bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of gastroduodenal ulcer incidence in healthy Japanese subjects taking celecoxib or loxoprofen evaluated by endoscopy: a placebo‐controlled, double‐blind 2‐week study
Authors: Sakamoto C. , Kawai T. , Nakamura S. , Sugioka T. , Tabira J.
Published: December 2012

Background

Although nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed globally, their chronic use increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) damage. Cyclooxygenase‐2–selective NSAIDs are considered to reduce this risk. Current guidelines in Japan recommend loxoprofen sodium (loxoprofen), a pro‐drug in the propionic acid class of nonselective NSAIDs, as first‐line therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim

To confirm the superiority of celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase‐2‐selective NSAID, to loxoprofen in the incidence of gastroduodenal (GD) endoscopic ulcers.

Methods

A randomised, multicentre, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, phase IV clinical trial in healthy Japanese volunteers [mean age 57.5 (range: 40–74) years; >70% female], stratified by Helicobacter pylori status at screening (∼40% positive) and randomised 2:2:1 to receive celecoxib 100 mg b.d., loxoprofen 60 mg t.d.s. or placebo. Primary end point was incidence of any GD endoscopic ulcers after 2 weeks of treatment.

Results

Of 190 randomised subjects, 189 received at least one dose of celecoxib (n = 76), loxoprofen (n = 76), or placebo (n = 37). Incidence of GD ulcers was 1.4%, 27.6% and 2.7% in the celecoxib, loxoprofen and placebo groups respectively (P < 0.0001 in favour of the celecoxib group); incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 34.2%, 51.3% and 21.6% in the celecoxib, loxoprofen and placebo groups respectively. No serious or severe AEs were reported.

Conclusions

Celecoxib 100 mg b.d. was superior to loxoprofen 60 mg t.d.s. regarding the incidence of gastro‐duodenal endoscopic ulcers over 2 weeks. Celecoxib was well tolerated and no major safety concerns were observed. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00994461.
Systematic review: gastric cancer incidence in pernicious anaemia
Authors: Vannella L. , Lahner E. , Osborn J. , Annibale B.
Published: December 2012

Background

Pernicious anaemia (PA) has an increased risk for gastric cancer (GC). It is not established whether PA patients need to undergo endoscopic/histological follow‐up.

Aim

To provide a systematic overview of the literature on PA and the development of gastric cancer, to estimate the gastric cancer incidence‐rate.

Methods

According to PRISMA, we identified studies on PA patients reporting the incidence of gastric cancer. Quality of studies was evaluated using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Meta‐analysis on annual gastric cancer incidence rates was performed.

Results

Twenty‐seven studies met eligibility criteria. 7 studies were of high, 6 of medium, 10 of low and 4 of very low quality. Gastric cancer incidence‐rates ranged from 0% to 0.2% per person‐years in 7 American, from 0% to 0.5% in 2 Asiatic, from 0% to 1.2% in 11 Northern European studies and from 0% to 0.9% in 7 studies from other European countries. The incidence‐rates of gastric cancer ranged from 0% to 1.2% per person‐years in studies which used gastroscopy, from 0.1% to 0.9% in those based on International Classification of Disease. Heterogeneity between studies was not statistically significant at the 5% level (Chi‐squared test = 17.9, P = 0.08). The calculated pooled gastric cancer incidence‐rate was 0.27% per person‐years. Meta‐analysis showed overall gastric cancer relative risk in PA as 6.8 (95% CI: 2.6–18.1).

Conclusions

This systematic review shows a pooled gastric cancer incidence‐rate in pernicious anaemia of 0.27% per person‐years and an estimated nearly sevenfold relative risk of gastric cancer in pernicious anaemia patients. Further high quality studies are needed to confirm this higher risk.
Effects of Perceptually Rich Manipulatives on Preschoolers' Counting Performance: Established Knowledge Counts
Authors: Petersen Lori A. , McNeil Nicole M.
Published: December 2012

Educators often use concrete objects to help children understand mathematics concepts. However, findings on the effectiveness of concrete objects are mixed. The present study examined how two factors—perceptual richness and established knowledge of the objects—combine to influence children's counting performance. In two experiments, preschoolers (N = 133; Mage = 3;10) were randomly assigned to counting tasks that used one of four types of objects in a 2 (perceptual richness: high or low) × 2 (established knowledge: high or low) factorial design. Findings suggest that perceptually rich objects facilitate children's performance when children have low knowledge of the objects but hinder performance when children have high knowledge of the objects.
When Conventional Heart Failure Therapy is Not Enough: Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, Direct Renin Inhibitor, or Aldosterone Antagonist?
Authors: Bangalore Sripal , Kumar Sunil , Messerli Franz H.
Published: December 2012

