bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The STarT Back Screening Tool and Individual Psychological Measures: Evaluation of Prognostic Capabilities for Low Back Pain Clinical Outcomes in Outpatient Physical Therapy Settings
Authors: Beneciuk Jason M. , Bishop Mark D. , Fritz Julie M. , Robinson Michael E. , Asal Nabih R. , Nisenzon Anne N. , George Steven Z.
Published: November 2012

Background

Psychologically informed practice emphasizes routine identification of modifiable psychological risk factors being highlighted.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to test the predictive validity of the STarT Back Screening Tool (SBT) in comparison with single-construct psychological measures for 6-month clinical outcomes.

Design

This was an observational, prospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients (n=146) receiving physical therapy for low back pain were administered the SBT and a battery of psychological measures (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire physical activity scale and work scale [FABQ-PA and FABQ-W, respectively], Pain Catastrophizing Scale [PCS], 11-item version of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia [TSK-11], and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) at initial evaluation and 4 weeks later. Treatment was at the physical therapist's discretion. Clinical outcomes consisted of pain intensity and self-reported disability. Prediction of 6-month clinical outcomes was assessed for intake SBT and psychological measure scores using multiple regression models while controlling for other prognostic variables. In addition, the predictive capabilities of intake to 4-week changes in SBT and psychological measure scores for 6-month clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

Intake pain intensity scores (β=.39 to .45) and disability scores (β=.47 to .60) were the strongest predictors in all final regression models, explaining 22% and 24% and 43% and 48% of the variance for the respective clinical outcome at 6 months. Neither SBT nor psychological measure scores improved prediction of 6-month pain intensity. The SBT overall scores (β=.22) and SBT psychosocial scores (β=.25) added to the prediction of disability at 6 months. Four-week changes in TSK-11 scores (β=−.18) were predictive of pain intensity at 6 months. Four-week changes in FABQ-PA scores (β=−.21), TSK-11 scores (β=−.20) and SBT overall scores (β=−.18) were predictive of disability at 6 months.

Limitations

Physical therapy treatment was not standardized or accounted for in the analysis.

Conclusions

Prediction of clinical outcomes by psychology-based measures was dependent upon the clinical outcome domain of interest. Similar to studies from the primary care setting, initial screening with the SBT provided additional prognostic information for 6-month disability and changes in SBT overall scores may provide important clinical decision-making information for treatment monitoring.
Covariate Adjustment Strategy Increases Power in the Randomized Controlled Trial With Discrete-Time Survival Endpoints
Authors: Safarkhani Maryam , Moerbeek Mirjam
Published: November 2012

In a randomized controlled trial, a decision needs to be made about the total number of subjects for adequate statistical power. One way to increase the power of a trial is by including a predictive covariate in the model. In this article, the effects of various covariate adjustment strategies on increasing the power is studied for discrete-time survival endpoints; the circumstances are examined under which the covariate adjustment results in a sufficient increase in power. Using a predictive covariate may increase the costs for each subject, so it is useful to quantify when using a covariate is a cost-efficient strategy. The results reveal that using a covariate is highly recommended if the costs for measuring the covariate are relatively small and the correlation with the outcome sufficiently high.
Is the “Intelligibility of Religious Language” Debate Dead?
Authors: Sweet William
Published: November 2012

Abstract:

One important issue in Anglo-American philosophy of religion during the last half-century concerns whether religious language is intelligible—that is, cognitively meaningful. While many have regarded the debate over intelligibility as problematic, the current status of the issue may not be clear. In this paper I review some of the history of this philosophical debate and present the recent discussion, including some discussion in theology on this question. I also propose how one might defend the intelligibility of religious language.
Iranian Environmentalism: Nationhood, Alternative Natures, and the Materiality of Objects
Authors: Abe Satoshi
Published: November 2012

In addressing mounting environmental problems in recent years, many Iranian environmentalists have increasingly adapted discourses and implemented programs that are modeled on scientific ecology. Does this mean the verbatim transfer of Western scientific modernity in Iran? My analyses suggest otherwise. This article explores the unique ways in which a burgeoning environmental awareness unfolds in Iranian contexts by investigating how conceptions of "nature" shape the environmentalists' discourses and practices. It appears that an ecological scientific conception of nature is becoming an important frame of reference among such environmentalists. However, another conception of nature-one framed in relation to Iranian nationhood-makes a key contribution to environmentalism in Iran. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in 2009-2011 in Tehran, this study demonstrates how "Iranian nature" is delineated and practiced through the environmentalists' (re)engagements with certain objects-maps, posters, and photographs-in relation to which local ways of conceptualizing nature are elaborated.
Where Nature Weds Culture
Authors: Dasgupta Samir
Published: November 2012

Jalais, Annu. 2010. Forest of Tigers: People, Politics, and Environment in the Sundarbans. New York: Routledge.

Pandian, Anand. 2009. Crooked Stalks: Cultivating Virtue in South India. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.

