bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal assessment of bone growth and development in a facility‐based population of young adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Grossberg Richard , Blackford Martha G , Kecskemethy Heidi H , Henderson Richard , Reed Michael D
Published: May 2015

Aim

Osteoporosis is a significant clinical problem in persons with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (CP), causing fractures with minimal trauma. Over the past decade, most studies examining osteoporosis and CP have been cross‐sectional in nature, focused exclusively on children and adolescents and only involving one evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD). The purpose of this study was to assess BMD in a group including adults with CP, and changes in each individual's BMD over a 5‐ to 6‐year period.

Method

The study group included 40 residents of a long‐term care facility aged 6 to 26 years at the time of their initial evaluation. Twenty‐one patients (52.5%) were male, 35 (88%) were white, and 38 (95%) were in Gross Motor Function Classification System level V. BMD was assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry on the right and left distal femurs for three distinct regions of interest.

Results

Five residents had a fracture that occurred during the study period; this represented a fracture rate of 2.1% per year in the study group. Longitudinally, annualized change in the median BMD was 0.7% to 1.0% per year in the different regions of the distal femur, but ranged widely among the study group, with both increases and decreases in BMD. Increase in BMD over time was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with change in weight.

Interpretation

Changes in BMD over time in profoundly involved persons with CP can range widely, which is important to recognize when evaluating potential interventions to improve BMD. Age and changes in body weight appear the most relevant factors.
Assessing bone accrual in cerebral palsy: new longitudinal data and future needs
Authors: Wren Tishya A L
Published: May 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Grossberg et al. on pages 1064–1069 of this issue.
The Duncan‐Ely test: time for standardization
Authors: Stott Susan
Published: May 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Lee et al. on pages 963–968 of this issue.
Resilience vs. historical contingency in microbial responses to environmental change
Authors: Hawkes Christine V. , Keitt Timothy H.
Published: May 2015

How soil processes such as carbon cycling will respond to future climate change depends on the responses of complex microbial communities, but most ecosystem models assume that microbial functional responses are resilient and can be predicted from simple parameters such as biomass and temperature. Here, we consider how historical contingencies might alter those responses because function depends on prior conditions or biota. Functional resilience can be driven by physiological, community or adaptive shifts; historical contingencies can result from the influence of historical environments or a combination of priority effects and biotic resistance. By modelling microbial population responses to environmental change, we demonstrate that historical environments can constrain soil function with the degree of constraint depending on the magnitude of change in the context of the prior environment. For example microbial assemblages from more constant environments were more sensitive to change leading to poorer functional acclimatisation compared to microbial assemblages from more fluctuating environments. Such historical contingencies can lead to deviations from expected functional responses to climate change as well as local variability in those responses. Our results form a set of interrelated hypotheses regarding soil microbial responses to climate change that warrant future empirical attention.
Methodological Choices in the Content Analysis of Textbooks for Measuring Alignment With Standards
Authors: Polikoff Morgan S. , Zhou Nan , Campbell Shauna E.
Published: May 2015

With the recent adoption of the Common Core standards in many states, there is a need for quality information about textbook alignment to standards. While there are many existing content analysis procedures, these generally have little, if any, validity or reliability evidence. One exception is the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum (SEC), which has been widely used to analyze the alignment among standards, assessments, and teachers’ instruction. However, the SEC can be time‐consuming and expensive when used for this purpose. This study extends the SEC to the analysis of entire mathematics textbooks and investigates whether the results of SEC alignment analyses are affected if the content analysis procedure is simplified. The results indicate that analyzing only every fifth item produces nearly identical alignment results with no effect on the reliability of content analyses.
Manipulation of araneid spider web architecture by the polysphinctine parasitoid Zatypota picticollis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae)
Authors: Korenko Stanislav , Satrapová Jitka , Zwakhals Kees
Published: May 2015

We found that the koinobiont ectoparasitoid wasp Zatypota picticollis is exclusively associated with three orb weaving spiders Cyclosa conica, Mangora acalypha and Zilla diodia from the family Araneidae. Under the influence of the parasitoid's final instar larva the spiders built a specific web architecture, which differed considerably from the capturing orb web. Manipulated webs of C. conica and M. acalypha lacked the spiral, stabilimentum and central hub, and the radials were reduced in number. The manipulated web of Z. diodia consisted of one strong horizontally oriented thread.
The Volatility of Bid‐Ask Spreads
Authors: Blau Benjamin M. , Whitby Ryan J.
Published: May 2015

This study tests whether the volatility of bid‐ask spreads is positively related to expected returns. After controlling for market‐risk factors, we find that the average risk‐adjusted excess return for stocks in the highest spread volatility quintile is around 50 basis points per month. In a variety of multivariate tests, we find robust evidence of a return premium associated with spread volatility that is both statistically significant and economically meaningful. Our results are robust to controls for a variety of stock characteristics, different tick‐size regimes, and other measures of liquidity volatility.
Middle School Foreign Language Instruction: A Missed Opportunity?
Authors: Kissau Scott , Adams Mary Jo , Algozzine Bob
Published: May 2015

