bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professor Yakov Yulievich Bardakh (1857–1929): pioneer of bacteriological research in Russia and Ukraine
Authors: Kuznetsov Vyacheslav A
Published: September 2013

Odessa physician Yakov Bardakh had an unusually high number of bacteriological ‘firsts’ to his credit: in 1886, while working at the Odessa Bacteriological Station, he was the first to test Louis Pasteur’s anti-rabies vaccine on himself in order to demonstrate its safety. In the 1890s, in addition to conducting pioneering research on diphtheria, he created the first extensive course in bacteriology at the Novorossiya University – the first such course in Russia – and established the first university laboratory in Russia to specialize in bacteriology. In 1903 he created the first Medical Emergency Service in Russia.
Queen Cleopatra and the other ‘Cleopatras’: their medical legacy
Authors: Tsoucalas Gregory , Kousoulis Antonis A , Poulakou-Rebelakou Effie , Karamanou Marianna , Papagrigoriou-Theodoridou Maria , Androutsos George
Published: September 2013

Cleopatra is a female figure widespread in Greece (especially in Macedonian territory), Egypt and Syria during the Hellenistic era. Ancient women doctors bearing the name Cleopatra have been identified by a systematic search through the ancient Greek, Latin and Egyptian bibliography, including original resources from the first century BC. Fictional and non-fictional figures have been distinguished and their works identified. Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, Galen’s physician assistant, the outcast Metrodora, Cleopatra the Alchemist and Cleopatra the Gynaecologist deliver a story of medicine and name-giving that confuses researchers of the past and intrigues those of the present.
The eponymous Dr James Marion Sims MD, LLD (1813–1883)
Authors: West MJ , Irvine LM
Published: September 2013

Dr James Marion Sims was born in 1813 in Lancaster County, South Carolina. It was while pioneering numerous surgical procedures in Alabama that in 1849 he achieved the outstanding landmark in medical history of successfully, and consistently, repairing vesicovaginal fistulae. Sims soon developed a reputation as a fine surgeon, with new operations and techniques, using novel surgical instruments and his innovative approaches frequently published. Moving to New York City in 1853, he further established hospitals devoted entirely to women’s health. Sims was controversial, with flamboyant descriptions of self-confident success, yet they were tempered with sober reflection of failure and loss. Today we remain with the Sims speculum and Sims position, eponymous tributes to his accomplishments as the ‘Father of Gynaecology’.
A newly identified apothecary in Boswell’s Life of Johnson: Edward Ferrand (1691–1769)
Authors: Caudle James J , Bundock Michael
Published: September 2013

Ever since the publication of James Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), it has been known that Johnson’s young servant, the former slave Francis Barber ‘ran away’ at one point and worked for a London apothecary. But the apothecary was not named by Boswell and has not been identified by any of Johnson’s numerous biographers nor in recent studies of Francis Barber. Research in surviving Boswell manuscripts, 18th-century London guides and the archives of the Society of Apothecaries prove the apothecary to have been Edward Ferrand. This article sets out the circumstances in which the reference to the anonymous apothecary came to appear in the Life of Johnson and reconstructs Ferrand’s life and career. Examining Ferrand’s origins, his social circumstances and his career, a case study is presented of a successful practitioner of the profession of apothecary in early Georgian Britain and a suggestion made as to why the distinguished apothecary came to provide a place of refuge for a teenaged runaway servant who had been a slave until he was about nine years old.
The Mysterious Fate of La Bibliothèque de Louis Pasteur (1822–1895)
Authors: Oertling Sarita B , Marlin Robert O , Goldman Armond S
Published: September 2013

In addition to the holdings at Bibliothèque Nationale de France and Musée du Pasteur Institut à Paris, major parts of la Bibliothèque de Louis Pasteur are in four institutions in the United States – Reynolds Historical Library at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama; Burndy Library on the History of Science and Technology at Huntington Library in San Marino, California; Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at University of Texas in Austin, Texas; and Truman G Blocker History of Medicine Collections, The Moody Medical Library, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. The circuitous paths that led each part of la Bibliothèque de Louis Pasteur to their present locations were traced and the lives of key individuals in medicine, science and the humanities who obtained these valuable documents were recounted. The documents in each institution were discussed and a plan was considered to make them accessible to scholars who wish to further explore the life of Louis Pasteur.
Giuseppe Moscati (1880–1927): a holistic approach to medicine
Authors: Ponti Giovanni , Tomasi Aldo
Published: September 2013

Giuseppe Moscati was a physician, medical school professor and a pioneer in the field of biochemistry and Italian studies on diabetes. He was declared a Catholic saint in 1987. In order to respond better to both the physical and spiritual needs of his patients, he developed his own holistic approach to healthcare involving meticulous drug regimens, meditation and discipline.
The Role of Perceived Abilities, Subjective Norm and Intentions in Entrepreneurial Activity
Authors: Walker J. Kevin , Jeger Marina , Kopecki Dragan
Published: September 2013

