bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnic past and Ethnic now: The representation of memory in ethnic museum websites
Authors: Carneiro Larissa , Johnson Melissa A.
Published: July 2015

This article investigates how ethnic museum websites in the United States use visual and textual resources to communicate their ideas of memory, past, and ethnic identity. Public relations practitioners as cultural intermediaries create such websites to foster identification between the cultural institutions and their stakeholders. By using social semiotic theory and content analysis, the article demonstrates how museums act as a medium for representing collective memory and, therefore, construct identities that are not static, but in a constant process of adaptation according to different contexts. This study of 43 websites concludes that ethnic museum websites pursue either nostalgic or present-time message strategies to represent cultural memory: the ethnic past and the ethnic now. The ethnic past aims to display an idealized past that is fixed and forever gone. In contrast, the ethnic now uses culturally identifiable features to convey movement, fluidity, transformation, reinterpretation, and the re-invention of ethnic identity. The research contributes to public relations scholarship about identity messages used by cultural intermediaries.
Middle Eastern Terrorist Stereotypes and Anti-Terror Policy Support
Authors: Welch Kelly
Published: July 2015

Tests of the minority threat theoretical perspective have established that the common association made between crime and Black and Hispanic males is manifested, to some degree, in harsh approaches to crime control. Particularly since 9/11, a close association is also being made by the public between terrorism and those perceived to be of Arab or Muslim descent—a phenomenon coinciding with the implementation of intense social controls aimed at preventing terror attacks and punishing suspected terrorists. Using a national sample, this research is the first to explore the micro-level minority threat hypothesis in relation to those who are perceived to be Middle Easterners. Results of multivariate analyses indicate that those who typify terrorists as Middle Eastern are more likely to support punitive anti-terror techniques and that this relationship is more influential among those for whom the danger of terrorism is less salient. These findings not only suggest that the effects of minority threat extend beyond the racial and ethnic groups previously found to be stereotyped as law violators to others whose minority status is not as distinctly delineated, but that they also operate beyond the criminal justice institutions research has demonstrated are influenced by them. Policy implications are discussed.
Effects of an 8-Week Outdoor Brisk Walking Program on Fatigue in Hi-Tech Industry Employees
Authors: Wu Li-Ling , Wang Kuo-Ming , Liao Po-I , Kao Yu-Hsiu , Huang Yi-Ching
Published: July 2015

Over 73% of hi-tech industry employees in Taiwan lack regular exercise. They are exposed to a highly variable and stressful work environment for extended periods of time, and may subsequently experience depression, detrimental to workers’ physiological and mental health. In this cross-sectional survey, the authors explored the effect of an 8-week brisk walking program on the fatigue of employees in the hi-tech industry. The participants, from a hi-tech company in northern Taiwan, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; 41 subjects, Mage = 33.34 ± 6.40) or control group (CG; 45 subjects, Mage = 29.40 ± 3.60). Following the 8-week brisk walking program, the EG showed significantly lower scores for subjective fatigue, working motivation, attention, and overall fatigue. The authors confirmed that the 8-week outdoor brisk walking program significantly improved the level of fatigue among employees of the hi-tech industry. The finding serves as an important reference for health authorities in Taiwan and provides awareness of workplace health promotion in the hi-tech industry.
Rising China, pivotal middle power South Korea, and alliance transition theory
Authors: Kim Woosang
Published: July 2015

The alliance transition theory is developed by incorporating the pivotal middle power’s role into Organski’s power transition theoretical framework. The theory posits that the situation of parity of alliance power between the dominant power’s alliance camp and the rising dissatisfied challenger’s camp is likely to lead to major war; and, further, that the pivotal middle power is able not only to help reinforce the dominant state’s power preponderance over its potential challenger but also to play a mediating role of persuading the rising potential challenger to be more satisfied with the status quo. Applying the alliance transition arguments to the East Asian region, the theory suggests that a pivotal middle power such as South Korea can be a crucial addition to the United States’ capabilities to maintain its preponderance of power over the potential challenger, the People’s Republic of China. Together with other like-minded middle powers, the Republic of Korea, as a key regional ally of the United States, can also play the constructive role of persuading China to be a responsible member of the status quo system, by engaging substantially with China.
A review of irradiation stability of lithium hydride neutron shielding material
Authors: Wang W. , Li Q. , Li Q. , Yang X. , Le G.
Published: July 2015

Lithium hydride remains theoretically the most efficient neutron shield material, showing immense application prospects. The properties of Lithium hydride neutron shielding material, such as use temperature, mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and irradiation swelling behaviour, were reviewed. Factors that affect the irradiation swelling of Lithium hydride were also discussed in this paper. The development trends of lithium hydride neutron shielding material were proposed.
Headache disorders and public ill-health in India: prevalence estimates in Karnataka State
Authors: Kulkarni Girish B , Rao Girish N , Gururaj Gopalkrishna , Stovner Lars J , Steiner Timothy J
Published: July 2015

Background

Primary headache disorders are among the commonest disorders, affecting people in all countries. India appears to be no exception, although reliable epidemiological data on headache in this highly populous country are not available. Such information is needed for health-policy purposes. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of each of the headache disorders of public-health importance, and examine their sociodemographic associations, in urban and rural populations of Karnataka, south India.

