bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using a Second‐Generation Cryoballoon Catheter: A Randomized Comparison of Ablation Duration and Method of Deflation
Authors: ANDRADE JASON G. , DUBUC MARC , GUERRA PETER G. , LANDRY EVELYN , COULOMBE NICOLAS , LEDUC HUGUES , RIVARD LÉNA , MACLE LAURENT , THIBAULT BERNARD , TALAJIC MARIO , ROY DENIS , KHAIRY PAUL
Published: February 2013

Ablation Time and Active Cryoballoon Deflation

 Introduction

Optimal cryoballoon ablation parameters for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation remain to be defined. We conducted a randomized preclinical trial to compare 2‐ versus 4‐minute ablation lesions and assess the safety of active (forced) cryoballoon deflation.

Methods and Results

Thirty‐two dogs underwent PV isolation with a second‐generation 23 mm cryoballoon catheter. The left superior (LSPV) and inferior (LIPV) PVs were randomized in a factorial design to (1) a single 2‐ versus 4‐minute cryoapplication, and (2) passive versus active cryoballoon deflation. Animals were survived for 30 days, after which histopathologic analysis was performed. Acute PV isolation was attained in 89.8% of PVs after a single application (93.8% LSPV, 85.2% LIPV; P = 0.2823). Mean time to PV isolation was 29.5 ± 18.5 seconds. Although 4‐minute lesions were associated with a thicker neointima than 2‐minute lesions (223.8 μm versus 135.6 μm; P = 0.007), no differences were observed in procedural characteristics (freezing temperature, rewarming time), rates of acute PV isolation, or the achievement of complete circumferentially transmural lesions at 30 days (78.7% overall; 86.2% for 2 minutes vs 70.0% for 4 minutes; P = 0.285). Active deflation was associated with faster balloon rewarming but not with significant differences in mean or maximum neointimal thickness.

Conclusion

A single application with the second‐generation cryoballoon catheter results in a high rate of PV isolation. The degree of vascular injury was not increased by active balloon deflation and no differences in acute efficacy or mature transmural circumferential lesions were observed with 2‐ versus 4‐minute applications.
Health‐Related Resource Use and Costs in Elderly Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Zhu Carolyn W. , Sano Mary , Ferris Steven H. , Whitehouse Peter J. , Patterson Marian B. , Aisen Paul S.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

To assess differences in resource use and cost between older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over time.

Design

Multicenter, longitudinal study.

Setting

Sixty‐eight Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) sites in the United States.

Participants

Two hundred fifty‐nine individuals diagnosed with MCI and 107 cognitively normal elderly adults followed annually for 3 years.

Measurements

The Resource Use Instrument (RUI) was used to capture medical and nonmedical care use. Generalized linear latent and mixed models were used to estimate differences in resource use and costs in older adults with and without MCI after controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics.

Results

At baseline, average annual direct medical cost per person was substantially higher for participants with MCI ($6,499) than for those without ($2,969) P < .001). Informal care use was also substantially higher (33% vs 8.4%, P < .001). Results from multivariate analyses of longitudinal data show that, after controlling for participant and informant characteristics, direct medical costs were 44% higher for participants with MCI than for those without. Participants with MCI were almost five times as likely to use informal care as those without. Number of medical conditions and older age were associated with higher medical cost. Worse functional and cognitive status, older age, being married, and being female were associated with higher likelihood of informal care use. Having an adult child informant was associated with higher likelihood of using informal care.

Conclusion

The RUI captured differences in resource use and costs between individuals with and without MCI. Clinicians who care for individuals with MCI should address informal care needs early in the disease course.
Embryo zebrafish segmentation using an improved hybrid method
Authors: WU TAO , LU JIANFENG , LU YANTING , LIU TIANMING , YANG JINGYU
Published: February 2013

Zebrafish is an invaluable vertebrate model in life science research and has been widely used in biological pathway analysis, molecular screening and disease modelling, among others. As a result, microscopic imaging has become an essential step in zebrafish phenotype analysis, and image segmentation thus plays an important role in the zebrafish microscopy analysis. Due to the nonuniform distribution of intensity and weak boundary in zebrafish microscope images, the traditionally used segmentation methods may lead to unsatisfactory result. Here, a novel hybrid method that integrates region and boundary information into active contour model is proposed to segment zebrafish embryos from the background, which performs better than traditional segmentation models. Meanwhile, how to utilize the gradient information effectively in image segmentation is still an open problem. In this paper, we propose to improve the aforementioned hybrid method in two aspects. Firstly, the mean grey value of background is estimated by the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to constrain the active curve evolution. Secondly, an edge stopping function sensitive to gradient information is designed to stop curve evolution when the active curve reaches the embryo boundary. Experimental results show that the proposed methods can provide superior segmentation results compared to existing algorithms.
AZD1080, a novel GSK3 inhibitor, rescues synaptic plasticity deficits in rodent brain and exhibits peripheral target engagement in humans
Authors: Georgievska Biljana , Sandin Johan , Doherty James , Mörtberg Anette , Neelissen Jan , Andersson Anita , Gruber Susanne , Nilsson Yvonne , Schött Pär , Arvidsson Per I. , Hellberg Sven , Osswald Gunilla , Berg Stefan , Fälting Johanna , Bhat Ratan V.
Published: February 2013

