bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral acetylsalicylic acid and prevalence of actinic keratosis
Authors: Schmitt Juliano , Miot Hélio
Published: June 2014

Objective: To investigate the influence of a regular oral use of acetylsalicylic acid in the prevalence of actinic keratosis. Methods: A case-control study with dermatologic outpatients above 50 years of age assessed between 2009 and 2011. Cases were defined as those who had been under regular use of oral acetylsalicylic acid for more than six consecutive months. The assessment focused on: age, sex, skin-type, tobacco smoking, use of medication, occurrence of individual or family skin cancer, and sunscreen and sun exposure habits. Actinic keratoses were counted in the medial region of the face and upper limbs. Counts were adjusted by co-variables based on a generalized linear model. Results: A total of 74 cases and 216 controls were assessed. The median time of acetylsalicylic acid use was 36 months. Cases differed from controls as to the highest age, highest prevalence of use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and fewer keratosis on the face and on the upper limbs (p<0.05). The multivariate model showed that the use of acetylsalicylic acid was associated to lower counts of face actinic keratosis and upper-limb erythematous actinic keratosis (p<0.05), regardless of other risk factors. Conclusion: The regular use of oral acetylsalicylic acid for more than six months was associated to a lower prevalence of actinic keratosis, especially facial and erythematous ones.
Alzheimer's disease and periodontitis - an elusive link
Authors: Gurav Abhijit N.
Published: June 2014

Alzheimer's disease is the preeminent cause and commonest form of dementia. It is clinically characterized by a progressive descent in the cognitive function, which commences with deterioration in memory. The exact etiology and pathophysiologic mechanism of Alzheimer's disease is still not fully understood. However it is hypothesized that, neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is marked by salient inflammatory features, characterized by microglial activation and escalation in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the affected regions. Studies have suggested a probable role of systemic infection conducing to inflammatory status of the central nervous system. Periodontitis is common oral infection affiliated with gram negative, anaerobic bacteria, capable of orchestrating localized and systemic infections in the subject. Periodontitis is known to elicit a "low grade systemic inflammation" by release of pro-inflammatory cytokines into systemic circulation. This review elucidates the possible role of periodontitis in exacerbating Alzheimer's disease. Periodontitis may bear the potential to affect the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Periodontitis shares the two important features of Alzheimer's disease namely oxidative damage and inflammation, which are exhibited in the brain pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Periodontitis can be treated and hence it is a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Addressing Practical Issues Related Tto Nursing Care For International Visitors To Hiroshima
Authors: Nishikawa Mariko , Niiya Kiyoka , Okayasu Masako
Published: June 2014

When nine million foreigners visited Japan in 2013, the federal government set a goal to attract an additional two and a half million visitors including medical tourists by 2020. This research investigates the attitudes and concerns of Japanese nurses when they are in a situation dealing with foreign patients. The data were collected from March through September 2010, from 114 nurses at three hospitals, in close proximity to popular tourist destinations in Hiroshima. A questionnaire was developed for this research, named Mari Meter, which included a section to write answers to an open question for the nurses to express their opinions. These responses were examined statistically and by word analysis using Text Mining Studio. Japanese nurses expressed greatest concern about payment options, foreign language skills, and issues of informed consent, when dealing with foreigners. The results confirm that, in order to provide a high quality of patient care, extra preparation and a greater knowledge of international workers and visitors are required by nursing professionals in Japan.
Measuring Instruments In Cardiology Adapted Into Portuguese Language Of Brazil: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cornélio Marilia Estevam , Alexandre Neusa Maria Costa , São-João Thaís Moreira
Published: June 2014

This was a systematic review aimed at identifying and characterizing measuring instruments, developed in the context of cardiology, which were adapted into Portuguese language of Brazil. Systematic searches were performed in six databases. Information extracted included cultural adaptation process and measurement properties. To assess the methodological quality of studies, criteria based on international guidelines for cultural adaptation of instruments were used. Among the 114 articles found, 14 were eligible for review. Of these, most evaluated quality of life (35.7%) and health knowledge/learning (28.6%). Most studies followed all stages of the adaptation process recommended in the literature. With respect to measurement properties, internal consistency, verified by Cronbach’s alpha, was the property reported in the majority of the studies, as well as construct and criterion validity. This study is expected to provide to the scientific community a critical evaluation of adapted questionnaires available in the context of cardiology.
Hypothermia Prevention During Surgery: Comparison Between Thermal Mattress And Thermal Blanket
Authors: Moysés Ariane Marques , Trettene Armando dos Santos , Navarro Laís Helena Camacho , Ayres Jairo Aparecido
Published: June 2014

