bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red Blood Cell Transfusion Practices
Authors: Annan Edwin , Fless Kristin G. , Jasani Nirav , Pierre-Louis Frantz , Rezai Fariborz , Yodice Paul C.
Published: December 2012

Background and Objectives. High-intensity ICU staffing model is associated with quality and outcome improvements. Restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies have been shown to have equivalent mortality to a more liberal strategy in the ICU. We examined the effect of high-intensity staffing on pretransfusion hemoglobin levels, RBC transfusion rates and length of ICU stay. Materials and Methods. The study was a retrospective chart review (n = 196) of all patients admitted to the adult medical/surgical ICU for more than 24 hours one year prior to and after institution of the high-intensity staffing model. Results. Matched for demographics and diagnosis, RBC transfusion rates pre- versus postinstitution of the high-intensity staffing model was 42% versus 27%, respectively, and pretransfusion hemoglobin levels were lower (8.94 to 7.39 g/dL). Length of stay was 4.1 days pre–high-intensity staffing and 4.0 days post–high-intensity staffing. Conclusions. High-intensity ICU staffing resulted in fewer RBC transfusions and lower transfusion thresholds. This restrictive RBC transfusion strategy had no adverse effects on patient ICU length of stay.
General Strain Theory and Substance Use Among American Indian Adolescents
Authors: Eitle Tamela McNulty , Eitle David , Johnson-Jennings Michelle
Published: December 2012

Despite the well-established finding that American Indian adolescents are at a greater risk of illicit substance use and abuse than the general population, few generalist explanations of deviance have been extended to American Indian substance use. Using a popular generalist explanation of deviance, General Strain Theory (GST), we explore the predictive utility of this model with a subsample of American Indian adolescents from Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add-Health). Overall, we find mixed support for the utility of GST to account for American Indian adolescent substance use. While exposure to recent life events, a common measure of stress exposure, was found to be a robust indicator of substance use, we found mixed support for the thesis that negative affect plays a key role in mediating the link between strain and substance use. However, we did find evidence that personal and social resources serve to condition the link between stress exposure and substance use, with parental control, self-restraint, religiosity, and exposure to substance using peers each serving to moderate the association between strain and substance use, albeit in more complex ways than expected.
Racial Disproportionality in the Criminal Justice System for Drug Offenses
Authors: Lyons Thomas , Lurigio Arthur J. , Roque Lorena , Rodriguez Pamela
Published: December 2012

This article describes the work of the Illinois Disproportionate Justice Impact Study Commission, a nonpartisan, multidisciplinary group of policy makers, government leaders, and justice professionals that focused on understanding and alleviating the disproportionate incarceration of African Americans and Latinos in Illinois for drug law violations. The study data were obtained from arrest records statewide and court cases in Cook County (Chicago), which were both drawn from calendar year 2005. Results showed that racial disproportionality in arrests for drug crimes is found in urban, suburban, and rural counties of the state and is more pronounced among arrestees with arrest records than among first-time arrestees. Analyses of Cook County court data showed that controlling for other variables, including criminal history, African Americans were approximately 2.2 times more likely than Whites, and Latinos were approximately 1.6 times more likely than Whites, to be prosecuted for drug offenses. Unequal outcomes in court processing compound the disparities at arrest, perpetuating a vicious cycle. The article concludes with the Commission’s proposed remedies for racial disproportionality.
Democracy and economic growth: A survey of arguments and results
Authors: Knutsen Carl Henrik
Published: December 2012

This paper surveys the literature on how democracy affects economic growth. The paper first presents descriptive statistics and brief case-descriptions to illustrate how democracy and dictatorship may affect growth. Thereafter, it evaluates five central arguments on democracy and growth, before surveying empirical studies on the relationship. Furthermore, the paper highlights critical methodological challenges, and draws implications for constructing valid models for empirical research on the topic. The review shows that there is still disagreement over whether democracy enhances growth or not. Nevertheless, in the light of more recent studies, using better methodological approaches and more data than previous studies, two trends are recognizable: first, the hypothesis that democracy reduces economic growth is refuted by recent studies; second, the hypothesis that democracy has no effect on growth, although still widespread in the academic community, seems less plausible today than it did 10 or 20 years ago. Several recent studies show that democracy has positive effects on growth, although these effects are ‘indirect’ in the sense that democracy affects growth through, for example, enhancing human capital or strengthening the protection of property rights.
The state of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Bates Robert H. , Fayad Ghada , Hoeffler Anke
Published: December 2012

Africa experienced a wave of democratization over the past 20 years and this increase in democracy, we find, positively and significantly affects income per capita. Our dynamic panel data results suggest that countries only slowly converge to their long-run income values as predicted by current democracy levels, however. African countries may therefore be currently too democratic relative to their income levels. In keeping with this possibility, a significant number of countries are experiencing political ‘back sliding’: elections are won by the use of illicit tactics, term limits on political leaders have been overturned and there have been unconstitutional seizures of power.
The importance of legal systems for portfolio investment in the developing world
Authors: Lee Hoon , Staats Joseph L. , Biglaiser Glen
Published: December 2012

