bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Node Replication Attacks in Mobile Wireless Sensor Network: A Survey
Authors: Shaukat Haafizah Rameeza , Hashim Fazirulhisyam , Sali Aduwati , Abdul Rasid M. Fadlee
Published: December 2014

Mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs) comprise a collection of mobile sensor nodes with confined and finite resources. They commonly operate in hostile environments such as battle fields and surveillance zones. Owing to their operating nature, MWSNs are often unattended and generally are not equipped with tamper-resistant tools. With little effort, an adversary may capture the nodes, analyze and replicate them, and surreptitiously insert these replicas at strategic locations within the network. Keeping in view of the above, this paper places an emphasis on this aforementioned attack, known as node replication attack in MWSNs. Specifically, the current state-of-the-art of node replication attack in MWSNs is discussed, where this paper provides a detailed description of various existing detection and prevention mechanisms in literature with an aim to provide better understanding of the factors that need to be considered when designing defence mechanism of node replication attack. A detailed categorization of various detection techniques is provided in the paper with critical discussion on each categorization with respect to its advantages, disadvantages, and various constraints. To conclude the paper, a number of parameters are selected for comparison and analysis of all the existing detection schemes in the literature.
Changing Land Use Patterns and Their Impacts on Wild Ungulates in Kimana Wetland Ecosystem, Kenya
Authors: Kitina Nyamasyo Stephen , Odiara Kihima Bonface
Published: December 2014

In Kenya, wildlife numbers have drastically declined due to land use changes (LUCs) over the past three decades. This has affected wildlife habitats by converting them into farmlands and human settlements. This study used remote sensing data from landsat satellite to analyze the changing land use patterns between 1980 and 2013 and their impacts on wild ungulates in KWE. The objective of the study was to map out LUCs, determine the possible causes of LUCs, and examine the effects of LUCs on wild ungulates. The results showed a noticeable increase in the size of farmland, settlement, and other lands and a decline in forestland, grassland, wetland, and woodland. The main possible causes of LUC were found to be agricultural expansions, human population dynamics, economic factors, changing land tenure policy, politics, and sociocultural factors. The main effects of LUCs on wild ungulates in KWE include a decline in wild ungulate numbers, habitat destruction, increased human-wildlife conflicts, land degradation, and displacement of wild ungulates by livestock. The study recommends land use zoning of KWE and establishment of an effective and efficient wildlife benefit-sharing scheme(s).
Omnigradient Based Total Variation Minimization for Enhanced Defocus Deblurring of Omnidirectional Images
Authors: Li Yongle , Lou Jingtao
Published: December 2014

We propose a new method of image restoration for catadioptric defocus blur using omnitotal variation (Omni-TV) minimization based on omnigradient. Catadioptric omnidirectional imaging systems usually consist of conventional cameras and curved mirrors for capturing 360° field of view. The problem of catadioptric omnidirectional imaging defocus blur, which is caused by lens aperture and mirror curvature, becomes more severe when high resolution sensors and large apertures are used. In an omnidirectional image, two points near each other may not be close to one another in the 3D scene. Traditional gradient computation cannot be directly applied to omnidirectional image processing. Thus, omnigradient computing method combined with the characteristics of catadioptric omnidirectional imaging is proposed. Following this Omni-TV minimization is used as the constraint for deconvolution regularization, leading to the restoration of defocus blur in an omnidirectional image to obtain all sharp omnidirectional images. The proposed method is important for improving catadioptric omnidirectional imaging quality and promoting applications in related fields like omnidirectional video and image processing.
Highly Reliable and Low-Cost Fabrication of Warm-White LEDs Using Composite Silica Photonic Crystals
Authors: Lai Chun-Feng , Lee Yu-Chun , Tsai Tzong-Liang , Chang Chung-Chieh , Wu Mau-Kuen
Published: December 2014

We demonstrated a technique requiring little phosphor that used white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) containing composite silica colloidal photonic crystals (c-SCPhCs) for developing the warm-WLEDs (w-WLEDs). WLEDs containingc-SCPhCs enhanced luminous efficacy 5.6% more than commercialw-WLEDs did. We used a UV adhesive curing method to improve the adhesion properties of thec-SCPhCs. A reliability analysis (RA) test was performed on the WLEDs containingc-SCPhCs, applying a high temperature and high relative humidity (85°C/85 RH) during WLEDs operation at 120 mA. During a RA test of 2500 h, no visible degradation in optical performance was observed. We implemented a novel, inexpensive technique for producing high luminous fluxw-WLEDs that can be used in residential light.
Using Structured Observation and Content Analysis to Explore the Presence of Older People in Public Fora in Developing Countries
Authors: Nosowska Geraldine , McKee Kevin , Dahlberg Lena
Published: December 2014

