bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PTSD Symptom Clusters Are Differentially Associated with Components of the Acquired Capability for Suicide
Authors: Zuromski Kelly L. , Davis Margaret T. , Witte Tracy K. , Weathers Frank , Blevins Christy
Published: May 2014

Previous research has established the link between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal behavior. In the current study, constructs proposed to explain this relationship were examined, applying the framework of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide (IPTS). Relationships between acquired capability for suicide (ACS; i.e., fearlessness about death [FAD] and pain tolerance) and specific PTSD symptom clusters were explored. In a sample of 334 trauma‐exposed undergraduates, anxious arousal and FAD were negatively associated, and numbing and pain tolerance were positively associated. Results establish a foundation for investigating the role of ACS in understanding observed relationships between suicidal behavior and PTSD symptoms.
Rate of force development as a measure of muscle damage
Authors: Peñailillo L. , Blazevich A. , Numazawa H. , Nosaka K.
Published: May 2014

This study tested the hypothesis that rate of force development (RFD) would be a more sensitive indirect marker of muscle damage than maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) peak torque. Ten men performed one concentric cycling and two eccentric cycling (ECC1, ECC2) bouts for 30 min at 60% of maximal concentric power output with 2 weeks between bouts. MVC peak torque, RFD, and vastus lateralis electromyogram amplitude and mean frequency were measured during a knee extensor MVC before, immediately after and 1–2 days after each bout. The magnitude of decrease in MVC peak torque after exercise was greater (P < 0.05) for ECC1 (11–25%) than concentric cycling (2–12%) and ECC2 (0–16%). Peak RFD and RFD from 0–30 ms, 0–50 ms, 0–100 ms, to 0–200 ms decreased (P < 0.05) immediately after all cycling bouts without significant differences between bouts, but RFD at 100–200 ms interval (RFD100–200) decreased (P < 0.05) at all time points after ECC1 (24–32%) and immediately after ECC2 (23%), but did not change after CONC. The magnitude of decrease in RFD100–200 was 7–19% greater than that of MVC peak torque after ECC1 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that RFD100–200 is a more specific and sensitive indirect marker of eccentric exercise‐induced muscle damage than MVC peak torque.
Asymmetry of Achilles tendon mechanical and morphological properties between both legs
Authors: Bohm S. , Mersmann F. , Marzilger R. , Schroll A. , Arampatzis A.
Published: May 2014

Although symmetry of Achilles tendon (AT) properties between legs is commonly assumed in research and clinical settings, different loading profiles of both legs in daily life (i.e., foot dominance) may affect the tendon properties in a side‐depended manner. Therefore, AT properties were examined with regard to symmetry between legs. Thirty‐six male healthy adults (28 ± 4 years), who were physically active but not involved in sports featuring dissimilar leg load participated. Mechanical and morphological AT properties of the non‐dominant and dominant leg were measured by means of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and dynamometry. The AT of the dominant leg featured a significant higher Young's modulus and length (P < 0.05) but a tendency toward lower maximum strain (P = 0.068) compared with the non‐dominant leg. The tendon cross‐sectional area and stiffness were not significantly different between sides. The absolute asymmetry index of the investigated parameters ranged from 3% to 31% indicating poor AT side symmetry. These findings provide evidence of distinct differences of AT properties between both legs in a population without any sport‐specific side‐depended leg loading. The observed asymmetry may be a result of different loading profiles of both legs during daily activities (i.e., foot dominance) and challenges the general assumption of symmetrical AT properties between legs.
Distinct and concurrent pathways of Pol II‐ and Pol IV‐dependent siRNA biogenesis at a repetitive trans‐silencer locus in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sasaki Taku , Lee Tzuu‐fen , Liao Wen‐Wei , Naumann Ulf , Liao Jo‐Ling , Eun Changho , Huang Ya‐Yi , Fu Jason L. , Chen Pao‐Yang , Meyers Blake C. , Matzke Antonius J.M. , Matzke Marjori
Published: May 2014

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) homologous to transcriptional regulatory regions can induce RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) of target genes. In our system, siRNAs are produced by transcribing an inverted DNA repeat (IR) of enhancer sequences, yielding a hairpin RNA that is processed by several Dicer activities into siRNAs of 21–24 nt. Primarily 24‐nt siRNAs trigger RdDM of the target enhancer in trans and TGS of a downstream GFP reporter gene. We analyzed siRNA accumulation from two different structural forms of a trans‐silencer locus in which tandem repeats are embedded in the enhancer IR and distinguished distinct RNA polymerase II (Pol II)‐ and Pol IV‐dependent pathways of siRNA biogenesis. At the original silencer locus, Pol‐II transcription of the IR from a 35S promoter produces a hairpin RNA that is diced into abundant siRNAs of 21–24 nt. A silencer variant lacking the 35S promoter revealed a normally masked Pol IV‐dependent pathway that produces low levels of 24‐nt siRNAs from the tandem repeats. Both pathways operate concurrently at the original silencer locus. siRNAs accrue only from specific regions of the enhancer and embedded tandem repeat. Analysis of these sequences and endogenous tandem repeats producing siRNAs revealed the preferential accumulation of siRNAs at GC‐rich regions containing methylated CG dinucleotides. In addition to supporting a correlation between base composition, DNA methylation and siRNA accumulation, our results highlight the complexity of siRNA biogenesis at repetitive loci and show that Pol II and Pol IV use different promoters to transcribe the same template.
Biomarkers to decide red blood cell transfusion in newborn infants
Authors: Banerjee Jayanta , Aladangady Narendra
Published: May 2014