Building on recent works showing the role that legal institutions can play in attracting foreign investment to developing countries, and drawing on insights obtained from Powell and Rickard ( International Interactions 36: 335–362, 2010), we demonstrate that developing countries with common law legal systems attract greater portfolio investment than countries that have civil law or Islamic legal systems because common law systems are more inclined to promote the rule of law and protect property rights and can be understood to provide more efficiency in the law, better contract enforcement, more judicial autonomy and more market-oriented regulations. We base our findings on an analysis of time-series panel data for 99 countries covering the period 1980–2007.
Transcriptional repression of VEGF by ZNF24: mechanistic studies and vascular consequences in vivo
Authors: Jia Di , Hasso Sean M. , Chan Joanne , Filingeri Domenic , D'Amore Patricia A. , Rice Lori , Pampo Christine , Siemann Dietmar W. , Zurakowski David , Rodig Scott J. , Moses Marsha A.
Published: December 2012

VEGF is a key regulator of normal and pathologic angiogenesis. Although many trans-activating factors of VEGF have been described, the transcriptional repression of VEGF remains much less understood. We have previously reported the identification of a SCAN domain–containing C2H2 zinc finger protein, ZNF24, that represses the transcription of VEGF. In the present study, we identify the mechanism by which ZNF24 represses VEGF transcription. Using reporter gene and electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we identify an 11-bp fragment of the proximal VEGF promoter as the ZNF24-binding site that is essential for ZNF24-mediated repression. We demonstrate in 2 in vivo models the potent inhibitory effect of ZNF24 on the vasculature. Expression of human ZNF24 induced in vivo vascular defects consistent with those induced by VEGF knockdown using a transgenic zebrafish model. These defects could be rescued by VEGF overexpression. Overexpression of ZNF24 in human breast cancer cells also inhibited tumor angiogenesis in an in vivo tumor model. Analyses of human breast cancer tissues showed that ZNF24 and VEGF levels were inversely correlated in malignant compared with normal tissues. These data demonstrate that ZNF24 represses VEGF transcription through direct binding to an 11-bp fragment of the VEGF proximal promoter and that it functions as a negative regulator of tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis.
Cell proliferation is necessary for the regeneration of oral structures in the anthozoan cnidarian Nematostella vectensis
Authors: Passamaneck Yale J , Martindale Mark Q
Published: December 2012

Background

The contribution of cell proliferation to regeneration varies greatly between different metazoan models. Planarians rely on pluripotent neoblasts and amphibian limb regeneration depends upon formation of a proliferative blastema, while regeneration in Hydra can occur in the absence of cell proliferation. Recently, the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis has shown potential as a model for studies of regeneration because of the ability to conduct comparative studies of patterning during embryonic development, asexual reproduction, and regeneration. The present study investigates the pattern of cell proliferation during the regeneration of oral structures and the role of cell proliferation in this process.

Results

In intact polyps, cell proliferation is observed in both ectodermal and endodermal tissues throughout the entire oral-aboral axis, including in the tentacles and physa. Following bisection, there is initially little change in proliferation at the wound site of the aboral fragment, however, beginning 18 to 24 hours after amputation there is a dramatic increase in cell proliferation at the wound site in the aboral fragment. This elevated level of proliferation is maintained throughout the course or regeneration of oral structures, including the tentacles, the mouth, and the pharynx. Treatments with the cell proliferation inhibitors hydroxyurea and nocodazole demonstrate that cell proliferation is indispensable for the regeneration of oral structures. Although inhibition of regeneration by nocodazole was generally irreversible, secondary amputation reinitiates cell proliferation and regeneration.

Conclusions

The study has found that high levels of cell proliferation characterize the regeneration of oral structures in Nematostella, and that this cell proliferation is necessary for the proper progression of regeneration. Thus, while cell proliferation contributes to regeneration of oral structures in both Nematostella and Hydra, Nematostella lacks the ability to undergo the compensatory morphallactic mode of regeneration that characterizes Hydra. Our results are consistent with amputation activating a quiescent population of mitotically competent stem cells in spatial proximity to the wound site, which form the regenerated structures.
Alterations in epidermal growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Gonzaga Isabela Martins , Soares-Lima Sheila Coelho , de Santos Paulo Thiago Souza , Blanco Tania Cristina Moita , de Reis Bruno Souza Bianchi , Quintella Danielle Carvalho , de Oliveira Ivanir Martins , de Faria Paulo Antonio Silvestre , Kruel Cleber Dario Pinto , Andreollo Nelson Adami , de Simão Tatiana Almeida , Pinto Luis Felipe Ribeiro
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) shows a 5-year survival rate below 10%, demonstrating the urgency in improving its treatment. Alterations in epidermal growth factor receptors are closely related to malignancy transformation in a number of tumors and recent successful targeted therapies have been directed to these molecules. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the expression of EGFR and HER2 and evaluatedEGFRmutation profile as well as the presence of mutations in hotspots ofKRASandBRAFin ESCC patients.

