bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of precipitation change on nitrogen cycling in a semi‐arid ecosystem
Authors: Cregger Melissa A. , McDowell Nate G. , Pangle Robert E. , Pockman William T. , Classen Aimée T.
Published: April 2014

Climatic change is altering ecosystem structure and function, especially in the southwesternUnitedStates where trees are near their physiological water stress threshold. In piñon‐juniper (Pinus edulis‐Juniperus monosperma;PJ) woodlands, increased drought is causing differential mortality of piñon resulting in an ecosystem that is becoming juniper dominated.

Using a precipitation manipulation, we assessed how both increased and decreased precipitation altered ecosystem function beneath piñon and juniper. We predicted that changes in precipitation would alter nitrogen (N) availability and mineralization at the site. Further, we predicted that these responses would differ beneath piñon and juniper crowns due to plant‐level differences in transpiration andNuptake in response to drought.

We found minimal interactions between tree species and the precipitation treatments onNcycling. However, across all years measured, soil nitrate decreased with increasing soil volumetric water content; a pattern that is likely due to reduced turnover in dry plots. In contrast, potential soil net‐nitrogen mineralization was reduced in water removal plots relative to water addition plots indicating that nitrogen cycling rates were slower under drought. Tree type also influenced nitrogen dynamics in this woodland. Across all 4 years, soilNavailability and potential soil net‐mineralization rates were higher in soils beneath piñon relative to juniper across all treatments. Interestingly, the observed shifts inNcycling were not reflected in the abundance ofNin microbial biomass or in ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria, which are responsible for nitrification. The observed patterns may be due to increasedNleaching from the soil during periods of increased rainfall or due to decreased microbial activity or plantNuptake when conditions are dry.

The effect of precipitation change onNcycling may have long‐term consequences on the plant community in this semi‐arid ecosystem. Nitrogen concentrations are highest in the soil when water availability is low, thus whenNconcentrations are high, plants and microbes are relatively inactive and unable to use this resource.
Are State Renewable Portfolio Standards Contagious?
Authors: Dincer Oguzhan , Payne James E. , Simkins Kristi
Published: April 2014

This study examines whether the target levels of a state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) are influenced by target levels in neighboring states, controlling for state‐specific characteristics. Contrary to previous studies, target levels in neighboring states have a positive and statistically significant impact. In addition, the renewable energy potential and transmission capacity within a state, as well as in neighboring states, all have a positive and statistically significant impact. Both a state's unemployment rate and its educational attainment have a positive impact. Furthermore, states with Democratic governors have higher RPS target levels. The results also indicate significant regional variation in RPS target levels.
A Dynamic Study on Ecological Disaster, Government Regulation, and Renewable Resources
Authors: Nie Pu‐yan , Sun Peng , Yang Bill Z.
Published: April 2014

This article develops a dynamic model to investigate renewable resource markets under different property rights. We find that different property rights regimes in renewable resource markets yield very different equilibria. Under private property rights, the valve point increases with the natural growth rate, productivity, number of firms, and marginal costs. Under common property rights, “the tragedy of the commons” inescapably occurs. This study suggests how to avoid ecological disaster by implementing a set of public policies.
Whistleblowing and Compliance in the Judicial Hierarchy
Authors: Beim Deborah , Hirsch Alexander V. , Kastellec Jonathan P.
Published: April 2014

One way that principals can overcome the problem of informational asymmetries in hierarchical organizations is to enable whistleblowing. We evaluate how whistleblowing influences compliance in the judicial hierarchy. We present a formal model in which a potential whistleblower may, at some cost, signal noncompliance by a lower court to a higher court. A key insight of the model is that whistleblowing is most informative when it is rare. While the presence of a whistleblower can increase compliance by lower courts, beyond a certain point blowing the whistle is counterproductive and actually reduces compliance. Moreover, a whistleblower who is a “perfect ally” of the higher court (in terms of preferences) blows the whistle too often. Our model shows an important connection between the frequency of whistleblowing and the effectiveness of whistleblowing as a threat to induce compliance in hierarchical organizations.
Is increased choroidal thickness association with primary angle closure?
Authors: Zhou Minwen , Wang Wei , Huang Wenbin , Gao Xinbo , Li Zheng , Li Xingyi , Zhang Xiulan
Published: April 2014

Purpose

To investigate whether increased choroidal thickness is a risk factor for primary angle closure.

Methods

The study consisted of 162 patients with primary angle‐closure (primary angle‐closure suspect [PACS], 73 eyes; primary angle closure [PAC], 33 eyes; and primary angle‐closure glaucoma [PACG], 56 eyes) and 87 healthy controls with no ophthalmic symptoms. EDI‐OCT was used to measure and to compare the macular choroidal thickness between the primary angle‐closure and normal eyes. The association between the choroidal thickness and the presence of primary angle closure was evaluated using logistic regression models to determine the odds ratio.

