bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Glioma Cancer Stem Cell Isolation in Survival of Primary Glioblastoma Patients
Authors: Kong Byung Ho , Moon Ju Hyung , Huh Yong-Min , Shim Jin-Kyoung , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Eui-Hyun , Chang Jong Hee , Kim Dong-Seok , Hong Yong-Kil , Kim Sun Ho , Lee Su-Jae , Kang Seok-Gu
Published: December 2014

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been reported to be critical in the initiation, maintenance, and progression of cancers. The expression of stem cell markers, such as podoplanin (PDPN), CD133, and nestin, may have been correlated with malignant progression. However, the effects of CSCs and stem cell markers on clinical outcomes in cancer patients remain unclear. In this study, we assessed the prognostic roles of glioma CSCs (gCSCs) isolation and stem cell markers in patients with primary glioblastoma (pGBM). A cohort of 39 patients with pGBM was separated into two groups, those positive or negative for gCSCs, and the correlation between gCSC and patient survival was evaluated. We observed significantly different cumulative survival (P=0.045) when comparing patients positive for gCSCs patients and negative for gCSC. Among the patients positive for gCSCs, we observed no significant differences in survival between those whose gCSCs were each positive or negative for PDPN, CD133, or nestin. This study strongly supports the prognostic value of gCSCs isolation on the survival of patients with pGBM.
Retrograde Intramedullary Nailing with a Blocking Pin Technique for Reduction of Periprosthetic Supracondylar Femoral Fracture after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Technical Note with a Compatibility Chart of the Nail to Femoral Component
Authors: Tonogai Ichiro , Hamada Daisuke , Goto Tomohiro , Takasago Tomoya , Tsutsui Takahiko , Suzue Naoto , Matsuura Tetsuya , Sairyo Koichi
Published: December 2014

Periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) present a clear management challenge, and retrograde intramedullary nails have recently gained widespread acceptance in treatment of these fractures. In two cases, we found a blocking screw technique, first reported by Krettek et al., was useful in the reduction of the fractures. Both patients attained preinjury mobility after intramedullary nailing. Moreover, we present a chart summarizing the notch designs of various femoral components because some prosthetic knee designs are not amenable to retrograde nailing. We hope this will be helpful in determining indications for retrograde nailing in periprosthetic fractures after TKA.
Immune-Related Conditions and Acute Leukemia in Children with Down Syndrome: A Children's Oncology Group Report
Authors: Linabery Amy M. , Li Wenchao , Roesler Michelle A. , Spector Logan G. , Gamis Alan S. , Olshan Andrew F. , Heerema Nyla A. , Ross Julie A.
Published: December 2014

Background: Children with Down syndrome have unique immune profiles and increased leukemia susceptibility.

Methods: Mothers of 158 children with Down syndrome diagnosed with acute leukemia at 0 to 19 years in 1997 to 2002 and 173 children with Down syndrome but no leukemia were interviewed. Associations were evaluated via multivariable unconditional logistic regression.

Results: No associations were detected for asthma, eczema, allergies, or hypothyroidism. Diabetes mellitus associated with leukemia (OR = 9.23; 95% confidence interval 2.33–36.59); however, most instances occurred concurrent with or after the leukemia diagnosis.

Conclusions and Impact: Children with Down syndrome who develop leukemia have increased diabetes risk, likely due to treatment and underlying susceptibility factors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(2); 454–8. ©2014 AACR.
Epidermal Growth Factor Impairs Palatal Shelf Adhesion and Fusion in the Tgf-β3 Null Mutant
Authors: Barrio M. Carmen , Del Río Aurora , Murillo Jorge , Maldonado Estela , López-Gordillo Yamila , Paradas-Lara Irene , Hernandes Luzmarina , Catón Javier , Martínez-Álvarez Concepción
Published: December 2014

The cleft palate presented by transforming growth factor-β3 (Tgf-β3) null mutant mice is caused by altered palatal shelf adhesion, cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation and cell death. The expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (Tgf-β1) and muscle segment homeobox-1 (Msx-1) is modified in the palates of these knockout mice, and the cell proliferation defect is caused by the change in EGF expression. In this study, we aimed to determine whether this change in EGF expression has any effect on the other mechanisms altered in Tgf-β3 knockout mouse palates. We tested the effect of inhibiting EGF activity in vitro in the knockout palates via the addition of Tyrphostin AG 1478. We also investigated possible interactions between EGF, Tgf-β1 and Msx-1 in Tgf-β3 null mouse palate cultures. The results show that the inhibition of EGF activity in Tgf-β3 null mouse palate cultures improves palatal shelf adhesion and fusion, with a particular effect on cell death, and restores the normal distribution pattern of Msx-1 in the palatal mesenchyme. Inhibition of TGF-β1 does not affect either EGF or Msx-1 expression.
Detailed Assessment of Renal Function in a Proband with Harboyan Syndrome Caused by a Novel Homozygous SLC4A11 Nonsense Mutation
Authors: Liskova Petra , Dudakova Lubica , Tesar Vladimir , Bednarova Vladimira , Kidorova Jana , Jirsova Katerina , Davidson Alice E. , Hardcastle Alison J.
Published: December 2014

