bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UV curable urethane acrylate coatings formulation: experimental design approach
Authors: Mashouf Ghodsieh , Ebrahimi Morteza , Bastani Saeed
Published: February 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this work was to perform a systematic study on the effect of formulation on the physical and mechanical properties of ultaviolet (UV) curable urethane acrylate resins. In addition, the authors wanted to derive mathematical formula for the prediction of physical and mechanical properties for the aforementioned system.

Design/methodology/approach

– The experiments were carried out based on mixture experimental design to determine the effect of different multifunctional acrylates (i.e. 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA), trimethyolpropane triactylate (TMPTA)) concentration on the physical and mechanical properties of a UV curable polyurethane acrylate system. The urethane oligomer was synthesized and characterized by the research team. Microhardness, adhesion strength and scratch resistance of the cured films were evaluated as the physical and mechanical properties.

Findings

– The results revealed that the resin and TMPTA concentrations had the most significant effects on the microhardness property. Adhesion strength of the films showed a linear trend with respect to all variables. Moreover, all components also had a significant and complex influence on the scratch resistance of the cured systems. In addition, mathematical equations proposed by mixture experimental design were derived for all the mentioned properties.

Research limitations/implications

– Other multifunctional acrylate monomers (i.e. more than three functional) can be used in the formulations. The kinetics of the curing can affect on the network formation and consequently on the properties of the cured films.

Practical implications

– The obtained results can be used by the researchers who are active in the field of structure-property relationship of polymers and surface coatings. The reported data and the mathematical equations can also be used for the formulating of an appropriate formulation based on a specific application.

Originality/value

– A systematic and statistical-based approach, i.e. mixture experimental design, was used to evaluate the effect of formulation on some of the properties of a UV curable polyurethane acrylate system. A urethane oligomer and three different multifunctional acrylate monomers as reactive diluents were used in the formulations. Noteworthy to mention that several mathematical models were derived by using analysis of variance for the prediction of the properties studied in this system.
Secondary dispersal by ants promotes forest regeneration after deforestation
Authors: Gallegos Silvia C. , Hensen Isabell , Schleuning Matthias
Published: February 2014

Many remnants of tropical forests are surrounded by deforested areas dominated by successional vegetation. Although secondary dispersal by scatter‐hoarding rodents and ants may influence seed predation and seedling recruitment, very little is known about its importance in degraded forest ecosystems.

We studied the effects of secondary dispersal on seed predation, germination and seedling recruitment of the primarily bird‐dispersed tree Clusia trochiformis in a tropical montane forest in Bolivia. We carried out exclosure experiments that allowed or excluded access to seeds by vertebrates in three habitat types (forest interior, degraded habitat close to and degraded habitat far from the forest margin) in a spatial block design at six sites. We offered a total of 1440 seeds (both with and without an aril) and marked half of them with a thread to follow their fate after 48 h and after 1 month.

We found that secondary dispersal by ants was highest in the forest interior but was also frequent in degraded habitats close to and far from the forest edge. Secondary dispersal significantly increased seedling recruitment, particularly in the degraded habitats, probably because seeds were often dispersed to sites beneath the leaf litter. Recruitment success increased significantly with dispersal distance. High recruitment of secondarily dispersed seeds in the degraded habitat was due to the combined effect of reduced predation and increased germination of seeds that had been moved by ants.

Synthesis. In the absence of secondary dispersal, seed germination and seedling recruitment were very low in degraded habitats. Seed dispersal by ants substantially increased natural regeneration in the deforested habitats. Our experiments thus demonstrate that the effects of biotic interactions on plant demography can vary across habitat boundaries at small spatial scales and that secondary dispersal is a crucial and overlooked process that can aid the regeneration of deforested habitats in the tropics.
‘Street Music’, Urban Ethnography and Ghettoized Communities
Authors: Black Simon
Published: February 2014

Hip‐hop is a definitively urban movement, born in the crisis of the Fordist city and rooted in the 1970s street culture of poor and working‐class African Americans and Latinos in New York City. Engaging with the contributions of Beer and Lamotte, this essay addresses two questions. Firstly, can we understand hip‐hop as a politics of resistance, a social movement rooted in a claim on urban space and a practice of urban citizenship? And secondly, is hip hop, and particularly rap music, a form of urban and regional research? I argue that as a primarily artistic movement and black expressive culture (subject to commercial imperatives), hip‐hop has a layered and complex relationship with the social, political and spatial fabric of urban America. The complexity of this relationship renders problematic attempts to understand hip‐hop as urban ethnography or as a resistance politics. I conclude by discussing the potential of an engagement between hip‐hop and critical urban studies.
Long‐term safety of unopposed estrogen used by women surviving myocardial infarction: 14‐year follow‐up of the ESPRIT randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cherry N , McNamee R , Heagerty A , Kitchener H , Hannaford P
Published: February 2014

Objective

To compare health outcomes during 14‐year observational follow‐up in women initially randomised to unopposed estrogen or placebo.

Design

At recruitment to the Estrogen for the Prevention of Re‐Infarction Trial (ESPRIT) women were assigned to estradiol valerate: 2 mg or placebo treatment for 2 years.

