bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Politician or Poet? The 6th Lord Byron in the House of Lords, 1809–13
Authors: Beckett John
Published: June 2015

Lord George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron of Rochdale, is known internationally as, perhaps, the most famous Romantic poet of his generation. His work continues to be read across the globe. As a peer (succeeding to the title following the death of his great uncle, the 5th Baron Byron, in 1798) he was entitled to a seat in the Lords, and this article covers the period during which he was active in the House. He took his seat in 1809, but most of his work in the Lords took place between early 1812 and the summer of 1813. Thereafter, his financial troubles, his stellar literary career, and his personal problems, led him to spend little or no time in the House, and he lived abroad between 1816 and his death in 1824. In 1812, before he had become known for his poetry, except among a small London elite, he began actively to cultivate a political career, and he made his maiden speech on the Framework Knitters Bill in 1812. Byron was a prolific letter writer, and from his published correspondence as well as other sources of contemporary information, it is possible to document his growing career in the upper House, and to see how a young peer might make his way into politics in the absence of a particular sponsor.
Antimicrobial Effects of Nisin, Essential Oil, and γ‐Irradiation Treatments against High Load of Salmonella typhimurium on Mini‐carrots
Authors: Ndoti‐Nembe Aude , Vu Khanh Dang , Han Jaejoon , Doucet Nicolas , Lacroix Monique
Published: June 2015

This study aimed at using essential oil (EO) alone or combined EO with nisin and γ‐irradiation to control Salmonella Typhimurium during the refrigerated storage of mini‐carrots. Peeled mini‐carrots were inoculated with S. Typhimurium at a final concentration of approximately 7 log CFU/g. Inoculated samples were coated by 5 different coating solutions: (i) nisin solution at final concentration of 103 IU/mL; (ii) mountain savory EO solution at 0.35%; (iii) carvacrol solution at 0.35%; (iv) mountain savory EO at 0.35% plus nisin solution of 103 IU/mL; or (v) carvacrol at 0.35% plus nisin solution of 103 IU/mL. Coated mini‐carrots were then irradiated at 0.5 or 1.0 kGy and compared to an unirradiated control sample. Samples were kept at 4 °C and microbial analyses were conducted at days 1, 3, 6, and 9. The results showed that mini‐carrots coated by carvacrol plus nisin solution or mountain savory EO plus nisin solution in combination with irradiation at 1.0 kGy completely eliminated S. Typhimurium to under the detection limit during the storage. Thus, the combined treatments using carvacrol plus nisin or mountain savory EO plus nisin coating solution and irradiation at 1.0 kGy could be used as an effective method for controlling S. Typhimurium in mini‐carrots.
In‐hospital vs. 30‐day mortality in the critically ill – a 2‐year Swedish intensive care cohort analysis
Authors: Rydenfelt K. , Engerström L. , Walther S. , Sjöberg F. , Strömberg U. , Samuelsson C.
Published: June 2015

Background

Standardised mortality ratio (SMR) is a common quality indicator in critical care and is the ratio between observed mortality and expected mortality.

Typically, in‐hospital mortality is used to derive SMR, but the use of a time‐fixed, more objective, end‐point has been advocated. This study aimed to determine the relationship between in‐hospital mortality and 30‐day mortality on a comprehensive Swedish intensive care cohort.

Methods

A retrospective study on patients >15 years old, from the Swedish Intensive Care Register (SIR), where intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in 2009–2010 were matched with the corresponding hospital admissions in the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register. Recalibrated SAPS (Simplified Acute Physiology Score) 3 models were developed to predict and compare in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality. SMR based on in‐hospital mortality and on 30‐day mortality were compared between ICUs and between groups with different case‐mixes, discharge destinations and length of hospital stays.

Results

Sixty‐five ICUs with 48861 patients, of which 35610 were SAPS 3 scored, were included. Thirty‐day mortality (17%) was higher than in‐hospital mortality (14%). The SMR based on 30‐day mortality and that based on in‐hospital mortality differed significantly in 7/53 ICUs, for patients with sepsis, for elective surgery‐admissions and in groups categorised according to discharge destination and hospital length of stay.

Conclusion

Choice of mortality end‐point influences SMR. The extent of the influence depends on hospital‐, ICU‐ and patient cohort characteristics as well as inter‐hospital transfer rates, as all these factors influence the difference between SMR based on 30‐day mortality and SMR based on in‐hospital mortality.
A novel continuous capnodynamic method for cardiac output assessment in a porcine model of lung lavage
Authors: Hällsjö Sander C. , Hallbäck M. , Suarez Sipmann F. , Wallin M. , Oldner A. , Björne H.
Published: June 2015

Background

We have evaluated a new method for continuous monitoring of effective pulmonary blood flow (COEPBF), i.e. cardiac output (CO) minus intra‐pulmonary shunt, during mechanical ventilation. The method has shown good trending ability during severe hemodynamic challenges in a porcine model with intact lungs. In this study, we further evaluate the COEPBF method in a model of lung lavage.

