bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ubiquinol (reduced Coenzyme Q10) in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot trial
Authors: Donnino Michael W. , Mortensen Sharri J. , Andersen Lars W. , Chase Maureen , Berg Katherine M. , Balkema Julia , Radhakrishnan Jeejabai , Gazmuri Raúl J. , Liu Xiaowen , Cocchi Michael N.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

We previously found decreased levels of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in patients with septic shock. The objective of the current study was to assess whether the provision of exogenous ubiquinol (the reduced form of CoQ10) could increase plasma CoQ10 levels and improve mitochondrial function.

Methods

We performed a randomized, double-blind, pilot trial at a single, tertiary care hospital. Adults (age ≥18 years) with severe sepsis or septic shock between November 2012 and January 2014 were included. Patients received 200 mg enteral ubiquinol or placebo twice a day for up to seven days. Blood draws were obtained at baseline (0 h), 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The primary outcome of the study was change in plasma CoQ10 parameters (total CoQ10 levels, CoQ10 levels relative to cholesterol levels, and levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ10). Secondary outcomes included assessment of: 1) vascular endothelial biomarkers, 2) inflammatory biomarkers, 3) biomarkers related to mitochondrial injury including cytochrome c levels, and 4) clinical outcomes. CoQ10 levels and biomarkers were compared between groups using repeated measures models.

Results

We enrolled 38 patients: 19 in the CoQ10 group and 19 in the placebo group. The mean patient age was 62 ± 16 years and 47 % were female. Baseline characteristics and CoQ10 levels were similar for both groups. There was a significant increase in total CoQ10 levels, CoQ10 levels relative to cholesterol levels, and levels of oxidized and reduced CoQ10 in the ubiquinol group compared to the placebo group. We found no difference between the two groups in any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

In this pilot trial we showed that plasma CoQ10 levels could be increased in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, with the administration of oral ubiquinol. Further research is needed to address whether ubiquinol administration can result in improved clinical outcomes in this patient population.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01948063. Registered on 18 February 2013.
Breaking Bad News in Oncology: A Metasynthesis
Authors: Bousquet Guilhem , Orri Massimiliano , Winterman Sabine , Brugière Charlotte , Verneuil Laurence , Revah-Levy Anne
Published: June 2015

Purpose

The delivery of bad news by oncologists to their patients is a key moment in the physician-patient relationship. We performed a systematic review of qualitative studies (a metasynthesis) that focused on the experiences and points of view of oncologists about breaking bad news to patients.

Methods

We searched international publications to identify relevant qualitative research exploring oncologists' perspectives about this topic. Thematic analysis, which compensates for the potential lack of generalizability of the primary studies by their conjoint interpretation, was used to identify key themes and synthesize them. NVivo qualitative analysis software was used.

Results

We identified 40 articles (> 600 oncologists) from 12 countries and assessed their quality as good according to the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP). Two main themes emerged: the patient-oncologist encounter during the breaking of bad news, comprising essential aspects of the communication, including the process of dealing with emotions; and external factors shaping the patient-oncologist encounter, composed of factors that influence the announcement beyond the physician-patient relationship: the family, systemic and institutional factors, and cultural factors.

Conclusion

Breaking bad news is a balancing act that requires oncologists to adapt continually to different factors: their individual relationships with the patient, the patient's family, the institutional and systemic environment, and the cultural milieu. Extending the development of the ability to personalize and adapt therapeutic treatment to this realm of communications would be a major step forward from the stereotyped way that oncologists are currently trained in communication skills.
Pemetrexed Plus Cisplatin Versus Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin According to Thymidylate Synthase Expression in Nonsquamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Biomarker-Stratified Randomized Phase II Trial
Authors: Sun Jong-Mu , Ahn Jin Seok , Jung Sin-Ho , Sun Jiyu , Ha Sang Yun , Han Joungho , Park Keunchil , Ahn Myung-Ju
Published: June 2015

Purpose

We investigated whether thymidylate synthase (TS) expression is a predictive marker for the clinical outcome of pemetrexed/cisplatin in patients with nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer.

Patients and Methods

Eligible patients were tested for TS expression by immunohistochemistry and stratified into either a TS-negative or a TS-positive group. After stratification, patients in each group were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to receive either pemetrexed/cisplatin or gemcitabine/cisplatin for a maximum of six cycles until disease progression. The primary end point was evaluation of the interaction between TS groups and treatment allocation for objective response rate.

Results

Of 321 enrolled patients with nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer, 315 received at least one dose of study chemotherapy and were analyzed. By investigator assessment, response rates were 47% for the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm and 21% for the gemcitabine/cisplatin arm in the TS-negative group and 40% and 39%, respectively, for the TS-positive group (interaction P = .0084). By independent reviewers, response rates of pemetrexed/cisplatin and gemcitabine/cisplatin were 39% and 21%, respectively, in the TS-negative group and 40% and 48% in the TS-positive group (interaction P = .0077). The median progression-free survival times for the pemetrexed/cisplatin and the gemcitabine/cisplatin arms were 6.4 and 5.5 months, respectively, in the TS-negative group and 5.9 and 5.3 months in the TS-positive group (interaction P = .07).

