bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tetraspanin CD151 Mediates Papillomavirus Type 16 Endocytosis
Authors: Scheffer Konstanze D. , Gawlitza Alexander , Spoden Gilles A. , Zhang Xin A. , Lambert Carsten , Berditchevski Fedor , Florin Luise
Published: January 2013

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is the primary etiologic agent for cervical cancer. The infectious entry of HPV16 into cells occurs via a so-far poorly characterized clathrin- and caveolin-independent endocytic pathway, which involves tetraspanin proteins and actin. In this study, we investigated the specific role of the tetraspanin CD151 in the early steps of HPV16 infection. We show that surface-bound HPV16 moves together with CD151 within the plane of the membrane before they cointernalize into endosomes. Depletion of endogenous CD151 did not affect binding of viral particles to cells but resulted in reduction of HPV16 endocytosis. HPV16 uptake is dependent on the C-terminal cytoplasmic region of CD151 but does not require its tyrosine-based sorting motif. Reexpression of the wild-type CD151 but not mutants affecting integrin functions restored virus internalization in CD151-depleted cells. Accordingly, short interfering RNA (siRNA) gene knockdown experiments confirmed that CD151-associated integrins (i.e., α3β1 and α6β1/4) are involved in HPV16 infection. Furthermore, palmitoylation-deficient CD151 did not support HPV16 cell entry. These data show that complex formation of CD151 with laminin-binding integrins and integration of the complex into tetraspanin-enriched microdomains are critical for HPV16 endocytosis.
A lethal cocktail: gastric perforation following liquid nitrogen ingestion
Authors: Pollard James Scott , Simpson Joanne Elizabeth , Bukhari Moatasiem Idris
Published: January 2013

We report a case of gastric perforation in an 18-year-old girl as a result of ingesting an alcoholic drink containing liquid nitrogen. The drink was purchased in licensed premises. The extent of the injury necessitated total gastrectomy with Roux-en Y reconstruction. We review the literature, discuss the mechanism of injury and consider the implications for medical services. The authors believe this case is of educational interest to professionals working in emergency medicine, general surgery and public health fields. It raises awareness of a rare injury, but one that may be more commonly encountered because of developing social trends. It informs surgeons confronted with this type of injury that trauma to the gastrointestinal tract can be extensive and preoperative contact with oesophago-gastric colleagues is advisable. Public health bodies must be aware of, and monitor, the use of liquid nitrogen in this way and consider regulation to prevent further injuries.
An unusual cause of a mediastinal mass
Authors: Anpalakhan Shaemala , Alluri Ratna , Douglas J Graham , Kurban Lutfi
Published: January 2013

Our case report describes an unusual cause of a mediastinal mass. The patient is a current smoker with a background of neurofibromatosis (NF) type 1 who presented with a right apical mass. Initial investigations suggested a probable malignant cause. The final diagnosis was one of a haematoma from a ruptured thyrocervical aneurysm. The association between neurofibromatosis and vascular aneurysms is an often unrecognised but documented phenomenon. We would like to raise an awareness of this infrequent presentation, as it is associated with a high mortality and may be prevented by early diagnosis.
Development of information systems and clinical decision support systems for emergency departments: a long road ahead for Japan
Authors: Inokuchi Ryota , Sato Hajime , Nakajima Susumu , Shinohara Kazuaki , Nakamura Kensuke , Gunshin Masataka , Hiruma Takahiro , Ishii Takeshi , Matsubara Takehiro , Kitsuta Yoichi , Yahagi Naoki
Published: January 2013

Emergency care services face common challenges worldwide, including the failure to identify emergency illnesses, deviations from standard treatments, deterioration in the quality of medical care, increased costs from unnecessary testing, and insufficient education and training of emergency personnel. These issues are currently being addressed by implementing emergency department information systems (EDIS) and clinical decision support systems (CDSS). Such systems have been shown to increase the efficiency and safety of emergency medical care. In Japan, however, their development is hindered by a shortage of emergency physicians and insufficient funding. In addition, language barriers make it difficult to introduce EDIS and CDSS in Japan that have been created for an English-speaking market. This perspective addresses the key events that motivated a campaign to prioritise these services in Japan and the need to customise EDIS and CDSS for its population.
Cardiovascular re-adjustments and baroreflex response during clinical reambulation procedure at the end of 35-day bed rest in humans
Authors: Adami Alessandra , Pizzinelli Paolo , Bringard Aurélien , Capelli Carlo , Malacarne Mara , Lucini Daniela , Simunič Boštjan , Pišot Rado , Ferretti Guido
Published: January 2013

