bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuropathic Pain Following Poly-L-Lactic Acid (Sculptra) Injection
Authors: Vrcek Ivan , El-Sawy Tarek , Chou Eva , Allen Theresa , Nakra Tanuj
Published: June 2015

Injectable fillers have become a prevalent means of facial rejuvenation and volume expansion. While typically well tolerated, serious complications have been reported. The authors present a case in which an otherwise healthy female with a history of multiple filler injections including poly-L-lactic acid, developed 3 weeks of neuropathic pain in the left temporal fossa following injection. To the best of the authors knowledge, neuropathic pain has not been reported as a complication following poly-L-lactic acid injection. The patient was treated with an injection of steroid and long-acting anesthetic with resolution of symptoms.
Ocular Trauma From Dog Bites: Characterization, Associations, and Treatment Patterns at a Regional Level I Trauma Center Over 11 Years
Authors: Prendes Mark A. , Jian-Amadi Arash , Chang Shu-Hong , Shaftel Solomon S.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Canine bites frequently result in periocular injury. The authors aimed to further characterize the dog breeds, types of injuries inflicted, and treatment outcomes.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed on all dog bites recorded in the University of Washington trauma registry from 2003 to 2013. Cases involving ocular injury were further investigated to identify ocular tissues affected, treatment patterns, and outcomes.

Results:

A total of 342 dog bite victims were identified, of whom 91 sustained ocular trauma (27%). The mean age of patients with ocular injuries was significantly lower than those without (14.1 ± 1.9 vs. 30.0 ± 1.3 years, p < 0.001). Children bitten by dogs were 4.2 times more likely to sustain ocular injuries than adults (45.2% vs. 10.8%). The most common breed of dog inflicting ocular injury was the pit bull (25%). Forty percent of patients with ocular trauma sustained canalicular lacerations and epiphora was noted in only 3 patients (8%) after repair. Three percent had orbital fractures and 2% sustained ruptured globes. Infections were rare, affecting only 2% of patients.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this study is the largest to date to report the incidence and characteristics of ocular injuries sustained from dog bites. These injuries were disproportionately more common in children and have a high incidence of canalicular laceration. Though rare, globe injuries and orbital fractures were seen in this population. Importantly, this study establishes that pit bulls are the most frequent breed associated with ocular injuries from dog bites.
Do Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors Improve the Glycemic Control in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Concomitant Diabetes Mellitus?
Authors: Danve Abhijeet S. , Kulkarni Supriya
Published: June 2015

Inflammation and insulin resistance are closely linked to each other. Inflammatory rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with increased insulin resistance and reduced insulin sensitivity by virtue of proinflammatory cytokines, mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). TNF inhibitors have been shown to improve the insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of incident diabetes in patients with RA. We hypothesize that TNF inhibitors may improve the glycemic control in patients with concomitant RA and diabetes mellitus.
Enhanced Morbidity and Mortality Meeting and Patient Safety Education for Specialty Trainees
Authors: Singh Harvinder P. , Durani Piyush , Dias Joseph J.
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Mortality and morbidity (M&M) meetings present a forum to discuss and review in-hospital deaths and complications to improve patient care. However, it remains an untapped resource to improve the exposure of the trainees to the principles of patient safety

Methods

We modified the departmental M&M meetings to enhance the delivery of patient safety education. The meeting started with a 5-minute overview of general patient safety principles, followed by a trainee-led discussion of a recent patient safety incident where opinions were sought about key learning points and ways to prevent the incident from happening in future. The discussion concluded with a patient safety presentation summarizing the salient points that were mapped to the WHO Patient Safety Curriculum. The suggestions from the meeting were noted, and the changes were instituted in the department over the next month and were reported back in the next meeting.

Results

From January to August 2012, seven enhanced M&M meetings were organized and attended by orthopaedic specialty trainees in a postgraduate Deanery. We explored the early impact of these monthly discussions by using the Junior Doctors’ Patient Safety Attitudes and Climate Questionnaire as an assessment tool. The questionnaire reports an early impact on patient safety knowledge, awareness, and attitudes to patient safety; however, more work is needed to improve the workplace safety climate.

Conclusions

We recommend immediate introduction of the enhanced M&M meetings focusing on patient safety in the other disciplines and postgraduate deaneries.
Physicians' and Nurses' Perceptions of and Attitudes Toward Incident Reporting in Palestinian Hospitals
Authors: Rashed Anan , Hamdan Motasem
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Underreporting of incidents that happen in health care services undermines the ability of the systems to improve patient safety. This study assessed the attitudes of physicians and nurses toward incident reporting and the factors influencing reporting in Palestinian hospitals. It also examined clinicians' views about the preferred features of incident reporting system.

Methods

Cross-sectional self-administered survey of 475 participants, 152 physicians and 323 nurses, from 11 public hospitals in the West Bank; response rate, 81.3%.

