bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standard Pre- and Postoperative Determination of Chromogranin A in Resectable Non-Functioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors - Diagnostic Accuracy: NF-pNET and Low Tumor Burden
Authors: Jilesen Anneke P.J. , Busch Olivier R.C. , van Gulik Thomas M. , Gouma Dirk J. , Nieveen van Dijkum Els J.M.
Published: January 2015

Background: Chromogranin A (CgA) is often used in metastatic patients with nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-pNET). The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of CgA in patients with low tumor burden. Methods: Resectable patients with NF-pNET without metastases at time of diagnosis were included between 2002 and 2013 in the Academic Medical Center of Amsterdam. CgA was determined at time of diagnosis and during follow-up according to a standardized method. The upper reference range was 94 µg/l. Results: Overall, 47 patients were included in this study. CgA was elevated preoperatively in only 10 patients (27%). In the detection of metastases during follow-up, the positive predictive value for CgA was 50% and negative predictive value was 81%. In 50% of the patients with an elevated CgA during follow-up, this test result was false-positive. Conclusions: The diagnostic accuracy of CgA was low preoperatively in patients with resectable NF-pNET and low tumor burden. In the detection of recurrent disease after curative resection of NF-pNET, the diagnostic accuracy of CgA was moderate (50%). We conclude that the routine measurement of CgA at time of diagnosis or during follow-up after curative resection had limited value in patients with resectable NF-pNET.
Anti-Glutamate ε2 Receptor Antibody-Positive and Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antibody-Negative Lobar Encephalitis Presenting as Global Aphasia and Swallowing Apraxia
Authors: Hayata Yuki , Hamada Kensuke , Sakurai Yasuhisa , Sugimoto Izumi , Mannen Toru , Takahashi Yukitoshi
Published: January 2015

Background: Little is known about the difference between anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody-positive encephalitis and anti-glutamate receptor (GluR) antibody-positive encephalitis. Objectives: To characterize anti-GluR antibody-positive encephalitis. Methods: We report a 33-year-old man with nonparaneoplastic anti-GluR ε2, ζ1 and δ2 antibody-positive and anti-NMDAR antibody-negative encephalitis, using neuropsychological tests and imaging studies including magnetic resonance imaging and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with a 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer. Results: The patient exhibited global aphasia and swallowing apraxia (inability to transfer food to the pharyngeal cavity without sialorrhea). He was treated with 3 courses of corticosteroid pulse therapy and had recovered markedly 3 weeks after onset. Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted images revealed hyperintensity in the bilateral frontal and left parietal cortices. Seven months later, a small area of hyperintensity in the left supramarginal gyrus remained. SPECT revealed hypoperfusion in extensive regions of the bilateral frontal lobes and left supramarginal gyrus. Thirteen months later, blood flow reduction was restricted to diffuse areas in the frontal lobes. Conclusions: Frontal lobar encephalitis without medial temporal involvement, marked cognitive impairment with a relatively preserved level of consciousness, and a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy, with nearly reversible cortical damage, may characterize anti-GluR antibody-positive encephalitis.
Echocardiography in Pediatric Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Ploegstra Mark-Jan , Roofthooft Marcus T.R. , Douwes Johannes M. , Bartelds Beatrijs , Elzenga Nynke J. , van de Weerd Dick , Hillege Hans L. , Berger Rolf M.F.
Published: January 2015

Background—

The value of echocardiography in assessing disease severity and predicting outcome in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is insufficiently defined. The aim of this study was to describe correlations between echocardiography and disease severity and outcome in pediatric PAH.

Methods and Results—

Forty-three consecutive children (median age, 8.0 years; range, 0.4–21.5) with idiopathic/hereditary PAH (n=25) or PAH associated with congenital heart disease (n=18) were enrolled in a prospective single-center observational study. Anatomic and right ventricular-functional variables were obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography and Doppler-echocardiography at presentation and at standardized follow-up and were correlated with measures of disease severity (World Health Organization functional class [WHO-FC], N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, hemodynamics) and lung-transplantation–free survival. Right atrial and right ventricular dimensions correlated with WHO-FC and hemodynamics (
P
<0.05), whereas left ventricular dimensions correlated with hemodynamics and survival (
P
<0.05). Right-to-left ventricular dimension ratiocorrelated with WHO-FC, hemodynamics and survival (
P
<0.05). Right ventricular ejection time correlated with hemodynamics and survival (
P
<0.05) and tended to correlate with WHO-FC (
P
=0.071). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion correlated with WHO-FC, mean right atrial pressure and survival (
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

This early descriptive study shows that echocardiographic chararacteristics of both the right and the left heart correlate with disease severity and outcome in pediatric PAH, both at presentation and during the course of the disease. The preliminary data from this study support the potential value of echocardiography as a tool in guiding management in children with PAH.
Association of a Favorable Cardiovascular Health Profile With the Presence of Coronary Artery Calcification
Authors: Saleem Yasir , F. DeFina Laura , B. Radford Nina , Willis Benjamin L. , Barlow Carolyn E. , Gibbons Larry W. , Khera Amit
Published: January 2015

Background—

To examine the association between the American Heart Association’s 7 metrics of ideal cardiovascular health (ICH) and the presence of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by coronary artery calcification (CAC) using electron-beam computed tomography.

