bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction is concomitant with hyperglycemia in mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Samuels Ivy S. , Bell Brent A. , Pereira Ariane , Saxon Joseph , Peachey Neal S.
Published: November 2014

In the diabetic retina, cellular changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neurons occur before vision loss or diabetic retinopathy can be identified clinically. The precise etiologies of retinal pathology are poorly defined, and it remains unclear if the onset and progression of cellular dysfunction differ between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Three mouse models were used to compare the time course of RPE involvement in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. C57BL/6J mice injected with streptozotocin (STZ mice) modeled type 1 diabetes, whereas Lepr db/db mice on both BKS and B6.BKS background strains modeled type 2 diabetes. Electroretinogram (ERG)-based techniques were used to measure light-evoked responses of the RPE (direct current-coupled ERG, dc-ERG) and the neural retina (a-wave, b-wave). Following onset of hyperglycemia, a-wave and b-wave amplitudes of STZ mice declined progressively and by equivalent degrees. Components of the dc-ERG were also altered, with the largest reduction seen in the c-wave. Lepr db/db mice on the BKS strain (BKS.Lepr) displayed sustained hyperglycemia and a small increase in insulin, whereas Lepr db/db mice on the B6.BKS background (B6.BKS.Lepr) were transiently hyperglycemic and displayed severe hyperinsulinemia. BKS.Lepr mice exhibited sustained reductions in the dc-ERG c-wave, fast oscillation, and off response that were not attributable to reduced photoreceptor activity; B6.BKS.Lepr mice displayed transient reductions in the c-wave and fast oscillation that correlated with hyperglycemia and magnitude of photoreceptor activity. In summary, all mouse models displayed altered RPE function concomitant with the onset of hyperglycemia. These results suggest that RPE function is directly reduced by elevated blood glucose levels. That RPE dysfunction was reversible and mitigated in hyperinsulinemic B6.BKS.Lepr mice provides insight into the underlying mechanism.
Can Steroids plus Surgery Become a First-Line Treatment of Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis?
Authors: Karanlik Hasan , Ozgur Ilker , Simsek Serife , Fathalizadeh Alisan , Tukenmez Mustafa , Sahin Dilek , Dursun Memduh , Kurul Sidika
Published: November 2014

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical course of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) treated with low-dose oral corticosteroid therapy alone as opposed to treatment with low-dose corticosteroid therapy followed by surgery. Patients and Methods: 37 patients were treated with an approach that consisted of methylprednisolone at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day followed by wide excision, and 23 patients were treated with an approach that consisted only of methylprednisolone. The treatment efficacy was compared between the two groups. Results: Clinical and radiological regression was reported in all patients with steroid therapy, and the regression rate had a median of 75% (25-100%). No recurrence was observed in patients who were treated with wide surgical excision after steroid therapy during the median follow-up period of 38 (22-78) months. The control group of 23 patients was treated only with steroid therapy, and 7 (30%) of these patients experienced recurrence in the follow-up period (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Steroid therapy was effective in the treatment of IGM by reducing the lesion size and extent. With regard to the current treatment options available for IGM, surgical excision after steroid therapy seems the better treatment option compared to steroid therapy without surgical excision. This treatment sequence reduces the rate of recurrence.
Is Excessive Electroencephalography Beta Activity Associated with Delinquent Behavior in Men with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology?
Authors: Meier Nadja M. , Perrig Walter , Koenig Thomas
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) shows an increased prevalence in delinquents compared to the normal population. In recent studies, a subgroup of subjects with ADHD as well as a subgroup of delinquents displayed excessive electroencephalography (EEG) beta activity, which has been associated with antisocial behavior in ADHD children. We investigated whether delinquent behavior in adults with ADHD symptomatology is related to excessive beta activity. Methods: We compared the resting state EEGs (eyes open/closed) of delinquent and nondelinquent subjects with ADHD symptoms and those of a control group regarding EEG power spectra and topography. Results: Delinquents with ADHD symptomatology showed more beta power at frontal, central and parietal brain regions than nondelinquents with ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Excessive beta power may thus represent a risk factor for delinquent behavior in adults with ADHD symptomatology. The awareness of such a risk factor may be helpful in the assessment of the risk for delinquent behavior in a psychiatric context and may provide a neurobiological background for therapeutic interventions. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Leptin Is Associated with Mood Status and Metabolic Homeostasis in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Lee Hyun Jeong , Kim Se Hyun , Kim Eun Young , Lee Nam Young , Yu Han Young , Kim Yong Sik , Ahn Yong Min
Published: November 2014