Methods

In a door-to-door survey, 2,329 biologically unrelated adults (aged 18–65 years) were randomly sampled from urban (n = 1,226) and rural (n = 1,103) areas in and around Bangalore and interviewed by trained researchers using a pilot-tested, validated, structured questionnaire. ICHD-II diagnostic criteria were applied.

Results

The observed 1-year prevalence of any headache was 63.9 %, with a female preponderance of 4:3. The age-standardised 1 year prevalence of migraine was 25.2 %; prevalence was higher among females than males (OR: 2.1 [1.7-2.6]) and among those from rural areas than urban (OR = 1.5 [1.3-1.8]). The age-standardized 1 year prevalence of TTH was 35.1 %, higher among younger people. The estimated prevalence of all headache on ≥15 days/month was 3.0 %; that of pMOH was 1.2 %, five-times greater among females than males and with a rural preponderance.

Conclusions

There is a very high 1 year prevalence of migraine in south India (the mean global prevalence is estimated at 14.7 %). Explanations probably lie in cultural, lifestyle and/or environmental factors, although the observed associations with female gender and rural dwelling are usual. Levels of TTH, pMOH and other headache on ≥15 days/month are similar to global averages, while the very strong association of pMOH with female gender requires explanation. Until another study is conducted in the north of the country, these are the best data available for health policy in a population of over 1.2 billion people.
Transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation in “de novo” patients with migraine without aura: the first Italian experience
Authors: Russo Antonio , Tessitore Alessandro , Conte Francesca , Marcuccio Laura , Giordano Alfonso , Tedeschi Gioacchino
Published: July 2015

Background

Transcutaneous supraorbital neurostimulation (tSNS) has been recently found superior to sham stimulation for episodic migraine prevention in a randomized trial. We evaluated both the safety and efficacy of a brief period of tSNS in a group of patients with migraine without aura (MwoA).

Methods

We enrolled 24 consecutive patients with MwoA experiencing a low frequency of attacks, which had never taken migraine preventive drugs in the course of their life. Patients performed a high frequency tSNS and were considered “compliant” if they used the tSNS for ≥ 2/3 of the total time expected. For this reason, four patients were excluded from the final statistical analysis. Primary outcome measures were the reduction migraine attacks and migraine days per month (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we evaluated the percentage of patients having at least 50 % reduction of monthly migraine attacks and migraine days. Secondary outcome measures were the reduction of headache severity during migraine attacks and HIT-6 (Headache Impact Test) rating as well as in monthly intake of rescue medication (p < 0.05). Finally, compliance and satisfaction to treatment and potential adverse effects related to tSNS have been evaluated.

Results

Between run-in and second month of tSNS treatment, both primary and secondary endpoints were met. Indeed, we observed a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of migraine attacks (p < 0.001) and migraine days (p < 0.001) per month. We also demonstrated at least 50 % reduction of monthly migraine attacks and migraine days in respectively 81 and 75 % of patients. Furthermore, a statistically significant reduction in average of pain intensity during migraine attacks (p = 0.002) and HIT-6 rating (p < 0.001) and intake of rescue medication (p < 0.001) has been shown. All patients showed good compliance levels and no relevant adverse events.

Conclusion

In patients experiencing a low frequency of attacks, significant improvements in multiple migraine severity parameters were observed following a brief period of high frequency tSNS. Therefore, tSNS may be considered a valid option for the preventive treatment of migraine attacks in patients who cannot or are not willing to take daily medications, or in whom low migraine frequency and/or intensity would not require pharmacological preventive therapies.
G Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel Subunits 1 and 2 are Down-Regulated in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons and Spinal Cord after Peripheral Axotomy
Authors: Lyu Chuang , Mulder Jan , Barde Swapnali , Sahlholm Kristoffer , Zeberg Hugo , Nilsson Johanna , Århem Peter , Hökfelt Tomas , Fried Kaj , Shi Tie-Jun Sten
Published: July 2015

Background

Increased nociceptive neuronal excitability underlies chronic pain conditions. Various ion channels, including sodium, calcium and potassium channels have pivotal roles in the control of neuronal excitability. The members of the family of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels, GIRK1–4, have been implicated in modulating excitability. Here, we investigated the expression and distribution of GIRK1 and GIRK2 in normal and injured dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and spinal cord of rats.

Results

We found that ~70% of the DRG neurons expressed GIRK1, while only <10% expressed GIRK2. The neurochemical profiles of GIRK1- and GIRK2-immunoreactive neurons were characterized using the neuronal markers calcitonin gene-related peptide, isolectin-B4 and neurofilament-200, and the calcium-binding proteins calbindin D28k, calretinin, parvalbumin and secretagogin. Both GIRK subunits were expressed in DRG neurons with nociceptive characteristics. However, while GIRK1 was widely expressed in several sensory neuronal subtypes, GIRK2 was detected mainly in a group of small C-fiber neurons. In the spinal dorsal horn, GIRK1- and −2-positive cell bodies and processes were mainly observed in lamina II, but also in superficial and deeper layers. Abundant GIRK1-, but not GIRK2-like immunoreactivity, was found in the ventral horn (laminae VI–X). Fourteen days after axotomy, GIRK1 and GIRK2 were down-regulated in DRG neurons at the mRNA and protein levels. Both after axotomy and rhizotomy there was a reduction of GIRK1- and −2-positive processes in the dorsal horn, suggesting a presynaptic localization of these potassium channels. Furthermore, nerve ligation caused accumulation of both subunits on both sides of the lesion, providing evidence for anterograde and retrograde fast axonal transport.

