bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public School Teacher Management in Sri Lanka
Authors: Raju Dhushyanth
Published: April 2017

Sri Lanka is increasingly seeking to ensure that its public school system not only delivers greater shares of students who have completed higher secondary and tertiary education but also that all students obtain a much better education. Raising teacher effectiveness is considered to be crucial for achieving these aims. This article reviews the literature on teacher management in Sri Lanka and points to what may be critical teacher management issues. The article also discusses considerations and options for addressing these issues, informed by international evidence on approaches to improve teacher effectiveness.
New hypotheses regarding the Danish health puzzle
Authors: Bakah May , Raphael Dennis
Published: April 2017

Aims: Nordic welfare states have achieved admirable population health profiles as a result of public policies that provide economic and social security across the life course. Denmark has been an exception to this rule, as its life expectancies and infant mortality rates since the mid-1970s have lagged behind the other Nordic nations and, in the case of life expectancy, behind most Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations. Methods: In this review paper, we identify a number of new hypotheses for why this may be the case. Results: These hypotheses concern the health effects of neo-liberal restructuring of the economy and its institutions, the institution of flexi-security in Denmark’s labour market and the influence of Denmark’s tobacco and alcohol industries. Also of note is that Denmark experienced higher unemployment rates during its initial period of health stagnation, as well as its treatment of non-Western immigrants and high wealth inequality and, until recently, the fact that Denmark did not systematically address the issue of health inequalities. Conclusions: These hypotheses may serve as covering explanations for the usually provided accounts of elevated behavioural risks and psychosocial stress as being responsible for Denmark’s health profile.
The association of health and voluntary early retirement pension and the modifying effect of quality of supervision: Results from a Danish register-based follow-up study
Authors: Wind Astrid de , Burr Hermann , Pohrt Anne , Hasselhorn Hans Martin , Van der Beek Allard Johan , Rugulies Reiner
Published: April 2017

Objectives: The aims of this article are to (1) determine whether and to what extent general perceived health and quality of supervision predict voluntary early retirement pension (VERP) and (2) assess whether quality of supervision modifies the association between general perceived health and VERP. Methods: Employees aged 49–64 years who participated in the Danish Work Environment Cohort Study in 2000 were selected. Their questionnaire data about health and work were linked to register data on social transfer payments, among others VERP, from 2001 to 2012 in the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalization ( N=1167). Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to identify the prospective association of general perceived health and quality of supervision on VERP. Relative excess risks due to interaction (RERIs) were calculated to assess whether quality of supervision modified the association between health and VERP. Results: Employees with poor health at baseline had an increased risk of VERP during follow-up (hazard ratio [HR]=1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.49). Quality of supervision at baseline was not associated to VERP during follow-up (HR=1.04; 95% CI 0.90–1.21). There was no statistically significant interaction of poor health and poor quality of supervision with regard to risk of VERP (RERI=−0.33; 95% CI −1.79 to 1.14). Conclusions: This study did not support the notion that quality of supervision buffers the association between poor health and VERP. Future research is needed to determine whether other aspects of supervision, for example supervisors’ opportunities to effectuate workplace adjustments, may modify the association of poor health and VERP.
Evaluating the measuring properties of the principal instructional management rating scale in the Chinese educational system
Authors: Antoniou Panayiotis , Lu Mohan
Published: April 2017

During the last 25 years researchers have proposed a number of conceptual frameworks to measure the various functions of instructional leadership. One of the most frequently used frameworks is the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale (PIMRS). Despite the great number of studies employing the PIMRS, evidence for its reliability and validity is relatively limited. In addition, we still don’t know much about the extent to which this instrument could be used in diverse demographic and cultural educational settings. This study explores the content, face, and construct validity, reliability and internal consistency of the PIMRS in the Chinese educational system. A total number of 311 teachers from five middle schools in the Haidian District of Beijing participated in the study. The data were analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). On an overall basis the results provided support for the face, content, and construct validity, reliability and internal consistency of the PIMRS. However, six out of the 50 items had to be removed to reach satisfactory fit indices. Implications of the findings in relation to the importance of evaluating the measuring properties of research instruments are discussed and, finally, suggestions for future studies are provided.
Prostanoid-dependent spontaneous pain and PAR2-dependent mechanical allodynia following oral mucosal trauma
Authors: Ito Misa , Ono Kentaro , Hitomi Suzuro , Nodai Tomotaka , Sago Teppei , Yamaguchi Kiichiro , Harano Nozomu , Gunjigake Kaori , Hosokawa Ryuji , Kawamoto Tatsuo , Inenaga Kiyotoshi
Published: April 2017