In patients on conventional heart failure therapy including angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the addition of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), direct renin inhibitors (DRIs), or aldosterone antagonists are therapeutic options to further reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. However, whether one is preferable over the other is not known. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs), until March 2011, of trials testing either an ARB, DRI, or an aldosterone antagonist in patients with heart failure who were on conventional heart failure therapy with follow‐up of at least 3 months. Efficacy (death, cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization and composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization) and safety (hyperkalemia, hypotension, renal failure) outcomes were compared. The authors identified 16 RCTs involving 31,429 participants that satisfied the inclusion criteria. When compared with placebo (reference rate ratio [RR] of 1), aldosterone antagonists reduced the rate of death (RR, 0.79; 95% credibility interval [CrI], 0.66–0.98), cardiovascular death (RR, 0.78; 95% CrI, 0.65–0.93), heart failure hospitalization (RR, 0.74; 95% CrI, 0.55–0.94), and the composite of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (RR, 0.73; 95% CrI, 0.55–0.90) with no difference for other efficacy outcomes. However, ARBs and DRIs did not result in any significant reduction in the rate of any of the efficacy outcomes when compared with placebo. When compared with placebo (RR=1), ARBs increased the rate of hyperkalemia (138% increase), renal failure (126% increase), and hypotension (63% increase). Similarly, aldosterone antagonists resulted in a 110% increase in hyperkalemia and DRIs with a 98% increase in hypotension. In patients with heart failure and reduced systolic function on conventional heart failure medications, the risk benefit ratio favors the addition of aldosterone antagonists over ARBs or DRIs.
Gene expression profiling of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐derived cytological fine needle aspirates from hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee R. , Cousins D. J. , Ortiz‐Zapater E. , Breen R. , McLean E. , Santis G.
Published: December 2012

R. Lee, D. J. Cousins, E. Ortiz‐Zapater, R. Breen, E. McLean and G. Santis  Gene expression profiling of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)‐derived cytological fine needle aspirates from hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in non‐small cell lung cancer

Objective:  Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows minimally invasive sampling of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes and has an established role in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis and staging. Molecular biomarkers are being explored increasingly in lung cancer research. Gene expression profiling (GEP) is a microarray‐based technology that comprehensively assesses genome‐wide changes in gene expression that can provide tumour‐specific molecular signatures with the potential to predict prognosis and treatment responsiveness. We assessed the feasibility of using EBUS‐derived aspirates from benign and tumour‐infiltrated lymph nodes for GEP.

Methods:  RNA was extracted from EBUS‐directed transbronchial fine needle aspiration samples in routine clinical practice. GEP was subsequently performed in six patients with NSCLC, three of whom had tumour‐infiltrated nodes and three who had benign lymph nodes; the differences in gene expression were then compared.

Results:  RNA was successfully extracted in 29 of 32 patients, 12 of whom were diagnosed with NSCLC. RNA yield (median, 12.1 μg) and RNA integrity (median, 6.3) were sufficient after amplification for GEP. Benign and malignant nodes in adenocarcinoma were discriminated by principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering with different expression patterns between malignant and benign nodes.

Conclusion:  We have demonstrated the feasibility of RNA extraction and GEP on EBUS‐derived transbronchial fine needle aspirates from benign and tumour‐infiltrated lymph nodes in patients with known NSCLC in routine clinical practice. Further studies on larger patient cohorts are required to identify expression profiles that robustly differentiate benign from malignant lymph nodes in NSCLC.
Leptin therapy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Cummings B. P.
Published: December 2012

There is a pressing need for new effective therapeutic strategies for addressing the epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Leptin has been shown to reduce hyperglycaemia in rodent models of type 1 diabetes and has recently been shown to normalize fasting plasma glucose concentrations in a rodent model of polygenic obesity and type 2 diabetes. Overall, these findings suggest that leptin may be an effective therapeutic option for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, short‐term human clinical studies in overweight and obese patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes have reported minimal efficacy of leptin administration to lower blood glucose levels. Herein, the role of leptin in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis and the potential use of leptin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes are discussed.
mRNA surveillance and endoplasmic reticulum quality control processes alter biogenesis of mutant GABAA receptor subunits associated with genetic epilepsies
Authors: Macdonald Robert L. , Kang Jing‐Qiong
Published: December 2012

Previous studies from our and other groups have demonstrated that the majority of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor subunit mutations produce mutant subunits with impaired biogenesis and trafficking. These GABAA receptor mutations include missense, nonsense, deletion, or insertion mutations that result in a frameshift with premature translation‐termination codons (PTCs) and splice‐site mutations. Frameshift or splice‐site mutations produce mutant proteins with PTCs, thus generating nonfunctional truncated proteins. All of these mutant GABAA receptor subunits are subject to cellular quality control at the messenger RNA (mRNA) or protein level. These quality‐control checkpoints shape the cell’s response to the presence of the mutant subunits and attempt to reduce the impact of the mutant subunit on GABAA receptor expression and function. The check points prevent nonfunctioning or malfunctioning GABAA receptor subunits from trafficking to the cell surface or to synapses, and help to ensure that the receptor channels trafficked to the membrane and synapses are indeed functional. However, if and how these quality control or check points impact the posttranslational modifications of functional GABAA receptor channels such as receptor phosphorylation and ubiquitination and their involvement in mediating GABAergic inhibitory synaptic strength needs to be investigated in the near future.
Molecular pathways controlling inhibitory receptor expression
Authors: Grabenstatter Heidi L. , Russek Shelley J. , Brooks‐Kayal Amy R.
Published: December 2012