Multiple studies conducted over the past decade have suggested the motivational and proficiency‐related benefits of commencing language instruction at an early age. Limitations in many of these studies, however, have prevented their results from being applied to the teaching of foreign languages in the United States. In response to calls for further studies examining the possible benefits of early‐start foreign language instruction, the researchers used a mixed methodology to compare the oral proficiency and motivation of two groups of foreign language learners studying Level II French, German, Spanish, or Mandarin. One group consisted of primarily 14‐year‐old students who began their foreign language studies in middle school, and the other included 15‐ and 16‐year‐olds who postponed the onset of their foreign language instruction until high school. Quantitative and qualitative data collected from student surveys, tests scores, and individual interviews suggested both proficiency‐related and motivational benefits of commencing language instruction at an early age. Equipped with these much‐needed results, foreign language stakeholders should renew their argument to expand early‐start foreign language programs in K–12 schools in the United States and to remove the optional nature of foreign language instruction at the middle school level.
Inter‐annual changes in detritus‐based food chains can enhance plant growth response to elevated atmospheric CO2
Authors: Hines Jes , Eisenhauer Nico , Drake Bert G.
Published: May 2015

Elevated atmospheric CO2 generally enhances plant growth, but the magnitude of the effects depend, in part, on nutrient availability and plant photosynthetic pathway. Due to their pivotal role in nutrient cycling, changes in abundance of detritivores could influence the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on essential ecosystem processes, such as decomposition and primary production. We conducted a field survey and a microcosm experiment to test the influence of changes in detritus‐based food chains on litter mass loss and plant growth response to elevated atmospheric CO2 using two wetland plants: a C3 sedge (Scirpus olneyi) and a C4 grass (Spartina patens). Our field study revealed that organism's sensitivity to climate increased with trophic level resulting in strong inter‐annual variation in detritus‐based food chain length. Our microcosm experiment demonstrated that increased detritivore abundance could not only enhance decomposition rates, but also enhance plant growth of S. olneyi in elevated atmospheric CO2 conditions. In contrast, we found no evidence that changes in the detritus‐based food chains influenced the growth of S. patens. Considered together, these results emphasize the importance of approaches that unite traditionally subdivided food web compartments and plant physiological processes to understand inter‐annual variation in plant production response to elevated atmospheric CO2.
Nitrous oxide emissions from pastures during wet and cold seasons
Authors: Uchida Yoshitaka , Clough Timothy J.
Published: May 2015

Grazed pastures contribute significantly to the global nitrous oxide (N2O) budget. In grazed pastures, the highest N2O emission rates are often reported during winter when soils are wet. This review discusses the current knowledge about factors controlling winter N2O emissions in grazed pastures. High N2O emissions from pastures during winter are also observed from winter‐housed animal feeding systems. At near‐zero temperature, N2O producing microbial activity is limited but some soil microbial communities adjust to low temperature better than others. Soil microbiological studies focusing on the identification of cold‐tolerant denitrifiers and/or changes in microbial community structures under cold conditions are required. In winter‐grazed pastures, the availability of substrates, such as nitrate () and labile organic carbon (C), for soil microbes producing N2O is influenced by factors such as animal wintering system, effluent management systems and plant activity. When animals are housed, N2O emissions during the winter storage of manures and the emissions after their application are important contributors to N2O inventories. The activity of pasture during winter and its relationship to N2O emissions requires further study in order to understand the competition between plants and N2O producing microbes for nitrogen, and the role of root exudation. Additionally, the effect of low temperatures on nutrient availability under urine patches is still not well known. The reduction of N2O to dinitrogen is regulated by an enzyme N2O reductase and its encoding gene (nosZ) expression needs to be studied in more detail to investigate the mechanisms behind winter N2O emissions. To mitigate N2O emissions during winter, restricted grazing regimes and the use of nitrification inhibitors have been studied; however, little is known about the effectiveness of these methods in mitigating N2O emissions during freeze/thaw cycles and during periods of snow‐cover.
Brachial‐cephalic fistula recovered with drainage for the basilic vein: Case report
Authors: Sousa Clemente Neves , Norton de Matos António , Rocha Ana , Almeida Paulo , Xavier Eva
Published: May 2015

Vascular access is essential for the implementation of hemodialysis (HD). The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can be constructed in various locations using various veins. However, the quality of the veins will influence the construction site, as well as the functioning of the AVF. Careful analysis of the vascular network allows options for the development of new fistulas presentations. We present and discuss the case of a woman aged 69 years in HD in which a brachial‐cephalic fistula with drainage to basilic vein was created, through rotation of the cephalic vein on the forearm level. This kind of access serves to prolong the time spent dialyzing through native fistulae, with their reduced complications and greater cost‐effectiveness.
Lived experiences of breast cancer survivors after diagnosis, treatment and beyond: qualitative study
Authors: Williams Faustine , Jeanetta Stephen C.
Published: May 2015

Background

The number of breast cancer survivors has increased since 1990 due to advances in biomedical technology that lead to an increase in early diagnosis and treatment. Research on survivorship has focused on the psychological and treatment aspects of the disease. The goal of this study was focused on exploring the lived experiences of breast cancer survivors from diagnosis, treatment and beyond.