Abnormal tau phosphorylation resulting in detachment of tau from microtubules and aggregation are critical events in neuronal dysfunction, degeneration, and neurofibrillary pathology seen in Alzheimer's disease. Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK3β) is a key target for drug discovery in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies because of its potential to abnormally phosphorylate proteins and contribute to synaptic degeneration. We report the discovery of AZD1080, a potent and selective GSK3 inhibitor that demonstrates peripheral target engagement in Phase 1 clinical studies. AZD1080 inhibits tau phosphorylation in cells expressing human tau and in intact rat brain. Interestingly, subchronic but not acute administration with AZD1080 reverses MK‐801‐induced deficits, measured by long‐term potentiation in hippocampal slices and in a cognitive test in mice, suggesting that reversal of synaptic plasticity deficits in dysfunctional systems requires longer term modifications of proteins downstream of GSK3β signaling. The inhibitory pattern on tau phosphorylation reveals a prolonged pharmacodynamic effect predicting less frequent dosing in humans. Consistent with the preclinical data, in multiple ascending dose studies in healthy volunteers, a prolonged suppression of glycogen synthase activity was observed in blood mononuclear cells providing evidence of peripheral target engagement with a selective GSK3 inhibitor in humans.
The Statute of Kilkenny (1366): Legislation and the State
Authors: Green David
Published: February 2013

This article offers a re‐evaluation of the notorious Statute of Kilkenny by placing it within a broader context of English state development in the fourteenth century. It argues that the Statute needs to be understood as part of a wider political and legislative programme shaped by military expansionism and the upheaval of the Black Death. Although racially motivated, at least in part, the Statute should not be seen as attempting to engineer a form of apartheid in Anglo‐Ireland. Rather it was representative of a broader governing culture and compares closely with legislation enforced not only in the other Plantagenet dominions but also in England itself.
Introduction to Symposium on Keith J. Bybee's All Judges Are Political—Except When They Are Not
Authors: Silverstein Helena
Published: February 2013

This introduction to the symposium on Keith J. Bybee's All Judges Are Political—Except When They Are Not provides a brief synopsis of the book's main argument and identifies some of the unsettled questions generated by the author's innovative treatment of courtesy, hypocrisy, and law.
Functional characterization of Citrus macrophylla BOR1 as a boron transporter
Authors: Cañon Paola , Aquea Felipe , Rodríguez‐Hoces de la Guardia Amparo , Arce‐Johnson Patricio
Published: February 2013

Plants have evolved to develop an efficient system of boron uptake and transport using a range of efflux carriers named BOR proteins. In this work we isolated and characterized a boron transporter of citrus (Citrus macrophylla), which was named CmBOR1 for its high homology to AtBOR1. CmBOR1 has 4403 bp and 12 exons. Its coding region has 2145 bp and encodes for a protein of 714 amino acids. CmBOR1 possesses the molecular features of BORs such as an anion exchanger domain and the presence of 10 transmembrane domains. Functional analysis in yeast indicated that CmBOR1 has an efflux boron transporter activity, and transformants have increased tolerance to excess boron. CmBOR1 is expressed in leaves, stem and flowers and shows the greatest accumulation in roots. The transcript accumulation was significantly increased under boron deficiency conditions in shoots. In contrast, the accumulation of the transcript did not change in boron toxicity conditions. Finally, we observed that constitutive expression of CmBOR1 was able to increase tolerance to boron deficiency conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana, suggesting that CmBOR1 is a xylem loading boron transporter. Based on these results, it was determined that CmBOR1 encodes a boric acid/borate transporter involved in tolerance to boron deficiency in plants.
Gender Equality Policies and Practices in Croatia – The Interplay of Transition and Late Europeanization
Authors: Dobrotić Ivana , Matković Teo , Zrinščak Siniša
Published: February 2013

This article contributes to understanding change in gender regimes in post‐communist countries. Using Croatia as a case, it juxtaposes the observed change in key indicators of the position of women in various walks of life with the context of the European gender agenda and the positions of actors involved in the national political arena and policies introduced throughout the transition period.

The article reviews the previous enlargement waves and indicates that the gender agenda was added to the negotiation process rather late – primarily via the EU accession conditionality requirement. Although narrow in scope and often limited in impact to just ‘paper compliance’ with EU legislation, it opened discussions in the gender equality area in post‐communist countries and empowered women's organizations. In all the countries, the implementation of the European agenda was heavily influenced by the power and discourses of the main actors involved.