Conclusions

Our data support the hypothesis that reduced GIRK function is associated with increased neuronal excitability and causes sensory disturbances in post-injury conditions, including neuropathic pain.
Pulmonary ultrasound and pulse oximetry versus chest radiography and arterial blood gas analysis for the diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Bass Cameron M. , Sajed Dana R. , Adedipe Adeyinka A. , West T. Eoin
Published: July 2015

Introduction

In low-resource settings it is not always possible to acquire the information required to diagnose acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Ultrasound and pulse oximetry, however, may be available in these settings. This study was designed to test whether pulmonary ultrasound and pulse oximetry could be used in place of traditional radiographic and oxygenation evaluation for ARDS.

Methods

This study was a prospective, single-center study in the ICU of Harborview Medical Center, a referral hospital in Seattle, Washington, USA. Bedside pulmonary ultrasound was performed on ICU patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Pulse oximetric oxygen saturation (SpO2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2), fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), provider diagnoses, and chest radiograph closest to time of ultrasound were recorded or interpreted.

Results

One hundred and twenty three ultrasound assessments were performed on 77 consecutively enrolled patients with respiratory failure. Oxygenation and radiographic criteria for ARDS were met in 35 assessments. Where SpO2 ≤ 97 %, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient between SpO2/FiO2 and PaO2/FiO2 was 0.83, p < 0.0001. The sensitivity and specificity of the previously reported threshold of SpO2/FiO2 ≤ 315 for PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 was 83 % (95 % confidence interval (CI) 68–93), and 50 % (95 % CI 1–99), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of SpO2/FiO2 ≤ 235 for PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200 was 70 % (95 % CI 47–87), and 90 % (95 % CI 68–99), respectively. For pulmonary ultrasound assessments interpreted by the study physician, the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound interstitial syndrome bilaterally and involving at least three lung fields were 80 % (95 % CI 63–92) and 62 % (95 % CI 49–74) for radiographic criteria for ARDS. Combining SpO2/FiO2 with ultrasound to determine oxygenation and radiographic criteria for ARDS, the sensitivity was 83 % (95 % CI 52–98) and specificity was 62 % (95 % CI 38–82). For moderate–severe ARDS criteria (PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 200), sensitivity was 64 % (95 % CI 31–89) and specificity was 86 % (95 % CI 65–97). Excluding repeat assessments and independent interpretation of ultrasound images did not significantly alter the sensitivity measures.

Conclusions

Pulse oximetry and pulmonary ultrasound may be useful tools to screen for, or rule out, impaired oxygenation or lung abnormalities consistent with ARDS in under-resourced settings where arterial blood gas testing and chest radiography are not readily available.
Quantifying the broader economic consequences of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Germany applying a government perspective framework
Authors: Kotsopoulos Nikolaos , Connolly Mark P , Remy Vanessa
Published: July 2015

HPV infections can cause substantial burden in females and males as it is associated with several genital cancers, in addition to genital warts. Traditional economic evaluations often focus on quantifying cost-effectiveness, however, it is increasingly recognized that vaccinations may generate broader benefits not captured in cost-effectiveness analysis. Τhe aim of this study was to evaluate the broader economic consequences associated with HPV vaccination in males and females and to conduct a lifetime cost-benefit analysis of investing in universal vaccination in Germany from the perspective of government. Methodologies from generational accounting, human capital and health economics were combined to estimate the broader economic consequences of HPV vaccination including the fiscal impact for the government. A cohort model was developed simulating the medical costs and average lifetime fiscal transfers between the government and 12-year-old immunized and non-immunized males and females. To estimate tax revenue attributed to vaccination-related changes in morbidity and mortality, direct and indirect tax rates were linked to differences in age- and gender-specific earnings. Based on HPV vaccination costs, the base case cost-benefit analysis demonstrated that investing €1 in universal HPV vaccination could yield €1.7 in gross tax revenue over the lifetime of the cohorts. After taking into consideration the governmental transfers, universal HPV vaccination in Germany could result in incremental positive net discounted taxes (i.e. tax revenue-transfers) from €62 million for the German government. The vaccination of males and females with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is likely to have positive effects on public finances.
On some fixed point theorems under $(\alpha,\psi,\phi)$-contractivity conditions in metric spaces endowed with transitive binary relations
Authors: Shahzad Naseer , Karapınar Erdal , Roldán-López-de-Hierro Antonio-Francisco
Published: July 2015

