bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycemia-Induced Modulation of the Physiognomy and Angiogenic Potential of Fibroblasts Mediated by Matrix Metalloproteinase-2: Implications for Venous Stenosis Formation Associated with Hemodialysis Vascular Access in Diabetic Milieu
Authors: Janardhanan Rajiv , Kilari Sreenivasulu , Leof Edward B. , Misra Sanjay
Published: March 2016

Purpose: It is hypothesized that venous stenosis formation associated with hemodialysis vascular-access failure is caused by hypoxia-mediated fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation accompanied by proliferation and migration, and that diabetic patients have worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the functional and gene expression outcomes of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (Mmp-2) silencing in fibroblasts cultured under hyperglycemia and euglycemia with hypoxic and normoxic stimuli. Materials and Methods: AKR-2B fibroblasts were stably transduced using lentivirus-mediated shRNA-Mmp-2 or scrambled controls and subjected to hypoxia or normoxia under hyperglycemic or euglycemic conditions for 24 and 72 h. Gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (Vegf-A), Vegfr-1, Mmp-2, Mmp-9 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (Timps) were determined by RT-PCR. Collagen I and IV secretion and cellular proliferation and migration were determined. Results: Under hyperglycemic conditions, there is a significant reduction in the average gene expression of Vegf-A and Mmp-9, with an increase in Timp-1 at 24 h of hypoxia (p < 0.05) in Mmp-2-silenced fibroblasts when compared to controls. In addition, there is a decrease in collagen I and IV secretion and cellular migration. The euglycemic cells were able to reverse these findings. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the rationale for using anti-Mmp-2 therapy in dialysis patients with hemodialysis vascular access in helping to reduce stenosis formation.
Is Modified Radical Hysterectomy Needed for Patients with Clinical Stage I/II Endometrial Cancers? A Historical Control Study
Authors: Miyamoto Morikazu , Takano Masashi , Aoyama Tadashi , Soyama Hiroaki , Kato Masafumi , Yoshikawa Tomoyuki , Shibutani Takashi , Matsuura Hiroko , Goto Tomoko , Sasa Hidenori , Nagaoka Isao , Furuya Kenichi
Published: March 2016

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess whether hysterectomy with wider resection could improve survival by preventing local recurrence. Methods: Medical charts of the patients with clinical stage I/II endometrial cancers treated at our hospital between 1990 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse effects according to the type of hysterectomy. Results: A total of 247 patients were identified: 46 patients treated with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH group) and 201 patients with modified radical hysterectomy (mRH group). No significant differences were observed in OS (p = 0.52) and PFS (p = 0.67) between the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in the distribution of recurrent sites between the two groups. The patients treated with mRH had a longer operation time and more frequently developed severe adverse events, such as blood loss and lymphedema. Conclusion: In our cohorts, there were no significant differences in both PFS and OS according to surgical procedures, and the mRH group more frequently developed severe adverse events. Overall, clinical benefit was not obtained by mRH in patients with clinical stage I/II endometrial carcinomas.
Influence of Serum Levels of Vitamins A, D, and E as well as Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms on Micronucleus Frequencies and Other Biomarkers of Genotoxicity in Workers Exposed to Formaldehyde
Authors: Ladeira Carina , Pádua Mário , Veiga Luísa , Viegas Susana , Carolino Elisabete , Gomes Manuel C. , Brito Miguel
Published: March 2016

Background/Aim: Formaldehyde is classified as carcinogenic to humans, making it a major concern, particularly in occupational settings. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, and E, are documented as antigenotoxic and antimutagenic and also correlate with the cell antioxidant potential. This study investigates the influence of these vitamins on genotoxicity biomarkers of formaldehyde-exposed hospital workers. Methods: The target population were hospital workers exposed to formaldehyde (n = 55). Controls were nonexposed individuals (n = 80). The most used genotoxicity biomarkers were the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay for lymphocytes and the micronucleus test for exfoliated buccal cells. Vitamins A and E were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms by real-time PCR. Results: Significant correlations were found between genotoxicity biomarkers and between vitamins A and E in controls. Multiple regression showed that vitamin A was significantly associated with a higher mean of nucleoplasmic bridges (p < 0.001), and vitamin E was significantly associated with a decreased frequency of nuclear buds (p = 0.045) in the exposed group. No effect of vitamin D was observed. The VDRBsmI TT genotype carriers presented higher means of all the genotoxicity biomarkers; however, we found no significant associations. Conclusions: The study suggests that vitamin levels may modulate direct signs of genotoxicity.
Multicolor Spectral Analyses of Mitotic and Meiotic Mouse Chromosomes Involved in Multiple Robertsonian Translocations. I. The CD/Cremona Hybrid Strain
Authors: Schmid Michael , Steinlein Claus , Winking Heinz
Published: March 2016