The article provides a map of social actors involved, together with gender‐related policies as they have changed in three distinct periods in Croatia. The final analysis of observed practices and structures indicates very slow change and the crucial impact of structural and institutional developments as well as economic cycles, but little association of observed developments with dominant discourses or policies implemented over the past two decades.
EnPronominalization in French and the Structure of Nominal Expressions
Authors: Ihsane Tabea
Published: February 2013

Abstract. In this paper, I tackle the question of the syntactic source of the cliticenin French, debated in the literature since the late 1970s (Kayne 1977 and Milner 1978). The aim is not only to find out whatenpronominalizes but also to provide an analysis of nominal expressions able to account for (i) the quantitative, partitive, and genitive examples discussed by Milner (1978) and for (ii) the fact thatdu/desNPs can be replaced byenin some contexts only.

What I suggest to account for the issues raised byenpronominalization is that quantitative nominals anddu/desNPs have a unified structure that takes notions like number, quantity, and count/mass into account and thatdu/desNPs belong to different categories—that is, that their left periphery is composed differently. The idea is that, in addition to PPs,encan replace different layers of a nominal structure with an articulated left periphery and a fine‐grained inflectional domain, in a cartographic spirit. The property underlying all uses ofencould be their lack of referentiality, as observed by Gross (1973) for quantitativeen.
Sagittal Bone Saw With Orbital Blade Motion for Improved Cutting Efficiency
Authors: James Thomas P. , Kelly Matthew P. , Lannin Timothy B. , Pearlman John J. , Saigal Anil
Published: February 2013

Sagittal bone saws are used by orthopedic surgeons for resection of bone; for example in total joint arthroplasty of the hip and knee. In order to prevent damage to surrounding tissue, sagittal saw blades typically oscillate through a small angle, resulting in reduced cutting rates due to short stroke lengths. To improve bone cutting efficiency, sagittal saws oscillate at high speeds, but this creates frictional heating that can harm bone cells. The focus of this research was to design a new sagittal sawing device for improved cutting efficiency. It was hypothesized that the addition of an impulsive thrust force during the cutting stroke would increase cutting rates in cortical bone. A cam-driven device was developed and tested in bovine cortical bone. The impulsive thrust force was achieved by creating a component of blade motion perpendicular to the cutting direction, i.e., orbital blade motion. At the start of each cutting stroke, the mechanism drove the saw blade into the surface of the bone, increasing the thrust force with the intention of increasing the depth of cut per tooth. As each cutting stroke was completed, the blade was retracted from the surface for the purpose of clearing bone chips. The design parameters investigated were cutting stroke length, thrust stroke length, and blade oscillation frequency. A three-factor, two-level design of experiments approach was used to simultaneously test for the effect of design parameters and their interactions on volumetric cutting rate (n = 32). The addition of orbital blade motion to the sagittal saw improved bone cutting rates over traditional oscillatory motion, especially at lower cutting stroke lengths and higher oscillation frequencies (p < 0.05). However, the magnitude of orbital blade motion based on thrust stroke length was limited by a threshold value of approximately 0.10 mm that when exceeded caused the sagittal saw to rebound from the surface of the bone causing erratic cutting conditions. The factor with the greatest positive effect on cutting rate was oscillation frequency. Cutting rates in cortical bone can be improved with the proposed orbital action sagittal saw.
Whole Genome Sequencing and Comparative Analysis of Bartonella bacilliformis Strain INS, the Causative Agent of Carrion's Disease
Authors: Tarazona D. , Padilla C. , Cáceres O. , Montenegro J. D. , Bailón H. , Ventura G. , Mendoza G. , Anaya E. , Guio H.
Published: February 2013

Bartonella bacilliformis
is the etiological agent of human bartonellosis, which is highly endemic to Peru. Here, we report the first genome that was sequenced and analyzed from an isolate of
B. bacilliformis
strain INS, which originally was isolated from the blood of an infected patient with an acute phase of Carrion's disease from Jaén-Cajamarca, Peru.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Herpotrichiellaceae
sp. UM 238 Isolated from Human Skin Scraping
Authors: Ng Kee Peng , Yew Su Mei , Chan Chai Ling , Tan Ruixin , Soo-Hoo Tuck Soon , Na Shiang Ling , Hassan Hamimah , Ngeow Yun Fong , Hoh Chee-Choong , Lee Kok Wei , Yee Wai-Yan
Published: February 2013

Herpotrichiellaceae
spp. are known to be opportunistic human pathogens. Here, we report the ~28.46-Mb draft genome of
Herpotrichiellaceae
sp. UM 238, isolated from human skin scraping. The UM 238 genome was found to contain many classes of protective genes that are responsible for fungal adaptation under adverse environmental conditions.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Newcastle Disease Virus Strains of Genotype VIII
Authors: Cao Yongzhong , Gu Min , Zhang Xiaorong , Liu Wenbo , Liu Xiufan
Published: February 2013

