bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrent somatic mutations underlie corticotropin-independent Cushing’s syndrome
Authors: Sato Yusuke , Maekawa Shigekatsu , Ishii Ryohei , Sanada Masashi , Morikawa Teppei , Shiraishi Yuichi , Yoshida Kenichi , Nagata Yasunobu , Sato-Otsubo Aiko , Yoshizato Tetsuichi , Suzuki Hiromichi , Shiozawa Yusuke , Kataoka Keisuke , Kon Ayana , Aoki Kosuke , Chiba Kenichi , Tanaka Hiroko , Kume Haruki , Miyano Satoru , Fukayama Masashi , Nureki Osamu , Homma Yukio , Ogawa Seishi
Published: May 2014

Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excess cortisol production from the adrenocortical gland. In corticotropin-independent Cushing’s syndrome, the excess cortisol production is primarily attributed to an adrenocortical adenoma, in which the underlying molecular pathogenesis has been poorly understood. We report a hotspot mutation (L206R) in
PRKACA
, which encodes the catalytic subunit of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)–dependent protein kinase (PKA), in more than 50% of cases with adrenocortical adenomas associated with corticotropin-independent Cushing’s syndrome. The L206R PRKACA mutant abolished its binding to the regulatory subunit of PKA (PRKAR1A) that inhibits catalytic activity of PRKACA, leading to constitutive, cAMP-independent PKA activation. These results highlight the major role of cAMP-independent activation of cAMP/PKA signaling by somatic mutations in corticotropin-independent Cushing’s syndrome, providing insights into the diagnosis and therapeutics of this syndrome.
Complete Genome Sequences of Three Novel Human Papillomavirus Types, 175, 178, and 180
Authors: Johansson Hanna , Forslund Ola
Published: May 2014

We report the characterization of three novel human papillomavirus (HPV) types of the genus
Gammapapillomavirus
. HPV175 and HPV180 were isolated from a condyloma. HPV178 was isolated from healthy skin adjacent to an actinic keratosis.
Psychiatric manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wong John K F , Nortley Ross , Andrews Thomasin , D'Cruz David
Published: May 2014

A 54-year-old woman diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome in 2007 presented with a 1-year history of visual hallucinations requiring admission to a psychiatric unit. The hallucinations resolved while on olanzapine and hydroxychloroquine but recurred when they were stopped. Despite restarting olanzapine, her visual hallucinations persisted. When she started a tapering dose of prednisolone, all the hallucinations resolved. This report adds to the small literature on psychiatric manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome and provides evidence that low-dose corticosteroids may be an effective treatment for this manifestation.
Deep vein thrombosis and tuberculosis: a causative link?
Authors: Kechaou Ines , Cherif Eya , Ben Hassine Lamia , Khalfallah Narjess
Published: May 2014

Pulmonary tuberculosis is very devastating in developing countries and its thrombogenic potential is a disturbing new entity. We report an 18-year-old woman who presented with a first episode of deep vein thrombosis. Pulmonary, hepatic and splenic tuberculosis was diagnosed while looking for secondary causes. The patient was treated with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol along with low-molecular-weight heparin and antivitamin K. Tuberculosis has several mechanisms that induce a hypercoagulable state and can lead to thromboembolic complications.
Brachial artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Kemp Katie , Radwan Rami , Shingler Guy , Davies Chris
Published: May 2014

We describe a case of an elderly man who presented with an upper arm swelling that had developed following a humeral fracture 8 months previously. The swelling was painless but associated with significantly diminished motor function of his right hand and concurrent paraesthaesia. On examination, a large pulsatile mass was identified and CT angiography confirmed the presence of an 11×7 cm brachial artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent surgical repair in which a fragment of the humerus was found to have punctured the brachial artery resulting in a pseudoaneurysm. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative period and was discharged 2 days later having regained some motor function in his right hand.
Kinetic model for the large deformation of cylindrical gels
Authors: Yao Xiaomei , Zhang Hui
Published: May 2014

Here we investigate the kinetic model for the large deformation theory of hydrogel under the outside stimulations. We present the large deformation dynamical model in the following two points. (1) The phase transition caused by the deformation gradient is concerned, which makes the model more integral. (2) Based on the steady-state model, the time-dependent large deformation model is proposed and the time developing process is investigated. Considering the force of the large deformation, we introduce the heat equation to express the transformation of the chemical potential. The extended model can be used to describe the development of the large deformation. We present numerical examples of the cylindrical hydrogel for one- and two-dimensional cases under pressure and stretch. Besides, some key parameters are studied to test the model.
First record of a polyplacophoran from the Southern Uplands of Scotland
Authors: Candela Yves , Cherns Lesley , Troalen Lore
Published: May 2014

