bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lanthanum Carbonate for Hyperphosphatemia in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Ohno Michiya , Ohashi Hiroshige , Oda Hiroshi , Yokoyama Haruko , Okada Miho , Nagaya Mayu , Izumi Kumiko , Ito Hitomi , Katoh Shuji
Published: December 2012

Background

The efficacy of the phosphate binder lanthanum carbonate has been demonstrated for hemodialysis patients, but no studies have focused on patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We evaluated whether lanthanum carbonate could control phosphate levels in patients on CAPD.

Methods

In this 48-week open-label prospective study, 28 patients on CAPD with a phosphate level of 6 mg/dL or greater were given lanthanum carbonate titrated from 750 mg to 2250 mg daily to achieve a target serum phosphate level of less than 6 mg/dL. The primary efficacy endpoint was reduction of serum phosphate to less than 6 mg/dL. Serum levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone were also evaluated, as were the CaxP product and adverse effects.

Results

From week 4 to the end of the study at week 48, we observed a significant reduction of serum phosphate to 5.25 ± 0.97 mg/dL from 6.88 ± 1.06 mg/dL at study start ( p < 0.01). At the end of the study, 78.6% of participants had achieved the target of less than 6 mg/dL. Because no change of serum calcium occurred, the CaxP product declined significantly during the study. Intact parathyroid hormone declined gradually over the study period, but the change had not reached significance at the end of the study ( p = 0.11). The mean final dose of lanthanum carbonate was 946 mg daily. The only adverse effect reported was mild nausea in 1 patient.

Conclusions

Lanthanum carbonate is an effective phosphate binder that can control serum phosphate and CaxP product in CAPD patients with hyperphosphatemia. Lanthanum carbonate was well tolerated in our population.
La difficile construction de la gouvernance internationale de la lutte contre les changements climatiques
Authors: Demaze Moïse Tsayem
Published: December 2012

La gouvernance internationale de la lutte contre les changements climatiques s’est progressivement et péniblement élaborée au cours des négociations internationales menées chaque année dans les Conférences des Parties (COP). Elles rassemblent, depuis 1995, les pays qui ont ratifié la Convention cadre des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques. Le Protocole de Kyoto, adopté en 1997, est l’instrument le plus important issu de ces arènes. Il organise la participation des États à la lutte contre les changements climatiques dans une perspective internationale de réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Il a donné lieu aux négociations qui se déroulent aussi chaque année, depuis 2005, dans les Meetings des Parties (MOP). Les difficultés de l’application de ce Protocole, et les questions en suspens, concernant la période post 2012, soulignent la difficulté de la construction de la gouvernance internationale de la lutte contre les changements climatiques. Les COP et les MOP se déroulent parallèlement et conjointement, de plus en plus suivant le principe de rotation géographique selon lequel l’organisation et la présidence de ces « sommets » sont confiées successivement aux pays appartenant à différents continents. Devenus des rendez-vous planétaires, ces COP et MOP, malgré leur multiplicité et leur fréquence régulière, donnent l’impression d’être inefficaces, peinant à déboucher sur des mesures dont l’application par les États serait capable de résoudre le problème du changement climatique.
The Benefit of Ambiguity in Understanding Goals in Requirements Modelling
Authors: Paay Jeni , Pedell Sonja , Sterling Leon , Vetere Frank , Howard Steve
Published: December 2012

This paper examines the benefit of ambiguity in describing goals in requirements modelling for the design of socio-technical systems using concepts from Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) and ethnographic and cultural probe methods from Human Computer Interaction (HCI). The authors’ aim of their research is to create technologies that support more flexible and meaningful social interactions, by combining best practice in software engineering with ethnographic techniques to model complex social interactions from their socially oriented life for the purposes of building rich socio-technological systems. Currently social needs are modelled as coordinative and collaborative goals; however the domestic space surfaces a range of purely communicative activities, which are not calculated to serve any external productive purpose (i.e., it is communication often for the sake of pleasure).The authors use a holistic approach to eliciting, analyzing, and modelling socially-oriented requirements by combining a particular form of ethnographic technique, cultural probes, with Agent Oriented Software Engineering notations to model these requirements. This paper focuses on examining the value of maintaining ambiguity in the process of elicitation and analysis through the use of empirically informed quality goals attached to functional goals. The authors demonstrate the benefit of articulating a quality goal without turning it into a functional goal. Their study shows that quality goals kept at a high level of abstraction, ambiguous and open for conversations through the modelling process add richness to goal models, and communicate quality attributes of the interaction being modelled to the design phase, where this ambiguity is regarded as a resource for design.
Developing Speech Input for Virtual Applications
Authors: Stedmon Alex , Howard David , Kirchhübel Christin
Published: December 2012

This paper contextualises the position of speech input from a user-centred human factors perspective. It is presented as a position paper so that researchers and designers can consider the underlying and future factors of a people-orientated approach to speech input for virtual applications. A number of key areas are explored including: human factors for speech input; speech input for virtual applications; speech as a spare mode of interaction; user acceptance and uptake; incorporating speech in the development of virtual applications; and speech input as an interaction tool. Given the user-centred perspective of this paper, this paper does not set out to address issues associated with spoken dialogue technologies, dialogue, and dialogue management; recent work on conversational agents in virtual environments; or multimodal interaction. This paper places the focus more fundamentally within human factors by looking at the user first as a basis for developing usable virtual applications incorporating speech input rather than to review the current state of the art in interaction design. A particular point this paper makes, however, is that speech input should be designed and used as another interaction tool that users need to learn to use, rather than assuming it will offer a natural or intuitive interface.
Microsoft Excel File
Authors: Tiwari Rajesh Kumar , Sahoo G.
Published: December 2012