A study was conducted to assess the relationship between country-level entrepreneurial activity and individuals’ perceived abilities, subjective norm and intentions to pursue entrepreneurship. The theory of planned behaviour and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) conceptual model are used to formulate hypotheses concerning factors that influence the level of societies’ entrepreneurial intentions and activity in 43 countries included in the GEM 2010 study, as well as factors that influence the level of entrepreneurial intentions in Croatia from 2003 to 2011. In the analyzed GEM countries, the results confirm that antecedents to entrepreneurial intentions, as defined by the theory of planned behaviour, have a significant impact on entrepreneurial intentions which, in turn, significantly influence entrepreneurial activity. The results for Croatia were mixed. Subjective norm had a limited relationship with intentions while perceived behavioural control did.
Women’s Entrepreneurial Abilities: A Study in the Indian Informal Service Sector
Authors: Sengupta Atanu , Datta Soumyendra Kishore , Mondal Susanta
Published: September 2013

Several studies on gender performance reveal that enterprises run by males generally outperform those run by females. This article examines the performance differences between male and female entrepreneurs in the informal service sector in India, using the NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) data. It attempts to understand the nature of female entrepreneurial activity, their pattern, causes and comparability vis-à-vis male entrepreneurship. Performance of male and female entrepreneurs has been compared in terms of efficiency. In the traditional sector although female entrepreneurs are less efficient than their male counterparts, they emerge to be more efficient in the commercial enterprises. An analysis pertaining to the influence of various factors explaining such differences in performance has also been made.
Do Venture Capitalists Have a Continuation Bias?
Authors: Khanin Dmitry , Mahto Raj V.
Published: September 2013

Venture capitalists (VCs) follow elaborate procedures to identify the top candidates, out of countless aspiring start-ups, for financing and other types of investor support. Purportedly, VCs also carefully evaluate, based on venture performance, whether or not it deserves to receive follow-on funding. But could decision making biases interfere withthe evaluation process? In this article, we introduce the notion of a continuation bias defined as the proclivity to provide follow-on funding contingent on investor’s earlier investment. We argue that a continuation bias differs from sunk costs, status quo bias and escalation of commitment as it stems from the dual fallacy—information and narcissistic—exaggerating the benefits of greater data availability at later stages of investment and investor’s own contribution to the venture. We also argue that a continuation bias is influenced by contingency factors such that it is more likely to be observed when VCs apply competition-related rather than venture-related investment criteria. A survey of 51 VCs from the US provided support for the hypotheses.
Book Review: How Some Small Businesses Get their Ducks in a Row and Grow: While Others Remain Undistinguished
Authors: Paltasingh Tattwamasi
Published: September 2013

Shil Niyogi, How Some Small Businesses Get their Ducks in a Row and Grow: While Others Remain Undistinguished, New Delhi: Sage Publication, 2012, 196 pp.
Process Flow Analysis in the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital using Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Authors: Girija V.R. , Bhat M.S.
Published: September 2013

The Emergency Department of a hospital is considered to be the most critical area; any delay in patient care may result in serious consequences and cost to life. Operations Research tools can help hospitals improve quality, reduce costs, improve effectiveness and increase efficiency serving in managerial decision-making. The present study is conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care teaching hospital to understand the different process flows of the department with respect to the Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). The aim of this article is to find the critical path, expected completion time, variance of the path and different slack timings associated with the emergency care provided in the emergency department. An exploratory research with sample of 100 patients randomly selected from a population of 460 was observed for two months to collect the primary data. The timings for the different activities were noted using a stop watch. Findings through application of PERT revealed the expected time for completion of the project was 84.89 minutes and the variance of the project was 253.1 minutes. All the activities are with zero or positive float value and no activity has a negative float value signifying the emergency process is either ahead of the schedule or on schedule.
The Relations between Work Intensity and Work-Family Conflict in Collectivist Culture: Evidence from Turkish Health Care Professionals
Authors: Ozutku Hatice , Altindis Selma
Published: September 2013

The main purpose of this article is to advance the understanding of the relations between work intensity factors and work-family conflict factors in the collectivist culture pattern of Turkey. Data were collected using questionnaires from 462 health care professionals who are working in 25 different state hospitals and 12 cities in Turkey. SEM using by LISREL 8.0, hierarchical regression analysis, and ANOVA were used in analyzing the data.

The structural equation modelling results showed that work intensity factors were the significant predictors of work-to-family conflict factors for Turkish health care professions. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses showed that personal demographics and work situation characteristics accounted for a significant increment in explained variance on the time based work family conflict factors measure. Support was found for the hypothesis that samples would demonstrate a positive relation between work intensity and work-family conflict for Turkish health care professions.

