bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting the Other: Considering the process and practice of cosmopolitanism
Authors: Gilmore Jonathan
Published: February 2014

The War on Terror has posed a difficult challenge for proponents of cosmopolitanism, through its invocation of cosmopolitan-like discourse, focused on emancipation, democracy promotion and the protection of human rights, in support of the controversial practices of warfighting and counterinsurgency, which sit uneasily with a cosmopolitan ethical position. More recently, the 2011 intervention in Libya has again highlighted the persistence of this militarized form of cosmopolitan practice with very limited reflection on the congruence between rhetoric and appropriate practice.

This article argues that these contradictions should not necessitate a rejection of cosmopolitanism, but rather a critical rethinking of how cosmopolitan-informed policies are played out in practice. Proponents of cosmopolitanism must be aware that they do not have a monopoly on the use of cosmopolitan discourse and that it can be, and has been, used to legitimate practices which have not reflected what cosmopolitan scholars may have envisaged in theory. To address this, the article advances an idea of practical cosmopolitanism, one which is self-reflective, critically attuned to the practice of cosmopolitanism and focused on the experience of cosmopolitan-informed policies by the intended beneficiaries.
The affective underpinnings of soft power
Authors: Solomon Ty
Published: February 2014

The concept of soft power occupies a prominent place in International Relations, foreign policy, and security studies. Primarily developed by Joseph S. Nye, the concept is typically drawn upon to emphasize the more intangible dimensions of power in a field long dominated by overtly material (i.e. military) power. Recently, some scholars have reframed soft power — specifically the key notion of attraction — as a narrative and linguistic process. This literature, however, has downplayed some of the other deep-seated underpinnings of soft power, which this article argues lie in the dynamics of affect. Building upon the International Relations affect and aesthetics literatures, this article develops the concept of soft power as rooted in the political dynamics of emotion and introduces the concept of affective investment. The attraction of soft power stems not only from its cultural influence or narrative construction, but more fundamentally from audiences’ affective investments in the images of identity that it produces. The empirical import of these ideas is offered in an analysis of the construction of American attraction in the war on terror.
The cartel party and the state
Authors: Biezen Ingrid van , Kopecký Petr
Published: February 2014

This article focuses on the nature and strength of the relationship between political parties and the state. Expanding on the analytical framework we developed earlier (van Biezen and Kopecký, 2007), we identify three different dimensions of the party–state linkage: the dependence of parties on the state, the management of parties by the state, and the capture of the state by parties. We provide an updated cross-national empirical analysis of the relationship between political parties and the state in contemporary European democracies, building on two recently developed datasets on party regulation and party patronage. Our analysis underscores the considerable importance of the state for political parties in general, but also highlights important differences between the older democracies, and the more recently established democracies that emerged in the third wave of democratization. We show that the different dimensions of the party–state linkage do not necessarily work in the same direction, which suggests that the assumption of a close relationship between parties and the state ultimately undermining the democratic legitimacy of political parties requires some qualification.
Fighting the system? Populist radical right parties and party system change
Authors: Mudde Cas
Published: February 2014

This article assesses the impact of populist radical right parties on national party systems in Western Europe. Has the emergence of this new party family changed the interaction of party competition within Western European countries? First, I look at party system change with regard to numerical and numerical–ideological terms. Second, I evaluate the effect populist radical right parties have had on the different dimensions of party systems. Third, I assess the claim that the rise of populist radical right parties has created bipolarizing party system. Fourth, I look at the effect the rise of the populist radical right has had on the logic of coalition formation. The primary conclusion is that, irrespective of conceptualization and operationalization, populist radical right parties have not fundamentally changed party systems in Western Europe.
Are Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome different illnesses? A preliminary analysis
Authors: Jason Leonard A , Sunnquist Madison , Brown Abigail , Evans Meredyth , Newton Julia L
Published: February 2014

Considerable discussion has transpired regarding whether chronic fatigue syndrome is a distinct illness from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. A prior study contrasted the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis International Consensus Criteria with the Fukuda and colleagues’ chronic fatigue syndrome criteria and found that the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis International Consensus Criteria identified a subset of patients with greater functional impairment and physical, mental, and cognitive problems than the larger group who met Fukuda and colleagues’ criteria. The current study analyzed two discrete data sets and found that the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis International Consensus Criteria identified more impaired individuals with more severe symptomatology.
Influence of attitudes, impulsivity, and parental styles in adolescents’ externalizing behavior
Authors: Jiménez-Barbero José A , Ruiz-Hernández José A , Llor-Esteban Bartolomé , Waschgler Kathrin
Published: February 2014

Diverse works have associated externalizing problem behavior with impulsivity, parental styles, and attitudes toward violence. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between these variables and externalizing behavior. A cross-sectional correlational design was used with a sample of 252 adolescents, aged between 12 and 15 years, from the general population. The results obtained indicate a significant association of externalization with high impulsivity, ingrained attitudes toward violence, and inconsistent parental styles, as well as gender and age differences. These results are discussed in relation with the influence of gender stereotypes and their implications in the development of attitudes toward violence.
Vocabulary learning in collaborative tasks: A comparison of pair and small group work
Authors: Dobao Ana Fernández
Published: February 2014