During dental treatments, intraoral appliances frequently induce traumatic ulcers in the oral mucosa. Such mucosal injury-induced mucositis leads to severe pain, resulting in poor quality of life and decreased cooperation in the therapy. To elucidate mucosal pain mechanisms, we developed a new rat model of intraoral wire-induced mucositis and investigated pain mechanisms using our proprietary assay system for conscious rats. A thick metal wire was installed in the rats between the inferior incisors for one day. In the mucosa of the mandibular labial fornix region, which was touched with a free end of the wire, traumatic ulcer and submucosal abscess were induced on day 1. The ulcer was quickly cured until next day and abscess formation was gradually disappeared until five days. Spontaneous nociceptive behavior was induced on day 1 only, and mechanical allodynia persisted over day 3. Antibiotic pretreatment did not affect pain induction. Spontaneous nociceptive behavior was sensitive to indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), ONO-8711 (prostanoid receptor EP1 antagonist), SB-366791, and HC-030031 (TRPV1 and TRPA1 antagonists, respectively). Prostaglandin E2 and 15-deoxyΔ12,14-prostaglandin J2 were upregulated only on day 1. In contrast, mechanical allodynia was sensitive to FSLLRY-NH2 (protease-activated receptor PAR2 antagonist) and RN-1734 (TRPV4 antagonist). Neutrophil elastase, which is known as a biased agonist for PAR2, was upregulated on days 1 to 2. These results suggest that prostanoids and PAR2 activation elicit TRPV1- and TRPA1-mediated spontaneous pain and TRPV4-mediated mechanical allodynia, respectively, independently of bacterial infection, following oral mucosal trauma. The pathophysiological pain mechanism suggests effective analgesic approaches for dental patients suffering from mucosal trauma-induced pain.
Effect of interfragmentary gap on compression force in a headless compression screw used for scaphoid fixation
Authors: Tan E.S. , Mat Jais I. S. , Abdul Rahim S. , Tay S. C.
Published: April 2017

We investigated the effect of an interfragmentary gap on the final compression force using the Acutrak 2 Mini headless compression screw (length 26 mm) (Acumed, Hillsboro, OR, USA). Two blocks of solid rigid polyurethane foam in a custom jig were separated by spacers of varying thickness (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 mm) to simulate an interfragmentary gap. The spacers were removed before full insertion of the screw and the compression force was measured when the screw was buried 2 mm below the surface of the upper block. Gaps of 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm resulted in significantly decreased compression forces, whereas there was no significant decrease in compression force with a gap of 1 mm. An interfragmentary gap of 2.5 mm did not result in any contact between blocks. We conclude that an increased interfragmentary gap leads to decreased compression force with this screw, which may have implications on fracture healing.
Mass threshold for ‘harmless’ drones
Authors: la Cour-Harbo Anders
Published: April 2017

Today it is possible to buy small and cheap drones in toy stores, supermarkets, and on numerous online shops. Often, these drones are very lightweight and are flown in backyards, sport fields, parking lots, and such places. They typically pose no lethal threat to people in the vicinity of the drone. Nonetheless, in many countries such drones are regulated by aviation rules that does not (sufficiently well) distinguish between these drones and the larger hobby or professional drones. Consequently such small drones are flown illegally. This has prompted some national aviation authorities to consider a form of ‘harmless’ category, which ideally should be based on a mass threshold. To aid such a classification this work proposes a mass threshold of 250 g, below which, we argue, it is reasonable to classify drones as ‘harmless’ in the sense that the expected fatality rate is equivalent to that of manned aviation. In this work we combine a series of models and methods to provide a foundation for giving a mass threshold. The approach is probabilistic and focuses on the relation between mass and human injury in the case of small drones. The approach is also parameterized such that readers can substitute other probabilities and conduct their own calculations, possibly determining a different mass threshold.
Impact of sleep disordered breathing on short-term post-operative outcome after elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Rupprecht Sven , Schultze Torsten , Nachtmann Andreas , Rastan Ardawan Julian , Doenst Torsten , Schwab Matthias , Witte Otto W. , Rohe Sebastian , Zwacka Isabelle , Hoyer Heike
Published: April 2017

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is common in patients with coronary disease, but its impact on post-operative recovery after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is unclear. We therefore determined the effects of SDB on post-operative outcome after elective CABG.

In this prospective two-centre study, 219 patients due to receive elective CABG underwent cardiorespiratory polygraphy for SDB prior to surgery and were monitored for post-operative complications. The primary end-point was a composite of 30-day mortality or major post-operative complications (cardiac, respiratory, surgical, infectious, acute renal failure or stroke). Key secondary end-points were single components of the primary end-point.

SDB was present in 69% and moderate/severe SDB in 43% of the CABG patients. There was no difference in the composite of 30-day mortality or major postoperative complications between patients with and without SDB (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.49–1.96) and between patients with moderate/severe SDB and no/mild SDB (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.55–2.06). However, moderate/severe SDB was associated with higher rates of mortality (crude OR 10.1, 95% CI 1.22–83.5), sepsis (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.17–7.50) and respiratory complications (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.46–5.55).

