bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of primary central nervous system lymphoma in an HIV-infected patient after multiple opportunistic infections
Authors: Liu L , Zheng Y , Lu H
Published: May 2012

A 35-year-old Chinese man presented to medical attention with fever, cough and shortness of breath and HIV infection. His CD4+ lymphocyte count was 28 cells/μL and his HIV viral load was 386,891 copies/mL. Diagnosis of tuberculosis, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, mycobacterium avium complex, fungal infection and cytomegalovirus retinitis were confirmed according to the symptoms, laboratory results and radiology. After therapy for all these opportunistic infections, his symptoms were relieved. In addition, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was also initiated two weeks after his admission. The patient had a headache two months after admission and the magnetic resonance image of the brain showed left frontal lobe hypodensity. The patient then accepted brain biopsy and the pathological result proved to be primary central nervous system lymphoma). The patient refused further therapy and lost in our follow-up.
Implementing bathhouse-based voluntary counselling and testing has no adverse effect on bathhouse patronage among men who have sex with men
Authors: Huebner D M , Binson D , Pollack L M , Woods W J
Published: May 2012

Implementing HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in bathhouses is a proven public health strategy for reaching high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) and efficiently identifying new HIV cases. However, some bathhouse managers are concerned that VCT programmes could adversely affect business. This study examined whether offering VCT on the premises of a bathhouse changed patterns of patron visits. A collaborating bathhouse provided electronic anonymized patron data from their entire population of attendees. VCT was offered on premises with varying frequencies over the course of three years. Club entrances and exits were modelled as a function of intensity of VCT programming. Club entrances did not differ as a function of how many days per week testing was being offered in a given month. Additionally, club entrances did not decrease, nor did club exits increase, during specific half-hour time periods when testing was offered. Implementing bathhouse-based VCT did not have any demonstrable impact on patronage. Public health officials can leverage these results to help alleviate club managers’ concerns about patron reactions to providing testing on site, and to support expanding sexual health programmes for MSM in these venues.
Identification of potential drug–drug interactions between antiretroviral drugs from prescriptions in the private health-care sector in South Africa
Authors: Katende-Kyenda N L , Lubbe M S , Serfontein J H P , Truter I
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study was to identify potential drug–drug interactions (DDIs) between antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and to determine whether prescribed daily doses (PDDs) from prescriptions can be used in the evaluation of these interactions. A quantitative, retrospective drug utilization study was performed on 49,995 and 81,096 ARV prescriptions from a South African pharmacy benefit management company, which were prescribed to 7664 and 10,162 HIV patients for 2005 and 2006, respectively. Potential DDIs identified across different age groups were 778 for 2005 and 1155 for 2006; the majority occurred in patients aged 19 to ≤45 years. The potential DDIs identified between ARVs were all interacting at clinical significance level 2 according to guidelines indicated by Tatro. These results demonstrate that potential DDIs were identified between ARVs mostly in three ARV combinations: Kaletra® (lopinavir/ritonavir) and efavirenz, lopinavir/ritonavir and nevirapine and combinations of indinavir and ritonavir. There is a need for more education on the prescribing protocols for ARVs in the treatment of HIV-infected patients in the private health-care sector in South Africa.
Nodal cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome masquerading as tuberculosis in an HIV-infected patient
Authors: Tweddle A , Davies S J , Topping W , Whitehorn J , Falzon M , Miller R F
Published: May 2012

An African HIV-infected patient presented with widespread necrotic lymphadenopathy five months after starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and was thought to have disseminated tuberculosis in the context of an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) on the basis of typical imaging appearances and suggestive appearances from a fine needle aspirate of a nodal mass. The patient deteriorated despite empirical antituberculosis therapy and the correct diagnosis of nodal cryptococcal infection was subsequently established by histological examination of a core biopsy from a lymph node. IRIS should be borne in mind when considering the differential diagnosis in a patient who has recently started cART.
Sulphadiazine-induced obstructive renal failure complicating treatment of HIV-associated toxoplasmosis
Authors: Allinson J , Topping W , Edwards S G , Miller R F
Published: May 2012

A patient with newly-diagnosed HIV infection and biopsy-proven cerebral toxoplasmosis was treated with sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine. Despite adequate hydration and daily examination of urine for sulphadiazine crystals obstructive uropathy due to bilateral ureteric stones with hydronephrosis occurred, resulting in rapid onset renal failure. Sulphadiazine was discontinued and clindamycin was substituted. With intravenous fluid hydration and bilateral nephrostomies the urolithiasis resolved. This case serves to remind clinicians of the need for vigilance when treating cerebral toxoplasmosis with sulphadiazine, in order to avoid this potentially serious complication of treatment.
Anal human papillomavirus infection in a street-based sample of drug using HIV-positive men
Authors: Cranston R D , Murphy R , Weiss R E , Da Costa M , Palefsky J , Shoptaw S , Gorbach P M
Published: May 2012