Objective

To understand the lived experiences of women who are breast cancer survivors.

Design, Setting and Participants

A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit participants from two Missouri cancer centres. A total of 15 women breast cancer survivors were interviewed.

Findings

Three major themes emerged that described the lived experiences of the women. These were factors from the diagnosis and treatment management impacting survivorship, relationship and support system and implication of survivorship. Participants noted that coping with the diagnosis and treatment was a stressful journey and required lots of adjustment and changes. Some developed various techniques such as journaling their activities which provided comfort. In addition, support from family was shared as the key which gave them strength and courage through the different stages of treatment. However, they found it difficult to articulate what survivorship meant.

Conclusion

Using in‐depth interview techniques, this study shed light on the experiences of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and have completed treatment. They acknowledged frustration with their diagnosis and body changes. Support received from family and friends helped them cope through their treatment. However, they felt abandoned once the treatment phase was over and were uncertain what survivorhood meant to them.
Patients' perspectives on the role of their complaints in the regulatory process
Authors: Bouwman Renée , Bomhoff Manja , Robben Paul , Friele Roland
Published: May 2015

Background

Governments in several countries are facing problems concerning the accountability of regulators in health care. Questions have been raised about how patients' complaints should be valued in the regulatory process. However, it is not known what patients who made complaints expect to achieve in the process of health‐care quality regulation.

Objective

To assess expectations and experiences of patients who complained to the regulator.

Design

Interviews were conducted with 11 people, and a questionnaire was submitted to 343 people who complained to theDutchHealth‐careInspectorate. The Inspectorate handled 92 of those complaints. This decision was based on the idea that the Inspectorate should only deal with complaints that relate to ‘structural and severe’ problems.

Results

The response rate was 54%. Self‐reported severity of physical injury of complaints that were not handled was significantly lower than of complaints that were. Most respondents felt that their complaint indicated a structural and severe problem that theInspectorate should act upon. The desire for penalties or personal satisfaction played a lesser role. Only a minority felt that their complaint had led to improvements in health‐care quality.

Conclusions

Patients and the regulator share a common goal: improving health‐care quality. However, patients' perceptions of the complaints' relevance differ from the regulator's perceptions. Regulators should favour more responsive approaches, going beyond assessing against exclusively clinical standards to identify the range of social problems associated with complaints about health care. Long‐term learning commitment through public participation mechanisms can enhance accountability and improve the detection of problems in health care.
CAN THERE BE A BOURDIEUSIAN THEORY OF CRISIS? ON HISTORICAL CHANGE AND SOCIAL THEORY
Authors: Reed Isaac Ariail
Published: May 2015

Philip Gorski's edited book engages the question of how Bourdieu's concepts can aid historical analysis, and in particular, account for change as well as reproduction. From a fascinating set of papers, this review essay takes special notice of two that theorize crisis. One, by Ivan Ermakoff, engages the question of whether disruption creates the opportunity for more conscious calculation on the part of actors; a second, by Gisele Sapiro, considers how a crisis reverberates through a specific field. This leads to further reflection on Bourdieu's work on power and the state, as well as a call for crisis hermeneutics in social theory.
Prostatic arterial embolization for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia: A prospective single‐center investigation
Authors: Wang Maoqiang , Guo Liping , Duan Feng , Yuan Kai , Zhang Guodong , Li Kai , Yan Jieyu , Wang Yan , Kang Haiyan , Wang Zhijun
Published: May 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of prostatic arterial embolization as a primary treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods

A total of 64 patients with prostates >80 mL were included in the study. Prostatic arterial embolization was carried out using a combination of 50‐µm and 100‐µm particles. Clinical follow up was carried out using the International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life, peak urinary flow, postvoid residual volume, International Index of Erectile Function Short Form, prostate‐specific antigen, and prostatic volume at 1, 3, 6 and every 6 months thereafter.