Results

The primary angle‐closure eyes had a thicker choroid than the control eyes at all macular locations (all p < 0.05). It remained significantly thicker after controlling for age, axial length (AL) and gender, except at 1 mm, 3 mm superior and 3 mm nasal from the fovea. Univariate analysis showed that the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was significantly associated with primary angle closure. After adjustment for the anterior chamber depth (ACD), vitreous chamber depth (VCD) and lens thickness (LT), the SFCT was still significantly associated with primary angle closure. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was 1.008 (1.003, 1.014). The choroidal thickness at most macular locations was positively associated with primary angle closure. The area under the curve (AUC) for detecting primary angle closure was 0.619 with SFCT, and the result was statistically significant (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Primary angle‐closure eyes have a higher level of macular choroidal thickness than normal eyes. Increased choroidal thickness might be association with primary angle closure. However, the SFCT showed only low specificity in screening for primary angle closure.
Expression of cancer‐related carbonic anhydrases IX and XII in normal skin and skin neoplasms
Authors: Syrjänen Leo , Luukkaala Tiina , Leppilampi Mari , Kallioinen Matti , Pastorekova Silvia , Pastorek Jaromir , Waheed Abdul , Sly William S. , Parkkila Seppo , Karttunen Tuomo
Published: April 2014

Purpose of the study was to evaluate the presence of hypoxia‐inducible, tumour‐associated carbonic anhydrases IX and XII in normal skin and a series of cutaneous tumours. Human tumour samples were taken during surgical operations performed on 245 patients and were immunohistochemically stained. A histological score value was calculated for statistical analyses which were performed using SPSS for Windows, versions 17.0 and 20.0. In normal skin, the highest expression of CA IX was detected in hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and basal parts of epidermis. CA XII was detected in all epithelial components of skin. Both CA IX and CA XII expression levels were significantly different in epidermal, appendigeal, and melanocytic tumour categories. Both CA IX and XII showed the most intense immunostaining in epidermal tumours, whereas virtually all melanocytic tumours were devoid of CA IX and XII immunostaining. In premalignant lesions, CA IX expression significantly increased when the tumours progressed to more severe dysplasia forms. Both CA IX and XII are highly expressed in different epithelial components of skin. They are also highly expressed in epidermal tumours, in which CA IX expression levels also correlate with the dysplasia grade. Interestingly, both isozymes are absent in melanocytic tumours.
Effects of atorvastatin on systemic and renal NO dependency in patients with non‐diabetic stage II–III chronic kidney disease
Authors: Mose Frank Holden , Larsen Thomas , Jensen Janni Majgaard , Hansen Annebirthe Bo , Bech Jesper Nørgaard , Pedersen Erling Bjerregaard
Published: April 2014

Aims

Clinical trials suggest that statins have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system independent from their cholesterol lowering properties. In patients with chronic kidney disease stage II–III, we tested the hypothesis that atorvastatin increased systemic and renal nitric oxide (NO) availability using L‐NG‐monomethyl arginine (L‐NMMA) as an inhibitor of NO production.

Methods

In a randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study patients were treated with atorvastatin for 5 days with standardized diet and fluid intake. Glomerular filtration reate (GFR), fractional excretions of sodium (FENa), urinary excretion of aquaporin‐2 (u‐AQP2) and epithelial sodium channels (u‐ENaCγ), vasoactive hormones (renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, arginine vasopressin, endothelin‐1 and brain natriuretic peptide) and central blood pressure (BP) estimated by applanation tonometry were measured before and after systemic administration of the NO inhibitor L‐NMMA.

Results

Atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in U‐ENaCγ, but sodium excretion, , FENa and u‐AQP2 were not changed by atorvastatin. L‐NMMA reduced renal effect variables, including GFR, FENa and u‐ENaCγ and increased brachial BP and central BP to a similar extent during both treatments. Vasoactive hormones were changed in the same way by L‐NMMA during atorvastatin and placebo treatment.

Conclusion

During, atorvastatin and placebo treatment, inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis induced the same response in brachial and central blood pressure, GFR, renal tubular function and vasoactive hormones. Thus, the data do not support that atorvastatin changes nitric oxide availability in patients with mild nephropathy. The reduced u‐ENaC may reflect changes in sodium absorption in the nephron induced by atorvastatin.
Pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil in children with lupus and clinical findings in favour of therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Woillard Jean‐Baptiste , Bader‐Meunier Brigitte , Salomon Rémi , Ranchin Bruno , Decramer Stéphane , Fischbach Michel , Berard Etienne , Guigonis Vincent , Harambat Jérôme , Dunand Olivier , Tenenbaum Julie , Marquet Pierre , Saint‐Marcoux Franck
Published: April 2014

Aims

The use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is increasing. However, the clinical benefit of its monitoring has been scarcely studied, and little is known about its pharmacokinetics in this context. The objectives of the present study were: (i) to describe mycophenolic acid (MPA, the active moiety of MMF) pharmacokinetics, (ii) to develop a Bayesian estimator (BE) allowing the determination AUC (area under the curve) from a limited number of blood samples and (iii) to explore the relationships between exposure indices to MPA and the clinical status in children with SLE.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 36 children with SLE, extracted from the expert system ISBA, for whom full‐ pharmacokinetic profiles of MPA were collected together with clinical data. A pharmacokinetic model and a BE were developed using an iterative two stage Bayesian approach. ROC curve analyses and logistic regressions were used to investigate the association of exposure and active disease.