Methods

We performed RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry and Fluorescentin situhybridization to determine EGFR and HER2 expression in ESCC patients, and direct sequencing and PCR-RFLP for mutations and polymorphism analysis.

Results

Our results showed an increasedEGFRmRNA expression in tumors compared to surrounding tissue (p <0.05), with 11% of the cases presenting at least a four-fold difference between tumor and paired adjacent mucosa. EGFR protein overexpression was present only in 4% of the cases. The median expression ofHER2mRNA was not different between tumors and adjacent mucosa. Still, 7% of the tumors presented at least a 25-fold higher expression of this gene when compared to its paired counterpart. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 21% of the tumors were positive for HER2 (scores 2+ and 3+), although only 3+ tumors presented amplification of this gene. Mutation analysis forEGFR(exons 18-21),KRAS(codons 12 and 13) andBRAF(V600E) showed no mutations in any of the hotspots of these genes in almost 100 patients analyzed.EGFRpresented synonymous polymorphisms at codon 836 (C>T) in 2.1% of the patients, and at codon 787 (G>A) in 79.2% of the cases. This last polymorphism was also evaluated in 304 healthy controls, which presented a similar frequency (73.7%) in comparison with ESCC patients. The absence of mutations ofEGFR,KRASandBRAFas well as the overexpression of EGFR and HER2 in less than 10% of the patients suggest that this signaling pathway is altered in only a small proportion of patients with ESCC.

Conclusion

HER receptors target therapies may have the potential to be effective in only a minor fraction of patients with ESCC.
Effects of fish oil supplementation on inflammatory acne
Authors: Khayef Golandam , Young Julia , Burns-Whitmore Bonny , Spalding Thomas
Published: December 2012

Background

Given that acne is a rare condition in societies with higher consumption of omega-3 (n-3) relative to omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids, supplementation with n-3 may suppress inflammatory cytokine production and thereby reduce acne severity.

Methods

13 individuals with inflammatory acne were given three grams of fish oil containing 930 mg of EPA to their unchanged diet and existing acne remedies for 12 weeks. Acne was assessed using an overall severity grading scale, total inflammatory lesion counts, and colorimetry.

Findings

There was no significant change in acne grading and inflammatory counts at week 12 compared to baseline. However, there was a broad range of response to the intervention on an individual basis. The results showed that acne severity improved in 8 individuals, worsened in 4, and remained unchanged in 1. Interestingly, among the individuals who showed improvement, 7 were classified as having moderate to severe acne at baseline, while 3 of the 4 whose acne deteriorated were classified as having mild acne.

Conclusion

There is some evidence that fish oil supplementation is associated with an improvement in overall acne severity, especially for individuals with moderate to severe acne. Divergent responses to fish oil in our pilot study indicates that dietary and supplemental lipids are worthy of further investigation in acne.
Treatment resistant adolescent depression with upper airway resistance syndrome treated with rapid palatal expansion: a case report
Authors: Miller Paul , Iyer Mala , Gold Avram R
Published: December 2012

Introduction

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of treatment-resistant depression in which the patient was evaluated for sleep disordered breathing as the cause and in which rapid palatal expansion to permanently treat the sleep disordered breathing produced a prolonged symptom-free period off medication.

Case presentation

An 18-year-old Caucasian man presented to our sleep disorders center with chronic severe depression that was no longer responsive to medication but that had recently responded to electroconvulsive therapy. Ancillary, persistent symptoms included mild insomnia, moderate to severe fatigue, mild sleepiness and severe anxiety treated with medication. Our patient had no history of snoring or witnessed apnea, but polysomnography was consistent with upper airway resistance syndrome. Although our patient did not have an orthodontic indication for rapid palatal expansion, rapid palatal expansion was performed as a treatment of his upper airway resistance syndrome. Following rapid palatal expansion, our patient experienced a marked improvement of his sleep quality, anxiety, fatigue and sleepiness. His improvement has been maintained off all psychotropic medication and his depression has remained in remission for approximately two years following his electroconvulsive therapy.

Conclusions

This case report introduces the possibility that unrecognized sleep disordered breathing may play a role in adolescent treatment-resistant depression. The symptoms of upper airway resistance syndrome are non-specific enough that every adolescent with depression, even those responding to medication, may have underlying sleep disordered breathing. In such patients, rapid palatal expansion, by widening the upper airway and improving airflow during sleep, may produce a prolonged improvement of symptoms and a tapering of medication. Psychiatrists treating adolescents may benefit from having another treatment option for treatment-resistant depression.
The expanded clinical profile and the efficacy of colchicine therapy in Egyptian children suffering from familial mediterranean fever: a descriptive study
Authors: Talaat Hala Salah El-Din , Mohamed Mohamed Farouk , El Rifai Nihal Mohamed Mohamed , Gomaa Mohamed Ali
Published: December 2012

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by self-limiting recurrent attacks of fever and serosal inflammation, leading to abdominal, thoracic or articular pain.

