bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miRNA Dysregulation in Breast Cancer
Authors: Mulrane Laoighse , McGee Sharon F. , Gallagher William M. , O'Connor Darran P.
Published: November 2013

miRNAs have emerged, in the last decade, as key players in the carcinogenic process, with many candidates identified as playing important roles in many aspects of tumor development, growth, metastasis, and drug resistance. More recently, polymorphisms in miRNAs themselves or in their binding sites in target genes have been identified to incur increased risk of breast cancer in certain populations. In addition, epigenetic regulation and differential expression of processing enzymes has been shown to contribute to the aberrant expression of miRNAs in breast cancer. This review focuses on the area of miRNA dysregulation in breast cancer through both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, and the impact of this dysregulation on breast cancer risk and resistance to therapies. Cancer Res; 73(22); 6554–62. ©2013 AACR.
Easy-to-Use Augmented Reality Neuronavigation Using a Wireless Tablet PC
Authors: Deng Weiwei , Li Fang , Wang Manning , Song Zhijian
Published: November 2013

Background/Aims: Augmented reality (AR) technology solves the problem of view switching in traditional image-guided neurosurgery systems by integrating computer-generated objects into the actual scene. However, the state-of-the-art AR solution using head-mounted displays has not been widely accepted in clinical applications because it causes some inconvenience for the surgeon during surgery. Methods: In this paper, we present a Tablet-AR system that transmits navigation information to a movable tablet PC via a wireless local area network and overlays this information on the tablet screen, which simultaneously displays the actual scene captured by its back-facing camera. With this system, the surgeon can directly observe the intracranial anatomical structure of the patient with the overlaid virtual projection images to guide the surgery. Results: The alignment errors in the skull specimen study and clinical experiment were 4.6 pixels (approx. 1.6 mm) and 6 pixels (approx. 2.1 mm), respectively. The system was also used for navigation in 2 actual clinical cases of neurosurgery, which demonstrated its feasibility in a clinical application. Conclusions: The easy-to-use Tablet-AR system presented in this study is accurate and feasible in clinical applications and has the potential to become a routine device in AR neuronavigation.
Role of Local Versus Systemic Vitamin D Receptors in Vascular Calcification
Authors: Lomashvili Koba A. , Wang Xiaonan , O’Neill W. Charles
Published: November 2013

Objective—

Calcitriol and various analogs are commonly used to suppress secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease but may also exacerbate vascular calcification. Although this could be because of increased intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption, direct effects through vitamin D receptors (VDRs) on vascular smooth muscle have also been proposed.

Approach and Results—

The role of these receptors was investigated by examining gene regulation in rat aortas treated with calcitriol ex vivo and in vivo and by transplanting aortas from VDR-null (VDR
−/−
) mice into wild-type mice before induction of uremia and treatment with calcitriol. In cultured rat aortas, calcitriol increased the expression of mRNA for CYP24A1 but not mRNA for any bone-related or calcification-related genes. Gene expression in aortas in vivo was not altered by doses of calcitriol that promote calcification. Calcitriol markedly increased aortic calcification in uremic mice and this did not differ between VDR
−/−
aortic allografts and VDR
+/+
recipient aortas.

Conclusions—

Calcitriol promotes vascular calcification through a systemic action rather than through a direct vascular action.
Circulating CD40
+
and CD86
+
B Cell Subsets Demonstrate Opposing Associations With Risk of Stroke
Authors: Mantani Polyxeni T. , Ljungcrantz Irena , Andersson Linda , Alm Ragnar , Hedblad Bo , Björkbacka Harry , Nilsson Jan , Fredrikson Gunilla Nordin
Published: November 2013

Objective—

Accumulating evidence shows that immune cells play an important role in atherosclerosis. Most attention has focused on the role of different T cell subsets, whereas the possible involvement of B cells has been less studied. In this study, we assessed the association of 2 different B cell subsets, CD19
+
CD40
+
and CD19
+
CD86
+
B cells, with risk for development of acute cardiovascular events.

Approach and Results—

The prospective study included 700 subjects randomly selected from the cardiovascular cohort of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study. Mononuclear leukocytes, stored at –140
○
C at the baseline investigation in 1991–1994, were thawed and B cell subsets analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokine release from CD3/CD28-stimulated mononuclear leukocytes was measured with multiplex ELISA. Baseline carotid intima-media thickness and stenosis were assessed by ultrasonography, and clinical events were monitored through validated national registers during a median/mean follow-up time of 15 years. The subjects in the highest tertile of CD19
+
CD40
+
B cells had a significantly lower risk of incident stroke after adjustment for other risk factors. In contrast, CD19
+
CD86
+
B cells were associated with higher risk for development of a stroke event and increased release of proinflammatory cytokines from mononuclear leukocytes.

