bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms and Significance of Eryptosis, the Suicidal Death of Erythrocytes
Authors: Lang Florian , Qadri Syed M.
Published: January 2012

Eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes, is characterized by erythrocyte shrinkage, blebbing, and phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane. Eryptosis is triggered by increased cytosolic Ca2+ activity, which may result from Ca2+ entry through PGE2-activated Ca2+-permeable cation channels. The Ca2+ sensitivity of the scrambling machinery is enhanced by ceramide, which is formed by an acid sphingomyelinase, an enzyme stimulated by platelet-activating factor. Eryptosis is enhanced in a variety of clinical conditions such as sickle-cell anemia, β-thalassemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, hereditary spherocytosis, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelodysplastic syndrome, phosphate depletion, iron deficiency, sepsis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, renal insufficiency, diabetes, malaria, mycoplasma infection, and Wilson’s disease. Eryptosis is enhanced in mouse models of sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, as well as in mice lacking functional annexin 7, cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I, AMP-activated protein kinase, Janus kinase 3, anion exchanger 1, adenomatous polyposis coli, or Klotho. Eryptosis is triggered by osmotic shock, oxidative stress, energy depletion, hyperthermia, and a myriad of small molecules. Eryptosis is inhibited by a variety of substances including nitric oxide and catecholamines. Erythropoietin counteracts eryptosis in part by inhibiting the Ca2+-permeable cation channels. Excessive erythropoietin concentrations lead, however, to formation of erythrocytes, which are particularly sensitive to eryptotic stimuli. Accelerated eryptosis may be compensated by enhanced erythropoiesis, which is apparent from reticulocytosis. If the compensation is not sufficient, clinically relevant anemia develops. Beyond that, adhesion of eryptotic erythrocytes to the vascular wall may lead to impairment of microcirculation.
Socially Modulated Cell Proliferation Is Independent of Gonadal Steroid Hormones in the Brain of the Adult Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Authors: Almli Lynn M. , Wilczynski Walter
Published: January 2012

Gonadal steroid hormones have been shown to influence adult neurogenesis in addition to their well-defined role in regulating social behavior. Adult neurogenesis consists of several processes including cell proliferation, which can be studied via 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling. In a previous study we found that social stimulation altered both cell proliferation and levels of circulating gonadal steroids, leaving the issue of cause/effect unclear. In this study, we sought to determine whether socially modulated BrdU-labeling depends on gonadal hormone changes. We investigated this using a gonadectomy-implant paradigm and by exposing male and female green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea) to their conspecific chorus or control stimuli (i.e. random tones). Our results indicate that socially modulated cell proliferation occurred independently of gonadal hormone levels; furthermore, neither androgens in males nor estrogen in females increased cell proliferation in the preoptic area (POA) and infundibular hypothalamus, brain regions involved in endocrine regulation and acoustic communication. In fact, elevated estrogen levels decreased cell proliferation in those brain regions in the implanted female. In male frogs, evoked calling behavior was positively correlated with BrdU-labeling in the POA; however, statistical analysis showed that this behavior did not mediate socially induced cell proliferation. These results show that the social modulation of cell proliferation can occur without gonadal hormone involvement in either male or female adult anuran amphibians, and confirms that it is independent of a behavioral response in males.
Inflammatory Factors in Major and Macular Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Noma Hidetaka , Funatsu Hideharu , Mimura Tatsuya , Eguchi Shuichiro , Shimada Katsunori
Published: January 2012

Concentrations of inflammatory factors were measured in 40 patients with macular edema due to major branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or macular BRVO who were treated by pars plana vitrectomy. Vitreous fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) were determined. Visual acuity and central macular thickness were significantly improved at 6 months in both groups. Vitreous fluid levels of VEGF and sICAM-1 were higher in the major BRVO group than the macular BRVO group, while the PEDF level was lower in the major group than the macular group. The mean visual acuity and central macular thickness at 6 months were not significantly different between the macular and major groups. In conclusion, patients with major BRVO had higher vitreous levels of inflammatory factors and lower vitreous levels of anti-inflammatory PEDF. Accordingly, regulating inflammatory factors might be more important in major BRVO than macular BRVO.
Acute Management of Refractory Variceal Bleeding in Liver Cirrhosis by Self-Expanding Metal Stents
Authors: Dechêne A. , El Fouly A.H. , Bechmann L.P. , Jochum C. , Saner F.H. , Gerken G. , Canbay A.
Published: January 2012