There are no statistically significant differences of time, strain and behaviour based work-to-family conflict according to gender, age, marital status, having children and function. There is a significant difference between the work-family conflict levels of health care professionals according to number of children, education level, work hours per week and organizational position.
Seeking Congruency or Incongruency Online?
Authors: Jang S. Mo
Published: September 2013

This study examined how citizens select science information online based on their preexisting issue attitudes. Voluntary national samples browsed through an online news magazine featuring divergent viewpoints about four controversial science topics (stem cell, evolution, genetically modified foods, and global warming). Their online activities, including article selection and the length of exposure, were unobtrusively measured by behavior tracking software. Participants tended to choose science information that challenged rather than supported their views concerning stem cell and genetically modified foods. However, those who perceived that they had sufficient science knowledge and were religious exhibited confirmation-bias, preferring congruent to incongruent information.
Vibratory power transmission through coupled composite plates with joint compliance and damping
Authors: Lee Sungmin , Vlahopoulos Nickolas
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a wave-based, analytical method for the computation of power transfer coefficients (PTC) to evaluate vibratory power transmitted through a set of angled structural joints that connects an arbitrary number of composite plates. Each joint is only used to hold two adjacent plates together. The elastic wave motions and dispersion properties of the plate are calculated by considering shear deformation, rotary inertia, and material anisotropy. The joint is modeled with stiffness and damping in both translational and rotational directions, and the joint parameters are allowed to differ from one joint to another. The equilibrium conditions at the joint set are derived to solve for the complex amplitude of waves propagating away from it. From the PTCs computed for a particular angle of wave incidence at the junction, the diffuse-field PTCs are calculated using weighted integral of the incidence angle. A comparison with published numerical results for simpler configurations has been performed in order to validate some key aspects of the present analytical formulation. Several numerical examples of two coupled composite sandwich panels are considered to compute PTCs, through which it is clearly demonstrated that the joint compliance and damping as well as the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia of composite sandwich panels influence the vibratory power transmission through coupled composite plates.
Propagation of strain waves in cylindrical helical springs
Authors: Hamza Anis , Ayadi Sami , Hadj-Taieb Ezzeddine
Published: September 2013

This paper discusses the vibrations of a coil, which is excited axially, in helical compression springs. The mathematical formula is composed of a system of four hyperbolic partial differential equations of first order with unknown variables, which are angular and axial deformations and velocities. The numerical resolution is based on the conservative finite difference scheme of Lax-Wendroff. The impedance method is applied to calculate the frequency spectrum. The spring is excited by a sinusoidal axial velocity at its end. The results obtained by using this method are used to analyze the evolution in time of deformations and velocities in different sections. These results clearly show the effect of the interaction between the slow axial waves and the fast angular waves. Indeed, the amplification was more important for the axial strain than for the rotational one that was caused by the effect of coupling Poisson. In addition to this, the resonance phenomenon and other phenomena related to wave propagations such as wave reflections and beat are analyzed.
Freedom of religion and belief in the European workplace
Authors: Foblets Marie-Claire
Published: September 2013

In this concluding contribution to the special issue on practices of reasonable accommodation for religion or belief in the workplace, the striking differences and similarities between the six country studies dealing with England, the Netherlands, Denmark, Bulgaria, France and Turkey are discussed. An important observation that emerges from all six analyses, and gives reason for considerable optimism as regards the development of protection of religious freedom in Europe, is that reasonable accommodations are making headway on the ground, even if formal law has not given them binding force. This conclusion ends by addressing the role of European Union (EU) law in promoting labour market policies that can successfully reduce the impact of exclusions and promote the greatest possible inclusion with regard to religious affiliation and/or belief, and also proposes some specific avenues for EU initiative in this area.
Normative data of BMI and physical fitness in a Norwegian sample of early adolescents
Authors: Haugen Tommy , Høigaard Rune , Seiler Stephen
Published: September 2013

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to 1) provide normative data quantifying the physical fitness level and body mass index of 13–15-year-old Norwegian adolescents using a multi-component fitness assessment, and 2) compare the physical fitness of Norwegian teenagers with available European and International fitness data. Methods: 1059 adolescents (529 males, 530 females) from 12 public schools in Kristiansand were invited to testing at age 13, 14, and 15 years (Grades 8–10). Test participation was 75%–80%. The participants performed objectively anthropometrical measures (height and weight) and six field-based physical fitness tests. Results and Conclusions: As expected, sex differences in physical fitness expanded from age 13 to 15. Strength and power increased more in males than females. Aerobic capacity increased slightly in males while remaining stable or tending to decline in females. Balance and gross motor coordination improved identically in males and females from age 13 to 15. Compared to European and International reference data, the sample performed superior in endurance and balance, slightly above median in lower-body strength, but inferior in flexibility.
Compliance with physical exercise: Using a multidisciplinary approach within a dose-dependent exercise study of moderately overweight men
Authors: Gram Anne Sofie , Bønnelycke Julie , Rosenkilde Mads , Reichkendler Michala , Auerbach Pernille , Sjödin Anders , Ploug Thorkil , Jespersen Astrid , Stallknecht Bente
Published: September 2013