Almost 90% of extremely low birthweight infants receive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during their stay in the neonatal unit (NNU). Currently most NNUs use a combination of clinical signs and laboratory findings such as hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and cardiorespiratory or ventilation status to decide the need for RBC transfusion. Various other laboratory (lactate, reticulocyte count, RBC volume) and bedside measurements (near infrared spectroscopy and Doppler ultrasound scan) have been investigated to identify a suitable trigger for RBC transfusion in newborn infants. The evidence to apply any of these investigations or measurements to clinical practice is lacking. Further research is required to identify a suitable biomarker for RBC transfusion in newborn infants.
Perceived barriers among physicians for stopping non–cost‐effective blood‐saving measures in total hip and total knee arthroplasties
Authors: Voorn Veronique M.A. , Marang‐van de Mheen Perla J. , Wentink Manon M. , Kaptein Ad A. , Koopman‐van Gemert Ankie W.M.M. , So‐Osman Cynthia , Vliet Vlieland Thea P.M. , Nelissen Rob G.H.H. , van Bodegom‐Vos Leti ,   LISBOA Study Group
Published: May 2014

Background

Despite evidence that the blood‐saving measures (BSMs) erythropoietin (EPO) and intra‐ and postoperative blood salvage are not (cost‐)effective in primary elective total hip and knee arthroplasties, they are used frequently in Dutch hospitals. This study aims to assess the impact of barriers associated with the intention of physicians to stop BSMs.

Study Design and Methods

A survey among 400 orthopedic surgeons and 400 anesthesiologists within the Netherlands was performed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify barriers associated with intention to stop BSMs.

Results

A total of 153 (40%) orthopedic surgeons and 100 (27%) anesthesiologists responded. Of all responders 67% used EPO, perioperative blood salvage, or a combination. After reading the evidence on non–cost‐effective BSMs, 50% of respondents intended to stop EPO and 53% to stop perioperative blood salvage. In general, barriers perceived most frequently were lack of attention for blood management (90% of respondents), department priority to prevent transfusions (88%), and patient characteristics such as comorbidity (81%). Barriers significantly associated with intention to stop EPO were lack of interest to save money and the impact of other involved parties. Barriers significantly associated with intention to stop perioperative blood salvage were concerns about patient safety, lack of alternatives, losing experience with the technique, and lack of interest to save money.

Conclusion

Physicians experience barriers to stop using BSMs, related to their own technical skills, patient safety, current blood management policy, and lack of interest to save money. These barriers should be targeted in strategies to make BSM use cost‐effective.
Immunologic characterization suggests reduced alloimmunization in a murine model of thalassemia intermedia
Authors: Bao Weili , Zhong Hui , Yazdanbakhsh Karina
Published: May 2014

Background

Transfusion therapy remains a mainstay of treatment for patients with thalassemia major and to a lesser extent for the less anemic patients with thalassemia intermedia. We have previously reported a role for regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the control of antibody responses in wild‐type C57BL/6 (WT) mice exposed to allogeneic red blood cell transfusions. As an initial step to study and characterize immune regulation in thalassemias, we performed an immunologic cell–type characterization of C57BL/6 Hbbth‐1/Hbbth‐1 mouse model of thalassemia intermedia (Thal) in steady state as well as after transfusions with allogeneic blood.

Study Design and Methods

The myeloid and lymphocyte compartments including Tregs and T helper (Th) responses were analyzed in transfusion naive Thal and WT mouse spleens. The effect of allogeneic transfusions on Treg and global T helper responses was also measured.

Results

We found elevated levels and activity of splenic Tregs in Thal mice with lower Th type 1/Th type 2 ratios before as well as after transfusion. Furthermore, pretransfused Thal mice had altered ratios of the splenic myeloid compartment with increased proportion of macrophages but lower frequency of conventional dendritic cells. Surprisingly, transfusions resulted in lower alloimmunization levels in Thal compared to WT mice.

Conclusion

These data suggest that this experimental model of thalassemia intermedia has an intrinsic alteration in splenic immunoregulation with an increased resistance to alloimmunization, raising the possibility that studying this animal model may help to identify potential immunoregulatory networks to inhibit alloimmunization.
ACCEPTANCE RATE AND REASONS FOR REJECTION OF MANUSCRIPTS SUBMITTED TO VETERINARY RADIOLOGY & ULTRASOUND DURING 2012
Authors: Lamb Christopher R. , Mai Wilfried
Published: May 2014

