bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies on joint strength and sealing behavior of single and twin-gasketed flange joints
Authors: Nelson N Rino , Siva Prasad N , Sekhar AS
Published: July 2017

Leakage is the main mode of failure in gasketed flange joints used in nuclear and thermal power plants. The leakage occurs when the joint is not able to withstand the internal fluid pressure. To evaluate the leakage behavior of gasketed flange joint, it is important to incorporate gasket properties and interfacial contact behavior due to friction. However, for safe joint operation, the members also should be structurally sound without exceeding allowable limit of materials. In this study, the joint strength and sealing behavior of gasketed flange joint are investigated through experiments by carrying out leakage test. The joint strength is evaluated based on strains developed in flanges along longitudinal and tangential direction under both pretightening and pressurizing stages. Three-dimensional finite element simulation is also performed under both aforesaid stages, considering the nonlinear properties of gasket along with hysteresis during unloading. The finite element results of joint strength and leakage pressure are compared with experimental values and observed to be conservative. In addition, the performance of twin gaskets (two gaskets concentric to each other) through both experiment and simulation is also evaluated and compared with that of the single gasket. From the experiment and finite element analysis, it is found that the sealability of twin-gasketed joint is higher than that of single-gasketed joint.
“Living for others”: Narrating agency in the context of failed marriages and singleness in urban Sri Lanka
Authors: Abeyasekera Asha L
Published: July 2017

Marriage is a cultural imperative in Sri Lanka and is constructed as the principal source of personal fulfilment for women. This paper critically examines through two case studies – a never-married woman and a woman in a “failed” marriage – how women from older generations narrate their life histories using culturally coherent repertoires. By deconstructing the subject positions of the “long-suffering wife”, the “devoted mother”, and the “selfless woman”, I reveal the spaces for manoeuvre these women create to experience well-being and exercise agency outside of the culture’s “hegemonic narrative” of successful marriage and maternity. Using the life history narratives I challenge the tendency to imagine older women’s lives as more constrained and illustrate the ways in which equivocal narratives about independence and self-sacrifice, about freedom and suffering simultaneously conceal agency while allowing non-normative ways of being.
Gain-scheduled linear quadratic regulator applied to the stabilization of a riderless bicycle
Authors: Brizuela-Mendoza Jorge Aurelio , Astorga-Zaragoza Carlos Manuel , Zavala-Río Arturo , Canales-Abarca Francisco , Martínez-García Mario
Published: July 2017

In this article, a gain-scheduling control is designed to achieve the stabilization of a riderless bicycle. The main contribution is the design of a stabilizing control system including integral actions based on an observer and its corroboration through experimental results, with the objective of the stabilization of a riderless bicycle toward its upright position through a torque applied to the handlebar. The bicycle stabilization is achieved even when the translational velocity is varying over time, parameter considered as scheduling variable. The stabilizing system is based on a linear quadratic regulator gain-scheduling control, concluding with the effective application of this scheme on an instrumented prototype.
Archaeological and sedimentological data indicate Lapita settlement on a newly formed coastal plain: Tavua Island, Mamanuca Group, Fiji
Authors: Morrison Alex E , Cochrane Ethan E , Rieth Timothy , Horrocks Mark
Published: July 2017

The timing and choice of initial settlement location are examined on the small island of Tavua in Fiji’s Mamanuca Group. The mid- to late-Holocene sea-level retreat influenced the island’s coastal landforms through the acceleration of coastal progradation and the production of habitable land. Archaeological, sedimentological, and chronological data are integrated to better understand the island’s settlement and geomorphological history. These datasets are then compared with regional and modeled sea-level curves for Fiji in order to constrain the time period for the onset of coastal regression. The results indicate that Tavua was initially settled around 3000 years ago, within a few centuries of the formation of the coastal plain. Integrating archaeological, sedimentological, and sea-level datasets helps produce a more precise understanding of the relationship between sea-level change and the timing of settlement on small islands in Oceania.
Assessing tectonic subsidence from estimates of Holocene relative sea-level change: An example from the NW Mediterranean (Magra Plain, Italy)
Authors: Chelli Alessandro , Pappalardo Marta , Bini Monica , Brückner Helmut , Neri Giorgio , Neri Michele , Spada Giorgio
Published: July 2017

New sedimentological sea-level indicators are presented from the River Magra coastal plain, in NW Italy. Chronologically well-constrained paralic peats and organic sediments which had been deposited in a defined relationship with sea level were recovered in four of the seven boreholes considered in this work. Their evolution scatters in the time span of the past 6000 years. Since the cores are located within a single sedimentary basin, it was possible to correct the elevation of marker horizons for the effect of sediment compaction by means of both a field and a geotechnical method. Thus, seven reliable index points for the mid- to late-Holocene sea-level rise were obtained. The age–depth model derived from them was compared with that of sea-level predictions from two different Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) models available for the area. In both cases, the modelled sea-level estimates overlie the index points, suggesting lower relative sea-level elevation than the one predicted considering the combined eustatic and hydro-isostatic components. Based on the general tectonic setting of the area, this finding was interpreted as the effect of a tectonic subsidence of the basin, the rate of which can be quantified on average as 0.5 mm/yr since the middle Holocene, with a sharp increase after 2500 yr BP. By providing a reliable estimate of the rate of tectonic subsidence in a coastal area of NW Italy, this research contributes to refining the geodynamic model of this part of the Mediterranean basin.
Stimulatory effects of curcumin and quercetin on posttranslational modifications of p53 during lung carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang P , Zhang Xy
Published: July 2017

