bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MDGS 2.0: What Goals, Targets, and Timeframe?
Authors: Karver Jonathan , Kenny Charles , Sumner Andy
Published: January 2013

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are widely cited as the primary yardstick against which advances in international development efforts are to be judged. At the same time, the Goals will be met or missed by 2015. It is not too early to start asking what's next? This paper builds on a discussion that has already begun to address potential approaches, goals, and target indicators to help inform the process of developing a second generation of MDGs or ‘MDGs 2.0.’ The paper outlines potential goal areas based on the original Millennium Declaration, the timeframe for any MDGs 2.0 and attempts to calculate some reasonable targets associated with those goal areas.
What Next for Power Analysis? A Review of Recent Experience with the Powercube and Related Frameworks
Authors: Pantazidou Maro
Published: January 2013

The Working Paper aims to contribute to a growing pool of experience of applying power analysis for improving social activism and organisational practice. Over the last decade, an increasing number of practitioners, researchers, NGOs, trusts and development agencies have introduced power frameworks and methods of power analysis into processes of context analysis, programme development and monitoring and evaluation. Power has been examined and addressed in relation to a vast range of development, human rights and social justice issues from women's empowerment to economic justice and from local governance to HIV/AIDS. Power analysis processes have taken place from the UK to Colombia and from Indonesia to Sierra Leone with much innovation in methods and approaches for introducing ways of examining power with community members, grassroots leaders, NGO staff and donors.

This practice paper brings together in a single review documented experiences of applying power analysis for social change. The paper draws emerging lessons from this growing stream of practice by looking across the actors, organisations and methodologies involved in power analysis in a diverse range of contexts and issues. It reviews a significant number of case studies, reports and other documents with particular emphasis on the Powercube framework and related concepts, and provides reflections on the usefulness of these power frameworks and concepts in relation to four areas of application: 1) context analysis; 2) strategy and action; 3) monitoring and evaluation; and 4) facilitation and learning. It further aims to facilitate learning and sharing both between experienced practitioners and new‐ comers to power analysis and to this end, it provides an annotated list and table of all documents reviewed. Finally, the paper highlights some challenges lying ahead for power analysis and invites the reader to contest emerging lessons and embark on new explorations from which more nuanced and contextualised reflections will emerge.
Reduced noradrenaline, but not dopamine and serotonin in motor thalamus of the MPTP primate: relation to severity of Parkinsonism
Authors: Pifl Christian , Hornykiewicz Oleh , Blesa Javier , Adánez Rebeca , Cavada Carmen , Obeso José A.
Published: January 2013

We recently found severe noradrenaline deficits throughout the thalamus of patients with Parkinson's disease [C. Pifl, S. J. Kish and O. Hornykiewicz Mov Disord. 27, 2012, 1618.]. As this noradrenaline loss was especially severe in nuclei of the motor thalamus normally transmitting basal ganglia motor output to the cortex, we hypothesized that this noradrenaline loss aggravates the motor disorder of Parkinson's disease. Here, we analysed noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin in motor (ventrolateral and ventroanterior) and non‐motor (mediodorsal, centromedian, ventroposterior lateral and reticular) thalamic nuclei in MPTP‐treated monkeys who were always asymptomatic; who recovered from mild parkinsonism; and monkeys with stable, either moderate or severe parkinsonism. We found that only the symptomatic parkinsonian animals had significant noradrenaline losses specifically in the motor thalamus, with the ventroanterior motor nucleus being affected only in the severe parkinsonian animals. In contrast, the striatal dopamine loss was identical in both the mild and severe symptom groups. MPTP‐treatment had no significant effect on noradrenaline in non‐motor thalamic nuclei or dopamine and serotonin in any thalamic subregion. We conclude that in the MPTP primate model, loss of noradrenaline in the motor thalamus may also contribute to the clinical expression of the parkinsonian motor disorder, corroborating experimentally our hypothesis on the role of thalamic noradrenaline deficit in Parkinson's disease.
Permissive role of Cdc2 activity induced from astrocytes in neurite outgrowth
Authors: Chang In Ae , Kwon Ku‐Birm , Park Yang‐Chun , Namgung Uk
Published: January 2013

Following spinal cord injury, glial cells are recognized as major environmental factors hampering axon's regenerative responses. However, recent studies suggested that, in certain circumstances, reactive astrocytes may have a permissive role for axonal regeneration and functional recovery. Here, we report that Cdc2 activation in astrocytes is positively linked to axon growth. Cdc2 was strongly, but transiently, induced from reactive astrocytes within and around the injury cavity. Cdc2 levels in primary, non‐neuronal cells prepared from injured spinal cord were up‐regulated by extending the pre‐injury period. Cdc2‐mediated vimentin phosphorylation was strongly induced in astrocytes after long‐term culture (7 days, LTC) as compared with short‐term culture (3 days, STC). Induction levels of phospho‐vimentin in LTC astrocytes were positively associated with increased neurite outgrowth in co‐cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. β3 integrin mRNA was induced in LTC astrocytes and activation of β3 integrin was regulated by Cdc2 activity. Furthermore, genetic depletion and pharmacological blockade experiments demonstrate that activation of Cdc2 and β3 integrin in LTC astrocytes is required for neurite outgrowth. Our data suggest that the Cdc2 pathway may play an important role in determining phenotypic expression of astrocytes such that astrocytes provide permissive environments for axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury.
Personality Development at Work: Workplace Conditions, Personality Changes, and the Corresponsive Principle
Authors: Le Kimdy , Donnellan M. Brent , Conger Rand
Published: January 2013