This study examined the opportunities that pair and small group interaction offer for collaborative dialogue and second language (L2) vocabulary learning. It compared the performance of the same collaborative writing task by learners working in groups of four ( n = 60) and in pairs ( n = 50), focusing on the occurrence of lexical language-related episodes (LREs). Findings indicate that groups produced more lexical LREs than pairs and were able to solve correctly a higher percentage of these LREs. Although opportunities for individual learners to contribute to the conversation were more limited in small groups, the number of participants did not have a negative impact on learners’ rate of retention of the lexical knowledge co-constructed in interaction. The pretests and posttests showed that learners benefited from the LREs they initiated or resolved, as well as from observing their peers’ collaborative problem-solving activities. As a result, small group interaction resulted in significantly more instances of L2 vocabulary learning than pair interaction.
Seeing and being seen: Co-situation and impression formation using Grindr, a location-aware gay dating app
Authors: Blackwell Courtney , Birnholtz Jeremy , Abbott Charles
Published: February 2014

While online spaces and communities were once seen to transcend geography, the ubiquity of location-aware mobile devices means that today’s online interactions are deeply intertwined with offline places and relationships. Systems such as online dating applications for meeting nearby others provide novel social opportunities, but can also complicate interaction by aggregating or “co-situating” diverse sets of individuals. Often this aggregation occurs across traditional spatial or community boundaries that serve as cues for self-presentation and impression formation. This paper explores these issues through an interview study of Grindr users. Grindr is a location-aware real-time dating application for men who have sex with men. We argue that co-situation affects how and whether Grindr users and their behavior are visible to others, collapses or erases contextual cues about normative behavior, and introduces tensions in users’ self-presentation in terms of their identifiability and the cues their profile contains relative to their behavior.
Fuel concentration imaging inside an optically accessible diesel engine using 1-methylnaphthalene planar laser-induced fluorescence
Authors: Trost Johannes , Zigan Lars , Leipertz Alfred , Sahoo Dipankar , Miles Paul C
Published: February 2014

The performance and emissions of modern automotive diesel engines are highly dependent on the application of pilot injection technology. This technology also appears well suited for application to low-temperature combustion strategies. In this study, the first results of a new quantitative planar laser-induced fluorescence equivalence ratio measurement technique of pilot injections inside an optically accessible diesel engine are presented using 1-methylnaphthalene as a tracer in a mixture of the diesel primary reference fuels, n-hexadecane (cetane) and 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (iso-cetane). This combination overcomes the shortcomings of mismatched fuel volatility and density associated with commonly used toluene/n-heptane/iso-octane planar laser-induced fluorescence techniques. A tracer characterization in a flow cell and a calibration in the internal combustion engine are performed. The internal combustion engine measurements illustrate the mixture formation process for a pilot injection. Even at low injection mass of 3 mg, a strong penetration of the pilot is observed; fuel hits the piston bowl wall and is redirected upward to the cylinder head. Small amounts of fuel are also found to have penetrated into the bottom of the piston bowl. At top dead center, the pilot injection is still not completely homogeneously distributed in the piston bowl, and local equivalence ratios of Φ > 1 are found in the bowl.
Effect of home-based light treatment on persons with dementia and their caregivers
Authors: Sloane PD , Figueiro M , Garg S , Cohen LW , Reed D , Williams CS , Preisser J , Zimmerman S
Published: February 2014

Sleep disorders are problematic for persons with dementia and their family caregivers. This randomized controlled trial with crossover evaluated the effects of an innovative blue-white light therapy on 17 pairs of home-dwelling persons with dementia and their caregivers. Subjects with dementia received blue-white light and control (‘red-yellow’ light) for six weeks separated by a four-week washout. Neither actigraphic nor most self-reported sleep measures significantly differed for subjects with dementia. For caregivers, both sleep and role strain improved. No evidence of retinal light toxicity was observed. Six weeks of modest doses of blue-white light appear to improve sleep in caregivers but not in persons with dementia. Greater or prolonged circadian stimulation may be needed to determine if light is an effective treatment for persons with dementia.
Using eye-tracking to identify pedestrians’ critical visual tasks, Part 1. Dual task approach
Authors: Fotios S , Uttley J , Cheal C , Hara N
Published: February 2014

This paper investigates the critical visual tasks of pedestrians, the first step in a review of design guidance for lighting in residential roads. Eye tracking was used to record pedestrians’ visual fixations when walking outdoors in daytime and after dark with a concurrent dual task to better understand which fixations were critical. Fixations at critical instances, these being shown by slow reactions to the secondary task, were categorised into one of eight groups. Of these, the path and other people were the most frequent items, with people more likely to be fixated at a far distance and the path at a near distance. After dark the path was more likely to be fixated and other people less likely to be fixated compared with daylight.
Role of Importance and Distinctiveness of Semantic Features in People With Aphasia
Authors: Mason-Baughman Mary Beth , Wallace Sarah E.
Published: February 2014