Objective

To detect variable clinical presentations and genotypic distribution of different groups of FMF patients and the efficacy of colchicine therapy in treatment of these groups of FMF after one year.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 patients already diagnosed with FMF and following-up at the Rheumatology Clinic, Children's Hospital - Cairo University. Diagnosis of FMF was determined according to Tel Hashomer criteria for FMF. All patients were subjected to a questionnaire including detailed history with emphasis on clinical manifestations and colchicine dose to control attacks. Mutational analysis was performed for all study subjects covering 12 mutations in the MEFV gene: E148Q, P369S, F479L, M680I (G/C), M680I (G/A), I692del, M694V, M694I, K695R, V726A, A744S and R761H. Response to colchicine treatment was evaluated as complete, incomplete and unresponsive.

Results

Out of the 70 patients- 40 males and 30 females- fever was the most common presenting feature, followed by abdominal pain, and arthritis; documented in 95.7%, 94.3%, and 77.1% of cases respectively. Mutational analysis detected gene mutation on both alleles in 20 patients (homozygotes), on only 1 allele in 40 patients (heterozygotes), and on none of the alleles (uncharacterized cases). Mild to moderate disease severity score (according to Tel Hashomer key to severity score) was detected in a significant proportion of heterozygotes and the uncharacterized group than the homozygotes. All patients received colchicine therapy; 22.9% of them showed complete response, 74.3% showed incomplete response and 2.9% showed no response to therapy. The colchicine dose needed to control attacks was significantly lower in heterozygotes than the homozygotes(P=0.04). Also patients’ response to colchicine therapy was significantly better in the heterozygous group(P=0.023).

Conclusion

Fever, abdominal pain and arthritis are the most common presenting features for homozygous, Heterozygous and uncharacterized patients. E148Q, V726A, and M680I were the most common mutations detected in the heterozygous group. Homozygosity were found for M680I, M694V, and M694I mutations in 13 patients (65% of homozygotes). Heterozygotes presenting with severe phenotype should be further analyzed for less common second MEFV mutation using gene sequencing. The colchicine dose required to control the attacks was significantly lower and patients’ response to colchicine therapy was significantly better in the heterozygous group than homozygous group.
Results of Annual Screening in Phase I of the United Kingdom Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study Highlight the Need for Strict Adherence to Screening Schedule
Authors: Rosenthal Adam N. , Fraser Lindsay , Manchanda Ranjit , Badman Philip , Philpott Susan , Mozersky Jessica , Hadwin Richard , Cafferty Fay H. , Benjamin Elizabeth , Singh Naveena , Evans D. Gareth , Eccles Diana M. , Skates Steven J. , Mackay James , Menon Usha , Jacobs Ian J.
Published: December 2012

Purpose

To establish the performance characteristics of annual transvaginal ultrasound and serum CA125 screening for women at high risk of ovarian/fallopian tube cancer (OC/FTC) and to investigate the impact of delayed screening interval and surgical intervention.

Patients and Methods

Between May 6, 2002, and January 5, 2008, 3,563 women at an estimated ≥ 10% lifetime risk of OC/FTC were recruited and screened by 37 centers in the United Kingdom. Participants were observed prospectively by centers, questionnaire, and national cancer registries.

Results

Sensitivity for detection of incident OC/FTC at 1 year after last annual screen was 81.3% (95% CI, 54.3% to 96.0%) if occult cancers were classified as false negatives and 87.5% (95% CI, 61.7% to 98.5%) if they were classified as true positives. Positive and negative predictive values of incident screening were 25.5% (95% CI, 14.3 to 40.0) and 99.9% (95% CI, 99.8 to 100) respectively. Four (30.8%) of 13 incident screen-detected OC/FTCs were stage I or II. Compared with women screened in the year before diagnosis, those not screened in the year before diagnosis were more likely to have ≥ stage IIIc disease (85.7% v 26.1%; P = .009). Screening interval was delayed by a median of 88 days before detection of incident OC/FTC. Median interval from detection screen to surgical intervention was 79 days in prevalent and incident OC/FTC.

Conclusion

These results in the high-risk population highlight the need for strict adherence to screening schedule. Screening more frequently than annually with prompt surgical intervention seems to offer a better chance of early-stage detection.
Impact of FOLFIRINOX Compared With Gemcitabine on Quality of Life in Patients With Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer: Results From the PRODIGE 4/ACCORD 11 Randomized Trial
Authors: Gourgou-Bourgade Sophie , Bascoul-Mollevi Caroline , Desseigne Françoise , Ychou Marc , Bouché Olivier , Guimbaud Rosine , Bécouarn Yves , Adenis Antoine , Raoul Jean-Luc , Boige Valérie , Bérille Jocelyne , Conroy Thierry
Published: December 2012

Purpose

To compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients receiving oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy and to assess whether pretreatment QoL predicts survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods

Three hundred forty-two patients with performance status 0 or 1 were randomly assigned to receive FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m2; irinotecan, 180 mg/m2; leucovorin, 400 mg/m2; and fluorouracil, 400 mg/m2 bolus followed by 2,400 mg/m2 46-hour continuous infusion, once every 2 weeks) or gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 weekly for 7 of 8 weeks and then weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. QoL was assessed using European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 every 2 weeks.