Investigations concerning adult personality development have increasingly focused on factors that are associated with apparent personality trait changes. The current study contributes to this literature by replicating and extending previous research concerning personality trait development in young adulthood and perceptions of workplace conditions. Analyses were based on up to 442 individuals who participated in the ongoing Family Transitions Project (e.g., Conger & Conger, 2002). The current analyses included personality trait data from 1994 and 2003, high school grades and socioeconomic status indicators from 1994, and reports about work conditions in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Personality attributes were prospectively associated with work conditions and income. Findings also support the corresponsive principle of personality development (e.g., Roberts, Caspi, & Moffitt, 2003): Traits that were prospectively associated with particular workplace conditions often seemed to be accentuated by those conditions. Personality traits are prospectively associated with perceptions of the workplace. Workplace conditions are also associated with trait development.
Trade Restrictiveness and Pollution
Authors: CHAU NANCY H. , FÄRE ROLF , GROSSKOPF SHAWNA
Published: January 2013

This paper proposes a trade restrictiveness indicator that explicitly incorporates environmental externalities. The index employs directional distance functions and uses indicators (i.e., differences rather than ratios) modified to account for and evaluate efficiency changes in the face of simultaneous and multidimensional trade and environmental policy reforms. The index is made up of two components, one for production and one for consumption. Our overall trade restrictiveness indicator is accordingly the difference of the two. The properties of the indicator are developed and discussed together with its estimation.
Auctioning Monopoly Franchises: Award Criteria and Rollout Obligations
Authors: DOSI CESARE , MORETTO MICHELE
Published: January 2013

We study the competition to acquire the exclusive right to operate an utility service, by comparing two specifications for the financial proposals—the fee that the concessionaire will pay to the government and the price that the concessionaire will charge to its customers—and two alternative contractual arrangements, a concession which incorporates the obligation for the franchisee to operate the service immediately after winning the auction, and a contract which simply assigns the right to supply the market. We show that relieving the concessionaire from rollout obligations may either increase or reduce the government’s expected payoff depending on the bidding rule used to allocate the contract. As long as the government is indifferent between maximizing the fiscal revenue and maximizing the consumer surplus, concessioning without imposing rollout time limits and awarding the contract to the bidder offering the highest fee appears to be the best policy option.
Status‐Seeking in Criminal Subcultures and the Double Dividend of Zero‐Tolerance
Authors: DUR ROBERT , VAN DER WEELE JOËL
Published: January 2013

This paper offers a new argument for why a more aggressive enforcement of minor offenses (zero‐tolerance) may yield a double dividend in that it reduces both minor offenses and more severe crime. We develop a model of criminal subcultures in which people gain social status among their peers for being “tough” by committing criminal acts. As zero‐tolerance keeps relatively “gutless” people from committing a minor offense, the signaling value of that action increases, which makes it attractive for some people who would otherwise commit more severe crime. If social status is sufficiently important in criminal subcultures, zero‐tolerance reduces crime across the board.
Strategy Proof Scoring Rule Lotteries for Multiple Winners
Authors: HECKELMAN JAC C. , CHEN FREDERICK H.
Published: January 2013

We develop a lottery procedure for selecting multiple winners that is strategy proof. The rule assigns points to each candidate based on any standard scoring rule method, and then uses one draw to select a single winning set of candidates in proportion to their collective score. In addition to being strategy proof, the lottery rule is also shown to have several other attractive normative properties. Violations of some other important normative properties are noted as well.
Institutional Quality and Growth
Authors: NGENDAKURIYO FABIEN
Published: January 2013

I analyze the dynamic interaction between civil society organizations and the government in a representative developing economy. Government fails to establish efficient institutions by favoring corruption. On its side, civil society exerts pressure to constrain government to cease corruption. I distinguish between an authoritarian government and an unrestrictive one: the latter does not repress protests from the civil society while the former implements punishment mechanisms. I demonstrate analytically the existence of a unique locally stable equilibrium by solving a linear quadratic differential game for three regimes: respectively, the optimal control problem, noncooperative, and cooperative game. Everything remaining constant; numerical assessment indicates that both civil monitoring and government pressure always increase as the government’s ability to extract rents and the effectiveness of institutions increases. The government pressure also increases with an increase in the marginal utility of rent. Both government pressure and civil society's monitoring effort decrease with the increase in the cooperation weight. Total Factor Productivity effects always dominate the detrimental effect of civil monitoring on growth, except when the government’s capacity of rent extraction increases in the second regime and under some restrictions in the first. In a nutshell, I show that civil society contributes to the improvement of institutions fostering growth.
Epidemics of Rhizoctonia Root Rot in Association with Biological and Physicochemical Properties of Field Soil in Bean Crops
Authors: Naseri Bita
Published: January 2013