Setting

Women were recruited from 35 hospitals in the northwest of England and Wales in July 1996–February 2000.

Sample

Women aged 50–69 surviving their first myocardial infarction.

Methods

All women were followed by data linkage to UK mortality and cancer records; mean follow‐up 14.1 and 12.6 years, respectively. In an intention‐to‐treat analysis, hazard ratios (HRs) were computed, overall and stratified by age at recruitment.

Outcome measures

Death (all‐cause, cardiac disease, stroke or cancer) and cancer incidence (any, breast or endometrium).

Results

There were 418 deaths in 1017 women randomised. The all‐cause mortality HR of 1.07 (95% CI 0.88–1.29) indicated no significant difference between treatment groups. Women aged 50–59 years at recruitment had lower HRs than women aged 60–69 years for all outcomes except ischaemic heart disease. Among 149 incident cancers there were seven cases of breast cancer in the intervention arm and 15 in the placebo; HR 0.47 (95% CI 0.19–1.15). There were no deaths from endometrial cancer but three incident cases, one in the active arm and two in placebo.

Conclusions

These results suggest that unopposed estrogen may be used safely by women with an intact uterus surviving a first myocardial infarction.
Accelerated, Microwave‐Assisted, and Conventional Solvent Extraction Methods Affect Anthocyanin Composition from Colored Grains
Authors: Abdel‐Aal El‐Sayed M. , Akhtar Humayoun , Rabalski Iwona , Bryan Michael
Published: February 2014

Anthocyanins are important dietary components with diverse positive functions in human health. This study investigates effects of accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) on anthocyanin composition and extraction efficiency from blue wheat, purple corn, and black rice in comparison with the commonly used solvent extraction (CSE). Factorial experimental design was employed to study effects of ASE and MAE variables, and anthocyanin extracts were analyzed by spectrophotometry, high‐performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detector (DAD), and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry chromatography. The extraction efficiency of ASE and MAE was comparable with CSE at the optimal conditions. The greatest extraction by ASE was achieved at 50 °C, 2500 psi, 10 min using 5 cycles, and 100% flush. For MAE, a combination of 70 °C, 300 W, and 10 min in MAE was the most effective in extracting anthocyanins from blue wheat and purple corn compared with 50 °C, 1200 W, and 20 min for black rice. The anthocyanin composition of grain extracts was influenced by the extraction method. The ASE extraction method seems to be more appropriate in extracting anthocyanins from the colored grains as being comparable with the CSE method based on changes in anthocyanin composition. The method caused lower structural changes in anthocaynins compared with the MAE method. Changes in blue wheat anthocyanins were lower in comparison with purple corn or black rice perhaps due to the absence of acylated anthocyanin compounds in blue wheat. The results show significant differences in anthocyanins among the 3 extraction methods, which indicate a need to standardize a method for valid comparisons among studies and for quality assurance purposes.
Modeling with the Logistic Regression of the Growth/No Growth Interface of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Relation to 2 Antimicrobial Terpenes (Citral and Linalool), pH, and aw
Authors: Tabanelli Giulia , Montanari Chiara , Patrignani Francesca , Siroli Lorenzo , Lanciotti Rosalba , Gardini Fausto
Published: February 2014

The antimicrobial effects of 2 terpenes (citral and linalool) on a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain isolated from spoiled soft drink have been evaluated, alone or in combination, in relation to pH and aw using in vitro assays. The obtained data were fitted with the logit model to find the growth/no growth boundary regions of the 2 terpenes, focusing the attention on the type of interaction exerted by citral and linalool. In particular, the results showed an increase of citral antimicrobial effect in growth media characterized by low aw value, as well as a higher linalool antimicrobial effect in media at low pH. Moreover, the interactive effects of the 2 terpenes were exploited. The results obtained with the model were validated in an independent experiment. The knowledge of the interactions of essential oil molecules with enhanced antimicrobial activity, in relation to some of the most important chemicophysical variables, can have important industrial applications, since these substances are able to assure the desired antimicrobial effect without negatively modifying the product flavor profile.

Practical Application

The effects of the main chemicophysical parameters (such as aw and pH) on the antimicrobial activity of bioactive terpenes are necessary for the definition of an industrially applicable preservation strategy based on the use of essential oils as natural antimicrobials aimed to prolong shelf life of food products.
Effects of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed Oil Press‐Cake and Decaffeinated Green Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis) on Functional Characteristics of Gluten‐Free Crackers
Authors: Radočaj Olga , Dimić Etelka , Tsao Rong
Published: February 2014

