bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular and Renal Effects of High Salt Diet in GDNF+/- Mice with Low Nephron Number
Authors: Schlote Julia , Schröder Agnes , Dahlmann Anke , Karpe Britta , Cordasic Nada , Daniel Christoph , Hilgers Karl Friedrich , Titze Jens , Amann Kerstin , Benz Kerstin
Published: October 2013

Aims: To test the suggested association of low nephron number and later development of renal and cardiovascular disease we investigated the effects of high sodium diet in heterozygous GDNF+/- mice. Methods: Aged wild type and GDNF+/- mice were grouped together according to high sodium (HS, 4%) or low sodium (LS, 0.03%) diet for 4 weeks. The heart, the aorta and the kidneys were processed for morphometric and stereological evaluations and TaqMan PCR. Results: On HS GDNF+/- mice showed significantly higher drinking volume and urine production than wt and mean arterial blood pressure tended to be higher. Heart weight was higher in GDNF+/- than in wt, but the difference was only significant for LS. HS significantly increased cardiac interstitial tissue in GDNF+/-, but not in wt. On LS GDNF+/- mice had significantly larger glomeruli than wt and HS led to an additional two fold increase of glomerular area compared to LS. On electron microscopy glomerular damage after HS was seen in GDNF+/-, but not in wt. Dietary salt intake modulated renal IL-10 gene expression in GDNF+/-. Conclusion: In the setting of 30% lower nephron number HS diet favoured maladaptive changes of the kidney as well as of the cardiovascular system.
Central Obesity, C-Reactive Protein and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Southern China
Authors: Chen Shanying , Liu Hongmei , Liu Xinyu , Li Yongqiang , Li Mi , Liang Yan , Shao Xiaofei , Holthöfer Harry , Zou Hequn
Published: October 2013

Objective: Previous studies have shown that central obesity is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that the association of central obesity with CKD is modified by the presence of inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we performed this study. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in southern China. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was used as a central obesity index and C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as an index for inflammation. CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73m2 or albuminuria-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) >30mg/g. Multivariable logistic regressions were used and logistic regression models were adjusted for potential confounders and other components of metabolic syndrome. Results: 1834 subjects were included in the current study. WHtR, body mass index and waist circumference were significantly associated with the level of CRP. When adjustment for potential confounders, only central obesity with a higher CRP level was associated with CKD (Relavitve-risk Ratio, 95% CI: 1.68, 1.03 - 2.75, P = 0.04). In multivariate logistic models, WHtR was associated with CKD. The odd ratio for WHtR (every SD increment), was 1.38 (95% CI 1.15, 1.66, P < 0.001). Further adjustment for log-transformed CRP had an impact on the odd ratios. Conclusion: Central obesity is associated with CKD, independently of other MetS components. Central obesity is also associated with inflammation and the presence of inflammation modifies the associations of central obesity and CKD. This study is based on a community-based chinese population, and the results may only be applicable for Chinese population.
Homocysteine and C-Reactive Protein as Useful Surrogate Markers for Evaluating CKD Risk in Adults
Authors: Chuang Chung-Hsun , Lee Yi-Yen , Sheu Bor-Fuh , Hsiao Cheng-Ting , Loke Song-Seng , Chen Jih-Chang , Li Wen-Cheng
Published: October 2013

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) as potential markers for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults in Taiwan, and to identify associations between these factors and CKD, stratifying by gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed multi-center data retrospectively. Data were collected from 22,043 adult Taiwanese at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital from 2005 to 2011. Smoking/drinking history, personal medical/medication history, pregnancy, fasting times as well as laboratory parameters, including homocysteine and CRP were measured and analyzed. Results: Significant differences were observed between four homocysteine and CRP quartiles in eGFR and CKD. For males, only one model showed significant associations between plasma homocysteine and CKD, while in females, all three models showed significant associations with CKD. On the contrary, the gender difference in the case of CRP was opposite. Combined homocysteine and CRP were associated with CKD in males but not in females. Conclusion: Among Taiwanese adults, plasma homocysteine is associated with CKD in females and plasma hsCRP is associated with CKD in males. High hsCRP/high homocysteine is associated with elevated CKD risk in male. Our results suggest that homocysteine and hsCRP may be useful surrogate markers for evaluating CKD risk in adults.
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Tear after Vitrectomy for Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome in an Eye with Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation
Authors: Baba Takayuki , Uehara Juntaro , Kitahashi Masayasu , Yokouchi Hirotaka , Kubota-Taniai Mariko , Oshitari Toshiyuki , Yamamoto Shuichi
Published: October 2013