Lung cancer is responsible for increase in mortality due to cancer-related deaths, and new approaches are being explored for the betterment of the situation. In the present study, chemopreventive efficacy of curcumin and quercetin was investigated against benzo(a)pyrene (BP)-induced lung carcinogenesis. The mice were segregated into five groups, which included normal control, BP-treated, BP + curcumin-treated, BP + quercetin-treated, and BP + curcumin + quercetin-treated groups. The morphological and histological analyses of tumor nodules confirmed lung carcinogenesis22 weeks after weeks single intraperitoneal injection of BP at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight to mice. Curcumin and quercetin when administered individually as well as in combination significantly elevated the expression of acetylated-p53, which was otherwise depressed due to BP treatment. Also, both the phytochemicals significantly reduced the BP-inflicted increased levels of phosphorylated-p53. Furthermore, observed increase in the number of apoptotic cells by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), assay and increased activities of caspase 3 and 9 confirmed the induction of apoptosis by curcumin and quercetin. Moreover, the histological slides also showed noticeable improvement in the histoarchitecture of lungs by phytochemicals. The present study concludes that prophylactic treatment with curcumin and quercetin induces apoptosis in the lungs by modulation of p53 posttranslational modifications.
Dyspnoea and Thoracic Spinal Deformation in Rats after Oral Prizidilol (SK&F 92657-A2)
Authors: Sutton T. J. , Darby A. J. , Johnson P. , Leslie G. B. , Walker T. F.
Published: July 2017

Prizidilol (SK&F 92657-A2), an anti-hypertensive agent, has undergone a range of prescribed toxicity studies required for the investigation of possible adverse drug effects. During the second year of the 2-year rat oral study, a variety of symptoms were exhibited by males receiving 1600 mg of the compound day–1kg–1 by gavage. These animals became lethargic, slouched and developed dyspnoea which became progressively more severe during the course of the study. Necropsy of the affected rats revealed severely haemorrhagic lungs, cardiac hypertrophy and lordosis of the spine into the thoracic cavity. At the 2-year terminal kill, a proportion of the male rats receiving 100 and 400 mg of prizidilol day–1kg–1 were identified with similar but less severe spinal deformation. No female was found with spinal changes but all the rats receiving prizidilol showed haemorrhagic lungs and enlarged hearts. The lordosis of the affected males was always confined to the thoracic spine and this, along with the cardiac hypertrophy, presumably led to marked reduction in the volume of the thoracic cavity, inducing the dyspnoea. Thoracic vertebral body damage, possibly a precursor to the spinal deformities, was found in male rats from both drug-treated and control groups. The nature of the spinal lesion is at present under investigation.
Diurnal Variation of Serum Copper and Zinc in Epileptics Receiving Anti-Convulsants
Authors: Taylor A. , Ghose K.
Published: July 2017

1 Serial measurements of copper and zinc concentrations in serum were made at 06.00, 14.00, 22.00 and again at 06.00 hours in 37 male patients with epilepsy, aged between 9 and 19 years. Anti-convulsant drugs were administered at 08.00 and 20.00 hours, and standard hospital meals were allowed at 07.30, 12.00, 16.00 and 19.00 hours. 2 Similar to our previous results, eight patients (21.6%) had serum copper levels greater than the reference range (11.0–20.5 μmol/l) and this hypercupraemia was associated with carbamazapine and/or phenytoin medication. 3 No diurnal variation in serum copper level was observed. Serum copper concentration had no correlation with either 24 h urinary copper excretion or serum anti-convulsant drug levels. 4 Serum zinc concentrations were within the reference range (10–16.5 μmol/l), confirming our previous report. No relation with anti-convulsant medication or serum copper levels was found. 5 Diurnal variations in serum zinc levels with peak and trough concentrations at 06.00 and 14.00 hours, respectively, were observed. 6 It is proposed that these variations in serum zinc concentrations are a normal physiological process and is unlikely to be related to anti-convulsant drugs or epilepsy.
Analysis of Factors Responsible for Continuing Mortality after Paracetamol Overdose
Authors: Read R. B. , Tredger J. M. , Williams R.
Published: July 2017

