bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors for different outcomes in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression from cancer of unknown primary
Authors: Douglas Sarah , Huttenlocher Stefan , Bajrovic Amira , Rudat Volker , Schild Steven E , Rades Dirk
Published: August 2012

Background

Patients with cancer of unknown primary account for 10% of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC). This retrospective study was performed to identify prognostic factors for functional outcome, local control of MSCC, and survival in 175 of such patients treated with radiotherapy alone.

Methods

Investigated were nine potential prognostic factors including age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (ECOG-PS), number of involved vertebrae, pre-radiotherapy ambulatory status, other bone metastases, visceral metastases, time developing motor deficits before radiotherapy, and the radiation schedule.

Results

On multivariate analysis, better functional outcome was associated with absence of visceral metastases (estimate: 0.72; 95%-confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-1.36; p = 0.030) and a slower (>7 days) development of motor deficits (estimate: 1.93; 95%-CI: 1.18-2.68; p < 0.001). Improved local control of MSCC was associated with absence of visceral metastases (risk ratio [RR]: 10.26; 95%-CI: 2.11-74.73; p = 0.004). Improved survival was associated with favorable ECOG-PS (RR: 2.12; 95%-CI: 1.40-3.29; p < 0.001), being ambulatory prior to radiotherapy (RR: 1.98; 95%-CI: 1.40-2.81; p < 0.001), absence of visceral metastases (RR: 2.74; 95%-CI: 1.93-3.91; p < 0.001), and slower development of motor deficits (RR: 1.27; 95%-CI: 1.07-1.51; p = 0.007). Absence of other bone metastases showed a trend (RR: 1.38; 95%-CI: 0.98-1.95; p = 0.07).

Conclusions

This study identified additional independent prognostic factors for functional outcome, local control of MSCC, and survival after radiotherapy of MSCC from cancer of unknown primary. These prognostic factors can help select the best treatment regimen for each individual patient.
Effect of the pringle maneuver on tumor recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection (EPTRH): a randomized, prospective, controlled multicenter trial
Authors: Xiaobin Feng , Shuguo Zheng , Jian Zhou , Yudong Qiu , Lijian Liang , Kuansheng Ma , Xiaowu Li , Feng Xia , Dong Yi , Shuguang Wang , Ping Bie , Jiahong Dong
Published: August 2012

Background

Hepatic resection is currently still the best choice of therapeutic strategies for liver cancer, but the long-term survival rate after surgery is unsatisfactory. Most patients develop intra- and/or extrahepatic recurrence. The reasons for this high recurrence rate are not entirely clear. Recent studies have indicated that ischemia-reperfusion injury to the liver may be a significant factor promoting tumor recurrence and metastasis in animal models. If this is also true in humans, the effects of the Pringle maneuver, which has been widely used in hepatectomy for the past century, should be examined. To date, there are no reported data or randomized controlled studies examining the relationship between use of the Pringle maneuver and local tumor recurrence. We hypothesize that the long-term prognosis of patients with liver cancer could be worsened by use of the Pringle maneuver due to an increase in the rate of tumor recurrence in the liver remnant. We designed a multicenter, prospective, randomized surgical trial to test this hypothesis.

Methods

At least 498 eligible patients from five participating centers will be enrolled and randomized into either the Pringle group or the non-Pringle group in a ratio of 1:1 using a permuted-blocks randomization protocol. After the completion of surgical intervention, patients will be included in a 3-year follow-up program.

Discussion

This multicenter surgical trial will examine whether the Pringle maneuver has a negative effect on the long-term outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The trial will also provide information about prognostic differences, safety, advantages and disadvantages between Pringle and non-Pringle surgical procedures. Ultimately, the results will increase the available information about the effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on tumor recurrence, which will be of immense benefit to general surgery.

Trial registration

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00725335
Social, psychological, and environmental-structural factors determine consistent condom use among rural-to-urban migrant female sex workers in Shanghai China
Authors: Ye Xiuxia , Shang Meili , Shen Tian , Pei Bei , Jiang Xueqin , Cai Yong
Published: August 2012

Background

To determine potential social, psychological, and environmental-structural factors that may result in motivating female sex workers (FSWs), who are rural-to-urban migrants, and their paying partners in Shanghai, China to promote consistent condom use (CCU).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Shanghai, including three suburbs and two downtown locales. We adopted a cluster randomized sampling method to obtain 20 geographic sites, which consisted of 1 or more communities/villages proximal to a location where FSWs were accessible. Five hundred four FSWs from 132 Xitou Fang (shampoo wash rooms), massage parlors, and hair salons who explicitly provided sexual services were enrolled in the study. Each participant completed a questionnaire survey and interview aimed to collect information on the perceptions and behaviors of individuals associated with a risk for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(HIV/AIDS),self-efficacy at negotiating safe sex,and the physical, social, and policy environment of the establishments where they worked.