Background: Patients with bipolar disorder are at a high risk for becoming obese. Adipokines are associated with depression and obesity via the inflammatory process. However, few studies have investigated the associations between depression and leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels in patients with bipolar disorder. We explored the associations between serum levels of leptin, adiponectin and resistin and mood and metabolic status in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels were assessed in 94 Korean patients with bipolar disorder. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression-17 and the Young Mania Rating Scale were used to assess mood state. Results: Leptin (17.19 ± 13.08 vs. 10.47 ± 10.05 ng/ml; p = 0.008) and adiponectin (10.51 ± 8.37 vs. 5.91 ± 2.82 μg/ml; p = 0.001) levels were higher in female than in male patients. After adjusting for mood state, age, smoking, alcohol habit, and BMI in a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), leptin (17.86 ± 1.22 vs. 10.05 ± 1.48 ng/ml; p < 0.001) and adiponectin (10.18 ± 0.98 vs. 6.40 ± 1.19 μg/ml; p = 0.027) levels were still higher in female than in male patients. Compared to euthymic patients, depressed patients had higher levels of leptin (17.37 ± 14.69 vs. 11.65 ± 9.04 ng/ml; p = 0.024), but there was no significant difference in adiponectin and resistin levels between the two groups. After adjusting for age, gender and BMI in the MANCOVA, leptin levels were also significantly higher in depressed (16.78 ± 1.34 ng/ml) than in euthymic patients (10.73 ± 1.22 ng/ml; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Leptin is closely associated with the regulation of mood and metabolic homeostasis in patients with bipolar disorder. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
The Acetylcholine Index: An Electroencephalographic Marker of Cholinergic Activity in the Living Human Brain Applied to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
Authors: Johannsson Magnus , Snaedal Jon , Johannesson Gisli Holmar , Gudmundsson Thorkell Eli , Johnsen Kristinn
Published: November 2014

Background: The cholinergic hypothesis is well established and has led to the development of pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there has previously been no physiological means of monitoring cholinergic activity in vivo. Methods: An electroencephalography (EEG)-based acetylcholine (Ach) index reflecting the cholinergic activity in the brain was developed using data from a scopolamine challenge study. The applicability of the Ach index was examined in an elderly population of healthy controls and patients suffering from various causes of cognitive decline. Results: The Ach index showed a strong reduction in the severe stages of AD dementia. A high correlation was demonstrated between the Ach index and cognitive function. The index was reduced in patients with mild cognitive impairment and prodromal AD, indicating a decreased cholinergic activity. When considering the distribution of the Ach index in a population of healthy elderly subjects, an age-related threshold was revealed, beyond which there is a general decline in cholinergic activity. Conclusions: The EEG-based Ach index provides, for the first time, a physiological means of monitoring the cholinergic activity in the human brain in vivo. This has great potential for aiding diagnosis and patient stratification as well as for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Complete Remission of Schnitzler Syndrome and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia under Rituximab-Cyclophosphamide-Dexamethasone
Authors: Aouba Achille , Pressiat Claire , Pricopi Maria , Georgin-Lavialle Sophie , Boue François , Lievre-Castilla Maria-Angela , Marfaing-Koka Anne , Prevot Sophie , Decottignies Audrey
Published: November 2014

In Schnitzler syndrome, which is mostly diagnosed with a low and asymptomatic monoclonal peak, anakinra has always exhibited a complete but only transient control of the auto-inflammatory signs, which are induced by interleukin (IL)-1 auto-activation. We focused on the treatment of a case of Schnitzler syndrome with moderate macroglobulinemia peak. Anakinra failed to improve the severe inflammatory anaemia and the dysglobulinemia, but rituximab-dexamethasone-cyclophosphamide chemotherapy alone allowed a complete response. The correlation between the clinical, pro-inflammatory cytokines and dysglobulinemia complete controls with chemotherapy proves the following: (1) the dual action of this treatment in both the auto-inflammatory and dysglobulinemia components of the syndrome and (2) a different but entangled cytokine network in the pathogenesis of the auto-inflammatory and dysglobulinemia components of the syndrome.
Current Perspectives on the Contribution of Inhaled Corticosteroids to an Increased Risk for Diabetes Onset and Progression in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Herth Felix J.F. , Bramlage Peter , Müller-Wieland Dirk
Published: November 2014