Synopsis

An intermediate sclerite of a paleoloricate chiton (Polyplacophora) collected from the Kirkcolm Formation (Ordovician, Lower Katian) of Kilbucho in the Scottish Borders (formerly Peeblesshire), Scotland represents the first record of the class in the Southern Uplands. The single Kilbucho specimen is morphologically distinct from documented taxa, and is described and figured here but left in open nomenclature.
Telomere Length in White Blood Cell DNA and Lung Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Three Prospective Cohorts
Authors: Seow Wei Jie , Cawthon Richard M. , Purdue Mark P. , Hu Wei , Gao Yu-Tang , Huang Wen-Yi , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Ji Bu-Tian , Virtamo Jarmo , Hosgood H. Dean , Bassig Bryan A. , Shu Xiao-Ou , Cai Qiuyin , Xiang Yong-Bing , Min Shen , Chow Wong-Ho , Berndt Sonja I. , Kim Christopher , Lim Unhee , Albanes Demetrius , Caporaso Neil E. , Chanock Stephen , Zheng Wei , Rothman Nathaniel , Lan Qing
Published: May 2014

We investigated the relationship between telomere length and lung cancer in a pooled analysis from three prospective cohort studies: the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, conducted among men and women in the United States, and previously published data from the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Trial conducted among male smokers in Finland, and the Shanghai Women's Health Study (SWHS), which is comprised primarily of never-smokers. The pooled population included 847 cases and 847 controls matched by study, age, and sex. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by a monochrome multiplex qPCR assay. We used conditional logistic regression models to calculate ORs and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between telomere length and lung cancer risk, adjusted for age and pack-years of smoking. Longer telomere length was associated with increased lung cancer risk in the pooled analysis [OR (95% CI) by quartile: 1.00; 1.24 (0.90–1.71); 1.27 (0.91–1.78); and 1.86 (1.33–2.62); P trend = 0.000022]. Findings were consistent across the three cohorts and strongest for subjects with very long telomere length, i.e., lung cancer risks for telomere length [OR (95% CI)] in the upper half of the fourth quartile were 2.41 (1.28–4.52), 2.16 (1.11–4.23), and 3.02(1.39–6.58) for the PLCO trial, the ATBC trial, and the SWHS, respectively. In addition, the association persisted among cases diagnosed more than 6 years after blood collection and was particularly evident for female adenocarcinoma cases. Telomere length in white blood cell DNA may be a biomarker of future increased risk of lung cancer in diverse populations. Cancer Res; 74(15); 4090–8. ©2014 AACR.
CXCR6 Plays a Critical Role in Angiotensin II–Induced Renal Injury and Fibrosis
Authors: Xia Yunfeng , Jin Xiaogao , Yan Jingyin , Entman Mark L. , Wang Yanlin
Published: May 2014

Objective—

Recent studies have shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of hypertensive kidney disease. However, the signaling mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of CXCR6 in Ang II–induced renal injury and fibrosis.

Approach and Results—

Wild-type and CXCR6-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knockin mice were treated with Ang II via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps at 1500 ng/kg per minute after unilateral nephrectomy for ≤4 weeks. Wild-type and CXCR6-GFP knockin mice had virtually identical blood pressure at baseline. Ang II treatment led to an increase in blood pressure that was similar between wild-type and CXCR6-GFP knockin mice. CXCR6-GFP knockin mice were protected from Ang II–induced renal dysfunction, proteinuria, and fibrosis. CXCR6-GFP knockin mice accumulated fewer bone marrow–derived fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and produced less extracellular matrix protein in the kidneys after Ang II treatment. Furthermore, CXCR6-GFP knockin mice exhibited fewer F4/80
+
macrophages and CD3
+
T cells and expressed less proinflammatory cytokines in the kidneys after Ang II treatment. Finally, wild-type mice engrafted with CXCR6
−/−
bone marrow cells displayed fewer bone marrow–derived fibroblasts, macrophages, and T cells in the kidney after Ang II treatment when compared with wild-type mice engrafted with CXCR6
+/+
bone marrow cells.

Conclusions—

Our results indicate that CXCR6 plays a pivotal role in the development of Ang II–induced renal injury and fibrosis through regulation of macrophage and T-cell infiltration and bone marrow–derived fibroblast accumulation.
Lifelong Rupture Risk of Intracranial Aneurysms Depends on Risk Factors
Authors: Korja Miikka , Lehto Hanna , Juvela Seppo
Published: May 2014

Background and Purpose—

Our aim was to define for the first time the lifelong natural course of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) and identify high-risk and low-risk patients for the rupture.

Methods—

One hundred and eighteen patients (61 women) with UIAs were diagnosed between 1956 and 1978 and followed up until death or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The median age at the diagnosis was 43.5 years (range, 22.6–60.7 years). The median size of the UIA at the diagnosis was 4 mm (range, 2–25 mm). Analyzed risk factors for a rupture included sex, age, cigarette smoking, systolic blood pressure values, diagnosed hypertension, UIA size, and number of UIAs.

Results—

Thirty four (29%) out of 118 people had SAH during the lifelong follow-up. The median age at SAH was 51.3 years (range, 30.1–71.8 years). The annual rupture rate per patient was 1.6%. Female sex, current smoking, and aneurysm size of ≥7 mm in diameter were risk factors for a lifetime SAH. Depending on the risk factor burden, the lifetime risk of an aneurysmal SAH varied from 0% to 100%, and the annual rupture rate from 0% to 6.5%. Of the 96 patients with small (<7 mm) UIAs, 24 (25%) had an aneurysmal SAH during the follow-up.

