bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Intellectual Property Protection, and Access to Medicines
Authors: Townsend Belinda , Gleeson Deborah , Lopert Ruth
Published: December 2016

The inclusion of elevated standards of intellectual property (IP) protection in the recently negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement has raised serious public health concerns regarding access to medicines. A lesser-known trade agreement under negotiation in the Asia-Pacific region is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Framed as an attempt to reassert ASEAN’s position in response to the United States–led TPP, RCEP includes key players China and India as well as several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Leaked drafts of IP provisions proposed by Japan and South Korea raise similar concerns in the Asia-Pacific region. This article identifies TRIPS (Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement)-Plus provisions in leaked negotiating texts and examines their implications for LMICs that are not also parties to the TPP: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, China, and India. We find that higher levels of IP protection delay the market entry of generic medicines, giving rise to increased costs to governments and reduced access to essential medicines. The article concludes that the public health community should recognize risks inherent in trade agreements that promote expansions of IP rights and engage with governments to ensure that public health is adequately and explicitly protected in trade and investment negotiations.
Examining the role of ideological and political education on university students’ civic perceptions and civic participation in Mainland China: Some hints from contemporary citizenship theory
Authors: Zhang Chong , Fagan Catherine
Published: December 2016

A long existing compulsive curriculum of ideological and political education is employed by the Chinese government to promote citizenship education among Chinese university students. This article builds on the findings of a mixed-methods research that examined the role of ideological and political education on university students’ civic perceptions and civic participation. The results showed little evidence of this curriculum having a clear effect on students’ political participation such as voting, as well as their idealized broad civic participation, but did reveal relatively positive effects on students’ civic intention and civic expression. In addition, it also identified its significant role in organizing students towards attending party-related activities. It shows that ideological and political education is insufficient to achieve specified aims of citizenship education among Chinese university students. We then argue that it results from a mechanistic understanding of citizenship and participation in educational policies and structural barriers to young people’s formal participation. Hence, this article argues that the forms and contents of citizenship education in China need to be reconsidered beyond the limits of the current ideological and political education and that the analyses contributed to an argument for a broader approach to citizenship education to be developed and adopted.
Interpreting Children’s Rights Education: Three perspectives and three roles for teachers
Authors: Jerome Lee
Published: December 2016

In this article, I argue that the world-view adopted by Children’s Rights Education advocates influences the form of education they present. In the first part of the article, I discuss three perspectives: (1) the legalistic perspective, which sees Children’s Rights Education as a matter of technical implementation; (2) the reformist-hermeneutic perspective, which focuses on the interpretation and elaboration of core children’s rights texts; and (3) the radical view, which sees Children’s Rights Education as part of a broader political struggle for education. In the second part, I consider the implications of each of these perspectives for teachers and argue that only the latter tradition positions teachers as agents of change, while the others reduce teacher agency. The article argues that the first two perspectives are unlikely to achieve radical change for children, and that Children’s Rights Education advocates must engage more overtly with the politically contested nature of education.
In vitro activation of coagulation by human neutrophil DNA and histone proteins but not neutrophil extracellular traps
Authors: Noubouossie Denis F. , Whelihan Matthew F. , Yu Yuan-Bin , Sparkenbaugh Erica , Pawlinski Rafal , Monroe Dougald M. , Key Nigel S.
Published: December 2016

Key Points

Individual histone proteins and DNA purified from normal human neutrophils promote coagulation activation. Neither intact NETs nor nucleosomes directly promote coagulation activation in plasma in vitro.
DeepQA: improving the estimation of single protein model quality with deep belief networks
Authors: Cao Renzhi , Bhattacharya Debswapna , Hou Jie , Cheng Jianlin
Published: December 2016

Background

Protein quality assessment (QA) useful for ranking and selecting protein models has long been viewed as one of the major challenges for protein tertiary structure prediction. Especially, estimating the quality of a single protein model, which is important for selecting a few good models out of a large model pool consisting of mostly low-quality models, is still a largely unsolved problem.

Results

We introduce a novel single-model quality assessment method DeepQA based on deep belief network that utilizes a number of selected features describing the quality of a model from different perspectives, such as energy, physio-chemical characteristics, and structural information. The deep belief network is trained on several large datasets consisting of models from the Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP) experiments, several publicly available datasets, and models generated by our in-house ab initio method. Our experiments demonstrate that deep belief network has better performance compared to Support Vector Machines and Neural Networks on the protein model quality assessment problem, and our method DeepQA achieves the state-of-the-art performance on CASP11 dataset. It also outperformed two well-established methods in selecting good outlier models from a large set of models of mostly low quality generated by ab initio modeling methods.