Aims: Sixty-one healthy, sedentary, moderately overweight young men participated in a randomised controlled trial to examine the effects of two different doses of endurance exercise on health behaviour and exercise compliance. Methods: Participants were randomised to a sedentary control group, a moderate (MOD; 300 kcal/day) or a high-dose (HIGH; 600 kcal/day) endurance exercise group for 12 weeks. A sub-set of the subjects were interviewed using pre-determined, qualitative questions to elucidate physical activity and health behaviour. In combination with the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), a post hoc thematic analysis was conducted to connect qualitative and quantitative data in a joint analysis. Results: Of the subjects interviewed, exercise compliance expressed as 95% CI was [96.8; 103%] in the MOD group and [82.9; 99.6%] in the HIGH group. The different doses of daily exercise equally improved various metabolic health parameters. The MOD group was untroubled by the exercise load and had a positive attitude towards exercise. The HIGH group expressed increased fatigue, less positivity and perceived exercise as time-consuming. The MOD group described themselves as more energetic, and thereby may have increased physical activity levels in areas of their everyday lives that were not related to the intervention. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach provided explanations for similar effects of two different doses of exercise. This could not have been determined via either qualitative or quantitative methodology alone. The preconditions of the TBP were fulfilled, and it represents a methodological model to explain the high degree of compliance and motivation to exercise.
Investigations of trust in public and private healthcare in Australia: A qualitative study of patients with heart disease
Authors: Meyer Samantha B.
Published: September 2013

The Australian healthcare system is complex, comprised of public services (universal access via Medicare) and private health insurance options (fee-for-service). This article presents data from a qualitative study investigating patients’ trust in Medicare and private healthcare in Adelaide, Australia. Interviews were conducted with 37 patients with coronary heart disease between October 2008 and September 2009. The findings suggest that private health insurance holders are fearful and distrusting of public healthcare. Additionally, the findings indicate that both public and private healthcare users are concerned about, and many are distrustful of, the role of government in public healthcare services. These findings are discussed in relation to Niklas Luhmann’s social theories of trust, which provide an analytic framework for understanding private health insurance subscribers’ distrust in Medicare.
The residualisation of public housing and its impact on older tenants in inner-city Sydney, Australia
Authors: Morris Alan
Published: September 2013

Since the early 1990s public housing in Australia has become increasingly residualised. The high demand and limited availability means that in order to be eligible potential tenants usually have to be in ‘greatest need’. This article has three main sections. It first considers the processes which have led to the residualisation of public housing. Second, through the use of in-depth interviews the way older public housing tenants in inner-city neighbourhoods in Sydney portray the shifts in the social composition of tenants is explored. The third objective is to investigate the anti-social behaviour older tenants experience and its impact on their everyday lives and how they cope. Loïc Wacquant’s concept of advanced marginality is used to examine the residualisation of public housing. The impact of residualisation is assessed by exploring how it impacts on older residents’ concept of home and what is considered an age-friendly environment.
A numerical study on coupled sloshing and ship motions of a liquefied natural gas carrier in regular and irregular waves
Authors: Wang Xin , Arai Makoto
Published: September 2013

This article presents a numerical study of the coupled ship motions and tank sloshing of a liquefied natural gas carrier. To solve this coupled problem, we have developed a time-domain numerical method. The method combines a ship motion solver based on strip theory and a computational fluid dynamics sloshing solver. The method has been applied to a liquefied natural gas carrier model to investigate the coupling effect in regular waves. Simulations for four different loading conditions were carried out, and the results of ship motion response amplitude operators and free surface movement amplitudes were presented in frequency domain. The coupling effect on ship motions and sloshing has been discussed. Based on the assumption of linearity of ship motions and wave, the authors used the ship motion response amplitude operators (with coupling effect) obtained in regular wave conditions to generate ship motion time histories in irregular waves. Sloshing in tanks was then simulated by using the ship motion time histories in irregular wave conditions. The calculated impact pressure time histories were analyzed by using the exceedance probability function.
Septic Nonunions of Lower Limb Long Bones
Authors: Gaillard Christophe , Dupond Marc , Brisou Patrick , Gaillard Tiphaine
Published: September 2013

