bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le Périódico de la Sociedad Médico-Quirúrgica de Cádiz (1820-1824), un pionnier du journalisme médical
Authors: Renaudet Isabelle
Published: November 2014

L’article analyse l’évolution du Periódico de la Sociedad Médico-Quirúrgica de Cádiz publié entre 1820 et 1824 à Cadix, durant le Trienio liberal. Lié au Collège Royal de Chirurgie, le Periódico de la Sociedad Médico Quirúrgica de Cádiz fut un pionnier du journalisme médical. Francisco Javier Laso de la Vega, qui fut l’introducteur de la méthode anatomopathologique en Espagne, en constitue le membre le plus éminent. Relais des débats scientifiques européens, le Periódico de la Sociedad Médico-Quirúrgica de Cádiz fut un vecteur des transferts de savoirs médicaux et un acteur d’une presse professionnelle dont la spécialisation était en marche.
Ethnography as a research-support discipline in ESP teaching, learning and research in the French academic context
Authors: Isani Shaeda
Published: November 2014

Cet article postule l’existence d’une affinité naturelle entre une approche inspirée de l’ethnographie et la perspective socioculturelle qui est celle de l’anglais de spécialité du secteur universitaire français. Malgré peu d’indications bibliométriques à cet effet, cette analyse se donne comme objectif de démontrer l’existence d’un courant proche de l’ethnographie qui, bien que discret, est néanmoins identifiable chez les trois acteurs principaux du domaine de l’anglais de spécialité dans l’enseignement supérieur, l’enseignant, l’apprenant et le chercheur. L’article conclut en avançant que l’ancrage socioculturel de l’enseignement et de la recherche de l’anglais de spécialité dans les universités françaises ne peut que s’enrichir à travers un plus grand rapprochement avec les principes et pratiques de l’ethnographie.
L’influence de la conceptualisation métaphorique sur les choix traductionnels
Authors: Meyers Charlène
Published: November 2014

Dans cet article, l’auteur analyse les modes de conceptualisation dans des textes de vulgarisation scientifique sur les trous noirs. Elle constate que le traducteur novice a souvent pour premier réflexe de se tourner vers les bases de données pour résoudre des problèmes ponctuels de traduction en langue de spécialité. Elle argumente que ces bases de données ne constituent pas la solution optimale pour traduire un texte dans lequel les métaphores conceptuelles sont omniprésentes. D’après ses observations, la constitution de corpus constitue une démarche intéressante pour, d’une part, repérer la conceptualisation métaphorique qui gouverne un concept et, d’autre part, prendre les meilleures décisions pour traduire les expressions métaphoriques qui y sont liées. Au moyen d’une analyse contrastive anglais-français, l’auteur montre que l’accès aux modes de conceptualisation est déterminant pour l’étudiant-traducteur étant donné que ces derniers lui fournissent un indice probant sur la terminologie à adopter dans sa traduction.
Ouverture à la concurrence et obligations de service universel
Authors: Franck Bernard , Le Pape Nicolas , Ouattara Sylvain Kadohognon
Published: November 2014

Cet article traite du rôle exercé par la nationalité d’un entrant privé sur son choix de taux de couverture du marché lorsque l’opérateur historique (firme publique) est en charge du service universel. Nous comparons ces taux librement choisis par un entrant à ceux qui prévaudraient s’ils étaient imposés par une instance de régulation. À l’aide d’un modèle de duopole différencié à trois étapes, nous examinons l’impact du taux de couverture du marché de l’entrant sur la qualité et sur le prix du service proposé par les deux firmes.Dans l’hypothèse où l’entrant est une firme étrangère, l’opérateur historique adopte une tarification au coût marginal. En revanche, lorsque l’entrant est une firme domestique, la firme publique devient moins agressive puisqu’elle fixe un prix supérieur à son coût marginal. Cette différence de comportement de la firme publique selon le scénario d’entrée découle de la fonction de bien-être social qui n’intègre pas le profit de l’entrant lorsque ce dernier est une firme étrangère. Nous montrons également que le différentiel de qualités fournies par les deux firmes se réduit lorsque la zone de couverture de l’entrant baisse et ce phénomène est indépendant de la nationalité de ce dernier. Enfin, le taux optimal de couverture du marché imposé par le régulateur est toujours inférieur au taux librement choisi par l’entrant. Ce dernier résultat tient au fait que l’entrant cherche à se prémunir d’une intensification de la concurrence liée à la réduction du différentiel de qualité.
Joint Opaque Selling Systems for Online Travel Agencies
Authors: Ogonowska Malgorzata , Torre Dominique
Published: November 2014