Background and Aims: Current treatment strategies of variceal bleeding (VB) include banding and sclerotherapy. However, up to 10% of bleeding events remain refractory to standard therapy with high mortality. With this study, we aimed to evaluate the implantation of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for the management of therapy-refractory variceal bleeding. Patients and Methods: Eight cirrhotic patients who presented to our unit with a total of 9 refractory bleeding events were treated by SEMS placement. Results: Stenting resulted in immediate hemostasis in all cases without recurrent bleeding with SEMS in situ. After stabilization, 1 patient was treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and after the second bleeding episode by TIPS dilation. One patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The remaining patients were treated with standard drug regimens to reduce portal pressure. The SEMS were removed after a median of 11 days. No acute hemorrhage was noted on stent retrieval. While no early rebleeding occurred in the patients after TIPS implant, TIPS dilation or OLT, 3 out of 5 patients on conservative treatment experienced recurrence of VB within 9 days after SEMS removal. Conclusions: SEMS placement sufficiently stops hemorrhage in refractory VB. Due to the high rebleeding rate after conservative treatment alone following SEMS removal, this procedure may be utilized as a mere bridging method. Additional interventional and/or surgical methods to effectively reduce portal pressure (i.e. TIPS, OLT) should be considered. Further studies to evaluate the optimum treatment algorithm of refractory esophageal VB are warranted.
Targeting Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cheng Ann-Lii , Shen Ying-Chun , Zhu Andrew X.
Published: January 2012

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary type of liver cancer, and both the age-adjusted incidence and mortality of HCC have steadily increased in recent years. Advanced HCC is associated with a very poor survival rate. Despite accumulating data regarding the risk factors for HCC, the mechanisms that contribute to HCC tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. Signaling through the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is involved in fibrosis and its progression to cirrhosis of the liver, which is a risk factor for the development of HCC. Furthermore, several alterations in FGF/FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling correlate with the outcomes of HCC patients, suggesting that signaling through this family of proteins contributes to the development or progression of HCC tumors. Currently, there are no established systemic treatments for patients with advanced HCC in whom sorafenib treatment has failed or who were unable to tolerate it. Recently, several multikinase inhibitors that target FGFRs have demonstrated some early evidence of antitumor activity in phase I/II trials. Therefore, this review discusses the molecular implications of FGFR-mediated signaling in HCC and summarizes the clinical evidence for novel FGFR-targeted therapies for HCC currently being studied in clinical trials.
Multimarker Gene Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells in Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study
Authors: de Albuquerque Andreia , Kubisch Ilja , Breier Georg , Stamminger Gudrun , Fersis Nikos , Eichler Astrid , Kaul Sepp , Stölzel Ulrich
Published: January 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an immunomagnetic/real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and assess its clinical value for the molecular detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood of pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: The presence of CTCs was evaluated in 34 pancreatic cancer patients before systemic therapy and in 40 healthy controls, through immunomagnetic enrichment, using the antibodies BM7 and VU1D9 [targeting mucin 1 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), respectively], followed by real-time RT-PCR analysis of the genes KRT19, MUC1, EPCAM, CEACAM5 and BIRC5. Results: The developed assay showed high specificity, as none of the healthy controls were found to be positive for the multimarker gene panel. CTCs were detected in 47.1% of the pancreatic cancer patients before the beginning of systemic treatment. Shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) was observed for patients who had at least one detectable tumor-associated transcript, compared with patients who were CTC negative. Median PFS time was 66.0 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 44.8–87.2] for patients with baseline CTC positivity and 138.0 days (95% CI 124.1–151.9) for CTC-negative patients (p = 0.01, log-rank test). Conclusion: Our results suggest that in addition to the current prognostic methods, CTC analysis represents a potential complementary tool for prediction of outcome in pancreatic cancer patients.
Conduction Abnormalities in Pediatric Patients With Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Walsh Mark A. , Grenier Michelle A. , Jefferies John L. , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Lorts Angela , Czosek Richard J.
Published: January 2012

Background—

Pediatric restrictive cardiomyopathy carries a poor prognosis secondary to a high risk of sudden death previously attributed to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The extent of conduction abnormalities in this population and their relationship to life-threatening events has not been previously reported.

Methods and Results—

A retrospective study of pediatric patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy diagnosed between April 1994 and May 2011 was performed. Demographic, cardiac, and ECG characteristics and the mechanisms of serious arrhythmic events (death or episode of acute hemodynamic compromise thought to be secondary to arrhythmia) were evaluated. Sixteen patients (1–17 years of age) were reviewed, with 5 sudden cardiac events noted, including 4 deaths. Two deaths were caused by development of acute heart block; another patient with syncope had intermittent heart block and survived as the result of pacing features of an implanted defibrillator system. The median PR interval (222 versus 144 ms;
P
<0.01) and the QRS duration (111 versus 74;
P
=0.01) were significantly longer in those who had an acute cardiac event. Older age at presentation was associated with sudden cardiac events (
P
<0.01). No other functional or echocardiographic variables were associated with a sudden cardiac event.