Previous studies suggest that people with aphasia have incomplete lexical-semantic representations with decreased low-importance distinctive (LID) feature knowledge. In addition, decreased LID feature knowledge correlates with ability to discriminate among semantically related words. The current study seeks to replicate and extend previous research that identified patterns of feature knowledge in people with aphasia. Ten adults with aphasia sorted high-, mid-, and low-importance common and distinctive features. Participants formed two groups based on accurate discrimination of semantically related foils. ANOVA results showed significant main effects for feature importance, feature distinctiveness, and group. Participants with difficulty discriminating among related foils had greater difficulty with the identification of LID features as compared with the other group. Previous findings were replicated demonstrating impaired LID feature knowledge in people with aphasia. Careful examination of semantic feature knowledge is needed to enhance the design of future semantic feature treatments.
Outcomes After 294 Transtibial Amputations With the Posterior Myocutaneous Flap
Authors: Brown Benjamin J. , Iorio Matthew L. , Klement Mitchell , Conti Mica Michael R. , El-Amraoui Amine , O’Halloran Peter , Attinger Christopher E.
Published: February 2014

The transtibial amputation is a common operation for which there is little agreement regarding which technique provides the most reliable and resilient outcomes. We performed a retrospective chart review of all transtibial amputations performed by a single surgeon between 2004 and 2011 using the posterior myocutaneous flap with triceps surae myodesis technique. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between independent variables and dependent outcome variables. A total of 270 patients with 294 transtibial amputations were identified. Ambulation data were available for 192 patients with a mean follow-up 18.4 months. This cohort had an overall ambulation rate of 75%, a 12% incidence of stump wounds, 24% operative revision rate and only 2% required conversion to a transfemoral amputation. The posterior myocutaneous flap provides durable and reliable soft tissue coverage in the setting of a transtibial amputation.
Pravastatin prevents steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rats by suppressing PPARγ expression and activating Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Jiang Yini , Zhang Yanqiong , Zhang Haojun , Zhu Bin , Li Ping , Lu Chao , Xu Ying , Chen Weiheng , Lin Na
Published: February 2014

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (steroid-induced ONFH) is characterized by increase of intraosseous pressure because of lipid metabolism disturbance such as elevation of adipogenesis and fat cell hypertrophy in the bone marrow, subsequently leading to disturbances of coagulation-fibrinolysis system in the femoral head and finally resulting in bone ischemia. Pravastatin has been demonstrated to be useful in preventing steroid-induced ONFH in animal models. However, its exact mechanisms acting on this disease have not been fully elucidated. To address this problem, steroid-induced ONFH rat model was constructed to evaluate the effects of pravastatin treatment on the osteonecrotic changes and repair processes. Then, Micro-CT-based micro-angiography was performed to assess the effects of pravastatin treatment on vascularization. In addition, serum lipid levels were detected by haematological examination. After that, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), Wnt3a, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), β-catenin and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) at both mRNA and protein levels were further detected by immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR, and Western blot analyses. The results, the ratio of empty lacuna, adipose tissue area, and adipocyte perimeter in the bone marrow were dramatically lower in the pravastatin treatment groups than in the model group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, by micro-CT quantification, pravastatin treatment dose-dependently increased vessel volume, vessel surface, percentage of vessel volume, and vessel thickness of the femoral heads of steroid-induced ONFH rats. Importantly, pravastatin treatment could prevent steroid-induced ONFH by suppressing the expression of PPARγ, and increasing the expression of Wnt3a, LRP5, β-catenin, and RUNX2, at both mRNA and protein levels, in the femoral heads of steroid-induced ONFH rats. In conclusion, Pravastatin may prevent steroid-induced ONFH by suppressing PPARγ expression and activating Wnt signaling pathway.
The β-sitosterol attenuates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions through down-regulation of TSLP
Authors: Han Na-Ra , Kim Hyung-Min , Jeong Hyun-Ja
Published: February 2014

The compound β-sitosterol (BS) is one of the most common forms of phytosterols and has anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of BS on atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated whether BS would be an effective treatment against AD. We treated BS on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice, anti-CD3/anti-CD28-stimulated splenocytes, and phorbol myristate acetate/calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. Histological analysis, ELISA, PCR, caspase-1 assay, and Western blot analysis were performed. BS reduced the total clinical severity in DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and number of scratching were clearly reduced in the BS-treated group compared with the DNFB-treated group. BS significantly reduced the levels of inflammation-related mRNA and protein in the AD skin lesions. BS significantly reduced the levels of histamine, IgE, and interleukin-4 in the serum of DNFB-treated NC/Nga mice. The activation of mast cell-derived caspase-1 was decreased by treatment with BS in the AD skin lesions. BS also significantly decreased the production of tumor necrosis factor-α from the stimulated splenocytes. In the stimulated human mast cell line, HMC-1 cells, increased intracellular calcium levels were decreased by treatment with BS. Further, BS inhibited the production and mRNA expression of TSLP through blocking of caspase-1 and nuclear factor-κB signal pathways in the stimulated HMC-1 cells. These results provide additional evidence that BS may be considered an effective therapeutic drug for the treatment of AD.
Endovascular Closure of Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm With a Type II Amplatzer Vascular Plug
Authors: De Boo Diederick W. , Mott Nigel , Kavnoudias Helen , Walton Antony , Lyon Stuart M.
Published: February 2014