Results

A pharmacokinetic model and a BE were developed that allowed good AUC estimation performance (bias ± SD = −0.02 ± 0.15). ROC curve analyses showed that AUC/dose <0.06 and AUC <4 mg l−1 h were associated with a good sensitivity and specificity for active disease (78%/94% and 94%/56%, respectively). When introduced in a logistic regression model, AUC <44 mg l−1 h and AUC/dose <0.06 were associated with an increased risk of active disease (OR = 21.2, 95% CI 2.3, 196.1, P = 0.007 and OR = 59.5, 95% CI 5.9, 588.2, P = 0.0005 respectively].

Conclusions

The developed pharmacokinetic BE could be used to test prospectively the interest of MPA monitoring for limiting relapse of the disease or its progression.
Puerarin Attenuates Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Liver Oxidative Stress and Hyperlipidaemia in Mouse by JNK/c‐Jun/CYP7A1 Pathway
Authors: Ma Jie‐Qiong , Ding Jie , Zhao Hai , Liu Chan‐Min
Published: April 2014

Puerarin (PU), a natural flavonoid, has been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of puerarin on hepatic oxidative stress and hyperlipidaemia in mice exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male ICR mice were injected with CCl4 with or without puerarin co‐administration (200 and 400 mg/kg intragastrically once‐daily) for 8 weeks. Our data showed that puerarin significantly prevented CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity, indicated by both diagnostic indicators of the liver damage (serum aminotransferase levels) and histopathological analysis. Puerarin decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the protein carbonyl content (PCO) in the liver of CCl4‐treated mice. Puerarin also restored the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the liver. Furthermore, the increase in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) induced by CCl4 was effectively suppressed by puerarin. The high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) level in the CCl4 treatment mice was also increased by puerarin. Western blot analysis showed that puerarin remarkably inhibited hyperlipidaemia by regulating the expression of phosphorylated Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNK), phosphorylated c‐Jun protein and cholesterol 7a‐hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in the liver of CCl4‐treated mice. Altogether, these results suggest that puerarin could protect the CCl4‐induced liver injury and hyperlipidaemia by reducing reactive oxygen species S production, renewing the total antioxidant capacity and influencing expression of hepatic lipid biosynthesis and metabolism genes.
The efficacy of a self‐managed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention DVD for physical activity initiation
Authors: Moffitt Robyn , Mohr Philip
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Initiating and maintaining physical activity presents the individual with challenges of inconvenience, discomfort, and counteractive energy. Addressing these challenges requires an intervention that elicits motivation to engage in this activity, minimizes the direct relationship between unwanted internal experiences and inaction, and is also in itself accessible and convenient. Accordingly, this study investigated the efficacy of a self‐managed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention delivered via DVD and tailored for physical activity initiation.

Design and methods

Fifty‐nine minimally active community participants were randomly allocated to receive a 12‐week pedometer‐based walking programme, or the same walking programme with the additional provision of the ACT DVD. The primary outcome was overall physical activity level (assessed at baseline and post‐intervention), and the secondary outcome was pedometer‐assessed step count (measured at 4‐weekly intervals throughout the intervention period).

Results

Participants who received the ACT DVD achieved a significantly greater increase in physical activity levels post‐intervention, were more likely to achieve the goals specified in the programme, and reported a higher average step count than participants who received the walking programme in isolation.

Conclusions

The ACT intervention, delivered via DVD for the promotion of physical activity, proved a simple, efficient, and accessible method to encourage positive short‐term increases in an important health‐promoting behaviour.

Statement of contribution

What is already known?

ACT interventions can increase physical activity levels through augmenting initiatory self‐regulatory control.

Face‐to‐face delivery presents challenges of accessibility and feasibility for community implementation.

There is a need for effective interventions that maximize impact while minimizing inconvenience.

What does this study add?

Supplementing a walking programme with a self‐managed ACT DVD produced significant increases in physical activity.

The ACT DVD is a convenient, accessible, and potentially cost‐effective approach to physical activity initiation.

ACT lends itself to implementation as a self‐managed electronically delivered intervention.
Endoscopic diagnosis of gastric mucosal atrophy: Multicenter prospective study
Authors: Nomura Sachiyo , Ida Kazunori , Terao Shuichi , Adachi Kyoichi , Kato Takahiro , Watanabe Hidenobu , Shimbo Takuro ,   Research Group for Establishment of Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Published: April 2014

Background and Aim

Gastric atrophy is one of the important pathological states that cause gastric cancer. As atrophic gastritis is related to the risk of gastric cancer, it is important to diagnose atrophic gastritis. In the present study, we tried to establish endoscopic criteria for atrophic gastritis.