Epilepsy is a disease of complex etiology, and multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to its development. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may result from an initial precipitating event such as hypoxia, head injury, or prolonged seizure (i.e., status epilepticus [SE]), that is followed by a latent period of months to years before spontaneous seizures occur. γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor (GABAAR) subunit changes occur during this latent period and may persist following the onset of spontaneous seizures. Research into the molecular mechanisms regulating these changes and potential targets for intervention to reverse GABAAR subunit alterations have uncovered seizure‐induced pathways that contribute to epileptogenesis. Several growth or transcription factors are known to be activated by SE, including (but not limited to): brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), and early growth response factors (Egrs). Results of multiple studies suggest that these factors transcriptionally regulate GABAAR subunit gene expression in a way that is pertinent to the development of epilepsy. This article focuses on these signaling elements and describes their possible roles in gene regulatory pathways that may be critical in the development of chronic epilepsy.
Defence Cheats Can Degrade Protection of Chemically Defended Prey
Authors: S. Jones Rebecca , C. Davis Sian , Speed Michael P.
Published: December 2012

Many species defend themselves against enemies using repellent chemicals. An important but unanswered question is why investment in chemical defence is often variable within prey populations. One explanation is that some prey benefit by cheating, paying no costs of defence, but gaining a reduced attack rate because of the presence of defended conspecifics. Two important assumptions about predator behaviour must be met to explain cheating as a stable strategy: first, predators increase attack rates as cheats increase in frequency; second, defended prey survive attacks better than non‐defended conspecifics. We lack data from wild predators that evaluate these hypotheses. Here, we examine how changes in the frequency of non‐defended ‘cheats’ affect predation by wild birds on a group of otherwise defended prey. We presented mealworm larvae that were either edible (‘cheats’) or unpalatable (bitter tasting), and varied the proportion of cheats from 0 to 1 by increments of 0.25. We found strong frequency‐dependent effects on the birds' foraging behaviour, with the proportion of prey attacked increasing nonlinearly with the frequency of cheats. We did not, however, observe that birds taste‐rejected defended prey at the site of capture. One explanation is that wild birds may not assess prey palatability at the site of capture, but do this elsewhere. If so, defended and undefended prey may pay high costs of initial attack and relocation away from ecologically favourable locations. Alternatively, defended prey may not be taste‐rejected because with acute time constraints, wild birds do not have time to make fine‐grained decisions during feeding. We discuss the data in relation to the evolutionary ecology of prey defences.
Flexible Spatial Orientation and Navigational Strategies in Chambered Nautilus
Authors: Crook Robyn J. , Basil Jennifer A.
Published: December 2012

Nautilus is a remnant of an externally shelled cephalopod lineage that flourished between 450 and 60 million years ago. It is a deep‐water scavenger that lacks the complex brain and behavioural repertoire of its soft‐bodied relatives, the coleoid cephalopods. Nautilus makes repeated, nightly migrations from deep to shallow water along coral reef slopes to forage, thus an ability to navigate to known locations may be selectively advantageous. Alternatively, drifting passively with the current may be sufficient to locate food and mates distributed randomly over a large area. The derived neural structures that support learning and memory in coleoids are absent from the nautilus brain, indicating that substantial differences between learning abilities in nautilus and coleoids are likely. However, our previous work has demonstrated both associative and spatial learning in nautilus. In laboratory experiments, we tested whetherNautilus pompiliuscould learn to navigate towards a goal location using either visual cues or motor responses. Results indicate that animals relied both on proximate and distant visual cues to orient but did not use egocentric cues, a somewhat surprising finding given that nautilus spends most of its time in near darkness. Animals learned visual information rapidly and in some cases were able to switch to other tactics when salient visual cues were removed or manipulated.
Angiogenesis and wound healing: basic discoveries, clinical implications, and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Polverini Peter J.
Published: December 2012

Angiogenesis is one of the most fundamental biological processes encountered in vertebrate organisms. Angiogenesis drives a variety regenerative and repair processes and underlies the development of cancer and a number of chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases. This article highlights some of the early pioneering studies that helped establish the field of angiogenesis research and describes our current understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis response. The role of angiogenesis in wound healing and repair is described in some detail.
Process Research on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Couples: Linking Theory to Practice
Authors: Greenman Paul S. , Johnson Susan M.
Published: December 2012