A 71-year-old man initially presented with an asymptomatic, incidentally detected ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm 25 years following aortic root repair with mechanical aortic valve replacement. This pseudoaneurysm was previously treated with coil embolization but due to coil impaction it reopened 8 years later. Endovascular closure of the pseudoaneurysm was achieved with the off-label use of a type II Amplatzer vascular plug.
A Novel Design for Steerable Instruments Based on Laser-Cut Nitinol
Authors: Dewaele Frank , Kalmar Alain F. , De Ryck Frederic , Lumen Nicolaas , Williams Leonie , Baert Edward , Vereecke Hugo , Kalala Okito Jean Pierre , Mabilde Cyriel , Blanckaert Bart , Keereman Vincent , Leybaert Luc , Van Nieuwenhove Yves , Caemaert Jacques , Van Roost Dirk
Published: February 2014

Objective. Omnidirectional articulated instruments enhance dexterity. In neurosurgery, for example, the simultaneous use of 2 instruments through the same endoscopic shaft remains a difficult feat. It is, however, very challenging to manufacture steerable instruments of the requisite small diameter. We present a new technique to produce such instruments by means of laser cutting. Only 3 coaxial tubes are used. The middle tube has a cutting pattern that allows the steering forces to be transmitted from the proximal to the distal end. In this way the steering part is concealed in the wall of the tube. Large diameter articulated instruments such as for laparoscopy might benefit from the excellent tip stability provided by the same economical technology. Method. Coaxial nitinol tubes are laser-cut with a Rofin Stent Cutter in a specific pattern. The 3 tubes are assembled by sliding them over one another, forming a single composite tube. In a surgical simulator, the neurosurgical microinstruments and laparoscopic needle drivers were evaluated on surgical convenience. Results. Simultaneous use of 2 neurosurgical instruments (1.5 mm diameter) through the same endoscopic shaft proved to be very intuitive. The tip of the steerable laparoscopic instruments (10 mm diameter) could resist a lateral force of more than 20 N. The angle of motion for either instrument was at least 70° in any direction. Conclusions. A new design for steerable endoscopic instruments is presented. It allows the construction in a range from microinstruments to 10-mm laparoscopic devices with excellent tip stability.
Perceptions of Childhood Obesity in Parents of Preschool-Aged Children
Authors: Hope Andrea , Hirschler Christopher , Konopack James F.
Published: February 2014

This study examined parents’ perceptions of obesity and its prevention in young children. A predominantly Caucasian population of parents (N = 71) of preschool-aged children completed a mixed-methods questionnaire assessing perceptions of childhood obesity. Analysis of variance revealed that men had lower mean scores on the awareness domain ( M = 33.1, SD = 3.1) than women ( M = 36.6, SD = 2.2; t = 4.6, P < .01), and parents of children enrolled in childcare 40+ hours per week reported the lowest mean scores, F(4, 66) = 4.3, P < .01. Significant differences in awareness were also observed based on work status, F(2, 68) = 8.81, P < .01, with parents working full-time ( M = 35, SD = 2.9) having lower mean scores than those working part-time ( M = 37.4, SD = 1.6) or staying at home ( M = 37.3, SD = 1.6). Younger parents also reported better access to resources ( M = 16.3, SD = 3.1 vs M = 17.8, SD = 2.6, respectively; t = 2.1, P < .05). Most parents (56%) reported a need for support despite familiarity with obesity prevention strategies. These data identify specific obesity prevention needs of parents of preschool children, especially those working full-time or with children in daycare.
Vitamin D Supplementation Practices in Breastfed Infants in Outpatient Pediatric Clinics
Authors: Saathoff Megan , Hanson Corrine , Anderson-Berry Ann , Lyden Elizabeth , Fernandez Cristina
Published: February 2014