Data hiding is emerging as an important area of research with the advent of digital technologies. Watermarking, fingerprinting and steganography are important applications of data hiding techniques. Besides the classical use of data hiding in ownership protection, authentication and copy/access control, it serves as a general tool to convey side information. New files are a good choice for steganographic carriers. In this paper, the authors use Microsoft Excel as a cover file. A methodology has been developed that consists of three techniques for embedding the valuable data with three layers of security and high robustness. The resultant stego Excel file can be transmitted anywhere using any channel. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed methodology.
PLATELET COUNT RESPONSE TO HELICOBACTER PYLORI ERADICATION IN IRANIAN ‎PATIENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC ‎PURPURA
Authors: Zare Mohammad Erfan
Published: December 2012

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune hematological disordercharacterized by auto antibody-mediated platelet destruction. Although the main cause of ITPremains unclear, but its relationship with some infection was demonstrated. In recent years, many studies have demonstrated improvement of platelet counts in ITP patients after treating Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of H. pylori eradication on platelet count response in Iranian ITP patients.A total of 26 patients diagnosed with both ITP and H. pylori infection. ITP were diagnosed whose platelet counts were less than 100×103/μL. These patients were tested for H. pylori infection by Urea Breath Test and serum H. pylori antibody. All patients received triple therapy for 7 or 14 days to eradicate H. pylori infection. These patients followed for six months.Prevalence of H. pylori was 67.3%. H. pylori eradication achieved in 89.5% (26/29). Of the 26 patients, 15 (57.7%) exhibited a complete response (CR) and 11 (42.3%) were unresponsive. We did not find partial responders. There was a significant difference in the baseline platelet count of responders and non-responders patients (p<0.001). All responders had platelet count ≥50×103/μLand all non-responders had platelet count <50×103/μL.Results of this study revealed that eradication therapy of H. pylori infection can improve platelet counts in ITP patients especially with mild thrombocytopenia and support routine detection andtreatment of H. pylori infection in ITP patients in populations with a high prevalence of this infection.
THE SPECTRUM OF GENETIC DEFECTS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA
Authors: Rossi Davide , Fangazio Marco , Gaidano Gianluca
Published: December 2012

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the Western world and shows a remarkable heterogeneity in the clinical course. Understand the genetic basis of CLL may help in clarifying the molecular bases of this clinical heterogeneity. Recurrent chromosomal aberrations at 13q14, 12q, 11q22-q23 and 17p13, and TP53 mutations are the first genetic lesions identified as drivers of the disease. While some of these lesions are associated with poor outcome (17p13 deletion, TP53 mutations and, to a lesser extent, 11q22-q23 deletion) others are linked to a favorable course (13q14 deletion as sole aberration). Recently, next generation sequencing has revealed additional recurrent alterations in CLL targeting the NOTCH1, SF3B1, and BIRC3 genes. NOTCH1, SF3B1, and BIRC3 lesions provide: i) new insights on the mechanisms of leukemogenesis, tumor progression and chemoresistance in this leukemia; ii) new biomarkers for the identification of poor risk patients, having individually shown correlations with survival in CLL; and iii) new therapeutic targets, especially in the setting of high risk disease. This review will summarize the most important genetic aberrations in CLL and how our improved knowledge of the genome of leukemic cells may translate into improved patients' management.
Littoral Cell Angioma of Spleen: An Uncommon Presentation of a Rare Neoplasm
Authors: Gupta Pramod , Peungjesada Silanath , Foshee Soume , Amirkhan Robin H
Published: December 2012

Littoral cell angioma (LCA) is a rare primary splenic tumor that is difficult to differentiate preoperatively from other benign and malignant splenic lesions. Most of the cases present as multiple nodules in the spleen. We report a case of large solitary LCA of the spleen, an uncommon presentation. LCA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple and solitary splenic lesions.
Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestratıon as an Unusual Cause of Recurrent Hemoptysis
Authors: Kayhan Servet , Çelik Burçin , Belet Umit , Aydin Oguz
Published: December 2012

Pulmonary sequestration is an embryonic, cystic lung tissue that is supplied by systemic blood circulation. It is a nonfunctional lung parenchyma unconnected to normal tracheobronchial system. In cases of pulmonary sequestration, surgical interventions should be performed in order to prevent possible complications such as massive hemoptysis and infections. Preoperative imaging and treatment planning should be done carefully. We present an uncommon case of recurrent hemoptysis caused by intralobar pulmonary sequestration located in the left lower lobe.
Analyzing Thiol-Dependent Redox Networks in the Presence of Methylene Blue and Other Antimalarial Agents with RT-PCR-Supported in silico Modeling
Authors: Zirkel J. , Cecil A. , Schäfer F. , Rahlfs S. , Ouedraogo A. , Xiao K. , Sawadogo S. , Coulibaly B. , Becker K. , Dandekar T.
Published: December 2012

Background

In the face of growing resistance in malaria parasites to drugs, pharmacological combination therapies are important. There is accumulating evidence that methylene blue (MB) is an effective drug against malaria. Here we explore the biological effects of both MB alone and in combination therapy using modeling and experimental data.

