bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Research of the Characteristic of Hypertriglyceridemic Pancreatitis in Beijing, China
Authors: Tai Wei-Ping , Lin Xiang-Chun , Liu Hong , Wang Cang-Hai , Wu Jing , Zhang Neng-Wei , Chen Wei
Published: January 2016

Aim. To investigate the characteristic of hypertriglyceridemic- (HTG-) induced pancreatitis (HTG pancreatitis).Methods. We reviewed 126 cases of HTG pancreatitis and 168 cases of biliary pancreatitis as control.Results. The HTG group mean age was younger than biliary group. The number of females was a little higher than males in both groups. There were 18 cases that were recurrent in HTG group and 11 in billiary group. The mean hospitalization times were 13.7 ± 2.6 and 11.2 ± 2.3 days in two groups. Six patients received apheresis in HTG group. The proportion of severe AP was 31.0% and 26.2%, mortality 1.6% and 1.2%, comorbidity of diabetes mellitus (DM) 20.6% and 6.5% in two groups. The number of complications of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, sepsis, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in HTG group and biliary group was 1, 1, and 2 versus 4, 12, and 4.Conclusions. The proportion of recurrent and severe AP and comorbidity of DM of HTG group was higher than billiary group. The proportion of the complications of GI bleeding, sepsis, and MODS of HTG group was less than biliary group. Apheresis could effectively reduce serum TG levels soon. There was no significant difference of the mortality between two groups.
Exercise Training Improves the Altered Renin‐Angiotensin System in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Ren Chang-zhen , Yang Ya-Hong , Sun Jia-cen , Wu Zhao-Tang , Zhang Ru-Wen , Shen Du , Wang Yang-Kai
Published: January 2016

The imbalance between angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1–7) in the brain has been reported to contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction in hypertension. Exercise training (ExT) is beneficial to hypertension and the mechanism is unclear. This study was aimed to determine if ExT improves hypertension via adjusting renin angiotensin system in cardiovascular centers including the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, 8 weeks old) were subjected to low‐intensity ExT or kept sedentary (Sed) for 12 weeks. Blood pressure elevation coupled with increase in age was significantly decreased in SHR received ExT compared with Sed. The results in vivo showed that ExT significantly reduced or increased the cardiovascular responses to central application of sarthran (antagonist of Ang II) or A779 (antagonist of Ang 1–7), respectively. The protein expression of the Ang II acting receptor AT1R and the Ang 1–7 acting receptor Mas in the RVLM was significantly reduced and elevated in SHR following ExT, respectively. Moreover, production of reactive oxygen species in the RVLM was significantly decreased in SHR following ExT. The current data suggest that ExT improves hypertension via improving the balance of Ang II and Ang 1–7 and antioxidative stress at the level of RVLM.
Security Improvement on Biometric Based Authentication Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Fuzzy Extraction
Authors: Choi Younsung , Lee Youngsook , Won Dongho
Published: January 2016

Wireless sensor networks are used to monitor physical or environmental conditions. However, authenticating a user or sensor in wireless sensor networks is more difficult than in traditional networks owing to sensor network characteristics such as unreliable communication networks, resource limitation, and unattended operation. As a result, various authentication schemes have been proposed to provide secure and efficient communication. He et al. suggested a robust biometrics-based user authentication scheme, but Yoon and Kim indicated that their scheme had several security vulnerabilities. The latter then proposed an advanced biometrics-based user authentication scheme; in this paper, we analyze this advanced scheme and perform a cryptanalysis. Our analysis shows that Yoon and Kim's scheme has various security weaknesses such as a biometric recognition error, a user verification problem, lack of anonymity and perfect forward secrecy, session key exposure by the gateway node, vulnerability to denial of service attacks, and a revocation problem. Therefore, we suggest countermeasures that can be implemented to solve these problems and then propose a security-enhanced biometrics-based user authentication scheme using fuzzy extraction that conforms to the proposed countermeasures. Finally, we conduct a security analysis for the proposed biometrics-based user authentication scheme.
Luciferase mRNA Transfection of Antigen Presenting Cells Permits Sensitive Nonradioactive Measurement of Cellular and Humoral Cytotoxicity
Authors: Omokoko Tana A. , Luxemburger Uli , Bardissi Shaheer , Simon Petra , Utsch Magdalena , Breitkreuz Andrea , Türeci Özlem , Sahin Ugur
Published: January 2016

Immunotherapy is rapidly evolving as an effective treatment option for many cancers. With the emerging fields of cancer vaccines and adoptive cell transfer therapies, there is an increasing demand for high-throughputin vitrocytotoxicity assays that efficiently analyze immune effector functions. The gold standard51Cr-release assay is very accurate but has the major disadvantage of being radioactive. We reveal the development of a versatile and nonradioactive firefly luciferasein vitrotranscribed (IVT) RNA-based assay. Demonstrating high efficiency, consistency, and excellent target cell viability, our optimized luciferase IVT RNA is used to transfect dividing and nondividing primary antigen presenting cells. Together with the long-lasting expression and minimal background, the direct measurement of intracellular luciferase activity of living cells allows for the monitoring of killing kinetics and displays paramount sensitivity. The ability to cotransfect the IVT RNA of the luciferase reporter and the antigen of interest into the antigen presenting cells and its simple read-out procedure render the assay high-throughput in nature. Results generated were comparable to the51Cr release and further confirmed the assay’s ability to measure antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. The assay’s combined simplicity, practicality, and efficiency tailor it for the analysis of antigen-specific cellular and humoral effector functions during the development of novel immunotherapies.
Position Control of Switched Reluctance Motor Using Super Twisting Algorithm
Authors: Mufti Muhammad Rafiq , Butt Qarab Raza , Iqbal S. , Ramzan M.
Published: January 2016