The focus of this article is on the link among theory, process, and outcome in the practice of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples. We describe the EFT model of change and the EFT perspective on adult love as the reflection of underlying attachment processes. We outline the manner in which theory and research inform EFT interventions. This leads into a detailed review of the literature on the processes of change in EFT. We highlight the client responses and therapist operations that have emerged from process research and their relation to treatment outcomes. We discuss the implications of this body of research for clinical practice and training.
Statics‐preserving projection filtering
Authors: Traonmilin Yann , Gulunay Necati
Published: December 2012

Projection filtering has been used for many years in seismic processing as a tool to extract a signal out of noisy data. The effectiveness of projection filtering reaches a limit when seismic events are affected by static shifts. Such shifts degrade the lateral coherency of the data, which is the strongest assumption made by projection filtering. We propose an algorithm to estimate projection filters and static shifts simultaneously in order to perform noise attenuation in the presence of static shifts in the data. We then show results on synthetic and real data to demonstrate the denoising capabilities of our algorithm.
Effects of a nursing intervention program on the depression and perception of family functioning of mothers with intellectually disabled children
Authors: Yıldırım Arzu , Hacıhasanoğlu Aşılar Rabia , Karakurt Papatya
Published: December 2012

Aims and objectives

This study was conducted to examine the effect of psychosocial education provided to mothers with intellectually disabled children on the risk of depression and perception of family functioning in those mothers.

Background

Families with intellectually disabled children need encouragement, support and training to more actively participate in their children's education and to positively affect their children's growth and development.

Design

Randomised controlled study.

Methods

The study included the mothers of 75 intellectually disabled children (40 intervention, 35 control). The mothers in the intervention group who participated in a routine program at private education and rehabilitation centres attended four different psychosocial educational sessions. Sessions were conducted once a week for four weeks and lasted 120 minutes. The control group attended only the routine program of the private education and rehabilitation centre.

Results

Our study results showed that after completion of the educational program, there was a greater decrease in the risk for depression in the intervention group when compared to the control group, and the former perceived their family functions better. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0·001).

Conclusions

The education given by nurses to mothers who have children with intellectual disabilities may be effective in reducing the risk for depression and in increasing the perception of healthy family functioning.

Relevance to clinical practice

Psychosocial nursing education program can contribute to the use of evidence‐based education strategies in nursing practice to improve the mental health for mothers with intellectually disabled children.
Contributing to a Vibrant Countryside? The Impact of Side Activities on Rural Development
Authors: Markantoni Marianna , Koster Sierdjan , Strijker Dirk , Woolvin Mike
Published: December 2012

This paper focuses on the side activities of non‐farmers in rural areas in the Netherlands and more specifically on their impact on rural development. Empirical evidence from 36 Dutch municipalities on three key aspects was examined: economy, social and physical environment. The findings indicate that although side activities do not have a large direct impact on the local economy and employment, their contribution in terms of local collaboration and promoting rural tourism is highly valued. Furthermore, side activities have an important role in building and strengthening social capital in rural communities. Where their impacts on physical environment is concerned, side activities are not perceived to damage or alter rural morphology but are considered a reinforcement of the character of rural areas.
Bayesian Hierarchical Semiparametric Modelling of Longitudinal Post-Treatment Outcomes from Open Enrolment Therapy Groups
Authors: Paddock Susan M. , Savitsky Terrance D.
Published: December 2012

There are several challenges to testing the effectiveness of group-therapy-based interventions in alcohol and other drug use treatment settings. Enrolment into alcohol and other drug use therapy groups typically occurs on an open (rolling) basis. Changes in therapy group membership induce a complex correlation structure between client outcomes, with relatively small numbers of clients attending each therapy group session. Primary outcomes are measured post treatment, so each datum reflects the effect of all sessions attended by a client. The number of post-treatment outcomes assessments is typically very limited. The first feature of our modelling approach relaxes the assumption of independent random effects in the standard multiple-membership model by employing conditional auto-regression to model correlation in random-therapy-group session effects associated with clients’ attendance of common group therapy sessions. A second feature specifies a longitudinal growth model under which the posterior distribution of client-specific random effects, or growth parameters, is modelled non-parametrically. The Dirichlet process prior helps to overcome limitations of standard parametric growth models given limited numbers of longitudinal assessments. We motivate and illustrate our approach with a data set from a study of group cognitive behavioural therapy to reduce depressive symptoms among residential alcohol and other drug use treatment clients.
SOLIDARITY AND TRADITION IN GADAMER'S HERMENEUTICS
Authors: WARNKE GEORGIA
Published: December 2012