An 87-year-old Japanese man presented with retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment in his right eye. His decimal best-corrected visual acuity was 0.15 in the right eye, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a vitreomacular adhesion in the right eye as well. After 3 monthly intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, the size and height of the RPE detachment was significantly reduced. The accumulated intra- and subretinal fluid also disappeared, but the vitreomacular traction remained. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and the posterior hyaloid was separated from the retina with a vitrectomy cutter without any intraoperative complications. Two months after the surgery, a large RPE tear was observed over the macular area. His visual acuity decreased to 0.06 and remained unchanged thereafter. We suggest that the small tear led to the larger RPE tear because vitreomacular traction was transmitted to the RPE through the fibrovascular tissue of the RAP during the creation of the hyaloid detachment. Because such an RPE tear has not been reported after vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction, surgeons need to pay special attention to this potential complication in eyes with vitreomacular traction and RAP.
Association of Alcohol Consumption With Incident Hypertension Among Middle-Aged and Older Japanese Population
Authors: Okubo Yoshiro , Sairenchi Toshimi , Irie Fujiko , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Iso Hiroyasu , Watanabe Hiroshi , Muto Takashi , Tanaka Kiyoji , Ota Hitoshi
Published: October 2013

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of age on the relationship between alcohol consumption and incident hypertension in a general Japanese population. A cohort of Japanese men (n=37 310) and women (n=78 426) aged 40 to 79 years who underwent community-based health checkups from 1993 to 2004 and were free of hypertension were followed up with annual examinations, including the measurement of blood pressure, until the end of 2010. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg, or the initiation of treatment for hypertension. Hazard ratios for incident hypertension according to alcohol consumption were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for possible confounding variables. A total of 45 428 participants (39.3%) developed hypertension (16 155 men and 29 273 women) for a mean follow-up time of 3.9 (1–18) years. Significant associations between alcohol consumption and incident hypertension were found in both sexes and age groups (
P
for trend was <0.001 for men aged 40–59 years and aged 60–79 years; 0.004 for women aged 40–59 years and 0.026 for women aged 60–79 years). No significant interaction with age on the association of alcohol consumption with incident hypertension was found in either sex (
P
for interaction, >0.05). Our results suggest that alcohol consumption is a similar risk factor for incident hypertension in both the middle-aged and the older populations.
The Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Changes in Blood Pressure in Children During Their First Year of Life
Authors: Ayoola Omolola O. , Omotade Olayemi O. , Gemmell Isla , Clayton Peter E. , Cruickshank J. Kennedy
Published: October 2013

We established a maternal birth cohort in Ibadan, Nigeria, where malaria is hyperendemic, to assess how intrauterine exposure to malaria affected infant blood pressure (BP) development. In a local maternity hospital, healthy pregnant women had regular blood films for malaria parasites from booking to delivery. Growth and BP were measured on 318 babies, all followed from birth to 3 and 12 months. Main outcomes were standardized measures of anthropometry and change in BP to 1 year. Babies exposed to maternal malaria were globally smaller at birth, and boys remained smaller at 3 months and 1 year. Change in systolic BP (SBP) during the year was greater in boys than in girls (20.9 versus 15.7 mm Hg;
P
=0.002) but greater in girls exposed to maternal malaria (18.7 versus 12.7 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 1–11 mm Hg;
P
=0.02). Eleven percent of boys (greater than twice than expected) had a SBP ≥95th percentile (hypertensive, US criteria), of whom 68% had maternal malaria exposure. On regression analysis (β coefficients, mm Hg), sex (boys>girls; β=4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–7.7;
P
=0.01), maternal malaria exposure (3.64; 0.3–6.9;
P
=0.03), and weight change (2.4; 0.98–3.8/1 standard deviation score;
P
=0.001) all independently increased SBP change to 1 year, whereas increase in length decreased SBP (−1.98; −3.6 to −0.40). In conclusion, malaria-exposed boys had excess hypertension, whereas malaria-exposed girls a greater increase in SBP. Intrauterine exposure to malaria had sex-dependent effects on BP, independent of infant growth. Because infant–child–adult BP tracking is powerful, a malarial effect may contribute to the African burden of hypertension.
Renal Denervation Prevents Stroke and Brain Injury via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Nakagawa Takashi , Hasegawa Yu , Uekawa Ken , Ma Mingjie , Katayama Tetsuji , Sueta Daisuke , Toyama Kensuke , Kataoka Keiichiro , Koibuchi Nobutaka , Maeda Masanobu , Kuratsu Jun‐ichi , Kim‐Mitsuyama Shokei
Published: October 2013

Background

Although renal denervation (
RD
) is shown to reduce blood pressure significantly in patients with resistant hypertension, the benefit of RD in prevention of stroke is unknown. We hypothesized that
RD
can prevent the incidence of stroke and brain injury in hypertensive rats beyond blood pressure lowering.

