bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The loss of trust in the European Union during the great recession since 2007: The role of heuristics from the national political system
Authors: Armingeon Klaus , Ceka Besir
Published: August 2013

How can we explain the decline in support for the European Union (EU) and the idea of European integration after the onset of the great recession in the fall of 2007? Did the economic crisis and the austerity policies that the EU imposed—in tandem with the IMF—on several member countries help cause this drop? While there is some evidence for this direct effect of EU policies, we find that the most significant determinant of trust and support for the EU remains the level of trust in national governments. Based on cue theory and using concepts of diffuse and specific support, we find that support for the EU is derived from evaluations of national politics and policy, which Europeans know far better than the remote political system of the EU. This effect, however, is somewhat muted for those sophisticated Europeans that are more knowledgeable about the EU and are able to form opinions about it independently of the national contexts in which they live. We also find that the recent economic crisis has led to a discernible increase in the number of those who are disillusioned with politics both at the national and the supranational level. We analyze 133 national surveys from 27 EU countries by estimating a series of cross-classified multilevel logistic regression models.
Brutalist Wallpaper and the Independent Group
Authors: Highmore Ben
Published: August 2013

One of the difficulties facing cultural historians studying the Independent Group (IG) is to gauge its significance in the production of visual culture by those who attended the meetings. As a loose discussion group the IG can be seen as emerging from the same cultural forces that would, a little later, produce the academic counter-discipline of cultural studies. With its interests in consumer culture and in the social life of new technologies (particularly mass media technologies) and with a voracious appetite for the latest trends in science and art, the IG constituted a semi-formal extra-mural group of autodidacts filling-in the significant gaps of an official art education that was still framed by 19th-century values. A pedagogic agenda, though, does not necessarily generate a coherent project of aesthetic exploration and result in a consistent visual poetics. In this article the author argues that there is still value in attending to the IG as a cultural research group that produced a visual culture that was simultaneously pluralist (and perhaps contradictory and conflicting) in style but collective in orientation and sensibility.
Watching Nightlife
Authors: Carah Nicholas
Published: August 2013

This article examines the affective labor of nightlife photographers within the surveillance economy of social media. I examine nightlife photographers as “below the line” cultural laborers who employ their identities and communicative capacities to create and circulate images of nightlife online. These images stimulate interaction that can be watched, tracked, and responded to by the databases of social media. The study draws on interviews with nightlife photographers to examine how they account for the creative and promotional aspects of their labor. I argue that the analytical capacities of social media databases, and the modes of promotion they facilitate, depend in the first instance on the affective labor of cultural intermediaries like nightlife photographers.
Investigation of Toilet Activities in Elderly Patients With Dementia From the Viewpoint of Motivation and Self-Awareness
Authors: Uchimoto Kazuki , Yokoi Teruo , Yamashita Teruo , Okamura Hitoshi
Published: August 2013

Toilet activities of the elderly patients with dementia were observed focusing on care conditions and investigated based on Hull’s drive reduction theory (behavior = drive × habit × incentive) and our self-awareness model (consisting of theory of mind, self-evaluation, and self-consciousness) to evaluate the association between self-awareness and toilet activities in patients with dementia and to explain the time when and the reason why a series of toilet activities as habit once acquired become unfeasible. If theory of mind is lost, awareness of one’s desire and intention becomes vague, and toilet activities begin to collapse. Furthermore, if incentive disappears, one’s intention hardly arises and toilet activities further collapse. If self-evaluation is lost, time sense fades, future goals based on the present time cannot exist, and behavior loses directivity. As a result, toilet activities collapse, and with a decrease in drive toilet activities cease.
Mitochondrial Filamentation
Authors: Gosalvez Mario
Published: August 2013

It is reflected on the recently open possibility of new studies on Alzheimer’s disease, Late Stage Dementia, Cytoskeleton Live Dynamics and Mitochondria, afforded by the new emerging field of mitochondrial physiology bioenergetics, Mitochondrial Filamentation. To this area the author groups provided some initial efforts. The considerations emphasize the many important relationships ahead for possible future studies with many other fields. Especially with Genome Alterations and Proteonomics.
Treatment of Primary Infected Juxtarenal Aortic Aneurysm With the Multilayer Stent
Authors: Flis Vojko , Matela Jože , Breznik Silva , Kobilica Nina
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

To report the use of multilayer uncovered stent to treat primary infected juxtarenal aortic aneurysm.

Case Report:

A 50-year-old man was admitted to hospital for rapid onset of intractable abdominal pain and high fever. Computed tomographic scan showed 2 juxtarenal saccular aneurysms of abdominal aorta with morphologic and clinical changes compatible with infectious etiology. Patient was treated with multilayer flow-modulating stent. Follow-up imaging showed persistent aneurysm exclusion and continuous aneurysm shrinkage of the sac until complete regression to a normal aortic configuration was seen at 1 year. During follow-up (24 months), patient continued to do well, and there was no recurrence of infection.

