bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effect of adenosine on myocardial perfusion in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Yun‐Dai , Zhi Guang , Xu Yong , Chen Lian , Liu Hong‐Bin , Zhou Xiao , Tian Feng
Published: January 2012

The present study investigated the effects of intravenous adenosine on myocardial perfusion and segmental contractile function when used as an adjunct of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Patients were randomly assigned to receive intravenous adenosine (n = 35) or saline (n = 34) within 12 h of STEMI. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and velocity vector imaging (VVI) were performed 7 days after primary PCI. Serial echocardiography was performed on Days 7 and 30.

Capillary blood volume (A; 6.34 ± 1.98 vs 5.64 ± 1.84 dB; P = 0.03) and myocardial blood velocity (β; 0.13 ± 0.04 vs 0.1 ± 0.04/s; P = 0.01) were higher in the adenosine group than in control patients. Myocardial blood flow (A × β) was 0.82 ± 0.37 dB/s with adenosine compared with 0.57 ± 0.4 dB/s in control patients (P < 0.01).

Improvements were seen in the adenosine compared with the control group in terms of myocardial wall strain(–13.52 ± 5.61% vs –11.47 ± 5.25%, respectively; P = 0.03), strain rate (–1.08 ± 0.52 vs –0.90 ± 0.44/s, respectively; P = 0.03) and segmental ejection fraction (53.66 ± 12.04% vs 48.40 ± 14.99%, respectively; P = 0.03).

There was a correlation between myocardial perfusion in apical anterior segments, peak systolic strain (P = 0.001), strain rate (P = 0.001) and segmental ejection (P < 0.001).

Global contractile function was better in the adenosine‐treated than control group. At the 1 month follow up, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of the incidence of recurrent angina or heart failure.

The results of the present study suggest that periprocedural intravenous adenosine contributes to improvements in myocardial perfusion, segmental wall motion and global contractile function in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI.
FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT: EVIDENCE FROM A NONSTATIONARY PANEL
Authors: COSTANTINI MAURO , DEMETRIADES PANICOS O. , JAMES GREGORY A. , LEE KEVIN C.
Published: January 2012

We employ recently developed panel data methods to estimate a model of private investment under financial restraints for 20 developing countries using annual data for 1972–2000. We show that the qualitative nature of the results varies depending on whether we take into account cross‐country effects. When we allow for cross‐sectional dependence, investment displays more sensitivity to world capital market conditions and exchange rate uncertainty. A perhaps even more surprising result is the finding that countries that managed to suppress domestic real interest rates without generating high inflation enjoyed higher levels of private investment than those that would have been obtained under liberalized conditions. (JEL O16, G18, G28)
ESTIMATING DYNAMIC EULER EQUATIONS WITH MULTIVARIATE PROFESSIONAL FORECASTS
Authors: SMITH GREGOR W. , YETMAN JAMES
Published: January 2012

Dynamic Euler equations restrict multivariate forecasts and so can be estimated and tested using the predictions of professional forecasters. We illustrate this novel, empirical method by studying the links between forecasts of U.S. nominal interest rates, inflation, and real consumption growth since 1981. Using forecast data for both returns and macroeconomic fundamentals exploits the complete panel of forecasts from the Survey of Professional Forecasters, which yields 3,400 observations, many more than the 117 quarterly time‐series observations. Harnessing the full panel enhances precision in testing asset‐pricing models and may avoid aggregation bias. We find clear evidence for the Fisher effect but mixed evidence of a relationship between expectations of real interest rates and real consumption growth.(JELE17, E21, E43)
Genome modifications in plant cells by custom‐made restriction enzymes
Authors: Tzfira Tzvi , Weinthal Dan , Marton Ira , Zeevi Vardit , Zuker Amir , Vainstein Alexander
Published: January 2012

Genome editing, i.e. the ability to mutagenize, insert, delete and replace sequences, in living cells is a powerful and highly desirable method that could potentially revolutionize plant basic research and applied biotechnology. Indeed, various research groups from academia and industry are in a race to devise methods and develop tools that will enable not only site‐specific mutagenesis but also controlled foreign DNA integration and replacement of native and transgene sequences by foreign DNA, in living plant cells. In recent years, much of the progress seen in gene targeting in plant cells has been attributed to the development of zinc finger nucleases and other novel restriction enzymes for use as molecular DNA scissors. The induction of double‐strand breaks at specific genomic locations by zinc finger nucleases and other novel restriction enzymes results in a wide variety of genetic changes, which range from gene addition to the replacement, deletion and site‐specific mutagenesis of endogenous and heterologous genes in living plant cells. In this review, we discuss the principles and tools for restriction enzyme‐mediated gene targeting in plant cells, as well as their current and prospective use for gene targeting in model and crop plants.
Money Growth and Inflation in the Euro Area: A Time‐Frequency View
Authors: Rua António
Published: January 2012