Methods and Results—

This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained on 3121 male and female patients evaluated at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas, between 1997 and 2007. We included men aged ≥45 and women aged ≥55 without known cardiovascular disease and for whom information on all ICH metrics and a CAC score were available. Patients were grouped into 3 categories according to their number of ICH metrics: favorable (4–7 ICH metrics), intermediate (3 metrics), and unfavorable (0–2 metrics). Patients with favorable ICH profiles had a lower prevalence and severity of subclinical atherosclerosis than those with unfavorable or intermediate ICH profiles as estimated by CAC. This inverse association of CAC with ICH metrics was evident whether the presence of coronary calcium was defined as CAC score >0, CAC score >100, or CAC score >400. Patients with favorable ICH profiles had odds of coronary calcium (CAC>0) less than half of those for patients with unfavorable profiles (odds ratio 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.34–0.50) and patients with intermediate ICH profiles had odds of detectable CAC 32% lower (odds ratio 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.57–0.82).

Conclusions—

A statistically significant association was found between a favorable level of ICH metrics and less or absent subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by CAC underscoring the importance of primordial prevention.
Extracellular Volume Fraction Is More Closely Associated With Altered Regional Left Ventricular Velocities Than Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Collins Jeremy , Sommerville Cort , Magrath Patrick , Spottiswoode Bruce , Freed Benjamin H. , Benzuly Keith H. , Gordon Robert , Vidula Himabindu , Lee Dan C. , Yancy Clyde , Carr James , Markl Michael
Published: January 2015

Background—

Nonischemic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to noninvasively evaluate changes in segmental LV extracellular volume (ECV) fraction, LV velocities, myocardial scar, and wall motion in nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients.

Methods and Results—

Cardiac MRI including pre- and postcontrast myocardial T1 mapping and velocity quantification (tissue phase mapping) of the LV (basal, midventricular, and apical short axis) was applied in 31 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (50±18 years). Analysis based on the 16-segment American Heart Association model was used to evaluate the segmental distribution of ECV, peak systolic and diastolic myocardial velocities, scar determined by late gadolinium enhancement, and wall motion abnormalities. LV segments with scar or impaired wall motion were significantly associated with elevated ECV (

r
s

=0.26;
P
<0.001) and reduced peak systolic radial velocities (
r
=−0.43;
P
<0.001). Regional myocardial velocities and ECV were similar for patients with reduced (n=12; ECV=0.28±0.06) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (n=19; ECV=0.30±0.09). Patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction showed significant relationships between increasing ECV and reduced systolic (
r
=−0.19;
r
=−0.30) and diastolic (
r
=0.34;
r
=0.26) radial and long-axis peak velocities (
P
<0.001). Even after excluding myocardial segments with late gadolinium enhancement, significant relationships between ECV and segmental LV velocities were maintained indicating the potential of elevated ECV to identify regional diffuse fibrosis not visible by late gadolinium enhancement, which was associated with impaired regional LV function.

Conclusions—

Regionally elevated ECV negatively affected myocardial velocities. The association of elevated regional ECV with reduced myocardial velocities independent of left ventricular ejection fraction suggests a structure–function relationship between altered ECV and segmental myocardial function in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Effect of Obesity on Coronary Atherosclerosis and Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Kang Soo-Jin , Mintz Gary S. , Witzenbichler Bernhard , Metzger D. Christopher , Rinaldi Michael J. , Duffy Peter L. , Weisz Giora , Stuckey Thomas D. , Brodie Bruce R. , Shimizu Takehisa , Xu Ke , Kirtane Ajay J. , Stone Gregg W. , Maehara Akiko
Published: January 2015

Background—

Obesity is a cardiovascular risk factor, but the obesity paradox in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention is poorly understood.

Methods and Results—

Assessment of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy With Drug-Eluting Stents (ADAPT-DES) was a prospective, multicenter study of patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation. Overall, 780 patients (916 culprit lesions) were evaluated by grayscale and virtual histology–intravascular ultrasound pre–percutaneous coronary intervention. Poststenting intravascular ultrasound was done in 780 patients (894 treated lesions). Patients were divided into body mass index (BMI) tertiles. The high-BMI group had more diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia and more frequent plaque ruptures compared with the low-BMI group. At the minimal lumen area site, the high-BMI group had a larger plaque area (11.7 [11.0–12.4] versus 9.8 [9.3–10.4] mm
2
) and a greater plaque burden (77.3% [76.1%–78.5%] versus 74.4% [73.1%–75.8%]) compared with the low-BMI group; however, a larger external elastic membrane area (14.6 [13.8–15.3] versus 12.7 [12.1–13.3] mm
2
) resulted in a similar minimal lumen area compared with the low-BMI group. Post stenting, the high-BMI group had a significantly larger stent area versus the lower-BMI group. At 1-year follow-up, the high-BMI group was associated with less clinically driven target lesion revascularization compared with the low-BMI group in both the overall and the propensity-matched cohorts.

