bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by dietary inclusion of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes
Authors: Ademiluyi Adedayo O , Oboh Ganiyu , Ogunsuyi Opeyemi B , Akinyemi Ayodele J
Published: November 2013

This study sought to investigate the modulatory effects of dietary inclusion of ginger ( Zingiber officinale) and turmeric ( Curcuma longa) rhizomes on antioxidant status and renal damage induced by gentamycin in rats. Renal damage was induced in albino rats pretreated with dietary inclusion of ginger and turmeric (2% and 4%) by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of gentamycin (100 mg/kg body weight) for three days. Assays for renal damage biomarkers (plasma creatinine, plasma urea, blood urea nitrogen and plasma uric acid), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduced glutathione (GSH) content as well as renal antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were carried out. The study revealed significant ( p < 0.05) increases in renal damage biomarkers following gentamycin administration with severe alteration in kidney antioxidant status. However, pretreatment with ginger and turmeric rhizome (2% and 4%) prior to gentamycin administration significantly ( p < 0.05) protected the kidney and attenuated oxidative stress by modulating renal damage and antioxidant indices. This finding therefore suggests that dietary inclusion of ginger and turmeric rhizomes may protect against gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress.
Tibial Tuberosity Osteotomy
Authors: Sherman Seth L. , Erickson Brandon J. , Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Chalmers Peter N. , Farr Jack , Bach Bernard R. , Cole Brian J.
Published: November 2013

Tibial tuberosity osteotomy (TTO) is a well-described treatment option for a broad range of patellofemoral joint disorders, including patellofemoral instability, patellar and trochlear focal chondral lesions, and patellofemoral arthritis. The purpose of this article is to review the evolution of the TTO procedure, from the original Hauser procedure to the current anteromedialization procedure, as well as discuss the pertinent anatomy and radiographs that accompany this procedure. The article highlights the surgical techniques for some of the more commonly performed TTO procedures and discusses the outcomes of the various TTO techniques. Complications, as well as clinical pearls to avoid these complications, are also included.
More Caregiving, Less Working
Authors: Lee Yeonjung , Tang Fengyan
Published: November 2013

This study examined the relationship of caregiving roles to labor force participation using the nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study. The sample was composed of men and women aged 50 to 61 years ( N = 5,119). Caregiving roles included caregiving for spouse, parents, and grandchildren; a summary of three caregiving roles was used to indicate multiple caregiving roles. Bivariate analysis using chi-square and t tests and binary logistic regression models were applied. Results show that women caregivers for parents and/or grandchildren were less likely to be in the labor force than non-caregivers and that caregiving responsibility was not related to labor force participation for the sample of men. Findings have implication for supporting family caregivers, especially women, to balance work and caregiving commitments.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Frontonasal Dysplasia Associated With Bilateral Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia
Authors: Recio-Rodríguez Manuel , Fernández-Mayoralas Daniel Martín , Fernández-Jaén Alberto , Fernández-Perrone Ana Laura , Cano-Alonso Raquel , Jiménez-de-La-Peña Mar
Published: November 2013

Frontonasal dysplasia is an etiologically heterogeneous development alteration including a set of anomalies affecting the eyes, forehead, and nose as a result of a malformation of the frontonasal elevation. It could occur either in isolation or as part of a syndrome such as frontonasal dysplasia associated with periventricular heterotopia. Our goal is to document the first clinical case of prenatal diagnosis for frontonasal dysplasia associated with periventricular heterotopia by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at weeks 19.5 and 29 and postnatal MRI. In conclusion, the presence of frontonasal dysplasia in a prenatal ultrasonography should always be followed by a fetal MRI with routine screening for periventricular nodular heterotopias so as to establish a more adequate prognosis for the family.
Patient-reported fatigue and its impact on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sterling KL , Gallop K , Swinburn P , Flood E , French A , Sawah S Al , Iikuni N , Naegeli AN , Nixon A
Published: November 2013

Fatigue is a hallmark symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often associated with flares, side effects of treatment, and extensive organ damage and may have a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HrQoL). To date, the experience of fatigue in patients with SLE is underexplored. This study explored the experience of fatigue in patients with SLE and its impact on their lives through qualitative interviews.

This cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted with 22 adult patients with SLE, recruited from two clinical sites in the United States. In-person semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was performed focusing on the experience of fatigue in SLE.

Results indicated that 21 out of 22 patients experienced fatigue due to SLE. Patients reported that fatigue was variable in nature in terms of both severity and frequency. Fatigue was described as having an impact on multiple aspects of a patient’s life: emotions, cognition, work, activities of daily living, leisure activities, social activities, and family activities.