Conclusion:

Multilayer stent appeared to be an acceptable treatment option for primary infected juxtarenal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysmal sac completely disappeared and visceral branches remained patent at 2-year follow-up. However, longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the long-term patency of involved visceral arteries.
Targeted Motor Rehabilitation Dissociates Corticobulbar Versus Corticospinal Dysfunction in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Plowman Emily K. , Maling Nicholas , Thomas Nagheme J. , Fowler Stephen C. , Kleim Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2013

Background. Recent evidence suggests that motor training may be beneficial for slowing the onset of motor impairments in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective. To examine the impact of targeted rehabilitation on limb motor and cranial motor function and the corresponding corticospinal and corticobulbar circuits in a rodent model of PD. Methods. Baseline performance of limb (reaching) and cranial (licking) motor function were established prior to and 6 weeks following unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) infusions. Animals then received 6 weeks of limb motor rehabilitation (LMR) or cranial motor rehabilitation (CMR), after which motor performance was reassessed. Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) was used to generate motor maps of corresponding corticospinal (forelimb) and corticobulbar (tongue) movement representations within the motor cortex ipsilateral to the 6-OHDA infusion. Quantitative tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was performed to determine levels of striatal TH depletion in 6-OHDA animals using near infrared densitometry. Results. (1) unilateral intrastriatal dopamine depletion impaired both reaching accuracy and lick force; (2) targeted LMR ameliorated impairments in reaching performance; however, CMR did not improve lick force impairments; (3) unilateral dopamine depletion significantly reduced forelimb but not tongue motor map topography; (4) LMR partially restored forelimb motor maps, whereas CMR did not alter tongue motor maps; and (5) significant correlations were observed between skilled reaching accuracy, forelimb motor map area, and TH depletion, but no relationships were revealed for cranial motor function, motor maps, or TH depletion. Conclusions: These data demonstrate dissociation between striatal dopamine depletion, limb versus cranial motor function, and targeted motor rehabilitation in a rodent model of PD.
Providing the right dose instructions
Authors: Avery Tony , Gookey Gill , Spencer Rachel , Knox Richard , Marsden Kate , Salema Ndeshi
Published: August 2013

The General Medical Council -funded PRACtICe study investigated the prevalence and causes of prescribing errors in general practices. The results showed that around one in three of the prescribing errors detected were associated with incomplete information on the prescription whilst around one in 10 involved giving a medicine at the wrong time. In this article we focus on achieving clear and unambiguous dosing instructions including how clinical computer systems can help to alleviate the problem. We also look at the cautionary and advisory labels added during the dispensing process. The article gives the reader opportunities to reflect upon different scenarios, and there are also suggestions for additional continuing professional development activities.
Violence Against Women With Disability in Mumbai, India
Authors: Daruwalla Nayreen , Chakravarty Shruti , Chatterji Sangeeta , Shah More Neena , Alcock Glyn , Hawkes Sarah , Osrin David
Published: August 2013

We conducted open-ended interviews with 15 women with disability who had reported violence in a preceding survey. Emergent themes included a lack of acceptance by families, the systematic formation of a dependent self-image, and an expectation of limited achievement. Emotional violence was particularly emphasized, as was perceived structural violence stemming from social norms, which led to exclusion and vulnerability. Violence in the natal home was an issue that had been relatively uninvestigated.
Physical Fitness Measures Among Adolescents With High and Low Motor Competence
Authors: Gísladóttir Þórdís , Haga Monika , Sigmundsson Hermundur
Published: August 2013

Physical fitness level is considered to yield substantial health benefits. Earlier studies have demonstrated poor physical fitness outcomes and reduced level of physical activity among adolescents. There have been very few studies on adolescents concerning motor competence and its possible relationship with physical fitness. This study’s aim was to compare physical fitness in adolescents aged 15 to 16 years with high (HMC) and low motor competence (LMC). From an initial sample of 94 adolescents, a group of 18 were identified as having HMC or LMC on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. Eight adolescents (3 girls and 5 boys) comprised the LMC group, and 10 children (5 girls and 5 boys) made up the HMC group. To measure physical fitness, four tasks were used: one endurance test, one power test, one speed test (Test of Physical Fitness) and one flexibility test (EUROFIT). A one-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between the group with LMC and the HMC group in all tasks except the endurance task (Reduced Cooper Test). The findings suggest that physical fitness components are negatively associated with LMC. However, no significant difference between the two groups in the Reduced Cooper Test might indicate that adolescents with LMC can enhance their cardiovascular fitness despite their poor motor coordination.
Biography as allegory
Authors: Krausmüller Dirk
Published: August 2013

Through comparison with Dante’s Divine Comedy and with Late Antique allegorical interpretations of the Bible this article makes the case that Byzantine hagiographers encoded an allegorical dimension into their texts and that they did so in order to make value judgements that complement explicit evaluations of the behaviour of saints.
Warfare and propaganda: the portrayal of Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282–1328) as an incompetent military leader in the Histories of John VI Kantakouzenos(1347–54)
Authors: Kyriakidis Savvas
Published: August 2013