Here, the whole genome sequences of two Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) of genotype VIII, which were isolated from west China in the 1980s, were determined and characterized phylogenetically. This is the first report with respect to the complete genomic information of genotype VIII NDV strains.
Genome Sequence of
Moraxella macacae
0408225, a Novel Bacterial Species Isolated from a Cynomolgus Macaque with Epistaxis
Authors: Ladner Jason T. , Whitehouse Chris A. , Koroleva Galina I. , Palacios Gustavo F.
Published: February 2013

Moraxella macacae
is a recently described bacterial species that has been associated with at least two outbreaks of epistaxis in macaques. Here we present the first genome sequence of this novel species, isolated from a symptomatic cynomolgus macaque at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Nitrate- and Phosphate-Accumulating
Bacillus
sp. Strain MCC0008
Authors: DebRoy Shreya , Bhattacharjee Amrita , Thakur Ashoke Ranjan , RayChaudhuri Shaon
Published: February 2013

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the nitrate- and phosphate-accumulating
Bacillus
sp. strain MCC0008, isolated from a consortium enriched from municipal sewage in nitrate broth (HiMedia M439). The total size of the genome is 5,609,456 bp, with a G+C content of 35.1%.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Alphaproteobacterium, Caenispirillum salinarum AK4
T
, Isolated from a Solar Saltern
Authors: Khatri Indu , Singh Aditya , Korpole Suresh , Pinnaka Anil Kumar , Subramanian Srikrishna
Published: February 2013

We report the 4.9-Mb genome sequence of
Caenispirillum salinarum
AK4
T
isolated from a sediment sample collected from a solar saltern at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Oral capillary haemangioma mimicking pyogenic granuloma: a challenge for diagnosis and management
Authors: Patil Anil , Pattanshetti Channaveer , Varekar Aniruddha , Huddar SandhyaRani B
Published: February 2013

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a localised granulation tissue overgrowth, in reaction to mild irritation. The aetiology of the lesion is not known, though it was originally believed to be a botryomycotic infection. The clinical diagnosis of such a lesion can be quite challenging. The purpose of this article is to report an unusual case of benign tumour in an adolescent boy who was clinically diagnosed as PG and histopathologically as capillary haemangioma. PG being a benign lesion; surgical excision was performed and predisposing irritants were removed.
Systematic simulation-based team training in a Swedish intensive care unit: a diverse response among critical care professions
Authors: Meurling Lisbet , Hedman Leif , Sandahl Christer , Felländer-Tsai Li , Wallin Carl-Johan
Published: February 2013

Background

Teamwork—that is, collaboration and communication—is an important factor for safe healthcare, but professions perceive the quality of teamwork differently.

Objective

To examine the relationship between simulation-based team training (SBTT) and different professions’ self-efficacy, experienced quality of collaboration and communication, perceptions of teamwork and safety, together with staff turnover.

Methods

All staff (n=151; physicians, nurses and nurse assistants) in an intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital were systematically trained over 2 years. Data on individual self-efficacy were measured using the self-efficacy questionnaire; the experienced quality of collaboration and communication, teamwork climate, safety climate and perception of working conditions were sampled using the ICU version of the safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ). Staff turnover and sick leave was measured using the hospital's staff administration system for the intervention ICU and a control ICU in the same hospital.

Results

The perception of safety differed between professions before training. Nurses’ and physicians’ mean self-efficacy scores improved, and nurse assistants’ perceived quality of collaboration and communication with physician specialists improved after training. Nurse assistants’ perception of the SAQ factors teamwork climate, safety climate and working conditions were more positive after the project as well as nurses’ perception of safety climate. The number of nurses quitting their job and nurse assistants’ time on sick leave was reduced in comparison to the control ICU during the study period.

Limitations

Results for SAQ factors must be interpreted with caution given that Cronbach's α and inter-correlations for the SAQ factors showed lower values than benchmarking data.

Conclusions

All team members benefited from the SBTT in an authentic composed team, but this was expressed differently for the respective professions.
The Chromatin Response to DNA Breaks: Leaving a Mark on Genome Integrity
Authors: Smeenk Godelieve , van Attikum Haico
Published: February 2013

Genetic, biochemical, and cellular studies have uncovered many of the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling and repair of chromosomal DNA breaks. However, efficient repair of DNA damage is complicated in that genomic DNA is packaged, through histone and nonhistone proteins, into chromatin. The DNA repair machinery has to overcome this physical barrier to gain access to damaged DNA and repair DNA lesions. Posttranslational modifications of chromatin as well as ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factors help to overcome this barrier and facilitate access to damaged DNA by altering chromatin structure at sites of DNA damage. Here we review and discuss our current knowledge of and recent advances in chromatin changes induced by chromosome breakage in mammalian cells and their implications for genome stability and human disease.
Transient Exposure to Quizartinib Mediates Sustained Inhibition of FLT3 Signaling while Specifically Inducing Apoptosis in FLT3-Activated Leukemia Cells
Authors: Gunawardane Ruwanthi N. , Nepomuceno Ronald R. , Rooks Allison M. , Hunt Jeremy P. , Ricono Jill M. , Belli Barbara , Armstrong Robert C.
Published: February 2013