Results

There was a low level of event reporting among participants in the past year (40.3%). Adjusted for sex and age, physicians were 2.1 times more likely to report incidents than nurses (95% confidence interval, 1.32–3.417; P = 0.002). Perceived main barriers for reporting were grouped under lack of proper structure for reporting, prevalence of blame, and punitive environment. The clinicians indicated fear of administrative sanctions, social and legal liability, and of their competence being questioned (P > 0.05). Getting help for patients, learning from mistakes, and ethical obligation were equally indicated motivators for reporting (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, clinicians prefer formal reporting (77.8%) of all type of errors (65.5%), disclosure of reporters (52.7%), using reports to improve patient safety (80.3%), and willingness to report to immediate supervisors (57.6%).

Conclusion

Clinicians acknowledge the importance of reporting incidents; however, prevalence of punitive culture and inadequate reporting systems are key barriers. Improving feedback about reported errors, simplifying procedures, providing clear guidelines on what and who should report, and avoiding blame are essential to enhance reporting. Moreover, health care organizations should consider the opinions of the clinicians in developing reporting systems.
The future of forensic DNA analysis
Authors: Butler John M.
Published: June 2015

The author's thoughts and opinions on where the field of forensic DNA testing is headed for the next decade are provided in the context of where the field has come over the past 30 years. Similar to the Olympic motto of ‘faster, higher, stronger’, forensic DNA protocols can be expected to become more rapid and sensitive and provide stronger investigative potential. New short tandem repeat (STR) loci have expanded the core set of genetic markers used for human identification in Europe and the USA. Rapid DNA testing is on the verge of enabling new applications. Next-generation sequencing has the potential to provide greater depth of coverage for information on STR alleles. Familial DNA searching has expanded capabilities of DNA databases in parts of the world where it is allowed. Challenges and opportunities that will impact the future of forensic DNA are explored including the need for education and training to improve interpretation of complex DNA profiles.
Imaging and virtual autopsy: looking back and forward
Authors: Bolliger Stephan A. , Thali Michael J.
Published: June 2015

In order to create a three-dimensional (3D) documentation of findings which can be reassessed if necessary by other experts, the research project ‘Virtopsy®’ was launched in the late 1990s. This project combined autopsy results with forensic imaging in the form of computed tomography, magnetic resonance tomography and 3D surface scanning. The success of this project eventually succeeded in convincing the courts in Switzerland to accept these novel methods as evidence. As opposition towards autopsies has grown over the last decades, Virtopsy also strives to find and elaborate additional methods which can answer the main forensic questions without autopsy. These methods comprise post-mortem angiography for illustration of the vascular bed and image-guided tissue and fluid sampling for histological, toxicological and microbiological examinations. Based on the promising results, post-mortem imaging, especially with 3D surface scanning, has meanwhile also been applied to living victims of assault, who have suffered patterned injuries due to bites, blows with objects, etc. In our opinion, forensic imaging is an objective method which offers the possibility for a reassessment of the findings by other experts, even after burial or cremation of the corpse, or healing of the injuries in living victims, thus leading to a greater security in court.
Cognitive neuroscience in forensic science: understanding and utilizing the human element
Authors: Dror Itiel E.
Published: June 2015

The human element plays a critical role in forensic science. It is not limited only to issues relating to forensic decision-making, such as bias, but also relates to most aspects of forensic work (some of which even take place before a crime is ever committed or long after the verification of the forensic conclusion). In this paper, I explicate many aspects of forensic work that involve the human element and therefore show the relevance (and potential contribution) of cognitive neuroscience to forensic science. The 10 aspects covered in this paper are proactive forensic science, selection during recruitment, training, crime scene investigation, forensic decision-making, verification and conflict resolution, reporting, the role of the forensic examiner, presentation in court and judicial decisions. As the forensic community is taking on the challenges introduced by the realization that the human element is critical for forensic work, new opportunities emerge that allow for considerable improvement and enhancement of the forensic science endeavour.
Science in the court: pitfalls, challenges and solutions
Authors: O'Brien Éadaoin , Nic Daeid Niamh , Black Sue
Published: June 2015

We are at a critical juncture for the forensic sciences. A number of high-profile reports and a growing body of literature question and critically reflect on core issues pertaining to the methodologies informing forensic science and their effective use within the criminal justice system. We argue for the need for an improved association and outline key areas that require attention from practitioners operating within the fields of both forensic science and law.
Crystal structure of a new homochiral one-dimensional zincophosphate containingL-methionine
Authors: Chouat Nadjet , Hasnaoui Mohammed Abdelkrim , Sassi Mohamed , Bengueddach Abdelkader , Lusvardi Gigliola , Cornia Andrea
Published: June 2015