Results

The percentage of FSWs who reported consistent condom use with their paying partners was 63.3%. Controlling for socio-demographic characteristics in multivariate analyses, environmental-structural support (OR, 3.96; CI, 2.52–6.22) for condom use was the most significant positive predictor of CCU among FSWs and their regular paying partners. A high perception of susceptibility and risk of HIV/AIDS (OR, 1.96; CI, 1.25–3.01), a high perception of benefits on condom use to protect themselves (OR, 2.06; CI, 1.32–3.22), and high safe sex self-efficacy (OR, 2.52; CI, 1.64–3.85) also play important roles on CCU based on multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Environmental-structural factor support for condom use, in addition to social, psychological, and individual cognitive factors are significant predictors of CCU among FSWs, which should be assessed and addressed in research and interventions related to HIV/AIDS prevention among FSWs in China.
Perinatal and early life factors associated with symptoms of depression in Brazilian children
Authors: Pereira Thaís S , Silva Antônio A , Alves Maria T , Simões Vanda M , Batista Rosângela F , Rodriguez Juliana D , Figueiredo Felipe P , Lamy-Filho Fernando , Barbieri Marco A , Bettiol Heloisa
Published: August 2012

Background

Few studies have been conducted on the association between perinatal and early life factors with childhood depression and results are conflicting. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence and perinatal and early life factors associated with symptoms of depression in children aged 7 to 11 years from two Brazilian birth cohorts.

Methods

The study was conducted on 1444 children whose data were collected at birth and at school age, in 1994 and 2004/2005 in Ribeirao Preto, where they were aged 10–11 years and in 1997/98 and 2005/06 in São Luís, where children were aged 7–9 years. Depressive symptoms were investigated with the Child Depression Inventory(CDI), categorized as yes (score ≥ 20) and no (score < 20). Adjusted and non-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated by Poisson regression with robust estimation of the standard errors.

Results

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 3.9% (95%CI = 2.5-5.4) in Ribeirão Preto and 13.7% (95%CI = 11.0-16.4) in São Luís. In the adjusted analysis, in Ribeirão Preto, low birth weight (PR = 3.98; 95%CI = 1.72-9.23), skilled and semi-skilled manual occupation (PR = 5.30; 95%CI = 1.14-24.76) and unskilled manual occupation and unemployment (PR = 6.65; 95%CI = 1.16-38.03) of the household head were risk factors for depressive symptoms. In São Luís, maternal schooling of 0–4 years (PR = 2.39; 95%CI = 1.31-4.34) and of 5 to 8 years (PR = 1.80; 95%CI = 1.08-3.01), and paternal age <20 years (PR = 1.92; 95%CI = 1.02-3.61), were independent risk factors for depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was much higher in the less developed city, São Luís, than in the more developed city, Ribeirão Preto, and than those reported in several international studies. Low socioeconomic level was associated with depressive symptoms in both cohorts. Low paternal age was a risk factor for depressive symptoms in the less developed city, São Luís, whereas low birth weight was a risk factor for depressive symptoms in the more developed city, Ribeirão Preto.
Joint malaria surveys lead towards improved cross-border cooperation between Savannakhet province, Laos and Quang Tri province, Vietnam
Authors: Pongvongsa Tiengkham , Ha Hoang , Thanh Le , Marchand Ron P , Nonaka Daisuke , Tojo Bumpei , Phongmany Panom , Moji Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Jun
Published: August 2012

Background

In Savannakhet province, Laos and Quang Tri province, Vietnam, malaria is still an important health problem and most cases are found in the mountainous, forested border areas where ethnic minority groups live. The objectives of this study were to obtain a better joint understanding of the malaria situation along the border and, on the basis of that, improve malaria control methods through better cooperation between the two countries.

Methods

Fourteen villages in Savannakhet and 22 villages in Quang Tri were randomly selected within 5 km from the border where a blood survey for microscopic diagnosis (n = 1256 and n = 1803, respectively), household interviews (n = 400, both sides) and vector surveys were conducted between August and October 2010. Satellite images were used to examine the forest density around the study villages.

Results

Malaria prevalence was significantly higher in Laos (5.2%) than in Vietnam (1.8%) and many other differences were found over the short distance across the border. Bed net coverage was high (> 90%) in both Laos and Vietnam but, while in Laos more than 60% of the nets were long-lasting insecticide-treated, Vietnam used indoor residual spraying in this area and the nets were untreated. Anopheles mosquitoes were more abundant in Laos than in Vietnam, especially many Anopheles dirus were captured in indoor light traps while none were collected in Vietnam. The forest cover was higher around the Lao than the Vietnamese villages. After this study routine exchange of malaria surveillance data was institutionalized and for the first time indoor residual spraying was applied in some Lao villages.