Cet article analyse les ventes opaques qui constituent un canal de distribution alternatif aux canaux traditionnels. Deux variantes sont pratiquées. La première, développée par Hotwire.com repose sur des prix affichés et un service garanti par le vendeur dès le paiement. La seconde, proposée par Priceline.com, fonctionne sur la base d’une sorte de système d’enchères, les clients potentiels formulant un prix pour une offre qui leur sera d’autant plus accessible que le prix proposé est élevé. Nous proposons un modèle analytique permettant de comparer l’application individuelle et simultanée de ces deux variantes par une agence de voyages en ligne en situation de monopole et faisant face à une demande hétérogène. Deux situations sont explorées : une information complète mais imparfaite et une information incomplète et imparfaite. Les résultats obtenus montrent qu’en information complète et imparfaite l’adoption simultanée des deux systèmes n’améliore pas les profits du monopoleur. En revanche, dans le cas où l’information est incomplète, ce qui semble le plus pertinent, l’utilisation des deux canaux opaques accroît le profit joint de la compagnie et de l’intermédiaire, ce qui jette un doute sur le bien-fondé des stratégies retenues actuellement par les intermédiaires.
Incomplete Contracts as a Screening Device in Competing Vertical Inter-Firm Relationships
Authors: Sicoli Marta , Sorge Marco Maria
Published: November 2014

Plusieurs recherches récentes dans le domaine de l’organisation industrielle ont souligné la valeur stratégique des contrats incomplets dans les relations verticales entre les entreprises. Cet article met en évidence un effet jusqu’ici peu considéré de l’incomplétude contractuelle: en analysant un simple modèle d’agence caractérisé par la présence d’une double incitation à mentir, on montre que, si l’agent (vendeur) agit dans un marché imparfaitement concurrentiel, le principal (producteur) peut volontairement choisir d’utiliser un contrat incomplet pour assurer la révélation véridique de l’information privée de son agent. Alors que la mise à disposition d’outils supplémentaires pour la surveillance des actes de l’agent afin de réduire le risque de comportement opportuniste ne garantit pas l’auto-sélection des types, l’utilisation de contrats incomplets assure toujours une séparation parfaite, même en présence des countervailing incentives.
e-Shopping Experience in e-Tail Market
Authors: B. Kamaladevi , M.R. Vanitha Mani
Published: November 2014

Survival of fittest and fastest is the mantra of today's business game. In the modern e-Business era, the retailer must focus on the customer's e-Tailing experience to survive in the e-World. To focus an e-Customer's experience towards e-Tailing, the retailers should understand what “e-Tailing” actually means. e-Retailing is a form of electronic commerce which allows consumers to directly buy goods or services from a seller over the Internet using a web browser. e-Tailing can be referred as e-web store, e-Shop, e-Store, Internet shop, web-shop, web-store, online store, and virtual store. On the other hand, e-Customer Experience Management is a strategy that focuses the operations and processes of an e-Business around the needs of the individual e-Customer. It represents a strategy that results in a win–win value exchange between the e-Tailer and their e-Customers. The goal of e-Customer experience management is to move customers from satisfied to loyal and then from loyal to advocate. This paper focuses on the role of macro factors influencing e-Customers to make e-Shopping and how they can shape e-Customer experiences and behaviors. As a result, e-Store information quality, e-Shopping cost, e-Store design quality, e-Privacy/security, e-Customer service and e-Delivery service quality are found as the macro factors influencing e-Customers towards e-Tailing.
Influence of Education on Travel Agencies' E-Business
Authors: Devasena S. Valli
Published: November 2014

The success of Travel Agency e business depends on the Educational level of its agents. Because a travel agents job involves not only making sales but also gathering information, researching travel products, analyzing options, and making recommendations, for these reasons, travel agents are often referred to travel Consultants or travel counselors. The main products of a travel agency are transportation accommodation and packaged vacations. Airline tickets are the primary products line of most travel agencies. To cope up with the changing environment, education plays an important role.
Use of RFID Technology for Automatic Job Costing
Authors: Bellah Jeremy C. , Li Kunpeng , Zelbst Pamela J. , Gu Qiannong
Published: November 2014

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been used to collect information for use in information systems that support knowledge-based business decisions. Most applications involve using the technology for automatic identification and tracking within facilities and supply chains. However, there are a number of other uses for the technology in the context of supporting knowledge-based decisions. By describing an innovative use of RFID technology, this study contributes to research and practice in the area of knowledge-based tools. Specifically, the process created in this study uses RFID technology to automatically and accurately calculate job costing information for fixed-position projects. By implementing the methods described in this process, business professionals can reap important benefits from the knowledge generated by the system.
Risk Factors for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Infants and Children: a Cross-sectional Cohort Study
Authors: Kusahara Denise Miyuki , Enz Camila da Cruz , Avelar Ariane Ferreira Machado , Peterlini Maria Angélica Sorgini , Pedreira Mavilde da Luz Gonçalves
Published: November 2014

Background

The epidemiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia is well described for adults, but little information is available on risk factors for this disease in children.

Objective

To identify predisposing factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia in children.

Methods

A cross-sectional prospective cohort study of 96 patients in a 9-bed pediatric intensive care unit was performed. Variables examined were demographic characteristics, inpatient care, medications, nutrition, invasive procedures, and characteristics of mechanical ventilation. Data were analyzed by using Pearson χ2 analysis, Fisher exact and Mann-Whitney tests, odds ratios, and forward stepwise logistic regression.

Results

Occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia correlated positively with use of nasoenteral tubes (odds ratio, 5.278; P < .001), intermittent administration of nutritional formula (odds ratio, 6.632; P = .005), emergency reintubation (odds ratio, 2.700; P = .02), use of vasoactive drugs (odds ratio, 5.108; P = .009), duration of mechanical ventilation (P < .001), and length of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (P < .001) and in the hospital (P = .01).