catena-Poly[[(L-methionine-κO)zinc]-μ3-(hydrogen phosphato)-κ3O:O′:O′′], [Zn{PO3(OH)}(C5H11NO2S)]n, a new one-dimensional homochiral zincophosphate, was hydrothermally synthesized using L-methionine as a structure-directing agent. The compound consists of a network of ZnO4and (HO)PO3tetrahedra that form ladder-like chains of edge-fused Zn2P2O4rings propagating parallel to [100]. The chains are decorated on each side by zwitterionic L-methionine ligands, which interact with the inorganic frameworkviaZn—O coordination bonds. The structure displays interchain N—H...O and O—H...S hydrogen bonds.
Crystal structure of 1,4-diethoxy-9,10-anthraquinone
Authors: Kitamura Chitoshi , Li Sining , Takehara Munenori , Inoue Yoshinori , Ono Katsuhiko , Kawase Takeshi
Published: June 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C18H16O4, contains two crystallographically independent molecules. The anthraquinone ring systems are slightly bent with dihedral angles of 2.33 (8) and 13.31 (9)° between the two terminal benzene rings. In the crystal, the two independent molecules adopt slipped-parallel π-overlap with an average interplanar distance of 3.45 Å, forming a dimer; the centroid–centroid distances of the π–π interactions are 3.6659 (15)–3.8987 (15) Å. The molecules are also linked by C—H...O interactions, forming a tape structure along thea-axis direction. The crystal packing is characterized by a dimer-herringbone pattern.
The intellectual capital needs of a transitioning economy
Authors: O'Connor Allan , Du Kai , Roos Göran
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Developed economies with high-cost environments face industrial transitions from scale-based manufacturing (MAN) to knowledge, technology and intangible asset-based sectors. The purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in employment and value-adding profiles of transitioning industry sectors in Australia and discuss the implications for policy that influences the intellectual capital (IC) profile of industrial sectors in transition.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach borrowed concepts from the firm-level strategic management literature and applied them to a macro level of industry analysis. In this paper the authors examine the transitions in the Australian economy which, due to a rising cost base, is experiencing a decline in its value chain-oriented MAN sector. The authors contrast four industry sectors with the MAN sector and examine the different value creation models.

Findings

– The findings clearly show how the contribution to employment and value added (termed Economic Value Contribution ) of the different sectors vary. The authors extend these findings to a discussion on policy and the dimensions of IC that may have a role to play in facilitating transitions within an economy. The main conclusion is that a more rapid transition and higher value may be created if innovation and entrepreneurship are facilitated by targeted policies in transitioning sector.

Research limitations/implications

– This work is based on a single country analysis of selected industry sectors. Further work needs to be done across many more countries to contrast the findings across nations/regions that differ in industrial complexity and to refine the analytical framework to improve construct validity and increase analytical power.

Practical implications

– This work has implications for policy-makers facing the challenges of a transitioning economy, whether national or regional. Governments that are hands-on with respect to interventions to salvage and/or extend the life of sectors are at risk of missing opportunities to build the capacities and capabilities of emerging sectors while those governments that are hands-off, deferring to market mechanisms, risk transitions that are too little and/or too late to maintain a national or regional competitiveness.

Originality/value

– To the authors knowledge, this is the first attempt to integrate the specific firm-level strategic management perspectives, used in this paper, with the macro-policy level to examine industry sectors with the twin metrics of economic productivity and employment in transitioning economies.
The relationship between intellectual capital, firms’ market value and financial performance
Authors: Nimtrakoon Sirinuch
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the extent of intellectual capital (IC) and its four components among ASEAN countries, and examine the relationship between firms’ IC, market value, and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses the data of 213 technology firms listed on five ASEAN stock exchanges. Pulic’s Value Added Intellectual Coefficient model is modified by adding an extra component, namely, relational capital efficiency (RCE). The Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA and multiple regression analysis have been utilized to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The results reveal that there is no significant difference in Modified Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (MVAIC) across five ASEAN countries; however, firms in each country tend to place a different degree of emphasis on components of MVAIC to generate corporate value. The results further indicate a positive relationship between IC and market value, confirming that firms with greater IC tend to have greater market value. Likewise, a positive relationship between IC and financial performance measures is confirmed. Specifically, IC is found to be positively associated with margin ratio and return on assets. Capital employed efficiency and human capital efficiency are found to be the most influential value drivers for both market value and financial performance while structural capital efficiency and relational capital efficiency possess less importance.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the IC literature by expanding our knowledge of IC in the emerging economies, and providing a national comparative IC research when such research is limited.
Intellectual capital disclosure in integrated reporting: an impression management analysis
Authors: Melloni Gaia
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Intellectual capital (IC) is fundamental to understanding how firms create value; however, current IC disclosure (ICD) has been described as inadequate due to the lack of an established IC framework and companies’ actual commitment to report IC information. The International Integrated Reporting Council aims to foster ICD by means of integrated reporting (IR); such a report should display how IC and other forms of capital (e.g. financial) contribute to value creation over time. Drawing on impression management (IM) studies, the purpose of this paper is to assess the quality of ICD offered in IR.