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of the thermal blanket and thermal mattress in the prevention of hypothermia during surgery. Thirty-eight randomized patients were divided into two groups (G1 – thermal blanket and G2 - thermal mattress). The variables studied were: length of surgery, length of stay in the post-anesthetic care unit, period without using the device after thermal induction, transport time from the operating room to post-anesthetic care unit, intraoperative fluid infusion, surgery size, anesthetic technique, age, body mass index, esophageal, axillary and operating room temperature. In G2, length of surgery and starch infusion longer was higher (both p=0.03), but no hypothermia occurred. During the surgical anesthetic procedure, the axillary temperature was higher at 120 minutes (p=0.04), and esophageal temperature was higher at 120 (p=0.002) and 180 minutes (p=0.03) and at the end of the procedure (p=0.002). The thermal mattress was more effective in preventing hypothermia during surgery.
Overweight And Obesity Repercussion In The Postoperative Of Myocardial Revascularization Surgery
Authors: Araújo Nyagra Ribeiro de , Araújo Raul Amaral de , Bezerra Simone Maria Muniz da Silva
Published: June 2014

This is a descriptive, retrospective study with cross-sectional quantitative approach, which aimed to relate the body mass index with events in the postoperative period of the myocardial revascularization surgery with use of extracorporeal circulation. The data collection period was between April and June/2012. Patients were divided according to the body mass index and classified as without excess of weight, overweight or obese. The data analysis was based on the descriptive statistics. The patients without excess of weight had more complications, especially those related to the lungs. Among overweight and obese individuals, the cardiovascular complications stood out. The obese subjects had the worse prognostic. Obesity and overweight did not have statistically significant association with a higher frequency of postoperative complications, in spite of the occurrence of cardiovascular complications in this group. The patients without excess of weight had higher risks of developing neurological events.
Insomnia Symptoms, Daytime Naps And Physical Leisure Activities In The Elderly: FIBRA Study Campinas
Authors: Monteiro Natália Tonon , Neri Anita Liberalesso , Coelim Maria Filomena
Published: June 2014

The practice of physical activities contributes to reducing the risk of chronic diseases and improves sleep patterns in the elderly. This research aimed to investigate the association between insomnia symptoms and daytime nap and the participation in physical leisure activities in elderly community residents. Data from the Studies Network of the Fragility in Brazilian Elderly (Campinas site), were used. Information from 689 elderly was analyzed, regarding sociodemographic characterization, physical leisure activity, occurrence of daytime napping and its duration, symptoms of insomnia and use of sleep medication. A significant association was found between the practice of walking and the daytime nap of short duration. Studies indicate that a short nap can benefit the quality of sleep and health of the elderly. Therefore, promoting the practice of walking can be a nursing intervention that favors the sleep patterns of the elderly.
Cancer Patients Caregivers Comfort
Authors: Lamino Daniela de Araújo , Turrini Ruth Natalia Teresa , Kolcaba Katharine
Published: June 2014

Cross-sectional study, carried out at the outpatient clinic of an oncology hospital. Data were collected from 88 caregivers of cancer patients using the Caregiver General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ) to assess the caregivers’ comfort. The caregivers’ GCQ score mean was 203.9; better comfort scores was associated with age, care time and current occupation; positive aspects of comfort were related to the fact that caregivers felt loved, to patients’ physical and environmental comfort and to caregivers’ spirituality. 203.9; better comfort scores were associated with age of the caregiver and current occupation; positive aspects of comfort were related to the fact that caregivers felt loved, to patients’ physical and environmental comfort and to caregivers’ spirituality. Caregivers, who didn’t have a paid job or leisure’s activities showed a worse GCQ. The GCQ scale can help to identify factors that interfere in caregivers’ comfort, as well as needs that can be modified through health professionals’ interventions.
Antecedentes do baixo nível de escolarização alcançado por uma coorte de jovens mães brasileiras
Authors: Corrêa Humberto
Published: June 2014

Em todo o mundo, pesquisas sobre a fecundidade efetivada na segunda década da vida demonstram que jovens mães completam menos anos de escolarização se comparadas com pares etárias nulíparas ou, ainda, com mulheres que postergam o nascimento do primeiro filho para os 20 ou mais anos de idade. No Brasil, poucos estudos identificaram em que medida os diferenciais observados já estavam presentes antes da fecundidade e, por essa razão, torna-se difícil avaliar os efeitos do nascimento de um filho sobre as carreiras escolares das jovens mães. O presente estudo analisou a trajetória escolar de uma amostra representativa (n=225) para uma coorte de mães adolescentes residentes em Campinas, município com mais de 1 milhão de habitantes, localizado no Estado de São Paulo. Todas as jovens da amostra tiveram seu primeiro filho nascido vivo entre as idades de 17 e 19 anos no ano de 2005 e foram entrevistadas entre 2006 e 2007. Os anos de estudos concluídos foram mensurados por meio de uma observação transversal e pós-fecundidade. No entanto, a partir de questões retrospectivas, as histórias escolares das jovens mães foram reconstituídas longitudinalmente desde os 7 até os 16 anos, idades em que todas eram nulíparas. As elevadas proporções de repetências e interrupções em período anterior à gravidez e também ao nascimento do primeiro filho das jovens amostradas indicam que muitas tiveram suas histórias escolares cingidas por obstáculos que ultrapassam a questão da fecundidade: 28,0% repetiram de série e interromperam suas carreiras escolares, enquanto 78,2% repetiram ou evadiram ao menos uma série antes da gravidez e do nascimento do primeiro filho. Concluiu-se que, em função da metodologia adotada, estudos transversais que analisam os déficits educacionais das jovens mães somente após a fecundidade e os comparam diretamente com os anos de estudo alcançados por mulheres sem filhos - ou com aquelas que alcançaram a fecundidade após completarem 20 anos de idade - podem não identificar adequadamente a origem temporal da defasagem idade-série usualmente observada.
Organic and Conventional Production Systems in the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial: III. Yield Trends
Authors: Baldock Jon O. , Hedtcke Janet L. , Posner Joshua L. , Hall John A.
Published: June 2014

The Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial (WICST) at Arlington, WI, compared five production philosophies in place of fixed treatments, which can be problematic, during 1990 to 2012. Corn (Zea maysL.) was the test crop common to the five cropping systems. All five cropping systems produced positive, average corn yield trends ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 Mg ha−1yr−1. The overall rates in three conventional systems exceeded those in two organic systems; but the systems nearly equalized when better technology was introduced in the organic systems. Genetic engineering did not accelerate yield improvements. Hence the difference between conventional and organic systems has been largely due to the available technology, not agroecological factors. The yield advantage for corn following alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) vs. continuous corn (the rotation effect) was 1.47 ± 0.38 Mg ha−1with no linear or quadratic trends and with the largest values occurring in years with stresses that hindered corn development. Although all five cropping systems produced positive yield trends across two decades, that did not prove they were sustainable over the longer term. There was no clear advantage for either organic or conventional systems in regard to sustainability so the selection process should tailor the cropping system to the individual farm. The resulting picture is a dynamic agriculture with each cropping system encountering and solving challenges. Furthermore, it shows the benefits of long‐term, cropping systems trials in providing base line data, monitoring time‐trends, evaluating new technology, and examining sustainability issues.
Cuttings Transport with Gas in the Highly-Deviated Horizontal Wells
Authors: Xiaofeng Sun , Kelin Wang , Tie Yan , Shuai Shao , Shizhu Luan
Published: June 2014

Gas drilling has been widely used due to its advantages of protecting and finding oil and gas reservoir, reducing
lost circulation and pipe sticking, extending the bit life, and improving rate of penetration (ROP). Cuttings transport in
highly-deviated and horizontal segment is considered as an important part of the design of hydraulic parameters. In this
case, poor cuttings transport will lead to stuck pipe, higher drag and torque, slower ROP, bad cementing quality, and other
problems. In this study, a two-layer steady model was developed to depict cuttings transport behavior, and the sensitivity
analyses were conducted. The simulations show the ratio of bed area and annular area and pressure drop decrease with the
increase of pipe eccentricity or inclination, and increase with the increasing gas density or gas viscosity. But the
inclination, gas density and viscosity have a minor effect on cuttings transport.
Diagnosis and Reduction of Electricity Consumption Exceedance in Public University Buildings
Authors: Zogou Olympia , Stamatelos Tassos
Published: June 2014

Higher education costs per graduating student are globally increasing to unsustainable levels, taking into
account the worldwide economy problems. Electricity consumption is an essential part of university building operation
costs. Thus, many universities struggle to reduce them. To succeed in the reduction of electricity consumption in public
buildings, it is essential to detect, identify and classify different kinds of consumption exceedance modes in the electricity
consumption time series as early as possible. Intelligent diagnosis and prognosis has already become an important field of
interest in engineering. This paper presents a diagnosis methodology that we developed and applied in the University of
Thessaly, aiming to find cases of unnecessary high consumption. The methodology is based on the analysis of hourly
electricity consumption data from seven university building complexes with separate medium voltage substations. The
follow-up measures adopted are also presented, along with the overall effect on the evolution of electricity consumption.
Sediment Quality and Potential Toxicity Assessment in Two Open/Semiclosed Mediterranean Sea Areas: A Case Study of Sfax Coast (Tunisia)
Authors: Gargouri Dorra , Moez Bahloul , Azri Chafai
Published: June 2014

The Gulf of Gabès (southeastern Tunisia), characterized by the abundance of halieutic resources, is nowadays facing strong anthropogenic pressures. This paper aims to assess and compare metallic pollution in two open/semiclosed areas bordering the coastline of Sfax (a part of the Gulf). The first area covers the outlet zone of many anthropogenic effluents of urban Sfax, whereas the second area, located at a distance of 15 km from the first one, was selected as being representative of numerous semiclosed areas bordering the Gulf that have served for harvesting clams. Spatial distribution of selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Fe) coupled with chemometric approaches (enrichment factor, contamination degree, mean‐ERM‐quotients, and cluster analysis) were used as tools for the assessment of metallic pollution. The obtained results showed that metallic pollution is higher in the semiclosed area despite the absence of neighboring anthropogenic sources, probably because of the relative importance of both autochthonous organic matter and biota. The computed potential ecotoxicity demonstrated moderately high values in this area, testifying to a menaced biota that is prone to more affecting hazards if significant active measures are not taken.
Chlorophyll as a measure of plant health: Agroecological aspects
Authors: Pavlovic Danijela , Nikolic Bogdan , Djurovic Sanja , Waisi Hadi , Andjelkovic Ana , Marisavljevic Dragana
Published: June 2014