HIV facilitates an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated conditions. HIV-positive men living in a substance use context in Los Angeles, USA, were recruited using respondent-driven sampling, completed a questionnaire and had biological samples including an anal HPV swab taken. A total of 316 evaluable men were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of any HPV, high-risk (HR) infection and multiple-type infection was highest for men who have sex with men (MSM) (93.9%, 64.6% and 29.7%, respectively). When any HPV and HR-HPV prevalence in all men was stratified by age, the youngest group had 100% and 68.2% prevalence, respectively, with similarly high rates maintained up to age 49 years. The individual's use of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin was not significantly associated with anal HPV detection. In this marginalized population, high prevalence rates of anal HPV and HR-HPV occurring over a wide age range may increase the individual's risk for anal dysplasia and anal cancer.
Persons at high risk for HIV infection in Kisumu, Kenya: identifying recruitment strategies for enrolment in HIV-prevention studies
Authors: Ogendo A , Otieno F , Nyikuri M , Shinde S , Nyambura M , Pals S , Chege W , Gust D A
Published: May 2012

A combination of in-depth interviews ( n = 38) and surveys ( n = 203) were used to (1) identify strategies to recruit persons at high risk for HIV infection; (2) determine whether one strategy was more successful than others; and (3) describe motivators and barriers to participation in HIV-prevention studies. From in-depth interviews, four main recruitment strategies were identified: (1) use of a person with specific knowledge of a target population (link person mobilization); (2) use of co-workers or contemporaries (peer mobilization); (3) use of group or association leaders (leader mobilization); and (4) contacting persons by study staff directly (staff contact mobilization). The odds of inconsistently using condoms during sex were greater among those recruited using the peer mobilization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35–9.54) and the leader mobilization strategies (AOR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.04–7.38) compared with the link person mobilization strategy. The main motivators for taking part in an HIV research study were receiving HIV-prevention education, HIV information or counselling, and receiving compensation for study participation. The main barriers were fear of lack of confidentiality and HIV testing concerns. Using evaluated strategies to recruit persons at high risk for HIV infection and addressing barriers to participation will improve the conduct and outcome of HIV-prevention studies.
Complicated lymphogranuloma venereum infection mimicking deep vein thrombosis in an HIV-positive man
Authors: Kennedy J E , Higgins S P
Published: May 2012

A 41-year-old HIV-positive man who has sex with men (MSM) with a family history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presented to the emergency department with an acutely swollen lower limb. The initial clinical diagnosis was of a possible DVT and the patient was anticoagulated. However, investigations subsequently excluded DVT and sexually acquired reactive arthropathy (SARA) was eventually diagnosed. This complication followed an earlier attendance at the emergency department, where proctitis due to lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) infection went unrecognized. This is the first reported case of LGV infection mimicking a DVT. Prompt recognition and treatment of the initial proctitis may have prevented the development of SARA.
Biological basis for the protective effect conferred by male circumcision against HIV infection
Authors: Morris B J , Wamai R G
Published: May 2012

Here we provide an up-to-date review of research that explains why uncircumcised men are at higher risk of HIV infection. The inner foreskin is a mucosal epithelium deficient in protective keratin, yet rich in HIV target cells. Soon after sexual exposure to infected mucosal secretions of a HIV-positive partner, infected T-cells from the latter form viral synapses with keratinocytes and transfer HIV to Langerhans cells via dendrites that extend to just under the surface of the inner foreskin. The Langerhans cells with internalized HIV migrate to the basal epidermis and then pass HIV on to T-cells, thus leading to the systemic infection that ensues. Infection is exacerbated in inflammatory states associated with balanoposthitis, the presence of smegma and ulceration – including that caused by infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 and some other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A high foreskin surface area and tearing of the foreskin or associated frenulum during sexual intercourse also facilitate HIV entry. Thus, by various means, the foreskin is the primary biological weak point that permits HIV infection during heterosexual intercourse. The biological findings could explain why male circumcision protects against HIV infection.
UK national re-audit of sexual history-taking
Authors: Sullivan A K , McClean H , Carne C A , Tayal S , Daniels D
Published: May 2012

A focused repeat national audit of sexual history-taking was conducted in genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics in the UK in 2010, addressing several areas of practice under-performance identified in the baseline 2008 national audit. The case-notes of 4285 patients were audited. An increase in documentation was observed for all measures, except legibility which was unchanged. Despite the overall improvement, several measures (chaperone offer, condom usage and four of five aspects of HIV risk assessment) remained below target.
Impacts of Family Size on the Family as a Whole: Evidence from the Developing World
Authors: Cáceres-Delpiano Julio
Published: May 2012

Using multiple births as an Instrumental Variable (IV) for family size and data for 43 developing countries, I find evidence that a shock in fertility has a cost for a family as a whole. Mothers are more likely to live in less stable family arrangements and they are more likely to use contraceptives. Children are less likely to receive some vaccines, attend school, and live with their mothers. The analysis by level of development reveals the cost of fertility is driven by countries with lower levels of development.
The Millennium Development Program: Poised to Miss 2015 Dead Line
Authors: Ahmed Siraj U.
Published: May 2012