Background. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics increased the daily recommendation from 200 to 400 IU per day of vitamin D for all infants. Therefore, it has become vital for pediatricians and other healthcare providers to recommend and verify that their patients are on vitamin D supplementation. Objective. To investigate the proportion of pediatricians recommending vitamin D at the first and 6-month visit in infants and to determine predictors of vitamin D supplementation practices. Methods. Retrospective chart review of 219 patients seen at well baby pediatric visits to document the vitamin D supplementation practices. The Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher’s exact test were used to make comparisons of weight, gestational age, gender, breastfeeding status, and insurance status based on vitamin D practices. Results. Eighty-seven percent of exclusively breastfed infants had no pediatrician recommendations for supplemental vitamin D at the first pediatrician visit, and 71% had no recommendations for vitamin D supplementation at the 6-month visit. There were no statistically significant data suggesting that vitamin D practices vary based on a patient’s gestational age, weight, gender, or insurance. Conclusion. Compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to provide 400 IU per day of vitamin D to infants is very low.
The evolution of clonality testing in the diagnosis and monitoring of hematological malignancies
Authors: Gazzola Anna , Mannu Claudia , Rossi Maura , Laginestra Maria Antonella , Sapienza Maria Rosaria , Fuligni Fabio , Etebari Maryam , Melle Federica , Sabattini Elena , Agostinelli Claudio , Bacci Francesco , Sagramoso Sacchetti Carlo Alberto , Pileri Stefano Aldo , Piccaluga Pier Paolo
Published: February 2014

Currently, distinguishing between benign and malignant lymphoid proliferations is based on a combination of clinical characteristics, cyto/histomorphology, immunophenotype and the identification of well-defined chromosomal aberrations. However, such diagnoses remain challenging in 10–15% of cases of lymphoproliferative disorders, and clonality assessments are often required to confirm diagnostic suspicions. In recent years, the development of new techniques for clonality detection has allowed researchers to better characterize, classify and monitor hematological neoplasms. In the past, clonality was primarily studied by performing Southern blotting analyses to characterize rearrangements in segments of the IG and TCR genes. Currently, the most commonly used method in the clinical molecular diagnostic laboratory is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is an extremely sensitive technique for detecting nucleic acids. This technique is rapid, accurate, specific, and sensitive, and it can be used to analyze small biopsies as well as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. These advantages make PCR-based approaches the current gold standard for IG/TCR clonality testing. Since the completion of the first human genome sequence, there has been a rapid development of technologies to facilitate high-throughput sequencing of DNA. These techniques have been applied to the deep characterization and classification of various diseases, patient stratification, and the monitoring of minimal residual disease. Furthermore, these novel approaches have the potential to significantly improve the sensitivity and cost of clonality assays and post-treatment monitoring of B- and T-cell malignancies. However, more studies will be required to demonstrate the utility, sensitivity, and benefits of these methods in order to warrant their adoption into clinical practice. In this review, recent developments in clonality testing are examined with an emphasis on highly sensitive systems for improving diagnostic workups and minimal residual disease assessments.
Outcomes of patients with myelodysplatic syndrome and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia post clofarabine failure
Authors: Ghanem Hady , Garcia-Manero Guillermo , Faderl Stefan , Ravandi Farhad , Cortes Jorge , Katragadda Lakshmikanth , O’Brien Susan , Daver Naval , Pierce Sherry , Kadia Tapan , Kantarjian Hagop , Jabbour Elias
Published: February 2014

Background:

The outcome of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) post clofarabine is unknown.

Methods:

We reviewed 109 patients with MDS or CMML with a median age of 67 years, treated with a clofarabine-based chemotherapy as frontline ( n = 38) or salvage ( n = 71) therapy. A total of 58 (53%) patients received salvage therapy after clofarabine failure: 13 allogeneic stem cell transplant (ASCT), 18 high-dose cytarabine-containing regimen, 10 hypomethylating agents and 17 investigational treatments.

Results:

Eight patients achieved complete remission (CR) and three had stable disease for an overall response rate of 19%. With a median follow-up of 3 months from clofarabine failure, 12 patients (11%) remained alive, 5 remain in CR, 4 of them after ASCT. The median overall survival post clofarabine failure was 4 months with a 1-year survival rate of 23%.

Conclusions:

This outcome is predictable, with patients with high-risk disease at the time of clofarabine failure having the worse survival. To date, patients with MDS continue to have a short survival after failure of all available therapies. Ultimately, patients who are candidates for additional treatments should be offered novel approaches. In conclusion, the outcome of patients with MDS and CMML post clofarabine failure is poor. The pattern is similar to patients with MDS post hypomethylating agent failure and predictable using University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center global scoring system.
Total Hip Arthroplasty for Hip Fractures
Authors: Monzón Daniel Godoy , Iserson Kenneth V. , Jauregui José , Musso Carlos , Piccaluga Francisco , Buttaro Martin
Published: February 2014

Introduction:

This study aimed to determine the dislocation and reoperation rate, functional outcomes, and the survival rate of the unique subset of very old but lucid and independent patients with hip fractures following a total hip arthroplasty (THA) and geriatric team-coordinated perioperative care.

Method:

Between 2000 and 2006, previously independent ambulatory patients ≥80 years old presenting with an intracapsular hip fracture were given THAs under the care of an integrated orthopedic surgery–geriatric service. Their fracture-related complications, ambulation, mental status, and survival were followed for 5 to 11 years postinjury.