Recent studies have suggested that inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) play a role in the development of hyperglycemia and type-2 diabetes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, this corticosteroid-associated adverse effect remains controversial. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic properties and patient characteristics that might contribute to an increased risk for diabetes upon ICS exposure have not been thoroughly investigated. In the present review, we critically discuss current evidence regarding the relationship between ICS therapy in COPD patients and an increased risk for the incidence and progression of type-2 diabetes. In addition, we address therapeutic conditions, clinical implications, and future perspectives related to this potentially important ICS-associated adverse effect in COPD patients.
Evening -Versus Morning- Dosing Drug Therapy for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients with Hypertension: A Systematic Review
Authors: Liu Xing , Liu Xinyao , Huang Wei , Leo Sunnar , Li Ying , Liu Meilin , Yuan Hong
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: There is a strong correlation between non-dipping status and cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Our study is designed to identify the effect of evening administration of antihypertensive drugs to hypertensive CKD patients. Methods: A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wanfang Data, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed in July 2014. Concurrent controlled or crossover trials (including randomized and non-randomized experimental trials) designed to evaluate the effects of evening- versus morning-dosing hypertensive drug regimens on clinical outcomes in CKD patients with hypertension were included. All statistical analyses were performed using the RevMan software, which is available free from the Cochrane Collaboration. Results: Seven trials involving 1277 patients were identified, and the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) were classified into two groups. Taking at least one blood pressure-lowering medication at bedtime was not shown to reduce total death (P=0.056) or cardiovascular death (P=0.059) but was shown to reduce total events (P<0.001) and major cardiovascular events (P<0.001) in both RCTs and non-RCTs. Compared with a morning dosing regimen, taking antihypertensive drug in the evening significantly lowered nighttime systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P<0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (P<0.05) in patients in the RCTs but did not affect blood pressure in patients in the non-RCTs (P<0.05). There is limited evidence from one non-RCT that taking an antihypertensive drug (benazepril 10 mg) in the evening did not increase adverse events (P=0.72) or withdrawals due to adverse events (P=0.64). Conclusions: A regimen of antihypertensive drugs in the evening should be considered for CKD patients with hypertension to lower nighttime blood pressure and help prevent total events and cardiovascular mortality. More studies are needed to verify the results of this study. i 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel
Down-Regulation of Renal Klotho Expression by Shiga Toxin 2
Authors: Feger Martina , Mia Sobuj , Pakladok Tatsiana , Nicolay Jan P. , Alesutan Ioana , Schneider Stefan W. , Voelkl Jakob , Lang Florian
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: Shiga toxin 2 may trigger classical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) eventually leading to renal failure. Klotho, a transmembrane protein, protease and hormone mainly expressed in kidney is involved in the regulation of renal phosphate excretion and also retains renal protective effects. Renal failure is associated with renal depletion of klotho. The present study explored the influence of Shiga toxin 2 on renal klotho expression. Methods: Mice were injected with either solvent or Shiga toxin 2 and urinary flow rate and phosphate excretion were determined in metabolic cages. Renal transcript levels were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and renal protein abundance by Western blotting. Plasma concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 and FGF23 were determined by ELISA and plasma phosphate and urea concentrations by photometry. Results: Shiga toxin 2 treatment was followed by increase of plasma urea concentration, urinary flow rate and renal phosphate excretion but not of plasma phosphate concentration. Shiga toxin 2 treatment strongly decreased klotho mRNA expression and klotho protein abundance in renal tissue. Shiga toxin 2 treatment further increased tumor necrosis factor (TnfE) mRNA levels, as well as protein abundance of phosphorylated p38 MAPK in renal tissue. The treatment significantly increased renal Cyp27b1 and decreased renal Cyp24a1 mRNA levels without significantly altering plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 levels. Shiga toxin 2 treatment was further followed by increase of plasma FGF23 concentrations. Conclusion: Shiga toxin 2 treatment stimulated TnfE transcription, down-regulated renal klotho expression and increased FGF23 formation, effects presumably contributing to renal tissue injury. i 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel
Role of Oral Factor Xa Inhibitors after Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Garg Akash , Borer Jeffrey S. , Krishnamoorthy Parasuram , Garg Jalaj , Lavie Carl J. , Arbab-Zadeh Armin , Mukherjee Debabrata , Ahmad Hasan , Lichstein Edgar
Published: November 2014

Despite an early invasive strategy and the use of dual antiplatelet therapy, patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continue to be at substantial risk for recurrent ischemic events. It is believed that this risk is, at least in part, due to an intrinsic coagulation pathway that remains activated for a prolonged period after ACS. Earlier studies using warfarin showed a reduction in ischemic events, but the overall benefits were offset by increased bleeding complications. Recently, there has been increased interest in the potential role of new oral anticoagulants, some of which target factor Xa, after ACS. Factor Xa is important for the coagulation pathway and also plays a role in cellular proliferation and inflammation. It may thus be an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in ACS. Recently, various oral factor Xa inhibitors have been studied as potential treatment options for ACS. This review will focus on currently available data to evaluate the possible role of factor Xa inhibitors in the management of patients with ACS.
Time to First Shunt Failure in Pediatric Patients over 1 Year Old: A 10-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Shannon Chevis N. , Carr Kevin R. , Tomycz Luke , Wellons John C. , Tulipan Noel
Published: November 2014

Studies comparing alternatives to ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting for treatment of hydrocephalus have often relied upon data from an earlier era that may not be representative of contemporary shunt survival outcomes. We sought to determine the shunt survival rate of our cohort and compare our results to previously published shunt survival and endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) success rates. We identified 95 patients between 1 and 18 years of age, who underwent initial VP shunt placement between January 2001 and December 2010. Our study shows a shunt survival rate of 85% at 6 months and 79% at 2 years, for initial shunts in pediatric patients over 1 year of age in this cohort. The overall infection rate was 3%. This compares favorably with published success rates of ETV at similar time points as well as with the rate of infection. This suggests that ventricular shunting remains a viable alternative to ETV in the older child.
Defective thrombus formation in mice lacking endogenous factor VII activating protease (FSAP)
Authors: Subramaniam Saravanan , Thielmann Ina , Morowski Martina , Pragst Ingo , Sandset Per Morten , Nieswandt Bernhard , Etscheid Michael , Kanse Sandip M.
Published: November 2014