Results

Prostatic arterial embolization was technically successful in 60 of 64 patients (93.8%). Follow‐up data were available for 60 patients with a mean of 18 months. A clinical improvement, defined as reduction of International Prostate Symptom Score and increase of peak urinary flow, at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months, was achieved in 95.0%, 95.0%, 93.3%, 92.6% and 90.5%, respectively. A total of 42 patients had completed the follow up at 24 months after prostatic arterial embolization. There was an improvement in terms of mean International Prostate Symptom Score (pre‐prostatic arterial embolization vs post‐prostatic arterial embolization 27.0 vs 8.0; P < 0.01), mean quality of life (5.5 vs 2.0; P < 0.01), mean peak urinary flow (7.0 vs 13.0; P < 0.01), mean postvoid residual volume (130 vs 45.0; P < 0.05) and prostatic volume (121.0 vs 71.5, reduction of 40.9%; P < 0.01) were significantly different with respect to baseline.

Conclusion

Prostatic arterial embolization seems to be a safe and effective treatment method for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms as a result of large benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it might play an important role for patients in whom medical therapy has failed, who are not candidates for surgical treatment.
Iterated local search algorithms for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem in n dimensions
Authors: do Forte Vinícius Leal , Montenegro Flávio Marcelo Tavares , Brito José André de Moura , Maculan Nelson
Published: May 2015

We propose algorithmic frameworks based on the iterated local search (ILS) metaheuristic to obtain good‐quality solutions for the Euclidean Steiner tree problem (ESTP) in n dimensions. This problem consists in finding a tree with minimal total length that spans p points given in an n‐dimensional Euclidean space and, eventually, also some additional points whose insertion contributes to reduce the total length of the tree. These ILS approaches make use of both the tree enumeration structure, called topology‐describing vector, and the exact minimization step of a well‐known branch‐and‐bound method for the ESTP. Computational results are provided.
Legal Education, Social Mobility, and Employability: Possible Selves, Curriculum Intervention, and the Role of Legal Work Experience
Authors: Francis Andrew
Published: May 2015

This article interrogates a number of assumptions underpinning the recent focus on employability and social mobility within legal education and the legal profession – in particular the capacity of legal work experience to support these policy objectives. It draws on research evidence to argue that a narrow focus upon the individual acquisition of skills and attributes fails to capture the fuller complexity of legal employability as a negotiated, situated process. It shows how the structuring properties of the field reduce the capacity of employability initiatives to disrupt the patterns of social and cultural reproduction that frame access to the legal profession. In this context, the potential of curriculum intervention to enhance employability is inhibited by the structural constraints upon the possible selves that law students are able to imagine. It suggests that students’ opportunities are not only shaped by their past, but are also constrained by their possible futures.
Pediatric Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder: An Update for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Authors: Kameg Kirstyn Marie , Richardson Luann , Szpak Janene Luther
Published: May 2015

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) may have an onset in childhood or adolescence resulting in significant functional impairment and disability into adulthood. There are frequently developmental differences in the content of the obsessions and compulsions in youth compared to adults. Lack of insight or shame may result in failure of the youth to seek treatment. This delay in treatment may lead to the development of other psychiatric comorbidities, including suicide. Evidence‐based treatments for OCD include cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure/response prevention, and in moderate to severe cases, use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is indicated. Advanced practice psychiatric nurses are in a unique position to provide psychoeducation, psychotherapy, and medications, if indicated, to youth with this condition to improve functioning and reduce morbidity and mortality. This article will provide an overview of the diagnostic criteria for OCD, etiologies, assessment strategies, differential diagnoses, common comorbidities, and evidence‐based treatment options.
Infrared Radiation and Microwave Vacuum Combined Drying Kinetics and Quality of Raspberry
Authors: Si Xu , Chen Qinqin , Bi Jinfeng , Yi Jianyong , Zhou Linyan , Wu Xinye
Published: May 2015

Infrared radiation and microwave vacuum combined drying (IR‐MVD) kinetics and quality of raspberries under different microwave powers (400, 600, 800 W) and vacuum pressures (45, 65, 85 kPa) were investigated. Drying processes were found to be well fitted with Henderson and Pabis model for infrared radiation drying (IRD) and Midilli model for microwave vacuum drying (MVD). Drying time was reduced and moisture effective diffusivity (Deff) was promoted with the increase of microwave power. In terms of vacuum pressure, the most rapid moisture diffusion was noted at 65 kPa. IR‐MVD led to brighter products but caused decreases in redness values. The highest a* value (11.33), lowest ΔE value (12.66) and largest h° value (9.01) were noted at the condition of 600 W and 85 kPa. No significant difference was found between crispness values for different IR‐MVD conditions. Good rehydration property was obtained under the strongest microwave power and the highest vacuum pressure. Additionally, anthocyanin losses happened and antioxidant activity declined during dehydration. The highest anthocyanin retention (66.24%) was obtained at the condition of 600 W and 65 kPa. The maximum retention of the antioxidant capacity determined by ABTS (2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)), DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) were 72.12, 75.03 and 55.19%, respectively, at the vacuum pressure of 85 kPa and microwave power of 600 W. By comparison, the time IR‐MVD used was only 55.56% of IRD; moreover, raspberries dried by IR‐MVD showed 25.63% higher rehydration ratio, 2.4 times higher crispness value, 17.55% higher anthocyanin retention and 21.21% higher DPPH radical‐scavenging activity than IRD.