During the reambulation procedure after 35-day head-down tilt bed rest (HDTBR) for 9 men, we recorded for the first time heart rate (HR; with electrocardiogram) and arterial pressure profiles (fingertip plethysmography) for 5 min in HDTBR and horizontal (SUP) positions, followed by 12 min in standing position, during which 4 subjects fainted (intolerant, INT) and were laid horizontal again (Recovery). We computed: mean arterial pressure (P¯; pressure profiles integral mean), stroke volume (SV; obtained with Modelflow method), and cardiac output (Q̇; SV × HR). All cardiovascular data remained stable in HDTBR and SUP for both groups (EXP). Taking the upright posture, EXP showed a decrease in SV and an increase in HR, becoming significantly different from SUP within 1 min. Further evolution of these parameters kept Q̇ stable in both groups until the second minute of standing. Afterward, in INT, P̄ precipitated without further HR increases: SV stopped being corrected and Q̇ reached 2.9 ± 0.4 L·min−1 at the last 15 s of standing. Sudden drop in P̄ allowed identification of a low-pressure threshold in INT (70.7 ± 12.9 mm Hg), after which syncope occurred within 80 s. During Recovery, baroreflex curves showed a flat phase (P̄ increase, HR stable), followed by a steep phase (P̄ increased, HR decreased, starting when P̄ was 84.5 ± 12.5 mm Hg and Q̇ was 9.6 ± 1.5 L·min−1). INT, in contrast with tolerant subjects, did not sustain standing because HR was unable to correct for the P̄ drop. These results indicate a major role for impaired arterial baroreflexes in the onset of orthostatic intolerance.
Nutritional approaches to breaking the intergenerational cycle of obesity
Authors: Muhlhausler Beverly S. , Gugusheff Jessica R. , Ong Zhi Yi , Vithayathil Mini A.
Published: January 2013

The link between poor maternal nutrition and an increased burden of disease in subsequent generations has been widely demonstrated in both human and animal studies. Historically, the nutritional challenges experienced by pregnant and lactating women were largely those of insufficient calories and severe micronutrient deficiencies. More recently, however, Western societies have been confronted with a new nutritional challenge; that of maternal obesity and excessive maternal intake of calories, fat, and sugar. Exposure of the developing fetus and infant to this obesogenic environment results in an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disease later in life. Furthermore, increased caloric, fat, and sugar intake can occur in conjunction with micronutrient deficiency, which may further exacerbate these programming effects. In light of the current epidemic of obesity and metabolic disease, attention has now turned to identifying nutritional interventions for breaking this intergenerational obesity cycle. In this review, we discuss the approaches that have been explored to date and highlight the need for further research.
Fermi – LARGE AREA TELESCOPE: ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Authors: KAMAE TUNEYOSHI
Published: January 2013

Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (FGST) has been making many exciting discoveries in astrophysics since its launch in June 2008. One main motivation for the Fermi/GLAST LAT proposal in early 1990s was to promote research in particle astrophysics through close collaboration between particle physics and astrophysics communities. We have accomplished this goal by bring the two communities into one collaboration and by winning funds from their respective funding agencies. The success in finding many exciting phenomena and making high precision measurements have brought many new challenges in interpreting on fundamental physics. I will select a few such discoveries and explain the challenges.
MCMC SAMPLING IN THE GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF SOLAR AND REACTOR NEUTRINO DATA
Authors: LIU W. , LI Y. F. , LIU Q. Y.
Published: January 2013

We present a global analysis of latest solar and reactor neutrino data in the three-neutrino mixing scheme by using both the simple grid scanning and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling methods. Accuracy and efficiency of the two sampling methods are compared and advantages of the latter are discussed. The fitting results of three oscillation parameters θ12, θ13 and [Formula: see text] are provided with both old and new evaluations of the reactor antineutrino flux. Possible correlation between the fitting parameters is also discussed.
NURTURING COMMUNITIES OF INNOVATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
Authors: GRIPPA FRANCESCA
Published: January 2013

This paper describes the benefits of applying a Social Network Dashboard to monitor the evolution of knowledge flows within communities of innovation. Social interactions are observed within and across four inter-organizational communities at a large aerospace company. The application of the Dashboard revealed which of the communities were characterized by a more intense and active knowledge flow and a less centralized communication pattern. These communities were the most outwardly connected and the most productive in terms of financial outcomes. This study provides empirical evidence of the importance of using a network approach as a complementary method to monitor communities' evolution.
CAPABILITIES OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF A FIRM: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
Authors: KRISHNA CHIMATA MURALI , RAY PRADIP KUMAR
Published: January 2013

Many researchers and industrial professionals recognize new product development (NPD) as a potential alternative for improving and sustaining competitive position in the market and made attempt to identify factors and variables that contribute to the capability of a firm in new product development. However, it is necessary to quantify these factors and variables in order to establish their relationships with the capability of NPD of a firm. Quantification of the factors is essential in order to achieve adequate control over the NPD activities. In this research work, a methodology is developed to quantify the factors and to establish empirical relationships of capability of NPD of a firm with its various main and support functions of new product development. In each of the selected function, the variables which contribute to NPD capability are identified by respondents/experts participated in a questionnaire survey. Out of the variables identified, three best variables are selected based on the importance assigned by the respondents. Utility functions and fuzzy analytical method are used for establishing the relationships between variables and the capabilities of the functions. The methodology is applied to an industrial product of a construction equipment-manufacturing firm that actively involves all the main functions and support activities as required for new product development. This methodology based on regression analysis may be used to monitor the product development process over a planning period on a continuous basis in a manufacturing firm.
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN THE AFRICAN CONTEXT
Authors: BRENT ALAN COLIN
Published: January 2013