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FLT3-activating internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations are found in approximately 30% of patients with AML and are associated with poor outcome in this patient population. Quizartinib (AC220) has previously been shown to be a potent and selective FLT3 inhibitor. In the current study, we expand on previous observations by showing that quizartinib potently inhibits the phosphorylation of FLT3 and downstream signaling molecules independent of FLT3 genotype, yet induces loss of viability only in cells expressing constitutively activated FLT3. We further show that transient exposure to quizartinib, whether in vitro or in vivo, leads to prolonged inhibition of FLT3 signaling, induction of apoptosis, and drastic reductions in tumor volume and pharmacodynamic endpoints. In vitro experiments suggest that these prolonged effects are mediated by slow binding kinetics that provide for durable inhibition of the kinase following drug removal/clearance. Together these data suggest quizartinib, with its unique combination of selectivity and potent/sustained inhibition of FLT3, may provide a safe and effective treatment against FLT3-driven leukemia. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(4); 438–47. ©2013 AACR.
Relationship between Plasma D-Dimer Level and Cerebral Infarction Volume in Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Matsumoto Mari , Sakaguchi Manabu , Okazaki Shuhei , Furukado Shigetaka , Tagaya Masafumi , Etani Hideki , Shimazu Takeshi , Yoshimine Toshiki , Mochizuki Hideki , Kitagawa Kazuo
Published: February 2013

Background: Plasma D-dimer level may reflect the activity of thrombus formation in the left atrium of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Proper anticoagulation with warfarin dramatically decreases the rate of cerebral embolism, reduces stroke severity and subsequent risk of death, as well as the level of D-dimer in NVAF patients. However, the predictive value of D-dimer level on cerebral embolism severity has not been examined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between plasma D-dimer level at admission and infarct size in NVAF patients. Methods: We identified 124 patients with consecutive ischemic stroke and NVAF who were admitted within 48 h of symptom onset. We measured infarction volume from CT taken after 3 ± 1 days from the onset. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured at the time of admission. Relationships were analyzed between infarction volume and plasma D-dimer levels, cardiovascular risk factors, preadmission medications and admission conditions. We also assessed the influence of D-dimer level on functional outcome in patients with preadmission modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–1 and patients by tertile of D-dimer level (≤0.83, 0.83–2.16 and ≥2.16 µg/ml). Results: Infarction volume significantly correlated with D-dimer level (r = 0.309, p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.201, p = 0.026), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.283, p = 0.002), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission (r = 0.546, p < 0.001) and mRS score at discharge (r = 0.557, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analyses showed that the D-dimer level was significantly associated with infarction volume after adjusting for age, sex, current smoker or not, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio ≥1.6, diastolic blood pressure, CHADS2 score and NIHSS score on admission. In patients with a preadmission mRS score of 0–1 (n = 108), D-dimer level was significantly associated with NIHSS score at admission (r = 0.318, p < 0.001) and mRS score at discharge (r = 0.310, p = 0.001). Patients in the highest D-dimer tertile group showed worse outcome than those in the middle (p = 0.041) and lowest (p < 0.001) tertiles. Conclusions: Plasma D-dimer level on admission is significantly related to infarction volume and functional outcome, following cardioembolic stroke in NVAF patients.
Sleep Deprivation Increases Mortality in Female Mice Bearing Ehrlich Ascitic Tumor
Authors: Maragno-Correa Jussara M.R. , Patti Camilla L. , Zanin Karina A. , Wuo-Silva Raphael , Ruiz Francieli S. , Zager Adriano , Sá-Nunes Anderson , Tufik Sergio , Andersen Monica L. , Frussa-Filho Roberto
Published: February 2013

Objectives: Sleep deprivation is a growing public health hazard, yet it is still under-recognized. Sleep disorders and disruption of sleep patterns may compromise the immune function and adversely affect host resistance to infectious diseases. This is a particular risk in cancer patients, who report a high frequency of sleep disturbances. The present study investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on the development of Ehrlich ascitic tumors (EAT) in female BALB/c mice. Our study also evaluated whether EAT would induce alterations in sleep pattern. Spleen lymphocyte cell populations and mortality were also quantified. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with EAT cells. Immediately after the inoculation procedure, animals were sleep deprived for 72 h. Ten or 15 days after inoculation, the number of tumoral cells was quantified and the lymphocytic cell population in the spleen was characterized by flow cytometry. In addition, the effect of sleep deprivation on EAT-induced mortality was quantified and the influence of EAT on sleep patterns was determined. Results: Sleep deprivation did not potentiate EAT growth, but it significantly increased mortality. Additionally, both EAT and sleep deprivation decreased frequencies of splenic CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cells. With respect to sleep patterns, EAT significantly enhanced paradoxical sleep time. Conclusions: Although sleep deprivation did not potentiate EAT growth, it decreased the survival of female tumor-bearing mice.
German Medical Students’ Beliefs about How Best to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Krampe Henning , Strobel Lisa , Beard Emma , Anders Sven , West Robert , Raupach Tobias
Published: February 2013