Commentators have compared Hans‐Georg Gadamer's focus on tradition in Truth and Method to his focus on solidarity in his later work in order to suggest that the latter signals a move away from ontological toward ethical and political concerns. This paper, however, is guided by Gadamer's own view that his work, both early, late, and in Truth and Method, was always concerned with ethical and political issues. I therefore want to challenge the idea that his so‐called politics of solidarity marks a new direction in his work. His politics of solidarity does mark a new direction in discussions of solidarity insofar as he disconnects it from any necessary grounding in preexisting affinities such as religion and nationality. Gadamer's later work may also be more explicitly concerned with the question of differences and the other than is Truth and Method. Nevertheless, I want to argue that rather than signaling a new direction for Gadamer, both his politics of solidarity and his concern with otherness highlight important features already present in his earlier account of tradition. Indeed, I think attention to this earlier account discloses a political dimension to Gadamer's thought that is more sophisticated than his remarks on solidarity. Attention to this dimension of his earlier account allows us to challenge the now standard objection that it undermines possibilities for critical reflection.
Assessment of Acetabular Cup Positioning from a Lateral Radiographic Projection after Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Aman Anna M. , Wendelburg Kirk L.
Published: December 2012

Objective

To demonstrate first that a ventrodorsal radiographic (VDR) projection is inadequate for obtaining accurate acetabular cup position (ACP) measurements after total hip replacement (THR), and second to validate use of the lateral radiographic (LR) projection to measureACP.

Study Design

In vitrostudy.

Methods

ElevenVDRs were obtained after insertion of a cup into the acetabulum of aSawbones pelvis fixed at an approximated angle. For eachVDR, the pelvis was placed in varying degrees of craniocaudal pelvic tilt (CCPT). FifteenLRs were obtained of aSawbones pelvis with varyingACPs. Five blinded observers made previously described measurements ofACPon eachVDRand angle of lateral opening (ALO) and coronal retroversion (CR) on eachLR.

Results

An almost perfect level of agreement was observed between 5 observers for the repeatability of bothVDRandLRmeasurements. When varying degrees ofCCPTwere introduced, there was no agreement in the measurements ofACPfromVDRs. In all cases, and at allACPs, measurements taken fromLRs were in agreement.

Conclusion

UndetectableCCPTcauses significant variability inACPmeasurements onVDRs predisposing postoperative radiographic measurements to inaccuracy. Measurements obtained from anLRofCRandALOare accurate and consistent between observers and it should be used to measureACP. TheVDRshould be performed to assess bone and implant integrity but not to obtain measurements ofACPbecause ofCCPTcausing measurements to be unreliable. Measurements ofACPobtained from anLRin conjunction with femoral anteversion may allow for investigation of the influence ofACPon coxofemoral joint luxation afterTHR.
The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: Gender, Culture, and College Students’ Views about Work and Family
Authors: Goldberg Wendy A. , Kelly Erin , Matthews Nicole L. , Kang Hannah , Li Weilin , Sumaroka Mariya
Published: December 2012

A culturally/ethnically diverse sample of 955 students (M = 20.2 years old) at a large U.S. university completed online surveys about their parents’ division of labor, trajectories of their mothers’ employment, gender role ideology, and beliefs about the costs and benefits of maternal employment for children. Differences in these work–care domains were examined by student gender, culture/ethnicity, acculturation status, and own employment. Generational differences in beliefs about maternal employment also were examined. Propensity score matching reduced selection bias. Asian American students, especially male students and those less acculturated, were more likely to endorse gender role segregation and maternal nonemployment when children are young. Their mothers’ employment and own employment status were associated with more positive views about maternal employment. However, students’ work–care beliefs have held fairly constant since the 1980s. The views of young adults about career and care may impinge on their success in attaining work–family goals. The more things change, the more they stay the same: Gender, culture, and college students’ views about work and family
Politólogos on the Run: Contrasting Paths to Internationalization of Southern Cone Political Scientists
Authors: Freidenberg Flavia , Malamud Andrés
Published: December 2012

Political scientists from the Southern Cone have enriched the discipline with pioneering work. Many of them went into exile for political reasons, and thus produced part of their work abroad. Although Latin American political science has professionalized since the 1980s, many scholars still emigrate for study and employment. Argentines most numerously seek academic careers abroad, while Brazil has many more domestic doctorates and returns home after doctoral studies abroad. Uruguayans emigrate in proportionally high numbers and tend to settle in Latin American countries, while the number of Chileans and Paraguayans abroad is minimal. These contrasting patterns are explained by reference to factors such as the availability of high-quality doctoral courses, financing for postgraduate studies, and the absorptive capacity of national academic markets. Paradoxically, the size and performance of the diasporas may increase rather than reduce the visibility and impact of national political science communities.
Non‐Invasive Intracranial Pressure Monitoring with Transcranial Doppler in a Patient with Progressive Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
Authors: Wakerley Benjamin , Yohana Kusuma , Luen Teoh Hock , Tan Clement W. , Chan Bernard P.L. , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: December 2012

In many intracranial disease states, monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) is essential to evaluate response to the therapeutic measures as well as estimation of prognosis. Although, direct estimation of ICP is reliable, it is invasive and not possible in all patients. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography is a bedside and noninvasive technique that provides reliable and real‐time information about cerebral hemodynamics. We present a case of extensive and progressive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in which TCD served as an excellent tool for monitoring ICP and the serial observations correlated closely with clinical status and ophthalmological findings.
The Effectiveness of Youth Centers in Increasing Use of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zuurmond Maria A. , Geary Rebecca S. , Ross David A.
Published: December 2012