Understanding how patients with SLE describe the symptom of fatigue and how it impacts their lives is the key to better understanding how to measure fatigue in clinical studies evaluating new treatments for SLE.
Coexistence of renal artery stenosis, primary antiphospholipid syndrome and polycythaemia vera: an exceptional association
Authors: Ha-ou-nou F Zahra , Boumzebra D , Essaadouni L
Published: November 2013

Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of the renal artery which causes hypertension and atrophy of the affected kidney, ultimately leading to renal failure if not treated and most often caused by atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia. Recently, renal artery stenosis has also been documented in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome and in very few cases with myeloproliferative disease. In this paper, we describe a 31-year-old female with a history of gangrene affecting the toes with severe hypertension (200/110 mmHg), whose investigations revealed a combination of renal artery stenosis, primary antiphospholipid syndrome and polycythaemia vera.
Hedonism, fatalism and ‘carpe diem’: Profiles of attitudes towards the present time
Authors: Sobol-Kwapinska Malgorzata
Published: November 2013

This study investigated the relationships between three types of attitude towards the present time and sense of purpose and meaning in life, positive and negative affect, time conception, past and future time orientations, and the ‘Big Five’. K-means cluster analysis revealed three profiles of attitudes towards the present time: ‘Epicureanism’, ‘fatalistic hedonism’ and ‘absence from here and now’. ‘Epicureanism’, in contrast to ‘fatalistic hedonism’ and ‘absence from here and now’, was positively related to sense of purpose and meaning in life, positive emotions and positive evaluation of time.
(Re)creating the time-space of the city: Young cosmopolitans and everyday practices
Authors: Camozzi Ilenya
Published: November 2013

The article explores the relationship between time-space experience and creativity, focusing on the everyday practices and strategies used by young people to tackle the contemporary processes of acceleration and compression of urban times and spaces. The dimensions of time and space are proposed in an explorative way, in order to investigate the fertility of the concept of creativity in sociological debate. The proposal is based on qualitative research conducted in Milan on young cosmopolitans (PhD students, artists and designers) who were temporarily living in the city to further their studies.
Prisoners of War and American Self-Image during the American Revolution
Authors: Dzurec David
Published: November 2013

During the American Revolution, accounts of the experiences of prisoners of war helped those fighting for the cause of independence to create a definition of American liberty. In highlighting the ‘barbarous and cruel’ nature of British treatment of prisoners, these narratives allowed those who supported the patriot cause to highlight the difference between themselves and their former colonial masters. As prisoners’ accounts appeared in newspapers, broadsides, and individual volumes, the plight of captive Americans became a form of shorthand for the struggle of the entire nation as it tried to secure its independence from the ‘savage Britons’.
Book Review: In the City of Gold and Silver: The Story of Begum Hazrat Mahal
Authors: Saxena Vandana Shanker
Published: November 2013

Kenize Mourad. In the City of Gold and Silver: The Story of Begum Hazrat Mahal, 2012, New Delhi: Full Circle. ISBN: 978-81-7621-237-3
Adaptive robust synchronization of fractional-order chaotic system with disturbance
Authors: Feng Ming-Ku , Wang Xing-Yuan , Wei Qiang
Published: November 2013

In this article, an adaptive modified projective synchronization scheme of fractional-order chaotic systems with unknown parameters and disturbance is investigated. The synchronization can be completed with any desired accuracy. Based on the stability theory of fractional-order systems, the adaptive controllers and the parameters’ updated laws are designed to achieve modified projective synchronization between the fractional-order chaotic systems with disturbance. Furthermore, all unknown parameters of the response system are identified simultaneously. Numerical simulations on the fractional-order chaotic Lorenz system further demonstrate that the proposed method is effective and robust.
Cognitive Processes in ADHD and Asperger’s Disorder: Overlaps and Differences in PASS Profiles
Authors: Taddei Stefano , Contena Bastianina
Published: November 2013

Objective: Many studies report on the usefulness of the evaluation of Executive Functions (EF) in the assessment of participants with ADHD, while others underline how deficits of EF in these participants are not consistent and that the same executive deficits are present in many other disorders, particularly in Asperger’s disorder. Using the Planning Attention Simultaneous Successive (PASS) theory, the present study explores the cognitive profiles of participants with ADHD or Asperger’s disorder and compares the cognitive functioning of these two diagnostic groups. Method: Forty-four children, 24 with a diagnosis of ADHD and 20 with a diagnosis of Asperger’s disorder, participated and their cognitive processes were evaluated with the Cognitive Assessment System. Results: Results underline specific cognitive profiles in ADHD and Asperger’s disorder characterized by weaknesses in planning and attention, but with a diverse level of severity. Conclusion: Implications of the different cognitive profiles of these diagnostic groups are discussed.
Sex- and Subtype-Related Differences in the Comorbidity of Adult ADHDs
Authors: Groß-Lesch Silke , Dempfle Astrid , Reichert Susanne , Jans Thomas , Geissler Julia , Kittel-Schneider Sarah , Nguyen Thuy Trang , Reif Andreas , Lesch Klaus-Peter , Jacob Christian Peter
Published: November 2013

