bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Participation of African Americans in Health-Related Genetic Research: Findings of a Collaborative Academic and Community-Based Research Study
Authors: Millon Underwood Sandra , Buseh Aaron G. , Kelber Sheryl T. , Stevens Patricia E. , Townsend Leolia
Published: December 2013

The involvement of African Americans in research has long been expressed as a concern by the scientific community. While efforts have been undertaken to identify factors inhibiting the participation of African Americans in health-related research, few efforts have been undertaken to have highlight factors associated with their engagement of health-related research. An exploratory study of factors presumed to be associated with participation in health-related research was conducted among a nonprobability sample of African Americans (n=212) from a large urban community in the Midwest. The study was guided by a framework that hypothesized the influence of knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions about genetics and the involvement of providers in decision-making on willingness to participate in health-related genetic research. The results revealed that knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions about genetics and the involvement of providers were associated with willingness to engage in health-related genetic research (P<.05). The most interesting, however, was that 88.7% of the participants who had not previously been involved in a health-related study who expressed a willingness to participate reported that they “had never been asked.” Study findings suggest the need for research that further examines factors associated with the involvement of African Americans in health-related genetic research.
The Hereditary Hyperferritinemia-Cataract Syndrome in 2 Italian Families
Authors: Perruccio Katia , Arcioni Francesco , Cerri Carla , La Starza Roberta , Romanelli Donatella , Capolsini Ilaria , Caniglia Maurizio
Published: December 2013

Two 8- and 9-year-old brothers were referred to the Pediatric Oncology Unit, Perugia General Hospital, because of hyperferritinemia. Both had a history of bilateral cataract and epilepsy. Genetic investigation revealed two distinct mutations in iron haemostasis genes; homozygosity for the HFE gene H63D mutation in the younger and heterozygosity in the elder. Both displayed heterozygosity for C33T mutation in the ferritin light chain iron response element. A 7-year-old boy from another family was referred to our unit because of hyperferritinemia. Genetic analyses did not reveal HFE gene mutations. Family history showed that his mother was also affected by hyperferritinemia without HFE gene mutations. Magnetic resonance imaging in the mother was positive for iron overload in the spleen. Cataract was diagnosed in mother and child. Further genetic investigation revealed the C29G mutation of the ferritin light chain iron response element. C33T and C29G mutations in the ferritin light chain iron response element underlie the Hereditary Hyperferritinemia-Cataract Syndrome (HHCS). The HFE gene H63D mutation underlies Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH), which needs treatment to prevent organ damages by iron overload. HHCS was definitively diagnosed in all three children. HHCS is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by increased L-ferritin production. L-Ferritin aggregates accumulate preferentially in the lens, provoking bilateral cataract since childhood, as unique known organ damage. Epilepsy in one case and the spleen iron overload in another could suggest the misleading diagnosis of HH. Consequently, the differential diagnosis between alterations of iron storage system was essential, particularly in children, and required further genetic investigation.
On the Complexity of a Class of Pyramid Graphs and Chebyshev Polynomials
Authors: Daoud S. N.
Published: December 2013

In mathematics, one always tries to get new structures from given ones. This also applies to the realm of graphs, where one can generate many new graphs from a given set of graphs. In this paper we define a class of pyramid graphs and derive simple formulas of the complexity, number of spanning trees, of these graphs, using linear algebra, Chebyshev polynomials, and matrix analysis techniques.
Retroperitoneal Bronchogenic Cyst: MRI Findings
Authors: Castro R. , Oliveira M. I. , Fernandes T. , Madureira A. J.
Published: December 2013

The authors describe a case of a retroperitoneal bronchogenic cyst in a 36-year-old female. She presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. An MRI scan revealed an 8 cm cystic lesion in the left upper retroperitoneum, with intermediate signal on T2-weighted images, high signal on T1 weighted images, and lack of internal enhancement after gadolinium. After laparoscopic excision, the histology findings were compatible with a bronchogenic cyst, which is extremely uncommon in the retroperitoneum.
Vascularized Bone Tissue Formation Induced by Fiber-Reinforced Scaffolds Cultured with Osteoblasts and Endothelial Cells
Authors: Liu Xinhui , Zhang Guoping , Hou Chuanyong , Wang Hua , Yang Yelin , Guan Guoping , Dong Wei , Gao Hongyang , Feng Qingling
Published: December 2013

The repair of the damaged bone tissue caused by damage or bone disease was still a problem. Current strategies including the use of autografts and allografts have the disadvantages, namely, diseases transmission, tissue availability and donor morbidity. Bone tissue engineering has been developed and regarded as a new way of regenerating bone tissues to repair or substitute damaged or diseased ones. The main limitation in engineering in vitro tissues is the lack of a sufficient blood vessel system, the vascularization. In this paper, a new-typed hydroxyapatite/collagen composite scaffold which was reinforced by chitosan fibers and cultured with osteoblasts and endothelial cells was fabricated. General observation, histological observation, detection of the degree of vascularization, and X-ray examination had been done to learn the effect of vascularized bone repair materials on the regeneration of bone. The results show that new vessel and bone formed using implant cultured with osteoblasts and endothelial cells. Nanofiber-reinforced scaffold cultured with osteoblasts and endothelial cells can induce vascularized bone tissue formation.
On the Performance of Principal Component Liu-Type Estimator under the Mean Square Error Criterion
Authors: Wu Jibo
Published: December 2013