Results:

Five years postinjury, 57 (61.3%) patients of the original study group were living. In all, 3 (3.2%) patients had postoperative hip dislocations (and 2 patients had dislocation twice) and 2 reoperations were needed within the first postoperative month. There were no hip dislocations or reoperations after the first year. Radiographs obtained on 88% of the surviving patients at 5 years postoperatively showed that all remained unchanged from their immediate postoperative images. Nearly half of the patients were still able to ambulate as they did preoperatively and their mixed-model equation was statistically unchanged.

Conclusion:

This study of patients >80 years old with previously good functional status demonstrates that with appropriate surgical (best prosthesis, good operating technique, and regional anesthesia) and geriatric (pre- and postoperative assessments, close follow-up, medication adjustments, and fall-prevention instruction) care, they have few hip dislocations and reoperations, survive postfracture at least as long as their noninjured contemporaries, and continue to function and ambulate as they did prior to their injury.
Development of a Valid and Reliable Knee Articular Cartilage Condition–Specific Study Methodological Quality Score
Authors: Harris Joshua D. , Erickson Brandon J. , Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Abrams Geoffrey D. , McCormick Frank M. , Gupta Anil K. , Verma Nikhil N. , Bach Bernard R. , Cole Brian J.
Published: February 2014

Background:

Condition-specific questionnaires are important components in evaluation of outcomes of surgical interventions. No condition-specific study methodological quality questionnaire exists for evaluation of outcomes of articular cartilage surgery in the knee.

Purpose:

To develop a reliable and valid knee articular cartilage–specific study methodological quality questionnaire.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Methods:

A stepwise, a priori–designed framework was created for development of a novel questionnaire. Relevant items to the topic were identified and extracted from a recent systematic review of 194 investigations of knee articular cartilage surgery. In addition, relevant items from existing generic study methodological quality questionnaires were identified. Items for a preliminary questionnaire were generated. Redundant and irrelevant items were eliminated, and acceptable items modified. The instrument was pretested and items weighed. The instrument, the MARK score (Methodological quality of ARticular cartilage studies of the Knee), was tested for validity (criterion validity) and reliability (inter- and intraobserver).

Results:

A 19-item, 3-domain MARK score was developed. The 100-point scale score demonstrated face validity (focus group of 8 orthopaedic surgeons) and criterion validity (strong correlation to Cochrane Quality Assessment score and Modified Coleman Methodology Score). Interobserver reliability for the overall score was good (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], 0.842), and for all individual items of the MARK score, acceptable to perfect (ICC, 0.70-1.000). Intraobserver reliability ICC assessed over a 3-week interval was strong for 2 reviewers (≥0.90).

Conclusion:

The MARK score is a valid and reliable knee articular cartilage condition–specific study methodological quality instrument.

Clinical Relevance:

This condition-specific questionnaire may be used to evaluate the quality of studies reporting outcomes of articular cartilage surgery in the knee.
Heme oxygenase 1 is expressed in murine erythroid cells where it controls the level of regulatory heme
Authors: Garcia-Santos Daniel , Schranzhofer Matthias , Horvathova Monika , Jaberi Mehrad Mojtahed , Bogo Chies Jose Artur , Sheftel Alex D. , Ponka Prem
Published: February 2014

Key Points

Heme oxygenase-1 levels increase during erythroid differentiation. Heme oxygenase-1 actively participates in maintaining appropriate hemoglobinization rates.
Two blow-up criteria of solutions to a modified two-component Camassa-Holm system
Authors: Ma Caochuan , Jin Liangbing , Jin Yanyi
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we establish two sufficient conditions on the initial data to guarantee a blow-up phenomenon for the modified two-component Camassa-Holm (MCH2) system.

MSC:37L05, 35Q58, 26A12.
The utility of low-density genotyping for imputation in the Thoroughbred horse
Authors: Corbin Laura J , Kranis Andreas , Blott Sarah C , Swinburne June E , Vaudin Mark , Bishop Stephen C , Woolliams John A
Published: February 2014

Background

Despite the dramatic reduction in the cost of high-density genotyping that has occurred over the last decade, it remains one of the limiting factors for obtaining the large datasets required for genomic studies of disease in the horse. In this study, we investigated the potential for low-density genotyping and subsequent imputation to address this problem.

Results

Using the haplotype phasing and imputation program, BEAGLE, it is possible to impute genotypes from low- to high-density (50K) in the Thoroughbred horse with reasonable to high accuracy. Analysis of the sources of variation in imputation accuracy revealed dependence both on the minor allele frequency of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) being imputed and on the underlying linkage disequilibrium structure. Whereas equidistant spacing of the SNPs on the low-density panel worked well, optimising SNP selection to increase their minor allele frequency was advantageous, even when the panel was subsequently used in a population of different geographical origin. Replacing base pair position with linkage disequilibrium map distance reduced the variation in imputation accuracy across SNPs. Whereas a 1K SNP panel was generally sufficient to ensure that more than 80% of genotypes were correctly imputed, other studies suggest that a 2K to 3K panel is more efficient to minimize the subsequent loss of accuracy in genomic prediction analyses. The relationship between accuracy and genotyping costs for the different low-density panels, suggests that a 2K SNP panel would represent good value for money.