Methods

COEPBF was compared to a reference method for CO during hemodynamic and PEEP alterations, 5 and 12 cmH2O, before and after repeated lung lavages in 10 anaesthetised pigs. Bland–Altman, four‐quadrant and polar plot methodologies were used to determine agreement and trending ability.

Results

After lung lavage at PEEP 5 cmH2O, the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure related to inspired fraction of oxygen significantly decreased. The mean difference (limits of agreement) between methods changed from 0.2 (−1.1 to 1.5) to −0.9 (−3.6 to 1.9) l/min and percentage error increased from 34% to 70%. Trending ability remained good according to the four‐quadrant plot (concordance rate 94%), whereas mean angular bias increased from 4° to −16° when using the polar plot methodology.

Conclusion

Both agreement and precision of COEPBF were impaired in relation to CO when the shunt fraction was increased after lavage at PEEP 5 cmH2O. However, trending ability remained good as assessed by the four‐quadrant plot, whereas the mean polar angle, calculated by the polar plot, was wide.
Study design and body mass influence RAIs from camera trap studies: evidence from the Felidae
Authors: Anile S. , Devillard S.
Published: June 2015

Camera trapping is a widespread tool used to study mammals and to derive abundance and density estimates of wild populations. For the majority of Felidae species, individuals are identifiable from camera trap images because of their unique coat patterns; therefore, camera trapping is used extensively for felids to build individual capture histories. For those species not individually identifiable, one can be tempted to use trap success rate as a relative abundance index (RAI) to inform conservation and management decisions, although robust scientific approach can be used for this scenario. Indeed, recent studies have shown that RAIs can be biased by species‐specific behaviour, camera trap deployment and by the body size of the species. Here, we investigate how camera trap rates (henceforth RAIs) vary between species within the Felidae and whether these RAIs are related to body mass or camera‐trapping approach (whether the species is targeted or not) accounting for likely confounding factors such as trapping effort, inter‐trap distance and number of deployed cameras. We explored all the literature available from primary scientific databases dealing with camera trap studies in Felidae. The literature search resulted in 179 studies from which 513 records for 30 felid species from 53 countries were obtained. Across species, the number of detections (accounting for trapping effort) was positively related to species log‐body mass and to the targeting of species in the survey. Hence, comparing RAIs across species of different body size and within species with different camera‐trapping approaches might be misleading. Accounting for variability in species body mass is of primary importance when designing multi‐species camera trap survey, and in the subsequent analysis of data, in addition to conducting trials to test for species‐specific camera‐trapping responses.
Model‐free functional connectivity and impulsivity correlates of alcohol dependence: a resting‐state study
Authors: Zhu Xi , Cortes Carlos R. , Mathur Karan , Tomasi Dardo , Momenan Reza
Published: June 2015

Alcohol dependence is characterized by impulsiveness toward consumption despite negative consequences. Although neuro‐imaging studies have implicated some regions underlying this disorder, there is little information regarding its large‐scale connectivity pattern. This study investigated the within‐ and between‐network functional connectivity (FC) in alcohol dependence and examined its relationship with clinical impulsivity measures. Using probabilistic independent component analysis on resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI) data from 25 alcohol‐dependent (AD) and 26 healthy control (HC) participants, we compared the within‐ and between‐network FC between AD and HC. Then, the relationship between FC and impulsiveness as measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS‐11), the UPPS‐P Impulsive Scale and the delay discounting task (DDT), was explored. Compared with HC, AD exhibited increased within‐network FC in salience (SN), default mode (DMN), orbitofrontal cortex (OFCN), left executive control (LECN) and amygdala–striatum (ASN) networks. Increased between‐network FC was found among LECN, ASN and SN. Between‐network FC correlations were significantly negative between Negative‐Urgency and OFCN pairs with right executive control network (RECN), anterior DMN (a‐DMN) and posterior DMN (p‐DMN) in AD. DDT was significantly correlated with the between‐network FC among the LECN, a‐DMN and SN in AD. These findings add evidence to the concept of altered within‐network FC and also highlight the role of between‐network FC in the pathophysiology of AD. Additionally, this study suggests differential neurobiological bases for different clinical measures of impulsivity that may be used as a systems‐level biomarker for alcohol dependence severity and treatment efficacy.
Death matters: understanding heroin/opiate overdose risk and testing potential to prevent deaths
Authors: Strang John
Published: June 2015

Aims

To describe work undertaken over a 20‐year period, investigating overdose characteristics among survivors, effects of acute heroin administration, clustering of risk of overdose fatality and potential interventions to reduce this fatal outcome.

Methods

Privileged‐access interviewers obtained data from non‐treatment as well as treatment samples; experimental study of drop in oxygen saturation following heroin/opiate injection; investigation of clusterings of death following prison release and treatment termination; and study of target populations as intervention work‐force, including family as well as peers, and action research built into pilot implementation.