Methods and Results

High‐salt‐loaded, stroke‐prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats (
SHRSP
) were divided into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) sham operation; (3) bilateral RD; and (4) hydralazine administration to examine the effect of
RD
on stroke and brain injury of
SHRSP
.
RD
significantly reduced the onset of neurological deficit and death in
SHRSP
, and this protection against stroke by
RD
was associated with the increase in cerebral blood flow (
CBF
), the suppression of blood–brain barrier disruption, the limitation of white matter (
WM
) lesions, and the attenuation of macrophage infiltration and activated microglia. Furthermore,
RD
significantly attenuated brain oxidative stress, and
NADPH
oxidase subunits, P67 and Rac1 in
SHRSP
. On the other hand, hydralazine, with similar blood pressure lowering to
RD
, did not significantly suppress the onset of stroke and brain injury in
SHRSP
. Furthermore,
RD
prevented cardiac remodeling and vascular endothelial impairment in
SHRSP
.

Conclusions

Our present work provided the first experimental evidence that
RD
can prevent hypertensive stroke and brain injury, beyond blood pressure lowering, thereby highlighting
RD
as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke as well as hypertension.
Abnormal Calcium Cycling and Cardiac Arrhythmias Associated With the Human Ser96Ala Genetic Variant of Histidine‐Rich Calcium‐Binding Protein
Authors: Singh Vivek P. , Rubinstein Jack , Arvanitis Demetrios A. , Ren Xiaoping , Gao Xiaoqian , Haghighi Kobra , Gilbert Mark , Iyer Venkat R. , Kim Do Han , Cho Chunghee , Jones Keith , Lorenz John N. , Armstrong Clara F. , Wang Hong‐Sheng , Gyorke Sandor , Kranias Evangelia G.
Published: October 2013

Background

A human genetic variant (Ser96Ala) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (
SR
) histidine‐rich Ca
2+
‐binding (
HRC
) protein has been linked to ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death in dilated cardiomyopathy. However, the precise mechanisms affecting
SR
function and leading to arrhythmias remain elusive.

Methods and Results

We generated transgenic mice with cardiac‐specific expression of human Ala96
HRC
or Ser96
HRC
in the null background to assess function in absence of endogenous protein. Ala96
HRC
decreased (25% to 30%) cardiomyocyte contractility and Ca
2+
kinetics compared with Ser96
HRC
in the absence of any structural or histological abnormalities. Furthermore, the frequency of Ca
2+
waves was significantly higher (10‐fold), although
SR
Ca
2+
load was reduced (by 27%) in Ala96
HRC
cells. The underlying mechanisms involved diminished interaction of Ala96
HRC
with triadin, affecting ryanodine receptor (RyR) stability. Indeed, the open probability of RyR, assessed by use of ryanodine binding, was significantly increased. Accordingly, stress conditions (5 Hz plus isoproterenol) induced aftercontractions (65% in Ala96 versus 12% in Ser96) and delayed afterdepolarizations (70% in Ala96 versus 20% in Ser96). The increased
SR
Ca
2+
leak was accompanied by hyperphosphorylation (1.6‐fold) of RyR at Ser2814 by calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II. Accordingly, inclusion of the calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN93 prevented Ser2814 phosphorylation and partially reversed the increases in Ca
2+
spark frequency and wave production. Parallel in vivo studies revealed ventricular ectopy on short‐term isoproterenol challenge and increased (4‐fold) propensity to arrhythmias, including nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, after myocardial infarction in Ala96
HRC
mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that aberrant
SR
Ca
2+
release and increased susceptibility to delayed afterdepolarizations underlie triggered arrhythmic activity in human Ala96
HRC
carriers.
Phenomenological predictors of psychosocial function in bipolar disorder: Is there evidence that social cognitive and emotion regulation abnormalities contribute?
Authors: Van Rheenen Tamsyn E , Rossell Susan L
Published: October 2013

Objectives:

Neurocognitive ability and mood have often been discussed as contributing mechanisms to the severe psychosocial dysfunction experienced in bipolar disorder (BD). In contrast, there has been little discussion on the contribution of social cognition or emotion regulation. This paper aims to assert a potential role for these constructs in psychosocial functioning in BD, with an overarching goal to highlight the necessary importance of considering them in future research examining psychosocial outcomes in the disorder.

Methods:

This paper provides a theoretical synthesis of available and indirect evidence for an influence of (1) social cognition and (2) emotion regulation on psychosocial functioning; it acknowledges important clinical questions that need addressing, and discusses how current research might be translated to improve the treatment of psychosocial dysfunction in BD.

Results:

Given their assumed roles in facilitating social interactions and modulating behaviours, it is certainly plausible that abnormalities in social cognition and emotion regulation are detrimental to psychosocial functioning. Currently, there is only minimal direct evidence examining their influence, although existing BD studies are preliminarily supportive of relationships between these constructs.