The inherent problem of chattering in traditional sliding mode control is harmful for practical application of control system. This paper pays a considerable attention to a chattering-free control method, that is, higher-order sliding mode (super twisting algorithm). The design of a position controller for switched reluctance motor is presented and its stability is assured using Lyapunov stability theorem. In order to highlight the advantages of higher-order sliding mode controller (HOSMC), a classical first-order sliding mode controller (FOSMC) is also applied to the same system and compared. The simulation results reflect the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
Prognostic Value of Adrenomedullin and Natriuretic Peptides in Uroseptic Patients Induced by Ureteroscopy
Authors: Hu Wei , Zhou Pang-hu , Wang Wei , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Xiao-bin
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether urosepsis is related to irrigation pressure of ureteroscopy (URS) and evaluate the prognostic value of adrenomedullin (ADM) and atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) in URS-induced uroseptic patients. From July 2008 to October 2013, we enrolled 332 patients with untreated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The UUO group included three subgroups of, respectively, 118, 132, and 82 patients who underwent URS under intermittent stable irrigation pressure of, respectively, 80, 120, and 160 mmHg. The plasma concentrations of ADM, ANP, and BNP were measured in all subjects. URS was performed for all UUO patients; the values of the three peptides were measured again after URS. Irrigation pressure and stone size were independent risk factors of urosepsis. After URS, the plasma concentrations of ADM, ANP, and BNP were significantly higher in uroseptic patients. Moreover, the concentrations were significantly higher depending on the disease severity. Plasma concentrations of the three peptides were correlated with plasma ET concentration in the uroseptic patients. The areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of ADM, ANP, and BNP for predicting urosepsis were 0.811, 0.728, and 0.764, respectively. In conclusion, ADM, along with ANP and BNP, is valuable for prognosis in urosepsis secondary to URS which is associated with irrigation pressure.
Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 as a Potential Mediator of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Chronic Vascular Remodeling in Hypertension
Authors: Belo V.A. , Guimarães Danielle A. , Castro Michele Mazzaron
Published: January 2016

For vascular remodeling in hypertension, it is essential that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) reshape in order to proliferate and migrate. The extracellular matrix (ECM) needs to be degraded to favor VSMC migration. Many proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), contribute to ECM proteolysis and VSMC migration. Bioactive peptides, hemodynamic forces and reactive oxygen-nitrogen species regulate MMP-2 expression and activity. Increased MMP-2 activity contributes to hypertension-induced maladaptive arterial changes and sustained hypertension. New ECM is synthesized to supply VSMCs with bioactive mediators, which stimulate hypertrophy. MMP-2 stimulates the interaction of VSMCs with newly formed ECM, which triggers intracellular signaling via integrins to induce a phenotypic switch and persistent migration. VSMCs switch from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype in order to migrate and contribute to vascular remodeling in hypertension. MMPs also disrupt growth factors bound to ECM, thus contributing to their capacity to regulate VSMC migration. This review sheds light on the proteolytic effects of MMP-2 on ECM and non-ECM substrates in the vasculature and how these effects contribute to VSMC migration in hypertension. The inhibition of MMP activity as a therapeutic target may make it possible to reduce arterial maladaptation caused by hypertension and prevent the resulting fatal cardiovascular events.
The Influence of Patient Characteristics on Anticholinergic Events in Older People
Authors: Salahudeen Mohammed Saji , Nishtala Prasad S. , Duffull Stephen B.
Published: January 2016

Aims: To examine patient characteristics that predict adverse anticholinergic-type events in older people. Methods: This retrospective population-level study included 2,248 hospitalised patients. Individual data on medicines that are commonly associated with anticholinergic events (delirium, constipation and urinary retention) were identified. Patient characteristics examined were medicines with anticholinergic effects (ACh burden), age, sex, non-anticholinergic medicines (non-ACM), Charlson comorbidity index scores and ethnicity. The Akaike information criterion was used for model selection. The data were analysed using logistic regression models for anticholinergic events using the software NONMEM. Results: ACh burden was found to be a significant independent predictor for developing an anticholinergic event [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.21, 95% CI: 1.23-5.81] for those taking an average of 5 anticholinergic medicines compared to those taking 1. Both non-ACM and age were also independent risk factors (aOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.31-1.51 and aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10, respectively). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study that has examined population-level data in a nonlinear model framework to predict anticholinergic-type adverse events. This study evaluated the relationship between important patient characteristics and the occurrence of anticholinergic-type events. These findings reinforce the clinical significance of reviewing anticholinergic medicines in older people.
A Concealed Intracranial Aneurysm Detected after Recanalization of an Occluded Vessel: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Torikoshi Sadaharu , Akiyama Yoshinori
Published: January 2016

