bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Labour Still a Relevant Category for Praxis? Critical Reflections on Some Contemporary Discourses on Work and Labour in Capitalism
Authors: Bhattacharya Saumyajit 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThere has been an erosion in the use of ‘labour’ as a key concept of critical reflection in contemporary capitalism. Parallel to this development, there has been a significant debasement of labour rights and the concomitant rise of a discourse that delegitimizes the criticality of labour and labour rights. This essay attempts to identify and critique some of these discourses in the sphere of work, labour and labour rights. In particular, it critically examines three varied perspectives — one neoliberal and two radically opposed to that — and argues that in spite of their contrasting ideologies, they resonate with each other and, overtly or covertly, carry out the task of delegimization of a labour‐centred discourse and the paradigm of labour rights. These ‘radical’ discourses, the essay argues, obfuscate the essence of capitalist exploitation and alienation either by an emphasis on fragmentary peculiarities immanent in the capitalist accumulation process or by the architecture of grand false constructs, which gets enmeshed within and subsumed by certain essential tendencies of contemporary capitalism. The essay argues in favour of a return to a discourse centred on labour and labour rights, albeit in a more comprehensive manner — not merely as an approach to assessing the diverse forms of working conditions and institutionalized practices, but more crucially as constituting what Marx conceptualized as the ‘real abstract’ in the vicissitudes of the capitalist accumulation process.
Dynamic connectivity among cortical layers in local and large‐scale sensory processing
Authors: Plomp Gijs , Quairiaux Charles , Kiss Jozsef Z. , Astolfi Laura , Michel Christoph M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractCortical processing of sensory stimuli typically recruits multiple areas, but how each area dynamically incorporates activity from other areas is not well understood. We investigated interactions between cortical columns of bilateral primary sensory regions (S1s) in rats by recording local field potentials and multi‐unit activity simultaneously in both S1s with electrodes positioned at each cortical layer. Using dynamic connectivity analysis based on Granger‐causal modeling, we found that, shortly after whisker stimulation (< 10 ms), contralateral S1 (cS1) already relays activity to granular and infragranular layers of S1 in the other hemisphere, after which cS1 shows a pattern of within‐column interactions that directs activity upwards toward superficial layers. This pattern of predominant upward driving was also observed in S1 ipsilateral to stimulation, but at longer latencies. In addition, we found that interactions between the two S1s most strongly target granular and infragranular layers. Taken together, the results suggest a possible mechanism for how cortical columns integrate local and large‐scale neocortical computation by relaying information from deeper layers to local processing in superficial layers.
Latitudinal gradients in climatic‐niche evolution accelerate trait evolution at high latitudes
Authors: Lawson Adam M. , Weir Jason T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDespite the importance of divergent selection to the speed of evolution, it remains poorly understood if divergent selection is more prevalent in the tropics (where species richness is highest), or at high latitudes (where paleoclimate change has been most intense). We tested whether the rate of climatic‐niche evolution – one proxy for divergent selection – varies with latitude for 111 pairs of bird species. Using Brownian motion and Ornsetin–Ulhenbeck models, we show that evolutionary rates along two important axes of the climatic‐niche – temperature and seasonality – have been faster at higher latitudes. We then tested whether divergence of the climatic‐niche was associated with evolution in traits important in ecological differentiation (body mass) and reproductive isolation (song), and found that climatic divergence is associated with faster rates in both measures. These results highlight the importance of climate‐mediated divergent selection pressures in driving evolutionary divergence and reproductive isolation at high latitudes.