Better understanding of the reasons why manuscripts are rejected, and recognition of the most frequent manuscript flaws identified by reviewers, should help submitting authors to avoid these pitfalls. Of 219 manuscripts submitted to Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound in 2012, none (0%) was accepted without revision, four (2%) were withdrawn by the authors, 99 (45%) were accepted after revision, and 116 (53%) were rejected. All manuscripts for which minor revision was requested, and 73/86 (85%) manuscripts for which major revision was requested, were ultimately accepted. Acceptance rate was greater for retrospective studies and for manuscripts submitted from countries in which English was the primary language. The prevalences of flaws in manuscripts were poor writing (62%), deficiencies in data (60%), logical or methodological errors (28%), content not suitable for Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound (26%), and lack of new or useful knowledge (25%). Likelihood of manuscript rejection was greater for lack of new or useful knowledge and content not suitable than for other manuscript flaws. The lower acceptance rate for manuscripts from countries in which English was not the primary language was associated with content not suitable and not poor writing. Submitting authors are encouraged to do more to recognize and address manuscript flaws before submission, for example by internal review. Specifically, submitting authors should express clearly the potential added value of their study in the introduction section of their manuscript, describe completely their methods and results, and consult the Editor‐in‐Chief if they are uncertain whether their subject matter would be suitable for the journal.
Specific Pathogen‐Free Pig Herds also Free from Campylobacter?
Authors: Kolstoe E. M. , Iversen T. , Østensvik Ø. , Abdelghani A. , Secic I. , Nesbakken T.
Published: May 2014

As Specific Pathogen‐Free (SPF) pig herds are designed and managed to prevent specific pig diseases, it might be feasible to expand the list of micro‐organisms also including zoonotic pathogens such as Campylobacter coli as this agent has its origin in pigs. In a previous survey, 15 of 16 of SPF herds were found free from human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. Accordingly, three nucleus and seven multiplying herds were surveyed for Campylobacter to investigate whether the Norwegian SPF pig pyramid also might be free from this agent. In conclusion, the intervention of Campylobacter at the herd level might be possible as four of 10 SPF herds tested negative in two sets of samples from both autumn 2008 and summer/early autumn 2010. The four negative herds were all located in remote areas several kilometres away from conventional pig farming while the positive SPF farms were all situated in neighbourhoods with conventional pig production. It seems more difficult to control Campylobacter than some specific animal disease agents and another significant zoonotic agent, Y. enterocolitica, in pig herds.
Neurophysiological findings in a newborn with chromosome 10 trisomy
Authors: Vidale Simone , Di Palma Franco , Sironi Luigi , Arnaboldi Marco
Published: May 2014

The trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 10 is a rare condition. The phenotypic expression of this genetic aberration is characterised by growth and mental retardation with several neurological signs. We report the neurophysiological findings in a newborn affected by 10p chromosome trisomy who developed seizures. Serial EEGs showed a progressive reduction in burst-suppression activity and a slow rhythmic basal activity. At 1 year of age the recording showed for the first time spikes of high amplitude (up to 800 μV) in bilateral frontal regions. These findings could be related to an asymmetrical cerebral maturation in the context of perinatal sufferance and brain malformation due to the genetic aberration.
Priapism in a patient with sickle cell trait using marijuana
Authors: Matta Abhishek , Tandra Pavan Kumar , Berim Lyudmyla
Published: May 2014

A 22-year-old man with a history of multiple episodes of priapism presented to the emergency room with an erection lasting more than 48 h after conservative management failed at home. He had no known family history of sickle cell disease or trait. He was haemodynamically stable. Physical examination revealed an enlarged, tender penis. Laboratory data revealed a positive sickle solubility test. Haemoglobin electrophoresis revealed sickle cell trait and urine drug screen was positive for cannabinoids. Initial management was attempted with intracavernosal phenylephrine without any success. The patient underwent a limited El-Ghorab procedure on the right corpora cavernosa but the priapism did not resolve adequately. Two  days later, the patient had to undergo a bilateral El-Ghorab procedure and achieved complete resolution of the priapism.
Gelation of PAAm-PVP composites: A fluorescence study
Authors: Evingür Gülşen Akin , Kaygusuz Hakan , Erim F. Bedia , Pekcan Önder
Published: May 2014

Hybrid hydrogels are a new class of composite materials. Polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels are mainly produced by free radical crosslinking copolymerization (FCC) of AAm in the presence of N, N′-methylene bis (acrylamide) (BIS) as the crosslinker. Pyranine doped PAAm-poly (N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) composite were prepared with different amounts of PVP varying in the range between 0.0015 and 0.1 gr. It was observed that pyranine molecules as a fluoroprobe bind to AAm and PVP chains upon the initiation of the polymerization, causing the fluorescence spectra of the bonded pyranines shift to the shorter wavelengths. The sol–gel phase transition and its universality were monitored and tested as a function of PVP contents. Observations around the critical point show that the gel fraction exponent, β, agreed with the percolation result for below 0.025 gr PVP contents. However, classical result was observed above 0.0125 gr PVP content.
Multiscale modeling in micromagnetics: Existence of solutions and numerical integration
Authors: Bruckner F. , Suess D. , Feischl M. , Führer T. , Goldenits P. , Page M. , Praetorius D. , Ruggeri M.
Published: May 2014