Conclusion

With regard to response rate and progression-free survival, pemetrexed/cisplatin was superior to gemcitabine/cisplatin in the TS-negative group but not in the TS-positive group, indicative of TS expression as a potential predictive marker. Additional prospective studies involving larger cohorts are warranted to confirm the predictive role of TS expression.
Clinical Utility of Patient-Derived Xenografts to Determine Biomarkers of Prognosis and Map Resistance Pathways in EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Stewart Erin L. , Mascaux Celine , Pham Nhu-An , Sakashita Shingo , Sykes Jenna , Kim Lucia , Yanagawa Naoki , Allo Ghassan , Ishizawa Kota , Wang Dennis , Zhu Chang-Qi , Li Ming , Ng Christine , Liu Ni , Pintilie Melania , Martin Petra , John Tom , Jurisica Igor , Leighl Natasha B. , Neel Benjamin G. , Waddell Thomas K. , Shepherd Frances A. , Liu Geoffrey , Tsao Ming-Sound
Published: June 2015

Purpose

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) –mutated adenocarcinomas initially have high response rates to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), most patients eventually develop resistance. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are considered preferred preclinical models to study the biology of patient tumors. EGFR-mutant PDX models may be valuable tools to study the biology of these tumors and to elucidate mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies.

Methods

Surgically resected early-stage non–small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) tumors were implanted into nonobese diabetic severe combined immune deficient (NOD-SCID) mice. EGFR TKI treatment was initiated at tumor volumes of 150 μL. Gene expression analysis was performed using a microarray platform.

Results

Of 33 lung adenocarcinomas with EGFR activating mutations, only 6 (18%) engrafted and could be propagated beyond passage one. Engraftment was associated with upregulation of genes involved in mitotic checkpoint and cell proliferation. A differentially expressed gene set between engrafting and nonengrafting patients could identify patients harboring EGFR-mutant tumor with significantly different prognoses in The Cancer Genome Atlas Lung Adenocarcinoma datasets. The PDXs included models with variable sensitivity to first- and second-generation EGFR TKIs and the monoclonal antibody cetuximab. All EGFR-mutant NSCLC PDXs studied closely recapitulated their corresponding patient tumor phenotype and clinical course, including response pattern to EGFR TKIs.

Conclusion

PDX models closely recapitulate primary tumor biology and clinical outcome. They may serve as important laboratory models to investigate mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies, and for preclinical testing of novel treatment strategies.
Accountable Care Organizations: The National Landscape
Authors: Shortell Stephen M. , Colla Carrie H. , Lewis Valerie A. , Fisher Elliott , Kessell Eric , Ramsay Patricia
Published: June 2015

There are now more than seven hundred accountable care organizations (ACOs) in the United States. This article describes some of their most salient characteristics including the number and types of contracts involved, organizational structures, the scope of services offered, care management capabilities, and the development of a three-category taxonomy that can be used to target technical assistance efforts and to examine performance. The current evidence on the performance of ACOs is reviewed. Since California has the largest number of ACOs (N=67) and a history of providing care under risk-bearing contracts, some additional assessments of quality and patient experience are made between California ACOs and non-ACO provider organizations. Six key issues likely to affect future ACO growth and development are discussed, and some potential “diagnostic” indicators for assessing the likelihood of potential antitrust violations are presented.
Integration of Substance Abuse Treatment Organizations into Accountable Care Organizations: Results from a National Survey
Authors: D'Aunno Thomas , Friedmann Peter D. , Chen Qixuan , Wilson Donna M.
Published: June 2015

To meet their aims of managing population health to improve the quality and cost of health care in the United States, accountable care organizations (ACOs) will need to focus on coordinating care for individuals with substance abuse disorders. The prevalence of these disorders is high, and these individuals often suffer from comorbid chronic medical and social conditions. This article examines the extent to which the nation's fourteen thousand specialty substance abuse treatment (SAT) organizations, which have a daily census of more than 1 million patients, are contracting with ACOs across the country; we also examine factors associated with SAT organization involvement with ACOs. We draw on data from a recent (2014) nationally representative survey of executive directors and clinical supervisors from 635 SAT organizations. Results show that only 15 percent of these organizations had signed contracts with ACOs. Results from multivariate analyses show that directors' perceptions of market competition, organizational ownership, and geographic location are significantly related to SAT involvement with ACOs. We discuss implications for integrating the SAT specialty system with the mainstream health care system.
Accountable Care Organizations and Antitrust Enforcement: Promoting Competition and Innovation
Authors: Feinstein Deborah L. , Kuhlmann Patrick , Mucchetti Peter J.
Published: June 2015

The antitrust laws stand to protect consumers of health care services from conduct that would raise prices, lower quality, and decrease innovation by lessening competition. Importantly, though, vigorous antitrust enforcement does not impede accountable care organizations (ACOs) and similar collaborations that advance these same goals of better and more efficient care; in fact, by fostering competitive markets, the antitrust laws encourage such initiatives. This article summarizes the legal framework that the federal antitrust agencies — the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice — use to analyze ACOs and other collaborations among health care providers. It outlines the guidance provided by the federal antitrust agencies concerning when ACOs and other provider collaborations likely would harm competition and consumers. In addition, it reviews common antitrust issues that can arise with ACOs and provides examples of enforcement actions that have prevented health care providers from taking or continuing anticompetitive actions.
The Affordable Care Act versus Medicare for All
Authors: Seidman Laurence
Published: June 2015