Conclusions—

A high BMI was associated with a greater plaque burden; however, a larger external elastic membrane preserved lumen dimensions and was associated with a larger stent area during intravascular ultrasound-guided stent implantation. Thus, despite more comorbidities, greater plaque burden, and more plaque rupture, a high BMI was not associated with worse outcomes after drug-eluting stent implantation.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00638794.
New Guinean Issidae: description of new taxa in a poorly known island fauna (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea)
Authors: GNEZDILOV V. M. , CESNE M. LE , SOULIER-PERKINS A. , BOURGOIN T.
Published: January 2015

In the framework of the recent expedition results of “Our Planet Reviewed Papua-New-Guinea 2012–2013” we provide here the first Issidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea) fauna review of New Guinea with the description of three new taxa: one new genus Papunega Gnezdilov et Bourgoin gen. nov. with two new species: Papunega magnifacies Gnezdilov et Le Cesne, sp. nov. (type species), Papunega armocula Gnezdilov et Soulier-Perkins, sp. nov. Tetrica fasciatifrons Melichar, 1906 is transferred to the genus Papugena gen. nov. to become Papugena fasciatifrons (Melichar, 1906) comb. nov. New Guinean Issidae fauna now includes 7 genera and 16 species.
Effect of melt viscosity on the cell morphology and properties of poly(lactic acid) foams
Authors: Gao De , Wang Jian-ping , Wang Yu , Zhang Ping
Published: January 2015

A compression molding foaming technique was used to prepare polylactic acid foams with a chemical foaming agent. The effect of melt viscosity of the polylactic acid on its cell morphology, apparent density, void fraction, cell population density, cell diameter, mechanical properties, and thermal property were studied. The apparent density of the foamed polylactic acid first decreased with decreasing melt viscosity and then increased, whereas the void fraction showed an opposite trend. A lower melt viscosity resulted in smaller cells, a more uniform cell size distribution, and a higher cell population density until the viscosity could not support further cell expansion which subsequently could cause gas escape and cell collapse. The tensile strength of the foams first increased with decreasing melt viscosity and then decreased. Their impact strength and flexural strength were improved by decreasing the melt viscosity. The use of glycidyl methacrylate only showed a small influence on the thermal stability of foamed polylactic acid.
Non-invasive blood pressure measurement: values, problems and applicability in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Mietsch M , Einspanier A
Published: January 2015

The common marmoset ( Callithrix jacchus, C. j.) is an established primate model in biomedical research and for human-related diseases. Monitoring of cardiovascular parameters including blood pressure (BP) is important for the health surveillance of these experimental animals and the quantification of diseases or pharmaceutical substances influencing BP. Measurement guidelines for C. j. do not exist yet; therefore, the present study was carried out to establish a practicable protocol based on recommendations of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Furthermore, BP data of 49 marmosets (13.8–202.4 months of age) were obtained via high-definition oscillometry to further knowledge of physiological parameters and gender-related differences in this primate. The thighs proved to be the most suitable measurement localization, since systolic values were less variable (left 4.03 ± 2.90%, right 5.96 ± 2.77%) compared with the tail (12.7 ± 6.96%). BP values were similar in the morning and in the afternoon ( P > 0.05). Data were highly reproducible within and between several sessions on three consecutive days ( P > 0.05) as well as over the course of 20 months ( P > 0.05). Furthermore, the measurement time for females was significantly shorter than for males (5:14 ± 1:59 min versus 6:50 ± 1:58 min, P = 0.007). Measurement recommendations for the common marmoset were successfully established. Standardized values enabled a reliable comparison of BP parameters, e.g. for cardiovascular, toxicological or metabolic research.
Diosgenin-induced protection against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury is mediated by mitochondrial KATP channels in a rat model
Authors: Badalzadeh R , Yousefi B , Tajaddini A , Ahmadian N
Published: January 2015

Objective:

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of diosgenin on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury and the potential involvement of mitochondrial KATP (mitoKATP) channel and nitric oxide (NO) system blockades in this field.

Materials and methods:

After isolation of hearts of male Wister rats, the study was conducted on control and diosgenin- receiving hearts in the presence or absence of 5-HD and L-NAME (as antagonists of mitoKATP channel and NO system, respectively) in an isolated buffer-perfused heart model. Global ischaemia was induced by 30-min occlusion of aortic flow followed by 90-min reperfusion. Cardiac haemodynamics were recorded throughout the experiment using a PowerLab data acquisition system.

Results:

The levels of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluents were estimated colourimetrically. Diosgenin pre-administration significantly decreased the release of LDH and CK-MD into the coronary effluent as compared the with the control group (P<0.05). The left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and contractility (±dP/dt) were significantly improved and restored to pre-ischaemic values in the diosgenin-receiving group (P<0.05 ). There were no significant differences in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, coronary flow and heart rate between the control and diosgenin-treated groups during the pre-ischaemic and reperfusion periods. Blocking the mitoKATP channels by 5-HD completely eliminated the positive effect of the diosgenin on the LVDP and ±dP/dt (P<0.05 ). However, blocking the NO system by L-NAME slightly reduced the diosgenin effects and the inhibitory effect of L-NAME was less than 5-HD.