There is a lack of research on the everyday lives of older people in developing countries. This exploratory study used structured observation and content analysis to examine the presence of older people in public fora and considered the methods’ potential for understanding older people’s social integration and inclusion. Structured observation occurred of public social spaces in six cities each located in a different developing country and in one city in the United Kingdom, together with content analysis of the presence of people in newspaper pictures and on television in the selected countries. Results indicated that across all fieldwork sites and data sources, there was a low presence of older people, with women considerably less present than men in developing countries. There was variation across fieldwork sites in older people’s presence by place and time of day and in their accompanied status. The presence of older people in images drawn from newspapers was associated with the news/non-news nature of the source. The utility of the study’s methodological approach is considered, as is the degree to which the presence of older people in public fora might relate to social integration and inclusion in different cultural contexts.
Familial Case of Cherubism from South India: Differential Diagnosis and Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Muthuraman Varun , Srinivasan Soundarya
Published: December 2014

Cherubism is a rare familial multilocular cystic lesion of the jaws. The condition clinically appears as a bilateral symmetric swelling of the cheeks in children and is the primary reason for referral. It is a rare lesion of the jaws that has a dominant pattern of inheritance. We report two cases of cherubism, that of a boy and his mother suggestive of a strong familial incidence. A variety of lesions of the jaw mimic this condition and hence the differential diagnosis has been emphasised.
Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ectomycorrhizal Inocula to Promote Growth and Root Ectomycorrhizal Colonization inPinus patulaSeedlings Using the Most Probable Number Technique
Authors: Restrepo-Llano Manuel , Osorio Nelson W. , León Juan D.
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response ofPinus patulaseedlings to two inocula types: soil from aPinusplantation (ES) and anin vitroproduced inoculum (EM). The most probable number method (MPN) was used to quantify ectomycorrhizal propagule density (EPD) in both inocula in a 7-order dilution series ranging from 100(undiluted inoculum) to 10−6(the most diluted inoculum). The MPN method allowed establishing differences in the number of infective ectomycorrhizal propagules’ density (EPD) (ES=34per g;EM=156per g). The results suggest that the EPD of an inoculum may be a key factor that influences the successfulness of the inoculation. The low EPD of the ES inoculum suggests that soil extracted from forest plantations had very low effectiveness for promoting root colonization and plant growth. In contrast, the high EPD found in the formulated inoculum (EM) reinforced the idea that it is better to use proven high quality inocula for forest nurseries than using soil from a forestry plantation.
Camel Milk Beneficial Effects on Treating Gentamicin Induced Alterations in Rats
Authors: Al-Asmari Abdulrahman K. , Abbasmanthiri R. , Al-Elewi Abdulrahman M. , Al-Omani Saud , Al-Asmary Saeed , Al-Asmari Sarah A.
Published: December 2014

The potential effect of camel milk (CM) against gentamicin (GM) induced biochemical changes in the rat serum was evaluated. Four groups of six albino rats were used for control, CM fed, injected with GM(i.p.), and then fed and injected with GM. The results showed that the administration of GM significantly altered the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in rat serum. CM restored these parameters to almost their normal range in group IV. Additionally, the present study showed that injection of rats with gentamicin caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity while the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity decreased significantly (P≤0.05). Administration of CM significantly (P≤0.05) inhibited the formation of MDA and activity of MPO and upregulated the antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GST) activity. The overall findings of this study demonstrated that pretreatment with CM gave protection against GM induced hepatic damage possibly by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, and hence camel milk can be identified as a new therapeutic agent.
(σ,f)-Asymptotically Lacunary Equivalent Sequences
Authors: Bilgin Tunay
Published: December 2014

We introduce the strong (σ,f)-asymptotically equivalent and strong (σ,f)-asymptotically lacunary equivalent sequences which are some combinations of the definitions for asymptotically equivalent, statistical limit, modulus function, σ-convergence, and lacunary sequences. Then we use these definitions to prove strong (σ,f)-asymptotically equivalent and strong (σ,f)-asymptotically lacunary equivalent analogues of Connor’s results in Connor, 1988, Fridy and Orhan’s results in Fridy and Orhan, 1993, and Das and Patel’s results in Das and Patel, 1989.
Herpesviridae Viral Infections following Rituximab Combined Chemotherapy in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Park Lee Chun , Lee Ho Sup , Shin Seong Hoon , Im Hana , Ye Byeong Jin , Song Moo Kon , Oh Sung Yong , Lee Sang Min , Lee Won Sik , Kim Yang Soo
Published: December 2014