1 To determine reasons for the continuing mortality in patients taking a paracetamol overdose, the presentation, drug ingestion history, patient background, use of antidote ( N-acetylcysteine and methionine), clinical course and outcome were determined in 247 patients treated at King's College Hospital in 1982 and 1983. Patients (147) were referred from other centres because of severe liver damage and 100 were local patients seen in the accident and emergency department. 2 Survival in the local patients was 100% and, for those with severe liver damage, 49 and 63% (1982 and 1983 values). Delay in initial presentation to hospital was a major factor in determination of an adverse outcome, with a median delay of 30 h in the referred patients and 8 h in the local cases. Such a delay precluded administration of antidote to the majority of patients in the referred group, but in 11 cases where antidote could have been given a full course was not provided and all 11 patients died. Included among these were four patients in whom the serum paracetamol concentration was in the ‘non-toxic’ range. 3 One patient with a chronic alcohol-drinking history (> 200 g/day) received N-acetylcysteine at 12 h but died from liver failure. However, in the complete series prior alcohol consumption was not associated with a significantly worse prognosis and simultaneous ingestion of alcohol with paracetamol had no effect on outcome. 4 The concomitant ingestion of dextropropoxyphene caused an early and marked impairment of consciousness unrelated to any hepatotoxicity but, in three cases where dextropropoxyphene combinations were used, death occurred subsequently from liver failure.
Does Alcohol Absorb to Activated Charcoal?
Authors: Hultén B.-Å. , Heath A. , Mellstrand T. , Hedner T.
Published: July 2017

Activated charcoal seldom is used in pure-alcohol poisoning since it is absorbed rapidly from the gut. Furthermore in early reports activated charcoal was found to adsorb alcohol poorly. However, in 1981 North et al. [North, D. S., Thompson, J. D. & Peterson, C. D. (1981). Am. J. Hosp. Pharm., 38, 864–866] demonstrated in dogs that charcoal given at the same time as alcohol can reduce the blood alcohol concentration significantly. To study whether charcoal is of value in a clinical situation, a randomized cross-over study in two phases was conducted. Each person drank 88 g of alcohol and 30 min after either 20 g of activated charcoal was taken or the same volume of water was drunk. There were no significant differences in plasma alcohol concentrations with or without charcoal.
Reconfiguring time, love, and money: Adjusting chronotopic realities among queer and trans of color community organizers in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Chin Matthew
Published: July 2017

Based on ethnographic research in Toronto, Canada this article considers how queer and trans of color community arts initiatives come to exist as temporal phenomena. Given the association of racial, sexual, and gender nonnormativity with temporal backwardness, these organizations serve as a useful site to examine how temporal regimes are composed. Drawing on the work of grassroots queer and trans of color community arts initiatives, I show how the short-term, youth-based nature of these efforts is intimately tied to mechanisms of state funding and to the feelings-based relationships that characterize community work. I argue that in their bid to transform their initiatives into sustainable, intergenerational organizations, queer and trans of color organizers must work to change the affective and political economic contexts in which these initiatives exist. By positing the commensurability between “love” and “money” and using the framework of temporality to draw them into the same analytic space, I contribute to existing studies on emotional labor by disrupting Enlightenment logics that separate “spirit” from “matter.” Ultimately, I examine the political ramifications of enacting normative models of temporal development to explore a queer approach to change over time.
India: Parliament and Constitutional Amendment, National Publishing House, Delhi. 1970 XIV
Authors: Quraishi Z. M.
Published: July 2017

D. M. K. POWER By P. Spratt. Nachiketa, Bombay. 1970. 164p. Rs 25.
India'S Exports to Japan: Problems and Issues
Authors: Alam Iqbal Badar
Published: July 2017

The emergence of Japan as one of the leading economic super powers as well as one of the trading surplus nations in the world has been possible due to an interaction between economic, social and political factors in the decade of the 1980's. There are certain vital factors namely inductive planning for the economy, restrictions on possible competition between two most important facets [firms and imports]. low interest rates and minimum controls on the firms and industry which have made Japan as a global force.

In recent years, Japanese Planners have initiated a market oriented policy to deal with economic issues based upon trade liberalisation, increasing privatization and reducing fiscal deficits. As a result, Japanese manufacturers constitute one-third of the Japanese total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This has been possible because of the ability of Japanese to adapt quickly to the fast changing business environment all over the World.

In recent times it has been noticed that Japan's imports are dominated by food and raw materials [particularly minerals and fuels]. This situation is of great advantage to major producing nations of food and minerals. Added to this, Japan has also reduced some tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Hence developing economies should capitalise the existing trends and situation for enhancing their exports to Japan in a big way. India should also come forward with action oriented policy for increasing exports to Japan especially traditional items or farm exports for earning substantial amount of foreign exchange which is badly needed by India to overcome its BOP problem. With this background, the present paper reviews critically trends in Indo-Japanese Trade in the decade of the 1980's and will also suggest a strategy for increasing exports to Japanese market which has great potentials to absorb India's goods. This paper has three section. First section reviews trends in Indo-Japanese Trade in the decade of the 1980's, Second section highlights the major constraints standing in the way of increasing exports to Japan. Third section suggests an action plan or strategy for increasing exports to Japanese market.
Terrorism: The Apex of Violence—A Prolegomenon to Its Causes
Authors: Chopra Surendra
Published: July 2017