Conclusion:

The results showed that diosgenin may have cardioprotective effects against myocardial reperfusion injury through activating the mitoKATP channels.
The induction of lipid peroxidation during the acute oxidative stress response induced by intratracheal instillation of fine crystalline silica particles in rats
Authors: Fukui Hiroko , Endoh Shigehisa , Shichiri Mototada , Ishida Noriko , Hagihara Yoshihisa , Yoshida Yasukazu , Iwahashi Hitoshi , Horie Masanori
Published: January 2015

Crystalline silica (SiO2) is an important material for industry but is considered potentially carcinogenic. Inhalation of a crystalline SiO2 aerosol may contribute to serious lung diseases. Crystalline SiO2 particles are commonly used as a positive control in toxicity assays of particulate materials (e.g. nanoparticles). Crystalline SiO2 induces oxidative stress resulting in lipid peroxidation, but the acute oxidative stress response in the lung is not well understood. Lipid peroxidation during the acute stage of oxidative stress after instillation of crystalline SiO2 into rats was examined by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis. The levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α and hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) in the BALF were measured using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry. The concentration of the antioxidant protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the BALF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intratracheal instillation of crystalline SiO2 increased the level of HODE and HO-1 in BALF at 24 h after administration. The levels of HODE and HO-1 returned to baseline at 72 h after instillation. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage was observed only after 1 h instillation. These results suggest that the contribution of oxidative stress to the pulmonary toxicity of crystalline SiO2 is minimal in the early acute stage after exposure.
Implementing the Common Core
Authors: Porter Rachel E. , Fusarelli Lance D. , Fusarelli Bonnie C.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this comparative case study was to explore the ways educators at the school level experience the Common Core Standards and examine the contextual factors that impacted the way it was initially implemented. Qualitative data were gathered through teacher surveys, faculty focus groups, and interviews with each school principal and the two district Race to the Top coordinators. Analysis of the collected data uncovered common themes, including interpreting and framing the change, professional collaboration, impact of the change on teachers’ professional and personal lives, and pacing, communication, and training.
Implementing Educational Innovations at Scale
Authors: Cohen-Vogel Lora , Tichnor-Wagner Ariel , Allen Danielle , Harrison Christopher , Kainz Kirsten , Socol Allison Rose , Wang Qi
Published: January 2015

There is growing concern among researchers and governmental officials that knowing what works in education is important, but not enough for school improvement. Sound evidence alone is not sufficient for large-scale, sustainable change, both because practitioners may consider it irrelevant to their own problems of practice or run into challenges when they try to implement. Failed attempts at replicating positive outcomes in new (or simply expanded) settings underscore the need for a different relationship between research and practice, one that takes a systemic perspective on improvement and transforms the role for research. In this article, we describe the new science of improvement and where it sits in the evolution of research on education policy implementation. We discuss the roots of the approach as well as its key features. We explain how the work differs from that of traditional research and end with illustrations of this difference from our experiences with the National Center on Scaling Up Effective Schools.
Blockbuster Marxism
Authors: Agger Ben , Luke Timothy W.
Published: January 2015

Thomas Piketty’s critique of capitalism, Capital in the 21st Century (2014), is examined in light of earlier Marxist and neo-Marxist analyses. It is noted that Piketty’s important main finding, that inequality has increased under capitalism, is not matched by his solution, the ‘social state’, which hinges on a tax on capital and is not a fundamental rethinking of capitalism. Alternative analyses of a global ‘flash capitalism’ are explored.
Affirmative action in India: Before and after the neo-liberal turn
Authors: Jayal Niraja Gopal
Published: January 2015

The inauguration of neo-liberal economic reforms in India coincided with a substantial expansion in the scope and coverage of affirmative action provisions. This article offers an explanation of this puzzle. However, while policies of affirmative action per se have not been adversely affected by the economic reforms, weaknesses of implementation persist, as seen in the poor outcomes for Dalits in terms of both public sector employment and poverty statistics. A small section of Dalits have lately begun to view the market as offering opportunities for accelerated advancement and prosperity, and this article assesses the discursive and empirical claims of Dalit entrepreneurship and Dalit capitalism, and its links to past histories of affirmative action.
Providing Justice for Low-Income Youths
Authors: Cheng Kevin Kwok-yin , Chui Wing Hong , Ong Rebecca
Published: January 2015

Despite the undercurrents of rights protection in Hong Kong’s juvenile justice procedure, the ultimate goal remains punishment based on welfare needs. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 40 youth defendants and defence lawyers, this article will examine the ways in which youth defendants and defence lawyers negotiate the welfare and justice imperatives of the Hong Kong juvenile justice system and end up accepting the disciplinary welfare model. Publicly funded lawyers have become primarily plea mitigators, assisting the state in seeing to the welfare and ‘the best interests of the child’. A study of Hong Kong will lead to a broader understanding of how a welfare-oriented system can work in a time when juvenile justice systems around the world emphasize human rights, due process and children’s rights.
Fair and Balanced? Experimental Evidence on Partisan Bias in Grading
Authors: Musgrave Paul , Rom Mark
Published: January 2015