This article provides new insights on the relationship between money growth and inflation in the euro area over the last 40 years. This highly relevant link for the European Central Bank monetary policy strategy is assessed using wavelet analysis. The findings indicate a stronger link between inflation and money growth at low frequencies over the whole sample period. At the typical business cycle frequency range the link is only present until the beginning of the 1980s. Moreover, there seems to be a recent deterioration of the leading properties of money growth with respect to inflation in the euro area.
Assessing the Transmission of Monetary Policy Using Time‐varying Parameter Dynamic Factor Models*
Authors: Korobilis Dimitris
Published: January 2012

This article extends the current literature which questions the stability of the monetary transmission mechanism, by proposing a factor‐augmented vector autoregressive (VAR) model with time‐varying coefficients and stochastic volatility. The VAR coefficients and error covariances may change gradually in every period or be subject to abrupt breaks. The model is applied to 143 post‐World War II quarterly variables fully describing the US economy. I show that both endogenous and exogenous shocks to the US economy resulted in the high inflation volatility during the 1970s and early 1980s. The time‐varying factor augmented VAR produces impulse responses of inflation which significantly reduce the price puzzle. Impulse responses of other indicators of the economy show that the most notable changes in the transmission of unanticipated monetary policy shocks occurred for gross domestic product, investment, exchange rates and money.
A Tale of Two Cities: Climate Change Policies in Vancouver and Melbourne — Barometers of Cooperative Federalism?
Authors: JONES STEPHEN
Published: January 2012

The failure of the United Nations negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen presents governments with an opportunity to consider new approaches to implementing climate change policy. Developed nations like Canada and Australia continue to fall short of their commitments to Kyoto targets and predict that their greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise. The planning and development of metropolitan areas continues to promote high levels of consumption and increased dependence on fossil fuel‐based energy. City governments in Vancouver and Melbourne have strong commitments to both mitigation and adaptation policy action against the impact of global warming. Both argue they are constrained in their efforts by federal institutional arrangements and require improved cooperation from other levels of government. This article uses the conceptual framework developed by the OECD to support greater levels of cooperation between governments in multilevel systems when implementing climate change policies. The article examines the contextual factors inherent in the institutional arrangements and uses the experiences of Vancouver and Melbourne to explore the factors that encourage or discourage cooperation in climate change policy.

L'échec de la conférence des Nations Unies à Copenhague sur les changements climatiques offre aux gouvernements l'occasion d'envisager de nouvelles approches de politiques publiques dans ce domaine. Les nations développées telles que le Canada et l'Australie ne tiennent toujours pas leurs engagements sur les objectifs de Kyoto et annoncent que leurs émissions de gaz à effet de serre vont encore croître. L'aménagement et le développement des zones métropolitaines continuent de stimuler la consommation des énergies fossiles, donc la dépendance à leur égard. Les municipalités de Vancouver et de Melbourne se sont fortement impliquées dans des actions publiques visant à atténuer l'impact du réchauffement climatique, ou à s'y adapter. Selon elles, leurs tentatives sont gênées par les dispositifs institutionnels fédéraux, et il faudrait une meilleure coopération avec les autres niveaux de gouvernement. À l'aide du cadre conceptuel élaboré par l'OCDE, cet article défend une coopération accrue entre les gouvernements des systèmes à plusieurs niveaux lorsque sont mises en place des politiques liées à l'évolution du climat. Il étudie les facteurs contextuels inhérents aux dispositifs institutionnels et s'appuie sur les expériences de Vancouver et Melbourne pour examiner les facteurs qui encouragent ou découragent la coopération dans ce domaine d'action publique.
Development and application of a HPLC method for eight sunscreen agents in suncare products
Authors: Peruchi L. M. , Rath S.
Published: January 2012

Synopsis

This work describes the development, validation and application of a simple and fast high‐performance liquid chromatography‐with diode array dectection (HPLC‐DAD) method for the determination of eight sunscreen agents: benzophenone‐3, octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, homosalate (used in two isomeric forms), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, 4‐methylbenzylidene camphor and ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA in sunscreen formulations. The separation of the eight sunscreen compounds was achieved using an ACE C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm), with a column temperature 20°C, and a mobile phase of 88 : 12 (v/v) methanol‐water with isocratic elution. Column temperature strongly influences the retention time and resolution of the compounds. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min−1 and quantitation was performed by external calibration at the maximum wavelength of each compound. The sample preparation was simple and consisted basically of sample dilution with methanol, centrifugation and filtration in syringe filters before quantitation. Total run time was 18 min. The method was validated according to the parameters: linear range, linearity, selectivity, intra‐day and inter‐day precision and accuracy. Ten samples of sunscreen emulsions commercially available in Brazil (SPF 30) from different manufacturers were analysed using the proposed method. The number of the sunscreen agents varied between one and five in a single sample. The concentrations of all compounds were in the range of 0.9–10% (w/w) and were in accordance with the current Brazilian legislation.
Guidelines on the safety of light‐based home‐use hair removal devices from the European Society for Laser Dermatology
Authors: Town G. , Ash C. , Dierickx C. , Fritz K. , Bjerring P. , Haedersdal M.
Published: January 2012