Factor VII (FVII) activating protease (FSAP) is a circulating protease with a putative function in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Genetic epidemiological studies have implied a role for FSAP in carotid stenosis, stroke and thrombosis. To date, no in vivo evidence is available to support these claims. We have, for the first time, used FSAP-/- mice to define its role in thrombosis and haemostasis in vivo and to characterise the molecular mechanisms involved. FeCl3–induced arterial thrombosis in carotid and mesenteric artery revealed that the occlusion time was significantly increased in FSAP-/- mice (p< 0.01) and that some FSAP-/- mice did not occlude at all. FSAP-/- mice were protected from lethal pulmonary thromboembolism induced by collagen/ epinephrine infusion (p< 0.01). Although no spontaneous bleeding was evident, in the tail bleeding assay a re-bleeding pattern was observed in FSAP-/- mice. To explain these observations at a mechanistic level we then determined how haemostasis factors and putative FSAP substrates were altered in FSAP-/- mice. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) levels were higher in FSAP-/- mice compared to WT mice whereas FVIIa levels were unchanged. Other coagulation factors as well as markers of platelet activation and function revealed no significant differences between WT and FSAP-/- mice. This phenotype of FSAP-/- mice could be reversed by application of exogenous FSAP. In conclusion, a lack of endogenous FSAP impaired the formation of stable, occlusive thrombi in mice. The underlying in vivo effect of FSAP is more likely to be related to the modulation of TFPI rather than FVIIa.
Clinical and molecular characterisation of 21 patients affected by quantitative fibrinogen deficiency
Authors: Asselta Rosanna , Platè Manuela , Robusto Michela , Borhany Munira , Guella Ilaria , Soldà Giulia , Afrasiabi Abdolreza , Menegatti Marzia , Tahir Shamsi , Peyvandi Flora , Duga Stefano
Published: November 2014

Fibrinogen is a plasma glycoprotein mainly synthesised by hepatocytes and circulating as a 340-kDa hexamer consisting of two sets of three different polypeptide chains (Aα, Bβ, and γ, encoded by the FGA, FGB, and FGG gene, respectively). Congenital afibrinogenaemia and hypofibrinogenaemia are rare bleeding disorders characterised by abnormally low levels of functional and immunoreactive fibrinogen in plasma, associated with haemorrhagic manifestations of variable severity. While afibrinogenaemia is caused by mutations in the homozygous or compound heterozygous state in one of the three fibrinogen genes, hypofibrinogenaemia is generally due to heterozygous mutations, and is usually characterised by a milder phenotype. The mutational spectrum of these quantitative fibrinogen disorders includes large deletions, point mutations causing premature termination codons, and missense mutations often affecting fibrinogen assembly and/or secretion. Here we report the clinical and molecular characterisation of 13 unrelated afibrinogenaemic and eight hypofibrino - genaemic patients, leading to the identification of 17 different mutations (10 hitherto unknown). All the newly-identified missense and splicing mutations were in vitro expressed to verify their pathogenic role. Our data increase the number of mutations causing quantitative fibrinogen deficiencies by about 7 %. The high number of private mutations identified in the analysed probands indicates that the full mutational screening of the three fibrinogen genes is still required for molecular diagnosis.
Impact of variables of the P-selectin – P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 axis on leukocyte-platelet interactions in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Koppensteiner Renate , Kaider Alexandra , Eichelberger Beate , Mannhalter Christine , Panzer Simon , Gremmel Thomas
Published: November 2014

The formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LPA), through the P-selectin – P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1 axis, plays a pivotal role in atherothrombosis. In order to investigate the influence of platelet (pP-selectin) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), and of variations in the genes encoding for P-selectin (SELP) and PSGL-1 (SELPLG) on LPA formation, we assessed monocyte (MPA)- and neutrophil-platelet aggregates (NPA) as well as pP-selectin by flow cytometry in 263 patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting. sP-selectin was determined by ELISA, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele were determined by allele specific PCR. The Pro715 allele was significantly associated with lower levels of in vivo pP-selectin and sP-selectin, while agonists´ inducible pP-selectin was not influenced by the Pro715 allele. PP-selectin was significantly associated with MPA and NPA formation. The in vivo formation of MPA and NPA depended to 19 % and 7.4 %, respectively, on in vivo pP-selectin, irrespective of the Pro715 allele and the Ile62 allele carrier status. TRAP-6 inducible MPA and NPA depended to 34 % and 27 %, respectively, on TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin, but were independent of the Pro715 allele carrier status. Carriers of the Ile62 allele showed a stronger correlation between TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin and TRAP-6 inducible MPA/NPA than non-carriers. Furthermore, TRAP-6 inducible NPA were higher in Ile62 allele carriers, which suggests higher thrombin sensitivity. In conclusion, our findings point to the significant role of pP-selectin for MPA and NPA formation, while other variables like sP-selectin, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele have less influence.
The bees of the genus Sphecodes Latreille 1804 of the Russian Far East, with key to species (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Halictidae)
Authors: ASTAFUROVA YULIA V. , PROSHCHALYKIN MAXIM YU.
Published: November 2014