Although SDB was not associated with higher overall morbidity/mortality, moderate/severe SDB may increase the risk of death, and septic and respiratory complications, after elective CABG.
Molecular biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Calvayrac Olivier , Pradines Anne , Pons Elvire , Mazières Julien , Guibert Nicolas
Published: April 2017

The identification of oncogenic driver alterations that underlie sensitivity to small inhibitors has led to growing interest in identifying additional targetable oncogenes in nonsmall cell lung cancer. Although the therapeutic impact of the discovery of these alterations has now been widely demonstrated, the epidemiological data associated with each of these biomarkers remain insufficiently studied. In this review, we discuss the techniques used to discover each of these candidate oncogenes, their prevalence in nonsmall cell lung cancer, and briefly outline the epidemiological features of the major oncogenes and ways in which their identification can determine therapeutic strategies.
Attenuation of noise and simultaneous source interference using wavelet denoising
Authors: Yu Zhou , Abma Ray , Etgen John , Sullivan Claire
Published: April 2017

High-resolution seismic imaging requires noise attenuation to achieve signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) improvements without compromising data bandwidth. Amplitude versus offset analysis requires good amplitude fidelity in premigration processes. Any nonreflected wavefield energy in the data will degrade the seismic image quality. Despite significant progress over the years, preserving low-frequency signals without compromising the S/N and avoiding the smearing of aliased signal are still a challenge for conventional methods. This problem is compounded when additional interference noise is added with simultaneous source acquisition. Because noise characteristics vary from shot to shot and receiver to receiver, we need a method that is robust and effective. In addition, we also want the method to be efficient and easy to use from a practical perspective. We have recently developed an approach using a wavelet transform to deterministically separate the primary signal from the noise, including simultaneous source interference. The goals are (1) improving the S/N without compromising bandwidth, (2) preserving the low-frequency and near-offset primaries without compromising the S/N, and (3) preserving the local primary wavefield while attenuating noise. For distance-separated simultaneous source acquisition, the goal is preserving long-offset primaries while removing interference. This wavelet denoising flow consists of a linear transformation and filtering using the complex wavelet transform (CWT). For reflection signals, normal moveout (NMO) is used. NMO transforms the low-velocity surface waves and the interference noise to where it is easily identified and rejected with a dip filter in the multidimensional CWT domain. Land field data examples have demonstrated significantly improved S/Ns and low-frequency signal preservation in migrated images after wavelet denoising. Since the numerical implementation of the CWT is as fast as a fast Fourier transform, this flow is able to suppress noise and interference simultaneously on the 3D land data much faster than the other inversion methods.
Personality disorder and alcohol treatment outcome: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Newton-Howes Giles M. , Foulds James A. , Guy Nicola H. , Boden Joseph M. , Mulder Roger T.
Published: April 2017

Background

Personality disorders commonly coexist with alcohol use disorders (AUDs), but there is conflicting evidence on their association with treatment outcomes.

Aims

To determine the size and direction of the association between personality disorder and the outcome of treatment for AUD.

Method

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials and longitudinal studies.

Results

Personality disorders were associated with more alcohol-related impairment at baseline and less retention in treatment. However, during follow-up people with a personality disorder showed a similar amount of improvement in alcohol outcomes to that of people without such disorder. Synthesis of evidence was hampered by variable outcome reporting and a low quality of evidence overall.

Conclusions

Current evidence suggests the pessimism about treatment outcomes for this group of patients may be unfounded. However, there is an urgent need for more consistent and better quality reporting of outcomes in future studies in this area.
Phase III Prospective Randomized Comparison Trial of Depot Octreotide Plus Interferon Alfa-2b Versus Depot Octreotide Plus Bevacizumab in Patients With Advanced Carcinoid Tumors: SWOG S0518
Authors: Yao James C. , Guthrie Katherine A. , Moran Cesar , Strosberg Jonathan R. , Kulke Matthew H. , Chan Jennifer A. , LoConte Noelle , McWilliams Robert R. , Wolin Edward M. , Mattar Bassam , McDonough Shannon , Chen Helen , Blanke Charles D. , Hochster Howard S.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Treatment options for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remain limited. This trial assessed the progression-free survival (PFS) of bevacizumab or interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α-2b) added to octreotide among patients with advanced NETs.

Patients and Methods

Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) S0518, a phase III study conducted in a US cooperative group system, enrolled patients with advanced grades 1 and 2 NETs with progressive disease or other poor prognostic features. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with octreotide LAR 20 mg every 21 days with either bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 21 days or 5 million units of IFN-α-2b three times per week. The primary end point was centrally assessed PFS. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00569127.

Results

A total of 427 patients was enrolled, of whom 214 were allocated to bevacizumab and 213 to IFN-α-2b. The median PFS by central review was 16.6 months (95% CI, 12.9 to 19.6 months) in the bevacizumab arm and was 15.4 months (95% CI, 9.6 to 18.6 months) in the IFN arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.18; P = .55). By site review, the median PFS times were 15.4 months (95% CI, 12.6 to 17.2 months) for bevacizumab and 10.6 months (95% CI, 8.5 to 14.4 months) for interferon (HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.12; P = .33). Time to treatment failure was longer with bevacizumab than with IFN (HR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.89; P = .003). Confirmed radiologic response rates were 12% (95% CI, 8% to 18%) for bevacizumab and 4% (95% CI, 2% to 8%) for IFN. Common adverse events with bevacizumab and octreotide included hypertension (32%), proteinuria (9%), and fatigue (7%); with IFN and octreotide, they included fatigue (27%), neutropenia (12%), and nausea (6%).