A mixture, simplex centroid, 2 components experimental design was used to evaluate the addition of hemp seed oil press‐cake and decaffeinated green tea leaves, as functional ingredients to assess nutritional characteristics and antioxidant properties of gluten‐free crackers. All samples with added hemp flour had much better nutritional qualities than the brown rice flour crackers in terms of higher protein, crude fibers, minerals, and essential fatty acids content. Likewise, all samples with added decaffeinated green tea leaves had much better antioxidant properties than crackers with no added green tea leaves. All crackers with added hemp flour had a significantly increased fiber content (39% to 249%) and decreased carbohydrate content (8.4% to 42.3%), compared to the brown rice flour crackers. All samples had antioxidant properties, even without the addition of green tea leaves. Optimization of the responses was conducted based on the maximized values for protein, fibers, omega‐3 fatty acids content, as well as for the antioxidant activity and overall score. The suggested values for the addition of the hemp oil press‐cake was 20% (total flour weight) with 4 g of decaffeinated green tea leaves that would provide protein content of 14.1 g/100 g; fibers content of 8.4 g/100 g; omega‐3 fatty acids content of 3.2 g/100 g; antioxidant activity measured via 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl value of 30.3 μmol TE/g d.w.; and an overall score of 8.9. This formulation has demonstrated potential application in the baking industry and marketing of these gluten‐free crackers as a value‐added functional product.

Practical Application

Hemp seed oil press‐cake as a by‐product of cold‐pressed oil processing and brown rice flour were used to design a functional gluten‐free snack‐type product—savory crackers. All crackers were high in minerals, fibers, and omega‐3 fatty acids with a desirable omega‐6/omega‐3 fatty acids ratio. Green tea leaves were added to improve antioxidant activity, which greatly contributed to their functional properties. This qualified the crackers as a healthy snack with a minimal content saturated fatty acids and an abundance of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids that originated from chia seeds residual oil present in the hemp flour.
Protein Removal from Waste Brines Generated during Ham Salting through Acidification and Centrifugation
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Martínez Maria del Rosario , Muñoz‐Guerrero Hernán , Alcaína‐Miranda Maria Isabel , Barat José Manuel
Published: February 2014

The salting step in food processes implies the production of large quantities of waste brines, having high organic load, high conductivity, and other pollutants with high oxygen demand. Direct disposal of the residual brine implies salinization of soil and eutrophication of water. Since most of the organic load of the waste brines comes from proteins leaked from the salted product, precipitation of dissolved proteins by acidification and removal by centrifugation is an operation to be used in waste brine cleaning. The aim of this study is optimizing the conditions for carrying out the separation of proteins from waste brines generated in the pork ham salting operation, by studying the influence of pH, centrifugal force, and centrifugation time. Models for determining the removal of proteins depending on the pH, centrifugal force, and time were obtained. The results showed a high efficacy of the proposed treatment for removing proteins, suggesting that this method could be used for waste brine protein removal. The best pH value to be used in an industrial process seems to be 3, while the obtained results indicate that almost 90% of the proteins from the brine can be removed by acidification followed by centrifugation. A further protein removal from the brine should have to be achieved using filtrating techniques, which efficiency could be highly improved as a consequence of the previous treatment through acidification and centrifugation.

Practical Application

Waste brines from meat salting have high organic load and electrical conductivity. Proteins can be removed from the waste brine by acidification and centrifugation. The total protein removal can be up to 90% of the initial content of the waste brine. Protein removal is highly dependent on pH, centrifugation rate, and time.
The Association between Chromaticity, Phenolics, Carotenoids, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Frozen Fruit Pulp in Brazil: An Application of Chemometrics
Authors: Zielinski Acácio Antonio Ferreira , Ávila Suelen , Ito Vivian , Nogueira Alessandro , Wosiacki Gilvan , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro
Published: February 2014

A total of 19 Brazilian frozen pulps from the following fruits: açai (Euterpe oleracea), blackberry (Rubus sp.), cajá (Spondias mombin), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), cocoa (Theobroma cacao), coconut (Cocos nucifera), grape (Vitis sp.), graviola (Annona muricata), guava (Psidium guajava), papaya (Carica papaya), peach (Prunus persica), pineapple (Ananas comosus), pineapple and mint (A. comosus and Mentha spicata), red fruits (Rubus sp. and Fragaria sp.), seriguela (Spondias purpurea), strawberry (Fragaria sp.), tamarind (Tamarindus indica), umbu (Spondias tuberosa), and yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) were analyzed in terms of chromaticity, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and in vitro antioxidant activity using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. Data were processed using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Antioxidant capacity was measured by DPPH and FRAP assays, which showed significant (P < 0.01) correlation with total phenolic compounds (r = 0.88 and 0.70, respectively), total flavonoids (r = 0.63 and 0.81, respectively), and total monomeric anthocyanins (r = 0.59 and 0.73, respectively). PCA explained 74.82% of total variance of data, and the separation into 3 groups in a scatter plot was verified. Three clusters also suggested by HCA, corroborated with PCA, in which cluster 3 was formed by strawberry, red fruits, blackberry, açaí, and grape pulps. This cluster showed the highest contents of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity.
Lichen planopilaris after imiquimod 5% cream for multiple BCC in basal cell naevus syndrome
Authors: Drummond Alessandra , Pichler Janine , Argenziano Giuseppe , Zalaudek Iris , Longo Caterina , Lallas Aimilios , Piana Simonetta , Moscarella Elvira
Published: February 2014