Background/Aims: To identify the underlying molecular genetic cause of disease in a patient with Harboyan syndrome and to perform a detailed assessment of her renal function. We also assessed the influence of the SLC4A11 mutation identified on the corneal endothelium in the heterozygous state. Methods: A 55-year-old female was examined ophthalmologically, audiologically and nephrologically including 24-hour urine collection. The coding region of SLC4A11 was directly sequenced. Specular microscopy was performed in the proband's 21-year-old daughter. Results: The proband had bilateral iridectomy at the age of 3 months because of an initial diagnosis of congenital glaucoma and since the age of 12 years she underwent several keratoplasties in each eye. Nephrological examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was confirmed by audiometry. A novel homozygous mutation predicted to lead to a premature stop codon at the protein level, c.2188C>T; p.(Arg730*), was identified in SLC4A11. No changes in corneal endothelial cell morphology or density were observed in the heterozygous daughter. Conclusion: In contrast to the Slc4a11-/- mouse, no abnormalities in daily renal ion excretion or polyuria were observed in the Harboyan syndrome patient. The mutation identified does not affect corneal endothelial cell morphology or density in the heterozygous state. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
The Role of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Predicting Longitudinal Cognitive Function in an Older Adult Cohort
Authors: Frazier Darvis T. , Seider Talia , Bettcher Brianne M. , Mack Wendy J. , Jastrzab Laura , Chao Linda , Weiner Michael W. , DeCarli Charles , Reed Bruce R. , Mungas Dan , Chui Helena C. , Kramer Joel H.
Published: December 2014

Background and Purpose: Carotid atherosclerosis is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease in older adults. Although age-related cognitive decline has been associated with cerebrovascular disease, not much is known about the consequences of carotid atherosclerosis on longitudinal cognitive function. This study examines the longitudinal relationship between atherosclerosis and cognition in a sample of non-demented older subjects using baseline measurements of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and annual cognitive measures of executive function (EXEC) and verbal memory (MEM). Methods: Baseline measurements included CIMT derived from B-mode carotid artery ultrasound, structural T1-weighted images of white matter hypointensities (WMH), white matter lesions (WML), and cerebral infarct. Hypertension, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), diabetes, and waist to hip ratios (WHR) were included as covariates in our models to control for cerebrovascular risks and central adiposity. Annual composite scores of EXEC and MEM functions were derived from item response theory. Linear mixed models were used to model longitudinal cognitive change. Results: A significant inverse relationship was found between baseline CIMT and annual EXEC score, but not annual MEM score. Subjects included in the highest 4th quartile of CIMT showed a rate of annual decline in EXEC score that was significant relative to subjects in lower quartile groups (p < 0.01). The relationship between the 4th quartile of CIMT and annual EXEC score remained significant after independently adjusting for imaging measures of white matter injury and cerebral infarct. Conclusions: Older adult subjects with the highest index of CIMT showed an annual decline in EXEC scores that was significant relative to subjects with lower quartile measurements of CIMT, independent of our measures of white matter injury and cerebral infarct. Our findings suggest that elevated measures of CIMT may mark an atherosclerotic state, resulting in a decline in executive function and not memory in non-demented older adults. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Loss of AT-Rich Interactive Domain 1A Expression in Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Lee Soo Young , Kim Duck-Woo , Lee Hye Seung , Ihn Myong Hoon , Oh Heung-Kwon , Park Do Joong , Kim Hyung-Ho , Kang Sung-Bum
Published: December 2014

Objective: AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) has recently been identified as a novel tumor suppressor in various tumor types. This study was designed to explore the clinical relevance and prognostic impact of ARID1A expression loss in colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer (GC). Methods: Immunohistochemistry for ARID1A was performed using tissue microarray blocks containing 196 CRCs and 275 GCs, along with paired normal mucosa. Data on clinicopathologic variables and oncologic outcomes of patients were collected and analyzed. Results: We identified 6.1% (12/196) CRC and 8.0% (22/275) GC cases showing loss of ARID1A expression. Expression of ARID1A in paired mucosal epithelial cells was normal in all patients. Loss of ARID1A expression was significantly correlated with negative lymphatic invasion (p = 0.003) in CRC, with large tumor size (p = 0.037) in GC, and with expanding tumor border in both tumor types (CRC, p = 0.010; GC, p = 0.031). However, no association was evident between ARID1A expression and 5-year overall survival in both tumor types. Conclusions: Loss of ARID1A expression is uncommon and not associated with oncologic outcome but may be related to less invasive clinicopathologic features in CRC and GC. Further studies with a larger number of subjects are needed to establish the possible prognostic impact of ARID1A expression loss. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Enzyme Replacement Therapy Stabilized White Matter Lesion Progression in Fabry Disease
Authors: Fellgiebel Andreas , Gartenschläger Martin , Wildberger Kerstin , Scheurich Armin , Desnick Robert J. , Sims Katherine
Published: December 2014

