bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmetic use of polylactic acid: report of 568 patients
Authors: Redaelli Alessio , Forte Riccardo
Published: November 2009

Background  There are few methods for the correction of the reduction of subcutaneous volumes. Polylactic acid is a new material with which we can achieve interesting results.

Objective  To review our case histories in the assessment of this material’s safety and effectiveness, its best indications, and to outline our technique.

Materials and Method  Polylactic acid was prepared and diluted with 5–8 mL depending on injection sites, which included patients’ face, neck and hands volume restoration, as well as arm and thigh revitalization. A total of 568 patients were treated from January 1999 to December 2007.

Results  The Definitive Graduated Score varied from 6.3 to 8.4 with an average score of 7.8. The principal side effect, collagen late nodules, appeared with a very low frequency (1%) and were the result of incorrect technique.

Conclusions  The fibro‐connective restoration of face contours and volumes is the winning strategy for a holistic, three‐dimensional approach to the aged face, neck, and hands. Since the introduction of certified courses, side effects have become less common than in other methods, and can probably be further reduced to a minimum.
Topical antioxidant application augments the effects of intense pulsed light therapy
Authors: Freedman Bruce M
Published: November 2009

Background  There has been great interest in improving the efficacy of nonablative technologies by combining them during facial skin rejuvenation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of topical polyphenolic antioxidants to an intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment regimen augmented the effects of facial IPL treatments.

Methods  Thirty female volunteers, ages 34–52, with skin phototypes 1–3 were randomly assigned into three groups: group A (n = 10) received three full‐face IPL treatments spaced 3 weeks apart; group B (n = 10) underwent 6‐weekly full‐face treatments of a pneumatically applied topical polyphenolic antioxidant solution; group C (n = 10) received the combination of the three full‐face IPL treatments and the six full‐face topical antioxidant applications. Skin biopsies, skin polyphenolic antioxidant levels, and skin moisture content levels were obtained and clinical efficacy variables were noted prior to and following the treatment period.

Results  Compared to group A, group C demonstrated significantly greater epidermal and papillary dermal thickness, decreased lipid peroxide concentration, increased skin moisture content, and increased polyphenolic antioxidants levels (P < 0.05). There was qualitative improvement in hydration, texture, and pore size. Compared to group B, group C demonstrated significantly greater papillary dermal thickness (P < 0.05), and qualitative improvement in reduction of fine lines, reduction of hyperpigmentation, and skin dullness. group B and group C had equivalent polyphenolic antioxidant levels, lipid peroxide concentration, and epidermal thickness.

Conclusion  The addition of polyphenolic antioxidants to an IPL regimen improved the clinical, biochemical, and histological changes seen following IPL treatment alone. These data support the use of multimodal therapy to create synergy and to optimize clinical outcomes in nonablative facial skin rejuvenation.
Hyaluronidase in the correction of hyaluronic acid‐based fillers: a review and a recommendation for use
Authors: Rzany Berthold , Becker‐Wegerich Petra , Bachmann Frank , Erdmann Ricardo , Wollina Uwe
Published: November 2009

Background  Hyaluronic acid (HA) preparations are the most commonly used injectable fillers in esthetic medicine. In contrast to other injectable fillers with hyaluronidase, there is a tool available to reduce unwanted depots of this filler.

Aims  The aim of this paper is to give an overview on the present literature and in addition to give some recommendations for use based on the experience of the authors.

Methods  The overview is based on a literature search.

Results  There is some evidence from two smaller clinical trials that hyaluronidase will effectively decrease injected depots of HA. It has further been shown from case series and case reports that this reduction is clinically relevant. There is less evidence that hyaluronidase is also helpful in adverse reactions to HA‐based fillers.

Conclusions  The reports suggest that the treatment is safe. However, adverse reactions to hyaluronidase such as allergic reactions have been reported. Patient should be informed about that before treatment.
Suspension suture canthopexy: a minimally invasive procedure for correcting mild to moderate ectropion
Authors: Gladstone Hayes B , Moy Ronald L
Published: November 2009

Background:  Ectropion of the lower eyelid can occur after blepharoplasty as well as reconstructive procedures. Even mild ectropion can cause irritation or epiphora. Patients with preexisting lid laxity are at higher risk for post procedure ectropion.

Aims:  To describe a method for canthopexy and discuss its indications, benefits and limitations.

Methods:  We describe a technique that has been used on dozens of patients by both the authors.

Results:  This suspension suture canthopexy corrects mild to moderate ectropion.

Discussion:  Suspension suture canthopexy is effective in patients with the appropriate indications. It can be performed under local anesthesia with minimal complications. Unlike other forms of lid tightening, it does not change the shape of the eye.

Conclusion:  Suspension suture canthopexy which is an ancillary procedure for eyelid rejuvenation is valuable procedure to master by the dermatologic surgeon.
Phospholipid‐based formulation with improved attributes of coal tar
Authors: Bhatia Amit , Raza Kaisar , Singh Bhupinder , Katare Om Prakash
Published: November 2009

Purpose  The aim of this study was to evaluate the formulation characteristics and pharmacodynamic activity of the lecithinized coal tar formulation (LCT) employing different methodologies and compare it with that of a conventional coal tar formulation (CCT) employing different methodologies.