Conclusions—

Pediatric patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy are at risk for acute high-grade heart block, and, in this cohort, bradycardic events represented a significant portion of all arrhythmic events. Aggressive ECG monitoring strategies looking for conduction system disease should be ongoing in all patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy. Implantation of a defibrillator/pacemaker should be considered as prophylactic management.
A Novel Mating Approach for Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Galán Severino F. , Mengshoel Ole J. , Pinter Rafael
Published: January 2012

Genetic algorithms typically use crossover, which relies on mating a set of selected parents. As part of crossover, random mating is often carried out. A novel approach to parent mating is presented in this work. Our novel approach can be applied in combination with a traditional similarity-based criterion to measure distance between individuals or with a fitness-based criterion. We introduce a parameter called the mating index that allows different mating strategies to be developed within a uniform framework: an exploitative strategy called best-first, an explorative strategy called best-last, and an adaptive strategy called self-adaptive. Self-adaptive mating is defined in the context of the novel algorithm, and aims to achieve a balance between exploitation and exploration in a domain-independent manner. The present work formally defines the novel mating approach, analyzes its behavior, and conducts an extensive experimental study to quantitatively determine its benefits. In the domain of real function optimization, the experiments show that, as the degree of multimodality of the function at hand grows, increasing the mating index improves performance. In the case of the self-adaptive mating strategy, the experiments give strong results for several case studies.
Playing a First-person Shooter Video Game Induces Neuroplastic Change
Authors: Wu Sijing , Cheng Cho Kin , Feng Jing , D'Angelo Lisa , Alain Claude , Spence Ian
Published: January 2012

Playing a first-person shooter (FPS) video game alters the neural processes that support spatial selective attention. Our experiment establishes a causal relationship between playing an FPS game and neuroplastic change. Twenty-five participants completed an attentional visual field task while we measured ERPs before and after playing an FPS video game for a cumulative total of 10 hr. Early visual ERPs sensitive to bottom–up attentional processes were little affected by video game playing for only 10 hr. However, participants who played the FPS video game and also showed the greatest improvement on the attentional visual field task displayed increased amplitudes in the later visual ERPs. These potentials are thought to index top–down enhancement of spatial selective attention via increased inhibition of distractors. Individual variations in learning were observed, and these differences show that not all video game players benefit equally, either behaviorally or in terms of neural change.
Why the Assessment of Causality in Brain–Behavior Relations Requires Brain Stimulation
Authors: Silvanto Juha , Pascual-Leone Alvaro
Published: January 2012

A central aim in cognitive neuroscience is to explain how neural activity gives rise to perception and behavior; the causal link of paramount interest is thus from brain to behavior. Functional neuroimaging studies, however, tend to provide information in the opposite direction by informing us how manipulation of behavior may affect neural activity. Although this may provide valuable insights into neuronal properties, one cannot use such evidence to make inferences about the behavioral significance of the observed activations; if A causes B, it does not necessarily follow that B causes A. In contrast, brain stimulation techniques enable us to directly modulate brain activity as the source of behavior and thus establish causal links.
Representations of Facial Identity in the Left Hemisphere Require Right Hemisphere Processing
Authors: Verosky Sara C. , Turk-Browne Nicholas B.
Published: January 2012

A quintessential example of hemispheric specialization in the human brain is that the right hemisphere is specialized for face perception. However, because the visual system is organized contralaterally, what happens when faces appear in the right visual field and are projected to the nonspecialized left hemisphere? We used divided field presentation and fMRI adaptation to test the hypothesis that the left hemisphere can recognize faces, but only with support from the right hemisphere. Consistent with this hypothesis, facial identity adaptation was observed in the left fusiform face area when a face had previously been processed by the right hemisphere, but not when it had only been processed by the left hemisphere. These results imply that facial identity information is transferred from the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere, and that the left hemisphere can represent facial identity but is less efficient at extracting this information by itself.
Quantitative Analysis of Factors Contributing to Urban Heat Island Intensity
Authors: Ryu Young-Hee , Baik Jong-Jin
Published: January 2012

This study identifies causative factors of the urban heat island (UHI) and quantifies their relative contributions to the daytime and nighttime UHI intensities using a mesoscale atmospheric model that includes a single-layer urban canopy model. A midlatitude city and summertime conditions are considered. Three main causative factors are identified: anthropogenic heat, impervious surfaces, and three-dimensional (3D) urban geometry. Furthermore, the 3D urban geometry factor is subdivided into three subfactors: additional heat stored in vertical walls, radiation trapping, and wind speed reduction. To separate the contributions of the factors and interactions between the factors, a factor separation analysis is performed. In the daytime, the impervious surfaces contribute most to the UHI intensity. The anthropogenic heat contributes positively to the UHI intensity, whereas the 3D urban geometry contributes negatively. In the nighttime, the anthropogenic heat itself contributes most to the UHI intensity, although it interacts strongly with other factors. The factor that contributes the second most is the impervious-surfaces factor. The 3D urban geometry contributes positively to the nighttime UHI intensity. Among the 3D urban geometry subfactors, the additional heat stored in vertical walls contributes most to both the daytime and nighttime UHI intensities. Extensive sensitivity experiments to anthropogenic heat intensity and urban surface parameters show that the relative importance and ranking order of the contributions are similar to those in the control experiment.
Examination of the Two Types of ENSO in the NCEP CFS Model and Its Extratropical Associations
Authors: Kim Seon Tae , Yu Jin-Yi , Kumar Arun , Wang Hui
Published: January 2012