This study presents findings from a systematic review of the evidence regarding the effectiveness of youth centers in increasing use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in lower‐ and middle‐income countries. Evidence from peer‐reviewed and gray literature between 1990 and 2010 was reviewed. After the screening of 3,769 citations, 21 studies reporting on 17 youth center programs were included, and were ranked by strength of evidence. Considerable consistency in findings across studies was observed. Youth centers generally served a relatively small proportion of young people living nearby. The main users were young men attending school or college, with a significant proportion older than the target age. Users of the on‐site SRH services were predominantly young women, with a significant proportion older than the target age group. Uptake of services was generally low. Despite widespread emphasis on youth centers as a strategy for encouraging young people to access SRH services, results from these studies have not been encouraging, and cost‐effectiveness for these purposes is likely to be low.
Tea for Three: Of Infusions and Inferences and Milk in First
Authors: Senn Stephen
Published: December 2012

A statistician, an algologist and a biochemist sat down to a nice cup of tea. The algologist would not drink hers. It sounds like the start of a bad joke. It was actually the beginning – the rather romantic beginning – of proper design and analysis of experiments. Stephen Senn considers how that time-honoured British institution, the tea-break, inspired R. A. Fisher to an approach which still raises questions today.
Polyconic Man: By Lilla Locurto and Bill Outcault
Authors: Champkin Julian
Published: December 2012

It is a man or a map of a man? Either way, says Julian Champkin, this disturbing image can illuminate our relationships with more familiar maps of the world.
Aspirin Resistance in Chinese Stroke Patients Increased the Rate of Recurrent Stroke and other Vascular Events
Authors: Yi Xingyang , Zhou Qiang , Lin Jing , Chi LiFen
Published: December 2012

Introduction

To investigate the prevalent of aspirin resistance (AR) in Chinese stroke patients and its association with recurrent stroke and other vascular events, including cardiovascular disease and death.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 634 Chinese stroke patients. Aspirin was administrated to every patient from the first day of admission. Whole blood samples were collected for platelet aggregation testing after aspirin was administered for 7–10 days. A follow-up period of 12–24 months was performed to record vascular events and hemorrhagic side effects.

Results

Aspirin resistance (AR) was detected in 129 patients (20·4%), aspirin semi-resistance (ASR) in 28 patients (4·4%) and aspirin sensitivity (AS) in 477 patients (75·2%). Logistic regression analysis found that diabetes and high levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were independent risk factors for ASR and AR. During a median follow-up period of 19·4 months, the prevalence of recurrent stroke, death from all causes, myocardial infarction and vascular events overall were higher in patients with AR + ASR than in patients with AS. Cox regression analysis found that diabetes and AR were independent risk factors for vascular events.

Conclusion

Aspirin resistance is common in Chinese patient taking antiplatelet medications. Diabetes and high LDL may induce platelet activation and thrombosis and increase the occurrence of aspirin resistance. Patients who are detected to be aspirin resistant are at a greater risk of clinically important vascular events.
An Anaerobic Slurry Module for Solids Digestion and Denitrification in Recirculating Minimal Discharge Marine Fish Culture Systems
Authors: Neori Amir , Mendola Dominick
Published: December 2012

An anaerobic denitrification module with improved stability for closed aquaculture systems is described. The module was fitted to a recirculating fish mariculture system. The 18 m3 system consisted of a fish basin, a nitrification trickling filter and the module reported here, which was composed of a stirred slurry basin and two subsequent sedimentation tanks. Commercial fish feed (pellets) introduction into the slurry basin simulated nutrient input equivalent to 450 kg of fish biomass. About 50 kg of the sea bream, Sparus aurata, were introduced to bioassay water quality. Conditions remained stable as long as the mixing remained regular (16 wk). Feeding and sampling continued for an additional 6 wk of irregular mixing, during which time water quality gradually deteriorated causing 19% mortality of the stocked fish population. The system removed a majority of the total dissolved nitrogen (N) by denitrification and total phosphorus (P) by immobilization in the sludge. The rate of denitrification approached 9 mmol N/L/d. Hydrogen sulfide concentration in the fish basin remained low. The results constitute a proof‐of‐concept for the utility and resilience of slurry basins in the control of anaerobic processes and the maintenance of good water quality in recirculating fish culture.
Enhancement Effects of Dietary Wheat Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles on Growth, Immunity, and Resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri Challenge of Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus
Authors: Li Erchao , Lim Chhorn , Klesius Phillip , Cai Chunfang
Published: December 2012