Conclusions—

These observations provide evidence for an involvement of B cells in the incidence of stroke and suggest that both pathogenic and protective B cell subsets exist.
Inhibition of Bone Morphogenic Protein 4 Restores Endothelial Function in
db/db
Diabetic Mice
Authors: Zhang Yang , Liu Jian , Tian Xiao Yu , Wong Wing Tak , Chen Yangchao , Wang Li , Luo Jiangyun , Cheang Wai San , Lau Chi Wai , Kwan Kin Ming , Wang Nanping , Yao Xiaoqiang , Huang Yu
Published: November 2013

Objective—

Bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) is involved in the development of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension. This study investigated whether the inhibition of BMP4 signaling improves endothelial function in
db/db
diabetic mice.

Approach and Results—

Male
db/db
mice were treated with noggin via osmotic pump infusion (1 µg/[h·kg
–1
]) for 2 weeks. Adenovirus BMP4-short hairpin RNA was introduced via tail vein injection at a dosage of 10
9
pfu/mouse and its effects were examined 7 days after. Vasoreactivity was studied on wire and pressure myograph. Both noggin treatment and adenovirus BMP4-short hairpin RNA transduction improved endothelium-dependent relaxations in aortae and flow-mediated dilatation in mesenteric arteries of
db/db
mice. Ex vivo treatment with BMP4 inhibitors and adenovirus BMP4-short hairpin RNA rescued the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations in
db/db
mouse aortae and reduced reactive oxygen species overproduction determined by dihydroethidium staining, CM-H
2
DCFDA fluorescence imaging, and chemiluminescence assay in
db/db
mouse aortae, and also in ex vivo cultured C57BL/6 mouse aortae or primary mouse aortic endothelial cells treated with high glucose. Likewise, activin receptor–like kinase 3 silencing by short hairpin RNA lentivirus improved endothelium-dependent relaxations in
db/db
mouse aortae accompanied by reactive oxygen species inhibition in endothelial cells. In addition, noggin reduced BMP4 upregulation in high-glucose–treated endothelial cells and in C57BL/6 mouse aortae and in aortae from
db/db
mice.

Conclusions—

Inhibition of BMP4/activin receptor–like kinase 3/reactive oxygen species signaling improved endothelial function in diabetic mice through limiting oxidative stress in endothelium. Inhibiting BMP4 cascade can become another potential therapeutic strategy against diabetic vascular dysfunction.
Prevalence and Prognostic Importance of Changes in Renal Function After Mechanical Circulatory Support
Authors: Brisco Meredith A. , Kimmel Stephen E. , Coca Steven G. , Putt Mary E. , Jessup Mariell , Tang Wilson W.H. , Parikh Chirag R. , Testani Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2013

Background—

The long-term durability and prognostic significance of improvement in renal function after mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has yet to be characterized in a large multicenter population. The primary goals of this analysis were to describe serial post-MCS changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and determine their association with all-cause mortality.

Methods and Results—

Adult patients enrolled in the Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) with serial creatinine levels available (n=3363) were studied. Early post-MCS, eGFR improved substantially (median improvement, 48.9%;
P
<0.001) with 22.3% of the population improving their eGFR by ≥100% within the first few weeks. However, in the majority of patients, this improvement was transient, and by 1 year, eGFR was only 6.7% above the pre-MCS value (
P
<0.001). This pattern of early improvement followed by deterioration in eGFR was observed with both pulsatile and continuous-flow devices. Interestingly, poor survival was associated with both marked improvement (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–2.26;
P
=0.002) and worsening in eGFR (adjusted HR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.15–2.13;
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

Post-MCS, early improvement in renal function is common but seems to be largely transient and not necessarily indicative of an improved prognosis. This pattern was observed with both pulsatile and continuous-flow devices. Additional research is necessary to better understand the mechanistic basis for these complex post-MCS changes in renal function and their associated survival disadvantage.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00119834.
Rationale and Design of a Multicenter Echocardiographic Study to Assess the Relationship Between Cardiac Structure and Function and Heart Failure Risk in a Biracial Cohort of Community-Dwelling Elderly Persons
Authors: Shah Amil M. , Cheng Susan , Skali Hicham , Wu Justina , Mangion Judy R. , Kitzman Dalane , Matsushita Kunihiro , Konety Suma , Butler Kenneth R. , Fox Ervin R. , Cook Nakela , Ni Hanyu , Coresh Josef , Mosley Thomas H. , Heiss Gerardo , Folsom Aaron R. , Solomon Scott D.
Published: November 2013

Background—

Heart failure is an important public health concern, particularly among persons >65 years of age. Women and blacks are critically understudied populations that carry a sizeable portion of the heart failure burden. Limited normative and prognostic data exist on measures of cardiac structure, diastolic function, and novel measures of systolic deformation in older adults living in the community.