Results

Overdose has been experienced by about half of heroin/opiate misusers, with even higher proportions having witnessed an overdose, and with high levels of willingness to intervene. Heroin/opiates are associated with the majority of drug‐related deaths, despite relative scarcity of use. Heroin injection causes a rapid drop in oxygen saturation, recovering only slowly over the next half hour. Deaths from drug overdose are greatly more likely on prison release and post‐discharge from detoxification and other in‐patient or residential settings. High levels of declared willingness to intervene are matched by active interventions. Both drug‐using peers and family members show ability to improve knowledge and gain confidence from training. Audit study of take‐home schemes finds approximately 10% of dispensed naloxone is used in real‐life emergency situations.

Conclusions

Overdose is experienced by most users, with heroin/opiates contributing disproportionately to drug overdose deaths. High‐risk times (e.g. after prison release) are now clearly identified. Peers and family are a willing potential intervention work‐force, but are rarely trained or given pre‐supply of naloxone. Large‐scale naloxone provision (e.g. national across Scotland and Wales) is now being delivered, while large‐scale randomized trials (e.g. N‐ALIVE prison‐release trial) are finally under way. Better naloxone products and better‐organized provision are needed. The area does not need more debate; it now needs proper implementation alongside good scientific study.
The National Treatment Outcomes Research Study (NTORS) and its influence on addiction treatment policy in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gossop Michael
Published: June 2015

This paper describes the political origins of the National Treatment Outcomes Research Study (NTORS) and the outputs and impacts of the study. NTORS was designed to meet the request of the Health Secretary and of a Government Task Force for evidence about the effectiveness of the national addiction treatment services. NTORS was a prospective cohort study which investigated outcomes over a 5‐year period of drug users admitted to four major treatment modalities: in‐patient treatment, residential rehabilitation, methadone reduction and methadone maintenance programmes. The study investigated treatments delivered under day‐to‐day operating conditions. Outcomes showed substantial reductions in illicit drug use and reduced injecting risk behaviours. These changes were accompanied by improved psychological and physical health and by reductions in criminal behaviour. However, not all outcomes were so positive. There was a continuing mortality rate in the cohort of about 1% per year, and many clients continued to drink heavily throughout the 5‐year follow‐up. NTORS findings informed and influenced UK addiction treatment policy both at the time and subsequently. The findings were influential in supporting an immediate increase in funding for treatment, and Government Ministers have repeatedly cited NTORS as evidence of the effectiveness of addiction treatment. One finding that received political attention was that of the cost savings provided by treatment through reductions in crime. This important finding led to an unanticipated consequence of NTORS; namely, the greater focus on crime reduction that has increasingly been promoted as a political and social priority for drug misuse treatment.
Griffith Edwards, the Addiction Research Unit and research on the criminal justice system
Authors: Farrell Michael , Marsden John , Strang John
Published: June 2015

Background

This paper reviews the early work of Griffith Edwards and his colleagues on alcohol in the criminal justice system and outlines the direction of research in this area in the Addiction Research Unit in the 1960s and 1970s. The paper outlines the link between that work and work undertaken in the more recent past in this area.

Methods

The key papers of the authors are reviewed and the impact of this work on policy and practice is discussed.

Conclusions

There is a rich seam of work on deprived and incarcerated populations that has been under way at the Addiction Research Unit and subsequently the National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, London. Griffith Edwards initiated this work that explores the risks and problems experienced by people moving between the health and criminal justice system, and demonstrated the need for better care and continuity across this system
Linking science to policy: the role of international collaboration and problem‐focused integrative reviews
Authors: Babor Thomas F.
Published: June 2015

This paper traces the modern history of alcohol and drug policy research through a series of four monographs that were written collaboratively by international groups of career scientists. The books promoted the view, supported by a considerable amount of evidence, that alcohol and drug problems can be reduced, if not prevented, through organized policy action by governments and public health organizations. The books used a problem‐focused integrative approach to align research more effectively with public policy. A common thread that runs throughout the monographs is the influence of Professor Griffith Edwards.
“To the last man and the last shilling” and “Ready, aye ready”: Australian and Canadian Conscription Debates during The First World War
Authors: Mann Jatinder
Published: June 2015

The issue of conscription for overseas service was a hugely contentious issue in both Australia and Canada during the First World War, and the repercussions of it were felt for many decades. With a focus on the political rhetoric of the parliamentary conscription debates in the two countries, this article shows how this reflected the way Australians and Canadians saw themselves as peoples. The conflicting positions between English‐speaking Canadian and French‐Canadian parliamentarians on the issue highlights the bicultural nature of that country — as a criticism often made by the latter was that the former were British rather than Canadian. In contrast, in Australia there was no question about assisting the “mother‐country”; the differences arose over which method: volunteerism or conscription would be the most effective tool to do this. In terms of the impact that the parliamentary debates had on broader society, conscription led to Labour organisations being in battle against business and industry over the issue.
Abraham Kuyper: Calvinist Anti‐Revolutionary Politician and Political Thinker
Authors: Kennedy Simon P.
Published: June 2015