Is grading polarized in political science classrooms? We offer experimental evidence that suggests it is not. Many have argued that instructors’ grading in political science classrooms is skewed by the political characteristics of the instructor, the student, or an interaction between the two. Yet the evaluations of whether such biases exist has been asserted and denied with little evidence—even though prominent theories in political science suggest that the charge is not entirely implausible. Using a set of anonymous essays by undergraduates graded by teaching assistants at a variety of institutions, we test for the presence of bias in a framework that avoids the usual selection bias issues that confound attempts at inference. After evaluating the evidence carefully, we find that the evidence for bias is much weaker than activists claim.
The Story of a Betrayal
Authors: Martinez Alejandra
Published: January 2015

In this essay, I reflect on what happens when professors allow students to express themselves, intellectually, creatively, and emotionally, applying their interpretive skills to achieve this expression. I present, through performance, the results of an exercise that I developed with my undergraduate students in the city of Cordoba, Argentina. I asked them to analyze children’s films and then perform this material, inspired by their own analysis. This is a play within a play; a play about writing a play.
Use and Safety of Intratumoral Application of European Mistletoe (Viscum album L) Preparations in Oncology
Authors: Steele Megan L. , Axtner Jan , Happe Antje , Kröz Matthias , Matthes Harald , Schad Friedemann
Published: January 2015

Background. Intratumoral (IT) injection of European mistletoe ( Viscum album L) preparations might induce local tumor response through combined cytotoxic and immunomodulatory actions of the preparations. Although promising in vitro and in vivo data, along with clinical case studies suggest the need for validation of this hypothesis in prospective trials, the safety of IT mistletoe injections has yet to be thoroughly assessed. Methods. The present study summarizes the practice and safety of off-label IT mistletoe therapy within the Network Oncology, a conjoint clinical registry of German hospitals and outpatients specialized in anthroposophic and integrative medicine. Demographic, diagnosis and treatment data of cancer patients who received IT mistletoe applications between 2007 and 2013 were assessed. Suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were analyzed in terms of type, frequency, severity, seriousness and potential risk factors. Results. A total of 123 cancer patients received 862 IT mistletoe injections (preparations from Abnoba, Helixor and Iscucin). The most commonly applied preparations were Abnoba viscum Fraxini (71 patients) and Helixor Mali (54 patients). Of the total patients, 26 patients (21.1%) experienced 74 ADRs. All ADRs were in response to either Abnoba viscum Fraxini (25.4% of exposed patients) or Helixor Mali (18.5% of exposed patients). ADRs were mostly body temperature or immune related and of mild (83.8%) or moderate (14.9%) intensity. Only one possible ADR was described as severe (hypertension) and no serious ADRs occurred. The frequency of ADRs to IT mistletoe injections was 3 times and 5 times higher than has previously been found for subcutaneous and intravenous applications of mistletoe, respectively. Conclusion. IT injection of mistletoe preparations resulted in a relatively high frequency of ADRs. Nearly all ADRs were mild to moderate however, and no serious ADRs occurred. Furthermore, it is possible that immune-related ADRs such as pyrexia and local inflammatory reactions might be critical for tumor response. In light of these results, IT mistletoe therapy seems to be safe and prospective trials are recommended.
Gravity Versus Manual External Rotation Stress View in Evaluating Ankle Stability
Authors: LeBa Thu-Ba , Gugala Zbigniew , Morris Randal P. , Panchbhavi Vinod K.
Published: January 2015

Background. The purpose of this prospective study was to determine whether gravity versus manual external rotation stress testing effectively detects widening of the medial clear space in isolated ankle fractures when compared with the uninjured contralateral side. Methods. Manual external rotation stress and gravity stress tests were performed on injured and uninjured ankles of ankle fracture patients in a clinic setting. Medial clear space measurements were recorded and differences between gravity and manual stress views were determined. Results. Twenty consecutive patients with ankle injury were enrolled in the study. When compared with the uninjured side, gravity stress views showed a statistically significant ( P = .017) increase in medial clear space widening (1.85 ± 1.07 mm) compared with manual stress view widening (1.35 ± 1.04 mm). Conclusions. This study suggests that gravity stress views are as effective as manual external rotation stress views in detecting medial clear space widening in isolated fibular fractures.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic, Level II: Prospective, comparative trial
Compound loss of function of nuclear receptors Tr2 and Tr4 leads to induction of murine embryonic β-type globin genes
Authors: Cui Shuaiying , Tanabe Osamu , Sierant Michael , Shi Lihong , Campbell Andrew , Lim Kim-Chew , Engel James Douglas
Published: January 2015

Key Points

Conditional TR2/TR4 knockout leads to induction of murine embryonic globin genes.
Valproate? Lithium comes first
Authors: Attenburrow Mary Jane , Smith Katharine
Published: January 2015