Design/methodology/approach

– A manual content analysis of all the reports available in the International Integrated Reporting Council web site is run considering both the content of ICD and specific linguistic attributes (evidence, time orientation and tone). In addition, the study tests the relationship between the positive ICD tone and specific characteristics that may incentive managers to manipulate their disclosure to determine whether firms use ICD to manage public perceptions of corporate behaviour.

Findings

– The results of the content analysis show that majority of ICD is focused on relational capital, with limited quantitative and forward-looking information. Additionally, compared to non-ICD, ICD is significantly more optimistic. Furthermore, the positive tone of ICD is significantly associated with declining performance, bigger size and higher level of intangibles supporting the use of ICD as an IM strategy.

Originality/value

– The research contributes to the literature offering evidence of the quality of the ICD offered in the IR and demonstrating that ICD offered in the IR is used by managers opportunistically to advance their image.
Real options, enforcement of goodwill/intangibles rules, and associated behavioural issues
Authors: Nwogugu Mike
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce new economic psychology theories that can explain fraud, misconduct and non-compliance that may arise from the implementation and enforcement of accounting standards codification (ASC) 805/350, international financial reporting standards (IFRS) 3R and IAS-38.

Design/methodology/approach

– The approach is entirely theoretical. The paper analyzes existing theories about real options and enforcement of regulations/statutes, and introduces new psychological biases that can arise.

Findings

– The real options approach suggested for handling the enforcement of goodwill/intangibles regulations is not effective.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is limited to international accounting standards board (IASB)/IFRS and financial accounting standards board (FASB) accounting standards.

Originality/value

– The critiques and theories developed in the paper can be used in the analysis of selection of disputes for litigation, anti-corruption programs and regulation of transactions that are susceptible to fraud.
What doesn't kill you might make you stronger: functional basis for variation in body armour
Authors: Broeckhoven Chris , Diedericks Genevieve , Mouton P. le Fras N.
Published: June 2015

Predation has been proposed to be a selective agent in the evolution of morphological antipredator strategies in prey. Among vertebrates, one of the morphological traits that evolved multiple times is body armour, including carapaces, thickened keratinized scales and plates of dermal bone.

It has been generally assumed that body armour provides protection against a predatory attack; yet, few explicit tests of the hypothesis exist. Cordylidae, a relatively small family of southern African lizards, show considerable variation in the degree of body armour. Hence, this family provides an opportunity to test the hypothesis that body armour serves as protection against predators.

Experiments were conducted to test whether the bite forces of four species of mammalian predators were high enough to penetrate the skins ofKarusasaurus polyzonus,Namazonurus peersi,Cordylus cordylusandCordylus macropholis, as well as those ofOuroborus cataphractusindividuals originating from three localities that differed in their predator diversity. Furthermore, histological techniques were used to test whether variation in skin toughness was associated with concomitant changes in the degree of epidermal (i.e. β‐keratin) and dermal (i.e. osteoderm) armour.

The skin toughness values for four out of five cordylid lizards tested in this study were well below the bite forces of the mammalian predators. In contrast, the thick osteoderms in the dermis ofO. cataphractuscan withstand bites from several mongoose species. However, the significant variation in body armour that is present between the three populations ofO. cataphractusdoes not seem to be related to predator diversity.

It is concluded that body armour can serve as protection against predation inO. cataphractus, but that alternative selection pressures, such as thermoregulation or predation by snakes, presumably underlie variation in defensive morphology in the other cordylid lizards.
Characterization of potassium binding with human telomeres
Authors: Wang Zhiguo , Liu Jun‐Ping
Published: June 2015

Human telomeres are G‐rich tandem repeats that assume G‐quadruplex structures at the ends of chromosomes. Stabilization of telomeric G‐quadruplex represents a significant drug target for inhibiting the telomerase activity that is required in about 85% of cancers. Metal ions have been revealed as important stabilizers to DNA G‐quadruplexes, but their binding process with human telomeric G‐quadruplex remains unclear. In this report, we show that K+ traverses into the G‐tetrads centre of two G‐tetrad layers through the half‐capped top pathway constructed by the two edge‐wise loop bases. The binding is mediated by the electrostatic interactions between K+ and the nearby bases of G‐tetrads. However, direct traverse of K+ into the interior of G‐quadruplex is negatively regulated by the steric hindrance of water molecules. Once K+ enters the G‐quadruplex, stabilization of the in‐plane or sandwiched conformation of the telomeric G‐quadruplex‒K+ complex is maintained by surrounding water molecules. These findings provide insights into the atomic interactions between K+ and telomere G‐tetrads for targeted drug design.
Forecasting Risk in Earnings
Authors: Konstantinidi Theodosia , Pope Peter F.
Published: June 2015