Multicolor spectral analysis (spectral karyotyping) was applied to mitotic and male diakinetic chromosomes of hybrid mice carrying a unique system of 18 autosomal Robertsonian translocation chromosomes with alternating arm homologies. Only the autosomes 19 and the XY sex chromosomes are excluded from these Robertsonian translocations. The translocations, previously identified by conventional banding analyses, could be verified by spectral karyotyping. Besides the Robertsonian translocations, no other interchromosomal rearrangements were detected. In diakineses of male meiosis, the 18 metacentric Robertsonian translocation chromosomes form a very large meiotic ‘superring'. The predictable, specific order of the chromosomes along this ‘superring' was completely confirmed by multicolor spectral analysis. In the majority of diakineses analyzed, the free autosomal bivalent 19 and the XY sex bivalent form a conspicuous complex which tightly associates with the 12;14 Robertsonian translocation chromosome in the ‘superring'.
Brown Tumors: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Can Özgür , Boynueğri Başak , Gökçe Ali Murat , Özdemir Ebru , Ferhatoğlu Ferhat , Canbakan Mustafa , Şahin Gülizar Manga , Titiz Mesut İzzet , Apaydın Süheyla
Published: March 2016

Brown tumors are focal bone lesions, encountered in patients with uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism. They can be located in any part of the skeleton. Clinically significant lesions in the craniofacial bones are rare. Craniofacial involvement may cause facial disfiguration and compromise social ease of the patient and normal functions, such as chewing, talking, and breathing. In this case report, we present a patient with a brown tumor of the craniofacial bones provoked by secondary hyperparathyroidism and review the last 10 years of craniofacial brown tumors associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism in the English literature.
Two Cases of Hypophosphatemia with Increased Renal Phosphate Excretion in Legionella Pneumonia
Authors: Watanabe Shuhei , Kono Keiji , Fujii Hideki , Nakai Kentaro , Goto Shunsuke , Nishi Shinichi
Published: March 2016

We encountered 2 cases of hypophosphatemia due to Legionella pneumonia. Both cases showed increased urinary phosphate excretion and renal tubular dysfunction, which ameliorated with recovery from Legionella pneumonia. Serum fibroblast growth factor-23 level was suppressed, whereas serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels were normal. Delayed elevation of serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D levels was observed with improvement in renal tubular function. These findings suggested hypophosphatemia might be mediated by renal tubular dysfunction.
Assessment of the Correlation between Endoscopic Activity and Histological Activity in Ulcerative Colitis Patients
Authors: Simsek Hulya Demirkaynak , Basyigit Sebahat , Aktas Bora , Simsek Guler Gulcin , Vargol Erdem , Kucukazman Metin , Nazlıgul Yaşar
Published: March 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the concordance between the Rachmilewitz endoscopic activity index (EAI) and the Harpaz histopathological activity scoring system (HSS), which are used for evaluating the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). Subjects and Methods: This study included 109 patients with UC. Based on the disease extent, patients were divided into two groups as left-sided colitis and pancolitis. Patients were grouped as inactive, mild, moderate and severe depending on the Rachmilewitz EAI and Harpaz HSS. Kendal's tau and kappa (κ) statistics were used to assess the agreement between endoscopic and histopathological scores. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also analyzed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of endoscopic scores to predict inactive histopathological disease. Results: In the left-sided colitis group, there were slight and poor agreements in the inactive endoscopic subscores (ESS) with inactive Harpaz HSS (κ: 0.598, p < 0.001) and moderate ESS with moderate Harpaz HSS (κ: 0.236, p = 0.046). There was no agreement between mild ESS and mild Harpaz HSS and between severe ESS and severe Harpaz HSS (κ: 0.071, p = 0.573 and κ: 0.160, p = 0.151, respectively). In the pancolitis group, there was no significant agreement between inactive, mild, moderate and severe ESS and the equivalent Harpaz HSS grades (κ: -0.194, p = 0.187; κ: 0.125, p = 0.397; κ: 0.148, p = 0.175 and κ: 0.174, p = 0.153, respectively). The ROC curve showed that the ESS indicating inactive disease had a low sensitivity to predict histologically inactive disease. Conclusion: The concordance between the endoscopic and histopathological indices was poor. Using both scores in the follow-up of patients with UC is necessary for treatment planning.
Comparison of Long‐Term Clinical Outcomes of Lesions Exhibiting Focal and Segmental Peri‐Stent Contrast Staining
Authors: Tokuda Takahiro , Yamawaki Masahiro , Takahara Mitsuyohi , Mori Shinsuke , Makino Kenji , Honda Yosuke , Takafuji Hiroya , Takama Takuro , Tsutsumi Masakazu , Sakamoto Yasunari , Takimura Hideyuki , Kobayashi Norihiro , Araki Motoharu , Hirano Keisuke , Ito Yoshiaki
Published: March 2016

Background

Peri‐stent contrast staining (
PSS
) after metallic drug‐eluting stent deployment is associated with target lesion revascularization and very late stent thrombosis. However, the type of
PSS
that influences the clinical outcomes is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to reveal which
PSS
type was influencing clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results

This study included 5580 de novo lesions of 4405 patients who were implanted with a first‐ or second‐generation drug‐eluting stent and who were evaluated using follow‐up angiography within 12 months after stent implantation. We compared the clinical outcomes of patients divided into focal
PSS
and segmental
PSS
groups for 6 years after stent implantation. Total
PSS
was observed in 97 lesions (2.2%), of which 42 and 55 lesions were focal and segmental
PSS
, respectively. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for intraoperative chronic total occlusion (segmental
PSS
=47.3% versus focal
PSS
=11.9%,
P
=0.0001). The incidence of segmental
PSS
tended to be higher in patients with a first‐generation drug‐eluting stent (83.6% versus 16.4%,
P
=0.05). The cumulative incidence of stent thrombosis in the 6 years of segmental
PSS
group was significantly higher than that of the focal
PSS
group (13.9% versus 0%,
P
=0.04). The cumulative incidence of overall target lesion revascularization for restenosis, excluding target lesion revascularization procedures for stent thrombosis, was significantly higher in the segmental
PSS
group (38.0% versus 0%,
P
=0.01).