The Histories of Kantakouzenos is the main source for the civil war between Andronikos II and Andronikos III which was fought intermittently from 1321 until 1328. This article examines how Kantakouzenos remodelled and fabricated events, conversations and deliberations in order to depict Andronikos II as an incompetent military leader. By criticizing Andronikos II’s military abilities and by blaming him for the military failures of the period, Kantakouzenos diverts suspicion of his personal responsibility and Andronikos III’s mistakes that led to the advance of Byzantium’s enemies and demonstrates that the elder Andronikos was not worthy of being on the throne.
‘Feeling the rhythm of the waves: “castaway rhetoric” in John Eugenikos’ Logos eucharisterios’
Authors: Pizzone Aglae
Published: August 2013

In September 1438 John Eugenikos decided to quit the council of Ferrara and sail back to Constantinople. Off Italy’s Adriatic coast his vessel experienced a terrible shipwreck, whereby many of John’s fellow-passengers perished. John decided then to retell his almost deadly experience in a thanks-giving logos, allegedly compiled on the basis of notes written down soon after the shipwreck. The logos stands out as a unique document in the landscape of Byzantine travel literature. This paper offers the first comprehensive literary analysis of Eugenikos’ account, shedding new light on the narrative patterns chosen by the author to recount his own experience and stage his public persona.
‘[…] all poetry is difficult […]’: the limitations of Seferis’ modernist poetics
Authors: Karavidas Yannis
Published: August 2013

In Greece, as in several other countries in the period between the two World Wars, one of the serious charges frequently made against Modernism was that it was impossibly bad mannered towards the reader — that it made no effort at all to communicate and that modernist poetry was ‘difficult’ or ‘obscure’. For example, as early as 1931, Kostis Palamas — the poet who had had an enormous impact on Greek literary affairs in the first half of this century — in a charming if not somewhat condescending letter addressed to George Seferis, noted that the poems of Στρoφή were ‘cryptographic’ and stated that he was personally unable to find the ‘key’ that was needed for deciphering such difficult poetry (Palamas 1931). A few years earlier, Seferis himself had noted in his journals that whenever he tried to read Valéry ‘s poems to Palamas and his circle, they had reacted by saying that they did not have time to solve ‘puzzles’ (1975: 62).
Is Postmodernism Possible Outside the ‘West’? The Case of Greece
Authors: Jusdanis Gregory
Published: August 2013

The term postmodernism has established itself securely in the discourse on art and literature of the last two decades. The postmodern along with the poststructural and postindustrial are concepts frequently used to designate the art, thought, and condition of our age. They all suggest a break not only in our aesthetic but also in our culture. The prefix ‘post’ seems to be much more final that the word ‘beyond’, in that we are no longer moving beyond modernism but actually find ourselves after it, on the other side looking back nostalgically and reflecting hopefully on what lies ahead. This term has become significant in our attempt to come to grips with recent developments in our culture. It remains, however, a notoriously elusive concept, probably one of the most difficult to appropriate within manageable limits. It is still (and will be for some time) the object of critical debate since the discussions about it are taking place within its still undefined boundaries. While one may propose with relative security an outline of modernism, it is extremely difficult to provide a definition of its successor. One critic’s eclecticism is another’s neoconservative pastiche. Some celebrate it as the dawn of a new and brave episteme while others condemn it for its betrayal of modernism’s experimental and adversary values. Implicit in this debate are issues concerning not just this term but the autonomy of art, its institutional status, and the relationship of high to popular culture.
Structural Oppositions in the Grottaferrata Digenes Akrites
Authors: Galatariotou Catia
Published: August 2013

The study of Digenes Akrites has by now produced a massive secondary literature. Historians have attempted to trace its references to historical personages, events or places; philologists, linguists, codicologists and others have tried to tackle equally tantalising problems. Here, I attempt to take a fresh look at Digenes and to ask entirely different questions of the poem.
The Byzantine Godfather
Authors: Macrides Ruth
Published: August 2013

Ties of ritual kinship have long been the object of interest and intensive study by anthropologists who have shown their ceremonial, social and economic significance but also the great variety which exists cross-culturally. Historians of Renaissance Italy and the mediaeval west have taken up the investigation, discovering spiritual relationships to be valuable indicators of the range and type of social contacts.
Estimating DNA polymorphism from next generation sequencing data with high error rate by dual sequencing applications
Authors: He Ziwen , Li Xinnian , Ling Shaoping , Fu Yun-Xin , Hungate Eric , Shi Suhua , Wu Chung-I
Published: August 2013

Background

As the error rate is high and the distribution of errors across sites is non-uniform in next generation sequencing (NGS) data, it has been a challenge to estimate DNA polymorphism (θ) accurately from NGS data.

Results

By computer simulations, we compare the two methods of data acquisition - sequencing each diploid individual separately and sequencing the pooled sample. Under the current NGS error rate, sequencing each individual separately offers little advantage unless the coverage per individual is high (>20X). We hence propose a new method for estimating θ from pooled samples that have been subjected to two separate rounds of DNA sequencing. Since errors from the two sequencing applications are usually non-overlapping, it is possible to separate low frequency polymorphisms from sequencing errors. Simulation results show that the dual applications method is reliable even when the error rate is high and θ is low.

