bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Developmental Change in the Left Atrial Volume Using Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography
Authors: Tanaka Noboru , Takigiku Kiyohiro , Takahashi Ken , Kuraoka Ayako , Matsui Kotoko , Iwashima Satoru , Nii Masaki , Toyono Manatomo , Takeuchi Masaaki , Kishiro Masahiko , Yasukochi Satoshi , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: December 2014

Aims

Real time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) has been applied for the assessment of left atrial (LA) function in patients with adult heart disease; however, LA function is not well known in children. We aimed at determining the normal range of LA volume (LAV) using RT3DE and the feasibility and reproducibility of this method in healthy subjects and at elucidating the developmental changes in the LAV with aging.

Methods and Results

In this study, 359 healthy people (mean age, 23.9 ± 21.3; range, 0.1–76.4 years) were enrolled. We performed transthoracic RT3DE and measured the maximum and minimum LAV. Simultaneously, we measured the LAV using the 2D biplane Simpson's method. Inter‐observer and intra‐observer variability and the agreement of LAV measurements between RT3DE and 2DE were assessed in a subset of subjects. The RT3DE feasibility for LAV measurement was 93%. Both maximum and minimum LAVs exponentially increased with age and linearly increased with increasing of body surface area (BSA). The LA distensibility, which demonstrates LA reservoir function, decreased with age and BSA. The LAVs measured by RT3DE were significantly smaller than those measured by the 2D biplane Simpson's method. The 3D volumetric method had favorable intra‐observer and inter‐observer agreement.

Conclusion

The reference values of LAV from early infancy to adulthood were obtained using RT3DE, which could be useful for future studies in children with congenital heart disease. RT3DE is a reproducible method and a feasible tool for evaluating the LAV in children. LA reservoir function is likely to decrease with age and increasing of body size.
Food web structure changes with elevation but not rainforest stratum
Authors: Morris Rebecca J. , Sinclair Frazer H. , Burwell Chris J.
Published: December 2014

Changes in species richness along elevational gradients are well documented. However, little is known about how trophic interactions between species and, in particular, the food webs that these interactions comprise, change with elevation. Here we present results for the first comparison of quantitative food webs in forest understorey and canopy along an elevational gradient. Replicate quantitative food webs were constructed for assemblages involving 23 species of cavity‐nesting Hymenoptera and 12 species of their parasitoids and kleptoparasites in subtropical rainforest in Australia. A total of 1589 insects were collected using trap nests across 20 plots distributed at sites ranging from 300 to 1100 m a.s.l. Insect abundance, insect diversity and parasitism rate generally decreased with increasing elevation. Food web structure significantly changed with elevation. In particular, weighted quantitative measures of linkage density, interaction evenness, nestedness (weighted NODF) and potential for enemy mediated interactions (PAC) decreased with increasing elevation, and network specialisation (H2′) increased with increasing elevation, even after controlling for matrix size; but there was no change in weighted connectance. Changes in forest type and temperature along the elevational gradient are likely to be, at least partly, responsible for the patterns observed. We found no significant differences in insect abundance, insect diversity or parasitism rate between canopy and understorey. Furthermore, there were no differences in food web structure between strata. These results contribute further evidence to studies revealing changes in food web structure along natural environmental gradients and provide information that can potentially be used for predicting how communities may respond to climate change.
MicroRNA‐486‐5p, which is downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, suppresses tumor growth by targeting PIK3R1
Authors: Huang Xin‐Ping , Hou Jin , Shen Xiao‐Yun , Huang Chao‐Yuan , Zhang Xue‐Hui , Xie Yu‐An , Luo Xiao‐Ling
Published: December 2014

Deregulated microRNAs and their roles in carcinogenesis and cancer progression have attracted much attention. In previous studies conducted in our laboratory, the Illumina Solexa massively parallel signature sequencing of miRNomes in nontumor and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues revealed that miR‐486‐5p was significantly downregulated in HCC, but its role in HCC development remains unknown. In this study, miR‐486‐5p levels in HCC tissues and matched control tissues, and in seven HCC cell lines (QGY‐7701, QGY‐7703, QGY‐7404, SMMC‐7721, Huh7, HepG2, and PCL/PRF/5) and human normal liver cells (HL‐7702), were tested by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR. We found that the level of miR‐486‐5p was significantly decreased in HCC tissue and in all seven HCC cell lines. Overexpression of miR‐486‐5p markedly suppressed HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, and inhibited HCC growth in vivo. Mechanistically, miR‐486‐5p was confirmed to directly target PIK3R1 expression, thereby suppressing phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–AKT pathway activation, by dual luciferase reporter assay and real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR and western blot analysis. In addition, PIK3R1 knockdown mimicked the effects of miR‐486‐5p overexpression by inhibiting HCC growth, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, correlation analysis, Kaplan–Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard models showed an inverse correlation between miR‐486‐5p and PIK3R1, as well as a shorter time to recurrence after HCC resection, in patients with lower miR‐486‐5p expression. Hence, we conclude that miR‐486‐5p, which is frequently downregulated in HCC, inhibits HCC progression by targeting PIK3R1 and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–AKT activation.