Conclusion

No significant differences in PFS were observed between the bevacizumab and IFN arms, which suggests that these agents have similar antitumor activity among patients with advanced NETs.
Creation of Minimum Requirements Guidelines for Cancer Centers in Kenya
Authors: Brand Nathan R. , Cira Mishka K. , Gathitu Eunice W. , Duncan Kalina , Karagu Alfred K.
Published: April 2017

Abstract 39

Background:

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide and accounts for nearly 8.5 million deaths—more than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined. In Kenya, the majority of cancer care is provided at two national referral hospitals, but there is growing interest by various counties in managing patients with cancer locally. However, there are currently no national standards to describe the minimum requirements for a health facility that wishes to offer cancer management services. Beginning in 2015, the US National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health (CGH) has assisted the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Kenyan National Cancer Institute (NCl-K) in creating national guidelines for minimum requirements for facilities that wish to offer cancer services in Kenya. With this work, we report the MoH and NCI-K minimum requirements in infrastructure, equipment, and human resources needed for facilities that offer cancer services in Kenya.

Methods:

Technical experts who work with patients with cancer in Kenya were approached to create specific sections of the document. MoH, NCI-K, and CGH collated the various drafts, and CGH connected experts from the US National Cancer Institute community with stakeholders in Kenya to provide insight into specific fields. A final draft document was redistributed to all participants before a stakeholder meeting held in early 2017, during which the document was finalized.

Results:

Finalization of an MoH and NCI-K document that dictates the minimum requirements for health care facilities that wish to offer cancer services to their patients.

Conclusion:

After publication, the guidelines will be distributed to health facilities, and monitoring and evaluation will be completed by NCI-K to ensure that guidelines are being followed and updated as needed.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No COIs from the authors.
Implementation of a Single-Visit Approach to Breast Care in Zambia
Authors: Pinder Leeya F. , Shibemba Aaron , Kusweje Victor , Nzayisenga Jean-Baptiste , Chiboola Hector , Amuyunzu-Nyamongo Mary , Mwaba Catherine , Msadabwe Susan Citonje , Lermontov Pavlo , Chikontwe Edgar , Parham Groesbeck P.
Published: April 2017

Abstract 11

Background:

System-level barriers to care and low levels of awareness lead to late-stage presentation of breast disorders in resource-constrained environments. Simulating Zambia’s successful screen and treat approach to cervical cancer prevention, we designed and implemented an algorithm to improve breast care efficiency.

Methods:

In collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health and with support from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, we initially expanded breast care capacity in Zambia through on-site training of mid- and high-level health care providers by international experts. By using this cadre of local experts, we then implemented a rural breast care camp of 1-week duration, during which breast self-awareness, psychosocial counseling, clinical breast examination, breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy, histologic analysis of biopsy specimens, and treatment were offered to participants in a single-visit format.

Results:

Four hundred seventy-five women were evaluated during the camp. The mean age of participants was 34.5 (± 13.0) years. The majority of women were multiparous (81.9%), breast-fed (78.5%), and reported hormone use (54.1%). Abnormalities were detected on clinical breast examination in 33 women, 27 of which required ultrasound. Lesions were confirmed in 17 and evaluated by using ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (12) or fine-needle aspiration (five). On-site imprint cytology was performed on all specimens and later confirmed by histology, with a concordance of 100%. Two cancers were detected. Three women with benign lesions underwent same-day surgery after histologic confirmation.

Conclusion:

Similar to the see-and-treat approach for cervical cancer prevention, the single-visit algorithm has the potential to vastly improve breast care efficiency in low-resource environments ( Fig 1 ). [Figure: see text] Funding: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Leeya F. Pinder No relationship to disclose Aaron Shibemba No relationship to disclose Victor Kusweje No relationship to disclose Jean-Baptiste Nzayisenga No relationship to disclose Hector Chiboola No relationship to disclose Mary Amuyunzu-Nyamongo No relationship to disclose Catherine Mwaba Research Funding: Mylan (Inst) Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Fresenius Susan Citonje Msadabwe Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: AstraZeneca Pavlo Lermontov No relationship to disclose Edgar Chikontwe No relationship to disclose Groesbeck P. Parham No relationship to disclose
Costs of Diagnosing Breast-Related Conditions at a Large, Public Hospital in a Middle-Income Country Without Population-Level Screening
Authors: Lince-Deroche Naomi , Van Rensburg Craig , Firnhaber Cindy , Benn Carol , Rubin Grace , Michelow Pam , Rayne Sarah
Published: April 2017

Abstract 42

Background:

Literature regarding the costs and cost-effectiveness of diagnosing breast disease globally, including cancer, has focused on mammographic screening in high-income settings. South Africa, a middle-income country, is currently crafting its first national breast cancer policy, and information on costs and best practices for national imaging services in low- and middle-income settings is required. We undertook this work to estimate the average cost per procedure and per patient for diagnosis of breast conditions by using a large, public outpatient clinic in Johannesburg as well as to explore potential cost savings through rationing mammography for diagnosis.