Conclusions

The abundance of indoor-collected An. dirus on the Laos side raises doubts about the effectiveness of a sole reliance on long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in this area. Next to strengthening the early detection, correct diagnosis and prompt, adequate treatment of malaria infections, it is recommended to test focal indoor residual spraying and the promotion of insect repellent use in the early evening as additional vector interventions. Conducting joint malaria surveys by staff of two countries proved to be effective in stimulating better collaboration and improve cross-border malaria control.
Coupled fixed-point theorems for contraction mapping induced by cone ball-metric in partially ordered spaces
Authors: Sintunavarat Wutiphol , Cho Yeol Je , Kumam Poom
Published: August 2012

Recently, Chen et al. (Appl. Math. Lett. 25:692-697, 2012) introduced the concept of the cone ball-metric and studied the common fixed-point theorems for the stronger Meir-Keeler cone-type function in cone ball-metric spaces. The purpose of this paper is to establish the coupled fixed-point theorems for nonlinear contraction mappings, which have a mixed monotone property by using the cone ball-metric. Also, we give some examples to validate our main results. At the end of this paper, we give an open problem for further investigation.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Free fatty acids induce ER stress and block antiviral activity of interferon alpha against hepatitis C virus in cell culture
Authors: Gunduz Feyza , Aboulnasr Fatma M , Chandra Partha K , Hazari Sidhartha , Poat Bret , Baker Darren P , Balart Luis A , Dash Srikanta
Published: August 2012

Background

Hepatic steatosis is recognized as a major risk factor for liver disease progression and impaired response to interferon based therapy in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The mechanism of response to interferon-alpha (IFN-α) therapy under the condition of hepatic steatosis is unexplored. We investigated the effect of hepatocellular steatosis on hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication and IFN-α antiviral response in a cell culture model.

Methods

Sub-genomic replicon (S3-GFP) and HCV infected Huh-7.5 cells were cultured with a mixture of saturated (palmitate) and unsaturated (oleate) long-chain free fatty acids (FFA). Intracytoplasmic fat accumulation in these cells was visualized by Nile red staining and electron microscopy then quantified by microfluorometry. The effect of FFA treatment on HCV replication and IFN-α antiviral response was measured by flow cytometric analysis, Renilla luciferase activity, and real-time RT-PCR.

Results

FFA treatment induced dose dependent hepatocellular steatosis and lipid droplet accumulation in the HCV replicon cells was confirmed by Nile red staining, microfluorometry, and by electron microscopy. Intracellular fat accumulation supports replication more in the persistently HCV infected culture than in the sub-genomic replicon (S3-GFP) cell line. FFA treatment also partially blocked IFN-α response and viral clearance by reducing the phosphorylation of Stat1 and Stat2 dependent IFN-β promoter activation. We show that FFA treatment induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and down regulates the IFNAR1 chain of the type I IFN receptor leading to defective Jak-Stat signaling and impaired antiviral response.

Conclusion

These results suggest that intracellular fat accumulation in HCV cell culture induces ER stress, defective Jak-Stat signaling, and attenuates the antiviral response, thus providing an explanation to the clinical observation regarding how hepatocellular steatosis influences IFN-α response in CHC.
AlzPathway: a comprehensive map of signaling pathways of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Mizuno Satoshi , Iijima Risa , Ogishima Soichi , Kikuchi Masataka , Matsuoka Yukiko , Ghosh Samik , Miyamoto Tadashi , Miyashita Akinori , Kuwano Ryozo , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. To clarify pathogenesis of AD, thousands of reports have been accumulating. However, knowledge of signaling pathways in the field of AD has not been compiled as a database before.

Description

Here, we have constructed a publicly available pathway map called “AlzPathway” that comprehensively catalogs signaling pathways in the field of AD. We have collected and manually curated over 100 review articles related to AD, and have built an AD pathway map using CellDesigner. AlzPathway is currently composed of 1347 molecules and 1070 reactions in neuron, brain blood barrier, presynaptic, postsynaptic, astrocyte, and microglial cells and their cellular localizations. AlzPathway is available as both the SBML (Systems Biology Markup Language) map for CellDesigner and the high resolution image map. AlzPathway is also available as a web service (online map) based on Payao system, a community-based, collaborative web service platform for pathway model curation, enabling continuous updates by AD researchers.

Conclusions

AlzPathway is the first comprehensive map of intra, inter and extra cellular AD signaling pathways which can enable mechanistic deciphering of AD pathogenesis. The AlzPathway map is accessible athttp://alzpathway.org/.
Localized gastric amyloidosis differentiated histologically from scirrhous gastric cancer using endoscopic mucosal resection: a case report
Authors: Kamata Tsugumasa , Suzuki Haruhisa , Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Nonaka Satoru , Fukagawa Takeo , Katai Hitoshi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Kushima Ryoji , Oda Ichiro
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Amyloidosis most often manifests as a systemic involvement of multiple tissues and organs, and an amyloidal deposit confined to the stomach is extremely rare. It is sometimes difficult to provide a definitive diagnosis of localized gastric amyloidosis by biopsy specimen and diagnosis of amyloidosis in some cases has been finalized only after surgical resection of the stomach.