Subramanian, Ajantha. 2009. Shorelines: Space and Rights in South India. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.
Note from the Editor Vol.6
Authors: Rafique Abu Bakr
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v6i0.12245 IIUC Studies Vol.6 2010
Quantitative RT-PCR Detection of Hepatitis A Virus, Rotaviruses and Enteroviruses in the Buffalo River and Source Water Dams in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
Authors: Chigor Vincent , Okoh Anthony
Published: November 2012

Human enteric viruses (HEntVs) are a major cause of water-related diseases. The prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV), rotaviruses (RoV) and enteroviruses (EnV) in Buffalo River waters was assessed quantitatively over a period of 12 months (August 2010 to July 2011). Seventy-two samples were collected from six sites, including three dams, and concentrated using the adsorption-elution method. Viral RNA was extracted using a commercial kit, and the viruses were quantified by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-qPCR). Two or more viruses were detected in 12.5% of the samples. HAV was detected in 43.1% of the samples and in significantly (p < 0.05) varying concentrations of 1.5 × 101–1.9 × 105 genome copies/L compared to RoV and EnV, while RoVs were detected in 13.9% of samples, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 × 101–2.1 × 103 genome copies/L, and EnV were detected in 9.7% of the samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.3 × 101–8.6 × 101 genome copies/L. Only HAV was detected at all the sites, with the Bridle Drift Dam recording significantly higher (p < 0.05) concentrations. The presence of enteric viruses in Buffalo River may constitute public health risks and the incidence of HAV at all the sites could reflect both the epidemiological status of hepatitis A and HAV persistence in the water environments.
Forward Chemical Genetics in Yeast for Discovery of Chemical Probes Targeting Metabolism
Authors: St.Onge Robert , Schlecht Ulrich , Scharfe Curt , Evangelista Marie
Published: November 2012

The many virtues that made the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae a dominant model organism for genetics and molecular biology, are now establishing its role in chemical genetics. Its experimental tractability (i.e., rapid doubling time, simple culture conditions) and the availability of powerful tools for drug-target identification, make yeast an ideal organism for high-throughput phenotypic screening. It may be especially applicable for the discovery of chemical probes targeting highly conserved cellular processes, such as metabolism and bioenergetics, because these probes would likely inhibit the same processes in higher eukaryotes (including man). Importantly, changes in normal cellular metabolism are associated with a variety of diseased states (including neurological disorders and cancer), and exploiting these changes for therapeutic purposes has accordingly gained considerable attention. Here, we review progress and challenges associated with forward chemical genetic screening in yeast. We also discuss evidence supporting these screens as a useful strategy for discovery of new chemical probes and new druggable targets related to cellular metabolism.
Ceramic-on-ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty: Incidence and Risk Factors of Bearing Surface–related Noises in 125 Patients
Authors: Kuo Feng-Chih , Liu Hao-Chen , Chen Wun-Schen , Wang Jun-Wen
Published: November 2012

The ceramic-on-ceramic bearing surface has high wear resistance and good biocompatibility in total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the postoperative noise problem has been an important issue. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of bearing surface–related noises in patients with third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic THAs. One hundred twenty-five patients (143 hips) with ceramic-on-ceramic THAs were included in the study and followed to obtain noise and functional results. Patient factors, including sex, age, height, weight, body mass index, diagnosis, and postoperative range of motion, and surgical factors, including cup inclination, ceramic head size and length, and size of cup related to noises, were recorded. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range, 2–10 years). Mean Harris Hip Score was 94 points (range, 68–100 points) at latest follow-up. One (0.8%) patient had radiological evidence of osteolysis, and 4 (3.2%) patients had hip dislocation. No hip sustained a fracture of the ceramic component. Eight (6.4%) patients developed noise at their hips, including clicking in 4, grinding in 2, and snapping in 2. No patient developed squeaking hips or underwent revision surgery because of noisy hips. Younger patients (
P
=.01), a diagnosis of osteonecrosis (
P
=.014), a 28-mm ceramic head (
P
=.042), and a higher hip range of motion postoperatively (
P
=.001) were related to noise in ceramic-on-ceramic THAs. The study showed third-generation ceramic-on-ceramic THAs had a low incidence of noise problems. However, long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the clinical relevance.
Delineation of Alar Ligament Morphology: Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 1.5 and 3 Tesla
Authors: Schmidt Peter , Mayer Thomas E. , Drescher Robert
Published: November 2012

Rupture of the alar and transverse ligaments due to whiplash injury can lead to upper cervical spine instability and subsequent neurological deterioration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the normal anatomical variability of the alar ligaments in asymptomatic individuals with 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare the findings with standard 1.5-T examinations.

Thirty-six participants underwent 3-T and 1.5-T MRIs. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were analyzed by classifying the alar ligaments with regard to the features detectability, signal intensity compared with muscle tissue, homogeneity, shape, spatial orientation, and symmetry. Delineation of the alar ligaments was significantly better on 3-T images, which were subjectively preferred for evaluation. The alar ligaments showed great variability. In the majority of participants, the alar ligaments were hypointense to muscle tissue, inhomogeneous, and different in shape and orientation. A statistically significantly higher number of ligaments appeared symmetric on 3-T imaging, indicating that 1.5-T imaging may underestimate the proportion of patients with normal, symmetric ligaments.