During two growing seasons (2008 and 2009), the associations of Rhizoctonia root rot (RRR) with a number of soil properties were determined at different growth stages in 122 commercial bean fields in Zanjan, Iran. Mean RRR incidence at a level of 4–25% sand content was lower than that at 45–65% level. Damage by fly puparia had no significant effect on RRR incidence and occurrence. A greater RRR incidence was detected in field soils treated with fungicides compared with non‐treated soils. A lower RRR incidence was associated with the highest level of soil organic matter (1.2–1.8) compared with the lowest level, 0.4–0.8. The highest RRR incidence corresponded with no rhizobial nodulation compared with highly nodulated bean roots. RRR incidence was negatively correlated with soil silt and organic matter content at R6–7 and R9 growth stages. RRR‐affected fields were recognized with a greater soil pH (V3) and sand content (R9), and a lower silt (R9) and organic matter content (R6–7 and R9) in comparison with RRR‐free fields. Loadings and linear regressions between RRR incidence and principal component scores indicated that the most effective soil characteristic linked to the disease was silt at V3, sand at R6–7 and organic matter at R9 stage. This new epidemiological information extends our knowledge of the bean–RRR–soil interaction on a regional basis.
Bukovina blind mole rat Spalax graecus revisited: phylogenetics, morphology, taxonomy, habitat associations and conservation
Authors: Chişamera Gabriel , Bužan Elena V. , Sahlean Tiberiu , Murariu Dumitru , Zupan Sara , Kryštufek Boris
Published: January 2013

The Bukovina blind mole rat Spalax graecus is the westernmost representative of the genus and one of the least known European mammals. As currently understood, the species contains three isolates on both sides of the south‐eastern Carpathian Mountains. Our focus was on Bukovina blind mole rats from north‐eastern Romania and adjacent Ukraine, i.e. on the nominal subspecies Spalax graecus graecus Topachevskii 1976.

Phylogenetic reconstruction based on 1140‐bp‐long cytochrome b sequence revealed a sister position of Spalax graecus against the genus Nannospalax. Pairwise Kimura two‐parameter genetic divergences were evidently higher between Spalax graecus and the three species of Nannospalax (mean distances ± standard errors between 0.177 ± 0.014 and 0.197 ± 0.016) than between the three species of Nannospalax (up to 0.128 ± 0.010). The two genera were separated by 178 mutational steps.

The Bukovina blind mole rat is so far known from 13 localities in north‐eastern Romania and adjacent Ukraine.

The most influential environmental factors in the Spalax graecus habitat model were seasonality in precipitation, type of soil and altitude. The elevational range of suitable habitats is 39–848 m. The area occupied is estimated at 15581 km2, but patches with high habitat suitability cover only 1604 km2.

The main habitat for the Bukovina blind mole rat is likely to degrade and the conservation needs of the species will soon have to be taken into account. We recommend the inclusion of the species on Annex II or IV of the European Union's Habitats Directive on grounds of its (i) narrow endemism, (ii) small range of occupancy, (iii) small overall population size and (iv) vulnerability to changes in agricultural land use.
Variation in the transcriptional response of threatened coral larvae to elevated temperatures
Authors: Polato Nicholas R. , Altman Naomi S. , Baums Iliana B.
Published: January 2013

Coral populations have declined worldwide largely due to increased sea surface temperatures. Recovery of coral populations depends in part upon larval recruitment. Many corals reproduce during the warmest time of year when further increases in temperature can lead to low fertilization rates of eggs and high larval mortality. Microarray experiments were designed to capture and assess variability in the thermal stress responses of Acropora palmata larvae from Puerto Rico. Transcription profiles showed a striking acceleration of normal developmental gene expression patterns with increased temperature. The transcriptional response to heat suggested rapid depletion of larval energy stores via peroxisomal lipid oxidation and included key enzymes that indicated the activation of the glyoxylate cycle. High temperature also resulted in expression differences in key developmental signalling genes including the conserved WNT pathway that is critical for pattern formation and tissue differentiation in developing embryos. Expression of these and other important developmental and thermal stress genes such as ferritin, heat shock proteins, cytoskeletal components, cell adhesion and autophagy proteins also varied among larvae derived from different parent colonies. Disruption of normal developmental and metabolic processes will have negative impacts on larval survival and dispersal as temperatures rise. However, it appears that variation in larval response to high temperature remains despite the dramatic population declines. Further research is needed to determine whether this variation is heritable or attributable to maternal effects.
Characterization of microglia/macrophages in gliomas developed in S‐100β‐v‐erbB transgenic rats
Authors: Sasaki Atsushi , Yokoo Hideaki , Tanaka Yuko , Homma Taku , Nakazato Yoichi , Ohgaki Hiroko
Published: January 2013