Practical Applications

Fresh raspberries, with juicy and soft texture, are highly perishable fruits and are frequently dehydrated so that they are available to consumers throughout the year. Dehydrated raspberries are also desirable as ingredients in dairy and bakery products. Infrared radiation and microwave vacuum combined drying (IR‐MVD) was adopted for raspberry dehydration in order to achieve dehydrated products with high drying efficiency and good quality. The effects of the drying parameters, including microwave powers and vacuum pressures, on the drying characteristics and quality of raspberries were studied. The results showed that drying under high microwave power increased drying rate. High vacuum pressure promoted better product color and rehydration property as well as anthocyanin preservation and antioxidant activity. IR‐MVD was proved to improve the rehydration properties, anthocyanin retention and antioxidant capacity of products in comparison with infrared radiation drying alone. Therefore, IR‐MVD is a promising method to promote drying efficiency and protect the quality of raspberries. The results of this study contribute to the technological application of IR‐MVD for raspberry dehydration and preservation.
Role of rice cytosolic hexokinase OsHXK7 in sugar signaling and metabolism
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Bi , Cho Jung‐Il , Ryoo Nayeon , Shin Dong‐Ho , Park Youn‐Il , Hwang Yong‐Sic , Lee Sang‐Kyu , An Gynheung , Jeon Jong‐Seong
Published: May 2015

We characterized the function of the rice cytosolic hexokinase OsHXK7 (Oryza sativa Hexokinase7), which is highly upregulated when seeds germinate under O2‐deficient conditions. According to transient expression assays that used the promoter:luciferase fusion construct, OsHXK7 enhanced the glucose (Glc)‐dependent repression of a rice α‐amylase gene (RAmy3D) in the mesophyll protoplasts of maize, but its catalytically inactive mutant alleles did not. Consistently, the expression of OsHXK7, but not its catalytically inactive alleles, complemented the Arabidopsis glucose insensitive2‐1 (gin2‐1) mutant, thereby resulting in the wild type characteristics of Glc‐dependent repression, seedling development, and plant growth. Interestingly, OsHXK7‐mediated Glc‐dependent repression was abolished in the O2‐deficient mesophyll protoplasts of maize. This result provides compelling evidence that OsHXK7 functions in sugar signaling via a glycolysis‐dependent manner under normal conditions, but its signaling role is suppressed when O2 is deficient. The germination of two null OsHXK7 mutants, oshxk7‐1 and oshxk7‐2, was affected by O2 deficiency, but overexpression enhanced germination in rice. This result suggests the distinct role that OsHXK7 plays in sugar metabolism and efficient germination by enforcing glycolysis‐mediated fermentation in O2‐deficient rice.
Team‐Based Learning for Midwifery Education
Authors: Moore‐Davis Tonia L. , Schorn Mavis N. , Collins Michelle R. , Phillippi Julia , Holley Sharon
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Many US health care and education stakeholder groups, recognizing the need to prepare learners for collaborative practice in complex care environments, have called for innovative approaches in health care education. Team‐based learning is an educational method that relies on in‐depth student preparation prior to class, individual and team knowledge assessment, and use of small‐group learning to apply knowledge to complex scenarios. Although team‐based learning has been studied as an approach to health care education, its application to midwifery education is not well described.

Methods

A master's‐level, nurse‐midwifery, didactic antepartum course was revised to a team‐based learning format. Student grades, course evaluations, and aggregate American Midwifery Certification Board examination pass rates for 3 student cohorts participating in the team‐based course were compared with 3 student cohorts receiving traditional, lecture‐based instruction.

Results

Students had mixed responses to the team‐based learning format. Student evaluations improved when faculty added recorded lectures as part of student preclass preparation. Statistical comparisons were limited by variations across cohorts; however, student grades and certification examination pass rates did not change substantially after the course revision. Although initial course revision was time‐consuming for faculty, subsequent iterations of the course required less effort.

Discussion

Team‐based learning provides students with more opportunity to interact during on‐site classes and may spur application of knowledge into practice. However, it is difficult to assess the effect of the team‐based learning approach with current measures. Further research is needed to determine the effects of team‐based learning on communication and collaboration skills, as well as long‐term performance in clinical practice. This article is part of a special series of articles that address midwifery innovations in clinical practice, education, interprofessional collaboration, health policy, and global health.
Characterization of dopamine releasable and reserve pools in Drosophila larvae using ATP/P2X2‐mediated stimulation
Authors: Xiao Ning , Venton B. Jill
Published: May 2015