Basal cell naevus syndrome is an inherited autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterised by multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC), skeletal, neurological and opthalmological abnormalities. The treatment of choice of the often multiple and large BCC consists of a combined approach including surgery, liquid nitrogen and other topical treatment modalities. Imiquimod 5% cream is an immune–response‐modifying drug with antiviral and anti‐tumour activity. Recent reports have associated the immune‐stimulant properties of imiquimod with the exacerbation of several autoimmune skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo and lichenoid dermatitis. Here we report a patient with basal cell naevus syndrome who developed a lichen planopilaris on the same site of the scalp, which had been previously treated with two cycles of imiquimod for multiple BCC.
Dermatological reactions to ophthalmic preparations: More than meets the eye
Authors: Byrom Lisa , Zappala Tania , Muir Jim
Published: February 2014

Ophthalmic preparations are commonly used medications that have been implicated in causing a variety of dermatological reactions. These reactions include toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis, fixed drug eruption, lichenoid drug reaction and local and systemic contact dermatitis. This article reviews the dermatological and systemic reactions associated with ophthalmic preparation use and highlights the need for a thorough medication history to be done for all patients presenting with a suspected drug reaction.
Allergic rhinitis in preschool children from southern Brazil
Authors: Chong Neto H. J. , Rosário C. S. , Rosário B. A. , Chong F. H. , Grasselli E. A. , Silva F. C. , Bojarski L. F. M. , Rosário N. A.
Published: February 2014

There are few published studies on prevalence of allergic rhinitis in preschool children. The aims of this study were to verify the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in the first year of life adding supplementary questions to the EISL instrument. A cross‐sectional study used Phase III EISL written questionnaire in addition to modified allergic rhinitis ISAAC questions. One thousand and three parents of infants answered the questionnaire: 484 (48.3%) had at least one sneezing, or a runny or blocked nose episodes without cold or flu in the first year of life. A quarter of infants had recurrent wheezing (≥3 episodes) and more frequent in the presence of AR symptoms. Physician diagnosis of AR and the use of intranasal steroids and both antihistamines and intranasal steroids were more common among those infants with AR symptoms. The prevalence of AR symptoms was high and starting early in life.
Development of a Hemodynamically Optimized Outflow Cannula for Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Kaufmann Tim A.S. , Schlanstein Peter , Moritz Anton , Steinseifer Ulrich
Published: February 2014

The jet of the outflow cannula is a potential risk for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), because increased jet velocities lead to altered flow conditions and might furthermore mobilize atherosclerotic plaques from calcified aortas. The cannula jet is therefore among the main reasons for cerebral hypoxia and stroke in CPB patients. In the past, we developed a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to analyze flow conditions during CPB as dependent on cannulation and support modalities. This model is now applied to develop a novel CPB outflow cannula to reduce the jet effect and increase cerebral blood flow. The Multi‐Module Cannula (MMC) is based on a generic elbow cannula that was iteratively improved. It features an inner wall to smoothly guide the blood as well as an elliptically shaped outlet diffuser. During standard CPB conditions of 5 L/min, the pressure drop over the MMC is 61 mm Hg, compared with 68 mm Hg with a standard cannula. The maximum velocities are decreased from 3.7 m/s to 3.3 m/s. In the cannula jet of the MMC, the velocities are reduced further, down to 1.6 m/s. The cerebral blood flow is typically reduced during CPB. Using the MMC, however, it reaches almost physiological values at 715 mL/min. These results suggest that the MMC outperforms standard CPB cannulas. Further design improvements and improved insertion techniques are under consideration.
Fatigue is highly associated with poor health‐related quality of life, disability and depression in newly‐diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease, independent of disease activity
Authors: Cohen B. L. , Zoëga H. , Shah S. A. , LeLeiko N. , Lidofsky S. , Bright R. , Flowers N. , Law M. , Moniz H. , Merrick M. , Sands B. E.
Published: February 2014

Background

Fatigue is common in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Data on fatigue in newly diagnosed patients are unavailable.

Aim

To report prevalence of fatigue in newly diagnosed CD and UC patients and examine its association with health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), depression and disability.

Methods

The Ocean State Crohn's and Colitis Area Registry (OSCCAR) is a statewide cohort of newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients in Rhode Island. Fatigue was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Fatigue Scale. Patients were administered instruments measuring HRQOL, overall disability and work impairment, and depression.

Results

Fatigue was prevalent in 26.4% of 220 subjects. Cohen's d effect sizes for fatigue were large: Short‐Form 36 Health Survey mental health component (CD 1.5, UC 1.4) and physical health component (CD 1.4, UC 1.4), EuroQol‐5D valuation of current health state (CD 1.2, UC 1.0), Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (CD 1.9, UC 1.6) and Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (CD 1.8, UC 1.7). Fatigued patients reported more work impairment (Score difference: CD 29.5%, UC 23.8%) and activity impairment (score difference: CD 32.3%, UC 25.7%) on the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Fatigue's association with all scores remained highly significant despite controlling for disease activity.