The figure of Abraham Kuyper looms large over the political and social landscape of nineteenth and twentieth century Holland. He held significant posts in government, education, and the church. His social theory impacted Dutch society for much of the twentieth century. His influence on both continental and American Christian political thought is substantial. And yet, Kuyper's legacy is largely understated, and his political thought unknown in many corners of the scholarly world, including Australia. This article seeks to address this by surveying some of the major aspects of Kuyper's political thought while placing him in his historical setting. By doing so, I will show that Abraham Kuyper is a transitory figure in political history, occupying an important place in the development of the relationship between religion and the modern state.
Poor association of allergen‐specific antibody, T‐ and B‐cell responses revealed with recombinant allergens and a CFSE dilution‐based assay
Authors: Eckl‐Dorna J. , Campana R. , Valenta R. , Niederberger V.
Published: June 2015

Background

The adaptive immunity underlying allergy comprises two components, the allergen‐specific antibody (i.e. IgE, IgG) and the T‐cell response. These two components are responsible for different disease manifestations and can be targeted by different therapeutic approaches. Here, we investigated the association of allergen‐specific antibody and T‐ as well as B‐cell responses in pollen‐allergic patients using recombinant (r) major birch pollen allergen rBet v 1 and major timothy grass pollen allergen rPhl p 5 as defined antigens.

Methods

Allergen‐specific IgE and IgG antibody responses were determined by ELISA, and allergen‐specific T‐ and B‐cell responses were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a carboxyfluorescein‐diacetate‐succinimidylester (CFSE) dilution assay.

Results

CFSE staining in combination with T‐cell‐ and B‐cell‐specific gating allowed discriminating between allergen‐specific T‐cell and B‐cell responses. Interestingly, we identified patients where mainly T cells and others where mainly B cells proliferated in response to allergen stimulation. No association between the level of allergen‐specific Ig responses and B‐ or T‐cell proliferation was observed.

Conclusion

Purified recombinant allergens in conjunction with CFSE staining allow the dissection of allergen‐specific B‐ and T‐cell responses. The dissociation of allergen‐specific antibody, and B‐ and T‐cell responses may explain the occurrence of selective IgE‐ and T‐cell‐mediated manifestations of allergic inflammation and may be important for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies selectively targeting B cells and T cells.
Visualising the visceral: using film to research the ineffable
Authors: Jacobs Jessica
Published: June 2015

While cheaper technology, wider training availability and the online digital learning environment have broadened the opportunities for geographers to use film and video, it has also led to calls to improve the discipline's media literacy. This need is made even more urgent by the shift in qualitative research to practice‐based methods targeted towards how we experience our lived environment. Other shifts in empirical and conceptual focus are also relevant, particularly interest in emotional beneath the surface geographies and calls for participation rather than observation encased in recent debates on the Anthropocene. The negative association of film with entertainment and marketeering has led to concerns about the suitability of film as a research output and has caused some scholars to restrict themselves to a stringent use of real‐time ‘video’ in a primarily data‐collection context. This paper adopts a practice‐based approach in order to identify some of the complex qualities that a research film holds and contribute to the debate about its future as a form of academic research and publication. Reflecting on a recent film‐based research project on heritage tourism in Syria and Jordan I argue that the potential to manipulate, distort or entertain should not be ignored or refuted. Rather the wide range of relationships between people, objects and landscape within the frame such as depth of field, mise‐en‐scene and between the frames via editing (montage) give film a complex viscerality and multi‐sensorial power that can help us explore how we communicate our feelings and connect the experiential qualities of filmic research methods to final outputs.
Short‐stay transurethral prostate surgery: A randomized controlled trial comparing transurethral resection in saline bipolar transurethral vaporization of the prostate with monopolar transurethral resection
Authors: Yee Chi‐hang , Wong Joseph Hon‐ming , Chiu Peter Ka‐fung , Chan Chi‐kwok , Lee Wai‐man , Tsu James Hok‐leung , Teoh Jeremy Yuen‐chun , Ng Chi‐fai
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The aim of the present study was to establish the safety and efficacy profile of transurethral resection in saline (TURis) bipolar vaporization of the prostate relative to monopolar transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and to test the hospital stay efficiency after TURis vaporization.

Materials and Methods

in this multicenter, double‐blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial, men aged 50–75 years old were randomized into two arms: TURis bipolar vaporization and monopolar TURP. Intraoperative details, perioperative parameters, and postoperative functional outcomes were assessed after intervention. Follow‐up with symptom score assessment, prostate volume measurement, and uroflowmetry were performed at 3 and 6 months.