Database

The Solexa sequencing data are available in GEO database (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/) under accession number GSE21279.
Fatigue life of cold‐expanded fastener holes with interference‐fit fasteners at short edge margins
Authors: Vallieres G. M. , DuQuesnay D. L.
Published: December 2014

The fatigue life of 7075‐T6 aluminium specimens with countersunk fastener holes with cold expansion and interference‐fit fasteners with short edge margins was studied. The study was performed experimentally and through finite element analysis. The experiments measured the total fatigue life and crack growth. The results from the finite element analysis consisted of tangential residual stress profiles, which were combined with applied cyclic stresses for fatigue analysis. The experiments showed that the fatigue life improved with interference‐fit fasteners and cold expansion at all edge margins. The fatigue life also increased with increasing edge margin. The finite element results were used to make fatigue life predictions that corresponded reasonably well with the experimental results.
Temporal patterns in adult salmon migration timing across southeast Alaska
Authors: Kovach Ryan P. , Ellison Stephen C. , Pyare Sanjay , Tallmon David A.
Published: December 2014

Pacific salmon migration timing can drive population productivity, ecosystem dynamics, and human harvest. Nevertheless, little is known about long‐term variation in salmon migration timing for multiple species across broad regions. We used long‐term data for five Pacific salmon species throughout rapidly warming southeast Alaska to describe long‐term changes in salmon migration timing, interannual phenological synchrony, relationships between climatic variation and migratory timing, and to test whether long‐term changes in migration timing are related to glaciation in headwater streams. Temporal changes in the median date of salmon migration timing varied widely across species. Most sockeye populations are migrating later over time (11 of 14), but pink, chum, and especially coho populations are migrating earlier than they did historically (16 of 19 combined). Temporal trends in duration and interannual variation in migration timing were highly variable across species and populations. The greatest temporal shifts in the median date of migration timing were correlated with decreases in the duration of migration timing, suggestive of a loss of phenotypic variation due to natural selection. Pairwise interannual correlations in migration timing varied widely but were generally positive, providing evidence for weak region‐wide phenological synchrony. This synchrony is likely a function of climatic variation, as interannual variation in migration timing was related to climatic phenomenon operating at large‐ (Pacific decadal oscillation), moderate‐ (sea surface temperature), and local‐scales (precipitation). Surprisingly, the presence or the absence of glaciers within a watershed was unrelated to long‐term shifts in phenology. Overall, there was extensive heterogeneity in long‐term patterns of migration timing throughout this climatically and geographically complex region, highlighting that future climatic change will likely have widely divergent impacts on salmon migration timing. Although salmon phenological diversity will complicate future predictions of migration timing, this variation likely acts as a major contributor to population and ecosystem resiliency in southeast Alaska.
The association between patient activation and accessing online health information: results from a national survey of US adults
Authors: Smith Samuel G. , Pandit Anjali , Rush Steven R. , Wolf Michael S. , Simon Carol
Published: December 2014

Background

There are increasing opportunities for the public to access online health information, but attitudinal barriers to use are less well‐known. Patient activation is associated with key health outcomes, but its relationship with using online health information is not known.

Objective

We examined the relationship between patient activation and the likelihood of accessing a range of different types of online health information in a nationally representative US sample.

Design

Cross‐sectional nationally representative survey.

Setting and participants

Data were from an online (n = 2700) and random digit dial telephone survey (n = 700) of US adults (total n = 3400).

Main variables studied

Respondent characteristics and the Patient Activation Measure.

Main outcome measures

Self‐reported access of five types of online health information in the past 12 months (online medical records, cost estimation tools, quality comparison tools, health information about a specific condition, preventive health information).

Results

Approximately, one‐fifth of the sample had accessed their medical record (21.6%), treatment cost estimation tools (17.3%) and hospital and physician quality comparison tools (21.8%). Nearly half of the sample had accessed information about medical conditions or treatments (48.3%) or preventive health and well‐being (45.9%). In multivariable analyses adjusted for participant characteristics, respondents with greater patient activation were more likely to have accessed all types of health information other than cost estimation tools.

Discussion and conclusions

Activated people are more likely to make use of online heath information. Increasing patient activation could improve the public's ability to participate in health care and personal health self‐management by encouraging health information seeking.
Patients have unwritten duties: experiences of patients with type 1 diabetes in health care
Authors: Hirjaba Marina , Häggman‐Laitila Arja , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Kangasniemi Mari
Published: December 2014

Aim

To describe the perceptions and experiences of patients with type 1 diabetes, examine their duties and responsibilities for their own care and increase our understanding of the value‐based role of patients in the changing healthcare environment.

Background

Current type 1 diabetes care highlights the importance of self‐care and of patient involvement, which implies the need to evaluate the patients' role. Little is known about patients' views about their own role, and related responsibilities and duties for their own care. This is essential if we are to promote efficient patient involvement.