Conclusions:

There are reasonable theoretical grounds, supported by indirect and preliminary evidence, to suggest that social cognition and emotion regulation may be important in the prediction of psychosocial outcome in BD. However, this proposition is limited by the paucity of empirical research directly examining this matter.
White matter integrity alterations in young healthy adults reporting childhood trauma: A diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Lu Shaojia , Wei Zhaoguo , Gao Weijia , Wu Weiwei , Liao Mei , Zhang Yan , Li Weihui , Li Zexuan , Li Lingjiang
Published: October 2013

Objective:

To date, insufficient studies have focused on the relationship between childhood trauma and white matter integrity changes in healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to explore the potential effects of childhood trauma on white matter microstructural changes by using voxel-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine alterations in fractional anisotropy (FA) values in a group of young healthy adults.

Methods:

A total of 21 healthy adults with a history of childhood trauma exposures and 21 age- and sex-matched individuals without childhood trauma were recruited in the present study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess five aspects of childhood trauma exposures. DTI data were obtained on a Philips 3.0-Tesla scanner. Voxel-based analysis was conducted to compare white matter FA values between groups.

Results:

Adults with self-reported childhood trauma experiences showed decreased white matter FA values in the genu and body of the corpus callosum and the left occipital fusiform gyrus ( p < 0.001 uncorrected, voxel > 100). There was no significant difference in FA values between individuals with single and multiple childhood trauma exposures at the defined threshold.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that childhood trauma is associated with reduced microstructural integrity of the white matter in adulthood. These effects are still evident even in the absence of current psychiatric or medical symptoms, which may represent the vulnerability for developing mental disorders after childhood trauma experiences.
Self-Esteem, Reflected Appraisals, and Self-Views
Authors: Asencio Emily K.
Published: October 2013

This research extends prior work by integrating self-esteem into the identity theory model. I focus on understanding the processes by which self-esteem acts as a moderator of feedback from others about the self. Differences in the moderating effect of self-esteem due to the relationship of the individual to the person who is the source of feedback about the self are also considered. The criminal identity and the worker identity are studied using data collected from an incarcerated population. Results confirm that the relationship between feedback from others about the self and self-views is moderated by self-esteem. Analyses reveal that participants with high self-esteem report self-views that correspond more with feedback from others than participants with low self-esteem. The moderating properties of self-esteem operate differently for different sources of feedback about the self and for different identities, and this finding has implications for identity theory.
Direct aortic transcatheter valve implantation in a porcelain aorta
Authors: Bruschi Giuseppe , Botta Luca , De Marco Federico , Colombo Paola , Klugmann Silvio , Martinelli Luigi
Published: October 2013

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been designed to treat elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk for surgery, and is generally performed retrogradely with vascular access. However, in certain patients, this access is either not possible or deemed to carry a high risk of vascular injury. We report our experience of a direct aortic approach in a 78-year old man with severe aortic stenosis, excluded from standard aortic valve replacement due to a porcelain aorta, and affected by severe aortic, iliac-femoral, and subclavian arteriopathy, rendering the transfemoral or subclavian approach unemployable.
Coronary revascularization in a patient with dextrocardia and situs inversus
Authors: Siddiqi Mohammad Salman , Al Harrasi Khoula , Ziadinov Edem , Al-Sabti Hilal , Sharma Ashok Kumar
Published: October 2013

A few cases of coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with dextrocardia and situs inversus have been reported so far worldwide. This is the first reported case from the Gulf region. The operation was performed with the surgeon standing on the left side. Grafts included right internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending artery, and saphenous vein to the diagonal and obtuse marginal arteries. The patient was discharged home after 12 days, with no complication. He was doing well after 3 months of follow-up.
Textures of African Thought: Analyticity and Apologia
Authors: Osha Sanya
Published: October 2013

The debates concerning what ought to be the nature and orientations of African philosophy are long drawn-out. These debates reflect the different conceptual approaches to the invention of contemporary practices of African philosophy between Anglophone and Francophone modes of philosophizing. This article reflects on these differences as well the continuing problems of creating modern African philosophical traditions. In doing so, it demonstrates why some methodological presuppositions are inadequate in grappling with some forms of sociality and the more general dilemmas of modernity and also applauds the efforts of some contemporary African thinkers who have adopted a multidisciplinary approach to overcome internal discursive limitations within the field.
Black Existence in Philosophy of Culture
Authors: Gordon Lewis R.
Published: October 2013

This article examines an Africana philosophy of culture of black existence through, after offering a critique of a theodicy of textuality and social reality, exploration of the construction of “problem people,” of people whose existence, marked by blackness, has been treated as a challenge to reason and the search for knowledge in the modern world. As Africana philosophy raises concerns of philosophical anthropology, philosophy of freedom, and a metacritique of reason, it offers, as well, a case for the central importance of philosophy of culture in modern and late modern thought.
Influence of weaving structure and hybridization on the tensile properties of woven carbon-epoxy composites
Authors: Karahan Mehmet , Karahan Nevin
Published: October 2013