Two types of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulated by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System (CFS) model are examined. The model is found to produce both the eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) types of ENSO with spatial patterns and temporal evolutions similar to the observed. The simulated ENSO intensity is comparable to the observed for the EP type, but weaker than the observed for the CP type. Further analyses reveal that the generation of the simulated CP ENSO is linked to extratropical forcing associated with the North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) and that the model is capable of simulating the coupled air–sea processes in the subtropical Pacific that slowly spreads the NPO-induced SST variability into the tropics, as shown in the observations. The simulated NPO, however, does not extend as far into the deep tropics as it does in the observations and the coupling in the model is not sustained as long as it is in the observations. As a result, the extratropical forcing of tropical central Pacific SST variability in the CFS model is weaker than in the observations. An additional analysis with the Bjerknes stability index indicates that the weaker CP ENSO in the CFS model is also partially due to unrealistically weak zonal advective feedback in the equatorial Pacific. These model deficiencies appear to be related to an underestimation in the amount of the marine stratus clouds off the North American coasts inducing an ocean surface warm bias in the eastern Pacific. This study suggests that a realistic simulation of these marine stratus clouds can be important for the CP ENSO simulation.
The Relationship Between Severity of Calcific Aortic Stenosis and Serum Uric Acid Levels
Authors: Demir Bulent , Caglar Ilker Murat , Ugurlucan Murat , Ozde Cem , Tureli Hande Oktay , Cifci Serkan , Vural Alper , Karakaya Osman
Published: January 2012

Serum uric acid (SUA) level is a marker of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Consecutive patients (n = 64) with normal coronary angiography who demonstrated calcific aortic stenosis (AS) by transthoracic echocardiography were included in the study. The patients were categorized into 3 groups: 23 mild AS (12 males), 21 moderate AS (10 males), and 20 severe AS cases (10 males). Fasting SUA level was significantly higher in the severe AS group than in the moderate and mild AS groups (severe AS, 6.3 ± 1.6; moderate AS, 4.9 ± 1.3; mild AS; 4.6 ± 1.4 mg/dL; P < .001, respectively). There was a positive correlation between SUA level and maximum as well as mean aortic gradient ( r = .521, P < .001 and r = .526, P < .001, respectively). There was a negative correlation between SUA level and aortic valve area ( r = −.447, P < .001). Levels of SUA were increased in calcific AS cases. In addition, there was a positive correlation between severity of calcific AS and SUA levels.
Demographic, work-related, and life satisfaction predictors of northern social workers’ satisfaction with work and profession
Authors: Graham John R. , Fukuda Eriko , Shier Micheal L. , Kline Theresa J.B. , Brownlee Keith , Novik Nuelle
Published: January 2012

Social workers in northern Canada were surveyed about work and professional satisfaction. Career commitment, turnover, and organizational citizenship predicted organizational satisfaction. Total satisfaction was associated with turnover. Research and theory in social work on remote communities should extend beyond characteristics of work, profession, and environment to include personal life factors.
Risk factors for depression among the oldest-old in urban congregate housing: Contribution of grief
Authors: Moon Heehyul , Adams Kathryn Betts , Roberts Amy Restorick
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to research grief and depression in oldest-old people living in urban congregate housing by examining the various types of grief that they experience by using a stress process model for depression among the oldest old. This study used a convenience sample of the 128 participants aged 80 and older living in congregate housing. We found that the two types of grief most significantly associated with depressive symptoms were grieving about relocating, and loss of health. Our findings demonstrate the need to explore a variety of grief which influences mental health among oldest-old.
SensGrid: modeling and simulation for wireless sensor grids
Authors: Moreno Raúl , Robles-Gómez Antonio , Bermúdez Aurelio , Casado Rafael
Published: January 2012

Grid computing technologies are emerging as the latest generation of distributed computing, as they allow the aggregation of resources that are geographically distributed over different locations. Since researchers need to conduct repeatable and controlled experiments, it is easier to use simulation as a means of studying complex scenarios. In this area, the GridSim simulation toolkit is a widely accepted option. We have designed and implemented a simulator of systems that integrates sensors and a grid. In particular, an extension of GridSim has been created in order to enable the execution of simulations in a way the users can perform queries on sensor networks. In this paper, we present the features of the system to be simulated, the modeling proposed, and the high-level user interfaces of the simulator. We also describe an experiment that demonstrates how our proposal works, which may well be helpful for the research community.
Narcotelenovelas, Gender, and Globalization in Sin tetas no hay paraíso
Authors: Cabañas Miguel
Published: January 2012