Dopaminergic signaling pathways are conserved between mammals and Drosophila, but the factors important for maintaining the functional pool of synaptic dopamine are not fully understood in Drosophila. In this study, we characterized the releasable and reserve dopamine pools in Drosophila larvae using ATP/P2X2‐mediated stimulation. Dopamine release was stable with stimulations performed at least every 5 min but decayed with stimulations performed 2 min apart or less, indicating the replenishment of the releasable pool occurred on a time scale between 2 and 5 min. Dopamine synthesis or uptake was pharmacologically inhibited with 3‐iodotyrosine and cocaine, respectively, to evaluate their contributions to maintain the releasable dopamine pool. We found that both synthesis and uptake were needed to maintain the releasable dopamine pool, with synthesis playing a major part in long‐term replenishment and uptake being more important for short‐term replenishment. These effects of synthesis and uptake on different time scales in Drosophila are analogous to mammals. However, unlike in mammals, cocaine did not activate a reserve pool of dopamine in Drosophila when using P2X2 stimulations. Our study shows that both synthesis and uptake replenish the releasable pool, providing a better understanding of dopamine regulation in Drosophila.

image

The maintenance of the releasable dopamine pool was examined in Drosophila larva. Both synthesis and uptake were needed to maintain the releasable dopamine pool, with synthesis being most important on a longer time scale and uptake on a shorter time scale. Dopamine release was stimulated by applying ATP which activated P2X2 channels specifically expressed in dopaminergic neurons.
Selective actions of Lynx proteins on different nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis
Authors: Wang Xin , Bao Haibo , Sun Huahua , Zhang Yixi , Fang Jichao , Liu Qinghong , Liu Zewen
Published: May 2015

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are major neurotransmitter receptors and targets of neonicotinoid insecticides in the insect nervous system. The full function of nAChRs is often dependent on associated proteins, such as chaperones, regulators and modulators. Here, three Lynx (Ly‐6/neurotoxin) proteins, Loc‐lynx1, Loc‐lynx2 and Loc‐lynx3, were identified in the locust, Locusta migratoria manilensis. Co‐expression with Lynx resulted in a dramatic increase in agonist‐evoked macroscopic currents on nAChRs Locα1/β2 and Locα2/β2 in Xenopus oocytes, but no changes in agonist sensitivity. Loc‐lynx1 and Loc‐lynx3 only modulated nAChRs Locα1/β2 while Loc‐lynx2 modulated Locα2/β2 specifically. Meanwhile, Loc‐lynx1 induced a more significant increase in currents evoked by imidacloprid and epibatidine than Loc‐lynx3, and the effects of Loc‐lynx1 on imidacloprid and epibatidine were significantly higher than those on acetylcholine. Among three lynx proteins, only Loc‐lynx1 significantly increased [3H]epibatidine binding on Locα1/β2. The results indicated that Loc‐lynx1 had different modulation patterns in nAChRs compared to Loc‐lynx2 and Loc‐lynx3. Taken together, these findings indicated that three Lynx proteins were nAChR modulators and had selective activities in different nAChRs. Lynx proteins might display their selectivities from three aspects: nAChR subtypes, various agonists and different modulation patterns.

image

Insect Lynx (Ly‐6/neurotoxin) proteins act as the allosteric modulators on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), the important targets of insecticides. We found that insect lynx proteins showed their selectivities from at least three aspects: nAChR subtypes, various agonists and different modulation patterns.
Misconceptions about smoking in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Chau Tin Kin , Fong Daniel Yee Tak , Chan Sophia Siu Chee , Wong Janet Yuen Ha , Li William Ho Cheung , Tan Kathryn Choon Beng , Leung Angela Yee Man , Wong David Chung Ngok , Leung Doris Yin Ping , Lam Tai Hing
Published: May 2015

Aims and objectives

To investigate the smoking behaviours, perceptions about quitting smoking and factors associated with intention to quit in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background

Smoking causes type 2 diabetes mellitus. There has been limited research on the needs and concerns of smokers with type 2 diabetes mellitus about quitting smoking.

Design

The study used a qualitative design.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had a history of smoking were recruited at the outpatient diabetic clinics of two major local hospitals in Hong Kong for a semi‐structured interview (n = 42), guided by the theory of planned behaviour.

Results

At data saturation, 22 current smokers and 20 ex‐smokers with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited. The current smokers reported they had not quit smoking because of satisfaction with present health status, and misconceptions about the association between diabetes and smoking, and the perceived hazards of quitting. In contrast, ex‐smokers had a positive opinion about quitting smoking, accepted advice about quitting from health professionals and received more family support than current smokers. Psychological addiction and weight gain after cessation made quitting challenging.

Conclusions

Satisfaction with health status, inadequate knowledge about the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and smoking, and misconceptions about quitting smoking resulted in negative attitudes toward quitting by type 2 diabetes mellitus smokers. Smoking peers, psychological addiction and post‐cessation weight gain hindered the quitting process.