The attached article provides a comprehensive analysis of the UN Millennium Development Program that was implemented to reduce poverty around the globe. It first describes what the program itself is and then explores each of program goals by each region in the globe. It also provides author's suggestions into how improvements can be made in certain areas that have been struggling after the author has provided the reasons for the struggle.
Low Expectations: Reference‐Dependent Preferences and Labor Supply in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Spears Dean
Published: May 2012

Reference‐dependent decision‐making — the core of behavioral economics' prospect theory — makes people more likely to choose an outcome that they expect to receive. Reference‐dependence therefore may imply the perpetuation of disadvantage: people who do not expect an opportunity may be less likely to “seize the day” if one unexpectedly arrives. We find evidence of this possibility in labor supply decision‐making in two datasets about a high‐unemployment part of Cape Town, South Africa, including a panel. People with low expectations for finding a job — that is, people who expect to be unemployed — are less likely to report accepting several hypothetical job offers. This result is robust to a range of respecifications, including adding a range of control variables for desire and ability to work, including reservation wages. The finding appears to arise according to the theorized mechanisms. To our knowledge, this is the first indication of reference‐dependent labor supply in a developing country, where especially low expectations could have particularly important consequences.
Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America and Anti‐Poverty Policies in Chile: Why is Chile's Market Economy Unable to Reduce Poverty and Inequality?
Authors: Borzutzky Silvia
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) in Latin America and to assess Chile's anti‐poverty policies, including Chile Solidario and the Ethical Wage. The paper has a summary evaluation of the most important CCTs in Latin America, an analysis of the nature and limited impact of Chile Solidario, a discussion of poverty and vulnerability in Chile, and the Ethical Wage approach pursued by the Piñera administration The paper concludes by questioning the capacity of market oriented approaches to poverty reduction and argues that because poverty is a multifaceted situation, poverty reduction requires a multidimensional approach that includes at the very least educational, employment and labor policies.
Editor's Letter
Authors: Skidmore Max J.
Published: May 2012

Editor‐in‐Chief Max J. Skidmore shares his introductory thoughts about the first issue of PPP's Fourth Volume.
Scitovsky Reversals and Practical Benefit-Cost Analysis
Authors: Just Richard E. , Schmitz Andrew , Zerbe Richard O.
Published: May 2012

The possibility of preference reversals according to the Kaldor-Hicks (KH) criterion in benefit-cost analysis has concerned economists since Scitovsky (1941) first published his results. Lawyers and philosophers have argued that the potential of reversals calls the use of benefit-cost analysis into question, implying elimination of its use. We demonstrate that reversals occur only with inferior goods in the case of static production possibilities and that reversals occur under changing production possibilities only when production possibilities frontiers cross, which is a myopic characterization that ignores practical cases of global production possibilities.
Uric acid biorhythm, a feature of long-term variation in a clinical laboratory database
Authors: de Andrade Mauricio Pacheco , Hirata Rosario D.C. , Sandrini Fabiano , Largura Alvaro , Hirata Mario Hiroyuki
Published: May 2012

The biorhythm of serum uric acid was evaluated in a large sample of a clinical laboratory database by spectral analysis and the influence of the gender and age on uric acid variability.

Serum uric acid values were extracted from a large database of a clinical laboratory from May 2000 to August 2006. Outlier values were excluded from the analysis and the remaining data (n=73,925) were grouped by gender and age ranges. Rhythm components were obtained by the Lomb Scargle method and Cosinor analysis.

Serum uric acid was higher in men than in women older than 13 years (p<0.05). Compared with 0–12 year group, uric acid increased in men but not in women older than 13 years (p<0.05). Circannual (12 months) and transyear (17 months) rhythm components were detected, but they were significant only in adult individuals (>26 years, p<0.05). Cosinor analysis showed that midline estimating statistic of rhythm (MESOR) values were higher in men (range: 353–368 μmol/L) than in women (range: 240–278 μmol/L; p<0.05), independent of the age and rhythm component. The extent of predictable change within a cycle, approximated by the double amplitude, represented up to 20% of the corresponding MESOR.

Serum uric acid biorhythm is dependent on gender and age and it may have relevant influence on preanalytical variability of clinical laboratory results.
Characterisation of a highly sensitive troponin I assay and its application to a cardio-healthy population
Authors: Koerbin Gus , Tate Jill , Potter Julia M. , Cavanaugh Juleen , Glasgow Nicholas , Hickman Peter E.
Published: May 2012

Abbott Diagnostics have developed a new highly sensitive troponin I (hs-TnI) assay. We have assessed its analytical characteristics and applied the assay to a population of apparently cardio-healthy persons.

We assessed imprecision, bias compared to the previous generation assay, matrix effects, and interferences and applied the assay to an apparently healthy population, deriving the 99th percentile limit of the distribution of values in reference populations for men and women separately.