Conclusions

In studies of natural populations where the sequencing coverage is usually modest (~2X per individual), the dual applications method on pooled samples should be a reasonable choice.
Association of biomarkers of inflammation and cell adhesion with lung function in the elderly: a population-based study
Authors: Kuhlmann Antje , Ólafsdóttir Inga Sif , Lind Lars , Sundström Johan , Janson Christer
Published: August 2013

Background

Low lung function is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. It is therefore of interest to identify biomarkers that are associated with impaired lung function. The aim of the study was to analyse associations of biomarkers and combinations of biomarkers with lung function in an elderly general population.

Methods

Lung function (FEV1and FVC) and a panel of 15 inflammatory markers from blood samples were analysed in 888 subjects aged 70 years. Biomarkers included cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count.

Results

Leukocyte count and CRP were independently associated with FEV1after adjustments for other inflammatory markers, sex, BMI, current smoking and pack-years of smoking. In a similar model, leukocyte count and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) were the biomarkers that were significantly associated with FVC. Subjects that had both leukocyte count and CRP in the lowest tertile had a FEV1that was 9% of predicted higher than subjects with leukocyte count and CRP in the highest tertile (103±16 vs. 94±21% of predicted, p=0.0002) (mean±SD). A difference of 8% of predicted in FVC was found between subjects with leukocyte count and VCAM-1 in the lowest and highest tertiles, respectively (106±18 vs. 98±19% of predicted, p=0.002).

Conclusion

Leucocyte count, CRP and VCAM-1 were found to relate to poorer lung function. A dose related association was found for the combination leukocyte count and CRP towards FEV1and leukocyte and VCAM-1 towards FVC. This indicates that combination of two biomarkers yielded more information than assessing them one by one when analysing the association between systemic inflammation and lung function.
Incidence of pneumonia and risk factors among patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Chu Chin-Nan , Muo Chih-Hsin , Chen Shang-Wen , Lyu Shu-Yu , Morisky Donald E
Published: August 2013

Background

This study investigated the incidence and patient- and treatment-related risk factors related to pneumonia acquired during radiotherapy (PNRT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Methods

Using the universal insurance claims data, 15,894 total HNC patients between 1998 and 2007 were included in this analysis. PNRT was defined as the occurrence of pneumonia within 90 days of the commencement of radiotherapy. Information also included some demographic characteristics, treatment-related factors, and comorbidities. Appropriate statistical tests were performed to assess the difference between patients with and those without PNRT. A logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of PNRT among the variables examined.

Results

In total, 772 patients (4.86%) were identified with PNRT as the case group, whereas 15,122 subjects of the same cancer without PNRT formed the control group. Of patients with PNRT, 632 (81.9%) were hospitalized with a mean length of stay of 25.9 days. Results from the multiple logistic regression showed that an older age and certain comorbidities were associated with an increased risk of PNRT. Patients with cancer of the tongue, buccal mucosa, oropharynx, and hypopharynx/larynx were at particularly higher risk (OR = 1.28, 1.28, 1.67, and 1.74, respectively). Compared to radiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy had no effect on the PNRT. Patients in the PNRT group had higher overall medical costs and length of stay.

Conclusion

The incidence of PNRT in HNC patients receiving radiotherapy was approximately 5%. Notably, an older age, certain comorbidities, and certain specific tumor sites were associated with an increased risk.
An economic evaluation for prevention of diabetes mellitus in a developing country: a modelling study
Authors: Liu Xiaoqian , Li Changping , Gong Hui , Cui Zhuang , Fan Linlin , Yu Wenhua , Zhang Cui , Ma Jun
Published: August 2013

Background

The serious consequences of diabetes mellitus, and the subsequent economic burden, call for urgent preventative action in developing countries. This study explores the clinical and economic outcomes of strategies that could potentially prevent diabetes based on Chinese circumstances. It aims to provide indicators for the long-term allocation of healthcare resources for authorities in developing countries.

Methods

A representative sample of Chinese adults was used to create a simulated population of 20,000 people aged 25 years and above. The hybrid decision tree Markov model was developed to compare the long-term clinical and economic outcomes of four simulated diabetes prevention strategies with a control group, where no prevention applied. These preventive strategies were the following: (i) one-off screening for undiagnosed diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), with lifestyle interventions on diet, (ii) on exercise, (iii) on diet combined exercise (duo-intervention) respectively in those with IGT, and (iv) one-off screening alone. Independent age-specific models were simulated based on diverse incidences of diabetes, mortalities and health utilities. The reported outcomes were the following: the remaining survival years, the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per diabetes or IGT subjects, societal costs per simulated subject and the comparisons between preventions and control over 40 years. Sensitivity analyses were performed based on variations of all assumptions, in addition to the performance and the compliance of screening.

Results

Compared with the control group, all simulated screening programmes prolonged life expectancy at the initiation ages of 25 and 40 years, postponed the onset of diabetes and increased QALYs at every initiation age. Along with an assumption of six years intervention, prevention programmes were associated with cost-saving compared with the control group, especially in the population aged 25 years. The savings were at least US$2017 per subject, but no statistically significant difference was observed among the intervention strategies within each age groups. The cost savings were reduced when screening was affected by poor performance and noncompliance.