Methods

A multicenter study of prospectively collected patients was conducted in 24 participating facilities. Two hundred and seventy‐five patients received endoscopic examination and 15 endoscopic features, including diffuse redness, swelling of areae gastrica, and mucosal swelling, were evaluated. Biopsy specimens were taken from five points recommended by the Updated Sydney System, and evaluated by a single pathologist for atrophy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC/ROC) of each endoscopic finding to histological atrophy were calculated. Pepsinogen I/II ratios of these patients were measured and compared to the endoscopic features.

Results

There was no single endoscopic feature that is highly specific for histological atrophy. In the corpus, the combination of visibility of vascular pattern and swelling of areae gastrica by indigocarmine chromoendoscopy showed the highest AUC/ROC (0.83). In the antrum, the combination of visibility of vascular pattern and mucosal swelling showed the highest AUC/ROC (0.70). These endoscopic findings correlated very well to the pepsinogen I/II ratio.

Conclusions

Combination of endoscopic findings can improve diagnostic accuracy, and endoscopic diagnosis of atrophy is improved especially with new endoscopic criteria, such as swelling of areae gastrica or mucosal swelling.
Pulmonary endoderm, second heart field and the morphogenesis of distal outflow tract in mouse embryonic heart
Authors: Liang Shi , Li Hui‐Chao , Wang Yun‐Xiu , Wu Shan‐Shan , Cai Yu‐Jin , Cui Hui‐Lin , Yang Yan‐Ping , Ya Jing
Published: April 2014

The second heart field (SHF), foregut endoderm and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway are all reported to associate with normal morphogenesis and septation of outflow tract (OFT). However, the morphological relationships of the development of foregut endoderm and expression of SHH signaling pathway members with the development of surrounding SHF and OFT are seldom described. In this study, serial sections of mouse embryos from ED9 to ED13 (midgestation) were stained with a series of marker antibodies for specifically highlighting SHF (Isl‐1), endoderm (Foxa2), basement membrane (Laminin), myocardium (MHC) and smooth muscle (α‐SMA) respectively, or SHH receptors antibodies including patched1 (Ptc1), patched2 (Ptc2) and smoothened, to observe the spatiotemporal relationship between them and their contributions to OFT morphogenesis. Our results demonstrated that the development of an Isl‐1 positive field in the splanchnic mesoderm ventral to foregut, a subset of SHF, is closely coupled with pulmonary endoderm or tracheal groove, the Isl‐1 positive cells surrounding pulmonary endoderm are distributed in a special cone‐shaped pattern and take part in the formation of the lateral walls of the intrapericardial aorta and pulmonary trunk and the transient aortic‐pulmonary septum, and Ptc1 and Ptc2 are exclusively expressed in pulmonary endoderm during this Isl‐l positive field development, suggesting special roles played in inducing the Isl‐l positive field formation by pulmonary endoderm. It is indicated that pulmonary endoderm plays a role in the development and specification of SHF in midgestation, and that pulmonary endoderm‐associated Isl‐l positive field is involved in patterning the morphogenesis and septation of the intrapericardial arterial trunks.
AN EGALITARIAN SYSTEM BREEDS GENEROSITY: THE IMPACT OF REDISTRIBUTION PROCEDURES ON PRO‐SOCIAL BEHAVIOR
Authors: RIYANTO YOHANES E. , ZHANG JIANLIN
Published: April 2014

In a meritocratic system, people are compensated on the basis of their individual ability, whereas in an egalitarian system people are equally compensated. Essentially, in the latter system high performers are taxed and subsidize underperformers. Would differences in income redistribution procedures affect people's pro‐social behavior? In experiments, we found that people are more generous toward strangers in an egalitarian treatment than in a meritocratic treatment. Interestingly, being taxed does not reduce the generosity of high performers, whereas being subsidized significantly increases the generosity of low performers. (JEL C91, D63, D64)
Structural and functional diversity of metalloproteinases encoded by the Bacteroides fragilis pathogenicity island
Authors: Shiryaev Sergey A. , Aleshin Alexander E. , Muranaka Norihito , Kukreja Muskan , Routenberg David A. , Remacle Albert G. , Liddington Robert C. , Cieplak Piotr , Kozlov Igor A. , Strongin Alex Y.
Published: April 2014

Bacteroides fragilis causes the majority of anaerobic infections in humans. The presence of a pathogenicity island in the genome discriminates pathogenic and commensal B. fragilis strains. The island encodes metalloproteinase II (MPII), a potential virulence protein, and one of three homologous fragilysin isozymes (FRA; also termed B. fragilis toxin or BFT). Here, we report biochemical data on the structural–functional characteristics of the B. fragilis pathogenicity island proteases by reporting the crystal structure of MPII at 2.13 Å resolution, combined with detailed characterization of the cleavage preferences of MPII and FRA3 (as a representative of the FRA isoforms), identified using a high‐throughput peptide cleavage assay with 18 583 substrate peptides. We suggest that the evolution of the MPII catalytic domain can be traced to human and archaebacterial proteinases, whereas the prodomain fold is a feature specific to MPII and FRA. We conclude that the catalytic domain of both MPII and FRA3 evolved differently relative to the prodomain, and that the prodomain evolved specifically to fit the B. fragilis pathogenicity. Overall, our data provide insights into the evolution of cleavage specificity and activation mechanisms in the virulent metalloproteinases.
Happiness on your doorstep: disputing the boundaries of wellbeing and localism
Authors: Scott Karen
Published: April 2014