Design

This study had a qualitative descriptive design.

Methods

We conducted one‐to‐one themed interviews with 20 patients with type 1 diabetes during summer 2013 at a diabetes polyclinic in Finland. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Findings

Patients with type 1 diabetes believed that their well‐being and self‐care required them to consider their own responsibilities and their duties towards themselves, family members, society and healthcare professionals. These duties were seen to have implications for care outcomes, quality of life, and effectiveness and economy in health care. However, patients' background, motivation, relationships with healthcare staff and patient counselling influenced whether they fulfilled those duties, which are all crucial elements in type 1 diabetes care.

Conclusion

Patient duties are significant for the well‐being of patients with type 1 diabetes, but also for their successful involvement in their care. This study can be used to inform the development of individual care planning and support of patient involvement.
Facial skin pigmentation is not related to stratum corneum cohesion, basal transepidermal water loss, barrier integrity and barrier repair
Authors: Voegeli R. , Rawlings A. V. , Summers B.
Published: December 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Hypotheses have been developed for the evolutionary selection of skin pigmentation one of which relates to improved skin barrier function. The aim of this study was to compare facial skin condition on photoexposed (cheek) and photoprotected (post‐auricular) sites of naturally pigmented subjects of different ethnicities (Fitzpatrick skin phototypes II/III and V/VI) and Albino African subjects to understand better the relationship between facial stratum corneum (SC) barrier function, skin surface pH and skin pigmentation.

Methods

Expert grading of skin conditions, capacitance, skin surface pH and skin barrier function measurements were performed. For the latter, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements before (basal TEWL), after 3, 6 and 9 consecutive tape strippings (SC integrity) and 3.5 and 24 h post tape stripping (barrier recovery) were taken. Amounts of SC protein removed during stripping were estimated using infrared densitometry (SC cohesion).

Results

Firstly, correlation analysis of the biometric data of the Black African and Caucasian subjects showed there to be no relationship between skin surface pH and ITA° values nor pH and ITA° with basal TEWL. Neither skin surface pH nor ITA° correlated with SC integrity and barrier recovery measurements, but skin surface pH correlated with SC cohesion. ITA° values were correlated with skin hydration. Secondly, on comparing the three ethnic groups, severe skin photodamage was observed in the Albino African subjects and their SC was thicker. Whereas their basal TEWL was elevated, superior values for SC integrity and barrier recovery were measured. No differences in basal TEWL, SC integrity and barrier recovery were found between the other two subject groups. Equally, SC cohesion and skin surface pH values were similar among the three groups.

Conclusion

There was no relationship between ITA° values and basal TEWL, SC integrity, SC cohesion and barrier recovery, but ITA° was correlated with skin hydration. Skin surface pH, irrespective of ITA° values, correlated with SC cohesion, indicating a greater intracorneal cohesion at lower pH values. Thus, pigmentation has no effect on SC barrier properties but was related to skin hydration. On comparing the three ethnic groups, Albino African SC was found to be superior to the Caucasian and Black African subjects in terms of SC integrity and barrier recovery but not basal TEWL. The Albino African subjects also have a thicker SC which contributes to their better SC integrity. No differences in skin barrier functionality or skin surface pH were observed for the other two groups. Skin hydration was, however, greatest in the Black African subjects. Our data support the evolutionary hypothesis that pigmentation protects the skin from UV irradiation and thereby the skin barrier but not the skin pigmentation‐/pH‐driven adaptive skin barrier hypothesis.
PDGF‐AA‐induced filamentous mitochondria benefit dermal papilla cells in cellular migration
Authors: Mifude C. , Kaseda K.
Published: December 2014

Synopsis

Objectives

Human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs) play essential roles in hair follicular morphogenesis and postnatal hair growth cycles. Previous reports demonstrated that platelet‐derived growth factor‐AA (PDGF‐AA) enhanced the formation of dermal condensates in hair follicular development. Additionally, PDGF‐AA induces/maintains the anagen phase of the hair cycle. It is likely that mitochondrial morphology and functions are tightly coupled with maintenance of these energy‐demanding activities. However, little is known about the mitochondrial regulation in HDPCs. Thus, we investigated the PDGF‐involved mitochondrial regulation in HDPCs.

Methods

The mitochondrial morphologies of HDPCs were examined in the presence or absence of PDGF‐AA under a fluorescent microscope. ATP production and cellular motility were investigated. The relationship between mitochondrial morphology and the cellular functions was discussed.

Results

We observed that primary HDPCs contained mitochondria with filamentous and/or rounded morphologies. Both types of mitochondria showed similar membrane potentials. Interestingly, in the presence of PDGF‐AA, but not PDGF‐BB, the balance between the two morphologies shifted towards the filamentous form. Concomitantly, both mitochondrial enzymatic activity and total cellular ATP level were augmented by PDGF‐AA. These two parameters were closely correlated, suggesting the mitochondrial involvement in the PDGF‐augmented ATP production. Moreover, PDGF‐AA accelerated the migration of HDPCs in a gap‐filling assay, but did not change the rate of cellular proliferation. Notably, filamentous mitochondria dominated migrating HDPCs.

