bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Green Criminology
Authors: Lynch Michael J. , Stretesky Paul B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGreen criminology addresses forms of crime that harm the environment but are often ignored in criminological research. Green crimes cause both direct and indirect forms of harm, the former of which affect the ecosystem and the latter a consequence of direct harms. Compared to criminal harms, green crimes and harms are much more widespread. Policies intended to control crime and address biases in law and law enforcement must incorporate green criminology in order to reduce environmental pollution. This article reviews the history of green criminology, including its rationale and definition. It then analyzes the variety of green victims, including direct ecological harms and indirect harms to human and non-human species. It also discusses the primary kinds of direct environmental harms such as air, land, water, mining and timber crimes, as well as the issue of green policies with respect to efforts to reduce environmental pollution and toxins.
Arginine methylation regulates antibody responses through modulating cell division and isotype switching in B cells
Authors: Hata Kikumi , Mizuguchi Junichiro 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTProtein arginine methylation plays crucial roles, including signal transduction, transcriptional control, cell proliferation and/or differentiation. B cells undergo clonal division, isotype switching and differentiate into antibody forming cells following stimulation with Toll‐like receptor‐ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and T cell‐derived signals, including CD40‐ligand (CD40‐L) and interleukin 4 (IL‐4). Whether protein arginine methylation affects B cell division and/or isotype switching to IgG1 in response to LPS, IL‐4, and CD40‐L was examined using the arginine methyl transferase inhibitor adenosine‐2′,3′‐dialdehyde (AdOx). Addition of AdOx substantially reduced the number of division cycles of stimulated B cells, whereas cell viability remained intact. Upon stimulation with LPS/IL‐4/CD40‐L, the proportion of surface IgG1 positive cells in each division cycle was slightly diminished by AdOx. However, the degree of expression of γ1 germ line transcript and activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) in response to LPS/IL‐4/CD40‐L were unaffected by addition of AdOx, suggesting that AdOx influences class switch recombination independent of AID expression through transcriptional control. Taken together, arginine methylation appears to be involved in B cell isotype switching, as well as in clonal expansion of B cells in response to LPS/IL‐4/CD40‐L.
HLA‐DRB1 and HLA–DQB1 genes on susceptibility to and protection from allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Muro Manuel , Mondejar‐López Pedro , Moya‐Quiles María Rosa , Salgado Gema , Pastor‐Vivero María Dolores , Lopez‐Hernandez Ruth , Boix Francisco , Campillo José Antonio , Minguela Alfredo , Garcia‐Alonso Ana , Sánchez‐Solís Manuel , Álvarez‐López María Rocío 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTAllergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity pulmonary disease that affects both patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and those with asthma. HLA‐DRB1 alleles have previously been associated with ABPA–CF susceptibility; however, HLA‐DQB1 allele associations have not been clearly established. The aim of the present study was to investigate HLA class II associations in patients with ABPA–CF and determine their roles in susceptibility or protection. Patients with ABPA–CF, patients with CF without ABPA, patients with asthma without ABPA (AST), and healthy controls were included in this study. DNA was extracted by automatic extractor. HLA‐DRB1 and ‐DQB1 genotyping was performed by the Luminex PCR‐SSOP method (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA). Allele specific PCR‐SSP was also performed by high‐resolution analysis (One Lambda). Statistical analysis was performed with SSPS and Arlequin software. Both HLA‐DRB1*5:01 and ‐DRB1*11:04 alleles occurred with greater frequency in patients with ABPA–CF than in those with AST and CF and control subjects, corroborating previously published data. On the other hand, analysis of haplotypes revealed that almost all patients with ABPA–CF lacking DRB1*15:01 or DRB1*11:04 carry either DRB1*04, DRB1*11:01, or DRB1*07:01 alleles. In the HLA‐DQB1 region, the HLA‐DQB1*06:02 allele occurred more frequently in patients with ABPA–CF than in those with AST and CF and healthy controls, whereas HLA‐DQB1*02:01 occurred less frequently in patients with ABPA–CF. These data confirm that there is a correlation between HLA‐DRB1*15:01, –DRB1*11:04, DRB1*11:01, –DRB1*04 and –DRB1*07:01 alleles and ABPA–CF susceptibility and suggest that HLA‐DQB1*02:01 is an ABPA–CF resistance allele.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum, interferon gamma production and Stat1 signaling