Methods and Results—

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study is a large, predominantly biracial, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored epidemiological cohort study. Between 2011 and 2013, ≈6000 surviving participants, now in their seventh to ninth decade of life, are expected to return for a fifth study visit during which comprehensive 2-dimensional, Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking echocardiography will be performed uniformly in all cohort clinic visit participants. The following objectives will be addressed: (1) to characterize cardiac structural and functional abnormalities among the elderly and to determine how they differ by sex and race/ethnicity, (2) to determine the relationship between ventricular and vascular abnormalities, and (3) to prospectively examine the extent to which these noninvasive measures associate with incident heart failure.

Conclusions—

We describe the design, imaging acquisition and analysis methods, and quality assurance metrics for echocardiography in visit 5 of the ARIC cohort. A better understanding of the differences in cardiac structure and function through the spectrum of heart failure stages in elderly persons generally, and between sexes and racial/ethnic groups specifically, will deepen our understanding of the pathophysiology driving heart failure progression in these at-risk populations and may inform novel prevention or therapeutic strategies.
Adiponectin and Risk of Stroke
Authors: Arregui Maria , Buijsse Brian , Fritsche Andreas , di Giuseppe Romina , Schulze Matthias B. , Westphal Sabine , Isermann Berend , Boeing Heiner , Weikert Cornelia
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose—

The favorable cardiovascular effects attributed to adiponectin may lower risk of stroke. We investigated this in a prospective study and meta-analysis.

Methods—

A case–cohort study nested within the Potsdam cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer was performed, with 170 incident cases of ischemic stroke and a randomly selected subcohort of 2155 participants without major cardiovascular disease at baseline. A random-effects dose–response meta-analysis was performed on prospective studies reporting on adiponectin and incident stroke in healthy populations up to April 2013, identified through MEDLINE and EMBASE.

Results—

In European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Potsdam, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, the hazard ratio of ischemic stroke per 5-µg/mL higher total-adiponectin was 1.10 (95% confidence interval, 0.89–1.37). Participants with higher total-adiponectin had higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and triglyceride levels, and had less often diabetes mellitus. Additional adjustment for these putative mediators yielded a hazard ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.64). Nine studies (19 259 participants, 2960 cases), including European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Potsdam, were meta-analyzed. Pooling relative risks adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors not including putative mediators indicated moderate between-study heterogeneity (
I
2
=52.2%). This was explained by the smallest study, and the pooled relative risk (95% confidence interval) before and after its exclusion was 1.03 (0.98–1.08) and 0.99 (0.96–1.01) per 5 µg/mL, respectively. The pooled relative risk (95% confidence interval) additionally adjusted for potential mediators was 1.08 (1.01–1.15) and 1.05 (1.00–1.11) before and after excluding the same study, respectively.

Conclusions—

Adiponectin is not associated with risk of stroke. If anything, adiponectin relates directly to stroke risk after controlling for risk factors that favorably correlate with adiponectin.
Functional Identification of Spike-Processing Neural Circuits
Authors: Lazar Aurel A. , Slutskiy Yevgeniy B.
Published: November 2013

We introduce a novel approach for a complete functional identification of biophysical spike-processing neural circuits. The circuits considered accept multidimensional spike trains as their input and comprise a multitude of temporal receptive fields and conductance-based models of action potential generation. Each temporal receptive field describes the spatiotemporal contribution of all synapses between any two neurons and incorporates the (passive) processing carried out by the dendritic tree. The aggregate dendritic current produced by a multitude of temporal receptive fields is encoded into a sequence of action potentials by a spike generator modeled as a nonlinear dynamical system. Our approach builds on the observation that during any experiment, an entire neural circuit, including its receptive fields and biophysical spike generators, is projected onto the space of stimuli used to identify the circuit. Employing the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) of trigonometric polynomials to describe input stimuli, we quantitatively describe the relationship between underlying circuit parameters and their projections. We also derive experimental conditions under which these projections converge to the true parameters. In doing so, we achieve the mathematical tractability needed to characterize the biophysical spike generator and identify the multitude of receptive fields. The algorithms obviate the need to repeat experiments in order to compute the neurons’ rate of response, rendering our methodology of interest to both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists.
A Novel Iterative Method for Computing Generalized Inverse
Authors: Xia Youshen , Chen Tianping , Shan Jinjun
Published: November 2013

In this letter, we propose a novel iterative method for computing generalized inverse, based on a novel KKT formulation. The proposed iterative algorithm requires making four matrix and vector multiplications at each iteration and thus has low computational complexity. The proposed method is proved to be globally convergent without any condition. Furthermore, for fast computing generalized inverse, we present an acceleration scheme based on the proposed iterative method. The global convergence of the proposed acceleration algorithm is also proved. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed iterative algorithm is evaluated numerically.
Detecting and Classifying Events in Noisy Time Series
Authors: Kang Yanfei , Belušić Danijel , Smith-Miles Kate
Published: November 2013

Time series are characterized by a myriad of different shapes and structures. A number of events that appear in atmospheric time series result from as yet unidentified physical mechanisms. This is particularly the case for stable boundary layers, where the usual statistical turbulence approaches do not work well and increasing evidence relates the bulk of their dynamics to generally unknown individual events.