Background: Based on the results of several randomized controlled trials, acute endovascular thrombectomy is strongly recommended for patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion (LAO). The incidence of an intracranial aneurysm has been reported to be approximately 5% in the general population. Therefore, the possibility of the coincidence of LAO and an intracranial aneurysm at the distal part of an occluded vessel should be considered. Summary: A 74-year-old female patient presented with the sudden onset of consciousness disturbance and left-sided weakness. Neuroimages demonstrated an acute infarction due to right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The occlusion was successfully treated, and an aneurysm was incidentally detected at the occluded artery. We reviewed the literature and identified 11 cases in 8 reports, which were similar to our case. Among the 11 cases, aneurysms ruptured during endovascular therapy in 2 cases. In the present report, we discussed the prediction of concealed aneurysms and avoidance of their rupture during endovascular intervention. Key Message: The presence of an aneurysm concealed behind an embolus should be carefully assessed on preoperative and intraoperative neuroimages. The important findings for suspecting such an aneurysm are a hyperdense nodular sign on preoperative computed tomography and unusual motion of the microwire during the endovascular intervention. Even if there is no finding indicative of an aneurysm, the catheter and thrombectomy devices should be more carefully advanced than usual, especially at the common sites of aneurysms, and the devices should be appropriately chosen.
ESTRATÉGIAS COMPETITIVAS E DESEMPENHO ECONÔMICO-FINANCEIRO DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Pletsch Caroline Sulzbach , Magro Cristian Bau Dal , Silva Alini Da , Lavarda Carlos Eduardo Facin
Published: January 2016

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência das estratégias competitivas de acordo com as tipologias de Miles e Snow no desempenho econômico-financeiro de empresas brasileiras. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, documental e quantitativa. A amostra é composta por 39 empresas do setor de consumo não-cíclico, listadas na BM&FBOVESPA, no período de 2013, que possuíam todos os dados necessários para a realização deste estudo. Para a análise dos dados, foi aplicada a análise multivariada (ANOVA). Os resultados demonstraram que há relação entre as estratégias empresarias e as medidas de desempenho econômico-financeiro das empresas analisadas, apresentando significância nos indicadores de liquidez corrente e liquidez seca. As empresas categorizadas na estratégia analítica foram as que apresentaram maior média nos indicadores de liquidez corrente e liquidez seca. Assim, pode-se inferir que empresas que mantem um equilíbrio entre estratégia prospectora (dinâmica) e defensiva (estável) tem a tendência de apresentar maiores índices de liquidez.
EFICIÊNCIA NO DESEMPENHO ECONÔMICO-FINANCEIRO DE COOPERATIVAS DE CRÉDITO BRASILEIRAS
Authors: Gollo Vanderlei , Silva Tarcísio Pedro da
Published: January 2016

O objetivo desta pesquisa consiste em verificar a eficiência global no desempenho econômico-financeiro de cooperativas de crédito brasileiras. Para tanto, adotou-se a metodologia denominada pelo acrônimo PEARLS, aplicada as 25 maiores cooperativas de crédito brasileiras, para o período de 2008 a 2012. Os indicadores do PEARLS foram submetidos à Análise de Componentes Principais para seleção dos mais relevantes em termos de informação, os quais foram utilizados para determinar a eficiência das cooperativas por meio do método multicritério TOPSIS. Os resultados apontaram uma concentração de cooperativas pertencentes ao Sicoob e à Unicred entre as mais eficientes da amostra, e entre as menos eficientes há maior predominância de cooperativas filiadas ao Sicredi. As cooperativas de crédito brasileiras podem elevar seu desempenho e adequar sua estrutura com melhorias no desempenho e na eficiência, e, consequentemente, com sua principal função, que consiste em zelar pela maximização dos produtos e serviços ofertados aos cooperados.
Hydroxychloroquine Use Is Associated With Decreased Incident Cardiovascular Events in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Authors: Sharma Tarun S. , Wasko Mary Chester M. , Tang Xiaoqin , Vedamurthy Deepak , Yan Xiaowei , Cote Jonida , Bili Androniki
Published: January 2016

Background

Cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) is the leading cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis (
RA
) patients. This study is the first to report the association of hydroxychloroquine (an antirheumatic medication that has been associated with decreased risk of diabetes, a less atherogenic lipid profile, and antithrombotic properties) with
CVD
in
RA
.

Methods and Results

A retrospective incident
RA
cohort from January 1, 2001, to October 31, 2013, excluding patients with
CVD
prior to
RA
diagnosis, was constructed. Patients were categorized as hydroxychloroquine users versus nonusers and were allowed to contribute time to either group according to hydroxychloroquine exposure. The primary outcome was adjudicated incident
CVD
defined as a composite of coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, sudden cardiac death, and peripheral artery disease with arterial revascularization procedure. The secondary outcome was a composite of incident coronary artery disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attack. Cox time‐varying regression models were used to estimate the association between hydroxychloroquine exposure and development of
CVD,
after adjusting for propensity score and relevant confounders, including demographics,
CVD
‐related comorbidities,
RA
severity, and activity indicators and medications. We included 1266
RA
patients, 547 hydroxychloroquine users, and 719 nonusers. During the observation period, 102
CVD
events occurred, 3 in hydroxychloroquine users and 99 in nonusers. The fully adjusted Cox model showed a hazard ratio of 0.28 (95% CI 0.12–0.63,
P
=0.002) for incident
CVD
and 0.30 (95% CI 0.13–0.68,
P
=0.004) for incident composite coronary artery disease, stroke, and transient ischemic attack for hydroxychloroquine users versus nonusers, respectively.

