bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magnetic dipole moment of soft gamma-ray repeaters and anomalous X-ray pulsars described as massive and magnetic white dwarfs
Authors: Coelho Jaziel G. , Malheiro Manuel 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) are some of the most interesting groups of pulsars that have been intensively studied in recent years. They are understood as neutron stars (NSs) with super-strong magnetic fields, namely B ≳ 1014 G. However, in the last two years two SGRs with low magnetic fields B ∼ (1012–1013) G have been detected. Moreover, three fast and very magnetic white dwarfs (WDs) have also been observed in recent years. Based on these new pulsar discoveries, we compare and contrast the magnetic fields, magnetic dipole moment, characteristic ages, and X-ray steady luminosities of these two SGRs (in the WD model) with the three fast white dwarfs, to conclude that they show strong similarities corroborating an alternative description of several SGRs/AXPs as very massive and magnetic white dwarfs. We show that the values for m obtained for several SGRs and AXPs are in agreement with the observed range 1034 emu ≤ m ≤ 1036 emu of isolated and polar magnetic white dwarfs. This result, together with the fact that for magnetic white dwarfs B ∼ (106–108) G their magnetic dipole moments are almost independent of the star rotation period (104 s ≲ P ≲ 106 s)—a phenomenology not shared by neutron star pulsars—suggests a possible magnetic white dwarf nature for some SGRs/AXPs that have much smaller periods (P ∼ 10 s). Moreover, since for pulsars the dipole radiation power is proportional only to m and to the rotational star frequency, we can explain in the WD model—considering only the different scales of the magnetic dipole moment for WDs and NSs—why the steady luminosity LX for several SGRs/AXPs (and in particular the low-B SGRs) compared to those of X-ray dim isolated neutron stars (XDINs) and high-B pulsars obeys the ratio LXSGRs/AXPs/LXXDINs ∼ mWD/mNS ∼ 103: all these X-ray sources have essentially the same rotational periods (P ∼ 10 s) and the X-ray luminosity is correlated to the spin-down luminosity, which is equal to the dipole radiation power in the dipole model.
Atypical mycobacterial cutaneous infections in Egyptians: A clinicopathological study
Authors: El‐Khalawany Mohamed A. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAtypical mycobacteria comprise an uncommon heterogenous non‐tuberculous group of acid‐fast bacteria that rarely involve skin. The pattern of atypical mycobacterial cutaneous infections (AMCI) has not been previously studied in Egypt. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics, pathological features and species profile of AMCI among Egyptian patients. A retrospective study included 46 cases, diagnosed with AMCI during the period 2002 to 2012. The study included 34 males (73.9%) and 12 females (26.9%). The average age of patients was 39 years while the average duration of lesions was 15 months. The lesions were mostly located on the extremities (91.3%) and there was predominance of single (65.2%) and nodular (41.4%) lesions. History of trauma was confirmed in 91.3%. Histologically, the granulomas were mostly superficial (67.4%) with predominance of nodular suppurative pattern (84.8%). Other significant histological findings included epidermal hypertrophy (100%), presence of large‐sized multinucleated giant cells (87%) and intrafollicular neutrophilic abscesses (84.8%). The diagnosis was proved by direct smear in 6.5%, skin biopsy in 10.9%, tissue culture in 47.8% and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 34.8%. Isolated species included Mycobacterium marinum (84.8%), Mycobacterium fortuitum (10.9%) and Mycobacterium kansasii (4.3%). Although the results of this study recommend that the diagnosis of AMCI is based mainly on culture and PCR, other clinicopathological features such as history of trauma, acral location of the lesion and suppurative granulomatous reaction with intrafollicular abscesses could be helpful clues in suspecting AMCI.