“As the inhumanity of man to man. violence has woven its fearsome thread from caveman to technological man” says a distinguished writer on the problem. According to Erich Fromm: “If a human being cannot create, he destroys.” He adds: “If man cannot create anything or make a dent in anything or anybody, if he cannot break out of the prison of his total narcissism, he can escape the unbearable sense of powerlessness and nothingness only by affirming himself in the act of destruction of the life that he is unable to create.” From justifies violence when he says: “Destruction is the creative, self-transcending act of the hopeless and crippled; the revenge of unlived life upon itself.”
DKK1 promotes migration and invasion of non–small cell lung cancer via β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Xintong , Zhao Xiaoting , Jiang Mei , Gu Meng , Wang Ziyu , Yue Wentao
Published: July 2017

Disregulation of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) has been reported in a variety of human cancers. However, how DKK1 functions in Non-small cell lung cancer has not been revealed. In the current study, DKK1 was knocked out by the lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA interference approach in H1299 and 95C non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Subsequently, the migration and invasion ability were assessed by wound-healing and transwell assays. In addition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and β-catenin were examined by Western blot analysis. The signaling pathway downstream of DKK1 was characterized using the Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor, IWP2, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor, LiCl. Immunofluorescence analysis investigated the subcellular localization of β-catenin. The results suggested that knockdown of DKK1 caused reduced migration and invasion ability of H1299 and 95C cells. DKK1 silencing resulted in the downregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins, such as Snail and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1. Besides, DKK1 silencing inhibited β-catenin and promoted the phosphorylation of β-catenin. Mechanism results indicated that the expression of β-catenin was reduced in H1299 or 95C cells after being treated with Wnt signaling inhibitor, IWP2. In addition, the inhibition of β-catenin phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta inhibitor, LiCl, significantly enhanced the migration and invasion capacities in DKK1-knockdown cell lines. Furthermore, cell immunofluorescence revealed that nuclear β-catenin was reduced when DKK1 was knocked down. Taken together, these findings suggest that DKK1 induces the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Mechanically, β-catenin plays a vital role in DKK1-induced non-small cell lung cancer cell migration and invasion, and DKK1 inhibits the phosphorylation of β-catenin, resulting in the increased nuclear localization of β-catenin.
IKBKE promotes glioblastoma progression by establishing the regulatory feedback loop of IKBKE/YAP1/miR-Let-7b/i
Authors: Zhang Zhimeng , Lu Jie , Guo Gaochao , Yang Yi , Dong Shicai , Liu Yang , Nan Yang , Zhong Yue , Yu Kai , Huang Qiang
Published: July 2017

Recently, we have demonstrated that IKBKE (inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit epsilon) is overexpressed in human glioblastoma and that inhibition of IKBKE remarkably suppresses the proliferative and invasive behaviour of glioblastoma cells. However, the specific pathogenic molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we verified that IKBKE promotes YAP1 expression via posttranslational modification and accelerates YAP1 translocation to the nucleus for the development of glioblastoma. We then determined that YAP1 negatively regulates miR-let-7b/i by overexpressing and silencing YAP1 expression. In addition, miR-let-7b/i feedback decreases the expression of IKBKE and YAP1 and suppresses the transportation of YAP1 located in the nucleus. Therefore, the regulatory feedback circuit of IKBKE↑→YAP1↑→miR-let-7b/i↓→IKBKE↑ dictates glioblastoma progression. Thus, we propose that blocking the circuit may be a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Mcl-1 suppresses abasic site repair following bile acid–induced hepatic cellular DNA damage
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Zhang Xiaoqing , Liu Ren , Li Hui , Xiao Xiaolong , Zhou Yuzheng , Wei Chaoying , Yang Manyi , Liao Mingmei , Zhao Jinfeng , Xia Zanxian , Liao Qiande
Published: July 2017

In cholestasis, increases in bile acid levels result in the generation of reactive oxygen species and the induction of DNA damage and mutation. It is believed that bile acid accumulation is associated with liver tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism that underpins this phenomenon remains to be elucidated. Mcl-1, which is overexpressed in hepatic cells, is a pro-survival member of the Bcl-2 family. In this study, we observed that Mcl-1 potently suppresses the repair of bile acid–induced abasic (apurinic/apyrimidinic) sites in DNA lesions. Upon exposure of hepatic cells to glycochenodeoxycholate, one of the major conjugated human bile acids, we observed an increase in AP site accumulation along with induction of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and XRCC1 ( X-Ray Repair Cross Complementing 1). In addition, accumulation of Mcl-1 was observed in the nuclei of QGY-7703 cells in response to glycochenodeoxycholate stimulation. Knockdown of endogenous Mcl-1 by RNA interference significantly accelerated the repair of DNA lesions in glycochenodeoxycholate-treated cells. However, unlike XRCC1, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase was induced following Mcl-1 knockdown. Conversely, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase suppression was observed following glycochenodeoxycholate treatment of cells overexpressing Mcl-1. Moreover, AP-site counting analyses revealed that DNA repair activity was enhanced in cells overexpressing poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase under glycochenodeoxycholate stress conditions. It is well known that poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase plays a crucial role in the base excision repair pathway. Thus, our findings suggest that Mcl-1 suppresses base excision repair by inhibiting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase induction following glycochenodeoxycholate-induced DNA damage. These results potentially explain how bile acid accumulation results in genetic instability and carcinogenesis.
Common lesions of the distal end of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in racehorse catastrophic breakdown injuries
Authors: Janes Jennifer G. , Kennedy Laura A. , Garrett Katherine S. , Engiles Julie B.
Published: July 2017