Authors: Choi Kyoung‐Seong , Dumler J. Stephen 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTHuman granulocytic anaplasmosis is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The proinflammatory cytokine, IFN‐γ, is necessary for innate immunity and plays an important role in the induction of severe histopathology in A. phagocytophilum‐infected mice, horses and humans. In this study, activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) 1 phosphorylation associated with A. phagocytophilum infection was examined in mice and found to be markedly greater on day 7 post‐infection than in mock‐infected controls. This increase in phosphorylated Stat1 (pStat1) correlated significantly with IFN‐γ production and inflammatory tissue injury. Because pStat1 operates as a transcription factor central to the generation of effectors of inflammatory injury, these data suggest that Stat1 signaling is involved in IFN‐γ‐mediated immunopathologic lesions and disease in A. phagocytophilum infection and could be an important target for intervention in this disease.
Association of Medicare Part D Medication Out‐of‐Pocket Costs with Utilization of Statin Medications
Authors: Karaca‐Mandic Pinar , Swenson Tami , Abraham Jean M. , Kane Robert L. 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesTo examine the association between statin out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs and utilization among the Medicare Part D population.Data Sources/Study Setting2006–2008 administrative claims and enrollment data for the 5 percent Medicare sample.Study DesignSample included 346,583 beneficiary‐year observations of statin users enrolled in stand‐alone prescription drug plans, excluding low‐income subsidy recipients. We estimated the association between a plan's OOP statin costs and statin utilization using an instrumental variable approach to account for potential bias due to plan selection. Adherence was defined as percentage of days covered (PDC) of at least 80 percent. Plan OOP costs were constructed for a representative market basket of statin medications. Analyses controlled for demographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease risk, co‐morbidity presence, and regional characteristics.Principal FindingsAbout 67 percent of the sample had a PDC of at least 80 percent. An increase in annual statin OOP from $200 (50th percentile) to $240 (75th percentile) was associated with a reduction in the rate of adherent beneficiaries from 67 percent to 56 percent (p < .001).ConclusionsGreater OOP costs for statins are associated with reductions in statin utilization.
Serious Mental Illness and Nursing Home Quality of Care
Authors: Rahman Momotazur , Grabowski David C. , Intrator Orna , Cai Shubing , Mor Vincent 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of a nursing home's share of residents with a serious mental illness (SMI) on the quality of care.Data SourcesSecondary nursing home level data over the period 2000 through 2008 obtained from the Minimum Data Set, OSCAR, and Medicare claims.Study DesignWe employ an instrumental variables approach to address the potential endogeneity of the share of SMI residents in nursing homes in a model including nursing home and year fixed effects.Principal FindingsAn increase in the share of SMI nursing home residents positively affected the hospitalization rate among non‐SMI residents and negatively affected staffing skill mix and level. We did not observe a statistically significant effect on inspection‐based health deficiencies or the hospitalization rate for SMI residents.ConclusionsAcross the majority of indicators, a greater SMI share resulted in lower nursing home quality. Given the increased prevalence of nursing home residents with SMI, policy makers and providers will need to adjust practices in the context of this new patient population. Reforms may include more stringent preadmission screening, new regulations, reimbursement changes, and increased reporting and oversight.