Background/Aims: A minority of German medical students believe they know how to support smokers willing to quit. This paper examined whether the same would be true for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), and individual factors associated with incorrect beliefs about the effectiveness of methods to treat AUD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 19,526 undergraduate students from 27 German medical schools completed a survey addressing beliefs about the effectiveness of different methods of overcoming AUD. Beliefs about AUD treatment effectiveness were compared across the 5 years of undergraduate education and predictors identified by means of multiple linear regression. Results: Even in the fifth year, 28.1% (95% CI: 26.5–29.7) of students believed that willpower alone was more effective for overcoming AUD than a comprehensive treatment program. The only significant predictor of this belief was a similar belief for stopping smoking. Conclusion: Our results indicate that a considerable proportion of German medical students overestimate the effectiveness of willpower to treat smoking and AUD. The addictive nature of these disorders needs to be stressed during undergraduate medical education to ensure that future physicians will be able and motivated to support patients in their quit attempts.
Bromfenac Sodium 0.1%, Fluorometholone 0.1% and Dexamethasone 0.1% for Control of Ocular Inflammation and Prevention of Cystoid Macular Edema after Phacoemulsification
Authors: Wang Qi-wei , Yao Ke , Xu Wen , Chen Pei-qing , Shentu Xing-chao , Xie Xin , Weng Yan , Zhang Li , Jin Chong-fei , Wu Wei , Zhu Ya-nan , Yu Yin-hui
Published: February 2013

Purpose: To compare bromfenac sodium 0.1%, fluorometholone 0.1% and dexamethasone 0.1% for the control of postoperative inflammation and prevention of cystoid macular edema (CME) after phacoemulsification. Methods: Patients were randomized to receive bromfenac sodium 0.1% for 1 month (OBS1) or 2 months (OBS2), or fluorometholone 0.1% for 1 month (OFM) or dexamethasone 0.1% for 1 month (ODM). Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density, photon count value and retinal foveal thickness were measured. Results: Mean photon count values were lower in the OBS1 and OBS2 groups compared with the ODM group during the first week. Bromfenac sodium cleared the ocular inflammation more rapidly than fluorometholone and dexamethasone. The foveal thickness was thinner in the second month and the incidence of CME was lower in the OBS1 and OBS2 groups compared with the OFM and ODM groups. Conclusion: Bromfenac sodium was more effective and safer than fluorometholone and dexamethasone as an anti-inflammatory, decreasing macular thickness and preventing CME in age-related cataract patients after cataract surgery.
Relationship of Adiponectin with Sex Hormone Levels in Adolescents
Authors: Riestra Pía , Garcia-Anguita Alicia , Ortega Lorena , Garcés Carmen
Published: February 2013

Background/Aims: Adiponectin is an adipose tissue-derived adipocytokine which, starting at puberty, is present in lower levels in males than in females. In adults, a relationship between adiponectin levels and sexual hormones has been suggested, but this association remains unclear in children. Our study aimed to analyze the relationship of adiponectin with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in adolescents. Methods: The population-based sample included 785 healthy 12- to 16-year-old children. Testosterone, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. SHBG was measured by immunoradiometric assay. Adiponectin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Results: Adiponectin levels were positively correlated with SHBG and negatively correlated with the free androgen index independently of body mass index (BMI) and fat mass. No significant correlations were observed between adiponectin and total testosterone or estradiol. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, after adjustment for BMI, SHBG appears as the primary predictor of adiponectin levels in both sexes, accounting for 5.7% of the variation in adiponectin levels in boys and 7.5% in girls. Conclusion: Adiponectin is related to free androgen index and SHBG levels in adolescents after adjusting for BMI and fat mass, thus suggesting an association between adiponectin levels and androgen bioavailability that would explain the sex-based differences in adiponectin levels through life.
Coexistence between the Formal and Informal Justice Systems in Ethiopia: Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Wourji Tsehai Wada
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Though Ethiopia has never been colonized, the voluntary importation of European laws and the exercise in nation building has resulted in a situation whereby the formal and informal legal systems have to coexist in harmony or disharmony. Both systems are extant, though the future appears to be favourable for the prevalence of the formal system. This article argues that the informal system is showing signs of irrelevance and may be prevailed by the formal. It also counsels that the formal system should be helped to cleanse itself from the many shortcomings that are challenging its relevance and legitimacy.
Does Direct Moral Judgment Have a Phenomenal Essence?
Authors: Glasgow Joshua
Published: February 2013