Conclusion

DeepQA is a useful deep learning tool for protein single model quality assessment and protein structure prediction. The source code, executable, document and training/test datasets of DeepQA for Linux is freely available to non-commercial users at http://cactus.rnet.missouri.edu/DeepQA/.
Choices have consequences: the nexus between DNA repair pathways and genomic instability in cancer
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sonali , Nandi Saikat
Published: December 2016

Background

The genome is under constant assault from a multitude of sources that can lead to the formation of DNA double‐stand breaks (DSBs). DSBs are cytotoxic lesions, which if left unrepaired could lead to genomic instability, cancer and even cell death. However, erroneous repair of DSBs can lead to chromosomal rearrangements and loss of heterozygosity, which in turn can also cause cancer and cell death. Hence, although the repair of DSBs is crucial for the maintenance of genome integrity the process of repair need to be well regulated and closely monitored.

Main body

The two most commonly used pathways to repair DSBs in higher eukaryotes include non‐homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR). NHEJ is considered to be error‐prone, intrinsically mutagenic quick fix remedy to seal together the broken DNA ends and restart replication. In contrast, HR is a high‐fidelity process that has been very well conserved from phage to humans. Here we review HR and its sub‐pathways. We discuss what factors determine the sub pathway choice including etiology of the DSB, chromatin structure at the break site, processing of the DSBs and the mechanisms regulating the sub‐pathway choice. We also elaborate on the potential of targeting HR genes for cancer therapy and anticancer strategies.

Conclusion

The DNA repair field is a vibrant one, and the stage is ripe for scrutinizing the potential treatment efficacy and future clinical applications of the pharmacological inhibitors of HR enzymes as mono‐ or combinatorial therapy regimes.
Introduction
Authors: Bianchi Marina , De Marchi Neil
Published: December 2016

This introduction traces the connections between economics and psychology that were explored in a 2015 conference on the subject held at Duke University. Over much of the past half-century, sporadic attention has been given to the possible links between economics and psychology, though recently there has been a steady rise in the numbers of both psychologists and economists interested in behavioral economics. From both disciplines have come behavioral challenges to the strong version of rational choice thinking. And, along with them, have come challenges to the challengers to relate their observations to mathematical models, as favored by economists, and to explain how people come to make the choices that they do.
Letts Calculate: Moral Accounting in the Victorian Period
Authors: Maas Harro
Published: December 2016

This essay examines the importance of an accounting culture for the rise of marginalism in Victorian England. I trace the use of accounting tools in family and private life to fend off uncertainties in the market and to enhance moral control of the self, examining the use of diaristic accounting for two Victorians, George Eliot and William Stanley Jevons, in more detail. The philosopher of mind Alexander Bain recommended the use of mercantile accounting tools, Benjamin Franklin's moral algebra in particular, to harness the mind against emotional and myopic decision making. Bain's recommendation was critically tested by Eliot in Middlemarch and used by Jevons to naturalize the mind's balancing of pleasures and pains as an algebra of feelings. Washing out all differences between reason and emotion, Jevons's theory of pleasure and pain became foundational for the economists' theory of utility. Contemporary critics of rational choice theory take this naturalized image of the economic agent as its bogeyman, ignoring the social infrastructure that brought this agent, thinking as a merchant, into existence. The idea that we calculate captures a sociohistorical reality, rather than a physiological or psychological fact.
Nationalism, Internationalism, and Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Philliou Christine
Published: December 2016

This essay, written as a response to Partha Chatterjee's on the same three concepts—nationalism, internationalism, and cosmopolitanism—in India (published in Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East 36, no. 2), first considers the validity and terms of comparison and commensurability between the Indian and Ottoman/post-Ottoman cases. It then goes on to offer a sketch of how the three concepts play out in the more indeterminate political world of the Ottoman space, looking not to cases of formal colonialism in the Middle East, but to the beginning and endpoints of the devolution of the Ottoman world and its transformation into the many nation-states of the post-Ottoman world. It poses the emergence of Greece (in the 1820s) and of Turkey one century later as crystallizing moments in a different but related process to that of the colonization and decolonization of the Indian subcontinent. The goal of the exercise is to use the three concepts of nationalism, internationalism, and cosmopolitanism to arrive at a new kind of comparison, and perhaps a new kind of model of power in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries for areas that were not formally colonized but were nevertheless crucial to the formation of modern relations of power.
CanVar: A resource for sharing germline variation in cancer patients
Authors: Chubb Daniel , Broderick Peter , Dobbins Sara E. , Houlston Richard S.
Published: December 2016