Results

Improvement in global health status (GHS; P < .001) was observed in the FOLFIRINOX arm and improvement in emotional functioning (P < .001) was observed in both arms, along with a decrease in pain, insomnia, anorexia, and constipation in both arms. A significant increase in diarrhea was observed in the FOLFIRINOX arm during the first 2 months of chemotherapy. Time until definitive deterioration ≥ 20 points was significantly longer for FOLFIRINOX compared with gemcitabine for GHS, physical, role, cognitive, and social functioning, and six symptom domains (fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, anorexia, and constipation). Physical functioning, constipation, and dyspnea were independent significant prognostic factors for survival with treatment arm, age older than 65 years, and low serum albumin.

Conclusion

FOLFIRINOX significantly reduces QoL impairment compared with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, baseline QoL scores improved estimation of survival probability when added to baseline clinical and demographic variables.
Effect of Patient Socioeconomic Status on Access to Early-Phase Cancer Trials
Authors: Mohd Noor Aisyah , Sarker Debashis , Vizor Suzanne , McLennan Blair , Hunter Sarah , Suder Aneta , Moller Henrik , Spicer James F. , Papa Sophie
Published: December 2012

Purpose

Little is known about the influence of socioeconomic factors on patient access to cancer trials. Differences should be considered to ensure generalizability of trial results and equality of access.

Methods

Phase I trials unit referrals at our center over 5 years, from 2007 to 2012, were reviewed. Socioeconomic status was defined by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD; 1, least deprived; 5, most deprived). Multivariate analysis was performed comparing incident cancer cases with referred patients and those ultimately enrolled onto a trial.

Results

Four hundred thirty patients were referred (median age, 62 years). Compared with 10,784 incident cases, referral was less likely for patients in the more-deprived quintiles compared with the least deprived (IMD 5: odds ratio [OR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.74). Once reviewed in the unit, enrollment onto a trial was not affected (IMD 5: OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.40 to 1.63). Ethnicity analysis showed the nonwhite population was less likely to be recruited (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.88). This relationship was lost with adjustment for age, sex, cancer type, and deprivation index.

Conclusion

We show for the first time to our knowledge that socioeconomic status affects early-phase cancer trial referrals. The least-deprived patients are almost twice as likely to be referred compared with the most deprived. This may be because more-deprived patients are less suitable for a trial—as a result of comorbidities, for example—or because of inequalities that could be addressed by patient or referrer education. Once reviewed at the unit, enrollment onto a trial is not affected by deprivation.
Cell polarity: models and mechanisms from yeast, worms and flies
Authors: Thompson Barry J.
Published: December 2012

Determinants of cell polarity orient the behaviour of many cell types during development. Pioneering genetic screens in yeast, worms and flies have identified key polarity determinants that are evolutionarily conserved across the animal kingdom. Recent work in these three model organisms has combined computer modelling with experimental analysis to reveal the molecular mechanisms that drive the polarisation of determinants. Two key principles have emerged: the first is the requirement for a positive-feedback loop to drive self-recruitment of determinants to the plasma membrane; the second is the requirement for mutual antagonism between determinants that localise to opposite ends of the cell.
Association of peripheral venous disease with arterial endothelial dysfunction: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Moro L , Pedone C , Serino F M , Incalzi R Antonelli
Published: December 2012

The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between peripheral venous disease (PVD) and arterial endothelial dysfunction (ED). Arterial and venous diseases have been always considered as two completely different entities, but the recent discovery of a relationship between arterial and venous thrombosis have challenged this assumption. ED, considered to be an early process in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease, could represent a common pathogenetic background. We studied 39 healthy volunteers (median age: 34 years; men: 25.6%). PVD was diagnosed using ultrasound examination, arterial ED using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and FMD normalized for the peak shear rate (nFMD). Compared with controls, participants with PVD had a lower FMD (15.2 versus 23.4%, P < 0.001) and nFMD 12.7 ×10 –3 versus 19 × 10–3/second, P < 0.001 . People with the most clinically evident disease had the worst endothelial function. In conclusion, our findings, if confirmed in larger population, might corroborate the idea that venous and arterial disease could have common causes.
Unusual deep vein thrombosis sites: magnetic resonance venography in patients with negative compression ultrasound and symptomatic pulmonary embolism
Authors: Gary T , Steidl K , Belaj K , Hafner F , Froehlich H , Deutschmann H , Pilger E , Brodmann M
Published: December 2012

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), negative compression ultrasound (CUS) of the lower limbs and detection of unusual deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sites by means of magnetic resonance (MR) venography.

Methods

A retrospective data analysis of PE patients hospitalized at our institution from April 2009 to 2011.