After the appearance of Nieto and Rodríguez-López’s theorem, the branch of fixed point theory devoted to the setting of partially ordered metric spaces have attracted much attention in the last years, especially when coupled, tripled, quadrupled and, in general, multidimensional fixed points are studied. Almost all papers in this direction have been forced to present two results assuming two different hypotheses: the involved mapping should be continuous or the metric framework should be regular. Both conditions seem to be different in nature because one of them refers to the mapping and the other one is assumed on the ambient space. In this paper, we unify such different conditions in a unique one. By introducing the notion of continuity of a mapping from a metric space into itself depending on a function α, which is the case that covers the partially ordered setting, we extend some very recent theorems involving control functions that only must be lower/upper semi-continuous from the right. Finally, we use metric spaces endowed with transitive binary relations rather than partial orders.
Personalized fitting recommendation based on support vector regression
Authors: Li Weimin , Li Xunfeng , Yao Mengke , Jiang Jiulei , Jin Qun
Published: July 2015

Collaborative filtering (CF) is a popular method for the personalized recommendation. Almost all of the existing CF methods rely only on the rating data while ignoring some important implicit information in non-rating properties for users and items, which has a significant impact on the preference. In this study, considering that the average rating of users and items has a certain stability, we firstly propose a personalized fitting pattern to predict missing ratings based on the similarity score set, which combines both the user-based and item-based CF. In order to further reduce the prediction error, we use the non-rating attributes, such as a user’s age, gender and occupation, and an item’s release date and price. Moreover, we present the deviation adjustment method based on the support vector regression. Experimental results on MovieLens dataset show that our proposed algorithms can increase the accuracy of recommendation versus the traditional CF.
Development of junction temperature estimation system for light-emitting LED using pulsed-laser Raman scattering
Authors: Horiuchi Makoto , Yamagata Yukihiko , Tsutsumi Shin-ichi , Tomita Kentaro , Manabe Yoshio
Published: July 2015

A new method by using a pulsed-laser Raman scattering technique was employed to estimate junction temperature of a fluorescence-resin-less blue-LED package. Temperature dependent Raman shift of E
2
H mode of GaN layer in the blue-LED were obtained and were in good agreement with the experimental data published by the other researchers. This technique was applied to estimation of a junction temperature of the light-emitting blue-LED. The junction temperature was successfully estimated even under the strong stray light and LED light emission. It is considered that the proposed technique would be a remote and standard system for measuring the junction temperature of light-emitting white-LEDs.
Distribution and dependence of extremes in network sampling processes
Authors: Avrachenkov Konstantin , Markovich Natalia M. , Sreedharan Jithin K.
Published: July 2015

We explore the dependence structure in the sampled sequence of complex networks. We consider randomized algorithms to sample the nodes and study extremal properties in any associated stationary sequence of characteristics of interest like node degrees, number of followers, or income of the nodes in online social networks, which satisfy two mixing conditions. Several useful extremes of the sampled sequence like the kth largest value, clusters of exceedances over a threshold, and first hitting time of a large value are investigated. We abstract the dependence and the statistics of extremes into a single parameter that appears in extreme value theory called extremal index (EI). In this work, we derive this parameter analytically and also estimate it empirically. We propose the use of EI as a parameter to compare different sampling procedures. As a specific example, degree correlations between neighboring nodes are studied in detail with three prominent random walks as sampling techniques.
Mechanisms of Action of Lenalidomide in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Gribben John G. , Fowler Nathan , Morschhauser Franck
Published: July 2015

Lenalidomide is an orally active immunomodulatory drug that has direct antineoplastic activity and indirect effects mediated through multiple types of immune cells found in the tumor microenvironment, including B, T, natural killer (NK), and dendritic cells. Recently, the E3 ubiquitin ligase cereblon was identified as a molecular target that may underlie the effects of lenalidomide on tumor cells, as well as on cells in the tumor microenvironment. Decreases in cereblon attenuate these effects and also confer resistance to lenalidomide. Tumoricidal effects of lenalidomide are associated with reduced interferon regulatory factor 4, a downstream target of cereblon. Lenalidomide stimulates proliferation and activation of NK cells, thereby enhancing NK cell–mediated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. These effects appear to be secondary to cytokine production from T cells. Lenalidomide has been shown to produce synergistic effects in experimental models when evaluated in combination with rituximab, dexamethasone, bortezomib, and B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors, consistent with mechanisms complementary to these agents. These experimental findings have translated to the clinic, where single-agent use displays durable responses in relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and combination with rituximab and other agents leads to improved responses at first line and in relapsed/refractory disease. The activity of lenalidomide is evident across multiple lymphoma subtypes, including indolent and aggressive forms. The interaction among cell types in the immune microenvironment is increasingly recognized as important to tumor cell recognition and destruction, as well as to protection of normal immune cells, as reflected by lenalidomide studies across multiple types of B-cell lymphomas.
Novel Biomarker Signature That May Predict Aggressive Disease in African American Men With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yamoah Kosj , Johnson Michael H. , Choeurng Voleak , Faisal Farzana A. , Yousefi Kasra , Haddad Zaid , Ross Ashley E. , Alshalafa Mohammed , Den Robert , Lal Priti , Feldman Michael , Dicker Adam P. , Klein Eric A. , Davicioni Elai , Rebbeck Timothy R. , Schaeffer Edward M.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

We studied the ethnicity-specific expression of prostate cancer (PC) –associated biomarkers to evaluate whether genetic/biologic factors affect ethnic disparities in PC pathogenesis and disease progression.