Case of Fusarium paronychia successfully treated with occlusive dressing of antifungal cream
Authors: Ikeda Isamu , Ohno Tadashi , Ohno Hideaki , Miyazaki Yoshitsugu , Nishimoto Katsutaro , Fukushima Satoshi , Makino Takamitsu , Ihn Hiromobu 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe report a case of refractory Fusarium paronychia in a 42‐year‐old man with Behçet's disease receiving oral cyclosporin and corticosteroid. Symptoms resembling candidal paronychia of his little finger could not be cured by topical ketoconazole and oral terbinafine. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium solani species complex by gene analysis, and was multiple drug resistant. The case eventually resolved by occlusive dressing therapy with 0.5% amorolfine cream for 3 months.
Incoherence and Tension in Culture‐Led Redevelopment
Authors: Mathews Vanessa 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article contributes to contemporary debates surrounding the outcome of culture‐led redevelopment by exploring the tensions that arise when a broad application of ‘culture’ is used to theme space. I take as my focus the Distillery District, a private sector redevelopment in the City of Toronto, Ontario that draws on the arts alongside industrial heritage to heighten consumption. The article is divided into two main sections. I begin with a review of Toronto's shifting arts policies — from a focus on securing space for artistic production to a focus on arts consumption for interurban competition — to contextualize the planning framework underlying the redevelopment of the district. Second, I engage with how diverse and creative interruptions directed by the tenancy run against the unifying grain of the redevelopment process. While culture and creativity are drawn into a strategy of place‐making for the purpose of place distinction, an incongruous festival and events season, and the tokenistic inclusion of cultural producers to satisfy a public appetite for the creative process, complicate these descriptors of space. Ultimately, the representation of the Distillery as a premier centre for ‘arts, culture, and entertainment’ is unravelled by multimodal ways of seeing and experiencing culture and place.
Relational Comparison and LGBTQ Activism in European Cities
Authors: Binnie Jon 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis article examines the role of city twinning as a device for conducting transnational activism around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) politics. It focuses on the city of Leiden in the Netherlands, examining how the city's twinning links with the cities of Torun in Poland and Oxford in the UK have been used at different times as a device to mobilize transnational solidarities with LGBTQ people outside of the Netherlands. Drawing on qualitative semi‐structured interviews with LGBTQ activists in Leiden as part of a wider study of transnational LGBTQ activism in Europe, I seek to understand how twinning links are used to forge sustainable solidarities both across national boundaries and within Leiden. I suggest that relational comparisons about the status and treatment of sexual dissidents in Leiden and its twin cities are central to the production of these solidarities. While twinning has significant potential as a device for the production of sustainable transnational LGBTQ activism, I also suggest that it can be used to advance problematic geo‐temporalities about the relative ‘progressiveness’ or ‘backwardness’ of LGBTQ politics in specific cities.
The Politics of Property in Planning: Hezbollah's Reconstruction of Haret Hreik (Beirut, Lebanon) as Case Study
Authors: Fawaz Mona 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThis research looks at post‐2006‐war reconstruction of the southern suburbs of Beirut under the auspices of Hezbollah (the Islamic resistance movement in Lebanon). The project was widely acclaimed as an alternative to current neoliberal planning practices in the Middle East and beyond. Based on a critical reading of the conception of property issues in this planning project, the article argues that this reconstruction presents a new geometry or alternative to the mainstream configuration of neoliberal urbanism, rather than a departure from its precepts. The reason for this is that the adopted language of property corresponds closely with the conception of property advocated by neoliberal planning, one that enshrines private, individual ownership as sacred and desirable and that works to strengthen its model in the city. I further argue that the ‘neoliberal planning regime’ within which Hezbollah's urban intervention occurs is not accidental; rather, it is necessary for the party's control of this space's future and for consolidating its territory in the city. It is hence expected that Hezbollah's planning in the city will produce the same decried effects as neoliberal planning elsewhere in the city rather than usher an innovative, progressive model of planning.