This paper is a critical review and analysis of the recent emergence of wellbeing discourses in UK national politics and their relationship with localism agendas. In 2011 the UK Coalition Government initiated a national programme to measure wellbeing. Despite a stated desire to consult the public as widely as possible on what matters for wellbeing, policy discourse is currently dominated by particular framings of wellbeing, predominantly within the arenas of subjective wellbeing research, positive psychology and individual behaviour change, where community participation and volunteerism narratives feature heavily. Ideas of wellbeing are enmeshed within narratives of reducing bureaucracy and creating the Big Society. This argument is backed up by a discourse analysis of government documentation on wellbeing and localism, which illustrates how discursive boundaries are being created around the concept of wellbeing which in turn demarcates clear boundaries of responsibility. The explicit desire on the part of the UK Coalition Government to devolve more responsibilities to the ‘local community’ is justified by appeals to particular ideas of wellbeing which are evidenced by particular sorts of research, limiting room for other, more progressive, accounts.
Cultivating critical practices in physical geography
Authors: Tadaki Marc , Brierley Gary , Dickson Mark , Le Heron Richard , Salmond Jennifer
Published: April 2014

Fundamental changes in the meaning and practice of environmental science are affecting – and are affected by – the theoretical, technological, pedagogical and institutional projects of physical geography. These changes have given rise to a range of ‘integrative’ (or integration‐directed) disciplinary narratives which articulate a role for physical geographers within an engaged project of societal relevance and transformation. In this context, we welcome the rise of a notional ‘Critical Physical Geography’ and here we seek to expand the conversation to support thinking about what it might mean to be criticalwithinphysical geography. Moving beyond definitions of interdisciplinary collaboration, we propose that being critical from within physical geography begins with cultivating a critical disposition towards the situated partiality of our scientific practices. This prompts consideration of the ways in which our environmental objects could be assembled differently, reflecting different personal histories and values, and from different epistemic locations and management framings and through different investment narratives. A critical disposition prompts reflection upon the situated constraints and opportunities presented by our institutional locations. Recognition and articulation of critical perspectives may provoke endeavours to more consciously reassemble our scientific and institutional projects into more effective interventions to secure a more powerful and meaningful role for physical geographers across their diverse engagements.
Chryseobacterium meningosepticum in a parapneumonic effusion in a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis
Authors: Gnanasoundran Vanitha , Fernando M Edwin , Kumar Senthil , Kumar Raj , Valavan Thiruma , Mohan Chandra , Mohammed Noor , Prasad Srinivasa
Published: April 2014

Chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an uncommon human pathogen, which is an inhabitant of soil and water. It should be included in the list of suspected nosocomial infections, especially in patients with immunocompromised status. C. meningosepticum infections are not common but are clinically important because the organism is naturally resistant to multiple antibiotics. We report a case where the bacterium was isolated from the pleural fluid from a chronic kidney disease patient on hemodialysis, who developed pneumonia with complicated parapneumonic effusion. To the best of our knowedge, this is the first case where C. meningosepticum is isolated from the pleural effusion, from India.
Analytical reactivity of 13 commercially available rapid influenza diagnostic tests with H3N2v and recently circulating influenza viruses
Authors: Bose Michael E. , Sasman Amy , Mei Hong , McCaul Kate C. , Kramp William J. , Chen Li‐Mei , Shively Roxanne , Williams Tracie L. , Beck Eric T. , Henrickson Kelly J.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) used widely in clinical practice are simple to use and provide results within 15 minutes; however, reported performance is variable, which causes concern when novel or variant viruses emerge. This study's goal was to assess the analytical reactivity of 13 RIDTs with recently circulating seasonal and H3N2v influenza viruses, using three different viral measures.

Design

Virus stocks were characterized by infectious dose (ID50) and nucleoprotein (NP) concentration, diluted at half‐log dilutions, and tested with each RIDT and real‐time RT‐PCR.

Results

Strong correlation was observed between NP concentration and RIDT reactivity; however, only weak correlation was seen with ID50 or Ct values. Only four RIDTs detected viral NP at the lowest dilution for all influenza A viruses (IAV). Influenza A viruses not detected by more than one RIDT had lower NP levels. Of the 13 RIDTs, 9 had no significant differences in reactivity across IAV when compared to NP levels.