Relevance to clinical practice

Education on the causal link between smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications is important to raise health awareness and counter misconceptions about quitting smoking. Behavioural counselling with weight control strategies should be part of a comprehensive smoking cessation intervention for type 2 diabetes mellitus smokers.
The Modern Clinical Neuroimager: Leading the Next Generation in Stroke
Authors: Liebeskind David S.
Published: May 2015

The recent culmination of imaging‐endowed endovascular stroke trials has decisively proven the utility of clinically relevant neuroimaging in improving the outcome of patients with potentially debilitating neurological disorders. These large multicenter trials conducted across several continents notably utilized a variety of multimodal CT/MRI modalities to rapidly identify a favorable collateral profile that presages clinically beneficial revascularization. The modern clinical neuroimager may accelerate complex decision‐making through the rational use of a variety of imaging modalities and an active feedback loop of imaging at the bedside. The modern clinical neuroimager is often the initial care provider for a wide range or type of stroke patients from hemorrhage to ischemia, armed with the incredibly important aspects of clinical history and examination findings and best poised to utilize imaging to guide therapy from acute stroke to recovery and prevention. The next generation in stroke should not exclusively focus on whether to order a CT or MRI counting minutes at the bedside, but actively and efficiently integrate the vast wealth of information available when imaging is used in the proper clinical context. The novel endovascular era in stroke provides an ideal venue for the synergistic goals of translating research advances, improving patient outcomes and ongoing education as a modern neuroimager.
The key role of shared participation in changing occupational self‐efficacy through stress management courses
Authors: Füllemann Désirée , Jenny Gregor J. , Brauchli Rebecca , Bauer Georg F.
Published: May 2015

This study is the first that longitudinally examined change in occupational self‐efficacy (OSE) through individual and shared participation in occupational stress management courses (SMC). Applying the framework of social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986, Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice‐Hall), we assumed that participation in SMC facilitates OSE perceptions. We further assumed that the psychosocial environment promotes change in OSE through high shared participation (reach) in SMC within work groups. Comparing participants and non‐participants, we conducted growth analyses with three waves of data nested in n = 545 employees further nested in 97 work groups. The results showed that individual participation in SMC alone was insufficient to enhance OSE, a combination of individual and high shared participation being needed to significantly enhance OSE perceptions over a period of 2 years. The results are discussed with reference to specificity issues and the role of the psychosocial environment by applying social identity theory and the notion of shared mental models. We conclude by recommending SMC as a feasible intervention to enhance OSE in heterogeneous occupational contexts – if a majority of work group members can be involved.

Practitioner points

The study recommends stress management courses for enhancing occupational self‐efficacy as a short and relatively low‐cost intervention that is feasible to implement in various occupational and organizational contexts.

The key point here is that a majority of work group members are encouraged to engage in courses to obtain the beneficial effects on change in occupational self‐efficacy.
Rural Healthy People 2020: New Decade, Same Challenges
Authors: Bolin Jane N. , Bellamy Gail R. , Ferdinand Alva O. , Vuong Ann M. , Kash Bita A. , Schulze Avery , Helduser Janet W.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

The health of rural America is more important than ever to the health of the United States and the world. Rural Healthy People 2020's goal is to serve as a counterpart to Healthy People 2020, providing evidence of rural stakeholders’ assessment of rural health priorities and allowing national and state rural stakeholders to reflect on and measure progress in meeting those goals. The specific aim of the Rural Healthy People 2020 national survey was to identify rural health priorities from among the Healthy People 2020's (HP2020) national priorities.

Methods

Rural health stakeholders (n = 1,214) responded to a nationally disseminated web survey soliciting identification of the top 10 rural health priorities from among the HP2020 priorities. Stakeholders were also asked to identify objectives within each national HP2020 priority and express concerns or additional responses.

Findings and Conclusions

Rural health priorities have changed little in the last decade. Access to health care continues to be the most frequently identified rural health priority. Within this priority, emergency services, primary care, and insurance generate the most concern. A total of 926 respondents identified access as the no. 1 rural health priority, followed by, no. 2 nutrition and weight status (n = 661), no. 3 diabetes (n = 660), no. 4 mental health and mental disorders (n = 651), no. 5 substance abuse (n = 551), no. 6 heart disease and stroke (n = 550), no. 7 physical activity and health (n = 542), no. 8 older adults (n = 482), no. 9 maternal infant and child health (n = 449), and no. 10 tobacco use (n = 429).
Influence of Healthy Sweeteners (Tagatose and Oligofructose) on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Orange Marmalade
Authors: Rubio‐Arraez Susana , Sahuquillo Sergio , Capella Juan Vicente , Ortolá María Dolores , Castelló María Luisa
Published: May 2015

Today's society shows a growing interest in healthy, safe and high nutritional quality food. Thus, in this paper sweet orange marmalades have been developed using healthy sweeteners (tagatose and oligofructose) in different proportions. Analyses of Brix, pH, moisture, water activity, antioxidant capacity, optical and rheological properties have been carried out, initially and after 45 days of storage. Microbiological analyses have also been performed to determine their stability. Furthermore, a sensorial assessment has been conducted to find out acceptance of these new orange marmalades by consumers. The results showed that the highest proportion of oligofructose contributed to improve the initial antioxidant capacity of marmalades. The marmalade with the same proportions of oligofructose and tagatose was more consistent and showed a further increase in the elastic component over time. All marmalades had a similar appearance, but oligofructose reduced L*. Finally, orange marmalades made with healthy sweeteners were better scored.