Results

We built a model of the central metabolic pathways in P. falciparum. Metabolic flux modes and their changes under MB were calculated by integrating experimental data (RT-PCR data on mRNAs for redox enzymes) as constraints and results from the YANA software package for metabolic pathway calculations. Several different lines of MB attack on Plasmodium redox defense were identified by analysis of the network effects. Next, chloroquine resistance based on pfmdr/ and pfcrt transporters, as well as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine resistance (by mutations in DHF/DHPS), were modeled in silico. Further modeling shows that MB has a favorable synergism on antimalarial network effects with these commonly used antimalarial drugs.

Conclusions

Theoretical and experimental results support that methylene blue should, because of its resistance-breaking potential, be further tested as a key component in drug combination therapy efforts in holoendemic areas.
Transient pulmonary edema following Adrenal Infarction in a patient with primary Anti-phospholipid syndrome
Authors: Ozawa K. , Tazawa K. , Kishida D. , Fukushima K. , Matsuda M. , Ikeda S.
Published: December 2012

We report a patient with primary anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) who developed pulmonary edema following sudden-onset pain in the left, lower back of the chest. Radiological examinations demonstrated fresh infarction of the left adrenal gland but no obvious thrombi in pulmonary arteries. The patient quickly recovered from pulmonary edema with anti-coagulation therapy alone. Primary APS may have caused adrenal infarction in the patient, leading to transient pulmonary edema via microthrombosis and/or excessive release of catecholamine.
Study of Glasgow Coma Scale Score and QTc Interval in Prognosis of Organophosphate Compound Poisoning
Authors: Deshpande Archana , Gaikwad Nitin , Deshpande Sanjay
Published: December 2012

We assessed the applicability of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the QT interval (QTc) to predicting outcomes in patients with organophosphate (OP) poisoning. In the hospital setting, QTc and GCS were monitored in each patient at admission. Patients with respiratory failure were compared to patients without these complications, and mortality was compared between groups. We found that the group with complications had a significantly longer QTc and a lower GCS score, a higher number of intubations, and worse outcomes ( P < 0.05). GCS score and QTc have been shown to be equally good in predicting respiratory failure and hospital mortality in patients with OP poisoning. These results suggest that during initial out-of-hospital care of patients with OP poisoning, it is essential to monitor the QTc and the GCS score. The simplicity and promptness of these methods will allow providers to perform early and effective triage.
A Phase II, Randomized, Safety and Immunogenicity Study of a Re-Derived, Live-Attenuated Dengue Virus Vaccine in Healthy Adults
Authors: Thomas Stephen J. , Eckels Kenneth H. , Carletti Isabelle , De La Barrera Rafael , Dessy Francis , Fernandez Stefan , Putnak Robert , Toussaint Jean-Francois , Sun Wellington , Bauer Kristen , Gibbons Robert V. , Innis Bruce L.
Published: December 2012

Two formulations of a new live tetravalent dengue virus (DENV) vaccine produced using re-derived master seeds from a precursor vaccine and that same precursor vaccine as a control were compared in a placebo-controlled, randomized, observer-blind, phase II trial of 86 healthy adults. Two vaccine doses were administered 6 months apart; a third dose was offered to a subset. Symptoms and signs of dengue-like illness reported after vaccination were mild to moderate, transient, and occurred with similar frequency among recipients of the new DENV vaccine and placebo, except for rash. Neither dengue nor vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. The first DENV vaccine dose was moderately immunogenic; the second dose increased the potency and breadth of the neutralizing antibody response. Tetravalent response rates to the new formulations were 60% and 66.7% in unprimed subjects. A third dose did not increase tetravalent antibody rates. The new DENV vaccine candidates merit additional evaluation.
Blood Meal Identification in Off-Host Cat Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from a Plague-Endemic Region of Uganda
Authors: Graham Christine B. , Borchert Jeff N. , Black William C. , Atiku Linda A. , Mpanga Joseph T. , Boegler Karen A. , Moore Sean M. , Gage Kenneth L. , Eisen Rebecca J.
Published: December 2012

The cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis, is an inefficient vector of the plague bacterium (Yersinia pestis) and is the predominant off-host flea species in human habitations in the West Nile region, an established plague focus in northwest Uganda. To determine if C. felis might serve as a Y. pestis bridging vector in the West Nile region, we collected on- and off-host fleas from human habitations and used a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assay to estimate the proportion of off-host C. felis that had fed on humans and the proportion that had fed on potentially infectious rodents or shrews. Our findings indicate that cat fleas in human habitations in the West Nile region feed primarily on domesticated species. We conclude that C. felis is unlikely to serve as a Y. pestis bridging vector in this region.
Chemosynthesis in the deep-sea: life without the sun
Authors: Smith C.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Chemosynthetic communities in the deep-sea can be found at hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, whale falls and wood falls. While these communities have been suggested to exist in isolation from solar energy, much of the life associated with them relies either directly or indirectly on photosynthesis in the surface waters of the oceans. The sun indirectly provides oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis, which aerobic chemosynthetic microorganisms require to synthesize organic carbon from CO2. Planktonic life stages of many vent and cold seep invertebrates also directly feed on photosynthetically produced organic matter as they disperse to new vent and seep systems. While a large portion of the life at deep-sea chemosynthetic habitats can be linked to the sun and so could not survive without it, a small portion of anaerobically chemosynthetic microorganisms can persist in its absence. These small and exotic organisms have developed a way of life in the deep-sea which involves the use of resources originating in their entirety from terrestrial sources.
Wikis and Wikipedia as a teaching tool: Five years later
Authors: Konieczny Piotr
Published: December 2012