Conclusion

PDGF‐AA benefits HDPCs in the process of migration, by increasing the number of filamentous mitochondria.
Enhanced thermal and antibacterial properties of cross‐linked waxy maize starch granules by chitosan via dry heat treatment
Authors: Zhou Zhongkai , Zheng Paiyun , Wang Zhiwei , Yang Rui , Chu Yuling
Published: December 2014

Cross‐linked starch was synthesised using chitosan as cross‐linking agent via a dry heating method. Thermal properties measured by DSC showed transition temperatures increased as compared with that of native starch (P < 0.001), which might indicate the starch and chitosan molecules interacted with each other. XRD demonstrated that the crystalline pattern of the starch remained the same, but there was slight change in the crystallinity degree after the cross‐links. The significant reduction of solubility, swelling power and transparency (P < 0.001) indicated that the cross‐links restricted the starch granules swelling and molecules leaching. Agar diffusion test showed that chitosan‐cross‐linked starch had excellent bacterial growth inhibition, and its antibacterial activity was stronger against Gram‐negative bacteria than against Gram‐positive bacteria. Its antibacterial activity was further confirmed using liquid broth method. Thus, the cross‐linked starch may be directly used in the food formula for protecting food as a natural antimicrobial ingredient.
Grain Growth in Ti(C,N)‐Based Cermets During Liquid‐Phase Sintering
Authors: Yang Qingqing , Xiong Weihao , Zhang Guopeng , Huang Bin
Published: December 2014

Growth behavior of Ti‐based carbonitride ceramic grains in two high‐Mo Ti(C,N)‐based cermets with Ni and Ni–20Cr (wt%) binders was investigated during liquid‐phase sintering under vacuum at 1410°C, using DSC, XRD, SEM, AEM, and EDS. Grain growth occurred primarily through two‐dimensional nucleation and lateral growth. Most significantly, the grain growth kinetics followed the cubic law, which was controlled by the diffusion of dissolved mass through liquid Ni‐based binder phase. However, when Ni–20Cr (wt%) was used as metallic binder, the inner rim of ceramic grains with the typical core‐rim structure was seldom complete, and there were often some fine Ni‐rich and Mo‐rich speckles in their core. In Ni‐rich and Mo‐rich speckles, there were two kinds of microstructure: one consisted of Ni‐based superlattice phase, and the other consisted of Ti‐based carbonitride ceramic phase and unknown phases. The three‐dimensional thermodynamic equilibrium shape of Ti‐based carbonitride ceramic grains evolved from a {111}‐faceted and round ‐edged octahedron to a {111}‐faceted and sharp‐edged octahedron. In addition, the grain growth rate increased, which was mainly attributed to that the decrease of solid/liquid transformation temperature of Ni‐based binder phase led to the increase of the diffusion rate of dissolved mass through liquid Ni‐based binder phase.
Discussion
Authors: D'Asaro Francesco , Grillone Giovanni
Published: December 2014

Epps et al. (2013) derived Curve Number (CN) values for two forested headwater watersheds in the Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina during the 2008‐2011 period from rainfall‐runoff data, resulting in 23 events for the Upper Debidue Creek (UDC) watershed and in 20 events for Watershed 80 (WS80). D'Asaro and Grillone analyzed the P, CN data of the UDC watershed finding an evident “complacent” behavior, characterized by a declining CN with increasing P but without approaching a stable value at large storms. In this case, the traditional runoff CN equation does not fit well with the rainfall‐runoff data that indicate a partial source area watershed behavior and are more aptly modeled by the equation introduced by D'Asaro and Grillone (2012), who introduced a C parameter in the well‐known runoff CN formula. The C value, that represents the source area (fraction of drainage area) of the basin that produces runoff with a fixed CN < 100, is here considered to vary with the water table elevation (WTE), to which it is well correlated.
A Review of How Researchers Have Used Theory to Address Research Questions About Fathers in Three Large Data Sets
Authors: Fagan Jay
Published: December 2014

The present article examines how the 3 national data sets in the Developing a Daddy Survey project studies have been used to address research questions regarding fathers based on various theories and theoretical frameworks. The data sets include Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey—Birth Cohort, and the Early Head Start Fathers' Study. The theoretically based studies that have been conducted using these data sets have greatly expanded our understanding of fathers in the context of their families and children's lives. Yet all large data sets have their advantages and disadvantages, and these are discussed here. Without a doubt, the pluses of using these data sets far outweigh any of the shortcomings of the data.
Essential Differences in the Meaning and Processes of Mothering and Fathering: Family Systems, Feminist and Qualitative Perspectives
Authors: Palkovitz Rob , Trask Bahira Sherif , Adamsons Kari
Published: December 2014