In the past 5 years since their US introduction, there has been a rapid proliferation of light‐based hair removal devices intended for home‐use. In the last 2 years in Europe, sales already run into many tens of thousands of units with well‐known multi‐national companies entering the market. These guidelines provide a definition of light‐based home‐use technology, to inform healthcare professionals about home‐use light‐based technology and encourage manufacturers wishing to sell in Europe to adopt ‘best practice’. The review presents the current status on standards and regulation issues and considers home‐use safety issues, encompassing human, device and electrical safety, given risks to the eyes and skin from optical radiation both to the consumer and persons in the vicinity. Proposed technical measurement methodology is considered with focus on recognized critical parameters for the safe use of light‐based hair removal technology including recording the technical performance and safety claims of a range of home‐use hair removal devices. The literature review emphasizes potential adverse incidents and safety aspects of treating cosmetic conditions, such as unwanted hair growth. Although some regulations exist, they differ from region to region and there is a specific need for international common principles and guidelines relating to the manufacture, marketing and use of intense pulsed light and laser devices, including manufacturing standards for home‐use products intended, amongst others, for cosmetic hair removal and photo‐rejuvenation procedures. In these guidelines, the European Society for Laser Dermatology (ESLD) provides a professional view of what ‘best practice’ may imply for manufacturers and consumers alike.
Frequency of non‐histologically diagnosed basal cell carcinomas in daily Dutch practice
Authors: Flohil S.C. , van Tiel S. , Koljenović S. , Jaanen‐van der Sanden G. , Overbeek L.I.H. , de Vries E. , Nijsten T.
Published: January 2012

Background  Population‐based basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidences are based on cancer registry data; however, these only include histologically diagnosed tumours.

Objectives  First, to investigate the number of subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s) in patients with a first histologically diagnosed BCC in 2004. Secondly, to observe differences in tumour characteristics between subsequent histologically and subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s).

Methods  All patients, from four hospitals located in the serving area of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry, with a first histologically diagnosed BCC in 2004 (n = 1290) were selected. A linkage was made with PALGA, the nationwide network and registry of histo‐ and cytopathology, to obtain pathology reports of subsequent histologically diagnosed BCC(s) up to 1 November 2010. Patient records were extracted from the participating dermatology departments and reviewed up to 1 November 2010 to identify non‐histologically diagnosed BCC(s).

Results  Overall, 33.2% of the 1089 followed up patients developed subsequent histologically and/or non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs. In total, 1974 BCCs were observed of which 1833 were histologically and 141 were non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs. The distribution of tumour site and subtype differed significantly between subsequent histologically and subsequent non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs.

Conclusions  The total burden of BCC is underestimated by the absence of data on the occurrence of non‐histologically diagnosed BCCs in daily dermatological practice. It is pivotal for Dutch healthcare policy makers to acknowledge this to make accurate BCC‐related cost estimates.
Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections: review of the epidemiology, microbiology, aetiopathogenesis and treatment
Authors: Tognetti L. , Martinelli C. , Berti S. , Hercogova J. , Lotti T. , Leoncini F. , Moretti S.
Published: January 2012

Bacterial skin and soft tissues infections (SSTI) often determine acute disease and frequent emergency recovering, and they are one of the most common causes of infection among groups of different ages. Given the variable presentation of SSTI, a thorough assessment of their incidence and prevalence is difficult. The presence of patient‐related (local or systemic) or environmental risk factors, along with the emergence of multi‐drug resistant pathogens, can promote SSTI. These infections may present with a wide spectrum of clinical features and different severity, and can be classified according to various criteria. Many bacterial species can cause SSTI, but Gram‐positive bacteria are the most frequently isolated, with a predominance of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. The diagnosis of SSTI requires an extended clinical history, a thorough physical examination and a high index of suspicion. Early diagnosis is particularly important in complicated infections, which often require laboratory studies, diagnostic imaging and surgical exploration. SSTI management should conform to the epidemiology, the aetiology, the severity and the depth of the infection. Topical, oral or systemic antimicrobial therapy and drainage or debridement could be necessary, along with treatment of a significant underlying disease. This review discusses the epidemiology, the pathogenesis and the classification of bacterial SSTI, describes their associated risk factors and their clinical presentations. The authors provide a rational diagnostic and therapeutic approach to SSTI in respect of antibiotic resistance and currently available antimicrobial agents.
A patch testing and cross‐sensitivity study of carbamazepine‐induced severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions
Authors: Lin Y.‐T. , Chang Y.‐C. , Hui R.C.‐Y. , Yang C.‐H. , Ho H.‐C. , Hung S.‐I. , Chung W.‐H.
Published: January 2012

Background The usefulness of the drug patch testing for Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) is still controversial. Recent studies have shown that HLA‐B*1502 is strongly associated with CBZ‐SJS/TEN in Chinese and Southeast Asian populations.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of patch tests for patients with carbamazepine (CBZ)‐induced SJS, TEN and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and the cross‐reactivity in patch tests among the aromatic antiepileptic drugs.