Conclusions

Developing countries have few effective strategies to manage the prevention of diabetes. One-off screening for undiagnosed diabetes and IGT, with appropriate lifestyle interventions for those with IGT are cost saving in China, especially in young adults.
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic level among public-sector workers in Angola
Authors: Capingana Daniel P , Magalhães Pedro , Silva Amílcar BT , Gonçalves Mauer AA , Baldo Marcelo P , Rodrigues Sérgio L , Simões Cristóvão CF , Ferreira Albano VL , Mill José G
Published: August 2013

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the majority of developed and developing countries. African countries are currently facing an increase in both cardiovascular and transmitted diseases. In addition, cardiovascular risk varies among different socioeconomic groups. Thus, we determined the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy public-sector workers and investigated possible relationships with socioeconomic status.

Methods

We employed a cross-sectional study comprising 42.2% (n = 615) of the public-sector workers at Agostinho Neto University, 48% (n = 294) male and 52% (n= 321) female, with ages between 20 and 72 years and from various socioeconomic groups. The study was conducted from February 2009 to December 2010. Personal, anthropometric, biochemical, hemodynamic, socioeconomic, and physical activity data were collected.

Results

The prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: hypertension, 45.2% (men 46.3%, women 44.2%, P > 0.05); hypercholesterolemia, 11.1% (men 10.5%, women 11.5%, P > 0.05); low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 50.1% (men 36.9%, women 62.3%; P < 0.05); hypertriglyceridemia, 10.6% (men 12.6%, women 8.7%, P > 0.05); smoking, 7.2% (men 10.2%, women 4.4%; P < 0.05); diabetes, 5.7% (men 5.5%, women 5.9%, P > 0.05); overweight, 29.3% (men 27.3%, women 31.2%, P > 0.05); obesity, 19.6% (men 9.2%, women 29.0%; P < 0.05); sedentary lifestyle, 87.2% (men 83.0%, women 91,0%, P < 0.05); and left ventricular hypertrophy, 20% (men 32.0%, women 9.0%; P < 0.05). At least one risk factor was present in 27.7% of the sample; 15.2% had two risk factors, and 31.4% had three or more risk factors. Among the individuals with low socioeconomic status, 41.0% had three or more risk factors.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest the existence of a high prevalence of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy public-sector workers in Angola. The workers in lower socioeconomic groups had higher incidences of hypertension, smoking, and left ventricular hypertrophy.
Kinetics of drug selection systems in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Nakatake Yuhki , Fujii Setsuko , Masui Shinji , Sugimoto Toshimi , Torikai-Nishikawa Satomi , Adachi Kenjiro , Niwa Hitoshi
Published: August 2013

Background

Stable expression of transgenes is an important technique to analyze gene function. Various drug resistance genes, such as neo, pac, hph, zeo, bsd, and hisD, have been equally used as selection markers to isolate a transfectant without considering their dose-dependent characters.

Results

We quantitatively measured the variation of transgene expression levels in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, using a series of bi-cistronic expression vectors that contain Egfp expression cassette linked to each drug resistant gene via IRES with titration of the selective drugs, and found that the transgene expression levels achieved in each system with this vector design are in order, in which pac and zeo show sharp selection of transfectants with homogenously high expression levels. We also showed the importance of the choice of the drug selection system in gene-trap or gene targeting according to this order.

Conclusions

The results of the present study clearly demonstrated that an appropriate choice of the drug resistance gene(s) is critical for a proper design of the experimental strategy.
Neuritogenic effect of standardized extract of Centella asiatica ECa233 on human neuroblastoma cells
Authors: Wanakhachornkrai Oraphan , Pongrakhananon Varisa , Chunhacha Preedakorn , Wanasuntronwong Aree , Vattanajun Anusara , Tantisira Boonyong , Chanvorachote Pithi , Tantisira Mayuree H
Published: August 2013

Background

In order to gain insight into neuroprotective effects of ECa 233, a standardized extract of Centella asiatica, previously demonstrated in animal models of memory impairment induced by transient global ischemia or intracerebroventricular injection of β-amyloid, the effect of ECa 233 on neurite outgrowth of human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cell line was investigated.

Methods

Cells were seeded and incubated with various concentrations of ECa 233. Morphometric analysis was carried out by a measurement of the longest neurite growth of cells at 24 and 48 h. Contributing signaling pathways possibly involved were subsequently elucidated by western blot analysis.

Results

While ECa 233 had only limited effects on cell viability, it significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth of IMR-32 cells at the concentrations of 1–100 μg/ml. Western blot analysis revealed that ECa 233 significantly upregulated the level of activated ERK1/2 and Akt of the treated cells suggesting their involvement in the neuritogenic effect observed, which was subsequently verified by the finding that an addition of their respective inhibitors could reverse the effect of ECa 233 on these cells.