The advent of high-throughput sequencing has accelerated our ability to discover genes predisposing to disease and is transforming clinical genomic sequencing. In both contexts knowledge of the spectrum and frequency of genetic variation in the general population and in disease cohorts is vital to the interpretation of sequencing data. While population level data is becoming increasingly available from publicly accessible sources, as exemplified by The Exome Aggregation Consortium (ExAC), the availability of large-scale disease-specific frequency information is limited. These data are of particular importance to contextualise findings from clinical mutation screens and small gene discovery projects. This is especially true for cancer, which is typified by a number of hereditary predisposition syndromes.  Although mutation frequencies in tumours are available from resources such as Cosmic and The Cancer Genome Atlas, a similar facility for germline variation is lacking. Here we present the Cancer Variation Resource (CanVar) an online database which has been developed using the ExAC framework to provide open access to germline variant frequency data from the sequenced exomes of cancer patients. In its first release, CanVar catalogues the exomes of 1,006 familial early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) patients sequenced at The Institute of Cancer Research. It is anticipated that CanVar will host data for additional cancers, providing a resource for others studying cancer predisposition and an example of how the research community can utilise the ExAC framework to share sequencing data.
Legal Problems of Realization of Rights on Forest Areas
Authors: Шуплецова Юлия , Shupletsova Yuliya
Published: December 2016

Presented article is the result of study of the issues of legal regulation of forest exploitation in the Russian Federation made by the author. The work substantiates the position according to which the use of forests is a form of realization of the subjective rights of forest management. Forests are the main natural resources of Russia and of the world. Despite the fact that the forests are renewable natural resource, their protection from damage and destruction during use is one of the most important tasks of the forest law. The author concludes that taking into account features of object of legal regulation, in the process of implementation of right for the forest management responsibilities of the right holder are essential. The article also examines the main types of forest use envisaged by the forest legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as legal problems arising in the implementation of forest management by different actors of economic and other activities. The author analyzes a number of subordinate normative legal acts and court decisions to identify legal uncertainties and gaps in the forestry law.
Body size attitudes and body image perception among preschool children and their parents: a preliminary study
Authors: Kościcka Katarzyna , Czepczor Kamila , Brytek-Matera Anna
Published: December 2016

Aim of the study

to assess the attitudes towards the body among children and their parents, and to analyse the predictors of attitudes towards the body in both groups.

Subject or material and methods

The research sample:37 children from 3-7 years(M = 5.05; SD = 0.88)and 37 parents(Mage = 32.25; SD = 4.81).The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire 4, the Child Figure Arrays, and the Contour Drawing Rating Scale were used.

Results

75.68% of children chose the thin and average silhouettes for the most ideal body shape. The silhouette which children chose as the most undesirable was the children’s silhouette that indicated obesity (Nundesired_silhouette62.16%). We found the relationship between body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalisation (r=0.627,p<0.001), muscular ideal internalisation (r=0.369,p<0.05), family pressure (r= 0.351, p<0.05), media pressure (r = 0.702, p<0.001), and peer pressure (r =0.428, p < 0.05) made parents wish to change their children’s’ body shape to change the body shape in parents. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression revealed that media pressure (β = 0.348, p < 0.05) and body dissatisfaction (β = 0.696, p < 0.01) among parents (F(4, 32) = 5.655; p < 0.01; R2adjusted = 0.205) were predictors of the ideal children’s silhouette. In addition, mediation analysis showed media pressure had mediated the relationship between parents’ body dissatisfaction and children’s ideal silhouette (F(2.34) = 5.66; p < 0.01).

Discussion

-

Conclusions

Both children and their parents preferred the slim silhouette. . There is a high risk that parents can model negative attitudes towards the body in their children. Therefore this should be considered in psychoeducational prevention programs.
Patients’ perceptions of treatment credibility and their relation to the outcome of group CBT for depression
Authors: Sochting Ingrid , Tsai Michelle , Ogrodniczuk John
Published: December 2016

Aim of the study

While there has been some evidence supporting the relevance of patients’ perceptions of treatment credibility to the process and outcome of individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), its importance to group CBT remains unknown. Moreover, no studies to date have explored potential mechanisms through which perceived treatment credibility may contribute to therapeutic change.

To address this void, this pilot study investigated associations between patients’ perceptions of treatment credibility and outcome among psychiatric outpatients receiving group CBT for depression. A secondary aim was to determine whether the therapeutic alliance mediated the effect of credibility on treatment outcome.

Subject or material and methods

Consecutively admitted outpatients (N=80) completed measures of credibility, alliance, and outcome.

Results

Findings indicated that higher ratings of credibility were associated with greater improvement in interpersonal problems, but were unrelated to changes in depression, anxiety, and quality of life. We did not find evidence for the alliance serving as a mediator. Yet, we found a direct relationship between credibility and alliance.

Discussion

Depressed patients who perceive treatment to be more credible may be more likely to engage in meaningful exchanges with fellow group members, thus leading to improvement in interpersonal problems.

Conclusions

In a group context, there are many agents of influence, with the other group members, the therapist, and the group-as-a-whole each having some effect. This study has helped illuminate one aspect of the therapist's influence on the group, as perceived by patients.
Differential diagnosis of eating disorders with the use of classification trees (decision algorithm)
Authors: Izydorczyk Bernadetta , Wojciechowski Bartosz
Published: December 2016

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to establish whether it is possible to make a correct diagnosis of various types of eating disorders, on the basis of measurements of only several variables.