Fine‐scale genetic correlates to condition and migration in a wild cervid
Authors: Northrup Joseph M. , Shafer Aaron B. A. , Anderson Charles R. , Coltman David W. , Wittemyer George 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe relationship between genetic variation and phenotypic traits is fundamental to the study and management of natural populations. Such relationships often are investigated by assessing correlations between phenotypic traits and heterozygosity or genetic differentiation. Using an extensive data set compiled from free‐ranging mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), we combined genetic and ecological data to (i) examine correlations between genetic differentiation and migration timing, (ii) screen for mitochondrial haplotypes associated with migration timing, and (iii) test whether nuclear heterozygosity was associated with condition. Migration was related to genetic differentiation (more closely related individuals migrated closer in time) and mitochondrial haplogroup. Body fat was related to heterozygosity at two nuclear loci (with antagonistic patterns), one of which is situated near a known fat metabolism gene in mammals. Despite being focused on a widespread panmictic species, these findings revealed a link between genetic variation and important phenotypes at a fine scale. We hypothesize that these correlations are either the result of mixing refugial lineages or differential mitochondrial haplotypes influencing energetics. The maintenance of phenotypic diversity will be critical to enable the potential tracking of changing climatic conditions, and these correlates highlight the need to consider evolutionary mechanisms in management, even in widely distributed panmictic species.
Association between frailty and subclinical peripheral vascular disease in a community‐dwelling geriatric population: Taichung Community Health Study for Elders
Authors: Lin Chih‐Hsueh , Chou Che‐Yi , Liu Chiu‐Shong , Huang Chih‐Yang , Li Tsai‐Chung , Lin Cheng‐Chieh 
Published: August 2014

AimFrailty is a common syndrome in the elderly and is linked to poor outcomes. Walking performance is one of the indicators of frailty and can be associated with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The association between frailty and PVD is unclear. The present study investigates the association between frailty and PVD in the elderly.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was carried out in a geriatric population of ≥65‐year‐old residents of Taichung, Taiwan, in June 2009. The association between frailty and subclinical PVD was analyzed using logistic regression with adjustments for PVD risk factors.ResultsThe community‐based study consisted of 1036 individuals (539 male and 497 female subjects) with a mean age of 74.2 ± 6.6 years. Frailty was found in 143 (13.8%), and subclinical PVD was identified in 74 (7.1%) individuals using the Ankle Brachial Index < 0.9 as a cut‐off. Frail individuals were associated with an increased risk for subclinical PVD with an odd ratios (OR) of 3.168 (95% CI 1.803–5.566, P < 0.001). Individuals' diastolic blood pressure (OR 0.975, 95% CI 0.951–0.999, P = 0.038) and high‐density cholesterol (OR 0.976, 95% CI: 0.956–0.996, P = 0.019) were independently associated with subclinical PVD.ConclusionsFrailty syndrome in the elderly is associated with subclinical peripheral arterial disease indicated using the Ankle Brachial Index. The association between frailty and PVD is independent of subject's age, blood pressure and serum lipoprotein level. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 261–267.
Cost‐Utility Analysis of Endoscopic Surveillance of Patients with Gastric Premalignant Conditions
Authors: Areia Miguel , Dinis‐Ribeiro Mário , Rocha Gonçalves Francisco 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundProgression of extensive gastric premalignant conditions to cancer might warrant surveillance programms. Recent guidelines suggest a 3‐yearly endoscopic follow‐up for these patients. Our aim was to determine the cost utility of endoscopic surveillance of patients with extensive gastric premalignant conditions such as extensive atrophy or intestinal metaplasia.Materials and MethodsA cost‐utility economic analysis was performed from a societal perspective in Portugal using a Markov model to compare two strategies: surveillance versus no surveillance. Clinical data were collected from a systematic review of the literature, costs from published national data, and community utilities derived from a population study by theEuroQol questionnaire in terms of quality‐adjusted life years (QALY). Population started at age 50, for a time horizon of 25 years and an annual discount rate of 3% was used for cost and effectiveness. Primary outcome was the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of a 3‐yearly endoscopic surveillance versus no surveillance for a base case scenario and in deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Secondary outcomes wereICERof 5‐ and 10‐yearly endoscopic surveillance versus no surveillance.ResultsEndoscopic surveillance every 3 years provided anICERof € 18,336, below the adopted threshold of € 36,575 which corresponds to the proposed guideline limit ofUSD50,000 and this strategy dominated surveillance every 5 or 10 years. Utilities for endoscopic treatment were relevant in deterministic analysis, while probabilistic analysis showed that in 78% of cases the model was cost‐effective.ConclusionsEndoscopic surveillance every 3 years of patients with premalignant conditions is cost‐effective.