Conclusions

The incidence of segmental
PSS
tended to be higher in patients with a first‐generation drug‐eluting stent and appeared to be significantly associated with target lesion revascularization and stent thrombosis.
Incidence and Prognostic Significance of Depressive Symptoms in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: McDermott Mary M. , Guralnik Jack M. , Tian Lu , Kibbe Melina R. , Ferrucci Luigi , Zhao Lihui , Liu Kiang , Liao Yihua , Gao Ying , Criqui Michael H.
Published: March 2016

Background

We compared the incidence of depression, defined by a Geriatric Depression Score (
GDS
) ≥6, between people with versus without peripheral artery disease (
PAD
). We determined whether depressive symptoms were associated with increased mortality in people with and without
PAD
.

Methods and Results

Nine hundred and fifty‐one
PAD
patients and 478 non‐
PAD
patients were recruited from Chicago medical centers and followed prospectively. At baseline and annually, participants completed the
GDS
(0–15 scale, score ≥6=depression) and 6‐minute walk. Cause of death was confirmed with death certificates. The prevalence of a
GDS
≥6 at baseline was 186/951 (19.6%) among
PAD
versus 63/478 (13.2%) among non‐
PAD
participants (
P
=0.003). During a mean follow‐up of 2.7±1.2 years, 122/712 (17.1%) of participants with
PAD
versus 51/403 (12.7%) without
PAD
developed a
GDS
≥6 (
P
=0.047). Adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidities, and other confounders,
PAD
participants had an increased rate of developing a
GDS
≥6 compared to non‐
PAD
participants (hazard ratio=1.54 (95%
CI
=1.05–2.25,
P
=0.026). This association was not statistically significant after adjusting for 6‐minute walk (
P
=0.258). Among
PAD
participants, a baseline
GDS
≥6 was associated with increased all‐cause mortality, adjusting for confounders (hazard ratio=1.57, 95%
CI
=1.12–2.21,
P
=0.009). This association was not significant after adjusting for 6‐minute walk (
P
=0.224).

Conclusions

People with
PAD
have a higher incidence of depressive symptoms than people without
PAD
. In
PAD
, depressive symptoms are associated with increased all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. These associations are explained in part by poorer 6‐minute walk among people with
PAD
and among depressed people with
PAD
, respectively.
Off‐Hour Admission and Mortality Risk for 28 Specific Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of 251 Cohorts
Authors: Zhou Yanfeng , Li Wenzhen , Herath Chulani , Xia Jiahong , Hu Bo , Song Fujian , Cao Shiyi , Lu Zuxun
Published: March 2016

Background

A considerable amount of studies have examined the relationship between off‐hours (weekends and nights) admission and mortality risk for various diseases, but the results remain equivocal.

Methods and Results

Through a search of
EMBASE
,
PUBMED
, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, we identified cohort studies that evaluated the association between off‐hour admission and mortality risk for disease. In a random effects meta‐analysis of 140 identified articles (251 cohorts), off‐hour admission was strongly associated with increased mortality for aortic aneurysm (odds ratio, 1.52; 95%
CI
, 1.30–1.77), breast cancer (1.50, 1.21–1.86), leukemia (1.45, 1.17–1.79), respiratory neoplasm (1.32, 1.20–1.26), pancreatic cancer (1.32, 1.12–1.56), malignant neoplasm of genitourinary organs (1.27, 1.08–1.49), colorectal cancer (1.26, 1.07–1.49), pulmonary embolism (1.20, 1.13–1.28), arrhythmia and cardiac arrest (1.19, 1.09–1.29), and lymphoma (1.19, 1.06–1.34). Weaker (odds ratio <1.19) but statistically significant association was noted for renal failure, traumatic brain injury, heart failure, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bloodstream infections. No association was found for hip fracture, pneumonia, intestinal obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, peptic ulcer, trauma, diverticulitis, and neonatal mortality. Overall, off‐hour admission was associated with increased mortality for 28 diseases combined (odds ratio, 1.11; 95%
CI
, 1.10–1.13).