Conclusions

Fatigue is strongly associated with poor HRQOL, disability and depression similarly in CD and UC even when controlling for disease activity. Fatigue's association with a wide range of patient‐reported outcome measures suggests that monitoring fatigue is a simple way to screen for overall disruption in patient life.
A ‘cure’ for Down syndrome: what do parents want?
Authors: Inglis A. , Lohn Z. , Austin J. C. , Hippman C.
Published: February 2014

Recent advancements in molecular genetics raise the possibility that therapeutics or a ‘cure’ for Down syndrome (DS) may become available. However, there are no data regarding how parents of children with DS perceive the possibility of mitigating specific manifestations such as the intellectual disability (ID) associated with DS, or curing the condition entirely. To explore these issues, we distributed a questionnaire to members of the Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society in British Columbia, Canada. Questionnaires were completed by 101 parents (response rate = 41%). A majority (61%) viewed the possibility of reversing ID in DS positively, but only 41% said that they would ‘cure’ their child of DS if it were possible. Twenty‐seven percent of respondents said they would not ‘cure’ their child, and 32% were unsure if they would ‘cure’ their child. The most commonly cited motivation for opting for a ‘cure’ was to increase their child's independence. However, parental attitudes' towards a ‘cure’ for DS were complex, affected by ethical issues, perceived societal values, and pragmatic factors such as the age of the individual and long‐term care‐giving burden. These findings could be used by healthcare professionals supporting families who include a member with DS and to direct future research.
Early Loading of Fluoridated Implants Placed in Fresh Extraction Sockets and Healed Bone: A 3‐ to 5‐Year Clinical and Radiographic Follow‐Up Study of 39 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Oxby Gert , Oxby Fredrik , Oxby Johan , Saltvik Tomas , Nilsson Peter
Published: February 2014

Background

Immediate placement of implants in extraction sockets for early loading is an attractive treatment modality due to reduced treatment time. However, the outcome of fluoridated implants in this situation with regard to bone levels and health of soft tissues is not well documented.

Purpose

To evaluate the outcome of early loading of OsseoSpeed™ dental implants placed into fresh extraction sockets and healed bone in consecutive patients treated in a private clinic.

Materials and Methods

A total of 182 OsseoSpeed™ implants (Astra Tech Implant System, DENTSPLY Implants, Mölndal, Sweden), 72 in immediate extraction sockets and 110 in healed sites, were placed in 39 consecutive patients. The implants were loaded with permanent restorations within 60 days (average 31 days). Clinical and radiographic follow‐up examinations were performed annually for at least 3 years (mean 55 months). An aesthetic index was used to evaluate the soft tissues adjacent to the prosthetic restorations.

Results

No implant was lost during the observation period, giving a survival rate of 100%. Bone level changes during the observation period were minimal, with a mean marginal bone loss of 0.3 ± 0.9 mm around the delayed implants and a mean marginal bone gain of 0.3 ± 1.4 mm around the immediate implants (p = .0036). The frequency distribution of bone level revealed that 85% of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets and 84% of implants in healed bone did not show any loss of bone level during follow‐up (p = NS). Soft tissue complications were observed at two immediate implant sites in one patient. The remaining 180 implants received the highest aesthetic score. Moreover, no signs of peri‐implant purulent infection or aggressive bone loss were found during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Early loading of fluoridated implants with permanent constructions appears to be a viable therapy for implants placed immediately in extraction sites and in healed bone.
Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the bypassed stomach after obesity surgery
Authors: Courtney M. J , Chattopadhyay D. , Rao M. , Light D. , Gopinath B.
Published: February 2014

Laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for obesity and, consequently, post‐operative patients are increasingly encountered by all specialties. This is a case of a patient presenting with abdominal pain, nausea and fever 9 months following gastric bypass surgery caused by diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the bypassed stomach. It demonstrates well that symptoms that may normally be considered ‘red‐flags’ may not be as obvious or specific following an operation. The case also indicates the importance of considering diagnoses unrelated to surgery presenting in the post‐operative period (especially when conventional investigation methods are not feasible), and the potential danger of assuming they are due to the operation alone; had this occurred in this patient then a malignancy may have been missed. This is only the second reported case of DLBCL in the bypassed stomach, and the third for lymphoma of any type.
Responses of Seed‐Dispersing Birds to Amount of Rainforest in the Landscape around Fragments
Authors: MORAN CATH , CATTERALL CARLA P.
Published: February 2014