Conventional measures of risk in earnings based on historical standard deviation require long time‐series data and are inadequate when the distribution of earnings deviates from normality. We introduce a methodology based on current fundamentals and quantile regression to forecast risk reflected in the shape of the distribution of future earnings. We derive measures of dispersion, asymmetry, and tail risk in future earnings using quantile forecasts as inputs. Our analysis shows that a parsimonious model based on accruals, cash flows, special items, and a loss indicator can predict the shape of the distribution of earnings with reasonable power. We provide evidence that out‐of‐sample quantile‐based risk forecasts explain incrementally analysts' equity and credit risk ratings, future return volatility, corporate bond spreads, and analyst‐based measures of future earnings uncertainty. Our study provides insights into the relations between earnings components and risk in future earnings. It also introduces risk measures that will be useful for participants in both the equity and credit markets.
Methoxyflurane: a review with emphasis on its role in dental practice
Authors: Kingon A , Yap T , Bonanno C , Sambrook P , McCullough M
Published: June 2015

Methoxyflurane was developed as an anaesthetic agent and introduced into clinical practice in 1960. It soon became evident that it possessed analgesic properties that other drugs did not. Due to toxicity concerns, it lost favour in general anaesthesia and had been largely abandoned by the late 1970s. The manufacturer withdrew it in 1999, and the Food and Drug Administration in the United States did not renew its licence in 2005. It has also been withdrawn by the European Union. However, it continues to be used in Australasia, primarily as an inhaled self‐administered analgesic by emergency services immediately following trauma. It has become attractive for use in dental practice, likely due to its effectiveness as an analgesic and its additional sedative qualities. Its acceptance is controversial as its use in dentistry is largely elective. Despite its good safety record in analgesic doses, adverse reactions have been recorded. Practitioners should be well aware of risks associated with its use before considering administration, and carefully assess whether or not there are equally good alternative options that do not the carry the same risks. Methoxyflurane is reviewed below with an emphasis on its use in dental practice.
Police referrals at the psychiatric emergency service in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Jen‐Pang , Wu Chia‐Yi , Chiu Chih‐Chiang , Yang Tsu‐Hui , Liu Tzong‐Hsien , Chou Pesus
Published: June 2015

Introduction

The police are the frontline workers in crisis situations involving patients with severe mental illness and act as a primary referral source for psychiatric emergency services (PES) in the community. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution and characteristics of police referral among psychiatric patients in Taiwan.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of patients who visited the PES of Taipei City Psychiatric Center from January 2009 to December 2010. The associations between the factors of demographics, clinical characteristics, and psychiatric service utilization and police referral were evaluated.

Results

Among the 7656 psychiatric emergency visits, 3029 (39.6%) were referred by the police. These patients referred by police were more likely to be male and aged between 30 to 49 years. Clinical factors related to police referrals including a higher triage assessment level, chief problems included violence, disturbance, substance use, less anxiety, and a diagnosis of unspecified psychosis. The triage assessment level and chief problems assessed by nurses were major predictors. These patients tended to be referred from the catchment area and during the nighttime shift, were discharged during the daytime shift, and stayed longer in the PES. Disposition arrangements such as discharge against medical advice and involuntary admission were also associated with police referrals.

Discussion

Patients referred by the police to the PES were those with more severe psychiatric problems and illnesses assessed by psychiatric nurses and psychiatrists. They tended to have more complex service utilization at the PES.
Bayesian Model-Averaged Benchmark Dose Analysis via Reparameterized Quantal-Response Models
Authors: Fang Q. , Piegorsch W. W. , Simmons S. J. , Li X. , Chen C. , Wang Y.
Published: June 2015

An important objective in biomedical and environmental risk assessment is estimation of minimum exposure levels that induce a pre-specified adverse response in a target population. The exposure points in such settings are typically referred to as benchmark doses (BMDs). Parametric Bayesian estimation for finding BMDs has grown in popularity, and a large variety of candidate dose-response models is available for applying these methods. Each model can possess potentially different parametric interpretation(s), however. We present reparameterized dose-response models that allow for explicit use of prior information on the target parameter of interest, the BMD. We also enhance our Bayesian estimation technique for BMD analysis by applying Bayesian model averaging to produce point estimates and (lower) credible bounds, overcoming associated questions of model adequacy when multimodel uncertainty is present. An example from carcinogenicity testing illustrates the calculations.
WTC‐01, a novel synthetic oxime‐flavone compound, destabilizes microtubules in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chiang Chang‐Ying , Wang Tai‐Chi , Lee Choa‐Hsun , Chen Chien‐Shu , Wang Shih‐Hao , Lin Yu‐Chin , Juang Shin‐Hun
Published: June 2015

Background and Purpose

Dynamic polymerization of microtubules is essential for cancer cell growth and metastasis, and microtubule‐disrupting agents have become the most successful anti‐cancer agents in clinical use. Besides their antioxidant properties, flavonoids also exhibit strong microtubule‐disrupting activity and inhibit tumour growth. We have designed, synthesized and tested a series of oxime/amide‐containing flavone derivatives. Here we report the evaluation of one compound, WTC‐01 for its anti‐proliferative effects in human cancer cells.