We report 3 clinical cases of septic nonunions of lower limb long bones in which the pathogenicity of Propionibacterium acnes was retained after several weeks of poor outcome. The patients had fractures that were treated by internal fixation, without initially suspected infection. The diagnosis of delayed union coincided with the onset of treatment. Support was performed in 2 steps, allowing for the collection of several deep samples that were referred for microbiological analysis. Molecular techniques for microbiological investigation were performed on perioperative samples and were not contributive. The detection of P acnes, which was identified after several days of incubation, prompted us to consider the role of this bacterium. The presence of P acnes is regularly interpreted as contamination of samples during collection or handling in the laboratory. A multidisciplinary decision to make the diagnosis of surgical site infection with P acnes and specific antibiotic treatment for several months led to consolidation in all the patients. The ability of bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium to cause insidious surgical site infections should not be underestimated, and more extensive sample incubation is essential to diagnose such infections.
Ascending Infection of Foot Tendons in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Mismar Ayman , Yousef Mohammad , Badran Darwish , Younes Nidal
Published: September 2013

Bone and soft tissue infection in the foot of diabetic patients is a well-described issue in the literature. A sound anatomical knowledge of the foot anatomy and compartments is mandatory to understand the mechanisms of infection spread. We describe four cases of diabetic foot infection complicated by long ascending infection. All did not respond initially to antibiotic treatment and the usual surgical debridement and were cured only after excision of the infected tendons. We highlight a rare but serious complication of the diabetic foot disease not commonly seen by the surgical community. We hope that this report raises the awareness of this condition so that a prompt diagnosis is made and appropriate treatment started, thereby reducing the risk of major lower limb amputations.
Repair of Pretibial Atonic Wound With Long Cross-Leg Flap
Authors: Melikoglu Cenk , Eren Fikret , Kok Deniz
Published: September 2013

Soft-tissue defects of the pretibial region constitute a major reconstructive challenge because of the insufficiency of the local tissues. In such cases, a long cross-leg flap may be an alternative option. This study presents a case with an atonic wound in the pretibial region caused by a previous traffic accident, which had received cross-leg flap repair following the excision.
Heel Ulcer and Blood Flow
Authors: Faglia Ezio , Clerici Giacomo , Caminiti Maurizio , Vincenzo Curci , Cetta Francesco
Published: September 2013

A young female diabetic patient is reported, who presented with a double foot lesion. She presented with a first metatarsal head exposure concomitant with a heel wet gangrene. Magnetic resonance demonstrated osteomyelitis of the rear portion of the calcaneus. Transmetatarsal amputation was performed and a wide debridement was required to remove all gangrenous tissue from the heel wound. The pedal artery was palpable; the posterior tibial pulse was present, but weak.Transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) at the dorsum of the foot was TcPO2 = 56 mmHg despite significant oedema. Nevertheless, TcPO2 on the perilesional area of the heel ulcer (TcPO2 = 24mmHg) was suggestive for critical chronic ischemia. At angiographic examination, anterior tibial and peroneal arteries were patent, but the posterior tibial artery that showed severe stenosis then percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) was performed. Just the day after PTA, values of TcPO2 at the perilesional area of the heel ulcer increased to 41 mmHg. Heel osteomyelitis was subsequently treated by partial calcanectomy. The patient was discharged after a 21-day hospital stay. In the treatment of heel ulcers, it is clinically useful to use the angiosomic concept. The majority of the blood supply to the heel is provided by the posterior tibial artery, and only to a small extent by the posterior branch of peroneal artery. If the decrease in blood flow to this region is not detected, and direct flow based on the angiosome concept is not obtained, the healing of a heel ulcer may be delayed or impaired.
Update on the Inaugural Sydney Diabetic Foot Conference 2013
Authors: Malone Matthew , White Jessica Maree , Taylor Luke , Schembri Anthony M. , Lazzarini Peter , Lau Namson S. , Dickson Hugh G.
Published: September 2013

The first International Diabetic Foot Conference in Australia was hosted at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney during May 30-31, 2013. In response to the growing diabetes epidemic globally and more locally to Australia, the conference provided the perfect bridge for interaction between the multidisciplinary team members involved in diabetes care and the opportunity to assimilate the most up-to-date evidence-based medicine from some of the most respected researchers in the field.
Vascular Nursing in Greece
Authors: Georgakarakos Efstratios , Bitza Christina , Papanas Nikolaos , Matsagkas Miltiadis , Lazarides Miltos K.
Published: September 2013

Although peripheral arterial disease is prevalent in the primary care setting, insufficient vascular education among nurses and physicians coupled with certain economic constraints undermines treatment efficacy. Moreover, the burden of advanced venous pathology such as posthrombotic syndrome, venous ulcers, and lymphedema remains suboptimally treated. This article advocates the development of a vascular nursing specialty as a means to improving vascular care especially nowadays, when health care providers dictate comprehensive and cost-effective nursing practice and patient management. It also presents the first attempt to organize a Vascular Nursing Educational Session in Greece.
Orthographic Recognition in Late Adolescents
Authors: González-Garrido Andrés Antonio , Gómez-Velázquez Fabiola Reveca , Rodríguez-Santillán Elizabeth
Published: September 2013