Wu (2013) proposed an estimator, principal component Liu-type estimator, to overcome multicollinearity. This estimator is a general estimator which includes ordinary least squares estimator, principal component regression estimator, ridge estimator, Liu estimator, Liu-type estimator,r-kclass estimator, andr-dclass estimator. In this paper, firstly we use a new method to propose the principal component Liu-type estimator; then we study the superior of the new estimator by using the scalar mean squares error criterion. Finally, we give a numerical example to show the theoretical results.
Smoking and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Review and Update
Authors: Velilla Sara , García-Medina José Javier , García-Layana Alfredo , Dolz-Marco Rosa , Pons-Vázquez Sheila , Pinazo-Durán M. Dolores , Gómez-Ulla Francisco , Arévalo J. Fernando , Díaz-Llopis Manuel , Gallego-Pinazo Roberto
Published: December 2013

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main socioeconomical health issues worldwide. AMD has a multifactorial etiology with a variety of risk factors. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for AMD development and progression. The present review summarizes the epidemiological studies evaluating the association between smoking and AMD, the mechanisms through which smoking induces damage to the chorioretinal tissues, and the relevance of advising patients to quit smoking for their visual health.
Designing a Single-Stage Inverter for Photovoltaic System Application
Authors: Tsai M. T. , Chu C. L. , Mi C. M. , Lin J. Y. , Hsueh Y. C.
Published: December 2013

This paper focuses on a full-bridge high-frequency isolated inverter which is proposed for distributed photovoltaic power supply application. The researched system consists of a full-bridge high-frequency DC/DC converter with the proposed symmetric phase-shift modulation algorithm to achieve the ZVS switching function and a line frequency unfolding bridge. It replaces the traditional two stages of independent control algorithms with a one-stage control to obtain high conversion efficiency. A TMS 320F2812 digital signal processor-based control technique is used to achieve the desired algorithm function for the grid-connected photovoltaic power system application. The researched system can have two operating methods depending on the applied situation. Finally, a prototype of 300 W with the maximum power point function is settled to verify the proposed idea.
Antiepileptic Effect ofUncaria rhynchophyllaandRhynchophyllineInvolved in the Initiation of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Phosphorylation of MAPK Signal Pathways in Acute Seizures of Kainic Acid-Treated Rats
Authors: Hsu Hsin-Cheng , Tang Nou-Ying , Liu Chung-Hsiang , Hsieh Ching-Liang
Published: December 2013

Seizures cause inflammation of the central nervous system. The extent of the inflammation is related to the severity and recurrence of the seizures. Cell surface receptors are stimulated by stimulators such as kainic acid (KA), which causes intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway transmission to coordinate a response. It is known thatUncaria rhynchophylla(UR) andrhynchophylline(RP) have anticonvulsive effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a novel strategy for treating epilepsy by investigating how UR and RP initiate their anticonvulsive mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered KA (12 mg/kg, i.p.) to induce seizure before being sacrificed. The brain was removed 3 h after KA administration. The results indicate that pretreatment with UR (1.0 g/kg), RP (0.25 mg/kg), and valproic acid (VA, 250 mg/kg) for 3 d could reduce epileptic seizures and could also reduce the expression of c-Jun aminoterminal kinase phosphorylation (JNKp) of MAPK signal pathways in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus brain tissues. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-αremain unchanged, indicating that the anticonvulsive effect of UR and RP is initially involved in the JNKp MAPK signal pathway during the KA-induced acute seizure period.
CCL2/CCR2-Dependent Recruitment of Functional Antigen-Presenting Cells into Tumors upon Chemotherapy
Authors: Ma Yuting , Mattarollo Stephen R. , Adjemian Sandy , Yang Heng , Aymeric Laetitia , Hannani Dalil , Portela Catani João Paulo , Duret Helene , Teng Michele W.L. , Kepp Oliver , Wang Yidan , Sistigu Antonella , Schultze Joachim L. , Stoll Gautier , Galluzzi Lorenzo , Zitvogel Laurence , Smyth Mark J. , Kroemer Guido
Published: December 2013

The therapeutic efficacy of anthracyclines relies, at least partially, on the induction of a dendritic cell– and T-lymphocyte–dependent anticancer immune response. Here, we show that anthracycline-based chemotherapy promotes the recruitment of functional CD11b+CD11c+Ly6ChighLy6G−MHCII+ dendritic cell–like antigen-presenting cells (APC) into the tumor bed, but not into lymphoid organs. Accordingly, draining lymph nodes turned out to be dispensable for the proliferation of tumor antigen–specific T cells within neoplastic lesions as induced by anthracyclines. In addition, we found that tumors treated with anthracyclines manifest increased expression levels of the chemokine Ccl2. Such a response is important as neoplasms growing in Ccl2−/− mice failed to accumulate dendritic cell–like APCs in response to chemotherapy. Moreover, cancers developing in mice lacking Ccl2 or its receptor (Ccr2) exhibited suboptimal therapeutic responses to anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Altogether, our results underscore the importance of the CCL2/CCR2 signaling axis for therapeutic anticancer immune responses as elicited by immunogenic chemotherapy. Cancer Res; 74(2); 436–45. ©2013 AACR.
Enhanced Cancer Radiotherapy through Immunosuppressive Stromal Cell Destruction in Tumors
Authors: Wu Chao-Yi , Yang Li-Hua , Yang Huang-Yu , Knoff Jayne , Peng Shiwen , Lin Yi-Hsin , Wang Chenguang , Alvarez Ronald D. , Pai Sara I. , Roden Richard B.S. , Hung Chien-Fu , Wu T-C
Published: December 2013