Various applications ranging from spintronic devices, giant magnetoresistance sensors, and magnetic storage devices, include magnetic parts on very different length scales. Since the consideration of the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert equation (LLG) constrains the maximum element size to the exchange length within the media, it is numerically not attractive to simulate macroscopic parts with this approach. On the other hand, the magnetostatic Maxwell equations do not constrain the element size, but cannot describe the short-range exchange interaction accurately. A combination of both methods allows one to describe magnetic domains within the micromagnetic regime by use of LLG and also considers the macroscopic parts by a nonlinear material law using the Maxwell equations. In our work, we prove that under certain assumptions on the nonlinear material law, this multiscale version of LLG admits weak solutions. Our proof is constructive in the sense that we provide a linear-implicit numerical integrator for the multiscale model such that the numerically computable finite element solutions admit weak H1-convergence (at least for a subsequence) towards a weak solution.
The Information Content of Investors' Expectations for Risk and Return
Authors: Berry Thomas , Gamble Keith Jacks
Published: May 2014

This study reveals the information content of individual investors' risk-adjusted return expectations. Although individual investors overestimate the performance of their stock purchases on an average, the cross-sectional variation in their risk-adjusted return expectations is predictive of future risk-adjusted stock performance. Stock purchases that investors expect to outperform the most do outperform the stock purchases that investors expect to outperform the least by an annualized alpha of 16%. The best performing stocks are those that investors with excellent experience expect to outperform the most while the worst performing stocks are those that investors with limited experience expect to outperform the least. The most experienced investors appear to be successfully using information gathered from personal experience with the company's products or services, contact with someone who works for or with the company on a regular basis, and proximity to the company's operations.
Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative: A Case Study in Multiscale Modeling and New Challenges
Authors: Miller David C. , Syamlal Madhava , Mebane David S. , Storlie Curt , Bhattacharyya Debangsu , Sahinidis Nikolaos V. , Agarwal Deb , Tong Charles , Zitney Stephen E. , Sarkar Avik , Sun Xin , Sundaresan Sankaran , Ryan Emily , Engel Dave , Dale Crystal
Published: May 2014

Advanced multiscale modeling and simulation have the potential to dramatically reduce the time and cost to develop new carbon capture technologies. The Carbon Capture Simulation Initiative is a partnership among national laboratories, industry, and universities that is developing, demonstrating, and deploying a suite of such tools, including basic data submodels, steady-state and dynamic process models, process optimization and uncertainty quantification tools, an advanced dynamic process control framework, high-resolution filtered computational-fluid-dynamics (CFD) submodels, validated high-fidelity device-scale CFD models with quantified uncertainty, and a risk-analysis framework. These tools and models enable basic data submodels, including thermodynamics and kinetics, to be used within detailed process models to synthesize and optimize a process. The resulting process informs the development of process control systems and more detailed simulations of potential equipment to improve the design and reduce scale-up risk. Quantification and propagation of uncertainty across scales is an essential part of these tools and models.
Opioid-Induced Constipation: Pathophysiology, Clinical Consequences, and Management
Authors: Kumar Lalit , Barker Chris , Emmanuel Anton
Published: May 2014

Although opioids offer potent analgesia for severe acute and chronic noncancer pain, adverse gastrointestinal effects potentially undermine their clinical utility. In particular, between 40% and 95% of patients develop opioid-induced constipation (OIC). Therefore, there is a consensus that patients should commence laxatives at the start of opioid therapy and continue throughout treatment. Nevertheless, laxatives are not routinely coprescribed with opioids. Even when concurrent laxatives are prescribed, approximately half the patients treated for OIC do not achieve the desired improvement. Moreover, laxatives do not target the underlying cause of OIC (opioid binding to theμ-receptors in the enteric system) and as such are not very effective at managing OIC. The failure of lifestyle modification and laxatives to treat adequately many cases of OIC led to the concurrent use of peripherally acting opioid antagonists (such as methylnaltrexone bromide and naloxone) to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events without compromising analgesia. Judicious use of the various options to manage OIC should allow more patients to benefit from opioid analgesia. Therefore, this paper reviews the causes, consequences, and management of OIC to help clinicians optimise opioid analgesia.
Strongly Unforgeable Ring Signature Scheme from Lattices in the Standard Model
Authors: Noh Geontae , Chun Ji Young , Jeong Ik Rae
Published: May 2014

In a ring signature scheme, a user selects an arbitrary ring to be able to sign a message on behalf of the ring without revealing the signer’s identity. Whistle-blowers especially find this useful. To date, various ring signature schemes have been proposed, all considered to be secure as existentially unforgeable with respect to insider corruption; that is, an adversary who chooses ring-message pairs for which he requests signatures, corrupts honest users, and obtains their signing keys can not produce forgeries for new ring-message pairs. Lattice-based ring signature schemes offer lower computational overhead and security from quantum attacks. In this paper, we offer a lattice-based scheme. We begin by showing that the existing ring signature schemes are not sufficiently secure, because existential unforgeability still permits a signer to potentially produce a new signature on previously signed messages. Furthermore, we show that existing ring signature schemes from lattices are not even existentially unforgeable with respect to insider corruption. We then improve previous schemes by applying, for the first time, the concept of strong unforgeability with respect to insider corruption to a ring signature scheme in lattices. This offers more security than any previous ring signature scheme: adversaries cannot produce new signatures for any ring-message pair, including previously signed ring-message pairs.
Optimal High-Order Methods for Solving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Artidiello S. , Cordero A. , Torregrosa Juan R. , Vassileva M. P.
Published: May 2014