Just a few years ago Wikipedia was seen as a barbarian invading the ivory tower. Now, an increasing number of academics recognize that it can be used as an effective teaching tool.

The following paper is divided into two parts. It beings with a discussion of the advantages of using Wikipedia as a teaching tool, an activity that goes beyond a simple addition to the teaching repertoire, and allows contributing to our society through service learning and participation in an online community of practice. Contributing to Wikipedia benefits the students, the instructors and the wider community.

The second part focuses on practice of teaching with Wikipedia. Building on my five years of experience in teaching with wikis and Wikipedia and holding workshops on the subject, I will discuss the most efficient ways to incorporate Wikipedia into one's teaching curriculum, highlight common problems and their solutions, and describe a number of new tools enhancing the “teaching with Wikipedia” experience.
Death and mourning as sources of community participation in online social networks: R.I.P. pages in Facebook
Authors: Forman Abbe E. , Kern Rebecca , Gil-Egui Gisela
Published: December 2012

Facebook is a place for people to connect and share; a place to form online communities and engage in discussion. Kern, et al. (2013) found that Facebook is also a place to commune with, and about, the dead in a public forum. Although most often mourning of a death is done privately within tight knit communities, online social networking sites and particularly Facebook R.I.P. pages are creating public participation in the memorialization of those who have passed. The present study examines Facebook R.I.P. pages as a catalyst for participation and creation of online communities. Gallant, et al. (2007) provided the framework for determining the depth of online community created by those who participate in the creation, maintenance, and involvement with Facebook R.I.P. pages. This study examines the Facebook R.I.P. pages using a content analysis to determine if indeed these pages represent online community as defined by Gallant, et al. The model created by Gallant, et al. includes the following heuristics used to define online community: interactive creativity, selective hierarchy, identity construction, rewards and costs, and artistic forms.
Changes in the discourse of online hate blogs: The effect of Barack Obama's election in 2008
Authors: Sela Shlomi , Kuflik Tsvi , Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: December 2012

This study examines the narrative strategies that the blogs of hate groups adopted before and after a central political event, namely, the 2008 election of President Obama in the U.S. Using data from a large number of hate blogs (N=600), and sentiment analysis and data mining, we tested two alternative hypotheses derived from social identification theory. We found that there were major differences between the content of these blogs before the election and immediately after the 2008 election, with the latter evincing an increase in the advocacy of violence and hostility. We also determined that faced with this new change, the hate groups adopted a social competition strategy rather than a creativity strategy to manage their identity. Our findings imply that since the election of Barack Obama as U.S. President, the worldview of online hate groups has become more violent. The implications of the findings are discussed.
The refraction chamber: Twitter as sphere and network
Authors: Rieder Bernhard
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we outline a study of the Twitter microblogging platform through a sample of French users. We discuss sampling methodology and compare three “issues” taken from the collected set of tweets. Based on the empirical findings we make a case for extending the notion of “information diffusion” to take into account questions of meaning, values, and ideology. We propose the concept of “refraction” to take a step toward this end.
Aplicación de diferentes grosores de mulch para el control del coyolillo (Cyperus rotundus L.) en el cultivo del maíz (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Acevedo Ampié Guillermo , Izabá Ruiz Raquel
Published: December 2012

El control de malezas en los cultivos puede llegar a ser un problema dependiendo del cultivo, forma de control y resistencia de éste a determinados productos o formas de manejo. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de diferentes grosores de mulch menores o iguales a 10 cm en el control del crecimiento  del coyolillo (Cyperus Rotundus) en el  cultivo de maíz.   Se usó un diseño de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos y tres repeticiones; las variables evaluadas fueron: número de plantas de coyolillo en 1 m2, altura de la planta de coyolillo, diámetro de la mazorca de maíz, longitud de la mazorca, número de granos por hilera, número de hileras por mazorca y rendimiento.   Los resultados muestran que con los tratamientos de mulch de 8 y 10 cm. se da un control efectivo del coyolillo (Cyperus Rotondus). Se puede concluir que el control del coyolillo con mulch debería practicarse por los productores las veces que se pueda porque es una práctica de control efectiva, ayuda a la conservación del medio ambiente, utiliza residuos de cultivos y mano de obra familiar.   Palabras clave: malezas, control de crecimiento, diseño de bloques al azar.
Editorial
Authors: Martínez Sergio
Published: December 2012

No tiene Resumen
Inventario sistematizado de los estudios culturales existentes sobre los pueblos de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Un primer acercamiento
Authors: Arzate María Dolores Álvarez
Published: December 2012