Purpose: Radiotherapy kills cancer cells by causing DNA damage, and stimulates a systemic antitumor immune response by releasing tumor antigen and endogenous adjuvant within the tumor microenvironment. However, radiotherapy also induces the recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells, which can interfere with the antitumor immune responses elicited by apoptotic tumor cells. We hypothesized that local delivery of vaccine following radiotherapy will lead to the priming of antigen-specific CTL immune responses and render immunosuppressive myeloid cells susceptible to killing by the activated CTLs.

Experimental Design: Using several antigenic systems, we tested whether intratumoral injection of antigenic peptide/protein in irradiated tumors would be able to prime CTLs as well as load myeloid cells with antigen, rendering them susceptible to antigen-specific CTL killing.

Results: We show that by combining radiotherapy and targeted antigenic peptide delivery to the tumor, the adjuvant effect generated by radiotherapy itself was sufficient to elicit the priming and expansion of antigen-specific CTLs, through the type I IFN-dependent pathway, leading to synergistic therapeutic antitumor effects compared with either treatment alone. In addition, using two different types of transgenic mice, we demonstrated that CTL-mediated killing of stromal cells in tumors by our approach is important for tumor control. Finally, we confirmed the efficacy of this approach in our preclinical model using two clinically tested therapeutic human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines.

Conclusions: These data serve as an important foundation for the future clinical translation of radiotherapy combined with a clinically tested therapeutic HPV vaccine for the control of HPV-associated cancers. Clin Cancer Res; 20(3); 644–57. ©2013 AACR.
Hypoxia-Independent Gene Expression Mediated by SOX9 Promotes Aggressive Pancreatic Tumor Biology
Authors: Camaj Peter , Jäckel Carsten , Krebs Stefan , DeToni Enrico N. , Blum Helmut , Jauch Karl-Walter , Nelson Peter J. , Bruns Christiane J.
Published: December 2013

Pancreatic cancer aggressiveness is characterized by its high capacity for local invasion, ability to promote angiogenesis, and potential to metastasize. Hypoxia is known to represent a crucial step in the development of aggressive malignant features of many human cancers. However, micrometastatic tumors are not typically subjected to hypoxic events during early stages of dissemination; therefore, it is unclear how these tumors are able to maintain their aggressive phenotype. Thus, the identification of regulators of hypoxia-related genes in aggressive/metastatic tumors represents a fundamental step for the design of future therapies to treat pancreatic cancer. To this end, transcriptomic profiles were compared between the nonmetastatic pancreatic cancer cell line FG (LMET) and its angiogenic/metastatic derivate L3.6pl (HMET) under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Cluster analysis revealed a number of transcripts that were induced by hypoxia in nonmetastatic cancer cells. Strikingly, this cluster was determined to be constitutively activated under normoxia in the metastatic cancer cells and could not be further induced by hypoxia. A subset of these transcripts were regulated by the transcription factor SOX9 in the aggressive-metastatic cells, but driven by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the parental nonmetastatic cell line. Moreover, these transcripts were enriched in cancer-related networks including: WNT, CXCR4, retinoic acid, and (FAK) focal adhesion kinase, gene PTK2 signaling pathways. In functional assays, inhibition of SOX9 expression in HMET cells led to increased apoptosis and reduced migration in vitro and a significant reduction in primary tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis following orthotopic tumor cell injection. At the molecular level, the control of SOX9 expression was associated with changes in the methylation status of the SOX9 promoter. Finally, SOX9 upregulation was verified in a series of tumor specimens of patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

Implications: SOX9 represents a novel target for pancreatic cancer therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 12(3); 421–32. ©2013 AACR.
Endobronchial Valves in the Management of Recurrent Haemoptysis
Authors: Koegelenberg Coenraad F.N. , Bruwer Johannes W. , Bolliger Chris T.
Published: December 2013

Minimally invasive treatment modalities for life-threatening haemoptysis in patients unresponsive to medical interventions and/or in patients deemed functionally inoperable are limited. We describe the implantation of endobronchial valves in a patient with recurrent haemoptysis, which presents both a novel indication for the use of these devices and a novel intervention for haemoptysis. Our patient is a 30-year-old male who developed bilateral upper lobe aspergillomata following previous pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient had a history of multiple hospitalisations for life-threating haemoptysis despite repeated bronchial artery embolisations. He was deemed to be inoperable given the bilateral nature of his disease and very poor pulmonary reserves. We proceeded to identify the segments involved with the aid of computed tomography reconstruction and implanted 3 endobronchial valves. Our patient remained haemoptysis free for 6 months and experienced no stent-related complications. Moreover, he was subsequently employed as a manual labourer and showed significant improvements in his functional capacity. Endobronchial valves may therefore represent a viable medium-term treatment option as a blockade device in patients unresponsive to medical interventions and/or in patients deemed functionally inoperable. Prospective studies are indicated to better delineate the role of endobronchial valves in this setting.
A Novel GHR Intronic Variant, c.266+83G>T, Activates a Cryptic 5′ Splice Site Causing Severe GHR Deficiency and Classical GH Insensitivity Syndrome
Authors: Feigerlova Eva , Swinyard Mike , Derr Michael A. , Farnsworth Jeannie , Andrew Shayne F. , Rosenfeld Ron G. , Hwa Vivian
Published: December 2013