Background: Herpesviridae viral infections (HVIs) are particularly common in patients with hematologic malignancies after undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or receiving chemotherapy. However, there have been few reports on the incidence and risk factors of HVIs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBL) patients treated with rituximab combined chemotherapy. Methods: We analyzed 270 patients who were newly diagnosed with DLBL. All of the patients had received rituximab combined chemotherapy between June 2004 and April 2010. Results: Twenty-nine patients (10.7%) developed HVI a median of 5.57 months (range 0.37–30.03) after initial chemotherapy. The estimated cumulative incidence rates of HVIs were 8.3 and 12.8% at 1 and 3 years, respectively, in all patients. Independent risk factors for HVIs were a high international prognostic index risk [p = 0.017, hazard ratio (HR) 2.633, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.185–5.850], neutropenic fever (p = 0.023, HR 2.476, 95% CI 1.134–5.406) and a high cumulative dose of steroids (p = 0.023, HR 2.921, 95% CI 1.162–7.346). Conclusion: A high international prognostic index risk, neutropenic fever and a high cumulative dose of steroids appear to be risk factors for HVI in DLBL patients who are undergoing rituximab combined chemotherapy.
Whole Exome Sequencing to Identify Genetic Causes of Short Stature
Authors: Guo Michael H. , Shen Yiping , Walvoord Emily C. , Miller Timothy C. , Moon Jennifer E. , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Dauber Andrew
Published: December 2014

Background/Aims: Short stature is a common reason for presentation to pediatric endocrinology clinics. However, for most patients, no cause for the short stature can be identified. As genetics plays a strong role in height, we sought to identify known and novel genetic causes of short stature. Methods: We recruited 14 children with severe short stature of unknown etiology. We conducted whole exome sequencing of the patients and their family members. We used an analysis pipeline to identify rare non-synonymous genetic variants that cause the short stature. Results: We identified a genetic cause of short stature in 5 of the 14 patients. This included cases of floating-harbor syndrome, Kenny-Caffey syndrome, the progeroid form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, as well as 2 cases of the 3-M syndrome. For the remaining patients, we have generated lists of candidate variants. Conclusions: Whole exome sequencing can help identify genetic causes of short stature in the context of defined genetic syndromes, but may be less effective in identifying novel genetic causes of short stature in individual families. Utilized in the clinic, whole exome sequencing can provide clinically relevant diagnoses for these patients. Rare syndromic causes of short stature may be underrecognized and underdiagnosed in pediatric endocrinology clinics.
Development of Normal Gestational Ranges for the Right Myocardial Performance Index in the Australian Population with Three Alternative Caliper Placements
Authors: Meriki Neama , Henry Amanda , Sanderson Jennifer , Majajan Aditi , Wu Linda , Welsh Alec W.
Published: December 2014

Objectives: To construct gestational age-adjusted reference ranges for the right fetal modified myocardial performance index (RMPI) in an Australian population and to assess the influence of valve click caliper position on constituent time intervals and the RMPI. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of RMPI from 235 normal fetuses at 17-38 weeks of gestation was performed. Two Doppler waveforms were obtained: tricuspid and pulmonary valves for ‘a' and ‘b' readings, respectively. The ultrasound machine settings were: Doppler sweep velocity 15 cm/s, angle of insonation <15°, minimal gain, and wall motion filter 300 Hz. The ‘a' and ‘b' intervals were measured at three different caliper positions in each fetus: at the beginning of the original valve clicks (‘original'), at the beginning of the reflected tricuspid and pulmonary closure clicks (‘reflected') and at the peak of valve clicks (‘peak'). RMPI was calculated as (a - b)/b. The three readings were obtained and averaged per examination, with intraobserver repeatability assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% CI. Results: For ‘original', ‘reflected' and ‘peak' RMPI, mean ± SD, ICC (95% CI) were: 0.53 ± 0.10, 0.86 (0.83-0.89); 0.48 ± 0.10, 0.84 (0.81-0.87) and 0.48 ± 0.10, 0.89 (0.87-0.91), respectively. The RMPI increased by approximately 15% as gestation increased and decreased slightly with increasing heart rate. Conclusion: This is the first publication of reference ranges for RMPI based on caliper position. All methods showed good ICC, including the ‘peak' method which we have previously proposed for routine use based on its repeatability and ease of identification when measuring the myocardial performance index.
Quantifying the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex with Video-Oculography: Nature and Frequency of Artifacts
Authors: Mantokoudis Georgios , Saber Tehrani Ali S. , Kattah Jorge C. , Eibenberger Karin , Guede Cynthia I. , Zee David S. , Newman-Toker David E.
Published: December 2014

Video-oculography devices are now used to quantify the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) at the bedside using the head impulse test (HIT). Little is known about the impact of disruptive phenomena (e.g. corrective saccades, nystagmus, fixation losses, eye-blink artifacts) on quantitative VOR assessment in acute vertigo. This study systematically characterized the frequency, nature, and impact of artifacts on HIT VOR measures. From a prospective study of 26 patients with acute vestibular syndrome (16 vestibular neuritis, 10 stroke), we classified findings using a structured coding manual. Of 1,358 individual HIT traces, 72% had abnormal disruptive saccades, 44% had at least one artifact, and 42% were uninterpretable. Physicians using quantitative recording devices to measure head impulse VOR responses for clinical diagnosis should be aware of the potential impact of disruptive eye movements and measurement artifacts. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Ageing Prisoners' Disease Burden: Is Being Old a Better Predictor than Time Served in Prison?
Authors: Wangmo Tenzin , Meyer Andrea H. , Bretschneider Wiebke , Handtke Violet , Kressig Reto W. , Gravier Bruno , Büla Christophe , Elger Bernice S.
Published: December 2014