Glioma‐infiltrating microglia/macrophages are referred to as tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). Transgenic (TG) rats expressing v‐erbB, which is a viral form of the epidermal growth factor receptor, under transcriptional regulation by the S100‐β promoter, develop brain tumors. This study was designed to clarify the pathological characteristics of TAMs in these experimental tumors. We carried out immunohistochemical and morphometrical analyses of microglia/macrophages in brain tumors (5 malignant glioma, 4 anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 4 astrocytoma) that developed in TG rats. TAMs with ionized calcium‐binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) positivity and morphology of activated, non‐phagocytic microglia increased within and around the tumors in malignant gliomas and anaplastic astrocytomas. The Iba1‐positive TAMs of the tumor core were significantly more activated than Iba1‐positive microglia of non‐neoplastic brain tissue in intraparenchymal anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. Iba1 expression showed a significant positive correlation to Ki‐67 expression in all the gliomas. Most TAMs showed no or little expression against CD68, CD163 or CD204, although CD204‐positive TAMs were observed in necrosis as well as in the proliferating vascular wall. In conclusion, S‐100β‐v‐erbB TG rats may serve as a useful animal model for further analysis of TAMs in terms of tumor cell proliferation, microvascular proliferation and phagocytosis, and as a tool for therapeutic use in malignant gliomas, although it should be noted that the polarization of TAMs toward the M2 phenotype remains unclear.
Human prion diseases: Molecular, cellular and population biology
Authors: Head Mark W.
Published: January 2013

The past 20 years have witnessed a dramatic resurgence of interest in a hitherto obscure neurodegenerative disease, Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD). This was driven partly by the novelty of the prion hypothesis, which sought to provide an explanation for the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, involving a unique epigenetic mechanism, and partly by events in the UK, where an outbreak of a new prion disease in cattle (bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE) potentially exposed a large section of the UK population to prion infectivity through a dietary route. The numbers of cases of the resultant novel disease variant CJD (vCJD), have so far been limited and peaked in the UK in the year 2000 and have subsequently declined. However, the effects of BSE and vCJD have been far‐reaching. The estimated prevalence of vCJD infection in the UK is substantially higher than the numbers of clinical cases would suggest, posing a difficult dilemma for those involved in blood transfusion, tissue transplantation and cellular therapies. The clinico‐pathological phenotype of human prion diseases has come under close scrutiny and molecular classification systems have been developed to account for the different diseases and their phenotypic spectra. Moreover, enhanced human and animal surveillance and better diagnostic tools have identified new human and animal prion diseases. Lastly, as the prion hypothesis has gained widespread acceptance, the concepts involved have been applied to other areas, including extra‐chromosomal inheritance in fungi, long‐term potentiation in memory formation and the spread of molecular pathology in diverse conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Studies at the molecular and cellular level have helped to provide a better understanding of human prion diseases, aided pathological diagnosis and helped inform public health decision‐making.
How Do Alphas and Betas Move? Uncertainty, Learning and Time Variation in Risk Loadings*
Authors: Trecroci Carmine
Published: January 2013

I employ a parsimonious model with learning, but without conditioning information, to extract time‐varying measures of market‐risk sensitivities, pricing errors and pricing uncertainty. The evolution of these quantities has interesting implications for macroeconomic dynamics. Parameters estimated for US equity portfolios display significant low‐frequency fluctuations, along patterns that change across size and book‐to‐market stocks. Time‐varying betas display superior predictive accuracy for returns against constant and rolling‐window OLS estimates. As to the relationship of betas with business‐cycle variables, value stocks’ betas move pro‐cyclically, unlike those of growth stocks. Investment growth, rather than consumption, predicts the betas of value and small‐firm portfolios.
Identifying Changes in Mean, Seasonality, Persistence and Volatility for G7 and Euro Area Inflation*
Authors: Bataa Erdenebat , Osborn Denise R. , Sensier Marianne , Dijk Dick van
Published: January 2013

We propose an iterative decomposition that tests and accounts for multiple structural breaks in the mean, seasonality, dynamics and conditional volatility, while also accounting for outliers. Considering each component separately within each iteration leads to greater flexibility compared with joint procedures. Monte Carlo analysis shows the procedure performs well. Applied to monthly CPI inflation in G7 countries and the Euro area, we uncover mean and seasonality breaks for all countries and, allowing for these, changes in persistence are generally also indicated. Further, volatility reductions are widespread in the early to mid 1980s, with some countries exhibiting increases from 1999 onwards.
Serum microRNAs as potential biomarkers of mandibular prognathism
Authors: Gu Y , Zhang Y , Zhao C , Pan Y , Smales RJ , Wang H , Ni Y , Zhang H , Ni J , Ma J , Wang L
Published: January 2013

Objectives

The aim of the study was to determine whether the expression levels of specific circulating serum microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with mandibular prognathism (MP).

Methods

Sixty subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 23 in the mixed dentition stage with MP were identified. Sixty‐eight normal control subjects in the early permanent dentition stage and 24 in the mixed dentition stage were recruited for comparison. According to the microarray‐based expression profiling, four serum miRNAs (let‐7i‐3p, miR‐595, miR‐16‐2‐3p, and miR‐367‐5p) were validated.

Results

In the MP groups, let‐7i‐3p was significantly over‐expressed in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.0005) and mixed (P < 0.001) dentitions, and miR‐595 was significantly under‐expressed (P < 0.004) in subjects in the early permanent (P < 0.004) and mixed (P < 0.0005) dentitions, compared with normal control groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that let‐7i‐3p and miR‐595 were able to significantly discriminate MP subjects from normal controls.