Many problems facing the Affordable Care Act would disappear if the nation were instead implementing Medicare for All — the extension of Medicare to every age group. Every American would be automatically covered for life. Premiums would be replaced with a set of Medicare taxes. There would be no patient cost sharing. Individuals would have free choice of doctors. Medicare's single-payer bargaining power would slow price increases and reduce medical cost as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). Taxes as a percentage of GDP would rise from below average to average for economically advanced nations. Medicare for All would be phased in by age.
Medicare for All — if It Were Politically Possible — would Necessarily Replicate the Defects of Our Current System
Authors: Pollack Harold
Published: June 2015

Medicare for All, ideally implemented, could offer powerful advantages over our current health care financial system. Unfortunately, the political obstacles to such a system are formidable and are likely to remain so for decades. More to the point, a politically viable single-payer system would not replace our currently dysfunctional health care politics. It would be a product of that same legislative process and political economy and thus be disfigured by the same interest group politics, path dependence, and fragmentation that Laurence Seidman rightly laments.
Revealed Preference, Rational Inattention, and Costly Information Acquisition
Authors: Caplin Andrew , Dean Mark
Published: June 2015

Apparently mistaken decisions are ubiquitous. To what extent does this reflect irrationality, as opposed to a rational trade-off between the costs of information acquisition and the expected benefits of learning? We develop a revealed preference test that characterizes all patterns of choice “mistakes” consistent with a general model of optimal costly information acquisition and identify the extent to which information costs can be recovered from choice data. (JEL D11, D81, D83)
Waves and oscillations in sunspot atmosphere: a review
Authors: Сыч Роберт , Sych Robert
Published: June 2015

The review focuses on recent experimental and theoretical studies of sources of oscillations in the sunspot atmosphere. The results of observations with ground-based and spaceborne instruments are presented. An important role of the cut-off frequency in forming the spatial distribution of narrowband sources of oscillations above sunspot is shown. The alternative techniques for studying the magnetic field structure by using helioseismological data are discussed. The dynamics of propagating wave fronts is studied by applying the pixelized wavelet filtering technique. The height analysis of oscillation parameters is performed. A possibility to initiate flare energy release by MHD waves propagating along magnetic waveguides from sunspots into the flare region is discussed. The attention is paid to processes of the increase in wave activity in sunspots before the flare energy release. A brief description of the theoretical model for oscillations based on the subphotospheric low-frequency resonator is provided.
Music teachers professional competences: From a theoretical framework to a concrete proposal
Authors: Carrillo Carmen
Published: June 2015

This article delves into different theoretical aspects in relation to the professional competences of music teachers and presents a proposal of the competences desired for their professional practice. Firstly, it provides a conceptual approach and describes different theoretical perspectives about professional competences. Secondly, theoretical proposals and empirical studies that have been considered relevant in relation to the professional competences of music teachers are reviewed. Thirdly, the main results of two studies that are part of a larger research that analysed the professional profile of Primary and Secondary Education music teachers are presented. These studies were designed to identify the desirable competences for Primary and Secondary Education music teachers, and collect the opinions of a sample of Catalan music teachers about competences needed for a successful practice, respectively. The article ends with a reflection on the strengths and limitations of the competence approach as a perspective to define the professional profile of teachers.
The viability of chondrocytes after an in vivo injection of local anaesthetic and/or corticosteroid
Authors: Sola M. , Dahners L. , Weinhold P. , Svetkey van der Horst A. , Kallianos S. , Flood D.
Published: June 2015

This in vivo controlled laboratory study was performed to evaluate various intra-articular clinical injection regimes that might be less toxic than some in vitro studies suggest. We hypothesised that low-concentration, preservative-free, pH-balanced agents would be less toxic than high-concentration non-pH-balanced agents with preservatives, and that injections of individual agents are less toxic than combined injections. The left knees of 12- to 13-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats were injected once with eight different single agents, including low and high concentrations of ropivacaine and triamcinolone, alone and in combination, as well as negative and positive controls. The rats were killed at one week or five months, and live–dead staining was performed to quantify the death of chondrocytes. All injections except pH-balanced 0.2% ropivacaine combined with preservative-free 1 mg/ml triamcinolone acetonide resulted in statistically significant decreases in chondrocyte viability, compared with control knees, after one week and five months (p < 0.001). After one week there was no significant difference in viability between 0.2% and 0.5% ropivacaine; however, 4 mg/ml triamcinolone resulted in a lower viability than 1 mg/ml triamcinolone.

Although many agents commonly injected into joints are chondrotoxic, in this in vivo study diluting preservative-free 10 mg/ml triamcinolone 1:9 in 0.2% pH-balanced ropivacaine resulted in low toxicity.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:933–8.
Seronegative infections in hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: McArthur B. A. , Abdel M. P. , Taunton M. J. , Osmon D. R. , Hanssen A. D.
Published: June 2015

The aim of our study was to describe the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and normal inflammatory markers after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA).

