bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated Plasma YKL-40, Lipids and Lipoproteins, and Ischemic Vascular Disease in the General Population
Authors: Kjaergaard Alisa D. , Johansen Julia S. , Bojesen Stig E. , Nordestgaard Børge G.
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose—

We tested the hypothesis that observationally and genetically elevated YKL-40 is associated with elevated lipids and lipoproteins and with increased risk of ischemic vascular disease.

Methods—

We conducted cohort and Mendelian randomization studies in 96 110 individuals from the Danish general population, with measured plasma levels of YKL-40 (n=21 647), plasma lipids and lipoproteins (n=94 461), and
CHI3L1
rs4950928 genotype (n=94 579).

Results—

From 1977 to 2013, 3256 individuals developed ischemic stroke, 5629 ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 4183 myocardial infarction, and 10 271 developed ischemic heart disease. The 91% to 100% versus 0% to 33% YKL-40 percentile category was associated with a 34% increase in triglycerides, but only with minor changes in other lipids and lipoproteins. For these categories, the multifactorially adjusted hazard ratio was 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.49–2.67) for ischemic stroke, 1.85 (1.44–2.37) for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 1.28 (0.95–1.73) for myocardial infarction, and 1.23 (1.01–1.51) for ischemic heart disease. When compared with rs4950928 GG homozygosity, the presence of C-allele was associated with a doubling (CG) or tripling (CC) in YKL-40 levels, but not with triglyceride levels or with risk of ischemic vascular disease. A doubling in YKL-40 was associated with a multifactorially adjusted observational hazard ratio for ischemic stroke of 1.18 (1.11–1.27), and a genetic odds ratio of 1.04 (0.95–1.15). Corresponding risk estimates were 1.15 (1.09–1.22) observationally and 1.06 (0.99–1.14) genetically for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 1.08 (1.00–1.15) observationally and 1.04 (0.96–1.13) genetically for myocardial infarction, and 1.07 (1.02–1.12) observationally and 1.01 (0.96–1.07) genetically for ischemic heart disease.

Conclusions—

Elevated YKL-40 was associated with a 34% increase in triglyceride levels and with a 2-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke, whereas genetically elevated YKL-40 were not.
Autonomous Droplet Architectures
Authors: Jones Gareth , King Philip H. , Morgan Hywel , de Planque Maurits R. R. , Zauner Klaus-Peter
Published: January 2015

The quintessential living element of all organisms is the cell—a fluid-filled compartment enclosed, but not isolated, by a layer of amphiphilic molecules that self-assemble at its boundary. Cells of different composition can aggregate and communicate through the exchange of molecules across their boundaries. The astounding success of this architecture is readily apparent throughout the biological world. Inspired by the versatility of nature's architecture, we investigate aggregates of membrane-enclosed droplets as a design concept for robotics. This will require droplets capable of sensing, information processing, and actuation. It will also require the integration of functionally specialized droplets into an interconnected functional unit. Based on results from the literature and from our own laboratory, we argue the viability of this approach. Sensing and information processing in droplets have been the subject of several recent studies, on which we draw. Integrating droplets into coherently acting units and the aspect of controlled actuation for locomotion have received less attention. This article describes experiments that address both of these challenges. Using lipid-coated droplets of Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction medium in oil, we show here that such droplets can be integrated and that chemically driven mechanical motion can be achieved.
Complexity Measurement Based on Information Theory and Kolmogorov Complexity
Authors: Lui Leong Ting , Terrazas Germán , Zenil Hector , Alexander Cameron , Krasnogor Natalio
Published: January 2015

In the past decades many definitions of complexity have been proposed. Most of these definitions are based either on Shannon's information theory or on Kolmogorov complexity; these two are often compared, but very few studies integrate the two ideas. In this article we introduce a new measure of complexity that builds on both of these theories. As a demonstration of the concept, the technique is applied to elementary cellular automata and simulations of the self-organization of porphyrin molecules.
Excitability Modulation of Oscillating Media in 3D-Printed Structures
Authors: King Philip H. , Abraham Chinnu H. , Zauner Klaus-Peter , de Planque Maurits R. R.
Published: January 2015

Excitation and oscillation are central to living systems. For excitable systems, which can be brought into oscillation by an external stimulus, the excitation threshold is a crucial parameter. This is evident for neurons, which only generate an action potential when exposed to a sufficiently high concentration of excitatory neurotransmitters, which may only be achieved when multiple presynaptic axons deliver their action potential simultaneously to the synaptic cleft. Dynamic systems composed of relatively simple chemicals are of interest because they can serve as a model for physiological processes or can be exploited to implement chemical computing. With these applications in mind, we have studied the properties of the oscillatory Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction in 3D-printed reaction vessels with open channels of different dimensions. It is demonstrated that the channel geometry can be used to modulate the excitability of the BZ medium, switching a continuously oscillating medium to an excitable medium. Because large networks of channel-connected reaction wells of different depth can easily be fabricated by 3D printing, local excitability modulation could be built into the structure of the reaction vessel itself, opening the way to more extensive experimentation with networks of chemical oscillators.
An Autonomous In Vivo Dual Selection Protocol for Boolean Genetic Circuits
Authors: Beneš David , Sosík Petr , Rodríguez-Patón Alfonso
Published: January 2015