Methods We measure the frequency of positive patch test reactions and cross‐sensitivity to structure‐related aromatic anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) for patients after SJS/TEN or DRESS episodes caused by CBZ. CBZ and other structure‐related AEDs used for patch testing were prepared in 10% and 30% petrolatum. Secondary measures included the association of HLA‐B*1502 genotype and frequency of possible side effects from the patch tests.

Results Positive patch test reactions to 30% CBZ in the CBZ‐SJS/TEN were 62.5% (10/16), and 70% (7/10) in the CBZ‐DRESS. None of the 10 healthy controls displayed a positive reaction to tested agents. Cross‐sensitivity to other aromatic AEDs was observed in both the CBZ‐SJS/TEN and the CBZ‐DRESS. Only the HLA‐B*1502 genotype was present and strongly associated with the CBZ‐SJS/TEN, but not with the CBZ‐DRESS.

Conclusion Drug patch testing is a safe and useful method for the identification of CBZ as the culprit drug of SJS/TEN as well as DRESS. Testing of chemically or pharmacologically related AEDs may provide information on cross‐reactivity for these patients.
Mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV‐infected patients in the era of HAART in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
Authors: Han J. , Lun W.H. , Meng Z.H. , Huang K. , Mao Y. , Zhu W. , Lian S.
Published: January 2012

Background  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are frequently associated with diverse mucocutaneous manifestations. However, few studies of HIV/AIDS‐related mucocutaneous manifestations have been reported in China.

Objective  To investigate the occurrence of mucocutaneous disorders and their relationship with the degree of immunosuppression in 348 HIV‐infected Chinese patients. The influence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations was also evaluated.

Methods  A cross‐sectional study was performed on 348 HIV‐infected Chinese patients seen at the Guangxi Longtan Hospital from August 2010 to November 2010. Collected information included demographic data, HIV‐associated mucocutaneous disorders, CD4 cell count, AIDS‐defining illness and antiretroviral therapy.

Results  In this study, 62.9% of all patients had mucocutaneous disorders. The prevalence of mucocutaneous disorders in the patients who had received HAART was lower than in those without HAART (54.05% vs. 88.76%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of mucocutaneous disorders was higher in the patients with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 in comparison to those with CD4 ≥ 200 cells/mm3 (P < 0.05). The most common mucocutaneous disorders were oral candidiasis (28.47%), Penicillium marneffei infection (11.49%), drug eruptions (10.06%) and pruritic papular eruption (PPE 5.75%). Oral candidiasis, P. marneffei infection and PPE were significantly more prevalent in patients with a CD4 cell count below 200 cells/mm3, but frequency of drug eruptions was not related to the level of CD4 cell counts. Patients treated with HAART had decreased rates of herpes simplex, oral candidiasis and P. marneffei infection, but increased rates of drug eruptions.

Conclusions  A wide range of mucocutaneous disorders were observed in HIV‐infected Chinese patients. Oral candidiasis, P. marneffei infection and PPE may be the signs of advanced HIV infection. HAART had an impact on the spectrum of HIV‐associated mucocutaneous disorders.
Clinical patterns and epidemiological characteristics of facial melasma in Brazilian women
Authors: Tamega A.de.A. , Miot L.D.B. , Bonfietti C. , Gige T.C. , Marques M.E.A. , Miot H.A.
Published: January 2012

Background  Melasma is a common acquired chronic hypermelanosis of sun‐exposed areas which significantly impacts quality of life. There are few epidemiological studies in medical literature concerning these patients.

Objective  Characterize clinical and epidemiological data on Brazilian female patients with melasma.

Methods  A semi‐structured questionnaire was administered to melasma patients treated at a dermatology clinic between 2005 and 2010. Association between variables was performed by multivariate regression models.

Results  We assessed 302 patients; intermediate skin phototypes III (34.4%) and IV (38.4%) were prevalent. Mean disease onset age was 27.5 ± 7.8 years and familiar occurrence of melasma was identified in 56.3%. The most commonly reported trigger factors were pregnancy (36.4%), contraceptive pills (16.2%) and intense sun exposure (27.2%). Preferred facial topographies were zygomatic (83.8%), labial superior (51.3%) and frontal (49.7%). Pregnancy induced melasma has been associated to early disease (OR = 0.86) and number of pregnancies (OR = 1.39). Childbearing was correlated to melasma extension. Older disease onset age was associated to darker skin phototypes. Co‐occurrence of facial topographies supported clinical classification as centrofacial and peripheral melasma.