Case presentation

A 76-year-old Japanese woman with epigastric discomfort underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedure. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed gastric wall thickening, suggesting scirrhous gastric carcinoma, at the greater curvature from the upper to the lower part of the gastric corpus. A biopsy specimen revealed amyloid deposits in the submucosal layer with no malignant findings. We resected a representative portion of the lesion by endoscopic mucosal resection using the strip biopsy method to obtain sufficient tissue specimens, and then conducted a detailed histological evaluation of the samples. The resected specimens revealed deposition of amyloidal materials in the gastric mucosa and submucosa without any malignant findings. Congo red staining results were positive for amyloidal protein and exhibited green birefringence under polarized light. Congo red staining with prior potassium permanganate incubation confirmed the light chain (AL) amyloid protein type. Based on these results, gastric malignancy, systemic amyloidosis and amyloid deposits induced by inflammatory disease were excluded and this lesion was consequently diagnosed as localized gastric amyloidosis. Our patient was an older woman and there were no findings relative to an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms or anemia, so no further treatment was performed. She continued to be in good condition without any finding of disease progression six years after verification of our diagnosis.

Conclusions

We report an unusual case of primary amyloidosis of the stomach resembling scirrhous gastric carcinoma. This case of localized gastric amyloidosis was differentiated from scirrhous gastric cancer after performing endoscopic mucosal resection without an invasive surgical resection, as endoscopic mucosal resection provided sufficient tissue specimens from the lesion to make an accurate histological evaluation.
Benefits and risks of manual hyperinflation in intubated and mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients: a systematic review
Authors: Paulus Frederique , Binnekade Jan M , Vroom Margreeth B , Schultz Marcus J
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Manual hyperinflation (MH), a frequently applied maneuver in critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients, is suggested to mimic a cough so that airway secretions are mobilized toward the larger airways, where they can easily be removed. As such, MH could prevent plugging of the airways.

Methods

We performed a search in the databases of Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from January 1990 to April 2012. We systematically reviewed the literature on evidence for postulated benefits and risks of MH in critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients.

Results

The search identified 50 articles, of which 19 were considered relevant. We included 13 interventional studies and six observational studies. The number of studies evaluating physiological effects of MH is limited. Trials differed too much to permit meta-analysis. It is uncertain whether MH was applied similarly in the retrieved studies. Finally, most studies are underpowered to show clinical benefit of MH. Use of MH is associated with short-term improvements in lung compliance, oxygenation, and secretion clearance, without changes in outcomes. MH has been reported to be associated with short-term and probably clinically insignificant side effects, including decreases in cardiac output, alterations of heart rates, and increased central venous pressures.

Conclusions

Studies have failed to show that MH benefits critically ill intubated and mechanically ventilated patients. MH is infrequently associated with short-term side effects.
Molecular mechanisms of spontaneous and directed mast cell motility
Authors: Lee Jinmin , Veatch Sarah L , Baird Barbara , Holowka David
Published: August 2012

Store operated Ca2+ entry through the channel protein Orai1 contributes to mast cell spontaneous motility and antigen-mediated chemotaxis.

Migration is a fundamental function of immune cells, and a role for Ca2+ in immune cell migration has been an interest of scientific investigations for many decades. Mast cells are the major effector cells in IgE-mediated immune responses, and cross-linking of IgE-FcɛRI complexes at the mast cell surface by antigen activates a signaling cascade that causes mast cell activation, resulting in Ca2+ mobilization and granule exocytosis. These cells are known to accumulate at sites of inflammation in response to parasite and bacterial infections. Using real-time imaging, we monitored chemotactic migration of RBL and rat BMMCs in response to a gradient of soluble multivalent antigen. Here, we show that Ca2+ influx via Orai1 plays an important role in regulating spontaneous motility and directional migration of mast cells toward antigen via IgER complexes. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx or knockdown of the Ca2+ entry channel protein Orai1 by shRNA causes inhibition of both of these processes. In addition, a mutant Syk− shows impaired spontaneous motility and chemotaxis toward antigen that is rescued by expression of Syk. Our findings identify a novel Ca2+ influx-mediated, Orai1-dependent mechanism for mast cell migration.
E-prostanoid 2 receptors dampen mast cell degranulation via cAMP/PKA-mediated suppression of IgE-dependent signaling
Authors: Serra-Pages Mariona , Olivera Ana , Torres Rosa , Picado César , de Mora Fernando , Rivera Juan
Published: August 2012

Engagement of EP2 receptors dampens mast cell IgE-dependent signaling causing suppression of FcɛRI-mediated allergic responses; thus agonism of EP2 may be beneficial in allergic diseases.