Success in synthetic biology depends on the efficient construction of robust genetic circuitry. However, even the direct engineering of the simplest genetic elements (switches, logic gates) is a challenge and involves intense lab work. As the complexity of biological circuits grows, it becomes more complicated and less fruitful to rely on the rational design paradigm, because it demands many time-consuming trial-and-error cycles. One of the reasons is the context-dependent behavior of small assembly parts (like BioBricks), which in a complex environment often interact in an unpredictable way. Therefore, the idea of evolutionary engineering (artificial directed in vivo evolution) based on screening and selection of randomized combinatorial genetic circuit libraries became popular. In this article we build on the so-called dual selection technique. We propose a plasmid-based framework using toxin-antitoxin pairs together with the relaxase conjugative protein, enabling an efficient autonomous in vivo evolutionary selection of simple Boolean circuits in bacteria (E. coli was chosen for demonstration). Unlike previously reported protocols, both on and off selection steps can run simultaneously in various cells in the same environment without human intervention; and good circuits not only survive the selection process but are also horizontally transferred by conjugation to the neighbor cells to accelerate the convergence rate of the selection process. Our directed evolution strategy combines a new dual selection method with fluorescence-based screening to increase the robustness of the technique against mutations. As there are more orthogonal toxin-antitoxin pairs in E. coli, the approach is likely to be scalable to more complex functions. In silico experiments based on empirical data confirm the high search and selection capability of the protocol.
De la φρόνησις à la prudentia
Authors: Aubert-Baillot Sophie
Published: January 2015

This paper focuses on the equivalence between Greek phronesis, a very hard word to translate, and Latin prudentia. Based on the word phren, phronesis means ‘thought’, ‘intellectual perception’, ‘sense’, ‘prudence’, ‘practical wisdom’, while prudentia is derived from prouidentia, meaning ‘ability to look ahead’, ‘forecast’, ‘foresight’ and also ‘Providence’. Why, although their etymological roots were apparently different, did the Romans choose the word prudentia in order to translate Greek phronesis? And how did such a translation alter the evolution of the philosophical concept of prudence in Latin culture? It seems that Cicero offers a new analysis of prudentia by dividing the term prouidentia, from which it was formed, into two parts. The prefix pro- alludes not only to Aristotelian phronesis (a virtue especially related to the future and most important in political field), but also to Stoic pro-noia (or Pro-vidence) on a cosmological level, while the Latin verb videre (‘to see’) leads Ciceronian prudence, in ethics, towards a theoretical, i.e. contemplative, wisdom (sophia), inspired by Plato.
Notes on Stesichorus’ Proverbial τρία
Authors: Pitotto Elisabetta
Published: January 2015

This article aims at re-assessing the proverb which hints at Stesichorus’ τρία (ἔπη/μέρη) and takes ignorance of them as a symbol of indisputable ἀμουσία. Phrasing and meaning of the proverb are discussed; based on the different explanations given in the manuscript testimonia and on the elements implied by the proverb itself, I then argue that the proverb had multiple meanings from the beginning. The survival of the proverb also provides clues to the diachronic fortune of the poetic persona under Stesichorus’ name and to the awareness of the triadic responsion over time.
Evaluating Church Organisations by the Light of Lumen Gentium
Authors: Kheng Christina
Published: January 2015

Rapid growth in the field of management science in recent decades has resulted in a plethora of resources for leadership and management in the Church. How should ecclesiologists respond to this trend? This essay highlights the importance of a theologically-grounded approach to managing church organisations. In particular, it examines a foundational document in the Catholic tradition from the Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, to draw implications for evaluating church organisations. Most studies on Lumen Gentium have focused on one or other aspect of its multiply-rich content. This analysis, however, on the recent 50th anniversary of the document’s promulgation in November 1964, recaps its overall message through a triple hermeneutics of author, text and receiver and brings this message into dialogue with the modern-day challenge of managing church organisations. It will be proposed that the real fruitfulness of these organisations depends on the extent to which they manifest the Church’s nature and mission as a sacrament of salvation for the world. The implications of this are then translated into a framework for evaluating church organisations.
From Infants to Mothers
Authors: Gomez Cristina Lledo
Published: January 2015

The long debate that preceded Mary’s inclusion in Vatican II’s Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium (lg) was won by a margin of only forty votes (1,114 in favour, 1074 against). The aim of such a decision was to put Mariological piety in its proper context. But such a compromise did not come without tensions: One such tension was the subtle clash of the ‘Church as Mother’ metaphor with the Church as the ‘People of God’. Where the faithful are called to share in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly role of Christ as the People of God (lg Ch.2), a call to take active adult Church membership, the Mother Church metaphor encourages a dependent infant membership. This article investigates the use of the maternal ecclesial metaphor in lg and puts forward an Augustinian-Ambrosian sense of Mother Church that can support an ecclesiology which not only upholds Mary as ecclesia-type but also the Church as a People called to become like Mother Church themselves.
Roman Catholics and Baptists in Dialogue
Authors: Chapman David M.
Published: January 2015

This article provides an overview of the latest report of formal conversations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Baptist World Alliance, The Word of God in the Life of the Church (2010), drawing attention to points of ecclesiological interest. It begins by sketching the report’s historical and theological context in Baptist-Roman Catholic relations and dialogue before considering the aims, scope and methodology of the conversations. The article comments on the report’s treatment of its main themes: Scripture and tradition; Christian initiation; Mary as a model of discipleship; and the ministry of oversight. The article concludes that the report is a substantial theological convergence statement of broad ecumenical interest and significance.
God’s Hiddenness, Absence, and Doubt: The Theology of the Cross as Theological Direction for Youth Ministry
Authors: Root Andrew
Published: January 2015