As photosynthesis is the basic process during which light energy is absorbed
and converted into organic matter, the importance of the plant pigment
chlorophyll (a and b forms) as an intermediary in transformation of the
absorbed solar energy and its activity in the process of photosynthesis and
synthesis of organic substances in plants are crucial. Therefore, this paper
provides an overview of methods for monitoring the optical activity of
chlorophyll molecules and methods (non-destructive and destructive) for
quantification of chlorophyll in plants. These methods are used to estimate
the effects of different stress factors (abiotic, biotic and xenobiotic) on
the efficiency of photosynthesis and bioproductivity, aiming to assess the
impact that these limiting factors have on the yield of various cultivars.
Also, those methods for analysis of chlorophyll optical activity and/or
content are appropriate for assessing the reaction of weed species to
different agricultural practices (mineral nutrition, treatment by herbicides,
etc.) and studies of different aspects of weed ecophysiology and their
influence on crop harvest.
Efficacy of eco-smart insecticides against certain biological stages of jasmine moth, Palpita unionalis Hb. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Mahmoud Farag
Published: June 2014

The efficacy of six eco-smart insecticides, Dipel 2x 6.4% WP (Bacillus
thuringensis AI), Biofly 100% WP (Beauvaria bessiana AI), Radiant 12% SC
(Saccharopolyspora spinosa AI), Mectin 1.8% EC (Streptomyces avermitilis AI),
Nimbecidine 0.03% EC (Azadirachtin AI) and Bio-Power 50% EC (Beauvaria
bessiana AI), were tested against eggs, larvae and pupae of the jasmine moth,
Palpita unionalis Hb. and its parasitoid Apanteles syleptae under laboratory
conditions. Data indicated that all tested insecticides had ovicidal activity
against P. unionalis. Mectin was the most toxic among the tested insecticides
against the egg stage, followed by Radiant or Dipel 2x, and their respective
values of LC50 were 0.005 cm/l, 0.006 cm/l and 0.055 g/l. Dipel 2x was the
most toxic insecticide to the 1st instar larvae of P. unionalis, whereas
Mectin was the most toxic to both the 3rd and 5th instar larvae. Also, the
results revealed that Mectin was the most effective against the pupal stage,
followed descendingly by Radiant and Dipel 2x. The toxicity index values
showed a superior efficiency of Mectin at LC50 (100%) against eggs, 3rd and
5th instar larvae, and pupal stage, whereas Dipel 2x showed such superior
efficiency at LC50 (100%) only against 1st instar larvae. The results showed
that the percents of pupation and emergence of moths were significantly
different in all treatments compared to control, while deformed pupae and
malformed adults were insignificantly different when fifth instar larvae were
treated with the tested insecticides. Moreover, the rate of P. unionalis
adult emergence from treated pupae was concentration-dependent and
significant differences were found between insecticide treatments and
control. Generally, Mectin, Radiant and Dipel 2x caused the highest impacts
on adult emergence and malformed adults percentages. Regarding the toxicity
of insecticides to the endoparasitoid A. syleptae, the treated cocoons
developed to adult stages with no significant differences compared to
control. Meanwhile, the longevity of the emerged parasitoid adults did not
differ among the insecticides treatments and control.
Dissipation rate of acetamiprid in sweet cherries
Authors: Lazic Sanja , Sunjka Dragana , Panic Srdjan , Indjic Dusanka , Grahovac Nada , Guzsvbny Valjria , Jovanov Pavle
Published: June 2014

Degradation of acetamiprid in sweet cherry samples was evaluated at several
intervals from the product application until the end of the pre-harvest
interval. An orchard of sweet cherries located at Stepanovicevo village near
Novi Sad was used in this study. Acetamiprid was applied according to the
manufacturer?s recommendation for protecting sweet cherries from their most
important pests. Sweet cherry fruit samples were collected at eight
intervals: immediately after acetamiprid application and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12
and 14 days after application. The extraction of acetamiprid from sweet
cherry samples was performed using a QuEChERS-based method. Determination was
carried out using an HPLC-UV diode array detection system (Agilent 1100,
United States) with an Agilent Zorbax Eclipse C18 column (50 mm C 4.6 mm
internal diameter, 1.8 ?m particle size). The method was subjected to a
thorough validation procedure. The recovery data were obtained by spiking
blank sweet cherry samples at three concentration levels (0.1-0.3 mg/ kg),
yielding 85.4% average recovery. Precision values expressed as relative
standard deviation (RSD) were below 1.61% for the intraday precision.
Acetamiprid showed linear calibrations from 0.05 to 2.5 ?g/ml with
correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.995%. The limit of detection and limit of
quantification were found to be 5 ?g/kg and 14 ?g/kg, respectively. The
validated method was applied in the analysis of acetamiprid in sweet cherry
samples. During the study period, the concentration of acetamiprid decreased
from 0.529 mg/kg to 0.111 mg/kg. The content of acetamiprid in sweet cherry
samples at the end of the pre-harvest interval was below the maximum
permissible level specified by the Serbian and EU MRLs.
Ecological, legal and economic aspects of evaluating the damages caused by wild animals / Ekologiczne, prawne i ekonomiczne aspekty oceny szkód wyrządzanych przez dzikie zwierzęta
Authors: Flis Marian
Published: June 2014