The experimental administration of PGE2 for the treatment of asthma dampens clinical symptoms, and similar efficacy has been found in dust mite-induced hypersensitivity reactions in animal models. Here, we investigate the mechanism by which PGE2 mediates suppression of MC degranulation. We find that the effect of PGE2 on FcɛRI-dependent MC degranulation varies from activating to suppressing, depending on the relative ratio of EP2 to EP3 expression on these cells with suppression evident only in cells having increased EP2 to EP3 expression. Consistent with a role for EP2 in suppressing MC responses in vitro, we found that a selective EP2 agonist, Butaprost, inhibited MC-mediated FcɛRI-induced immediate hypersensitivity in a model of PCA. EP2 engagement on MCs increased cAMP production and inhibited FcɛRI-mediated calcium influx. In addition, it also decreased the extent of FcɛRI-induced Fyn kinase activity, leading to decreased phosphorylation of key signaling molecules such as Gab2 and Akt. Treatment with an antagonist of cAMP or shRNA down-regulation of PKA (the principal intracellular target of cAMP) reversed the EP2-mediated inhibitory effect on MC degranulation and restored calcium influx and phosphorylation of Akt. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that EP2 suppresses the Fyn-mediated signals that are central to FcɛRI-dependent MC degranulation, suggesting that engagement of the EP2 on MCs may be beneficial in dampening allergic responses.
Absence of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (Cftr) from myeloid-derived cells slows resolution of inflammation and infection
Authors: Bonfield T L , Hodges C A , Cotton C U , Drumm M L
Published: August 2012

Cftr is directly involved in myeloid cell function, contributing to the pathophysiological phenotype of the CF lung.

The absence or reduction of CFTR function causes CF and results in a pulmonary milieu characterized by bacterial colonization and unresolved inflammation. The ineffectiveness at controlling infection by species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests defects in innate immunity. Macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs have all been shown to express CFTR mRNA but at low levels, raising the question of whether CFTR has a functional role in these cells. Bone marrow transplants between CF and non-CF mice suggest that these cells are inherently different; we confirm this observation using conditional inactivation of Cftr in myeloid-derived cells. Mice lacking Cftr in myeloid cells overtly appear indistinguishable from non-CF mice until challenged with bacteria instilled into the lungs and airways, at which point, they display survival and inflammatory profiles intermediate in severity as compared with CF mice. These studies demonstrate that Cftr is involved directly in myeloid cell function and imply that these cells contribute to the pathophysiological phenotype of the CF lung.
Redox control of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in health and disease
Authors: Rubartelli Anna
Published: August 2012

Review of how redox signaling is implicated in inflammasome activation, with emphasis on the cell redox balance and its oscillations as major players in this process.

Shifts in the redox balance between ROS and antioxidants regulate innate immunity at various levels. Changes in the redox microenvironment modulate the activation potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a signaling platform that activates caspase-1, allowing the maturation of IL-1β. However, a clear definition of the underlying mechanism is missing. In this essay, I review the most-credited theories on inflammasome activation. In particular, I will focus on the redox-mediated mechanisms that regulate the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome and discuss how aberrations in them are implicated in the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory diseases.
New insights from serranid fishes on the role of trade-offs in suction feeding diversification
Authors: Oufiero Christopher E. , Holzman Roi A. , Young Forrest A. , Wainwright Peter C.
Published: August 2012

Suction feeding is central to prey capture in the vast majority of ray-finned fishes and has been well-studied from a detailed, mechanistic perspective. Several major trade-offs are thought to have shaped the diversification of suction feeding morphology and behavior, and have become well established in the literature. We revisited several of these expectations in a study of prey capture morphology and kinematics in 30 species of serranid fishes, a large ecologically variable group that exhibits diverse combinations of suction and forward locomotion. We find: 1) diversity among species in the morphological potential to generate suction changes drastically across the range of attack speeds that species use, with all species that use high-speed attacks having low capacity to generate suction, while slow-speed attackers exhibit the full range of suction abilities. This pattern indicates a more complex 'ram-suction continuum' than previously recognized; 2) there is no trade-off between mechanical advantage of the lower jaw opening lever and the speed of jaw depression, revealing that this simple interpretation of lever mechanics fails to predict kinematic diversity; 3) high-speed attackers show increased cranial excursions, potentially to compensate for a decrease in accuracy; 4) the amount of jaw protrusion is positively related to attack speed, but not suction capacity; and 5) a principal components analysis revealed three significant multivariate axes of kinematic variation among species. Two of the three axes were correlated with the morphological potential to generate suction, indicating important but complex relationships between kinematics and suction potential. These results are consistent with other recent studies that show that trade-offs derived from simple biomechanical models may be less of a constraint on the evolutionary diversification of fish feeding systems than previously thought.
Distributive Politics and Electoral Incentives: Evidence from Seven US State Legislatures
Authors: Aidt Toke S , Shvets Julia
Published: August 2012

We study the effect of electoral incentives on the allocation of public services across legislative districts. We develop a model in which elections encourage legislators to cater to parochial interests and thus aggravate the common pool problem. Using unique data from seven US states, we study how the amount of funding that a legislator channels to his district changes when he faces a term limit. We find that legislators bring less pork to their district when they cannot seek re-election. Consistent with the Law of 1/N, this last term reduction in funding is smaller in states with many legislative districts. (JEL D72, H70)
Does State Fiscal Relief During Recessions Increase Employment? Evidence from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Authors: Chodorow-Reich Gabriel , Feiveson Laura , Liscow Zachary , Woolston William Gui
Published: August 2012