Results

From April 2009 to 2011, a total of 762 PE patients were treated at our institution. In 169 of these patients CUS for DVT was negative. In these patients MR venography was performed for further evaluation. We found venous thrombosis at unusual sites in 12 of these patients. Due to free floating thrombus masses and fear of life-threatening PE progression we inserted an inferior vena cava filter in three of these 12 patients. The leading venous thromboembolism risk factor in our patients was immobilization (5 patients, 41.7%).

Conclusions

We conclude that especially in patients with PE and negative CUS of the lower limbs a thrombosis of the pelvic veins should be considered in case of symptoms for venous thrombosis in this area. Further diagnostic work-up with MR venography should be scheduled in these patients especially in patients with risk factor immobilization as therapeutic consequences might occur.
Disability caused by multiple sclerosis is associated with the number of extra cranial venous stenoses: possible improvement by venous angioplasty. Results of a prospective study
Authors: Denislic M , Milosevic Z , Zorc M , Ravnik I Zuran D , Mendiz O
Published: December 2012

Objective:

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) was recently described in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The hypothesis of the vascular aetiology provides a new approach in the investigation and treatment of MS.

Methods:

Our open-label study included 94 MS patients who fulfilled ultrasound sonographic criteria required for CCSVI. The internal jugular and/or azygous veins by a catheter venography were dilated.

Results:

In 34.8% of the patients unilateral, in 65.2% bilateral venous abnormalities and in 2.1% no luminal obstructions were demonstrated. The patient group with the higher disability score had a significantly higher number of venous lesions ( P < 0.005). Significant improvement of clinical disability in relapsing-remitting patients was ( P < 0.001) achieved. In our study no stents were used. Re-stenosis occurred in 21.7% of the patients.

Conclusion:

The number of venous narrowings is higher in more disabled patients. A significant improvement in clinical disability in the relapsing-remitting group was observed.
Reducing of the Sound Pressure Level in Industrial Areas by Screening Noise Sources
Authors: Claudia Tomozei , Valentin Nedeff , Gabriel Lazar , Elena Ciobanu
Published: December 2012

This paper presents several ways in which the propagation of acoustic waves produced by an industrial noise source can be attenuated by identifying the optimal location of an acoustic screen near the noise source.

Six types of acoustic screens were used, made of six types of materials (of the category used in the field of construction), with or without sound absorbing qualities.

The noise source was placed in four different positions in front of the acoustic screen. The microphone was placed in 16 recording positions, at four distances and four heights.

The experimentally obtained values indicate that the efficiency of the acoustic screen is optimal when the screen is placed at a reduced distance from the noise source, in a centered position. To obtain a high degree of sound pressure level attenuation, one can choose among variants with at least two screening walls positioned in a “V” form.
Innovation in Nuclear Power
Authors: Hore-Lacy Ian
Published: December 2012

Innovation in nuclear energy centres principally on four areas: Isotopic separation to enrich uranium for use in light-water reactors, reactor designs of diverse kinds, robust fuel designs, and the recycling of most of what is in used fuel. Allied to these are metallurgical and design improvements to basic concepts that have not changed fundamentally in decades. An analogy here is the contrast between the car of the 1960s and the car of today – the same idea, but very different in every detailed respect. In uranium enrichment we have come from very energy-intensive gaseous diffusion technology to evolving centrifuges and now seem to be on the threshold of commercial laser isotope separation. Reactor designs include those for fast neutron operation, high-temperature helium-cooled systems and others with the fuel carried in molten fluoride salt. There is more. Fuel design has progressively improved and provides for more efficient reactor operation with longer periods between refueling. Beyond this, electrometallurgical processes for recycling most of what is in used fuel promise significant advantages over the 1940s processes that remain predominant.
A Novel Concept for the Reliability Evaluation of Large Systems
Authors: Haldar Achintya , Farag Reda , Huh Jungwon
Published: December 2012

A general purpose novel reliability analysis method to estimate low probability of failure events for large complicated real nonlinear structures excited by dynamic loadings including seismic loading applied in time domain is presented. In this approach, only tens instead of hundreds or thousands of deterministic evaluations at intelligently selected points are used to extract the required reliability information. It is a significant improvement over other methods currently being developed in other disciplines. Several areas of response surface method are improved and advanced factorial design concepts are presented. The method is elaborated with the help of two informative examples. The proposed method found to be robust, efficient, and accurate. It can be used to estimate reliability of large complicated civil engineering systems.
Numerical Predictions of Bubbly Two-Phase Flows with OpenFOAM
Authors: Michta Edouard , Fu Kai , Anglart Henryk , Angele Kristian
Published: December 2012