The dynamic range of the assay was ranged from 0.5–50,000 ng/L (pg/mL). The 10% CV was at a concentration of 3.9 ng/L, and the 20% CV was at a concentration of 1.8 ng/L. The new and current version of the TnI assay were highly correlated [slope: 0.98 (95%CI:0.88–1.07),

This new hs-TnI assay is able to measure to an order of magnitude lower than the current generation TnI assay from the same manufacturer. With TnI being detectable in nearly all apparently healthy subject samples this suggests that TnI presence does not always indicate cardiomyocyte necrosis.
The concentration of adiponectin in breast milk is related to maternal hormonal and inflammatory status during 6 months of lactation
Authors: Ozarda Yesim , Gunes Yeliz , Tuncer Gul Ozlem
Published: May 2012

Varying concentrations of adiponectin are present in human breast milk. This study aimed to determine the relationship between milk adiponectin concentration and the hormonal and inflammatory status of breast-feeding women.

Blood and breast milk samples were collected from 157 breast-feeding women enrolled at 1–180 post-partum lactation days. The milk and serum adiponectin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassays. The serum oestradiol, prolactin, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, cortisol and insulin concentrations were measured by the chemiluminescent immunometric method. The leptin, resistin and ghrelin concentrations were measured by the immunometric methods.

The milk, but not serum, adiponectin concentration increased during the 180-day lactation period and displayed a positive correlation (r=0.748; p<0.001) to the lactation day. The milk adiponectin concentration was positively correlated to the maternal serum ghrelin concentration (r=0.299; p<0.001) and inversely to the maternal serum oestradiol (r=–0.366; p<0.001), prolactin (r=–0.444; p<0.001), thyroxine (r=–0.355; p<0.001), triiodothyronine (r=–0.291; p<0.001), cortisol (r=–0.537; p<0.001), and C-reactive protein (r=–0.483; p<0.001) concentrations. The milk adiponectin concentration was positively correlated to the milk leptin (r=0.344; p<0.001) and ghrelin (r=0.458; p<0.001) concentrations, and inversely to milk resistin concentration (r=–0.518; p<0.001). The serum adiponectin concentration in breastfed infants was positively correlated (r=0.711; p<0.001) to the adiponectin concentration in the consumed breast milk.

The adiponectin concentration in breast milk increases over time during lactation and is affected by the maternal hormonal and inflammatory status.
Haematological and iron metabolism parameters in professional cyclists during the Giro d’Italia 3-weeks stage race
Authors: Corsetti Roberto , Lombardi Giovanni , Lanteri Patrizia , Colombini Alessandra , Graziani Rosella , Banfi Giuseppe
Published: May 2012

Haematological assessment is crucial for evaluating athletes healthy status. Professional athletes experience physiological modifications during competitions and over a season: the risk of sports anaemia is high. Few descriptions of haematological parameters behaviour during a 3-weeks cycling stage race have been published.

We studied nine professional cyclists engaged in the 2011

Haemoglobin, red blood cells and haematocrit decreased during the race with a stabilisation in the second half, but final values were lower than baseline. Reticulocytes did not modify, whilst the immature reticulocyte fraction increased. No differences were found in red blood cells volume and corpuscular haemoglobin content, neither in iron metabolism markers. The acute phase proteins, haptoglobin and C-reactive protein, both increased over the race, while haemoglobin and haptoglobin were inversely related.

These data are important for improving the knowledge of physiological modifications in haematological and iron metabolism parameters of professional athletes during highly demanding competitions. This is the first report, in the ambit of a stage race, in which the pre-analytical phase standardisation has been applied.
Thyroid volume influences serum calcitonin levels in a thyroid-healthy population: results of a 3-assay, 519 subjects study
Authors: Giovanella Luca , Imperiali Mauro , Ferrari Anna , Palumbo Alessia , Lippa Lorella , Peretti Andrea , Graziani Maria Stella , Castello Roberto , Verburg Frederik A.
Published: May 2012

We aimed to assess determinants for serum calcitonin (CT) levels and to define reference ranges for different CT immunoassays integrating thyroid ultrasonography (TUS) and conventional clinical and biochemical criteria to select the reference population.

Five hundred and nineteen thyroid-healthy subjects were included in this prospective cross-sectional population study. Thyroid volume was measured by TUS, while serum CT levels were measured by three different immunoassays.

Significant interassay differences were found and the agreement between assays was poor. CT levels were higher in males than in females in all immunoassays. Using the first two assays, both gender and thyroid volume were independent determinants for CT levels. While using the third assay, one thyroid volume was the only determinant for CT levels.

Thyroid volume is a relevant determinant for CT levels. In the clinical practice, the difference of the thyroid sizes in males and females warrants gender-specific reference ranges.
Impact of the reference values on the clinically-relevant cut-offs. The example of cortisol testing in children
Authors: Brossaud Julie , Barat Pascal , Georges Agnès , Corcuff Jean-Benoît
Published: May 2012

After modification of our routine cortisol assay, we questioned the reference ranges for basal and stimulated cortisol plasma concentration in children.