Background/Aims: Mutations in the human growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) are the most common cause of growth hormone insensitivity (GHI) syndrome and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) deficiency. The extracellular domain of GHR (encoded by exons 2-7 of the GHR gene) can be proteolytically cleaved to circulate as GH-binding protein (GHBP). Methods: We evaluated the cause of classical GHI (Laron) phenotypes in 3 siblings. Results: Two brothers (aged 16.5 and 14.9 years) and their half-brother (aged 11.3 years) presented with extreme short stature (height standard deviation score, SDS, of -7.05, -6.34 and -8.02, respectively). The parents were consanguineous and of normal stature. Serum GHBP levels of probands were undetectable and circulating IGF-1 and IGF-binding protein-3 were abnormally low, but GH concentrations were elevated. Molecular analysis of the GHR gene revealed homozygous deletion of exon 3, a common polymorphism, and a novel c.266+83G>T variant within intron 4 which generated a 5′ donor splice site. Splicing events from this cryptic 5′ donor site resulted in retention of 81 intronic nucleotides in the GHR mRNA. Long-term rhIGF-1 therapy combined with leuprolide depot increased height by +2 to +3 SDS. Conclusion: The c.266+83G>T is the second intronic GHR mutation identified that activates a cryptic 5′ donor splice site. The abnormal splicing event led to early protein termination and undetectable serum GHBP concentrations.
Cellular Photo Digital Breathalyzer for Monitoring Alcohol Use: A Pilot Study
Authors: Skipper Gregory E. , Thon Natasha , DuPont Robert L. , Campbell Michael D. , Weinmann Wolfgang , Wurst Friedrich M.
Published: December 2013

Background: Monitoring alcohol use is important in numerous situations. Direct ethanol metabolites, such as ethyl glucuronide (EtG), have been shown to be useful tools in detecting alcohol use and documenting abstinence. For very frequent or continuous control of abstinence, they lack practicability. Therefore, devices measuring ethanol itself might be of interest. This pilot study aims at elucidating the usability and accuracy of the cellular photo digital breathalyzer (CPDB) compared to self-reports in a naturalistic setting. Method: 12 social drinkers were included. Subjects used a CPDB 4 times daily, kept diaries of alcohol use and submitted urine for EtG testing over a period of 5 weeks. Results: In total, the 12 subjects reported 84 drinking episodes. 1,609 breath tests were performed and 55 urine EtG tests were collected. Of 84 drinking episodes, CPDB detected 98.8%. The compliance rate for breath testing was 96%. Of the 55 EtG tests submitted, 1 (1.8%) was positive. Conclusions: The data suggest that the CPDB device holds promise in detecting high, moderate, and low alcohol intake. It seems to have advantages compared to biomarkers and other monitoring devices. The preference for CPDB by the participants might explain the high compliance. Further studies including comparison with biomarkers and transdermal devices are needed.
The Brain of the Horse: Weight and Cephalization Quotients
Authors: Cozzi Bruno , Povinelli Michele , Ballarin Cristina , Granato Alberto
Published: December 2013

The horse is a common domestic animal whose anatomy has been studied since the XVI century. However, a modern neuroanatomy of this species does not exist and most of the data utilized in textbooks and reviews derive from single specimens or relatively old literature. Here, we report information on the brain of Equus caballus obtained by sampling 131 horses, including brain weight (as a whole and subdivided into its constituents), encephalization quotient (EQ), and cerebellar quotient (CQ), and comparisons with what is known about other relevant species. The mean weight of the fresh brains in our experimental series was 598.63 g (SEM ± 7.65), with a mean body weight of 514.12 kg (SEM ± 15.42). The EQ was 0.78 and the CQ was 0.841. The data we obtained indicate that the horse possesses a large, convoluted brain, with a weight similar to that of other hoofed species of like mass. However, the shape of the brain, the noteworthy folding of the neocortex, and the peculiar longitudinal distribution of the gyri suggest an evolutionary specificity at least partially separate from that of the Cetartiodactyla (even-toed mammals and cetaceans) with whom Perissodactyla (odd-toed mammals) are often grouped.
Dramaturgia de uma nau de loucos: uma possibilidade cênica
Authors: Sampaio Maria Everalda Almeida
Published: December 2013

Este projeto de doutorado propõe a criação de um espetáculo de teatro-dança a partir da relação do movimento do corpolouco, corpo do doente mental que vive nas ruas de São Paulo, com os anteparos (SILVA, 2010), elementos cênicos que protegem o ator em cena. Parte-se do princípio de que o corpo e o ambiente estão em constante modificação e se autoatualizam permanentemente (KATZ; GREINER, 1998). Pretende-se refletir sobre a interferência do ambiente urbano de São Paulo no corpo desta pesquisadora e no corpolouco. Criar um diálogo entre a observação do espaço urbano do corpolouco e a atitude do fazer artístico, procurando detectar o processo mútuo de contaminação - corpo-ambiente-ambiente-corpo - que o promove.
Pensando o teatro como lugar de detenção e a atuação como estado de suspensão e irradiação
Authors: Cerpa Maritza Farías
Published: December 2013