Conclusions—

Almost 30% of all UIAs in people of working age ruptured during a lifelong follow-up. The risk varied substantially on the basis of risk factor burden. Because even small UIAs ruptured, treatment decisions of UIAs should perhaps be based on the risk factor status.
“On Wooden Churches”: William Scott and the Colonial Church
Authors: Turner Emily
Published: May 2014

The use of wood in Gothic Revival buildings was a contentious issue in the middle of the nineteenth century. Because of the need in the British colonies to use timber in church construction due to financial and material restraints, a re-examination of wood as a building medium consistent with the principles of the Revival became necessary. For the Cambridge Camden Society, the breakthrough in understanding timber as a truly ecclesiological material came in an essay by Rev. William Scott entitled “On Wooden Churches” (1848), which traced the historical and symbolic features of wood in ecclesiastical design. This article examines the rationale that Scott put forward to validate the use of the medium in colonial settings, focusing on his theological and historical arguments as well as his scheme for practical application of theoretical constructs. This study will also demonstrate the way in which Scott’s advice was applied in the colonial setting in the case study of Frederick Thatcher’s Old St. Paul’s, Wellington in New Zealand.
Monopelopia mongpuense sp. n., a phytotelmata midge from sub–Himalayan region of India (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanypodinae)
Authors: PAUL NILOTPOL , HAZRA NILADRI , MAZUMDAR ABHIJIT
Published: May 2014

Immature and adult stages of Monopelopia mongpuense sp. n. from phytotelmata of Cedrus deodara (Lamb.) in Darjeeling are described along with biological notes. Key to the adult males of all species of the genus Monopelopia Fittkau is also presented. This genus is recorded for the first from Indian subcontinent.
Climatology and Variability of Precipitation in the Twentieth-Century Reanalysis
Authors: Lee Dong Eun , Biasutti Michela
Published: May 2014

The performance of the Twentieth-Century Reanalysis (20CR) in reproducing observed monthly mean precipitation over the global domain is compared to that of comprehensive reanalyses that also assimilate upper-air and satellite observations [the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim), and NCEP–U.S. Department of Energy reanalysis (NCEP2)] and to that of an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) ensemble simulation [Global Ocean Global Atmosphere (GOGA)] that is forced with observed sea surface temperature (SST). Wintertime rainfall variability in the midlatitude continents and storm tracks is captured with great accuracy, similar to the comprehensive reanalyses, but summertime rainfall is not, probably in consequence of the greater importance of convection in the summer season. Over the tropics, the accuracy of all reanalyses is much less than over the midlatitudes. Over tropical land, the performance of 20CR is better than NCEP2 and similar to ERA-Interim and CFSR, but over the tropical oceans the most recent reanalyses perform significantly better. Across the twentieth century, the clearest gain from the assimilation of a denser observational dataset is the expansion of the area of good skill. A comparison of the accuracy and ensemble spread in the 20CR and GOGA ensembles highlights regions where SST forcing is a stronger source of skill than data assimilation for 20CR. In contrast, for some tropical regions such as the Sahel, the assimilation of sea level pressure is effective in constraining precipitation values—but model biases in the teleconnections with global SST limit the performance of 20CR.
The Conditional Ideological Inducement to Campaign on Character Valence Issues in Multiparty Systems
Authors: Curini Luigi
Published: May 2014

Acknowledging the role played by character valence issues in affecting parties’ fortunes, several recent papers have investigated the possible intentional use of such issues in electoral contests. A corollary of this line of research has focused on identifying conditions under which parties are expected to invest more in valence campaigning. In this article, we focus on the role played by parties’ relative ideological positions in a multiparty setting. We identify the existence of an inverse relationship between the distance of a party from its ideologically adjacent competitors and its incentive to campaign on character valence issues. However, the extent of this relationship can be conditional on institutional and electoral factors. We test these hypotheses by focusing on the emphasis a party places in its electoral manifestos on the specific character valence issue of corruption. Statistical results largely confirm our hypotheses.
E-suicide note: A newer trend and its medico-legal implications in India
Authors: Behera C , Karthik Krishna , Dogra TD , Lalwani S , Millo T , Singh SR
Published: May 2014

Rapid advancements of information and communication technology in the form of electronic mails, mobile phones, social networking sites, etc have an increasing impact on people's day to day life. It has been observed that these readily available applications are used frequently to express suicidal intentions. There are many studies on conventional handwritten suicide notes but suicide note in electronic format is an emerging issue and an under-researched phenomena. The authors have termed it as “E-suicide note” and discuss its medico-legal implications in India with examples from their observations.
An Extended Cultural Consensus Theory Model to Account for Cognitive Processes in Decision Making in Social Surveys
Authors: Oravecz Zita , Faust Katherine , Batchelder William H.
Published: May 2014