Although empirical studies have not consistently documented differences in mothering and fathering, differences in conceptualizations, opportunities for enactment, and meanings of mothering and fathering can be clearly demonstrated through family systems as well as feminist theories and qualitative research traditions. We argue that employing the same measures to assess fathering and mothering behaviors will document considerable differences in the involvement of mothers and fathers while masking differences in the roles, meanings, and processes associated with those behaviors. The employment of convergent behavioral measures can profitably occur in conjunction with efforts to identify theoretically rich areas where mothering and fathering are distinct in terms of processes and meanings; this will allow us to document essential differences noted in the lived experiences of family members.
Six‐Month Outcomes of Co‐Occurring Delirium, Depression, and Dementia in Long‐Term Care
Authors: McCusker Jane , Cole Martin G. , Voyer Philippe , Monette Johanne , Champoux Nathalie , Ciampi Antonio , Vu Minh , Belzile Eric
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To describe the 6‐month outcomes of co‐occurring delirium (full syndrome and subsyndromal symptoms), depression, and dementia in a long‐term care (LTC) population.

Design

Observational, prospective cohort study with 6‐month follow‐up conducted from 2005 to 2009.

Setting

Seven LTC facilities in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Participants

Newly admitted and long‐term residents recruited consecutively from lists of residents aged 65 and older admitted for LTC, with stratification into groups with and without severe cognitive impairment. The study sample comprised 274 residents with complete data at baseline on delirium, dementia, and depression.

Measurements

Outcomes were 6‐month mortality, functional decline (10‐point decline from baseline on 100‐point Barthel scale), and cognitive decline (3‐point decline on 30‐point Mini‐Mental State Examination). Predictors included delirium (full syndrome or subsyndromal symptoms, using the Confusion Assessment Method), depression (Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia), and dementia (chart diagnosis).

Results

The baseline prevalences of delirium, subsyndromal symptoms of delirium (SSD), depression, and dementia were 11%, 44%, 19%, and 66%, respectively. By 6 months, 10% of 274 had died, 19% of 233 had experienced functional decline, and 17% of 246 had experienced cognitive decline. An analysis using multivariable generalized linear models found the following significant interaction effects (P < .15): between depression and dementia for mortality, between delirium and depression for functional decline, and between SSD and dementia for cognitive decline.

Conclusion

Co‐occurrence of delirium, SSD, depression, and dementia in LTC residents appears to affect some 6‐month outcomes. Because of limited statistical power, it was not possible to draw conclusions about the effects of the co‐occurrence of some syndromes on poorer outcomes.
Neurones in the Preoptic Area of the Male Goldfish are Activated by a Sex Pheromone 17α,20β‐Dihydroxy‐4‐Pregnen‐3‐One
Authors: Kawai Takafumi , Yoshimura Atsushi , Oka Yoshitaka
Published: December 2014

Pheromones are interesting molecules given their ability to evoke changes in the endocrine state and behaviours of animals. In goldfish, a sex pheromone, 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (17,20β‐P), which is released by preovulatory females, is known to trigger the elevation of luteinising hormone (LH) levels, as well as reproductive behaviour in males. Interestingly, when 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) is implanted into adult female fish, LH levels increase in response to the pheromone at any time of the day, which is normally a male‐specific response. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the male‐specific information processing of 17,20β‐P and its androgen dependence are yet unknown. In the present study, we focused on the preoptic area (POA), which plays important roles in the regulation of reproduction and reproductive behaviours. We mapped activity in the POA evoked by 17,20β‐P exposure using the immediate‐early gene c‐fos. We found that a population of ventral POA neurones close to kisspeptin2 (kiss2) neurones that appear to have important roles in reproduction was activated by 17,20β‐P exposure, suggesting that these activated neurones are important for the 17,20β‐P response. Next, we investigated the distribution of androgen receptor (ar) in the POA and its relationship with 17,20β‐P‐responsive and kiss2 neurones. We found that ar is widely expressed in the ventral POA, whereas it is only expressed in approximately 10% of 17,20β‐P‐activated neurones. On the other hand, it is expressed in almost 90% of the kiss2 neurones. Taken together, it is possible that ar expressing neurones in the ventral POA, most of which were not labelled by c‐fos in the present study, may at least partly account for androgen effects on responses to primer pheromones; the ar‐positive kiss2 neurones in the ventral POA may be a candidate. These results offer a novel insight into the mechanisms underlying male‐specific information processing of 17,20β‐P in goldfish.
The use, prevalence and potential benefits of a diary as a therapeutic intervention/tool to aid recovery following critical illness in intensive care: a literature review
Authors: Ewens Beverley A , Hendricks Joyce M , Sundin Deb
Published: December 2014

Aims and objectives

To critically appraise the available literature and summarise the evidence related to the use, prevalence, purpose and potential therapeutic benefits of intensive care unit diaries following survivors' discharge from hospital and identify areas for future exploration.