Conclusions

Off‐hour admission is associated with increased mortality risk, and the associations varied substantially for different diseases. Specialists, nurses, as well as hospital administrators and health policymakers can take these findings into consideration to improve the quality and continuity of medical services.
Punishment and rehabilitation – Uneasy bedfellows under section 44 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013
Authors: Freer Elaine AO
Published: March 2016

Over the last 25 years, community sentences have evolved significantly. However, throughout this period there has been a consistent theme of rehabilitation underpinning them. Section 44 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 has set out, the author argues, to alter this by requiring that a punitive element is attached to a Community Order given under s177 Criminal Justice Act 2003 unless to do so would be ‘unjust in all the circumstances’. Considering the types of offenders for whom community penalties have been shown to be particularly useful in reducing recidivism, and the potentially high threshold of ‘unjust in all the circumstances’, it is argued that this requirement will compromise the strengths previously exhibited by Community Orders and considers why such a requirement may have been added.
Explaining Instability in the Stability and Growth Pact
Authors: Baerg Nicole Rae , Hallerberg Mark
Published: March 2016

The Stability and Growth Pact clearly failed to prevent the euro crisis. We contend that the failure was due largely to the ability of the Member States to undermine the Pact’s operation. The European Commission served as a “watchdog” to monitor fiscal performance. The Member States themselves, however, collectively had the ability to change the content of the reports for individual states. We confirm the expectation that powerful Member States had the most success in undermining the role of the Commission. Perhaps more surprisingly, we find supporting evidence for our argument that governments with euroskeptic populations behind them were also more successful in weakening the Commission’s warnings. These results have broader theoretical implications concerning which mechanisms explain country-specific outcomes under a shared rule. Another contribution is the creation of a new data set of European Commission assessments of Member State economic programs and Council of Minister revisions.
Political Violence Cycles
Authors: Nanes Matthew J.
Published: March 2016

How do electoral incentives affect the counterterrorism policies chosen by reelection-seeking incumbents? This article tests the argument that governments alter their choice of security strategies as elections approach to signal competence to potential voters. Which policy they select should depend on the intended audience of the signal. Governments seeking support from their partisan base should select different policies than those courting the support of moderates. Using data on Israel-West Bank checkpoint closures and casualties in the Palestinian territories between 2000 and 2013, I find evidence that Israeli governments manipulate security strategies in the run-up to elections in a manner consistent with an attempt to attract support from core voters. As elections approach, left governments become more dovish on security, while right governments become more hawkish. The relationship between partisanship and policy choice raises concerns that electoral incentives may induce democratic governments to select inefficient or suboptimal security strategies around election time.
Is Mathematical Representation of Problems an Evidence-Based Strategy for Students With Mathematics Difficulties?
Authors: Jitendra Asha K. , Nelson Gena , Pulles Sandra M. , Kiss Allyson J. , Houseworth James
Published: March 2016

The purpose of the present review was to evaluate the quality of the research and evidence base for representation of problems as a strategy to enhance the mathematical performance of students with learning disabilities and those at risk for mathematics difficulties. The authors evaluated 25 experimental and quasiexperimental studies according to the Gersten et al. (2005) guidelines for group research studies. Results suggest that the representation of mathematical problems as a strategy is an evidence-based practice based on the criteria set by Gersten et al. Implications for research are discussed.
A less invasive method for orthotopic injection of breast cancer cells into the mouse mammary gland
Authors: Tavera-Mendoza Luz E , Brown Myles
Published: March 2016

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women, and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women in North America. The use of laboratory mice in research is an essential tool for the study of breast cancer biology and for pre-clinical therapeutic development. While subcutaneous flank injections of cancer cells are widely used for studying breast cancer biology and for exploring novel therapies, orthotopic xenografting of tumors into the mouse mammary gland allow for the study of breast cancers in a biologically relevant microenvironment. In this study we report a modification of the method of orthotopic injections of cancer cells into the mouse mammary gland which greatly reduces the effects of surgery in mice including decreased wound size, procedure time and anesthesia. It also removes the risk of accidentally puncturing the peritoneal cavity. Consequently post-operative animal handling and stress are significantly reduced. All of these advantages are present without compromising procedure success rate. Therefore, this modification makes orthotopic mammary gland injection a more efficient procedure and greatly improves animal welfare.
Political Participation of Pentecostal Minorities in Chile, 1937–1989
Authors: Mansilla Miguel Ángel , Orellana Luis Alberto
Published: March 2016

Chilean Pentecostals have been described as passive and politically conformist in their relations with the military government. Instead, there is historical evidence that they have been an active and interactive minority. Pentecostal denominations have participated in political projects associated with leftist political parties. Pentecostal leaders have associated themselves with various political parties as a form of political struggle for recognition, and active Pentecostal organizations resisted and protested during the military government.

Se han calificado a los pentecostales chilenos de pasivos y conformistas políticamente en sus relaciones con el gobierno militar. En cambio, hay evidencia histórica que han sido una minoría activa e interactiva. Las denominaciones pentecostales han participado en proyectos políticos asociados con partidos políticos de izquierda. Los dirigentes pentecostales se han plegado a varios partidos políticos como forma de lucha política por el reconocimiento, y organizaciones pentecostales activas han resistido y protestado durante el gobierno militar.
Minoritization and Pluralization
Authors: Burity Joanildo A.
Published: March 2016

The emergence of Pentecostalism on the Brazilian scene has raised new questions about the way religion relates to the definition of a “people,” how religious minorities can be politically and legally integrated into the mainstream of national identity, and to what degree the state-religion relation is constitutive of society in a context of increasing sociocultural, religious, and political pluralization. The argument draws on the concept of minoritization proposed by William Connolly, against the background of Laclau’s problematic of the formation of a people as a hegemonic actor. An analysis of Pentecostal discourse on “the public” and “the people” reveals that Pentecostalism minoritized itself in response to perceived exclusion and this accentuated pluralization within it. An unintended effect of this logic was the fluidity of the boundary between sacred and profane, religious and secular. In a context of growing cultural, social, and political pluralization, these discursive practices have the potential to lead either to the aggiornamento of Pentecostalism or to the regressive closing of a populist right-wing discourse.

