utilized in smoking cessation initiatives: social support, motivation, and tailored interventions. A review of four databases generated 57 primary articles, 17 of which met the inclusion criteria of an intervention study utilizing at least one dimension of motivational interviewing, adults between 18 and 64 years, no comorbidities, and a follow-up period of at least 6 weeks. More than 11,600 participants are represented in this review. The implementation of social support, motivation, and tailored interventions yielded mixed results. Furthermore, threats to validity emerged, including self-report, follow-up period, sample sizes, a priori differences in groups, and web-based and text-based interventions. Further research must ascertain the efficacy of the three dimensions of motivational interviewing indicated by the mixed results reported in terms of statistical significance of cessation rates. More empirically rigorous designs with evaluations based on stringent replicable criteria are needed.
Change in Self-Concept Differentiation after Psychotherapy and its Relation to Psychological Maladjustment
Authors: Styla Rafal
Published: April 2012

The research was carried out with a group of 105 psychotherapy participants, diagnosed with neurosis or personality disorders, and 36 controls. Analysis supported the hypotheses that self-concept differentiation (SCD) decreases after psychotherapeutic interventions and that the reduction in SCD is positively correlated with an improvement in neurotic symptoms and neurotic personality traits.