A new model for simulation of bubbly two-phase flows has been developed and implemented into an open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code OpenFOAM. The model employs the two-fluid framework with closure relationships for the interfacial momentum transfer. The bubble size is calculated based on the solution of the transport equation of the interfacial area concentration. The predictions are validated against selected data obtained in the DEDALE experiment and containing the measured void fraction, the phasic velocities and the interfacial area concentration. In general, good agreement between calculated and measured data is demonstrated; however, the relative phasic velocity is systematically over-predicted. The levels of void fraction and the observed wall void peaking are well captured in the calculations.
Mapping of Carboxypeptidase M in Normal Human Kidney and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Denis Catherine J. , Van Acker Nathalie , De Schepper Stefanie , De Bie Martine , Andries Luc , Fransen Erik , Hendriks Dirk , Kockx Mark M. , Lambeir Anne-Marie
Published: December 2012

Although the kidney generally has been regarded as an excellent source of carboxypeptidase M (CPM), little is known about its renal-specific expression level and distribution. This study provides a detailed localization of CPM in healthy and diseased human kidneys. The results indicate a broad distribution of CPM along the renal tubular structures in the healthy kidney. CPM was identified at the parietal epithelium beneath the Bowman’s basement membrane and in glomerular mesangial cells. Capillaries, podocytes, and most interstitial cells were CPM negative. Tumor cells of renal cell carcinoma subtypes lose CPM expression upon dedifferentiation. Tissue microarray analysis demonstrated a correlation between low CPM expression and tumor cell type. CPM staining was intense on phagocytotic tumor-associated macrophages. Immunoreactive CPM was also detected in the tumor-associated vasculature. The absence of CPM in normal renal blood vessels points toward a role for CPM in angiogenesis. Coexistence of CPM and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was detected in papillary renal cell carcinoma. However, the different subcellular localization of CPM and EGFR argues against an interaction between these h proteins. The description of the distribution of CPM in human kidney forms the foundation for further study of the (patho)physiological activities of CPM in the kidney.
Something Borrowed, Something New: Ye Ban Ge Sheng (Song at Midnight) and the Cross- Cultural Reinterpretations of Horror in Twentieth Century China
Authors: Chua John
Published: December 2012

This paper traces how one horror story served as a blank canvas that allowed filmmakers across cultures, decades, and the political spectrum to utilize it as a remake and a medium for conveying their positions, as well as a vehicle that would allow them to cross national borders. Thus
I explain how the lineage of Ye Ban Ge Sheng can provide a critical perspective on the intersection of politics, movies, and commerce in 20th Century China. In particular, an examination of Ye Ban Ge Sheng and its 1941 sequel shows how Maxu Weibang is adept at shifting his message according
to the political tides.
Volcano High and the Lost Authority: The Socio-Political Transition of South Korea
Authors: Ryu Jae Hyung
Published: December 2012

This article will determine the suitability of Volcano High, its fantasy elements, and the implication of the film to fit into the fantasy genre. I will investigate the military regime's way of hegemony and the oppressive educational system, by means of inquiring about the transition
of the Korean regime from a military to a civil government, from the early 1960s through the early 1990s. Then, I will examine the postmodern aesthetics of the film, in relation to the apparatus of concealing socio-politically critical comment, and the process by which the South Korean government
lost its authority, under the context of socio-political implication, by means of close textual analysis.
Searching for a Third Way: Mizoguchi Kenji's Sisters of the Gion and Kamei Fumio's Shanghai as Responses to Early- to Mid-20th Century Japanese Imperialism
Authors: Langer Jessica
Published: December 2012

During the early part of the 20th Century, the world was in a volatile state. Shifting loyalties and power games, fueled by fallout from the World War I in the West, had spread to Asia and sat firmly at the forefront of international relations; colonialism had become a major part of
many nations' foreign policies. It was into this morass that directors Mizoguchi Kenji and Kamei Fumio waded. Mizoguchi Kenji's 1936 film Gion no Shimai, or Sisters of the Gion, suggested that Japan's options were not limited to the extreme dichotomy of submission or aggression, and that perhaps
there was a third way out that necessitated neither capitulation to Western imperialism nor the colonization of other nations. Meanwhile, Kamei Fumio shocked censors and astute audiences in 1938 with Shanghai, a subtle but scathing denouncement of Japanese imperialist aspirations in China.
Three Films about Food by Fruit Chan: Allegories of Hong Kong-China Relations after 1997
Authors: Wong Aida Yuen
Published: December 2012

This article will discuss Fruit Chan's films Durian Durian (2000), Hollywood Hong Kong (2001), and Three… Extremes: Dumplings (2004). The prominent reference to edibles is evident in the titles of the first and the third films; the second film is set in a shanty town below a
luxury apartment complex called Plaza Hollywood, featuring, among others, a family of roast pork mongers. Although vastly different in style, all three works employ food as a vehicle to explore the interplay between Hong Kong society and mainland Chinese, and as this essay argues, they also
symbolize a phobic undercurrent that has gathered strength with the growing Hong Kong-China co-dependency since the 1997 handover.
WKW : A Cinema of the Exappropriation
Authors: Durafour Jean-Michel
Published: December 2012