Eighteen species of the bee genus Sphecodes are recorded from the Russian Far East. Sphecodes orientalis Astafurova & Proshchalykin, sp. nov. is described from Primorskiy Territory, Jewish Autonomous Province, Khabarovsk Territory and Sakhalin. Five species: S. laticaudatus Tsuneki 1983, S. nippon Meyer 1922, S. okuyetsu Tsuneki 1983, S. simillimus Smith 1873, and S. tanoi Tsuneki 1983 are recorded for the first time from Russia. Six species: S. albilabris (Fabricius 1793), S. cristatus Hagens 1882, S. longulus Hagens 1882, S. miniatus Hagens 1882, S. monilicornis (Kirby 1802), and S. puncticeps Thomson 1870 are newly recorded from the Russian Far East. New synonymy has been established for S. crassus Thomson 1870 (=S. dyozankeanus Tsuneki 1983, syn. nov.; =S. ohdeyamanus Tsuneki 1984, syn. nov.); S. ferruginatus Hagens 1882 (=S. koikensis Tsuneki 1983, syn. nov.; =S. hanedai Tsuneki 1983, syn. nov.); S. geoffrellus (Kirby 1802) (=S. silvicola Tsuneki 1983, syn. nov.); S. tanoi Tsuneki 1983 (=S. coptis Tsuneki 1983, syn. nov.); S. longulus Hagens 1882 (=S. amakusensis Yasumatsu et Hirashima 1951, syn. nov.); S. scabricollis Wesmael 1835 (=S. sibiricus Cockerell, 1924, syn. nov.). Illustrated key to males and females of all species known from the Russian Far East are provided.
A revision of the genus Solter Navás, 1912 for Maghreb and West Africa with descriptions of five new species (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae)
Authors: MICHEL BRUNO
Published: November 2014

The Solter species of the Maghrebian and sub-Saharan West African Regions are revised. Nine species are recorded, S. bouyeri nov. sp., S. dogon nov. sp., S. francoisi nov. sp., S. leopardalis nov. sp., S. liber Navás, S. lucretii nov. sp., S. naevipennis Navás, S. neglectus Navás stat. rev. and S. rothschildi Navás. A lectotype is designated for the last species. A tenth species, S. ardens (Navás), is classified as incertae sedis. Solter virgilii Navás is removed from the species present in the area covered by this study. The larva of S. leopardalis is described. All species are illustrated including habitus, morphological characters and male genitalia. An identification key is provided.
Aphanius marassantensis, a new toothcarp from the Kızılırmak drainage in northern Anatolia (Cyprinodontiformes: Cyprinodontidae)
Authors: PFLEIDERER S. JOHANNES , GEIGER MATTHIAS F. , HERDER FABIAN
Published: November 2014

Aphanius marassantensis, new species, is described from the Kızılırmak River drainage in northern Anatolia based on colouration, meristic and morphometric characters, and the mtDNA COI barcode region. It is distinguished from other Anatolian Aphanius by one or several of the following characters: a stout body shape (BD/SL 28.2–39.6%), complete scale cover, and 25–28 scales along the lateral line. Males have 8–13 dark-brown lateral bars, of which the antepenultimate bar anterior to the caudal-fin base is 0.9–1.8 times wider than the anterior white interspace, 2–3 vertical rows of spots on the caudal fin, a black dorsal fin, sometimes with a narrow whitish-grey base, a white anal fin with 1–3 rows of black spots, in some individuals with a black margin, and hyaline pelvic fins. Females do not have vertical rows of dark-brown spots on caudal or anal fins, but numerous dark-brown spots on the flanks, arranged in 1–3 lateral rows behind a vertical from the dorsal-fin base. Their dorsal fin is hyaline with tiny dark-brown spots on rays and membranes; pectoral fins, caudal and anal fins are hyaline, and one prominent large dark-brown blotch is situated in mid-lateral position on the hypural plate. The new species is also distinguished by 11 fixed, diagnostic nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA COI barcode region. The description of this new species, which brings the number of Anatolian Aphanius species to 12, underlines the character of Anatolia as a region of extraordinarily high biodiversity.
O promowaniu dialektu wielkopolskiego w Internecie. Raport z badań
Authors: Cemborowski Bartosz
Published: November 2014

Promoting the Wielkopolska dialect on the Internet. Research reportThe aim of this article is to show the forms of promotion and distribution of the Wielkopolska dialect on the Internet. The sources that were used in this study are interviews with respondents residing the międzychodzki district, a survey conducted among young people speaking this dialect and the most popular Internet forms, which affect the behavior of the dialect in the language of the younger generation of users. The article describes: Internet memes, a social networks fanpage, dictionary entries in an electronic form, blogs, music promoted by websites, clothing, and everyday objects that are distributed on auction sites - the author takes into account the use of these forms in order to promote and disseminate the Wielkopolska dialect. O promowaniu dialektu wielkopolskiego w Internecie. Raport z badańCelem tego artykułu jest wskazanie sposobów promocji i dystrybucji dialektu wielkopolskiego w Internecie. Materiały użyte w tym studium pochodzą z wywiadów z informatorami zamieszkującymi w okolicach Międzychodu, ankiety przeprowadzonej wśród młodych osób używających dialektu oraz obserwacji najpopularniejszych form internetowych, które mają wpływ na zachowanie dialektu w języku młodego pokolenia użytkowników. W artykule opisano: internetowe memy, fanpage’e na portalach społecznościowych, ilustracje z hasłami słowniko­wymi, blogi, muzykę promowaną w sieci, ubrania i przedmioty codziennego użytku rozprowadzane na internetowych aukcjach. Autor bierze pod uwagę użycie tych form w celu promocji i upowszechniania dialektu wielkopolskiego.
Popfeminizm w służbie rewolucji. Ruchy kobiece i praktyki protestu na przykładzie ukraińskiej grupy Femen
Authors: Szymańska Justyna Anna
Published: November 2014