Conclusion  This population was characterized by: a high prevalence in adult females, intermediate skin phototypes, disease precipitation by hormonal stimulus and familiar genetic influence.
The Process of Perceiving Stigmatization: Perspectives from Taiwanese Young People with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Chen Chih‐Hsuan , Shu Bih‐Ching
Published: January 2012

Background  There is a dearth of studies about the causes of stigmatization in people with intellectual disability. This study is aimed at gaining an understanding of how feelings of stigmatization are formed and perceived among young people with intellectual disability in Taiwanese cultural and social contexts.

Materials and Methods  Fourteen young people with intellectual disability, ranging in age from 17 to 22 years, participated in this study. Data were collected and analysed using grounded theory.

Results  Three persistent themes were noted in regard to the formation of feelings of stigmatization among these young people with intellectual disability. (i) Being labelled: the sources of their stigma often resulted from the educational and social welfare systems. (ii) Perceiving oneself: they viewed themselves as ‘not good’ students, as troublemakers, as sick people and as odd people. (iii) Living with the labelling: they attempted to manage the impression that their intellectual disability had on others by using avoidance, isolation and self‐promotion.

Conclusions  Stigmatization among this intellectual disability group is invisibly formed while attending school and receiving social services. The value of the intellectual performance is not yet waived for young people with intellectual disability in Taiwan. Changing the social opinions of intellectual disability can help to avoid stigmatizing these people with intellectual disability.
Individual and Environmental Characteristics Associated with Cognitive Development in Down Syndrome: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Couzens Donna , Haynes Michele , Cuskelly Monica
Published: January 2012

Background  Associations among cognitive development and intrapersonal and environmental characteristics were investigated for 89 longitudinal study participants with Down syndrome to understand developmental patterns associated with cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

Materials and Methods  Subtest scores of the Stanford‐Binet IV collected between ages 4–30 years were analysed in multilevel models of age‐related change. Predictor variables were systematically entered into the models to identify associations with development for each subtest.

Results  Temperament, maternal education, medical conditions and school experiences were associated with cognitive differences. Additional associations with rate of development were detected for negative mood, persistence, maternal education level and elementary school experience for several subtests.

Conclusions  Early cognitive advantage and consistent opportunities to learn academic content appear to facilitate cognitive development, although this latter was confounded with ability and maternal education in this study. Data presented endorse research into interventions that enhance verbal and problem solving environments through‐out early and middle childhood and target reductions in negative affect in relation to supporting cognitive development for individuals with Down syndrome.
Examining the relationship between early axon growth and transcription factor expression in the developing cerebral cortex
Authors: Lickiss Tom , Cheung Amanda F. P. , Hutchinson Charlotte E. , Taylor Jeremy S. H. , Molnár Zoltán
Published: January 2012

The transcription factors Satb2 (special AT‐rich sequence binding protein 2) and Ctip2 (COUP‐TF interacting protein 2) have been shown to be required for callosal and corticospinal axon growth respectively from subtypes of cerebral cortex projection neurons. In this study we investigated early stages of directed axon growth in the embryonic mouse cerebral cortex, and studied the possible correlation with the expression of Satb2 and Ctip2. Electroporation of an EYFP‐expressing plasmid at embryonic day 13.5 to label developing projection neurons revealed that directed axon growth is first seen in radially migrating neurons in the intermediate zone (IZ), prior to migration into the cortical plate, as has been suggested previously. Onset of expression of SATB2 and CTIP2 was also observed in the IZ, correlating well with this stage of migration and initiation of axon growth. Immunohistochemical staining through embryonic and early postnatal development revealed a significant population of Satb2/Ctip2 co‐expressing cells, while retrograde axon tracing from the corpus callosum at embryonic day 18.5 back‐labelled many neurons with bi‐directional axon processes. However, through retrograde tracing and simultaneous immunohistochemical staining we show that these bi‐directional processes do not correlate with Satb2/Ctip2 co‐expression. Our work shows that although expression of these transcription factors correlates well with the appearance of directed axon growth during cortical development, the transcriptional code underlying the bi‐directional axonal projections of early neocortical neurons is not likely to be the result of Satb2/Ctip2 co‐expression.
The German Reformation and Medieval Thought and Culture
Authors: Ocker Christopher
Published: January 2012

This essay asks the question, is it useful to approach the Reformation as a phase in a linear chronology, a movement away from the Middle Ages? On the example of Matthias Flacius Illyricus and the formation of Lutheran identity in the third quarter of the sixteenth century, I argue that Protestants had a vested interest in the continuity of their beliefs with medieval thought and culture. The familiar idea of a medieval‐Reformation rupture is largely an invention of the nineteenth century. The research of recent decades, which I survey, has shown the limitations of this idea. I conclude with a proposal for seeing cultural change within multiple, overlapping chronologies.
Industrial Relations History in Transnational Perspective: A Review Essay
Authors: Fetzer Thomas
Published: January 2012