A class of optimal iterative methods for solving nonlinear equations is extended up to sixteenth-order of convergence. We design them by using the weight function technique, with functions of three variables. Some numerical tests are made in order to confirm the theoretical results and to compare the new methods with other known ones.
Monte Carlo Method with Heuristic Adjustment for Irregularly Shaped Food Product Volume Measurement
Authors: Siswantoro Joko , Prabuwono Anton Satria , Abdullah Azizi , Idrus Bahari
Published: May 2014

Volume measurement plays an important role in the production and processing of food products. Various methods have been proposed to measure the volume of food products with irregular shapes based on 3D reconstruction. However, 3D reconstruction comes with a high-priced computational cost. Furthermore, some of the volume measurement methods based on 3D reconstruction have a low accuracy. Another method for measuring volume of objects uses Monte Carlo method. Monte Carlo method performs volume measurements using random points. Monte Carlo method only requires information regarding whether random points fall inside or outside an object and does not require a 3D reconstruction. This paper proposes volume measurement using a computer vision system for irregularly shaped food products without 3D reconstruction based on Monte Carlo method with heuristic adjustment. Five images of food product were captured using five cameras and processed to produce binary images. Monte Carlo integration with heuristic adjustment was performed to measure the volume based on the information extracted from binary images. The experimental results show that the proposed method provided high accuracy and precision compared to the water displacement method. In addition, the proposed method is more accurate and faster than the space carving method.
First-Principles Study of the Structural Stability and Electronic and Elastic Properties of Helium inα-Zirconium
Authors: Zheng Jian , Zhang Huijun , Zhou Xiaosong , Liang Jianhua , Sheng Liusi , Peng Shuming
Published: May 2014

First-principles calculations within density functional theory have been performed to investigate the behaviors of helium inα-zirconium. The most favorable interstitial site for He inα-Zr is not an ordinary tetrahedral or octahedral site, but a basal octahedral site with a formation energy as low as 2.40 eV. The formation energy reduces to 1.25 eV in the presence of preexisting vacancies. The analysis on the density of states and the charge density has been carried out. In addition, the influences of He and small He-V complexes on the elastic properties have been studied. The He-V complexes have been found to greatly affect the elastic properties compared with He alone.
Effect of Different Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth and Physiology of Maize at Ambient and Low Temperature Regimes
Authors: Chen Xiaoying , Song Fengbin , Liu Fulai , Tian Chunjie , Liu Shengqun , Xu Hongwen , Zhu Xiancan
Published: May 2014

The effect of four different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the growth and lipid peroxidation, soluble sugar, proline contents, and antioxidant enzymes activities ofZea maysL. was studied in pot culture subjected to two temperature regimes. Maize plants were grown in pots filled with a mixture of sandy and black soil for 5 weeks, and then half of the plants were exposed to low temperature for 1 week while the rest of the plants were grown under ambient temperature and severed as control. Different AMF resulted in different root colonization and low temperature significantly decreased AM colonization. Low temperature remarkably decreased plant height and total dry weight but increased root dry weight and root-shoot ratio. The AM plants had higher proline content compared with the non-AM plants. The maize plants inoculated withGlomus etunicatumandG. intraradiceshad higher malondialdehyde and soluble sugar contents under low temperature condition. The activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase of AM inoculated maize were higher than those of non-AM ones. Low temperature noticeably decreased the activities of CAT. The results suggest that low temperature adversely affects maize physiology and AM symbiosis can improve maize seedlings tolerance to low temperature stress.
Drug Utilization Study in Medical Emergency Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India
Authors: Kaur Sharonjeet , Rajagopalan Sujit , Kaur Navjot , Shafiq Nusrat , Bhalla Ashish , Pandhi Promila , Malhotra Samir
Published: May 2014

Objective. To generate data on the drug utilization pattern and cost of drug treatment and to determine the rationality of prescriptions.Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional drug utilization study was conducted in the medical emergency unit of our hospital. Patient case records were reviewed to extract data on the pattern of drug use. Cost of drug treatment for the emergency visit was calculated by referring to the cost mentioned in Monthly Index of Medical Specialties and the rationality of prescriptions was evaluated using WHO core indicators of drug utilization.Results. 1100 case records were reviewed. Majority of patients received proton pump inhibitors followed by multivitamins. The median cost per prescription was 119.23$ (7.32$–7663.46$). Majority (49.9%) of drug cost was driven by antibiotics alone. An average of 4.9 drugs was prescribed per prescription. There were 14.89% encounters with antibiotics. 75.17% of the drugs were given as injectables and only 29.27% of the drugs were prescribed as generics.Conclusion. There is need to rationalize the drug therapy in terms of increasing prescribing of drugs by generic name and to avoid overuse of PPIs and multivitamins in emergency unit. Also the hospital pharmacy should be encouraged to procure more cost effective alternative antibiotics in future.
Role of Lipid Peroxidation Products, Plasma Total Antioxidant Status, and Cu-, Zn-Superoxide Dismutase Activity as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Elderly Prediabetics
Authors: Dzięgielewska-Gęsiak Sylwia , Wysocka Ewa , Michalak Sławomir , Nowakowska-Zajdel Ewa , Kokot Teresa , Muc-Wierzgoń Małgorzata
Published: May 2014