In recent decades, cultural consensus theory (CCT) models have been extensively applied across research domains to explore shared cultural knowledge and beliefs. These models are parameterized in terms of person-specific cognitive parameters such as abilities and guessing biases as well as item difficulties. Although psychometric test theory is also formalized in terms of abilities and item difficulties, a quality that clearly sets CCT models apart from other test theory models is their specification to operate on data in which the answer key is latent. In doing so, CCT models specify the answer key as parameters of the model, and also involved with this specification are procedures to verify the integrity of the answer key that is estimated. In this article, the authors develop the following methods to propagate the application of these CCT models in the field of social surveys: (1) by extending the underlying cognitive model to be able to account for uncertainty in decision making (“don’t know” responses), (2) by allowing covariate information to be entered in the analysis, and (3) by deriving statistical inference in the hierarchical Bayesian framework. The proposed model is fit to data describing knowledge on science and on aging to demonstrate the novel findings that can be achieved by the approach.
Trying to Raise (Low) Math Achievement and to Promote (Rigorous) Policy Evaluation in Italy
Authors: Argentin Gianluca , Pennisi Aline , Vidoni Daniele , Abbiati Giovanni , Caputo Andrea
Published: May 2014

Background:

Italy is a country showing low math achievement, especially in the Southern regions. Moreover, national student assessments are recent and rigorous policy evaluation is lacking. This study presents the results of one of the first randomized controlled trials implemented in Italian schools in order to measure the effects of a professional development (PD) program for teachers on student math achievement. The program was already at scale when it was being evaluated.

Objective:

Assessing the effects of a PD program for math teachers on their students’ achievement and making suggestions for future policy evaluations.

Design:

A large-scale clustered randomized control trial has been conducted. It involves 175 lower secondary schools (sixth - eighth grade) in four among the Italian lowest performing regions. Alongside national standard math assessments, the project collected a wide amount of information.

Subjects:

Math in lower secondary schools.

Measures:

Math achievement as measured by standardized tests provided by the National Education Assessment Institute (Istituto Nazionale per la Valutazione del Sistema di Istruzione e Formazione); teacher and student practices and attitudes collected through questionnaires.

Results:

Findings suggest that the program had no significant impact on math scores during the first year (when the program was held). Nonetheless some heterogeneity was detected, as the treatment does seem “to work” with middle-aged teachers. Moreover, effects on teaching practice and student attitudes appear.

Conclusion:

Some effects attributable to the intervention have been detected. Moreover, this project shows that a rigorous approach to evaluation is feasible also in a context lacking attention towards evidence-based policies, such the Italian school system.
Conformity to the Opinions of Other People Lasts for No More Than 3 Days
Authors: Huang Yi , Kendrick Keith M. , Yu Rongjun
Published: May 2014

When people are faced with opinions different from their own, they often revise their own opinions to match those held by other people. This is known as the social-conformity effect. Although the immediate impact of social influence on people’s decision making is well established, it is unclear whether this reflects a transient capitulation to public opinion or a more enduring change in privately held views. In an experiment using a facial-attractiveness rating task, we asked participants to rate each face; after providing their rating, they were informed of the rating given by a peer group. They then rerated the same faces after 1, 3, or 7 days or 3 months. Results show that individuals’ initial judgments are altered by the differing opinions of other people for no more than 3 days. Our findings suggest that because the social-conformity effect lasts several days, it reflects a short-term change in privately held views rather than a transient public compliance.
Gender and Sexual Economics
Authors: Rudman Laurie A. , Fetterolf Janell C.
Published: May 2014

In the study reported here, data from implicit and behavioral choice measures did not support sexual economics theory’s (SET’s) central tenet that women view female sexuality as a commodity. Instead, men endorsed sexual exchange more than women did, which supports the idea that SET is a vestige of patriarchy. Further, men’s sexual advice, more than women’s, enforced the sexual double standard (i.e., men encouraged men more than women to have casual sex)—a gender difference that was mediated by hostile sexism, but also by men’s greater implicit investment in sexual economics. That is, men were more likely to suppress female sexuality because they resisted female empowerment and automatically associated sex with money more than women did. It appears that women are not invested in sexual economics, but rather, men are invested in patriarchy, even when it means raising the price of sexual relations.
Meeting Swedish Health Care System
Authors: Rydström Ingela , Dalheim Englund Ann-Charlotte
Published: May 2014

Coming to a new country involves many challenges. One of them is to approach a new health care system when you have a child with asthma. The aim of this study was to gain a broader understanding of immigrant parents’ experiences of the Swedish health care system. Twelve parents of children with asthma were interviewed and their narratives were analyzed by using qualitative content analysis. The results show that immigrant parents’ experiences of Swedish health care vary and involve both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of the Swedish health care system are described as Being met with respect and Affordable care, while disadvantages are described as Problems with communication, Being discriminated against and Lack of confidence. The disadvantages are challenges for health care professionals, who are expected to offer care on equal terms to the whole population. Therefore, they need to provide culturally competent care and encourage immigrant parents to voice their expectations and worries.
‘It’s like having a day of freedom, a day off from being ill’: Exploring the experiences of people living with mental health problems who attend a community-based arts project, using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Lawson Jackie , Reynolds Frances , Bryant Wendy , Wilson Lesley
Published: May 2014