In this study, the mechanical properties of composite materials obtained from carbon and carbon-aramid hybrid woven fabrics produced in different constructions with the same yarn and under the same production conditions were determined, and the effects of weaving structure and hybridization on the mechanical properties were investigated. For this purpose, the geometric properties of carbon fabrics made from 12 K carbon yarn with four different weaving structures and two carbon-aramid hybrid fabrics made of 12 K carbon yarn and aramid yarn with two different structures were defined, and the mechanical properties of the composite materials were investigated under uniaxial tensile loading. The mechanical properties of the composite materials produced from the carbon and carbon-aramid hybrid fabrics were compared. The effects of weaving structure and hybridization on the mechanical properties were determined. Based on the weaving construction, Young’s modulus and the tensile strength declined approximately 34–39% and 24–27%, respectively. However, Young’s modulus was 16–63% higher than the expected value for the hybrid composites.
Preparation and mechanical properties of pithecellobium clypearia benth fibre/polypropylene composites processed by vane extruder
Authors: Yang Zhitao , Chen Rongyuan , Zhao Yongqing , Yin Xiaochun , Feng Yanhong , Qu Jinping
Published: October 2013

Pithecellobium Clypearia Benth fibre (PCBF) comes from steam-exploded Chinese medicine residue was filled in polypropylene (PP) matrix to prepare for PCBF/PP composites using vane extruder based on elongational deformation. The testing technologies related to the structure and morphology of PCBF with different times of steam explosion treatment were conducted by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), automatic surface area analyser and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of different times of steam explosion treatment, PCBF content, coupling agent content and extruding speed on the comprehensive mechanical properties of PCBF/PP composites were studied in this paper. The results showed that the PCBF has a higher content of cellulose, an increased aspect ratio and an enlarged specific surface area after third time steam explosion treatment. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus of PCBF/PP composites increase with the increasing times of steam explosion treatment when the times not more than three, and then decrease with increasing times of steam explosion treatment when the times exceed three. The tensile properties and flexural properties of PCBF/PP composites change with the increasing of PCBF content, coupling agent content and extruding speed nonlinearly. Furthermore, the SEM of PCBF/PP composites showed better interfacial interaction between the fibre and the matrix.
From the Revolutionary Family to the Materialistic Family: Keywords for a Contemporary Social History of China
Authors: Min Dongchao
Published: October 2013

This article uses the method of focusing on certain critical keywords and ideas that achieved dominance in Chinese daily life after 1949 in order to track significant changes in conceptions of Chinese marriage and family. I hold that the model for Chinese marriage and family in the last 60 years has been shifting from kinship-dependent relations to a materialist orientation. This era is divided into two periods: the first stage begins from 1949, the year when the new China was born, and concludes in 1976, when the Cultural Revolution came to an end; and the second stage begins from the 1980s, when China embarked on a new open policy towards the outside world, and continues into the present. During the first stage, kinship-dependent relations were destroyed by a series of political movements and came to be replaced by a certain model of revolutionary relationships. Over the course of the second stage, ‘a materialistic orientation’ has come to characterise familial relations, and finds further reinforcement from the wider society and economy.
Book Review: Women’s Studies Reader
Authors: Mandal Saptarshi
Published: October 2013

Mary E. John (Ed.), Women’s Studies Reader. New Delhi: Penguin Books, 2008. 657 pages. ₹ 599.
Faculty Experience With College Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Gobbo Ken , Shmulsky Solvegi
Published: October 2013

This article reports the findings of a qualitative inquiry involving two focus groups made up of experienced faculty who met to discuss academic concerns faced by college students with autism spectrum disorders, including Asperger’s disorder. Analysis of group meeting transcripts indicated that student concerns fell into categories related to difficulties with theory of mind and understanding audience, weak central coherence in cognitive processing, and struggles with executive function. Classroom teaching implications are summarized and related strategies are presented.
A Parent Education Program for Parents of Chinese American Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
Authors: Chiang Hsu-Min
Published: October 2013