Patients and Methods

A total of 154 African American (AA) and 243 European American (EA) patients from four medical centers were matched according to the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment postsurgical score within each institution. The distribution of mRNA expression levels of 20 validated biomarkers reported to be associated with PC initiation and progression was compared with ethnicity using false discovery rate, adjusted Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, and logistic regression models. A conditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the interaction between ethnicity and biomarkers for predicting clinicopathologic outcomes.

Results

Of the 20 biomarkers examined, six showed statistically significant differential expression in AA compared with EA men in one or more statistical models. These include ERG (P < .001), AMACR (P < .001), SPINK1 (P = .001), NKX3-1 (P = .03), GOLM1 (P = .03), and androgen receptor (P = .04). Dysregulation of AMACR (P = .036), ERG (P = .036), FOXP1 (P = .041), and GSTP1 (P = .049) as well as loss-of-function mutations for tumor suppressors NKX3-1 (P = .025) and RB1 (P = .037) predicted risk of pathologic T3 disease in an ethnicity-dependent manner. Dysregulation of GOLM1 (P = .037), SRD5A2 (P = .023), and MKi67 (P = .023) predicted clinical outcomes, including 3-year biochemical recurrence and metastasis at 5 years. A greater proportion of AA men than EA men had triple-negative (ERG-negative/ETS-negative/SPINK1-negative) disease (51% v 35%; P = .002).

Conclusion

We have identified a subset of PC biomarkers that predict the risk of clinicopathologic outcomes in an ethnicity-dependent manner. These biomarkers may explain in part the biologic contribution to ethnic disparity in PC outcomes between EA and AA men.
Improvements in US Breast Cancer Survival and Proportion Explained by Tumor Size and Estrogen-Receptor Status
Authors: Park Ju-Hyun , Anderson William F. , Gail Mitchell H.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Breast cancer mortality began declining in many Western countries during the late 1980s. We estimated the proportion of improvements in stage- and age-specific breast cancer survival in the United States explained by tumor size or estrogen receptor (ER) status.

Methods

We estimated hazard ratios for breast cancer–specific death from time of invasive breast cancer diagnosis in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 Registries Database from 1973 to 2010, with and without stratification by tumor size and ER status.

Results

Hazards from breast cancer–specific death declined from 1973 to 2010, not only in the first 5 years after diagnosis, but also thereafter. Stratification by tumor size explained less than 17% of the improvements comparing 2005 to 2010 versus 1973 to 1979, except for women age ≥ 70 years with local (49%) or regional (38%) disease. Tumor size usually accounted for more of the improvement in the first 5 years after diagnosis than later. Additional adjustment for ER status (positive, negative, or unknown) from 1990 to 2010 did not explain much more of the improvement, except for women age ≥ 70 years within 5 years after diagnosis.

Conclusion

Most stage-specific survival improvement in women younger than age 70 years old is unexplained by tumor size and ER status, suggesting a key role for treatment. In the first 5 years after diagnosis, tumor size contributed importantly for women ≥ 70 years old with local and regional stage, and stratification by tumor size and ER status explained even more of the survival improvement among women age ≥ 70 years.
Impact of Age and Primary Disease Site on Outcome in Women With Low-Grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary or Peritoneum: Results of a Large Single-Institution Registry of a Rare Tumor
Authors: Gershenson David M. , Bodurka Diane C. , Lu Karen H. , Nathan Lisa C. , Milojevic Ljiljana , Wong Kwong K. , Malpica Anais , Sun Charlotte C.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary (LGSOC) or peritoneum (LGSPC) is a rare subtype of ovarian or peritoneal cancer characterized by young age at diagnosis and relative resistance to chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is to report our updated experience with women diagnosed with LGSOC or LGSPC to assess the validity of our original observations.

Patients and Methods

Eligibility criteria for patients from our database were: stage I to IV LGSOC or LGSPC, original diagnosis before January 2012, and adequate clinical information. All patients were included in progression-free survival, overall survival, and multivariable Cox regression analyses. A subset analysis was performed among patients with stage II to IV low-grade serous carcinoma treated with primary surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy.

Results

We identified 350 eligible patients. Median progression-free survival was 28.1 months; median overall survival was 101.7 months. In the multivariable analysis, compared with women age ≤ 35 years, those diagnosed at age > 35 years had a 43% reduction in likelihood of dying (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37 to 0.74; P < .001). Having disease present at completion of primary therapy was associated with a 1.78 increased hazard of dying compared with being clinically disease free (P < .001). Similar trends were noted in the smaller patient cohort. In this cohort, women with LGSPC had a 41% decreased chance of dying (hazard ratio, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.98; P = .04) compared with those with LGSOC.