Objective: Comorbidity in adult ADHD (aADHD) has been investigated in a large number of studies using varying research approaches with divergent results. In contrast, there is limited information about sex- or subtype-related differences from studies with small sample size. Method: A large sample of 910 individuals (458 males, 452 females) affected with aADHD was recruited at a tertiary referral center. All probands underwent a four-step procedure for diagnosing aADHD, including the Structured Clinical Interview of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) Axis I disorders to assess comorbidity. This study will provide additional information regarding the co-morbidity of Axis I disorders in the currently largest clinical referral sample. However, the main objective of this study is to gain information about sex- or subtype-related differences. Results: Affected females show higher rates of mood (61% vs. 49%), anxiety (32% vs. 22%), and eating disorders (16% vs. 1%) than affected males, while substance use disorders were more frequent in affected males (45% vs. 29%), which mirrors sex differences in prevalence in the general population. There were hardly any relevant differences in comorbidities between subtypes, with the exception of the inattentive subtype having an especially low prevalence of panic disorder. Comorbidity in general and substance use disorders in particular, but not sex or subtype, were highly predictive of lower psychosocial status. Conclusion: Sex-related differences in the comorbidity of aADHD are more pronounced than subtype-related differences.
Seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and heartworm infection among owned cats in tropical Mexico
Authors: Ortega-Pacheco Antonio , Aguilar-Caballero Armando J , Colin-Flores Rafael F , Acosta-Viana Karla Y , Guzman-Marin Eugenia , Jimenez-Coello Matilde
Published: November 2013

Several infectious agents may be distributed within a healthy population of cats where diverse risk factors predispose them to come into contact with pathogens. Blood samples from 227 owned cats in Merida, Mexico, were collected with the objective of determining the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Dirofilaria immitis antigen, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody. Serological detection of FeLV and D immitis antigens, and FIV antibodies was performed using the commercial kit SNAP Feline Triple Test. The prevalence was found to be 7.5% for FeLV, 2.5% for FIV and 0% for D immitis. Adult cats were at a higher risk of coming into contact with FeLV ( P <0.01) than younger cats. Owing to its low prevalence, a risk factor analysis was not performed for FIV. The prevalence of retroviral infections found in this study was low, but within the limits reported in the different geographical areas of the world. Cases of filariosis in the domestic cats of Merida, Mexico, may be absent or very low; however, the low sample size may have influenced these results.
Intravesical glycosaminoglycans for obstructive feline idiopathic cystitis: a pilot study
Authors: Bradley Allison M , Lappin Michael R
Published: November 2013

Feline idiopathic cystitis is a common condition, often resulting in repeated episodes of life-threatening urethral obstruction. Defective urinary bladder glycosaminoglycans have been implicated as a causal factor. In this report, a commercially available glycosaminoglycan product was infused into the urinary bladders of cats with urethral obstruction from idiopathic cystitis to study the effect on repeated obstruction. In this randomized, blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the therapeutic protocol was well tolerated with no adverse effects. Whereas no glycosaminoglycan-treated cats (n = 9) developed repeated urethral obstruction during the 7 day follow-up period, 3/7 placebo-treated cats developed repeated obstructions. Approaching statistical significance ( P = 0.06), these data suggest that further investigation of this new treatment option is warranted.
How to improve your PubMed/MEDLINE searches: 1. background and basic searching
Authors: Fatehi Farhad , Gray Leonard C , Wootton Richard
Published: November 2013

PubMed provides free access via the Internet to more than 23 million records, of which over 19 million are from the MEDLINE database of journal articles. PubMed also provides access to other databases, such as the NCBI Bookshelf. To perform a basic search, you can simply enter the search terms or the concept that you are looking for in the search box. However, taking care to clarify your key concepts may save much time later on, because a non-specific search is likely to produce an overwhelming number of result hits. One way to make your search more specific is to specify which field you want to search using field tags. By default, the results of a search are sorted by the date added to PubMed and displayed in summary format with 20 result hits (records) on each page. In summary format, the title of the article, list of authors, source of information (e.g. journal name followed by date of publication, volume, issue, pages) and the unique PubMed record number called the PubMed identifier (PMID) are shown. Although information is stored about the articles, PubMed/MEDLINE does not store the full text of the papers themselves. However, PubMedCentral (PMC) stores more than 2.8 million articles (roughly 10% of the articles in PubMed) and provides access to them for free to the users.
A randomized controlled clinical trial of pacemaker follow-up in clinic and by telemedical interpretation of the pacemakers' magnet mode
Authors: Hayn Dieter , Kollmann Alexander , Perl Sabine , Kos Cornelia , Rotman Brigitte , Lercher Peter , Tscheliessnigg Karl-Heinz , Schreier Günter
Published: November 2013