Conclusions

The present study clearly demonstrated neurite outgrowth promoting activity of ECa 233. ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways seemed to account for the neurotrophic effect observed. In conjunction with in vivo neuroprotective effect of ECa 233 previously reported, the results obtained support further development of ECa 233 for clinical use in neuronal injury or neurodegenerative diseases.
How do medical doctors use a web-based oncology protocol system? A comparison of Australian doctors at different levels of medical training using logfile analysis and an online survey
Authors: Langton Julia M , Blanch Bianca , Pesa Nicole , Park Jae Min , Pearson Sallie-Anne
Published: August 2013

Background

Electronic decision support is commonplace in medical practice. However, its adoption at the point-of-care is dependent on a range of organisational, patient and clinician-related factors. In particular, level of clinical experience is an important driver of electronic decision support uptake. Our objective was to examine the way in which Australian doctors at different stages of medical training use a web-based oncology system (http://www.eviq.org.au).

Methods

We used logfiles to examine the characteristics of eviQ registrants (2009–2012) and patterns of eviQ use in 2012, according to level of medical training. We also used a web-based survey to evaluate the way doctors at different levels of medical training use the online system and to elicit perceptions of the system’s utility in oncology care.

Results

Our study cohort comprised 2,549 eviQ registrants who were hospital-based medical doctors across all levels of training. 65% of the cohort used eviQ in 2012, with 25% of interns/residents, 61% of advanced oncology trainees and 47% of speciality-qualified oncologists accessing eviQ in the last 3 months of 2012. The cohort accounted for 445,492 webhits in 2012. On average, advanced trainees used eviQ up to five-times more than other doctors (42.6 webhits/month compared to 22.8 for specialty-qualified doctors and 7.4 webhits/month for interns/residents). Of the 52 survey respondents, 89% accessed eviQ’s chemotherapy protocols on a daily or weekly basis in the month prior to the survey. 79% of respondents used eviQ at least weekly to initiate therapy and to support monitoring (29%), altering (35%) or ceasing therapy (19%). Consistent with the logfile analysis, advanced oncology trainees report more frequent eviQ use than doctors at other stages of medical training.

Conclusions

The majority of the Australian oncology workforce are registered on eviQ. The frequency of use directly mirrors the clinical role of doctors and attitudes about the utility of eviQ in decision-making. Evaluations of this kind generate important data for system developers and medical educators to drive improvements in electronic decision support to better meet the needs of clinicians. This end-user focus will optimise the uptake of systems which will translate into improvements in processes of care and patient outcomes.
Integrated wall stress: a new methodological approach to assess ventricular workload and myocardial contractile reserve
Authors: Dong Hailong , Mosca Heather , Gao Erhe , Akins Robert E , Gidding Samuel S , Tsuda Takeshi
Published: August 2013

Background

Wall stress is a useful concept to understand the progression of ventricular remodeling. We measured cumulative LV wall stress throughout the cardiac cycle over unit time and tested whether this “integrated wall stress (IWS)” would provide a reliable marker of total ventricular workload.

Methods and results

We applied IWS to mice after experimental myocardial infarction (MI) and sham-operated mice, both at rest and under dobutamine stimulation. Small infarcts were created so as not to cause subsequent overt hemodynamic decompensation. IWS was calculated over one minute through simultaneous measurement of LV internal diameter and wall thickness by echocardiography and LV pressure by LV catheterization. At rest, the MI group showed concentric LV hypertrophy pattern with preserved LV cavity size, LV systolic function, and IWS comparable with the sham group. Dobutamine stimulation induced a dose-dependent increase in IWS in MI mice, but not in sham mice; MI mice mainly increased heart rate, whereas sham mice increased LV systolic and diastolic function. IWS showed good correlation with a product of peak-systolic wall stress and heart rate. We postulate that this increase in IWS in post- MI mice represents limited myocardial contractile reserve.

Conclusion

We hereby propose that IWS provides a useful estimate of total ventricular workload in the mouse model and that increased IWS indicates limited LV myocardial contractile reserve.
Compensatory regulation of Na+ absorption by Na+/H+ exchanger and Na+-Cl- cotransporter in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Chang Wei-Jen , Wang Yi-Fang , Hu Huei-Jyun , Wang Jung-Hsuan , Lee Tsung-Han , Hwang Pung-Pung
Published: August 2013

Introduction

In mammals, internal Na+ homeostasis is maintained through Na+ reabsorption via a variety of Na+ transport proteins with mutually compensating functions, which are expressed in different segments of the nephrons. In zebrafish, Na+ homeostasis is achieved mainly through the skin/gill ionocytes, namely Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE3b)-expressing H+-ATPase rich (HR) cells and Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC)-expressing NCC cells, which are functionally homologous to mammalian proximal and distal convoluted tubular cells, respectively. The present study aimed to investigate whether or not the functions of HR and NCC ionocytes are differentially regulated to compensate for disruptions of internal Na+ homeostasis and if the cell differentiation of the ionocytes is involved in this regulation pathway.