Juvenile channel catfish were fed for 12 wk with diets containing wheat distiller's dried grains with solubles (WDDGS) at levels of 0 (diet 1), 10, 20, 30, and 40% without lysine supplementation (diets 2–5) or with lysine supplementation (diets 6–9) as substitutes of soybean and corn meal mixture. Fish fed diet 5 had the lowest weight gain (WG), feed efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed intake (FI), and survival. Fish fed diets 7–9 had significantly higher WG, FER, and PER than fish fed diet 1. Body protein decreased in fish fed diets 4 and 5, while body lipid tended to increase in fish fed WDDGS‐containing diets. Fish fed diet 5 developed anemia. The number of days to first mortality was delayed and cumulative mortality 21‐d post‐challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri was lower in fish fed WDDGS‐containing diets relative to fish fed diet 1. Further decrease in mortality was obtained in fish fed diets with 20–40% WDDGS, regardless of lysine supplementation. Serum protein, immunoglobulin, and lysozyme were unaffected by dietary treatments. Serum complement and antibody titer against E. ictaluri significantly differed among treatments but did not appear to be related to cumulative mortality following experimental challenge.
Nematodes as Live Food in Larviculture – A Review
Authors: Brüggemann Jens
Published: December 2012

Live feeds are essential in larval nutrition of many fish and crustacean species. As the consumers' demand for aquaculture products is growing rapidly, the demand for live feeds in larviculture is increasing as well. To satisfy the growing demand, research has taken steps to develop new innovative live feeds. Several studies focused on nematodes as a potential food source for larvae. Production methods, culture media, harvest, and enrichment procedures for nematodes presented in these studies are reviewed here. Many studies fed nematodes to different species of fish and crustaceans to test applicability in larval nutrition. The results of these feeding trials in terms of larval performance as well as ingestion and digestion of nematodes in the larvae's gut are reviewed here as well. In addition, a summary of advantages and disadvantages of nematodes as live food and an outlook on future challenges of production and application of nematodes in larviculture are also presented.

In summary, several different production methods including innovative culture media for nematodes have been developed. The species Panagrellus redivivus has been used in most of the reviewed studies. It reproduces extremely fast and can be cultivated by very simple means of production. Other species such as Turbatrix aceti and Caenorhabditis elegans have been tested in a few studies as well. However, a complete production cycle for mass production appropriate for use in aquaculture has not been developed yet for any of these species. Enrichment trials for amino acids revealed only a very limited potential to manipulate amino acid profiles in nematodes. In contrast, fatty acid composition turned out to be quite variable depending on the culture media used for nematode production. By adding oils containing large quantities of essential fatty acids to the culture media, these fatty acids could be enriched in nematodes and provided to larvae. This allows tailoring fatty acid composition according to the needs of the respective larvae. It could be shown that nematodes can be digested by fish larvae even though they possess a robust cuticle. Larval performance depends strongly on the respective species of fish to which the nematodes are fed. Nematodes seemed to work particularly well for crustacean larvae. In penaeid larvae, nematodes turned out to be a good live food that can compete with conventional feeding methods even though there is still room for improvements. For future use in larviculture, appropriate methods for mass production, harvest, and feeding need to be developed. Additionally, more data on optimized feeding levels for different fish and crustacean species will be required.
Feed Intake, Feed Efficiency, Growth, Body Composition, and Blood Chemistry in Reciprocal Crosses of Wild and Farmed Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Kim Jong‐Hyun , Kim Hyun C. , Lee Jeong‐Ho , Noh Jae K. , Kang Jung‐Ha , Kim Kyung‐Kil , Lee Sang‐Min
Published: December 2012

Triplicate groups of wild and farmed purebred offspring and their reciprocal hybrids in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (body weight: 3.8–4.9 g), were fed to apparent satiation for 112 d. Body weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency were analyzed as repeated measures, with initial weight as a covariate. The effect of cross type on body weight and feed intake was highly significant (P < 0.0001). Final body weight was highest in the farmed purebreds and lowest in the wild purebreds among the four crosses. The farmed purebreds had the highest feed intake during the initial 28 d. Feed efficiency was independent of cross type (P > 0.1). At the end of the feeding trial, the n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid content was highest in the hybrid cross type from farmed females and wild males, and consequently, crossbreeding could be advantage for the trait. The serum alanine aminotransferase activity was highest in the wild purebreds among crosses. This result may be involved in growth inferiority of wild purebreds, following the deficiencies in artificial diet adaptability. We suggest that the growth differences between the purebred wild and farmed olive flounder result from the differences in relative feed intake, and appear to be based on additive genetic variation due to mid‐parent values of hybrid.
Divergent Selection for Shell Length in the Manila Clam, Ruditapes philippinarum
Authors: Zhao Liqiang , Yan Xiwu , Huo Zhongming , Yang Feng , Zhang Guofan
Published: December 2012

To determine whether genetic improvement could be attained through a selective breeding programme, divergent selection for shell length was conducted in a base population of the Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum. The 10% largest and 10% smallest clams were selected as parents for the upward‐selected and downward‐selected lines, respectively. Equal numbers of clams were randomly chosen to serve as parents for the control line before the selection. The selected and control lines were reared under the same environmental conditions at larvae, juvenile, and grow‐out stages. The values of standardized responses to selection (SR) and realized heritability (

at the age of 360 d were 0.268 and 0.165 for the upward‐selected line and 0.341 and 0.260 for the downward‐selected line, respectively. Asymmetric differences were evident between the upward‐selected and downward‐selected lines in both SR and