This article asserts that the core of ministry is the ability to contemplate and articulate the “where” of God (to be able to express where we concretely encounter God). It argues that too often we have simply asserted that God is everywhere leading us to over-state the revealed, nearness, and rationality of God’s nature, keeping us from having anything specific or rich to say about God’s very activity. We have often fallen into this trap of abstractions because we have not seen the adolescent’s very ontological state as existing between possibility and nothingness, instead viewing adolescence fundamentally and finally as a developmental period of growth, advancement, and preparation. Therefore, this paper will turn to the theologia crucis as a way of conceptualizing “where” God can be found, and how this very conceptualization attends to the adolescent’s ontological state between possibility and nothingness. The paper will conclude by providing some thoughts on how this impacts the practice of the youth worker.
Fluid Religion in Liquid Age? De/Traditionalization and its implications for Youth ministry in the Czech Republic
Authors: Štĕch František
Published: January 2015

Using the common framework of contemporary culture as liquid or fluid times. This article looks specifically at Czech sociologists of religion and the domestic religious situation in the Czech Republic. It draws upon empirical work into traditionalization and de-traditionalization within the Roman Catholic Church and illustrates that these phenomena pose crucial questions for the shape and form of Roman Catholic youth ministry and youth work in this context. my country today. Proposals are made to address some of these challenges.
Going Beyond the Plateau: Ministry to Young Catholic Adults in the Third Millennium
Authors: Rymarz Richard
Published: January 2015

This paper proceeds on the assumption that many Catholic youth and young adults reach, relatively early in life, a plateau of religious involvement and commitment. This plateau is characterized by, among other things, a loose religious affiliation but not an overt hostility to the tradition. In order to move beyond this plateau those who work with these young people need to develop a pastoral response that is sensitive to this cultural reality. A number of guiding factors and principles are suggested such as the difficulty of the task and the need to focus more on proactive proclamation. Many of these strategies are reflective of the need for a new evangelization.
Embodiment: Reflections on Religious Learning in Youth Ministry
Authors: de Kock Jos , Sonnenberg Ronelle
Published: January 2015

The concept of embodiment has increasingly been in the foreground of recent debates within youth ministry and religious learning. Human experience and learning are rooted in flesh-and-blood bodies, which means that the focus of youth ministry should not only be on cognitive processes but also on concrete experiences, acts and rituals. This article aims to clarify the meaning and relevance of embodiment for religious learning in youth ministry. For this purpose, the paper reviews two lines of reflection: first, reflections based on educational learning theory and religious pedagogical theory; second, reflections based on socialization theory. Finally, the article concludes with a discussion on the consequences these two lines of reflections have for current empirical research regarding the religious learning of young people.
A New Old Spirituality for Youth Ministry? Christian Discipleship and Practice in the Norwegian CrossRoad Movement
Authors: Kaufman Tone Strangeland
Published: January 2015

Making the case that Christian discipleship in the Scandinavian movement Korsvei (CrossRoad Movement, abbreviated CRM) is enacted and understood as a new old spirituality, this article asks why the CRM is considered relevant by an increasing number of people, including youth. This small scale research is designed as a case study of the CRM based on document analysis of the spirituality of the movement in dialogue with Diana Butler Bass’ research on practicing or pilgrimage congregations in the US context and in light of the concepts subjectivization and retraditionalization. It draws on Paul Heelas and Linda Woodhead’s work The Spiritual Revolution, yet questions their conclusion that traditional religion is giving way to holistic spirituality. The present article rather argues that a cultural climate of subjectivization also within the Christian context in Norway has led to the negotiation of tradition and to old spiritual practices being approached in a new way, here called retraditionalization. It further suggests that the new old spirituality of the CRM might be considered a resource for youth ministry in a time when an emphasis on spiritual practice and communities has entered the curriculum of youth ministry.
Sustainable Youth Ministry – Between Human and Divine
Authors: Muchová Ludmila , Štěch František
Published: January 2015

This article attempts to set up a basic theoretical background for youth ministry praxis from a fundamental theological point of view with insights from the perspective of religious pedagogy. Our theses are based on the fundamental distinction between human and divine, and also in the context of the contemporary world, which is considered as to be nothing brand new or unique. This contention is supported in parallel by J. A. Comenius and Z. Bauman. A pattern is put forward which directs us toward the reflected religious identity. We believe that this proposal might be useful for the broad field of youth ministry research and praxis.
Jürgen Moltmann’s Pneumatology: A Narrative Frame for Youthful Epiphanies of Purpose
Authors: White David
Published: January 2015

The twenty-first century has become a difficult place in which young people can clarify a sense of purpose. Jeffrey Arnett, proposes normalizing “emerging adulthood” in which young people forestall commitments, while William Damon argues that a “failure to launch” risks arresting young people in a permanent state of directionless drift. While Damon and others identify important practices to support purposefulness, lacking in these practices is an adequate theological narrative by which to make sense of epiphanies of purpose. Drawing from the work of Jürgen Moltmann, this article articulates a robust theology of Holy Spirit as the narrative ground by which the emergent purposes of young people may be ennobled.
Moratorium Matters: Creating a Fertile Environment for Faith Formation
Authors: Cannister Mark W.
Published: January 2015