Subject or material and methods

A group of 213 females in the age range of 20 to 26 years of age underwent the study with the use of Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), Socio-cultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3, as well as the questionnaire for behaviour towards the body. Selection of dependent variable predictors of disease has been made. The classification tree has been developed.

Results

Differential diagnosis in line with decision algorithm allows to establish a correct diagnosis for healthy individuals, in 100% of the cases, bulimia - in 78.72% of the cases, binge eating disorder - in 93.33% of the cases, and anorexia - in 86.36% of the cases.

Discussion

Results indicate that the application of classification trees enables development of a decision algorithm and differential diagnosis of eating disorders. However, large sample is required for high predictive value of the decision tree. Therefore future research are necessary and decision algorithm should be verified on independent sample

Conclusions

Psychological predictors of eating disorders may be arranged in the form of a classification tree. It is possible to make an accurate differential diagnosis of eating disorders on the basis of results of measurements of six variables.
FABRICATION OF CAST ALUMINIUM-SILICON (Al-Si) AND ALUMINIUM-MAGNESIUM (Al-Mg) ALLOYS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
Authors: Akkera Harish Sharma , Reddy N. Nanda Kumar , Poloju Madhukar , Sekhar M. Chandra , Yuvaraj C. , Prasad G. Sadasiva
Published: December 2016

In the present investigation, three distinct aluminium-silicon (Al-Si) containing 7 wt.%, 12 wt.%, 14 wt.% of silicon and two different aluminium-magnesium (Al-Mg) alloys containing 2.5 wt.%, 4.5 wt.% of magnesium were prepared by casting route method. The prepared Al-Si and Al-Mg alloys have homogeneous distribution of the second rich phase throughout the cast. The microstructural analysis was done by using both optical and scanning electron microscope. Hardness values were measured with a Vickers hardness tester and tensile properties were determined by using Instron universal testing machine. Further, the wear properties were studied by using a ball-on-plate wear tester. The obtaining results highlight the hardness, tensile properties and wear resistance are increases with increasing percentage of second rich phase in aluminium. The worn surfaces of these alloys revealed that the surfaces have cracks, grooves, scoring marks and debris.
ANALYSIS OF HEAT TREATMENT EFFECT ON MICROSTRUCTURAL FEATURES EVOLUTION IN A MICRO-ALLOYED MARTENSITIC STEEL
Authors: Di Schino Andrea
Published: December 2016

The microstructural evolution of a quenched and tempered medium-C micro-alloyed steel during tempering is analyzed The steel was heat treated in order to develop fully martensitic microstructures after quenching with different prior austenite grain sizes (AGS). Main results are a very poor effect of AGS on packet size is found, as well as, high-angle boundary grains do not significantly grow after tempering; on the contrary, low-angle grain boundaries (cells) move, fully justifying the hardness evolution with tempering temperature.
PRECIPITATION SIMULATION AND X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY FOR HOT ROLLED V-HSLA STEEL
Authors: Suwanpinij Piyada , Dickert Hans Henning , Sricharoenchai Prasonk
Published: December 2016

Aiming to the process optimisation while reducing or avoiding experimental work, the work has been carried out by a physically-based thermokinetic model proven by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The mole fraction and size distribution of different precipitate species as well as the consumption of the dissolved elements are of the main interest. The model considers the involved parameters in the hot rolling process, i.e., austenite grain size, disloca-tion density as a function of deformation, and thermal history during the process. Both grain boundary and dislocation are nucleation sites. The diffuse interface effect on the interfacial energy as well as a volumetric misfit of AlN at dislocations is also taken into account. The latter is because of its significant difference in the lattice parameter from the matrix. The X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) taken advantage from the synchrotron technology has been employed for the quantification of the precipitation of vanadium as well as its fraction in the solid solution. With very good agreement, V(C,N) precipitates significantly due to high dislocation and is not overridden by the competing AlN.
Did Government Regulations Lead to Inflated Credit Ratings?
Authors: Behr Patrick , Kisgen Darren J. , Taillard Jérôme P.
Published: December 2016

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations in 1975 gave select rating agencies increased market power by increasing both barriers to entry and the reliance on ratings for regulations. We test whether these regulations led to ratings inflation. We find that defaults and negative financial changes are more likely for firms given the same rating if the rating was assigned after the SEC action. Furthermore, firms initially rated Baa in the post-regulation period are 19% more likely to be negatively downgraded to speculative grade than firms rated Baa in the pre-regulation period. These results indicate that the market power derived from the SEC led to ratings inflation.