Experimental approach

We used a range of cancer cell lines including two human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines, measuring proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis, along with caspase levels and mitochondrial membrane potentials. Assays of tubulin polymerisation in vitro and computer modelling of the colchicine binding site in tubulin were also used. In mice, pharmacokinetics and growth of NPC‐derived tumours were studied.

Key Results

WTC‐01 was most potent against proliferation of NPC cells (IC50 = 0.45 μM), inducing accumulation of cells in G2/M and increasing apoptosis, time‐ and concentration‐dependently. The colchicine competition‐binding experiments and computer modelling results suggested that WTC‐01 causes microtubule disruption via binding to the colchicine‐binding site of tubulin resulting in mitochondrial membrane damage and cell apoptosis via activation of caspase‐9/‐3 without noticeable activation of the caspase‐8. Notably, our in vivo studies demonstrated that at doses of 25 and 50 mg·kg−1, WTC‐01 exhibited good pharmacokinetic properties and completely inhibited the growth of NPC‐TW01 cells in a xenograft nude mouse model.

Conclusions and Implications

WTC‐01, a new synthetic oxime‐containing flavone, exhibited potent anti‐tumour activity against NPC cells and merits further investigation.
Service user participation in interprofessional teams in child welfare in Norway: vulnerable adolescents' perceptions
Authors: Sæbjørnsen Siv Elin Nord , Willumsen Elisabeth
Published: June 2015

Children's participation has been a requirement in the Norwegian child welfare system for decades and children's effective participation has the potential to benefit children's outcomes. However, research suggests that effective user participation is still relatively rare and that user participation is seen as ‘difficult’ by both service users and professionals. One way to ensure children's rights to participation in Norway is to include adolescent service users in the interprofessional team formed around the child. Knowledge about experiences of adolescents in this kind of participation may provide important insights. This study explores five adolescents' perceptions about participating in such teams. Qualitative interviews and qualitative content analysis was used. We found that adolescents' participation in interprofessional teams may constitute one way to achieve effective participation. Both facilitating factors and impediments to effective user participation were found. The study suggests new ways to facilitate positive circles of participation and to increase the likelihood of improved child welfare outcomes from processes which secure more effective interprofessional help and support.
Judging the Probability of Hypotheses Versus the Impact of Evidence: Which Form of Inductive Inference Is More Accurate and Time‐Consistent?
Authors: Tentori Katya , Chater Nick , Crupi Vincenzo
Published: June 2015

Inductive reasoning requires exploiting links between evidence and hypotheses. This can be done focusing either on the posterior probability of the hypothesis when updated on the new evidence or on the impact of the new evidence on the credibility of the hypothesis. But are these two cognitive representations equally reliable? This study investigates this question by comparing probability and impact judgments on the same experimental materials. The results indicate that impact judgments are more consistent in time and more accurate than probability judgments. Impact judgments also predict the direction of errors in probability judgments. These findings suggest that human inductive reasoning relies more on estimating evidential impact than on posterior probability.
Integration of Indicator Alarm Signals for Ecosystem‐Based Fishery Management
Authors: Duggan Deirdre E. , Farnsworth Keith D. , Kraak Sarah B. M. , Reid David G.
Published: June 2015

We consider the problem of regulating the rate of harvesting a natural resource, taking account of the wider system represented by a set of ecological and economic indicators, given differing stakeholder priorities. This requires objective and transparent decision making to show how indicators impinge on the resulting regulation decision. We offer a new scheme for combining indicators, derived from assessing the suitability of lowering versus not lowering the harvest rate based on indicator values relative to their predefined reference levels. Using the practical example of fisheries management under an “ecosystem approach,” we demonstrate how different stakeholder views can be quantitatively represented by weighting sets applied to these comparisons. Using the scheme in an analysis of historical data from the Celtic Sea fisheries, we find great scope for negotiating agreement among disparate stakeholders.
Validity, reliability, and usability of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory‐Computer Adaptive Test for autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Kramer Jessica M , Liljenquist Kendra , Coster Wendy J
Published: June 2015

Aim

This study aimed to explore the test–retest reliability of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory‐Computer Adaptive Test for autism spectrum disorders (PEDI‐CAT [ASD]), the concurrent validity of this test with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS‐II), and parents' perceptions of usability.

Method

A convenience sample of participants (n=39) was recruited nationally through disability organizations. Parents of young people aged 10 to 18 years (mean age 14y 10mo, SD 2y 8mo; 34 males, five females) who reported a diagnosis of autism were eligible to participate. Parents completed the VABS‐II questionnaire once and the PEDI‐CAT (ASD) twice (n=29) no more than 3 weeks apart (mean 12d) using computer‐simulated administration. Parents also answered questions about the usability of these instruments. We examined score reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and we explored the relationship between instruments using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Parent responses were grouped by common content; content categories were triangulated by an additional reviewer.