Methods  Characterization for skin‐staining was carried out employing shaved back skin of rats. Rheological properties were determined using Texture Analyzer™. The dispersibility of the coal tar formulations in water was determined by macroscopic examination. Antipsoriatic pharmacodynamic activity of the formulations was evaluated employing mouse‐tail model.

Results  The study revealed distinct superiority of the LCT vis‐à‐vis CCT. The LCT was found be nonstaining with no apparent adverse effect on rat skin. Rheological studies revealed significantly better spreadability and lower stickiness of the LCT than that of CCT. The LCT forms uniform dispersion with water, while the CCT tends to form large aggregates. Finally, the pharmacodynamic model demonstrated superior anti‐psoriatic activity of the LCT.

Conclusions  The findings with the LCT were highly encouraging, as it proved to be nonstaining to skin, easily applicable, and water dispersible with markedly improved efficacy. The product was thus potentially more patient‐compliant and efficacious. The evaluation methodologies adopted during the studies were found to be accurate, simple, specific, and reproducible with immense potential for assuring the quality of coal tar product(s).
Different therapeutic modalities for treatment of melasma
Authors: Azzam Omar A , Leheta Tahra M , Nagui Noha A , Shaarawy Eman , Hay Rania M Abdel , Hilal Rana F
Published: November 2009

Background  Chemical peels and topical depigmenting agents have become a popular modality in the treatment of melasma.

Aims  To compare the clinical efficacy of trichloroacetic acid peel 20%vs. Jessner’s solution peel vs. the topical mixture of hydroquinone 2% and kojic acid.

Patients and methods  Forty five patients with melasma were randomly assigned into three groups of fifteen patients each. Group A received Jessner’s solution peel, group B received trichloroacetic acid peel 20%, and group C received topical hydroquinone 2% and kojic acid. All patients were seen in follow‐up period after 16 weeks; clinical evaluation using Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and photography were recorded before and after treatment and after 16 weeks.

Results  There was a decrease in MASI score in all three groups after treatment and after follow‐up period but after treatment MASI score was statistically significantly lower in group A than group C (P = 0.01), and it was also statistically significantly lower in group B than group C (P < 0.001) but there was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B. After the follow‐up period, MASI score was statistically significantly lower in group A than group C (P < 0.001), statistically significantly lower in group B than group C (P < 0.001), and statistically significantly lower in group B than group A (P = 0.035). The statistical analysis was done through one‐way anova followed by least significant difference (LSD).

Conclusion  Trichloroacetic acid 20% showed better results than Jessner’s solution as peeling agent and hydroquinone 2% with kojic acid as a topical agent in the treatment of melasma.
Low complex I content explains the low hydrogen peroxide production rate of heart mitochondria from the long‐lived pigeon,Columba livia
Authors: Lambert Adrian J. , Buckingham Julie A. , Boysen Helen M. , Brand Martin D.
Published: November 2009

Across a range of vertebrate species, it is known that there is a negative association between maximum lifespan and mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production. In this report, we investigate the underlying biochemical basis of the low hydrogen peroxide production rate of heart mitochondria from a long‐lived species (pigeon) compared with a short‐lived species with similar body mass (rat). The difference in hydrogen peroxide efflux rate was not explained by differences in either superoxide dismutase activity or hydrogen peroxide removal capacity. During succinate oxidation, the difference in hydrogen peroxide production rate between the species was localized to the ΔpH‐sensitive superoxide producing site within complex I. Mitochondrial ΔpH was significantly lower in pigeon mitochondria compared with rat, but this difference in ΔpH was not great enough to explain the lower hydrogen peroxide production rate. As judged by mitochondrial flavin mononucleotide content and blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, pigeon mitochondria contained less complex I than rat mitochondria. Recalculation revealed that the rates of hydrogen peroxide production per molecule of complex I were the same in rat and pigeon. We conclude that mitochondria from the long‐lived pigeon display low rates of hydrogen peroxide production because they have low levels of complex I.
A GEOARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE ANCIENT QUARRIES OF SIDI GHEDAMSY ISLAND (MONASTIR, TUNISIA)
Authors: GAIED M. E. , YOUNÈS A. , GALLALA W.
Published: November 2009

Amongst a large number of ancient quarries scattered along the North African coast, those at Sidi Ghedamsy (Monastir, Tunisia) have supplied building stones of Pliocene age. Two lithofacies have been distinguished in the quarry faces: (i) fine sandy limestone, which has been used in the construction of Roman and Arabic monuments; and (ii) porous and coarse limy sandstone, which is of bad quality for construction. Laboratory analysis results confirm that the exploitation of stone in antiquity was well focused on the levels containing the first type. This is confirmed by geotechnical tests, which show that the fine sandy limestone is harder and less porous than the coarse limy sandstone. Extraction of these stones began in the Roman period. The Romans exploited the quarries using steel tools that permitted the extraction of blocks from several levels. In the eighth century, Arabic quarry workers continued the stone extraction using the same technique, but they produced blocks of small and medium size. Statistical measurements have been done on the quarry faces and on the walls of the Ribat in order to understand the degree of conformity between the dimensions of the extracted blocks and those used for building, and ultimately to attempt to date the quarries and the construction of the Ribat.
Sedge Transplant Survival in a Reconstructed Channel: Influences of Planting Location, Erosion, and Invasive Species
Authors: Quistberg Sarah E. , Stringham Tamzen K.
Published: November 2009