Equine catastrophic skeletal breakdown injury is a serious issue within the racing industry, given the impact on equine and human health. The metacarpo- and metatarso-phalangeal (fetlock) joints are common sites of catastrophic injury. However, lesions involving articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium are commonly identified within the fetlock of the contralateral limb; hence, it is imperative that lesions in both limbs are evaluated and characterized during postmortem examination. Bone and articular cartilage changes typically occur in specific locations, related to cyclic fetlock load and overextension during high-speed exercise. Associations between preexisting degenerative fetlock lesions and catastrophic injury are a focus of continued research. These lesions often occur because of adaptive failure related to cumulative damage. Further investigation of these lesions is imperative to determine their impact on equine performance or injury. Ultimately, consistent documentation of catastrophic versus non-catastrophic osteochondral lesions provided by pathologists, in the context of training history, diagnostic imaging, and the presence or absence of catastrophic injury, will contribute to further understanding of skeletal responses associated with catastrophic failure.
Septicemia and meningoencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in two neonatal llamas
Authors: Hawkins Ian K. , Ilha Marcia , Anis Eman , Wilkes Rebecca P.
Published: July 2017

Listeriosis is a disease of humans and domestic mammals (mainly ruminants) with variable manifestations, primarily encephalitis, septicemia, and abortion. Although Listeria monocytogenes readily causes illness in ruminants, the prevalence among domestic South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) is low and has not been documented in their wild counterparts, the vicuna and guanaco. We describe herein the clinical signs, autopsy findings, and histopathology of septicemia and suppurative meningoencephalitis caused by L. monocytogenes in 2 neonatal llamas ( Llama glama) from the same herd. L. monocytogenes was isolated in pure culture and identified by real-time PCR on fresh and paraffin-embedded tissue samples of the brain from both crias. This presentation of septicemic listeriosis with meningoencephalitis in 2 animals from the same group is unusual, especially among llamas.
The Relationship of Genetics, Nursing Practice, and Informatics Tools in 6-Mercaptopurine Dosing in Pediatric Oncology
Authors: Haylett Wendy J.
Published: July 2017

An antileukemic agent prescribed for pediatric oncology patients during the maintenance phase of therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), is highly influenced by genetic variations in the thiopurine S-methyltransferase enzyme. As such, 6-MP must be dosed so that patients with 1 or 2 inactive thiopurine S-methyltransferase alleles will not incur an increased risk for myelosuppression or other toxicities. Informatics tools such as clinical decision support systems are useful for the application of this and similar pharmacogenetics information to the realm of nursing and clinical practice for safe and effective patient care. This article will discuss pharmacogenetics and the associated use of 6-MP; present implications for nursing practice; identify informatics tools such as clinical decision support systems, which can greatly enhance the care of patients whose treatment is based on critical genetic information; and examine the relationship of genetics, nursing practice, and informatics for 6-MP dosing in pediatric oncology.
Evaluating Culturally Sensitive Practice Through Single-System Design: Methodological Issues and Strategies
Authors: Rodgers Antoinette Y. , Potocky Miriam
Published: July 2017

Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing emphasis on having social workers develop culturally sensitive interventions. However, relatively little attention has been given to evaluating the effectiveness of these new approaches. Concurrently, there has been a significant promotion of single-system design methodology as a practical means of evaluation that can readily be utilized by direct practitioners. Therefore, the application of single-system design to the evaluation of culturally sensitive practice is a logical methodological approach. This article describes how single-system design methodology can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of culturally sensitive social work interventions. Methodological issues that arise in utilizing this particular technique with culturally diverse clients will be discussed, along with strategies to address these methodological issues.
Risk of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events in COPD Patients Treated With Long-Acting β2-Agonist Combined With a Long-Acting Muscarinic or Inhaled Corticosteroid
Authors: Samp Jennifer C. , Joo Min J. , Schumock Glen T. , Calip Gregory S. , Pickard A. Simon , Lee Todd A.
Published: July 2017