Behind appearances, behind the multitude of the modern megalopolises (Hong Kong, Buenos Aires), the cinema of Wong Kar-Wai underlines an architectonic of the primary esseulement: solitudes, as in The Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express or Fallen Angels, which are just added up, only
joined side by side; which never draw up a whole and never merge in a common-ity; which never cancel each other out as pluralities. Even through the kindness of the other, through the willingness (when it exists) of the other, I am deterritorialized, I miss the sol under my sol-itude.
Fifth Annual New York Korean Film Festival: "Truth or Dare"
Authors: Ciecko Anne
Published: December 2012

The following review is of the 2005 annual New York Korean Film Festival.
Izo: Takashi Miike's History Lesson
Authors: Williams Tony
Published: December 2012

Izo is thus a deliberately complex film needing close attention rather than instant dismissal. The film necessitates a knowledge of how it uses it cultural and historical conventions. But, like any challenging work, Izo can be analyzed and understood within the context of international
cinematic conventions. Miike restructures the violent codes of samurai, supernatural, and yakuza genres to reveal them as manipulative forces within Japanese culture. Izo contains deliberately excessive violations of geographical, historical, spatial, and temporal conventions. They exist to
challenge the audience in a manner akin to the cinematic experiments of Jean-Luc Godard in the late 1960s but never in a deliberately obscurantist manner.
Reviews DVDs
Authors: Adams Johnathan , Miles Melinda
Published: December 2012

Dark Expressionism: The Criterion Release of The Night of the Hunter The Night of the Hunter (1955) USA Director Charles Laughton Runtime 93 minutes DVD USA, 2010

Everlasting Moments (2008) Sweden Director Jan Troell Runtime 131 minutes DVD USA, 2010
Insulin resistance and cancer: the role of insulin and IGFs
Authors: Djiogue Sefirin , Nwabo Kamdje Armel Hervé , Vecchio Lorella , Kipanyula Maulilio John , Farahna Mohammed , Aldebasi Yousef , Seke Etet Paul Faustin
Published: December 2012

Insulin, IGF1, and IGF2 are the most studied insulin-like peptides (ILPs). These are evolutionary conserved factors well known as key regulators of energy metabolism and growth, with crucial roles in insulin resistance-related metabolic disorders such as obesity, diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as associated immune deregulations. A growing body of evidence suggests that insulin and IGF1 receptors mediate their effects on regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, glucose transport, and energy metabolism by signaling downstream through insulin receptor substrate molecules and thus play a pivotal role in cell fate determination. Despite the emerging evidence from epidemiological studies on the possible relationship between insulin resistance and cancer, our understanding on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that might account for this relationship remains incompletely understood. The involvement of IGFs in carcinogenesis is attributed to their role in linking high energy intake, increased cell proliferation, and suppression of apoptosis to cancer risks, which has been proposed as the key mechanism bridging insulin resistance and cancer. The present review summarizes and discusses evidence highlighting recent advances in our understanding on the role of ILPs as the link between insulin resistance and cancer and between immune deregulation and cancer in obesity, as well as those areas where there remains a paucity of data. It is anticipated that issues discussed in this paper will also recover new therapeutic targets that can assist in diagnostic screening and novel approaches to controlling tumor development.
Lethal Effect of a Single Dose of Rasburicase in a Preterm Newborn Infant
Authors: Zaramella Patrizia , De Salvia Alessandra , Zaninotto Martina , Baraldi Maura , Capovilla Giovanni , De Leo Domenico , Chiandetti Lino
Published: December 2012

This case report describes a preterm newborn infant who was treated with a single dose of rasburicase for an increase in uric acid level. He died on the third day as a result of complications of hemolysis, which appeared to be precipitated by rasburicase. The patient’s death was preceded by progressive respiratory insufficiency, lactic acidosis, and hyperbilirubinemia, culminating in refractory hypoxia and hypotension. A postmortem assay for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase showed deficiency and the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Mediterranean genotype.
Coagulopathy in Patients With Late-Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency in Remission State: A Previously Unrecognized Complication
Authors: Ihara Kenji , Yoshino Makoto , Hoshina Takayuki , Harada Nawomi , Kojima-Ishii Kanako , Makimura Mika , Hasegawa Yuki , Watanabe Yoriko , Yamaguchi Seiji , Hara Toshiro
Published: December 2012

The late-onset type of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is almost asymptomatic before an abrupt onset of metabolic crisis in adolescence. This study focused on coagulopathy in OTC deficiency. We collected laboratory data regarding coagulation from OTC-deficient patients in Kyushu University Hospital in Japan or from cases reported from previous articles. Five patients with late-onset OTC deficiency, admitted to Kyushu University Hospital at the first metabolic attack or who presented at the outpatient clinic in the hospital, were analyzed, and 3 additional cases of OTC deficiency with coagulopathy in previous articles were included. As a result, the blood ammonia levels in these patients were remarkably high at the time of the metabolic attack, and prothrombin times were far below the normal level. The prothrombin times remained significantly abnormal on remission, despite almost normal levels of blood ammonia, serum aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Coagulation abnormality is a previously unidentified complication of OTC deficiency in remission state. This information will aid in the identification of patients with OTC deficiency before a lethal metabolic crisis occurs during adolescence.