Conclusions

Previous reports of RIDT performance typically compare reactivity based on ID50 titers, which in this study correlated only weakly with proportional amounts of viral NP in prepared virus samples. In the context of the strong correlation of RIDT reactivity with NP concentration, H3N2v was found to be as reactive as seasonal circulating IAV. While these findings may not reflect clinical performance of these RIDTs, measuring NP concentration can be useful in the future to assess comparable reactivity of available RIDTs, or to assess reactivity with newly evolving or emerging viruses.
Validity of the children's orientation to book reading rating scale
Authors: Kaderavek Joan N. , Guo Ying , Justice Laura M.
Published: April 2014

The present study investigates the validity of a 4‐point rating scale used to measure the level of preschool children's orientation to literacy during shared book reading. Validity was explored by (a) comparing the children's level of literacy orientation as measured with the Children's Orientation to Book Reading Rating Scale (COB) with a teacher's rating of a child's level of attention and effortful control on the Children's Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ), and (b) computing the predictive validity of a child's COB rating with overall levels of emergent literacy at the end of the preschool school year. This study involved 46 preschool children from low‐income backgrounds; children's literacy orientation was rated during a group teacher‐led book reading. Children's ratings of literacy orientation during shared book reading using the global 4‐point COB scale were significantly correlated with teacher ratings of a child's attention and effortful control as measured on the CBQ. Hierarchical regression results indicated children's literacy orientation significantly predicted children's end‐of‐year alphabet knowledge and overall emergent reading skills above and beyond the variance contributed by children's language skills and family income. The validity of a global rating for indexing children's level of literacy orientation was supported. Educational implications and recommendations for the COB as a component of early literacy assessment are discussed.
Recommendations for reporting the results of studies of instrument and scale development and testing
Authors: Streiner David L. , Kottner Jan
Published: March 2014

Scales and instruments play an important role in health research and practice. It is important that studies that report on their psychometric properties do so in a way such that readers can understand what was done and what was found. This paper is a guide to writing articles about the development and assessment of these tools. It covers what should be in the abstract and how key words should be chosen. The article then discusses what should be in the main parts of the paper: the introduction, methods, results and discussion. In each of these parts, it suggests the statistical tests that should be used and how to report them. The emphasis throughout the paper is that reliability and validity are not fixed properties of a scale, but depend on an interaction among it, the population being evaluated and the circumstances under which the instrument is administered.
Comparison of Regular Atrial Tachycardia Incidence After Circumferential Radiofrequency versus Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Real‐Life Practice
Authors: AKERSTRÖM FINN , BASTANI HAMID , INSULANDER PER , SCHWIELER JONAS , ARIAS MIGUEL A. , JENSEN‐URSTAD MATS
Published: April 2014

Atrial Tachycardia Incidence After RF versus Cryoballoon PVI

Background

Postablation atrial tachycardia (AT) is a significant complication following radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Cryoballoon (CB) ablation is an alternative technique for PVI that appears to have a low incidence of AT. No direct comparison between AT risk in RF and CB ablation has been made.

Objective

To compare the incidence and characteristics of ATs after PVI with RF and with CB ablation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

All patients who underwent their first PVI between January 2006 and September 2012 using either RF or CB ablation were included. When a repeat ablation procedure for AT was performed, the arrhythmia was classified as typical cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) flutter or left atrial tachycardia (LA‐AT) based on invasive mapping procedure findings and ECG P‐wave morphology.

Results

The study population consisted of 415 and 215 consecutive patients in the RF and CB groups, respectively. After a mean follow‐up of 38 ± 21 months, 52 (8.3%) patients presented ATs (9.4% and 6% in the RF and CB groups, respectively; P = 0.15). Of those, 26 (4.1%) were classified as LA‐AT with 20 (4.8%) in the RF group and 6 (2.8%) in the CB group (P = 0.23). In patients without a history of typical CTI flutter or CTI line (n = 458), the incidence for this type of arrhythmia during follow‐up was 3.5%.

Conclusion

In patients with paroxysmal AF undergoing either RF or CB PVI as the sole ablation strategy, the incidence of postprocedural AT was low and there was no significant difference between the 2 techniques.
Discreet Players: Jean Monnet, Transatlantic Networks and Policy‐Makers in International Co‐operation
Authors: Chira‐Pascanut Constantin
Published: April 2014

The origins of the first supranational European community can be traced back to the bold and imaginative proposal drafted by Jean Monnet in early 1950. Yet his plan entered history under a different name: that of the statesman who offered his political backing – Robert Schuman. This article investigates the factors that made it possible for political leaders to accept this ground‐breaking idea. Furthermore, it investigates the source of Monnet's power and influence, which helped to persuade various leaders at different times. By adopting a transnational network approach, it concludes that policy‐makers' acceptance of the coal and steel plan was the result of Monnet's special method of persuasion, developed and refined over the years, and the activity of and pressure exerted by his close network of influential transatlantic friends.
Microbiological, Biochemical and Rheological Changes Throughout Ripening of Kurdish Cheese
Authors: Milani Elnaz , Shahidi Fakhri , Mortazavi S. Ali , Vakili S. Ali Reza , Ghoddusi H.B.
Published: April 2014