Background: The number of older prisoners entering and ageing in prison has increased in the last few decades. Ageing prisoners pose unique challenges to the prison administration as they have differentiated social, custodial and healthcare needs than prisoners who are younger and relatively healthier. Objective: The goal of this study was to explore and compare the somatic disease burden of old and young prisoners, and to examine whether it can be explained by age group and/or time served in prison. Methods: Access to prisoner medical records was granted to extract disease and demographic information of older (>50 years) and younger (≤49 years) prisoners in different Swiss prisons. Predictor variables included the age group and the time spent in prison. The dependent variable was the total number of somatic diseases as reported in the medical records. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and a negative binomial model. Results: Data of 380 male prisoners from 13 different prisons in Switzerland reveal that the mean ages of older and younger prisoners were 58.78 and 34.26 years, respectively. On average, older prisoners have lived in prison for 5.17 years and younger prisoners for 2.49 years. The average total number of somatic diseases reported by older prisoners was 2.26 times higher than that of prisoners below 50 years of age (95% CI 1.77-2.87, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind to capture national disease data of prisoners with a goal of comparing the disease burden of older and younger prisoners. Study findings indicate that older inmates suffer from more somatic diseases and that the number of diseases increases with age group. Results clearly illustrate the poorer health conditions of those who are older, their higher healthcare burden, and raises questions related to the provision of healthcare for inmates growing old in prison.
Early Paternal Deprivation Alters Levels of Hippocampal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Glucocorticoid Receptor and Serum Corticosterone and Adrenocorticotropin in a Sex-Specific Way in Socially Monogamous Mandarin Voles
Authors: Wu Ruiyong , Song Zhenzhen , Wang Siyang , Shui Li , Tai Fadao , Qiao Xufeng , He Fengqin
Published: December 2014

In monogamous mammals, fathers play an important role in the development of the brain and typical behavior in offspring, but the exact nature of this process is not well understood. In particular, little research has addressed whether the presence or absence of paternal care alters levels of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and basal levels of serum corticosterone (CORT) and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). Here, we explored this concept using socially monogamous mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus), a species in which fathers display high levels of paternal care toward their pups. Our immunohistochemical study shows that paternal deprivation (PD) significantly decreased levels of GR and BDNF protein in the CA1 and CA2/3 of the hippocampus. In the dental gyrus, decreases in GR and BDNF induced by PD were evident in females but not in males. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results show that PD significantly upregulated levels of serum CORT and ACTH in females, but not males. These findings demonstrate that PD alters HPA axis activity in a sex-specific way. The changes in stress hormones documented here may be associated with alteration in hippocampal BDNF and GR levels.
Cytotechnologist Performance for Screening Microfollicular Atypia in Indeterminate Thyroid Fine-Needle Aspirates
Authors: VandenBussche Christopher J. , Olson Matthew T. , Adams Christina , Ali Syed Z.
Published: December 2014

Introduction: We previously identified a high level of accuracy among our cytotechnologists (CTs) for identifying nuclear atypia in thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. Herewith, we present our CT performance at screening for microfollicular atypia. Methods: 8,814 thyroid FNA specimens were identified in our archives, all screened by 1 of 11 CTs and signed out by a cytopathologist. A subsample of cases was categorized either as atypia of uncertain significance (AUS) with microfollicular proliferation (AUS-F) or suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (SFN). Results: The agreement rate was low between CTs and cytopathologists for SFN and AUS-F. Only 55.8% of SFN screening diagnoses were upheld; 27.9% were downgraded to AUS, 10.4% were downgraded to benign, and 5% were upgraded. Of AUS-F screening diagnoses, 35.5% were upheld, 33.7% were downgraded to benign, and 20.2% were upgraded to SFN. Among all cases, two-step discrepancies were uncommon. Conclusion: Most disagreements were one-category discrepancies between AUS-F and SFN. The evaluation of microfollicular atypia is challenging given that certain follicular lesions cannot be definitively diagnosed on cytology, a high level of subjectivity is involved in the interpretation of such lesions, and the presence of nuclear or Hurthle cell atypia may complicate the diagnosis.
Multitasking in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neuron Dendrites
Authors: Iremonger Karl J. , Herbison Allan E.
Published: December 2014

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons integrate synaptic information in their dendrites in order to precisely control GnRH secretion and hence fertility. Recent discoveries concerning the structure and function of GnRH neuron dendrites have shed new light on the control of GnRH neuron excitability and GnRH secretion. This work suggests that GnRH neurons have a unique projection to the median eminence that possesses both dendritic and axonal properties. We propose that this ‘dendron' projection allows GnRH neurons to multitask and integrate information in ways that would not be possible in a classically envisioned axon projection.
Elevated Brain Glucose and Glycogen Concentrations in an Animal Model of Depression
Authors: Detka Jan , Kurek Anna , Basta-Kaim Agnieszka , Kubera Marta , Lasoń Władysław , Budziszewska Bogusława
Published: December 2014