This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a parent education program on decreasing parenting stress and increasing parental confidence and quality of life in parents of Chinese American children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). A pre-, posttest group design was used in this study. A total of nine families of Chinese American children with ASDs participated in a 10-week parent education program (including 10-weekly 120-min group sessions). The findings of this study revealed that after receiving the program, parents of Chinese American children with ASDs showed significant reduction in parenting stress, improvement in parental confidence, and improvement in quality of life in physical health and environment domains.
Electrochemotherapy with intravenous bleomycin injection: an observational study in superficial squamous cell carcinoma in cats
Authors: Tozon Natasa , Pavlin Darja , Sersa Gregor , Dolinsek Tanja , Cemazar Maja
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in cats. Between March 2008 and October 2011, 11 cats with 17 superficial SCC nodules in different clinical stages (ranging from Tis to T4), located on nasal planum (6/11), pinnae (3/11) and both locations (2/11), were included in a prospective non-randomised study. Sixteen of 17 SCC nodules were treated with ECT (15/16 with single session and in one case with two sessions); one nodule was surgically removed. Altogether, complete response (CR) was achieved for 81.8% (9/11) cats and 87.5% (14/16) nodules, lasting from 2 months up to longer than 3 years. Only 2/9 cats in which CR was initially observed, had recurrence 2 and 8 months after the ECT procedure. In the remaining two cats with highly infiltrative spread into adjacent tissues, progression of the disease was observed, despite ECT, and both were euthanased 4 and 5 months after the procedure. ECT in cats was well tolerated and no evident local or systemic side effects were observed. The results of this study suggest that ECT is a highly effective and safe method of local tumour control of feline cutaneous SCCs. It should be considered as an alternative treatment option, especially when other treatment approaches are not acceptable by the owners, owing to their invasiveness, mutilation or high cost.
Teriflunomide versus subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a randomised, controlled phase 3 trial
Authors: Vermersch Patrick , Czlonkowska Anna , Grimaldi Luigi ME , Confavreux Christian , Comi Giancarlo , Kappos Ludwig , Olsson Tomas P , Benamor Myriam , Bauer Deborah , Truffinet Philippe , Church Meg , Miller Aaron E , Wolinsky Jerry S , Freedman Mark S , O’Connor Paul ,   for the TENERE Trial Group
Published: October 2013

Background:

In previous studies, teriflunomide significantly reduced the annualised relapse rate (ARR) and disability progression.

Objective:

This phase 3, rater-blinded study (NCT00883337) compared teriflunomide with interferon-beta-1a (IFNβ-1a).

Methods:

Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis were randomised (1:1:1) to oral teriflunomide 7-or 14mg, or subcutaneous IFNβ-1a 44µg. The primary composite endpoint was time to failure, defined as first occurrence of confirmed relapse or permanent treatment discontinuation for any cause. Secondary endpoints included ARR, Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM). The study was completed 48 weeks after the last patient was randomised.

Results:

Some 324 patients were randomised (IFNβ-1a: 104; teriflunomide 7 mg: 109; teriflunomide 14 mg: 111). No difference in time to failure was observed. There was no difference in ARR between teriflunomide 14 mg and IFNβ-1a, but ARR was significantly higher with teriflunomide 7 mg. FIS scores indicated more frequent fatigue with IFNβ-1a, though differences were only significant with teriflunomide 7 mg. TSQM scores were significantly higher with teriflunomide. There were no unexpected safety findings.

Conclusion:

Effects on time to failure were comparable between teriflunomide and IFNβ-1a. There was no difference between teriflunomide 14 mg and IFNβ-1a on ARR, though ARR was higher with teriflunomide 7 mg. The teriflunomide safety profile was consistent with previous studies.
Social conformity and autism spectrum disorder: A child-friendly take on a classic study
Authors: Yafai Abdul-Fattah , Verrier Diarmuid , Reidy Lisa
Published: October 2013

Perhaps surprisingly, given the importance of conformity as a theoretical construct in social psychology and the profound implications autism has for social function, little research has been done on whether autism is associated with the propensity to conform to a social majority. This study is a modern, child-friendly implementation of the classic Asch conformity studies. The performance of 15 children with autism was compared to that of 15 typically developing children on a line judgement task. Children were matched for age, gender and numeracy and literacy ability. In each trial, the child had to say which of three lines a comparison line matched in length. On some trials, children were misled as to what most people thought the answer was. Children with autism were much less likely to conform in the misleading condition than typically developing children. This finding was replicated using a continuous measure of autism traits, the Autism Quotient questionnaire, which showed that autism traits negatively correlated with likelihood to conform in the typically developing group. This study demonstrates the resistance of children with autism to social pressure.
Vena caval thrombosis after trauma to the liver
Authors: Agos Andrew , Kanellos Peggy , Petty Kyle , Kharasch Morris , Wang Ernest
Published: October 2013

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava due to compression of the inferior vena cava by a hepatic haematoma is seemingly rare. We present a case of a 56-year-old female with a hepatic haematoma after blunt trauma that caused this type of compression. The constriction resulted in the formation of an inferior vena cava thrombus, and considering the contraindication to anticoagulation, we placed a retrievable inferior vena cava filter under standard fluoroscopy. This case stresses the need for systematic investigation of the abdomen, especially after a blunt trauma, which can cause compression of the inferior vena cava. Furthermore, inferior vena cava thrombosis should be considered in patients with compression of the inferior vena cava due to hepatic haematoma.
Time and the practice of charcoal burning
Authors: Hill Lisa
Published: October 2013