Practical Applications

The development of new healthier marmalades offers new alternatives to the conventional ones not only to prevent caries and obesity but also to provide functional features associated with the use of tagatose and oligofructose as sweeteners. However, not always it is possible to replace traditional components by others and that is why it is so important to assess their technological influence. In this study, the viability of the use of both sweeteners to prepare orange marmalades has been checked.
Infantile Hemangioma: Clinical Characteristics and Efficacy of Treatment with the Long‐Pulsed 1,064‐nm Neodymium‐Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser in 794 Chinese Patients
Authors: Zhong Shu‐xia , Tao Yu‐chun , Zhou Jun‐feng , Liu Yuan‐yuan , Yao Lei , Li Shan‐shan
Published: May 2015

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) and the safety and efficacy of the long‐pulse 1,064‐nm neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for definitive treatment of IHs in 794 Chinese patients.

Methods

Infants with hemangiomas who had received long‐pulse 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser treatment in our department in the last 5 years were recruited. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded and outcomes of long‐pulse 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser treatment were assessed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors that affected the efficacy of treatment.

Results

The efficacy of long‐pulse 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of IHs in all patients in our study was 87.57%. Efficacy did not depend on sex or the location of the lesion. Older age and superficial hemangioma were the primary factors contributing to greater efficacy of long‐pulse 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser treatment for IHs. The most common side effects were pigment changes, skin atrophy, and wrinkled redundant skin, which usually resolved spontaneously within 1 to 3 years.

Conclusions

Long‐pulse 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and efficacious treatment for IHs.
Prepubertal‐Onset Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: The Importance of Maintenance Therapy in Long‐Term Outcomes
Authors: Ellis Elizabeth , Fischer Gayle
Published: May 2015

Background

There is sufficient published data on induction treatment with potent topical corticosteroid (TCS) in childhood vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) but limited data on long‐term management. VLS has been shown to extend beyond menarche and repercussions of suboptimal long‐term control may be devastating and permanent. This single‐center retrospective study reviewed outcomes of long‐term treatment using individualized regimens with target outcome of complete objective normality.

Methods

Forty‐six girls with prepubertal‐onset VLS were studied for demographic data, previous treatment, induction and maintenance treatment, clinical response and compliance. Photographic records were available for all patients. The cohort was divided into two groups: adherent (using treatment all or most of the time) and non‐adherent (using treatment some or less of the time).

Results

Twenty‐six patients (56%) had received prior treatment however only three had achieved disease control using daily potent TCS. Twelve patients (26%) had scarring on presentation. All achieved initial objective disease suppression with induction treatment using potent TCS. Thirty‐one of 33 adherent patients (93.93%) sustained complete disease remission with no progression or scarring. In contrast, 1 of the 13 nonadherent patients (8%) achieved complete disease remission (p < 0.001), 9 of the 13 (69.23%) experienced disease progression (p < 0.001) and 3 of the 13 (23%) developed scarring during follow‐up. Those with established scarring on presentation did not recover with treatment.

Conclusion

Our data support previous studies regarding initial treatment with potent TCS but additionally suggest maintenance treatment with individualized regimens that achieve objective normality in addition to symptom control provide optimal outcomes.
Electroclinical features of epileptic encephalopathy caused by SCN8A mutation
Authors: Takahashi Satoru , Yamamoto Shiho , Okayama Akie , Araki Akiko , Saitsu Hirotomo , Matsumoto Naomichi , Azuma Hiroshi
Published: May 2015

Voltage‐gated sodium channel Nav1.6, encoded by the gene SCN8A, plays a crucial role in controlling neuronal excitability. SCN8A mutations that cause increased channel activity are associated with seizures. We describe a patient with epileptic encephalopathy caused by de novo SCN8A mutation (c.5614C>T, p.Arg1872Trp). Seizures began 10 days after birth at which time brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) were normal. Seizure recurrence increased with age, leading to the development of frequent status epilepticus from 1 year of age. Seizure type included generalized tonic seizures and focal motor seizures. EEG first showed focal epileptic activity at the age of 4 months, and thereafter showed multifocal spikes. Serial MRI demonstrated brain atrophy, which appeared to progress with seizure aggravation. Clinical features that may give a clue to the diagnosis include normal EEG despite frequent seizures in early infancy and an increase in epileptic activity that occurs with aging.