When the faith formation of adolescents is a priority in youth ministries we value the disequilibrium in their lives as formation necessitates questioning, exploring, and wrestling with contradictions. This article explores the intersections of identity development and faith formation while seeking to understand the importance of providing adolescents with space to wrestle with their faith in the midst of a caring faith community. Attention is given to Marcia’s theory of identity formation in light of Smith’s research on the religious lives of adolescents and emerging adults. Special consideration is given to developing healthy environments that fosters adolescent faith formation.
From Organized Faith to Lived Faith: The Need for De-Laboratoryzing and De-Conceptualizing Youth Ministry
Authors: van Wijnen Harmen , Barnard Marcel
Published: January 2015

Many local churches in the Netherlands have delegated the faith socialization of adolescents to special youth ministry activities in their local church. As a result, youth ministry activities have the tendency to become a kind of isolated subculture, with its own organized small groups, between church activities and the daily life of adolescents. At the same time, this subculture is influenced both by church context and by the daily life of adolescents. These influences can result in an experienced mismatch in these groups between ‘organized’ faith versus ‘faith in action’ in these subcultures of youth ministry. This mismatch is often explained as the problem of adolescents who are supposedly no longer interested in faith. In this study, the mismatch in these youth ministry small groups is explored and analysed. The results show that the way of offering and organizing faith is often too abstract and not always in line with the way of thinking, feeling and behaving of adolescents in their daily life. Furthermore, the research shows that, to overcome the mismatch, adolescents need clear language and other means to express and experience their faith in their lives.
Growing Faith with the Help of Extended Family and Friends
Authors: Stirrup Andy
Published: January 2015

A growing number of studies point to the importance of establishing mentoring programs for young people, but few are well grounded in the biblical material. In part one this article explores three stories of mentoring practice from the Old Testament. Each involves a young person who grows up apart from their parents. Part two draws together the lessons from the biblical data and leads to part three where they are applied to youth (and children’s) ministry in contemporary contexts.
How Theology Takes Shape in the Faith of Young People: An Introduction to Youth Theology Based on the Example of an Empirical-Theological Study Among Young People
Authors: Faix Tobias
Published: January 2015

How does theology take shape in the lives of young people? This is an interesting and challenging topic. Over the last few years, this has been discussed on two levels and in different theological disciplines - on one hand within the context of a theology of young people and on the other hand in empirical studies. This paper will combine these levels together and by doing so, lend an insight into the current status of research. Therefore, this investigation focuses on the question of how theology is displayed in the lives of young people as defined by themselves, and is structured as follows: (1) A theoretical framework is set by an introduction into youth theology considered as a subjective setting for young people’s faith. (2) A description of the empirical survey of the study “Spirituality of Young People“ and a commentary on the most important results. (3) Finally, a discussion on the position of the results within a wider context of mission research and the results’ significance for youth theology.
Enacted Faith, Youth Ministry and Theological Shorthand
Authors: Bailey David
Published: January 2015

Theological shorthand is expressed through the words: relationships, like Jesus, being there, and time and journey. These words articulate a complex and nuanced practice that carry and communicate the Gospel and faith of youth ministers amongst young people. When examined, the practice of youth ministers resonate with echoes of theology from the Christian tradition, yet this is not overtly expressed. The theological shorthand articulation can be seen as ‘thin’ theology, with practice based on being like Jesus and the youth minister as symbol. Current youth ministry practice can be seen to be guided by the normative voice of the literature on youth ministry. Through these, practice has the potential to be limited theologically and risks un-tethering youth ministry from the church and wider Christian tradition.
A Study of Liminality for the Purpose of Transformation
Authors: Emery-Wright Steve
Published: January 2015

The aim of this paper is to examine a case of intentional liminality with a group of emerging adults within the fields of Christian education and spiritual formation. The research question was, ‘Can a spiritual pilgrimage to a location with a contrasting theological tradition and practice create a theological and experiential dissonance that results in transformative learning?’ The premise behind the question was that young adults from an Evangelical/Pentecostal background in England are spiritually nurtured from a predominately neo-charismatic perspective. Turner’s theory of liminality and Mezirow’s theory of transformative learning suggest that experiences of dissonance within the context of pilgrimage form fertile ground for change.. Most of the participants did experience a level of transformative learning through the intense experience of spiritual familiarity and dissonance It was clear however, that the experience initiated a process that for most required subsequent reflection or experiences to experience transformation.
Multidecadal-Scale Freshening at the Salinity Minimum in the Western Part of North Pacific: Importance of Wind-Driven Cross-Gyre Transport of Subarctic Water to the Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Nakanowatari Takuya , Mitsudera Humio , Motoi Tatsuo , Ishikawa Ichiro , Ohshima Kay I. , Wakatsuchi Masaaki
Published: January 2015