Conclusion

In this hypothesis‐generating study, hydroxychloroquine use was associated with a 72% decrease in the risk of incident
CVD
in
RA
patients. If these preliminary results are confirmed in larger studies, our findings may be used as a rationale for a randomized study of hydroxychloroquine use for primary prevention of
CVD
in
RA
or nonrheumatic high‐risk patients.
An Environment for Physical Modeling of Articulated Brass Instruments
Authors: Harrison Reginald Langford , Bilbao Stefan , Perry James , Wishart Trevor
Published: January 2016

This article presents a synthesis environment for physical modeling of valved brass instrument sounds. Synthesis is performed using finite-difference time-domain methods that allow for flexible simulation of time-varying systems. Users have control over the instrument configuration as well as player parameters, such as mouth pressure, lip dynamics, and valve depressions, which can be varied over the duration of a gesture. This article introduces the model used in the environment, the development of code from prototyping in MATLAB and optimization in C, and the incorporation of the executable file in the Sound Loom interface of the Composers Desktop Project. Planned additions to the environment are then discussed. The environment binaries are available to download online along with example sounds and input files.
Degrees of Freedom, Dimensions of Power
Authors: Benkler Yochai
Published: January 2016

The original Internet design combined technical, organizational, and cultural characteristics that decentralized power along diverse dimensions. Decentralized institutional, technical, and market power maximized freedom to operate and innovate at the expense of control. Market developments have introduced new points of control. Mobile and cloud computing, the Internet of Things, fiber transition, big data, surveillance, and behavioral marketing introduce new control points and dimensions of power into the Internet as a social-cultural-economic platform. Unlike in the Internet's first generation, companies and governments are well aware of the significance of design choices, and are jostling to acquire power over, and appropriate value from, networked activity. If we are to preserve the democratic and creative promise of the Internet, we must continuously diagnose control points as they emerge and devise mechanisms of recreating diversity of constraint and degrees of freedom in the network to work around these forms of reconcentrated power.
Color Names in "Kreewu-latweeschu-wahzu wardnice" (Eng. "Russian-Latvian-German Dictionary") (1872) by K. Valdemārs
Authors: Roze Anitra
Published: January 2016

Color Names in Kreewu-latweeschu-wahzu wardnice (Eng. Russian-Latvian-German Dictionary) (1872) by K. Valdemārs The article gives a brief insight in the late 19th century lexicographical situation in Latvia, emphasizing especially the role and place of the first Latvian dictionary that was compiled by a Latvian author – i.e., the Kreewu-latweeschu-wahzu wardnice (Eng. Russian-Latvian-German Dictionary) (1872) created by Krišjānis Valdemārs. This study analyzes one particular lexical group as it is represented in this dictionary – color names. The dictionary presents a rich material for research, especially in the context of the semantics and morphology of color designations. It contains 146 entries describing colors and their shades, which include not only abstract but also a large number of specific color names. Nazwy kolorów w Kreewu-latweeschu-wahzu wardnice (pol. Słownik rosyjsko-łotewsko-niemiecki) (1872) K. Valdemārsa Artykuł daje wgląd w sytuację leksykograficzną Łotwy w końcu XIX w., podkreślając zwłaszcza doniosłą rolę pierwszego słownika języka łotewskiego zestawionego przez Łotysza Krišjānisa Valdemārsa pod tytułem Kreewu-latweeschu-wahzu wardnice (pol. Słownik rosyjsko-łotewsko-niemiecki) z roku 1872. Przedmiotem analizy jest sposób przedstawienia w tym dziele jednej grupy leksykalnej – nazw kolorów. Słownik przedstawia sobą bogaty materiał badawczy, zwłaszcza w zakresie semantyki i morfologii oznaczeń kolorów. Wśród 146 haseł poświęconych kolorom i ich odcieniom znalazły się nie tylko nazwy abstrakcyjne, lecz także liczne konkretne nazwy kolorów.
Litewskie teksty gwarowe z ilustracją dźwiękową
Authors: Sawaniewska-Mochowa Zofia
Published: January 2016

Jurbarko apylinkių tekstai. Sudarė Vilija Sakalauskienė, kompaktinė plokštelė sudarė Asta Leskauskaitė, programavo Evaldas Ožeraitis, Vilnius: Lietuvių kalbos institutas, 2013, 188 ss., 2 mapy, bibliografia.ReviewLithuanian dialectal texts with sound illustrationIn 2013 the Institute of the Lithuanian Language published a collection of dialectal texts from the area of Jurbarkas. The collection was edited by V. Sakalauskienė and she wrote the introduction to the volume as well. Carefully prepared for editing and publishing, the volume will be very valuable for both researchers of Lithuanian dialects and enthusiasts of these issues. The book is accompanied by the CD with the recorded statements of interlocutors. RecenzjaLitewskie teksty gwarowe z ilustracją dźwiękowąW 2013 r. został wydany przez Instytut Języka Litewskiego zbiór tekstów gwarowych z okolic Jurborka (lit. Jurbarkas) w opracowaniu i ze wstępem V. Sakalauskienė. Starannie przygotowane pod względem edytorskim i naukowym wydawnictwo zainteresuje zarówno dialektologów, jak i miłośników gwar litewskich. Do książki dołączono płytę CD z nagraniami wypowiedzi rozmówców.
Formy imienne z sufiksem -ko w Kleszczelach na Podlasiu w połowie XVI w.
Authors: Sajewicz Michał
Published: January 2016