Introduction: Recent data indicate that there is a link between depression and diabetes and that excess glucocorticoids may play an underlying role in the pathogenesis of both of these diseases. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are any alterations in glucose, glycogen, glucose transporters, insulin, insulin receptors or corticosterone concentrations in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in a prenatal stress rat model of depression. Methods: Male rats whose mothers had been subjected to stress and control animals were subjected to the Porsolt test to verify the experimental model. Next, some of the rats were subjected to acute stress and/or were administered glucose. Glucose, glycogen, corticosterone, insulin, insulin receptor, phospho-insulin receptor and glucose transporter (GLUT1, GLUT3 and GLUT4) concentrations were assayed. Results: Prenatally stressed rats exhibited glucose and glycogen concentrations in both investigated brain structures that exceeded those of the control animals. Prenatal stress also increased the levels of glucose transporters - GLUT1 in both tissues and GLUT4 in the frontal cortex. The changes in the prenatally stressed rats were more prominent in the animals that were subjected to stress or glucose loading in adulthood. Conclusion: The increase in carbohydrate brain concentrations evoked by prenatal stress may result from changes in the amounts of glucose transporters, especially GLUT1. Moreover, the obtained results support the hypothesis that stress during the perinatal period permanently increases the sensitivity of brain tissue to factors that act in adulthood.
Non-Hemodynamically Significant Renal Artery Stenosis Predicts Cardiovascular Events in Persons with Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Zanoli Luca , Rastelli Stefania , Marcantoni Carmelita , Capodanno Davide , Blanco Julien , Tamburino Corrado , Laurent Stephane , Boutouyrie Pierre , Castellino Pietro
Published: December 2014

Background/Aims: Recently, we reported that small renal arteries, defined by a low reference diameter (RD) or minimal luminal diameter (MD), are independently associated with a low GFR, resistant hypertension, and onset of contrast-induced nephropathy and suggested a post-hoc analysis of CORAL trial based on RD categories. Here we hypothesized that RD and MD are markers of nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors and tested whether low RD and MD could impact the prognosis of patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: Prospective cohort study. We used proportional hazards models to analyze the first onset of cardiovascular events in relation with RD, MD, or percentage of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in those with low-to-moderate RAS (10-70%) (n = 181). Results: During the median follow-up of 4.5 (range, 0.1-5) years, 27.8% participants (n = 623; mean age, 64 years; 29% women) experienced a cardiovascular event (35.4% in those with RAS 10-70%). The presence of low-to-moderate RAS was associated with cardiovascular events. In these subjects, those with low MD were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events (MD >4.2 mm, HR: 1; MD 3.2-4.2 mm, HR: 1.66, 95% CI: 0.74-3.72, p = 0.22; MD <3.2 mm, HR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.65-8.40, p = 0.002). When MD was added to a standard risk-factor model, risk prediction improvement was by 4.1%. Results were qualitatively similar if MD was replaced by RD or percentage of stenosis, but with smaller improvement of risk prediction and model fit. Conclusions: In patients with ischemic heart disease and low-to-moderate RAS, MD is a significant predictor of cardiovascular events, improves risk prediction, and may represent a valuable biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Grading of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Mitoses and Ki-67 Are Both Essential
Authors: van Velthuysen Marie-Louise F. , Groen Emma J. , van der Noort Vincent , van de Pol Arjen , Tesselaar Margot E.T. , Korse Catharina M.
Published: December 2014

Background: The current WHO classification for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) of the gastrointestinal tract requires Ki-67 and mitotic index for grading. However, both indexes might be conflicting as far as grade is concerned. In this study, we investigate which of the two indexes is most informative to predict survival. Methods: We assessed 362 patients with NEN of gastrointestinal (n = 148), pancreatic (n = 29), lung (n = 77), unknown primary site (n = 102) and of miscellaneous (n = 6) origin. Follow-up and proliferative indexes were recorded. Results: Survival was clearly correlated with both proliferative indexes (p < 0.001). One hundred and nineteen samples (34%) showed discordance in grading between the Ki-67 and the mitotic index, of which 74 (62%) were biopsies and 45 (38%) resection specimens (p = 0.001). In 86% of these cases, survival matched with the highest proliferative index, which was the Ki-67 index in 87% of these cases. Seventeen cases had a mitotic index of 2 (threshold grade 2) and a Ki-67 index of <3% (grade 1). For these cases, survival curve matched that of patients with concordant indexes of grade 1. Conclusion: Grading NEN using two proliferative markers results in discordance between these indexes in one third of cases, more often in biopsy material than in resection specimens. If results are discordant, survival is for the most part associated with the grade of the highest index, for the most part Ki-67. Thus, grading with two proliferative indexes is useful as it highlights cases where one of these indexes may be incongruent.
New Strategies and Concepts in Organ Preservation
Authors: Hoffmann Tanja , Minor Thomas
Published: December 2014