Results

Eighty‐four patients (mean age, 65.0 ± 5.6 years) were randomized into each study arm. TURis bipolar vaporization had a longer operative time than monopolar TURP (51.6 ± 24.5 vs 38.5 ± 20.3 min, P < 0.001). Postoperatively, the TURis group had a shorter catheter time (33.6 ± 23.7 vs 40.8 ± 29.4 h, P = 0.013) and a shorter length of hospital stay (43.14 ± 18.79 vs 52.33 ± 30.58 h, P = 0.013). The postoperative dysuria score was higher in the TURis vaporization arm. There was no statistically significant difference between the two arms in terms of hemoglobin change and postoperative complication. No significant difference was observed in quality of life score at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusions

TURis bipolar vaporization of the prostate is a safe and comparable alternative to monopolar TURP. It leads to a reduction in both catheter time and length of hospital stay.
Current status of randomized controlled trials for laparoscopic gastric surgery for gastric cancer inChina
Authors: Li Guoxin , Hu Yanfeng , Liu Hao
Published: June 2015

China alone accounts for nearly 42% of all new gastric cancer cases worldwide, and gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths inChina nowadays. Without mass screening programs, unfortunately over 80% of allChinese patients have been diagnosed as advanced diseases. As in otherAsian countries, especiallyJapan andKorea, laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer has gained increasingly popularity inChina during the past decade. Whether laparoscopic surgery can be safely and effectively performed in the treatment of gastric cancer remains controversial, particularly with regard to curative intent in advanced diseases. Given the high incidence of these cancers, and their advanced stage at diagnosis,China has a significant interest in determining the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic gastrectomy. A well‐designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) is considered the only feasible way to provide conclusive evidence. To date,China has not played a significant role in terms of conductingRCTconcerning laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer. However, an effort has been made by theChinese researchers, with the great help from our colleagues in neighboring countries such asKorea andJapan, through the establishment of theChinese Laparoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group. In this review, we present the current status ofRCTfor laparoscopic gastric surgery for gastric cancer inChina, including published and ongoing registeredRCT.
Identification of matrine as a promising novel drug for hepatic steatosis and glucose intolerance with HSP72 as an upstream target
Authors: Zeng Xiao‐Yi , Wang Hao , Bai Fang , Zhou Xiu , Li Song‐Pei , Ren Lu‐Ping , Sun Ruo‐Qiong , Xue Charlie C L , Jiang Hua‐Liang , Hu Li‐Hong , Ye Ji‐Ming
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose

Matrine is a small molecule drug used in humans for the treatment of chronic viral infections and tumours in the liver with little adverse effects. The present study investigated its therapeutic efficacy for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high‐fat‐fed mice.

Experimental Approach

C57BL/J6 mice were fed a chow or high‐fat diet for 10 weeks and then treated with matrine or metformin for 4 weeks. The effects on lipid metabolism and glucose tolerance were evaluated.

Key Results

Our results first showed that matrine reduced glucose intolerance and plasma insulin level, hepatic triglyceride content and adiposity in high‐fat‐fed mice without affecting caloric intake. This reduction in hepatosteatosis was attributed to suppressed lipid synthesis and increased fatty acid oxidation. In contrast to metformin, matrine neither suppressed mitochondrial respiration nor activated AMPK in the liver. A computational docking simulation revealed HSP90, a negative regulator of HSP72, as a potential binding target of matrine. Consistent with the simulation results, matrine, but not metformin, increased the hepatic protein level of HSP72 and this effect was inversely correlated with both liver triglyceride level and glucose intolerance.

Conclusions and Implications

Taken together, these results indicate that matrine may be used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and hepatic steatosis, and the molecular action of this hepatoprotective drug involves the activation of HSP72 in the liver.
Therapeutic targets of triple‐negative breast cancer: a review
Authors: Jamdade Vinayak S , Sethi Nikunj , Mundhe Nitin A , Kumar Parveen , Lahkar Mangala , Sinha Neeraj
Published: June 2015

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) does not show immunohistochemical expression of oestrogen receptors, progesterone receptors or HER2. At present, no suitable treatment option is available for patients with TNBC. This dearth of effective conventional therapies for the treatment of advanced stage breast cancer has provoked the development of novel strategies for the management of patients with TNBC. This review presents recent information associated with different therapeutic options for the treatment of TNBC focusing on promising targets such as the Notch signalling, Wnt/β‐catenin and Hedgehog pathways, in addition to EGFR, PARP1, mTOR, TGF‐β and angiogenesis inhibitors.
Design, Synthesis, and Antitumor Activity of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones
Authors: Li Wan , Yang Zi‐Hui , Hu Ai‐Xi , Yan Xiao‐Wei , Ding Na , Ye Jiao
Published: June 2015

A series of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones (C1–C35) were designed and synthesized, and the structures of compounds (Z)‐C27 and (Z)‐C29 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The antitumor activities of these novel compounds against cervical cancer (HeLa), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cell lines were evaluated in vitro. Majority of the title compounds exhibited strong antitumor activities and were much more promising than the positive control Taxol, which were also accompanied by lower cytotoxicity to normal cells. In particular, compounds (E,Z)‐C24 exhibited the most consistent potent activities against three neoplastic cells with IC50 values ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 μm. Further researches demonstrated that compounds (E,Z)‐C24 could induce cell apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at the G2/M and S phases. Meanwhile, the structure–activity relationship between the configurations and cytotoxicity of the compounds was also investigated.
OHIP‐TMDs: a patient‐reported outcome measure for temporomandibular disorders
Authors: Yule Pamela L. , Durham Justin , Playford Hannah , Moufti Mohammed Adel , Steele Jimmy , Steen Nick , Wassell Robert W. , Ohrbach Richard
Published: June 2015

Objectives

This research aims to assess the test–retest reliability, the face, content and known groups validity, and responsiveness to change, of OHIP‐TMDs, a 22‐item TMDs‐specific version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP).