. Performance in shell length is improved by 3.55% in the upward‐selected line after one generation, indicating that mass selection for shell length in a base population of the Manila clam, R. philippinarum, is effective and encouraging.
Effect of Macroalgae Protein Levels on Some Reproductive Aspects and Physiological Parameters for the Abalone, Haliotis tuberculata coccinea (Reeve 1846)
Authors: Bilbao Amaia , Uriarte Iker , del Pino Viera María , Sosa Beatriz , Fernández‐Palacios Hipólito , Hernández‐Cruz Carmen M.
Published: December 2012

The effect of food quality on some reproductive aspects (the fatty acid profile and the morphology of the gonad and the fecundity) and physiological parameters (growth and feeding rates) were evaluated in adult abalone, Haliotis tuberculata coccinea, females. Abalones were fed on macroalgae diets, Gracilaria cornea, with three different protein levels, Low‐N, Medium‐N, and High‐N. After inducing spawning, a higher number of eggs released per gram of abalone and the greatest egg and cytoplasm diameters were found in abalones fed on Medium‐N and High‐N G. cornea diets. Feeding High‐N G. cornea increased the level of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n‐6) in the mature gonad tissue in H. tuberculata coccinea. Likewise, a histological study on the gonadal morphology revealed that ripe‐stage individuals fed on a Low‐N G. cornea diet had a larger macrophage populations and the areas of degenerated oocytes increased. These results suggest that macroalgae cultivated in seawater enriched with ammonium may be a good choice for producing food for female H. tuberculata coccinea broodstock in the Canaries.
Comparison of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Content in Filets of Anadromous and Landlocked Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus Nerka
Authors: Gladyshev Michail I. , Lepskaya Ekaterina V. , Sushchik Nadezhda N. , Makhutova Olesia N. , Kalachova Galina S. , Malyshevskaya Kseniya K. , Markevich Grigory N.
Published: December 2012

Abstract:  Fatty acid composition and content of 2 forms of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from lakes in Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) were compared. One form of sockeye salmon was anadromous (“marine”), that is, adult fish migrated in ocean to feed and grow and than return in the lake to breed. Fish of another form, kokanee, never migrate in the ocean. Per cent levels of the main indicators of nutritive value, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3), were significantly higher in the landlocked O. nerka. However, concentrations of EPA and DHA per wet weight of filets were higher in the marine form, because of the relatively higher content of sum of fatty acids in their muscle tissue. As concluded, fish fed in marine environment had higher contents of long‐chain n‐3 fatty acids per wet weight than fish of the same species, fed in fresh waters. In general, both the anadromous sockeye salmon and the landlocked kokanee salmon can be recommended for human diet as a valuable product concerning contents of EPA and DHA.

Practical Application:  The long‐chain polyunsaturated acids (PUFA) have been specifically recommended for humans to prevent cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders. Fish are known to be the main source of PUFA in human diet. Data on PUFA content in diverse food fish is essential to compare the benefits they offer for consumers’ health. We compared PUFA contents in 2 forms of popular food fish Oncorhynchus nerka, migrating sockeye salmon and landlocked kokanee salmon, and found that both forms are valuable product concerning PUFA content.
La protection sociale au service de l'inclusion durable: un impératif européen face à la crise
Authors: Euzéby Chantal
Published: December 2012

Le thème de la prévention du risque d'exclusion sociale est devenu crucial dans l’Union européenne du fait des sacrifices sociaux imposés par l'explosion de la dette des Etats membres. Il se situe au carrefour des politiques de l'emploi et de la formation et des réformes visant à adapter les systèmes de protection sociale aux nouvelles données du contexte socio‐économique (vieillissement de la population, instabilité familiale, chômage massif, précarité des emplois, pauvreté au travail, inégalités sociales persistantes ou croissantes). Dans cet article, on cherche à montrer que la promotion de la protection sociale dans une logique d'investissement social constitue un moyen privilégié pour concilier les objectifs d'égalité des chances sur le cycle de vie, de performances économiques dans la durée (gains en compétitivité structurelle) et de renforcement de la cohésion sociale au service du bien‐être collectif. On met en particulier l'accent sur la nécessité de promouvoir des droits universels et individuels à la mobilité et à la formation tout au long de la vie. Ces droits constitueraient des garanties sociales nouvelles en compensation des exigences liées à la flexibilité du marché du travail. Cet article souligne également tout l'intérêt qu'il y aurait à inscrire ces droits à l'échelle de l’Union européenne dans un socle de protection sociale élargi. Cela serait de nature à prévenir durablement le risque d'exclusion dans l’Union, à favoriser l'intégration économique et sociale recherchée depuis la Stratégie de Lisbonne révisée (2003‐2005) et à développer la confiance et l'espérance chez les citoyens européens.