In total 538 TKAs and 414 THAs underwent surgical treatment for PJI and met the inclusion criteria. Pre-operative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein level (CRP) were reviewed to identify the seronegative cohort. An age- and gender-matched cohort was identified from the remaining patients for comparison. Overall, 4% of confirmed infections were seronegative (21 TKA and 17 THA). Of those who underwent pre-operative aspiration, cultures were positive in 76% of TKAs (n = 13) and 64% of THAs (n = 7). Cell count and differential were suggestive of infection in 85% of TKA (n = 11) and all THA aspirates (n = 5). The most common organism was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Seronegative infections were associated with a lower aspirate cell count and a lower incidence of Staphylococcus aureus infection. Two-stage revision was performed in 35 cases (95%). At a mean of five years (14 to 162 months) following revision, re-operation for infection occurred in two TKAs, and one THA. From our study we estimate around 4% of patients with PJI may present with normal ESR and CRP. When performed, pre-operative aspirate is useful in delivering a definitive diagnosis. When treated, similar outcomes can be obtained compared with patients with positive serology.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:939–44.
Hemiarthroplasty versus internal fixation for displaced intracapsular fractures of the hip in elderly men
Authors: Parker M. J.
Published: June 2015

A total of 56 male patients with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip and a mean age of 81 years (62 to 94), were randomised to be treated with either a cemented hemiarthroplasty (the Exeter Trauma Stem) or reduction and internal fixation using the Targon Femoral Plate. All surviving patients were reviewed one year after the injury, at which time restoration of function and pain in the hip was assessed. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the two groups (7/26; 26.9% for hemiarthroplasty vs 10/30; 33.3% for internal fixation). No patient treated with a hemiarthroplasty required further surgery, but eight patients treated by internal fixation did (p = 0.005), five requiring hemiarthroplasty and three requiring total hip arthroplasty. Those treated by internal fixation had significantly more pain (p = 0.02). The restoration of mobility and independence were similar in the two groups.

These results indicate that cemented hemiarthroplasty gives better results than internal fixation in elderly men with a displaced intracapsular fracture of the hip.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:992–6.
Infantile developmental thoracolumbar kyphosis with segmental subluxation of the spine
Authors: Ganesan S. , Karampalis C. , Garrido E. , Tsirikos A. I.
Published: June 2015

Acute angulation at the thoracolumbar junction with segmental subluxation of the spine occurring at the level above an anteriorly hypoplastic vertebra in otherwise normal children is a rare condition described as infantile developmental thoracolumbar kyphosis. Three patient series with total of 18 children have been reported in the literature. We report five children who presented with thoracolumbar kyphosis and discuss the treatment algorithm. We reviewed the medical records and spinal imaging at initial clinical presentation and at minimum two-year follow-up. The mean age at presentation was eight months (two to 12). All five children had L2 anterior vertebral body hypoplasia. The kyphosis improved spontaneously in three children kept under monitoring. In contrast, the deformity was progressive in two patients who were treated with bracing. The kyphosis and segmental subluxation corrected at latest follow-up (mean age 52 months; 48 to 60) in all patients with near complete reconstitution of the anomalous vertebra. The deformity and radiological imaging on a young child can cause anxiety to both parents and treating physicians. Diagnostic workup and treatment algorithm in the management of infantile developmental thoracolumbar kyphosis is proposed. Observation is indicated for non-progressive kyphosis and bracing if there is evidence of kyphosis and segmental subluxation deterioration beyond walking age. Surgical stabilisation of the spine can be reserved for severe progressive deformities unresponsive to conservative treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:982–7.
A placebo-controlled randomised trial to assess the effect of TGF-ß1-expressing chondrocytes in patients with arthritis of the knee
Authors: Lee M C , Ha C-W , Elmallah R. K. , Cherian J. J. , Cho J J , Kim T W , Bin S-I , Mont M. A.
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of injecting genetically engineered chondrocytes expressing transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) into the knees of patients with osteoarthritis. We assessed the resultant function, pain and quality of life.

A total of 54 patients (20 men, 34 women) who had a mean age of 58 years (50 to 66) were blinded and randomised (1:1) to receive a single injection of the active treatment or a placebo. We assessed post-treatment function, pain severity, physical function, quality of life and the incidence of treatment-associated adverse events. Patients were followed at four, 12 and 24 weeks after injection.

At final follow-up the treatment group had a significantly greater improvement in the mean International Knee Documentation Committee score than the placebo group (16 points; -18 to 49, vs 8 points; -4 to 37, respectively; p = 0.03). The treatment group also had a significantly improved mean visual analogue score at final follow-up (-25; -85 to 34, vs -11 points; -51 to 25, respectively; p = 0.032). Both cohorts showed an improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores, but these differences were not statistically significant. One patient had an anaphylactic reaction to the preservation medium, but recovered within 24 hours. All other adverse events were localised and resolved without further action.