Background: The central nervous system manifestations in Fabry disease (FD) include progressive white matter lesions (WMLs) and stroke. Due to progressive microvascular involvement, men and women with FD over 35 years of age develop WMLs. Moreover, the prevalence of stroke has been estimated to be 12 times higher in FD compared with the general population. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is available and has shown beneficial effects on renal, cardiac, and peripheral nerve function in FD, but the ERT effect on the progression of WMLs, or the reduction in cerebrovascular events, remains unknown. Methods: The WML burden and the effect of agalsidase beta 1 mg/kg biweekly on WML progression were assessed longitudinally in a Phase 4 agalsidase-beta placebo-controlled analysis of untreated and treated FD patients with mild-to-moderate renal involvement (serum creatinine measurements of ≥1.2 mg/dl and <3.0 mg/dl). The primary end point was the difference in the number of patients with increased WML burden between the agalsidase beta and placebo groups at the end of treatment. The diameters of the WMLs were determined manually using axial flow-attenuated-inversion-recovery-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans taken at baseline and follow-up. Results: MRI scans from 41 FD patients (mean age 43.9, age range 20-68, 3 females; n = 25 on ERT, n = 16 on placebo) were analyzed. WML burden was present in 63% of patients at baseline, increased over a mean of 27 months (range 12-33 months) follow-up, and correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVPW). Patients with previous or recent strokes (n = 11, 39-68 years) showed an increase in the number of WMLs (p = 0.005). A greater proportion of younger patients (≤50 years) on ERT (n = 18) had stable WML burden compared with younger patients in the placebo group (n = 13): 44% (8 of 18) versus 31% (4 of 13), p = 0.014. The number needed to treat was 8. Conclusions: This FD patient cohort, with mild-to-moderate renal involvement, had a significant WML burden and high inter-individual variability associated with the degree of LVPW but not the degree of kidney dysfunction. These advanced patients with increased LVPW and stroke evidence may have had a higher cerebrovascular risk. The WML burden in patients on ERT was more likely to remain stable, compared with patients on placebo. Thus, ERT may reduce the progression of vascular disease, even in advanced FD patients, suggesting that early treatment may stabilize WML progression and stroke risk.
Food Security in South Asian Countries: 1972 to 2013
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad , Xi Junyang
Published: December 2014

The paper empirically examines the effects of trade liberalization reforms on food security in South Asia countries (sacs) using econometric analysis in a panel framework for the period from 1972 to 2013. The estimated results indicate that trade liberalization has a significant positive effect on food production and food security in the region. The results also endorse the role of agriculture factors in improving food production and food security in sacs. The findings indicate that food security is mainly a political problem in South Asia. Solving conflicts politically, violence prevention, the reduction of international arms trade, and the reduction of military expenditures and protection of civil and political rights should be central to policies that address food security issue in the region.
Italian-Spanish Contact in Early 20th Century Argentina
Authors: Ennis Juan Antonio
Published: December 2014

This article attempts to provide a general approach to the exceptional language contact situation that took place in Argentina from the end of the 19th century until the first decades of the 20th century, in which an enormous immigration flow drastically modified the sociolinguistic landscape. This was most evident in urban environments—and among them especially the Buenos Aires area—and led the local ruling elites to set up a complex and massive apparatus for the nationalisation of the newcomers, which included a language shift in the first stage. Given that the majority of immigrants came from Italy, the most widespread form of contact was that between the local varieties of Spanish and the Italian dialects spoken by the immigrants, which led to the creation of a contact variety called Cocoliche that arose, lived then perished. Although this contact variety did not survive the early years, at least not as a full-fledged variety, the history of its emergence and the ways in which it can be studied today nevertheless make it an object of special interest for research perspectives oriented around the question of the early years of language contact. This article gives an account of this history so as to provide an analysis of a series of documents that, in a highly mediated way, can be used as an unreliable but nonetheless interesting corpus for the study of language and culture contact.
Beyond the Category
Authors: Pagel Steve
Published: December 2014

This article draws attention to three general problems in existing theories and models of contact-induced language change: the problem of autonomous types of change, that of autonomous contact languages, and that of the metaphors used in contact linguistic terminology. Parting from a discussion of these problems and two case studies of contact varieties that heavily challenge existing models of contact-induced change (Chamorro and Zamboangueño-Chabacano), I provide a new and comprehensive model based on the conception of contact-induced change as a continuous space, in which interrelated and interconnected parameters dominate over autonomous types. This model is embedded in an ecological conception of language and language contact, as expressed in Ludwig, Mühlhäusler and Pagel (in press). The relevance of the early years of contact, as seen from the perspective of the presented model, is addressed in the last section and offers one possible prospect to future discussion and research.
Studies on species of Holarctic Pardosa groups (Araneae, Lycosidae). VIII. The Palearctic species of the Pardosa nigra group
Authors: KRONESTEDT TORBJÖRN , MARUSIK YURI M. , OMELKO MIKHAIL M.
Published: December 2014

The eight Palearctic species of the Pardosa nigra group are reviewed, illustrated and keyed. Two of them are redescribed: Pardosa lyrata (Odenwall, 1901) and P. paramushirensis (Nakatsudi, 1937). The former is widespread in Siberia and has also been found in Mongolia while the latter has been recorded from Japan (Honshu and Hokkaido) and Russia: the Kuril Islands (a neotype is designated from topotypic material from Paramushir Island). Pardosa fomichevi sp. n. is described from the Maritime Province (Primorye) in Russia, based on both sexes. Pardosa arctica (Kulczyński, 1916) is placed as a synonym to P. eiseni (Thorell, 1875).
A revision of the Holarctic genus Larinioides Caporiacco, 1934 (Araneae: Araneidae)
Authors: ŠESTÁKOVÁ ANNA , MARUSIK YURI M. , OMELKO MIKHAIL M.
Published: December 2014