Given-Name Forms with Suffix -ko in Kleszczele, Podlasie Region in the Mid-16th Century In the 16th century there was already an established system of Christian names of the inhabitants of eastern Podlasie. However, the first-name forms used in this territory at that time significantly differed phonetically and morphologically from their canonical equivalents. Christian names in Slavonic culture were transformed to be adapted to the phonetic and morphological structures of the recipient language system. Slavonic suffixal morphemes were added to phonetically transformed and abbreviated Christian names, thereby forming diversified hypocoristic forms.In Podlasie, an important role in the process of morphological adaptation of Christian names was played by the suffix -ko. This suffix is present in more thanr 75% of all first-name forms with the basic -k- used between the 16th and 18th centuries in eastern Podlasie.The popularity of first-name forms containing the suffix -ko (*-ъkо, *-ьkо) in eastern Podlasie in the 16th century is confirmed by the land survey document made by Dziewiałtowski in 1560 in Kleszczele, in which there are 89 different first-name forms formed by the suffix -ko from phonetically and morphologically adjusted Christian names. Formy imienne z sufiksem -ko w Kleszczelach na Podlasiu w połowie XVI w.  W XVI w. mamy już do czynienia z zakorzenionym chrześcijańskim systemem imienniczym mieszkańców wschodniej części Podlasia. Używane wówczas na tym terenie formy imienne odbiegały jednak znacznie pod względem fonetycznym i morfologicznym od ich odpowiedników cerkiewnych i kościelnych. Imiona chrześcijańskie na gruncie słowiańskim poddane zostały transformacji dopasowującej je do fonetycznej i morfologicznej struktury przyjmującego systemu językowego. Do przekształconych fonetycznie i skróconych imion chrześcijańskich dodawano słowiańskie formanty sufiksalne, tworząc zróżnicowane formy hipokorystyczne.Na Podlasiu w procesie adaptacji morfologicznej imion chrześcijańskich ważną rolę odgrywał sufiks -ko. Występuje on w ponad 75% ogółu form imiennych z pod­stawowym -k-używanych w XVI–XVIII w. na tym terenie.Popularność form imiennych z sufiksem -ko (*-ъkо, *-ьkо) na wschodnim Podlasiu w XVI w. potwierdza dokument lustracyjny, sporządzony w 1560 r. w Kleszczelach przez Stanisława Dziewiałtowskiego Skoczka, w którym występuje 89 różnych form imiennych utworzonych za pomocą sufiksu -ko od zaadaptowanych fonetycznie i morfologicznie imion chrześcijańskich.
Baltu valodu atlants. Leksika 1: Flora, red. D. Mikulėnienė, A. Stafecka, Vilnius: Lietuvių kalbos institutas, Latvijas universitātes Latviešu valodas institūts, 2013, 568 ss.
Authors: Jankowiak Mirosław
Published: January 2016

ReviewThis text is a review of the work entitled Baltu valodu atlants. Leksika 1: Flora (Eng. Atlas of the Baltic Languages. Lexis 1: Flora), published in Vilnius in 2013.The publication was prepared by linguists from the Institute of Latvian Language and the Institute of Lithuanian Language. The Atlas presents vocabulary from the second part of the 20th century on the territory of Latvia and Lithuania and partly of Belarus and Poland. The authors prepared 46 maps and descriptions of 26 words (connected with flora), which showed different phonetic variants of derivatives, linguistic parallels between the Latvian and Lithuanian dialects (lexical, semantic, geographical) and common Slavic-Baltic zone of interference. RecenzjaTekst jest recenzją pracy Baltu valodu atlants. Leksika 1: Flora, ktora została wydana w Wilnie w 2013 r. Publikację opracowali litewscy i łotewscy lingwiści z Instytutu Języka Litewskiego Akademii Nauk Litwy i Instytutu Języka Łotewskiego Uniwersytetu Łotewskiego w Rydze. W Atlasie zaprezentowano słownictwo z drugiej połowy XX w., funkcjonujące na obszarze Litwy, Łotwy a także częściowo Białorusi i Polski. Autorzy przedstawili 46 map i zaprezentowali opisy 26 nazw związanych z florą, ukazujących ich różne warianty fonetyczne oraz językowe paralele pomiędzy dialektami litewskimi i łotewskimi (leksykalne, semantyczne, geograficzne) oraz wspólną słowiańsko-bałtycką strefę kontaktów językowych.
Radosław Kaleta, Białorusko-polska homonimia międzyjęzykowa, Warszawa: Slawistyczny Ośrodek Wydawniczy, 2014, 167 ss.
Authors: Duszkin Maksim
Published: January 2016