Bioactive Peptides and Hydrolysates from Pulses and Their Potential Use as Functional Ingredients
Authors: López‐Barrios Lidia , Gutiérrez‐Uribe Janet A. , Serna‐Saldívar Sergio O. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBioactive peptides (BPs) are amino acid sequences derived from food proteins. Their relevance lies in the biological activities they have once they are released from the parent protein. BPs or protein hydrolysates can be commercialized as nutraceutical products or functional ingredients according to their activities. Different food protein sources have been researched for their potential to generate BPs. However, with the exception of lunasin (derived from soy), animal protein sources have been predominantly exploited as commercial BPs sources. On the other hand, pulses have shown diverse BP contents without further impact on their commercialization. Pulses are a rich source of protein in the human diet and their consumption has been associated with the prevention of chronic diseases. The beneficial effect in human health has been related to their micronutrients, phytochemical bioactive compounds, and recently BPs. This article reviews the current literature about pulse protein hydrolysates and BPs with proved angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory, antioxidant, cancer preventing, and other health promoting activities. Proteolysis process is commonly achieved by digestive and microorganism enzymes. BP purification and identification has consisted mainly on size segregation procedures followed by mass spectrometry techniques. Hydrolysis time, peptide size, and hydrophobicity are employed as process variants and structural features relevant for the BP activities. Finally, some considerations about industrial processing and BPs used as functional food ingredients were reviewed.
Analysis of intraosseous samples in endotoxemic shock – an experimental study in the anaesthetised pig
Authors: STRANDBERG G. , LARSSON A. , LIPCSEY M. , BERGLUND L. , ERIKSSON M. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundIntraosseous (IO) access is used in emergency situations to allow rapid initiation of treatment. IO access is also sometimes used for blood sampling, although data on accuracy of such sampling in critical illness are limited. There is also a potential risk that bone marrow fragments in IO samples may damage laboratory equipment. It is ethically questionable to perform a simultaneous comparison between IO and arterial/venous sampling in critically ill humans. We have, thus, studied the analytical performance of IO sampling in a porcine septic shock model using a cartridge‐based analyser.MethodsEight pigs with endotoxin‐induced septic shock were sampled hourly for 6 h, and analysed for blood gases, acid base status, haemoglobin, glucose and lactate using point of care instruments. Samples were taken from three IO cannulae (tibia bilaterally, one with infusion, and humerus), one arterial and one venous. An interaction test was used to assess changes in agreement between methods over time. Bland–Altman plots were constructed to study bias between methods.ResultsThere were, to a varying extent, differences between IO and arterial/venous levels for all studied variables, but agreement did not change significantly during the experiment. A general finding was a large dispersion of differences between methods.ConclusionsIO sample values should be treated with caution in this setting but may add useful information to the clinical picture. The tibia or humerus may be used for sampling. IO infusion decreases agreement, thus sampling during infusion should be avoided.
Opening up the black box: an introduction to qualitative research methods in anaesthesia
Authors: Shelton C. L. , Smith A. F. , Mort M. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryQualitative research methods are a group of techniques designed to allow the researcher to understand phenomena in their natural setting. A wide range is used, including focus groups, interviews, observation, and discourse analysis techniques, which may be used within research approaches such as grounded theory or ethnography. Qualitative studies in the anaesthetic setting have been used to define excellence in anaesthesia, explore the reasons behind drug errors, investigate the acquisition of expertise and examine incentives for hand‐hygiene in the operating theatre. Understanding how and why people act the way they do is essential for the advancement of anaesthetic practice, and rigorous, well‐designed qualitative research can generate useful data and important insights. Meticulous social scientific methods, transparency, reproducibility and reflexivity are markers of quality in qualitative research. Tools such as the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research checklist and the critical appraisal skills programme are available to help authors, reviewers and readers unfamiliar with qualitative research assess its merits.