Conclusion

Let‐7i‐3p and miR‐595 could be potential, non‐invasive biomarkers for the accurate early detection and diagnosis of MP, which may result in improved clinical management.
Positive nickel patch tests in infants are of low clinical relevance and rarely reproducible
Authors: Mortz Charlotte G. , Kjaer Henrik F. , Eller Esben , Osterballe Morten , Norberg Lene A. , Høst Arne , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten , Andersen Klaus E.
Published: January 2013

Background

We have previously reported patch test reactivity to nickel sulphate in a cohort of unselected infants tested repeatedly at 3–18 months of age. A reproducible positive reaction at 12 and 18 months was selected as a sign of nickel sensitivity provided a patch test with an empty Finn chamber was negative. A reproducible positive reaction was seen in 8.6% of the infants. The objective of this study is to follow‐up on infants with alleged nickel sensitivity.

Methods

A total of 562 infants were included in the cohort and patch tested with nickel sulphate (ICDRG guidelines). The 26 children with a positive patch test reaction to nickel sulphate at 12 and 18 months were offered repeated patch tests at 3 and 6 yr.

Results

Among the 21 children tested at both 12 months, 18 months and at 3 and 6 yr only 2 of 21 had reproducible nickel reactions (one clinically relevant), 13 of 21 were negative and 6 of 21 were negative at 3 or 6 yr.

Conclusions

Only 9.5% of the children had reproducible nickel sulphate reactivity, while 62% became negative. The results are noteworthy and can be interpreted in different ways: Repeated nickel patch tests did not cause patch test sensitization. The test reactions in infancy are probably of irritant or non‐specific nature. Hence, nickel patch tests should only be performed in small children if there is a clinical suspicion of nickel‐induced allergic contact dermatitis.
The circadian clock‐associated gene gigantea1 affects maize developmental transitions
Authors: BENDIX CLAIRE , MENDOZA JUAN M. , STANLEY DESIREE N. , MEELEY ROBERT , HARMON FRANK G.
Published: January 2013

Members of the conserved gigantea (gi) gene family act in the plant circadian system and regulate multiple aspects of development. The maize gigantea1 (gi1) gene is the more highly expressed of two gi homeologs in the maize genome and its function is previously uncharacterized. Analysis of maize gi1 mutants demonstrates that this gene is part of the signaling networks controlling flowering time, phase change, and growth. These discoveries reveal the importance of circadian genes in the regulation of maize growth and development.
Hydrochlorothiazide Enhances UVA‐Induced DNA Damage
Authors: Kunisada Makoto , Masaki Taro , Ono Ryusuke , Morinaga Hironobu , Nakano Eiji , Yogianti Flandiana , Okunishi Kunihiro , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Nishigori Chikako
Published: January 2013

The UVA is currently thought to be carcinogenic because, similar to UVB, it induces the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Various drugs have been reported to cause photosensitive drug eruptions as an adverse effect. Although the precise mechanism of photosensitive drug eruption remains to be elucidated, it is generally accepted that free radicals and other reactive molecules generated via UV‐irradiated drugs play important roles in the pathogenesis of photosensitive drug eruptions. The waveband of concern for photo‐reactive drugs is UVA‐visible light, but some extend into the UVB region. We tested whether photosensitive drugs could enhance CPD formation after UVA exposure by using isolated DNA in the presence of several reported photosensitive drugs using high‐performance liquid chromatography. We found that the diuretic agent hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) significantly enhanced the production of TT dimers over a wide range of UVA. Furthermore, we investigated whether UVA plus HCT could enhance CPD production in xeroderma pigmentosum model mice defective in nucleotide excision repair. Immunofluorescence studies showed that CPD formation in the skin significantly increased after 365 nm narrow‐band UVA irradiation in the presence of HCT, compared with that in wild‐type mice. HCT could be used with caution because of its enhancement of UVA‐induced DNA damage.
Suture Anchor Fixation of Olecranon Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: Ravenscroft Matthew J. , Phillips Nicholas , Mulgrew Emma , Yasin Mohammed N.
Published: January 2013

Background

Transverse olecranon fractures are commonly fixed using a tension band wiring technique. This technique has a high rate of complications because of the prominent metalwork, frequently resulting in further surgery to remove the hardware. We investigated a new technique using two metal screw in bone anchors double loaded with Orthocord.

Methods

A tension band suture technique was employed in 22 patients (14 Mayo type IIA fractures and 8 olecranon osteotomies) using two double Orthocord loaded bone anchors in a standardised fashion. Twenty-one patients started mobilisation at 1 week. Patients were followed up until both clinical and radiological union was evident. Any problems with fixation hardware and complications were all recorded.

Results

The mean time of union was 6.4 weeks (range 5 weeks to 9 weeks). One patient developed an asymptomatic fibrous non-union and 20 achieved complete anatomical union. At a mean of 14.2 months, no patient had developed any hardware problem or required further surgery.