This study demonstrates that high-field 3-T MRI provides better visualization of the alar ligaments compared with 1.5-T MRI. The higher signal-to-noise ratio allows detection of small signal changes. A great interindividual variety of the MRI morphology of the alar ligaments was found in participants with no history of neck trauma. Further studies with more participants are necessary to evaluate alar ligament pathologies in patients with a history of whiplash injury.
Ulnar Nerve Palsy Associated With Closed Midshaft Forearm Fractures
Authors: Suganuma Seigo , Tada Kaoru , Hayashi Hiroyuki , Segawa Takeshi , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: November 2012

Ulnar nerve palsy is a rare complication of closed midshaft forearm fractures; only 8 cases have been reported. This article describes a case of ulnar nerve palsy associated with a midshaft forearm fracture.

A 12-year-old girl sustained a right midshaft forearm fracture. Whether she had a peripheral nerve injury was unknown due to strong pain. She underwent emergency manual reduction and intramedullary pinning. However, ulnar nerve palsy was remarkable postoperatively and gradually worsened. Therefore, neurolysis was performed 9 weeks later. The nerve had adhered to surrounding scar tissue. Six months after a second surgery, she had no motor dysfunction. The pathogenesis of ulnar nerve palsy complicated with midshaft forearm fractures varies and may be the result of direct contusion, direct damage by a bony spike, bony entrapment after closed reduction, and entrapment by a scar. In the current case, the patient was uncooperative at initial examination. Therefore, it is unknown whether she presented with immediate ulnar nerve palsy after the fracture. However, the ulnar nerve was not entrapped at the fracture site, and the surrounding muscle was intact but adhered to the surrounding scar tissue. The etiology of this case was considered to be entrapment by scar formation. According to a literature search, the authors recommend exploring the nerve approximately 8 to 10 weeks after primary surgery, after which neurological symptoms do not tend to improve.
Chikaba, la primera monja negra en el sistema esclavista finisecular español del siglo XVII
Authors: Melián Elvira M.
Published: November 2012

Sor Teresa Juliana de Santo Domingo llegó a España procedente de la Costa del Oro en 1686. Supuesta princesa en su tierra natal, Carlos II delegó su propiedad en los Marqueses de Mancera. En su casa viviría como esclava entre los 10 y los 27 años, para luego ingresar en el convento de la Penitencia de Salamanca hasta su muerte en 1748. Este trabajo rescata la memoria de quién es hoy celebrada como la primera «religiosa» negra admitida en un convento de clausura español, la primera escritora afro hispánica en lengua castellana, y la primera negra «española» envuelta en un proceso de beatificación.
Las órdenes religiosas en espacio urbano colonial - Mendoza (Argentina). El caso de la la Compañía de Jesús
Authors: Cirvini Silvia A.
Published: November 2012

Este artículo propone abordar desde la perspectiva de la historia urbana, la presencia y la acción del clero regular, y en particular la Compañía de Jesús en Mendoza, ciudad periférica del Imperio español en el cono sur latinoamericano.
Un recorrido de sus edificios y propiedades, su ubicación espacial en la ciudad, así como las conexiones con otros actores de la vida comunitaria y las otras órdenes religiosas nos permiten reconocer la manera en que la Compañía de Jesús se convirtió en un actor relevante del mundo colonial de Mendoza. Los jesuitas fueron los fundadores del primer colegio y la primera biblioteca pública que tuvo la ciudad, eran proveedores de alimentos básicos como la carne y el trigo ya que poseyeron una eficiente red de establecimientos productivos (haciendas, viñas y molinos) dedicados a la actividad agrícola y ganadera, ubicados no sólo en el oasis del Río Mendoza sino también en el Valle de Uco (oasis del Río Tunuyán).
Efficiency and Managerial Ability of Paddy Farming Under Minor Irrigation Conditions: A Frontior Production Function Approach
Authors: Shantha A Aruna , Ali BGH Asan , Bandara RAG
Published: November 2012

In economics, it is well recognized that resources involved in the production process are limited in supply and the scare resources should be efficiently used without wasting. Efficient utilization depends on managerial ability of entrepreneurs-farmers, firm, etc. Available literature suggests that farmers in the developing countries fail to exploit the full potential of a technology and make allocative errors. Thus, increasing the efficiency in production assumes greater significance in attaining potential output at the farm level. However it is an undeniable fact that the majority of dry zone paddy farmers are characterized by poor economic status due to inefficient utilization of available resources. This paper investigates the economic and technical efficiency of paddy farming in a minor irrigation scheme in Sri Lanka and to suggest some policy recommendation for improving the efficiency of resource use.The experiment sites were four minor tanks in Tricomalee district and respective tanks were randomly selected based on the list of the village tank in same district. The empirical study was carried based on a sample of 158 farmers in selected tanks. In this study, the technical efficiency of paddy farmers was estimated by using stochastic frontier production function, incorporating technical efficiency effect model. The Cobb Douglas production function was found to be an adequate representation of the data.According to the results obtained from the stochastic frontier estimation, the average technical efficiency of selected farmers given by the Cobb Douglas model is 69.08 per cent. This indicates that there is scope of farther increasing the output by 30.2 percent without increasing the level of input. With imputed cost profit margin of paddy farming under village tanks was Rs.0.27 per kg and Break even yield was 3,505 kg per ha.The analysis using the Cobb-Douglas function indicated miss-allocation of resources in most of the location in the sample area due to managerial inability of farmers. The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2012, vol.7, no3, page 145-158 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v7i3.4878
CCR1-Mediated STAT3 Tyrosine Phosphorylation and CXCL8 Expression in THP-1 Macrophage-like Cells Involve Pertussis Toxin-Insensitive Gα14/16 Signaling and IL-6 Release
Authors: Lee Maggie M. K. , Chui Ricky K. S. , Tam Issan Y. S. , Lau Alaster H. Y. , Wong Yung H.
Published: November 2012