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 included $88 billion of aid to state governments administered through the Medicaid reimbursement process. We examine the effect of these transfers on states' employment. Because state fiscal relief outlays are endogenous to a state's economic environment, OLS results are biased downward. We address this problem by using a state's pre-recession Medicaid spending level to instrument for ARRA state fiscal relief. In our preferred specification, a state's receipt of a marginal $100,000 in Medicaid outlays results in an additional 3.8 job-years, 3.2 of which are outside the government, health, and education sectors. (JEL H75, I18, I38, R23)
The Doctor Might See You Now: The Supply Side Effects of Public Health Insurance Expansions
Authors: Garthwaite Craig L
Published: August 2012

In the United States, public health insurance programs cover over 90 million individuals. Expansions of these programs, such as the recently passed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), may have large effects on physician behavior. This study finds that following the implementation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), physicians decreased the number of hours spent with patients, but increased their program participation. Suggestive evidence shows that this decrease resulted from shorter office visits. These findings are consistent with the predictions from a mixed-economy model of physician behavior and provide evidence of crowd out resulting from the creation of SCHIP. (JEL H75, I11, I13, I18)
Check in the Mail or More in the Paycheck: Does the Effectiveness of Fiscal Stimulus Depend on How It Is Delivered?
Authors: Sahm Claudia R , Shapiro Matthew D , Slemrod Joel
Published: August 2012

Recent fiscal policies, including the 2008 stimulus payments and the 2009 Making Work Pay Tax Credit, aimed to increase household spending. This paper quantifies the spending response to these policies and examines differences in spending by whether the stimulus was delivered as a one-time payment or as a flow of payments from reduced withholding. Based on responses from a representative sample of households in the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, the paper finds that the reduction in withholding in 2009 boosted spending at roughly half the rate (13 percent) as the one-time payments (25 percent) in 2008. (JEL D12, E21, E62)
The Redistributional Impact of Nonlinear Electricity Pricing
Authors: Borenstein Severin
Published: August 2012

Electricity regulators often mandate increasing-block pricing (IBP)—i.e., marginal price increases with the customer's average daily usage—to protect low-income households from rising costs. IBP has no cost basis, raising a classic conflict between efficiency and distributional goals. Combining household-level utility billing data with census data on income, I find that IBP in California results in modest wealth redistribution, but creates substantial deadweight loss relative to the transfers. I also show that a common approach to studying income distribution effects by using median household income within census block groups may be misleading. (JEL D31, L11, L51, L94, L98, Q41, Q48)
Cracks in the Melting Pot: Immigration, School Choice, and Segregation
Authors: Cascio Elizabeth U , Lewis Ethan G
Published: August 2012

We examine whether low-skilled immigration to the United States has contributed to immigrants' residential isolation by reducing native demand for public schools. We address endogeneity in school demographics using established Mexican settlement patterns in California and use a comparison group to account for immigration's broader effects. We estimate that between 1970 and 2000, the average California school district lost more than 14 non-Hispanic households with children to other districts in its metropolitan area for every 10 additional households enrolling low-English Hispanics in its public schools. By disproportionately isolating children, the native reaction to immigration may have longer-run consequences than previously thought. (JEL H75, I21, J15, J24, J61, R23)
The analytic impact of a reduced centrifugation step on chemistry and immunochemistry assays: an evaluation of the Modular Pre-Analytics
Authors: Koenders Mieke M J F , van Hurne Marco E J F , Glasmacher-Van Zijl Monique , van der Linde Geesje , Westerhuis Bert W J J M
Published: August 2012

Background

The COBAS 6000 system can be completed by a Modular Pre-Analytics (MPA), an integrated laboratory automation system that streamlines preanalysis. For an optimal throughput, the MPA centrifuges blood collection tubes for 5 min at 1885 × g – a centrifugation time that is not in concordance with the World Health Organization guidelines which suggest centrifugation for 10/15 min at 2000–3000 × g.

Methods

In this study, the analytical outcome of 50 serum and 50 plasma samples centrifuged for 5 or 10 min at 1885 × g was investigated. The study included routine chemistry and immunochemistry assays on the COBAS 6000 and the Minicap capillary electrophoresis.

Results

Deming-fit and Bland–Altman plots of the 5-min and 10-min centrifugation steps indicated a significant correlation in serum samples. The lipaemia index in plasma samples centrifuged for 5 min displayed a statistically significant variation when compared with the 10-min centrifugation.