This paper was accepted by Amit Seru, finance.
Optimizing Performance-Based Internet Advertisement Campaigns
Authors: Mookerjee Radha , Kumar Subodha , Mookerjee Vijay S.
Published: December 2016

This study provides an approach to manage an ongoing Internet ad campaign that substantially improves the number of clicks and the revenue earned from clicks. The problem we study is faced by an Internet advertising firm (Chitika) that operates in the Boston area. Chitika contracts with publishers to place relevant advertisements (ads) over a specified period on publisher websites. Ad revenue accrues to the firm and the publisher only if a visitor clicks on an ad (i.e., we are considering the cost-per-click model in this study). This might imply that all visitors to the publisher’s website be shown ads. However, this is not the case if the publisher imposes a click-through-rate constraint on the advertising firm. This performance constraint captures the publisher’s desire to limit ad clutter on the website and hold the advertising firm responsible for the publisher’s opportunity cost of showing an ad that did not result in a click. We develop a predictive model of a visitor clicking on a given ad. Using this prediction of the probability of a click, we develop a decision model that uses a threshold to decide whether or not to show an ad to the visitor. The decision model’s objective is to maximize the advertising firm’s revenue subject to a click-through-rate constraint. A key contribution of this paper is to characterize the structure of the optimal solution. We study and contrast two competing solutions: (1) a static solution, and (2) a rolling-horizon solution that resolves the problem at certain points in the planning horizon. The static solution is shown to be optimal when accurate information on the input parameters to the problem is known. However, when the parameters to the model can only be estimated with some error, the rolling-horizon solution can perform better than the static solution. When using the rolling-horizon solution, it becomes important to choose the appropriate resolving frequency. The implemented models operate in real time in Chitika’s advertising network. Implementation challenges and the business impact of our solution are discussed. To present a head-to-head comparison of our implemented approach with the past practice at Chitika, we implemented our solution in parallel to the past practice.
Neuroendocrine tumour arising inside a tailgut cyst
Authors: Mora-Guzmán I , Alonso-Casado A , Rodríguez Sánchez A , Bermejo Marcos E
Published: December 2016

Tailgut cysts are rare benign retrorectal cysts arising from persistent remnants of an embryonic hindgut. Malignant transformation inside this lesion is very uncommon and occurrence of neuroendocrine tumours in this context is extremely rare. We report the case of a 56-year-old woman who underwent surgical excision of a presacral tailgut cyst, which was found incidentally to include a neuroendocrine tumour.
Recognising and dealing with complications in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Ricketts D , Rogers RA , Roper T , Ge X
Published: December 2016

Orthopaedic surgeons need information about the complications they are likely to encounter. The literature on complications is difficult to interpret owing to a lack of agreed definitions, problems with collecting accurate data and with data interpretation. We suggest a role for the Royal College of Surgeons and specialist societies in collecting and interpreting complications data.
Structuring of bioactive glass surfaces at the micrometer scale by direct casting intended to influence cell response
Authors: Pföss Barbara , Höner Miriam , Wirth Monika , Bührig-Polaczek Andreas , Fischer Horst , Conradt Reinhard
Published: December 2016

Defect-free bioactive glass surfaces with a grooved microstructure at the low micrometer scale were achieved by a mold casting process. The process was applied to the well-known glass compositions 45S5 and 13–93. Such microstructured surfaces may exhibit especially favorable conditions for bone cell orientation and growth. The aim of the study was to assess the parameter range for a successful casting process and thus to produce samples suitable to investigate the interaction between structured surfaces and relevant cells. Viscous flow in its temperature dependence and thermal analysis were analyzed to identify a suitable process window and to design a manageable time-temperature process scheme. Counteracting effects such as formation of chill ripples, mold sticking and build-up of permanent thermal stress in the glass had to be overcome. A platinum gold alloy was chosen as mold material with the mold surface bearing the mother shape of the microstructure to be imprinted on the glass surface. First experiments studying the behavior of osteoblast-like cells, seeded on these microstructured glass surfaces revealed excellent viability and an orientation of the cells along the microgrooves. The presented results show that direct casting is a suitable process to produce defined microstructures on bioactive glass surfaces.
Central Obesity, Inflammation and Angiogenesis in Adult Men
Authors: Sartika Cynthia R , Wijaya Andi , Lukito Widjaja , As’ad Suryani
Published: December 2016