This study explores the possibility of extracting and classifying events from time series without previous knowledge of their generating mechanisms. The goal is to group large numbers of events in a useful way that will open a pathway for the detailed study of their characteristics, and help to gain understanding of events with previously unknown origin. A two-step method is developed that extracts events from background fluctuations and groups dynamically similar events into clusters. The method is tested on artificial time series with different levels of complexity and on atmospheric turbulence time series. The results indicate that the method successfully recognizes and classifies various events of unknown origin and even distinguishes different physical characteristics based only on a single-variable time series. The method is simple and highly flexible, and it does not assume any knowledge about the shape geometries, amplitudes, or underlying physical mechanisms. Therefore, with proper modifications, it can be applied to time series from a wider range of research areas.
Identifying the Characteristics of Chronic Drunk Drivers Using a Criminological Lens
Authors: DeMichele Matthew , Payne Brian , Lowe Nathan
Published: November 2013

The supervision of driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) offenders composes a large share of probation officer’s caseloads. Crime and justice researchers have made tremendous advances in the ability to classify offenders according to general recidivism, with the Level of Service Inventory–Revised (LSI-R) being one of the most tested instruments used by community corrections officers. There has yet to emerge a risk assessment tool designed to classify DWI offenders according to their likelihood to be arrested for multiple DWIs. This article estimates a series of multinomial logistic regression models to identify differences between one-time DWI offenders and chronic DWI offenders. The central independent variables are the items on the LSI-R and a popular alcohol and substance abuse screener (Adult Substance Use Survey [ASUS]), while controlling for age, race, gender, and marital status. These instruments are important tools to classify DWI offenders, and the results suggest that the community corrections field (including the offenders supervised) would benefit from a risk assessment tool to classify DWI offenders.
School Curriculum, Policies, and Practices Regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Families
Authors: Bishop Christa M. , Atlas Jana G.
Published: November 2013

This study examined what elementary schools in New York State are doing to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) families in terms of curriculum, policies, and practices. In all, 116 school psychologists completed an online survey regarding their districts. Findings indicated that even though most school districts serve LGBT-headed families, few schools have comprehensive curricula, practices, and polices that address their family structure. Even though most respondents believed that LGBT families were visible and included within their district, they did not perceive the school environment to be very welcoming for these families. Schools with a higher per pupil expenditure were more inclusive, but the type of community (i.e., rural, urban, or suburban) in which schools were located did not relate to the level of recognition LGBT-headed families receive. Although findings suggest some awareness of LGBT-headed families, schools still have a long way to go before the needs of all families are met.
Parental Involvement in School and the Role of School Security Measures
Authors: Mowen Thomas J.
Published: November 2013

Over the past three decades, the United States has experienced a significant increase in the use of security measures in public and private secondary schools. Measures including police officers, metal detectors, and security cameras are becoming more common in the hallways of American schools. Following this surge, a number of academics have become interested in understanding how these measures effect outcomes for students, yet little research has sought to explore the impact of security measures on parents. Using data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (2002), the current project explores the relationship between formal and informal parenting involvement with the school and the presence of school security measures utilizing Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) regression. Results indicate the presence of a security guard and metal detectors is related to lower levels of formal parental involvement, all else equal. Security measures were not found to effect informal parental involvement occurring outside of the school proper.
Interactive Effects of the COMT Gene and Training on Individual Differences in Supervisory Control of Unmanned Vehicles
Authors: Parasuraman Raja , Kidwell Brian , Olmstead Ryan , Lin Ming-Kuan , Jankord Ryan , Greenwood Pamela
Published: November 2013

Objective:

We examined whether a gene known to influence dopamine availability in the prefrontal cortex is associated with individual differences in learning a supervisory control task.

Background:

Methods are needed for selection and training of human operators who can effectively supervise multiple unmanned vehicles (UVs). Compared to the valine (Val) allele, the methionine (Met) allele of the COMT gene has been linked to superior executive function, but it is not known whether it is associated with training-related effects in multi-UV supervisory control performance.

Method:

Ninety-nine healthy adults were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met single nucleotide polymorphism (rs4680) and divided into Met/Met, Val/Met, and Val/Val groups. Participants supervised six UVs in an air defense mission requiring them to attack incoming enemy aircraft and protect a no-fly zone from intruders in conditions of low and high task load (numbers of enemy aircraft). Training effects were examined across four blocks of trials in each task load condition.