Organ transplantation is still affected by a notable degree of preservation-associated ischemia and reperfusion injury, which can seriously hamper early graft function. The increasing extension of the criteria for donor organ acceptance, especially for organs that have suffered from periods of warm ischemic injury prior to graft retrieval, results in even higher demands on preserving these ischemia-sensitive grafts. Growing attention is thus directed towards more dynamic preservation methods instead of simple static storage. Particularly in grafts that are retrieved after cardiac standstill of the donor, provision of oxygen to enable some kind of regenerative metabolism appears to be desirable, although the optimal temperature for oxygenated preservation/revitalization is still under debate. Hybrid solutions, comprising conventional cold storage for ease of graft procurement and transportation together with more sophisticated ‘in-house' reconditioning protocols after arrival at the implantation clinic, might help to minimize graft injury during the critical transition from preservation to reperfusion. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Transanal Tube as a Means of Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage after Rectal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Adamova Zuzana
Published: December 2014

Background: Anastomotic leaks after low anterior resection for rectal cancer remain the most feared complication. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the use of a transanal tube could reduce the leakage rate after this surgical procedure. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a single-institution experience. The study includes 66 patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer without stoma creation between January 2008 and June 2013. Patients were divided into two groups, i.e. those with a transanal drainage tube (TT; n = 9) and those without tube (NTT; n = 57), and evaluated for clinically evident anastomotic leakage and postoperative complications. Results: The postoperative anastomotic leakage appeared in 5 patients (9%) in the NTT group while no single case was observed within the TT group. Despite the disadvantageous background in the TT group (a transanal stent was used in the most high-risk patients), these patients had no postoperative complications. In the NTT group, 23% had some kind of postoperative complications, and 5% died. The difference between the two groups is not significant. Conclusions: Our study showed that the use of a transanal tube in low anterior resection for rectal cancer could potentially be a simple and effective method of reducing anastomotic leakage. In order to prove our observations, larger prospective randomized studies should be performed.
Clinical Management of Chronic Portal/Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis: The Surgeon's Point of View
Authors: Glowka Tim R. , Kalff Jörg C. , Schäfer Nico
Published: December 2014

Background: Bleeding from esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication of chronic portal hypertension (PH), occuring in 15% of patients with a mortality rate between 20 and 35%. Methods: Based on a literature review and personal experience in the therapy of PH, we recommend a therapy strategy for the secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in PH. Results: The main causes for PH in western countries are alcoholic/viral liver cirrhosis and extrahepatic portal/mesenteric vein occlusion, mainly caused by myeloproliferative neoplasms or hypercoagulability syndromes. The primary therapy is medical; however, when recurrent bleeding occurs, a definitive therapy is required. In the case of parenchymal decompensation, liver transplantation is the causal therapy, but in case of good hepatic reserve or without underlying liver disease, a portal decompressive therapy is necessary. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt has achieved a widespread acceptance, although evidence is comparable with or better for surgical shunting procedures in patients with good liver function. The type of surgical shunt should be chosen depending on the patent veins of the portovenous system and the personal expertise. Conclusion: The therapy decision should be based on liver function, morphology of the portovenous system, and imminent liver transplantation and should be made by an interdisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, interventional radiologists, and visceral surgeons.
Clinical Management of Acute Portal/Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Lang Sven A. , Loss Martin , Wohlgemuth Walter A. , Schlitt Hans J.
Published: December 2014

Background: Acute thrombosis of the portal vein (PV) and/or the mesenteric vein (MV) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease. A multitude of risk factors for acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT)/mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) have been identified, including liver cirrhosis, malignancy, coagulation disorders, intra-abdominal infection/inflammation, and postoperative condition. Methods: This article analyses the treatment options for acute PVT/MVT. Results: Initially, the clinical management should identify patients with an intra-abdominal focus requiring immediate surgical intervention (e.g. bowel ischaemia). Subsequently, emphasis is placed on the recanalization of the PV/MV or at least the prevention of thrombus extension to avoid long-term complications of portal hypertension. Several therapeutic options are currently available, including anticoagulation therapy, local/systemic thrombolysis, interventional or surgical thrombectomy, and a combination of these procedures. Due to the lack of prospective randomized studies, a comparison between these therapeutic approaches regarding the efficacy of PV/MV recanalization is difficult, if not impossible. Conclusion: In patients with acute PVT/MVT, an individualized treatment based on the clinical presentation, the underlying disease, the extent of the thrombosis, and the patients' comorbidities is mandatory. Therefore, these patients should be considered for an interdisciplinary therapy in specialized centres with the option to utilise all therapeutic approaches currently available.
Loss of Function in Heparan Sulfate Elongation Genes
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Results in Improved Nitric Oxide Bioavailability and Endothelial Function
Authors: Mooij H. L. , Cabrales P. , Bernelot Moens S. J. , Xu D. , Udayappan S. D. , Tsai A. G. , van der Sande M. A. J. , de Groot E. , Intaglietta M. , Kastelein J. J. P. , Dallinga‐Thie G. M. , Esko J. D. , Stroes E. S. , Nieuwdorp M.
Published: December 2014