Serum sodium concentration is associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Umemura Takeji , Shibata Soichiro , Sekiguchi Tomohiro , Kitabatake Hiroyuki , Nozawa Yuichi , Okuhara Sadahisa , Kimura Takefumi , Morita Susumu , Komatsu Michiharu , Matsumoto Akihiro , Tanaka Eiji 
Published: August 2014

AimAlthough hyponatremia is associated with a poor prognosis in liver cirrhosis, little is known about the clinical significance of serum sodium concentration in cirrhosis in Japan. This study investigated associations of mortality in Japanese cirrhosis patients taking conventional diuretics with serum sodium concentration and other clinical characteristics.MethodsA total of 171 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who were taking diuretic medication were enrolled retrospectively. We determined the prevalence of low serum sodium concentration and searched for associations with age, sex, etiology, complications of cirrhosis, liver function tests and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and MELD‐Na scores. The predictive ability of sodium level on mortality was also investigated.ResultsMedian serum sodium concentration was 139 mEq/L (interquartile range, 137–141). Only eight of 171 (4.7%) patients had low serum sodium (<130 mEq/L). Median MELD‐Na score was 10.5 (interquartile range, 8.0–14.3). Cumulative survival rates were significantly lower in patients with Na of less than 139 mEq/L or MELD‐Na score of 10.5 or more (log–rank test, P = 0.017 and P = 0.0002, respectively). Several liver function tests, MELD and MELD‐Na scores, and the incidence of ascites were all significantly associated with patients having Na of less than 139 mEq/L.ConclusionSerum sodium concentration below 139 mEq/L and MELD‐Na score above 10.5 may be predictive markers for mortality in patients with cirrhosis despite being within normal ranges. These markers may help to better assess and manage the prognosis of patients with cirrhosis in Japan.
Management of systemic AL amyloidosis: recommendations of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia Medical and Scientific Advisory Group
Authors: Weber N. , Mollee P. , Augustson B. , Brown R. , Catley L. , Gibson J. , Harrison S. , Ho P. J. , Horvath N. , Jaksic W. , Joshua D. , Quach H. , Roberts A. W. , Spencer A. , Szer J. , Talaulikar D. , To B. , Zannettino A. , Prince H. M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSystemic AL amyloidosis is a plasma cell dyscrasia with a characteristic clinical phenotype caused by multi‐organ deposition of an amyloidogenic monoclonal protein. This condition poses a unique management challenge due to the complexity of the clinical presentation and the narrow therapeutic window of available therapies. Improved appreciation of the need for risk stratification, standardised use of sensitive laboratory testing for monitoring disease response, vigilant supportive care and the availability of newer agents with more favourable toxicity profiles have contributed to the improvement in treatment‐related mortality and overall survival seen over the past decade. Nonetheless, with respect to the optimal management approach, there is a paucity of high‐level clinical evidence due to the rarity of the disease, and enrolment in clinical trials is still the preferred approach where available. This review will summarise the Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Systemic Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis recently prepared by the Medical Scientific Advisory Group of the Myeloma Foundation of Australia. It is hoped that these guidelines will assist clinicians in better understanding and optimising the management of this difficult disease.