Maintenance drug treatment in bipolar disorder is a key component of management. There is clinical uncertainty about the relative efficacy of valproate, either alone or in combination, particularly in comparison to lithium. This month's Cochrane corner review aimed to summarise the best evidence available. This commentary puts the findings into their clinical context and updates them in the light of subsequent analyses and the recent revision of the NICE guidelines on bipolar disorder.
Parenting and personality disorder: clinical and child protection implications
Authors: Adshead Gwen
Published: January 2015

I review some of the evidence that parental personality disorder represents a risk to child development, in terms of both transmission of genetic vulnerability and the environmental stress of living with a parent who has a personality disorder that negatively affects their parenting capacities. I argue that there are two compelling reasons to impose a duty on mental healthcare providers to offer services for adults with personality disorders that specifically focus on their parenting identity: first, because effective therapies for personality disorder are now available; and second, because there is a strong utilitarian and economic argument for improving parental mental health so as to reduce the economic and psychological burden of their offsprings' future psychiatric morbidity.
Biological psychiatry–100 words
Authors: Cowen Philip
Published: January 2015

Guze's famous essay on biological psychiatry – ‘Is there any other kind?’ –
argued that humans are biologically evolved creatures, therefore biological
processes must contribute importantly to psychiatric disorder. True enough,
though perhaps it was inevitable that ‘biological’ psychiatry would be
defined in opposition to other kinds of psychiatry like ‘psychosocial’,
which would then return to depict it as mindless, blind to context and
medically hegemonic. Pluralism is a great relief. Biological processes are
always involved, and we can try to utilise them for understanding and
treatment if it helps – but we don't have to. Biopsychosocial psychiatry –
is there any other kind?
The Michigan Upper Peninsula English Vowel System in Finnish American Communities in Marquette County
Authors: Rankinen Wil
Published: January 2015

This article investigates the acoustic properties of the American English vowel spaces of 65 Finnish Americans from Marquette County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP). The author compares the general system of these UP vowel spaces to substrate Finnish and neighboring English vowel systems and examines the subsystems of these UP vowel spaces along the sociolinguistic variables of language dominance, age, sex, and educational attainment to ascertain whether the internal system dynamics show any substrate or exogenous characteristics. The apparent-time evidence in this study indicates a potential change in progress in this UP speech community, with younger speakers using variants typically associated with neighboring Canada (e.g., low-back merger of /ᵅ, ᵓ/, the lowering and retraction of /ᴵ, ε, æ/, the raising of /aᴵ, aᶷ/ nuclei before voiceless obstruents). Consequently, Michigan’s UP more closely aligns with the Canadian English’s regional boundary than the proposed “residual territory” as defined by Labov, Ash, and Boberg.
PART OF THE PROBLEM
Authors: Bynum Caroline Walker
Published: January 2015

In this guest column, the medieval historian Caroline Walker Bynum uses her recent experiences as a hospital volunteer advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in New York City to meditate on the progressive politics of her younger days in the 1960s, on her current doubts about the efficacy of political action, and on the virtue of silent listening.
Targets, models and challenges in osteoarthritis research
Authors: Thysen Sarah , Luyten Frank P. , Lories Rik J. U.
Published: January 2015

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disorder of the joint and represents one of the most common diseases worldwide. Its prevalence and severity are increasing owing to aging of the population, but treatment options remain largely limited to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, which only provide symptomatic relief. In the late stages of the disease, surgical interventions are often necessary to partially restore joint function. Although the focus of osteoarthritis research has been originally on the articular cartilage, novel findings are now pointing to osteoarthritis as a disease of the whole joint, in which failure of different joint components can occur. In this Review, we summarize recent progress in the field, including data from novel ‘omics’ technologies and from a number of preclinical and clinical trials. We describe different in vitro and in vivo systems that can be used to study molecules, pathways and cells that are involved in osteoarthritis. We illustrate that a comprehensive and multisystem approach is necessary to understand the complexity and heterogeneity of the disease and to better guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis.
High Tolerance to Coke Deposition in Methane Steam Reforming for Yttria-stabilized Zirconia Catalyst-supported Nickel by Electroless Plating
Authors: Watanabe Ryo , Kawasaki Wataru , Ma Xiaojun , Fukuhara Choji
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to develop a yttria-stabilized zirconia catalyst-supported nickel (Ni/YSZ) with high tolerance to coke deposition during methane steam reforming (MSR). The Ni/YSZ catalyst prepared by an electroless plating method (Ni(el)/YSZ) exhibited better stability during the MSR than did the catalyst prepared by a conventional impregnation method (Ni(im)/YSZ). Additionally, the amount of coke deposition on the Ni(el)/YSZ catalyst was lower than that on the Ni(im)/YSZ catalyst. By thermal treating the Ni(el)/YSZ catalyst in a nitrogen atmosphere before the reforming reaction, a further decrease in the deposited coke amount was observed. In particular, the deposited coke was not detected at all over the Ni(el)/YSZ catalyst pretreated at 1073 K for 2 h.
Rational Inattention to Discrete Choices: A New Foundation for the Multinomial Logit Model
Authors: Matějka Filip , McKay Alisdair
Published: January 2015