Review The text is a presentation of R. Kaleta's book Białorusko-polska homonimia międzyjęzykowa published in 2014 by the Slavic Publishing Centre of the Institute of Slavic Studies PAS. The monograph includes an analysis of source literature and some theoretical reflections on a phenomenon of the so-called interlanguage homonymy. The book also includes a brief vocabulary of selected Belarusian-Polish interlanguage homonyms. Recenzja W recenzji przedstawiono wydaną w 2014 r. w Slawistycznym Ośrodku Wydawniczym Instytutu Slawistyki PAN książkę R. Kalety Białorusko-polska homonimia międzyjęzykowa. Monografia zawiera między innymi opis literatury przedmiotu oraz rozważania teoretyczne, dotyczące zjawiska tzw. hominimii międzyjęzykowej. Znaleźć w niej można również słowniczek wybranych białorusko-polskich hominimów międzyjęzykowych.
The Poleward Motion of Extratropical Cyclones from a Potential Vorticity Tendency Analysis
Authors: Tamarin Talia , Kaspi Yohai
Published: January 2016

The poleward propagation of midlatitude storms is studied using a potential vorticity (PV) tendency analysis of cyclone-tracking composites, in an idealized zonally symmetric moist GCM. A detailed PV budget reveals the important role of the upper-level PV and diabatic heating associated with latent heat release. During the growth stage, the classic picture of baroclinic instability emerges, with an upper-level PV to the west of a low-level PV associated with the cyclone. This configuration not only promotes intensification, but also a poleward tendency that results from the nonlinear advection of the low-level anomaly by the upper-level PV. The separate contributions of the upper- and lower-level PV as well as the surface temperature anomaly are analyzed using a piecewise PV inversion, which shows the importance of the upper-level PV anomaly in advecting the cyclone poleward. The PV analysis also emphasizes the crucial role played by latent heat release in the poleward motion of the cyclone. The latent heat release tends to maximize on the northeastern side of cyclones, where the warm and moist air ascends. A positive PV tendency results at lower levels, propagating the anomaly eastward and poleward. It is also shown here that stronger cyclones have stronger latent heat release and poleward advection, hence, larger poleward propagation. Time development of the cyclone composites shows that the poleward propagation increases during the growth stage of the cyclone, as both processes intensify. However, during the decay stage, the vertical alignment of the upper and lower PV anomalies implies that these processes no longer contribute to a poleward tendency.
Love and perception in Natalia Ginzburg’s È stato così
Authors: Giachetti Alexis Seccombe
Published: January 2016

This essay examines Natalia Ginzburg’s novella, È stato così, and the role that distorted perception plays in the demise of the protagonist’s marriage. The analysis of the narrative takes into consideration two of Ginzburg’s postwar essays, ‘Human Relationships’ and ‘The Little Virtues.’ Ginzburg’s works are contextualized within a broader conversation amongst existentialists (namely, Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Buber, and José Ortega y Gasset) about interpersonal perception within romantic love. Indebted to scholars who have noted certain parallels between Ginzburg and Sartrian existentialism, this essay affirms and elaborates upon these similarities and then introduces Buber and Ortega y Gasset into the discussion. While Sartre offers an explanation as to why distorted perception occurs so often in amorous relationships, Buber and Ortega y Gasset offer alternate models in which lovers choose to alter their perception of the beloved. Reading È stato così in light of Buber and Ortega y Gasset allows the reader to more readily recognize a constructive layer embedded in this novella. This subtext of the novella is consistent with Ginzburg’s essays in which she argues that human relationships are a problem to be solved, not renounced or avoided.
Exploring the Tourist Experience
Authors: Park Sanghun , Santos Carla Almeida
Published: January 2016

The current study explores the central elements comprising memorable tourism experiences. It does so by adopting a sequential data collection process along three main successive travel stages: (a) pre-, (b) during, and (c) posttravel. Findings suggest that while participants vividly recalled the process of collecting and negotiating information for travel planning as well as interactions with others, what they most recalled posttravel (i.e., once their travels were over) were unique and unexpected personal experiences that differentiated their experiences from others’ experiences. The implications of such findings for the understanding of memorable tourism experiences are discussed.
Effective treatment of different phenotypes of chronic urticaria with omalizumab: Case reports and review of literature
Authors: Kasperska-Zajac A , Jarząb J , Żerdzińska A , Bąk K , Grzanka A
Published: January 2016

Despite the excellent efficacy and safety profile of omalizumab in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), there are scarce data concerning its role in the treatment of refractory cases with different phenotypes of urticaria. We describe our experience with the therapy of nine patients with CSU co-existing with delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) or angioedema or both and refractory to treatment with high-dose antihistamines. The first patient, with severe CSU and recurrent angioedema, did not respond well to cyclosporine A or corticosteroids and suffered from numerous side effects of long-term corticosteroid therapy. The second patient presented with severe symptoms of DPU, which first of all prevented any daily activities of the professional routines. Both patients showed a complete remission of urticaria after the first injection of omalizumab. The third patient with CSU and severe DPU had been ineffectively treated for more than 20 years with various medications. Following the administration of omalizumab, the symptoms of CSU subsided but those of DPU intensified, and the drug was withdrawn after two cycles. In another four patients with refractory CSU and angioedema, the symptoms subsided after the first administration of omalizumab, and the patients have been in remission for about 5 weeks. In the remaining two patients, the symptoms did not resolve despite four 300 mg doses of omalizumab. It is important to establish a therapeutic regimen with omalizumab (150–300 mg; every 4–8 weeks) tailored to individual patient’s needs and dependent on the type of urticaria; this may minimize unnecessary the medication exposure, adverse drug effects, and healthcare costs.
Help-Seeking Behaviors of Abused Women in an Abortion Clinic Population
Authors: TePoel Megan R. W. , Saftlas Audrey F. , Wallis Anne B. , Harland Karisa , Peek-Asa Corinne
Published: January 2016