Paediatric heart transplantation in Australia comes of age: 21 years of experience in a national centre
Authors: Alexander P. M. A. , Swager A. , Lee K. J. , Shipp A. , Konstantinov I. E. , Wilkinson J. L. , d'Udekem Y. , Brizard C. , Weintraub R. G. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundHeart transplantation (HT) is established therapy for end‐stage heart failure in children with cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease.AimsThis review summarises experience at a national referral centre since the first local transplant.MethodsMedical records of children referred for HT between 1 April 1988 and 1 January 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients listed for HT were included. Survival analysis was used to summarise wait‐list time to death/transplant, and separately, time to death in HT patients.ResultsOne hundred and thirty‐nine children were accepted on to the HT waiting list during the study (median age 7.7 (interquartile range (IQR) 2.5, 13.6) years), of whom 93 underwent HT (median age 10.9 (IQR 4.4, 14.6) years). Wait‐list mortality was 32% (45 of 139 patients), lowest among children aged >10 years at listing (P < 0.001). Median time to HT was 69 days (range 29–146). Survival post‐transplantation was 90% (95% confidence interval 82–95) at 1 year, 82% (72–89%) at 5 years and 68% (50–80%) at 10 years. Increasing case complexity over the study period included pre‐ and post‐transplant circulatory support, management of pulmonary hypertension and introduction of ABO‐incompatible HT for infants. Post‐transplant survival did not vary according to age, pre‐transplant diagnosis or use of pre‐transplant circulatory support (all P > 0.05).ConclusionsResults of paediatric HT in Australia are comparable with international results, despite limitations of geographic isolation, small population and low organ donation rate. Increasing case complexity has not impacted on post‐transplant survival.
A systematic review of prevalence, disease characteristics and management of systemic lupus erythematosus in Australia: identifying areas of unmet need
Authors: Nikpour M. , Bridge J. A. , Richter S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundFew epidemiological studies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been conducted in Australia, and current management practice and levels of unmet need in this country are not well characterised.AimTo perform a systematic literature review to identify Australia‐specific information on SLE, particularly areas of unmet need.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched (1 January 1990 to 29 November 2013). All articles on prevalence, disease characteristics, management and outcomes of SLE in Australia were included.ResultsThere is limited published information on SLE in Australia. Of 24 articles included, 18 described results from observational studies, three were narrative reviews, one was a clinical update, and two were medical education articles. In remote regions, SLE was reported to be more prevalent in Aboriginal Australians than non‐Aboriginal Australians; information in urban populations is lacking. Asian Australians may be more affected by SLE than non‐Asian Australians. Pregnancy outcomes may also be adversely affected. Many Australians with SLE may experience high levels of unmet need, including delayed diagnosis, ongoing symptoms, flares, depression/anxiety, sleeping difficulty and decreased quality of life. Published guidance on the SLE management in Australia is limited and dated.ConclusionsPublished information on SLE in Australia is limited, but suggests that ethnicity may affect the prevalence and disease characteristics and that many Australians with SLE have unmet needs. Improvements in diagnosis, treatment and management are needed to alleviate these needs. Up‐to‐date guidance on the management of SLE would benefit healthcare professionals and patients.
Ex VivoEquine Medial Tibial Plateau Contact Pressure With an Intact Medial Femoral Condyle, With a Medial Femoral Condylar Defect, and After Placement of a Transcondylar Screw Through the Condylar Defect
Authors: Bonilla Alvaro G. , Williams Jarred M. , Litsky Alan S. , Santschi Elizabeth M. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo determineex vivocontact data on the equine medial tibial plateau loaded by an intact medial femoral condyle (MFC), by an MFC with an osteochondral defect, and with a screw inserted in lag fashion through the MFC defect.Study DesignEx vivoexperiment.AnimalsStifles (n = 6). Horses (n = 4).MethodsStifle joints were axially loaded to 1800 N at 155°, 145°, and 130°, under 3 conditions: Intact, MFC with a 15 mm circular osteochondral defect, and with a transcondylar screw inserted in lag fashion through the defect. An electronic pressure sensor (Tekscan®) on the medial tibial plateau recorded contact area, force, peak pressure, and contact maps. Stress load (N/cm2) was calculated for the entire medial plateau and in 3 sub‐regions; cranial, caudal, and central. Significance was set atP ≤ .05.ResultsFlexion increased force, contact area, and stress load for all conditions. An MFC defect significantly reduced force at both flexion angles and contact area at 145°. The transcondylar screw returned force to intact values at 130° and reduced contact area in extension. Intact MFC contact maps revealed pressure peaks on the central cartilage at all angles and contact pressure and area expansion and caudal movement with flexion. Contact maps with an MFC defect amplified the caudal and abaxial pressure movement during flexion, and the screw did not further change them.ConclusionsStifle flexion increases force, contact area, and stress load on the medial tibial plateau and is most pronounced caudally. An MFC defect alters load on the medial tibial plateau, and a transcondylar screw may reverse some of those changes.