Effect of Medicaid Disease Management Programs on Emergency Admissions and Inpatient Costs
Authors: Conti Matthew S. 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of state Medicaid diabetes disease management programs on emergency admissions and inpatient costs.DataNational InPatient Sample sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Project for the years from 2000 to 2008 using 18 states.Study DesignA difference‐in‐difference methodology compares costs and number of emergency admissions for Washington, Texas, and Georgia, which implemented disease management programs between 2000 and 2008, to states that did not undergo the transition to managed care (N = 103).Data ExtractionCosts and emergency admissions were extracted for diabetic Medicaid enrollees diagnosed in the reform and non‐reform states and collapsed into state and year cells.Principal FindingsIn the three treatment states, the implementation of disease management programs did not have statistically significant impacts on the outcome variables when compared to the control states.ConclusionsStates that implemented disease management programs did not achieve improvements in costs or the number of emergency of admissions; thus, these programs do not appear to be an effective way to reduce the burden of this chronic disease.
Use of Emergency Departments among Working Age Adults with Disabilities: A Problem of Access and Service Needs
Authors: Rasch Elizabeth K. , Gulley Stephen P. , Chan Leighton 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between emergency department (ED) use and access to medical care and prescription medications among working ageAmericans with disabilities.Data SourcePooled data from the 2006–2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a U.S. health survey representative of community‐dwelling civilians.Study DesignWe compared the health and service utilization of two groups of people with disabilities to a contrast group without disability. We modeledEDvisits on the basis of disability status, measures of health and health conditions, access to care, and sociodemographics.Data ExtractionThese variables were aggregated from the household component, the medical condition, and event files to provide average annual estimates for the period spanning 2006–2008.Principal FindingsPeople with disabilities accounted for almost 40 percent of the annual visits made to U.S.EDs each year. Three key factors affect theirEDuse: access to regular medical care (including prescription medications), disability status, and the complexity of individuals’ health profiles.ConclusionsGiven the volume of health conditions among people with disabilities, theEDwill always play a role in their care. However, someEDvisits could potentially be avoided if ongoing care were optimized.
Justice in development? An analysis of water interventions in the rural South
Authors: Venot Jean‐Philippe , Clement Floriane 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis paper explores a fruitful convergence between the distributive and procedural dimensions of environmental justice theory and current debates in the field of development studies over capitals and capabilities, institutions, and discourse formation to shed new light on natural resource management projects in the developing world. Specifically, we document the planning and implementation of two types of water interventions in two contrasting regions: watershed development programmes in northeast India and small reservoirs in sub‐Saharan West Africa. We find that there is a contradiction between the inherently political nature of water interventions and the fact that such projects remain grounded in apolitical, technical and managerial narratives. In contrast to the new semantic of development, this depoliticization results in the near absence of attention paid to procedural (participation and empowerment) and distributive (equity) justice concerns and in local actors having to revert to covert ways to achieve their ends. A constructive dialogue between development studies and environmental justice scholars can offer a fresh look on the society‐environment nexus in the developing world.
Illegal Use of Benzodiazepines and/or Zolpidem Proved by Hair Analysis
Authors: Kim Jihyun , In Sanghwan , Choi Hwakyung , Lee Sooyeun 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines and zolpidem are widespread internationally. Their illegal distribution has raised their abuse to a serious level, and they are often misused in crimes. In the present study, 18 cases involving the illegal use of benzodiazepines and/or zolpidem were proved by hair analysis. The drugs were extracted from the hair samples using methanol and analyzed using LC‐MS/MS. The cases were classified according to case history: five of illegal use in medical staff, eight through inappropriate or illegal distribution, and five related to drug‐facilitated crimes. Among the 18 cases, zolpidem was identified in eight, alprazolam in seven, diazepam in six, and clonazepam in four. The drug concentrations ranged from <LOQ to 6.47 ng/mg. Due to the ready supply and potential for criminal misuse of these drugs, programs for prescription drug monitoring and supervision of those handling these drugs are both recommended.