Conclusion

Use of vasoactive drugs, presence of a nasoenteral tube, and duration of stay in the pediatric intensive care unit were independent risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia.
The Power of The Liver Transplant Waiting List: A Case Presentation
Authors: Hansen Lissi , Yan Yi , Rosenkranz Susan J.
Published: November 2014

End-stage liver disease (ESLD), the final stage of chronic liver disease, is treated with liver transplant. Many patients have serious ESLD-related complications and are admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment. Such patients are temporarily unsuitable to undergo transplant surgery and are placed into a temporarily inactive category, “status 7,” on the transplant waiting list. Status 7 patients account for about 15% of all patients on the list. To describe the experience of a status 7 patient on the liver transplant waiting list from the perspectives of family members, 38 hours of bedside observation of participants, 9 semistructured interviews with 6 family members, and 9 semistructured interviews with 8 health care professionals from nursing, medicine, and other health care disciplines were done. Data were analyzed via conventional content analysis. Family members’ perspectives fit into 3 phases that correspond to the progression of the patient’s clinical condition: dealing with crisis, confusion and frustration, and back on the road to transplant. All 3 phases related to 1 goal: getting the patient’s status reactivated on the liver transplant waiting list. This case exposes the struggles that patients with ESLD and their families may go through during the status 7 period and could serve as a starting point for further examination of this period.
Early Mobility in the Intensive Care Unit: Standard Equipment vs a Mobility Platform
Authors: Roberts Melanie , Johnson Laura Adele , Lalonde Trent L.
Published: November 2014

Background

Despite the general belief that mobility and exercise play an important role in the recovery of functional status, mobility is difficult to implement in patients in intensive care units.

Objectives

To compare a mobility platform with standard equipment, assessing efficiency (decreased time and staff required to prepare patient), effectiveness (increased activity time), and safety (no falls, unplanned tube removals, or emergency situations) for intensive care patients.

Methods

This observational study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from the patient or the medical decision maker. Intensive care patients were assigned to a room in the usual manner, with platforms in odd-numbered rooms and standard equipment in even-numbered rooms. Standardized data collection tools were designed to collect data for 24 hours for each patient. The nurses caring for the patients completed the data collection tools in real time during the activity. The stages of activity and the physiological states that would preclude mobility were very specifically defined for the research study.

Results

Data were collected for a total of 71 patients and 238 activities. Important (although not significant) descriptive statistics regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit were discovered. The unintended result of the research study was a change in the culture and practice regarding early mobility in the intensive care unit.

Conclusions

Early mobility can be implemented in intensive care units. Standard equipment can be used to mobilize such patients safely; however, for patients who ambulate, a platform may increase efficiency and effectiveness.
SLAM–SAP Signaling Promotes Differentiation of IL-17–Producing T Cells and Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Huang Yu-Hsuan , Tsai Kevin , Ma Caixia , Vallance Bruce A. , Priatel John J. , Tan Rusung
Published: November 2014

IL-17 plays critical roles in host defenses, combating bacterial and fungal infections, as well as the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The signaling adaptor SAP is essential for normal immune homeostasis and mutations within SH2D1A, the locus encoding this protein, result in serious and sometimes fatal syndromes, including X-linked lymphoproliferative disease and severe cases of common variable immunodeficiency. However, the precise cellular basis of how SAP deficiency contributes to immune dysfunction remains incompletely understood. In this study, we found that CD4 and CD8 T cells lacking SAP had a diminished capacity to differentiate into IL-17–producing Th17 and T cytotoxic (Tc17) cells relative to wild-type lymphocytes. The use of costimulating SLAM Abs was found to augment the differentiation of IL-17–secreting effectors in wild-type but not Sh2d1a−/− splenic T cells under IL-17–polarizing conditions. In addition, SAP’s regulation of IL-17–secreting T cells was shown to be a T cell–intrinsic role, as purified naive Sh2d1a−/− CD4 and CD8 T cells were inherently defective at converting into Th17 and Tc17 cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Sh2d1a−/− mice were protected from EAE and exhibited greatly decreased numbers of CNS-infiltrating Th17 and Tc17 effector T cells and reduced disease severity. Collectively, these results suggest that SLAM–SAP signaling drives the differentiation and function of Th17 and Tc17 cells in vitro and in vivo and contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in EAE.
Functional Comparison of Engineered T Cells Carrying a Native TCR versus TCR-like Antibody–Based Chimeric Antigen Receptors Indicates Affinity/Avidity Thresholds
Authors: Oren Ravit , Hod-Marco Moran , Haus-Cohen Maya , Thomas Sharyn , Blat Dan , Duvshani Nerri , Denkberg Galit , Elbaz Yael , Benchetrit Fabrice , Eshhar Zelig , Stauss Hans , Reiter Yoram
Published: November 2014