This paper presents the ecological grounds of interaction between animals and their living habitats, which in economic terms is referred to as damages. In addition, an analysis of the legal and economic aspects of the liability for damages caused by wild animals in different types of natural habitats was carried out. Liability for damages is a special law in relation to the general principles of civil law in this area. At the same time, it is also limited, both objectively and subjectively. The increase in the interaction of animals with environments, which results directly in the size of compensation amounts paid, is closely associated with the dynamics in the number of damaging species, whereas the specificity of the damage results from the behavior of perpetrator animals. Multidirectional preventive measures using different methods generally produce short-term effects and their use is not always economically justified.
Cadmium, lead, zinc and copper content in herbaceous plants overgrowing furnace waste landfill / Zawartość kadmu, ołowiu, cynku i miedzi w roślinności zielnej porastającej składowisko odpadów paleniskowych
Authors: Szwalec Artur , Mundała Paweł , Kędzior Renata
Published: June 2014

Electricity and heat have been produced in Poland by the combustion of coal. Ash-slag, a by-product of this process, has been mainly deposited in landfills. Until the end of 2011, about 258 million tonnes of ash-slag have been deposited in landfills. Herbaceous plant and soil samples were taken from four directions (east, west, south and north) in three locations on the landfill embankment: base, middle and top. The negative influence of furnace waste landfill on herbaceous plants was confirmed by the phytoaccumulation indexes (WF) of the examined elements: WF Cd - medium to intensive; WF Pb - low to medium; WF Zn - low to intensive and WF Cu - low to medium.
Effect of phosphorus and potassium fertilisation on the contents and chromium and nickel uptake by goat’s rue (Galega orientalis Lam.) / Wpływ nawożenia fosforem i potasem na zawartość i pobranie chromu i niklu przez rutwicę wschodnią (Galega orientalis Lam.)
Authors: Symanowicz Barbara , Kalembasa Stanisław , Niedbała Mateusz
Published: June 2014

The paper presents the changes in chromium and nickel content in goat’s rue biomass cultivated in the years 2005-2007. Field test was carried out on the experimental field belonging to the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce. The tests included six objects with constant phosphorus fertilisation and differentiated potassium fertilisation. During each year of the tests, three cuts of the test plant in budding stage were harvested. Total Cr and Ni content in the plant and soil was determined using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer. The uptake of the elements being analysed with the crop of dry mass of the test plant was calculated.

Phosphorus and potassium fertilisation had significant influence on the increase in chromium and nickel content in goat’s rue biomass. The highest content of chromium was determined on P50 object and of nickel on P50K150 object. The lowest content of Cr and N was determined in the test plant cultivated on control objects. The highest content of chromium and nickel was found in soil taken from the control object. The highest uptake with crop was observed for goat’s rue fertilised with P50 dose and of nickel with P50K150 dose.
Expression profiles uncover the relationship between erythropoietin and cell proliferation in rat hepatocytes after a partial hepatectomy
Authors: Zhang Jihong , Yang Yajuan , He Tingting , Liu Yunqing , Zhou Yun , Chen Yongkang , Xu Cunshuan
Published: June 2014

Erythropoietin (EPO) has a beneficial effect on hepatic cell proliferation during liver regeneration. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated. To uncover the proliferation response of EPO in rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) at the cellular level, hepatocytes (HCs) were isolated using Percoll density gradient centrifugation. The genes of the EPO-mediated signaling pathway and the target genes of the transcription factor (TF) in the pathway were identified in a pathway and TF database search. Their expression profiles were then detected using Rat Genome 230 2.0 Microarray. The results indicated that the EPO-mediated signaling pathway is involved in 19 paths and that 124 genes participate, of which 32 showed significant changes and could be identified as liver regeneration-related genes. In addition, 443 targets regulated by the TFs of the pathway and 60 genes associated with cell proliferation were contained in the array. Subsequently, the synergetic effect of these genes in liver regeneration was analyzed using the E(t) mathematical model based on their expression profiles. The results demonstrated that the E(t) values of paths 3, 8, 12 and 14–17 were significantly strengthened in the progressing phase of liver regeneration through the RAS/MEK/ERK or PI3K/AκT pathways. The synergetic effect of the target genes, in parallel with target-related cell proliferation, was also enhanced 12–72 h after PH, suggesting a potential positive effect of EPO on HC proliferation during rat liver regeneration. These data imply that the EPO receptor may allow EPO to promote HC proliferation through paths 3, 8, 12 and 14–17, mediating the RAS/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AκT pathways in rat liver regeneration after PH.
Synthesis of carbon quantum dots for DNA labeling and its electrochemical, fluorescent and electrophoretic characterization
Authors: Milosavljevic Vedran , Nguyen Hoai Viet , Michalek Petr , Moulick Amitava , Kopel Pavel , Kizek Rene , Adam Vojtech
Published: June 2014