Results

Intraclass correlation coefficients indicate excellent reliability for all PEDI‐CAT (ASD) domain scores (ICC≥0.86). PEDI‐CAT (ASD) and VABS‐II domain scores correlated as expected or stronger than expected (0.57–0.81). Parents reported that the computer‐based PEDI‐CAT (ASD) was easy to use and included fewer irrelevant questions than the VABS‐II instrument.

Interpretation

These findings suggest that the PEDI‐CAT (ASD) is a reliable assessment that parents can easily use. The PEDI‐CAT (ASD) operationalizes the International Classification of Function, Disability and Health for Children and Youth constructs of ‘activity’ and ‘participation’, and this preliminary research suggests that the instrument's constructs are related to those of VABS‐II.
Effect of oxidation heat treatment on the bond strength between a ceramic and cast and milled cobalt–chromium alloys
Authors: Li Jieyin , Ye Xiuhua , Li Bohua , Liao Juankun , Zhuang Peilin , Ye Jiantao
Published: June 2015

There is a dearth of dental scientific literature on the effect of different oxidation heat treatments (OHTs) (as surface pretreatments) on the bonding performance of cast and milled cobalt–chromium (CoCr) alloys. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different OHTs on the bond strength between a ceramic and cast and milled CoCr alloys. Cobalt–chromium metallic specimens were prepared using either a cast or a milled method. Specimens were subjected to four different OHT methods: without OHT; OHT under normal atmospheric pressure; OHT under vacuum; and OHT under vacuum followed by sandblasting. The metal–ceramic bond strength was evaluated using a three‐point bending test according to ISO9693. Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy were used to study the specimens' microstructure and elemental composition. The bond strength was not affected by the CoCr manufacturing method. Oxidation heat treatment performed under normal atmospheric pressure resulted in the highest bond strength. The concentration of oxygen on the alloy surfaces varied with the different pretreatment methods in the following order: OHT under normal atmospheric pressure > OHT under vacuum > without OHT ≈ OHT under vacuum followed by sandblasting.
The geographic mosaic of herbicide resistance evolution in the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea: Evidence for resistance hotspots and low genetic differentiation across the landscape
Authors: Kuester Adam , Chang Shu‐Mei , Baucom Regina S.
Published: June 2015

Strong human‐mediated selection via herbicide application in agroecosystems has repeatedly led to the evolution of resistance in weedy plants. Although resistance can occur among separate populations of a species across the landscape, the spatial scale of resistance in many weeds is often left unexamined. We assessed the potential that resistance to the herbicide glyphosate in the agricultural weed Ipomoea purpurea has evolved independently multiple times across its North American range. We examined both adaptive and neutral genetic variations in 44 populations of I. purpurea by pairing a replicated dose–response greenhouse experiment with SSR genotyping of experimental individuals. We uncovered a mosaic pattern of resistance across the landscape, with some populations exhibiting high‐survival postherbicide and other populations showing high death. SSR genotyping revealed little evidence of isolation by distance and very little neutral genetic structure associated with geography. An approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) analysis uncovered evidence for migration and admixture among populations before the widespread use of glyphosate rather than the very recent contemporary gene flow. The pattern of adaptive and neutral genetic variations indicates that resistance in this mixed‐mating weed species appears to have evolved in independent hotspots rather than through transmission of resistance alleles across the landscape.
Influence of electronic apex locators and a gutta‐percha heating device on implanted cardiac devices: an in vivo study
Authors: Moraes A. P. , Silva E. J. , Lamas C. C. , Portugal P. H. , Neves A. A.
Published: June 2015

Aim

To evaluate the potential for electromagnetic interference (EMI) of electronic apex locators (EALs) and a gutta‐percha heating device (HD) in patients with implantable cardiac pacemakers (ICPs) or cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs).

Methodology

Two types of EALs (Romiapex A‐15 and Novapex) and a HD (Touch'n Heat) were tested in patients followed in an outpatient clinic for cardiac arrhythmias. The heart rhythm was monitored on a computer screen during all experimental phases. After baseline data collection, the patient held each appliance (turned on) for 30 s, simulating their clinical use. If background noise was detected on the cardiac monitor, the sensitivity of the ICP/ICD was lowered by the cardiologist to evaluate the intensity of the detected EMI.

Results

Twelve patients were evaluated (5 female and 7 male), and in nine instances, background noise in their cardiac devices related to the use of the endodontic devices was detected (6 patients). After lowering the sensitivity of the cardiac implants, three patients had more severe EMI in six instances, including pauses in ICP function. The presence of a symptomatic or asymptomatic pause was related to the patient's underlying heart rhythm. The HD device produced background noise more often compared to EALs. These were associated with more severe types of EMI.