Inspired by the ‘transnational turn’ in history writing, this essay reviews recent scholarship dealing with industrial relations from a transnational perspective. The essay starts with conceptual reflections on the merits and potential pitfalls of a transnational approach, and suggests that that such an approach should include not only the study of actors, networks and processes at the transnational level (top down perspective), but also that of the impact of transnational factors on industrial relations in specific countries and locations (bottom up perspective). The main part of the essay critically reviews the available scholarship with regard to this two‐pronged agenda and makes suggestions for future research.
Viking Ethnicities: A Historiographic Overview
Authors: Downham Clare
Published: January 2012

The ‘Viking Age’ is well established in popular perception as a period of dramatic change in European history. The range of viking activities from North America to the Middle East has excited the interest of many commentators. Vikings are variously regarded as blood thirsty barbarians or civilised entrepreneurs; founders of nations or anarchic enemies. But how cohesive was the identity of the ‘Vikings’ and how did they see themselves? In recent years the answer to this question has been evaluated from a range of perspectives. Established paradigms (often situated within a nationalist framework of thought) have come under greater scrutiny and new ideas have entered the debate. This paper will review some trends in the historiography of viking ethnicities and cultural identities in the period 800–1000 AD. This overview also highlights the value of comparative analysis of human migrations to the field of Viking Studies.
Melatonin potentiates chemotherapy‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in rat pancreatic tumor cells
Authors: Uguz Abdulhadi C. , Cig Bilal , Espino Javier , Bejarano Ignacio , Naziroglu Mustafa , Rodríguez Ana B. , Pariente José A.
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  Melatonin has antitumor activity via several mechanisms including its antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in addition to its potent antioxidant action. Thus, melatonin has proven useful in the treatment of tumors in association with chemotherapeutic drugs. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by three different chemotherapeutic agents, namely 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), cisplatin, and doxorubicin in the rat pancreatic tumor cell line AR42J. We found that both melatonin and the three chemotherapeutic drugs induce a time‐dependent decrease in AR42J cell viability, reaching the highest cytotoxic effect after 48 hr of incubation. Furthermore, melatonin significantly augmented the cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents. Consistently, cotreatment of AR42J cells with each of the chemotherapeutic agents in the presence of melatonin increased the population of apoptotic cells, elevated mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and augmented intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared to treatment with each chemotherapeutic agent alone. These results provide evidence that in vitro melatonin enhances chemotherapy‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in rat pancreatic tumor AR42J cells and, therefore, melatonin may be potentially applied to pancreatic tumor treatment as a powerful synergistic agent in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs.
“Decline and British Romantic Literary Culture”
Authors: Sachs Jonathan
Published: January 2012

In “Signs of the Times” (1829), Thomas Carlyle characterizes what we now call the Romantic period as obsessed with crisis. After an account of what distinguishes Romantic anxieties of decline from 18th century precedents, this essay reads the period’s anxiety of impending decline as an index of how those living through this period understood their own historicity. Through close attention to Anna Barbauld’s poem Eighteen Hundred and Eleven (1812), it asks about the kind of cultural work done by the forecast of ruin and reflects on how such anticipations of decline produce cultural and literary value, and how they seek, paradoxically, to stave off decline through the very acknowledgement of its inevitability.
The Other Great Exhibition: Mayhew’s Catalog of the Industrious
Authors: Joshi Priti
Published: January 2012

Henry Mayhew’sLondon Labour and the London Poorhas always had an enthusiastic following, but scholarship on it has been limited and scholars fairly restrained in response to it. This essay examines questions about Mayhew’s sample set (the working‐class or the lumpenproleteriat? the poor or the marginal?), the veracity of his interviews, his relations with his subjects, and the publication history of his text. While he has been read as a proto‐sociologist, this essay, following Christopher Herbert, suggests that it is more fruitful to view Mayhew’s project as an early‐ethnographic effort. The review of Mayhew criticism concludes with a brief reading of Mayhew’s presentation of the street‐folk involved in reclaiming wastes – a project that has clear affinities with Mayhew’s own work.
Black Transnationalism: 20th‐Century South African and African American Literatures
Authors: Robolin Stéphane
Published: January 2012

This review article considers recent criticism on transnational literary and cultural relationships between black South Africans and African Americans across the 20th century. Using Black Atlantic and comparative models as the basis for discussion, this essay maps past patterns, current trends, and new directions in this particular strand of black transnational studies, while providing some commentary on certain developments in the field.
The Prison in Early Modern Drama
Authors: Ahnert Ruth
Published: January 2012