A emergência pentecostal na cena pública brasileira tem colocado novas questões quanto à forma como a religião se relaciona à definição de um “povo,” como as minorias religiosas podem ser politica e legalmente integradas ao filão principal da identidade nacional, e em que medida a relação entre religião e estado é constitutiva da sociedade, num contexto de crescente pluralização socio-cultural, religiosa e política. O argumento desenvolve-se em torno do conceito de minoritização proposto por William Connolly, com base na problemática laclauniana da formação do povo como ator hegemônico. Uma análise do discurso pentecostal sobre “o público” e “o povo” revela que os pentecostais minoritizaram-se em resposta a uma percepção de exclusão e que a minoritização acentua a pluralização no interior do pentecostalismo. Um efeito não-pretendido dessa lógica é a fluidificação da fronteira entre sagrado e profano, religioso e secular. Num contexto de crescente pluralização cultural, social e política, essas práticas discursivas têm o potencial de aprofundarem o aggiornamento do pentecostalismo ou de seu fechamento regressivo num discurso populista de direita.
Interpreting Equivocal Signals: Market Reaction to Specific-Purpose Poison Pill Adoption
Authors: Schepker Donald J. , Oh Won-Yong , Patel Pankaj C.
Published: March 2016

Signaling theory suggests that firms send signals to stakeholders to reduce information asymmetry. Research, however, has rarely examined how investors interpret signals that are equivocal. We suggest that sensemaking serves as an important process by which investors interpret firm signals, and salient contextual cues influence the sensemaking process. We examine an equivocal signal, the adoption of a poison pill, as a means of examining investor interpretation of the signal and the role of contextual cues in influencing interpretation. Using a sample of 578 poison pill adoptions and controlling for self-selection, we find that investors react negatively to poison pills adopted to protect net operating losses (NOL poison pills) but positively to poison pills adopted when the firm is in receipt of a takeover offer (in-play poison pills). Assessing the role of contextual cues, our results suggest that CEO duality, the proportion of inside directors on the firm’s board, the firm’s R&D investments, and industry concentration also condition investor response to specific-purpose poison pill adoption. Our study contributes to research on signaling theory, sensemaking, and corporate governance by examining how investors interpret a firm’s equivocal governance decisions.
Technique to avoid left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Authors: Gualis Javier , Castaño Mario , Martínez-Comendador Jose Manuel
Published: March 2016

Preserving the subvalvular mitral valve apparatus during mitral valve replacement is extremely important to minimize progressive postoperative left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. We describe a simple and reproducible surgical technique that prevents the complications that can occur after total mitral anterior leaflet preservation.
Cerebral haemodynamics during experimental intracranial hypertension
Authors: Donnelly Joseph , Czosnyka Marek , Harland Spencer , Varsos Georgios V , Cardim Danilo , Robba Chiara , Liu Xiuyun , Ainslie Philip N , Smielewski Peter
Published: March 2016

Intracranial hypertension is a common final pathway in many acute neurological conditions. However, the cerebral haemodynamic response to acute intracranial hypertension is poorly understood. We assessed cerebral haemodynamics (arterial blood pressure, intracranial pressure, laser Doppler flowmetry, basilar artery Doppler flow velocity, and vascular wall tension) in 27 basilar artery-dependent rabbits during experimental (artificial CSF infusion) intracranial hypertension. From baseline (∼9 mmHg; SE 1.5) to moderate intracranial pressure (∼41 mmHg; SE 2.2), mean flow velocity remained unchanged (47 to 45 cm/s; p = 0.38), arterial blood pressure increased (88.8 to 94.2 mmHg; p < 0.01), whereas laser Doppler flowmetry and wall tension decreased (laser Doppler flowmetry 100 to 39.1% p < 0.001; wall tension 19.3 to 9.8 mmHg, p < 0.001). From moderate to high intracranial pressure (∼75 mmHg; SE 3.7), both mean flow velocity and laser Doppler flowmetry decreased (45 to 31.3 cm/s p < 0.001, laser Doppler flowmetry 39.1 to 13.3%, p < 0.001), arterial blood pressure increased still further (94.2 to 114.5 mmHg; p < 0.001), while wall tension was unchanged (9.7 to 9.6 mmHg; p = 0.35).This animal model of acute intracranial hypertension demonstrated two intracranial pressure-dependent cerebroprotective mechanisms: with moderate increases in intracranial pressure, wall tension decreased, and arterial blood pressure increased, while with severe increases in intracranial pressure, an arterial blood pressure increase predominated. Clinical monitoring of such phenomena could help individualise the management of neurocritical patients.
Histological Classification and Immunohistochemical Evaluation of MDM2 and CDK4 Expression in Canine Liposarcoma
Authors: Avallone G. , Roccabianca P. , Crippa L. , Lepri E. , Brunetti B. , Bernardini C. , Forni M. , Olandese A. , Sarli G.
Published: March 2016