To explore the psychosocial benefits of participating in a 2-year community arts project, eight people living with long-term mental health problems were interviewed. The project involved participants in selecting items of professional artwork, creating personal responses and curating a public exhibition. Interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Participants experienced the arts project as improving self-worth, emancipating self from illness labels, offering a sense of belonging, enabling acquisition of valued skills and offering meaningful occupation and routines. Some regarded their developing creative skills as improving their self-management of mental health. However, some anticipated the project’s ending with anxiety.
Plasma semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase activity in type 1 diabetes is related to vascular and renal function but not to glycaemia
Authors: Januszewski Andrzej S , Mason Nick , Karschimkus Connie S , Rowley Kevin G , Best James D , O’Neal David N , Jenkins Alicia J
Published: May 2014

Purpose:

Associations of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity with renal and vascular function, oxidative stress, glycaemia and diabetes complications were determined.

Methods:

Plasma SSAO activity in 94 type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients, including 34 with microvascular complications T1DM CX[+], and in 96 healthy subjects (CON) was measured by production of benzaldehyde using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results:

SSAO activity (mean ± SD) was greater in T1DM than in CON (1049 ± 294 vs 749 ± 204 mU/L; p < 0.00001) and was higher in T1DM CX[+] vs complication-free DM subjects (1148 ± 313 mU/L vs 982 ± 269 mU/L; p = 0.01). In T1DM, SSAO activity correlated with renal dysfunction [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): r = −0.44; p = 0.0001; cystatin C: r = 0.47; p = 0.0001] and markers of inflammation [soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1): r = 0.41, p = 0.0001; soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1): r = 0.33, p = 0.002] and was inversely related to small artery elasticity (SAE) ( r = −0.23, p = 0.03). In CON, SSAO activity correlated with HbA1c ( r = 0.26; p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

In T1DM, SSAO activity correlates with renal dysfunction, but not with glycaemia, and may promote vascular inflammation and be a therapeutic target.
Glucose attenuates hypoxia-induced changes in endothelial cell growth by inhibiting HIF-1α expression
Authors: Gao Wei , Ferguson Gail , Connell Paul , Walshe Tony , O’Brien Colm , Redmond Eileen M , Cahill Paul A
Published: May 2014

Hyperglycaemia and hypoxia play essential pathophysiological roles in diabetes. We determined whether hyperglycaemia influences endothelial cell growth under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Using a Ruskinn Invivo2 400 Hypoxia Workstation, bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were exposed to high glucose concentrations (25 mM glucose) under normoxic or hypoxic conditions before cell growth (balance of proliferation and apoptosis) was assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pCNA), Bcl-xL and caspase-3 protein expression and activity. Hypoxia increased hypoxia response element (HRE) transactivation and induced hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression when compared to normoxic controls concomitant with a significant decrease in cell growth. High glucose (25 mM) concentrations attenuated HRE transactivation and HIF-1α protein expression while concurrently reducing hypoxia-induced changes in BAEC growth. Knockdown of HIF-1α expression significantly decreased hypoxia-induced changes in growth and attenuated the modulatory effects of glucose. These results provide evidence that hypoxia-induced control of BAEC growth can be altered by the presence of glucose via inhibition of HIF-1α expression and activation.
Beyond Reminiscence
Authors: Davis Boyd H. , Shenk Dena
Published: May 2014

Videos and multimedia are increasingly used to stimulate reminiscence in dementia care. However, they are also valuable in eliciting a wide range of language patterns that are not necessarily keyed to reminiscence about self. Low-technology, home-made generic and personalized videos were tested with 2 samples of persons with dementia, to increase engagement and support the retention of identity. Participants showed a slight, though not significant, preference for looking first at personalized videos and produced a wider range of conversational language topics and phrasal patterns in response to the generic videos.
Effects of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea on the clinical manifestations of plaque vulnerability and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Nakashima Hiroshi , Kurobe Masaya , Minami Kazutoshi , Furudono Shinnosuke , Uchida Yuzou , Amenomori Kentarou , Nunohiro Tatsuya , Takeshita Satoshi , Maemura Koji
Published: May 2014

Aims:

It is unclear whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the recurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesized that moderate-to-severe OSA increased the number of adverse cardiovascular events in patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results:

This study included 272 patients with acute MI. Polysomnography at first admission determined that 124 patients suffered from moderate-to-severe OSA. The main study outcome measures were cardiac death, recurrence of ACS, and re-admission for heart failure. Major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) were defined as composite end points of individual clinical outcomes. Follow-up coronary angiograms were obtained in 222 patients. PCI-related measures were target vessel revascularization and newly necessitated PCI for progressive lesions. The moderate-to-severe OSA patients had increased ACS recurrence and MACEs compared with patients with mild OSA or without sleep apnea (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.014; 22% vs. 11%, p = 0.014, respectively). PCI for progressive lesions was also higher in the moderate-to-severe OSA patients (28% vs. 15%, p = 0.015). Cox regression analysis showed that moderate-to-severe OSA was an independent predictor of ACS recurrence (hazard ratio = 2.30, p = 0.040). In addition, moderate-to-severe OSA was an independent predictor of PCI for progressive lesions, with a hazard ratio of 2.38 ( p = 0.015).