Telenovelas (soap operas) focusing on drug trafficking have become very popular around the world in recent years. Study of one particular example of this subgenre, the Colombian Gustavo Bolívar Moreno’s Sin tetas no hay paraíso, reveals a complex dialogue between popular culture and the hegemonic discourse of the War on Drugs and middle-class morality. The soap opera critiques the victimization of women by drug traffickers and the latter’s hypermasculinity while manipulating these issues to seduce and entertain with a spectacle of sex, drugs, and a life of luxury. From another perspective, it provides deterritorialized subjects a shared experience as a basis for discussion of their everyday lives. It paradoxically both essentializes women’s subordination and sometimes even empowers female viewers to find and celebrate agency in its main character. The telenovelas offer a critique of patriarchal society and of the middle classes—this is why many women and the subaltern identify with it—but at the same time maintain the gendered body of (subaltern) women under the surveillance of the (global) patriarchal gaze.

Las telenovelas centradas en el narcotráfico se han vuelto muy populares en los últimos años. El análisis de un ejemplo particular, Sin tetas no hay paraíso del colombiano Gustavo Bolívar Moreno, revela un complejo diálogo entre la cultura popular, el discurso hegemónico sobre la guerra contra las drogas y la moralidad de la clase media. La telenovela critica la victimización de las mujeres por los narcotraficantes y la hipermasculinidad de estos últimos a la vez que manipula estos temas para seducir y entretener con un espectáculo de sexo, drogas y una vida de lujos. Visto de otro punto de vista, provee una experiencia común a sujetos desterritorializados y les sirve de base para discutir sus vidas diarias. Paradójicamente, esencializa la subordinación de la mujer a la vez que potencia a las videntes femeninas a descubrir y celebrar la agencia de su personaje principal. La telenovela presenta una crítica de la sociedad patriarcal y la clase media—es por esto que muchas mujeres y personas de rango subalterno se identifican con ella. Al mismo tiempo, mantiene el cuerpo sexuado y subalterno de la mujer bajo la vigilancia de la mirada (global) patriarcal.
Beauty, Beasts, and Burlas
Authors: Howell Jayne
Published: January 2012

The importance of iconography as an art of resistance in contemporary social movements was manifested in the 2006 strike by members of Oaxaca’s Local 22 of Mexico’s National Union of Education Workers. Striking teachers used iconography that incorporated irony, poignant images, and cultural icons such as La Tehuana in presenting their demands for salary increments and a change in government. Ethnographic data collected in Oaxaca since 2006 allow an exploration of the various interpretations of these images. The images were an important visual component of the action, and there is little question that they stirred emotions in viewers, dividing public opinion between those who supported the movement and those who criticized the teachers for hurting Oaxaca’s children and the state’s economy.

La importancia de la iconografía como un arte de resistencia en los movimientos sociales contemporáneos se manifestó en 2006 durante la huelga de los miembros oaxaqueños del Sección 22 del Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación de México. Los maestros en huelga utilizaron iconografía que incorporaba la ironía, imágenes conmovedoras e íconos culturales tales como La Tehuana para presentar sus demandas por incremento salarial y un cambio en el gobierno. Datos etnográficos recolectados en Oaxaca desde 2006 permiten una exploración de las variadas interpretaciones de estas imágenes, las cuáles eran un importante componente visual en la acción y, sin duda, suscitaron reacciones de índole emocional entre los espectadores, dividiendo a la opinión pública entre aquellos que apoyaban al movimiento y aquellos que criticaban a los maestros por el daño causado a los niños oaxaqueños y a la economía del estado.
Injection Augmentation of Type 1 Laryngeal Clefts
Authors: Mangat Harshdeep Singh , El‐Hakim Hamdy
Published: January 2012

Objective

To describe a series of children diagnosed with type I congenital laryngeal clefts (LC‐I) and treated, due to various presentations, with endoscopic injection augmentation (IA).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic children’s hospital in Edmonton, Canada.

Subjects

All pediatric patients diagnosed with LC‐I and treated with IA in a single tertiary care practice.

Methods

The children were identified from a prospectively collected database. Only those who were treated with IA and had a minimum follow‐up of 3 months were included. The authors collected demographics, diagnoses, surgical procedures, number of IA procedures, clinical outcomes, and complications.

Results

Over a period of 8 years, 43 patients were diagnosed with LC‐I. Eighteen had undergone IA over the past 4 years. Mean age at IA was 37.11 ± 32.68 months with a male‐to‐female ratio of 1.25:1. The indications were swallowing dysfunction (13), atypical croup (2), chronic cough (1), cyanotic spells (1), and asthma (1). Seven patients required repeated injections (mean, 2.57 injections). A total of 13 patients responded with resolution of symptoms in question. A single postoperative complication was recorded.