Canine liposarcoma is an uncommon soft tissue sarcoma usually arising in the subcutis. While liposarcoma classification in dogs is based solely on histology, in humans it depends on the detection of genetic abnormalities that can lead to specific protein overexpression. This study is an immunohistochemical evaluation of MDM2 and CDK4 expression in canine liposarcoma designed to assess the correlation of these proteins with histologic type, grade, mitotic index and Ki67 labeling index and evaluate their utility in improving tumor classification. Fifty-three liposarcomas were retrospectively collected: 24 were well differentiated liposarcomas (WDL), 16 of which expressed MDM2 and 21 CDK4; 7 were myxoid liposarcomas (ML), 1 of which expressed MDM2 and 5 expressed CDK4; 18 were pleomorphic liposarcomas (PL), all were MDM2 negative and 12 expressed CDK4. Four tumors were morphologically consistent with dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL) a subtype described only in humans: 3 expressed MDM2 and 4 expressed CDK4. MDM2 expression correlated with histotype (highly expressed in WDL and DDL) and grade (highly expressed in grade 1 tumors). Histotype correlated with the Ki67 labeling index (lowest in WDL and highest in DDL). A revised classification, considering MDM2 expression, allowed 8 WDL to be reclassified as PL and correlated significantly with mitotic and Ki67 labeling index (both significantly lower in WDL and progressively higher in ML and DDL). These results partially parallel data reported for human liposarcomas, suggesting that WDL and DDL are distinct neoplastic entities characterized by MDM2 expression, which may represent a useful diagnostic and potentially prognostic marker for canine liposarcoma.
Negotiating interdependence and anxiety in community economies
Authors: Diprose Gradon
Published: March 2016

The burgeoning literature on diverse and community economies has been relatively hopeful, exploring how people learn, enact new and reclaim other ways of meeting their needs outside of capitalist practices. For good reasons, much of this work has sought to avoid a conventional critical-leftist orientation, instead adopting what Gibson-Graham call a ‘weak theory’ approach ‘that welcomes surprise, entertains hope, makes connection, tolerates coexistence and offers care for the new’. Within this literature until recently, less attention has been given to how community economy collectives negotiate the everyday ethical dilemmas to enact interdependence. In this article, I draw on Jean Luc Nancy's understandings of subjectivity and what he terms an ‘inoperative community’ to explore the everyday anxieties and relational tensions in the Wellington Timebank, a community economy in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I use Nancy's framing of the inoperative community and Gibson-Graham's engagement with his ideas as a lens to explore the ethical tensions involved in enacting community economies. I show how Nancy's ideas help us to better understand the apparent contradictions experienced in communities, by exploring the tensions between community myths of diversity and labour equality, which are unworked and interrupted by everyday anxieties and fears. This is not to suggest that community economies like the Wellington Timebank are a failure, but rather that openly discussing such examples help us as researchers to better understand the everyday tensions collectives necessarily negotiate in enacting interdependence.
Time-series and cross-sectional momentum strategies under alternative implementation strategies
Authors: Bird Ron , Gao Xiaojun , Yeung Danny
Published: March 2016

The study compares the performance of alternative implementations of both time-series and cross-sectional momentum strategies across 24 markets. We find that over our sample period, both types of momentum strategies generate positive returns under the majority of implementations evaluated but that time-series momentum is clearly superior. An important difference between the two momentum strategies is that with time-series momentum, the number of stocks included in the winner and loser portfolios vary with the state of the market. As a consequence, cross-sectional momentum digs deeper to select winning stocks when markets are weak and deeper to select losing stocks when markets are strong. As the information in the momentum signals is concentrated in the tails of the return distribution, it is not that surprising that momentum is best implemented using time-series momentum.
Minority Stress, Body Shame, and Binge Eating Among Lesbian Women
Authors: Mason Tyler B. , Lewis Robin J.
Published: March 2016

Minority stress, which includes discrimination as well as internalized negative attitudes, is an important factor associated with maladaptive health behaviors such as binge eating among sexual minority individuals. In addition, body shame and social anxiety are robust predictors of binge eating. We examined social anxiety and body shame as sequential mediators of the association between minority stress and binge eating among young adult lesbian women. We hypothesized that social anxiety would be a key factor linking minority stress to body shame and binge eating. Self-identified lesbian women ( N = 496) completed online measures of minority stress, social anxiety, body shame, and binge eating. Structural equation modeling supported the hypothesized model. Discrimination and proximal sexual minority stress were associated with increased social anxiety. In turn, social anxiety was associated with more body shame, and body shame was related to binge eating. Results suggest the oppressive social environments created by the experience of minority stress may have adverse consequences for lesbian women’s body satisfaction and eating behaviors. Interventions that bolster coping with sexual minority stress and focus on reducing social anxiety, in addition to targeting eating behavior directly, may be particularly useful for lesbian women with eating disorders or binge eating. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental
Continuity between DSM-5 Categorical Criteria and Traits Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Bach Bo , Sellbom Martin
Published: March 2016

Objective:

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) includes a heterogeneous constellation of symptoms operationalized with 9 categorical criteria. As the field of personality disorder (PD) research moves to emphasize dimensional traits in its operationalization, it is important to delineate continuity between the 9 DSM-IV/Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) categorical criteria for BPD and the trait dimensions in DSM-5 Section III. To date, no study has attempted such validation.