Background

Intensive care unit survivorship is increasing as are associated physical and psychological complications. These complications can impact on the quality of life of survivors and their families. Rehabilitation services for survivors have been sporadically implemented and lack an evidence base. Patient diaries in intensive care have been implemented in Scandinavia and Europe with the intention of filling memory gaps, enable survivors to set realistic recovery goals and cement their experiences in reality.

Design

A review of original research articles.

Methods

The review used key terms and Boolean operators across a 34‐year time frame in: CIHAHL, Medline, Scopus, Proquest, Informit and Google Scholar for research reports pertaining to the area of enquiry. Twenty‐two original research articles met the inclusion criteria for this review.

Results

The review concluded that diaries are prevalent in Scandinavia and parts of Europe but not elsewhere. The implementation and ongoing use of diaries is disparate and international guidelines to clarify this have been proposed. Evidence which demonstrates the potential of diaries in the reduction of the psychological complications following intensive care has recently emerged. Results from this review will inform future research in this area.

Conclusions

Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential benefits of diaries for survivors and improve the evidence base which is currently insufficient to inform practice. The exploration of prospective diarising in the recovery period for survivors is also justified.

Relevance to clinical practice

Intensive care diaries are a cost effective intervention which may yield significant benefits to survivors.
Hyoid and laryngeal excursion kinematics – magnitude, duration and velocity – changes following successful exercise‐based dysphagia rehabilitation: MDTP
Authors: Sia I. , Carvajal P. , Lacy A. A. , Carnaby G. D. , Crary M. A.
Published: December 2014

Variability in magnitude of deglutitional hyolaryngeal excursion in patients with dysphagia suggests that it does not adequately represent the kinematics of swallowing difficulties or recovery following rehabilitation. On the other hand, reduced hyolaryngeal excursion velocity has been reported in patients with dysphagia. While increased movement velocity often accompanies clinical and functional recovery in many diseases, velocity changes in swallowing‐related movement following dysphagia therapy have not been well studied. This study evaluated changes in hyoid and laryngeal excursion (magnitude, duration and velocity) before and following successful dysphagia therapy to provide a more comprehensive representation of improvement to swallowing kinematics in patients who have experienced successful rehabilitation. A secondary analysis of case series data was completed. Eight patients with severe, chronic dysphagia completed a standard course of an exercise‐based dysphagia treatment programme (McNeill dysphagia therapy program, MDTP). Pre‐ and post‐treatment, kinematic aspects of swallowing were evaluated for thin liquid, thick liquid and pudding swallows. Maximum hyoid and laryngeal excursion magnitude and excursion duration were measured. Excursion velocities were calculated from excursion magnitude and duration measures. Successful treatment for dysphagia facilitated increased hyolaryngeal excursion magnitude, duration and velocity. These changes were most prominent for the hyoid and most often observed with thin liquids. By examining hyoid and laryngeal excursion velocity in patients who have experienced successful dysphagia rehabilitation, this study demonstrated the value of evaluating spatial and temporal aspects of swallowing kinematics in a single measure for a more comprehensive representation of positive changes underlying functional recovery.
TLR2,TLR4 and CD86 gene polymorphisms in recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Karasneh Jumana , Bani‐Hani Maisoun , Alkhateeb Asem , Hassan Ahmad , Alzoubi Firas , Thornhill Martin
Published: December 2014

Background

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is an inflammatory disease induced by genetic and environmental factors. Toll‐like receptor (TLR) and CD86 are essential components for innate immunity and cellular immune response. We aimed to determine whether inheritance of specific TLR2, TLR4and CD86 gene polymorphisms are associated with RAS.

Methods

Ninety‐six patients with RAS and 153 controls were studied. Eight SNPs were genotyped using PCR–RFLP technique; four in TLR2 gene: rs4696480, rs3804100, rs121917864, rs5743708; three in TLR4 gene: rs10759931, rs4986790 rs1927911; and one in CD86 gene rs17281995. Association was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was assessed using the Haploview program.

Results

Significant increase in inheritance of A allele (OR = 1.6, P = 0.01) and AA genotype (OR = 3.89, P = 0.01) of TLR4 rs10759931 was observed in cases. TLR4rs1927911 C allele and CC genotype were also increased (OR = 1.60 and 2.78 respectively); however, this was not statistically significant (P = 0.02 and 0.03 respectively). TLR2 and CD86 did not show association with RAS.