We assessed a two-stage follow-up procedure for cardiac pacemakers, where in-clinic follow-ups were partly replaced by telemedical follow-ups. This was compared with the standard follow-up regime (in-clinic follow-up only). The new procedure required an electronic patient record, a telemedical follow-up unit for recording ECGs while the pacemaker was temporarily set to magnet mode, an ECG processing unit, and a reviewing and reporting unit. A total of 177 (86 female) patients were randomized to the control group and 182 (98 female) patients to the telemedicine group. In the telemedicine group, 234 telemedical follow-ups were performed. Out of these, 68 required an additional in-clinic follow-up, while 166 were sufficient for assessing the pacemakers' working status. During the study, there were 19 deaths in the telemedicine group and 20 in the control group. There was no significant difference between the two groups( P = 0.40). The probability that an individual patient’s pacemaker would not to be replaced over time was analysed in a similar way to the Kaplan-Meier survival function. Fewer pacemakers were replaced in the telemedicine group (14) than in the control group (18), but the difference was not significant ( P = 0.26). We conclude that alternating telemedical and in-clinic follow-ups brings no additional risks for patients. The follow-up procedure is feasible and interpretation of the pacemakers’ magnet effect provides an easy-to-use, manufacturer-independent method of assessing the pacemakers’ working status. This should reduce the patient load on pacemaker centres and decrease the overall costs of pacemaker therapy.
Comparative urban research and mass participation running events: methodological reflections
Authors: Herrick Clare
Published: November 2013

This article ruminates on a research project comparing the relationships between two mass participation running events (MPREs) – Newcastle’s Great North and Addis Ababa’s Great Ethiopian Run – and their public health, development and place promotion objectives. It argues that the disjuncture between the intentions of the research framework and the actions necessitated by the reality of the field facilitates a deeper engagement with the two interwoven conceptual spheres within which the research is situated: comparative urbanism and event studies. Moreover, it contends that the persistent neglect of the pragmatic challenges of event research within the literature risks underplaying the multi-dimensional networks that link MPREs, their host cities and an emergent global political economy of running and runners. As such, a critical engagement with the methodological conundrums posed by event-led comparative research is not to admit its failure, but rather to demonstrate the importance of flexibility and openness when working across diverse contexts.
Prosumption: Evolution, revolution, or eternal return of the same?
Authors: Ritzer George
Published: November 2013

Prosumption, the interrelated process of production and consumption, is increasingly obvious everywhere, but especially on the internet where people “prosume,” for example, Facebook pages, Wikipedia entries, and Amazon.com orders. But what is prosumption? Has it evolved out of recent behaviors? Or, is it new and revolutionary? Or, is it what we’ve always done? In fact, it is all three. Beyond dealing with these questions and re-conceptualizing much of what we do as prosumption rather than as either production or consumption, we reflect on the future of prosumption, as well as on the continuing utility of traditional concepts, paradigms, theories and methods that were created to deal with epochs, phenomena and processes seemingly focused on production or consumption.
Disability glare: A study in simulated road lighting conditions
Authors: Davoudian N , Raynham P , Barrett E
Published: November 2013

Disability glare is associated with veiling luminance caused by light from bright sources being scattered within the eyes of observers, thereby reducing retinal luminance contrast. This study compares the reduction in observers’ performance in the presence of glare with veiling luminance in the eye, calculated using a non-subjective method. A total of 42 observers performed a target detection task in the presence of a glare source in conditions similar to street lighting at night. Luminance contrast thresholds were measured for each observer under different levels of glare. Results show that, while veiling luminance has a significant effect on the performance of observers, its effect is lower than expected from contrast loss. Furthermore, the performance of observers over the age of 50 is unaffected by increasing the glare level.
Prison-based drug treatment in Nordic political discourse: An elastic discursive construct
Authors: Kolind Torsten , Frank Vibeke Asmussen , Lindberg Odd , Tourunen Jouni
Published: November 2013

Prison-based drug treatment (PDT) has increased markedly in the Nordic countries over the last 15 years. Based on data from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, we outline the historical development of PDT and analyse the rationales employed in the political discourse in the Nordic countries legitimizing this development. These rationales relate to the reduction of criminality, zero tolerance, rights and the modern welfare state, and managerialism. Though these rationales may appear dissimilar, they have been combined with relative ease in the political discourse. Actually, this elasticity may partly explain the popularity of PDT. We discuss whether the increased use of PDT reflects a criminalization of social problems and signals a rebirth of the treatment ideology in Nordic prisons.
Identification as Gifted and Implicit Beliefs About Intelligence
Authors: Snyder Kate E. , Barger Michael M. , Wormington Stephanie V. , Schwartz-Bloom Rochelle , Linnenbrink-Garcia Lisa
Published: November 2013

The current study investigated whether the developmental timing of a student’s identification as gifted (i.e., when a student is first identified) was associated with later implicit beliefs about intelligence, and whether this relation is moderated by academic ability. A sample of 1,743 high-ability college students reported on whether and when they had been identified as gifted, academic ability (SAT scores), and implicit beliefs of intelligence. Timing of identification was unrelated to implicit beliefs; academic ability was the only significant predictor. Higher ability students who had been previously identified as gifted at any point in time reported implicit beliefs more toward entity beliefs than relatively lower ability students who had also been identified; however, this effect was quite small. Implicit beliefs did not vary by ability level for nonidentified students. These findings suggest that identification as gifted at any age modestly (but not necessarily meaningfully) relates to implicit beliefs for high-ability students.
MFA Writers’ Relationships With Writing
Authors: Olthouse Jill M.
Published: November 2013