Technology assessment is an important component for effective technology management (TM) and occurs in initial technology life-cycle phases. However, technology assessment practices have largely evolved in developed countries. Current technology assessment methods also do not consider social-ecological complexity, which is important if the sustainability of technologies is to be assessed; this is especially true of energy systems in developing countries. This paper subsequently investigates how the understanding of the principles of sustainability science may lead to better assessment practices that can be used upfront, in the TM cycle, by policy- and decision-makers of renewable energy technologies in the African context.
BETWEEN GOVERNANCE AND GOVERNMENT: DANISH EIA IN UNCHARTED WATERS
Authors: CHRISTENSEN PER , KØRNØV LONE , NIELSEN ESKILD HOLM
Published: January 2013

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has now passed its first 25 years and looking back it becomes clear that it has changed its direction. In this article we will look closer at how different pressures have pushed it in the direction of decentralisation and deliberative democracy, while other forces have pushed it in the direction of more centralised, top-down government. Different developments during this period can thus be perceived as in accordance with a system of governance based upon framework legislation and characterised by flexibility, coordination and participation. Reflecting on some of the manifest developments encountered in Danish EIA legislation, this article shows that the development of governance structures is followed by developments in the direction of more government. By studying EIA screenings of livestock projects, which is the dominating Danish EIA practice, it becomes obvious that governance as well as government has changed its role often at one and the same time. Although there was scepticism about the efficacy of the EIA instrument at the beginning, this changed from the mid-1990s primarily because it was realised, that EIA screening could address the overwhelming problem of agricultural production, but also that it opened the door for more public participation and broader assessment of projects than found previously under environmental regulation. This can be interpreted as an example of a shift away from government to governance, but the story turns out to be more complex than that as the opposite trend is also encountered. In our empirical work on EIA screening in Denmark, we find that two major changes have taken place. These changes all relate to the problem of livestock production. In all cases, we find that the way EIA is used in Denmark is innovative, but also that pressure from the newly introduced Natura 2000 as well as the Water Framework Directive increases the pressure to return to more traditional top-down measures. Using these examples, this paper offers important insights into the dynamic between governance and government.
An invariance principle for polytopes
Authors: Harsha Prahladh , Klivans Adam , Meka Raghu
Published: January 2013

Let
X
be randomly chosen from {-1,1}

n

, and let
Y
be randomly chosen from the standard spherical Gaussian on ℝ

n

. For any (possibly unbounded) polytope
P
formed by the intersection of
k
halfspaces, we prove that |Pr[
X
∈
P
] - Pr[
Y
∈
P
]| ≤ log
8/5
k
⋅ Δ, where Δ is a parameter that is small for polytopes formed by the intersection of “regular” halfspaces (i.e., halfspaces with low influence). The novelty of our invariance principle is the polylogarithmic dependence on
k
. Previously, only bounds that were at least linear in
k
were known. The proof of the invariance principle is based on a generalization of the Lindeberg method for proving central limit theorems and could be of use elsewhere.

We give two important applications of our invariance principle, one from learning theory and the other from pseudorandomness.

(1) A bound of log

O
(1)

k
⋅ ϵ
1/6
on the Boolean noise sensitivity of intersections of
k
“regular” halfspaces (previous work gave bounds linear in
k
). This gives a corresponding agnostic learning algorithm for intersections of regular halfspaces.

(2) A pseudorandom generator (PRG) for estimating the Gaussian volume of polytopes with
k
faces within error δ and seed-length
O
(log
n
poly(log
k
,1/δ)).

We also obtain PRGs with similar parameters that fool polytopes formed by intersection of regular halfspaces over the hypercube. Using our PRG constructions, we obtain the first deterministic quasi-polynomial time algorithms for approximately counting the number of solutions to a broad class of integer programs, including dense covering problems and contingency tables.
Graph expansion and communication costs of fast matrix multiplication
Authors: Ballard Grey , Demmel James , Holtz Olga , Schwartz Oded
Published: January 2013

The communication cost of algorithms (also known as I/O-complexity) is shown to be closely related to the expansion properties of the corresponding computation graphs. We demonstrate this on Strassen's and other fast matrix multiplication algorithms, and obtain the first lower bounds on their communication costs.

In the sequential case, where the processor has a fast memory of size
M
, too small to store three
n
-by-
n
matrices, the lower bound on the number of words moved between fast and slow memory is, for a large class of matrix multiplication algorithms, Ω( (
n
/√
M
)

ω
0

·
M
), where ω
0
is the exponent in the arithmetic count (e.g., ω
0
= lg 7 for Strassen, and ω
0
= 3 for conventional matrix multiplication). With
p
parallel processors, each with fast memory of size
M
, the lower bound is asymptotically lower by a factor of
p
. These bounds are attainable both for sequential and for parallel algorithms and hence optimal.
Interactive multimedia ethnography
Authors: Matthews Paul , Aston Judith
Published: January 2013