Results

Translational knockdown of ncc caused an increase in HR cell number and a resulting augmentation of Na+ uptake in zebrafish larvae, while NHE3b loss-of-function caused an increase in NCC cell number with a concomitant recovery of Na+ absorption. Environmental acid stress suppressed nhe3b expression in HR cells and decreased Na+ content, which was followed by up-regulation of NCC cells accompanied by recovery of Na+ content. Moreover, knockdown of ncc resulted in a significant decrease of Na+ content in acid-acclimated zebrafish.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence that HR and NCC cells exhibit functional redundancy in Na+ absorption, similar to the regulatory mechanisms in mammalian kidney, and suggest this functional redundancy is a critical strategy used by zebrafish to survive in a harsh environment that disturbs body fluid Na+ homeostasis.
Evaluation of an intelligent wheelchair system for older adults with cognitive impairments
Authors: How Tuck-Voon , Wang Rosalie H , Mihailidis Alex
Published: August 2013

Background

Older adults are the most prevalent wheelchair users in Canada. Yet, cognitive impairments may prevent an older adult from being allowed to use a powered wheelchair due to safety and usability concerns. To address this issue, an add-on Intelligent Wheelchair System (IWS) was developed to help older adults with cognitive impairments drive a powered wheelchair safely and effectively. When attached to a powered wheelchair, the IWS adds a vision-based anti-collision feature that prevents the wheelchair from hitting obstacles and a navigation assistance feature that plays audio prompts to help users manoeuvre around obstacles.

Methods

A two stage evaluation was conducted to test the efficacy of the IWS.Stage One: Environment of Use– the IWS’s anti-collision and navigation features were evaluated against objects found in a long-term care facility. Six different collision scenarios (wall, walker, cane, no object, moving and stationary person) and three different navigation scenarios (object on left, object on right, and no object) were performed. Signal detection theory was used to categorize the response of the system in each scenario.Stage Two: User Trials– single-subject research design was used to evaluate the impact of the IWS on older adults with cognitive impairment. Participants were asked to drive a powered wheelchair through a structured obstacle course in two phases: 1) with the IWS and 2) without the IWS. Measurements of safety and usability were taken and compared between the two phases. Visual analysis and phase averages were used to analyze the single-subject data.

Results

Stage One:The IWS performed correctly for all environmental anti-collision and navigation scenarios.Stage Two:Two participants completed the trials. The IWS was able to limit the number of collisions that occurred with a powered wheelchair and lower the perceived workload for driving a powered wheelchair. However, the objective performance (time to complete course) of users navigating their environment did not improve with the IWS.

Conclusions

This study shows the efficacy of the IWS in performing with a potential environment of use, and benefiting members of its desired user population to increase safety and lower perceived demands of powered wheelchair driving.
Effect of STAT5 silenced by siRNA on proliferation apoptosis and invasion of esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca-109
Authors: Yang Qian , Li Min , Wang Tao , Xu Hong , Zang Wenqiao , Zhao Guoqiang
Published: August 2013

Background

STAT is the backward position of cytokine and growth factor receptors in the nucleus, STAT dimers could bind to DNA and induce transcription of specific target genes. Several lines of evidence support the important roles of STAT, especially STAT5, in carcinogenesis. The overexpression of STAT 5 is related to the differentiation and apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the role of STAT5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear.

Methods

The siRNA vectors aiming to STAT5 gene were constructed. STAT5 siRNA was transfected into Eca-109 cells by Lipofectamine™2000. Expression of STAT5、Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 were analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. Eca-109 cells proliferation was determined by MTT. Eca-109 cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by the flow cytometry. Boyden chamber was used to evaluate the invasion and metastasis capabilities of Eca-109 cells.

Results

The double strands oligonucleotide of siRNA aiming to STAT5 was successfully cloned into the pRNAT-U6.1 vector, and the target sequence coincided with the design. RT-PCR and Western blotting detection demonstrated that the expression levels of STAT5、Bcl-2 and Cyclin D1 gene were obviously decreased in Eca-109 cells transfected with STAT5 siRNA. STAT5 siRNA could suppress the proliferation of Eca-109 cells. The proportion of S and G2/M period frequency was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The proportion of G0/G1 period frequency was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The average amount of cells penetrating Matrigel was significantly decreased (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

STAT5 silenced by siRNA could induce the apoptosis and suppress the proliferation、invasion and metastasis of esophageal carcinoma cell line Eca-109, which indicated STAT5 might be a novel therapeutic strategy for the human ESCC.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1351913072103000
Assessment of attitudes towards methadone maintenance treatment between heroin users at a compulsory detoxification centre and methadone maintenance clinic in Ningbo, China
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Longhui , Zhang Yahai , Zhang Lina , Shen Wenwen , Xü Huachong , Wang Guangming , Lü Weidong , Zhou Wenhua
Published: August 2013

Background

In China, the Compulsory Detoxification Centres are the main response for people who use illegal drugs. Due to high relapse rates among people released from the Compulsory Detoxification Centres, it is likely that they may seek medical help, including Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) services, at some point. Therefore, better understanding of the attitudes and beliefs of people in the Compulsory Detoxification Centres can help to provide more adequate response to opioid dependence.