Este texto apresenta brevemente o projeto de mestrado Pensando o teatro como lugar de detenção e a atuação como estado de suspensão e irradiação - Uma proposta pedagógico-artística para o ator, baseado no diálogo da prática dos procedimentos de Michael Chekhov e na ética- estética proposta pelo Simbolismo de Maeterlinck, que visa oferecer uma possibilidade de criação cênica autoral do atuante. A pesquisa projeta a elaboração de um procedimento metodológico, concebido em um aprendizado sensível e técnico no processo de formação do ator, através de ferramentas práticas e concretas que expandam as potencialidades do corpo do ator. Como exteriorizar e fazer ver o movimento interior de um corpo? Como tornar visível o invisível? Como fazer presente o que aparentemente está ausente?
Tragicidade Contemporânea: uma Análise sobre as Possibilidades da Tragédia no Teatro Contemporâneo
Authors: Oliveira Nicole Alcebíades de
Published: December 2013

Este projeto tem como objetivo investigar a possibilidade de uma retomada da tragédia no teatro contemporâneo, procurando compreender de que forma esse trágico se configuraria.
O Conceito de Ritual em Richard Schechner e Victor Turner: Análises e Comparações
Authors: Costa Grasielle Aires da
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo busca apresentar um estudo comparado entre os conceitos de ritual apresentados da obra Performance e Antropologia de Richard Schechner, uma compilação de textos escritos por Schechner e organizados por Zeca Ligiéro, e na obra O Processo Ritual: Estrutura e Antiestrutura, de Victor Turner. Reconhecendo a importância do conceito de ritual para os estudos da performance desenvolvido por estes dois autores, pretendo, através do estudo comparado entre eles, discutir e analisar as singularidades deste conceito e dos autores ao defini-lo.
Preoperative Statins and Limb Salvage After Lower Extremity Revascularization in the Medicare Population
Authors: Vogel Todd R. , Dombrovskiy Viktor Y. , Galiñanes Edgar Luis , Kruse Robin L.
Published: December 2013

Background—

Statins stabilize atherosclerotic plaque, decrease mortality after surgical procedures, and are linked to anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate preoperative administration of statins and longitudinal limb salvage after lower extremity endovascular revascularization and lower extremity open surgery.

Methods and Results—

Patients were selected from 2007 to 2008 Medicare claims using the
International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification
, diagnosis codes for claudication (N=8128), rest pain (N=3056), and ulceration/gangrene (N=11 770) and Current Procedural Terminology codes for endovascular revascularization (N=14 353) and open surgery (N=8601). Half (N=11 687) were identified as statin users before revascularization using Part D files. Amputations were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Statin users compared with nonusers had lower amputation rates at 30 days (11.5% versus 14.4%;
P
<0.0001), 90 days (15.5% versus 19.3%;
P
<0.0001), and 1 year (20.9% versus 25.6%;
P
<0.0001). Survival analysis demonstrated improved limb salvage during 1 year for statin users compared with nonusers for the diagnosis of claudication (
P
=0.003), a similar trend for rest pain (
P
=0.061), and no improvement for ulceration/gangrene (
P
=0.65).

Conclusions—

Preoperative statins were associated with improved 1-year limb salvage after lower extremity revascularization. The strongest association was found for patients with the diagnosis of claudication. Statins seem to be underused among Medicare patients with peripheral artery disease. Further evaluation of the use of preoperative statins and the potential benefits for peripheral vascular interventions is warranted.
Effects of Promoting Longer-Term and Exclusive Breastfeeding on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors at Age 11.5 Years
Authors: Martin Richard M. , Patel Rita , Kramer Michael S. , Vilchuck Konstantin , Bogdanovich Natalia , Sergeichick Natalia , Gusina Nina , Foo Ying , Palmer Tom , Thompson Jennifer , Gillman Matthew W. , Smith George Davey , Oken Emily
Published: December 2013

Background—

The duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding in infancy have been inversely associated with future cardiometabolic risk. We investigated the effects of an experimental intervention to promote increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding on cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood.

Methods and Results—

We followed-up children in the Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial, a cluster-randomized trial of a breastfeeding promotion intervention based on the World Health Organization/United Nations Children’s Fund Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. In 1996 to 1997, 17 046 breastfeeding mother-infant pairs were enrolled from 31 Belarusian maternity hospitals and affiliated polyclinics (16 intervention versus 15 control sites); 13 879 (81.4%) children were followed up at 11.5 years, with 13 616 (79.9%) who had fasted and did not have diabetes mellitus. The outcomes were blood pressure; fasting insulin, adiponectin, glucose, and apolipoprotein A1; and the presence of metabolic syndrome. Analysis was by intention to treat, accounting for clustering within hospitals/clinics. The intervention substantially increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity in comparison with the control arm (43% versus 6% and 7.9% versus 0.6% exclusively breastfed at 3 and 6 months, respectively). Cluster-adjusted mean differences at 11.5 years between experimental versus control groups were as follows: 1.0 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, −1.1 to 3.1) for systolic and 0.8 mm Hg (−0.6 to 2.3) for diastolic blood pressure; −0.1 mmol/L (−0.2 to 0.1) for glucose; 8% (−3% to 34%) for insulin; −0.3 μg/mL (−1.5 to 0.9) for adiponectin; and 0.0 g/L (−0.1 to 0.1) for apolipoprotein A1. The cluster-adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome, comparing experimental versus control groups, was 1.21 (0.85 to 1.72).