Methods:

We examined the associations between the 9 categorical DSM-IV/DSM-5 criteria for BPD and the trait dimensions of the alternative DSM-5 model for PDs in consecutively recruited psychiatric outpatients ( N = 142; 68% female; age: mean 29.02, SD 8.38). This was investigated by means of bivariate correlations, followed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results:

The categorical BPD criteria were associated with conceptually related DSM-5 Section III traits ( P > 0.001), except for the criterion of chronic feelings of emptiness. Consistent with the proposed traits criteria for BPD in DSM-5 Section III, we found Emotional lability, Anxiousness, Separation insecurity, Depressivity, Impulsivity, Risk taking, and Hostility to capture conceptually coherent BPD categorical criteria, while Suspiciousness was also strongly associated with BPD criteria. At the domain level, this applied to Negative affectivity, Disinhibition, and Psychoticism. Notably, Emotional lability, Impulsivity, and Suspiciousness emerged as unique predictors of BPD ( P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

In addition to the proposed BPD traits criteria, Suspiciousness and features of Psychoticism also augment BPD features. Provided that these findings are replicated in forthcoming research, a modified traits operationalization of BPD is warranted.
Overeducation and Educational–Occupational Mismatch
Authors: Moore Sharon , Rosenbloom Tova
Published: March 2016

This article accounts for a renovation by enriching the existent literature regarding two major nowadays phenomena and their labor implications, which might require a rethinking regarding new career-development approaches: the overeducation phenomenon (academic graduates whose educational level exceeds the educational level required in their jobs) and the horizontal-mismatch phenomenon (the individuals’ fit between their educational and occupational fields). The article clarifies the difference between those two phenomena’s career repercussions—on three major individuals’ career outcomes: wage gaps, job mobility, and demand for further higher education. Two hundred and twenty-one participants took part to reveal that the more the individuals experience horizontal mismatch throughout their career, the less their earning level is, and the horizontally mismatched individuals have lower probability for pursuing further higher education compared to the horizontally matched individuals. These findings’ implications suggest individuals to try and modify their career planning, based on the ongoing technological and structural changes in Western-developed countries labor market.
Enhanced Understanding of the Levels of Palliative Care in Pharmacy Students Through Participating in Clinical Training in Hospitals
Authors: Myotoku Michiaki , Omotani Sachiko , Hatsuda Yasutoshi , Konishi Hiroki , Hirotani Yoshihiko
Published: March 2016

Objective:

A palliative care knowledge survey was conducted involving pharmacy students to examine their perceived usefulness and the educational effect of clinical training in hospitals.

Methods:

A questionnaire sheet was distributed to fifth-year pharmacy students before and after clinical training. The questionnaire consisted of questions to clarify the details of palliative care-related training in hospitals and students’ knowledge of such care. The respondents were divided into 2 groups: those who participated in palliative care team (PCT) rounds (group A: 57) and those who did not (group B: 57).

Results:

The mean total correct answer rate markedly increased after training in group A, from 37.9 to 47.1% (P < .01). Such an increase was also observed in the domains of philosophy and pain in this group ( P < .01). In contrast, group B did not show differences in the mean correct answer rate between before and after training; there was no significant increase in the rate in any domain.

Conclusion:

Pharmacy students’ knowledge was enhanced by participating in the PCT, confirming the usefulness of such participation during training as part of palliative care education.
Highly transparent and organosoluble polyimides derived from 2,2′-bis[4-(5-amino-2-pyridinoxy) phenyl] propane
Authors: Li Zhun , Wen Yang , Wang Ying , Zhu Shaomin
Published: March 2016

Two new isomers containing pyridine ring diamine monomers, 2,2′-bis[4-(5-amino-2-pyridinoxy)phenyl] propane (1b) and 2,2′-bis[4-(6-amino-3-pyridinoxy)phenyl] propane (2b), were prepared via a simple nucleophilic reaction of 2-chloro-5-nitropyridine and 5-bromo-2-nitropyridine with bisphenol A in the presence of potassium carbonate, respectively. A series of polyimides (PIs) were obtained from the heterocyclic diamine with various commercially available aromatic dianhydrides via the conventional two-step method. These obtained PIs were investigated in aspects of their solubility, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties for studying the effects of the heteroaromatic rings into the main chain. At the same time, the impact of the two isomers introduced into the PI was discussed in detail.
Top-Down Processes Override Bottom-Up Interference in the Flanker Task
Authors: Avital-Cohen Rotem , Tsal Yehoshua
Published: March 2016