Аll known species of Larinioides Caporiacco, 1934 are revised. Seven species are recognised, of which one is transferred from Araneus Clerck, 1757 as a new combination, Larinioides jalimovi (Bakhvalov, 1981) comb. n. The first description of a male of L. jalimovi is given. The following four new synonyms are proposed: Epeira gracilis Menge, 1878 syn. n. and Aranea dumetorum islandicola Strand, 1906 syn. n. = L. patagiatus (Clerck, 1757); Araneus cungei Bakhvalov, 1974, syn. n. = Larinioides folium (Schrank, 1803); and Araneus sclopetarius Clerck, 1757 syn. n. = L. cornutus (Clerck, 1757). Detailed illustrations of habitus, copulatory organs, and identification keys of males and females of all Larinioides species are provided.
A Comparative Study of Wave Forcing Derived from the ERA-40 and ERA-Interim Reanalysis Datasets
Authors: Lu Hua , Bracegirdle Thomas J. , Phillips Tony , Turner John
Published: December 2014

The Eliassen–Palm (E-P) flux divergences derived from ERA-40 and ERA-Interim show significant differences during northern winter. The discrepancies are marked by vertically alternating positive and negative anomalies at high latitudes and are manifested via a difference in the climatology. The magnitude of the discrepancies can be greater than the interannual variability in certain regions. These wave forcing discrepancies are only partially linked to differences in the residual circulation but they are evidently related to the static stability in the affected regions. Thus, the main cause of the discrepancies is most likely an imbalance of radiative heating.

Two significant sudden changes are detected in the differences between the eddy heat fluxes derived from the two reanalyses. One of the changes may be linked to the bias corrections applied to the infrared radiances from the NOAA-12 High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder in ERA-40, which is known to be contaminated by volcanic aerosol from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The other change may be due in part to the use of uncorrected radiances from the NOAA-15 Advanced Microwave Sounding Units by ERA-Interim since 1998. These sudden changes have the potential to alter the wave forcing trends in the affected reanalysis, suggesting that extreme care is needed when one comes to extract trends from the highly derived wave forcing quantities.
An Introduction to Bayesian Hypothesis Testing for Management Research
Authors: Andraszewicz Sandra , Scheibehenne Benjamin , Rieskamp Jörg , Grasman Raoul , Verhagen Josine , Wagenmakers Eric-Jan
Published: December 2014

In management research, empirical data are often analyzed using p-value null hypothesis significance testing (pNHST). Here we outline the conceptual and practical advantages of an alternative analysis method: Bayesian hypothesis testing and model selection using the Bayes factor. In contrast to pNHST, Bayes factors allow researchers to quantify evidence in favor of the null hypothesis. Also, Bayes factors do not require adjustment for the intention with which the data were collected. The use of Bayes factors is demonstrated through an extended example for hierarchical regression based on the design of an experiment recently published in the Journal of Management. This example also highlights the fact that p values overestimate the evidence against the null hypothesis, misleading researchers into believing that their findings are more reliable than is warranted by the data.
Instantaneous motion and constraint analysis of Bennett linkage
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhao Jing-Shan , Feng Zhi-Jing
Published: December 2014

Bennett linkage is a well-known spatial four-bar linkage with one degree-of-freedom (DOF). Although mobility analysis of Bennett linkage has been carried out by many researchers, the type, direction and location of the instantaneous motion are seldom discussed. This paper focuses on investigating the full mobility information of Bennett linkage by using analytical method for mobility, and then addresses its extending application to a Bennett-based six-bar linkage. The result demonstrates that the instantaneous motion of Bennett linkage is always a helical motion. However, the location, direction and pitch of the helical motion are changing related to different configurations. An interesting phenomenon is that the direction of helical motion will reverse suddenly when passing through the configuration that the axes of these four links keep collinear. As an extending application, a Bennett-based six-bar linkage is discussed and its peculiar mobility is an instantaneous rotation without considering the bifurcation.
A feasibility investigation for modeling and optimization of temperature in bone drilling using fuzzy logic and Taguchi optimization methodology
Authors: Pandey Rupesh Kumar , Panda Sudhansu Sekhar
Published: December 2014

Drilling of bone is a common procedure in orthopedic surgery to produce hole for screw insertion to fixate the fracture devices and implants. The increase in temperature during such a procedure increases the chances of thermal invasion of bone which can cause thermal osteonecrosis resulting in the increase of healing time or reduction in the stability and strength of the fixation. Therefore, drilling of bone with minimum temperature is a major challenge for orthopedic fracture treatment. This investigation discusses the use of fuzzy logic and Taguchi methodology for predicting and minimizing the temperature produced during bone drilling. The drilling experiments have been conducted on bovine bone using Taguchi’s L25 experimental design. A fuzzy model is developed for predicting the temperature during orthopedic drilling as a function of the drilling process parameters (point angle, helix angle, feed rate and cutting speed). Optimum bone drilling process parameters for minimizing the temperature are determined using Taguchi method. The effect of individual cutting parameters on the temperature produced is evaluated using analysis of variance. The fuzzy model using triangular and trapezoidal membership predicts the temperature within a maximum error of ±7%. Taguchi analysis of the obtained results determined the optimal drilling conditions for minimizing the temperature as A3B5C1.The developed system will simplify the tedious task of modeling and determination of the optimal process parameters to minimize the bone drilling temperature. It will reduce the risk of thermal osteonecrosis and can be very effective for the online condition monitoring of the process.
High rates of baseline antiretroviral resistance among HIV-infected pregnant women in an HIV referral centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: de Lourdes Teixeira Maria , Nafea Shamim , Yeganeh Nava , Santos Edwiges , Isabel Gouvea Maria , Joao Esau , Ceci Loredana , Bressan Clarisse , Leticia Cruz Maria , Claude Sidi Leon , Nielsen-Saines Karin
Published: December 2014