Sedge transplanting success in recently constructed channels is essential because the lack of vegetation makes the channel highly susceptible to erosion and non‐native plant invasion. In this study, greenhouse grown plugs of Carex nebrascensis Dewey (Nebraska sedge) and C. utriculata Boott (beaked sedge) were transplanted onto two different channel geomorphic surfaces, depositional and erosional, for two different experiments. The first experiment tested the effects of planting location on sedge survival and growth and the second tested the effects of Cirsium arvense presence on transplant survival and growth. Survival during the first growing season was the same for both species; however, shoot numbers were greater for C. nebrascensis (98 shoots/m2) compared to C. utriculata (84 shoots/m2) at the end of the first growing season. Greater shoot numbers also occurred on depositional planting locations (117 and 165 shoots/m2) compared to erosional planting locations (65 and 59 shoots/m2) at the end of the first and second growing seasons, respectively. The presence of Ci. arvense was observed to reduce sedge shoot numbers regardless of sedge species during the first growing season but no significant difference was observed by the end of the second growing season. These results suggested that control of Ci. arvense did not increase sedge vegetative growth within two growing seasons. Results suggest that revegetation success was greatest on depositional geomorphic surfaces and that both species are appropriate for transplanting; however, C. nebrascensis outperformed C. utriculata at sites with water tables that averaged deeper than 30 cm over the growing season.
Bog Recovery in Northeastern Estonia after the Reduction of Atmospheric Pollutant Input
Authors: Paal Jaanus , Vellak Kai , Liira Jaan , Karofeld Edgar
Published: November 2009

The restoration of wetland ecosystems is one of the flagships of modern conservation ecology, and the development of methodologies is vital to the enhancement of biodiversity. Bogs in northeastern Estonia have been under intensive pressure from alkaline fly ash pollution emitted by oil shale–heated power plants since the 1950s. In the vicinity of pollution sources, the input of alkaline fly ash has increased the ash content in mosses and raised the pH value of bog water, which had caused the replacement of Sphagnum mosses by other bryophytes and the invasion of eutrophic plants by the 1980s. The results of our study show that in recent decades, after the reduction in atmospheric input by power plants, the ash content in mosses has fallen, bog water pH is lower, and bog‐specific plant species have begun to return to the bogs that were moderately polluted in recent decades. However, historically heavily polluted bogs show little signs of self‐restoration, and their vegetation is still threatened by continuing degradation. Based on the wide gradient of pollution intensity, we suggested a list of indicators that can be used to evaluate bog degradation rates and restoration success.
Ecological Assessment of Dune Restorations in the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Emery Sarah M. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: November 2009

Because of the economic and environmental importance of stabilizing fragile sand dune habitats, restoration of dunes has become a common practice. Restoration efforts in the Great Lakes and East Coast regions of North America often consist of planting monocultures of the dominant native grass species, Ammophila breviligulata. We evaluated 18 dune restoration projects in the Great Lakes region conducted over the past 25 years. We characterized attributes of diversity (plants and insects), vegetation structure (plant biomass and cover), and ecological processes (soil nutrients and mycorrhizal fungi abundance) in each restoration, and we compared these measures to geographically paired natural dune communities. Restoration sites were similar to reference sites in most measured variables. Differences between restorations and reference sites were mostly explained by differences in ages, with the younger sites supporting slightly lower plant diversity and mycorrhizal spore abundance than older sites. Plant community composition varied little between restored and reference sites, with only one native forb species, Artemisia campestris, occurring significantly more often in reference sites than restored sites. Although it remains unclear whether more diverse restoration plantings could accelerate convergence on the ecological conditions of reference dunes, in general, traditional restoration efforts involving monoculture plantings of A. breviligulata in Great Lakes sand dunes appear to achieve ecological conditions found in reference dunes.
Can Invasive Species Enhance Competitive Ability and Restoration Potential in Native Grass Populations?
Authors: Ferrero‐Serrano Ángel , Hild Ann L. , Mealor Brian A.
Published: November 2009