Methods

Test–retest reliability – A group of patients with TMDs (n = 20) was administered OHIP‐TMDs twice before initial consultation with a 2‐week interval. Face and content validity – Content validity index assessments were undertaken with professionals and patients. Known groups validity – Participants (n = 76) with confirmed Axis 1 RDC/TMD diagnoses completed OHIP‐TMDs prior to TMDs treatment. Their responses were compared, using inferential statistics, with those of age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Responsiveness to change – Using the same 76 participants, a comparison was made of OHIP‐TMDs with OHIP‐49 (order of administration randomized) both at baseline and 3 months after starting treatment.

Results

OHIP‐TMDs showed good test–retest reliability ICC [2,1] 0.805 (95% CI: 0.565, 0.918); good face and content validity; significant differences (P < 0.001) between controls and participants demonstrating known groups validity. Its responsiveness to change was similar to OHIP‐49.

Conclusions

OHIP‐TMDs is an appropriate biopsychosocial, patient‐centred, outcome measure for assessing QOL in patients with TMDs. It is less than half the length of OHIP‐49 and contains proportionately more items relevant to TMDs.
Trends in income‐related inequality in untreated caries among children in the United States: findings from NHANES I, NHANES III, and NHANES 1999–2004
Authors: Capurro Diego Alberto , Iafolla Timothy , Kingman Albert , Chattopadhyay Amit , Garcia Isabel
Published: June 2015

Objective

The goal of this analysis was to describe income‐related inequality in untreated caries among children in the United States over time.

Methods

The analysis focuses on children ages 2–12 years in three nationally representative U.S. surveys: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1971–1974, NHANES 1988–1994, and NHANES 1999–2004. The outcome of interest is untreated dental caries. Various methods are employed to measure absolute and relative inequality within each survey such as pair‐wise comparisons, measures of association (odds ratios), and three summary measures of overall inequality: the slope index of inequality, the relative index of inequality, and the concentration index. Inequality trends are then assessed by comparing these estimates across the three surveys.

Results

Inequality was present in each of the three surveys analyzed. Whether measured on an absolute or relative scale, untreated caries disproportionately affected those with lower income. Trend analysis shows that, despite population‐wide reductions in untreated caries between NHANES I and NHANES III, overall absolute inequality slightly increased, while overall relative inequality significantly increased. Between NHANES III and NHANES 1999–2004, both absolute and relative inequality tended to decrease; however, these changes were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic inequality in oral health is an important measure of progress in overall population health and a key input to inform health policies. This analysis shows the presence of socioeconomic inequality in oral health in the American child population, as well as changes in its magnitude over time. Further research is needed to determine the factors related to these changes and their relative contribution to inequality trends.
Pre‐augmentation soft tissue expansion: an overview
Authors: Asa'ad Farah , Rasperini Giulio , Pagni Giorgio , Rios Hector F. , Giannì Aldo B.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the development of soft tissue expanders, their different types and their potential applications prior to bone augmentation and implant placement.

Material and Methods

A review of pertinent literature was performed using PubMed to comprehend the dynamics of soft tissue expanders and determine the current position of their pre‐augmentation applications.

Results

There is promising, albeit preliminary information regarding the benefits of pre‐augmentation soft tissue expansion. Findings cannot be generalised due to relatively small sample size.

Conclusions

Further clinical trials with larger sample sizes and long‐term follow‐up are needed before soft tissue expanders can be confidently applied in everyday clinical practice.
Designing Multi‐Attribute Procurement Mechanisms for Assortment Planning
Authors: Li Zhaolin , Shao Lusheng , Sun Daewon
Published: June 2015

This research investigates how to design procurement mechanisms for assortment planning. We consider that a retailer buys directly from a manufacturer who possesses private information about the per‐unit variable cost and per‐variety setup cost. We first develop a screening model to assist the retailer in integrating assortment planning into supply chain contracting processes when only one manufacturer is available. We demonstrate that the screening mechanism is optimal among all feasible procurement strategies. When there are multiple competing manufacturers, we propose a supply contract auctioning mechanism and evaluate its performance. In this mechanism, the retailer announces a contract menu and the manufacturer that bids the highest upfront fee paid to the retailer wins the auction. The winner then chooses and executes a contract from the contract menu. We show that when the retailer uses the optimal screening contract menu as the object of the auction, it achieves the optimal procurement outcome if the screening contract menu does not pay rent to any manufacturer type. This finding sheds light on the connection between screening and auction mechanisms when there exists multi‐dimensional private information.
Effect of BMP4 preceded by retinoic acid and co‐culturing ovarian somatic cells on differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into oocyte‐like cells
Authors: Bahmanpour Soghra , Zarei Fard Nehleh , Talaei‐Khozani Tahereh , Hosseini Ahmad , Esmaeilpour Tahereh
Published: June 2015