In order to understand antiretroviral resistance during pregnancy and its impact on HIV vertical transmission, we performed a cross-sectional analysis of 231 HIV-infected pregnant women who fulfilled Brazilian guidelines for antiretroviral testing and had antiretroviral genotypic testing performed between April 2010 and October 2012. At entry into prenatal care, the mean CD4 cell count for this cohort of patients was 406 cells/mm3 (95% CI: 373–438 cells/mm3), while the mean HIV RNA was 24,394 copies/ml (95% CI: 18,275–30,513 copies/ml). Thirty-six women (16%) had detectable antiretroviral-resistant mutations. By 34 weeks gestation, 75% had achieved HIV RNA <400 copies/ml. Our logistic regression model showed the odds of harbouring antiretroviral-resistant virus with a baseline CD4 cell count of <200 cells/mm3 was eight times that of subjects with CD4 cell counts >500 CD4 cells/mm3 (95% CI 1.5–42.73). Six infants were HIV infected, four born to mothers with detectable viraemia at 34 weeks and two born to mothers who were lost to follow up. Antiretroviral resistance is common in prenatal care but did not increase vertical transmission if viral load was appropriately suppressed. Genotyping should be considered in Brazil in order to assist initiation of appropriate combination antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy to suppress viral load to avoid vertical transmission.
Cooperation control of multiple miniature robots in unknown obstacle environment
Authors: Li Yue , Gao Junyao , Su Xuandong , Zhao Jingchao
Published: December 2014

This article focuses on the cooperative control problem of a group of miniature mobile robots in the environment with unknown obstacles. Each robot in the group has limited sensing and communication capability. The problem is addressed by separating it into two parts. One part is the formation control of multi-robot and another is navigation control with unknown obstacles. In the first part, a flexible and fault-tolerant formation scheme is introduced. Meanwhile, the dynamic surface method is combined with backstepping sliding mode control as the tracking control law. In the navigation control part, smooth trajectory of obstacle avoidance is obtained based on limit cycle principle and distance sensor data. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by numerical simulations and hardware experiments carried out on the real platform.
Role of protein kinase C-η in cigarette smoke extract-induced apoptosis in MRC-5-cells
Authors: Son ES , Kyung SY , Lee SP , Jeong SH , Shin JY , Ohba M , Yeo EJ , Park JW
Published: December 2014

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for emphysema, which causes cell death in structural cells of the lung by mechanisms that are still not completely understood. We demonstrated previously that CS extract (CSE) induces caspase activation in MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts, activated protein kinase C-η (PKC-η), and translocated PKC-η from the cytosol to the membrane. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of PKC-η activation in a CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway. We determined that CSE increases expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage in MRC-5 cells and overexpression of PKC-η significantly increased expression of caspase 3 and 8 cleavage compared with control LacZ-infected cells. In contrast, dominant negative (dn) PKC-η inhibited apoptosis in MRC-5 cells exposed to CSE and decreased expression of caspase 3 and 8 compared with control cells. Exposure to 10% CSE for >8 h significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase release in PKC-η-infected cells compared with LacZ-infected cells. Additionally, PKC-η-infected cells had an increased number of Hoechst 33342 stained nuclei compared with LacZ-infected cells, while dn PKC-η-infected cells exhibited fewer morphological changes than LacZ-infected cells under phase-contrast microscopy. In conclusion, PKC-η activation plays a pro-apoptotic role in CSE-induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway in MRC-5 cells. These results suggest that modulation of PKC-η may be a useful tool for regulating the extrinsic apoptosis of MRC-5 cells by CSE and may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of CS-induced lung injury.
The Challenges for Primary Caregivers of Adolescents With Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Authors: Oruche Ukamaka M. , Draucker Claire Burke , Al-Khattab Halima , Cravens Hillary A. , Lowry Brittany , Lindsey Laura M.
Published: December 2014

Adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD), including oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, present unique challenges for their families. Although, most empirically supported treatments for DBD are family-based, the emphasis is typically on the behavior of the child rather than on the life challenges and resultant distress experienced by the family members. Fifteen families of adolescents with DBD were recruited from a large publicly funded Community Mental Health Center. For this report, data from in-depth interviews with the adolescents’ primary caregivers were analyzed by standard content analytic procedures to describe the challenges they experienced living with and caring for the adolescents. The primary caregivers reported that the challenges were overwhelming, demanding, and unrelenting. The two most salient challenges were (a) managing the adolescents’ aggressive, defiant, and deceitful behaviors, and (b) interacting frequently with a number of child-serving agencies. A number of clinical implications are drawn from these findings.
Working Memory Training in ADHD: Controlling for Engagement, Motivation, and Expectancy of Improvement (Pilot Study)
Authors: Mawjee Karizma , Woltering Steven , Lai Nathan , Gotlieb Howell , Kronitz Reena , Tannock Rosemary
Published: December 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a shortened-length session of CogMed Working Memory Training (CWMT) would be a suitable active control group and evaluate study protocol to aid in design refinements for a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). Method: Thirty-eight post-secondary students diagnosed with ADHD were randomized into 25 sessions of standard (45 min/session) or shortened (15 min/session) CWMT, or into a waitlist control group. Results: There was no significant difference in completion rate or training index score between the standard- and shortened-length groups indicating that both groups showed improvement and put forth good effort during training. Conclusion: Preliminary findings suggest that shorter training sessions may induce similar levels of engagement, motivation, and expectancy of improvement in participants. We conclude that a larger scale RCT that utilizes shortened-length training as an active control group is warranted, but that a few modifications to the study protocol will be required.
Does sexual fluidity challenge sexual binaries? The case of bisexual immigrants from 1967–2012
Authors: Sin Ray
Published: December 2014