Prison scenes and references to incarceration are ubiquitous in early modern drama, ranging from the Counter‐scene in Ben Jonson’s Every Man Out of his Humour, to Hamlet’s famous statement that ‘Denmark’s a prison’. This article considers the reason for the early modern obsession with incarceration, providing a survey of the influence of contemporary prison legislation and conditions on city comedies; the use of chronicles and martyrologies in the writing of history plays; and the linguistic traces of prison literature and literary tropes of imprisonment. In doing so, it demonstrates that many of the recurring features in those plays deemed to be influenced by contemporary London prisons – including the representation of the prison as corrupt and variable in its administration, as unjust or lacking in power – have analogues in earlier literary and historical works.
Postcoital Penile Drug Eruption in a Co-Trimoxazole-Sensitive Patient Following Vaginal Use of Triple Sulfa Vaginal Cream by His Partner
Authors: Zargooshi Javaad , Kavoussi Hossein , Rahmanian Elham , Motaee Hiwa , Kohzadi Mozhgan , Nourizad Samad
Published: January 2012

Introduction

This is a report of a very rare case of proven postcoital penile drug eruption in a patient following vaginal use of triple sulfa vaginal cream by his partner.

Aim

To report the rare case of cross-reaction following vaginal use of triple sulfa vaginal cream in partner.

Methods

A case of postcoital penile drug eruption in a patient following vaginal use of triple sulfa vaginal cream in his partner is presented including subjective reporting, physical examination, and laboratory evaluations.

Results

We report a 42-year-old man with known sensitivity to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) who developed a penile drug eruption at the glans after having intercourse with his wife, who was taking sulfathiazole/sulfacetamide/sulfabenzamide (triple sulfa) vaginal cream. The nature of the lesion was confirmed by a rechallenge test.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of proven postcoital penile drug eruption in a patient following vaginal use of triple sulfa vaginal cream in his partner. Our case illustrates the importance of history taking. In clinical practice of urology, it is not rare to see patients who present with strange penile lesions following coitus. To reach a correct diagnosis, one should obtain a drug history of the sexual partner and allergic history of the patient in such cases.
‘Good when they want to be’: migrant workers in the supermarket supply chain
Authors: Thompson Paul , Newsome Kirsty , Commander Joanna
Published: January 2012

Despite the increased attention paid to the role and effects of migrant labour in the contemporary economy, there has been insufficient attention to the role of employers and the employment relationship. Recent studies have highlighted distinctive labour power characteristics of new labour migrants from Central and Eastern Europe that make them ‘good workers’ in the eyes of employers. Drawing on multiple case studies across the supermarket supply chain, this article explores what kind of human resource migrant labour is perceived to be, particularly by employers, and what happens in practice as the dynamic tensions of the employment relationship unfolds in particular sector contexts. It argues that utilisation is conditioned more by the requirements of temporal flexibility – framed by the dynamics of employment within the supply chain – than any essential features of migrant labour power.
Reducing the effects of work–family conflict on job satisfaction: the kind of commitment matters
Authors: Buonocore Filomena , Russo Marcello
Published: January 2012

The way in which organisational commitment influences the relationship between work–family conflict and job satisfaction is a question that has produced contradictory results. We address this issue by developing and testing a model that integrates role conflict theory and major research on organisational commitment, to elucidate the consequences that time‐, strain‐ and behaviour‐based conflict have on job satisfaction. The research is based on data collected among Italian nurses, and the results show that time‐ and strain‐based conflict are negatively related to job satisfaction. In addition, affective commitment moderates the relationship between strain‐based conflict and job satisfaction, whereas normative commitment moderates the relationship between time‐based conflict and job satisfaction. We discuss the implications of these results for theory and practice.
Keratinocyte Stem Cells and the Targets for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer†
Authors: Singh Ashok , Park Heuijoon , Kangsamaksin Thaned , Singh Anupama , Readio Nyssa , Morris Rebecca J.
Published: January 2012

The mammalian skin is a complex dynamic organ composed of thin multilayered epidermis and a thick underlying connective tissue layer dermis. The epidermis undergoes continuous renewal throughout life. The stems cells uniquely express particular surface markers utilized for their identification, isolation and localization in specific niches in epidermis as well as hair follicles (HFs). The two stage skin carcinogenesis model involves stepwise accumulation of genetic alterations and ultimately leading to malignancy. Whereas early research on skin carcinogenesis focused on the molecular nature of carcinogens and tumor promoters, more recent studies have focused on the identification of the target cells and tumor promoting cells for both chemical and physical carcinogens and promoters. Recent studies support the hypothesis that keratinocyte stem cells are the targets in skin carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss briefly the localization of stem cells in the epidermis and HFs, and review the possibility that skin papillomas and carcinomas are derived from stem cells, as well as from other cells in the cutaneous epithelium whose stem cell properties are not well known.
Positivity Advantages in Social Information Processing
Authors: Unkelbach Christian
Published: January 2012