Kurdish cheese has been traditionally prepared from raw milk in the northeast of Iran. It is ripened in goat's skin bags. This study was conducted on microbiological diversity and physicochemical properties of Kurdish cheese during ripening (1, 20, 40 and 60 days). The results indicated that the type and counts of microorganisms were mainly influenced by ripening time. Lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were predominant during the first 20 days of ripening, and lactobacilli were the most common microorganisms found during ripening. The initial numbers of coliforms and E. coli decreased rapidly, whereas a gradual increase in counts of moulds and yeasts was noticed in the early days of ripening. Coliforms, Salmonella and coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus spp. were undetectable in ripened cheese. The optimal time for consuming is after 60 days because the undesired biota decreased below dangerous limits. pH, moisture content and aw decreased during ripening. No significant variations were observed in protein values during ripening. The textural parameters such as hardness, chewiness and gumminess increased as ripening progressed, but springiness decreased. The level of microelements in cheese samples during maturation were in the following order Na > Ca > K > Zn > Cu.

Practical Applications

Kurdish cheeses have been traditionally prepared, and the market for them has existed in many parts of Iran for many years. Its microbial diversity originates from natural microbiota present in the raw milk, and environmental exposures are important points to consider for public health. There is an increased demand from consumers for high‐quality natural food, free from contaminating microorganisms. Hence, indigenous lactic acid bacteria were identified successfully for production of fermented milk products with increased safety. Given the significant economic importance of Kurdish cheeses to a number of small domestic and industrial producers, particularly in the northeast of Iran, this study can be used to help implement strategies designed to enhance the product's microbiological and physicochemical quality.
microRNA‐200b modulates microglia‐mediated neuroinflammation via the cJun/MAPK pathway
Authors: Jadhav Shweta P. , Kamath Sandhya P. , Choolani Mahesh , Lu Jia , Dheen S. Thameem
Published: April 2014

Chronic activation of microglia, the macrophages of the CNS, has been shown to enhance neuronal damage because of excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic molecules in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent reports showed altered microRNA (miRNA) expression in immune‐mediated pathologies, thus suggesting that miRNAs modulate expression of genes involving immune responses. This study demonstrates that miRNA‐200b is expressed in microglia and modulates inflammatory response of microglia by regulating mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway. miRNA‐200b expression was found to be down‐regulated in activated microglia in vivo (traumatic brain injury rat model) and in vitro. A luciferase assay and loss‐ and gain‐of‐function studies revealed c‐Jun, the transcription factor of cJun‐N terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway to be the target of miR‐200b. Knockdown of miR‐200b in microglia increased JNK activity along with an increase in pro‐inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide (NO) production. Conversely, over‐expression of miRNA‐200b in microglia resulted in a decrease in JNK activity, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, NO production and migratory potential of activated microglia. Furthermore, miR‐200b inhibition resulted in increased neuronal apoptosis after treatment of neuronal cells with conditioned medium obtained from microglial culture. Taken together, these results indicate that miRNA‐200b modulates microglial inflammatory process including cytokine secretion, NO production, migration and neuronal survival.

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Chronic microglial activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, miRNAs, the novel epigenetic factors, have been shown to be involved in several diseases including neurological disorders. In this study, we demonstrate that miR‐200b is expressed in microglia and modulates inflammatory response of activated microglia by altering the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, NO production and neuronal survival via targeting the cJun MAPK pathway. Thus, miRNA‐200b may prove to be a useful therapeutic target in the context of chronic neuroinflammation.
The effects of topical heat therapy on chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mohammadpour Ali , Mohammadian Batol , Basiri Moghadam Mehdi , Nematollahi Mahmoud Reza
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectives

To investigate the effects of local heat therapy on chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background

Chest pain is a very common complaint in patients with acute coronary syndrome. It is managed both pharmacologically and nonpharmacologically. Pharmacological pain management is associated with different side effects.

Design

This was a randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial conducted in 2013.

Methods

A convenience sample of 66 patients with acute coronary syndrome was selected from a coronary care unit of a local teaching hospital affiliated to Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the placebo group. Patients in the experimental and the placebo groups received local heat therapy using a hot pack warmed to 50 and 37 °C, respectively. We assessed chest pain intensity, duration and frequency as well as the need for opioid analgesic therapy both before and after the study. The study instrument consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and a data sheet for documenting pain frequency and duration as well as the need for analgesic therapy.

Findings

The placebo heat therapy did not significantly decrease the intensity, the duration and the frequency of pain episodes. However, pain intensity, duration and frequency in the experimental group decreased significantly after the study. Moreover, the groups differed significantly in terms of the need for opioid analgesic therapy neither before nor after the intervention.