Methods:

Results of a retrospective clinical cohort study conducted at an outpatient clinic in 2013 and 2014 were used to establish a 12-month population of clinic patients and diagnostic service statistics. We used microcosting to estimate the average cost for each diagnostic procedure from the health service perspective. An Excel-based model and scenario analysis were used to explore changes in total and per patient costs when mammography use was incrementally reduced by shifting patients to ultrasound-based services.

Results:

We estimated that 3,867 individuals attended the clinic over 12 months. The average cost per patient for initial consultation and/or exam was $10.14 (2015 USD). Mammography was more costly than ultrasound at $59.96 and $21.11, respectively. Procedures for pathology were the most costly diagnostic (stereotactic core needle biopsy, $330.05; ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy, $279.42; fine needle aspiration, $101.00) because of substantial laboratory charges. The average cost per patient seen was $115.96. Hypothetically, replacing mammography with ultrasound resulted in minimal decreases in the average cost per patient as a result of the high cost of the mammogram machine. Cost savings at the facility level may be achieved when mammography use is eliminated entirely.

Conclusion:

Per patient mammography costs are largely dependent on economies of scale. Because ultrasound can be considered as an alternative for many women without compromising imaging in nonoccult disease, diagnostic mammography should be offered in centralized locations for maximum efficiency gains.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Naomi Lince-Deroche No relationship to disclose Craig Van Rensburg No relationship to disclose Cindy Firnhaber Research Funding: Merck (Inst) Carol Benn No relationship to disclose Grace Rubin No relationship to disclose Pam Michelow No relationship to disclose Sarah Rayne Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Novartis
Results of Cancer Control Education for Primary Care Providers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Eaton Vanessa J. , Kremzier Megan K. , Pyle Doug
Published: April 2017

Abstract 28

Background:

The global burden of cancer is growing in low- and middle-income countries where availability of specialists to treat cancer is acutely low. To detect cancer earlier, patients must be educated about their risk for cancer and be screened when appropriate. In response to a growing need for cancer education in primary health care, ASCO International created the Cancer Control in Primary Care course, which was piloted in 2015. The purpose of the program is to increase the knowledge of primary health workers so as to recognize signs and symptoms of cancer, increase their ability to talk with patients about their risk, and to know how and when to refer patients for additional screening or diagnostic testing.

Methods:

ASCO collects data from participants in two stages: an on-site evaluation and a follow-up survey 12 months after the workshop. The survey instruments include questions about practice changes, learning objectives, and demographic information.

Results:

Follow-up surveys have been conducted for four courses. Ninety-three percent of respondents have reported that they made practice changes after the course. In addition, 90% reported that communication with patients about their risk for cancer had increased, 76% reported that they are screening patients for cancer more than before, and 74% reported that they have worked with specialists to plan treatment for their patients with cancer.

Conclusion:

Results of the Cancer Control in Primary Care course are positive, and ASCO will continue to collaborate with society and institutional partners to train primary health workers around the world to raise awareness of cancer.

AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

No COIs from the authors.
Autotaxin Is Regulated by Glucose and Insulin in Adipocytes
Authors: D’Souza Kenneth , Kane Daniel A. , Touaibia Mohamed , Kershaw Erin E. , Pulinilkunnil Thomas , Kienesberger Petra C.
Published: April 2017

Autotaxin (ATX) is an adipokine that generates the bioactive lipid, lysophosphatidic acid. Despite recent studies implicating adipose-derived ATX in metabolic disorders including obesity and insulin resistance, the nutritional and hormonal regulation of ATX in adipocytes remains unclear. The current study examined the regulation of ATX in adipocytes by glucose and insulin and the role of ATX in adipocyte metabolism. Induction of insulin resistance in adipocytes with high glucose and insulin concentrations increased ATX secretion, whereas coincubation with the insulin sensitizer, rosiglitazone, prevented this response. Moreover, glucose independently increased ATX messenger RNA (mRNA), protein, and activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Glucose also acutely upregulated secreted ATX activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue explants. Insulin elicited a biphasic response. Acute insulin stimulation increased ATX activity in a PI3Kinase-dependent and mTORC1-independent manner, whereas chronic insulin stimulation decreased ATX mRNA, protein, and activity. To examine the metabolic role of ATX in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we incubated cells with the ATX inhibitor, PF-8380, for 24 hours. Whereas ATX inhibition increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ and its downstream targets, insulin signaling and mitochondrial respiration were unaffected. However, ATX inhibition enhanced mitochondrial H2O2 production. Taken together, this study suggests that ATX secretion from adipocytes is differentially regulated by glucose and insulin. This study also suggests that inhibition of autocrine/paracrine ATX–lysophosphatidic acid signaling does not influence insulin signaling or mitochondrial respiration, but increases reactive oxygen species production in adipocytes.
Bisphosphonate Treatment and the Characteristics of Femoral Fractures in Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Vuorimies Ilkka , Mäyränpää Mervi K. , Valta Helena , Kröger Heikki , Toiviainen-Salo Sanna , Mäkitie Outi
Published: April 2017

Context:

The short-term benefits of bisphosphonates (BPs) are evident in the treatment of children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), but some concerns related to long-term effects remain.