We retrospectively addressed the relevance of using the manufacturer’s normal reference range for basal cortisol and investigated its response to glucagon-betaxolol testing.

Basal morning cortisol was 260 (98–604) nmol/L [manufacturer’s normal range (185–624) nmol/L: 26% subjects had “low” basal cortisol]. Upon testing cortisol increased to 502 (117–856) nmol/L. If a recently described 100% specificity threshold (403 nmol/L) is used it would amount to 31% adrenal insufficient children in apparently unaffected children. Basal and stimulated cortisol obtained with our prior radioimmunoassay (RIA) in a sub-group of subjects were lower: 411 (187–1061) and 770 (329–1542) nmol/L. Using the 403 nmol/L threshold with the radioimmunoassay would result in only 5% adrenal insufficient children.

This shows again that laboratories have to advertise the need to establish reference values for given populations, both for basal or stimulated hormone levels. Failure to apply this rule will elicit false-positive and more critically, false-negative results.
Obtaining reference intervals traceable to reference measurement systems: is it possible, who is responsible, what is the strategy?
Authors: Panteghini Mauro , Ceriotti Ferruccio
Published: May 2012

An issue associated with standardization efforts is the need to develop useful reference intervals (RI). Lack of proper RI may hamper the implementation of standardization in Laboratory Medicine as standardization can modify analyte results and, without adequate RI, this can impair the result interpretation. Once defined, RI obtained with analytical procedures that produce results traceable to the corresponding reference system can be transferred among laboratories, providing that they use commercial assays that produce results traceable to the same reference system and populations have the same characteristics. Multicenter studies are needed for a robust definition of traceable RI, using experimental protocols that include well defined prerequisites. Particularly, employed methods must produce results that are traceable to the reference system for that specific analyte. Thus, the trueness of laboratories producing reference values should be verified and, if necessary, experimental results corrected in accordance with correlation results with the selected reference. If requirements in the adoption of traceable RI are fulfilled, the possibility of providing RI that are applicable to any laboratory, able to produce results traceable to the reference system, is realistic. The definition of traceable RI should hopefully cause the disappearance of different RI employed for the same analyte, providing more effective information to clinicians.
On p-group Camina pairs
Authors: Lewis Mark L.
Published: May 2012

Let
Aktuelle examensrelevante Probleme aus dem Arbeitsrecht: Teil II
Authors: Pötters Stephan , Traut Johannes
Published: May 2012

Dieser Beitrag stellt das examensrelevante arbeitsrechtliche
Kündigungsschutzrecht knapp dar. Neben einer jeweils kurzen
Einführung in die Grundlagen weist er insbesondere auf
aktuelle Entwicklungen hin, die anhand von neueren Leitentscheidungen
des BAG darstellt werden. Er legt dabei besonderen Wert auf die examenstypische Verzahnung von allgemeinen zivilrechtlichen Kenntnissen und arbeitsrechtlichen Besonderheiten und erlaubt so eine optimale Klausurvorbereitung.
Die Berechnung von Fristen und Terminen
Authors: Petersen Jens
Published: May 2012

Die Berechnung von Terminen und Fristen gehört zu den eher
spröden Themen, ist aber praktisch äußerst wichtig und soll daher zumindest kurz behandelt werden. Zudem spielt die
Fristberechnung gerade auch im Examen eine große Rolle.
Wenn man die §§ 186 ff. BGB zum ersten Mal in der Klausur
liest, ist es in aller Regel zu spät.
The use of lasers in veterinary ophthalmology: Recommendations based on literature
Authors: Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: May 2012

Lasers are routinely used in veterinary ophthalmology for the treatment of a number of ophthalmic conditions and diseases. In veterinary ophthalmology, gas lasers (CO
A low-cost needle-based single-fiber reflectance spectroscopy method to probe scattering changes associated with mineralization in intervertebral discs in chondrodystrophoid canine species – A pilot study
Authors: Piao Daqing , McKeirnan Kelci , Jiang Yuanyuan , Breshears Melanie A. , Bartels Kenneth E.
Published: May 2012

Intervertebral disc herniation is a common disease in chondrodystrophic dogs, and a similar neurologic condition also occurs in humans. Percutaneous laser disc ablation (PLDA) is a minimally invasive procedure used increasingly for prevention of disc herniation. PLDA is performed on thoracolumbar discs to which the same laser energy is applied regardless of their mineral content. Knowledge of individual disc mineral composition would allow laser energy dosage adjustments and more accurate treatment of degenerative discs. Usually, PLDA is guided by radiography/fluoroscopy, which has a limited sensitivity of approximately 60% for identification of mineralized discs. An imaging or sensing technology that provides a more accurate pre-operative

A pilot study was performed on a total of 21 intervertebral discs from two cadaveric dogs (“Dog A” and “Dog B”). The discs were imaged by computed tomography (CT), radiography, and SFR spectroscopy, before histopathologic examination. SFR spectroscopy in the visible/near-infrared band was performed on the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through a 20-gauge spinal needle placed percutaneously for PLDA. A normalization method was applied to the raw remission spectra to extract a dimension-less and wavelength-dependent intensity profile in the 500–950 nm spectral range.