Conclusions

Preanalytical centrifugation can be successfully down-scaled to a duration of 5 min for most routine chemistry and immunochemistry assays in serum and plasma samples. To prevent inaccurate results in plasma samples with an increased lipaemia index from being reported, the laboratory information system was programmed to withhold results above certain lipaemia indices. The presented data support the use of a 5-min centrifugation step to improve turnaround times, thereby meeting one of the desires of the requesting clinicians.
Manganese in cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Roos Per M , Lierhagen Syverin , Flaten Trond Peder , Syversen Tore , Vesterberg Olof , Nordberg Monica
Published: August 2012

Neurotoxic properties of manganese (Mn) are well documented. It is less known that Mn contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders in the general population. This study presents Mn data from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a well-defined cohort diagnosed by electrophysiological methods. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma were collected from patients and controls. Mn concentrations were analyzed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Concentrations of Mn were significantly higher in ALS CSF (median 5.67 μg/L) than in CSF from controls (median 2.08 μg/L). Also, ALS CSF Mn concentrations were higher than ALS plasma Mn concentrations (median 0.91 μg/L), suggesting transport of Mn into the central nervous system. The properties of barrier systems between blood and the brain are discussed and the possibility of Mn accumulation contributing to the relentless course of ALS is introduced.
Sphingosine kinase isoforms as a therapeutic target in endocrine therapy resistant luminal and basal-A breast cancer
Authors: Antoon James W , White Martin D , Driver Jennifer L , Burow Matthew E , Beckman Barbara S
Published: August 2012

Sphingosine kinase signaling has become of increasing interest as a cancer target in recent years. Two sphingosine kinase inhibitors, sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI)-II and ABC294640, are promising as potential breast cancer therapies. However, evidence for their therapeutic properties in specific breast cancer subtypes is currently lacking. In this study, we characterize these drugs in luminal, endocrine-resistant (MDA-MB-361) and basal-A, triple-negative (MDA-MB-468) breast cancer cells and compare them with previously published data in other breast cancer cell models. Both SKI-II and ABC294640 demonstrated greater efficacy in basal-A compared with luminal breast cancer. ABC294640, in particular, induced apoptosis and blocked proliferation both in vitro and in vivo in this triple-negative breast cancer system. Furthermore, Sphk expression promotes survival and endocrine therapy resistance in previously sensitive breast cancer cells. Taken together, these results characterize sphingosine kinase inhibitors across breast cancer cell systems and demonstrate their therapeutic potential as anti-cancer agents.
Priority Assignment in Emergency Response
Authors: Jacobson Evin Uzun , Argon Nilay Tanık , Ziya Serhan
Published: August 2012

In the aftermath of mass-casualty events, key resources (such as ambulances and operating rooms) can be overwhelmed by the sudden jump in patient demand. To ration these resources, patients are assigned different priority levels, a process that is called triage. According to triage protocols in place, each patient's priority level is determined based on that patient's injuries only. However, recent work from the emergency medicine literature suggests that when determining priorities, resource limitations and the scale of the event should also be taken into account in order to do the greatest good for the greatest number. This article investigates how this can be done and what the potential benefits would be. We formulate the problem as a priority assignment problem in a clearing system with multiple classes of impatient jobs. Jobs are classified based on their lifetime (i.e., their tolerance for wait), service time, and reward distributions. Our objective is to maximize the expected total reward, e.g., the expected total number of survivors. Using sample-path methods and stochastic dynamic programming, we identify conditions under which the state information is not needed for prioritization decisions. In the absence of these conditions, we partially characterize the optimal policy, which is possibly state dependent, and we propose a number of heuristic policies. By means of a numerical study, we demonstrate that simple state-dependent policies that prioritize less urgent jobs when the total number of jobs is large perform well, especially when jobs are time-critical.
Optimal Location of Railway Stations: The Lisbon-Porto High-Speed Rail Line
Authors: Repolho Hugo M. , Antunes António P. , Church Richard L.
Published: August 2012

Rail transportation has experienced a rebirth in the last few decades, and a very large investment will certainly be made in new railway lines in the years to come—especially in high-speed rail lines. The success of such investment is heavily dependent on rail ridership, which in turn is dependent on the location of railway stations. In this paper, we present a mixed-integer optimization model that determines the optimal location (and number) of stations along a railway line that will be introduced over an existing transportation network. The stations are chosen within a set of possible locations defined a priori according to the objective of maximizing travel cost savings. The model takes into account the sensitivity of rail ridership to time losses because of stops at intermediate stations, as well as (static) competition from other modes. The practical usefulness of the model is illustrated with a case study involving a high-speed rail line expected to be built in Portugal in the future: the Lisbon-Porto line.
An Exact Algorithm for the Integrated Planning of Berth Allocation and Quay Crane Assignment
Authors: Vacca Ilaria , Salani Matteo , Bierlaire Michel
Published: August 2012

In this paper we study the simultaneous optimization of berth allocation and quay crane assignment in seaport container terminals. We propose a model based on an exponential number of variables that is solved via column generation. An exact branch and price algorithm is implemented to produce optimal integer solutions to the problem. In particular, we present several accelerating techniques for the master and the pricing problem that can be generalized to other branch and price schemes. Computational results show that the proposed approach outperforms commercial solvers. Furthermore, the developed algorithm allows for a comparative analysis between the hierarchical and the integrated solution approach that confirms the added value of integration in terms of cost reduction and efficient use of resources. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first exact branch and price algorithm for both the berth allocation problem and the berth allocation problem with quay crane assignment.
Solving the Single-Sink, Fixed-Charge, Multiple-Choice Transportation Problem by Dynamic Programming
Authors: Christensen Tue R. L. , Andersen Kim Allan , Klose Andreas
Published: August 2012