Distractor interference in the flanker task is commonly viewed as an outcome of unintentional, involuntary processing, a by-product of attention-controlled processing of the target. An important implication of this notion is that the distractors are not subjected to top-down processing of their own. We tested this idea in a modified version of the flanker task, in which letter targets ( S or O) were sometimes flanked by ambiguous distractors (a character that could be S or 5 or one that could be O or 0). Distractor interference was dependent on participants’ expectations regarding the category of the distractors (i.e., letters or digits). For example, the O- 0 distractor interfered with responding to S when it was perceived as a letter, but not when it was perceived as a digit. Hence, participants applied top-down processing to the peripheral distractors independently of the top-down processing applied to the targets. The fact that to-be-ignored peripheral distractors were processed to such a high level raises questions regarding the fundamental differences between target and distractor processing, and the quality of attentional filtering.
Origin of a boreal birch bog woodland and landscape development on a warm low mountain summit at the Carpathian–Pannonian interface
Authors: Gálová Andrea , Hájková Petra , Čierniková Malvína , Petr Libor , Hájek Michal , Novák Jan , Rohovec Jan , Jamrichová Eva
Published: March 2016

Hilly regions along the Western Carpathian–Pannonian border are phytogeographically important, but their vegetation history remains largely unknown. We analysed two peat cores of Late Glacial origin from a bog woodland in the Malé Karpaty Mts (SW Slovakia) using plant macrofossil, pollen, peat chemistry and charcoal analyses to trace local successional patterns, regional vegetation development and occurrence of rare species. The small distance between the two profiles situated within homogeneous vegetation enabled us to explore small-scale differences in local vegetation history. The sediment started to accumulate at the end of the Allerød (ca. 12950 cal. yr BP), when a shallow oligotrophic/mesotrophic lake with macrophytes developed. Open pine-birch forests dominated in the landscape. During the early Holocene, the lake was infilled, mire vegetation appeared and broad-leaved forests spread in the surroundings. Two fire events indicated by increases in number of macroscopic charcoal particles were recorded. The first one, which occurred at the end of the Late Glacial, was found only in one of the profiles, while the second one affected entire mire and probably caused a hiatus spanning the middle and late Holocene. Fagus started to spread no later than 5800 cal. yr BP. Open mire vegetation reappeared after the fire (ca. 400 cal. yr BP). During the 19th century, the mire was overgrown by a birch bog woodland. The two profiles showed basically the same successional patterns, but some local events and occurrences of rare species ( Potamogeton alpinus, Potamogeton praelongus, Scorpidium scorpioides and Pleurospermum austriacum) were traced only in one of them.
Staging a ‘Chinatown’ in Berlin: The role of city branding in the urban governance of ethnic diversity
Authors: Schmiz Antonie
Published: March 2016

Migration is predominantly directed towards cities that have been facing a highly competitive global environment within the last 30 years of globalisation. Against the background of economic restructuring, cities are looking for new forms of city branding. In this process, ethno-cultural diversity is increasingly regarded as an asset, leading to the branding of migrant neighbourhoods, especially those characterised by migrant economies. These agglomerations of shops, cafés and restaurants provide places of leisure and consumption for cosmopolitan urbanites. This paper shows how Berlin’s municipal politicians failed in staging ‘Chinatowns’ and ‘Asiatowns’ as ethnically branded commercial districts and argues that the Vietnamese migrants who are primarily addressed by these projects are not readily marketable by a city-branding approach. The assumed common identity of Asian migrants in Berlin and the city’s top-down municipal approach contradict the structures of the heterogeneous group of Vietnamese residents. This paper traces Berlin’s transition from a reactive to a proactive approach in the marketing of ethno-cultural diversity. My approach is to embed the Dong Xuan Centre in Berlin-Lichtenberg, a Vietnamese-run wholesale centre that was founded through Vietnamese agency, in the local discourse on Asia- and Chinatowns. The study shows that the centre’s management appears to be an active agent in the branding process of the project, modelling itself after the global brand of ‘Chinatown’. However, the centre’s vision of a place of cultural life and trade contradicts German planning laws, a conflict that has led to ongoing negotiations between the centre’s management and the district government, thereby hindering its branding.
The International Relations of Outer Space: Changes, Continuities, and Contextualities
Authors: Set Shounak
Published: March 2016

The outer space mostly evokes notions and imageries which are largely limited to either the realms of science and technology or popular fiction. The paper contends that human activities pertaining to outer space are driven solely by scientific impulses and hypothesizes that political considerations have shaped and in turn been shaped by the nature of practices in and arrangements of outer space. It posits that the human activities in final frontier is subject to the politics of terra firma and is connected to the relations between and among states. The article explores these interlinkages with historical illustrations and compares and contrasts them with emerging trends to establish the interconnection between international relations and outer space.
Poland in the migration chain: causes and consequences
Authors: Polakowski Michał , Szelewa Dorota
Published: March 2016

This article deals with migration flows from and to Poland from a skills perspective. It argues that Poland’s economy is skewed towards lower to medium skills and, confronted with an ‘education boom’ in higher education, is not able to absorb its supply of highly qualified workers. As a result, a strong push factor to emigration has been created, which should be seen as a brain overflow rather than a brain drain. On the other hand, the sectors requiring relatively low skills and offering the lowest wages are facing labour shortages. Immigrants from the former Soviet Union are filling this gap. We argue that Poland represents a specific place in the migration chain, as there is no clear substitution of migrating workers with immigrants; rather, the nature of emigration and immigration reinforces the socio-economic model in Poland.