In total, six discs were determined to be degenerative on histopathology, five discs of “Dog A” and one disc of “Dog B”. CT diagnosed all six degenerated discs, whereas radiography missed two of the five degenerated discs of “Dog A”. The wavelength-dependent mean scattering intensity profiles of the six degenerated discs were noticeably higher than the mean scattering intensity profiles of the 15 “normal” or insignificantly mineralized discs over the entire spectral range. The mean scattering intensities, averaged over each of the entire profiles, were 2.79±0.58 (mean±SD) for the six degenerated discs and 1.48±0.37 for the 15 “normal” or insignificantly mineralized discs. A two-sample

SFR spectroscopy measurements indicate that the increase of light scattering intensity across the entire 500–950 nm spectral range is associated with the mineralization in canine intervertebral discs. However, the scattering characteristics of the nucleus pulposus measured in this study may not necessarily represent the optical properties of the nucleus pulposus at the laser wavelength used for PLDA (2100 nm). More studies on cadaveric and eventually
Application of evidence-based medicine to recurrence of Hansen’s type I intervertebral disc disease in dogs: A justification for continuation of study into percutaneous laser disc ablation?
Authors: Bordelon Jude T. , Bartels Kenneth E.
Published: May 2012

To review and evaluate the literature reporting results of prophylactic surgical procedures for Hansen’s type I intervertebral disc disease.

Systematic literature review.

Online bibliographic searches of abstracts through PubMed and the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) were performed using the searchable term “canine intervertebral disc disease and recurrence”. The resources were evaluated in regard to the ability of the retrieved references to directly address the clinical question as follows: which prophylactic technique when considered with or without surgery will consistently reduce or eliminate the recurrence of clinical signs associated with Hansen’s type I intervertebral disc disease. All studies were compared and evaluated with regard to study design, technique utilized, short and long-term outcome, and evidence classification.

An online bibliographical search was performed in PubMed using the full search term of “canine intervertebral disc disease and recurrence” resulted in 20 total sources, and of those sources 13 contained information pertaining to the clinical question. The same search term when used in the VIN search engine under the classification of journal abstracts resulted in 43 total results with 18 applicable resources. In review of both searches, 13 resources were listed in both searches. Of the 18 obtained by the VIN search 14 were available in the English language. No resources were included in class I level of evidence, and only one was considered as class II level of evidence. As for the remaining studies, three results were classified as class III studies, and the remaining reports were classified as class IV level of evidence.

Although direct extrapolation of the evidence provided by the search to the clinical scenario is not possible, this review will hopefully provide the basis for development of a randomized controlled study to provide for a clear need in evidence for prevention of intervertebral disc extrusion in dogs.
Laser endomicroscopy for the intraoperative diagnostic
Authors: Betz med. Christian , Schirra Jörg , Stepp Herbert
Published: May 2012

No abstract available.
The speeches to the People in Cicero's oratorical corpora
Authors: Manuwald Gesine
Published: May 2012

This paper discusses the function of speeches given by Cicero to the popular assembly (contio) as reports about recent political events or decrees. Several of the few extant examples are part of oratorical corpora consisting of speeches from politically difficult periods, namely from Cicero's consular year (63 BCE; Catilinarians) and from his fight against Mark Antony (44–43 BCE; Philippics). Cicero is shown to have applied his oratorical abilities in all these cases to exploit the contio speeches so as to present narrative accounts of political developments in his interpretation and thus to influence public opinion in the short term during the political process and particularly, within an edited corpus, in the long term.
Adrenarche: a cell biological perspective
Authors: Hornsby Peter J
Published: May 2012

Adrenarche is a cell biological and endocrinological puzzle. The differentiation of the zona reticularis in childhood in humans requires special techniques for study because it is confined to humans and possibly a small number of other primates. Despite the rapid progress in the definition of adrenocortical stem/progenitor cells in the mouse, the factors that cause the differentiation of adrenocortical cells into zonal cell types have not been identified. There are, however, many candidates in the Wnt, Hedgehog, and other families of signaling molecules. A suitable system for identifying authentic stem cells, capable of differentiation into all zones, has yet to be developed. It is proposed here that thein vitrodifferentiation of pluripotent cells, combined with appropriatein vitroandin vivomethods for validating authentic adrenocortical stem cells, is a promising approach to solving these questions.
Src family tyrosine kinase regulates acrosome reaction but not motility in porcine spermatozoa
Authors: Bragado María J , Gil María C , Martin-Hidalgo David , Hurtado de Llera Ana , Bravo Noelia , Moreno Antonio D , Garcia-Marin Luis J
Published: May 2012