Background: The recent approval of several fixed-dose combination long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) products has increased the use of dual bronchodilators in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Understanding the comparative safety of this combination is important for informing treatment decisions. Objective: To compare the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular (CCV) events associated with LABA/LAMA compared with a combination of LABA and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using health insurance claims data to identify COPD patients initiating LABA/LAMA or LABA/ICS. CCV outcomes included hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis for acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, cardiac dysrhythmia, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. Patients were followed until they experienced an event, discontinued treatment, initiated medication from the opposite cohort, or lost enrollment. Patients were matched 1:4 on propensity scores, and time to event was compared using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: After matching, there were 3842 patients in the LABA/LAMA cohort and 15 225 in the LABA/ICS cohort. Cardiovascular events in the LABA/LAMA cohort were lower than in the LABA/ICS: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.794; 95% CI = 0.623-0.997. No significant difference in the risk of cerebrovascular events (HR = 1.166; 95% CI = 0.653-1.959) was observed. Conclusions: Despite concerns about the CCV effects of LAMA and LABA monotherapy, the LABA/LAMA combination had similar or lower risk of these events in comparison to LABA/ICS. Further studies are recommended to confirm these findings.
School-Related Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial of Adolescent Depression Prevention Programs
Authors: McCarthy Alyssa E. , Young Jami F. , Benas Jessica S. , Gallop Robert J.
Published: July 2017

Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of school-based depression prevention programs in reducing depressive symptoms and improving functioning. This study examined whether these programs have positive effects on school-related outcomes. Students at 10 middle and high schools in New Jersey were randomized to weekly sessions of Interpersonal Psychotherapy–Adolescent Skills Training (IPT-AST) or group counseling (GC). Analyses examined whether there were intervention effects on participants’ grades, attendance rates, and disciplinary outcomes over approximately 1 year postintervention. Although there were no significant main effects of intervention condition, moderation analyses indicated more favorable effects of IPT-AST among certain higher-risk subgroups (e.g., those from low-income families). Participants who experienced meaningful improvement in their depressive symptoms had significantly more positive outcomes on overall grades than those who did not experience meaningful improvement, regardless of intervention condition. Further research is needed to clarify the effects of depression prevention programs on these school-related outcomes.
Presidential Partisanship in Government Formation: Do Presidents Favor Their Parties When They Appoint the Prime Minister?
Authors: Bucur Cristina , Cheibub José Antonio
Published: July 2017

Although often conceived as nonpartisan actors, presidents wield considerable political and institutional powers in parliamentary and semipresidential democracies. Do they interfere in the government-formation process in such a way as to change the outcome that parliamentary parties would have otherwise reached? We address this issue by examining the conditions under which the parties of presidents and prime ministers are the same in parliamentary and semipresidential democracies. We use data for twenty-one countries over the postwar period and find that when presidents are directly elected and are constitutionally empowered to nominate the prime minister, the two leaders tend to come from the same party. This, however, is only true when the bargaining environment within parliament is complex, that is, when there are multiple viable governing coalitions. In this sense, the distribution of forces within parliament is still the main factor determining the identity of the prime minister, even in the presence of strong presidents.
Nest-Like Features in Bladder, Simulating the Nested Variant of Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Patriarca Carlo , Colecchia Maurizio , Lopez-Beltran Antonio , Sirugo Giorgio , Di Pasquale Marcello , Bollito Enrico
Published: July 2017

Nest-like structures are the cardinal lesion of different benign and malignant bladder entities. These entities emphasize the biological relevance of the subtle morphological nest plasticity. The authors present 25 benign and malignant neoplasms, sharing the presence of florid nest-like growth and the scarcity or absence of superficial papillary components. Differential diagnostic clues are discussed.
Low-Grade Cribriform Cystadenocarcinoma of the Parotid Gland: A Neoplasm With Favorable Prognosis, Distinct From Salivary Duct Carcinoma
Authors: Laco Jan , Podhola Miroslav , Dolezalova Helena
Published: July 2017

Low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma of salivary glands is a recently described rare tumor with favorable prognosis. This study reports the case of 50-year-old woman with swelling lasting for 9 months in the right parotideomasseteric area. Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed and dominated by cystic space. Microscopically, the neoplasm consisted of well-demarcated islets, some of them cystically dilated. The architecture of islets varied from solid to cribriform and micropapillary without comedo-type necroses. The tumor cells featured no significant cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemically, luminal cells showed expression of cytokeratins (CK), CK7, CK18, and S100 protein. In addition, immunostains for CK5/6, CK14, p63 protein, and smooth muscle actin displayed a continuous rim of myoepithelial cells around all tumor nests. In contrast, detection of CK20, hormonal receptors (androgen, estrogen, and progesterone), epidermal growth factor receptor and Her-2/neu oncoprotein was negative. The patient is free of disease for 2 years. The relationship between low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma and salivary duct carcinoma is discussed.
Primary Paratesticular Neuroblastoma: Practical Considerations
Authors: Rong Fan  , Faught Philip , Liang Cheng
Published: July 2017