Sobre el Caribe nicaragüense existen muchos estudios generados desde centros académicos, instituciones e intereses particulares. De allí la necesidad de elaborar esta investigación de los estudios culturales existentes sabre los pueblos de la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Este inventario y su exposición brindan la información acerca de la bibliografía localizada y las posibles áreas de intervención para el impulso de nuevas investigaciones culturales, arqueológicas, creativas, así como traducciones pertinentes. 1. CULTURAS INDlGENAS-COSTA ATLANTICA (NICARAGUA) BIBLIOGRAFIAS2. REGISTRO DE LA INFORMACION-COSTA ATLANTICA (NICARAGUA) - INVENTARIOS 3. CULTURAS INDIGENAS-INVESTIGACIONES DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v65i0.871 Wani No.65 2012 pp.24-40
Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome: A Series of Six Cases in the Same Family
Authors: Kord Valeshabad Ali , Mazidi Abdolmotaleb , Kord Valeshabad Reza , Imani Elham , Kord Hadi , Koohkan Mohammad , Sayinar Zrynal , Al-Talib Khalil
Published: December 2012

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare, autosomal recessive heterogeneous disorder, which is characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, early loss of primary and permanent teeth, and associated calcification of the dura mater. Herein we described six cases of PLS in the same family. In this series, six cases (two females and four males) with the mean age of years were recruited. Palmoplantar hyperkeratosis was detected in all of the cases, leading to a difficult and painful walking in two cases due to lesions on the soles. Skin lesions were sharply distinct from adjacent normal skin in all cases. Other skin lesions were located in the external malleolus (5/6), knee (4/6), elbow (4/6), toe and dorsal fingers (3/6), and the thighs (2/6). In three cases, all permanent teeth were exfoliated. In three others, no primary teeth remained. Severe gingivitis was observed in three patients. Radiologic study confirmed alveolar bone destruction in five cases. Delayed diagnosis and insufficient treatment of PLS patients can affect patient’s life of by causing edentulism at a young age and may impose PLS patients to increased risk of social, psychological, and economical burdens.
Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy Measured by Heart Rate Variability and Markers of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Early Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fakhrzadeh Hossein , Yamini-Sharif Ahmad , Sharifi Farshad , Tajalizadekhoob Yaser , Mirarefin Mojde , Mohammadzadeh Maryam , Sadeghian Saeed , Badamchizadeh Zohre , Larijani Bagher
Published: December 2012

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a critical complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive tool to assess cardiac autonomic function. We aimed to evaluate whether CAN is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis in T2DM.
A total of 57 diabetic and 54 nondiabetic subjects, free of coronary heart disease, were recruited. Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), coronary calcium score (CAC), and brachial Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD) were measured. Heart rate variability and vagal components of autonomic function were determined. Significant reduction of normalized HF power (P<0.05) and total power (P<0.01) was observed in T2DM. CIMT and CAC scores were significantly higher while FMD was significantly lower in diabetics (P<0.01 for all). Median HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetics. CIMT was inversely and independently associated with total power both in diabetics and controls (P<0.01 for both groups). There was also an inverse association between total power and median HbA1c. Autonomic dysfunction, especially parasympathetic neuropathy, was present since early-stage T2DM. This was related to subclinical atherosclerosis.
Early detection of cardiac autonomic neuropathy can help us detect the development of atherosclerosis earlier in T2DM to prevent unfavorable outcomes.
Utilization of a Swine (Sus scrofa) Model for Lipid Emulsion Resuscitation Studies
Authors: Crane Carrie , Sagini Eileen , Johnson Arthur D. , O'Sullivan Joseph
Published: December 2012

Background. There have been some discussions that using swine or rabbits in a resuscitation model to study lipid emulsion infusions may be inappropriate because of a consistent “pseudoallergic” reaction that has been found in lipid-based nanoparticle liposome drug carrier systems. Assertions have been made that the lipid emulsions may contain a certain amount of liposomes; therefore swine may not be an appropriate model for study. Methods. This study was prospective, crossover design within subjects, and research design with each Yorkshire swine receiving a 20% lipid bolus infusion followed by a lipid infusion for 10 min. Each swine had a total of four blood draws and each draw had complete blood gas analysis with three different types of inflammatory markers examined. Cardio vascular monitoring was performed every 2 minutes. Results. Using data reported in similar studies, a large effect size of 0.6 was calculated. Using the effect size of 0.6, a power of 0.8 and an alpha of 0.05 it was determined that a sample size of five swine was needed. There were no significant changes in any CV parameter both before and after lipid emulsion. Likewise there were no significant changes in any of the blood tests, nor any inflammatory markers. Conclusions. There were no significant changes in the examined parameters with swine before and after lipid emulsion infusions. It is suggested that due to the close size of swine to humans, similar physiology, and ease of using these animals, they may be utilized for lipid emulsion studies.
Parental Perceptions of Giardiasis: A Study in an Outpatient Paediatric Hospital Setting in Havana, Cuba
Authors: Almirall Pedro , Escobedo Angel A. , Salazar Yohana , Alfonso Maydel , Ávila Ivonne , Cimerman Sergio , Dawkins Isabel V.
Published: December 2012