Digital heritage archives often lack engaging user interfaces that strike a balance between providing narrative context and affording user interaction and exploration. It seems nevertheless feasible for metadata tagging and a “joined up” workflow to provide a basis for such rich interaction. After outlining relevant research from within and outside the heritage domain, we present our project, FINE (Fluid Interfaces for Narrative Exploration), an effort to develop such a system. Based on content from Wendy James' archive of anthropological research material from the Sudan/Ethiopian borderlands, the FINE project attempts to use structural and thematic metadata to drive exploratory interfaces which link video, images, audio, and text to relevant narrative units. The interfaces also benefit from the temporal and spatial variety of the collection to provide opportunities to discover contrasts and juxtaposition in the material across place and time.
Automatic classification of archaeological pottery sherds
Authors: Makridis Michael , Daras Petros
Published: January 2013

This article presents a novel technique for automatic archaeological sherd classification. Sherds that are found in the field usually have little to no visible textual information such as symbols, graphs, or marks on them. This makes manual classification an extremely difficult and time-consuming task for conservators and archaeologists. For a bunch of sherds found in the field, an expert identifies different classes and indicates at least one representative sherd for each class (training sample). The proposed technique uses the representative sherds in order to correctly classify the remaining sherds. For each sherd, local features based on color and texture information are extracted and are then transformed into a global vector that describes the whole sherd image, using a new bag of words technique. Finally, a feature selection algorithm is applied that locates features with high discriminative power. Extensive experiments were performed in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed technique and show very promising results.
Load sharing for optimistic parallel simulations on multi core machines
Authors: Vitali Roberto , Pellegrini Alessandro , Quaglia Francesco
Published: January 2013

Parallel Discrete Event Simulation (PDES) is based on the partitioning of the simulation model into distinct Logical Processes (LPs), each one modeling a portion of the entire system, which are allowed to execute simulation events concurrently. This allows exploiting parallel computing architectures to speedup model execution, and to make very large models tractable. In this article we cope with the optimistic approach to PDES, where LPs are allowed to concurrently process their events in a speculative fashion, and rollback/ recovery techniques are used to guarantee state consistency in case of causality violations along the speculative execution path. Particularly, we present an innovative load sharing approach targeted at optimizing resource usage for fruitful simulation work when running an optimistic PDES environment on top of multi-processor/multi-core machines. Beyond providing the load sharing model, we also define a load sharing oriented architectural scheme, based on a symmetric multi-threaded organization of the simulation platform. Finally, we present a real implementation of the load sharing architecture within the open source ROme OpTimistic Simulator (ROOT-Sim) package. Experimental data for an assessment of both viability and effectiveness of our proposal are presented as well.
Empirical evaluation of power saving policies for data centers
Authors: Mazzucco Michele , Mitrani Isi
Published: January 2013

It has been suggested that the conflicting objectives of high performance and low power consumption in a service center can be met by powering a block of servers on and off, in response to changing demand conditions. To test that proposition, a dynamic operating policy is evaluated in a real-life setting, using the Amazon EC2 cloud platform. The application running on the cluster is a replica of the English edition of Wikipedia, with different streams of requests generated by reading traces from a file and by means of random numbers with a given mean and squared coefficient of variation. The system costs achieved by an 'optimized' version of the policy are compared to those of a simple heuristic and also to a baseline policy consisting of keeping all servers powered on all the time and one where servers are re-allocated periodically but reserves are not employed.
RealTime distributed congestion control for electrical vehicle charging
Authors: Ardakanian O. , Rosenberg C. , Keshav S.
Published: January 2013

The significant load and unpredictable mobility of electric vehicles (EVs) makes them a challenge for grid distribution systems. Unlike most current approaches to control EV charging, which construct optimal charging schedules by predicting EV state of charge and future behaviour, we leverage the anticipated widespread deployment of measurement and control points to propose an alternative vision. In our approach, drawing from a comparative analysis of Internet and distribution grid congestion, control actions taken by a charger every few milliseconds in response to congestion signals allow it to rapidly reduce its charging rate to avoid grid congestion. We sketch three control schemes that embody this vision and compare their relative merits and demerits.
Properties of two cataract-associated mutations located in the NH2 terminus of connexin 46
Authors: Tong Jun-Jie , Sohn Bonnie C. H. , Lam Anh , Walters D. Eric , Vertel Barbara M. , Ebihara Lisa
Published: January 2013