Background

Heparanase is the major enzyme involved in degradation of endothelial heparan sulfates, which is associated with impaired endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. However, the effect of heparan sulfate chain length in relation to endothelial function and nitric oxide availability has never been investigated. We studied the effect of heterozygous mutations in heparan sulfate elongation genes

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on endothelial function in vitro as well as in vivo.

Methods and Result

Flow‐mediated dilation, a marker of nitric oxide bioavailability, was studied in
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mice versus controls (n=7 per group), as well as in human subjects with heterozygous loss of function mutations in

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(n=13 hereditary multiple exostoses and n=13 controls). Endothelial function was measured in microvascular endothelial cells under laminar flow with or without si
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2

. Endothelial glycocalyx and maximal arteriolar dilatation were significantly altered in
Ext1

+/−

and
Ext2

+/−

mice compared to wild‐type littermates (glycocalyx: wild‐type 0.67±0.1 μm,
Ext1

+/−

0.28±0.1 μm and
Ext2

+/−

0.25±0.1 μm,
P
<0.01, maximal arteriolar dilation during reperfusion: wild‐type 11.3±1.0%),
Ext1

+/−

15.2±1.4% and
Ext2

+/−

13.8±1.6%
P
<0.05). In humans, brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation was significantly increased in hereditary multiple exostoses patients (hereditary multiple exostoses 8.1±0.8% versus control 5.6±0.7%,
P
<0.05). In line, silencing of microvascular endothelial cell

EXT
1

and

EXT
2

under flow led to significant upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis and phospho‐endothelial nitric oxide synthesis protein expression.

Conclusions

Our data implicate that heparan sulfate elongation genes

EXT
1

and

EXT
2

are involved in maintaining endothelial homeostasis, presumably via increased nitric oxide bioavailability.
Novel Score Predicting Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Faigle Roland , Marsh Elisabeth B. , Llinas Rafael H. , Urrutia Victor C. , Gottesman Rebecca F.
Published: December 2014

Background and Purpose—

Dysphagia after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) contributes significantly to morbidity, often necessitating placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. This study describes a novel risk prediction score for PEG placement after ICH.

Methods—

We retrospectively analyzed data from 234 patients with ICH presenting during a 4-year period. One hundred eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. The sample was randomly divided into a development and a validation cohort. Logistic regression was used to develop a risk score by weighting predictors of PEG placement based on strength of association.

Results—

Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.64 per 10-year increase in age; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.65), black race (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 0.96–11.05), Glasgow Coma Scale (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.62–1.03), and ICH volume (OR, 1.38 per 10-mL increase in ICH volume) were independent predictors of PEG placement. The final model for score development achieved an area under the curve of 0.7911 (95% CI, 0.6931–0.8892) in the validation group. The score was named the GRAVo score: Glasgow Coma Scale ≤12 (2 points), Race (1 point for black), Age >50 years (2 points), and ICH Volume >30 mL (1 point). A score >4 was associated with ≈12× higher odds of PEG placement when compared with a score ≤4 (OR, 11.81; 95% CI, 5.04–27.66), predicting PEG placement with 46.55% sensitivity and 93.13% specificity.

Conclusions—

The GRAVo score, combining information about Glasgow Coma Scale, race, age, and ICH volume, may be a useful predictor of PEG placement in ICH patients.
Book review: Karl Marx on Technology and Alienation, written by Amy E. Wendling
Authors: Bunyard Tom
Published: December 2014

Amy Wendling contends in this book that Marx’s concern with alienation is not restricted to his early, more explicitly Hegelian writings, and that it can be seen to evolve throughout his work in tandem with his interest in technology. This evolution, according to Wendling, is marked by his transition between two successive scientific paradigms, both of which pertain to the status of labour and machinery within society. Wendling claims that Marx uses the distinction between them as a means of conducting an immanent critique of capitalist ideology. Consequently, although it is primarily a work of intellectual history, this book offers an interesting contribution to the hermeneutics of Marx’sCapital. In addition, it also bears relation to contemporary discussions concerning real subsumption and the abolition of labour. The book’s general argument raises questions as to the degree to which a conception of alienation must rely upon notions of human essence, and upon an idea of a ‘natural’ and ‘authentic’ humanity. Wendling’s responses to those questions are described as problematic within this review, but they are also acknowledged to be both pertinent and intriguing.
Book review: Beyond Globalization: Capitalism, Territoriality and the International Relations of Modernity, written by Hannes LacherBook review: Marxism and World Politics: Contesting Global Capitalism, written by Alexander Anievas
Authors: McCarthy Daniel R.
Published: December 2014