Adoptive transfer of Ag-specific T lymphocytes is an attractive form of immunotherapy for cancers. However, acquiring sufficient numbers of host-derived tumor-specific T lymphocytes by selection and expansion is challenging, as these cells may be rare or anergic. Using engineered T cells can overcome this difficulty. Such engineered cells can be generated using a chimeric Ag receptor based on common formats composed from Ag-recognition elements such as αβ-TCR genes with the desired specificity, or Ab variable domain fragments fused with T cell–signaling moieties. Combining these recognition elements are Abs that recognize peptide-MHC. Such TCR-like Abs mimic the fine specificity of TCRs and exhibit both the binding properties and kinetics of high-affinity Abs. In this study, we compared the functional properties of engineered T cells expressing a native low affinity αβ-TCR chains or high affinity TCR-like Ab–based CAR targeting the same specificity. We isolated high-affinity TCR-like Abs recognizing HLA-A2-WT1Db126 complexes and constructed CAR that was transduced into T cells. Comparative analysis revealed major differences in function and specificity of such CAR-T cells or native TCR toward the same antigenic complex. Whereas the native low-affinity αβ-TCR maintained potent cytotoxic activity and specificity, the high-affinity TCR-like Ab CAR exhibited reduced activity and loss of specificity. These results suggest an upper affinity threshold for TCR-based recognition to mediate effective functional outcomes of engineered T cells. The rational design of TCRs and TCR-based constructs may need to be optimized up to a given affinity threshold to achieve optimal T cell function.
A Deficiency in the Prostaglandin D2 Receptor CRTH2 Exacerbates Adjuvant-Induced Joint Inflammation
Authors: Tsubosaka Yoshiki , Nakamura Tatsuro , Hirai Hiroyuki , Hori Masatoshi , Nakamura Masataka , Ozaki Hiroshi , Murata Takahisa
Published: November 2014

Although the cyclooxygenase metabolites PGs are known to be involved in the progression of arthritis, the role of PGD2 remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of signaling mediated through a PGD2 receptor, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2), in the progression of adjuvant-induced joint inflammation. Injection of CFA into the ankle joint stimulated PGD2 production and induced paw swelling in both CRTH2-naive (WT) and CRTH2−/− mice. CRTH2−/− mice presented more severe arthritic manifestations than did WT mice. Through bone marrow transplantation experiments between WT and CRTH2−/− mice, we showed that CRTH2 deficiency in bone marrow–derived immune cells is involved in disease progression. Morphological studies showed that CRTH2 deficiency accelerated the infiltration of macrophages into the inflamed paw. Consistent with this finding, we observed that treatment with the macrophage inactivator GdCl3 or the macrophage-depleting agent liposomal clodronate improved arthritis symptoms in CRTH2−/− mice. Adoptive transfer of CRTH2−/− macrophages exacerbated joint inflammation in WT mice. In addition, CRTH2 deficiency accelerated, whereas CRTH2 agonism inhibited, the expression of a macrophage-activating cytokine (GM-CSF) and a chemokine receptor (CXCR2) in CFA-treated peritoneal macrophages. Together, these observations demonstrate that PGD2–CRTH2 signaling plays a protective role in joint inflammation by attenuating the infiltration of macrophages.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper Enhanced Expression in Dendritic Cells Is Sufficient To Drive Regulatory T Cells Expansion In Vivo
Authors: Calmette Joseph , Ellouze Mehdi , Tran Thi , Karaki Soumaya , Ronin Emilie , Capel Francis , Pallardy Marc , Bachelerie Françoise , Krzysiek Roman , Emilie Dominique , Schlecht-Louf Géraldine , Godot Véronique
Published: November 2014

Tolerance induction by dendritic cells (DCs) is, in part, mediated by the activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). We have previously shown in vitro that human DCs treated with glucocorticoids (GCs), IL-10, or TGF-β upregulate the GC-Induced Leucine Zipper protein (GILZ). GILZ overexpression promotes DC differentiation into regulatory cells that generate IL-10–producing Ag-specific Tregs. To investigate whether these observations extend in vivo, we have generated CD11c-GILZhi transgenic mice. DCs from these mice constitutively overexpress GILZ to levels observed in GC-treated wild-type DCs. In this article, we establish that GILZhi DCs display an accumulation of Foxp3+ Tregs in the spleens of young CD11c-GILZhi mice. In addition, we show that GILZhi DCs strongly increase the Treg pool in central and peripheral lymphoid organs of aged animals. Upon adoptive transfer to wild-type recipient mice, OVA-loaded GILZhi bone marrow–derived DCs induce a reduced activation and proliferation of OVA-specific T cells as compared with control bone marrow–derived DCs, associated with an expansion of thymus-derived CD25+Foxp3+ CD4 T cells. Transferred OVA-loaded GILZhi DCs produce significantly higher levels of IL-10 and express reduced levels of MHC class II molecules as compared with OVA-loaded control DCs, emphasizing the regulatory phenotype of GILZhi DCs in vivo. Thus, our work demonstrates in vivo that the GILZ overexpression alone is sufficient to promote a tolerogenic mode of function in DCs.
Compartmentalization of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication within Secondary Lymphoid Tissues of Rhesus Macaques Is Linked to Disease Stage and Inversely Related to Localization of Virus-Specific CTL
Authors: Connick Elizabeth , Folkvord Joy M. , Lind Katherine T. , Rakasz Eva G. , Miles Brodie , Wilson Nancy A. , Santiago Mario L. , Schmitt Kimberly , Stephens Edward B. , Kim Hyeon O. , Wagstaff Reece , Li Shengbin , Abdelaal Hadia M. , Kemp Nathan , Watkins David I. , MaWhinney Samantha , Skinner Pamela J.
Published: November 2014