Women who seek induced abortion procedures experience high rates of intimate partner violence, yet little is known about their help-seeking behaviors. Using data collected from patients attending a large Midwestern clinic who screened positive for intimate partner violence, we analyzed how help-seeking women differed from women not seeking help and those not disclosing their help-seeking behavior. We measured current and planned resource use and evaluated self-perceived helpfulness of resources. Severe battering, physical and/or sexual abuse, frequent sexual abuse, increased relationship length, and employment were positively associated with help-seeking. Nearly half of women who screened positive for abuse in the past year had already sought or planned to seek help, indicating this population is receptive to intervention.
Data mining on Chinese train accidents to derive associated rules
Authors: Chen Dingjun , Xu Chang’an , Ni Shaoquan
Published: January 2016

The costs of fatalities and injuries from train accidents have a great impact on society. As part of our effort to understand the characteristics of past train accidents, this paper presents an analysis of significant train accidents occurring in China from 1954 to 2014. Rough set theory and associated rules approaches are applied in analyzing the collected data. The results show that although most derived rules are unique, some rules are worth noting. Collision accidents generally lead to more casualties than derailment accidents, and the most frequent cause of accidents is human error. Additionally, most train accidents occur during summer. These findings can provide railway leaders with lessons and rules learned from past accidents, thus facilitating the establishment of a safer railway operation environment in China.
Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011: Well Begun but Only Half Done
Authors: Gautam Vandana
Published: January 2016

Corruption is a contagion ripping India’s foundation and affecting its economic well-being. India’s recent history is full of numerous cases of victimisation including those of murders of honest and upright public servants who dared to make disclosures about corrupt practices or offences. A law seeking to protect such ‘whistle blowers’ is need of the hour. Espousal of a whistle blower protection law had been under the active consideration of Indian government for several years. Finally, a legal framework with an objective to protect persons making a disclosure about wrong doings in state agencies has come into existence in the form of an act called Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011. The present article discusses key aspects of Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 and compares the said act with the recommendations of Law Commission and Administrative Reforms Commission. The article deals with the inherent shortcomings in the Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 and argues for certain important amendments, needed to be made, to make this act stronger.
Beyond the power of networks: Differentiating network structure from social media affordances for perceived social support
Authors: Lu Weixu , Hampton Keith N
Published: January 2016

Existing research suggests that social media use is associated with higher levels of social capital—the resources contained within a person’s network of friends, family, and other acquaintances. However, in predicting access to these resources, it has been impossible to distinguish the affordances of social media from the underlying advantage of maintaining a favorable social network of relationships on- and offline. Based on data from a representative, national survey, we compare the relationship between social network structure and various activities on Facebook for one type of resource: informal social support in the form of companionship, emotional support, and tangible aid. In addition to a positive association between number of close ties, overall network size and diversity and social support, we find that Facebook status updates and private messaging are independently associated with perceived support. We argue that these affordances are an outcome of the “pervasive awareness” provided by social media.
Featured Article: Differential regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation by protease-activated receptors in adult human endothelial cells
Authors: Tillery Lakeisha C , Epperson Tenille A , Eguchi Satoru , Motley Evangeline D
Published: January 2016

Protease-activated receptors have been shown to regulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase through the phosphorylation of specific sites on the enzyme. It has been established that PAR-2 activation phosphorylates eNOS-Ser-1177 and leads to the production of the potent vasodilator nitric oxide, while PAR-1 activation phosphorylates eNOS-Thr-495 and decreases nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In this study, we hypothesize a differential coupling of protease-activated receptors to the signaling pathways that regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production in primary adult human coronary artery endothelial cells. Using Western Blot analysis, we showed that thrombin and the PAR-1 activating peptide, TFLLR, lead to the phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser-1177 in human coronary artery endothelial cells, which was blocked by SCH-79797 (SCH), a PAR-1 inhibitor. Using the nitrate/nitrite assay, we also demonstrated that the thrombin- and TFLLR-induced production of nitric oxide was inhibited by SCH and L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor. In addition, we observed that TFLLR, unlike thrombin, significantly phosphorylated eNOS-Thr-495, which may explain the observed delay in nitric oxide production in comparison to that of thrombin. Activation of PAR-2 by SLIGRL, a PAR-2 specific ligand, leads to dual phosphorylation of both catalytic sites but primarily regulated eNOS-Thr-495 phosphorylation with no change in nitric oxide production in human coronary artery endothelial cells. PAR-3, known as the non-signaling receptor, was activated by TFRGAP, a PAR-3 mimicking peptide, and significantly induced the phosphorylation of eNOS-Thr-495 with minimal phosphorylation of eNOS-Ser-1177 with no change in nitric oxide production. In addition, we confirmed that PAR-mediated eNOS-Ser-1177 phosphorylation was Ca2+-dependent using the Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA, while eNOS-Thr-495 phosphorylation was mediated via Rho kinase using the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, suggesting protease-activated receptor coupling to Gq and G12/13, respectively. These data suggest a vascular bed specific differential coupling of protease-activated receptors to the signaling pathways that regulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide production that may be responsible for endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular disease.
Low yield of unselected testing in patients with acutely abnormal liver function tests
Authors: Chadwick Andrew , Marks Michael
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To audit the diagnostic yield and cost implications of the use of a ‘liver screen’ for inpatients with abnormal liver function tests.