Agonists of CCR1 contribute to hypersensitivity reactions and atherosclerotic lesions, possibly via the regulation of the transcription factor STAT3. CCR1 was demonstrated to use pertussis toxin-insensitive Gα14/16 to stimulate phospholipase Cβ and NF-κB, whereas both Gα14 and Gα16 are also capable of activating STAT3. The coexpression of CCR1 and Gα14/16 in human THP-1 macrophage-like cells suggests that CCR1 may use Gα14/16 to induce STAT3 activation. In this study, we demonstrated that a CCR1 agonist, leukotactin-1 (CCL15), could indeed stimulate STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylation via pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins in PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, human erythroleukemia cells, and HEK293 cells overexpressing CCR1 and Gα14/16. The STAT3 Tyr705 and Ser727 phosphorylations were independent of each other and temporally distinct. Subcellular fractionation and confocal microscopy illustrated that Tyr705-phosphorylated STAT3 translocated to the nucleus, whereas Ser727-phosphorylated STAT3 was retained in the cytosol after CCR1/Gα14 activation. CCL15 was capable of inducing IL-6 and IL-8 (CXCL8) production in both THP-1 macrophage-like cells and HEK293 cells overexpressing CCR1 and Gα14/16. Neutralizing Ab to IL-6 inhibited CCL15-mediated STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation, whereas inhibition of STAT3 activity abolished CCL15-activated CXCL8 release. The ability of CCR1 to signal through Gα14/16 provides a linkage for CCL15 to regulate IL-6/STAT3–signaling cascades, leading to expression of CXCL8, a cytokine that is involved in inflammation and the rupture of atherosclerotic plaque.
IL-10 Produced by Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) Controls Colitis and Pathogenic Ex-iTregs during Immunotherapy
Authors: Schmitt Erica G. , Haribhai Dipica , Williams Jason B. , Aggarwal Praful , Jia Shuang , Charbonnier Louis-Marie , Yan Ke , Lorier Rachel , Turner Amy , Ziegelbauer Jennifer , Georgiev Peter , Simpson Pippa , Salzman Nita H. , Hessner Martin J. , Broeckel Ulrich , Chatila Talal A. , Williams Calvin B.
Published: November 2012

“Natural” regulatory T cells (nTregs) that express the transcription factor Foxp3 and produce IL-10 are required for systemic immunological tolerance. “Induced” regulatory T cells (iTregs) are nonredundant and essential for tolerance at mucosal surfaces, yet their mechanisms of suppression and stability are unknown. We investigated the role of iTreg-produced IL-10 and iTreg fate in a treatment model of inflammatory bowel disease. Colitis was induced in Rag1−/− mice by the adoptive transfer of naive CD4+ T cells carrying a nonfunctional Foxp3 allele. At the onset of weight loss, mice were treated with both iTregs and nTregs where one marked subset was selectively IL-10 deficient. Body weight assessment, histological scoring, cytokine analysis, and flow cytometry were used to monitor disease activity. Transcriptional profiling and TCR repertoire analysis were used to track cell fate. When nTregs were present but IL-10 deficient, iTreg-produced IL-10 was necessary and sufficient for the treatment of disease, and vice versa. Invariably, ∼85% of the transferred iTregs lost Foxp3 expression (ex-iTregs) but retained a portion of the iTreg transcriptome, which failed to limit their pathogenic potential upon retransfer. TCR repertoire analysis revealed no clonal relationships between iTregs and ex-iTregs, either within mice or between mice treated with the same cells. These data identify a dynamic IL-10–dependent functional reciprocity between regulatory T cell subsets that maintains mucosal tolerance. The niche supporting stable iTregs is limited and readily saturated, which promotes a large population of ex-iTregs with pathogenic potential during immunotherapy.
Van Christologie tot Jesulogie? Teologiese gesprek met Sakkie Spangenberg na aanleiding van sy boek Jesus van Nasaret (2009)
Authors: Van Wyk Jan H.
Published: November 2012