Conclusions—

An intervention to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity among healthy term infants did not influence cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood.

Clinical Trial Registration—

Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN37687716 (
http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN37687716
). URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01561612.
Balloon Guide Catheter Improves Revascularization and Clinical Outcomes With the Solitaire Device
Authors: Nguyen Thanh N. , Malisch Timothy , Castonguay Alicia C. , Gupta Rishi , Sun Chung-Huan J. , Martin Coleman O. , Holloway William E. , Mueller-Kronast Nils , English Joey D. , Linfante Italo , Dabus Guilherme , Marden Franklin A. , Bozorgchami Hormozd , Xavier Andrew , Rai Ansaar T. , Froehler Michael T. , Badruddin Aamir , Taqi Muhammad , Abraham Michael G. , Janardhan Vallabh , Shaltoni Hashem , Novakovic Roberta , Yoo Albert J. , Abou-Chebl Alex , Chen Peng R. , Britz Gavin W. , Kaushal Ritesh , Nanda Ashish , Issa Mohammad A. , Masoud Hesham , Nogueira Raul G. , Norbash Alexander M. , Zaidat Osama O.
Published: December 2013

Background and Purpose—

Efficient and timely recanalization is an important goal in acute stroke endovascular therapy. Several studies demonstrated improved recanalization and clinical outcomes with the stent retriever devices compared with the Merci device. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of the balloon guide catheter (BGC) and recanalization success in a substudy of the North American Solitaire Acute Stroke (NASA) registry.

Methods—

The investigator-initiated NASA registry recruited 24 clinical sites within North America to submit demographic, clinical, site-adjudicated angiographic, and clinical outcome data on consecutive patients treated with the Solitaire Flow Restoration device. BGC use was at the discretion of the treating physicians.

Results—

There were 354 patients included in the NASA registry. BGC data were reported in 338 of 354 patients in this subanalysis, of which 149 (44%) had placement of a BGC. Mean age was 67.3±15.2 years, and median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 18. Patients with BGC had more hypertension (82.4% versus 72.5%;
P
=0.05), atrial fibrillation (50.3% versus 32.8%;
P
=0.001), and were more commonly administered tissue plasminogen activator (51.6% versus 38.8%;
P
=0.02) compared with patients without BGC. Time from symptom onset to groin puncture and number of passes were similar between the 2 groups. Procedure time was shorter in patients with BGC (120±28.5 versus 161±35.6 minutes;
P
=0.02), and less adjunctive therapy was used in patients with BGC (20% versus 28.6%;
P
=0.05). Thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 3 reperfusion scores were higher in patients with BGC (53.7% versus 32.5%;
P
<0.001). Distal emboli and emboli in new territory were similar between the 2 groups. Discharge National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (mean, 12±14.5 versus 17.5±16;
P
=0.002) and good clinical outcome at 3 months were superior in patients with BGC compared with patients without (51.6% versus 35.8%;
P
=0.02). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use of BGC was an independent predictor of good clinical outcome (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.9).

Conclusions—

Use of a BGC with the Solitaire Flow Restoration device resulted in superior revascularization results, faster procedure times, decreased need for adjunctive therapy, and improved clinical outcome.
Carl Schmitt's Political Theology
Authors: Ball Hugo
Published: December 2013

Carl Schmitt ranks among the few German savants who are equal to the professional dangers of a teaching chair in the present era. I do not hesitate to suggest that he has taken and established for himself the type of the new German savant. If the writings of this remarkable professor (not to say confessor) served only towards the recognition and study of its author's catholic (universal) physiognomy, that alone would be enough to assure him a preeminent status. In a fine essay, “On Ideals,” Chesterton says that the remediation of our confused and desperate age in no way requires the great “practical man” who is clamored for the world over, but rather the great ideologist. “A practical man means a man accustomed to mere daily practice, to the way things commonly work. When things do not work, you must have the thinker, the man who has some doctrine about why they work at all. It is wrong to fiddle while Rome is burning; but it is quite right to study the theory of hydraulics while Rome is burning.” Carl Schmitt belongs to those who “study the theory of hydraulics.” He is an ideologist of rare conviction, and indeed it's safe to say that he will restore to this word a new prestige, which among Germans has carried a pejorative meaning since Bismarck.
Old Chinese *sm- and the Old Tibetan Word for ‘Fire’
Authors: Hill Nathan W.
Published: December 2013