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and retinoic acid (RA) signaling are the key regulators for germ cell and meiosis induction, respectively. Gonadal tissue also provides an appropriate microenvironment for oocyte differentiation in vivo. The current study aimed to determine whether mimicking in vivo niche is more efficient for oocyte differentiation from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, differentiation of mouse ES cells toward oocyte‐like cells using embryoid body (EB) and monolayer protocols was induced in the presence (+BMP4) or absence (‐BMP4) of BMP4. On day 5, each group was co‐cultured with ovarian somatic cells in the presence or absence of RA (+RA or –RA) for an additional 14 days. Our results showed a significant increase in expression of meiotic markers in the +BMP4 condition in EB differentiation protocol. Further differentiation with ovarian somatic cells led to a subpopulation of oocyte‐like cell formation. Compared to the controls, the +RA condition resulted in a significant elevation of the meiotic gene expression in contrast to Oct4 that significantly decreased in both protocols. In the cells pre‐treated with BMP4 and then exposed to RA in the monolayer differentiation protocol, the gene expression levels of germ cell, Mvh, and maturation markers, Cx37, Zp2, and Gdf9, were also upregulated significantly. Therefore, it can be concluded that +BMP4 and +RA along with ovarian somatic cell co‐culture improved the rate of in vitro oocyte differentiation.
Characterizing problematic hypoglycaemia: iterative design and preliminary psychometric validation of the Hypoglycaemia Awareness Questionnaire (HypoA‐Q)
Authors: Speight J. , Barendse S. M. , Singh H. , Little S. A. , Inkster B. , Frier B. M. , Heller S. R. , Rutter M. K. , Shaw J. A. M.
Published: June 2015

Aims

To design and conduct preliminary validation of a measure of hypoglycaemia awareness and problematic hypoglycaemia, the Hypoglycaemia Awareness Questionnaire.

Methods

Exploratory and cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with 17 adults (nine of whom were women) with Type 1 diabetes (mean ± sd age 48 ± 10 years). Questionnaire items were modified in consultation with diabetologists/psychologists. Psychometric validation was undertaken using data from 120 adults (53 women) with Type 1 diabetes (mean ± sd age 44 ± 16 years; 50% with clinically diagnosed impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia), who completed the following questionnaires: the Hypoglycaemia Awareness Questionnaire, the Gold score, the Clarke questionnaire and the Problem Areas in Diabetes questionnaire.

Results

Iterative design resulted in 33 items eliciting responses about awareness of hypoglycaemia when awake/asleep and hypoglycaemia frequency, severity and impact (healthcare utilization). Psychometric analysis identified three subscales reflecting ‘impaired awareness’, ‘symptom level’ and ‘symptom frequency’. Convergent validity was indicated by strong correlations between the ‘impaired awareness’ subscale and existing measures of awareness: (Gold: rs=0.75, P < 0.01; Clarke: rs=0.76, P < 0.01). Divergent validity was indicated by weaker correlations with diabetes‐related distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes: rs=0.25, P < 0.01) and HbA1c (rs=‐0.05, non‐significant). The ‘impaired awareness’ subscale and other items discriminated between those with impaired and intact awareness (Gold score). The ‘impaired awareness’ subscale and other items contributed significantly to models explaining the occurrence of severe hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemia when asleep.

Conclusions

This preliminary validation shows the Hypoglycaemia Awareness Questionnaire has robust face and content validity; satisfactory structure; internal reliability; convergent, divergent and known groups validity. The impaired awareness subscale and other items contribute significantly to models explaining recall of severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia. Prospective validation, including determination of a threshold to identify impaired awareness, is now warranted.
Routine use of continuous glucose monitoring in 10 501 people with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Battelino T. , Liabat S. , Veeze H. J. , Castañeda J. , Arrieta A. , Cohen O.
Published: June 2015

Aims

To analyse blood glucose control according to continuous glucose monitoring use in data from the CareLink™ database, and to identify factors associated with continuation of sensor use during sensor‐augmented pump therapy.

Methods

The analysis used data from 10 501 people with Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, of whom 7916 (61.7%) had used glucose sensors for ≥ 15 days during any 6‐month period over a 2‐year observation period. Data were analysed according to the extent of sensor use ( < 25%, 25–49%, 50–74% and ≥ 75% of the time). Time to discontinuation of sensor use was also analysed in new users of glucose sensors.

Results

Compared with patients in the lowest sensor usage group and non‐users, the highest glucose sensor usage group had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower mean blood glucose and blood glucose sd, were more likely to achieve a mean blood glucose concentration < 8.6 mmol/l, (odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.7; P < 0.0001), and had 50% fewer hypoglycaemic (blood glucose concentration < 2.8 mmol/l) episodes. Among new users, sensor use during the first month of therapy was an important predictor of subsequent discontinuation. Lack of full reimbursement was also significantly associated with early discontinuation, whereas measures of glycaemic control were predictive of discontinuation during long‐term treatment.