The relationship between hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetes is well known, but the influence of metabolic disturbances recognized as prediabetes, in elderly patients especially, awaits for an explanation.Methods. 52 elderly persons (65 years old and older) with no acute or severe chronic disorders were assessed: waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (FAT), and arterial blood pressure. During an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) fasting (0′) and 120-minute (120′) glycemia and insulinemia were determined, and type 2 diabetics (n=6) were excluded. Subjects were tested for glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, plasma lipids, total antioxidant status (TAS), thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS), and activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD-1). According to OGTT results, patients were classified as normoglycemics, (NGT,n=18) and prediabetics, (PRE,n=28).Results. Both groups did not differ with their lipids, FAT, and TBARS. PRE group had higher WC (P<0.002) and BMI (P<0.002). Lower SOD-1 activity (P<0.04) and TAS status (P<0.04) were found in PRE versus NGT group.Significance. In elderly prediabetics, SOD-1 and TAS seem to reflect the first symptoms of oxidative stress, while TBARS are later biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Taxonomic re-evaluation of the enigmatic Pyrus magyarica (Rosaceae)
Authors: BARINA ZOLTÁN , KIRÁLY GERGELY
Published: May 2014

Pyrus magyarica was considered as a “superendemic” species of the Carpathian Basin for a long time; however, despite its presumed significance, doubts about its taxonomical status have been raised. The confusions originate from the invalidity of the description and the lack of type material. Latter interpretations are not consistent and contradict the description of the species in the protologue. The authors attempted to get access to the original material of the taxon, but no vouchers or living specimens that correspond to the protologue were found; herbarium specimens assigned as P. magyarica mostly refer to P. pyraster. Based on the available records, P. magyarica cannot be clearly defined and re-described; thus we propose to leave off the use of the name P. magyarica as it has no clear content.
Differentiation among cave populations of the Eukoenenia spelaea species-complex (Arachnida: Palpigradi) in the southwestern Alps
Authors: Christian Erhard , Isaia Marco , Paschetta Mauro , Bruckner Alexander
Published: May 2014

Current knowledge of the taxonomy and distribution of European cave palpigrades largely rests upon incidental records. Samples seldom comprise more than one or two specimens, and many regions have only been unevenly explored, if at all. The present study is the first to investigate morphological variability within, and differentiation between, subterranean palpigrade populations in a small, geographically coherent area. It is based on relatively abundant material from six localities in the SW Alps (Piedmont, Italy) and two non-Italian comparative localities. Discrete and continuous characters reveal, on the one hand, a close grouping within the Eukoenenia spelaea species-complex, and, on the other hand, a remarkable short-range endemism. The occurrence of five distinct morphologies in a SW Alpine area of just 2000 square kilometres or so indicates that subterranean biodiversity parallels the rich above-ground biodiversity there. The Cottian Alps in the North harbour E. roscia Christian sp. n., E. lanai Christian sp. n. and the widespread E. spelaea. Two caves in the Maritime and Ligurian Alps are populated by E. bonadonai, which was originally described from the Provence Alps, while the Bossea cave in the Ligurian Alps remains the only known locality for E. strinatii. We evaluate the traditionally employed morphological characters and those recently proposed for use in Eukoenenia systematics. Further, we provide data on the formerly undescribed females of E. strinatii and E. bonadonai, and provide comprehensive pictorial information on the SW Alpine cave palpigrades to set new benchmarks for the taxonomy of the E. spelaea species-complex.
Religious Public Discourses and Institutional Structures
Authors: Conway Brian
Published: May 2014

This article examines the public claims-making and institutional arrangements of the Catholic Church through a comparative-historical study of the Catholic leadership conferences of Chile, Ireland, and Nigeria. Guided by theories from the sociology of religion and organizations, and drawing on historical and documentary sources including a content analysis of forty-two national-level pastoral letters, I document three empirical findings. First, the church appeals to national belonging more in missionary contexts than in traditionally Catholic settings. Second, Catholic religious leaders rely on secular and Catholic sources of legitimacy, but Catholic legitimations tend to predominate. Third, national hierarchies experience dissimilar resource opportunity structures in varying world geo-cultural regions. The theoretical contribution to the study of religious institutions and organizations in general is discussed in terms of taking account of specific local cultural conditions and structural contexts as well as globally resonant ideas and forms in understanding how religious power-holders respond to modernity at the national level.
Lights, Camera, Conflict
Authors: Fuller Ryan P. , Rice Ronald E.
Published: May 2014

This study examines coverage of the 2008-2009 negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance for Motion Picture and Television Producers, through 148 articles published in the Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles Times, and the New York Times. News coverage tended to focus on actions, strategies, and procedures; unions’ actions against management, rather than management’s actions against unions; intra- and inter-union conflict rather than conflict within management; and economic consequences only in a broad sense.
Selective Appropriation of Gender Ideology
Authors: Dhanagare D.N.
Published: May 2014