Conclusions

This is the first study to investigate the association of TLR and CD86 with RAS. We found a significant association between TLR4 rs10759931 polymorphism and RAS. Confirmatory studies in other populations and functional investigations are needed to determine the role of TLR4 in RAS.
Confronting and Reducing Sexism: A Call for Research on Intervention
Authors: Becker Julia C. , Zawadzki Matthew J. , Shields Stephanie A.
Published: December 2014

This article presents the current state of research on confronting and reducing sexism. We first provide a systematic overview about prior work on confronting sexism. We identify gaps in the literature by outlining situational and contextual factors that are important in confronting sexism and introduce how these are addressed in the current volume. Second, we review prior work on reducing sexism. Compared to research on reducing other forms of prejudice, research on interventions to reduce sexism is rare. We explain why mechanisms that are successful in reducing other forms of prejudice cannot simply be adapted to reducing sexism. We then outline how the articles of this issue promote research, theory, and policy on reducing sexism. In conclusion, the aim of this issue is to bring together novel theoretical approaches as well as empirically tested methods that identify key antecedents and consequences of diverse ways of confronting and reducing sexism.
Confronting Sexism as Persuasion: Effects of a Confrontation's Recipient, Source, Message, and Context
Authors: Gervais Sarah J. , Hillard Amy L.
Published: December 2014

We applied the message‐learning theory of persuasion to examine perceptions of leaders who confront sexism. Participants (N = 283) read vignettes that varied the confrontation message (i.e., directness), source (i.e., confronter gender), and context (i.e., public vs. private). As hypothesized, female (vs. male) participants evaluated confronters more positively and female (vs. male) leaders were evaluated less favorably when they confronted publically. Additionally, participants perceived greater sexism for public (vs. private) confrontation contexts and were more surprised when the confrontation source was a male (vs. female) leader. Implications for confronting and persuasion theories and applications for policymakers are discussed.
Ways to Go: Men's and Women's Support for Aggressive and Nonaggressive Confrontation of Sexism as a Function of Gender Identification
Authors: Becker Julia C. , Barreto Manuela
Published: December 2014

This research examines male and female perceivers’ reactions to a female target who (1) confronted sexism nonaggressively, (2) confronted sexism aggressively (by slapping the perpetrator), or (3) did not confront sexism. Results (N = 152) indicated that, overall, both women and men responded most favorably to the female target who confronted nonaggressively. Nonaggressive confrontation was perceived as relatively unthreatening for women and relatively threatening for men, whereas the remaining responses were all perceived as threatening for women. Results were further moderated by participants’ a priori levels of gender identification: women who were weakly identified with their gender and men who were highly identified with their gender were less supportive of aggressive confrontations. Implications regarding the optimal way to confront sexism are discussed.
Validation of the Swedish Version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Authors: Ryding Elsa Lena , Blom Carina
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) has been validated for use in many countries. It has been used for clinical and research purposes in Sweden, but the reliability and validity of the Swedish version have never been tested.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the FSFI.

Methods

After informed consent, 50 women with a diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and 58 age-matched healthy volunteers completed the questionnaires.

Main Outcome Measures

Reliability was tested by Cronbach's alpha and test–retest by Pearson's correlation, convergent validity by correlation of the FSFI and the Sexual Function Questionnaire (SFQ), divergent validity by correlation of FSFI and the Symptoms Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and discriminant validity by Student's t-test and chi-square test to assess differences between women with and without HSDD.

Results

Cronbach's alpha was 0.90–0.96 and test–retest reliability was good (r = 0.86–0.93) for all domains in the whole sample; reliability was low for lubrication and pain in the control group. Correlations between all corresponding domains of the FSFI and the SFQ were high for the whole sample (r = 0.74–0.87) and moderate to high for both the clinical and the control group. There was no correlation between most FSFI domains and the SCL-90-R. Discriminant validity was very good for each of the FSFI domains (P = 0.001, t = 7.05–15.58), although the controls reported relatively low scores on the desire domain. The total FSFI score was 31.37 (standard deviation [SD] 2.66) for the clinical group and 17.47 (SD 5.33) for the controls (P = 0.001, t = 15.99).

Conclusion

The Swedish version of the FSFI can be used as a validated and reliable instrument for assessing sexual function in women with HSDD.
Secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5) decreases hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis
Authors: Chatani Norihiro , Kamada Yoshihiro , Kizu Takashi , Ogura Satoshi , Furuta Kunimaro , Egawa Mayumi , Hamano Mina , Ezaki Hisao , Kiso Shinichi , Shimono Akihiko , Ouchi Noriyuki , Yoshida Yuichi , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims

Obesity‐related adipocytokine dysregulation is known to accelerate liver fibrosis progression. Recently, a natural Wnt5a inhibitor, secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5), was identified as a novel adipocytokine that has reduced expression in obese adipose tissue in both rodents and human. In addition, hepatic gene expression of Wnt5a and its receptor frizzled 2 (Fz2) is elevated during fibrosis progression. Therefore, Sfrp5 could have biological significance in liver fibrosis.

Methods

We first investigated the effects of Sfrp5 on primary cultured mouse hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. Next, to elucidate the roles of Sfrp5 in liver fibrosis, we investigated a carbon‐tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis model using Sfrp5 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice in vivo. Each mouse was injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 (0.5 ml/kg) or olive oil as a single dose (acute liver injury model), or twice a week for 6 weeks (liver fibrosis model).