Through a qualitative research design, I explored how eight talented masters in fine arts (MFA) writers related to their craft. The phenomenon “relationship with writing” includes writers’ goals, values, identity, and emotions as these relate to writing. I found that that these MFA writers experience compatibilities and conflicts between themselves and the demands of the domain. Overall, students’ relationships with writing can be described as open, impractical, and social.
Hypoxia-inducible factor 2α regulates key neutrophil functions in humans, mice, and zebrafish
Authors: Thompson A. A. Roger , Elks Philip M. , Marriott Helen M. , Eamsamarng Suttida , Higgins Kathryn R. , Lewis Amy , Williams Lynne , Parmar Selina , Shaw Gary , McGrath Emmet E. , Formenti Federico , Van Eeden Fredericus J. , Kinnula Vuokko L. , Pugh Christopher W. , Sabroe Ian , Dockrell David H. , Chilvers Edwin R. , Robbins Peter A. , Percy Melanie J. , Simon M. Celeste , Johnson Randall S. , Renshaw Stephen A. , Whyte Moira K. B. , Walmsley Sarah R.
Published: November 2013

Key Points

Neutrophil lifespan is extended in patients with gain-of-function HIF2A mutations. HIF-2α regulates in vivo neutrophil longevity and thus tissue inflammation and repair.
VWF-mediated leukocyte recruitment with chromatin decondensation by PAD4 increases myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Savchenko Alexander S. , Borissoff Julian I. , Martinod Kimberly , De Meyer Simon F. , Gallant Maureen , Erpenbeck Luise , Brill Alexander , Wang Yanming , Wagner Denisa D.
Published: November 2013

Key Points

PAD4-mediated chromatin decondensation and release by neutrophils exacerbate injury after MI/R. Combining reduction of neutrophil recruitment with extracellular DNA cleavage could be a new approach to reduce cardiac damage after MI.
Periodic solutions for a class of diffusive Nicholson’s blowflies model with Dirichlet boundary conditions
Authors: Liu Bingwen , Meng Junxia , Jiao Weidong
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we study the problem of periodic solutions for a class of diffusive Nicholson’s blowflies model with Dirichlet boundary conditions. By applying the Schauder fixed point theorem, the existence of nontrivial nonnegative periodic solutions of the considered model is established. Our results complement with some recent ones.

MSC:35B05, 35B10.
Common fixed point results for weak contractive mappings in ordered b-dislocated metric spaces with applications
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Roshan Jamal Rezaei , Parvaneh Vahid , Abbas Mujahid
Published: November 2013

We first introduce a new concept of b-dislocated metric space as a generalization of dislocated metric space and analyze different properties of such spaces. A fundamental result for the convergence of sequences in b-dislocated metric spaces is established and is employed to prove some common fixed point results for four mappings satisfying the generalized weak contractive condition in partially ordered b-dislocated metric spaces. Moreover, some examples and applications to integral equations are given here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Global regularity for solutions of a class of quasilinear elliptic equations
Authors: Lu Yueming , Wang Tingting , Bao Gejun , Li Guanfeng
Published: November 2013

We derive interior and global Hölder estimates for solutions of a class of quasilinear elliptic equations. First, the interior Hölder continuity is obtained by the iteration of an oscillation estimate. Then, the Hölder continuity up to the boundary is established in domains with certain boundary constraints. Last, we prove the global Hölder continuity of solutions provided that their restrictions on boundary are Hölder continuous. The concluding section presents an application to illustrate our main results.

MSC:35B65, 35J60.
Interferon-inducible chemokines reflect severity and progression in sarcoidosis
Authors: Su Robert , Nguyen Michelle-Linh T , Agarwal Misha R , Kirby Christopher , Nguyen Christine P , Ramstein Joris , Darnell Eli P , Gomez Antonio D , Ho Melissa , Woodruff Prescott G , Koth Laura L
Published: November 2013

Background

Identification of serum proteins that track with disease course in sarcoidosis may have clinical and pathologic importance. We previously identified up-regulated transcripts for interferon-inducible chemokines CXCL9, and CXCL10, in blood of sarcoidosis patients compared to controls. The objective of this study was to determine whether proteins encoded by these transcripts were elevated in serum and identified patients with remitting vs. chronic progressive sarcoidosis longitudinally.

Methods

Serum levels of CXCL9, CXCL10, and proteins associated with inflammation and/or disease activity (sIL2R, ACE, ESR and CRP) were measured in a prospective cohort of sarcoidosis subjects and controls. Comparisons were made between groups and clinical course using pulmonary function measures and a severity score developed by Wasfiet al.

Results

In a cross-sectional analysis of 36 non-immunosuppressed sarcoidosis subjects, serum CXCL9, CXCL10, and sIL2R were significantly elevated compared to 46 controls (p < 0.0001). CXCL9 and CXCL10 were strongly inter-correlated (p = 0.0009). CXCL10 and CXCL9 were inversely correlated with FVC% predicted and DLCO% predicted, respectively. CXCL10 and CXCL9 significantly correlated with sarcoidosis severity score. sIL2R, ESR, CRP, and ACE serum levels did not correlate with pulmonary function measures or severity score. In the longitudinal analysis of 26 subjects, changes in serum CXCL10 level over time corresponded with progression versus remission of disease.