Background. Giardia lamblia is an important cause of diarrhoeal disease throughout the world. Giardiasis— a mild and self-limiting disease that this protozoan causes— is perceived as a harmful disease. Aim. To explore the general level of awareness about giardiasis, clinical features, mode of transmission, prevention, and consequences and describe the sources and channels of information caregivers would prefer using to be informed about this disease. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among caregivers attending to the outpatient paediatric hospital setting in Havana. Results. A total of 202 caregivers were interviewed. Nearly 73% considered giardiasis as a modern problem, and 39% considered that it could be a fatal disease. Although 76.7% were aware that small intestine is the organ affected, other localizations were cited. Abdominal pain and diarrhoea were recognized as the commonest symptoms. Around one-third could identify that giardiasis may spread through drinking unboiled water and unwashed vegetables other incorrect ways were mentioned; respondents with more than 12 years of formal education were more likely to have better knowledge. Discussion. Strategies to control giardiasis need to be through an integrated approach aiming at boosting caregivers’ knowledge and encouraging healthcare workers to act as a readily available source for health information.
Low-Dose Valganciclovir for CMV Prophylaxis after Lung Transplantation
Authors: Khurana Hargobind S. , Kole Alison , Falk Jeremy , Ghandehari Sara , Soohoo Guy , Simsir Sinan , Cheng Wen , Kass Robert M. , Khurana Jasjit , Chaux George
Published: December 2012

Purpose. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains an important pathogen following solid organ transplantation (SOT). Universal prophylaxis for CMV is adopted by most centers after lung transplantation. Various combinations studied for CMV prophylaxis include intravenous and oral ganciclovirs, oral valganciclovir, and CMV immunoglobulins. We present our experience with a low-dose of oral valganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis following lung transplantation. Methods and Materials. Our center started using 450 mg of daily oral valganciclovir for CMV prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients in Jan, 2001. A retrospective chart analysis of patients who underwent lung transplantation from January 2001 to December 2006 was done. Of 46 patients, 4 were excluded as they died within 30 days of transplant from postop complications. The mean age at transplant was 64 years, mostly single lung transplants (36/6) with a male-to-female ratio of 25/17. COPD was the most common reason for transplant (65%), and the serological CMV status of donors (D) and recipients (R) was as follows: D+/R+ 28, D+/R− 5, D−/R+ 5, and D−/R− 4. Valganciclovir was given for a total of 6 months posttransplant except for D−/R+ patients who received it for 12 months. Results. Five patients (12%) developed CMV disease with an average followup of 26 months. Only 2 (4.7%) developed CMV disease within six months of completing valganciclovir prophylaxis. This incidence is not significantly different from the best-reported results of CMV prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients. The remaining 3 patients developed the disease later in their course, one as late as 32 months posttransplant. The main side effects noted include leucopenia, neutropenia, and GI disturbances. However, the number of patients who had to temporarily stop or discontinue the medication (9.5%) was significantly lower than that reported in previous studies. Conclusions. Our experience suggests that low-dose valganciclovir is an effective method of prophylaxis for CMV disease in high-risk patients. It is a simple regimen that seems to have a better side effect profile and to improve patient compliance.
A Little Bittle of Geriatrics...
Authors: Madden Kenneth M.
Published: December 2012

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Real Oil Prices, Real Economic Activity, Real Interest Rates, and the US Dollar: A Cointegration Analysis with Structural Breaks
Authors: Tamakoshi Go , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: December 2012

Abstract: In this paper, we examine the relationship among real oil prices, global economic activity, real value of the US dollar, and real interest rates during the period 1988:1 to 2011:12. We employ the Gregory and Hansen (1996) cointegration test with structural breaks to investigate the long-run equilibrium and analyze the short-term Granger causality as well. Our findings indicate that real oil prices are cointegrated with the three factors mentioned above and are affected positively by real economic activity and negatively by real interest rates and the real value of the US dollar. We also find significant short-run causality from real economic activity to real oil prices, but no significant causality from real interest rate and real value of US dollar to real oil price is detected. These findings are relevant for both policymakers and investors who wish to conduct forecasts for future oil prices on the basis of a solid understanding of its key drivers.
Le casse-tête de la citoyenneté par droit de naissance1
Authors: Shachar Ayelet
Published: December 2012

Cet article est la traduction française de l’introduction du livre d’Ayelet Shachar, «The Puzzle of Birthright Citizenship», avec la permission de l’éditeur, tirée deThe Birthright Lottery : Citizenship and Global Inequality, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, pp.1-18. © 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. Traduction de Martin Provencher.
The Library and Transparency
Authors: Sturges Paul , Crnogorac Vesna
Published: December 2012