Several sinologists have compared Chinese 𤈦 xjwɨjX ‘burn’ or 火 xwaX ‘fire’ to an Old Tibetan word smye ‘fire’. No such Old Tibetan word exists. Instead, mye is the Old Tibetan word for fire and smye, also spelled dmeḥ, means ‘stain, impurity, sin’. Tibetan evidence in this case does not support a reconstruction *sm- in Old Chinese.  Plusieurs sinologues ont tenté de rapprocher les formes 𤈦 xjwɨjX «brûler» et  火 xwaX «feu» du chinois de la forme smye du tibétain ancien. Il s’avère que cette dernière forme en tibétain n’a pas le sens de «feu». En effet, le mot en tibétain ancien pour «feu» est mye; la forme smye, également orthographié dmeḥ, renvoie quant à elle au mot «impureté, péché». Ainsi, les données du tibétain ne sauraient conforter la reconstruction *sm- du chinois archaïque.
Bees of the Colletes clypearis-group (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Colletidae) from China with descriptions of seven new species
Authors: NIU Ze-Qing , ZHU Chao-Dong , Kuhlmann Michael
Published: December 2013

Twenty-three known species of the Colletes clypearis speices group from China are treated in this paper. C. cinerascens Morawitz 1893, C. clypearis Morawitz 1876, C. floralis Eversmann 1852, C. impunctatus Nylander 1852, Colletes paratibeticus Kuhlmann 2002 and Colletes sodalis (Cameron 1897) are newly recorded from China. C. harrerioides sp. n., C. heilongtenensis sp. n., C. hirsutus sp. n., C. inspersus sp. n., C. xizangensis sp. n., C. xuezhongi sp. n. and C. yanruae sp. n. are described and illustrated as new species. Checklist of the known species from China in Colletes clypearis-group with distribution, floral records, and an illustrated key to all known males and females from China are provided. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Insect Collection of Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
Taxonomic review of the family Discodorididae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from Brazil, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: ALVIM JULIANA , PIMENTA ALEXANDRE DIAS
Published: December 2013

The family Discodorididae was previously represented by 11 species in Brazil; however, recently collected specimens from several localities in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to the study of material previously deposited in scientific collections, revealed the existence of 13 taxa: Diaulula greeleyi (MacFarland, 1909), Discodoris hummelincki (Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1963) comb. nov., Discodoris branneri MacFarland, 1909, Geitodoris pusae (Er. Marcus, 1955), Hoplodoris hansrosaorum Domínguez, García & Troncoso, 2006, Jorunna spazzola Er. Marcus, 1955, Jorunna spongiosa sp. nov., Paradoris mulciber (Ev. Marcus, 1971), Platydoris angustipes (Mörch, 1863), Rostanga byga Er. Marcus, 1958a, Taringa telopia Er. Marcus, 1955, Taringa iemanja sp. nov., and Thordisa diuda Er. Marcus, 1955. Discodoris voniheringi MacFarland, 1909 was previously regarded as nomen dubium, and this view is maintained in the present study. Three new records for the Brazilian coast are recognized among these 13 taxa; the previous record of Diaulula phoca (Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967a) is rectified as Discodoris hummelincki comb. nov., constituting the first record of this species from Brazil; two new species, Taringa iemanja sp. nov. and Jorunna spongiosa sp. nov., are described in anatomical detail. The following taxa, which were formerly considered junior synonyms of species studied in this work, have been revalidated: Diaulula nayarita (Ortea & Llera, 1981), from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, which differs from Diaulula greeleyi in the length and width of caryophyllidia; Discodoris mortenseni Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1963, from the Caribbean, which is likely to belong to Jorunna, yet differs from Jorunna spazzola in body size and coloration, radula appearance, and number of lamellae in the rhinophores; Jorunna luisae Ev. Marcus, 1976, which differs from Jorunna spazzola in the reproductive system, mainly in the size and shape of the accessory gland; and Thordisa azmani Cervera & García-Gómez, 1989, which differs from Thordisa diuda in the presence of two accessory glands in the genital atrium and the absence of one denticle in the external surface of the inner lateral teeth. Finally, the specimens of Geitodoris pusae reported from the European coast and Mediterranean Sea show differences in general coloration and in the radula, gill, and reproductive system, thereby these specimens likely refer to different taxa.
Centralized Pan-Middle East Survey on the Undertreatment of Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Arafah Mohamed , Al-Hinai Ali T. , Mahmeed Wael Al , Al-Rasadi Khalid , Tamimi Omer Al , Herz Shorook Al , Anazi Faisal Al , Nemer Khalid Al , Metwally Othman , Alkhadra Akram , Fakhry Mohammed , Elghetany Hossam , Medani Abdel Razak , Yusufali Afzal Hussein , Jassim Obaid Al , Hallaq Omar Al , Baslaib Fahad Omar Ahmed S. , Alawadhi Mahmoud , Amin Haitham , Al-Hashmi Khamis , Shehab Abdullah
Published: December 2013

The Centralized pan-Middle East Survey on the undertreatment of hypercholesterolemia (CEPHEUS) survey evaluated the attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals among patients on lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP-III) guideline. The survey was conducted in 6 Arabian Gulf countries. Patients aged ≥18 years on LLDs for at least ≥3 months (stable medication for ≥6 weeks) were recruited. Fasting blood samples were collected at a single visit. In this survey, 5276 (58.2% male) patients were included in the final analysis. The LDL-C goal was attained in 91.1% of low-risk, 52.7% of high-risk, and 32.0% in very-high-risk categories. Goal attainment was directly related to female gender, age <40 years, history of diabetes, and family history of cardiovascular disease. The results of this survey highlight the suboptimal management of hypercholesterolemia across Arabian Gulf countries.
Prevalence of Microalbuminuria Among Middle-Aged Population of China
Authors: Hao Guang , Wang ZengWu , Zhang Linfeng , Chen Zuo , Wang Xin , Guo Min , Tian Ye , Shao Lan , Zhu Manlu
Published: December 2013