Conclusions

Interferon-γ–inducible chemokines, CXCL9 and CXCL10, are elevated in sarcoidosis and inter-correlated with each other. Chemokine levels correlated with measures of disease severity. Serial measurements of CXCL10 corresponded to clinical course.
Resistance to treatment and change in anorexia nervosa: a clinical overview
Authors: Abbate-Daga Giovanni , Amianto Federico , Delsedime Nadia , De-Bacco Carlotta , Fassino Secondo
Published: November 2013

Background

Current literature on Eating Disorders (EDs) is devoid of evidence-based findings providing support to effective treatments, mostly for anorexia nervosa (AN). This lack of successful guidelines may play a role in making these disorders even more resistant. In fact, many individuals do not respond to the available treatments and develop an enduring and disabling illness. With this overview we aimed to highlight and discuss treatment resistance in AN – with an in-depth investigation of resistance-related psychological factors.

A literature search was conducted on PubMed and PsychINFO; English-language articles published between 1990 and 2013 investigating the phenomenon of resistance to treatment in AN have been considered.

Discussion

The selected papers have been then grouped into four main thematic areas: denial of illness; motivation to change; maintaining factors and treatment outcome; and therapeutic relationship. Eating symptomatology was found to only partially explain resistance to treatment. The role of duration of illness has been questioned whilst some maintaining factors seemed promising in providing a useful framework for this phenomenon. Emotive and relational aspects have been investigated on their role in resistance as well as therapists’ countertransference.

Remarkably there has been little research done on resistance to treatment in the ED field, in spite of its clinical relevance. Motivation, insight and subjective meaning of the illness can be useful tools to manage the resistance phenomenon when coupled with a wider approach. The latter enables the therapists to be aware of their role in the therapeutic alliance through countertransference aspects and to consider the EDs as disorders of the development of both personality and self, entailing severe impairments as regards identity and relationships.
Association between diabetes-related factors and clinical periodontal parameters in type-2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kim Eun-Kyong , Lee Sang Gyu , Choi Youn-Hee , Won Kyu-Chang , Moon Jun Sung , Merchant Anwar T , Lee Hee-Kyung
Published: November 2013

Background

Evidence consistently shows that diabetes is a risk factor for increased prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis. But there is a controversy about the relationship between diabetes related factors and periodontal health. The aim of the present study is to explore the relationship between diabetes related factors such as glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, duration of diabetes and compliance to diabetes self management and periodontal health status.

Methods

Periodontal health of 125 participants with type-2 diabetes mellitus was measured by the number of missing teeth, community periodontal index (CPI), Russell’s periodontal index and papillary bleeding index. Information on sociodemographic factors, oral hygiene behavior, duration and compliance to self management of diabetes, levels of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose(FBG) were collected by interview and hospital medical records. Statistically, independent t-test, an analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-squared test and multiple regression analyses were used to assess the association between diabetes-related factors and periodontal health.

Results

Periodontal parameters including the number of missing teeth and papillary bleeding index were significantly influenced by duration of diabetes, FBG and compliance to self management of diabetes. CPI was significantly influenced by duration of diabetes, FBG and HbA1C. And Russell’s periodontal index was significantly influenced by duration of diabetes, FBG, HbA1C and compliance to self management of diabetes. Results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the duration of diabetes showed significant positive correlation with all of the periodontal health parameters, except for missing teeth. HbA1c was correlated with Russell's periodontal and papillary bleeding index. FBG and compliance to self management of diabetes were correlated with missing teeth and papillary bleeding index respectively.

Conclusions

Diabetes-related factors such as duration of diabetes, FBG, HbA1c and compliance to self management of diabetes were significantly correlated with periodontal health among individuals with type-2 diabetes.
Iteration scheme for common fixed points of hemicontractive and nonexpansive operators in Banach spaces
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Sahu DR , Rafiq Arif
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the conditions for the convergence of the iterative scheme in the sense of Agarwal et al. (J. Nonlinear Convex. Anal. 8(1): 61-79, 2007), associated with nonexpansive and ϕ-hemicontractive mappings in a nonempty convex subset of an arbitrary Banach space.
New approach to twisted q-Bernoulli polynomials
Authors: Kim Daeyeoul , Koo Ja Kyung , Park Yoon Kyung
Published: November 2013

By using the theory of basic hypergeometric series, we present some formulas for q-consecutive integers, and we find certain new identities for twisted q-Bernoulli polynomials and q-consecutive integers (Simsek in Adv. Stud. Contemp. Math. 16(2):251-278, 2008).