Home‐based detoxification for neonatal abstinence syndrome reduces length of hospital admission without prolonging treatment
Authors: Smirk Cameron L. , Bowman Ellen , Doyle Lex W. , Kamlin Omar 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAimNeonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a drug withdrawal syndrome, secondary to in utero chemical exposure and characterised by tremor, irritability and feed intolerance. It often requires prolonged hospital treatment and separation of families. Outpatient therapy may reduce this burden, but current literature is sparse. This review aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of our home‐based detoxification programme and compare it with standard inpatient care.MethodsInfants requiring treatment for NAS between January 2004 and December 2010 were reviewed. Data on demographics, drug exposure, length of stay and type of therapy were compared between infants selected for home‐based therapy and those treated conventionally.ResultsOf the 118 infants who were admitted for treatment of NAS, 38 (32%) were managed at home. Infants receiving home‐based detoxification had shorter hospital stays (mean 19 days vs. 39 days), with no increase in total duration of treatment (mean 36 days vs. 41 days), and were more likely to be breastfeeding on discharge from hospital care (45% vs. 22%).ConclusionIn selected infants, home‐based detoxification is associated with reduced hospital stays and increased rates of breastfeeding, without prolonging therapy. Safety of the infants remains paramount, which precludes many from entering such a programme.
Insulin therapy and the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Bu Wu‐jie , Song Lei , Zhao Dan‐yi , Guo Bing , Liu Jing 
Published: February 2014

AimsSeveral epidemiological studies have reported inconsistent associations between insulin therapy and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We performed this meta‐analysis of observational studies to evaluate the effect of insulin therapy on the risk of CRC.MethodsWe carried out a systematic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library Central database between January 1966 and August 2013. Fixed‐effects and random‐effects models were used to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 12 epidemiological studies were included in the present meta‐analysis, involving a total of 7947 CRC cases and 491 384 participants. There was significant heterogeneity among the studies, but no publication bias. Insulin therapy significantly increased the risk of CRC [RR = 1.69, 95% CI (1.25, 2.27)]. When the various studies were stratified by study design, we found that insulin use was associated with a statistically significant 115% higher risk of CRC among case–control studies [RR = 2.15, 95% CI (1.41, 3.26)], but not among cohort studies [RR = 1.25, 95% CI (0.95, 1.65)]. Furthermore, a significant association was noted among studies conducted in USA [RR = 1.73, 95% CI (1.15, 2.60)] and Asia [RR = 2.55, 95% CI (2.14, 3.04)], but not in Europe [RR = 1.20, 95% CI (0.92, 1.57)].ConclusionsThe present meta‐analysis suggests that insulin therapy may increase the risk of CRC. More prospective cohort studies with longer follow‐up durations are warranted to confirm this association. Furthermore, future studies should report results stratified by gender and race and should adjust the results by more confounders.
Pharmacoepidemiologic and in vitro evaluation of potential drug–drug interactions of sulfonylureas with fibrates and statins
Authors: Schelleman H. , Han X. , Brensinger C. M. , Quinney S. K. , Bilker W. B. , Flockhart D. A. , Li L. , Hennessy Sean 
Published: February 2014

AimsTo examine whether initiation of fibrates or statins in sulfonylurea users is associated with hypoglycaemia, and examine in vitro inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes by statins, fenofibrate and glipizide.MethodsWe used healthcare data to conduct nested case‐control studies of serious hypoglycaemia (i.e. resulting in hospital admission or emergency department treatment) in persons taking glipizide or glyburide, and calculated adjusted overall and time‐stratified odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also characterized the in vitro inhibition of CYP enzymes by statins, fenofibrate and glipizide using fluorometric CYP450 inhibition assays, and estimated area under the concentration–time curve ratios (AUCRs) for the drug pairs.ResultsWe found elevated adjusted overall ORs for glyburide‐fenofibrate (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.37, 2.47) and glyburide‐gemfibrozil (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.25, 1.96). The apparent risk did decline over time as might be expected from a pharmacokinetic mechanism. Fenofibrate was a potent in vitro inhibitor of CYP2C19 (IC50 = 0.2 μm) and CYP2B6 (IC50 = 0.7 μm) and a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C9 (IC50 = 9.7 μm). The predicted CYP‐based AUCRs for fenofibrate‐glyburide and gemfibrozil‐glyburide interactions were only 1.09 and 1.04, suggesting that CYP inhibition is unlikely to explain such an interaction.ConclusionsUse of fenofibrate or gemfibrozil together with glyburide was associated with elevated overall risks of serious hypoglycaemia. CYP inhibition seems unlikely to explain this observation. We speculate that a pharmacodynamic effect of fibrates (e.g. activate peroxisome proliferator‐activator receptor alpha) may contribute to these apparent interactions.