We previously demonstrated that HIV replication is concentrated in lymph node B cell follicles during chronic infection and that HIV-specific CTL fail to accumulate in large numbers at those sites. It is unknown whether these observations can be generalized to other secondary lymphoid tissues or whether virus compartmentalization occurs in the absence of CTL. We evaluated these questions in SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques by quantifying SIV RNA+ cells and SIV-specific CTL in situ in spleen, lymph nodes, and intestinal tissues obtained at several stages of infection. During chronic asymptomatic infection prior to simian AIDS, SIV-producing cells were more concentrated in follicular (F) compared with extrafollicular (EF) regions of secondary lymphoid tissues. At day 14 of infection, when CTL have minimal impact on virus replication, there was no compartmentalization of SIV-producing cells. Virus compartmentalization was diminished in animals with simian AIDS, which often have low-frequency CTL responses. SIV-specific CTL were consistently more concentrated within EF regions of lymph node and spleen in chronically infected animals regardless of epitope specificity. Frequencies of SIV-specific CTL within F and EF compartments predicted SIV RNA+ cells within these compartments in a mixed model. Few SIV-specific CTL expressed the F homing molecule CXCR5 in the absence of the EF retention molecule CCR7, possibly accounting for the paucity of F CTL. These findings bolster the hypothesis that B cell follicles are immune privileged sites and suggest that strategies to augment CTL in B cell follicles could lead to improved viral control and possibly a functional cure for HIV infection.
IL-18 Enhances Immunosuppressive Responses by Promoting Differentiation into Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
Authors: Lim Hui Xuan , Hong Hye-Jin , Cho Daeho , Kim Tae Sung
Published: November 2014

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are major immunosuppressive cells that lead to T cell defects in cancer. IL-18 is important in inflammatory and immune responses. IL-18 has been reported to have a dual effect on tumor progression, as it not only stimulates host immune responses, but also exerts procancer effects by inducing immune escape and angiogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IL-18 on MDSCs and found that IL-18 treatment significantly increased the percentage and the absolute number of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) via differentiation of CD11b− bone marrow progenitor cells. IL-18–induced MDSCs showed enhanced suppression of T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production along with a dramatic increase of M-MDSC suppressive function, including NO production and arginase 1 expression. Although IL-18 decreased the number of granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) in a concentration-dependent manner, we found that the absolute number of G-MDSCs and their reactive oxygen species production remained unchanged. Additionally, we demonstrated that IL-18–induced M-MDSCs have a more potent suppressive effect on T cell responses with lower IFN-γ production than do G-MDSCs, suggesting that the increased suppressive effect observed in our study resulted from M-MDSCs. Furthermore, in vivo administration of IL-18 significantly increased the accumulation of M-MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, our findings indicate that IL-18 specifically enhances the differentiation and function of M-MDSCs, leading to immunosuppression.
DBC1 Is a Suppressor of B Cell Activation by Negatively Regulating Alternative NF-κB Transcriptional Activity
Authors: Kong Sinyi , Thiruppathi Muthusamy , Qiu Quan , Lin Zhenghong , Dong Hongxin , Chini Eduardo N. , Prabhakar Bellur S. , Fang Deyu
Published: November 2014

CD40 and BAFFR signaling play important roles in B cell proliferation and Ig production. In this study, we found that B cells from mice with deletion of Dbc1 gene (Dbc1−/−) show elevated proliferation, and IgG1 and IgA production upon in vitro CD40 and BAFF, but not BCR and LPS stimulation, indicating that DBC1 inhibits CD40/BAFF-mediated B cell activation in a cell-intrinsic manner. Microarray analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments reveal that DBC1 inhibits B cell function by selectively suppressing the transcriptional activity of alternative NF-κB members RelB and p52 upon CD40 stimulation. As a result, when immunized with nitrophenylated-keyhole limpet hemocyanin, Dbc1−/− mice produce significantly increased levels of germinal center B cells, plasma cells, and Ag-specific Ig. Finally, loss of DBC1 in mice leads to higher susceptibility to experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis. Our study identifies DBC1 as a novel regulator of B cell activation by suppressing the alternative NF-κB pathway.
Childhood obesity-an insight into preventive strategies
Authors: Kar Subhranshu Sekhar , Dube Rajani , Kar Sitanshu Sekhar
Published: November 2014

Childhood obesity is now a global problem throughout the world. The major factors affecting weight regulation and the development of obesity in children are the result of a large number of biological, behavioral, social, environmental, and economic factors and the complex interactions between them that promote a positive energy balance. The changes in the dietary habits with the adoption of sedentary life style increases manifold obesity-related diseases and their complications. An obese child later on grows up to become an obese adult. Therefore, the role of primary prevention along with methodical diet control, behavioral changes, and physical activity are the important strategies against the battle of childhood obesity.
Epidemiology and clinical findings of colorectal carcinoma in two tertiary care hospitals in Benghazi, Libya
Authors: Elzouki Abdel-Naser , Habel Salah , Alsoaeiti Saeid , Abosedra Adam , Khan Fahmi
Published: November 2014