Conclusion

Local heat therapy is an effective intervention for preventing and relieving chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Relevance to clinical practice

Effective pain management using local heat therapy could help nurses play an important role in providing effective care to patients with acute coronary syndrome and in minimising adverse effects associated with pain medications.
How Christian nurses converse with patients about spirituality
Authors: Pfeiffer Jane Bacon , Gober Carla , Taylor Elizabeth Johnston
Published: April 2014

Aims and objectives

To describe the experience of conversing with clients to provide spiritual care from the perspective of Christian nurses identified as exemplary spiritual caregivers. More specifically, findings presented here describe the goals and strategies of these nurses when conversing with patients about spirituality.

Background

Although verbal communication is pivotal to most spiritual care interventions recognised in the nursing literature, there is scant empirical evidence to inform such spiritual care. There is evidence, however, that many nurses have discomfort and difficulty with conversations about spirituality.

Design

Cross‐sectional, descriptive, qualitative design framed by phenomenology.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 southern California registered nurses working in varied clinical settings. Data were coded and thematically analysed by three researchers who established equivalency. Methods to support the trustworthiness of the findings were employed.

Results

Themes providing structure to the description of how nurses converse with patients about spirituality included assessing and establishing connection, overt introductions of spirituality, finding spiritual commonality, self‐disclosure, spiritual encouragement, spiritual advice or religious teaching, and prayer. Requisite to any spiritual care conversation, however, was ‘allowing them (patients) to talk’. Informants tread ‘gently and softly’ in approaching spiritual discourse, assessing for any patient resistance, and not pushing further if any was met.

Conclusion

Findings illustrate compassionate nursing with specifiable goals and strategies for conversations about spirituality; they also raise questions about how nurse religious beliefs are to ethically inform these conversations.

Relevance to clinical practice

The Invitation, Connection, Attentive care, Reciprocity mnemonic is offered as a means for nurses to remember essentials for communication with patients about spirituality.
Efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction at term: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Aihai , Lv Jieqiang , Hu Yue , Lang Junzhe , Ma Luhang , Chen Wenbing
Published: April 2014

Aim

Recent studies suggest that misoprostol may be more effective than dinoprostone in pregnant women with unfavorable cervix. The objective here is to investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of intravaginal misoprostol and intracervical dinoprostone for labor induction, including incidence of cesarean section, vaginal delivery rate within 24 h, uterine hyperstimulation, tachysystole, oxytocin augmentation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and Apgar score of less than 7 at 1 and 5 min.

Methods

Databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up to July 2013. Randomized controlled trials comparing intravaginal misoprostol with intracervical dinoprostone in women with singleton pregnancy, intact membranes and unfavorable cervix (Bishop's <6) were included. Pooled relative risk, mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results

The use of misoprostol was significantly effective in increasing the rate of vaginal delivery within 24 h and less oxytocin augmentation when compared with dinoprostone. However, the incidents of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole were significantly higher under the misoprostol protocol than dinoprostone protocol. Furthermore, we found similar efficiency in the rate of cesarean delivery, NICU admission and Apgar score at 1 and 5 min among the study groups.

Conclusion

Intravaginal misoprostol appears to be more efficient for labor induction than intracervical dinoprostone; however, dinoprostone has been demonstrated to be safer because of the lower incidence of uterine hyperstimulation and tachysystole. Further high‐quality studies assessing the possible effectiveness of misoprostol and dinoprostone in selected groups of patients are warranted.
Comparison of Biodegradable Polymer Versus Durable Polymer Sirolimus‐Eluting Stenting in Patients with Acute ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results of the RESOLVE Study
Authors: ZHANG QI , QIU JIAN PING , KIRTANE AJAY J. , ZHU TIAN QI , ZHANG RUI YAN , YANG ZHEN KUN , HU JIAN , DING FENG HUA , DU RUN , SHEN WEI FENG
Published: April 2014

Background

Sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES) with a biodegradable polymer coating have demonstrated promising results but have not been compared to SES with a durable polymer in high‐risk patients. We compared the efficacy of these 2 stent types in patients with acute myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

One thousand one hundred ninety‐two STEMI patients were randomized to receive SES coated with biodegradable (n = 596) or durable polymer (n = 596). The study end‐point was the composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including all‐cause death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1‐year follow‐up. Secondary end‐points included individual components of primary end‐point and stent thrombosis.

Results

Compared with durable polymer SES, the noninferiority of SES with biodegradable polymer coating was established by an absolute risk difference of 0.9% in the primary end‐point (12.4% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.67) and an upper limit of one‐sided 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.96% (P for noninferiority = 0.001). Rate of death, recurrent MI, and TLR were 7.9% and 8.6% (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.61–1.38, P = 0.67), 2.9% and 3.5% (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.42–1.54, P = 0.51), and 2.0% and 3.2% (HR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.30–1.30, P = 0.20) in the biodegradable polymer SES and durable polymer SES group at 1‐year clinical follow‐up, respectively. Despite similar rates of 30‐day ARC definite/probable stent thrombosis, late stent thrombosis (stent thrombosis occurring beyond 30 days) was lower with biodegradable polymer SES (0.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.028).

Conclusions

In patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI, the use of biodegradable polymer SES was associated with noninferior 1‐year rates of MACE compared with durable polymer SES. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:131–141)