Ontogeny of Size and Shape Sexual Dimorphism in the Ilium: A Multislice Computed Tomography Study by Geometric Morphometry
Authors: Bilfeld Marie Faruch , Dedouit Fabrice , Sans Nicolas , Rousseau Hervé , Rougé Daniel , Telmon Norbert 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe studied sexually dimorphic differences in the ilium using geometric morphometric analysis of 10 osteometric landmarks recorded by multislice computed tomography, based on three‐dimensional reconstructions of 188 children (95 boys, 93 girls) of mixed origins living in the area of Toulouse, southern France, and ranging in age from 1 to 18 years. We used geometric morphometrics methodology first to test sexual dimorphism in size (centroid size) and shape (Procrustes residuals) and second to examine patterns of shape change with age (development) and size change with age (growth). On the basis of statistical significance testing, the ilium shape became sexually dimorphic at 11 years of age, although visible shape differences were observed as early as 1 year of age. There was no statistically significant difference in size between sexes. Trajectories of shape (development) and size (growth) differed throughout ontogeny and between sexes.
Positive Dental Identification Using Tooth Anatomy and Digital Superimposition
Authors: Johansen Raymond J. , Michael Bowers C. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDental identification of unknown human remains continues to be a relevant and reliable adjunct to forensic investigations. The advent of genomic and mitochondrial DNA procedures has not displaced the practical use of dental and related osseous structures remaining after destructive incidents that can render human remains unrecognizable, severely burned, and fragmented. The ability to conclusively identify victims of accident and homicide is based on the availability of antemortem records containing substantial and unambiguous proof of dental and related osseous characteristics. This case report documents the use of digital comparative analysis of antemortem dental models and postmortem dentition, to determine a dental identification. Images of dental models were digitally analyzed using Adobe PhotoshopTM software. Individual tooth anatomy was compared between the antemortem and postmortem images. Digital superimposition techniques were also used for the comparison. With the absence of antemortem radiographs, this method proved useful to reach a positive identification in this case.
Fatal Acute Poisoning from Massive Inhalation of Gasoline Vapors: Case Report and Comparison with Similar Cases
Authors: Papi Luigi , Chericoni Silvio , Bresci Francesco , Giusiani Mario 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTWe describe a case of an acute lethal poisoning with hydrocarbons resulting from massive accidental inhalation of gasoline vapors. The victim, a 50‐year‐old man was found unconscious inside a control room for the transport of unleaded fuel.Complete autopsy was performed and showed evidence of congestion and edema of the lungs. Toxicological investigation was therefore fundamental to confirm exposure to fumes of gasoline.Both venous and arterial blood showed high values of volatiles in particular for benzene (39.0 and 30.4 μg/mL, respectively), toluene (23.7 and 20.4 μg/mL), and xylene isomers (29.8 and 19.3 μg/mL). The relatively low values found in the lungs are consistent with the fact that the subject, during the rescue, underwent orotracheal intubation followed by resuscitation techniques, while the low concentrations for all substances found in urine and kidneys could point to a death that occurred in a very short time after first contact with the fumes of gasoline.
Sudden Unexpected Death due to Chiari Type I Malformation in a Road Accident Case
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Shao Yu , Qin Zhiqiang , Liu Ningguo , Zou Donghua , Huang Ping , Chen Yijiu 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis case concerns a sudden death of a patient with Chiari I malformation. A 17‐year‐old female was seen unconscious then fell off a motorbike during the vehicle acceleration. The girl was confirmed dead on the way to hospital, being previously asymptomatic and with a clean medical record. Autopsy findings showed an extremely extra‐long cerebellar tonsillar herniation in the left side and unexplained multiple small cavities in cerebral hemispheres. Microscopic findings revealed loss and abnormal migration of the Purkinje cells, as well as capillary congestion in the herniated tonsil. The cause and mechanisms of this sudden death are considered as the cardiopulmonary dysfunction and arrest resulted from compression of the medulla and cervical cord, which was induced by both the positional insult and minor head trauma. In addition, this study stresses the importance of cervical cord examination in the case of unexpected sudden death following road accidents.