We assessed the prevalence of microalbuminuria (MAU) and the relationships with other cardiovascular (CV) risk factors among a middle-aged Chinese population. Data from 10 313 participants were included in our cross-sectional survey. Microalbuminuria was defined as the urine albumin to creatinine ratio of 30:300 mg/g from a single-spot morning urine sample. Microalbuminuria was found to be common in males and females (15.04% vs 10.09%) aged 35 to 64 years in this Chinese general population, especially in those with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Multivariate analysis found that body mass index, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, alcohol consumption, hypertension, and diabetes were independently associated with MAU. Microalbuminuria may be a useful indicator for risk of CV disease in general populations.
Glucose Levels and Depression in Hispanic Patients Admitted to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Azimova Komola , Rude Jennifer , Mallawaarachchi Indika , Dwivedi Alok , Sarosiek Jerzy , Mukherjee Debabrata
Published: December 2013

Depression is frequently associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and may worsen DM-related morbidity and mortality. We determined the potential association of glucose levels with depression in Hispanic patients admitted to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. Patients were given the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression scale survey within 24 hours of admission. Glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood glucose levels within 30 days of admission were extracted. The HbA1c levels remained significantly associated with both presence of depression and depression levels. Histories of DM, myocardial infarction, and percutaneous coronary intervention as well as baseline brain natriuretic peptide levels were also significantly associated with depression levels. The presence of a significant association between glucose levels and depression in Hispanic patients indicates that there is a need for optimal management of glycemic levels. This may then lead to better health outcomes in Hispanics with cardiovascular disease.
Bootstrap Standard Errors for Maximum Likelihood Ability Estimates When Item Parameters Are Unknown
Authors: Patton Jeffrey M. , Cheng Ying , Yuan Ke-Hai , Diao Qi
Published: December 2013

When item parameter estimates are used to estimate the ability parameter in item response models, the standard error ( SE) of the ability estimate must be corrected to reflect the error carried over from item calibration. For maximum likelihood (ML) ability estimates, a corrected asymptotic SE is available, but it requires a long test and the covariance matrix of item parameter estimates, which may not be available. An alternative SE can be obtained using the bootstrap. The first purpose of this article is to propose a bootstrap procedure for the SE of ML ability estimates when item parameter estimates are used for scoring. The second purpose is to conduct a simulation to compare the performance of the proposed bootstrap SE with the asymptotic SE under different test lengths and different magnitudes of item calibration error. Both SE estimates closely approximated the empirical SE when the test was long (i.e., 40 items) and when the true ability value was close to the mean of the ability distribution. However, neither SE estimate was uniformly superior: the asymptotic SE tended to underpredict the empirical SE, and the bootstrap SE tended to overpredict the empirical SE. The results suggest that the choice of SE depends on the type and purpose of the test. Additional implications of the results are discussed.
Frequency of perinatal depression in Serbia and associated risk factors
Authors: Dmitrovic Bojana Kitanovic , Dugalić Miroslava Gojnic , Balkoski Gordana Nikolic , Dmitrovic Aleksandar , Soldatovic Ivan
Published: December 2013

Objective:

To screen 212 women for depression symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum in Serbia.

Methods:

Questionnaires that covered key demographic and obstetric information and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were administered at the third trimester of pregnancy and at 8 weeks postpartum.

Results:

In all, 21% of the sample was screened as depression positive during pregnancy. Subsequently, efforts were made to follow up 195 women through postpartum. Of the 195 women, 11% were screened positive during postpartum. Risk factors were low education level, low satisfaction with financial situation, high-risk pregnancy and depression during pregnancy. Logistic regression with backward elimination showed that women who had high-risk pregnancy have threefold increased risk of postpartum depression, and women who had antenatal depressive symptoms have 10-fold increased risk of postpartum depression.

Conclusion:

In countries where screening tool for depression is not applied routinely in obstetrics settings, clinicians should be aware of risk factors, frequency and level of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum.
Building Local Integrity Systems in Southern Europe: the case of urban local corruption in Spain
Authors: Quesada Mónica García , Jiménez-Sánchez Fernando , Villoria Manuel
Published: December 2013

From 1997 to 2007, Spain suffered from major cases of political corruption associated with local urban development. To analyse their causes, this article examines the institutional mechanisms designed to monitor and control the performance of local policy-makers and to ensure they operated independently from private influence. It also analyses their actual effectiveness with reference to particular cases of local corruption unveiled during that decade. The Spanish case shows that local representatives had a large amount of power in distributing financial gains within the municipality, but faced little pressure to account for their actions. It argues that insufficient control mechanisms on the activities of local representatives from 1997 to 2007 can adequately explain the intensity and spread of local corruption in Spain.

Points for practitioners

The article contributes to a better understanding of the factors and the causes that explain local corruption, particularly in countries where local governments fit with the ‘strong-mayor’ type. Following the Local Integrity System framework, it provides a strategy to analyse the role and impact of control mechanisms, distinguishing between internal and external controls, and administrative and judicial controls. The article also helps to understand, and presents evidence of, the mismatch between ‘formal’ institutional mechanisms on the one hand, and their actual implementation and effects on the other.