Nanoparticles as a progressively developing branch offer a tool for studying the interaction of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with DNA. In this study, fluorescent CQDs were synthesized using citric acid covered with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the source of carbon precursors. Furthermore, interactions between CQDs and DNA (double-stranded DNA and single-stranded DNA) were investigated by spectral methods, gel electrophoresis, and electrochemical analysis. Primarily, the fluorescent behavior of CQDs in the presence of DNA was monitored and major differences in the interaction of CQDs with tested single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were observed at different amounts of CQDs (μg mL
Detection of short oligonucleotide sequences of hepatitis B virus using electrochemical DNA hybridisation biosensor
Authors: Karastogianni Sophia , Girousi Stella
Published: June 2014

A novel, sensitive and selective electrochemical hybridisation biosensor was developed for the detection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) using a manganese(II) complex as electrochemical indicator and a DNA probe-modified carbon paste electrode as the biosensor (DNA/CPE). The results showed that this complex could be accumulated electrochemically the immobilised dsDNA layer rather than in the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) layer. On the basis of this, the manganese complex was used as an electrochemical hybridisation indicator for the detection of oligonucleotides related to HBV. The hybridisation event was evaluated on the basis of the difference between the reduction signals of the manganese(II) complex with the probe DNA prior to and post hybridisation with a target sequence using a differential pulse mode. Several factors affecting the immobilisation and hybridisation of oligonucleotides as well as the indicator’s accumulation were investigated. Experiments with a noncomplementary and mismatch sequences demonstrated the good selectivity of the biosensor. Using this approach, the HBV target oligonucleotide’s sequence could be quantified over arange from 0.22 ng L
Heterostructures with self-organized quantum dots of Ge on Si for optoelectronic devices
Authors: Lozovoy K. , Voytsekhovskiy A. , Kokhanenko A. , Satdarov V. , Pchelyakov O. , Nikiforov A.
Published: June 2014

In this paper an analysis of tendencies of Ge on Si quantum dots nanoheterostructures’ usage in different optoelectronic devices such as, for example, solar cells and photodetectors of visible and infra-red regions is carried out; a complex mathematical model for calculation of dependency on growth conditions of self-organized quantum dots of Ge on Si grown using the method of molecular beam epitaxy parameters is described. Ways of segregation effect and underlying layers’ influence are considered. It is shown that for realization of good device characteristics quantum dots should have high density, small sizes, uniformity, and narrow size distribution function. The desirable parameters of arrays of square and rectangular quantum dots for device application are attainable under certain growth conditions.
Pain Interference Is Associated With Psychological Concerns Related to Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Multisite Observational Study
Authors: Stubbs Brendon , Eggermont Laura H.P. , Patchay Sandhi , Schofield Pat A.
Published: June 2014

Background

Pain interference and psychological concerns related to falls (PCRF) are pervasive phenomena among community-dwelling older adults, yet their association remains elusive.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to establish whether pain interference is associated with PCRF in community-dwelling older adults.

Design

This was a multisite cross-sectional study.

Method

Two hundred ninety-five community-dwelling older adults (mean age=77.5 years, SD=8.1; 66.4% female) participated in the study. All participants completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) interference subscale, Short Falls Efficacy Scale–International (FES-I), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), modified version of the Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in Elderly Scale (mSAFFE), and Consequences of Falling Scale (CoF). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted. In the first step of the study, sociodemographic and known risk factors for psychological concerns related to falls were inserted into the model, followed by the BPI interference subscale score in the second step.

Results

One hundred sixty-nine participants (57.3%) reported some pain interference. The BPI interference subscale was highly correlated with all PCRF (r>.5, P<.0001). After the adjustment for established risk factors, the BPI interference subscale significantly increased the variance in the Short FES-I (R2 change=13.2%), ABC (R2 change=4.7%), mSAFFE (R2 change=5.0%), and CoF (R2 change=10.0%). Pain interference was a significant and independent predictor in the final model for the Short FES-1 (β=0.455, P<.001), ABC (β=−0.265, P<.001), mSAFFE (β=0.276, P<.001), and CoF (β=0.390, P<.001).

Limitations

The study was cross-sectional.

Conclusions

Pain interference is an important contributing factor in each of the psychological concerns related to falls. Pain interference had the strongest impact on reducing falls efficacy and increasing older adults' concerns about the consequences of falling.
Gresham's Law, Conceptual Semantics, and Semiotics of Authoritarianism
Authors: Postoutenko Kirill
Published: June 2014

The aim of this article is to explore to what extent the rule of economics commonly known as Gresham's law (“bad money drives out good money”) can be extrapolated to verbal language (“bad concepts drive out good concepts”). Consequently, the goal of this article is twofold. First, for Gresham's law to be applied simultaneously to money and language, its unfortunate (“good”/“bad”) and obscure (“drives out”) wording should be clarified. Second, one should identify the contexts in which the validity of the law could be assessed best, and run a very preliminary test. For this purpose, the circulation of the adjective (“hard”, “strong”, or “stable” in Russian) in the word combination (“hard currency”) in use in the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s was scrutinized.
The Politics of Time
Authors: Jung Theo
Published: June 2014