Conclusion

IA is a brief, simple management option that succeeds in a number of children with LC‐I. It is minimally morbid and supplements other conservative approaches to treat the condition.
Stratifying the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Otolaryngology
Authors: Shuman Andrew G. , Hu Hsou Mei , Pannucci Christopher J. , Jackson Christopher R. , Bradford Carol R. , Bahl Vinita
Published: January 2012

Objective

The consequences of perioperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) are devastating; identifying patients at risk is an essential step in reducing morbidity and mortality. The utility of perioperative VTE risk assessment in otolaryngology is unknown. This study was designed to risk‐stratify a diverse population of otolaryngology patients for VTE events.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Single‐institution academic tertiary care medical center.

Subjects and Methods

Adult patients presenting for otolaryngologic surgery requiring hospital admission from 2003 to 2010 who did not receive VTE chemoprophylaxis were included. The Caprini risk assessment was retrospectively scored via a validated method of electronic chart abstraction. Primary study variables were Caprini risk scores and the incidence of perioperative venous thromboembolic outcomes.

Results

A total of 2016 patients were identified. The overall 30‐day rate of VTE was 1.3%. The incidence of VTE in patients with a Caprini risk score of 6 or less was 0.5%. For patients with scores of 7 or 8, the incidence was 2.4%. Patients with a Caprini risk score greater than 8 had an 18.3% incidence of VTE and were significantly more likely to develop a VTE when compared to patients with a Caprini risk score less than 8 (P <. 001). The mean risk score for patients with VTE (7.4) was significantly higher than the risk score for patients without VTE (4.8) (P <. 001).

Conclusion

The Caprini risk assessment model effectively risk‐stratifies otolaryngology patients for 30‐day VTE events and allows otolaryngologists to identify patient subgroups who have a higher risk of VTE in the absence of chemoprophylaxis.
Systematic Review of Management Strategies for Middle Ear Myoclonus
Authors: Bhimrao Sanjiv Kumar , Masterson Liam , Baguley David
Published: January 2012

Objective

Middle ear myoclonus is a rare condition with distinct characteristics at presentation. Diagnosis is based primarily on history, clinical examination, and long‐time‐based tympanometry. No consensus exists regarding treatment at present. This review was designed to identify relevant studies on current investigation and management.

Data Source

A systematic electronic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Trials register, and Web of Science was conducted for articles describing middle ear myoclonus through to May 2011. English‐ and non‐English‐language articles that focused on investigation and treatment were considered for review.

Review Method

Two authors independently reviewed the articles for study design, treatment, intervention, and outcome. Data from human and experimental studies were considered.

Results

A total of 21 articles were identified for this review. Most studies were found to be case reports or small case series. In general, there was no evidence of a conclusive diagnostic test or treatment for middle ear myoclonus.

Conclusion

There is a need for high‐quality prospective controlled trials to determine the most effective management of middle ear myoclonus. The authors describe a treatment algorithm based on the data available and clinical knowledge.
Liquidity constraints in the first year of trading and firm performance
Authors: Saridakis George , Mole Kevin , Hay Graham
Published: January 2012

This article uses a survey of new businesses for three regions of England – Buckinghamshire, Shropshire and Tees Valley – and focuses on the effect of liquidity constraints experienced within the first year of trading on firm growth (measured using employment) and ‘partial survival’ (the probability of remaining in activity). We control for a range of firm characteristics, management traits and strategy variables. The empirical framework adopted allows for sample censoring arising from firm exit. Fewer firms in the less wealthy area reported liquidity constraints. Our results suggest that the experience of the first year is critical to the survival and subsequent resilience of the firm but has no effect on growth.
Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Studies on Canine Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis (NME), Necrotizing Leukoencephalitis (NLE), and Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis (GME)
Authors: Park E. S. , Uchida K. , Nakayama H.
Published: January 2012

In dogs, there are several idiopathic meningoencephalitides, such as necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), necrotizing leukoencephalitis (NLE), and granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis (GME). Although they are often assumed to be immune mediated, the etiology of these diseases remains elusive. In this study, the histopathology of the lesions caused by these conditions and the inflammatory cell populations produced in response to them were examined among dogs affected with GME, NME, or NLE to understand their pathogeneses. The brain tissues of dogs with NME (n = 25), NLE (n = 5), or GME (n = 9) were used. The inflammatory cells were identified by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CD3, IgG, CD20, CD79acy, and CD163. In NME and NLE, malacic changes were located in the cerebral cortex, as well as the cerebral white matter and thalamus, respectively. The distribution of the brain lesions in NME and NLE was breed specific. In GME, granulomatous lesions that were mostly composed of epithelioid macrophages were observed in the cerebral white matter, cerebellum, and brainstem. Although the proportions of IgG-, CD20-, and CD79acy-positive cells (B cells) were not significantly different among the GME, NME, and NLE lesions, that of CD3-positive cells (T cells) was increased in GME. In NME and NLE, CD163-positive cells (macrophages) had diffusely infiltrated the cerebral cortex and white matter, respectively. However, in GME, CD163-positive cells accumulated around the blood vessels in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter. The distributions of these lesions were quite different among GME, NME, and NLE, whereas there were no marked differences in the proportions of inflammatory cells.
Comparison of CD34, CD31, and Factor VIII–Related Antigen Immunohistochemical Expression in Feline Vascular Neoplasms and CD34 Expression in Feline Nonvascular Neoplasms
Authors: Jennings R. N. , Miller M. A. , Ramos-Vara J. A.
Published: January 2012