Primary neuroblastoma in the paratesticular region is exceedingly rare with only 4 cases reported in the medical literature. The authors report 2 additional cases of primary paratesticular neuroblastoma, both in 6-month old boys who were asymptomatic at presentation. Both cases were stage I diseases, as they typically are in this early pediatric age group. There was no evidence of disease progress or recurrence at 2-year and 10-year follow-up for these 2 patients. The authors also noticed that erroneous assumptions or diagnoses may lead to unnecessary overtreatment, including orchiectomy. In the meantime, frozen section is highly recommended, and a presumptive diagnosis of neuroblastoma from frozen section is usually possible, especially when incorporated with other clinical and lab parameters, and should be attempted. The prognosis typically is favorable. In conclusion, it is becoming clear that primary neuroblastoma is an important differential diagnostic consideration for a paratesticular mass, particularly in the early pediatric age group.
Unusual Presentation of Benign Cystic Brenner Tumor With Exuberant Psammomatous Calcifications
Authors: Vemavarapu Lakshmi , Alatassi Houda , Moghadamfalahi Mana
Published: July 2017

Transitional cell tumors of the ovary comprise about 1% to 2% of all ovarian neoplasms. Most of these tumors are benign Brenner tumors and account for about 5% of benign surface epithelial—stromal tumors. Spicules of calcifications are found in the stroma of about 50% of benign Brenner tumors. Although diagnostic challenges might occur more frequently with either of the borderline or malignant Brenner tumors, this problem is not that common when diagnosing a benign Brenner tumor. This study reports a case of benign Brenner tumor with exuberant dystrophic calcifications that obscured most of the epithelium and posed a diagnostic challenge in differentiating it from the more common malignant counterparts such as serous carcinoma and specifically psammocarcinoma.
Congenital Myoepithelial Carcinoma of Soft Tissue Associated With Cystic Myoepithelioma
Authors: Baldovini Chiara , Sorrentino Stefania , Alves Cesar Augusto , Piatelli Gianluca , Garaventa Alberto , Morana Giovanni , Nozza Paolo
Published: July 2017

Myoepithelial neoplasms of soft tissue represent a heterogeneous group of lesions, encompassing both benign entities as myoepithelioma (ME) and highly aggressive tumors as myoepithelial carcinoma (MEC). We describe a case of pediatric soft tissue MEC with peculiar features that may lead to misdiagnosis: congenital onset and presence of a benign component with predominant cystic structure. Few cases of congenital MEC have been reported, but the coexistence of MEC with ME is even more rare, accounting for less than 1% of myoepithelial tumors. Moreover, an extensive cystic appearance had never been described in either ME or MEC of soft tissue. Despite several predictors of poor prognosis, the patient has been showing a favorable clinical course since the administration of ICpE (ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide) chemotherapy. This report provides valuable information in the differential diagnosis of cystic congenital tumors and supports a possible efficacy of adjuvant combined treatment for patients with localized disease after surgery.
Epithelioid Fibrous Histiocytoma of Bone
Authors: Hasegawa Tadashi , Hirose Takanori , Dorfman Howard D.
Published: July 2017

A benign fibrohistiocytic neoplasm of bone containing unique epithelioid cells is described in a 54-year-old man who presented with a well-defined lytic lesion in the left calcaneus. Curetted specimens showed microscopic evidence of proliferation of large plump, protoplasmic epithelioid or histiocytic cells with spindled to rounded shape, arranged in a storiform pattern, and osteoclast-like giant cells. This tumor did not show any specific immunoreactivity except for vimentin and actins. In addition to the basic ultrastructural characteristics of fibro/myofibroblasts, the large cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm by light microscopy were shown to be packed with intermediate filaments of the vimentin type. Tumor was treated by curettage and bone grafting and showed radiolucent changes 1 year after operation but had not progressed 3 years later. The term epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma of bone is suggested for this previously undescribed variant of osseous fibrous histiocytoma Int J Surg Pathol 3(1):43-48, 1995
Atypical Fat Staining Patterns in Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Clarke Martha R. , Hoover William W. , Carty Sally E. , Dekker Andrew , Worsey M.J. , Barnes E. Leon , Watson Charles G.
Published: July 2017

Intracytoplasmic lipid content reflects the metabolic state of parathyroid cells, and staining for this is a useful adjunct in the evaluation of parathyroid glands excised in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism. The procedure, however, is not without limitations, as the unexpected presence of lipid in abnormal, hyperfunctioning glands or its absence in normal glands is occasionally encountered. In this study, the authors review the oil red O staining patterns of 524 parathyroidectomy cases to determine the validity of the stain as well as possible clinical and pathologic correlations. Twenty-seven cases (5.2%) were identified with problematic oil red O staining on which adequate clinical follow-up and pathologic material were available for review. Mean follow-up time was 32 months for this subgroup. The most common problem was the presence of lipid within adenomas (19 cases) or hyperplastic glands (6 cases). Markedly decreased or absent lipid in normal, adenoma-associated glands was seen in two cases. The intensity and distribution of lipid staining in hyperfunctioning glands varied. In four cases, 2/19 adenomas and 2/5 hyperplasia, diffuse positivity, similar to normal parathyroid, were observed. If weak or only focally strong staining patterns are considered to be consistent with hyperfunctioning glands, only six cases, two adenomas, two hyperplasias, and two normal glands could not be resolved. Oil red O stain is useful in diagnosing abnormally functioning parathyroid glands, and, if attention is paid to the staining pattern, few atypical patterns are encountered. Int J Surg Pathol 3(3):163-168, 1996
Expression of TGF-Alpha and c-fos in Conventional and Basaloid Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Floor of Mouth
Authors: Coppola Domenico , Catalano Edison , Nicosia Roberto F. , Barnes Leon
Published: July 2017