Reading speed and efficiency are achieved through the automatic recognition of written words. Difficulties in learning and recognizing the orthography of words can arise despite reiterative exposure to texts. This study aimed to investigate, in native Spanish-speaking late adolescents, how different levels of orthographic knowledge might result in behavioral and event-related brain potential differences during the recognition of orthographic errors. Forty-five healthy high school students were selected and divided into 3 equal groups (High, Medium, Low) according to their performance on a 5-test battery of orthographic knowledge. All participants performed an orthographic recognition task consisting of the sequential presentation of a picture (object, fruit, or animal) followed by a correctly, or incorrectly, written word (orthographic mismatch) that named the picture just shown. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recording took place simultaneously. Behavioral results showed that the Low group had a significantly lower number of correct responses and increased reaction times while processing orthographical errors. Tests showed significant positive correlations between higher performance on the experimental task and faster and more accurate reading. The P150 and P450 components showed higher voltages in the High group when processing orthographic errors, whereas N170 seemed less lateralized to the left hemisphere in the lower orthographic performers. Also, trials with orthographic errors elicited a frontal P450 component that was only evident in the High group. The present results show that higher levels of orthographic knowledge correlate with high reading performance, likely because of faster and more accurate perceptual processing, better visual orthographic representations, and top-down supervision, as the event-related brain potential findings seem to suggest.
In situ revascularisation for femoropopliteal graft infection: ten years of experience with silver grafts
Authors: Matic P , Tanaskovic S , Babic S , Gajin P , Jocic D , Nenezic D , Ilijevski N , Vucurevic G , Radak Dj
Published: September 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical outcome of patients for femoropopliteal graft infection who were treated by in situ reconstruction with a silver-coated prosthesis.

Basic methods

From December 2001 to December 2011, 27 patients were treated for femoropopliteal graft infection. Twenty patients (74%) were male and seven (26%) were female. Mean age was 65 years. The primary endpoint was recurrence of infection. Secondary endpoints were early and late mortality and morbidity, primary graft patency, major amputation rates and patient survival.

Principal findings

Early reinfection occurred in 11% and late in 8% of patients. Perioperative mortality was 7% and late was 4%. Above-knee amputation was performed in 4% of patients during early postoperative course and in 12% of patients during follow-up. Early and late graft patency was 96% and 72%, respectively.

Conclusions

Results of in situ implantation of silver-coated grafts for femoropopliteal prosthesis infection are according to our opinion acceptable, but the risk of reinfection remains.
Methodology of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey — 2008–2010
Authors: Palipudi Krishna Mohan , Morton Jeremy , Hsia Jason , Andes Linda , Asma Samira , Talley Brandon , Caixeta Roberta D. , Fouad Heba , Khoury Rula N. , Ramanandraibe Nivo , Rarick James , Sinha Dhirendra N. , Pujari Sameer , Tursan d’Espaignet Edouard ,   [On behalf of the GATS Collaborative Group]
Published: September 2013

In 2008, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization developed the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), an instrument to monitor global tobacco use and measure indicators of tobacco control. GATS, a nationally representative household survey of persons aged 15 years or older, was conducted for the first time during 2008–2010 in 14 low- and middle-income countries. In each country, GATS used a standard core questionnaire, sample design, and procedures for data collection and management and, as needed, added country-specific questions that were reviewed and approved by international experts. The core questionnaire included questions about various characteristics of the respondents, their tobacco use (smoking and smokeless), and a wide range of tobacco-related topics (cessation; secondhand smoke; economics; media; and knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions). In each country, a multistage cluster sample design was used, with households selected proportionate to the size of the population. Households were chosen randomly within a primary or secondary sampling unit, and one respondent was selected at random from each household to participate in the survey. Interviewers administered the survey in the country’s local language(s) using handheld electronic data collection devices. Interviews were conducted privately, and same-sex interviewers were used in countries where mixed-sex interviews would be culturally inappropriate. All 14 countries completed the survey during 2008–2010. In each country, the ministry of health was the lead coordinating agency for GATS, and the survey was implemented by national statistical organizations or surveillance institutes. This article describes the background and rationale for GATS and includes a comprehensive description of the survey methods and protocol.
Tracking MPOWER in 14 countries: results from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2008–2010
Authors: Song Yang , Zhao Luhua , Palipudi Krishna Mohan , Asma Samira , Morton Jeremy , Talley Brandon , Hsia Jason , Ramanandraibe Nivo , Caixeta Roberta , Fouad Heba , Khoury Rula , Sinha Dhirendra , Rarick James , Bettcher Douglas , Peruga Armando , Deland Katherine , D’Espaignet Edouard Tursan ,   the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) Collaborative Group
Published: September 2013

Background:

The World Health Organization (WHO) MPOWER is a technical package of six tobacco control measures that assist countries in meeting their obligations of the WHO Framework Convention Tobacco Control and are proven to reduce tobacco use. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) systematically monitors adult tobacco use and tracks key tobacco control indicators.