Mutations in connexin 46 are associated with congenital cataracts. The purpose of this project was to characterize cellular and functional properties of two congenital cataract-associated mutations located in the NH2 terminus of connexin 46: Cx46D3Y and Cx46L11S, which we found localized to gap junctional plaques like wild-type Cx46 in transfected HeLa cells. Dual two-microelectrode-voltage-clamp studies of Xenopus oocyte pairs injected with wild-type or mutant rat Cx46 showed that oocyte pairs injected with D3Y or L11S cRNA failed to induce gap junctional coupling, whereas oocyte pairs injected with Cx46 showed high levels of coupling. D3Y, but not L11S, functionally paired with wild-type Cx46. To determine whether coexpression of D3Y or L11S affected the junctional conductance produced by wild-type lens connexins, we studied pairs of oocytes coinjected with equal amounts of mutant and wild-type connexin cRNA. Expression of D3Y or L11S almost completely abolished gap junctional coupling induced by Cx46. In contrast, expression of D3Y or L11S failed to inhibit junctional conductance induced by Cx50. To examine effects of the D3Y and L11S mutations on hemichannel activity, hemichannel currents were measured in connexin cRNA-injected oocytes. Oocytes expressing D3Y exhibited reduced hemichannel activity as well as alterations in voltage gating and charge selectivity while oocytes expressing L11S showed no hemichannel activity. Moreover, coexpression of mutant with wild-type Cx50 or Cx46 gave rise to hemichannels with distinct electrophysiological properties, suggesting that the mutant connexins were forming heteromeric channels with wild-type connexins. These data suggest D3Y and L11S cause cataracts by similar but not identical mechanisms.
Relative effects of submersion and increased pressure on respiratory mechanics, work, and energy cost of breathing
Authors: Held Heather E. , Pendergast David R.
Published: January 2013

Submersion and increased pressure (depth) characterize the diving environment and may independently increase demand on the respiratory system. To quantify changes in respiratory mechanics, this study employed a unique protocol and techniques to measure, in a hyperbaric chamber, inspiratory and expiratory alveolar pressures (interrupter technique), inspiratory and expiratory resistance in the airways (RawI and RawE, esophageal balloon technique), nitric oxide elimination (thought to correlate with Raw), inspiratory and expiratory mechanical power of breathing, and the total energy cost of ventilation. Eight healthy adult men underwent experiments at 1, 2.7, and 4.6 atmospheres absolute (ATA) in dry and fully submersed conditions. Subjects rested, cycled on an ergometer at 100 W, and rested while voluntarily matching their ventilation to their own exercise hyperpnea (isocapnic simulated exercise ventilation). During isocapnic simulated exercise ventilation, increased O2 uptake (above rest values) resulted from increased expired ventilation. RawI decreased with submersion (mean 43% during rest and 20% during exercise) but increased from 1 to 4.6 ATA (19% during rest and 75% during exercise), as did RawE (53% decrease with submersion during rest and 10% during exercise; 9% increase from 1 to 4.6 ATA during rest and 66% during exercise). Nitric oxide elimination did not correlate with Raw. Depth increased inspiratory mechanical power of breathing during rest (40%) and exercise (20%). Expiratory mechanical power of breathing was largely unchanged. These results suggest that the diving environment affects ventilatory mechanics primarily by increasing Raw, secondary to increased gas density. This necessitates increased alveolar pressure and increases the work and energy cost of breathing as the diver descends. These findings can inform physician assessment of diver fitness and the pulmonary risks of hyperbaric O2 therapy.
Scalp Necrosis as a Late Sign of Giant-Cell Arteritis
Authors: Alimohammadi Mohammad , Knight Ann
Published: January 2013

Retinal infarction and scalp necrosis are described as unusual but devastating complications of giant-cell arteritis. We report a patient with this rare complication and emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment of giant-cell arteritis.
Impact of Blood Sample Collection and Processing Methods on Glucose Levels in Community Outreach Studies
Authors: Turchiano Michael , Nguyen Cuong , Fierman Arthur , Lifshitz Mark , Convit Antonio
Published: January 2013

Glucose obtained from unprocessed blood samples can decrease by 5%–7% per hour due to glycolysis. This study compared the impact of glucose degradation on measured glucose values by examining two different collection methods. For the first method, blood samples were collected in tubes containing sodium fluoride (NaF), a glycolysis inhibitor. For the second method, blood samples were collected in tubes containing a clot activator and serum gel separator and were centrifuged to separate the serum and plasma 20 minutes after sample collection. The samples used in the two methods were collected during the same blood draw and were assayed by the clinical laboratory 2–4 hours after the samples were obtained. A total of 256 pairs of samples were analyzed. The average glucose reading for the centrifuged tubes was significantly higher than the NaF tubes by0.196±0.159 mmol/L (P<0.01) or 4.2%. This study demonstrates the important role collection methods play in accurately assessing glucose levels of blood samples collected in the field, where working environment may be suboptimal. Therefore, blood samples collected in the field should be promptly centrifuged before being transported to clinical labs to ensure accurate glucose level measurements.
Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Authors: Chillemi Claudio , Franceschini Vincenzo
Published: January 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent cause of disability in the USA, affecting up to 32.8% of patients over the age of sixty. Treatment of shoulder OA is often controversial and includes both nonoperative and surgical modalities. Nonoperative modalities should be utilized before operative treatment is considered, particularly for patients with mild-to-moderate OA or when pain and functional limitations are modest despite more advanced radiographic changes. If conservative options fail, surgical treatment should be considered. Although different surgical procedures are available, as in other joints affected by severe OA, the most effective treatment is joint arthroplasty. The aim of this work is to give an overview of the currently available treatments of shoulder OA.
Isoniazid Toxicity among an Older Veteran Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Vinnard Christopher , Gopal Anand , Linkin Darren R. , Maslow Joel
Published: January 2013