Native plant individuals often persist within communities dominated by exotics but the influence of this exposure on native populations is poorly understood. Selection for traits contributing to competitive ability may lead to native plant populations that are more tolerant of the presence of exotic invaders. In this way, long‐term coexistence with an exotic may confer competitive advantages to remnant (experienced) native populations and be potentially beneficial to restoration. In past studies we have documented genetic differentiation within native grass populations exposed to the exotic invader Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens). Here, we examine populations of a cool‐season grass, needle‐and‐thread (Hesperostipa comata [Trin. & Rupr.]) and a warm season, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides [Torr.]) collected from Russian knapweed‐invaded sites and adjacent noninvaded sites to assess their relative competitive ability against a novel exotic neighbor, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). Experienced S. airoides (from within A. repens invasions) appear to better tolerate (accumulate biomass, leaf nitrogen content, and to initiate new tillers) the presence of a novel competitor (C. arvense). Experienced and inexperienced H. comata genets differ in their response to the presence of C. arvense. Relative neighbor effects of native grasses on C. arvense were generally greater from experienced grasses. The ability to compete with novel neighbors may be driven by general competitive traits rather than species‐specific coevolutionary trajectories. Irrespective of competitive mechanisms, the conservation of native species populations within weed invasions may provide an important restoration tool by retaining unique components of native gene pools selected by competitive interactions with exotics.
Treatment of Late‐Life Depression Alleviates Caregiver Burden
Authors: Martire Lynn M. , Schulz Richard , Reynolds Charles F. , Karp Jordan F. , Gildengers Ariel G. , Whyte Ellen M.
Published: November 2009

OBJECTIVES: To describe the burden experienced by family caregivers of older adults with depression and to examine the positive effects on caregivers of treating late‐life depression.

DESIGN: Two‐phase treatment study for major depressive disorder (MDD) that included 6 weeks of open treatment with antidepressant medication for all older patients followed by 16 weeks of randomized treatment for patients who were partial responders, comparing a combination of medication and interpersonal psychotherapy with medication alone.

SETTING: Primary care and university late‐life mental health research clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 60 and older participating in a randomized trial for treatment of MDD who enrolled in a family caregiver study and their caregiver (N=244 dyads).

MEASUREMENTS: Improvement in patient symptoms during open treatment (lower scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD)) and remission of depression during randomized treatment (3 consecutive weekly HRSD scores of ≤7) were examined as predictors of lower general caregiver burden and burden specific to patient depression.

RESULTS: Caregivers reported a moderate to high level of general caregiver burden on average. Change in patient depression during open treatment was associated with significantly decreased depression‐specific burden (β=−0.22, P=.001) and a trend toward lower general burden (β=−0.08, P=.08). Caregivers of patients who remitted showed significantly decreased depression‐specific burden (F (1,76)=4.27, P=.04).

CONCLUSION: Treatment of late‐life depression has benefits that extend to the family members on whom patients depend. Caregiver education and support may strengthen these effects.
Recirculating Delivery Improves Myocardial Cell Engraftment
Authors: BYRNE MELISSA J. , ZATTA AMANDA , GALLI CESERE , POWER JOHN M. , KAYE DAVID M.
Published: November 2009

Introduction: Despite pharmacological advances for heart failure, morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. As a result, alternative approaches such as cell therapy have been suggested to hold potential promise. However, a major obstacle is the optimization of cell delivery to the heart. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of a percutaneous recirculation system for the delivery of cells to the heart.

Methods: Ovine fibroblasts were delivered to the ovine heart (3 × 107 cells) using the V‐Focus system, a “closed” recirculatory system that draws blood from the coronary sinus and returns it to the coronary artery via an oxygenator, or intracoronary (IC) infusion, followed by a 2‐hour recovery period. Animals were euthanized and cardiac tissue collected to determine presence of cells.

Results: There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the number of cells delivered to the heart by the V‐Focus compared to direct coronary infusion for left ventricular freewall (V‐Focus 1.39 ± 0.63/mm2, IC 0.11 ± 0.06/mm2), septum (V‐Focus 3.18 ± 0.88/mm2, IC 0.38 ± 0.19/mm2), and right ventricle (V‐Focus 0.46 ± 0.23/mm2, IC 0.05 ± 0.04/mm2).

Conclusions: These results suggest that potential therapeutic cells are optimally delivered to the large animal heart using the V‐Focus cardiac delivery system in an ovine heart. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:14–17)
Coronary Stenting with the Sirolimus‐Eluting Stent in Clinical Practice: Final Results from the Prospective Multicenter German Cypher Stent Registry
Authors: ZAHN RALF , HAMM CHRISTIAN W. , SCHNEIDER STEFFEN , RICHARDT GERT , KELM MALTE , LEVENSON BENNY , BONZEL TASSILO , TEBBE ULRICH , SABIN GEORG , NIENABER CHRISTOPH A. ,   for the German Cypher Stent Registry
Published: November 2009

Aims: Drug‐eluting coronary stents (DES) have gained widespread use for the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, because of safety concerns and frequent “off‐label” use data from “real life,” registries are necessary to monitor indications and outcome of DES in daily clinical practice.