This technique may result in improved clinical outcomes, with the aim of slowing the degenerative process, leading to improvements in pain and function. However, imaging and direct observational studies are needed to verify cartilage regeneration. Nevertheless, this study provided a sufficient basis to proceed to further clinical testing.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:924–32.
Errata
Authors: Haddad F. S.
Published: June 2015

Grammatopoulos G, Pandit H, Kwon YM, Gundle R, McLardy-Smith P, Beard DJ, Murray DW, Gill HS.Hip resurfacings revised for inflammatory pseudotumour have a poor outcome. Bone Joint J 2009;91-B:1019–1024.
Errata
Authors: Haddad F. S.
Published: June 2015

Brennan SA, Ní Fhoghlú C, Devitt BM, O’Mahony FJ, Brabazon D, Walsh A.Silver nanoparticles and their orthopaedic applications. Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:582–589.
Within and among-genetic variation in Asian flax Linum austriacum (Linaceae) in response to latitude changes: Cytogenetic and molecular analyses
Authors: NOORMOHAMMADI ZAHRA , SHAFAF TINA , FARAHANI FATEMEH , SHEIDAI MASOUD , TALEBI SEYED MEHDI , FARAHANI YEGANEH HASHEMINEJAD-AHANGARANI
Published: June 2015

Noormohammadi Z, Shafaf T, Farahani F, Sheidai, Talebi SM, Hasheminejad-Ahangarani-Farahani Y. 2015. Within and among-genetic variation in Asian flax Linum austriacum (Linaceae) in response to latitude changes: Cytogenetic and molecular analyses. Biodiversitas 16: 145-150. Linum austriacum L. (Linaceae) which is known as Asian flax is an herbaceous medicinal plantspecies that grow in Iran in different latitudes and forms some local populations particularly in the West and North-West of the country.Within-and between-genetic diversity in response to altitude changes was investigated in geographical populations of L. austriacum byusing cytogenetic and ISSR molecular markers. These populations were diploid with 2n = 18 and differed significantly (P<0.05) in theirmean chiasma frequency and chromosome pairing. Significant positive correlation (r >0.90, P < 0.05) occurred between latitude and themean number of quadrivalents. The highest level of genetic diversity parameters as Shanon Information Index and gene diversityoccurred in Salavat-abad population. Moreover, the STRUCTURE analysis also identified this population as the most varied population.This population had medium altitude distribution. Mantel test performed between genetic distance and geographical distance showed nosignificant correlation (R2 = 0.09, p = 0.39). Pearson coefficient of correlation determined between genetic diversity parameters andaltitude, produced a significant negative correlation (r =-0.85, P<0.01) with the number of effective alleles. The present study revealedthat Linum austriacum populations do have some cytogenetic and molecular variation in response to altitude.
Objectivities of a post-normal guideline project: the introduction of a guideline for sick-listing practices in Sweden
Authors: Sager Morten , Eriksson Lena
Published: June 2015

In this article we describe and diagnose ailments suffered by the so-called ‘medical insurance decision-making support tool’ that was published in 2007 as part of a major reform of the Swedish social insurance. Through document studies and interviews the guideline is analysed and compared with a reference case, a guideline within cardiology. Particular attention is paid to different types of objectivity and how they relate to the sick-listing guidelines and their uncertain, multi-professional, high-stakes or ‘post-normal’ character. Conflicting concerns and probably unavoidable choices are found in the ambitions, formats, implementation mode and experts of the guidelines.
Everybody is a musician, everybody is an orchestra: Musical and bodily dialogues with physically disabled children in Turkey
Authors: Boon Ebru Tuncer
Published: June 2015

This study documents a reflective journey of a series of music workshops initiated by a university Performing Arts faculty member in Istanbul, Turkey. The purpose of this narrative enquiry is to explore and examine the musical and bodily dialogues, engagements and critical thoughts between a music educator and children with developmental disabilities. Focusing particularly on the theories and practices of community music, this study illustrates the vision of community music, which says that everybody deserves the chance to interact musically through their body and psyche and to play alongside others in a community with the help of a facilitator.
‘Doing what needs to be done’: Understandings of UK-based community music – reflections and implications
Authors: Rimmer Mark
Published: June 2015

This article discusses two key themes emerging from a recent research network funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the aim of which was to improve understanding of the historic, current, and potential roles that community music (CM) can play in promoting community engagement in the United Kingdom. The network’s activities consisted of a series of themed meetings held in 2013 and 2014, which brought together practitioners and managers as well as academics, researchers, funders and commissioners. The article is divided into two parts, each addressing issues that emerged with some prominence across the network’s deliberations. The first part considers the vexed question of contemporary understandings of CM and the ways in which it was figured by the stakeholders involved in the network. The second section addresses the status of CM’s current relationship to what are often described as its ‘radical’ roots. In presenting contemporary CM practice in the United Kingdom as a ‘chameleonic’ practice embodying what was figured as a ‘quiet radicalism’, the network delegates drew attention, however inadvertently, to a number of enduringly challenging issues facing CM.
Perspectivas de las Relaciones Públicas: resultados del Excellence Study para la comunicación en las organizaciones
Authors: Grunig James E. , Grunig Larissa A. , Ferrari Maria Aparecida
Published: June 2015