Using oceanographic observations and an eddy-resolving ice–ocean coupled model simulation from 1955 to 2004, the effects of the wind-driven ocean circulation change that occurred in the late 1970s during multidecadal-scale freshening of the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) at salinity minimum density (~26.8 σθ) were investigated. An analysis of the observations revealed that salinity decreased significantly at the density range of 26.6–26.8 σθ in the western subtropical gyre, including the mixed water region (MWR). The temporal variability of the salinity is dominated by the marked change in the late 1970s. With results similar to the observations, the model, selectively forced by the interannual variability of the wind-driven ocean circulation, simulated significant freshening of the intermediate layer over the subtropical gyre. The significant freshening is related to the increase in southward transport of the Oyashio associated with the intensification of the Aleutian low. Accompanying these changes, the intrusion of fresh and low potential vorticity water, originating in the Okhotsk Sea, to the MWR increased, and the freshening signal propagated farther southward in the western subtropical gyre during the subsequent 6 yr, crossing the Kuroshio Extension. These results indicate that the multidecadal-scale freshening of the NPIW is partly caused by intensification of the wind-driven cross-gyre transport of the subarctic water to the subtropical gyre.
An Assessment of Numerical Weather Prediction–Derived Low-Cloud-Base Height Forecasts
Authors: Inoue Mana , Fraser Alexander D. , Adams Neil , Carpentier Scott , Phillips Helen E.
Published: January 2015

As demand for flight operations in Antarctica grows, accurate weather forecasting of cloud properties such as extent, cloud base, and cloud-top altitude becomes essential. The primary aims of this work are to ascertain relationships between numerical weather prediction (NWP) model output variables and surface-observed cloud properties and to develop low-cloud-base (<2000 m) height prediction algorithms for use across Antarctica to assist in low-cloud forecasting for aircraft operations. NWP output and radiosonde data are assessed against surface observations, and the relationship between the relative humidity RH profile and the height of the observed low-cloud base is investigated. The ability of NWP-derived RH and ice–water cloud optical depth profiles to represent the observed low-cloud conditions around each of the three Australian stations in East Antarctica is assessed. NWP-derived RH is drier than that reported by radiosonde from ground level up to ~2000 m. This trend reverses in the higher troposphere, and the largest positive difference is observed at ~10 000 m. A consequence is very low RH thresholds are needed for low-cloud-base height prediction using NWP RH profiles. RH and optical depth–based threshold techniques all show skill in reproducing the observed cloud-base height at all Australian Antarctic stations, but the radiosonde-derived RH technique is superior in all cases. This comparison of three low-cloud-base height retrieval techniques provides the first documented assessment of the relative efficacy of each technique in Antarctica.
Morphological engineering of self-assembled nanostructures at nanoscale on faceted GaAs nanowires by droplet epitaxy
Authors: Zha Guo-Wei , Zhang Li-Chun , Yu Ying , Xu Jian-Xing , Wei Si-Hang , Shang Xiang-Jun , Ni Hai-Qiao , Niu Zhi-Chuan
Published: January 2015

Fabrication of advanced artificial nanomaterials is a long-term pursuit to fulfill the promises of nanomaterials and it is of utter importance to manipulate materials at nanoscale to meet urgent demands of nanostructures with designed properties. Herein, we demonstrate the morphological tailoring of self-assembled nanostructures on faceted GaAs nanowires (NWs). The NWs are deposited on different kinds of substrates. Triangular and hexagonal prism morphologies are obtained, and their corresponding {110} sidewalls act as platforms for the nucleation of gallium droplets (GDs). We demonstrate that the morphologies of the nanostructures depend not only on the annealing conditions but also on the morphologies of the NWs' sidewalls. Here, we achieve morphological engineering in the form of novel quantum dots (QDs), ‘square’ quantum rings (QRs), ‘rectangular’ QRs, 3D QRs, crescent-shaped QRs, and nano-antidots. The evolution mechanisms for the peculiar morphologies of both NWs and nanostructures are modeled and discussed in detail. This work shows the potential of combining nano-structural engineering with NWs to achieve multifunctional properties and applications.
Markers for the identification of late breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Sestak Ivana , Cuzick Jack
Published: January 2015

Postmenopausal women with early breast cancer are at an ongoing risk of relapse, even after successful surgery and treatment of the primary tumor. The treatment of breast cancer has changed in the past few years because of the discovery of prognostic and predictive biomarkers that allow individualized breast cancer treatment. However, it is still not clear how to identify women that are at high risk of a late recurrence. Clinical parameters are good prognostic markers for early recurrence, but only nodal status and, to a lesser extent, tumor size have proven to be strong prognostic markers for late recurrence. Multi-gene signatures have become widely used for the prediction of overall recurrence risk and tailoring administration of adjuvant chemotherapy, but only a few have been shown to be prognostic for late (distant) relapse. There is a need to accurately identify women who may benefit from extended endocrine therapy but also those who may be spared any additional treatment. Recent results from large clinical trials have shown that the research is going in the right direction, and these results might help to optimize extended endocrine therapy for patients with early breast cancer. However, further research is needed to select individual biomarkers or multi-gene signatures that offer identification of late recurrence specifically and thus justify routine use of these tests in the clinical setting.
The cost-effectiveness challenge: is it worth it?
Authors: Knapp Martin
Published: January 2015

Scarcity of resources means that difficult choices have to be made about how to use them. Cost-effectiveness evidence provides a way to help decision-makers get ‘best value’ from their resources when choosing between two or more clinical or other interventions. Often it is found that one intervention has better outcomes than another, but also costs more. In these circumstances there is a need for the decision-maker to reach a view as to whether those better outcomes are ‘worth’ the higher costs, necessitating difficult trade-offs. Illustrations from the dementia field are given to illustrate how these trade-offs might be made. For strategic decisions it has often proved helpful to use a generic outcome measure such as the quality-adjusted life year. The fundamental aim of a healthcare system is not to save money, but to save and improve lives. Cost-effectiveness and similar analyses can help by showing how to get the most out of available resources.
Total Synthesis of the COPD Biomarker Desmosine via Stepwise Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reactions
Authors: Yamada Haruka , Hayashi Takahiro , Usuki Toyonobu
Published: January 2015