In an attempt to assess the role of libraries as contributors to the freedom of (official) information published in Alexandria in 2001, Sturges examined both the definition of freedom of information and the actual role of libraries in providing better access to official documentation. He concluded that libraries are not so much agents of freedom of information as iconic representations of commitment to freedom of information. The present article examines progress towards reorienting libraries towards effective participation in the freedom of information process. In 1997 the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) set up its Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Committee to protect and promote information rights in the context of libraries. FAIFE began by monitoring threats to information rights connected with libraries and quickly added a proactive concern with developing policy and policy guidelines on issues such as internet access in libraries, and public access to health information. In the second half of the 2000s the FAIFE committee was able to use funds provided by Swedish SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to conduct workshops in various countries to increase awareness of and commitment to these and other access issues. A key policy development was the framing, and adoption in 2008, of an IFLA Manifesto on Transparency, Good Governance and Freedom from Corruption. Learning materials derived from the manifesto were piloted in India and Vietnam in 2009, and further workshops were held in Iceland and Argentina in 2011. By far the most thorough attempt to embed the Transparency Manifesto in the library practice of a country has been led by Crnogorac in Serbia. The importance and success of the whole programme that has culminated in the Serbian experience is assessed in the light of the 2001 analysis.
Administration, ancient Near East
Authors: Jursa Michael
Published: December 2012

The invention of writing, mathematics, and metrology in the ancient Near East at the end of the fourth millennium
bce
is owed to the exigencies of (public) administration and control under conditions of increasing social and economic complexity. The precursors of writing (systems of accounting based on the use of “tokens” and seals) that are attested in the region document the need for complex administrative practices already at a much earlier period (Nissen, Damerow, and Englund 1991).
Agriculture, ancient Near East
Authors: Jursa Michael
Published: December 2012

Two fundamentally different regimes characterized ancient Near Eastern agriculture: a dry‐farming regime based on the cultivation of cereals, and irrigation agriculture with cereals and dates as two leading crops. Dry farming was restricted mostly to Upper Mesopotamia, parts of the Jazirah and adjacent areas of northern Syria, as well as to the mountainous fringes of Mesopotamia in the northeast. Irrigation was (and is) indispensable in southern Mesopotamia and the lowlands of Iraq, but it is also attested in parts of northern Mesopotamia. The minimal requirement for successful barley cultivation is 200 mm of winter rainfall, but in practice larger settlements depending on dry farming are not found south of the 300 mm isohyet (e.g.,Wirth 1962; Adams 1981; Postgate 1994: 3–21; Wilkinson 2003).
Astrology, ancient Near East
Authors: Misiewicz Zoë
Published: December 2012

Studying the heavens in order to gain information about human affairs was an important practice in the ancient Near East and was often a matter of great concern even to kings. Astrology was not isolated from other intellectual pursuits but played a central role in ancient Near Eastern intellectual life, with close connections both to other forms of divination and to astronomy. In fact, astrology was not expressly distinguished from astronomy in the cuneiform sources (Rochberg 1993: 11), and the same scholar might both observe the heavens and interpret the signs he saw there.
Banquets, ancient Near East
Authors: Foster Benjamin R.
Published: December 2012

Banquets are first shown in Sumerian and Elamite seals and Sumerian stone plaques of the third millenniumBCE, sometimes outdoors, in some cases perhaps agrarian or hunting feasts (Collon 1992).
Calendar, ancient Near East
Authors: Depuydt Leo
Published: December 2012

All attested ancient Near Eastern calendars are lunar. Lost calendars and any transmitted only orally presumably were too.
Cemeteries, ancient Near East
Authors: Porter Anne
Published: December 2012

The segregation of the dead into formalized spaces of their own is understood by archaeologists to indicate significant social and ideological differences from those situations where they are interred among the living.
Dreams, Pharaonic Egypt and ancient Near East
Authors: Mouton Alice
Published: December 2012

In the ancient Near East and Egypt, dreams were considered to be produced by sleep.
Ebla
Authors: Archi Alfonso
Published: December 2012

Ebla, located at Tell Mardikh, a Bronze Age site of nearly 60 ha, 60 km south of Aleppo, flourished first in the twenty‐fourth century
bce
.
Ethnicity, ancient Near East
Authors: Grosby Steven E.
Published: December 2012

A wealth of textual evidence exists throughout the ancient Near East indicating awareness of classificatory schemas with distinctions of various kinds.
Euphrates and Tigris
Authors: Warburton David A.
Published: December 2012

Although the designation “Mesopotamia” refers to the land between the Euphrates and the Tigris, implying an equality of the two, the Euphrates was the principal frontier, waterway, and water‐source, and the Tigris did not really play a similar role on any level. Both rivers flow out of the mountains of Anatolia, but the broad lazy sheet of the Euphrates was the source of life and central means of communication for northeastern Syria and Iraq, whereas the turbulent Tigris is hardly navigable and does not offer a similar floodplain. Whereas the Euphrates marks the western frontier of Mesopotamia, tributaries such as the Diyala and Zabs diminish the geographical importance of the Tigris, since life – in northern Mesopotamia – to the east of the Tigris did not differ distinctly from that to the west of it.
Guti
Authors: Foster Benjamin R.
Published: December 2012

A people Guti and a land Gutium are attested in Mesopotamian inscriptions, archival documents, and literature, from the last quarter of the third millenniumbceto the Hellenistic period.
Indus (Harappan) culture
Authors: Meadow Richard H.
Published: December 2012

The period 2600–1900
BCE
saw the florescence of the Indus civilization, with hundreds of settlements bearing the material remains of Harappan culture found across modern Pakistan and northwestern India.
Kalhu (Nimrud)
Authors: Frahm Eckart
Published: December 2012