Obesity is known to link with low-grade inflammation. Experimental studies revealed that inflammation was associated with angiogenesis process in adipose tissue. We investigate the correlation between inflammation and angiogenesis in Indonesian adult men with central obesity. A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 161 healthy Indonesian adult men (age: 23-53 y, waist circumference: 64-125 cm). Clinical parameters; biochemical markers; anthropometric parameters (weight, height and abdominal circumference); inflammatory biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 (sTNFR-2), interleukin (IL)-1β); and biomarkers of angiogenesis (leptin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and Ang-2 were measured. Obese II, Obese I subjects had higher concentrations of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides (P<0.005) than those Non-obese subjects. Obese II subjects had higher concentrations of hsCRP (P<0.05) than obese I subjects; and obese I subjects had higher concentration of hsCRP (P<0.05) than Non-obese subjects. sTNFR-2 correlated positively with leptin and Ang-2 (rs = 0.376, P< 0.001 and rs = 0.281, P = 0.003, respectively) and negatively with Ang-1 in obese subjects. High concentration of sTNFR-2 also correlated with increased concentrations of leptin, VEGF and Ang-2 in all subjects (P= 0.001, P= 0.033, and P= 0.005, respectively). In obese subjects, high concentration of sTNFR-2 had correlated with increased leptin and Ang-2, and decreased Ang-1 (7.4 %, 10.9% and 9.2%, respectively). This study was able to demonstrate the relations between inflammation and angiogenesis in Indonesian adult men with central obesity. Findings of this study suggest that inflammation and angiogenesis were mutually supportive processes contribute to systemic low grade inflammation in central obesity.
Joining three car body steel sheets by clinching
method
Authors: Kaščák Ľuboš , Spišák Emil , Majerníková Jana
Published: December 2016

The optimization of a car body in terms of cost
can be achieved by using different materials in various
positions of the car in order to utilize specific properties
of each different material. Resistance spot welding is the
most used method of joining in car body production, but it
is not always easy or even possible to join some combination
of materials by this method. Clinching is an alternative
method to spot welding, as a combination of drawing
and forming. The research is focused on the evaluation of
clinched joints’ properties using shearing test and metallographic
observation of material structure.
The Competitiveness of Business Groups and Their Affiliates in International Operations
Authors: Bugador Roderick Caballero
Published: December 2016

The discourse on the competitiveness of emerging economy firms continues with globalization.
This paper joins the dialogue by providing a framework of the competitiveness of business groups
and their affiliates in international operations. The goal is to address the vast literature on emerging
economies that remains short in providing the theoretical background on the competitiveness of emerging
and transitioning economy firms. To do this, this study used a critical review and analysis of the literature.
It offers some propositions to illustrate the applicability of the framework in analyzing
the international expansion of business group affiliates across borders. Ultimately, the paper contributes
to the literature on managerial capabilities and competitiveness of firms to sustain their operations
as the new emerging economy multinationals.
Continuous renal replacement therapy allows higher colistin dosing without increasing toxicity
Authors: Honore Patrick M. , Jacobs Rita , Joannes-Boyau Olivier , Boer Willem , De Waele Elisabeth , Van Gorp Viola , Spapen Herbert D.
Published: December 2016

Polymyxins are ‘‘old’’ antimicrobials which were abandoned for almost 30 years because of significant renal and neurological toxicity. However, the alarming rise of multi-resistant Gramnegative bacterial infections worldwide has revived interest in these ‘‘forgotten’’ agents. Colistin (polymyxin E) is one of the main antibiotics of this class. It is most often administered as the pro-drug colistimethate sodium. Doses for treatment of systemic infections in adults range between 3 and 9 million IU per day. Colistin is increasingly used for treatment of pneumonia and bacteremia in critically ill patients. During their ICU stay, many of these subjects will need continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) because of acute kidney injury or an unstable hemodynamic condition. Based on recent pharmacological data and own experience, we postulate that patients undergoing CRRT may receive substantially higher doses of colistin (i.e., a high loading dose, followed by a maintenance dose up to 4.5 million IU tid). Treatment can be continued for a prolonged time period without increasing toxicity. CRRT counteracts colistin accumulation because the drug is continuously filtered and also significantly adsorbed in the bulk of the dialysis membrane. Implementing such ‘‘CRRT rescue’’ therapy does require the strict use of highly adsorptive dialysis membranes in association with citrate anticoagulation to increase membrane performance.
Podocyturia: What is in a name?
Authors: Trimarchi Hernán
Published: December 2016

The podocyte is a highly differentiated cell located in the outer space of the glomerular basement
membrane that deals with many different functions. This phylogenetically preserved cell that is
responsible for the virtually absence of proteins in the urine lacks of the capacity to divide under
normal conditions. When podocytes receive molecular insults, which normally occur during stress
conditions as glomerulonephritis, hyperfiltration or metabolic disturbances, they adapt to the new
situation by contracting their actin fibers. This adaptive behavior puts at risk the quality of the
plasmatic filtration due to the denudation of the glomerular basement membrane, the potential
mesangial inflammation and the appearance of proteinuria; podocytes run the risk of detachment
from the basement membrane due to a decrease in the adherence to the surrounding matrix
after contraction, a process called foot processes effacement. Podocytes change their shape
and under constant mechanical stress they finally detach, rendering the glomerular basement
membrane unprotected unless other contiguous podocytes are capable of covering the surface.
However, these still anchored podocytes are generally also under the same stress situation and
follow the same pathway. Podocyturia refers to the presence of these differentiated cells in the
urinary sediment. Noteworthy, the podocytes that are encountered in the urine are viable despite
the glomerular hostile environment and the urinary acidity. Podocyturia can precede proteinuria
and can aggravate it. Therefore, in diseases that can threaten the glomerular normal environment,
the presence and the quantification of urinary podocytes can be of remarkable relevance, as
it can herald or accompany the appearance of proteinuria, and could offer another view to the
interpretation and clinical approach and outcome of proteinuria. However, its identification needs
a wide-spread training among biochemists and technicians, as well as commercially available kits.
Megaloblastic anemia: A common but
often neglected cause of pyrexia of
unknown origin
Authors: Siddiqui Bushra , Rabindranath Divya , Faridi Shahbaz Habib , Khan Azka Anees , Haiyat Sadaf , Eswaran Rabindranath
Published: December 2016