Desmosine, a COPD biomarker and elastin crosslinker, is a tetrasubstituted pyridinium amino acid. In this paper, the total synthesis of desmosine is described utilizing stepwise and regioselective palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of trihalopyridines and terminal alkynes as key steps. The 13-step synthesis starting from 4-hydroxypyridine was achieved in 11% overall yield.
An Unexpected Thermal [1,3]-[1,3]-para Rearrangement of Chromone-3-ylmethyl Aryl Ethers: Mechanism and Application of the Intercepted [1,3]-Rearranged Intermediates to the Synthesis of cis-Homopterocarpans
Authors: Devarajan Krishnan , Devaraj Somasundaram , Balasubramanian Kalpattu K , Bhagavathy Shanmugasundaram
Published: January 2015

Chromone-3-ylmethyl aryl ethers with unsubstituted ortho-positions have been found to undergo a novel domino [1,3]-[1,3]-rearrangement to give 4′-hydroxyhomoisoflavones under thermal conditions while the para-substituted ethers lead to 2′-hydroxyhomoisoflavones involving an O- to C-[1,3]-migration, instead of the expected Claisen rearrangement. A few cis-homopterocarpans have been synthesized using the 2′-hydroxyhomoisoflavones obtained from the thermal [1,3]-rearrangement of chromene-3-ylmethyl aryl ethers.
Synthesis, Structures, and Electrochemical Properties of New Extensively Conjugated TTF
Authors: Ogi Daisuke , Yoshimoto Shuka , Shirahata Takashi , Misaki Yohji
Published: January 2015

Extensively conjugated tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives substituted with a TTF-fused 1,4-dithiafulven-6-yl group 4 have been synthesized. Theoretical calculation and X-ray crystal structure analysis of 4a demonstrated that the conformation A, in which the two TTF units are linearly oriented, is slightly more stable than the conformation B, which adopted orthogonal arrangement of two TTF units in the neutral state. Cyclic voltammetry revealed the presence of the intramolecular 1,5-S···S interaction that brings about the stabilization of the conformation B in the tricationic state.
The First School Year As the Hardest One
Authors: Виноградова  , Vinogradova Natalya
Published: January 2015

The article discusses problems of a child’s adaptation to school life and psychological features of first graders. teachersare advised on formingthe

sustained cognitive interestin 7-year old children, developing the motivation to study, and creatingthe conditions for positive emotional attitude

to school.
Realization of the “Design of the Meta-subject Сomponent of Primary General Education” Module in the Program of Professional Development of Elementary School Teachers
Authors: Храмцова  , Khramtsova Natalya
Published: January 2015

By designing a meta-subject component of the content of education thisarticle displays actual problems of developingcompetencies declared in

the professional teacher’s standard by elementary school teachers. The paper describes implementation of the meta-subject component module

design through the use of various forms of advanced training courses as one of the effective ways of training elementary school teachers for solving

tasks to fulfil the requirements of the Federal state educational standard of the primary general education (FSES PGE ) regarding achievement

of meta-subject academic results of junior school children.
Poisonous Plants and Mushrooms (“The world around us” lesson in fourth grade)
Authors: Боровикова  , Borovikova E.
Published: January 2015

Thearticle reveals the experience of studying of one of subjects of "The world around us" program in the fourth grade, discusses the original

structure of a lesson assuming various activities of junior school children, and characterises possibilities of evident material implementation.
The Integrated Lesson on Technology and the World Around Us: “Borisovsky Clay Sound Toy of the Belgorod Region” (4th grade)
Authors: Иванов  , Ivanov E. , Иващенко  , Ivashchenko Elena
Published: January 2015

The article describes contents and process of the integrated lesson of technology and the world around us for the fourth grade in the course

of which school children extend their knowledge of a regional clay toy. The integrated lesson of technology and the world around us within

the regional module "Belgorod studies in Initial Classes" allows to acquaint children with features, history of beginning and development of

Borisovka clay toy of the Belgorod region.
School Life Problems of aFfirst Grader
Authors: Рыдзе  , Rydze Oxana
Published: January 2015

The article offers provisions of the Federal state educational standard of the primary general education, Sanitary and epidemiologic norms and

regulations, and Approximate main educational program of elementary school that regulate educational process in first classes of elementary

school. The author comprehensively explains requirements of the state documents and possible cases of its abuse by teaching staff that lead to

inadmissible increase in study load and violation of educational mode.
Significance of psychiatrists’ personal variables in treatment of persons suffering from schizophrenia
Authors: Sawicka Maryla , Charzyńska Katarzyna
Published: January 2015

Cel

Celem obecnej pracy jest próba określenia jakie znaczenie mają czynniki osobowe psychiatrów dla procesu leczenia i życia pacjentów.

Metoda

Do badania włączono 150 pacjentów chorych na schizofrenię wskazanych przez 30 psychiatrów. Dane zostały zebrane w trakcie jednorazowego wywiadu przy wykorzystaniu Diadycznego Kwestionariusza Relacji Terapeuta – Pacjent, Kwestionariusza Oceny Leczenia Farmakologicznego, Skali Satysfakcji z Życia, Skali Kontroli Emocji, Testu Orientacji Życiowej, Skali Uogólnionej Własnej Skuteczności, Skali Funkcjonowania Społecznego oraz kwestionariusza danych społeczno- demograficznych. W celu ustalenia, które zmienne związane z osobą psychiatry wyjaśniają zmienne związane z osobą pacjenta, zastosowano metodę krokowej regresji wielokrotnej.