The article examines advantages of positive information in social information processing. First, it presents a ubiquitous positivity advantage in processing speed. Then it introduces the density hypothesis as an explanation: Positive information is processed faster because it is more similar to other positive information compared to the overall similarity of negative information. Accordingly, positivity advantages are not only caused by the information’s valence itself, but by a structural property of the information that strongly correlates with valence. Further, the article provides an overview of recent density effects in other social psychology paradigms (i.e., evaluative priming, person perception, and person memory). The final discussion considers possible reasons for the correlation of density and valence, which leads to the observed positivity advantages.
Approaching Religiosity/Spirituality and Health from the Eudaimonic Perspective
Authors: Steffen Patrick R.
Published: January 2012

Religiosity/spirituality (RS) has been linked to positive health outcomes across a large number of studies, with these effects seen most strongly among disadvantaged groups such as minorities, women, and those of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Given that disadvantaged groups typically have worse health outcomes and not better, it is not clear why the effects of RS are stronger for disadvantaged groups. A key difficulty in understanding the relationship between RS and health lies in the theoretical perspectives used in research. Health and well‐being is typically assessed from the hedonic perspective which emphasizes pleasure and happiness as important outcomes and assumes that difficult life situations contribute to negative health. The eudaimonic perspective, on the other hand, emphasizes meaning and relationships, and assumes that difficult life situations can contribute to increased meaning in life and stronger relationships. The eudaimonic perspective provides a better framework for understanding why RS leads to better health for disadvantaged groups for three reasons. First, having meaning in life and strong relationships are related to positive health outcomes and buffer the negative effects of stress. Second, in addition to being more religious, disadvantaged groups report lower hedonic well‐being and report higher eudaimonic well‐being. Third, low SES religious individuals have better than expected health outcomes and low SES materialistic individuals have worse than expected health outcomes. Overall, the eudaimonic perspective better accounts for the research findings in RS and health and provides a strong foundation for future research in this area.
How Reward and Emotional Stimuli Induce Different Reactions Across the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Sakaki Michiko , Mather Mara
Published: January 2012

Despite widespread belief that moods are affected by the menstrual cycle, researchers on emotion and reward have not paid much attention to the menstrual cycle until recently. However, recent research has revealed different reactions to emotional stimuli and to rewarding stimuli across the different phases of the menstrual cycle. The current paper reviews the emerging literature on how ovarian hormone fluctuation during the menstrual cycle modulates reactions to emotional stimuli and to reward. Behavioral and neuroimaging studies in humans suggest that estrogen and progesterone have opposing influences. That is, it appears that estrogen enhances reactions to reward, but progesterone counters the facilitative effects of estrogen and decreases reactions to rewards. In contrast, reactions to emotionally arousing stimuli (particularly negative stimuli) appear to be decreased by estrogen but enhanced by progesterone. Potential factors that can modulate the effects of the ovarian hormones (e.g., an inverse quadratic function of hormones’ effects; the structural changes of the hippocampus across the menstrual cycle) are also discussed.
Racial Bias and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Triplett Jennifer
Published: January 2012

The ways in which people exhibit racially biased attitudes are complex. For instance, social scientists differentiate between explicit bias, or bias that is obvious and conscious, and implicit bias, or bias that is to a degree uncontrollable. Many studies focus on how these forms of racial bias relate to discrimination, however, a growing body of research indicates that racial bias can also relate to prosocial behavior. This paper discusses how social scientists measure different forms of racial bias, as well as the effects of racial bias on prosocial behaviors.
The Science of Two‐Timing: The State of Infidelity Research
Authors: Munsch Christin L.
Published: January 2012

This article provides an overview of research on infidelity in an effort to synthesize past studies and orient future studies. It begins with infidelity estimates, followed by a synopsis of evolutionary explanations prominent in both popular and academic writing. Despite the potential utility of evolutionary arguments, I argue that infidelity needs to be understood as a dynamic social process subject to influence by the context in which it is embedded. This conceptualization urges scholars to attend to the component, proximate, and psychological factors that affect one’s decision to engage in infidelity. Accordingly, I categorize empirical infidelity research in this manner. I conclude by addressing new developments and avenues for future research.
Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur in Geological Materials Using Elemental Analysers
Authors: Gazulla Maria F. , Rodrigo Marta , Orduña Monica , Gómez Carmen M.
Published: January 2012

This article describes a series of methods developed for the determination of total carbon (CTotal), organic carbon (Corg), hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. The following elemental analysers were used: LECO model RC‐412 for the determination of organic carbon, total carbon and hydrogen; LECO model CS‐200 for the determination of total carbon and sulfur; LECO model TN‐400 for the determination of nitrogen; and LECO model TruSpec CHNS for the determination of organic carbon, total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. Uncertainty and limits of detection and quantification were calculated for each method, as well as the running costs to define the most effective instrument for each material and each analyte. Accuracy was checked by the application of the Sutarno–Steger test. Finally, a compilation of the results obtained in the determination of CTotal, Corg, H, N and S in forty‐nine reference materials is presented.