Background: our objective was to determine the incidence of toxicity among veterans initiating isoniazid therapy for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and determine whether advancing age was a risk factor for toxicity.Methods: we performed a retrospective cohort study among all adults initiating isoniazid treatment for LTBI at a Veterans Medical Center from 1999 to 2005. We collected data on patient demographics, co-morbidities, site of initiation, and treatment outcome.Results: 219 patients initiated isoniazid therapy for LTBI during the period of observation, and the completion of therapy was confirmed in 100 patients (46%). Among 18/219 patients (8%) that discontinued therapy due to a documented suspected toxicity, the median time to onset was 3 months (IQR 1–5 months). In an adjusted Cox regression model, there was no association between discontinuation due to suspected toxicity and advancing age (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99, 1.07). In contrast, hepatitis C infection was a significant predictor of cessation due to toxicity in the adjusted analysis (HR 3.03, 95% CI 1.08, 8.52).Conclusions: cessation of isoniazid therapy due to suspected toxicity was infrequently observed among a veteran population and was not associated with advancing age. Alternative LTBI treatment approaches should be further examined in the veteran population.
Esophageal Achalasia: An Uncommon Complication during Pregnancy Treated Conservatively
Authors: Spiliopoulos Dimitrios , Spiliopoulos Michail , Awala Alero
Published: January 2013

A 38-year-old Caucasian woman, gravida 3 para 2, was admitted at 29 weeks of gestation because of vomiting, dysphagia for solids and liquids, and loss of weight. An enlargement of the anterior left neck region was noted on the palpation of the thyroid gland. An MRI of the neck showed a marked esophageal dilatation with the presence of food remnants along its length and the displacement of the trachea to the right. The findings of the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and manometry were suggestive of esophageal achalasia. Conservative management with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) through a peripheral line proved to be successful. A healthy male baby was born by a cesarean section at 37 weeks. The patient underwent laparoscopic esophageal myotomy and fundoplication seven days postpartum.
Acetonic and Methanolic Extracts ofHeterotheca inuloides, and Quercetin, Decrease CCl4-Oxidative Stress in Several Rat Tissues
Authors: Coballase-Urrutia Elvia , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Cárdenas-Rodríguez Noemí , Huerta-Gertrudis Bernardino , García-Cruz Mercedes Edna , Montesinos-Correa Hortencia , Sánchez-González Dolores Javier , Camacho-Carranza Rafael , Espinosa-Aguirre Jesús Javier
Published: January 2013

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the acetonic and methanolic extracts ofH. inuloidesprevent carbon tetrachloride-(CCl4) induced oxidative stress in vital tissues. Pretreatment with bothH. inuloidesextracts or quercetin attenuated the increase in serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (BB), creatinine (CRE), and creatine kinase (CK), and impeded the decrease ofγ-globulin (γ-GLOB) and albumin (ALB) observed in CCl4-induced tissue injury. The protective effect was confirmed by histological analysis with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid/Schiff's reagent. Level of lipid peroxidation was higher in the organs of rats exposed to CCl4than in those of the animals treated withHeterohtecaextracts or quercetin, and these showed levels similar to the untreated group. Pretreatment of animals with either of the extracts or quercetin also prevented the increase of 4-hydroxynonenal and 3-nitrotyrosine. Pretreatment with the plant extracts or quercetin attenuated CCl4toxic effects on the activity of several antioxidant enzymes. The present results strongly suggest that the chemopreventive effect of the extracts used and quercetin, against CCl4toxicity, is associated with their antioxidant properties and corroborated previous results obtained in liver tissue.
CD8+CXCR5+T Cells Regulate Pathology in the Genital Tract
Authors: Jiang Janina , Champion Cheryl I. , Wei Bo , Liu Guangchao , Kelly Kathleen A.
Published: January 2013

We have identified a CD8+CXCR5+T cell that prevents the development of oviduct dilation followingC. muridarumgenital infection. Phenotypic studies show that CD8+CXCR5+cells express markers of T regulatory cells (FoxP3, CD25, and GITR) but do not express a necessary component of cytotoxic cells (perforin).Cxcr5-/-mice have significantly lower numbers of CD8+cells and lack the CD8+CXCR5+population while the total number of CD4+cells is equivalent between mouse strains. The transfer of CD8+splenocytes from WT mice reduces the oviduct dilation seen inCxcr5-/-mice followingC. muridaruminfection. Future studies will investigate the mechanism by which this cell type regulates genital tract pathology.
Locus-Specific Biochemical Epigenetics/Chromatin Biochemistry by Insertional Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
Authors: Fujita Toshitsugu , Fujii Hodaka
Published: January 2013