Conclusions

The use of continuous glucose monitoring was significantly associated with reductions in hypoglycaemia and improved metabolic control during insulin pump therapy. Sensor use during the first month was strongly associated with long‐term adherence; patient education and training may be helpful in achieving this.
Evaluation of the effect of nurse education on patient‐reported foot checks and foot care behaviour of people with diabetes receiving haemodialysis
Authors: Brand S. L. , Musgrove A. , Jeffcoate W. J. , Lincoln N. B.
Published: June 2015

Aims

To assess whether a programme of nurse education increased the frequency with which nurses conducted foot checks on people with diabetes undergoing haemodialysis and to evaluate whether this influenced self‐reported foot care behaviour.

Methods

A non‐randomized stepped‐wedge design was used to evaluate a nurse education programme implemented in four UK National Health Service dialysis units. People with diabetes undergoing haemodialysis were invited to complete a questionnaire on the frequency of foot examination by health professionals, on the presence of foot problems and on their own foot care behaviour, using the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot‐care (NAFF). An education session for nurses, including procedures for foot examination, was conducted sequentially in each of four haemodialysis units. The questionnaire was repeated at 2‐monthly intervals.

Results

The education session resulted in a significant increase in the reported number of foot examinations by nurses (P = 0.007). There was also a significant improvement in reported foot care behaviour (P < 0.001), but this occurred between the first and second 2‐monthly assessments and was unrelated to the timing of the intervention.

Conclusions

A single education session can improve the routine checking of the feet of people with diabetes undergoing haemodialysis. The administration of the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Foot‐care questionnaire was associated with improved self‐reported foot care behaviour, reflecting greater awareness of risk in this population.
Unusual root development following surgical repositioning of horizontally developing central incisor
Authors: Bhatia Sarabjot Kaur , Goyal Ashima , Gauba Krishan , Acharya Shivesh
Published: June 2015

Dilaceration is one of the causes of maxillary central incisor eruption failure. If the dilacerated maxillary permanent central incisor is in a horizontal or vertical position and root formation is in early stages, surgical repositioning is frequently the treatment of choice. In this article, the case of a horizontally impacted and dilacerated maxillary central incisor is presented which was treated by surgical repositioning. The tooth developed an unusual form of the root with discontinuity at the middle third region with the coronal and apical parts growing separately. Radiographic and clinical monitoring of the case was regularly performed. The tooth completely erupted in 2 years after the repositioning and even after 6 years of surgery is currently successfully functional in the arch with the malformed root. This article highlights the ability of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath to withstand trauma and its ability to recover.
Fish assemblages in Atlantic Forest streams: the relative influence of local and catchment environments on taxonomic and functional species
Authors: Terra Bianca de F. , Hughes Robert M. , Araújo Francisco G.
Published: June 2015

Streams are under environmental pressures acting at different scales that influence the ecological organisation of their fish assemblages. However, the relative influence of the different scale‐related variables on assemblage composition and function is poorly understood. We evaluated the importance of local‐ and catchment‐scale environmental variables, as well as the spatial structure of the sampling sites, in shaping fish assemblages in Atlantic Forest streams. Local‐scale variables were those measured at the sampling sites, describing the local habitat conditions (e.g. depth, substrate type, altitude). Catchment‐scale variables were those integrating the upstream landscape of the sampling sites (e.g. catchment land use). Spatial distances were calculated from watercourse distance using principal coordinates of neighbour matrices. Altogether, 28 local and seven catchment variables were initially subjected to two processes of eliminating co‐linearity. Redundancy analysis was applied to the three matrices (spatial, local and catchment) to quantify the variance in the structure of the fish assemblages explained by each matrix. Local variables explained more variability in both taxonomic and functional assemblage structure, than catchment and spatial variables. Local variables also changed along the longitudinal gradient, which consequently influenced fish assemblage structure. This pattern was also influenced by anthropogenic alteration and non‐native species, which were more abundant in downstream sites. These results highlight the need to assess Atlantic Forest streams under different environmental scales, especially through the use of quantitative local‐scale metrics, and to consider the effects of longitudinal patterns in structuring fish assemblages when developing and implementing monitoring programmes, impact studies and conservation plans.
Spatial structure, host heterogeneity and parasite virulence: implications for vaccine‐driven evolution
Authors: Zurita‐Gutiérrez Yazmín Hananí , Lion Sébastien
Published: June 2015

Natural host‐parasite interactions exhibit considerable variation in host quality, with profound consequences for disease ecology and evolution. For instance, treatments (such as vaccination) may select for more transmissible or virulent strains. Previous theory has addressed the ecological and evolutionary impact of host heterogeneity under the assumption that hosts and parasites disperse globally. Here, we investigate the joint effects of host heterogeneity and local dispersal on the evolution of parasite life‐history traits. We first formalise a general theoretical framework combining variation in host quality and spatial structure. We then apply this model to the specific problem of parasite evolution following vaccination. We show that, depending on the type of vaccine, spatial structure may select for higher or lower virulence compared to the predictions of non‐spatial theory. We discuss the implications of our results for disease management, and their broader fundamental relevance for other causes of host heterogeneity in nature.