Wyniki

Wymiary określające funkcjonowanie społeczne pacjentów chorych na schizofrenię były wyjaśniane przez zmienne osobowe psychiatrów, jednak w zakresie nie większym niż kilkanaście procent. Udział zmiennych opisujących psychiatrę był najbardziej znaczący w wyjaśnianiu ocen profesjonalizmu oraz odrzucenia, dokonywanych przez pacjentów. Umiejętności identyfikowania objawów polekowych oraz stosowania farmakoterapii były jedynie w niewielkim stopniu wyjaśniane przez zmienną, jaką jest długość współpracy z leczącym psychiatrą.

Wnioski

Otrzymane wyniki wskazują, że cechy osobiste psychiatrów mają istotne znaczenie dla przebiegu kształtowania się relacji pomiędzy osobami chorymi na schizofrenię a leczącymi ich psychiatrami.
Stigmatization on the way to recovery in mental illness - the factors associated with social functioning.
Authors: Podogrodzka-Niell Magdalena , Tyszkowska Magdalena
Published: January 2015

Chorzy psychicznie często doświadczają stygmatyzacji. Zidentyfikowano szereg czynników społecznych mających wpływ na proces zdrowienia a jednocześnie, w pewnych okolicznościach, mogących być źródłem stygmatyzacji. Chory psychicznie może znaleźć w sobie siłę do walki z chorobą lub przeciwnie – może przejąć negatywną postawę społeczeństwa wobec siebie i ulec autostygmatyzacji. Rodzina pacjenta z jednej strony jest często jego jedynym źródłem wsparcia społecznego, z drugiej strony może ulec destrukcyjnym wpływom piętna udzielonego. Osoby z rozpoznaniem choroby psychicznej muszą zmierzyć się z okazywanym im dystansem społecznym wzmacnianym przez stereotypowe przekazy medialne. Sieć społeczna chorych psychicznie jest uboga i często ograniczona tylko do systemu rodzinnego. Negatywne postrzeganie chorych jest najbardziej widoczne na rynku pracy. Chorzy psychicznie doświadczają licznych przykładów dyskryminacji zawodowej, są rzadziej zatrudniani i otrzymują niższe zarobki niż ludzie zdrowi. Formą stygmatyzacji chorych psychicznie jest ich dyskryminacja strukturalna, która przejawia się w niedofinansowanym i niewydolnym systemie opieki psychiatrycznej. Wszystkie czynniki społeczne wymienione powyżej są jednocześnie niezbędne dla zdrowienia (stymulacja pozytywna funkcjonowania), z drugiej strony mogą przyczyniać się do wzmocnienia stygmatyzacji i być barierą w zdrowieniu chorych psychicznie. W pracy zwrócono uwagę na złożony i niejednoznaczny charakter związków między czynnikami społecznymi a zdrowieniem osoby chorej psychicznie w oparciu o dane z piśmiennictwa.
Social support versus chosen health status indicators
in primary care patients
Authors: Kurpas Donata , Piotrowski Patryk , Marciniak Dominik , Kasprzak Maja , Mroczek Bożena , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta , Kassolik Krzysztof , Karakiewicz Beata , Bielska Dorota , Kiejna Andrzej
Published: January 2015

Cel

Celem projektu było określenie poziomu wsparcia społecznego całkowitego, informacyjnego, instrumentalnego, wartościującego i emocjonalnego otrzymywanego przez pacjentów opieki podstawowej, jak i czynników związanych z jego poziomem w odniesieniu do stanu zdrowia psychicznego i somatycznego oraz zmiennych socjodemograficznych.

Metoda

Grupę badaną stanowiło 516 pacjentów, rekrutowanych w sześciu poradniach opieki podstawowej współpracujących z Uniwersytetami Medycznymi. W niniejszym artykule przedstawione zostaną analizy oparte na danych, uzyskanych dzięki dwóm kwestionariuszom GHQ (General Health Questionnaire) i SWS (Skala Wsparcia Społecznego)..

Wyniki

Wykazano najwyższe wartości średnie w zakresie wsparcia instrumentalnego, najniższe – emocjonalnego. W ocenie przy wykorzystaniu skali GHQ-28 najwyższe wartości średnie wykazano w zakresie zaburzeń w funkcjonowaniu społecznym, najniższe - objawów depresji. Wykazano istotną statystycznie zależność poziomu wsparcia społecznego od płci. W przypadku całkowitej wartości wsparcia oraz wsparcia instrumentalnego i wartościującego - mniej subiektywnie ocenianego wsparcia otrzymywały kobiety. Najwyższe wartości współczynnika Spearmana stwierdzono w przypadku: całkowitych wartości GHQ-28, objawów somatycznych, objawów niepokoju i bezsenności, objawów depresji oraz wsparcia całkowitego. Uwzględniając wyniki analizy ANOVA określono, że wraz z nasileniem objawów ocenianych skalą GHQ w najmniejszym stopniu wzrasta poziom wsparcia emocjonalnego, bardziej poziom wsparcia informacyjnego i wartościującego, a najwyraźniej poziom wsparcia instrumentalnego.