Conclusions

Low-density genotyping with a 2K SNP panel followed by imputation provides a compromise between cost and accuracy that could promote more widespread genotyping, and hence the use of genomic information in horses. In addition to offering a low cost alternative to high-density genotyping, imputation provides a means to combine datasets from different genotyping platforms, which is becoming necessary since researchers are starting to use the recently developed equine 70K SNP chip. However, more work is needed to evaluate the impact of between-breed differences on imputation accuracy.
Pirfenidone inhibits fibrocyte accumulation in the lungs in bleomycin-induced murine pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Inomata Minoru , Kamio Koichiro , Azuma Arata , Matsuda Kuniko , Kokuho Nariaki , Miura Yukiko , Hayashi Hiroki , Nei Takahito , Fujita Kazue , Saito Yoshinobu , Gemma Akihiko
Published: February 2014

Background

Bone marrow-derived fibrocytes reportedly play important roles in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic agent; however, its effects on fibrocytes have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pirfenidone inhibits fibrocyte pool size in the lungs of bleomycin-treated mice.

Methods

Bleomycin (100 mg/kg) was infused with osmotic pumps into C57BL/6 mice, and pirfenidone (300 mg/kg/day) was orally administered daily for 2 wk. The lungs were removed, and single-cell suspensions were subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis to detect fibrocytes, which were defined as CD45 and collagen-I double-positive cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the lung specimens to quantify fibrocytes. Chemokines in the lung digests were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of pirfenidone on alveolar macrophages was evaluated with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In a therapeutic setting, pirfenidone administration was initiated 10 days after bleomycin treatment. For chemotaxis assay, lung fibrocytes were isolated with immunomagnetic selection (CD45-positive mesenchymal cells) after culture and allowed to migrate toward chemokines in the presence or absence of pirfenidone. Moreover, the effect of pirfenidone on the expression of chemokine receptors on fibrocytes was evaluated.

Results

Pirfenidone significantly ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis as assessed with quantitative histology and collagen measurement. Fibrocyte pool size in bleomycin-treated mice lungs was attenuated from 26.5% to 13.7% by pirfenidone on FACS analysis. This outcome was also observed in a therapeutic setting. Immunohistochemistry revealed that fibrocytes were significantly decreased by pirfenidone administration compared with those in bleomycin-treated mice (P= 0.0097). Increased chemokine (CC motif) ligand-2 (CCL2) and CCL12 production in bleomycin-treated mouse lungs was significantly attenuated by pirfenidone (P= 0.0003 andP< 0.0001, respectively). Pirfenidone also attenuated macrophage counts stimulated by bleomycin in BAL fluid. Fibrocyte migration toward CCL2 and chemokine (CC motif) receptor-2 expression on fibrocytes was significantly inhibited by pirfenidonein vitro.

Conclusions

Pirfenidone attenuated the fibrocyte pool size in bleomycin-treated mouse lungs via attenuation of CCL2 and CCL12 productionin vivo, and fibrocyte migration was inhibited by pirfenidonein vitro. Fibrocyte inhibition is considered a mechanism of anti-fibrotic action of pirfenidone.
DRUMS: Disk Repository with Update Management and Select option for high throughput sequencing data
Authors: Nettling Martin , Thieme Nils , Both Andreas , Grosse Ivo
Published: February 2014

Background

New technologies for analyzing biological samples, like next generation sequencing, are producing a growing amount of data together with quality scores. Moreover, software tools (e.g., for mapping sequence reads), calculating transcription factor binding probabilities, estimating epigenetic modification enriched regions or determining single nucleotide polymorphism increase this amount of position-specific DNA-related data even further. Hence, requesting data becomes challenging and expensive and is often implemented using specialised hardware. In addition, picking specific data as fast as possible becomes increasingly important in many fields of science. The general problem of handling big data sets was addressed by developing specialized databases like HBase, HyperTable or Cassandra. However, these database solutions require also specialized or distributed hardware leading to expensive investments. To the best of our knowledge, there is no database capable of (i) storing billions of position-specific DNA-related records, (ii) performing fast and resource saving requests, and (iii) running on a single standard computer hardware.

Results

Here, we present DRUMS (Disk Repository with Update Management and Select option), satisfying demands (i)-(iii). It tackles the weaknesses of traditional databases while handling position-specific DNA-related data in an efficient manner. DRUMS is capable of storing up to billions of records. Moreover, it focuses on optimizing relating single lookups as range request, which are needed permanently for computations in bioinformatics. To validate the power of DRUMS, we compare it to the widely used MySQL database. The test setting considers two biological data sets. We use standard desktop hardware as test environment.