Methods and Results: We evaluated data from the German Cypher Stent Registry. A total of 10,894 patients treated with at least one sirolimus‐eluting stent (SES) at 152 hospitals were included. Follow‐up at a median of 6.4 months was available in 10,006 patients (92%). Median age was 64.8 years and 75.5% were male. Per lesion a mean of 1.09 ± 0.41 SES were implanted with a mean length of 21.1 ± 11.5mm. During follow‐up, death rate was 1.8% and the rates of myocardial infarction or stroke were 2.1% and 0.5%. Any target vessel revascularization (TVR) was performed in 8.0% of patients. Independent predictors for death, myocardial infarction, or stroke were: cardiogenic shock, acute coronary syndromes, reduced left ventricular function, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, three‐vessel disease, degree of stenosis, and prior myocardial infarction. Predictors for a TVR were: two‐ or three‐vessel disease, target vessel = coronary bypass, advanced age, stent diameter, ostial lesions, indication in‐stent restenosis, renal failure, and target vessel = left anterior descended artery.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SES use in clinical practice is safe and effective. The main predictors of clinical events during follow‐up are clinical parameters whereas as predictors of TVR mainly are angiographic parameters. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:18–25)
Are there differences in brain morphometry between twins and unrelated singletons? A pediatric MRI study
Authors: Ordaz S. J. , Lenroot R. K. , Wallace G. L. , Clasen L. S. , Blumenthal J. D. , Schmitt J. E. , Giedd J. N.
Published: November 2009

Twins provide a unique capacity to explore relative genetic and environmental contributions to brain development, but results are applicable to non‐twin populations only to the extent that twin and singleton brains are alike. A reason to suspect differences is that as a group twins are more likely than singletons to experience adverse prenatal and perinatal events that may affect brain development. We sought to assess whether this increased risk leads to differences in child or adolescent brain anatomy in twins who do not experience behavioral or neurological sequelae during the perinatal period. Brain MRI scans of 185 healthy pediatric twins (mean age = 11.0, SD = 3.6) were compared to scans of 167 age‐ and sex‐matched unrelated singletons on brain structures measured, which included gray and white matter lobar volumes, ventricular volume, and area of the corpus callosum. There were no significant differences between groups for any structure, despite sufficient power for low type II (i.e. false negative) error. The implications of these results are twofold: (1) within this age range and for these measures, it is appropriate to include healthy twins in studies of typical brain development, and (2) findings regarding heritability of brain structures obtained from twin studies can be generalized to non‐twin populations.
New discoveries and directions for medical, dental and dental hygiene research: low temperature atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: McCombs GB , Darby ML
Published: November 2009

Abstract:  The study of plasma integrates physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, and has recently engaged medicine and dental hygiene in research efforts. The study of plasma holds promise for a myriad of applications ranging from lasers and electronics, hazardous waste management, decontamination, sterilization and disinfection of foods, soil, water, instruments, to medical uses in wound healing and treating certain types of tumours and cancers. Plasma represents a new state‐of‐the‐art sterilization and disinfection treatment for certain oral and enviornmental pathogens, heat‐sensitive materials, contaminated medical waste, hard and soft surfaces, and ventilation systems may assist health care facilities in the management of various health concerns. The role that Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (LTAPP) could play in the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms might prove to be a new, faster, noncorrosive, more economical alternative, as well as support green healthcare.
Reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire in assessing dietary intakes of low‐income Caucasian postpartum women living in Sheffield, United Kingdom
Authors: Mouratidou Theodora , Ford Fiona A. , Fraser Robert B.
Published: November 2009

The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility and validity of a semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing dietary intakes of low‐income, Caucasian, English‐speaking, postpartum women living in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Data was obtained from a cross‐sectional sample of the ‘Healthy Start’ study; a population‐based survey of mothers and infants. Participants completed two FFQs at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum. Measures from 24‐hour dietary recalls (24HDRs) were collected at 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks postpartum. In the reproducibility study, crude Pearson's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.40 (riboflavin) to 0.73 (thiamine), mean value 0.54. In the validation study, crude Pearson correlation coefficients between the FFQ and the measures from the 24HDRs ranged from 0.10 (B12) to 0.55 (manganese), mean value 0.34. Energy‐adjustments and corrections for attenuation had no significant effect on the strength of the correlation both observed in the reproducibility and validity study. On average, 68% of the participants were classified correctly, and 3% were misclassified into the extreme opposite quintile of the distribution. The authors conclude that the questionnaire performed well for the majority of nutrients examined and that is a valid tool for ranking individuals according to nutrient distribution.
US Credit Crisis and Spillovers to Asia
Authors: GOLDSTEIN Morris , XIE Daniel
Published: November 2009

We review key highlights of the global credit crisis. We then consider how financial turmoil in the largest advanced economies might be transmitted to East Asia. The focus is on foreign trade links, international capital flows, currency market pressures and mismatches, financial sector fragilities, and countercyclical monetary and fiscal policy actions. We introduce a set of vulnerability indicators and explore whether an ordinal ranking of East Asian economies according to these vulnerability indicators seems to be related to the cross‐country differences in estimated slowdowns of economic growth during the crisis. Finally, we discuss how Asian economies might encourage the adoption of a stronger regulatory and supervisory framework in the USA and whether some Asian economies and the USA might pursue a more “balanced” growth strategy after the crisis.
Window of Opportunity Opens: Asian and American Views of the International Economic Architecture
Authors: DOBSON Wendy
Published: November 2009