Wnioski

Wyniki wskazały na niedocenianie roli wsparcia emocjonalnego, informacyjnego i wartościującego oraz przecenianie roli wsparcia instrumentalnego w interwencjach proponowanych przez opiekę podstawową. Konsekwencją może być częstsze korzystanie przez pacjentów z usług opieki zdrowotnej wraz z niską z nich satysfakcją, nasilenie zaburzeń funkcjonowania społecznego, zwłaszcza u osób chorych przewlekle, którzy stanowią coraz liczniejszą grupę pacjentów opieki podstawowej.
Venous thromboembolism as an adverse effect of antipsychotic treatment
Authors: Bałkowiec-Iskra Ewa , Cessak Grzegorz , Kryńska Łucja , Łoza Bartosz , Wojnar Marcin
Published: January 2015

Wiele badań wskazuje na istnienie związku pomiędzy stosowaniem leków przeciwpsychotycznych (LPP) a występowaniem żylnej choroby zakrzepowo-zatorowej (VTE). Powikłania zakrzepowo-zatorowe obarczone są istotnym ryzykiem inwalidyzacji i zgonu, są również czynnikiem znacznie zwiększającym koszty leczenia. Pomimo wieloletnich badań, mechanizmy zależności pomiędzy stosowaniem LPP, a rozwojem VTE nie zostały do tej pory dokładnie wyjaśnione, jednak najprawdopodobniej łączą się z zagadnieniem nadumieralności pacjentów psychiatrycznych. Celem pracy było podsumowanie dotychczasowych doniesień dotyczących czynników ryzyka wystąpienia VTE u pacjentów stosujących leki LPP. W pracy oparto się na wynikach badań klinicznych, metaanaliz, przeglądów systematycznych oraz danych Europejskiej Agencji Leków. Na podstawie analizowanych doniesień ustalono, że do głównych czynników ryzyka wystąpienia VTE należy czas stosowania leczenia oraz czynniki związane z pacjentem, takie jak płeć, wiek, masa ciała oraz aktywność fizyczna. Dotychczasowe dane nie pozwalają na jednoznaczne zróżnicowanie potencjału prozakrzepowego poszczególnych LPP, jak również na wykazanie wyższego ryzyka VTE u chorych leczonych atypowymi LPP. Ze względu na złożoną patogenezę VTE konieczne jest przeprowadzenie dużych badań porównawczych, mogących doprecyzować różnice w prozakrzepowym działaniu poszczególnych LPP. Celowym wydaje się również wyodrębnienie produktów o najniższym ryzyku wywoływania VTE, które będzie można stosować u pacjentów obarczonych wysokim ryzykiem VTE, tym samym zwiększając bezpieczeństwo terapii. Wszystkich chorych leczonych LPP należy oceniać pod kątem ryzyka rozwoju powikłań zakrzepowo - zatorowych, wdrażać odpowiednią profilaktykę (obejmującą przede wszystkim wyeliminowanie modyfikowalnych czynników ryzyka) oraz edukować w zakresie objawów mogących przemawiać za rozwojem VTE. Każdy chory z podejrzeniem VTE powinien mieć przeprowadzoną jak najszybszą diagnostykę i wdrożone leczenie.
Semantic differential in the study on the stereotype of mentally
ill people – comparative study 10 years later
Authors: Mróz Barbara
Published: January 2015

Cel

Celem artykułu było zbadanie po 10 latach tego, jak postrzegane są osoby chore psychicznie przez studentów psychologii. Artykuł powstał z inspiracji badań nad stereotypowym postrzeganiem osób chorych psychicznie przeprowadzonych przed dziesięcioma laty i opublikowanymi w Psychiatrii Polskiej (2000).

Metoda

Zastosowano zmodyfikowaną wersję dyferencjału semantycznego, zastosowanego również przed dziesięcioma laty. Polegała ona na wybieraniu przez badanych 30 par przymiotników, które nadają się do opisania osób chorych psychicznie; zaznaczyć na skali, w jakim stopniu dany obiekt ma tę cechę; określić, jaki procent osób chorych psychicznie ma tę cechę oraz określić w procentach stopień pewności swojej opinii związanej z nasileniem cechy. Zmodyfikowany dyferencjał semantyczny bada społeczny i ewaluatywny charakter stereotypu.

Wyniki

Zbadanych 152 studentów psychologii (K 138, M 14), średnia wieku 21,8, w porównaniu z podobną grupą badanych przed dziesięcioma laty uzyskało wyniki świadczące o większej dojrzałości i mniejszym obciążeniu myśleniem stereotypowym na temat chorych psychicznie. Badani obecnie stwierdzali z mniejszą (71%) niż poprzednicy (79%) pewnością, że większość osób chorych psychicznie to ludzie z trudnościami zarówno w kontakcie z innymi, jak i z samymi sobą. Ze znacznie szerszej perspektywy postrzegają osoby chore psychicznie (w 2000 r. 11 kategorii dyferencjału, w 2010 r. 19 kategorii dyferencjału).

Wnioski

Badania stereotypu chorych psychicznie pokazują korzystne zmiany w świadomości społecznej u studentów psychologii. Rola nowych programów nauczania psychologii uwrażliwiających na problemy osób chorych psychicznie, złożoność procesu chorobowego a także prawdopodobny wpływ reklam społecznych i budowania społecznego wsparcia dla osób chorych przyczyniły się do uzyskanych pozytywnych zmian w wynikach.