Pop feminism in the service of revolution. Women’s movements and practices of protest: Ukrainian group Femen case studyIn my paper I take a close look at the protest group, Femen, the circumstances of its creation, development and recent activities - initially in Ukraine, latterly also in Western Europe. I analyse the character of the group which belongs to the category of new social movements, and I present and analyse those indications of the activity of demonstrations of the movement based on what took place at street level. The object of my interest is also the issue of the appearance of the representatives of Femen in the media (new and traditional) and the influence of the pop culture on different aspects of its activity. I also question the issue of the employment of nudity in the public domain, and its connection with the usage of the expression of nationality against the background of other feminist movements. Popfeminizm w służbie rewolucji. Ruchy kobiece i praktyki protestu na przykładzie ukraińskiej grupy FemenW pracy pochylam się nad ukraińskim ruchem protestu Femen, kontekstem jego powstania, rozwoju i działalności – początkowo w Ukrainie, a potem także w Europie Zachodniej. Analizuję charakter grupy jako należącej do kategorii nowych ruchów społecznych, a także przedstawiam i analizuję przejawy działań kontestacyjnych ruchu, opartych o konwencję performance’u i przedstawień ulicznych. Przedmiotem mojego zastanowienia jest także kwestia obecności oraz funkcjonowania przedstawicielek Femenu w mediach (nowych oraz tradycyjnych) oraz wpływów popkultury na różne przejawy jego aktywności. Rozważam także kwestię wykorzystania nagości w sferze publicznej, powiązaną z użyciem idiomu narodowościowego, w kontekście innych ruchów feministycznych.
Традыцыйныя формы звароту да субяседніка ў беларускай мове
Authors: Kaptsiuh Iryna
Published: November 2014

Traditional forms of addressing an interlocutor in the Belarusian languageThe article examines the traditional forms of addressing an interlocutor in the Belarusian language. It focuses on the use of anthroponyms when addressing someone, the use of phrases with suffixes of subjective evaluation and the use of vocative and clipped noun forms functioning when addressing an interlocutor. The conclusion put forward is that there is a national specificity in the use of this form of addressing an interlocutor in the Belarusian language. Tradycyjne formy zwracania się do interlokutora w języku białoruskimW artykule analizowane są tradycyjne formy zwracania się do interlokutora w języku białoruskim. Artykuł skupia się na używanych w tej funkcji antroponimach, wyrażeniach z przyrostkami oceny subiektywnej, krótkich formach i wołaczu rzeczowników. Z analizy wynika, że istnieje pewna specyfika narodowa posługiwania się tymi formami zwracania się do rozmówcy w języku białoruskim.
Polskie miejsca pamięci w północnej Bośni
Authors: Wichniewicz Paulina Anna
Published: November 2014

Polish realms of memory in northern BosniaThis article presents the transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina which began after the war during the years 1991-1995. The most important objective was the liberation and emancipation of the forgotten memory of minorities. These processes are also expressed in relation to the Polish minority which came into existence in the territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century with the government takeover by Austria-Hungary and the announcement of the program of colonization. The changes described were significantly apparent in the reconstruction of Polish realms of memory: Polish shrines in Celinovac, Polish church in Cerovljani, Polish cemeteries: in Devetina and Novi Martinac and also in the Yugoslav-Polish partisan cemetery in Srbac. Of interest, the ‘time of memory’ which took place involved all social actors: the government of the Republic of Srpska and the municipalities of Srbac and Nowogrodziec, the Embassy of the Polish Republic in Sarajevo, representatives of local communities - Serbs and the Polish minority from Ćelinovac. Polskie miejsca pamięci w północnej BośniArtykuł prezentuje przemiany, które od czasu zakończenia wojny 1991–1995 roku dokonują się w granicach Bośni i Hercegowiny. Ich głównym celem jest wyzwalanie i emancypacja pamięci zapomnianych mniejszości narodowych. Procesy te dotyczą również polskiej mniejszości narodowej, która na terytorium Bośni i Hercegowiny pojawiła się pod koniec XIX i na początku XX wieku wraz z przejęciem administracji przez Austro-Węgry oraz ogłoszeniem programowej kolonizacji. Najsilniej ujawniają się w rekonstruowaniu polskich miejsc pamięci: polskiej kapliczki w Ćelinovacu, polskiego kościoła w Cerovljanach, cmentarzy polskich w Devetinie i Nowym Martyńcu oraz partyzanckiego jugosłowiańsko-polskiego w Srbacu. Co ciekawe, „czas pamięci“, który nastał, odcisnął swe piętno na działalności wszystkich aktorów społecznych: władz Republiki Serbskiej oraz gminnych, w tym wypadku gmin Srbac oraz Nowogrodziec, Ambasady Rzeczypospolitej w Sarajewie, przedstawicieli społeczności lokalnych – Serbów oraz polskiej mniejszości narodowej z Ćelinovaca.
Stematografija Hristofora Žefarovicia jako dokument kulturowych i narodowych dążeń Serbów w pierwszej połowie XVIII wieku
Authors: Romanowska Justyna
Published: November 2014