Methods:

GATS is a nationally representative household survey of adults aged 15 and older, using a standard and consistent protocol across countries; it includes information on the six WHO MPOWER measures. GATS Phase I was conducted from 2008–2010 in 14 high-burden low- and middle-income countries. We selected one key indicator from each of the six MPOWER measures and compared results across 14 countries.

Results:

Current tobacco use prevalence rates ranged from 16.1% in Mexico to 43.3% in Bangladesh. We found that the highest rate of exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace was in China (63.3%). We found the highest ‘smoking quit attempt’ rates in the past 12 months among cigarette smokers in Viet Nam (55.3%) and the lowest rate was in the Russian Federation (32.1%). In five of the 14 countries, more than one-half of current smokers in those 5 countries said they thought of quitting because of health warning labels on cigarette packages. The Philippines (74.3%) and the Russian Federation (68.0%) had the highest percentages of respondents noticing any cigarette advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Manufactured cigarette affordability ranged from 0.6% in Russia to 8.0% in India.

Conclusions

Monitoring tobacco use and tobacco control policy achievements is crucial to managing and implementing measures to reverse the epidemic. GATS provides internationally-comparable data that systematically monitors and tracks the progress of the other five MPOWER measures.
Ultrasound Presentation of a Female Adnexal Tumor of Probable Wolffian Origin (FATWO)
Authors: Kuper Spencer G. , Wright Donald R. , Callahan Michael J. , Hiett Adam K.
Published: September 2013

Female adnexal tumor of probable Wolffian origin (FATWO) is a rare tumor arising from the remnants of the mesonephric duct and often presents with insidious symptoms. Limited information is available regarding the ultrasonographic characteristics of a FATWO tumor. We present the case of a woman in her mid-40s, G2, P2, with a FATWO tumor while focusing on the ultrasonographic characteristics.
Autocrine TNF-α production supports CML stem and progenitor cell survival and enhances their proliferation
Authors: Gallipoli Paolo , Pellicano Francesca , Morrison Heather , Laidlaw Kamilla , Allan Elaine K. , Bhatia Ravi , Copland Mhairi , Jørgensen Heather G. , Holyoake Tessa L.
Published: September 2013

Key Points

Autocrine TNF-α production by CML stem/progenitor cells is not BCR-ABL kinase-dependent and provides survival signals. Targeting TNF-α production by stem/progenitor cells might be exploited therapeutically, especially in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Nfix is a novel regulator of murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell survival
Authors: Holmfeldt Per , Pardieck Jennifer , Saulsberry Anjelica C. , Nandakumar Satish Kumar , Finkelstein David , Gray John T. , Persons Derek A. , McKinney-Freeman Shannon
Published: September 2013

Key Points

HSPCs fail to persist in the bone marrow of lethally irradiated recipients in the absence of Nfix. Nfix-deficient HSPCs display increased apoptosis during ex vivo culture and in recipient marrow.
Genome sequencing of lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Mullighan Charles G.
Published: September 2013

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of lymphoid malignancies has been transformed by next-generation sequencing. The studies in this review have used whole-genome, exome, and transcriptome sequencing to identify recurring structural genetic alterations and sequence mutations that target key cellular pathways in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the lymphomas. Although each tumor type is characterized by a unique genomic landscape, several cellular pathways are mutated in multiple tumor types—transcriptional regulation of differentiation, antigen receptor signaling, tyrosine kinase and Ras signaling, and epigenetic modifications—and individual genes are mutated in multiple tumors, notably TCF3, NOTCH1, MYD88, and BRAF. In addition to providing fundamental insights into tumorigenesis, these studies have also identified potential new markers for diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic intervention. Several genetic alterations are intuitively “druggable” with existing agents, for example, kinase-activating lesions in high-risk B-cell ALL, NOTCH1 in both leukemia and lymphoma, and BRAF in hairy cell leukemia. Future sequencing efforts are required to comprehensively define the genetic basis of all lymphoid malignancies, examine the relative roles of germline and somatic variation, dissect the genetic basis of clonal heterogeneity, and chart a course for clinical sequencing and translation to improved therapeutic outcomes.
Beak and skull shapes of human commensal and non-commensal house sparrows Passer domesticus
Authors: Riyahi Sepand , Hammer Øyvind , Arbabi Tayebeh , Sánchez Antonio , Roselaar Cees S , Aliabadian Mansour , Sætre Glenn-Peter
Published: September 2013

Background

The granivorous house sparrowPasser domesticusis thought to have developed its commensal relationship with humans with the rise of agriculture in the Middle East some 10,000 years ago, and to have expanded with the spread of agriculture in Eurasia during the last few thousand years. One subspecies,P. d. bactrianus,residing in Central Asia, has apparently maintained the ancestral ecology, however. This subspecies is not associated with human settlements; it is migratory and lives in natural grass- and wetland habitats feeding on wild grass seeds. It is well documented that the agricultural revolution was associated with an increase in grain size and changes in seed structure in cultivated cereals, the preferred food source of commensal house sparrow. Accordingly, we hypothesize that correlated changes may have occurred in beak and skull morphology as adaptive responses to the change in diet. Here, we test this hypothesis by comparing the skull shapes of 101 house sparrows from Iran, belonging to five different subspecies, including the non-commensalP. d. bactrianus, using geometric morphometrics.