Conclusion

The EALs and gutta‐percha HD were capable of causing background noise detection or pauses in cardiac implants in vivo. The use of electronic dental devices nearby patients with cardiac implants should be carefully considered in clinical practice.
Stem cell‐based pulp tissue engineering: variables enrolled in translation from the bench to the bedside, a systematic review of literature
Authors: Conde M. C. M. , Chisini L. A. , Demarco F. F. , Nör J. E. , Casagrande L. , Tarquinio S. B. C.
Published: June 2015

Stem cell‐based therapy (SC‐BT) is emerging as an alternative for endodontic therapies. The interaction between stem cells and scaffolds plays a crucial role in the generation of a ‘friendly cell’ microenvironment. The aim of this systematic review was to explore techniques applied to regenerate the pulp–dentine complex tissue using SC‐BT. An electronic search into the SciVerse Scopus (SS), ISI Web Science (IWS) and Entrez PubMed (EP) using specific keywords was performed. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were predetermined. The search yielded papers, out of which full‐text papers were included in the final analyses. Data extraction pooled the results in four main topics: (a) influence of the chemical properties of the scaffolds over cell behaviour; (b) influence of the physical characteristics of scaffolds over cell behaviour; (c) strategies applied to improve the stem cell/scaffold interface; and (d) influence of cue microenvironment on stem cell differentiation towards odontoblast‐like cells and pulp‐like tissue formation. The relationship between the scaffolds, the environment and the growth factors released from dentine are critical for de novo pulp tissue regeneration. The preconditioning of dentine walls with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was imperative for successful pulp–dentine complex regeneration. An analyses of the grouped results revealed that pulp regeneration was an attainable goal.
Assessment of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with psoriasis by speckle tracking echocardiography: A Speckle Tracking Study
Authors: Bülbül Şen Bilge , Ekiz Özlem , Rifaioğlu Emine Nur , Büyükkaya Eyüp , Karakaş Mehmet Fatih , Büyükkaya Şule , Bilen Perihan , Akçay Adnan Burak , Kurt Mustafa , Şen Nihat
Published: June 2015

Background

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease and is reportedly associated with adverse cardiovascular risks. Left ventricular (LV) function has not been studied comprehensively in psoriasis.

Objectives

This study was conducted to study LV mechanics in patients with psoriasis by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

The study population consisted of 40 patients with psoriasis and 35 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Two‐dimensional echocardiography images were obtained from LV apical four‐chamber (4C), long axis (LAX), and two‐chamber (2C) views. Peak longitudinal strain and strain rate were obtained from 4C, LAX, and 2C views. Global strain and strain rate were calculated by averaging data for the three apical views.

Results

Patients with psoriasis had significantly lower mean ± standard deviation (SD) 4C (17.1 ± 1.7 vs. 19.2 ± 2.3; P < 0.01), LAX (16.6 ± 1.5 vs. 19.5 ± 2.3; P < 0.01), and 2C (16.5 ± 1.5 vs. 19.4 ± 2.2; P < 0.01) peak longitudinal strain values compared with the control group. Moreover, mean ± SD LV global strain (16.6 ± 1.5 vs. 19.9 ± 2.1; P < 0.01) and strain rate (1.39 ± 0.30 vs. 1.51 ± 0.20; P < 0.01) values were found to be significantly lower in the psoriasis group. In a multiple regression model, global strain was independently associated with high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (β = 0.29, P = 0.04), duration of disease (β = 0.35, P < 0.01), ejection fraction (EF) (β = 0.38, P =0.01), and the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic annular velocity (E/E′ ratio) (β = 0.34, P =0.02). Also, in a multiple regression model, global strain rate was independently associated with duration of disease (β = 0.36, P < 0.01), EF (β = 0.32, P = 0.01), and E/E′ ratio (β = 0.35, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Using 2‐D strain imaging, we have demonstrated that patients with psoriasis have lower LV functions.
Austerity, labour market segmentation and emigration: the case of Lithuania
Authors: Juska Arunas , Woolfson Charles
Published: June 2015

The so‐called ‘Baltic model’ of austerity sometimes receives uncritical praise from advocates of tightened austerity. This model has achieved an almost uncontested vogue among international finance officials and European Union policy makers who portray it as a ‘socially costless’ template for other crisis economies. The article examines the impact of austerity on Baltic Lithuania, a peripheral newer EU member state, and suggests that the harsh austerity measures adopted by its government in order to restore fiscal balance have been far from socially costless. Austerity has accelerated fragmentation of the labour market into a differentially advantaged primary (largely public) sector, and an increasingly informalised secondary (low‐skill manufacturing and services) sector, stimulating extraordinarily high levels of emigration as the population, especially younger persons, depart from the country. We describe this here as the formation of a new austeriat.