Conclusions:

Moderate-to-severe OSA increased the risk of ACS and the incidence of PCI for progressive lesions. Increased plaque vulnerability might be related to these clinical manifestations.
Criteria used for the active surveillance of localised prostate cancer in the UK
Authors: Hawizy A , Salji M , Kelker AR , Gujral SS , Van As N
Published: May 2014

Introduction:

Active surveillance (AS) is a valid option for localised prostate cancer and should be offered to patients who are suitable for radical treatment in conjunction with current NICE guidelines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consensus on AS selection and follow-up criteria in the United Kingdom (UK).

Method:

An electronic survey (Appendix 1) was emailed to 500 British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) members to determine their local criteria for active surveillance in prostate cancer.

Results:

Of the 134 (26.8%) BAUS members who responded, PSA ≤ 10 ng/ml, Gleason score ≤ 6 and clinical stage ≤ T1c were the preferred selection criteria used in the UK. However, only 51.5% will perform MRI for disease staging. Most urologists (65.6%) preferred three-monthly PSA follow-up visits for the first year then six-monthly thereafter. A digital rectal examination (DRE) is not performed by 57.1%. Increased Gleason score and PSA doubling time were the two main criteria that would trigger intervention.

Conclusion:

There is a lack of consensus on criteria used for selection, follow-up and repeat biopsy for prostate cancer patients on active surveillance in the UK.
Activated innate lymphoid cells are associated with a reduced susceptibility to graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Munneke J. Marius , Björklund Andreas T. , Mjösberg Jenny M. , Garming-Legert Karin , Bernink Jochem H. , Blom Bianca , Huisman Cynthia , van Oers Marinus H. J. , Spits Hergen , Malmberg Karl-Johan , Hazenberg Mette D.
Published: May 2014

Key Points

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy deplete ILCs from the blood; ILC reconstitution after allogeneic HSCT is slow. High frequencies of activated ILCs with tissue homing potential before allogeneic HSCT are associated with reduced risk for GVHD.
Impact of FLT3ITD mutant allele level on relapse risk in intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Linch David C. , Hills Robert K. , Burnett Alan K. , Khwaja Asim , Gale Rosemary E.
Published: May 2014

Key Points

In cases with intermediate-risk NPM1MUT AML, there are only minor differences in relapse risk according to FLT3ITD level. When considering allogeneic transplantation in first remission, NPM1MUT cases with low-level FLT3ITD should not be considered as good risk.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: A remark on the a-minimally thin sets associated with the Schrödinger operator
Authors: Xue Gaixian
Published: May 2014

The aim of this paper is to give a new criterion for a-minimally thin sets at infinity with respect to the Schrödinger operator in a cone, which supplement the results obtained by T. Zhao.
Inflammation biomarkers and delirium in critically ill patients
Authors: Ritter Cristiane , Tomasi Cristiane D , Dal-Pizzol Felipe , Pinto Bernardo Bollen , Dyson Alex , de Miranda Aline S , Comim Clarissa M , Soares Márcio , Teixeira Antonio L , Quevedo João , Singer Mervyn
Published: May 2014

Introduction

Delirium is a common occurrence in critically ill patients and is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. Septic patients with delirium may differ from a general critically ill population. The aim of this investigation was to study the relationship between systemic inflammation and the development of delirium in septic and non-septic critically ill patients.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study in a 20-bed mixed intensive care unit (ICU) including 78 (delirium = 31; non-delirium = 47) consecutive patients admitted for more than 24 hours. At enrollment, patients were allocated to septic or non-septic groups according to internationally agreed criteria. Delirium was diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) during the first 72 hours of ICU admission. Blood samples were collected within 12 hours of enrollment for determination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF Receptor (STNFR)-1 and -2, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and adiponectin.

Results

Out of all analyzed biomarkers, only STNFR1 (P = 0.003), STNFR2 (P = 0.005), adiponectin (P = 0.005) and IL-1β (P < 0.001) levels were higher in delirium patients. Adjusting for sepsis and sedation, these biomarkers were also independently associated with delirium occurrence. However, none of them were significant influenced by sepsis.

Conclusions

STNFR1, STNFR2, adiponectin and IL-1β were associated with delirium. Sepsis did not modify the relationship between the biomarkers and delirium occurrence.
A shared transcriptional program in early breast neoplasias despite genetic and clinical distinctions
Authors: Brunner Alayne L , Li Jun , Guo Xiangqian , Sweeney Robert T , Varma Sushama , Zhu Shirley X , Li Rui , Tibshirani Robert , West Robert B
Published: May 2014

Background

The earliest recognizable stages of breast neoplasia are lesions that represent a heterogeneous collection of epithelial proliferations currently classified based on morphology. Their role in the development of breast cancer is not well understood but insight into the critical events at this early stage will improve efforts in breast cancer detection and prevention. These microscopic lesions are technically difficult to study so very little is known about their molecular alterations.