Conclusion

Women age < 35 years with low-grade serous carcinoma and those with persistent disease at completion of primary therapy have the worst outcomes. Patients with LGSPC seem to have a better prognosis than those with LGSOC.
Use of Biomarkers to Guide Decisions on Systemic Therapy for Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Van Poznak Catherine , Somerfield Mark R. , Bast Robert C. , Cristofanilli Massimo , Goetz Matthew P. , Gonzalez-Angulo Ana M. , Hicks David G. , Hill Elizabeth G. , Liu Minetta C. , Lucas Wanda , Mayer Ingrid A. , Mennel Robert G. , Symmans William F. , Hayes Daniel F. , Harris Lyndsay N.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To provide recommendations on the appropriate use of breast tumor biomarker assay results to guide decisions on systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

A literature search and prospectively defined study selection identified systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective–retrospective studies, and prospective comparative observational studies published from 2006 through September 2014.

Results

The literature search revealed 17 articles that met criteria for further review: 11 studies reporting discordances between primary tumors and metastases in expression of hormone receptors or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), one RCT that addressed the use of a biomarker to decide whether to change or continue a treatment regimen, and five prospective–retrospective studies that evaluated the clinical utility of biomarkers.

Recommendations

In patients with accessible metastases, biopsy for confirmation of disease process and retesting of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status should be offered, but evidence is lacking to determine whether changing anticancer treatment on the basis of change in receptor status affects clinical outcomes. With discordance of results between primary and metastatic tissues, the Panel consensus is to use preferentially the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status of the metastasis to direct therapy if supported by the clinical scenario and patient's goals for care. Carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 15-3, and cancer antigen 27-29 may be used as adjunctive assessments, but not alone, to contribute to decisions regarding therapy. Recommendations for tumor rebiopsy and use of circulating tumor markers are based on clinical experience and Panel informal consensus in the absence of studies designed to evaluate the clinical utility of the markers. As such, it is also reasonable for clinicians to not use these markers as adjunctive assessments.
Hyperleptinemia During Pregnancy Decreases Adult Weight of Offspring and Is Associated With Increased Offspring Locomotor Activity in Mice
Authors: Pollock Kelly E. , Stevens Damaiyah , Pennington Kathleen A. , Thaisrivongs Rose , Kaiser Jennifer , Ellersieck Mark R. , Miller Dennis K. , Schulz Laura Clamon
Published: July 2015

Pregnant women who are obese or have gestational diabetes mellitus have elevated leptin levels and their children have an increased risk for child and adult obesity. The goals of this study were to determine whether offspring weights are altered by maternal hyperleptinemia, and whether this occurs via behavioral changes that influence energy balance. We used 2 hyperleptinemic mouse models. The first was females heterozygous for a leptin receptor mutation (DB/+), which were severely hyperleptinemic, and that were compared with wild-type females. The second model was wild-type females infused with leptin (LEP), which were moderately hyperleptinemic, and were compared with wild-type females infused with saline (SAL). Total food consumption, food preference, locomotor activity, coordinated motor skills, and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in wild-type offspring from each maternal group at 3 postnatal ages: 4–6, 11–13, and 19–21 weeks. Half the offspring from each group were then placed on a high-fat diet, and behaviors were reassessed. Adult offspring from both groups of hyperleptinemic dams weighed less than their respective controls beginning at 23 weeks of age, independent of diet or sex. Weight differences were not explained by food consumption or preference, because female offspring from hyperleptinemic dams tended to consume more food and had reduced preference for palatable, high-fat and sugar, food compared with controls. Offspring from DB/+ dams were more active than offspring of controls, as were female offspring of LEP dams. Maternal hyperleptinemia during pregnancy did not predispose offspring to obesity, and in fact, reduced weight gain.
PTH(1–34) for Surgical Hypoparathyroidism: A Prospective, Open-Label Investigation of Efficacy and Quality of Life
Authors: Santonati Assunta , Palermo Andrea , Maddaloni Ernesto , Bosco Daniela , Spada Antonio , Grimaldi Franco , Raggiunti Bruno , Volpe Raffaele , Manfrini Silvia , Vescini Fabio ,   the Hypoparathyroidism AME Group
Published: July 2015

Context:

Conventional therapy for hypoparathyroidism consists of calcium and calcitriol, but sometimes normal serum calcium cannot be maintained, and/or this approach might lead to nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, or renal insufficiency.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of 6 months of PTH(1–34) treatment in adult subjects with postoperative hypoparathyroidism and to evaluate quality-of-life changes.

Design:

This was a 2-year prospective, open-label study. At baseline and after 6 months of PTH(1–34) treatment, calcium and vitamin D supplementation requirements, serum calcium, phosphate, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion were evaluated. Quality of life was evaluated by the Rand 36-Item Short Form Health Survey covering eight domains of physical and mental health.

Setting:

This was an Italian multicentric study.

Participants:

Participants included 42 subjects with surgical hypoparathyroidism (90% females, age range 34–77 y).

Intervention:

The intervention included a twice-daily PTH(1–34) 20 μg sc injection.