The diagnosis of vascular neoplasms is often facilitated by the use of immunohistochemical markers such as factor VIII–related antigen, CD31, and CD34. However, the relative sensitivity and specificity of these markers have not been compared in cat vascular neoplasms. In this study, these 3 immunohistochemical markers were evaluated in 61 endothelial neoplasms (50 hemangiosarcomas and 11 hemangiomas) in 59 cats. All neoplasms were labeled by all 3 markers. CD34 had the highest average immunolabeling intensity in neoplastic endothelial cells. CD31 had the lowest average background labeling, followed by CD34 and factor VIII–related antigen, respectively. CD34 expression was also examined in 130 nonvascular neoplasms of cats; 14 of 62 epithelial neoplasms, 39 of 43 mesenchymal neoplasms, 8 of 23 leukocytic neoplasms, and 2 of 2 melanomas were positive. Given the broad expression of CD34 in mesenchymal neoplasms, this marker has limited diagnostic relevance for vascular neoplasms of cats.
The Pathology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Sakamoto K.
Published: January 2012

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an old enemy of the human race, with evidence of infection observed as early as 5000 years ago. Although more host-restricted than Mycobacterium bovis, which can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, M. tuberculosis can infect, and cause morbidity and mortality in, several veterinary species as well. As M. tuberculosis is one of the earliest described bacterial pathogens, the literature describing this organism is vast and overwhelming. This review strives to distill what is currently known about this bacterium and the disease it causes for the veterinary pathologist.
Outbreak of Abdominal Distension and Obstipation in a C57BL/6J Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Study
Authors: Koya V. , Campbell A. M. , McLaughlin P. J. , Tewari D. , Wilson R. P. , Cooper T. K.
Published: January 2012

Seventy-four 9-week old female C57BL/6J mice housed in a conventional facility were manipulated to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, among which 26 developed clinical signs including lethargy, absence of defecation, and abdominal distension. By gross necropsy examination, there was distension of the cecum and colon with fecal impaction. By histologic examination, there was severe ulcerative and proliferative typhlocolitis. Fecal ELISA confirmed the presence of toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile. Alteration in immune status of the immunocompetent mice, due to stress caused by experimental manipulation or autoimmune disease, may have led to intestinal dysbiosis, followed by opportunistic infections resulting in C. difficile–associated disease. This report brings to light the occurrence of the disease in immunocompetent laboratory mice during experimental manipulations associated with alteration in immune status, and it discusses potential hazards associated with conventional housing within a hospital-associated research institute.
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis: A New Look at the Underlying Stem Cell Niche, Theories of Development, and Occurrence in Animals
Authors: Johns J. L. , Christopher M. M.
Published: January 2012

Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is the formation and development of blood cells outside the medullary spaces of the bone marrow. Although widely considered an epiphenomenon, secondary to underlying primary disease and lacking serious clinical or diagnostic implications, the presence of EMH is far from incidental on a molecular basis; rather, it reflects a well-choreographed suite of changes involving stem cells and their microenvironment (the stem cell niche). The goals of this review are to reconsider the molecular basis of EMH based on current knowledge of stem cell niches and to examine its role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of EMH in animals. The ability of blood cells to home, proliferate, and mature in extramedullary tissues of adult animals reflects embryonic patterns of hematopoiesis and establishment or reactivation of a stem cell niche. This involves pathophysiologic alterations in hematopoietic stem cells, extracellular matrix, stromal cells, and local and systemic chemokines. Four major theories involving changes in stem cells and/or their microenvironment can explain the development of most occurrences of EMH: (1) severe bone marrow failure; (2) myelostimulation; (3) tissue inflammation, injury, and repair; and (4) abnormal chemokine production. EMH has also been reported within many types of neoplasms. Understanding the concepts and factors involved in stem cell niches enhances our understanding of the occurrence of EMH in animals and its relationship to underlying disease. In turn, a better understanding of the prevalence and distribution of EMH in animals and its molecular basis could further inform our understanding of the hematopoietic stem cell niche.
Female Shame, Male Honor
Authors: Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier
Published: January 2012