Hristofor Zhefarovich’s Stemmatographia as a document of the cultural and national aspirations of the Serbs in the first half of the eighteenth centuryStemmatographia, by Hristofor Zhefarovich (1741), was one of the most important Serbian books published in the first half of the 18th century. The first part contains the majestic portraits of the canonized Serbian sovereigns who built and strengthened the medieval Serbian state; the second part presents images of the coats of arms of the Balkan lands. Work composed in such a way corresponded to the political and religious program of the Archbishopric of Karlovci, the most important Serbian religious and secular institution in the lands belonging to the Habsburg monarchy. The reference to the tradition of the medieval state by presenting images of rulers and marking its territories by coats of arms legitimized the authority of the Serbian Orthodox Church that declared itself to be the heir and continuator of this tradition. At the same time, the gallery of portraits of the rulers and Orthodox Church notables constituted the national pantheon of saints that conferred a sacral aspect on Serbian history. Stematografija Hristofora Žefarovicia jako dokument kulturowych i narodowych dążeń Serbów w pierwszej połowie XVIII wiekuStematografija Hristofora Žefarovicia (1741) była jedną z najważniejszych serbskich książek wydanych w pierwszej połowie XVIII wieku. Pierwsza jej część zawiera majestatyczne portrety kanonizowanych serbskich władców, którzy budowali i umacniali średniowieczne państwo serbskie; druga przedstawia wizerunki herbów ziem bałkańskich. Tak skomponowanie dzieło wpisywało się w polityczno-religijny program Metropolii Karłowickiej, najważniejszej serbskiej instytucji religijnej i świeckiej na ziemiach należących do monarchii habsburskiej. Odwołanie się do tradycji średniowiecznego państwa poprzez zaprezentowanie wizerunków władców oraz określenie jego terytoriów poprzez umieszczenie herbów legitymizowało władzę serbskiej Cerkwi uznającej się za spadkobierczynię i kontynuatorkę tej tradycji. Jednocześnie galeria portretów władców i dostojników cerkiewnych konstytuowała narodowy panteon świętych, który nadawał historii Serbii wymiar sakralny.
Deliberate Indiscretion? How Political Corruption Encourages Discretionary Policy Making
Authors: Loftis Matt W.
Published: November 2014

This article reports the first empirical evidence that politicians delegate to trusted bureaucrats to diminish political responsibility for policy. Political science has been perennially concerned with why political leaders delegate authority to bureaucrats, but this work’s focus on advanced democracies has overlooked how corruption and political influence over bureaucrats can turn delegation into a means of obfuscating responsibility. Using a measure that differentiates political corruption from corruption at lower levels of government and a new data set of policy making on more than 600 European Commission directives in the 10 former communist European Union (EU) member states, I show that political-level corruption is associated with increased delegation to bureaucrats. This relationship between political corruption and bureaucratic discretion is conditional upon the political independence of the bureaucracy, such that politicians engaged in corruption delegate more to reduce clarity of responsibility only when they possess informal means to influence bureaucrats.
Physical activity on medical prescription: A qualitative study of factors influencing take-up and adherence in chronically ill patients
Authors: Gasparini William , Knobé Sandrine , Didierjean Romaine
Published: November 2014

Objective:

This study sought to determine the effects of an innovative public health programme offering physical and sports activities on medical prescription to chronically ill patients.

Method:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with programme participants at two time points: at the start of their activity ( n = 33) and 3 months after the first interview ( n = 25).

Results:

Findings reveal that this public health initiative engaged a very sedentary population taking starting or returning to physical exercise. Participants reported beneficial effects on their well-being and underlined the benefits of being monitoring and participating in activities with other patients.

Conclusion:

For individuals interviewed, starting (or getting back to) a physical activity proved beneficial, and their evaluation of the programme shows that it matched their expectations, although study participants also expressed difficulty in shifting to physical activity independently of the programme.
Improving organ donor registration using kiosks in primary care clinics
Authors: Salim Ali , Berry Cherisse , Ley Eric J , Schulman Danielle , Anderson Jacqueline , Navarro Sonia , Zheng Ling , Chan Linda S
Published: November 2014

Objective:

In the USA, organ donor shortage is especially pronounced among minority ethnic populations such as Hispanics, who are 60% less likely to donate compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Recent evidence suggests that US Hispanics may consent to organ donation via a registry within a doctor’s office. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using ‘kiosks’ to distribute organ donation educational material located within primary care clinics on US Hispanic donor registration rates.

Design/setting:

A prospective observational study was conducted at four clinics, located in Southern Californian neighbourhoods with a high percentage of Hispanics.