La comunicación en las organizaciones está afectada por variables tanto internas como externas a la organización, como la cultura, la estructura y la gestión organizativa. Algunos de los resultados del Excellence Study discutidos en el presente artículo evidencian que el valor de las relaciones públicas se crea en los relacionamientos que las organizaciones desarrollan con los públicos, especialmente con aquellos que se ubican en el interior mismo de la empresa.
Análisis de la identidad visual de las principales empresas del sector de la fotografía digital
Authors: Bermejo Blas Ana , Montes Vozmediano Manuel
Published: June 2015

Análisis de las unidades mínimas de identificación visual de 60 empresas online de reciente creación cuya actividad principal se basa en la fotografía. Las múltiples opciones de representación gráfica del soporte digital (que no entiende de limitaciones cromáticas por gastos de impresión ni está supeditado ninguna restricción dimensional) lo convierten en un interesante objeto de estudio. La metodología empleada ha sido el análisis de contenido, en el que se ha priorizado el estudio de las variables formales de su representación gráfica (como la tipología de la marca, los colores corporativos o el nivel de iconicidad) si bien una variable no formal registrada ha sido el tipo de referencia generada por la imagen empleada, con el fin de conocer si aludía a la actividad realizada por la empresa o se trataba de una referencia al sector. Las conclusiones obtenidas nos indican que en la identificación corporativa de estas empresas tienden a imponerse los patrones clásicos, como el empleo de imágenes simplificadas y unidimensionales, a las alternativas que permite el ámbito de la representación en un entorno digital. La excepción sería el uso del color ya que existe una tendencia al empleo de cuatro o más tonalidades lo que dificulta una identificación y diferenciación por color de las distintas entidades. Cabe mencionar que la elección icónica representativa de las identidades visuales tiende a representar el sector al que pertenece la empresa en vez de aludir al servicio o producto que oferta.
Visibilidad Internacional
Authors: Tur Viñes Victoria
Published: June 2015

El año 2015 ha sido determinante para comenzar la consolidación de la estrategia de visibilidad, objetivo prioritario de Mediterránea.  Han contribuido a ello la aceptación de la revista en la próxima edición de Carhus Plus+ y la reciente aceptación en ERIH PLUS. Carhus Plus+, desarrollado por la Agencia de Gestión de Ayudas Universitarias y de Investigación (AGAUR) catalana, clasifica las revistas científicas de los ámbitos de las ciencias sociales y las humanidades. ERIH PLUS es el índice europeo por excelencia para Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales, desarrollado por investigadores europeos coordinados por el Standing Committee for the Humanities (SCH) de la European Science Foundation (ESF). En 2014, la responsabilidad de las actualizaciones y el mantenimiento fue transferida al Norwegian Social Science Data Services (NSD) cambiando su nombre a ERIH PLUS para indicar su extensión a las Ciencias Sociales. Para ser incluidas en ERIH PLUS, las revistas científicas deben cumplir ciertas normas de referencia que han sido desarrolladas conjuntamente por NSD y ESF, con base en los principios fundamentales utilizados por la ESF y el SCH en ERIH y la Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions en el Norwegian Register for Scientific Journals, Series and Publishers. Agradecemos el apoyo de todos los miembros del comité científico en esta labor así como la denodada y entusiasta dedicación de los integrantes del comité de redacción.
New publishing standards in Geoinformatics FCE CTU
Authors: Adlerová Iva , Němečková Lenka
Published: June 2015

Editorial
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of adipogenesis
Authors: Egorov Alexander Dmitrievich , Penkov Dmitry Nikolaevich , Tkachuk Vsevolod Arsen'evich
Published: June 2015

The main components of metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia and arterial hypertension. Obesity is the cause of metabolic syndrome, mainly as a consequence of the endocrine function of adipose tissue. The volume of adipose tissue depends on the size of individual adipocytes and on their number. The number of adipocytes increases as a result of enhanced adipocyte differentiation. The transcriptional cascade that regulates this differentiation has been well studied. The major adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor with essential roles in adipogenesis. Its ligands are used to treat metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. . The present article describes the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of adipogenesis and discusses the impact of insulin, glucocorticoids, cyclic adenosine monophosphate-activating agents, nuclear receptors and transcription factors on the process of adipogenesis. New regulatory regions of the genome that are capable of binding multiple transcription factors are described, and the most promising drug targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity, including the homeodomain proteins Pbx1 and Prep1, are discussed..
Evaluation of fixed dose combination of glimepiride and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results of Russian observational study
Authors: Zaytseva Natalya Vladislavovna , Jarek-Martynova Ivona Renata
Published: June 2015