Results:

The mean serum calcium levels significantly increased from baseline to 15 days (7.6 ± 0.6 vs 9.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL, P < .001) and remained stable until the end of the observational period, despite a significant reduction in calcium and vitamin D supplementation. Phosphate levels gradually decreased from baseline to the sixth month (P = .005 for the trend), whereas the alkaline phosphatase increased (P < .001). Data from the Rand 36-Item Short Form Health Survey showed a significant improvement in the mean scores of all eight domains (P < .001).

Conclusion:

This is the largest study that demonstrates the effectiveness of PTH(1–34) in the treatment of adult patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, and it shows that PTH(1–34) may improve the mental and physical health in hypoparathyroid subjects.
Like Surfers Waiting for the Big Wave: Health Care Politics in Italy
Authors: Toth Federico
Published: July 2015

This article focuses on the main health reforms enacted in Italy over the past one hundred years. Such reforms were all undertaken in conjunction with a severe political and institutional crisis. The 1943 reform was approved a few weeks before the fall of the Fascist regime. The National Health Service, established by Law No. 833 of 1978 and enacted during one of the most turbulent times in the history of the country, represented the apex of the brief experience of the “national solidarity” governments. Even the 1992–93 reform was put into effect in the midst of the Tangentopoli scandal, which marked the transition from the First Republic to the so-called Second Republic. To attempt an analysis of the main turning points in Italian health care policies, the well-known multiple streams approach is adopted.
The Politics of Universal Health Coverage in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Framework for Evaluation and Action
Authors: Fox Ashley M. , Reich Michael R.
Published: July 2015

Universal health coverage has recently become a top item on the global health agenda pressed by multilateral and donor organizations, as disenchantment grows with vertical, disease-specific health programs. This increasing focus on universal health coverage has brought renewed attention to the role of domestic politics and the interaction between domestic and international relations in the health reform process. This article proposes a theory-based framework for analyzing the politics of health reform for universal health coverage, according to four stages in the policy cycle (agenda setting, design, adoption, and implementation) and four variables that affect reform (interests, institutions, ideas, and ideology). This framework can assist global health policy researchers, multilateral organization officials, and national policy makers in navigating the complex political waters of health reforms aimed at achieving universal health coverage. To derive the framework, we critically review the theoretical and applied literature on health policy reform in developing countries and illustrate the framework with examples of health reforms moving toward universal coverage in low- and middle-income countries. We offer a series of lessons stemming from these experiences to date.
Templated Synthesis for Nanoarchitectured Porous Materials
Authors: Malgras Victor , Ji Qingmin , Kamachi Yuichiro , Mori Taizo , Shieh Fa-Kuen , Wu Kevin C-W , Ariga Katsuhiko , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: July 2015

Nowadays a wide variety of synthesis techniques are utilized to produce nanoporous materials. In this review, we summarize the general principles of templated synthesis using various types of templates and cover recent developments in this area.
Catalytic Carbon–Nitrogen Bond-Forming Cross-Coupling Using N-Trimethylsilylamines
Authors: Minami Yasunori , Komiyama Takeshi , Shimizu Kenta , Hiyama Tamejiro , Goto Osamu , Ikehira Hideyuki
Published: July 2015

Carbon–nitrogen bond-forming cross-coupling reaction of haloarenes with N-trimethylsilyl (TMS)-substituted secondary and primary arylamines proceeded with the aid of a palladium catalyst and a fluoride activator. Various TMS-N(aryl)2, TMS-NH(aryl), and TMS-N(alkyl)2 reacted to give the corresponding coupled products in high yields. Multi-TMS-amine nucleophiles such as N,N-(TMS)2-aniline and N,N′-Ph2-N,N′-(TMS)2-p-phenylenediamine also participated in this C–N coupling to give multiply C–N coupled products in high yields. The novel C–N cross-coupling reaction was successfully applied to C–N bond-forming polymerization. Relative rates of the cross-coupling of p-bromotoluene with N-TMS-substituted primary and secondary amines showed that N-TMS-diphenylamine reacted faster than N-TMS-N-methylaniline or N-TMS-aniline, and N-TMS-morpholine was the least reactive, indicating that the low basicity of the nitrogen nucleophile is the key for the smooth coupling.
Nonorthogonal tRNAcysAmber for protein and nascent chain labeling
Authors: Koubek Jiří , Chen Yet-Ran , Cheng Richard Ping , Huang Joseph Jen-Tse
Published: July 2015

In vitro-transcribed suppressor tRNAs are commonly used in site-specific fluorescence labeling for protein and ribosome-bound nascent chains (RNCs) studies. Here, we describe the production of nonorthogonal Bacillus subtilis tRNAcysAmber from Escherichia coli, a process that is superior to in vitro transcription in terms of yield, ease of manipulation, and tRNA stability. As cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase was previously shown to aminoacylate tRNAcysAmber with lower efficiency, multiple tRNA synthetase mutants were designed to optimize aminoacylation. Aminoacylated tRNA was conjugated to a fluorophore to produce BODIPY FL-cysteinyl-tRNAcysAmber, which was used to generate ribosome-bound nascent chains of different lengths with the fluorophore incorporated at various predetermined sites. This tRNA tool may be beneficial in the site-specific labeling of full-length proteins as well as RNCs for biophysical and biological research.
Metazoan tRNA introns generate stable circular RNAs in vivo
Authors: Lu Zhipeng , Filonov Grigory S. , Noto John J. , Schmidt Casey A. , Hatkevich Talia L. , Wen Ying , Jaffrey Samie R. , Matera A. Gregory
Published: July 2015