Objective:

To elucidate the effect of BPs on characteristics of femoral fractures in children with OI.

Design and Setting:

Retrospective cohort study at a university hospital.

Patients and Main Outcome Measure:

The study included 93 patients with OI. We recorded fracture histories and analyzed all femoral fractures for location and fracture type using radiographs obtained at fracture diagnosis. Effects of BPs were evaluated by comparing fracture characteristics in three groups: patients (1) naive to BPs, (2) receiving ongoing BP treatment, and (3) whose treatment was discontinued.

Results:

In total, 127 femoral fractures occurred in 24 patients. Of the fractures, 63 (50%) occurred in patients naive to BPs, 44 (35%) during BP treatment, and 20 (16%) after treatment discontinuation. Mid or distal shaft fractures were most common (41%), followed by subtrochanteric (33%) and distal (20%) fractures. Almost all fractures were transverse (65%) or oblique (28%). The pattern of femoral fractures was similar in all three BP treatment groups (P = 0.78 for location; P = 0.35 for fracture type) and was not related to cumulative BP dose. Instead, OI type correlated with fracture characteristics, and distal location and transverse configuration were more common in the more severe types III and IV compared with type I OI.

Conclusion:

Characteristics of femoral fractures in children with OI are affected by OI type but not by BP exposure.
Novel Dominant-Negative GH Receptor Mutations Expands the Spectrum of GHI and IGF-I Deficiency
Authors: Vairamani Kanimozhi , Merjaneh Lina , Casano-Sancho Paula , Sanli Merve Emecen , David Alessia , Metherell Louise A. , Savage Martin O. , Sánchez del Pozo Jaime , Backeljauw Philippe F. , Rosenfeld Ron G. , Aisenberg Javier , Dauber Andrew , Hwa Vivian
Published: April 2017

Context:

Autosomal-recessive mutations in the growth hormone receptor (GHR) are the most common causes for primary growth hormone insensitivity (GHI) syndrome with classical GHI phenotypically characterized by severe short stature and marked insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I deficiency. We report three families with dominant-negative heterozygous mutations in the intracellular domain of the GHR causing a nonclassical GHI phenotype.

Objective:

To determine if the identified GHR heterozygous variants exert potential dominant-negative effects and are the cause for the GHI phenotype in our patients.

Results:

All three mutations (c.964dupG, c.920_921insTCTCAAAGATTACA, and c.945+2T>C) are predicted to result in frameshift and early protein termination. In vitro functional analysis of variants c.964dupG and c.920_921insTCTCAAAGATTACA (c.920_921ins14) suggests that these variants are expressed as truncated proteins and, when coexpressed with wild-type GHR, mimicking the heterozygous state in our patients, exert dominant-negative effects. Additionally, we provide evidence that a combination therapy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and rhIGF-I improved linear growth to within normal range for one of our previously reported patients with a characterized, dominant-negative GHR (c.899dupC) mutation.

Conclusion:

Dominant-negative GHR mutations are causal of the mild GHI with substantial growth failure observed in our patients. Heterozygous defects in the intracellular domain of GHR should, therefore, be considered in cases of idiopathic short stature and IGF-I deficiency. Combination therapy of rhGH and rhIGF-I improved growth in one of our patients.
The Speech of Dasein: Heidegger and Quotidian Discourse
Authors: Gelley Alexander
Published: April 2017

Martin Heidegger's denunciation of Gerede (idle talk) in §35 of Sein und Zeit is scathing: “Idle talk is constituted in this gossiping and passing the word along, a process by which its initial lack of grounds to stand on increases to complete groundlessness.” But how might this concept be understood in relation, for example, to Mikhail Bakhtin's idea of the dialogic and heteroglossia or to the notion of discours as it has been developed by Émile Benveniste, Roland Barthes, and Gérard Genette? This essay undertakes a reading of the “lapse” or entanglement of Dasein that situates the place of Gerede in its sense-making capacity. This potential of Gerede—one that is based on the covering/uncovering mode of Erschlossenheit and of truth as a-leitheia—draws out an implication of Sein und Zeit that in part runs counter to its explicit argument and to Heidegger's later work on language.
Musical Affordance and the Mp3
Authors: Randall Richard
Published: April 2017