Conclusions

DRUMS outperforms MySQL in writing and reading records by a factor of two up to a factor of 10000. Furthermore, it can work with significantly larger data sets. Our work focuses on mid-sized data sets up to several billion records without requiring cluster technology. Storing position-specific data is a general problem and the concept we present here is a generalized approach. Hence, it can be easily applied to other fields of bioinformatics.
Family history of cancer and gastroesophageal disorders and risk of esophageal and gastric adenocarcinomas: a case–control study
Authors: Jiang Xuejuan , Tseng Chiu-Chen , Bernstein Leslie , Wu Anna H
Published: February 2014

Background

There is a paucity of data on familial risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastric cardia adenocarcinoma and distal gastric adenocarcinoma from population-based studies.

Methods

A population-based case–control study of newly diagnosed gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma was conducted in Los Angeles County. This analysis included data of case-patients whom we were able to interview directly (147 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 182 with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, and 285 with distal gastric adenocarcinoma) and 1,309 control participants. Multivariate polytomous logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the three cancer types.

Results

Risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma was positively associated with a family history of prostate cancer (OR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.50-5.36) and a family history of hiatal hernia (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.12-3.71). Risk of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma was strongly associated with a family history of esophageal cancer (OR = 5.18; 95% CI = 1.23-21.79) and a family history of hiatal hernia (OR = 2.31; 95% CI = 1.37-3.91). Risk of distal gastric adenocarcinoma was positively associated with a family history of gastric cancer (OR = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.18-3.91), particularly early-onset (before age 50) gastric cancer (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.11-7.15).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that family history of hiatal hernia is a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma and that cancer in specific sites is associated with risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, and distal gastric adenocarcinoma. It is important to determine the extent to which shared environmental and genetic factors explain these familial associations.
Objective assessment of urban built environment related to physical activity — development, reliability and validity of the China Urban Built Environment Scan Tool (CUBEST)
Authors: Su Meng , Du Yu-kun , Liu Qing-min , Ren Yan-jun , Kawachi Ichiro , Lv Jun , Li Li-ming
Published: February 2014

Background

Some aspects of the neighborhood built environment may influence residents’ physical activity, which in turn, affects their health. This study aimed to develop an urban built environment evaluation tool and conduct necessary reliability and validity tests.

Methods

A 41-item urban built environment scan tool was developed to objectively assess the neighborhood built environment features related to physical activity. Six neighborhoods in Hangzhou were selected from three types of administrative planning units. A pair of auditors independently assessed all of the 205 street segments at the same time. Half of the segments (n = 104) were audited twice by the same auditor after a two-week time interval. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by comparing the audits of paired observers, while intra-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing an auditor’s repeated assessments of the same segments. The construct validity was tested using factor analysis.

Results

The inter-rater reliability for most items was above 0.8. The intra-rater reliability for most items was above 0.4, and was lower than corresponding inter-rater reliability. Six factors were extracted by factor analysis and the factor loading matrix showed good construct validity.

Conclusions

The CUBEST is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used to assess the physical activity-related built environment in Hangzhou, and potentially other cities in China.
Estimation of salt intake by 24-hour urinary sodium excretion: a cross-sectional study in Yantai, China
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Wang Maobo , Chen Yuanyin , Zhen Baojie , Li Junrong , Luan Wenbo , Ning Fujiang , Liu Haiyun , Ma Jixiang , Ma Guansheng
Published: February 2014

Background

High levels of dietary sodium are associated with raised blood pressure and adverse cardiovascular health. To determine baseline salt intake, we investigated the average dietary salt intake from 24-hour urinary sodium excretion with a small sample of Yantai adults in the Shandong province of China.

Methods

One hundred ninety one adults aged 18–69 years were randomly selected from the Yantai adult population. Blood pressure, anthropometric indices and sodium excretion in a 24-hour urine collection were measured. Consumption of condiments was derived from 3-day weighted records. Completeness of urine collections was verified using creatinine excretion in relation to weight.

Results

The mean Na and K outputs over 24 hours were 201.5 ± 77.7 mmol/day and 46.8 ± 23.2 mmol/day, respectively (corresponding to 11.8 g NaCl and 1.8 g K). Overall, 92.1% of the subjects (96.9% of men and 87.1% of women) had intakes of over 6 g salt (NaCl)/d. The main sources of salt intake from weighed condiments records were from home cooking salt (74.7%) followed by soy sauce (15.0%). Salt intake from condiments and salt excretion were weakly correlated((r = 0.20, p = 0.005).A positive linear correlation between salt intake was associated with systolic blood pressure in all adjusted and unadjusted model (r = 0.16, p = 0.01). Each 100 mmol/day increase in sodium intake was associated with a 4.0 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure.

Conclusion

Dietary salt intake in Yantai adults was high. Reducing the intake of table salt and soy sauce used in cooking will be an important strategy to reduce sodium intake among Yantai adults.