During the capacitation process, spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilize an oocyte, and upregulation of cAMP-dependent protein tyrosine phosphorylation occurs. Recently, Src family tyrosine kinase (SFK) has been involved in spermatozoa capacitation as a key PKA-dependent tyrosine kinase in several species. This work investigates the expression and role of SFK in porcine spermatozoa. SFK members Lyn and Yes are identified in porcine spermatozoa by western blotting as well as two proteins named SFK1 and SFK2 were also detected by their tyrosine 416 phosphorylation, a key residue for SFK activation. Spermatozoa with SFK1 and SFK2 increase their Y416 phosphorylation time-dependently under capacitating conditions compared with noncapacitating conditions. The specific SFK inhibitor SU6656 unaffected porcine spermatozoa motility or viability. Moreover, SFK inhibition in spermatozoa under capacitating conditions leads to a twofold increase in both nonstimulated and calcium-induced acrosome reaction. Our data show that capacitating conditions lead to a time-dependent increase in actin polymerization in boar spermatozoa and that long-term incubation with SFK inhibitor causes a reduction in the F-actin content. In summary, this work shows that the SFK members Lyn and Yes are expressed in porcine spermatozoa and that SFK1 and SFK2 are phosphorylated (activated) during capacitation. Our results point out the important role exerted by SFK in the acrosome reaction, likely mediated in part by its involvement in the actin polymerization process that accompanies capacitation, and rule out its involvement in porcine spermatozoa motility.
The translator’s identity as perceived through metaphors
Authors: Tan Zaixi
Published: May 2012

The (de/re)construction through translation of the linguistic-cultural identity of the One in relation to that of the Other can only be made possible by the translator functioning as its core participant. The present paper offers a study of this type of translator function. Specifically speaking, it studies translatorial identity as manifested through translational metaphors. Stemming from a project on Chinese and Western metaphors for translation undertaken by the author, the paper examines a selection of images taken from history and discusses how they may be seen as depicting different aspects of the translator’s varied identity. The paper argues that by viewing this varied identity through the use of metaphors, we may be able to more fully understand the heterogeneous nature of translation and appreciate how best translation is to be performed, both within different languagecultural contexts and for various socio-political and intercultural communication purposes.
Quality and quantity in translation evaluation: A starting point
Authors: Conde Tomás
Published: May 2012

In academic environments, the question of quality is often related to that of quantity. This paper presents a quantitative analysis of translation evaluation quality by focusing on several issues: a) the number of actions performed by evaluators as related to quality judgments; b) evaluator coincidence in mistakes detected (saliency of phenomena) as related to their nature; and c) quality judgment as related to the presence or absence of the most salient phenomena in the translated texts. Four groups of participants evaluated 48 translations; the results discussed derive from their actual performance. The results suggest that evaluators exhibiting a minimum level of detail in their work should be thorough in their evaluative work for, if they are not, they run the risk of being too generous in their evaluations. Among the error judgments for which there is the highest degree of coincidence are those on divergent interpretation of the original text, terminology, syntax, (language) use and misprints. Conversely, evaluators do not usually coincide in pointing out punctuation, format, proper nouns, clarity, cohesion or appropriateness phenomena. Finally, texts including the most salient phenomena receive worse grades than those without them; this points to an implicit hierarchy of phenomena according to the extent to which evaluators coincide in pointing them out.
Universals in language contact and translation
Authors: Lanstyák István , Heltai Pál
Published: May 2012

Translational communication, in relevance theoretic terms, is interpretive language use, depending on a pre-existing text. Types of translation that cannot be regarded as interpretive still share the latter feature. Ordinary bilingual communication is descriptive language use, i.e. it represents independent text production. Both types of communication involve the use of two languages, and this fact may account for similar phenomena appearing in both types of communication.The present study surveys parallels between proposed translation universals and similar features of bilingual communication, which we may tentatively call language contact universals. The present paper hypothesizes that both kinds of universals (or general features) are likely to be manifestations of universals of constrained communication. The main constraint on bilingual communication is the need to manage two languages. Linguistic uncertainty resulting from the parallel activation of two languages affects both bilingual and translational communication. In the latter, an additional constraint is the fact that it is interpretive language use. Both types of bilingual communication give rise to special language varieties (translated language and contact language varieties). Further research to confirm these hypotheses is called for.
Nanoparticle Enhanced Solders for Increased Solder Reliability
Authors: Mokhtari Omid , Roshanghias Ali , Ashayer Roya , Kotadia Hiren R , Khomamizadeh Farzad , Kokabi Amir H , Clode Michael P , Miodownik Mark , Mannan Samjid H
Published: May 2012

Due to environmental concerns traditional eutectic tin-lead solder is gradually being replaced in electronic assemblies by “lead-free” solders. During this transition, nanoparticle technology is also being investigated to see whether improvements in joint reliability for high temperature applications can be made. Nanoparticles can be used to harden the solder via Zener pinning of the grain boundaries and reduce fatigue failure. This paper explores the effects of adding Silica nanoparticles to SnAgCu solder, and how the mechanical properties induced in the solder vary with temperature. It is found that above 100 °C the mechanical response and microstructure of the normal and nanoparticle enhanced solders converge.
Synthesis of Core-Shell Biopolymer Particles Using Coaxial Electrospray
Authors: Lim Cho Hui , Mullins Michael E.
Published: May 2012