Aim: The aim is to determine the pattern of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) seen in two tertiary hospitals in Benghazi, Libya. Materials and methods: The cohort includes all patients of CRC who were presented between January 2007 and December 2009 to the Oncology Department, Aljomhoria Hospital and 7 th October Hospital, Benghazi. Patient′s age, gender, clinical presentation, location of cancer involvement, and histopathologic diagnosis were reviewed. Tumor staging was carried out according to Astler Coller modification of Duke′s system, dividing it into stage A to C depending upon the extent of local involvement and regional node spread. Stage D was added to account for distant metastasis in accordance with Turnbull modification. Results: A total of 152 patients with CRC were included, 84 males (55%) and 68 females (45%) with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1.0. The mean age was 57.4 ± 12.92 years (range 21-87 years). 18 (11.8%) patients were below 40 years of age. The most common presenting symptoms were rectal bleeding and abdominal pain and were together present in 71% of the patients. The majority (67.8%) of tumors arise from rectum and sigmoid colon. More than one-third of the patients had poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Sixty patients (39.5%) presented in stage D, whereas 30.9% (47/152) and 29.6% (45/152) of patients were in stage B and stage C, respectively. None of the patients had stage A at presentation. The radiological evaluation showed presence of liver metastasis in 14 patients (9.2%) and pulmonary metastasis in two patients (1.3%). Anemia was found in 56 patients (36.8%). It was more common in females (P = 0.01) and in the right sided tumors (66.7%) than left sided tumors (29.5%) (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The majority of CRC patients in Benghazi were diagnosed in locally advanced or metastatic stage. In order to achieve early detection of CRC, a comprehensive cancer education program and screening of high risk population for CRC should be considered in this part of Libya.
An unusual cause of abdominal pain in a male patient: Endometriosis
Authors: Jabr Fadi I , Mani Venk
Published: November 2014

A rare case of abdominal pain secondary to endometriosis in a 52-year-old man with cirrhosis is presented. The patient had a repair of recurrent inguinal hernia 7 months prior to presentation. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a 4.5 cm × 2.5 cm cystic mass attached to the urinary bladder and the inguinal area. The mass pathology showed a cystic lumen of diameter of 1. 5 cm filled with old blood and surrounded by thick muscular mass. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of thick smooth muscle fibers that concentrically surround a central lumen that is bordered by endometrium such as glands and stroma. Immunostains were positive for estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the glandular component and for CD10 in the stroma, which is consistent with endometriosis.
“Risk approach strategy” in diabetics on fasting-evidence base through narrative review with a special focus on Ramadan fasting
Authors: Kaushal Kanica , Raina Sunil
Published: November 2014

The past two decades have seen a rise in the number of investigations examining the health-related effects of religiously motivated fasts. The fact that fasting is a common religious practice observed not only among Muslims, but among many other religious communities as well underlie a long felt need for drafting recommendations on fasting in diabetic patients as there are no substantial guidelines for the same. An extensive review of the work involving studies across populations in India and other nations across the world was conducted, with the aim to arrive at some broad consensus highlighting on the need for developing strict guidelines for patients with diabetes during fasting, before fasting and afterwards.
Endocrine disruptors: Can it be the missing link explaining the diabetes epidemic in India?
Authors: Dutta Deep , Khadgawat Rajesh
Published: November 2014

India is the diabetes capital of the world with an exponential increase in diabetes prevalence in the last few decades. It may not be just a simple co-incidence that the global increase in diabetes is associated with an exponential increase in industrial chemical output. Literature searches through PubMed, Medline and Embase for articles published until July 2014 evaluating link between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and diabetes was done. This review observed that a large volume of data is available from preclinical studies implicating commonly used synthetic compounds in the pathogenesis of diabetes. EDCs have been demonstrated to interact with almost all the steps of insulin homeostasis starting from its synthesis to its signaling and action. Bisphenol-A, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorod-ibenzo-dioxin (TCDD)/dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), persistent organic pollutants, diethylhexylphthalate, cadmium and arsenic are some of the important EDCs which interfere with a maximal number of pathways of insulin homeostasis. However data from humans establishing the causality lacks from across the globe, with maximal data available from bisphenol-A and TCDD from USA. Their evaluation among Indians, especially with regards to dysglycemia, insulin resistance and beta cell function is non-existent, thus warranting urgent research in this area.
Dead in bed syndrome: Mystery and fear
Authors: Poudel Resham , Kafle Nisha , Belbase Bipin , Kafle Pradip
Published: November 2014

Dead in bed (DIB) syndrome is a poorly understood cause of sudden and mysterious death in young people with type 1 diabetes on insulin therapy. Severe nocturnal hypoglycemia with unawareness is the most plausible mechanism which precipitates fatal arrhythmia in the vulnerable individual. Avoiding recurrent hypoglycemic episodes; screening for proarrhythmic condition in high-risk people with positive family history; and using real-time continuous glucose monitoring device in those with nighttime hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia unawareness can help to reduce the incidence of this deadly condition.
We′ve come this far by faith: Faith and spirituality as a facilitator to self-care management of type 2 diabetes among African-American men
Authors: Sherman Ledric
Published: November 2014