Spangenberg het ’n boeiende boek oor Jesus van Nasaret geskryf waarin hy aandag skenk aan onder meer (vermeende) Ou-Testamentiese agtergronde, om daarna veral dieper in te gaan op verskeie Nuwe-Testamentiese perspektiewe op Jesus. Hy het tot die konklusie gekom dat die onderskeie Nuwe-Testamentiese skrywers elk ’n eie perspektief op Jesus ontwikkel het, perspektiewe wat mekaar soms weerspreek. In elk geval was daar ’n groot verskil tussen die historiese Jesus van Nasaret en die dogmatiese Jesus van die kerklike belydenis. In die kerklike dogma is Jesus vergoddelik, iets wat Hy nooit was of wou wees nie. Die ware Jesus was niemand anders nie as ’n Joodse profeet en wysheidsleermeester. Spangenberg kom tot hierdie gevolgtrekking op grond van wat hy noem ‘wetenskaplike studie’ en ’n radikaal-kritiese omgang met die Bybel. In hierdie artikel is sowel die filosofiese vertrekpunte as die teologiese konklusies van Spangenberg krities bespreek en bevraagteken.From Christology to Jesuology? Theological discussion with Sakkie Spangenberg with reference to his book Jesus van Nasareth (2009). Spangenberg wrote a riveting book on Jesus of Nazareth in which he paid attention to inter alia (alleged) Old Testament background and then proceeded to a more in-depth investigation into several New Testament perspectives on Jesus. He came to the conclusion that the different New Testament authors each developed their own perspective on Jesus, perspectives which were sometimes contradictory. He found a huge difference between the historical Jesus of Nazareth and the dogmatic Jesus of the church confessions. In this church tenet Jesus was deified, something He was not, neither wanted to be. The true Jesus was none other than a Jewish prophet and wisdom teacher. Spangenberg reached this conclusion on the basis of what he called ‘scientific’ study and a radically critical way of dealing with the Bible. In this article both the philosophical points of departure and the theological conclusions of Spangenberg were discussed and queried critically.
Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Prabhakar Sudesh , Marwaha Neelam , Lal Vivek , Sharma Ratti R. , Rajan Roopa , Khandelwal Niranjan
Published: November 2012

Background:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no effective treatment. Stem cell therapy may be one of the promising treatment options for such patients.

Aim:

To assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in patients of ALS. Settings and Design: We conducted an open-label pilot study of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in patients with ALS attending the Neurology Clinic of a tertiary care referral centre.

Materials and Methods:

Ten patients with ALS with mean revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score of 30.2 (± 10.58) at baseline received intrathecal autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells. Primary end point was improvement in the ALSFRS-R score at 90, 180, 270 and 365 days post therapy. Secondary endpoints included ALSFRS-R subscores, time to 4-point deterioration, median survival and reported adverse events. Paired t-test was used to compare changes in ALSFRS-R from baseline and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival calculations.

Results:

There was no significant deterioration in ALSFRS-R composite score from baseline at one-year follow-up (P=0.090). The median survival post procedure was 18.0 months and median time to 4-point deterioration was 16.7 months. No significant adverse events were reported.

Conclusion:

Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy is safe and feasible in patients of ALS. Short-term follow-up of ALSFRS-R scores suggests a trend towards stabilization of disease. However, the benefit needs to be confirmed in the long-term follow-up period.
Optic neuritis
Authors: Pandit Lekha , Shetty Rajesh , Misri Zulkifli , Bhat Subrahmanya , Amin Hrishikesh , Pai Vijay , Rao Rammohan
Published: November 2012

Background:

Natural history of optic neuritis (OPN) has not been studied in India.

Aim:

To study consecutive patients with optic neuritis as the initial manifestation of the neurologic disease and with disease duration of 3 or more years registered in the Mangalore Demyelinating Disease Registry.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 59 patients with a primary diagnosis of optic neuritis (confirmed by either an ophthalmologist or a neurologist or both). All the patients were investigated and followed-up in the clinic.

Results:

During the follow-up of the 59 patients, 29 (49%) patients developed multiple sclerosis (MS); 3 (5%) patients neuromyelitis optica (NMO); and 13 (22%) patients chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (CRION), while the remaining 14 (24%) did not either progress or relapse, monophasic OPN. An initial abnormal magnetic resonance imaging predicted conversion to MS in all 7 patients who had imaging at onset. Patients with NMO were left with significant residual visual loss distinguishing NMO from MS. In this large series of patients with CRION, nearly 50% of patients had deterioration in vision while steroids were being tapered. Long-term immunosuppression was essential for maintaining good visual outcome in both NMO and CRION.

Conclusions:

Optic neuritis in India appears similar to that in the West with nearly 50% developing MS in the long term.
Status of O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase [MGMT] gene promoter methylation among patients with glioblastomas from India
Authors: Nehru Gopal Arun , Pai Rekha , Samuel Prasanna , Chacko Ari G. , Chacko Geeta
Published: November 2012

Background:

O 6 -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase [MGMT] gene promoter methylation has emerged as a promising marker in determining resistance to temozolomide, used in the treatment of patients with glioblastomas.

Aim:

To determine the frequency of MGMT promoter methylation among patients with glioblastomas using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and compare it to the results obtained by bisulfite sequencing of a subset of samples.