Results

In in vitro studies, Wnt5a enhanced both proliferation and migration of HSCs, and these effects could be completely blocked by Sfrp5. Moreover, siRNA knockdown of Fz2 in HSCs could block the effects of Wnt5a on both HSC proliferation and migration. In in vivo studies, there were no differences in the CCl4‐induced liver injury between KO and WT mice. Hepatic Wnt5a gene expression and plasma Wnt5a levels significantly increased after a single CCl4 injection in both mice. Sfrp5 knockout significantly enhanced CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that Sfrp5 may ameliorate mouse liver fibrosis through inhibition of Wnt5a/Fz2 signalling.
Haemolytic and co‐haemolytic (CAMP‐like) activity in dermatophytes
Authors: Döğen Aylin , Gümral Ramazan , İlkit Macit
Published: December 2014

Dermatophytes are some of the most common fungal pathogens in both humans and animals. These fungi release enzymes (e.g., keratinases) that play roles in their pathogenesis. Little is known about their haemolytic and co‐haemolytic (CAMP‐like) activities; however, in bacteria, these components play significant roles in pathogenesis. This study characterised these two factors in 45 dermatophyte strains (representing the genera Arthroderma, Epidermophyton, Microsporum and Trichophyton) using Columbia agar (CA) supplemented with 5% bovine, ovine and equine erythrocytes. Haemolysis was best observed on CA supplemented with ovine erythrocytes followed by equine and bovine erythrocytes, while CAMP‐like reactions occurred using bovine and ovine but not equine erythrocytes. Haemolytic and CAMP‐like activities were best observed using ovine and bovine erythrocytes in CA in 44 and 38 strains at 7 and 3 days respectively. Most dermatophytes recovered from both symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions had haemolytic and CAMP‐like activities. We suggest that the haemolytic and CAMP‐like activities are not correlated with ecological characteristics, isolation sites or clinical manifestations of dermatophytic fungi. We also believe that this study has the potential to contribute to the existing literature on dermatophytes and dermatophyte pathogenesis.
Effect of amyloid‐β (Aβ) immunization on hyperphosphorylated tau: a potential role for glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β
Authors: Amin Jay , Paquet Claire , Baker Alex , Asuni Ayodeji A. , Love Seth , Holmes Clive , Hugon Jacques , Nicoll James A. R. , Boche Delphine
Published: December 2014

Aims

Active amyloid‐β (Aβ) immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) induces removal of Aβ and phosphorylated tau (ptau). Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β is a kinase, responsible for phosphorylation of tau, activation of which can be induced by phosphorylated double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase (pPKR). Using a post‐mortem cohort of immunized AD cases, we investigated the effect of Aβ immunization on GSK‐3β expression and pPKR.

Methods

We immunostained 11 immunized AD cases and 28 unimmunized AD cases for active, inactive and total GSK‐3β, and for pPKR. Quantification of protein load was performed in the hippocampal region including CA1, subiculum and entorhinal cortex.

Results

All three areas showed a significant decrease in the three forms of GSK‐3β (P < 0.05) and a nonsignificant trend towards lower pPKR load in the immunized AD cases compared with the unimmunized AD cases.

Conclusion

The lower GSK‐3β expression generated by Aβ immunotherapy shows evidence of a modification of the signalling pathway induced by GSK‐3β leading to the overall reduction of tau, supporting the contention that in humans, GSK‐3β unifies Aβ and tau‐related neuropathology.
Patients with diabetes as the primary kidney disease have a worse survival than patients with comorbid diabetes in chronic haemodialysis patients
Authors: Chen Hung‐Chih , Chou Che‐Yi , Hsiao Yi‐Tzone , Liang Chih‐Chia , Kuo Huey‐Liang , Chang Chiz‐Tzung , Liu Jiung‐Hsiun , Wang I‐Kuan , Huang Chiu‐Ching
Published: December 2014

Aim

Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that requires dialysis. It is not clear if survival of patients with diabetes as primary kidney disease (DKD) is different from the survival of patients with diabetes as comorbidity (DCM). We investigated the survival of patients with DKD and patients with DCM in patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) using propensity score matching approach.

Methods

All patients on maintenance HD in Taiwan Renal Registry Database from 1997 to 2005 were analyzed and were prospectively followed to 31 December 2008. Patients' survival was determined using Cox proportional‐hazards regression.

Results

We analyzed the survival of 2632 patients with DCM and 13 160 matched patients with DKD. The first year mortality rate was 11.9% in patients with DCM and 13.9% in patients with DKD. The incidence density rate of overall mortality was 11.2 per 100 patient‐years in patients with DCM and 12.9 in patients with DKD. Patients with DKD had a worse survival than patients with DCM (P < 0.01). Compared to patients with DCM, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) for first year mortality was 1.27 (1.10–1.47) and the hazard ratio for overall mortality was 1.18 (1.12–1.25) in patients with DKD. Patients' age, male gender, comorbid liver cirrhosis, higher fasting blood glucose, lower haematocrit, and lower serum phosphorus were independently associated with higher mortality.

Conclusions

Patients with diabetes as primary kidney disease are associated with higher first year and overall mortality, compared to patients with diabetes as comorbidity in patients on maintenance haemodialysis.