This essay explores the temporality of Deleuzian ontology by recounting a day spent engaged in the practice of charcoal burning. Charcoal was an essential component of the iron industry, and by the late 16th century it was being consumed in vast quantities in the blast furnaces of large ironworks. The production of charcoal involves burning wood under controlled conditions to drive off water vapour and volatiles, creating a fuel that can reach the temperatures necessary to separate iron from its ore. Deleuze’s three syntheses of time offer a means of transformation of events and their relations. Taking his ideas on process, repetition for itself, and difference in itself, I seek to demonstrate that the temporality of the present exceeds the here and now. In doing so, I also seek to reveal the role of the past in the present, or the always already present nature of the past.
Using Videovoice Methods to Enhance Community Outreach and Engagement for the National Children’s Study
Authors: Warren Christopher M. , Knight Roger , Holl Jane L. , Gupta Ruchi S.
Published: October 2013

The National Children’s Study (NCS) is a prospective observational study examining the effects of environmental influences on child health and development in the United States. Videovoice is a health advocacy and promotion methodology wherein participants use participatory videography and interviewing techniques to identify issues of concern, communicate knowledge, and advocate for community health. This study describes a videovoice project, implemented in six Cook County, IL, communities targeted by the NCS for participant recruitment. A 6-week, videovoice training was conducted to train and empower NCS community outreach and engagement personnel. Pre/post evaluations were administered, and participant footage was qualitatively analyzed to identify overarching themes informing future outreach. Participants reported significant increases (p < .05) in videography/photography skills, community outreach/communication abilities, and awareness of important community health issues. Major themes included the following: high community knowledge of local health issues, low community knowledge of the NCS, and identification of barriers to participation. Two promotional videos were created to address these barriers and educate communities about the NCS. A 6-week, videovoice project was effective in training NCS community outreach personnel and enhancing NCS community engagement within six target Cook County, IL, communities via the production of community-engaged NCS promotional videos.
Implementation of a Tailored Kiosk-Based Injury Prevention Program in Pediatric Primary Care
Authors: Tse Julia , Nansel Tonja R. , Weaver Nancy L. , Williams Janice , Botello-Harbaum Maria
Published: October 2013

This study identified behavioral and organizational barriers and facilitators related to the implementation of a clinic-based pediatric injury prevention program. Safe N’ Sound (SNS), an evidence-based tailored injury prevention program designed for pediatric primary care, was implemented in five pediatric clinics in North Carolina. Office managers participated in structured interviews; health care providers participated in focus groups. Waiting room observations were conducted in participating clinics. Qualitative data captured perceptions of program implementation, including experience in integrating the program into clinical practice, usage by parents and providers, and recommendations for improving implementation. Reported facilitators of program use included usefulness and likeability of customized materials by parents and physicians and alignment with clinic priorities for injury prevention. Barriers included perceived staff burden despite the program’s low staff requirements. Consequently, practices experienced difficulty integrating the program into the waiting room environment and within existing staff roles. Recommendations included formalizing staff roles in implementation. Waiting room observations supported greater technology maintenance and staff involvement. Findings suggest a dynamic relationship between program implementation and the adopting organization. In addition to considering characteristics of the intervention, environment, and personnel in intervention development, implementation may require customization to the organization’s capacity.
Ethical issues in HIV prevention research with people who inject drugs
Authors: Sugarman Jeremy , Rose Scott M , Metzger David
Published: October 2013

Background

Injection drug use continues to significantly contribute to new infections with HIV. Moreover, conducting HIV prevention research with people who inject drugs (PWIDs) can be complicated for an array of practical, social, legal, and ethical reasons. It is critical that these research efforts are sensitive to the particular vulnerabilities associated with injection drug use as well as those related to being at risk of acquiring HIV so as to minimize harm to participants in research.

Purpose

To describe how we addressed some of these ethical challenges during the course of a large-scale multinational randomized HIV prevention trial involving PWIDs, which was successfully completed.

Methods

The ethical issues encountered during the life cycle of the trial were cataloged by the principal investigator, study coordinator, and ethicist working on the trial. Relevant study documents were then reviewed to provide pertinent details. The ethical issues unique to the trial were then described.

Results

Before implementation, the trial faced particularly complex challenges related to the vulnerability of PWIDs, where HIV seroincidence rates in the population were high and legal policies and stigma regarding injection drug use was severe. Accordingly, a rapid policy assessment was commissioned, and a series of community engagement activities were conducted. During the trial, in addition to using careful standard operating procedures regarding all aspects of trial conduct and extensive staff training, the trial standardized informed consent procedures and assessed them. Furthermore, social harms were monitored along with physical harms and adverse events. Following the decision to close the study, it was critical to develop an orderly and safe process for closing it. The issue of post-trial access to the study medication and a complex intervention also surfaced for consideration.

Limitations

The issues described in this article are necessarily limited to how they manifested themselves within the context of a particular trial that was conducted in two countries. In addition, other stakeholders may have divergent views on the ethical issues described and may also have identified additional ethical issues that would warrant examination.