This paper compares US and Asian views of the international economic architecture including Asia's evolving regional institutions. Lessons from the global financial crisis are used to assess reforms of the financial institutions better to prevent and manage future crises. While G‐20 leaders have increased the resources of the International Monetary Fund, much work remains to restore its legitimacy and independence and to define clearly the Financial Stability Board's mandate to strengthen financial oversight and regulation. The paper critiques proposals for a global super‐regulator and concludes that while the global architecture is important, the tests of its success will be fewer government actions to self‐insure and the willingness to heed warnings of future problems and take timely corrective actions.
US and East Asian Security under the Obama Presidency: A Japanese Perspective
Authors: SOEYA Yoshihide
Published: November 2009

The most important factor determining the structure of East Asia will continue to be the strategic relationship between the USA and China. It is the key component of the six party talks on the North Korean problem as well as nuclear nonproliferation. Japan is obviously a lesser strategic player, which is in a position to encourage middle‐power security cooperation among the East Asian countries breathing between the USA and China. There is a conceptual, if not geopolitical, competition between Japan and China over an ideal future of East Asian regionalism, which the East Asian countries and the USA should join in a constructive manner.
Pregnancy and radiotherapy: Management options for minimising risk, case series and comprehensive literature review
Authors: Luis SA , Christie DRH , Kaminski A , Kenny L , Peres MH
Published: November 2009

This article reviews the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy in patients with cancer who are pregnant. Our review provided extended follow‐up results in nine cases, presents a technical discussion on measures taken to minimise foetal radiation exposure and provides a comprehensive summary of the literature. Nine patients who received radiotherapy while pregnant are described. The clinical presentation and outcomes of these and 100 additional cases identified on a systematic literature review are presented. Comparisons of scattered radiation doses from three linear accelerators are presented. The average maternal follow‐up in our series was 8.9 years with one patient having a recurrence of their astrocytoma. In terms of foetal outcome, there were one death in utero, one elective termination of pregnancy and one on which no data were available. Six children, on whom long‐term follow‐up (average 10.3 years) was obtainable, were in good health. Overall, there had been 109 cases of radiotherapy in pregnancy that met our search criteria with 13 adverse outcomes and a median follow‐up of 37 months. Comparisons of three linear accelerators demonstrated significant differences in the amount of scattered radiation to the abdominal surface. In summary radiotherapy during pregnancy can be associated with a significant number of adverse outcomes. While it may be difficult for a patient not to attribute these effects to radiotherapy, it is also difficult to define the mechanisms by which radiotherapy would have caused them, if that were the case.
Keyword Auctions, Unit‐Price Contracts, and the Role of Commitment
Authors: Chen Jianqing , Feng Juan , Whinston Andrew B.
Published: November 2009

Motivated by the enormous growth of keyword advertising, this paper explores the design of performance‐based unit‐price contract auctions, in which bidders bid their unit prices and the winner is chosen based on both their bids and performance levels. The previous literature on unit‐price contract auctions usually considers a static case where bidders' performance levels are fixed. This paper studies a dynamic setting in which bidders with a low performance level can improve their performance at a certain cost. We examine the effect of the performance‐based allocation on overall bidder performance, auction efficiency, and the auctioneer's revenue, and derive the revenue‐maximizing and efficient policies accordingly. Moreover, the possible upgrade in bidders' performance level gives the auctioneer an incentive to modify the auction rules over time, as is confirmed by the practice of Yahoo! and Google. We thus compare the auctioneer's revenue‐maximizing policies when she is fully committed to the auction rule and when she is not, and show that the auctioneer should give less preferential treatment to low‐performance bidders when she is fully committed.
UEFA injury study: a prospective study of hip and groin injuries in professional football over seven consecutive seasons
Authors: Werner J , Hägglund M , Waldén M , Ekstrand J
Published: November 2009

Background:

Groin injury is a common injury in football and a complicated area when it comes to diagnosis and therapy. There is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological data on groin injuries in professional football.

Objective:

To investigate the incidence, pattern and severity of hip and groin injuries in professional footballers over seven consecutive seasons.

Study design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

European professional football.

Methods:

During the 2001/2 to 2007/8 seasons, between nine and 17 clubs per season (23 clubs in total) were investigated, accounting for 88 club seasons in total. Time loss injuries and individual exposure during club and national team training sessions and matches were recorded.

Main outcome measure:

Injury incidence.

Results:

A total of 628 hip/groin injuries were recorded, accounting for 12–16% of all injuries per season. The total injury incidence was 1.1/1000 h (3.5/1000 match hours vs 0.6/1000 training hours, p<0.001) and was consistent over the seasons studied. Eighteen different diagnostic entities were registered, adductor (n = 399) and iliopsoas (n = 52) related injuries being the most common. More than half of the injuries (53%) were classified as moderate or severe (absence of more than a week), the mean absence per injury being 15 days. Reinjuries accounted for 15% of all registered injuries. In the 2005/6 to 2007/8 seasons, 41% of all diagnoses relied solely on clinical examination.