In the light of some key concepts from the chastity codes described by anthropological research for honor societies in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, this article examines the chastity code for women that the Spanish Renaissance humanist Juan Luis Vives (1492/3–1540) advocated in his work De institutione feminae Christianae (1524/1538). Aspects, such as gender order, restrictions on women’s physical freedom of movement, regulations and instructions regarding women’s clothing, and various rules for women’s outward conduct, are studied. It can be established that Vives advocated a very traditional, patriarchal view of women, exhorting very strict gender segregation and female seclusion. He prescribed very tight restrictions on women’s freedom, with a view to controlling female sexuality, an aspect of Vives that previous research has not paid full attention to.
Two-phase anaerobic digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste: estimation of methane production
Authors: Fongsatitkul Prayoon , Elefsiniotis Panagiotis , Wareham David G
Published: January 2012

Energy generation from methane (CH4) is one of the primary targets of the anaerobic digestion process. Consequently, the focus of this study was to investigate the effect on CH4 production of total solids (TS) loading (measured as % TS) and hydraulic residence time (HRT) during the treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). Laboratory-scale, two-phase anaerobic digestion systems were employed with each system consisting of an acidogenic reactor and a methanogenic reactor linked in series. The group A runs in the experiment explored the effect on digester performance of four variations in methanogenic HRT (15, 20, 25 and 30 days) at three different feed TS concentrations (8, 12 and 15%). The group B runs compared the actual methane yield (0.14 to 0.45 L g [Formula: see text]) to that predicted by the Chen–Hashimoto model. Results from the group A runs indicated that acidogenesis improved with an increase in % TS and a decrease in HRT; while, methanogenesis behaved inversely, achieving higher yields at the lower % TS and longer HRT values. In comparison with the group B runs, the Chen–Hashimoto model under-predicted (by an average of 16.5 ± 6.6%) the CH4 yield obtained from the digestion of OFMSW.
Full-scale experimental study on fire suppression performance of a designed water mist system for rescue station of long railway tunnel
Authors: Meng Na , Hu Longhua , Liu Shuai , Wu Long , Chen Longfei , Liu Binghai
Published: January 2012

Rescue stations have been newly designed in some super-long mountain railway tunnels of China such as over 30 km long, as a new type of strategic counteract design for fire accident in tunnels. Water mist fire suppression systems are needed to be installed in such rescue stations to control the train fire. However, there is no design engineering experience for it. In this article, a full-scale experimental facility was built to study the fire suppression performance of water mist system in such railway tunnel rescue station. A series of full-scale tests was preliminarily conducted considering the fire position was on top of, inside, and under the train carriage with gasoline pool fire and wood crib fire used as fire sources. A design of water mist suppression system for such a fire scenario was presented, and its performance was tested. Experimental data on temperature, CO concentration, and radiation flux were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the water mist system could control fires, cool the air temperature in the rescue station, and strongly reduce the radiant heat flux in the vicinity of the fire source under various ventilation conditions. However, the visibility of the rescue station was much deteriorated after the injection of water mist, so that emergency lights and evacuation lights are necessary for personnel evacuation. The changes of fire extinguishing time with longitudinal ventilation velocities showed that longitudinal ventilation could provide both favorable and unfavorable conditions for water mist fire extinguishment. So, to achieve efficient fire suppression performance of water mist system, attention might be paid to the controls of tunnel ventilation system in the event of a fire in a railway tunnel rescue station. The design of the water mist system and the full-scale experimental data on the fire suppression performance presented in this article may serve as a reference for such engineering applications.
Does elevating silver content in zinc-based glass polyalkenoate cements increase their antibacterial efficacy against two common bacteria using the agar gel diffusion method?
Authors: Coughlan A , Breed SM , Ashraf C , Cardinale JA , Hall MM , Towler MR
Published: January 2012

The authors have previously shown that it is possible to incorporate silver into a soda-zinc-silicate glass and subsequently form a glass polyalkenoate cement from it. The objective of the research described herein is to determine if incremental increases in the silver content of these glass polyalkenoate cements will increase their antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the accepted spread plate method. Four glass polyalkenoate cements were formulated; three contained increasing amounts of silver incorporated into them (cements A, B, and C, containing 0.33 mol%, 0.66 mol%, and 0.99 mol% silver, respectively) and a fourth contained no silver, which acted as a control (control cement). The handling properties of the glass polyalkenoate cements were evaluated, where working times were around 2 min and setting times ranged from 1 h 17 min to 2 h 41 min. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was employed to determine silver ion release with cement maturation for up to 14 days. The majority of silver ions were released within the first 24 h, with up to 2 mg/L cumulative ion release recorded up to 14 days. The antibacterial properties of the coatings were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The silver-glass polyalkenoate cements exhibited antibacterial effect against both bacterial strains. The maximum inhibition zones recorded against S. aureus was 14.8 mm (SD ± 1.11) and against P. aeruginosa was 20.6 mm (SD ± 0.81). Cement B had a greater antibacterial effect compared to cement A, however, cements B and C had comparable antibacterial effects after 14 days even though cement C contained 0.33 mol% more silver than B. This indicates that by increasing the silver content in these cements, the antibacterial efficacy increases to a point, but there is a threshold where further silver ion release does not increase the antibacterial effect.