A randomized controlled trial of fentanyl in the pre‐emptive treatment of pain associated with turning in patients under mechanical ventilation: research protocol
Authors: Robleda Gemma , Roche‐Campo Ferran , Urrútia Gerard , Navarro Marta , Sendra Maria‐Àngels , Castillo Ana , Rodríguez‐Arias Ainhoa , Juanes‐Borrejo Elena , Gich Ignasi , Mancebo Jordi , Baños Josep‐E. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimTo compare the effectiveness and safety of fentanyl with placebo as pre‐emptive treatment for pain associated with turning in patients in intensive care units.BackgroundTurning is frequently a painful procedure in this setting. Pre‐emptive administration of supplementary analgesia may help decrease this pain. However, medical literature on pre‐emptive analgesia in these patients is scarce.DesignA randomized, double‐blind, controlled clinical trial.MethodsThis study will assess the benefits and risks of pre‐emptive analgesia with fentanyl compared with placebo on turning‐associated pain. Eighty patients will be recruited from among those older than 18 years and needing mechanical ventilation for at least 24 hours. Pain intensity will be assessed using the Behavioral Pain Scale. Primary outcome will be pain intensity between the baseline and 30 minutes after turning, measured by the area under the curve of the pain scale scores. Secondary outcomes will be the usefulness of physiological parameters and the Bispectral Index to measure pain and the safety of pre‐emptive fentanyl in turning. The study protocol was approved in February 2011.DiscussionIf pre‐emptive fentanyl is more effective than placebo and reasonably safe, the results of the current study may change nursing attitude in managing turning in critically ill patients. As a consequence, pain may be decreased during this nursing procedure.
Decreased expression of microRNA‐21 correlates with the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dong Liyang , Wang Xuefeng , Tan Jun , Li Hao , Qian Wei , Chen Jianguo , Chen Qiaoyun , Wang Jun , Xu Wenlin , Tao Caihua , Wang Shengjun 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe imbalance of Th17/Treg cell populations has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis; however, the mechanism behind this phenomenon remains unclear. Recent studies have shown how microRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of immune responses and are involved in the development of a variety of inflammatory diseases, including RA. In this study, we demonstrated that the frequencies of CD3+CD4+IL‐17+Th17 cells were significantly higher, and CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg cells significantly lower in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from RA patients. Detection of cytokines from RA patients revealed an elevated panel of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐17, IL‐6, IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐22, which carry the inflammatory signature of RA and are crucial in the differentiation and maintenance of pathogenic Th17 cells and dysfunction of Treg cells. However, the level of miR‐21 was significantly lower in RA patients, accompanied by the increase in STAT3 expression and activation, and decrease in STAT5/pSTAT5 protein and Foxp3 mRNA levels. Furthermore, lipopolysaccharide stimulation up‐regulated miR‐21 expression from healthy controls, but down‐regulated miR‐21 expression from RA patients. Therefore, we speculate that miR‐21 may be part of a negative feedback loop in the normal setting. However, miR‐21 levels decrease significantly in RA patients, suggesting that this feedback loop is dysregulated and may contribute to the imbalance of Th17 and Treg cells. MiR‐21 may thus serve as a novel regulator in T‐cell differentiation and homoeostasis, and provides a new therapeutic target for the treatment of RA.