Viral lymphomagenesis: from pathophysiology to the rationale for novel therapies
Authors: Castillo Jorge J. , Reagan John L. , Bishop Kenneth D. , Apor Emmanuel 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe association between viruses and lymphomas has long been recognized; however, the pathophysiological phenomena behind this relationship are unclear, and have been the object of intense research. Although our understanding of such mechanisms is slowly improving, much is still left to learn. With the recent advances in cancer biology, a diversity of biological pathways and novel targets and agents have been described in patients with haematological malignancies and successfully put into clinical practice. Clear examples are rituximab and brentuximab vedotin in patients with B cell lymphomas and Hodgkin lymphoma respectively. The main purpose of this review is not only to succinctly summarize what we know regarding the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of virally induced lymphomas and to describe the current practices in terms of diagnosis of treatment of such lymphomas, but also to provide a scientific rationale for the use of novel therapies that are likely to improve the outcomes of patients with these conditions.
Histological subtypes of periocular basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Albert , Sun Michelle T , Huilgol Shyamala C , Madge Simon , Selva Dinesh 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the proportion of different subtypes of periocular BCC in South Australia.DesignRetrospective review.ParticipantsOne thousand seven hundred thirteen consecutive periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) excision specimens.MethodsHistological analysis of consecutive periocular BCC specimens.Main Outcome MeasuresDate of resection, patient age at resection, gender, tumour location, histological subtype and perineural invasion.ResultsFrom 2006 to 2012, a total of 1713 consecutive periocular BCC excision specimens were analysed. The mean age at resection was 68.8 years (median: 71, range: 21–101). Most specimens (56.4%) were removed from male patients. 52.7% involved the lower eyelid, 29.0% the medial canthus, 10.9% the lateral canthus and 7.5% the upper eyelid. The main histological subtypes identified were nodular (65.7%), infiltrative (17.5%), superficial (12.6%) and micronodular (4.2%). Of the specimens, 25.6% had more than one subtype. The most common subtype combinations were nodular with infiltrative (49.7%), and nodular with superficial (26.0%).ConclusionsThe majority of periocular BCC were located on the lower lid and classified histologically as nodular. Infiltrative BCC occurred more frequently than the superficial subtype. As the proportion of mixed BCC containing aggressive subtypes is high, surgical excision with margin control should be considered for periocular BCC.
Optical coherence contrast imaging using gold nanorods in living mice eyes
Authors: de la Zerda Adam , Prabhulkar Shradha , Perez Victor L , Ruggeri Marco , Paranjape Amit S , Habte Frezghi , Gambhir Sanjiv S , Awdeh Richard M 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a powerful imaging modality to visualize tissue structures, with axial image pixel resolution as high as 1.6 μm in tissue. However, OCT is intrinsically limited to providing structural information as the OCT contrast is produced by optically scattering tissues.MethodsGold nanorods (GNRs) were injected into the anterior chamber (AC) and cornea of mice eyes which could create a significant OCT signal and hence could be used as a contrast agent for in vivo OCT imaging.ResultsA dose of 30 nM of GNRs (13 nm in diameter and 45 nm in length) were injected to the AC of mice eyes and produced an OCT contrast nearly 50‐fold higher than control mice injected with saline. Furthermore, the lowest detectable concentration of GNRs in living mice AC was experimentally estimated to be as low as 120 pM.ConclusionsThe high sensitivity and low toxicity of GNRs brings great promise for OCT to uniquely become a high‐resolution molecular imaging modality.