This article will discuss the ongoing development of a Marxist theory of international relations. Examining the work of Hannes Lacher and that of the contributors toMarxism and World Politicsreveals an overarching concern amongst this group of scholars to engage with the central concerns of the discipline of International Relations – the nature of the state, anarchy, and war. Their analysis provides an excellent starting point for the development of a Marxist approach to international relations.
Building the Nazi Economy
Authors: Jaskot Paul B.
Published: December 2014

Adam Tooze’sWages of Destructionargues for the fundamental economic reasoning that brought Hitler and the Nazi elite to the conclusion that war and genocide were the twin means of achieving their ends. But what happens if we introduce culture into this equation, a term of clear importance to Hitler and to many of the individuals Tooze has identified as key to understanding the economic developments, not least of whom was Hitler’s favourite architect, Albert Speer? Culture is a field of activity of relatively little interest to Tooze. Conversely, such comprehensive views of Nazi Germany as Tooze’s that emphasise a deep political and economic analysis have equally been of little interest to cultural historians of the period, with few exceptions. How might Tooze’s fundamental arguments about the economic drive of the state help to explain specific kinds of architectural developments and sharpen a critical art-historical analysis? Conversely, how does the profoundly spatial nature of the implementation of policies he isolates demand an architectural or urban analysis from political and economic historians? By bringing Tooze’s argument to bear on culture, and architecture’s function to bear on Tooze, this article affirms his fundamental conclusions and yet complicates their implications for other disciplinary questions. In both cases, a comprehensive approach to Hitler’s Germany is called for, one that makes a critical intervention particularly in fields of cultural study that have avoided such a broad strategy.
Mediterranean Summer Climate and the Importance of Middle East Topography*
Authors: Simpson Isla R. , Seager Richard , Shaw Tiffany A. , Ting Mingfang
Published: December 2014

In summer, the atmospheric circulation over the Mediterranean is characterized by localized intense subsidence and low-level northerlies over the central to eastern portion of the basin. Here, simulations with the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 are used to investigate the influence of the elevated terrain of North Africa and the Middle East on this summertime circulation. This builds on previous work that recognized a role for North African topography in localizing the Mediterranean subsidence.

By flattening the two regions of elevated terrain in the model, it is demonstrated that, while they both conspire to produce about 30% of the summertime subsidence, contrary to previous work, the mountains of the Middle East dominate in this topographic contribution by far. This topography, consisting primarily of the Zagros mountain range, alters the circulation throughout the depth of the troposphere over the Mediterranean and farther east. The model results suggest that about 20% of the Mediterranean summertime moisture deficit can be attributed to this mountain-induced circulation. This topography, therefore, plays an important role in the climate of the Mediterranean and the large-scale circulation over the rest of Eurasia during the summer.

Further stationary wave modeling reveals that the mountain influence is produced via mechanical forcing of the flow. The greatest influence of the topography occurs when the low-level incident flow is easterly, as happens during the summer, primarily because of the presence of condensational heating over Asia. During other seasons, when the low-level incident flow is westerly, the influence of Middle East topography on the Mediterranean is negligible.
Globalization and welfare spending across 21 transitional economies
Authors: Jiang Ting
Published: December 2014

This article explores the impact of globalization on welfare spending in transitional states. Based on World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) cross-country data sets 1990–2005, I test two leading hypotheses: the first of which predicts a negative relationship between global-economic embeddedness and welfare spending, and the second of which predicts a positive relationship between democratization and welfare spending. Using a cross-section time-series analysis, my findings suggest that the experiences of the transitional economies do not confirm either hypothesis. During the 16-year period of analysis, established globalization factors showed conflicting influence on welfare state arrangements. In addition, my analyses demonstrate a positive correlation between the use of IMF credit and welfare spending in transitional states. This finding contradicts the structural adjustment literature, which largely views policy-based conditional lending as a negative influence on receiving countries’ welfare expenditures.
Down with Politics!
Authors: Kajsiu Blendi
Published: December 2014

Dissatisfaction with politics and political parties has given rise to a strong antipolitics discourse in Albania. Growing numbers feel unrepresented and see politics and political parties as the source of, rather than the solution to, the country’s problems. In this article the author argues that the crisis of representation in Albania does not result simply from the inability of political parties to represent different social groups but from their inability to articulate and constitute them politically. The two major political parties have articulated “the people” against an external threat usually represented by their political opponent. Under these conditions, different social categories such as farmers, urban, rural, rich, and poor were increasingly reduced to moments within “the people” as a whole rather than the starting point from which “the people” were constituted. Therefore, the political process became both conflictual and unrepresentative of different social groups. The less representative political parties became, the more society as a whole and different groups within it defined themselves against political parties and politicians, hence the antipolitics discourse.