Results

To characterize the transcriptional changes of early breast neoplasia, we sequenced 3′- end enriched RNAseq libraries from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of early neoplasia samples and matched normal breast and carcinoma samples from 25 patients. We find that gene expression patterns within early neoplasias are distinct from both normal and breast cancer patterns and identify a pattern of pro-oncogenic changes, including elevated transcription of ERBB2, FOXA1, and GATA3 at this early stage. We validate these findings on a second independent gene expression profile data set generated by whole transcriptome sequencing. Measurements of protein expression by immunohistochemistry on an independent set of early neoplasias confirms that ER pathway regulators FOXA1 and GATA3, as well as ER itself, are consistently upregulated at this early stage. The early neoplasia samples also demonstrate coordinated changes in long non-coding RNA expression and microenvironment stromal gene expression patterns.

Conclusions

This study is the first examination of global gene expression in early breast neoplasia, and the genes identified here represent candidate participants in the earliest molecular events in the development of breast cancer.
The hydrodynamics of swimming at intermediate Reynolds numbers in the water boatman (Corixidae).
Authors: Ngo Victoria , McHenry Matthew J.
Published: May 2014

The fluid forces that govern propulsion determine the speed and energetic cost of swimming. These hydrodynamics are scale-dependent and it is unclear what forces matter to the tremendous diversity of aquatic animals that are between a millimeter and a centimeter in length. Animals at this scale generally operate within the regime of intermediate Reynolds numbers, where both viscous and inertial fluid forces have the potential to play a role in propulsion. The present study aimed to resolve which forces create thrust and drag in the paddling of the water boatman (Corixidae), an animal that spans much of the intermediate regime (10 < Re < 200). By measuring the force generated by tethered boatmen, we found that thrust is generated primarily by drag on the paddling appendages, with a negligible contribution from the acceleration reaction force. Based on these findings, we developed a forward-dynamic model of propulsion in free-swimming that accurately predicted changes in the body's center of mass over time. For both tethered and free swimming, we used non-linear optimization algorithms to determine the force coefficients that best-matched our measurements. With this approach, the drag coefficients on the body and paddle were found to be up to three times greater than static structures in fully developed flow at the same Reynolds numbers. This is likely a partial consequence of unsteady interactions between the paddles or between the paddles and the body. In addition, the maximum values for these coefficients were inversely related to the Reynolds number, which suggests that viscous forces additionally play an important role in the hydrodynamics of small water boatmen. This understanding for the major forces that operate at intermediate Reynolds numbers offers a basis for interpreting the mechanics, energetics and functional morphology of swimming in many small aquatic animals.
Functional characterization of Candida albicans Hos2 histone deacetylase
Authors: Karthikeyan G , Paul-Satyaseela Maneesh , Dhatchana Moorthy Nachiappan , Gopalaswamy Radha , Narayanan Shridhar
Published: May 2014

Candida albicans is a mucosal commensal organism capable of causing superficial (oral and vaginal thrush) infections in immune normal hosts, but is a major pathogen causing systemic and mucosal infections in immunocompromised individuals. Azoles have been very effective anti-fungal agents and the mainstay in treating opportunistic mold and yeast infections. Azole resistant strains have emerged compromising the utility of this class of drugs. It has been shown that azole resistance can be reversed by the co-administration of a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, suggesting that resistance is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms possibly involving Hos2, a fungal deacetylase. We report here the cloning and functional characterization of HOS2 (HighOsmolarity Sensitive), a gene coding for fungal histone deacetylase from C. albicans. Inhibition studies showed that Hos2 is susceptible to pan inhibitors such as trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), but is not inhibited by class I inhibitors such as MS-275. This in vitro enzymatic assay, which is amenable to high throughput could be used for screening potent fungal Hos2 inhibitors that could be a potential anti-fungal adjuvant. Purified Hos2 protein consistently deacetylated tubulins, rather than histones from TSA-treated cells. Hos2 has been reported to be a putative NAD+ dependent histone deacetylase, a feature of sirtuins. We assayed for sirtuin activation with resveratrol and purified Hos2 protein and did not find any sirtuin activity.
Methodology of Training for Academic Olympics at School
Authors: Цветкова  , Tsvetkova Marina , Кирюхин  , Kiryukhin V.
Published: May 2014

The paper considers methods of preparing for participation in Academic Olympics on Informatics in the school setting. The proposed methods pat

special attention to revealing and enhancing talents of a school-level student. Age peculiarities in studying Informatics of Academic Olympics level are

shown, and among others, those involving Internet-resources. Specially outlined is the role of a teacher in timely revealing and developing talents of

students, studying Informatics and Computer Programming.
Systems Approach in Using Musical Component in the Course of Teaching English
Authors: Саакян  , Saakyan Sona
Published: May 2014

The paper deals with the system approach in using musical component for improving quality of teaching the English language to preschool-age and

school-age children.
Integrated Facility Layout Design and Flow Assignment Problem Under Uncertainty
Authors: Zhao Yifei , Wallace Stein W.
Published: May 2014