Mucinous carcinomas of the breast: Imaging features and potential for misdiagnosis
Authors: Tan Judith Zhi‐Yie , Waugh John , Kumar Beena , Evans Jill 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIntroductionPure mucinous breast carcinomas (PMBC) are commonly lobulated, therefore appear relatively benign compared with the imaging features of invasive ductal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine mammographic and sonographic patterns of PMBC, in particular features that may result in misdiagnosis.MethodsRetrospective review of available mammography and sonography in 90 patients diagnosed with PMBC within the Monash BreastScreen service, 1993–2011 inclusive.ResultsPMBC commonly have indistinct or lobulated mammographic and sonographic margins. Mammographic calcifications are absent in the majority (82%). On ultrasound, these neoplasms are commonly isoechoic (51%) with normal posterior acoustic appearances (80%). However, most (77%) of these lesions have suspicious or definite imaging features of malignancy.ConclusionPMBC are commonly lobulated with homogeneous, isoechoic and normal posterior acoustic sonographic appearances but rarely have benign imaging features.
Defining a dose–response relationship for prostate external beam radiotherapy
Authors: Trada Yuvnik , Plank Ash , Martin Jarad 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIntroductionWe aimed to quantify a relationship between radiotherapy dose and freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF) in low‐ and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer. To reduce confounding we used data with a standardised end–point, mature follow‐up, low competing risk of metastatic failure, conventional fractionation and separate reporting for outcomes with hormonal therapy (HT).MethodsA systematic review of the literature was carried out. Studies that reported the use of radiotherapy alone in 1.8–2 Gy fractions in low‐ and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer were included. The primary end–point was Phoenix definition 5‐year FFBF. A logistic regression was used to quantify the dose–response relationship.ResultsData from eight studies with 3037 patients met the inclusion criteria. The data from 810 low‐risk patients and 2245 intermediate‐risk patients were analysed. A strong association between radiotherapy dose and FFBF was found in low‐ and intermediate‐risk patients managed with radiotherapy alone. In low‐risk patients not treated with HT the dose required to achieve 50% biochemical tumour control (TCD50) is 52.0 Gy and the slope of the dose–response curve at TCD50 (γ50) is 2.1%/Gy. At 78 Gy this represented a FFBF of 90.3%. In intermediate‐risk patients not treated with HT the TCD50 is 64.7 Gy and γ50 is 3.2%/Gy. At 78 Gy this translated into a FFBF of 84.3%. HT had a small effect for low‐risk patients and an inconsistent effect for intermediate‐risk men.ConclusionA strong association was found between radiation dose and biochemical outcome in both low‐ and intermediate‐risk patients. Standardised reporting of results from future studies will make future analyses more robust.
PET/CT mediastinal and liver FDG uptake: Effects of biological and procedural factors
Authors: Malladi Ashish , Viner Maya , Jackson Tatianie , Mercier Gustavo , Subramaniam Rathan M 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIntroductionTo establish the effects of biological and procedural factors on mediastinal and liver [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in oncological FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).MethodsThis retrospective study included 557 patients who had a baseline FDG PET/CT scan in 2008 and 2009. Mediastinal and liver standardised uptake values mean normalised to lean body mass (SUVlbmmean) were measured in each patient. Univariate and multivariate regression models were established. Study population was then dichotomised into low and high body mass index (BMI) groups, and linear regression models were established for the effects of age, incubation period and blood glucose levels.ResultsBMI had the highest adjusted effect (standardised beta coefficient, b = 0.43) (P < 0.001) and partial correlation, adjusting for covariates included in the final model (r = 0.45; P < 0.001) on mediastinal FDG uptake. Partial correlations (r) were 0.22 for age, −0.17 for male gender, −0.25 for incubation period and 0.14 for blood glucose (P < 0.001). The linear regression models showed significant differences in mediastinal FDG uptake between the low and high BMI groups and the effects of age, incubation period and basal blood glucose levels (P < 0.001). Similar results were observed for liver FDG uptake except the partial correlation for incubation period was r = −0.09 (P = 0.02).ConclusionBMI has the highest effect and correlation on mediastinal and liver FDG uptake. FDG uptake time has a greater effect on mediastinal than liver SUVlbmmean.