The farmers’ movement in Maharashtra was understood as, and identified essentially with, economism—raising demands related to prices of farm produce, inputs and agricultural credit, etc. However, the Shetkari Sanghatana did attempt to go far beyond simple economic demands. It involved women in its numerous agitations—like rasta roko, rail roko, blockade of the Collector’s office at the district and also at local levels between 1980 and 1994. However, the movement sought women’s liberation and gender equity without any cogent critique of patriarchy; instead the agenda document prepared by Joshi reaffirmed its position regarding marriage and family institution as indispensable. Women’s mass mobilisation was thus only an entry point for the Sanghatana into electoral politics that it had eschewed initially. The Sanghatana thus used the agenda of women’ s liberation and empowerment as a sheer token symbolism and women’s mass mobilisation as an instrument of its pragmatic populist politics. While it raised women’s hopes, this strategy left many women activists in total despair.
The impact of prepolarization on Earth’s field laboratory nuclear-magnetic-resonance relaxation experiments
Authors: Walbrecker Jan O. , Knight Rosemary , Grunewald Elliot
Published: May 2014

To advance our understanding, and the application of surface nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), we need to conduct Earth’s magnetic field (EF) laboratory NMR measurements of the acquired relaxation times. In EF laboratory NMR, prepolarization is used to achieve detectable signal levels. This involves exposing the sample to a static magnetic field to increase the equilibrium magnetization associated with the nuclear spins of protons in the pore fluid. We found that prepolarization can also have a significant impact on the commonly measured relaxation time [Formula: see text]. We studied this impact on [Formula: see text] using a set of sand samples taken from boreholes in the U.S. High Plains aquifer. Using rock-magnetic measurements, we found that prepolarization at 25 mT increased the magnetization of the solid phase of the samples up to a factor of 10. For these samples, we observed [Formula: see text] that decreased from 30 to 3 ms with increasing magnetization. Surface NMR data collected at the borehole site indicate significantly longer [Formula: see text] (50–80 ms) at the depths from which the samples were taken. We attributed our observations to prepolarization inducing remanent magnetization in the solid phase of the sample, which results in elevated internal magnetic fields that reduce [Formula: see text]. In contrast, we found good agreement between EF laboratory and surface NMR measurements of the relaxation time [Formula: see text]. Because [Formula: see text] is unaffected by internal fields, this supports our conclusion that prepolarization is significantly impacting the laboratory measurement of [Formula: see text]. To mitigate these undesired effects, we have developed the inclusion of a demagnetization pulse after prepolarization in EF laboratory experiments. By applying the demagnetization pulse along the same direction of the static field only the remanent magnetization of the solid phase of the sample would be removed, whereas the prepolarized state of the nuclear spin magnetization of the liquid phase would be retained.
Intermittent Fasting Induces Hypothalamic Modifications Resulting in Low Feeding Efficiency, Low Body Mass and Overeating
Authors: Chausse Bruno , Solon Carina , Caldeira da Silva Camille C. , Masselli dos Reis Ivan G. , Manchado-Gobatto Fúlvia B. , Gobatto Claudio A. , Velloso Licio A. , Kowaltowski Alicia J.
Published: May 2014

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an often-used intervention to decrease body mass. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, 24 hour cycles of IF result in light caloric restriction, reduced body mass gain, and significant decreases in the efficiency of energy conversion. Here, we study the metabolic effects of IF in order to uncover mechanisms involved in this lower energy conversion efficiency. After 3 weeks, IF animals displayed overeating during fed periods and lower body mass, accompanied by alterations in energy-related tissue mass. The lower efficiency of energy use was not due to uncoupling of muscle mitochondria. Enhanced lipid oxidation was observed during fasting days, whereas fed days were accompanied by higher metabolic rates. Furthermore, an increased expression of orexigenic neurotransmitters AGRP and NPY in the hypothalamus of IF animals was found, even on feeding days, which could explain the overeating pattern. Together, these effects provide a mechanistic explanation for the lower efficiency of energy conversion observed. Overall, we find that IF promotes changes in hypothalamic function that explain differences in body mass and caloric intake.
Leptin Signaling in the Rainbow Trout Central Nervous System Is Modulated by a Truncated Leptin Receptor Isoform
Authors: Gong Ningping , Björnsson Björn Thrandur
Published: May 2014

Central leptin (Lep) signaling is important in control of appetite and energy balance in mammals, but information on Lep signaling and physiological roles in early vertebrates is still lacking. To elucidate fish Lep signaling activation and modulation, a long-form Lep receptor (LepRL) and a truncated LepR (LepRT) are functionally characterized from rainbow trout. The receptors generated in alternatively splicing events have identical extracellular and transmembrane domains but differ in the intracellular sequence, both in length and identity. Gene transfection experiments show that LepRL is expressed as a 125-kDa protein in rainbow trout hepatoma cell line RTH-149, whereas LepRT is 100 kDa; both receptors specifically bind Lep. Homogenous Lep induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 in LepRL-expressing RTH-149 cells. This response is diminished in cells coexpressing LepRL and LepRT, suggesting that the LepRT which lacks these kinase-associated motifs competes with the LepRL for Lep availability, thus attenuating the Lep signal. Both receptor genes are highly expressed in the central nervous system. The mRNA levels of LepRT in hypothalamus, but not LepRL, change postprandially, with decreased transcription at 2 hours postfeeding and then elevated at 8 hours, concomitant with changes in proopiomelanocortin-A1 transcription. However, both receptors have no change in mRNA levels during 3 weeks of fasting. These data indicate that LepRT transcription is more likely a mechanism for modulating Lep effects on short-term feed intake than in regulating energy balance in the long term. In vitro and physiological characterization of LepR isoforms indicates divergent Lep signaling modulation patterns among vertebrates with different life histories and metabolic profiles.
The Catalytic Function of Hormone-Sensitive Lipase is Essential for Fertility in Male Mice
Authors: Wang Shu Pei , Wu Jiang Wei , Bourdages Hugo , Lefebvre Jean François , Casavant Stéphanie , Leavitt Blair R. , Labuda Damian , Trasler Jacquetta , Smith Charles E. , Hermo Louis , Mitchell Grant A.
Published: May 2014