Materials and Methods:

DNA obtained from the frozen tissue of 27 samples of glioblastomas and three other gliomas, were analyzed for MGMT promoter methylation using a nested MSP assay. Sixteen samples were also subjected to bisulfite sequencing to determine the methylation status of 27 CpG sites within the sequenced region of the MGMT promoter. Data with respect to radiation, chemotherapy and survival outcome was also collected.

Results:

MGMT promoter methylation was seen in 67% of the cases included in the study using frozen tissues by MSP analysis, while 62% were methylated among glioblastomas alone. There was a 100% concordance between the results obtained by MSP analysis and bisulfite sequencing. Clinical outcome was known among 67% of cases and methylation was higher among those patients who had no recurrence, though it was not statistically significant [P=0.44].

Conclusion:

The frequency of methylation seen in this study concurs with that reported earlier from the country. MSP was easy to perform and interpret. However, the utility of this testing system in a routine diagnostic setting is still being debated.
Cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix alterations in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2I muscle fibers
Authors: Sabatelli Patrizia , Pellegrini Camilla , Faldini Cesare , Merlini Luciano
Published: November 2012

In this detailed muscle biopsy study of a patient with molecularly confirmed diagnosis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2I (LGMD2I) we show some new data, that is the presence of altered expression pattern of costamere components as integrin α7B and integrin β1D associated with vinculin costameric derangement and basal lamina ultrastructural abnormalities as detachments and discontinuities suggesting that different cellular compartments are involved in LGMD2I and the altered basement membrane-plasmalemma-cytoskeleton binding can underlie muscle degeneration.
Combined involvement of muscle, nerve, and myoneural junction following Leptospira infection
Authors: Pradhan Sunil , Tandon Ruchika , Kishore Janak
Published: November 2012

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis prevalent worldwide and is endemic in many parts of India. In early leptospiremic as well as late immune phase of the disease kidney, liver, heart, and lungs are commonly involved. Neurological manifestations are rare but may occur during immune phase in the form of aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, seizures, myelitis, polyradiculoneuritis, and myalgia. In this report, we describe a rare case of leptospirosis with combined involvement of nerve, muscle, and myoneural junction in generalized fashion along with pulmonary, renal, and hepatic dysfunction.
A surgical case of paraclinoid carotid aneurysm associated with ipsilateral cervical internal carotid artery dissection
Authors: Takeuchi Satoru , Wada Kojiro , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Mori Kentaro
Published: November 2012

This report presents a 60-year-old with a large paraclinoid carotid aneurysm associated with cervical interal carotid artery (ICA) dissection (CICAD). She had a fall while riding a bicycle and hit her head on the ground. Computed tomography scan done at another facility showed a round mass lesion near the sella. Her medical history revealed gradual decrease in left eye vision since two years. Left carotid artery digital subtraction angiography demonstrated a CICAD with an intimal flap and a large paraclinoid aneurysm (15.5 mm in size). She underwent a high-flow bypass with a so-called double-insurance bypass and proximal ligation of the cervical ICA and the postoperative course was uneventful. She was discharged without any new neurological deficits. We suggest that the possible nature of carotid artery dissection (CAD)-related hemodynamic changes should be taken into consideration in cases of intracranial aneurysm associated with CAD.
An overview of the tobacco problem in India
Authors: Mishra Gauravi A , Pimple Sharmila A , Shastri Surendra S
Published: November 2012

This is a review paper comprehensively encompassing the different aspects of tobacco control with particular reference to the Indian scenario. The information on prevalent tobacco habits in India, health hazards and environmental hazards due to tobacco use, passive smoking and its impact, economics of tobacco, legislation to control tobacco in India, the tobacco cessation services and the way ahead for effective tobacco control are discussed. Tobacco is a leading preventable cause of death, killing nearly six million people worldwide each year. Reversing this entirely preventable manmade epidemic should be our top priority. This global tobacco epidemic kills more people than tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and malaria combined. This epidemic can be resolved by becoming aware of the devastating effects of tobacco, learning about the proven effective tobacco control measures, national programmes and legislation prevailing in the home country and then engaging completely to halt the epidemic to move toward a tobacco-free world. India is the second largest consumer of tobacco globally, and accounts for approximately one-sixth of the world′s tobacco-related deaths. The tobacco problem in India is peculiar, with consumption of variety of smokeless and smoking forms. Understanding the tobacco problem in India, focusing more efforts on what works and investigating the impact of sociocultural diversity and cost-effectiveness of various modalities of tobacco control should be our priority.
Pediatric glioblastoma multiforme: A single-institution experience
Authors: Ansari Mansour , Nasrolahi Hamid , Kani Amir-Abbas , Mohammadianpanah Mohammad , Ahmadloo Niloofar , Omidvari Shapour , Mosalaei Ahmad
Published: November 2012