Core-shell PLLA microparticles were successfully fabricated using a novel coaxial nozzle design. These particles were synthesized with different components in the core/shell layers representing three classes of systems of interest for drug delivery applications: PVA/PLLA, PLLA/PEG, and oleic acid/PLLA. The components were characterized for their physical properties and interfacial energies, and optimal conditions for the operation were determined. To facilitate the particle characterization, each phase was doped with a different fluorescent dye to aid in the confirmation of a core/shell structure via fluorescence microscopy.
Produção científica sobre gestão de sistemas de saúde: um estudo realizado em espaço Web (1987-2009)
Authors: Souza Mariluce Karla Bomfim de , Teixeira Carmen Fontes
Published: May 2012

Este estudo tem por objetivo caracterizar a produção científica brasileira/latino-americana no "campo" da saúde, especificamente sobre gestão de sistemas de saúde tomando como base os trabalhos registrados do Lilacs no período de 1987 a 2009. Usando os termos "gestão em saúde" e "sistemas de saúde", identificados em "Descritores em Ciências da Saúde" da BVS/Bireme, foram encontrados 1.544 trabalhos, dos quais foram selecionados 298 (19,3%). A leitura e a análise destes resumos privilegiaram a identificação de um conjunto de variáveis processadas com utilização do software Epi-Info, tais como: ano de publicação do trabalho; tipo de documento; objeto do estudo; tipo de estudo; fundamentação teórica e abordagem/natureza metodológica. Os resultados apontam uma tendência irregular, porém crescente, do volume da produção na área a partir do ano de 1988, percebendo-se a emergência de estudos e investigações em subáreas cujos temas revelam a influência do processo de construção do SUS nas décadas de 90 e nos anos seguintes. Chama a atenção o fato de que poucos resumos fizeram referência à fundamentação teórica utilizada. Do ponto de vista metodológico observa-se, quando declarados nos resumos, a predominância de estudos descritivos e de abordagem qualitativa.
Phylogenetic Relationships among Populations ofVollenhoviaAnts, with Particular Focus on the Evolution of Wing Morphology
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuya , Tamura Kei , Okamoto Misato , Hasegawa Eisuke , Ohkawara Kyohsuke
Published: May 2012

Queen polymorphism in wing morphology and thoracic structure provides the opportunity to test hypotheses about mating strategies and colony founding modes. Some studies indicate that the difference in mating behavior between winged and wingless queens may promote genetic isolation, possibly leading to speciation. However, the knowledge about genetic differences and phylogenetic relationships among polymorphic queens is limited. Queens of the myrmicine ant Vollenhovia emeryi Wheeler exhibit two morphs: a long-winged (L-queen) and a short-winged (S-queen) morph. We analyzed the phylogenetic relationship among populations of L- and S-queens in V. emeryi and the congeneric species V. nipponica, V. benzai, V. okinawana, and V. yambaru. The molecular phylogeny inferred from mtDNA (≈2,200 nt) showed that S-queens formed a monophyletic clade and that L- and S- queens sampled from the same location did not group together. The phylogeny indicates that wing reduction occurred only once and that S-queen populations are genetically differentiated from L-queen populations, at least in their maternal genomes. The phylogeny is consistent with the hypothesis that wing reduction leads to reproductive isolation in V. emeryi.
Cost of Diapause on Life-History Traits Under Restricted Resources in Multivoltine Bruchid Acanthoscelides pallidipennis (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)
Authors: Sadakiyo S , Ishihara M
Published: May 2012

The diapause generation of multivoltine insects requires additional energy reserves for diapause maintenance compared with the nondiapause generation. This requirement suggests that the cost of diapause has an effect on life-history traits. We investigated diapause costs in a multivoltine bruchid, Acanthoscelides pallidipennis Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). In the laboratory, life-history traits of A. pallidipennis were compared between nondiapause and diapause treatments. Fecundity and body size of adults were reduced in the diapause treatment compared with the nondiapause treatment. Larger females laid more eggs than smaller females in both treatments. The reduced fecundity of diapause females likely was caused by their reduced body size as a limiting factor. Our findings support the hypothesis that the cost of diapause results in a difference in life-history traits between nondiapause and diapause generations.
A New Parasitization Record of Haliaspis spartinae (Diaspididae) and Encarsia ellisvillensis sp. nov. (Chalcidoidea: Aphelinidae) from the United States
Authors: Japoshvili George , Russell Ellen
Published: May 2012

Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and Haliaspis spartinae (Comstock) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), with its parasitoid, were surveyed in Ellisville Marsh, Massachusetts. Average scale density on the damaged leaves was equal to 265 individuals per 10 cm2. Parasitization of H. spartinae was recorded for the first time; however, the percentage was very low at 2.67%. The parasitoid is a new species for science and is described as Encarsia ellisvillensis Japoshvili & Russell sp. nov.