Comprehensive understanding of regulation mechanisms of biological phenomena mediated by functions of genomic DNA requires identification of molecules bound to genomic regions of interest in vivo. However, nonbiased methods to identify molecules bound to specific genomic loci in vivo are limited. To perform biochemical and molecular biological analysis of specific genomic regions, we developed the insertional chromatin immunoprecipitation (iChIP) technology to purify the genomic regions of interest. We applied iChIP to direct identification of components of insulator complexes, which function as boundaries of chromatin domain, showing that it is feasible to directly identify proteins and RNA bound to a specific genomic region in vivo by using iChIP. In addition, recently, we succeeded in identifying proteins and genomic regions interacting with a single copy endogenous locus. In this paper, we will discuss the application of iChIP to epigenetics and chromatin research.
Scleredema in a Patient with AIDS-Related Lipodystrophy Syndrome
Authors: Yachoui Ralph , Traisak Pamela , Jagga Shirish
Published: January 2013

Scleredema is a form of cutaneous mucinosis caused by an increased accumulation of collagen and mucin in the dermis. It is characterized by diffused, nonpitting swelling and induration of the skin. Scleredema diabeticorum is one type of scleredema associated with diabetes mellitus. AIDS-related insulin resistance and lipodystrophy syndrome are a newly emerging entities in HIV-infected patients associated with severe metabolic disturbances and insulin resistance. The long-standing diabetes in these patients may contribute to the development of scleredema diabeticorum. Here, we report the rare occurrence of scleredema in an HIV-infected patient with AIDS-related lipodystrophy syndrome.
Aldosterone-Specific Activation of Cardiomyocyte Mineralocorticoid Receptor In Vivo
Authors: Messaoudi Smail , Gravez Basile , Tarjus Antoine , Pelloux Véronique , Ouvrard-Pascaud Antoine , Delcayre Claude , Samuel Janelise , Launay Jean-Marie , Sierra-Ramos Catalina , de la Rosa Diego Alvarez , Clément Karine , Farman Nicolette , Jaisser Fréderic
Published: January 2013

Inappropriate mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation is involved in cardiac diseases. Whether and how aldosterone is involved in the deleterious effects of cardiac mineralocorticoid activation is still unclear. Mice overexpressing MR in cardiomyocytes and their controls were treated for 7 days with aldosterone, and cardiac transcriptome was analyzed. Aldosterone regulated 265 genes in cardiomyocyte-targeted MR overexpression mice. Forty three of these genes were also differentially expressed between untreated cardiomyocyte-targeted MR overexpression and controls mice, thus representing putative aldosterone-regulated genes in cardiomyocytes. Among these genes, we focused on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). In vivo, in cardiomyocyte-targeted MR overexpression mice, aldosterone (but not corticosterone) induced CTGF expression (mRNA and protein) in cardiomyocytes. Ex vivo, aldosterone induced the binding of mineralocorticoid receptor to CTGF promoter and increased the expression of its transcript. Aldosterone induction of CTGF synthesis in cardiomyocytes seems pathologically relevant as the increase in CTGF observed in a model of heart failure (transverse aortic constriction) in rats was prevented by eplerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker. This study demonstrates that aldosterone specifically regulates gene expression in cardiomyocytes despite large prevalence of glucocorticoids in plasma.
“What Goes Around Comes Around”: Prohibitions to Cruelty Against Animals in Judaism
Authors: Kool Richard
Published: January 2013

There is a rich literature within the Jewish tradition, both from biblical exegesis and Talmudic and Midrashic commentary, of concern for animals. In particular, there are injunctions against cruelty that are reflected, for example, in the traditions of kashrut, of humane slaughtering. But the important message is that tradition maintains that caring for animals is a necessary precursor to caring for humans.
Dalforce at the Fall of Singapore in 1942: An Overseas Chinese Heroic Legend
Authors: Chew Ju Ern Daniel , Blackburn Kevin
Published: January 2013

Dalforce, or the Singapore Overseas Chinese Volunteer Army as it was more popularly known among the Chinese community, was a hastily formed volunteer army created just before the fall of Singapore in February 1942. It was made up of 1,000–3,000 Chinese volunteers from all walks of life and political persuasions. Dalforce companies, armed with limited weapons and ammunition, were sent to defend the different fronts of Singapore Island after only a short stint of training. The soldiers of Dalforce, alongside the Australian, Indian and British armies, fought the Japanese invasion during the Battle for Singapore. The Overseas Chinese community in Singapore saw Dalforce as a medium through which they could join in the struggle, together with their comrades in China, against an aggressive and belligerent Japan. This small army became a symbol of something their comrades in China failed to truly achieve — the ability to unite in one force against a common enemy. The exploits of this little army became an Overseas Chinese legend.
“You Can Never Go Home Again”: Cultural Memory and Identity Formation in the Writing of Southeast Asian Chinese
Authors: St. André James
Published: January 2013

The persistence of memory as a trope in works by Chinese writers in Southeast Asia demonstrates that the sense of identity among Chinese in this area is constantly being interrogated and re-negotiated. This article argues that literary texts are one important constituent factor of collective cultural memory, a purposeful activity undertaken to influence social reality. Even as they foreground the issue of an individual's memory of Chinese culture, they are themselves a type of memorializing practice which seeks to preserve certain types of cultural memory and thus shape the individual's identity. In comparing the works of Singaporean and Malaysian writers, I find a rather stark contrast between the figures used to conceptualize China, Chinese culture, and memory. I argue that Singaporean writers use certain figures to reify Chinese culture and determine its unchanging essence, whereas Malaysian Chinese often have a more fluid view of culture. I then consider some of the ramifications for the use of natural metaphors by the Malaysian writers, which I see as participating in a type of wishful colonial mentality, quite distinct from the historical reality of indentured labor and political disempowerment of the ethnic Chinese in the modern nation state of Malaysia. I conclude by proposing the use of “trunk” as a metaphor for cultural memory and identity formation.
Virtual Communities and Chinese National Identity
Authors: Chan Brenda
Published: January 2013