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common astrocytoma in adults and has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of about 12 months. But, it is rare in children. We report our experience on the pediatric population (20 years or younger) with GBM. Patients and Methods: Twenty-three patients with GBM who were treated at our hospital during 1990-2008 were evaluated. Results: The mean age was 15.2 years, and the majority of them (14/23) were male. All had received radiotherapy and some had also received chemotherapy. The mean survival was 16.0 months. Two cases survived more than 5 years. Age, radiation dose and performance status were significantly related to survival. Conclusion: GBM in pediatric patients were not very common in our center, and prognosis was unfavorable.
Comparative study of effectiveness of Pap smear versus visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol′s iodine for mass screening of premalignant and malignant lesion of cervix
Authors: Consul Shuchi , Agrawal Avinash , Sharma Hema , Bansal Anita , Gutch Manish , Jain Nirdesh
Published: November 2012

Background and Objective: Cancer of the cervix is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Therefore, to curb the disease, there is a need to develop a screening test that has good sensitivity and specificity. The present study is aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and visual inspection with Lugol′s iodine (VILI) for mass screening of premalignant and malignant lesions of the cervix; to evaluate the usefulness of VIA and VILI as an adjunct to improve sensitivity of cervical cytology; and to evaluate the role of VILI as a parallel screening method with VIA to enhance its test performance. Design and Setting: This was a prospective, analytical study in which 210 patients of the reproductive age group attending the gynecology OPD were enrolled. Patients and Methods: Patients were first subjected to Pap smear followed by VIA, VILI, colposcopy and biopsy for confirmation of lesion, if needed. Data was obtained and statistically analyzed. Results: Of the 210 patients, 34 (16.27%) had positive Pap test, 29 (13.87%) had positive VIA and 24 (11.43%) had positive VILI and 31 (14.75%) showed features of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) on colposcopy. Of the total of 48 patients in whom either of the screening tests was positive and had undergone cervical biopsy, one had CIN-3, three had CIN-2, 12 had CIN-1, three had carcinoma in situ CIS and 29 reported normal. In our study, 40 patients were picked up as positive by combination of these tests, of which 19 (47.50%) had CIN on biopsy. Conclusion: Our study showed that VIA and VILI had sensitivity comparable to Pap smear and can thus be a suitable potential alternative/adjunctive screening test not only in a resource-poor setting but in well-equipped centers also. And, use of a combination of tests (Pap+VIA+VILI) had 100% sensitivity but at cost of low specificity and more false-positive results.
Uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential: A rare cause of multiple pulmonary nodules
Authors: Kotsopoulos Ioannis C , Barbetakis Nikolaos , Asteriou Christos G , Voutsas Markos
Published: November 2012

Smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) are mesenchymal uterine tumors lying between benign leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas. Although lung metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma are common, ′′STUMP′′ usually does not metastasize. A case of a 51-year-old woman with progressive dyspnea on exertion and multiple space-occupying lesions in both lungs is presented. She had a history of a total abdominal hysterectomy 3 years ago. Lung biopsy through video-assisted thoracic surgery was consistent with metastatic malignant smooth muscle cell tumor. She received multiple cycles of chemotherapy and died 11 months later. Cell necrosis, atypia and mitotic count are important criteria determining the malignant potential of a uterine smooth muscle tumor. The diagnosis and clinical course of STUMP are not totally and clearly known, and metastasis, especially pulmonary with pleural effusion, is not a common phenomenon. When this occurs, prognosis seems to be poor. Surveillance of these patients should be close and long term.
Unusual coexistence of a renal anomaly and germ cell tumor: An embryonal happenstance?
Authors: Nachankar Ankita , Krishnatry Rahul , Munshi Anusheel , Prabhash Kumar , Pradip Poladia Bhavesh , Pramesh C S , Agarwal Jai Prakash
Published: November 2012

The germ cell lines and kidney develop in close proximity in a similar embronic period. The extragonadal germ cell tumors and horseshoe kidney both are the result of abnormal migration of two germ line cells. Apart from origin, the combined incidence of mediastinal germ cell tumor with renal anomaly is a therapeutic challenge. This case review is an effort to address the various issues ranging from delima in origin to management and follow-up.
Successful treatment of vincristine induced ptosis and polyneuropathy with pyridoxine and pyridostigmine in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Bhat Kamalakshi G , Singhal Vikram , Borker Anupama S
Published: November 2012

Vincristine is used in the treatment of solid tumors, lymphoma and leukemia in children. The dose-limiting toxicity is its neurotoxicity. We describe a 2-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed vincristine-induced polyneuropathy with bilateral ptosis and recovered on treatment with pyridoxine and pyridostigmine.
What's in a Note: Construction of a Suicide Note Corpus
Authors: Pestian John P. , Matykiewicz Pawel , Linn-Gust Michelle
Published: November 2012

This paper reports on the results of an initiative to create and annotate a corpus of suicide notes that can be used for machine learning. Ultimately, the corpus included 1,278 notes that were written by someone who died by suicide. Each note was reviewed by at least three annotators who mapped words or sentences to a schema of emotions. This corpus has already been used for extensive scientific research.
Antidumping as Strategic Trade Policy under Asymmetric Information
Authors: Matschke Xenia , Schöttner Anja
Published: November 2012