The materialization of music by means of notation and recording has had a number of consequences. On the one hand, it facilitates the transmission of music across space and time. On the other hand, formats have allowed music to become an excludable and rivalrous good. Formats embody a tension between music as an emergent social practice and music as means for controlling social practice. Jonathan Sterne's recent book, MP3: The Meaning of a Format, explores the subject of digital audio formats in general and the MP3 in particular. This essay problematizes Sterne's ideas of perceptual coding, compression, and format in an attempt to place them in a broader cultural and psychological context. By doing so, I hope to provide a clearer picture of who we are as musical beings and offer an alternate view of how musical formats serve us. I refine Sterne's format theory to include the idea of affordance and argue that the MP3 facilitates a new era of participatory media.
Unintelligent Design
Authors: Tenen Dennis
Published: April 2017

The Infinite Monkey Theorem (IMT) is a familiar trope (involving monkeys and typewriters), meant to explore the limits of randomly generated composition. In this essay, I draw a brief genealogy of the trope in philosophy and in fiction, discuss its relevance to several major conversations on aesthetics, science, and creationism in the twentieth century, and finally examine an actual text written by a troupe of Sulawesi macaques.
Μισέλ Φουκώ: Η συγκρότηση του σύγχρονου πειθαρχικού υποκειμένου
Authors: Κιοσόγλου (Thanos Kiosoglou) Θάνος
Published: April 2017

In his seminal Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, Michel Foucault aims at outlining the historical course that led to the promulgation and consolidation of the institution of imprisonment as a means of punishment as well as narrating how the corresponding human type, i.e. the contemporary disciplined subject, has been shaped. Obviously, the disciplined subject gradually took the place of the tormented subject. Consequently, this study aims at describing the sequential mutations of the imposed punishment as it progressively shifted from the spectacular slaughtering of the body to the strictly scientific manipulation of the non-material dimension of the human being. The reformation of the punitive practices “constructs” a docile body. It must be noticed, however, that this body is not necessarily guilty, since the disciplinary schemes concern everybody, even the most innocent sides of the everyday life as for example the hospital, the school or the barracks. Additionally, discipline is imposed through the division of the space, what Foucault calls the “art of allocation”, so that every working person is easily seen and supervised by the eye of the authority, while the disciplined subject is being forged gradually through the sense of responsibility before the flowing time. Foucault highlights the “political technology of the body”, that is its usurpation by the authorities, who aim at imposing to it adictated activity that produces palpable results in a binding frame of time. Although selective and brief, the present account of the punitive concepts of the three last centuries clarifies the fact that the authoritarian strategies are indissolubly interwoven with the different connotations of the human body, through the use of which they subdue human beings.
Peter Singer: Η ηθική σήμερα
Authors: Βερτζάγια (Despina Vertzagia) Δέσποινα , Γεωργακοπούλου (Trisevgeni Georgakopoulou) Τρισεύγενη , Καμέρης (Christos Kameris) Χρίστος
Published: April 2017

On May 2015 the influential moral philosopher Peter Singer, professor of Applied Ethics at Princeton University, was honored by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with the title of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy for his contribution to philosophy, and especially for renewing the moral thought. Within his visit in Athens, he was invited by the Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory at the School of Philosophy, where he gave a lecture for students and professors. By the end of the lecture, we came across the chance of having a conversation with him about his main ethical standpoints on charity and animal abuse, as well as on other issues within the field of applied philosophy. Although he is the originator of preferential utilitarianism, which is the last strong ethical system, it seems that Peter Singer continues to review his beliefs and updates his view, without averting his gaze from the needs of current reality.
Michel Foucault, Μάθημα της 6ης Ιανουαρίου 1982 (Η ερμηνευτική του υποκειμένου. Μαθήματα στο Collège de France, 1981-1982)
Authors: Κιοσόγλου (Thanos Kiosoglou) Θάνος
Published: April 2017

Greek Translation of M. Foucault, L'Hermeneutique du sujet : Cours au Collège de France (1981-1982), Gallimard, Paris 2001.
Ψηφιακά Άβαταρ: Μια μεταφαινομενολογική προσέγγιση της βύθισης
Authors: Καλλιγέρης (John Kalligeris) Γιάννης , Χρυσόπουλος  (Panagiotis Chrysopoulos) Παναγιώτης
Published: April 2017

This paper examines digital avatars as an advanced form of the virtual self in a digital environment of three and more dimensions. With this definition, we proceed to a post-phenomenological analysis of Avatar's space of action, i.e. the cyberspace and Avatar's dependence on its user. The writers will try to prove that Avatars are incomplete consciousness that cannot be emancipated by its user. Also, by studying the user's immersion in the digital environment, this process will be presented as a kind of self-identification with his avatar. Thus, it will help the reader to understand the relationship between the physical and the digital reality by presenting the function of human consciousness in the digital environment as Avatar´s consciousness during the stage of meta-vithisis (post-immersion).
Δίκαιο και Πολιτική στον Αλαίν Ρενώ
Authors: Ντόλας (Nikolaos Ntolas) Νικόλαος
Published: April 2017