Moral phenomenology has enjoyed a resurgence lately, and within the field, a trend has emerged: uniform rejection of the idea that the experience of making ‘direct’ moral judgments has any phenomenal essence, that is, any phenomenal property or properties that are always present and that distinguish these experiences from experiences of making non-direct-moral judgments. This article examines existing arguments for this anti-essentialism and finds them wanting. While acknowledging that phenomenological reflection is an unstable pursuit, it is maintained here that phenomenological essentialism about a certain domain of direct moral judgment, namely direct judgment of obligation and prohibition, is more credible than has been recognized. The positive proposal is to rehabilitate something close to Maurice Mandelbaum’s essentialism, specifically to maintain that direct moral judgment’s phenomenal essence is arguably its felt categorical demand. The key to making this argument is to assume a ‘rich view’ of moral consciousness, the view that phenomenal features of moral judgment might be present even when they are not attended to. This assumption is controversial, but it is warranted by two considerations. First, though controversial, the rich view is intuitively plausible. Second, it reveals that the existing arguments against the kind of essentialism defended here appear to tacitly presuppose an equally controversial – and arguably less intuitive – rejection of the rich view.
Biomarkers in bipolar disorder: A positional paper from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Biomarkers Task Force
Authors: Frey Benicio N , Andreazza Ana C , Houenou Josselin , Jamain Stéphane , Goldstein Benjamin I , Frye Mark A , Leboyer Marion , Berk Michael , Malhi Gin S , Lopez-Jaramillo Carlos , Taylor Valerie H , Dodd Seetal , Frangou Sophia , Hall Geoffrey B , Fernandes Brisa S , Kauer-Sant’Anna Marcia , Yatham Lakshmi N , Kapczinski Flavio , Young L Trevor
Published: February 2013

Although the etiology of bipolar disorder remains uncertain, multiple studies examining neuroimaging, peripheral markers and genetics have provided important insights into the pathophysiologic processes underlying bipolar disorder. Neuroimaging studies have consistently demonstrated loss of gray matter, as well as altered activation of subcortical, anterior temporal and ventral prefrontal regions in response to emotional stimuli in bipolar disorder. Genetics studies have identified several potential candidate genes associated with increased risk for developing bipolar disorder that involve circadian rhythm, neuronal development and calcium metabolism. Notably, several groups have found decreased levels of neurotrophic factors and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Together these findings provide the background for the identification of potential biomarkers for vulnerability, disease expression and to help understand the course of illness and treatment response. In other areas of medicine, validated biomarkers now inform clinical decision-making. Although the findings reviewed herein hold promise, further research involving large collaborative studies is needed to validate these potential biomarkers prior to employing them for clinical purposes. Therefore, in this positional paper from the ISBD-BIONET (biomarkers network from the International Society for Bipolar Disorders), we will discuss our view of biomarkers for these three areas: neuroimaging, peripheral measurements and genetics; and conclude the paper with our position for the next steps in the search for biomarkers for bipolar disorder.
The Legacies of R. A. Fisher and K. Pearson in the Application of the Polytomous Rasch Model for Assessing the Empirical Ordering of Categories
Authors: Andrich David
Published: February 2013

Assessments in response formats with ordered categories are ubiquitous in the social and health sciences. Although the assumption that the ordering of the categories is working as intended is central to any interpretation that arises from such assessments, testing that this assumption is valid is not standard in psychometrics. This is surprising given that it has been known for some 35 years that this assumption can be checked routinely using the psychometric Rasch model for more than two ordered categories. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, to demonstrate three distinct but related legacies of R. A. Fisher that have contributed to the use of the Rasch model to assess the empirical ordering of categories: (a) his construction of sufficient statistics, (b) his recognition that the ordering of categories should be an empirical property of the data, and (c) his integration of the design of empirical studies with statistical analyses of data. Second, to suggest two reasons behind both the indifference, and even the rejection, of both the need and possibility of testing the assumption of the empirical ordering of categories: (a) the lack of recognition of the problem before it was understood that it could be solved using the Rasch model and (b) the legacy of K. Pearson that legitimized the atheoretical modeling of data with parameters that have no substantive meaning.
Identity undoing and power relations in leadership development
Authors: Nicholson Helen , Carroll Brigid
Published: February 2013

Leadership development theory and practice is increasingly turning its gaze on identity as a primary focus for development efforts. Most of this literature focuses on how the identities of participants are strengthened, repaired and evolved. This article focuses on identity work practices that are underdeveloped in the literature: the deconstruction, unravelling and letting go that can be experienced when working upon one’s self. We group these experiences, among others, under the conceptual term ‘identity undoing’ and, based on findings from an 18-month ethnographic study of a leadership development program, we offer five manifestations of how it can be experienced. Through foregrounding the undoing of identity, we are able to look more closely at how power relations shape the leadership development experience. In order to raise questions and propositions for leadership and its development we use a micro-sociological and interactionist approach to explore the interplay between identity and power.
The Media in Venezuela and Bolivia
Authors: Lupien Pascal
Published: February 2013

The media in Latin America are characterized by an extremely high level of market concentration, resulting in the representation of a narrow set of perspectives. Movements that would challenge the hegemony of the dominant social classes are portrayed as dangerous and reckless. The election of “bad left” governments with strong majorities through the very representative institutions that those in the media claim to defend has created a dilemma for those who oppose social change. Unable to discredit the results of the elections, the private media have sought to attack the legitimacy of these governments from below by framing their supporters as mindless followers or as dangerous, irrational mobs. All of this highlights the fact that the current structure of the media in Latin America denies individuals from the lower strata the right to be heard and, more generally, denies the public the right to the information pluralism that is required for democracy to function.