Results:

Compared to the Val/Met and Val/Val groups, Met/Met individuals exhibited a greater increase in enemy targets destroyed and greater reduction in enemy red zone incursions across training blocks.

Conclusion:

Individuals with the COMT Met/Met genotype can acquire skill in executive function tasks, such as multi-UV supervisory control, to a higher level and/or faster than other genotype groups.

Application:

Potential applications of this research include the development of individualized training methods for operators of multi-UV systems and selecting personnel for complex supervisory control tasks.
Pre-salt oil, royalties, and sovereign and social funds in Brazil: Challenges and social control
Authors: Romao Frederico Lisboa
Published: November 2013

The objective of this study is to analyze the social impact of the use of royalties and special participation, and sovereign and social funds, in the context of the pre-salt oil reserves in Brazil. With the pre-salt discoveries, the royalty values will grow considerably, justifying academic efforts to ensure the socially equitable application of this wealth. There has been enormous growth in the revenue from royalties in oil-producing municipalities; however, this has had little or no impact on social development, social justice, and human rights. It is concluded that oil, and resources derived from oil, are assets of the Union, requiring adequate social control.
Modulation of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Attenuates Periapical Bone Lesions
Authors: Tang Y. , Zhou X. , Gao B. , Xu X. , Sun J. , Cheng L. , Zhou X. , Zheng L.
Published: November 2013

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in bone biology. The present study investigated the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in rat periapical bone destruction and whether lithium chloride (LiCl), a glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor, promotes bone restoration. Rat bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMSCs) treated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide ( Pg LPS) showed decreased osteogenic potential through inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling as quantified by Western blot, immunofluorescence, and luciferase reporter assay. Transient Wnt3a treatment in vitro partially restored mineralization and Runx2/Osx and osteocalcin expression in cultures with Pg LPS-induced osteogenic arrest. Prolonged Wnt3a treatment impaired osteogenic commitment. X-ray microtomography showed dramatically enhanced periapical bone formation in rats gavage-fed with LiCl for 2 wks, while continuous LiCl treatment for 4 wks impaired periapical bone healing. LiCl treatment also increased GSK-3β phosphorylation and osteocalcin expression in periapical tissue. Collectively, these results indicate that Wnt/β-catenin has dichotomous functions in bone homeostasis. Modulation of this signaling pathway by LiCl may be a potential therapeutic option for bone destruction in endodontic disease.
Hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: initial Glasgow experience
Authors: Hanif F , Clancy MJ
Published: November 2013

Aims

The study presents the early results of hand-assisted laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (HALDN) carried out in West of Scotland from June 2009 to October 2010.

Methods

The first 20 HALDN procedures carried out in our unit are presented. The outcomes reported are warm ischaemia time, operative time, delayed graft function, recipient renal function and one-month morbidity and mortality of donor and recipient. SPSS 15.0 was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The mean age of the donors was 44 ± 10 years, predominantly females ( n = 13), median operative time 135 ± 33 min and warm ischaemia time 41 ± 16 s. The length of the incision used was 65 mm in all cases. Duration of hospital stay was 5 ± 1 days. Patient mortality was 0 and morbidity minimal with two donors developing minor wound infection and no other clinically significant postoperative morbidity. Among the recipients, 18/20 (90%) transplants worked primarily with two delayed graft functions, one due to early surgical complications in a small paediatric recipient and one due to recipient renal artery thrombosis.

Conclusion

HALDN is safe and associated with minimal morbidity; further analysis aims to confirm excellent cosmetic results and quick return to activity compared with the standard open nephrectomy technique.
Langerhans cell sarcoma of the nasopharynx: a rare case
Authors: Keklik M , Sivgin S , Kontas O , Abdulrezzak U , Kaynar L , Cetin M
Published: November 2013

Langerhans cell sarcoma, a tumour with markedly malignant cytological features that originates from Langerhans cells, is a very rare disease. We report the first case of 39-year-old male with Langerhans cell sarcoma arising in the nasopharynx. We chose the 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA) regimen as first-line chemotherapy, and clinical improvement of Langerhans cell sarcoma was obtained. After the fourth cycle of 2-CDA therapy, however, disease progression was observed, and we administered ESHAP regimen (etoposide, carboplatin, cytarabine, methylprednisolone) as a second-line therapy. After we administered two cycles of ESHAP, however, the patient developed aggressive progression and he died. The importance of immunohistochemical findings is obvious in Langerhans cell sarcoma diagnosis. Considering that Langerhans cell sarcoma behaves in a very malignant fashion, a more aggressive treatment approach is necessary for patients with Langerhans cell sarcoma.
Massive atrial myxoma: surgical treatment for an incidentaloma causing dyspnoea
Authors: Lammy S , Velu P Palani
Published: November 2013