Individuals must often choose among discrete actions with imperfect information about their payoffs. Before choosing, they have an opportunity to study the payoffs, but doing so is costly. This creates new choices such as the number of and types of questions to ask. We model these situations using the rational inattention approach to information frictions. We find that the decision maker's optimal strategy results in choosing probabilistically in line with a generalized multinomial logit model, which depends both on the actions' true payoffs as well as on prior beliefs. (JEL D11, D81, D83)
When Does Regulation Distort Costs? Lessons from Fuel Procurement in US Electricity Generation
Authors: Cicala Steve
Published: January 2015

This paper evaluates changes in fuel procurement practices by coal-and gas-fired power plants in the United States following state-level legislation that ended cost-of-service regulation of electricity generation. I find that deregulated plants substantially reduce the price paid for coal (but not gas) and tend to employ less capital-intensive sulfur abatement techniques relative to matched plants that were not subject to any regulatory change. Deregulation also led to a shift toward more productive coal mines. I show how these results lend support to theories of asymmetric information, capital bias, and regulatory capture as important sources of regulatory distortion. (JEL L51, L71, L94, L98, Q35, Q41, Q48)
Antibacterial Activities and Mechanism of Action of Acetone Extracts from Rabdosia rubescens
Authors: Cheng Li Ping , Hu Qing Ping
Published: January 2015

The antibacterial activities and mechanism of action of acetone extracts from R. rubescens were reported in this paper. The results showed that 80% acetone extracts had both the highest contents of total phenolics and flavonoids. Acetone extracts showed better antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacterial strains and there were no inhibitory effects found on tested Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, 80% acetone extracts from R. rubescens had relatively higher antibacterial activities with the lowest values of MIC and MBC at 2.5 mg/mL and 5 mg/mL against B. subtilis. The antibacterial mechanism of 80% acetone extracts against Bacillus subtilis might be described as disrupting cell wall, increasing cell membrane permeability, and finally leading to the leakage of cell constituents
Issues of Teacher Performance Stability are Not New: Limitations and Possibilities
Authors: Good Thomas L. , Lavigne Alyson L.
Published: January 2015

Morgan, Hodge, Trepinski, and Anderson (2014) have written an article that continues to confirm what we have known for some time—teacher effects on student achievement have limited stability. In this commentary, we address the other potential contributions this work can make to inform practice, policy, and research. While illustrating Morgan et al.’s inattention to history, we take the opportunity to reframe their findings. Considering the authors’ work in the context of past and current research, we illustrate that this collective set of stable evidence should convince policymakers that it is not reasonable to assume that teachers and teaching is stable across time. Beyond this important opportunity to influence policy, we believe these findings underscore the need to build upon and expand the dependent measures we use to define and understand good teaching. After all, as we have noted (Lavigne & Good, 2014; in press) good teaching involves much more than increasing students’ scores on standardized achievement tests.
Serum Magnesium Levels in Pediatric Inpatients: A Study in Laboratory Overuse
Authors: Narayanan Sridaran , Scalici Paul
Published: January 2015

Background and Objective:

Hypomagnesemia, defined as a serum magnesium (Mg) level <1.5 mg/dL (0.62 mmol/L), is often asymptomatic. The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of clinically significant abnormal Mg levels in the inpatient setting and to identify diagnoses for which testing would be diagnostically helpful.

Methods:

We obtained data from 2010 through 2011 on charges for serum Mg levels and Mg supplementation for all non-ICU inpatients from the 43 tertiary care children’s hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. A manual chart review was performed for all patients at our institution with charges for both Mg levels and Mg supplementation.

Results:

A median of 13.5% (interquartile range: 7.7–22.1) of non-ICU inpatients from Pediatric Health Information System centers had charges for Mg levels, at a total charge of $41 million in the 2010–2011 period. At our institution, 19.1% of non-ICU inpatients had charges for Mg levels, at a charge of $67.32/patient-day. Of the 4608 patients with Mg laboratory charges at our institution, 171 (3.7%) had an intervention, defined as addition or modification of an Mg supplement dose in response to a serum Mg level. The 4 most common groups of diagnoses (oncologic, abdominal surgery requiring total parenteral nutrition, solid organ transplant, and short bowel syndrome) accounted for 143 (83.6%) of these interventions.

Conclusions:

Serum Mg levels were frequently ordered in non-ICU inpatients, but levels were seldom abnormal and rarely resulted in changes in clinical management. These findings raise concerns about resource overutilization and provide a target for more judicious laboratory ordering practices.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Neonatologist in Complex Fetal Medicine: Providing a Continuum of Care
Authors: Chock Valerie Y. , Davis Alexis S. , Hintz Susan R.
Published: January 2015

Advances in prenatal imaging and genetic testing have increased the ability to diagnose fetal anomalies earlier in pregnancy and with greater accuracy and detail. These advances prompted the development of fetal interventions aimed at reducing mortality or significant long-term morbidity, thus ushering in a new era of fetal medicine and the creation of fetal centers. Despite these innovations, infants with congenital anomalies often require intensive care from the moment they are born, have lengthy initial hospitalizations, and require substantial continued care and services after discharge. The complexity and variety of fetal diagnoses underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach beginning in fetal life, and the neonatologist is central to this collaborative effort. With a background in general pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine, the neonatologist is uniquely positioned to contribute to the clinical operations of a fetal center, from counseling the expectant mother to directing a complex delivery room resuscitation, providing continuing care through the neonatal period, and preparing families for transitioning care through childhood.
Una Estrategia de Innovación en Fertilizantes Orgánicos Mediante Lógica Difusa
Authors: Rojas López Miguel David , Sánchez Uribe Juan David , Londoño Vásquez Laura Marcela
Published: January 2015