Discussion

Tension band suturing is a safe, easy and quick technique that avoids the risks associated with other methods of fixation. It provides a comparable union rate without any complications as a result of the hardware. In our series, no patients required further surgery.
An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Bruising around the Shoulder
Authors: Armstrong Alison L.
Published: January 2013

This case report describes a 29-year-old man who presented with episodes of severe shoulder pain and subsequent massive bruising without trauma several years after cannulated screw fixation of a greater tuberosity fracture. An magnetic resonance arthrogram showed dye travelling up the central hole in the screw. Arthroscopy showed the tip of one of the screws penetrating the capsule and synovial lining in the inferior recess. Removal of the screw resolved the problem. Care needs to be taken with the length of screws in the axilla, especially if the patient has a capacious capsule. Bizarre symptoms, if considered seriously, may uncover a treatable if rare cause.
Management of Shoulder Problems Following Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury
Authors: Nixon Matthew , Trail Ian
Published: January 2013

Obstetric brachial plexus injuries are common, with an incidence of 0.42 per 1000 live births in the UK, and with 25% of patients being left with permanent disability without intervention. The shoulder is the most commonly affected joint and, as a result of the subsequent imbalance of musculature, the abnormal deforming forces cause dysplasia of the glenohumeral joint. In the growing child, this presents with changing pattern of pathology, which requires a multidisciplinary approach and a broad range of treatment modalities to optimize function.
Acromioclavicular Fusion: An Approach for Painful Clavicular Instability
Authors: Sonnabend David H. , Hughes Jeffery S. , Poon Peter C. , Schwarz Ben
Published: January 2013

Background

The present study aimed to assess efficacy of acromioclavicular fusion as a salvage procedure for the treatment of painful horizontal (transverse) plane instability following distal clavicular excision.

Methods

A prospective, nonrandomized study of 16 consecutive cases was performed over an 8½ year period, assessing fusion rates, pain relief, subjective instability and range of motion.

Results

Initial attempts at isolated coracoclavicular fusion were relatively unsuccessful. Subsequent procedures combined acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular fusion. Once stability was achieved, all patients noted a reduction in pain and in instability sensation. Eleven patients had similar or improved ranges of shoulder motion postoperatively. In four patients, elevation > 100 °C was limited by pain. Four patients developed sternoclavicular pain. Six patients had revision fusion procedures, two of them twice. Of these six, three achieved fusion. One other patient remained unfused and painful, declining a second procedure. Thirteen patients were satisfied with their result and all but one would have the surgery again.

Conclusions

Painful horizontal-plane acromioclavicular instability secondary to distal clavicle excision may be effectively treated by acromioclavicular arthrodesis, usually without excessive loss of movement but often with some sternoclavicular discomfort. Fusion is difficult to achieve, and the use of locking plates and ‘biological supplementation’ is recommended.
Automatic measurement of skin textures of the dorsal hand in evaluating skin aging
Authors: Gao Qian , Yu Jiaming , Wang Fang , Ge Tiantian , Hu Liwen , Liu Yang
Published: January 2013

Background/purpose

Changes in skin textures have been used to evaluate skin aging in many studies. In our previous study, we built some skin texture parameters, which can be used to evaluate skin aging of human dorsal hand. However, it will take too much time and need to work arduously to get the information from digital skin image by manual work. So, we want to build a simple and effective method to automatically count some of those skin texture parameters by using digital image‐processing technology.

Methods

A total of 100 subjects aged 30 years and above were involved. Sun exposure history and demographic information were collected by using a questionnaire. The skin image of subjects' dorsal hand was obtained by using a portable skin detector. The number of grids, which is one of skin texture parameters built in our previous study, was measured manually and automatically. Automated image analysis program was developed by using Matlab 7.1 software.

Results

The number of grids counted automatically (NGA) was significantly correlated with the number of grids counted manually (NGM) (r = 0.9287, P < 0.0001). And in each age group, there were no significant differences between NGA and NGM. The NGA was negatively correlated with age and lifetime sun exposure, and decreased with increasing Beagley‐Gibson score from 3 to 6. In addition, even after adjusting for NGA, the standard deviation of grid areas for each image was positively correlated with age, sun exposure, and Bealey‐Gibson score.

Conclusion

The method introduced in present study can be used to measure some skin aging parameters automatically and objectively. And it will save much time, reduce labor, and avoid measurement errors of deferent investigators when evaluating a great deal of skin images in a short time.
Preliminary study in the evaluation of anti‐aging cosmetic treatment using two complementary methods for assessing skin surface
Authors: Dzwigałowska A. , Sołyga‐Żurek A. , Dębowska R. M. , Eris I.
Published: January 2013

Background/purpose

One of the constantly developing fields in the area of cosmetology is the analysis of the efficacy of cosmetics products. Various instrumental techniques are available nowadays to evaluate changes in skin surface and measure anti‐wrinkle activity. The aim of our study was to present and confront two methods of the analysis of skin surface, Primos and Visioscan, regarding their applicability in evaluating anti‐wrinkle properties of cosmetic formulations and treatments.

Methods

The study was performed on women, taking part in anti‐wrinkle cosmetic treatments. Various skin aging parameters were analyzed, including skin surface changes. The results obtained with Visioscan and Primos were compared regarding their usefulness in anti‐wrinkling properties assessment.