Habitat loss and fragmentation alter the composition of bird assemblages in rainforest. Because birds are major seed dispersers in rainforests, fragmentation‐induced changes to frugivorous bird assemblages are also likely to alter the ecological processes of seed dispersal and forest regeneration, but the specific nature of these changes is poorly understood. We assessed the influence of fragment size and landscape forest cover on the abundance, species composition, and functional properties of the avian seed disperser community in an extensively cleared, former rainforest landscape of subtropical Australia. Bird surveys of fixed time and area in 25 rainforest fragments (1–139 ha in size across a 1800 km2 region) provided bird assemblage data which were coupled with prior knowledge of bird species’ particular roles in seed dispersal to give measurements of seven different attributes of the seed disperser assemblage. We used multimodel regression to assess how patch size and surrounding forest cover (within 200 m, 1000 m, and 5000 m radii) influenced variation in the abundance of individual bird species and of functional groups based on bird species’ responses to fragmentation and their roles in seed dispersal. Surrounding forest cover, specifically rainforest cover, generally had a greater effect on frugivorous bird assemblages than fragment size. Amount of rainforest cover within 200 m of fragments was the main factor positively associated with abundances of frugivorous birds that are both fragmentation sensitive and important seed dispersers. Our results suggest a high proportion of local rainforest cover is required for the persistence of seed‐dispersing birds and the maintenance of seed dispersal processes. Thus, even small rainforest fragments can function as important parts of habitat networks for seed‐dispersing birds, whether or not they are physically connected by vegetation.

Respuestas de Aves Dispersoras de Semillas al Incremento de Selvas en el Paisaje Alrededor de Fragmentos
Serum immunoglobulin levels at diagnosis have no prognostic significance in stage A chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a study of 1113 cases from the Israeli CLL Study Group
Authors: Shvidel Lev , Tadmor Tamar , Braester Andrei , Bairey Osnat , Rahimi‐Levene Naomi , Herishanu Yair , Klepfish Abraham , Ruchlemer Rosa , Berrebi Alain , Polliack Aaron ,   Israeli CLL Study Group
Published: February 2014

Objectives

Hypogammaglobulinemia, commonly encountered in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality; however, its prognostic significance in patients diagnosed in early stages of disease remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive power of hypogammaglobulinemia at Bonet stage A.

Methods

Using the database of the Israeli CLL Study Group, we analyzed the relationship between low serum levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM; the presence of paraproteinemia, as well as other well‐recognized prognostic markers in CLL; and time to first treatment (TTT) and overall survival. A total of 1113 patients consecutively diagnosed during the last 25 yrs with Binet stage A CLL were evaluated, and baseline information on serum immunoglobulin levels was found in 857 of the cases.

Results

Overall survival times correlated with age >65 yr, male gender, the presence of lymphadenopathy, high serum beta 2‐microglobulin (b2m), CD38 and ZAP‐70 expression, but not with low levels of immunoglobulin or the presence of paraproteinemia. By univariate analysis, patients with low IgA levels had a shorter TTT; however, on multivariate analysis, the presence of lymphadenopathy (P 0.02), b2m (P 0.04), CD38 (P < 0.001), and ZAP‐70 (P < 0.001) was the only laboratory parameters with prognostic significance.

Conclusions

In our cohort of patients with early‐stage CLL, baseline hypogammaglobulinemia and the presence of paraproteinemia were not found to correlate with prognosis.
Long‐distance gene flow outweighs a century of local selection and prevents local adaptation in the Irish famine pathogen Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Glais Isabelle , Montarry Josselin , Corbière Roselyne , Pasco Claudine , Marquer Bruno , Magalon Hélène , Andrivon Didier
Published: February 2014

Sustainably managing plant resistance to epidemic pathogens implies controlling the genetic and demographic changes in pathogen populations faced with resistant hosts. Resistance management thus depends upon the dynamics of local adaptation, mainly driven by the balance between selection and gene flow. This dynamics is best investigated with populations from locally dominant hosts in islands with long histories of local selection. We used the unique case of the potato late blight pathosystem on Jersey, where a monoculture of potato cultivar ‘Jersey Royal’ has been in place for over a century. We also sampled populations from the coasts of Brittany and Normandy, as likely sources for gene flow. The isolation by distance pattern and the absence of genetic differentiation between Jersey and the closest French sites revealed gene flow at that spatial scale. Microsatellite allele frequencies revealed no evidence of recombination in the populations, but admixture of two genotypic clusters. No local adaptation in Jersey was detected from pathogenicity tests on Jersey Royal and on French cultivars. These data suggest that long‐distance gene flow (~ 50/100 km) prevents local adaptation in Jersey despite a century of local selection by a single host cultivar and emphasize the need for regional rather than local management of resistance gene deployment.
Recovery of insulin sensitivity in mature horses after a 3 week course of dexamethasone therapy
Authors: Brennan K. M. , Urschel K. L.
Published: February 2014

Reasons for performing the study

Dexamethasone is an anti‐inflammatory drug commonly used in equine medicine. Insulin sensitivity decreases with prolonged dexamethasone administration, but little information is available about the duration of this side effect after long‐term treatment ends.

Objectives

To determine how long it takes for blood glucose, insulin and markers of insulin sensitivity to return to normal ranges after extended dexamethasone treatment has ceased.

Study design

Experimental study.

Methods

Eight healthy, mature, mixed‐breed horses received 0.04 mg/kg bwt/day oral dexamethasone for 21 days. Blood samples were taken weekly during dexamethasone treatment (Days ‐21, ‐14 and ‐7). Following the final dose of dexamethasone on Day 0, blood samples were taken on Days 1–6, 8, 10, 12, 15 and 22. Day ‐21 represents baseline or normal blood predexamethasone.