Los medios de comunicación en América Latina se caracterizan por su alto nivel de concentración en el mercado, lo cual resulta en la representación de una estrecha gama de perspectivas. A los movimientos que desafían la hegemonía de las clases sociales dominantes se les pinta de peligrosos e imprudentes. La elección de gobiernos de “mala izquierda” con fuertes mayorías, por medio de las mismas instituciones representativas que los de los medios declaran defender, ha creado un dilema para los que se oponen al cambio social. Incapaces de desacreditar los resultados de las elecciones, los medios privados han intentado atacar la legitimidad de estos gobiernos tachando a sus partidarios de seguidores ciegos o turbas irracionales y peligrosas. Todo esto pone en relieve el hecho de que la estructura actual de los medios en América Latina niega a las personas de bajo estrato el derecho a ser escuchadas, y, más generalmente, se le niega al público el derecho al pluralismo informativo que se requiere para que funcione una democracia.
Effect of Timing of Pharmaconutrition (Immunonutrition) Administration on Outcomes of Elective Surgery for Gastrointestinal Malignancies
Authors: Osland Emma , Hossain Md Belal , Khan Shahjahan , Memon Muhammed Ashraf
Published: February 2013

Background: Pharmaconutrition has previously been reported in elective surgery to reduce postoperative infective complications and duration of hospital length of stay. Objective: To update previously published meta‐analyses and elucidate potential benefits of providing arginine‐dominant pharmaconutrition in surgical patients specifically with regard to the timing of administration of pharmaconutrition. Design: Randomized controlled trials comparing the use of pharmaconutrition with standard nutrition in elective adult surgical patients between 1980 and 2011 were identified. The meta‐analysis was prepared in accordance with Preferred Reporting of Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Results: Twenty studies yielding 21 sets of data met inclusion criteria. A total of 2005 patients were represented (pharmaconutrition, n = 1010; control, n = 995), in whom pharmaconutrition was provided preoperatively (k = 5), perioperatively (k = 2), or postoperatively (k = 14). No differences were seen in postoperative mortality with the provision of pharmaconutrition irrespective of timing of administration. Statistically significant reductions in infectious complications and length of stay were found with perioperative and postoperative administration. Perioperative administration was also associated with a statistically significant reduction in anastomotic dehiscence, whereas a reduction in noninfective complications was demonstrated with postoperative administration. Preoperative pharmaconutrition demonstrated no notable advantage over standard nutrition provision in any of the clinical outcomes assessed. Conclusions: This meta‐analysis highlights the importance of timing as a clinical consideration in the provision of pharmaconutrition in elective gastrointestinal surgical patients and identifies areas where further research is required.
‘Can practice undertaken by patients be increased simply through implementing agreed national guidelines?’ An observational study
Authors: Huijben-Schoenmakers Marleen , Rademaker Arno , Scherder Erik
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To increase autonomous practice time of patients on the stroke unit of a nursing home.

Intervention:

Nurses stimulated and coached patients with the help of four interventions (muscle strengthening, sitting balance and reach, getting up from a chair, walking) from the evidence-based Clinical Nursing Rehabilitation Stroke Guidelines.

Design:

An observational study. Practice time of elderly stroke patients in this study was compared with the time observed in our previous study in the same setting.

Setting:

Rehabilitation units of a nursing home in the Netherlands.

Subjects:

Seventeen frail stroke patients, including 8 men, 9 women, with a mean age of 75.8 (SD ± 9) and 17 subjects with the same characteristics who participated in a previous observational study.

Main measures:

Time spent on therapeutic activities was measured using the Behavioral Mapping method.

Results:

The time spent on therapeutic activities increased significantly from 103.5 minutes measured in our previous study to 156.5 minutes in this study ( Z = 2.86; P < 0.005; d′ = 1.09) The mean Barthel Index score was 8.8 (SD ± 4.1). The patients with more possibilities were more active, resulting in a significant positive Barthel Index–therapy time relationship ( r = 0.73, P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions:

The autonomous practice time of older fragile comorbid stroke patients increased during the weekdays. Patients, stimulated and challenged by nurses, exercise harder and more according to their possibilities. Since this guideline was developed especially for nurses, nurses can stimulate stroke patients to contribute more to autonomous practice and therefore help their recovery.