This article traces the uses of zeitgeist in early nineteenth-century European political discourse. To explain the concept's explosive takeoff in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, two perspectives are combined. On the one hand, the concept is shown to be a key element in the new, “temporalized” discourses of cultural reflection emerging during this time. On the other, its pragmatic value as a linguistic tool in concrete political constellations is outlined on the basis of case studies from French, British, and German political discourse. Developing this two-sided perspective, the article sheds light on an important aspect of early nineteenth-century political discourse while also pointing to some general considerations concerning the relationship between the semantic and pragmatic analysis of historical language use.
Rights of Noncitizens
Authors: Kivistö Hanna-Mari
Published: June 2014

Post–World War II developments concerning citizenship and access as one of the dimensions of citizenship are examined through the prism of noncitizenship and rights, using the drafting of the asylum paragraph of the 1949 Grundgesetz of the Federal Republic of Germany as a specific case study. The aim of this article is to look into the creation of the right to asylum in West Germany, to examine its political history by exploring its development and by searching for its conceptual, political, and rhetorical origins. The article investigates the birth of the unique conceptualization of asylum in the debates of the Parliamentary Council, the constitutional and quasi-parliamentary assembly responsible for the writing of the postwar Basic Law, and examines the political choices, motivations, and compromises behind its creation. To connect the matter of asylum to a wider problematic related to noncitizens and rights, the article benefits from the political philosophy of Hannah Arendt, with reference to her writings on human rights and refugees in the immediate post–World War II period.
Union Citizenship Representing Conceptual (Dis)continuities in EU Documents on Citizenship and Culture
Authors: Mäkinen Katja
Published: June 2014

The question in this article is how citizenship is reinvented and recontextualized in a newly founded European Union after the launching of Union Citizenship. What kind of conceptions of citizenship are produced in this new and evolving organization? The research material consists of documents presented by EU organs from 1994 to 2007 concerning eight EU programs on citizenship and culture. I will analyze conceptual similarities (continuities) and differences (discontinuities) between these documents and previous conceptualizations in various contexts, including citizenship discussions in the history of integration since the 1970s as well as theories of democracy and nation-states. Based on the analysis of participation, rights, and identity as central dimensions of citizenship, I will discuss the relationship of Union Citizenship to democracy and nationality.
En bloc hemisacrectomy and internal hemipelvectomy via the posterior approach
Authors: Clarke Michelle J. , Zadnik Patricia L. , Groves Mari L. , Dasenbrock Hormuzdiyar H. , Sciubba Daniel M. , Hsu Wesley , Witham Timothy F. , Bydon Ali , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Wolinsky Jean-Paul
Published: June 2014

Object

Traditionally, hemisacrectomy and internal hemipelvectomy procedures have required both an anterior and a posterior approach. A posterior-only approach has the potential to complete an en bloc tumor resection and spinopelvic reconstruction while reducing surgical morbidity.

Methods

The authors describe 3 cases in which en bloc resection of the hemisacrum and ilium and subsequent lumbopelvic and pelvic ring reconstruction were performed from a posterior-only approach. Two more traditional anterior and posterior staged procedures are also included for comparison.

Results

In all 3 cases, an oncologically appropriate surgery and spinopelvic reconstruction were performed through a posterior-only approach.

Conclusions

The advantage of a midline posterior approach is the ability to perform a lumbosacral reconstruction, necessary in cases in which the S-1 body is iatrogenically disrupted during tumor resection.
Characteristics and surgical results of the distal type of cervical spondylotic amyotrophy
Authors: Tauchi Ryoji , Imagama Shiro , Inoh Hidefumi , Yukawa Yasutsugu , Kanemura Tokumi , Sato Koji , Sakai Yoshihito , Kamiya Mitsuhiro , Yoshihara Hisatake , Ito Zenya , Ando Kei , Muramoto Akio , Matsui Hiroki , Matsumoto Tomohiro , Ukai Junichi , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Shinjo Ryuichi , Nakashima Hiroaki , Morozumi Masayoshi , Ishiguro Naoki
Published: June 2014

Object

Cervical spondylosis that causes upper-extremity muscle atrophy without gait disturbance is called cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA). The distal type of CSA is characterized by weakness of the hand muscles. In this retrospective analysis, the authors describe the clinical features of the distal type of CSA and evaluate the results of surgical treatment.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective review of 17 consecutive cases involving 16 men and 1 woman (mean age 56.3 years) who underwent surgical treatment for the distal type of CSA. The condition was diagnosed on the basis of cervical spondylosis in the presence of muscle impairment of the upper extremity (intrinsic muscle and/or finger extension muscles) without gait disturbance, and the presence of a compressive lesion involving the anterior horn of the spinal cord, the nerve root at the foramen, or both sites as seen on axial and sagittal views of MRI or CT myelography. The authors assessed spinal cord or nerve root impingement by MRI or CT myelography and evaluated surgical outcomes.

Results

The preoperative duration of symptoms averaged 11.8 months. There were 14 patients with impingement of the anterior horn of the spinal cord and 3 patients with both anterior horn and nerve root impingement. Twelve patients were treated with laminoplasty (plus foraminotomy in 1 case), 3 patients were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, and 2 patients were treated with posterior spinal fixation. The mean manual muscle testing grade was 2.4 (range 1–4) preoperatively and 3.4 (range 1–5) postoperatively. The surgical results were excellent in 7 patients, good in 2, and fair in 8.