Objective: The objective was to study megaloblastic anemia as a cause of pyrexia of unknown
origin (PUO). Materials and Methods: We conducted a study on 15 patients of megaloblastic
anemia associated with fever, attending our hospital clinics over a period of 6 months. Results:
While 11 patients had symptoms suggesting foci of infection and responded well to intravenous
antibiotics, 4 patients had neither any evidence of infection nor responded with empirical
broad spectrum antibiotic treatment. They were treated with vitamin B12/folate therapy which
led to marked improvement in fever within 48 h. Presenting complaints of the patients and
severity/duration of fever along with other epidemiological data were also studied in each case.
Conclusion: The present study led us to conclude that megaloblastic anemia forms an important
and reversible cause of fever and should be ruled out in all patients presenting with PUO. This
knowledge would help the physicians in adequate and timely management of these patients.
Ascorbic acid improves renal microcirculatory oxygenation in a rat model of renal I/R injury
Authors: Ergin Bulent , Zuurbier Coert J. , Bezemer Rick , Kandil Asli , Almac Emre , Demirci Cihan , Ince Can
Published: December 2016

Background and objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical condition associated with a degree of morbidity and mortality despite supportive care, and ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) is one of the main causes of AKI. The pathophysiology of I/R injury is a complex cascade of events including the release of free oxygen radicals followed by damage to proteins, lipids, mitochondria, and deranged tissue oxygenation. In this study, we investigated whether the antioxidant ascorbic acid would be able to largely prevent oxidative stress and consequently, reduce I/R-related injury to the kidneys in terms of oxygenation, inflammation, and renal failure. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into three groups (n = 6/group): (1) a time control group; (2) a group subjected to renal ischemia for 60 min by high aortic occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion (I/R); and (3) a group subjected to I/R and treated with an i.v. 100 mg/kg bolus ascorbic acid 15 min before ischemia and continuous infusion of 50 mg/kg/hour for 2 h during reperfusion (I/R + AA). We measured renal tissue oxidative stress, microvascular oxygenation, renal oxygen delivery and consumption, and renal expression of inflammatory and injury markers. Results: We demonstrated that aortic clamping and release resulted in increased oxidative stress and inflammation that was associated with a significant fall in systemic and renal hemodynamics and oxygenation parameters. The treatment of ascorbic acid completely abrogated oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters. However, it only partly improved microcirculatory oxygenation and was without any effect on anuria. Conclusion: The ascorbic acid treatment partly improves microcirculatory oxygenation and prevents oxidative stress without restoring urine output in a severe I/R model of AKI.
Clinical characteristics of tobacco smoke-induced versus biomass fuelinduced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Cheng Lin-ling , Liu Ya-ya , Su Zhu-quan , Liu Jun , Chen Rong-chang , Ran Pi-xin
Published: December 2016

Objective: To investigate differences in clinical features between tobacco smoke-induced and biomass fuel-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 206 patients with COPD caused by exposure to tobacco smoke and 81 cases of COPD caused by exposure to biomass fuels who received treatment in our hospital between 2011 March and 2014 March. Difference in general health status, clinical symptoms, the dyspnea score, and comorbidities between the two groups were compared. In addition, pulmonary function, grading, and acute exacerbations were also compared.