A patient presented having a one-week history of recurrent falls and confusion and weight loss over an unspecified period of time. A chest radiograph revealed bilateral pleural effusions and the patient was treated for community acquired pneumonia. His weight loss and suspicion of malignant disease prompted computer tomography to be conducted. This revealed widespread mediastinal and oesophageal adenopathy. An echocardiogram showed a large hyperechoic mobile mass. Coronary angiography showed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. He underwent two-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting and an atriotomy to excise the myxoma. He experienced no operative complications and no neurological deterioration and was discharged home three weeks later in sinus rhythm. Myxomas can duplicate a broad array of cardiorespiratory symptoms and signs and can often escape detection by being picked up as an incidentaloma.
Pareto optimum control of a 2-DOF inverted pendulum using approximate feedback linearization and sliding mode control
Authors: Sahnehsaraei M Andalib , Mahmoodabadi MJ , Bagheri A
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a cart-type inverted pendulum is controlled using combining of two methods of approximate feedback linearization and sliding mode control. Both position of the cart and angular position of the pendulum are stabilized. Obtained control gains are optimized by a hybrid algorithm based on the particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm.
Are Researcher Development Interventions, Alone or in Any Combination, Effective in Improving Researcher Behavior? A Systematic Review
Authors: Mazmanian Paul E. , Coe Antoinette B. , Evans Jessica A. , Longo Daniel R. , Wright Barbara A.
Published: November 2013

Academic institutions funded by the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program of the National Institutes of Health were challenged recently by the Institute of Medicine to expand traditional mentoring of graduate and postdoctoral scholars to include training and continuing education for faculty, professional staff, and community partners. A systematic review was conducted to determine whether researcher development interventions, alone or in any combination, are effective in improving researcher behavior. PubMed, CINAHL, and Education Research Complete databases and select journals were searched for relevant articles published from January 2000 through October 2012. A total of 3,459 papers were identified, and 114 papers were retrieved for in-depth analysis. None included randomization. Twenty-two papers reported subjects with professional degrees, interventions, and outcomes. Interventions were meetings, outreach visits, colleague mediation, audit and feedback, and multifaceted interventions. Most studies reported multifaceted interventions (68.2%), often involving mentored learning experiences, and meetings. All studies reported a change in performance, including numbers of publications or grant applications. Nine studies reported changes in competence, including writing, presentation, or analytic skills, and performance in research practice (40.9%). Even as, the quality of evidence was weak to establish causal linkages between researcher development and improved researcher behavior, nearly all the projects (81.8%) received funding from governmental agencies, professional societies, or other organizations. Those who design researcher development activities and those who evaluate the programs are challenged to develop tools and conduct studies that measure the effectiveness, costs, and sustainability of researcher development in the CTSA Program.
A New Method for Estimating the True Score of Subjects in the Assessment Based on the Binary Checklist
Authors: Inutsuka Hiroki
Published: November 2013

Assessments of subjects by multiple raters are completed in several health research and practice arenas. As observed in interrater comparisons of checklists during assessment, raters generally make mistakes in assessment. Despite these errors, the average scores on all the checklists have been historically used to represent the subjects’ true scores. The effect of the assessment rater error on these average scores has been seldom studied. In the present study, the effect of random rater error on subjects’ average scores was investigated mathematically. The analysis based on a mathematical model revealed that average scores were truly representative only in special cases where raters made no assessment errors. In addition, average scores were poor estimates of the true score due to random assessment error. A new, more precise formula to estimate subjects’ true scores was proposed. The method to apply this formula to actual checklist assessment data was demonstrated.
Establishing the Validity and Reliability of the Student Practice Evaluation Form–Revised (SPEF-R) in Occupational Therapy Practice Education
Authors: Rodger Sylvia , Chien Chi-Wen , Turpin Merrill , Copley Jodie , Coleman Allison , Brown Ted , Caine Anne-Maree
Published: November 2013

This study investigated construct validity and internal consistency of the Student Practice Evaluation Form–Revised Edition Package (SPEF-R) which evaluates students’ performance on practice education placements. The SPEF-R has 38 items covering eight domains, and each item is rated on a 5-point rating scale. Data from 125 students’ final placement evaluations in their final year study were analyzed using the Rasch measurement model. The SPEF-R exhibited satisfactory rating scale performance and unidimensionality across the eight domains, providing construct validity evidence. Only 2 items misfit Rasch model’s expectations (both related to students’ performance with client groups, which were often rated as not observed). Additionally, the internal consistency of each SPEF-R domain was found to be excellent (Cronbach’s α = .86 to .91) and all individual items had reasonable to excellent item-total correlation coefficients. The study results indicate that the SPEF-R can be used with confidence to evaluate students’ performance during placements, but continued validation and refinement are required.
Family Relationships From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Parra Agueda , Oliva Alfredo , Reina Maria del Carmen
Published: November 2013