In male mice, deficiency of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL, Lipe gene, E.C.3.1.1.3) causes deficient spermatogenesis, azoospermia, and infertility. Postmeiotic germ cells express a specific HSL isoform that includes a 313 amino acid N-terminus encoded by a testis-specific exon (exon T1). The remainder of testicular HSL is identical to adipocyte HSL. The amino acid sequence of the testis-specific exon is poorly conserved, showing only a 46% amino acid identity with orthologous human and rat sequences, compared with 87% over the remainder of the HSL coding sequence, providing no evidence in favor of a vital functional role for the testis-specific N-terminus of HSL. However, exon T1 is important for Lipe transcription; in mouse testicular mRNA, we identified 3 major Lipe transcription start sites, finding numerous testicular transcription factor binding motifs upstream of the transcription start site. We directly explored two possible mechanisms for the infertility of HSL-deficient mice, using mice that expressed mutant HSL transgenes only in postmeiotic germ cells on a HSL-deficient background. One transgene expressed human HSL lacking enzyme activity but containing the testis-specific N-terminus (HSL−/−muttg mice). The other transgene expressed catalytically inactive HSL with the testis-specific N-terminal peptide (HSL−/−atg mice). HSL−/−muttg mice were infertile, with abnormal histology of the seminiferous epithelium and absence of spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen. In contrast, HSL−/−atg mice had normal fertility and normal testicular morphology. In conclusion, whereas the catalytic function of HSL is necessary for spermatogenesis in mice, the presence of the N-terminal testis-specific fragment is not essential.
Why the DSM?
Authors: Cozic Jean-Yves
Published: May 2014

The psychological experience is not always in the register of pathology. Classification must be as close as possible to the clinical examination, but also respectful of human principles. For a long time classifications have had a Linnaean feel; the concerns of psychiatrists with little leeway for therapeutic action. Professor PELICIER was accustomed to saying that these classifications could be called “herbariums of the Flowers of Evil”, with a capital letter on Flowers, recalling one of our great poets, Charles Baudelaire, who described melancholy so well “When the low, heavy sky weighs like a lid on the groaning spirit, victim of long ennui”
Classifications in child and adolescent psychiatry
Authors: SQUILLANTE Maria-Vittoria
Published: May 2014

The diagnostic approach is essential to medicine. It is one of the binding terms of the doctor-patient relationship. In child psychiatry, the questioning concerning diagnosis and its theoretical background is coupled with the specific nature of the subject being studied. In France infant and juvenile psychiatry is a relatively recent discipline. The following paper discusses the development of child and adolescent psychiatry, taking into account the historical point of view.
Assessment of body composition using bioelectrical impedance in patients with schizophrenia – preliminary report
Authors: Wysokiński Adam , Kłoszewska Iwona
Published: May 2014

Aim of the study

Metabolic syndrome is found in ~40% of patients treated with antipsychotics and abdominal obesity plays a crucial role in its development. The aim of this study is to evaluate body composition in subjects with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics.

Subject or material and methods

Anthropometric (BMI, abdominal, waist, leg and hip circumferences), laboratory (glucose, lipid profile) and body composition (body fat, lean mass, body water) were measured in 77 patients with schizophrenia treated with antipsychotics.

Results

Central obesity in women was found in >90% and was more frequent comparing to men (p = 0.04). Incidence of dyslipidemia (~80%) and abnormal body weight (~70%) was also high, while impaired level of blood glucose was less frequent (~25%). Women had more body fat (39.2±1.4 vs. 27.7±1.3, p <0.001) and less lean mass and body water. Amounts of excessive body weight and fat were higher in women (13.4±2.1 vs. 8.2±1.5, p = 0.02 and 7.9±1.3 vs. 3.2±1.2, p = 0.008). Percentages of women with weight and body fat exceeding target maximums were higher (96.4% vs. 79.6%, p = 0.04 and 89.3% vs. 67.3%, p = 0.03).

Discussion

Treatment with antipsychotics is associated with severe metabolic side-effects. High frequency of abdominal obesity, excessive weight and increased amount of total body fat make women more susceptible to cardiovascular events, thus carefully monitored is required. Assessment of body composition using BIA is an easy and quick method of improving daily psychiatric care.

Conclusions

Patients treated with antipsychotics require careful monitoring using available algorithms.