We report the discovery of a class of abundant circular noncoding RNAs that are produced during metazoan tRNA splicing. These transcripts, termed tRNA intronic circular (tric)RNAs, are conserved features of animal transcriptomes. Biogenesis of tricRNAs requires anciently conserved tRNA sequence motifs and processing enzymes, and their expression is regulated in an age-dependent and tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, we exploited this biogenesis pathway to develop an in vivo expression system for generating “designer” circular RNAs in human cells. Reporter constructs expressing RNA aptamers such as Spinach and Broccoli can be used to follow the transcription and subcellular localization of tricRNAs in living cells. Owing to the superior stability of circular vs. linear RNA isoforms, this expression system has a wide range of potential applications, from basic research to pharmaceutical science.
Andreas Kapsner, “Logics and Falsifications: A New Perspective on Constructivist Semantics”, Series Trends in Logic, vol. 40, Springer
Authors: Antunes Henrique
Published: July 2015

Andreas Kapsner, Logics and Falsifications: A New Perspective on Constructivist Semantics, Series Trends in Logic, vol. 40, Springer, Cham, 215 pages, ISSN 1572-6126, ISBN 978-3-319-05205-2.
The Impact of Combining Conformance and Experiential Quality on Hospitals’ Readmissions and Cost Performance
Authors: Senot Claire , Chandrasekaran Aravind , Ward Peter T. , Tucker Anita L. , Moffatt-Bruce Susan D.
Published: July 2015

To investigate the opportunity for hospitals to achieve better care at lower cost, we examine two key process quality measures, conformance quality and experiential quality, and two measures of performance, readmission rate and cost per discharge. Conformance quality represents a hospital’s level of adherence to evidence-based standards of care, whereas experiential quality represents the level of interaction between hospital’s caregivers and patients. Analyzing six years of data from 3,474 U.S. acute care hospitals, we find that combining conformance and experiential quality results in lower readmission rates. However, conformance quality and experiential quality each independently increase cost per discharge, which suggests that a readmissions–costs trade-off is unavoidable. To investigate this further, we conduct post hoc analyses by distinguishing between the granular elements of experiential quality (EQ) based on task type: response-focused EQ and communication-focused EQ. Response-focused EQ measures caregivers’ ability to respond to patient’s explicit needs, whereas communication-focused EQ measures caregivers’ ability to engage in meaningful conversations with the patient. We find that combining communication-focused EQ with conformance quality reduces readmission rates. Moreover, as conformance quality increases, the cost of improving communication-focused EQ decreases, indicating complementarity. Response-focused EQ in combination with conformance quality also results in reduced readmission rates. However, as conformance quality increases, the cost of improving response-focused EQ also increases, suggesting that these dimensions might compete for resources. Taken together, our results suggest that hospital administrators can mitigate the trade-off between reducing readmissions and controlling costs by prioritizing communication-focused EQ over response-focused EQ.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Numerical Algebra, Matrix Theory, Differential-Algebraic Equations, and Control Theory
Authors: Benner Peter
Published: July 2015

The conference "
Numerical Algebra, Matrix Theory, Differential-Algebraic Equations, and Control Theory
" brought together about 160 experts in the mathematical research fields mentioned in its title. These research areas are strongly related and they often occur in the same real-world application. Main areas where such applications emerge are computational engineering and sciences, but increasingly also social sciences and economics.The conference was dedicated to Volker Mehrmann on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Volker Mehrmann is a leading expert in the areas of the conference, and in a unique manner unifies expertise in the mathematical fields providing the title of this conference.

Besides 24 invited and 16 contributed talks, the scientific program of the conference included a Poster Session, starting with a Poster Blitz, providing the participants with the opportunity to advertise their posters in a 1-minute presentation. This collection shows some of the posters presented there.
Efectos de la crisis en la estructura ocupacional y la biografia laboral de la población inmigrante
Authors: Carrasco Carpio Concepción , García-Serrano Carlos
Published: July 2015

Este artículo tiene como objetivo profundizar en el estudio del cambio ocupacional y de las trayectorias laborales de los individuos a lo largo del tiempo para ofrecer una visión más amplia del efecto de la crisis económica de 2008-2013 sobre el empleo. Para ello se utilizan los microdatos de la Encuesta de Población Activa y se realiza una comparación entre tres colectivos: españoles nacidos en España, españoles nacidos fuera de España.y extranjeros nacidos fuera de España. Los resultados avalan para el colectivo de extranjeros nacidos fuera la existencia de una estructuraocupacional segmentada hacia puestos de naturaleza manual (tanto cualificada como no cualificada), hecho que ha potenciado una pérdida de ocupación en la biografía laboral de las cohortes de individuos más jóvenes en el periodo recesivo.