This longitudinal follow-up studies a group of 90 girls and boys from initial adolescence into emerging adulthood. The relationships between these young people and their parents are analyzed over a 10-year period, while considering possible gender differences. The results indicate that the levels of communication and affection perceived by these young people diminish during emerging adulthood; however, their perceived adaptability remains and cohesion increases as the frequency of conflicts decreases. In terms of gender differences, boys and girls show similar developmental pathways. On the other hand, the results indicated a high relative stability for the scores of the subjects. This work underlines the importance of further studies about family relationships during emerging adulthood, especially from a longitudinal perspective.
The development and piloting of the REnal specific Advanced Communication Training (REACT) programme to improve Advance Care Planning for renal patients
Authors: Bristowe Katherine , Shepherd Kate , Bryan Liz , Brown Heather , Carey Irene , Matthews Beverley , O’Donoghue Donal , Vinen Katie , Murtagh Fliss EM
Published: November 2013

Background:

In recent years, the End-Stage Kidney Disease population has increased and is ever more frail, elderly and co-morbid. A care-focused approach needs to be incorporated alongside the disease focus, to identify those who are deteriorating and improve communication about preferences and future care. Yet many renal professionals feel unprepared for such discussions.

Aim:

To develop and pilot a REnal specific Advanced Communication Training (REACT) programme to address the needs of End-Stage Kidney Disease patients and renal professionals.

Design:

Two-part study: (1) development of the REnal specific Advanced Communication Training programme informed by multi-professional focus group and patient survey and (2) piloting of the programme.

Setting/participants:

The REnal specific Advanced Communication Training programme was piloted with 16 participants (9 renal nurses/health-care assistants and 7 renal consultants) in two UK teaching hospitals.

Results:

The focus group identified the need for better information about end-of-life phase, improved awareness of patient perspectives, skills to manage challenging discussions, ‘hands on’ practice in a safe environment and follow-up to discuss experiences. The patient survey demonstrated a need to improve communication about concerns, treatment plans and decisions. The developed REnal specific Advanced Communication Training programme was acceptable and feasible and was associated with a non-significant increase in confidence in communicating about end-of-life issues (pre-training: 6.6/10, 95% confidence interval: 5.7–7.4; post-training: 6.9/10, 95% confidence interval: 6.1–7.7, unpaired t-test – p = 0.56), maintained at 3 months.

Conclusion:

There is a need to improve end-of-life care for End-Stage Kidney Disease patients, to enable them to make informed decisions about future care. Challenges include prioritising communication training among service providers.
Controlling Behaviors in Middle School Youth’s Dating Relationships
Authors: Elias-Lambert Nada , Black Beverly M. , Chigbu Kingsley U.
Published: November 2013

This exploratory study examined middle school students’ ( N = 380) help-seeking behaviors and other reactions to controlling behaviors in their dating relationships. Over three-fourths of the participants perpetrated and were victimized by controlling behaviors in their dating relationships. Youth used emotional/verbal and dominance/isolation forms of controlling behaviors. More youth were victimized by dominance/isolation controlling behaviors than emotional/verbal controlling behaviors. Gender and age differences emerged when evaluating the type of controlling behaviors youth used. The majority of youth were willing to seek help when confronted with various types of controlling behaviors in their dating relationships. Gender and age differences also emerged in youth’s reactions to controlling behaviors. More understanding of youth’s reactions to controlling behaviors in their dating relationships may assist prevention educators in intervening before controlling behaviors in dating relationships turn into actual dating violence.
Effectual Processes in Nonprofit Start-Ups and Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Yusuf Juita-Elena (Wie) , Sloan Margaret F.
Published: November 2013

While effectual decision making has been studied in the private sector entrepreneurship literature as a way to explain the entrepreneurial start-up process, it also has potential application in the public and nonprofit sectors. Effectuation can be used to explain the decision process used by actors in the nonprofit sector, particularly in understanding how social entrepreneurs make decisions during the development of a nonprofit or social venture. We distinguish between causal and effectual decision making and illustrate the latter through two case studies of nonprofit start-up in the community development arena. These studies indicate that effectual decision making is particularly suited to the start-up social entrepreneurship venture. Differences between causal and effectual decision making influence the way actors prepare for the future and have pedagogical implications for how we teach social entrepreneurship. Training social entrepreneurs in effectual decision making has potential to better mirror real-world applications and may increase a venture’s ultimate success. Effectuation could also potentially explain decision making in other public arenas.
Optical remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystem primary productivity
Authors: Song Conghe , Dannenberg Matthew P. , Hwang Taehee
Published: November 2013