This paper considers a minimum-cost network flow problem in a bipartite graph with a single sink. The transportation costs exhibit a staircase cost structure because such types of transportation cost functions are often found in practice. We present a dynamic programming algorithm for solving this so-called single-sink, fixed-charge, multiple-choice transportation problem exactly. The method exploits heuristics and lower bounds to peg binary variables, improve bounds on flow variables, and reduce the state-space variable. In this way, the dynamic programming method is able to solve large instances with up to 10,000 nodes and 10 different transportation modes in a few seconds, much less time than required by a widely used mixed-integer programming solver and other methods proposed in the literature for this problem.
Clinical Utility of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 for Cardiovascular Disease Prediction in a Multiethnic Cohort of Women
Authors: Cook Nancy R , Paynter Nina P , Manson JoAnn E , Martin Lisa W , Robinson Jennifer G , Wassertheil-Smoller Sylvia , Ridker Paul M
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND

Findings regarding the association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity and mass with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been inconsistent, and their role in risk prediction is uncertain.

METHODS

A case–cohort sample from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS) comprised 1821 CVD cases and a reference subcohort of 1992 women. We used Cox regression models with inverse sampling weights to assess the association of Lp-PLA2 mass and activity with CVD (myocardial infarction, stroke, and CVD mortality).

RESULTS

Subcohort means were 184.3 mmol/min/mL for Lp-PLA2 activity and 499.2 μg/L for Lp-PLA2 mass, with 99% having mass above 200 μg/L, the clinically recommended cut point. Both activity and mass were positively associated with incident CVD in age- and race/ethnicity-adjusted analyses. Following adjustment according to CVD risk factors, the association with activity became null (hazard ratio = 1.02 for top vs bottom quartile, 95% CI = 0.79–1.33, P for trend = 0.65), but the association with mass remained (hazard ratio = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.45–2.34, P for trend < 0.0001). In contrast to blood pressure, HDL, and hsCRP, reclassification statistics for Lp-PLA2 mass did not suggest improvement for overall CVD after full adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

In the WHI-OS Lp-PLA2 mass, but not activity, was independently associated with CVD. However, model fit did not significantly improve with Lp-PLA2 mass, and assay calibration remains a clinical concern.
Lagrange-Multiplikatoren (LM) der Ausgleichungsrechnung als Indikator für Strukturschäden
Authors: Brandes Klaus , Neitzel Frank , Weisbrich Sven , Daum Werner
Published: August 2012

Die ständige Überwachung von Bauwerken gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Mit Blick auf die Nachhaltigkeit ist die Verlängerung der Nutzungsdauer bestehender baulicher Konstruktionen von unschätzbarem Wert, sowohl aus finanziellen Gründen als auch unter Denkmalaspekten. Eine neue Methode zur Detektion von Strukturschädigungen basiert auf einer integrierten Auswertung von Messwerten verschiedener Sensoren nach der Methode der kleinsten Quadrate sowie der Interpretation der dabei auftretenden Langrange-Multiplikatoren. Diese Methode der Schädigungsanalyse wird anhand eines numerischen Beispiels aus einem Vier-Punkt-Biegeversuch mit einem Verbundträger näher erläutert.
Managing in Different Growth Contexts
Authors: Prats Julia , Sosna Marc , Velamuri S. Ramakrishna
Published: August 2012

Existing frameworks on growth do not distinguish between the managerial challenges of different growth contexts; they place considerable emphasis on the overall quality of companies' portfolios of strategic units, but less on how different units should be managed according to the growth context they are in. The managerial challenges of generating growth in low-growth contexts are very different from those of managing growth in high-growth contexts. This article introduces a matrix framework that incorporates four growth scenarios, which firm-units can map themselves on to, and then outlines the major barriers they face in each of these scenarios as well as the actions needed to overcome them. The results are based on longitudinal research on cross-national samples of small, medium, and large organizations.
Can Innovation Be Lean?
Authors: Browning Tyson R. , Sanders Nada R.
Published: August 2012

Every executive has heard about the importance of Lean as a means of eliminating waste and “fat.” However, when operations are novel and complex–as in product development, research, information technology, and many other kinds of projects–cutting out the “fat” turns out to be much more challenging. To understand Lean in an environment characterized by extreme novelty and complexity, we drew on our experiences with a number of processes, and in particular Lockheed Martin's Lean implementation for the F-22 fighter aircraft. Our findings lead to a path that executives and managers can follow to become Lean without compromising innovation.
Employee Engagement and CSR: Transactional, Relational, and Developmental Approaches
Authors: Mirvis Philip
Published: August 2012

This article looks at the relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for engaging employees, including its impact on their motivation, identity, and sense of meaning and purpose. It explores three different ways that companies engage their employees through CSR: a transactional approach, where programs are undertaken to meet the needs of employees who want to take part in the CSR efforts of a company; a relational approach, based on a psychological contract that emphasizes social responsibility; and a developmental approach, which aims to activate social responsibility in a company and to develop its employees to be responsible corporate citizens.