Results: (1) Difference in general health status: Male and female patients with COPD caused by exposure to tobacco smoke were 83.5 and 16.5%, respectively. Male and female patients with COPD caused by exposure to smoke from biomass fuels were 14.8 and 85.2% (χ2 = 27.2, P < 0.05), respectively. Tobacco smoke-induced COPD was more prevalent in men, and COPD caused by exposure to smoke from biomass fuels was more prevalent in women. After gender adjustment, body mass index (BMI) was lower in women with COPD caused by exposure to smoke from biomass fuels than those by tobacco smoke. There was no statistically significant difference in other indicators, such as age. (2): Difference in clinical symptoms: No statistically significant difference in the modified British Medical Research Counsel (mMRC) Questionnaire, a measure of breathlessness, was observed between the two groups. Dyspnea was more common in COPD patients that was caused by exposure to biomass fuels (38.3%) than by tobacco smoke (11.1%) (χ2 = 17.9, P < 0.05). The comorbidities of allergic diseases (such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma) were more prevalent in COPD patients that was caused by exposure to smoke from biomass fuels (43.2%) than by tobacco smoke (18%) (χ2= 16.1, P < 0.05). However, COPD comorbid with lung cancer was more prevalent in those cases that were caused by exposure to tobacco smoke (7.77%) than in cases caused by exposure to smoke from biomass fuels (3.7%) (χ2 = 9.7, P < 0.05). (3) Differences in grading of pulmonary function: After gender adjustment, patients with COPD caused by exposure to biomass fuels were mostly in grade B or D. (4) Exacerbations: No significant difference in exacerbations per year was noted between the two groups.

Conclusions: Marked differences exist between patients with COPD caused by exposure to tobacco smoke and smoke from biomass fuels. Patients with COPD caused by exposure to biofuels are mostly females with lower BMI and often with many clinical symptoms and complications, such as allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Such patients are often in stage B or D. Tobacco smoke-induced COPD is more prevalent in male patients, often with complications in the form of lung cancer.
Clinical significance of airway mucus hypersecretion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Tian Pan-wen , Wen Fu-qiang
Published: December 2016

Airway mucus hypersecretion is one of the most important features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway mucus hypersecretion in COPD patients results in outcomes such as rapid decline of lung function, poor quality of life, and high rate of acute exacerbation, hospitalization and mortality. Nonpharmacologic treatments for airway mucus hypersecretion in COPD include smoking cessation and physical rehabilitation. Pharmacologic therapies include expectorants, mucolytics, methylxanthines, beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, anticholinergics, glucocorticoids, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, antioxidants, and antibiotics. Novel drugs with promising prospects are currently under clinical trials.
Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection among tuberculosis patients at tertiary care combined hospital
Authors: Basavareddy Rakesh , Basavareddy Asha , Ravi Shimoga Laxman , Kiran Bilagumba Ramu , Srikant Gadwalkar R.
Published: December 2016

Background and Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have reached epidemic proportions in our country. This study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence of HIV infection among TB patients and to evaluate the various clinical features of TB in seropositive and seronegative patients. This study was undertaken in Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary. It was cross-sectional comparative observational study conducted from December 2010 to May 2012. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with TB satisfying inclusion criteria were selected for the study. All patients went through a detailed evaluation along with testing for HIV seroprevalence. Chi-square and Student’s t-tests used to find the significance between two groups. Results: The overall HIV seroprevalence among TB patients was 8%. Seroprevalence was highest in the age group between 31 and 40 years at 29.41% (odds ratio [OR] = 11.11, P = 0.003). It was found that seropositive TB patients were more likely to present with significant weight loss (OR = 19.25, P= 0.000), and have lymphadenopathy OR = 13.24, P = 0.002) and oral candidiasis (OR = 49.44, P = 0.000) on examination. Bilateral chest radiographic involvement (OR = 57.40, P = 0.000) and the disseminated variety of the disease (OR = 29.67, P = 0.001) are also more probable. Conclusions: Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence is quite high among TB patients in Bellary. During the evaluation of TB patients, the possibility of HIV co-infection should be kept in mind, and thus adequate knowledge of the likely clinical features is absolutely necessary.
Viral hepatitis in hemodialysis: An update
Authors: Bernieh Bassam
Published: December 2016

Hepatitis outbreaks in hemodialysis (HD) patients and staff were reported in the late 1960s, and a number of hepatotropic viruses transmitted by blood and other body fluids have been identified. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was the first significant hepatotropic virus to be identified in HD centers. HBV infection has been effectively controlled by active vaccination, screening of blood donors, the use of erythropoietin and segregation of HBV carriers. Hepatitis delta virus is a defective virus that can only infect HBV-positive individuals. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most significant cause of non-A, non-B hepatitis and is mainly transmitted by blood transfusion. The introduction in 1990 of routine screening of blood donors for HCV contributed significantly to the control of HCV transmission. An effective HCV vaccine remains an unsolved challenge; however, pegylation of interferon-alfa has made it possible to treat HCV-positive dialysis patients. Unexplained sporadic outbreaks of hepatitis by the mid-1990s prompted the discovery of hepatitis G virus, hepatitis GB virus C and the TT virus. The vigilant observation of guidelines on universal precaution and regular virologic testing are the cornerstones of the effective control of chronic hepatitis in the setting of HD. Major recent advances in the viral diagnosis technology and the development of new oral, direct-acting antiviral agents allow early diagnosis and better therapeutic response. The current update will review the recent developments, controversies and new treatment of viral hepatitis in HD patients.