Results

The various commensal house sparrow subspecies share subtle but consistent skeletal features that differ significantly from those of the non-commensalP. d. bactrianus. Although there is a marked overall size allometry in the data set, the shape difference between the ecologically differentiated sparrows cannot be explained by differences in size alone. Relative to the size allometry commensal house sparrows exhibit a skull shape consistent with accelerated development (heterochrony), resulting in a more robust facial cranium and a larger, more pointed beak.

Conclusion

The difference in skull shape and robustness of the beak between commensal and non-commensal house sparrows is consistent with adaptations to process the larger and rachis encapsulated seeds of domesticated cereals among human associated populations.
The splice site variant rs11078928 may be associated with a genotype-dependent alteration in expression of GSDMB transcripts
Authors: Morrison Faer S , Locke Jonathan M , Wood Andrew R , Tuke Marcus , Pasko Dorota , Murray Anna , Frayling Tim , Harries Lorna W
Published: September 2013

Background

Many genetic variants have been associated with susceptibility to complex traits by genome wide association studies (GWAS), but for most, causal genes and mechanisms of action have yet to be elucidated. Using bioinformatics, we identified index and proxy variants associated with autoimmune disease susceptibility, with the potential to affect splicing of candidate genes. PCR and sequence analysis of whole blood RNA samples from population controls was then carried out for the 8 most promising variants to determine the effect of genetic variation on splicing of target genes.

Results

We identified 31 splice site SNPs with the potential to affect splicing, and prioritised 8 to determine the effect of genotype on candidate gene splicing. We identified that variants rs11078928 and rs2014886 were associated with altered splicing of the GSDMB and TSFM genes respectively. rs11078928, present in the asthma and autoimmune disease susceptibility locus on chromosome 17q12-21, was associated with the production of a novel Δ exon5-8 transcript of the GSDMB gene, and a separate decrease in the percentage of transcripts with inclusion of exon 6, whereas the multiple sclerosis susceptibility variant rs2014886, was associated with an alternative TFSM transcript encompassing a short cryptic exon within intron 2.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the utility of a bioinformatic approach in identification and prioritisation of genetic variants effecting splicing of their host genes, and suggest that rs11078928 and rs2014886 may affect the splicing of the GSDMB and TSFM genes respectively.
Alveolar macrophages of GM-CSF knockout mice exhibit mixed M1 and M2 phenotypes
Authors: Dalrymple Heidi , Barna Barbara P , Malur Anagha , Malur Achut G , Kavuru Mani S , Thomassen Mary Jane
Published: September 2013

Background

Activin A is a pleiotrophic regulatory cytokine, the ablation of which is neonatal lethal. Healthy human alveolar macrophages (AMs) constitutively express activin A, but AMs of patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) are deficient in activin A. PAP is an autoimmune lung disease characterized by neutralizing autoantibodies to Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF). Activin A can be stimulated, however, by GM-CSF treatment of AMsin vitro. To further explore pulmonary activin A regulation, we examined AMs in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from wild-type C57BL/6 compared to GM-CSF knockout mice which exhibit a PAP-like histopathology. Both human PAP and mouse GM-CSF knockout AMs are deficient in the transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

Results

In sharp contrast to human PAP, activin A mRNA was elevated in mouse GM-CSF knockout AMs, and activin A protein was increased in BAL fluid. Investigation of potential causative factors for activin A upregulation revealed intrinsic overexpression of IFNγ, a potent inducer of the M1 macrophage phenotype, in GM-CSF knockout BAL cells. IFNγ mRNA was not elevated in PAP BAL cells.In vitrostudies confirmed that IFNγ stimulated activin A in wild-type AMs while antibody to IFNγ reduced activin A in GM-CSF knockout AMs. Both IFNγ and Activin A were also reduced in GM-CSF knockout micein vivoafter intratracheal instillation of lentivirus-PPARγ compared to control lentivirus vector. Examination of other M1 markers in GM-CSF knockout mice indicated intrinsic elevation of the IFNγ-regulated gene, inducible Nitrogen Oxide Synthetase (iNOS), CCL5, and interleukin (IL)-6 compared to wild-type. The M2 markers, IL-10 and CCL2 were also intrinsically elevated.

Conclusions

Data point to IFNγ as the primary upregulator of activin A in GM-CSF knockout mice which in addition, exhibit a unique mix of M1-M2 macrophage phenotypes.