Sexual binaries are persistent in society. Scholars argue that bisexuality, marked by sexual fluidity, complicates the reproduction of the hetero/homo divide. This article draws on archival data from multiple sources on bisexual immigrants from 1967 to 2012 to empirically test if sexual fluidity disrupts sexual binaries within the context of immigration. My findings show that instead of challenging entrenched sexual binaries, sexual fluidity helps in maintaining those boundaries. Through the process of legally coupling bisexuality with homosexuality, the exclusionary policy that denied admission to immigrants with same-sex attraction was extended to bisexuals until its repeal in 1990. However when refugee protection was expanded to include sexual minorities after 1994, bisexuality and homosexuality were decoupled, consequently denying asylum protection to bisexuals. From the standpoint of immigration policies, bisexuals are paradoxically ‘kinda’ gay but just not gay enough.
Large ossification mass causing groin pain and limited hip function
Authors: Berry Brendan , Majeed Haroon , Deall Ciara , Arumugam Gowthaman , Remedios Ian dos
Published: December 2014

Acute avulsion fractures to the anterior inferior iliac spine are unusual, yet well documented injuries, especially in the adolescent skeleton. To our knowledge, chronic avulsion fracture to the anterior inferior iliac spine has not been reported. This report presents a case of chronic avulsion fracture to the anterior inferior iliac spine leading to a large ossification mass resulting in a late presentation of hip with limited function. Surgical excision followed by physiotherapy led to satisfactory resolution of pain and significantly improved the range of flexion.
Who shall get more? How intangible assets and aspiration levels affect the valuation of resource providers
Authors: Ertug Gokhan , Castellucci Fabrizio
Published: December 2014

In this study, we identify the effects of reputation and status by determining how they are differently valued by organizations that are concurrently pursuing different goals. Building on research on intangible assets and on aspiration levels, we develop a framework to explain organizations’ valuation of resource providers. We expect organizations to value resource providers who possess a specific type of intangible asset higher as their performance, relative to aspirations, decreases on the outcome more closely tied to that particular asset. We also expect to observe this sensitivity primarily when the organization has a low level of the intangible asset in question. Based on this framework, we derive specific hypotheses using the differential relationships between reputation and status, as two types of intangible assets, and product quality and revenues, as two types of goals. We find support for our hypotheses using a longitudinal dataset on National Basketball Association teams and players.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) site infections: a clinical and microbiological study from university teaching hospital, India
Authors: Krishna Sushma , Singh Sanjeev , Dinesh Kavitha R , KP Remya , Siyad Ismail , Karim Shamsul
Published: December 2014

Background:

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is used to provide enteral access in patients who are unable to swallow. Infection of the stoma is an important complication and there is little data from India on this problem, which can be used to inform infection prevention and prophylactic strategies.

Aim:

The objective was to assess the prevalence and the role of contributory factors in PEG site infections.

Methods:

A total of 173 patients underwent PEG insertion from January 2011 to May 2012. Clinical and microbiological data were collected for culture-positive cases. Insertion was performed using a standard sterile pull-through technique. Infections were defined as two of: peristomal erythema, induration, and purulent discharge.

Results:

A total of 54 PEG infections occurred in 43 patients (28.85%). Seventy-seven organisms were isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common ( n=29) followed by coliforms ( n=21) and meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ( n=6). Thirty-one (72%) received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid as prophylaxis and 12 (28%) were receiving concomitant antibiotics for their underlying conditions. The occurrence of PEG site infections was statistically independent of the administered prophylactic antibiotics ( p=0.3).

Conclusions:

This study has demonstrated the importance of PEG sites as a cause of healthcare associated infections. Educating patients on wound care practices would play a significant role in prevention of PEG site infections.
Evaluation of silica nanoparticle binding to major human blood proteins
Authors: Hata Katsutomo , Higashisaka Kazuma , Nagano Kazuya , Mukai Yohei , Kamada Haruhiko , Tsunoda Shin-ichi , Yoshioka Yasuo , Tsutsumi Yasuo
Published: December 2014