Conclusions

Adopting similar approaches to addressing ethical issues in future research promises to facilitate this work so that needed strategies to prevent HIV infection among PWIDs can be safely and appropriately tested. Future trials enrolling PWIDs who are at risk of detainment should identify ways of mapping closely their experiences and perceptions in order to better apprehend some of the ethical issues at stake. In addition, scholarly and policy work needs to address the ethical issues related to post-trial access to multi-modal interventions that may be desired by participants, but are not shown to be effective in achieving the primary outcomes of the study.
The importance of affective containment during unwelcome educational change
Authors: Dale Di , James Chris
Published: October 2013

Educational change can call up a range of feelings that can pose a number of problems for those experiencing and/or organizing it. This article analyses the processes of educational change from a psychodynamic standpoint. In particular it explores affective containment, which enables feelings to be fully experienced and to be used productively. an aspect of organizing during educational change, known as affective containment, that enables feelings to be fully experienced and to be used productively. In the article, we first review some important and relevant concepts, which include the nature of social affects, projection, introjection, projective identification, and splitting and projection, before considering affect and educational change and the notion of affective containment. We then describe and interpret a case that illustrates what can happen when affective containment processes are not securely in place during educational change. We discuss some of the main issues to emerge, which include: the nature of affective containment at individual and group/organizational levels that can support educational change; the importance of ensuring that boundaries between student and staff systems are secure during educational change; the reparation processes that can be a feature of educational change and their impact on the change process; and the leadership responsibility for providing affective containment during educational change.
Collaborative strategic planning
Authors: Mbugua Flora , Rarieya Jane F. A.
Published: October 2013

The concept and practice of strategic planning, while entrenched in educational institutions in the West, is just catching on in Kenya. While literature emphasizes the importance of collaborative strategic planning, it does not indicate the challenges presented by collaboratively engaging in strategic planning. This article reports on findings of a study of how one Kenyan secondary school engaged in strategic planning. The study aimed to find out how the various stakeholders in the school are involved in strategic planning. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Findings show that, although the school stakeholders were involved in different ways in the strategic planning process, the school did not achieve a collaborative strategic plan because the stakeholders approached the process disjointedly. In addition, lack of knowledge about what strategic planning constitutes rendered some of the stakeholders passive participants. Findings illustrate that strategic planning is a concept and process that is challenging for school stakeholders and hence, for contexts similar to the one in which the study took place, there is need for sensitization and training of school stakeholders on the strategic planning process in order to build capacity for schools to reap benefits from it.
Condylar fractures of the proximal and middle phalanges
Authors: Shewring D. J. , Miller A. C. , Ghandour A.
Published: October 2013

We describe the treatment of 74 patients with phalangeal condylar fractures. Twelve patients presenting with undisplaced fractures were initially treated nonoperatively; of these, five displaced, requiring fixation. The remaining seven patients, all children, united uneventfully. Sixty-two patients presenting with displaced fractures were treated with internal fixation using a single lag screw through a lateral approach. The patients were treated semi-electively on a day surgery unit. Twenty-seven patients with unicondylar fractures, all operated on within 2 weeks of injury, regained full range of movement. Thirty-eight patients had loss of extension (range 10–35°) with fixed flexion contractures at the proximal interphalangeal and thumb interphalangeal joints and extensor lag at the distal interphalangeal joints (overall mean extension loss 10°). Although fixation was technically easier during the first week, a delay of 2 weeks before fixation made little difference to the outcome. In our experience, fractures can be taken down and fixed internally even 8 weeks after injury. If nonoperative treatment is initially embarked upon, close monitoring is required with weekly radiographs up to 3 weeks, as these fractures will frequently displace.
Screening haematology patients for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Inverarity Donald , Kilgour Elizabeth , Dunn Caroline , Thomas Linda , Fox Richard , Mitchell Lindsay , Paterson Pamela
Published: October 2013

Following a cluster of haematology patients with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) septicaemia, we initiated screening for rectal carriage of CRKP and multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae (MDRKP) in this patient group. Haematology inpatients submit a rectal swab once weekly. When plated onto chromogenic Brilliance™ UTI Agar (Oxoid), and incubated overnight with a 10 µg ertapenem disc (Oxoid), K. pneumoniae is identified and semi-automated antibiotic susceptibility testing is performed using the Vitek 2 analyser (Biomerieux). When no zone of inhibition occurs, immediate intervention through patient isolation and enhanced environmental cleaning can be instigated to control further spread while empirical antibiotic prescribing is adapted to take account of identified resistances. Over 2 years, six patients with CRKP and 20 patients with MDRKP were identified. These isolates were resistant to first-line empirical treatment choices for neutropenic sepsis and presented a clinical risk of treatment failure for sepsis post cytotoxic chemotherapy. We describe how this rectal screening methodology was developed and how the results influenced appropriate antibiotic prescribing, patient placement in single rooms and the cleaning of the ward environment to prevent person-to-person transmission of MDRKP and CRKP.