Trade liberalization under GATT/World Trade Organization (WTO) has been partly offset by an increase in antidumping protection, possibly due to the inclusion of sales below cost in the definition of dumping. This article investigates the domestic government's antidumping duty choice in an asymmetric information framework, in which the foreign firm's cost is observed by the domestic firm, but not by the government. We show that by designing a tariff schedule contingent on firms' cost reports and accompanied by a threat to collect additional information for report verification, the domestic government may not only be able to extract the true cost information, but also succeed in implementing the full‐information, governmental welfare‐maximizing duty. The antidumping framework within GATT/WTO may thus not only offer the means to pursue strategic trade policy disguised as fair trade policy, but it also helps overcome informational problems with regard to correctly determining the optimal strategic trade policy.
European summer surface ozone 1990–2100
Authors: Langner J. , Engardt M. , Andersson C.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The impact of climate change and changes in ozone precursor emission on summer surface ozone in Europe was studied using a regional CTM over the period 1990 to 2100. Two different climate simulations under the SRES A1B scenario together with ozone precursor emission changes from the RCP4.5 scenario were used as model input. In southern Europe regional climate change leads to increasing surface ozone concentrations during April–September, but projected emission reductions in Europe have a stronger effect, resulting in net reductions of surface ozone concentrations. In northern Europe regional climate change decreases surface O3 and reduced European emissions acts to further strengthen this trend also when including increasing hemispheric background concentrations. The European O3 precursor emission reductions in RCP4.5 are substantial and it remains to be seen if these reductions can be achieved. There is substantial decadal variability in the simulations forced by climate variability which is important to consider when looking at changes in surface O3 concentrations, especially until the first half of the 21st century. In order to account for changes in background O3 future regional model studies should couple global (hemispheric) and regional CTMs forced by a consistent set of meteorological and precursor emission data.
Analysis of exceedances in the daily PM10 mass concentration (50 μg m−3) at a roadside station in Leipzig, Germany
Authors: Engler C. , Birmili W. , Spindler G. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Five years of PM10 and PM2.5 ambient air measurements at a roadside, an urban, and a regional background site in Leipzig (Germany) were analyzed for violations of the legal PM10 limit value (EC, 1999). The annual mean PM10 concentrations at the three sites were well below the legal threshold of 40 μg m−3 (32.6, 22.0 and 21.7 μg m−3, respectively). At roadside, the daily maximum value of 50 μg m−3 was exceeded on 232 days (13% of all days) in 2005–2009, which led to a violation of the EC directive in three out of five years. We analysed the meteorological factors and local source contributions that eventually led to the exceedances of the daily limit value. As noted in other urban environments before, most exceedance days were observed in the cold season. Exceedance days were most probable under synoptic situations characterised by stagnant winds, low temperatures and strong temperature inversions in winter time. However, these extreme situations accounted for only less than half of the exeedance days. We also noticed a significant number of exceedance days that occurred in the cold season under south-westerly winds, and in the warm season in the presence of easterly winds. Our analysis suggests that local as well as regional sources of PM are equally responsible for exceedances days at the roadside site. The conclusion is that a combined effort of local, national and international reduction measures appears most likely to avoid systematic exceedances of the daily limit value in the future.
Horizontal and vertical structure of the Eyjafjallajökull ash cloud over the UK: a comparison of airborne lidar observations and simulations
Authors: Grant A. L. M. , Dacre H. F. , Thomson D. J. , Marenco F.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. During April and May 2010 the ash cloud from the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull caused widespread disruption to aviation over northern Europe. The location and impact of the eruption led to a wealth of observations of the ash cloud were being obtained which can be used to assess modelling of the long range transport of ash in the troposphere. The UK FAAM (Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements) BAe-146-301 research aircraft overflew the ash cloud on a number of days during May. The aircraft carries a downward looking lidar which detected the ash layer through the backscatter of the laser light. In this study ash concentrations derived from the lidar are compared with simulations of the ash cloud made with NAME (Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment), a general purpose atmospheric transport and dispersion model. The simulated ash clouds are compared to the lidar data to determine how well NAME simulates the horizontal and vertical structure of the ash clouds. Comparison between the ash concentrations derived from the lidar and those from NAME is used to define the fraction of ash emitted in the eruption that is transported over long distances compared to the total emission of tephra. In making these comparisons possible position errors in the simulated ash clouds are identified and accounted for. The ash layers seen by the lidar considered in this study were thin, with typical depths of 550–750 m. The vertical structure of the ash cloud simulated by NAME was generally consistent with the observed ash layers, although the layers in the simulated ash clouds that are identified with observed ash layers are about twice the depth of the observed layers. The structure of the simulated ash clouds were sensitive to the profile of ash emissions that was assumed. In terms of horizontal and vertical structure the best results were obtained by assuming that the emission occurred at the top of the eruption plume, consistent with the observed structure of eruption plumes. However, early in the period when the intensity of the eruption was low, assuming that the emission of ash was uniform with height gives better guidance on the horizontal and vertical structure of the ash cloud. Comparison of the lidar concentrations with those from NAME show that 2–5% of the total mass erupted by the volcano remained in the ash cloud over the United Kingdom.