This study focuses on the relation between law and good. It examines whether the concept of “good” in a society has preceded the establishment of the state or not. This is an issue that concerns the way of integrating law into the way of conceiving the fair and just order. Within this frame, Renaut regarded as an oversimplification the division between liberalism and socialism, which has been formed since the 19th century. What is essential for Renaut is how liberalism and socialism should deal with the transition from a fair authority to a fair society, which is basically an issue of resource allocation. Renaut maintains that what is common between liberalism and socialism is the end of the state, though by different means. In fact, apart from the traditional dispute, Renaut also analyses the most recent one between liberalism and republicanism. In this case, he favors the liberal model, because it allows for more deliberation and argumentation. Moreover, Renaut is concerned about the post-modern situation in politics, whose main characteristics are the deconstruction of power and the weakened role of politicians, who are just aiding towards the imposition of certain hierarchies.
Competing with Copycats When Customers Are Strategic
Authors: Pun Hubert , DeYong Gregory D.
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we use a two-period game theoretical model to examine the decisions of a manufacturer and a copycat firm who are competing for strategic customers. The manufacturer decides on the amount of its market expansion advertising investment in the first period and on its pricing strategy in both periods. Advertising increases the “size of the pie,” but eventually the manufacturer may end up inadvertently sharing the benefits with the copycat. After the first period, the copycat makes a market-entry decision, and, if it opts to enter, it also decides on a pricing strategy. The customers are strategic, and they decide whether or not to buy, when to buy, and which product to buy. We find that, interestingly, lower quality levels of the manufacturer’s product may increase the manufacturer’s prices and profit. Moreover, the manufacturer may be worse off when customers are more likely to purchase its product immediately rather than wait for a price reduction or for the copycat’s product. Finally, the copycat may be worse off when customers withhold their purchases in the first period in anticipation of the possibility of copycat product becoming available in a later period.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2016.0613 .
Moving your setting from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’
Authors: Steel Sarah
Published: April 2017

To be the best you can be, to reflect and to try and constantly improve, the one thing you cannot do is stand still or rest on your laurels. But what steps can you take as a setting to keep driving up standards?
Ethical considerations in social research with children
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth
Published: April 2017

Ethics are a standard part of any contemporary research project, particularly those involving children. But where do the ethical guidelines come from, why do we need them, and how do we use them?
Over-promise under-deliver, again
Authors: Leitch Neil
Published: April 2017

The government's commitment to parents of providing 30 ‘free’ hours of childcare sounds almost too good to be true, but a policy that has sweetened the electorate will turn sour due to lack of funding.
The recognition and incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation associated with a fracture of the talus
Authors: Sadamasu A. , Yamaguchi S. , Nakagawa R. , Kimura S. , Endo J. , Akagi R. , Sasho T.
Published: April 2017

Aims

The purposes of this study were to clarify first, the incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation in patients with a fracture of the talus and second the factors associated with peroneal tendon dislocation.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively examined 30 patients (30 ankles) with a mean age of 37.5 years, who had undergone internal fixation for a fracture of the talus. Independent examiners assessed for peroneal tendon dislocation using the pre-operative CT images. The medical records were also reviewed for the presence of peroneal tendon dislocation. The associations between the presence of dislocation with the patient characteristics or radiological findings, including age, mechanism of injury, severity of fracture, and fleck sign, were assessed using Fisher’s exact tests.

Results

The pre-operative CT images showed peroneal tendon dislocation in eight out of 30 patients. Dislocation was found later in one patient whose pre-operative CT image had not shown dislocation. The overall incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation was 30% (9/30). The presence of dislocation was associated with the presence of a fleck sign (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Surprisingly, approximately one-third of the patients who underwent internal fixation for a fracture of the talus had peroneal tendon dislocation. This was associated with a fleck sign. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:489–93.
Cemented versus cementless hemiarthroplasty for a displaced fracture of the femoral neck
Authors: Veldman H. D. , Heyligers I. C. , Grimm B. , Boymans T. A. E. J.
Published: April 2017

Aims

Our aim was to prepare a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcomes of cemented and cementless hemiarthroplasty of the hip, in elderly patients with a fracture of the femoral neck, to investigate the mortality, complications, length of stay in hospital, blood loss, operating time and functional results.

Materials and Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines on randomised controlled trials (RCTs), studying current generation designs of stem only. The synthesis of results was done of pooled data, with a fixed effects or random effects model, based on heterogeneity.

Results

A total of five RCTs including 950 patients (950 hips) were included. Cementless stems were found to be associated with more complications compared with cemented stems (odds ratio (OR) 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 2.31, p = 0.01), especially implant-related complications (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.55 to 6.41, p = 0.002). The operating time was shorter for cementless stems (weighted mean difference -9.96 mins, 95%CI -12.93 to -6.98, p < 0.001). The data on functional outcomes could not be pooled. There was no statistically significant difference for any other outcome between the two methods of fixation.

Conclusion

In hemiarthroplasty of the hip using current generation stems, cemented stems result in fewer implant-related complications and similar mortality compared with cementless stems. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:421–31.