Aim. To investigate the efficacy and safety of combined glimepiride and metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and methods. A multi-centre, open-label, prospective, observational study was conducted. A total of 1200 patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin, glimepiride or combination of metformin + glimepiride were enrolled. Change in serum glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial blood glucose (PPG) levels; weight; waist circumference and hypoglycemic episodes were evaluated. Results. Baseline HbA1c levels (8.24% ? 0.42%) were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of treatment (7.48% ? 0.48%) and at the end of the study. (6.88% ? 0.56%). Target HbA1c levels (?7%) were achieved in 65.1% of patients at the final visit at 24 weeks. FPG and PPG levels decreased by 1.45 ? 1.14 mmol/l and 2.17 ? 1.27 mmol/l respectively (p < 0.001). No severe hypoglycemic events were reported. Body mass index reduced by 0.85 ? 1.28 kg/m2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion. . Combined glimepiride and metformin therapy significantly improved long-term glycemic control in patients with T2DM during the period of 24 weeks. without additional risk of hypoglycemic events or weight gain.
V/Erkennungsdienste, das Kino und die Perspektive der Migration
Authors: Heidenreich Nanna
Published: June 2015

Migration wurde in Deutschland bis vor kurzem als voraussetzungslos verhandelt. Nanna Heidenreich setzt dem die geschichtsbildende Kraft und die Welthaltigkeit von Film entgegen. Sie zeigt: Die juristische Kategorie des »Ausländers« wird zwar hartnäckig als soziale missverstanden, aber das Kino inszeniert nicht einfach die V/Erkennungsdienste des deutschen Ausländerdiskurses. Es zeigt andere Verhandlungen von Geschichte und Geschichten, Genealogien und Geschlecht, Bilderstreiten, Transparenz und Schleier, Säkularisierung, Blut, Sex und Haut - und die stete Neuformatierung durch die Perspektive der Migration.
Realism as Protest
Authors: Forrest Tara
Published: June 2015

Realism as Protest draws on the »realistic method« developed by Alexander Kluge to counter the limited image of reality generated by the mainstream media. Focusing on innovative productions produced by Kluge, Schlingensief and Haneke, this groundbreaking study explores how the experimental form of their work in film, television and theatre facilitates thinking, discussion and debate about the possibilities for cultural and political change.
Über den Tod verfügen
Authors: Spoden Celia
Published: June 2015

aie japanische Debatte zu Patientenverfügungen ist eng mit den Entwicklungen in den USA und Europa verknüpft. Sie wird unter juristischen, medizinischen oder philosophischen Gesichtspunkten geführt - die Perspektive derjenigen aber, die eine Patientenverfügung verfasst haben, bleibt dabei häufig unberücksichtigt. Celia Spoden füllt diese Forschungslücke und verdeutlicht, dass Patientenverfügungen in der Alltagswirklichkeit weit mehr sind als Instrumente zum selbstbestimmten Sterben. Die Studie erweitert die Diskussion um subjektive Bedeutungszuschreibungen und zeigt Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen Japan, Deutschland und den USA auf.
Partizipatives Kulturmanagement
Authors: Lang Siglinde
Published: June 2015

Kunstschaffende machen Kunst - und Kulturmanager machen Kultur? Dieser Band setzt bei einer interdisziplinären Differenzierung von künstlerischer und kultureller Produktion an und rückt zivilgesellschaftliche Mitbestimmung in das Zentrum kultureller Bedeutungsprozesse: Partizipativ agierende Kulturmanager sind vor allem gefordert, initiativ jene von der Kunst evozierten Zwischenräume von dem, was ist, und dem, was sein könnte, als polyphone, auch dissensorientierte, Verhandlungsstätten kultureller Bedeutungsproduktion zu moderieren. Aus einer Analyse partizipatorischer Kunstprojekte entwickelt Siglinde Lang ein Verständnis von Kulturmanagement, das zwischen hegemonialen und alternativen kulturellen Bedeutungszuschreibungen vermittelt.
Freiheitsgrade
Authors: Stederoth Dirk
Published: June 2015

Die Diskussionen um die Existenz einer Freiheit des menschlichen Willens, die in den letzten Jahren u.a. zwischen Philosophie, Kognitiver Neurowissenschaft, Psychologie und Rechtswissenschaft geführt wurden, mündeten fast immer in die bipolaren Antworten »Ja« oder »Nein«. Diesem Dualismus begegnet Dirk Stederoth mit einem differenzierten philosophischen Modell unterschiedlicher Grade von Freiheit, das zugleich die Befunde der Einzelwissenschaften mit berücksichtigt. Dabei ermöglicht die graduelle Entfaltung der drei Dimensionen »Kognitive Ebenen«, »Handlungsphasen« und »Entwicklungspsychologische Niveaus« neue und überraschende Perspektiven auf die zentralen Probleme von Freiheit und Verantwortung.
Comunicação com o/a parceiro/a sexual, auto-eficácia contracetiva e satisfação sexual
Authors: Pereira Alice , Fávero Marisalva , Barbosa-Ducharne Maria Adelina , Almeida Ana Isabel , Figueiredo Catarina
Published: June 2015