Nanomaterials are used for various biomedical applications because they are often more effective than conventional materials. Recently, however, it has become clear that the protein corona that forms on the surface of nanomaterials when they make contact with biological fluids, such as blood, influences the pharmacokinetics and biological responses induced by the nanomaterials. Therefore, when evaluating nanomaterial safety and efficacy, it is important to analyze the interaction between nanomaterials and proteins in biological fluids and to evaluate the effects of the protein corona. Here, we evaluated the interaction of silica nanoparticles, a commonly used nanomaterial, with the human blood proteins albumin, transferrin, fibrinogen, and IgG. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the amount of albumin, transferrin, and IgG binding to the silica particles increased as the particle size decreased under conditions where the silica particle mass remained the same. However, under conditions in which the specific surface area remained constant, there were no differences in the binding of human plasma proteins to the silica particles tested, suggesting that the binding of silica particles with human plasma proteins is dependent on the specific surface area of the silica particles. Furthermore, the amount of albumin, transferrin, and IgG binding to silica nanoparticles with a diameter of 70 nm (nSP70) and a functional amino group was lower than that with unmodified nSP70, although there was no difference in the binding between nSP70 with the surface modification of a carboxyl functional group and nSP70. These results suggest that the characteristics of nanomaterials are important for binding with human blood proteins; this information may contribute to the development of safe and effective nanomaterials.
Serum miR-122 correlates with short-term mortality in sepsis patients
Authors: Wang Huijuan , Yu Bingxiang , Deng Jie , Jin Yang , Xie Lixin
Published: December 2014

No abstract
Oxidation Reactivity of a Structurally and Spectroscopically Well-defined Mononuclear Peroxocarbonato–Iron(III) Complex
Authors: Tsugawa Tomohiro , Furutachi Hideki , Marunaka Megumi , Endo Taichi , Hashimoto Koji , Fujinami Shuhei , Akine Shigehisa , Sakata Yoko , Nagatomo Shigenori , Tosha Takehiko , Nomura Takashi , Kitagawa Teizo , Ogura Takashi , Suzuki Masatatsu
Published: December 2014

A mononuclear peroxocarbonato–iron(III) complex [Fe(6Me-pic)2(O2C(O)O)]− (1-O2C(O)O) with bidentate ligands (6Me-pic), prepared by the reaction of a carbonato–iron(III) complex [Fe(6Me-pic)2(CO3)]− (1-CO3) with H2O2, was fully characterized. 1-O2C(O)O showed reversible O–O bond cleavage and reformation of the peroxo group under CO2 at 25 °C. 1-O2C(O)O is capable of not only oxidizing the C=C bond of cyclooctene but also the C–H bond of toluene. As for cyclooctene, epoxidation is favorable under CO2 in the presence of H2O, while cis-dihydroxylation precedes under N2, indicating that the oxidation reactivity of 1-O2C(O)O toward cyclooctene can be tuned by changing the concentration of CO2 and H2O.
Increasing Robustness in the Calculation of the Speech Transmission Index from Impulse Responses
Authors: Cabrera Densil , Lee Doheon , Leembruggen Glenn , Jimenez Daniel
Published: December 2014

There are many factors that can affect the measured values of the speech transmission index (STI), and this paper examines how and why identical inputs into STI calculation software are yielding varying results. The study involved a survey of a number of software implementations of the Indirect Method for computing the STI from an impulse response, one of which was written by the authors. Results are presented for artificial and measured impulse responses, and for signal and noise spectra that were designed to test particular aspects of the STI calculation. While most deviations between implementations were within 0.01 STI, some were not, revealing a need for greater robustness in the design of software and greater clarity in the STI standard (IEC60268-16), including more support for validation. This paper provides some data for such validation.
Global behavior of a fourth order difference equation
Authors: Abo-Zeid R.
Published: December 2014

We determine the forbidden set, introduce an explicit formula for the solutions, and discuss the global behavior of solutions of a fourth order difference equation.
A note on embedding of semigroup amalgams
Authors: Rahkema Kristiina , Sohail Nasir
Published: December 2014

We give necessary conditions for the embedding of completely regular semigroup, Clifford semigroup and commutative regular semigroup amalgams.
A study of loan colour terms in the Komi languages
Authors: Ryabina Elena
Published: December 2014

[NOTE. This abstract contains diacritics that may not display correctly.]This article deals with a comparative study of loaned colour vocabulary in the closely related Komi-Zyrian and Komi-Permyak languages. Data were originally collected by using the field method suggested for establishing basic colour terms by Davies and Corbett (1994, 1995). Sixty-five coloured tiles were used as stimuli. The study explored and compared the psychological salience of recent Russian loan colour terms. It was found that loan colour words occurred more in the Komi-Permyak data. The most salient adopted colour term in the Komi-Permyak language is zeĺone̮j ‘green’. In the next stage of basic colour system evolution in Komi-Zyrian and Komi-Permyak, the loan colour terms korič́ńeve̮j ‘brown’, fioĺetove̮j ‘purple’ and oranževe̮j ‘orange’ may appear. At the present stage of colour category development, the Russian basic terms rozovyj ‘pink’ and goluboj ‘light-blue’ are not salient in either language.Elena Ryabina: Laenvärvinimedest komi keeltes. Artiklis võrreldakse vene laenvärvinimesid omavahel lähedalt suguluses olevas sürjakomi ja permikomi keeles. Andmed on kogutud Daviese ja Corbett’ (1995) välimeetodiga. Uurimuses on kasutatud 65 standardset Color-aid Corporationi värvitahvlit. Uurimuse eesmärk on laenvärvinimede psühholoogilise esilduvuse väljaarvutamine ja võrdlemine. Tulemused näitavad, et permikomi andmestik sisaldab rohkem laenvärvinimesid. Kognitiivse esiletuleku indeksi järgi on neist psühholoogiliselt esilduvaim zeĺone̮j ‘roheline’. Põhivärvinimede süsteemi arenedes võivad komi keeltes eeldatavasti leksikaliseeruda korič́ńeve̮j ‘pruun’, fioĺetove̮j ‘lilla’ ja oranževe̮j ‘oranž’, sest need on mõlemas komi keeles kodunenud. Laenvärvinimed rozovyj ‘roosa’ ja goluboj ‘helesinine’ ei ole praegusel põhivärvinimede arenguetapil psühholoogiliselt esiletulevad kummaski komi keeles.Märksõnad: laensõna, põhivärvinimi, psühholoogiline esilduvus, sürjakomi keel, permikomi keel
Baltic and Finnic linguistic relations reflected in geolinguistic studies of the Baltic languages
Authors: Stafecka Anna
Published: December 2014