Kalhu, located on the east bank of the Tigris River ca. 35 km southeast of Mosul, was one of the most important urban centers of ancient Assyria; it served as Assyria's political capital during the ninth and eighth centuries
BCE
.
Kingship, ancient Near East
Authors: Jones Philip
Published: December 2012

Virtually all major societies known from the ancient Near East were ruled by kings, hereditary monarchs who held office for life.
Scythians
Authors: Raulwing Peter , Burmeister Stefan
Published: December 2012

The terms “Scythians” or “Scyths” (Greek Σκúθης, Σκúθoι ; Latin
Scythae
) do not describe peoples or tribes within an ethnic definition, but a cultural phenomenon, which manifests itself in the dispersal of horse‐riding nomads and their culture in the Eurasian steppes from the eighth century
BCE
, where they are mentioned for the first time during the reign of Sargon II (721–705
BCE
).
Semitic languages
Authors: Daniels Peter T.
Published: December 2012

The term “Semitic” was introduced in 1781 to label a group of closely related languages (because in Gen 10:21 Shem is called the ancestor of the speakers of some of those languages). It does not name a “people” or an ethnic group.
Sumerian language
Authors: Michalowski Piotr
Published: December 2012

Sumerian is an extinct isolate language of Mesopotamia that is attested in texts written in the cuneiform script between ca. 3200BCEand ca. 100CE.
Warfare, Ancient Near East
Authors: Schrakamp Ingo
Published: December 2012

War – one nation's attempt to impose its will onto another by force – is attested in the ancient Near East since the late fourth millenniumBCE.
Ziqqurrat
Authors: Emberling Geoff
Published: December 2012

Ziqqurrats were Mesopotamian stepped temple towers. Called U N I R in Sumerian and
ziqqurratu(m)
in Akkadian, they repre sented mountains as well as an aspiration to reach the heavens.
Al Mina
Authors: Kotsonas Antonis
Published: December 2012

Al Mina is an Iron Age site on coastal Syria. It is located at the mouth of the Orontes River and occupies the only outlet to the sea for the Amuq Plain (which is now part of Turkey).
Amathus
Authors: Kolotourou Katerina
Published: December 2012

Amathus, an important site on the southern coast of Cyprus, is located about 10 km east of the modern town of Limassol.
Anavyssos
Authors: Alexandridou Alexandra‐Fani
Published: December 2012

Anavyssos is located between Mount Olympos of Laurion and Pani in south Attica.
Bacchiadai
Authors: Haarer Peter
Published: December 2012

The Bacchaidai (trad. 747–657
BCE
) were remembered in antiquity as an endogamous ruling aristocratic group at Corinth of two hundred individual who deposed the last king Bacchis, and were themselves overthrown ninety years later by the half‐Bacchiad Kypselos (Diod. Sic. 7.9.6; Hdt. 5.92.b).
Chilon
Authors: Davies Philip
Published: December 2012

Chilon of Sparta, son of Damagetos (Diog. Laert. 1.68), was counted among the Seven Sages (Diog. Laert. 1.68–73; Pl.
Prt
. 343a) and credited with numerous aphorisms and anecdotes (e.g., Diog. Laert. 1.68–73; Hdt. 1.59; 7.235; Stobaeus
passim
).
Kylon
Authors: Tully John
Published: December 2012

Kylon was an Athenian nobleman of the seventh century
BCE
and leader of what was later remembered as an attempt at “tyranny” in Athens in an Olympic year, perhaps 632.
Kypselos
Authors: Haarer Peter
Published: December 2012

Kypselos was remembered as the first
tyrannos
of the archaic Greek world. He reigned in Corinth for thirty years (trad. 657/6–627/6
BCE
) and was succeeded by his son Periander in trad. 627/6, followed in trad. 585/4 by his grandson Psammetichus/Kypselos (Periander's nephew).
Demos
Authors: Haarer Peter
Published: December 2012

The Greek worddemosis most familiar in two main usages.
Dipylon Painter
Authors: Alexandridou Alexandra‐Fani
Published: December 2012

The Dipylon Painter or Master was an Athenian vase‐painter, active during the middle of the eighth century
BCE
and the Late Geometric I period.
Ephesos, Bronze and Iron Age
Authors: Kerschner Michael
Published: December 2012

In antiquity, Ephesos was a harbor city in Ionia, situated on a deep embayment of the Aegean Sea (Kraft
et al
. 2000), from which the Kaystros River opened up a commercial route into inland Anatolia.
Erythrai
Authors: Kerschner Michael
Published: December 2012

Erythrai is situated at the modern village of Ildırı in North Ionia on the west coast of the Mimas peninsula opposite the island of Chios.
Eugammon of Cyrene
Authors: Karambelas Dimitris
Published: December 2012

Eugammon of Cyrene, an early Greek poet of the Trojan Cycle (Davies 1989; Burgess 2001), was the author ofTelegonia, an epic in two volumes in dactylic hexameter, already lost by the beginning of the sixth centuryCE(a quest for possible fragments: Bernabe 1987; Davies 1988; Livrea 1998) –to us, a real “poet without poetry” (Huxley 1960).
Halos in Thessaly
Authors: Livieratou Antonia
Published: December 2012

Halos is located near the coast of the Pagasitic Gulf in the valley of Almyros, which was inhabited since the Neolithic period.