A satisfação sexual tem sido relacionada com a comunicação com o/a parceiro/a e com o sentido de auto-eficácia. Este estudo pretende explorar diferenças entre homens e mulheres a nível da satisfação sexual, comunicação com um/a novo/a parceiro/a e autoeficácia contracetiva, e as relações evidenciadas entre elas. Participaram 537 universitários (271 homens e 266 mulheres), dos 18 aos 25 anos e sexualmente ativos. Utilizou-se as versões portuguesas das escalas Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction - GRISS, Health Protective Sexual Comunication Scale, e Contaceptive Self-Efficacy. Verificou-se que as mulheres apresentam maior capacidade de comunicação com um/a novo/a parceiro/a e maior auto-eficácia contracetiva, sem diferenças entre os sexos na satisfação sexual. A auto-eficácia associa-se positivamente à satisfação sexual, mas de modo diferencial nos dois sexos. A eficácia contracetiva e a capacidade de comunicação com um/a novo/a parceiro/a estão também positivamente associadas, mas apenas nas mulheres.
Practical tutorial: A simple strategy to start a pinhole lens design
Authors: Livshits Irina , Dilworth Donald C.
Published: June 2015

Modern lens design software improves the performance of a given design. However, a novice may not have a suitable starting design available. This paper presents several methodologies that can be applied to a variety of optical design problems, in order to generate a configuration with a high likelihood of meeting a set of goals.
Organochlorine contaminants (PCBs, DDTs, HCB & HBDE) in fish from the Lake Varna and Lake Beloslav, Bulgaria
Authors: Georgieva Stanislava , Stancheva Mona , Makedonski Lubomir
Published: June 2015

Concentrations of organochlorine compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorobutadiene (HBDE) were determined in three fish species: goby (Neogobius melanostomus), golden grey mullet (Mugil auratus) and silverside (Atherina boyeri). Samples were collected from the Lake Varna and the Lake Beloslav in 2014. The edible fish tissues were analyzed in order to investigate the presence of pollutants in species from the lakes near Varna City, Bulgaria and compared the results to the levels in other aquatic ecosystems. The fifteen congeners of PCBs, HCB, HCBD, DDT and its two main metabolites DDE and DDD were determined by capillary gas chromatography system with mass spectrometry detection. The OCPs levels in the wild fish were found in the order DDTs > PCBs. The other contaminants HCB and HCBD were not detected or were below the analytical detection limit. Among the pesticides, essentially only the metabolites p, p’- DDE and p, p’- DDD were found.

The concentrations of DDTs were determined from 2.66 to 17.97 ng/g wet weight and PCBs concentrations were found from 0.43 to 8.05 ng/g ww (in goby and golden grey mullet, respectively). The sum of the six Indicator PCBs did not exceed the European maximum limit 75 ng/g wet weight. The concentrations of DDTs and PCBs were found lower compared to those in similar fish species from other aquatic ecosystems.
Comparison of heavy metal concentration of some marine fishes from Black and Aegean Seas
Authors: Makedonski Lubomir , Peycheva Katya , Stancheva Mona
Published: June 2015

Major part of healthy human diet consist of marine fish and seafood products. And it is not surprising that there are numerous studies based on metal accumulation in various fish species. Fish may also be used for heavy metal monitoring programs of marine environments due to their easy sampling, sample preparation and chemical analysis. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, nickel, copper, manganese, zinc, iron, chromium, total mercury and total arsenic were determined in edible part of two commercially valuable fish Greek aquaculture species European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) purchased from Bulgarian market during 2011. The concentration of metals was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The concentration of the heavy metals in examined fish species ranged as follow: Pb 0.008 - 0.013; Cd 0.0017 - 0.022; Ni 0.007 - 0.012; Cu 0.054 - 0.115; Mn 0.043 - 0.09; Zn 0.14 - 0.15; Fe 0.17 - 0.19; Cr 0.05 - 0.07; Hg 0.11 - 0.13; As 1.6 - 1.8 mg kg-1 wet weight, respectively.

The concentration of the heavy metals obtained from this study is compared with the results of a Black Sea bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) caught during the same year. The concentration of metals was significantly affected by the sampling site and fish species. Difference in the heavy metal concentration between European sea bass, gilthead sea bream is observed for Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe. Although, the heavy metals in the edible parts of the investigated fish were in the permissible safety levels for human uses.
Structural power and the global financial crisis: a network analytical approach
Authors: Winecoff William Kindred
Published: June 2015

How did the most severe global financial crisis since the 1930s affect the organization of the world political economy? Was Anglo-American structural power in finance eroded? I employ network methodologies that have been recently extended for use with weighted and directed networks to shed light on these questions. I draw from complexity science and political economy to link these empirics to prior theories of structural power, which I refine in several ways. This approach provides unique explanations for developments in global banking since the crisis, including expected outcomes that didnotoccur: the continuation – and even expansion – of Anglo-American prominence, the decline of continental European prominence, and the lack of emergence of the BRICS economies into the core of the global banking system.
Extended arrays for nonlinear susceptibility magnitude imaging
Authors: Ficko Bradley W. , Giacometti Paolo , Diamond Solomon G.
Published: June 2015

This study implements nonlinear susceptibility magnitude imaging (SMI) with multifrequency intermodulation and phase encoding. An imaging grid was constructed of cylindrical wells of 3.5-mm diameter and 4.2-mm height on a hexagonal two-dimensional 61-voxel pattern with 5-mm spacing. Patterns of sample wells were filled with 40-μl volumes of Fe