Results

The assessment of skin condition suggested anti‐wrinkle properties of the applied cosmetic treatment. Both Visioscan and Primos analyses were consistent with each other and had similar faults as well.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that both complementary technologies (Visioscan and Primos) are appropriate for characterizing the skin surface and could be useful in testing the efficacy of anti‐aging properties. There are some measurements which are unique to just one method, none, however, seems to be significantly more useful for efficacy testing than the other.
Interexaminer reliability of infrared thermography for the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome
Authors: Choi Eunjoo , Lee Pyung‐Bok , Nahm Francis Sahngun
Published: January 2013

Background/purpose

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a useful tool for assessing skin temperature abnormalities in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Although determining regions of interest (ROIs) is an essential process for interpreting thermographic images, there are no validated and standardized guidelines to determine ROIs. Therefore, ROIs may be determined differently by each observer even for the same IRT images, which can result in an important issue for IRT reliability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interexaminer reliability of IRT in patients with CRPS.

Methods

Infrared thermographic images of 28 patients diagnosed with CRPS were reviewed by three independent examiners. The shapes, sizes, and the detailed locations of the ROIs were determined by the investigator's own opinion based on patient history and symptoms. After maximal skin temperature of the ROI was obtained for each patient, the degree of agreement among the three examiners limbs was assessed.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient among the three independent raters was 0.865 (95% confidence interval, 0.748–0.933), indicating a high degree of reliability (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The reliability of IRT for assessing skin temperature abnormalities in CRPS was high when the ROIs were determined based on patient history and symptoms.
Development of skin aging scale by using dermoscopy
Authors: Isik Burcu , Gurel Mehmet S. , Erdemir Asli T. , Kesmezacar Ozgu
Published: January 2013

Background

Some features of skin aging that cannot be detected by the naked eye can be determined more easily by dermoscopy. Therefore, we aimed to measure skin aging with dermoscopy.

Methods

The study was performed in Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, a tertiary care referral center. A total of 441 participants between the ages of 20–88 (mean 48.4 ± 17.7) were separated into six groups according to their age. All participant's facial sun‐exposed areas were examined by dermoscopy in terms of telangiectasia, vascular changes, pigmentation changes, seborrheic keratosis, actinic keratosis, periorbital comedones and cysts, superficial‐ deep‐ criss‐cross wrinkles as the signs of photoaging and scored with the help of dermoscopic photoaging scale (DPAS). The validity of the scale was assessed with DPAS by the evaluation of both the axillar and the gluteal regions, that were not sun exposed and photoaged, with DPAS.

Results

The scale was found to be highly reliable as Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.756. Skin aging of patients from every decade was compared clinically with Glogou photoaging scale and Monheit‐Fulton photoaging index and significant correlation was calculated as 0.773 and 0.774, respectively. An increase in photoaging scores from young people toward elders according to their ages was observed and the same linear difference between their mean values was detected.

Conclusion

DPAS is a reliable and valid diagnostic tool that can evaluate photoaged skin quantitatively by the help of objective criteria so can be used to evaluate the effect of preventive and therapeutic applications for skin aging.
Seasonal and annual variation in the intensity of facial wrinkles
Authors: Tsukahara Kazue , Osanai Osamu , Kitahara Takashi , Takema Yoshinori
Published: January 2013

Background/aims

We studied annual, seasonal and gender‐dependent changes in the intensity of facial wrinkles.

Methods

The study included 32 Japanese subjects (16 men, 16 women, aged 35–47). Wrinkles on the forehead, corner of the eye, lower eyelid and nasolabial groove of each subject were captured in photos and in replicas at 3‐month intervals from March, 2009 to March, 2010. At each occasion, skin conductance in the stratum corneum and skin color were measured on the cheek. The photos obtained were used for visual scoring of wrinkle intensity, and the quantitative 3‐D data of replicas were obtained.

Results

An apparent annual variation in skin conductance, which is supposed to be caused by skin dryness, and in the level of skin brightness, which is supposed to be caused by sun tan, was found for both genders. In contrast, no seasonal changes were determined in wrinkle intensity. Three‐D analysis revealed no annual variation in women but revealed annual variation in the depths of eye wrinkles in men.

Conclusion

There was a gender‐dependent difference in the annual variation of wrinkle depth in subjects around 40 years of age. Seasonal environmental changes may affect on the eye wrinkles depth in men within a year.
A new evaluation of carbon stocks in British forest soils
Authors: Vanguelova E. I. , Nisbet T. R. , Moffat A. J. , Broadmeadow S. , Sanders T. G. M. , Morison J. I. L.
Published: January 2013