Method:

Kiosks containing organ donation educational material were set up at each clinic for a total of 7 weeks. The kiosks were unstaffed for 6 weeks, 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after a week that was staffed by individuals from OneLegacy, the local Organ Procurement Organisation (OPO). The number of patient encounters and the number of patients who registered were recorded and analysed. Registration rates per 1,000 patient encounters and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived. Differences between the staffed and unstaffed kiosks were assessed.

Results:

During the 6-week unstaffed period, a total of 59,181 patient encounters occurred with a registration rate of 0.03 per 1,000 (95% CI: 0.0–0.1). During the 1-week staffed period, a total of 9,805 patient encounters occurred and 102 patients registered, which is a registration rate of 10 per 1,000 (95% CI: 8–13). Significance was reached when comparing staffed and unstaffed rates of registration ( p < .0001).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates that when compared with unstaffed kiosks, staffed kiosks are more effective in increasing organ donation registration among US Hispanics.
‘Capital punishment’
Authors: Butcher Charles
Published: November 2014

Civil wars show substantial variation in where they are fought. One dimension of this variation is the proximity of fighting to the capital city. While some wars are fought in the periphery, others devastate capital cities, often for months, or years, on end. What explains this? This article approaches the puzzle from a bargaining perspective and argues that wars with evenly balanced belligerents (bipolar conflicts) should be less likely to see fighting in the capital while wars with multiple, evenly matched belligerents (multipolar conflicts) should be more likely to do so. Empirical analysis of new conflict-year data on the location of fighting in civil war and measures of conflict actor ‘fractionalization’ and ‘polarization’ from 1975 to 2011 support these claims. Highly asymmetric conflicts are fought furthest from the capital city. Bipolar conflicts are fought closer to the capital, but only modestly so. The transition from a bipolar to a multipolar conflict sharply increases the risk of fighting within 10 km of the capital and decreases the expected distance of conflict from the capital. In general, this article points to the utility of bargaining theory to help explain spatial patterns in violent conflict, in addition to questions of onset, duration, and termination, to which this theory has been traditionally applied.
Clinical outcome scores for arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty in femoroacetabular impingement: a quantitative systematic review
Authors: Gillespie JA , Patil SR , Meek RDM
Published: November 2014

Background and aims

Femoroacetabular impingement is the abnormal contact of the proximal femur and acetabulum during motion. It causes hip pain and joint degeneration in young patients. This systematic review aims to clarify the clinical effect of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty for cam lesions and to review the available literature for the general medical readership, including providers of primary and secondary care.

Methods and results

Electronic databases were searched for studies of arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty in primary femoroacetabular impingement. A total of 2618 article titles, 242 abstracts and 33 full text articles were considered. Ultimately nine studies with clinical outcome scores met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative systematic review. Six studies were suitable for meta-analysis using an inverse variance, random effects model (RevMan software). In the nine studies, improvements were seen in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index, Non-arthritic Hip Score and Modified Harris Hip Scores. Across the six studies suitable for meta-analysis (537 patients), a 24-point weighted mean improvement in Non-arthritic hip score was seen. This yielded a large overall effect size of 1.6.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic femoral osteochondroplasty appears to be a beneficial treatment for primary femoroacetabular impingement, with a large effect size seen across six eligible studies.
A giant frontoethmoid mucocele with intracranial extension
Authors: Işık Abdülcemal Ümit , Arslan Selçuk , Arslan Erhan , Baykal Süleyman
Published: November 2014

Mucoceles are mucus-containing cysts lined by epithelium. Although benign, they may show expansive growth and remain undiagnosed until symptoms due to compression of surrounding structures arise. We report a rare case of frontoethmoid mucocele with intracranial extension in an 80-year-old woman with complaints of headache, right diplopia and proptosis. A right frontoorbital craniotomy was performed, and a mucocele in the frontal sinus extending into the frontal lobe and orbit was totally removed. The patient was successfully treated without any complication. The two-year follow-up results were satisfactory. Magnetic resonance imaging excluded any recurrence of the mucocele. Combined intranasal and transcranial approach is necessary to treat giant frontoetmoid mucoceles with intracranial extension.
Integrating model checking and simulation for protocol optimization
Authors: Salmerón Alberto , Merino Pedro
Published: November 2014

Simulation models of communication protocols are widely used in the field of protocol engineering. Some methods have been proposed to ensure the correctness of these models, or to tune their parameters for performance. However, these aspects have usually been considered separately. This paper presents OptySim, a uniform framework to perform correctness analysis and performance evaluation over execution traces of communication protocols. The same protocol models can be tested for correctness before being used for performance evaluation, using this uniform framework. The exploration of the scenarios is controlled by performance or correctness objectives set by the user, using rich formalisms such as temporal logic and automata. Each execution trace is analyzed on the fly, stopping simulations as soon as the objectives are met or violated. The controlled exploration of the parameter space and the associated execution traces can help uncover errors or configurations that may have been otherwise missed with other exhaustive methods or human analysis. Our framework separates the analyzer from the system under analysis using a communication protocol that enables easier adaptation to new systems. We have implemented our framework with the Spin model checker to analyze ns-2 network simulations, and demonstrated the usefulness of our approach with two case studies: video streaming and VoIP call quality in mobile environments.