Results

On Day 1, plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and the modified insulin‐to‐glucose ratio (a proxy for pancreatic β cell responsiveness) were higher and the reciprocal of the square root of insulin (a proxy for the estimate of insulin sensitivity) was lower, in comparison with Day ‐21 values. Blood glucose concentrations dropped and returned to Day ‐21 values by Day 2. Insulin concentrations remained elevated until Day 3. Values for the modified insulin‐to‐glucose ratio decreased and returned to Day ‐21 concentrations by Day 4. Values for the reciprocal of the square root of insulin did not return to Day ‐21 values until Day 15.

Conclusions

These results indicate that, in contrast to blood glucose concentrations, which return to normal quickly (within 2 days after treatment ends), the pancreatic insulin‐secreting response has a delayed recovery.
Glutathione‐conjugated sulfanylalkanols are substrates for ABCC11 and γ‐glutamyl transferase 1: a potential new pathway for the formation of odorant precursors in the apocrine sweat gland
Authors: Baumann Tim , Bergmann Sophia , Schmidt‐Rose Thomas , Max Heiner , Martin Annette , Enthaler Bernd , Terstegen Lara , Schweiger Dorothea , Kalbacher Hubert , Wenck Horst , Jedlitschky Gabriele , Jovanovic Zorica
Published: February 2014

We have previously shown that precursors of odorous components characteristic of axillary sweat are hardly detectable or undetectable in individuals carrying the 538G > A SNP in the ABCC11 transporter gene. However, it is unclear, whether ABCC11 is directly involved in the transport of these compounds. To approach this question, transport of peptide‐conjugated potential precursors of 3‐methyl‐3‐sulfanylhexanol (3M3SH), a key determinant of axillary malodour, was measured using membrane vesicles of Sf9 insect cells overexpressing human ABCC11. Whilst no ABCC11‐mediated transport was detected for the dipeptide precursor Cys‐Gly‐3M3SH, the glutathione conjugate of 3M3SH (SG‐3M3SH) was robustly taken up by ABCC11 at a transport rate of 0.47 pmol/mg/min. Collectively, these results illuminate SG‐3M3SH as a putative precursor of 3M3SH, which then may undergo intra‐vesicular maturation to generate Cys‐Gly‐3M3SH. Critically, the apocrine sweat gland was demonstrated to express γ‐glutamyl transferase 1 (GGT1) protein, which is known to catalyse the deglutamylation of glutathionyl conjugates. Additionally, we provide evidence that recombinant and isolated hepatic human GGT1 is capable of transforming SG‐3M3SH to Cys‐Gly‐3M3SH in vitro. To sum up, we demonstrate that the functionality of ABCC11 is likely to play an important role in the generation of axillary malodour. Furthermore, we identify GGT1 as a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of Cys‐Gly‐3M3SH.
The mouth care item of the MOBID pain scale: secondary analyses of unique video uptakes by dental professionals
Authors: Toxopeus Anne H. , Husebo Bettina S. , Strand Liv Inger , Delwel Suzanne , van Wijk Arjen J. , Scherder Erik J.A. , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The Mobilization‐Observation‐Behaviour‐Intensity‐Dementia (MOBID) Pain Scale has been developed for the assessment of pain in elderly individuals with severe dementia. From the initial draft of the MOBID, the teeth/mouth care item was removed due to its low correlation with the total score. However, the observation of this item was done by non‐dental professionals only. The aim was to revisit the unique teeth/mouth care video uptake fragments with a group of experienced elderly care dentists, as to establish the reliability of this item.

Material and methods

Using the Orofacial MOBID Pain Scale, 11 fragments were assessed by 12 specialists during two sessions with a 4‐week interval. The specialists scored whether or not they observed orofacial pain/discomfort‐related behaviours (pain noises, facial expressions and/or defence) and/or dementia‐related behaviours (anxiety, aggression and/or confusion). The threshold for agreement in scoring was arbitrarily set at 66.6%. As a next step, reliability was quantified using Cohen's kappa.

Results

For only two video fragments, substantial agreement was obtained during both sessions, while for three fragments, the agreement was substantial during one session only. In addition, only three observers were able to provide consistent scores. For two of those, the various kappa values could be qualified as moderate to good. Notably, all consistent scores pertained to dementia‐related behaviours; not to orofacial pain/disability‐related behaviours.

Conclusion

Teeth/mouth care, as displayed on video uptakes, cannot be interpreted reliably by experienced elderly care dentists in terms of orofacial pain/discomfort‐related behaviour or dementia‐related behaviour with the Orofacial MOBID Pain Scale.
Factors associated with chewing problems and oral dryness among older Chinese people in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Doris Y.P. , Leung Angela Y.M. , Chi Iris
Published: February 2014

Objectives

This study aims to describe the prevalence of chewing problems and oral dryness when eating and examine their risk factors among Chinese community‐dwelling older adults.

Background

Chewing problems and oral dryness are two common oral health complaints in older people. A number of factors associated with these two oral health problems in older people have been reported, but information regarding Chinese older adults is scarce.