With the implementation of economic reforms in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the relaxation of restrictions on foreign travel, a new wave of overseas migration from mainland China has taken place. Compared to the earlier waves of Chinese emigrants who were semi-literate peasants and craftsmen, many new Chinese migrants are highly educated professionals and are extremely mobile. While the earlier Chinese migrants were mostly from southern provinces in China and organized their voluntary associations based on native-place or blood ties, new Chinese migrants hail from different regions in China, and would build social organizations of different configurations. Besides setting up voluntary organizations offline, these new Chinese migrants are also forming cybercommunities on the Internet. This article investigates whether virtual communities formed by new Chinese migrants also offer identity options to migrants in terms of ethnicity and national belonging, as offline immigrant associations do. It does so by examining the varieties of Chinese national identities articulated in cyberspace and in the offline activities of two virtual communities formed by new Chinese migrants who are working and studying in Singapore. I argue that virtual communities formed by migrants may or may not offer distinct identity options to their members in terms of ethnic or national belonging. Virtual communities with very diverse user profiles may offer more distinct identity options for their members as a strategy in attracting and retaining members, compared to virtual communities with a more homogeneous membership.
Contending for a Claim on Civilization: The Sino-Siamese Struggle to Control Overseas Chinese Education in Siam
Authors: Wongsurawat Wasana
Published: January 2013

In the mid-19th to early 20th century, the ancient ethnocentric concept of Chinese Civilization was challenged by European — and Japanese — imperialist conquests. The West, in particular, came with the mission of bringing enlightenment; “civilization” seemed no longer seated in the Middle Kingdom for “all under heaven” to come and admire. Even the Chinese were leaving China in great numbers to seek wealth in foreign lands and Chinese rulers felt the need to reestablish the confidence of their people — at home and in faraway lands — in the worthiness of Chinese Civilization. This is a study of the conflict between the KMT and Siamese governments over the development and control of Chinese education in Siam during the early 20th century. It will investigate how Chinese nationalism, as manifested in the KMT policy toward overseas Chinese education, infringed upon Siam's sovereignty, and how Siam, through its own desperate attempt to avoid being colonized by the Europeans, was making its own claim on Civilization through the establishment of a modern educational system for its own citizens and the overseas Chinese minority.
The Zheng Communities and the Formation of a Transnational Lineage
Authors: Song Ping
Published: January 2013

Transnational business networks and entrepreneurship should not be regarded as the only major theme of Chinese contemporary transnationalism. The transnationalization of traditional social and cultural institutions and the social practices engaged in by agencies facilitated by the networks deserve our attention as well. By narrating the case of a transnational lineage, this article describes how the lineage was constructed historically in a broader structure of relations across borders, how the major concern of the lineage has been revived since the liberalization in China, and how these social and cultural practices are revealing a dynamic process of identity-making of people who are involved in the transnational space.
State, Myth, and Agency in the Construction of Chinese South African Identities, 1948–1994
Authors: Park Yoon Jung
Published: January 2013

Based on the author's PhD research, this article focuses on the fluid and contested nature of the identities — racial, ethnic, and national — of people of Chinese descent in South Africa in the apartheid and post-apartheid eras. The research focuses on the approximately 12,000-strong community of second-, third-, and fourth-generation South African-born Chinese South Africans. It reveals that Chinese South Africans played an active role in identity construction using Chinese history, myths and culture, albeit within the constraints established by apartheid. During the latter part of apartheid, movement up the socio-economic ladder and gradual social acceptance by white South Africa propelled them into nebulous, interstitial spaces; officially they remained “non-white” but increasingly they were viewed as “honorary whites.” During the late 1970s and 1980s, the South African state attempted to redefine Chinese as “white” but these attempts failed because Chinese South Africans were unwilling to sacrifice their unique ethnic identity, which helped them to survive the more dehumanizing aspects of life under apartheid.
The Malayan Communist Party and the Indonesian Communist Party: Features of Co-operation
Authors: Fujio Hara
Published: January 2013

This is an analysis of the relations between the Malayan Communist Party and the Indonesian Communist Party in several areas. It will begin with a discussion of the mutual support between the PKI leaders and the Kesatuan Melayu Muda prior to the declaration of Emergency in 1948, followed by an examination of their cooperation immediately after World War II. The second part will look at the activities of the MCP members in Indonesia up to the establishment of the Representative Office of the Malayan National Liberation League in Jakarta. There will be an account of the overt activities of the Representative Office and its covert activities after its closure. The article will also ascertain the actual relations between the two based on a close examination of the official documents of the two parties.