Terrestrial ecosystem primary productivity is a key indicator of ecosystem functions, including, but not limited to, carbon storage, provision of food and fiber, and sustaining biodiversity. However, measuring terrestrial ecosystem primary productivity in the field is extremely laborious and expensive. Optical remote sensing has revolutionized our ability to map terrestrial ecosystem primary productivity over large areas ranging from regions to the entire globe in a repeated, cost-efficient manner. This progress report reviews the theory and practice of mapping terrestrial primary productivity using optical remotely sensed data. Terrestrial ecosystem primary productivity is generally estimated with optical remote sensing via one of the following approaches: (1) empirical estimation from spectral vegetation indices; (2) models that are based on light-use-efficiency (LUE) theory; (3) models that are not based on LUE theory, but the biophysical processes of plant photosynthesis. Among these three, models based on LUE are the primary approach because there is a solid physical basis for the linkage between fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR) and remotely sensed spectral signatures of vegetation. There has been much inconsistency in the literature with regard to the appropriate value for LUE. This issue should be resolved with the ongoing efforts aimed at direct mapping of LUE from remote sensing. At the same time, major efforts have been dedicated to mapping vegetation canopy biochemical composition via imaging spectroscopy for use in process-based models to estimating primary productivity. In so doing, optical remote sensing will continue to play a vital role in global carbon cycle science research.
Hydro-geomorphic response models for burned areas and their applications in land management
Authors: Nyman Petter , Sheridan Gary J. , Lane Patrick N. J.
Published: November 2013

Erosion, flash floods and debris flows are hydro-geomorphic processes that intensify due to catchment disturbance by wildland fire. Predictive models of these processes are used by land managers to quantify rehabilitation effectiveness, prioritize resources and evaluate trade-offs between different management strategies. Predictions can be difficult to make, however, because of heterogeneous landscapes, stochastic rainfall, and the transient and variable fire effects. This paper reviews hydro-geomorphic response models for burned areas and explores how modelling approaches and sources of uncertainty change depending on the focus question (or purpose) and the associated spatial-temporal scale of the model domain. The review shows that current models focus primarily on predicting catchment responses during a recovery period (within-burn timescales), a relatively short temporal window during which rainfall is an important source of uncertainty. At longer (between-burn) timescales, the fire regime itself, and not just fire severity, becomes a variable component of the model. At this temporal scale, the catchment processes respond to variations in the frequency and severity with which a landscape is conditioned (or ‘primed’) by fire and rain storms. Conditioning is a stochastic process that is determined by the spatial-temporal overlap of fire disturbance and rain storms. The translation of overlaps to hydro-geomorphic responses is a function of intrinsic catchment attributes (e.g. permeability, slope and catchment area). Capturing the stochastic interplay between fire and rain storms is important when land-management questions shift towards the issues of climate change and landscape-scale interventions such as prescribed burning. The review therefore includes a discussion on fire and rainfall regimes as variables which drive decadal and regional variability in hydro-geomorphic processes.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Radiologic Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ajuied Adil , Wong Fabian , Smith Christian , Norris Mark , Earnshaw Peter , Back Diane , Davies Andrew
Published: November 2013

Background:

Knee osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has previously been reported. However, there has been no meta-analysis reporting the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Purpose:

We present the first meta-analysis reporting on the development and progression of osteoarthritis after ACL injury at a minimum mean follow-up of 10 years, using a single and widely accepted radiologic classification, the Kellgren & Lawrence classification.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis.

Method:

Articles were included for systematic review if they reported radiologic findings of ACL-injured knees and controls using the Kellgren & Lawrence classification at a minimum mean follow-up period of 10 years. Appropriate studies were then included for meta-analysis.

Results:

Nine studies were included for systematic review, of which 6 studies were further included for meta-analysis. One hundred twenty-one of 596 (20.3%) ACL-injured knees had moderate or severe radiologic changes (Kellgren & Lawrence grade III or IV) compared with 23 of 465 (4.9%) uninjured ACL-intact contralateral knees. After ACL injury, irrespective of whether the patients were treated operatively or nonoperatively, the relative risk (RR) of developing even minimal osteoarthritis was 3.89 ( P < .00001), while the RR of developing moderate to severe osteoarthritis (grade III and IV) was 3.84 ( P < .0004). Nonoperatively treated ACL-injured knees had significantly higher RR (RR, 4.98; P < .00001) of developing any grade of osteoarthritis compared with those treated with reconstructive surgery (RR, 3.62; P < .00001). Investigation of progression to moderate or severe osteoarthritis (grade III or IV only) after 10 years showed that ACL-reconstructed knees had a significantly higher RR (RR, 4.71; P < .00001) compared with nonoperative management (RR, 2.41; P = .54). It was not possible to stratify for return to sports among the patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

Conclusion:

Results support the proposition that ACL injury predisposes knees to osteoarthritis, while ACL reconstruction surgery has a role in reducing the risk of developing degenerative changes at 10 years. However, returning to sports activities after ligament reconstruction may exacerbate the development of arthritis.