The article provides insight into the reflection of Baltic and Finnic language contacts in geolinguistic studies of the Baltic languages. These contacts have a rather long history, and are particularly intense between the Latvian language and Finnic languages (especially Livonian and Estonian). In Lithuanian, Finnic borrowings have mostly appeared through Latvian, and fall into the dialectal Lithuanian vocabulary. The analysed material makes it possible to distinguish several areas of Finnic influences in Latvian sub-dialects. They are as follows: 1) the territory of the Livonian dialect which originated from Latvian-Livonian contact; 2) the sub-dialects along the Estonian border; 3) the sub-dialects around Gulbene and Alūksne; 4) the territory of the krieviņi (descendants of people who spoke Votic) in the Zemgale region; and 5) the sub-dialects in the Latgale region around Ludza. Geolinguistic research on language contacts may be helpful in solving certain problems of ethnic history.Kokkuvõte. Anna Stafecka: Balti ja läänemeresoome keelesuhete kajastus balti keelte geolingvistilistes uurimustes. Artikkel esitab ülevaate balti ja läänemeresoome keelesuhete kajastamisest balti keelte geolingvistilistes uurimustes. Neil kontaktidel on küllaltki pikk ajalugu ja need on eriti tugevad läti ja läänemeresoome keelte (eriti liivi ja eesti keele) vahel. Leedu keelde on läänemeresoome laenud saadud peamiselt läti keele vahendusel ja need kuuluvad leedu murdesõnavarasse. Analüüsitud materjal võimaldab eristada Läti murrakutes mitut läänemeresoome mõjupiirkonda: 1) läti-liivi kontaktide mõjul kujunenud liivipärase murde ala; 2) Eesti piiri äärsed murrakud; 3) Gulbene ja Alūksne ümbruse murrakud; 4) kreevinite (vadja keele kõnelejate järglaste) ala Zemgales ja 5) Ludza ümbruse murrakud Latgales. Keelekontaktide geolingvistiline uurimine võib kaasa aidata etnilise ajaloo küsimuste lahendamisele.Märksõnad: dialektoloogia, geolingvistika, balti-läänemeresoome keelekontaktid, murdeatlased
Early emotional contacts with the Indo-Europeans. Lexical evidence of Estonian against a broader background
Authors: Vainik Ene
Published: December 2014

The etymological origins of the Estonian emotion vocabulary reveal that they include prehistoric loanwords from different Indo-European languages. In this paper, the emotional loans are examined according to the estimated time and sequence of acquiring them. The timetable is complemented with information about the other main fields of loanwords and, as background, changes in climate, population and material culture. Each of the periods is described in detail and followed by discussion of the relevance of those particular emotions and the possible social contexts where they might have been negotiated. The results show that the sequence in which the emotion categories emerged and were borrowed does not exactly match the supposedly universal sequence predicted in literature. Instead, the development of emotion categories broadly matches the differentiation and increasing complexity in the material culture, social relations and ideologies.Kokkuvõte. Ene Vainik: Emotsionaalsed kontaktid indoeurooplastega. Eesti keele laensõnad laiemal eelajaloolisel taustal. Eesti keele emotsioonisõnade etümologiseeringud osutavad, et osa neist on päritolu poolest eelajaloolised laenud erinevatest indoeuroopa keeltest. Käesolevas uurimuses grupeeritakse laenatud emotsioonisõnad vastavalt nende arvatavale omandamise järjekorrale ning perioodile. Emotsioonisõnade jaotuvuse tabelit täiendatakse informatsiooniga teistest peamistest semantilistest laenurühmadest samal laenuperioodil ja kliima, rahvaarvu ning materiaalse kultuuri muutumisest. Artiklis iseloomustatakse iga perioodi täpsemalt ning arutletakse selle üle, mis suhtes on olnud esiplaanil just teatud emotsioonid ning millistes sotsiaalsetes kontekstides võis tekkida vajadus neid keeleliselt kajastada. Tulemused osutavad, et emotsioonikategooriate esiletulemise ning laenamise järjestus ei lange päris täpselt kokku kirjanduse põhjal ennustatuga. Emotsioonikategooriate evolutsioon vastab üldjoontes hoopis materiaalse kultuuri, sotsiaalsete suhete ning ideoloogiate kasvavale eristumisele ning komplekssusele.Märksõnad: Uurali keeled, indoeuroopa keeled, eesti keel, emotsioonikategooriad, esiajalugu, laensõnad