Methods

In total, 329 detained heroin users and 112 active MMT clients were recruited from a local Compulsory Detoxification Centre and MMT clinic, respectively. The survey contained specific questions relating to attitudes and beliefs regarding MMT.

Results

Participants at the Compulsory Detoxification Centre and the MMT clinic expressed different opinions, regarding positive and negative attitudes and beliefs towards MMT. In addition, participants from both sites hold certain negative attitudes and beliefs about methadone despite their acknowledgement of the positive effects of MMT. Finally, participants at the Compulsory Detoxification Centre and the MMT clinic reported distinctive treatment preferences, with the former preferring community-based treatment and the latter MMT.

Conclusions

Developing targeted education about MMT for people at the Compulsory Detoxification Centres could help improve access to accurate and evidence-based health and treatment information. The study may also help providers understand and adjust services needed for target population in the future.
Changing trends and serotype distribution of Shigella species in Beijing from 1994 to 2010
Authors: Mao Yuanli , Cui Enbo , Bao Chunmei , Liu Zhenhong , Chen Suming , Zhang Juling , Wang Huan , Zhang Chenglong , Zou Jing , Klena John D , Zhu Baoli , Qu Fen , Wang Zhiyun
Published: August 2013

Shigella species are a common cause of acute diarrheal disease in China. In this study, we characterized the changing trends and serotype distribution of Shigella species in Beijing from 1994 to 2010. A total of 5999 Shigella strains were isolated and serotyped from the 302nd Hospital in Beijing. The annual number of Shigella isolates reached a peak (n = 1192; 19.84%) in 1996 and then decreased annually, reaching the lowest point (n = 24; 0.41%) in 2010. S. flexneri 2a and S. sonnei were the most frequently isolated Shigella, with their respective isolates making up 53.3% and 27.6% of the total. Isolates of S. flexneri 4c, 4a, and x made up 3% respectively of the total isolates. Significant decreases in percentage of S. flexneri over time were observed. S. sonnei surpassed S. flexneri 2a as the predominant serotype in 2000. Most isolates were recovered from July to September; 13.6% of the isolates were recovered from children aged 0 to 5 years, and 16% were recovered from those aged 21 to 25 years. S. flexneri 2a and 5 were recovered mostly from males (33.41%, p < 0.001; and 0.46%, p < 0.001%; respectively), whereas S. flexneri 2b and 6, and S. sonnei were most often isolated from females. Continuous monitoring of Shigella showed that all 4 species and 27 serotypes were present in Beijing, China, during the study period. The emergence of S. sonnei and the overall decreasing isolation rate of Shigella in Beijing can potentially aid in the development of vaccine and control strategies for shigellosis in the city.
Cell injury after ischemia and reperfusion in the porcine kidney evaluated by radiolabelled microspheres, sestamibi, and lactadherin
Authors: Pedersen Stine S , Keller Anna K , Nielsen Marie K , Jespersen Bente , Falborg Lise , Rasmussen Jan T , Heegaard Christian W , Rehling Michael
Published: August 2013

Background

The purpose of the present study was to quantify renal cell injury after ischemia and reperfusion in a pig model using99mTc-lactadherin as a marker of apoptosis and99mTc-sestamibi as a marker of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Methods

Thirty-four pigs were randomized into unilateral renal warm ischemia of 120 (WI120) or 240 min (WI240). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by renal clearance of51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and apoptosis was quantified by immunohistochemical detection of caspase-3. After 240 min of reperfusion, intravenous99mTc-lactadherin or99mTc-sestamibi was injected simultaneously with153Gd microspheres into the aorta.Ex-vivostatic planar images of the kidneys were acquired for determination of the differential renal function of tracer distribution using a gamma camera.

Results

In WI120, there was no significant difference in the uptake of microspheres in the ischemic and contralateral normal kidney indicating adequate perfusion (uptake in ischemic kidney relative to the sum of uptake in both kidneys; 46% ± 12% and 51% ± 5%). In WI240, the uptake of microspheres was severely reduced in both groups (17% ± 11% and 27% ± 17%). GFR was severely reduced in the post ischemic kidney in both groups.

In both groups, the uptake of lactadherin was reduced (41% ± 8%, 17% ± 13%) but not different from the uptake of153Gd microspheres. Caspase-3-positive cell profiles were increased in the post-ischemic kidneys (p < 0.001) and increased as the length of ischemia increased (p = 0.003). In both WI120and WI240, the amount of99mTc-sestamibi in the ischemic kidney was significantly lower than the amount of153Gd microspheres (40 ± 5 versus 51 ± 5 and 20 ± 11 versus 27 ± 17;p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In an established pig model with unilateral renal warm ischemia, we found significantly reduced99mTc-sestamibi uptake relative to perfusion in the kidneys exposed to ischemia indicating a potential ability to detect renal ischemic and reperfusion injuries. However, apoptosis was not detected using99mTc-lactadherin in the post-ischemic kidneys despite increased number of caspase-3-positive cell profiles.

Trial registration

This study is approved by the Danish Inspectorate of Animal Experiments (2010/561-1837).