Las investigaciones previas aplicadas a la industria de los fertilizantes orgánicos se enfocan en solucionar un problema de manejo de sólidos y la generación de valor desde el punto de vista técnico, compostaje, humus, enriquecimiento en composición, sin enfocar los estudios a la estructura del negocio. Esta investigación muestra la implementación de una estructura comercial y conceptual del campo de los fertilizantes, permitiendo ofrecer al mercado un producto con características técnicas, precio y servicio novedosos, generando ventaja competitiva con respecto a los actores y sustitutos del mercado. Mediante la aplicación de lógica difusa se presenta una estrategia innovadora a nivel productivo y comercial, por medio de la aplicación de las técnicas de análisis morfológico y análisis de problemas, las cuales permiten identificar una combinación de características para formular la estrategia que luego es validada por medio de los empresarios del sector.
Mycorrhizal Dependency of Alcaparro (Senna pistaciifolia Kunth) at Three Concentrations of Soil Solution Phosphorus
Authors: Sierra Escoba Jorge Alberto , Castro Restrepo Dagoberto , Osorio Vega Nelson Walter
Published: January 2015

A greenhouse bioassay was carried out to determine the mycorrhizal dependency of alcaparro (Senna pistaciifolia Kunth). A randomized complete experimental design was employed, with six treatments in a factorial arrangement 3x2; the treatments consisted of three levels in soil solution phosphorus (P) (0.002, 0.02, and 0.2 mg L-1) combined with two levels of mycorrhizal inoculation either uninoculated or inoculated with Glomus agreggatum. The variables studied were leaf P content as a function of time, shoot dry matter, shoot P content, mycorrhizal colonization of roots, and the mycorrhizal dependency (MD). The results indicate that the leaf P content increased significantly with the mycorrhizal inoculation in alcaparro to 0.02 mg L-1 after the second sampling days, but not in the other soil P levels. Likewise, shoot dry weight increased significantly at 0.02 mg L-1. On the other hand, the total plant P content increase at all levels of soil available P. The mycorrhizal colonization in alcaparro roots was 11, 23, and 0% at 0.02, 0.002 and 0.2 mg of P L-1, respectively. The MD for alcaparro was 32%, which allow classify this specie as moderately dependent on the mycorrhizal association.
A Portable Device to Assist in the Harvest of Coffee in Colombia
Authors: Moreno Cárdenas Edilson León , Oliveros Tascón Carlos Eugenio , Álvarez Mejía Fernando
Published: January 2015

The harvest is one of the most important activities in coffee crops; on the one hand, it provides employment opportunities for a large group of rural workers and on the other, it supplies mature fruits for the production of high quality coffee. In the present study, a device was designed and evaluated to assist in manual coffee harvesting, called Alfa, which employs a three-toothed blade beater, a DC motor powered by dry batteries and a system for receiving detached fruits. The research proceeded in two phases; in the first, the device was designed and built; in the second, an evaluation was carried out by using traditional manual collection as a comparison. The evaluations were developed in four locations: three experimental stations of Cenicafé and one private property. The variables studied were: number of fruits left on the ground after harvest, percentage of immature coffee in the harvested mass and yield. The device presented an operating time of four days without recharging, a weight less than four kg and an absence of technical failures; the operators had no problems with its use; and, in addition, it was possible to increase the yield of the operators by almost 70%; the percentage of immature coffee was between 4.5% and 3% and losses were between one and 19 fruits per site.
Evaluación de la Actividad Bactericida de Bacterias Ácido Lácticas Aisladas en Calostro de Cerdas Frente a Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Vélez Zea Juliana María , Gutiérrez Ramírez Luz Adriana , Montoya Campuzano Olga Inés
Published: January 2015

En los sistemas de crianza intensiva especialmente en cerdos, la resistencia antimicrobiana de algunas bacterias patógenas, se ha convertido en un problema mundial, tanto para los productores como para los consumidores. El uso de microorganismos probióticos aislados de calostro de cerda criadas en sistemas intensivos han demostrado eficacia en la inhibición del crecimiento de algunos patógenos entéricos. Se eligieron dos cepas denominadas como BAL1 y BAL3, a las cuales se les evaluó el potencial bactericida de los extractos bacterianos sobre el patógeno Salmonella thipymurium, por el método de difusión en pozos en agar Mueller Hinton. Los extractos se obtuvieron ajustando el inóculo a 0,5 McF en caldo MRS, centrifugados a 6.000 rpm por 5 minutos y filtrados con membrana de 0,2 µm. Ambos extractos mostraron tener un alto potencial bactericida frente a esta bacteria, con promedios de halo de inhibición de 11 mm in vitro.