Purpose: To explore and understand how the church, faith, and spirituality plays a role in type 2 diabetes management among African-American men (AA men). Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 19) were AA men ages 35-69 years, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited via community outreach efforts, including barbershops and churches located in predominantly African-American communities in southeast US. Upon the consent, individual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and subsequently transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, and focused on identifying common themes among the descriptions of AA men′s experiences specific to type 2 diabetes. Results: Overall the participants from the present study stated that their faith in God as well as attending church does help them in their daily diabetes management. Interestingly, 2 of the 19 participants chose not to answer the faith and spirituality questions and 1 of the 19 stated that his faith was nonexistent. Conclusions: Diabetes self-management may be facilitated by incorporating the spiritual beliefs and virtues of AA men living with the illness. Little is still known, in general, about the process of how spirituality affects self-management of chronic illness. Further research should also focus on faith-based diabetes education among diabetics of all ethnic backgrounds.
Cultural determinants: Addressing barriers to holistic diabetes care
Authors: Sachdeva Sandeep , Khalique Najam , Ansari M. , Khan Zulfia , Mishra Sunil , Sharma Gaurav
Published: November 2014

Background: Cultural beliefs and traditional practices nearly affect all aspects of diabetes care. Therefore, understanding its broader cultural context can serve as important background information for effective care for diabetes. Materials and Methods: We conducted this study to explore the cultural determinants in diabetes care and to propose a broad theoretical framework for cultural assessment in persons with diabetes. Explanatory Model Interview Catalog interviews of 25 diabetes persons were conducted. Results: We found that perception about diabetes is influenced by tradition, customs and ethos. Diabetes does not show early signs and therefore symptoms are usually ignored until they interfere with their day-to-day living. Following dietary advice was the most difficult part of diabetes care due to varied cultural barriers. Due to cultural reasons, diabetes is still not assigned due priority by the family. Health illiteracy and cost of care were important barriers for seeking care. Diabetics taking conventional treatment often used complementary treatment, which may be hazardous. Language was also considered a barrier for effective diabetes care. Females struggle more for receiving appropriate care for their diabetes due to social and cultural factors. Conclusion: Cultural assessment needs to be done at various stages - initial assessment, identification of cultural issues in care, planning for culturally relevant intervention and evaluation. This calls for focused elements relevant to the presenting problem, necessary intervention, and participatory evaluation. Cultural values, beliefs, customs, and family patterns may be used as clues for planning diabetes care. Such interventions are likely to bear significant impact on diabetes care in times to come.
Medication adherence and determinants of non-adherence among south Indian diabetes patients
Authors: Medi Ravi , Mateti Uday , Kanduri Krishna , Konda Shiv
Published: November 2014

Objectives: The objective of the study is to determine the adherence and determinants of non-adherence among diabetes patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted for a period of six months in both inpatients and outpatients of diabetic clinic at a super speciality hospital. The structured medication adherence questionnaire (MAQ) was administered to the eligible diabetic patients to assess the adherence rate and determinants of non-adherence. Results: During the study period, a total of 140 patients were enrolled. Out of 140 patients, most of them were females (n = 79, 56.57%), than males (n = 61, 43.57%). Among them (n = 49, 35%) patients were in the age group greater than or equal to 61 years followed by (n = 42, 30%) patients between 51-60 years and others. The overall medication adherence rate was found to be 47.85%. The main factors for non-adherence were lack of finance (n = 43, 55.84%), forgetfulness (n = 36, 46.75%), being busy (n = 34, 44.15%), medicines inaccessibility (n = 15, 19.48%) and others. Conclusion: The overall medication adherence rate was found to be unsatisfactory. The main challenging factors affecting medication adherence were lack of finance, forgetfulness, being busy, medicines inaccessibility and side effects of drugs.
Discrimination and diabetes: Insight from the second Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs (DAWN2) Study
Authors: Kalra Sanjay , Baruah Manash
Published: November 2014

The second diabetes attitudes wishes and needs 2 (DAWN 2) study describes various facts of living with diabetes, including barriers to, and facilitators of effective psychosocial care. One of the issues studied by DAWN2 is the phenomenon of discrimination, as viewed by persons with diabetes, family members of persons with diabetes, and health care professionals. This brief communication discusses the high prevalence of discrimination against people with diabetes, as reported by DAWN2.
Psychosocial management of diabetes: Role of diabetes educator
Authors: Bhutani Jaikrit , Bhutani Sukriti , Gupta Yashdeep
Published: November 2014

Despite of the evident need for psychosocial competence and sensitivity in diabetes care professionals, this field remains sub optimally described in both International Diabetes Federation/American Diabetes Association and National Diabetes Educator Program curricula. This unfortunate omission is formidable challenge for diabetes care and poses an urgent need to amend existing curricula for training of diabetes educators (DEs). Diabetes education programs have exhaustively described the hard skills and also mention the importance of behavioral change, communication skills and cultural competence, yet soft skills of addressing psychosocial concerns have been given a Cinderella treatment. Diabetes educator (DE) has to be professional, personal and like a family member to patient forming a valuable link between treating clinician and the people with diabetes (PwD). Looking at the gap and the future aspects, a universal approach of sensitization which includes both the beneficiary and policy makers has to be adopted. Better description and importance of psychosocial aspects of diabetes have to be included in the curricula for DE training.
The role of celebrity diets versus medical nutrition therapy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Scrivens Sandra
Published: November 2014