MSC: 11B68, 05A30.
Recurrent cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Wenfei , Cao Wang , Song Haiyan , Ciu Yanxia , Lu Xianmei , Zhang Furen
Published: November 2013

We report a case of recurrent cutaneous necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis (RCNEV) in a 57-year-old male. The patient presented with papules and pruritus of the lower limbs of more than 1 month duration, and with angioedema and intensively pruritic, necrotizing lesions of the bilateral anterior tibias and feet for 2 weeks. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids was administered for 1 month, and resulted in a significant improvement. We also present a review of the pertinent literature and discuss the clinical features, histopathological features, and differentiation of RCNEV.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2065600765102207
Complete excision of a giant thyroid goiter in posterior mediastinum
Authors: Chen Xin , Xu Hongfei , Ni Yiming , Sun Ke , Li Weidong
Published: November 2013

Intrathoracic goiter is commonly located in the anterior mediastinum. Here we report a case of a 58-year-old Chinese male in whom we successfully removed the intrathoracic goiter and eased his dyspnea by a right posterolateral thoracotomy approach. Posterior mediastinal thyroid goiter with mediastinal compressive symptoms is an indication of surgery.
Functional analysis of microRNA and transcription factor synergistic regulatory network based on identifying regulatory motifs in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Kening , Li Zihui , Zhao Ning , Xu Yaoqun , Liu Yongjing , Zhou Yuanshuai , Shang Desi , Qiu Fujun , Zhang Rui , Chang Zhiqiang , Xu Yan
Published: November 2013

Background

Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer, is a leading cause of malignant tumor death worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms employed by the main regulators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors (TFs), still remains elusive. The patterns of their cooperation and biological functions in the synergistic regulatory network have rarely been studied.

Results

Here, we describe the first miRNA-TF synergistic regulation network in human lung cancer. We identified important regulators (MYC, NFKB1, miR-590, and miR-570) and significant miRNA-TF synergistic regulatory motifs by random simulations. The two most significant motifs were the co-regulation of miRNAs and TFs, and TF-mediated cascade regulation. We also developed an algorithm to uncover the biological functions of the human lung cancer miRNA-TF synergistic regulatory network (regulation of apoptosis, cellular protein metabolic process, and cell cycle), and the specific functions of each miRNA-TF synergistic subnetwork. We found that the miR-17 family exerted important effects in the regulation of non-small cell lung cancer, such as in proliferation and cell cycle regulation by targeting the retinoblastoma protein (RB1) and forming a feed forward loop with the E2F1 TF. We proposed a model for the miR-17 family, E2F1, and RB1 to demonstrate their potential roles in the occurrence and development of non-small cell lung cancer.

Conclusions

This work will provide a framework for constructing miRNA-TF synergistic regulatory networks, function analysis in diseases, and identification of the main regulators and regulatory motifs, which will be useful for understanding the putative regulatory motifs involving miRNAs and TFs, and for predicting new targets for cancer studies.
The metabolic demands of cancer cells are coupled to their size and protein synthesis rates
Authors: Dolfi Sonia C , Chan Leo Li-Ying , Qiu Jean , Tedeschi Philip M , Bertino Joseph R , Hirshfield Kim M , Oltvai Zoltán N , Vazquez Alexei
Published: November 2013

Background

Although cells require nutrients to proliferate, most nutrient exchange rates of the NCI60 panel of cancer cell lines correlate poorly with their proliferation rate. Here, we provide evidence indicating that this inconsistency is rooted in the variability of cell size.

Results

We integrate previously reported data characterizing genome copy number variations, gene expression, protein expression and exchange fluxes with our own measurements of cell size and protein content in the NCI60 panel of cell lines. We show that protein content, DNA content, and protein synthesis per cell are proportional to the cell volume, and that larger cells proliferate slower than smaller cells. We estimate the metabolic fluxes of these cell lines and show that their magnitudes are proportional to their protein synthesis rate and, after correcting for cell volume, to their proliferation rate. At the level of gene expression, we observe that genes expressed at higher levels in smaller cells are enriched for genes involved in cell cycle, while genes expressed at higher levels in large cells are enriched for genes expressed in mesenchymal cells. The latter finding is further corroborated by the induction of those same genes following treatment with TGFβ, and the high vimentin but low E-cadherin protein levels in the larger cells. We also find that aromatase inhibitors, statins and mTOR inhibitors preferentially inhibit the in vitro growth of cancer cells with high protein synthesis rates per cell.

Conclusions

The NCI60 cell lines display various metabolic activities, and the type of metabolic activity that they possess correlates with their cell volume and protein content. In addition to cell proliferation, cell volume and/or biomarkers of protein synthesis may predict response to drugs targeting cancer metabolism.
Return migration and the age profile of
retirement among immigrants
Authors: Cobb-Clark Deborah A , Stillman Steven
Published: November 2013

We analyze the relationship between the age profile of retirement
within an immigrant population and aggregate return migration rates for individuals
from different countries of origin. The latter serves as a proxy for the relative
net benefits of return migration to that origin country. Our simple theoretical
model illustrates that under reasonable conditions the probability of return
migration is maximized at retirement. This implies that different immigrant
populations will have different retirement profiles, not only because individual
retirement behavior differs, but also because the propensity for return migration
varies. Consistent with our theoretical model, we estimate a negative relationship
between immigrants’ retirement status and the aggregate return migration rate of
their fellow countrymen. As theory suggests, this link is strongest for immigrants
who are near the retirement age.