Conclusions

Most of the patients in this series of cases of the distal type of CSA suffered from impingement of the anterior horn of the spinal cord, and surgical outcome was fair in about half of the cases.
Acalvaria
Authors: Hawasli Ammar H. , Beaumont Thomas L. , Vogel Timothy W. , Woo Albert S. , Leonard Jeffrey R.
Published: June 2014

Acalvaria is a rare congenital malformation characterized by an absence of skin and skull. The authors describe a newborn at an estimated 38 weeks gestational age who was delivered via cesarean section from a 32-year-old mother. Upon delivery, the child was noted to have a frontal encephalocele and an absence of calvaria including skull and skin overlying the brain. A thin membrane representing dura mater was overlying the cortical tissue. After multiple craniofacial operations, including repair of the encephalocele and application of cultured keratinocytes over the rostral defect, the patient demonstrated significant closure of the calvarial defect and was alive at an age of more than 17 months with near-average development.
Thirty-day outcomes of cerebrospinal fluid shunt surgery: data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics
Authors: Piatt Joseph H.
Published: June 2014

Object

Cerebrospinal fluid shunts are the mainstay of the treatment of hydrocephalus. In past studies, outcomes of shunt surgery have been analyzed based on follow-up of 1 year or longer. The goal of the current study is to characterize 30-day shunt outcomes, to identify clinical risk factors for shunt infection and failure, and to develop statistical models that might be used for risk stratification.

Methods

Data for 2012 were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatrics (NSQIP-P) of the American College of Surgeons. Files with index surgical procedures for insertion or revision of a CSF shunt composed the study set. Returns to the operating room within 30 days for shunt infection and for shunt failure without infection were the study end points. Associations with a large number of potential clinical risk factors were analyzed on a univariate basis. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis.

Results

There were 1790 index surgical procedures analyzed. The overall rates of shunt infection and shunt failure without infection were 2.0% and 11.5%, respectively. Male sex, steroid use in the preceding 30 days, and nutritional support at the time of surgery were risk factors for shunt infection. Cardiac disease was a risk factor for shunt failure without infection, and initial shunt insertion, admission during the second quarter, and neuromuscular disease appeared to be protective. There was a weak association of increasing age with shunt failure without infection. Models based on these factors accounted for no more than 6% of observed variance. Construction of stable statistical models with internal validity for risk adjustment proved impossible.

Conclusions

The precision of the NSQIP-P dataset has allowed identification of risk factors for shunt infection and for shunt failure without infection that have not been documented previously. Thirty-day shunt outcomes may be useful quality metrics, possibly even without risk adjustment. Whether important variation in 30-day outcomes exists among institutions or among neurosurgeons is yet unknown.
Isolated central canal rupture of spinal dermoid
Authors: Garg Kanwaljeet , Kumar Rajinder
Published: June 2014

Spinal dermoid tumors are rare, benign, slow-growing tumors. Rupture of spinal dermoids, in contrast to cranial dermoids, is rarely reported. Rupture in the central canal alone is even more rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. The presence of fat droplets within the central canal is unusual because the central canal is rudimentary in adults. The authors report 3 such cases and review the pertinent literature.
New Dates for Kansyore and Pastoral Neolithic Ceramics in the Eyasi Basin, Tanzania
Authors: Prendergast Mary E. , Grillo Katherine M. , Mabulla Audax Z.P. , Wang Hong
Published: June 2014

This paper presents and contextualizes two radiocarbon dates directly obtained from Kansyore and Savanna Pastoral Neolithic (Narosura) ceramic sherds from sites near Lake Eyasi in Tanzania. The dates improve upon those obtained during prior research, which were compromised by problematic samples and stratigraphic disturbance. This underscores the importance of direct dating on diagnostic ceramics in areas with poor site integrity. The Eyasi Basin, often thought to mark a “southern frontier” for stone-using herders, is placed in a broader regional context in terms of material correlates of the spread of food production.
Past Environmental Proxies from the Middle Stone Age at Sibudu, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Hall Grant , Wadley Lyn , Woodborne Stephan
Published: June 2014

Middle Stone Age technological and behavioural developments in southern Africa are central to understanding the emergence of modern humans, and elucidating the role of environmental change in this trajectory is dependent on emerging palaeoclimatic reconstructions. Climate proxies from Middle Stone Age sites are often poorly preserved, coarsely resolved or subject to anthropogenic selection and are not considered in favour of global environmental proxies despite the fact that the modern climate regimes at the relevant archaeological sites differ profoundly. Sibudu has a well-preserved Middle Stone Age sequence that has yielded abundant palaeoclimate proxy data. Isotopic analysis of charcoal, charcoal anatomy and species representation, macro- and micro-faunal remains, sediment texture, mineralogy and magnetic susceptibility, pollen and macrobotanical remains provide evidence for the environmental succession specific to this site. The isotopic data suggest that archaeological charcoal was not significantly post-depositionally altered. During the Howiesons Poort (65–62 ka) the local environment was thickly forested, moist and more humid than during the 58 ka occupations. The environment changes during the post-Howiesons Poort occupation (~58 ka) into the late MSA occupation (~48 ka); conditions became drier and colder than present with vegetation shifting to open savanna grassland or woodlands.