Design

We performed a retrospective audit of inpatients with abnormal liver function tests. We analysed all investigations ordered including biochemistry, immunology, virology and radiology. The final diagnosis was ascertained in each case, and the diagnostic yield and cost per positive diagnosis for each investigation were calculated.

Setting

St Thomas’ NHS Trust.

Participants

All inpatients investigated for abnormal liver function tests over a 12-month period.

Main outcome measures

We calculated the percentage of courses due to each diagnosis, the yield of each investigation and the cost per positive diagnosis for each investigation.

Results

A total of 308 patients were included, and a final diagnosis was made in 224 patients (73%) on the basis of both clinical data and investigations. There was considerable heterogeneity in the tests included in an acute liver screen. History and ultrasound yielded the most diagnoses (40% and 30%, respectively). The yield of autoimmune and metabolic screens was minimal.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate the low yield of unselected testing in patients with abnormal liver function tests. A thorough history, ultrasound and testing for blood-borne viruses are the cornerstones of diagnosis. Specialist input should be sought before further testing. Prospective studies to evaluate the yield and cost-effectiveness of different testing strategies are needed.
Anti-GBM Disease in Pregnancy
Authors: Adnan Mohammed Muqeet , Morton Jordan , Hashmi Syed , Abdul Mujeeb Sufyan , Kern William , Cowley Benjamin D.
Published: January 2016

Antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease presenting during pregnancy is uncommon. We present a case of a pregnant female who presented with acute renal failure requiring dialysis due to anti-GBM disease. She responded well to plasma exchange, high-dose steroids, and hemodialysis. Cyclophosphamide was discussed but not given at the patient’s request due to concerns for the well-being of the fetus. Unfortunately, she suffered a spontaneous abortion in her eighth week of pregnancy. Subsequently, she had progressive improvement in her renal function and became hemodialysis independent at 2 weeks after diagnosis. Her renal function returned to baseline 3 months after diagnosis. We present this case in detail and review the literature regarding anti-GBM disease in pregnancy.
How I treat acute graft-versus-host disease of the gastrointestinal tract and the liver
Authors: McDonald George B.
Published: January 2016

Treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has evolved from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more nuanced strategy based on predicted outcomes. Lower and time-limited doses of immune suppression for patients predicted to have low-risk GVHD are safe and effective. In more severe GVHD, prolonged exposure to immunosuppressive therapies, failure to achieve tolerance, and inadequate clinical responses are the proximate causes of GVHD-related deaths. This article presents acute GVHD-related scenarios representing, respectively, certainty of diagnosis, multiple causes of symptoms, jaundice, an initial therapy algorithm, secondary therapy, and defining futility of treatment.
Common and biased signaling pathways of the chemokine receptor CCR7 elicited by its ligands CCL19 and CCL21 in leukocytes
Authors: Hauser Mark A , Legler Daniel F
Published: January 2016

Chemokines are pivotal regulators of cell migration during continuous immune surveillance, inflammation, homeostasis, and development. Chemokine binding to their 7-transmembrane domain, G-protein-coupled receptors causes conformational changes that elicit intracellular signaling pathways to acquire and maintain an asymmetric architectural organization and a polarized distribution of signaling molecules necessary for directional cell migration. Leukocytes rely on the interplay of chemokine-triggered migration modules to promote amoeboid-like locomotion. One of the most important chemokine receptors for adaptive immune cell migration is the CC-chemokine receptor CCR7. CCR7 and its ligands CCL19 and CCL21 control homing of T cells and dendritic cells to areas of the lymph nodes where T cell priming and the initiation of the adaptive immune response occur. Moreover, CCR7 signaling also contributes to T cell development in the thymus and to lymphorganogenesis. Although the CCR7–CCL19/CCL21 axis evolved to benefit the host, inappropriate regulation or use of these proteins can contribute or cause pathobiology of chronic inflammation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, as well as autoimmune diseases. Therefore, it appears as the CCR7–CCL19/CCL21 axis is tightly regulated at numerous intersections. Here, we discuss the multiple regulatory mechanism of CCR7 signaling and its influence on CCR7 function. In particular, we focus on the functional diversity of the 2 CCR7 ligands, CCL19 and CCL21, as well as on their impact on biased signaling. The understanding of the molecular determinants of biased signaling and the multiple layers of CCR7 regulation holds the promise for potential future therapeutic intervention.