Conclusions:

Hip/groin injuries are common in professional football, and the incidence over consecutive seasons is consistent. Hip/groin injuries are associated with long absences. Many hip/groin diagnoses are based only on clinical examination.
Drug-related cardiac pathology
Authors: Butany J , Ahn E , Luk A
Published: November 2009

Many commonly used drugs, with each causing changes that may be potentially lethal, can adversely affect the function of the heart. In addition some drugs have synergistic effects that can also damage cardiovascular tissues. The drug-related cardiotoxic effects of antineoplastic agents, psychotropic medications, heavy metals, substances of abuse, promotility agents, antihistamines, antimicrobials and antiarrhythmic agents are discussed. Hypersensitivity myocarditis is also discussed.
Correlation of needle core biopsy with excision histology in screen-detected B3 lesions: the Merrion Breast Screening Unit experience
Authors: Hayes B D , O’Doherty A , Quinn C M
Published: November 2009

Aims:

Needle core biopsy (NCB) is a widely-used technique for non-operative evaluation of screen-detected breast lesions. Although most NCBs are B2 (benign) or B5 (malignant), some fall into the B3 category of “uncertain malignant potential”. This study aims to categorise the lesions prompting a B3 NCB in the Merrion Breast Screening Unit, and establish the incidence of malignancy on subsequent excision biopsy.

Methods:

Patients attending the Merrion Breast Screening Unit in Dublin between 2000 and 2008 who had a B3 NCB were identified. The NCB pathology reports were reviewed and the diagnosis correlated with excision histology; the latter was classified as benign, atypical or malignant. Lesion-specific positive predictive values (PPVs) for malignancy were derived.

Results:

141 patients with a B3 NCB were identified. The most frequent lesions on NCB were radial scar (RS; n = 57), atypical intraductal epithelial proliferation (AIDEP; n = 25) and papillary lesion (n = 24). The final diagnosis was malignant in 22 patients (16%), atypical in 40 (28%) and benign in 79 (56%). Two of the patients with a malignant diagnosis had invasive carcinoma. The lesion-specific PPVs were: lobular neoplasia 50%, AIDEP 32%, columnar cell lesion with atypia 12.5%, RS 12.3%, papillary lesion 8.3%, suspected phyllodes tumour 7.7%, and spindle cell lesion 0%. Atypia on RS NCB predicted an atypical or malignant excision diagnosis, but atypia on papillary lesion NCB did not.

Conclusions:

One-sixth of B3 NCBs in this series proved to be malignant on excision. The PPV for malignancy varied according to lesion type.
Design optimization of floating breakwaters with an interdisciplinary fluid–solid structural problem
Authors: Elchahal Ghassan , Lafon Pascal , Younes Rafic
Published: November 2009

The design optimization of floating breakwaters implicates solving an interdisciplinary problem consisting of three models. The first one arises from the interaction of linear waves with a moored floating breakwater with a leeward boundary that is composed of a vertical sidewall representing the quay wall in ports. The second covers the dynamical behaviour of the oscillating structure caused by the incoming waves. These two assemble the hydrodynamic performance of the floating breakwater; while the third concerns its structural mechanics subject to hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces. The goal of the optimization problem is to design an optimal floating breakwater that can attenuate the waves to the minimum height inside the port and fulfill several constraints related to floating, stability, and structural resistance. The objective function and constraints are expressed in terms of geometrical parameters of the breakwater as mathematical expressions assembled in an optimization algorithm based on the sequential quadratic programming method (SQP). This yields to several optimal structures each corresponding to a specified wave period. Finally, an analysis is performed to determine an optimum structure for a wide range of frequencies.
REGULAR PROJECTIONS OF KNOTTED DOUBLE-HANDCUFF GRAPHS
Authors: HANAKI RYO
Published: November 2009

A finite set of specific knotted double-handcuff graphs is shown to be minimal among those which produce all projections of knotted double-handcuff graphs. In addition, we show that a double-handcuff graph has no strongly almost trivial spatial embeddings.
LOCAL STRUCTURE OF IDEAL KNOTS, II CONSTANT CURVATURE CASE
Authors: DURUMERIC OGUZ C.
Published: November 2009

The thickness, NIR (K) of a knot or link K is defined to be the radius of the largest open solid tube one can put around the curve without any self intersections of the normal discs, which is also known as the normal injectivity radius of K. For C1,1 curves K, [Formula: see text], where κ(K) is the generalized curvature, and the double critical self distance DCSD (K) is the shortest length of the segments perpendicular to K at both end points. The knots and links in ideal shapes (or tight knots or links) belong to the minima of ropelength = length/thickness within a fixed isotopy class. In this article, we prove that NIR (K) = ½ DCSC (K), for every relative minimum K of ropelength in Rn for certain dimensions n, including n = 3.
FORMULAS FOR THE CASSON INVARIANT OF CERTAIN INTEGRAL HOMOLOGY 3-SPHERES
Authors: LEE SANG YOUL , SEO MYOUNGSOO
Published: November 2009