Materials and methods

Secondary analysis was conducted on the data collected from 3422 Hong Kong adults aged ≥60 who had completed a screening instrument for long‐term care services for the first time.

Results

Among the respondents, 15.3% reported having chewing problems and 3.5% reported having oral dryness when eating. More dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL, OR = 1.06, p < 0.001) was associated with a greater likelihood of chewing problems, while more negative mood (OR = 1.19, p < 0.001) was associated with a greater likelihood of oral dryness when eating, after adjusting for the effects of socio‐demographic characteristics and medical conditions. Informal care support, poor nutrition status and difficulty in brushing teeth/dentures were positively and significantly associated with these two perceived oral health problems.

Conclusions

The prevalence of both chewing problems and oral dryness was low in Hong Kong older Chinese adults. IADL was related to chewing problems, while negative mood was related to oral dryness independently and significantly, which provide a knowledge base upon which to develop strategic programs of oral health promotion among older Chinese adults.
Empirical study of the influence of a Laughing Qigong Program on long‐term care residents
Authors: Hsieh Chia‐Jung , Chang Chueh , Tsai Grace , Wu Hsiu‐Feng
Published: February 2014

Aim

To determine the psychological and physiological effects of a Laughing Qigong Program on an elderly population in an institutionalized setting.

Methods

Participants were recruited from a long‐term care institution in northern Taiwan. A total of 99 residents were interviewed and 66 enrolled, there were 33 control participants and 33 experimental participants. The participants were matched according to their abilities as measured by the Barthel Index of Activities for Daily Living. Experimental participants attended the Laughing Qigong Program, twice a week for 4 weeks. Comparisons were made on the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Faces Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and cortisol levels.

Results

Psychometric measures for participants in the experimental group improved, whereas those in the control group decreased. The experimental group showed the following changes: improved Mini‐Mental State Examination scores (Z = −2.28; P < 0.05), improved mood states (Z = −4.47; P < 0.001) and decreased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z = 3.79; P < 0.001). There were no significant changes for the experimental group in cortisol levels. By comparison, the control group showed: decreased mood states (Z = 2.53; P < 0.011), increased Geriatric Depression Scale scores (Z = 4.34; P < 0.001) and significant increases in cortisol levels (Z = 2.62; P < 0.009).

Conclusions

The Laughing Qigong Program has shown to be an effective, cost‐effective non‐pharmacological therapy for cognitive impairment, mood states and elderly depression. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 165‐173.
Does Selection Measure Scoring Influence Motivation: One size fits all?
Authors: Roch Sylvia G. , Mishra Vipanchi , Trombini Eugene
Published: February 2014

Current theories of applicant motivation do not take the scoring of the selection measure into account. We propose that selection measures scored objectively versus using ratings have different motivational antecedents and consequences than selection measures scored using performance ratings. Results from two studies indicated differences between a cognitive ability test (scored objectively) and both an interview and written role‐play (scored using ratings) regarding the amount of self‐reported motivation, factors related to motivation (i.e., procedural justice, perceived performance, and perceived influence), and the relationship between motivation and performance. Both perceived performance and procedural justice were related to motivation across selection measures but only procedural justice was equally important. Perceived influence was only related to motivation regarding the interview. Motivation predicted performance only on the cognitive ability test. Thus, it appears that how a selection measure will be scored should be taken into account when investigating applicant motivation.
The Influence of Employers' Use of Social Networking Websites in Selection, Online Self‐promotion, and Personality on the Likelihood of Faux Pas Postings
Authors: Roulin Nicolas
Published: February 2014

Employers' selection practices sometimes involve reviewing applicants' profile on social networking websites (SNWs) and invading applicants' privacy (e.g., asking for their passwords). Applicants can be eliminated because of faux pas (i.e., inappropriate content) they post online. Yet, little research has examined factors related to faux pas postings. The present study examines employers' use of SNWs in selection, participants' internet and SNWs use, personality, and SNWs self‐promotion as predictors of the likelihood of faux pas postings. Results show lower likelihood of faux pas postings when participants are informed that a high proportion of employers use SNWs in selection, but mainly when it includes invasion of applicants' privacy. Moreover, participants' age, privacy settings, extraversion, and SNWs self‐promotion are related to faux pas.
Selectors' Decision Strategies when Assessing Immigrant Job Applicants
Authors: te Nijenhuis Jan , van Dam Karen , Aarts Sophie , van der Flier Henk
Published: February 2014

Immigrant job applicants are often not fluent in the majority language. This raises the question whether selectors adjust their decision strategy when selecting immigrants. In two field studies (N = 1,949 and N = 156), we examined the decision strategies of professional selectors. Selectors used differential strategies, giving less weight to the test scores and impression scores of immigrants. Dutch language proficiency served as a moderator variable; test scores were considered less important in the employment recommendation especially for immigrants with low language skills. Yet professional selectors also used similar strategies for different groups; the same test scores led to the same recommendations, regardless of ethnicity. In sum, personnel selectors adjusted their decision strategy for immigrants, but this did not lead to immigrants receiving higher recommendations than majority applicants with similar test scores.