JEL codes

J260, J010, J080
Group multi-criteria decision making using intuitionistic multi-fuzzy sets
Authors: Das Sujit , Kar Mohuya B , Kar Samarjit
Published: November 2013

In this paper we propose an efficient approach for group multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) based on intuitionistic multi-fuzzy set (IMFS). First we construct intuitionistic multi-fuzzy matrices for decision makers with respect to the criteria (attributes) of the alternatives. Based on intuitionistic multi-fuzzy matrices, we construct the aggregated intuitionistic multi-fuzzy matrix using the proposed intuitionistic multi-fuzzy weighted averaging (IMFWA) operator. Then we use Hamming distance and Euclidean distance measurements in the context of IMFS between the aggregated matrix and the specified sample matrix to reach the optimal decision. This paper also presents score function and accuracy function of IMFS with an application to MCDM. Finally, a real-life case study related to heart disease diagnosis problem is provided to illustrate the advantage of the proposed approach.
Metabolic reprogramming by viruses in the sunlit and dark ocean
Authors: Hurwitz Bonnie L , Hallam Steven J , Sullivan Matthew B
Published: November 2013

Background

Marine ecosystem function is largely determined by matter and energy transformations mediated by microbial community interaction networks. Viral infection modulates network properties through mortality, gene transfer and metabolic reprogramming.

Results

Here we explore the nature and extent of viral metabolic reprogramming throughout the Pacific Ocean depth continuum. We describe 35 marine viral gene families with potential to reprogram metabolic flux through central metabolic pathways recovered from Pacific Ocean waters. Four of these families have been previously reported but 31 are novel. These known and new carbon pathway auxiliary metabolic genes were recovered from a total of 22 viral metagenomes in which viral auxiliary metabolic genes were differentiated from low-level cellular DNA inputs based on small subunit ribosomal RNA gene content, taxonomy, fragment recruitment and genomic context information. Auxiliary metabolic gene distribution patterns reveal that marine viruses target overlapping, but relatively distinct pathways in sunlit and dark ocean waters to redirect host carbon flux towards energy production and viral genome replication under low nutrient, niche-differentiated conditions throughout the depth continuum.

Conclusions

Given half of ocean microbes are infected by viruses at any given time, these findings of broad viral metabolic reprogramming suggest the need for renewed consideration of viruses in global ocean carbon models.
AHT-ChIP-seq: a completely automated robotic protocol for high-throughput chromatin immunoprecipitation
Authors: Aldridge Sarah , Watt Stephen , Quail Michael A , Rayner Tim , Lukk Margus , Bimson Michael F , Gaffney Daniel , Odom Duncan T
Published: November 2013

ChIP-seq is an established manually-performed method for identifying DNA-protein interactions genome-wide. Here, we describe a protocol for automated high-throughput (AHT) ChIP-seq. To demonstrate the quality of data obtained using AHT-ChIP-seq, we applied it to five proteins in mouse livers using a single 96-well plate, demonstrating an extremely high degree of qualitative and quantitative reproducibility among biological and technical replicates. We estimated the optimum and minimum recommended cell numbers required to perform AHT-ChIP-seq by running an additional plate using HepG2 and MCF7 cells. With this protocol, commercially available robotics can perform four hundred experiments in five days.
Zebrafish midbrain slow-amplifying progenitors exhibit high levels of transcripts for nucleotide and ribosome biogenesis
Authors: Recher Gaëlle , Jouralet Julia , Brombin Alessandro , Heuzé Aurélie , Mugniery Emilie , Hermel Jean-Michel , Desnoulez Sophie , Savy Thierry , Herbomel Philippe , Bourrat Franck , Peyriéras Nadine , Jamen Françoise , Joly Jean-Stéphane
Published: November 2013

Investigating neural stem cell (NSC) behaviour in vivo, which is a major area of research, requires NSC models to be developed. We carried out a multilevel characterisation of the zebrafish embryo peripheral midbrain layer (PML) and identified a unique vertebrate progenitor population. Located dorsally in the transparent embryo midbrain, these large slow-amplifying progenitors (SAPs) are accessible for long-term in vivo imaging. They form a neuroepithelial layer adjacent to the optic tectum, which has transitory fast-amplifying progenitors (FAPs) at its margin. The presence of these SAPs and FAPs in separate domains provided the opportunity to data mine the ZFIN expression pattern database for SAP markers, which are co-expressed in the retina. Most of them are involved in nucleotide synthesis, or encode nucleolar and ribosomal proteins. A mutant for the cad gene, which is strongly expressed in the PML, reveals severe midbrain defects with massive apoptosis and sustained proliferation. We discuss how fish midbrain and retina progenitors might derive from ancient sister cell types and have specific features that are not shared with other SAPs.