In this paper, we introduce a representation of knots and links in S3 by integral matrices and then give an explicit formula for the Casson invariant for integral homology 3-spheres obtained from S3 by Dehn surgery along the knots and links represented by the integral matrices in which either all entries are even or the entries of each row are the same odd number. As applications, we study the preimage of the Casson invariant for a given integer and also give formulas for the Casson invariants of some special classes of integral homology 3-spheres.
REALIZATIONS OF SEIFERT MATRICES BY HYPERBOLIC KNOTS
Authors: FRIEDL STEFAN
Published: November 2009

Recently Kearton showed that any Seifert matrix of a knot is S-equivalent to the Seifert matrix of a prime knot. We show in this note that such a matrix is in fact S-equivalent to the Seifert matrix of a hyperbolic knot. This result follows from reinterpreting this problem in terms of Blanchfield pairings and by applying results of Kawauchi.
FORWARD AND FUTURES PRICES WITH BUBBLES
Authors: JARROW ROBERT A. , PROTTER PHILIP
Published: November 2009

This paper extends and refines the Jarrow et al. (2006, 2008) arbitrage free pricing theory for bubbles to characterize forward and futures prices. Some new insights are obtained in this regard. In particular, we: (i) provide a canonical process for asset price bubbles suitable for empirical estimation, (ii) discuss new methods to test empirically for asset price bubbles using both spot prices and call/put option prices on the spot commodity, (iii) show that futures prices can have bubbles independent of the underlying asset's price bubble, (iv) relate forward and futures prices under bubbles, and (v) relate price options on futures with asset price bubbles.
A STRUCTURAL RISK-NEUTRAL MODEL OF ELECTRICITY PRICES
Authors: AÏD RENÉ , CAMPI LUCIANO , HUU ADRIEN NGUYEN , TOUZI NIZAR
Published: November 2009

The objective of this paper is to present a model for electricity spot prices and the corresponding forward contracts, which relies on the underlying market of fuels, thus avoiding the electricity non-storability restriction. The structural aspect of our model comes from the fact that the electricity spot prices depend on the dynamics of the electricity demand at the maturity T, and on the random available capacity of each production means. Our model explains, in a stylized fact, how the prices of different fuels together with the demand combine to produce electricity prices. This modeling methodology allows one to transfer to electricity prices the risk-neutral probabilities of the market of fuels and under the hypothesis of independence between demand and outages on one hand, and prices of fuels on the other hand, it provides a regression-type relation between electricity forward prices and forward prices of fuels. Moreover, the model produces, by nature, the well-known peaks observed on electricity market data. In our model, spikes occur when the producer has to switch from one technology to the lowest cost available one. Numerical tests performed on a very crude approximation of the French electricity market using only two fuels (gas and oil) provide an illustration of the potential interest of this model.
PRICING AND HEDGING IN CARBON EMISSIONS MARKETS
Authors: ÇETIN UMUT , VERSCHUERE MICHEL
Published: November 2009

We propose a model for trading in emission allowances in the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). Exploiting an arbitrage relationship we derive the spot prices of carbon allowances given a forward contract whose price is exogenous to the model. The modeling is done under the assumption of no banking of carbon allowances (which is valid during the Phase I of Kyoto protocol), however, we also discuss how the model can be extended when banking of permits is available. We employ results from filtering theory to derive the spot prices of permits and suggest hedging formulas using a local risk minimisation approach. We also consider the effect of intermediate announcements regarding the net position of the ETS zone on the prices and show that the jumps in the prices can be attributed to information release on the net position of the zone. We also provide a brief numerical simulation for the price processes of carbon allowances using our model to show the resemblance to the actual data.
ARBITRAGE-FREE INTERPOLATION OF THE SWAP CURVE
Authors: DAVIS MARK H. A. , MATAIX-PASTOR VICENTE
Published: November 2009

We suggest an arbitrage free interpolation method for pricing zero-coupon bonds of arbitrary maturities from a model of the market data that typically underlies the swap curve; that is short term, future and swap rates. This is done first within the context of the Libor or the swap market model. We do so by introducing an independent stochastic process which plays the role of a short term yield, in which case we obtain an approximate closed-form solution to the term structure while preserving a stochastic implied short rate. This will be discontinuous but it can be turned into a continuous process (however at the expense of closed-form solutions to bond prices). We then relax the assumption of a complete set of initial swap rates and look at the more realistic case where the initial data consists of fewer swap rates than tenor dates and show that a particular interpolation of the missing swaps in the tenor structure will determine the volatility of the resulting interpolated swaps. We give conditions under which the problem can be solved in closed-form therefore providing a consistent arbitrage-free method for yield curve generation.
BARRIER OPTION PRICING BY BRANCHING PROCESSES
Authors: MITOV GEORGI K. , RACHEV SVETLOZAR T. , KIM YOUNG SHIN , FABOZZI FRANK J.
Published: November 2009

This paper examines the pricing of barrier options when the price of the underlying asset is modeled by a branching process in a random environment (BPRE). We derive an analytical formula for the price of an up-and-out call option, one form of a barrier option. Calibration of the model parameters is performed using market prices of standard call options. Our results show that the prices of barrier options that are priced with the BPRE model deviate significantly from those modeled assuming a lognormal process, despite the fact that for standard options, the corresponding differences between the two models are relatively small.