The facility layout problem is the problem of assigning facilities to locations. We study the case of limited machine capacity and hence multiple copies of each machine type. We take into account stochastic demand, described by several types of jobs (i.e., sequences of machine types), each with an uncertain demand level. We develop a heuristic framework allowing us to find good solutions to the stochastic case whenever it is possible to solve the corresponding deterministic quadratic assignment problem (QAP), exactly or heuristically. Athough the QAP is a very hard problem in its own right, our approach allows randomness (and hence relevance) to be added at only a marginal increase in computational costs.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/ijoc.2014.0599 .
ADAPTABILITY OF STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL AND TYPOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF VEGETATIVE FUNCTIONS REGULATION
Authors: Tananakina Tatiana , Lila Natalya , Ivasenko Anzhelika , Bolgov Dmitrij , Mavrich Svetlana , Modna Yuliya
Published: May 2014

In the last decade the health of young people inUkraineas well as in many other countries of the world significantly deteriorated according to the results of screening tests. Because of this the main task of prophylactic medicine is development and introduction of new methods of early diagnostics of diseases. The aim of the work to assess the peculiarities of adaptation of students with different types of vegetative regulation.Material and methods: 415 second year students ofLuganskStateMedicalUniversitywere tested. The mechanisms of physiological functions of the body regulation were assessed by registration of cardiac rhythm variability (CRV). Analysis of CRV was performed by three methods: statistical, geometrical, and spectral analysis. The express method proposed by Shlyk, N.I. (2009) was later used to determine the prevailing type of vegetative regulation. To assess adaptability the method of R.M. Baevskij (1979) was used.Results: In the result of investigation 4 types of functional states of regulatory systems were determined: I type – 295 (71 %) of tested, II – in 14 (3 %), III – in 96 (23 %) and IV – only in 10 (2%). I type of functional state of regulatory systems in the wakeful state at rest was characterized by moderate prevalence of central regulation of heart rhythm (MPCR), decreased activity of autonomic regulation. It was noticed that some of the parameters of CRV (like R-R, SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50) which characterize autonomic regulation, were statistically lowere (р≤0.01) compared to type III, and some (like AMo and SI) higher, in both female and male students. Summarized spectrum capacity and components of its wave structure (HF, LF, VLF) which characterize central regulation were statistically significantly lower (р≤0.01) for the I type of regulation compared to the III one which is characterized by moderate prevalence of autonomic regulation of the heart rhythm. In female students with type I autonomic regulation compared to male students such CRV parameters as R-R and AМo were statistically significantly lower (р≤0.05), while the parameters of total potency (TP) and high frequency waves (HF) were higher (р≤0.05), which could point to more centralized heart rhythm regulation in male compared to female. The evaluation of regulatory systems overstress allowed to determine the state of adaptation and risk of overstress or breakdown in students with different types of autonomic regulation.Conclusions: Thus, evaluation of adaptation state in students with different types of autonomic regulation allows to characterize the current functional state and uncover the risk of disease development.
Is obstetric practice in SE Nigeria based on reliable research?
Authors: Oyo-Ita AE , Van der Kooi R , Etuk SJ , Nwagbara E , Garner P , Meremikwu MM , Smith H
Published: May 2014

Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials are used to inform obstetric practice worldwide. It is not known whether obstetric practice in Nigeria currently follows best evidence. This study explored whether the practices in selected hospitals in Nigeria are consistent with available evidence. In Cross River State, 13 health facilities were studied through audit of case notes augmented with exit interviews with postpartum women. Sequential case notes (n=487) were audited and 113 postpartum women were interviewed. For practices where there is good evidence of benefit, routine use varied: antibiotics for pre-term rupture of membrane (83.3% n=6); partograph in monitoring labour (42% n=487); and prophylactic antibiotics for caesarean section (21.5% n=111). Practices with little evidence of benefit were commonly performed: pubic shaving (70.8% n=72); restriction of mobility (33.3% n= 2); supine position for the second stage of labour (97.2% n=72); and episiotomy (37.5% n=72) overall and 74% in primigravidae. Only 33.3% of women were allowed fluids during labour; and diazepam rather than magnesium sulphate was the drug of choice for treating eclampsia.

This study demonstrates that a gap exists between best practice guided by reliable research evidence and current obstetric practice in health facilities in the hospitals studied.
Appreciative inquiry: reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
Authors: Maclean Gaynor D
Published: May 2014

The paper examines the philosophy and practice of appreciative inquiry (AI) as an alternative and creative approach to problem solving. Examples of the method are drawn from around the globe and some case studies utilizing AI in the context of maternal and neonatal health care are outlined. It is proposed that AI offers an innovative and inspiring way of realizing the best in skilled care and contributing to an enabling environment in which to provide that care. AI emphasizes the unique value not only of the lives of those requiring care but also of that of the caregiver. It offers a way to improve quality through discovering the strengths of individuals, organizations and communities. It is defined by the dreams and destined by the design of those at the heart of the situation where every team member is valued and the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.