With global obesity affecting 475 million people worldwide, the continued popularity of celebrity or fad diets is not surprising. Evidence for their sustainability and long-term positive benefits on weight loss and cardiometabolic risk is, however, limited. Modest weight loss of 5-10% in overweight or obesity is associated with improvements in blood lipids, glycemia, and insulin resistance. As overweight and obesity are the main risk factors for Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), medical nutrition therapy based on a balanced, reduced total energy diet, tailored to the individual, is recommended by the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes UK and transcultural diabetes-specific nutrition algrorithm (tDNA) guidelines.
‘This Making of Truth is Violence Too, Out of Which Facts are Formed’: Colson Whitehead's Secret History of Post-Reconstruction America in John Henry Days
Authors: Walonen Michael K.
Published: November 2014

Colson Whiteheads novel John Henry Days is part of a large trend in contemporary (post-Cold War) American literature of exploring overlooked or alternative historical currents as a means of coming to terms with the complexities, contradictions, and epistemological uncertainties of postmodern America. This essay argues that John Henry Days can be understood as a kind of secret history of the post-Reconstruction United States, charting a panoply of rhizomatic cultural meanderings, tangents, false starts, and subaltern strivings that paint this passage of time as defined by a repetitious series of self-sacrificing struggles against epochal new technologies in the process of radically reordering the social landscape and redefining the nature of humanity.
The role of elasticity in slab bending
Authors: Fourel Loic , Goes Saskia , Morra Gabriele
Published: November 2014

Previous studies showed that plate rheology exerts a dominant control on the shape and velocity of subducting plates. Here, we perform a systematic investigation of the role of elasticity in slab bending, using fully dynamic 2‐D models where an elastic, viscoelastic, or viscoelastoplastic plate subducts freely into a purely viscous mantle. We derive a scaling relationship between the bending radius of viscoelastic slabs and the Deborah number, De, which is the ratio of Maxwell time over deformation time. We show that De controls the ratio of elastically stored energy over viscously dissipated energy and find that at
, substantially less energy is required to bend a viscoelastic slab to the same shape as a purely viscous slab with the same intrinsic viscosity. Elastically stored energy at higher De favors retreating modes of subduction via unbending, while trench advance only occurs for some cases with
. We estimate the apparent Deborah numbers of natural subduction zones and find values ranging from
to > 1, where most zones have low
, but a few young plates have De > 0.1. Slabs with
either have very low viscosities or they may be yielding, in which case our De estimates may be underestimated by up to an order of magnitude, potentially pointing towards a significant role of elasticity in
of the subduction zones. In support of such a role of elasticity in subduction, we find that increasing De correlates with increasing proportion of larger seismic events in both instrumental and historic catalogues.
Unraveling the Sinuous Grain Boundaries in Graphene
Authors: Zhang Zhuhua , Yang Yang , Xu Fangbo , Wang Luqing , Yakobson Boris I.
Published: October 2014

Grain boundaries (GBs) in graphene are stable strings of pentagon‐heptagon dislocations. The GBs have been believed to favor an alignment of dislocations, but increasing number of experiments reveal diversely sinuous GB structures whose origins have long been elusive. Based on dislocation theory and first‐principles calculations, an extensive analysis of the graphene GBs is conducted and it is revealed that the sinuous GB structures, albeit being longer than the straight forms, can be energetically optimal once the global GB line cannot bisect the tilt angle. The unusually favorable sinuous GBs can actually decompose into a series of well‐defined bisector segments that effectively relieve the in‐plane stress of edge dislocations, and the established atomic structures closely resemble recent experimental images of typical GBs. In contrast to previously used models, the sinuous GBs show improved mechanical properties and are distinguished by a sizable electronic transport gap, which may open potential applications of polycrystalline graphene in functional devices.
Multiobjective optimization of product and process networks: General modeling framework, efficient global optimization algorithm, and case studies on bioconversion
Authors: Garcia Daniel J. , You Fengqi
Published: November 2014

A comprehensive optimization model that can determine the most cost‐effective and environmentally sustainable production pathways in an integrated processing network is needed, especially in the bioconversion space. We develop the most comprehensive bioconversion network to date with 193 technologies and 129 materials/compounds for fuels production. We consider the tradeoff between scaling capital and operating expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX) as well as life cycle environmental impacts. Additionally, we develop a general network‐based modeling framework with nonconvex terms for CAPEX. To globally optimize the nonlinear program with high computational efficiency, we develop a specialized branch‐and‐refine algorithm based on successive piecewise linear approximations. Two case studies are considered. The optimal pathways have profits from −$12.9 to $99.2M/yr, and emit 791 ton CO2‐eq/yr to 31,571 ton CO2‐eq/yr. Utilized technologies vary from corn‐based fermentation to pyrolysis. The proposed algorithm reduces computational time by up to three orders of magnitude compared to general‐purpose global optimizers. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 61: 530–554, 2015