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth is a newly recognized variant of squamous cell carcinoma that has a very aggressive behavior. To characterize basaloid squamous cell carcinoma at the molecular level, the authors studied the immunohistochemical expression in this tumor of the oncogene c-fos and of transforming growth factor-alpha. Eight cases of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma were evaluated by immunoperoxidase staining and compared to 16 squamous cell carcinomas of the floor of the mouth that ranged from well to poorly differentiated. The expression of c-fos was stronger in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma than it was in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Conversely, transforming growth factor-alpha expression was much stronger in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma than in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma or poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinomas showed weak to moderate immunostaining for transforming growth factor-alpha but stained intensely for c- fos, which was consistently expressed at a high level in these tumors. This study confirms the poorly differentiated nature of basaloid squamous cell carcinoma, which has a similar pattern of staining as poorly differentiated. The decreased expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in basaloid squamous cell carcinoma may be related to the low degree of differentiation of this tumor since transforming growth factor-alpha tends to have higher levels of expression in well-differentiated tumor cells. Int J Surg Pathol 3(3):169-174, 1996
Intracortical Osteosarcoma
Authors: Sudilovsky Daniel , Johnston James O. , Zaloudek Charles
Published: July 2017

Intracortical osteosarcoma is the rarest form of osteosarcoma and typically occurs in the young. The authors describe a case of intracortical osteosarcoma arising in the femur of a 44-year-old woman. A diaphyseal location and a typical radiographic appearance, illustrated in this report, distinguish intracortical osteosarcoma from conventional (intramedullary) osteosarcoma, but not from less common forms of osteosarcoma or from several benign bone tumors. This case illustrates the low-grade osteoblastic histology, malignant osteoid formation, and medullary and surrounding soft tissue invasion diagnostic of intracortical osteosarcoma. The authors discuss the diagnostic difficulties presented by intracortical osteosarcoma and the natural history of these tumors. Int.J Surg Pathol 3(3):195-200, 1996
Significance of the Detection of Ki-ras Codon 12 Mutation in the Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Tong-hua , Wang Zhi-yong , Cui Quan-cai
Published: July 2017

Ki-ras codon 12 mutation was detected in: (1) surgically resected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens from 109 carcinoma cases, including 46 pancreatic, 35 ampullary, 24 extrahepatic bile duct, and 4 gallbladder carcinomas, showing prevalences of 95.7%, 5.7%, 8.3%, and 0%, respectively, by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, and 89.1%, 2.9%, 8.3%, and 0%, respectively, by polymerase chain reaction-dot blot method; and (2) 35 consecutive fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism giving a positive rate of 94.7% (18/19) for pancreatic carcinoma and 0% (0/16) in the specimens from nonpancreatic carcinoma tissues or tumors. Our results demonstrate that the strikingly high prevalence of Ki-ras codon 12 mutation of pancreatic carcinoma could be used as an effective means in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.
Synchronous Comparative Evaluation of Fibronectin Continuity and Cellular Growth Kinetics in Malignant Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Aroni Kiriaki , Lazaris Andreas Ch. , Liossi Anna , Dania Maria A. , Papadimitriou Konstandina , Davaris Panayotis S.
Published: July 2017

Cellular fibronectin mediates the adhesion of cells with the extracellular matrix and thus probably regulates tumor invasion. Evaluation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and counting of silver nuclear organizer regions potentially assess proliferative fraction and biologic aggressiveness in several malignancies. We investigated the above markers’ prognostic value in 60 malignant melanomas of the skin. Deep Clark levels were statistically associated with discontinuous fibronectin staining pattern (SPII) ( P < .05) as well as with high proliferating cell nuclear antigen and silver nuclear organizer regions indexes ( P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Fibronectin staining pattern (SPII) was frequently observed in thick melanomas ( P < .05). High proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreactivity positively correlated with mitotic activity ( P < .05), the presence of vertical growth phase ( P < .05), and increased silver nuclear organizer regions counts ( P < .05). Patients with continuous fibronectin staining pattern (SPI) and low proliferating cell nuclear antigen scores were unlikely to develop metastatic disease ( P < .01). Therefore, the simultaneous comparative assessment of these factors is very promising in predicting melanomas clinical evolution.