Carbon (C) stocks in forest soils were evaluated in the first comprehensive survey of Great Britain, the BioSoil soil survey, using a total of 167 plots (72 in England, 26 in Wales and 69 in Scotland). The average C stock down to 80 cm depth for seven main soil types ranged between 108 and 448 t C/ha with maximum values from 511 to 927 t C/ha. Carbon stock varied with soil depth and type, forest type, and stand age. Stocks within the upper mineral soil (0–20 cm) represented between 29 and 69% of the total 0–80 cm C stock, while those in the top 40 cm comprised 59–100% of the total. Carbon stocks decreased in the order deep peats > peaty gleys > groundwater gleys > surface‐water gleys > podzols and ironpans > brown earths > rankers and rendzinas. Litter and fermentation horizons on average contributed an additional 7.3 and 8.8 t C/ha, respectively, to the overall soil C stock. Measured soil C stocks (0–80 cm) were upscaled by area of main soil and forest types to provide national estimates. Total forest soil stocks for England, Wales and Scotland were upscaled to 163, 46 and 337 Mt C, respectively, with an additional 17, 4 and 21 Mt C within surface organic layers (litter and fermentation horizons). Carbon stocks were larger under conifers compared with broadleaves. Peaty gleys contributed most to the total C stock in Scotland, while brown earths and podzolic soils made the largest contribution in Wales, and brown earths and surface‐water gley soils in England. Estimated total carbon stocks in forest soils in Great Britain, including organic layers, are 589 Mt C in the top 80 cm and 664 Mt C in the top 1 m of soil. The BioSoil soil survey provides the most comprehensive estimate of forest soil C stocks in Great Britain to date and provides a good baseline for assessing future change even though variability in forest soil C stocks is high. However, a relatively small number of additional plots to fill existing gaps in spatial coverage and to increase representation of rendzinas and highly organic soils would significantly reduce the level of uncertainty.
HLA class I associations with rates of HIV‐1 seroconversion and disease progression in the Pumwani Sex Worker Cohort
Authors: Peterson T. A. , Kimani J. , Wachihi C. , Bielawny T. , Mendoza L. , Thavaneswaran S. , Narayansingh M. J. , Kariri T. , Liang B. , Ball T. B. , Ngugi E. N. , Plummer F. A. , Luo M.
Published: January 2013

Class I human leukocyte antigens (HLA) play an important role in the adaptive immune response by presenting antigens to CD8+ T cells. Studies have reported that several HLA class I alleles are associated with differential disease progression in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals, however, few class I associations with resistance or susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection have been reported. We typed HLA‐A, ‐B and ‐C of >1000 women enrolled in the Pumwani Sex Worker Cohort using a sequence‐based typing method. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to identify alleles influencing seroconversion and disease progression to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (CD4 < 200/mm3). A*01 (P = 0.020), C*06:02 (P = 0.042) and C*07:01 (P = 0.050) are independently associated with protection from seroconversion. Women with any of these alleles are less likely to seroconvert [P = 0.00001, odds ratio (OR): 0.503, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.320–0.790]. Conversely, A*23:01 (P = 0.004), B*07:02 (P = 0.003) and B*42:01 (P = 0.025) are independently associated with rapid seroconversion. Women with any of these alleles are twice as likely to seroconvert (P = 0.002, OR: 2.059, 95% CI: 1.290–3.285). The beneficial alleles confer threefold protection from seroconversion when compared with the susceptible alleles (P = 0.000001, OR: 0.268, 95% CI: 0.132–0.544). B*07:02 is the contributing allele, within the B7 supertype, to the rapid seroconversion. A*74:01 (P = 0.04/P = 0.006), B*14 (P = 0.003/P = 0.003) and B*57:03 (P = 0.012/P = 0.038) are independently associated with slower CD4+ decline and LTNP phenotype, while B*07:02 (P = 0.020), B*15:10 (P = 0.022) and B*53:01 (P = 0.007) are independently associated with rapid CD4+ T‐cell decline. B7 supertype (P = 0.00006), B*35*‐Py (P = 0.028) and B*35‐Px (P = 0.001) were also significantly associated with rapid CD4+ T‐cell decline. Understanding why these HLA class I alleles are associated with protection/susceptibility to HIV‐1 acquisition and disease progression could contribute to the development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for HIV‐1.
Calcineurin B‐like protein CBL10 directly interacts with AKT1 and modulates K+ homeostasis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ren Xiao‐Ling , Qi Guo‐Ning , Feng Han‐Qian , Zhao Shuai , Zhao Shuang‐Shuang , Wang Yi , Wu Wei‐Hua
Published: January 2013

Potassium transporters and channels play crucial roles in K+ uptake and translocation in plant cells. These roles are essential for plant growth and development. AKT1 is an important K+ channel in Arabidopsis roots that is involved in K+ uptake. It is known that AKT1 is activated by a protein kinase CIPK23 interacting with two calcineurin B‐like proteins CBL1/CBL9. The present study showed that another calcineurin B‐like protein (CBL10) may also regulate AKT1 activity. The CBL10‐over‐expressing lines showed a phenotype as sensitive as that of the akt1 mutant under low‐K+ conditions. In addition, the K+ content of both CBL10‐over‐expressing lines and akt1 mutant plants were significantly reduced compared with wild‐type plants. Moreover, CBL10 directly interacted with AKT1, as verified in yeast two‐hybrid, BiFC and co‐immunoprecipitation experiments. The results of electrophysiological analysis in both Xenopus oocytes and Arabidopsis root cell protoplasts demonstrated that CBL10 impairs AKT1‐mediated inward K+ currents. Furthermore, the results from the yeast two‐hybrid competition assay indicated that CBL10 may compete with CIPK23 for binding to AKT1 and negatively modulate AKT1 activity. The present study revealed a CBL‐interacting protein kinase‐independent regulatory mechanism of calcineurin B‐like proteins in which CBL10 directly regulates AKT1 activity and affects ion homeostasis in plant cells.