bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas what: NO is not the only answer to sexual function
Authors: Yetik‐Anacak G , Sorrentino R , Linder A E , Murat N
Published: March 2014

The ability to get and keep an erection is important to men for several reasons and the inability is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). ED has started to be accepted as an early indicator of systemic endothelial dysfunction and subsequently of cardiovascular diseases. The role of NO in endothelial relaxation and erectile function is well accepted. The discovery of NO as a small signalling gasotransmitter led to the investigation of the role of other endogenously derived gases, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The role of NO and CO in sexual function and dysfunction has been investigated more extensively and, recently, the involvement of H2S in erectile function has also been confirmed. In this review, we focus on the role of these three sister gasotransmitters in the physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of sexual function in man, specifically erectile function. We have also reviewed the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase/cGMP pathway as a common target of these gasotransmitters. Several studies have proposed alternative therapies targeting different mechanisms in addition to PDE‐5 inhibition for ED treatment, since some patients do not respond to these drugs. This review highlights complementary and possible coordinated roles for these mediators and treatments targeting these gasotransmitters in erectile function/ED.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-6
Confronting risk: A case study of Aboriginal peoples' participation in environmental governance of uranium mining, Saskatchewan
Authors: Haalboom Bethany
Published: March 2014

While the number of non‐regulatory environmental governance arrangements overseeing mining has been growing in Canada, there remains limited research critically examining Aboriginal peoples' experiences in these emerging institutions. This is especially notable with respect to the sharing of techno‐scientific information, often used as a means of enabling Aboriginal peoples' participation and engendering their trust. A qualitative case study of the Northern Saskatchewan Environmental Quality Committee oversight of uranium mining, this research explores how techno‐scientific information in the form of risk assessments was socially constructed and discursively employed by government and industry, and how Aboriginal participants responded. Findings illustrate that risk assessments were presented in ways that rendered development as controllable and inevitable, which facilitated dominant political economic agendas and capitalist practices. Aboriginal participants, however, introduced alternative interpretations of risk and sought to claim spaces within this governance institution through underscoring absent uncertainties, and asserting knowledges of global technological failures and local conditions that contradicted scientific reassurances. Aboriginal participants also highlighted the social injustices of development processes in Saskatchewan's north, which shaped their interpretations of risk, raising important questions about the value of these alternative governance institutions for Aboriginal peoples and their environments.
Growing old in resource communities: Exploring the links among voluntarism, aging, and community development
Authors: Skinner Mark W. , Joseph Alun E. , Hanlon Neil , Halseth Greg , Ryser Laura
Published: March 2014

This article addresses the implications of “resource frontier aging” with a particular emphasis on understanding the role of the voluntary sector in supporting older people living in resource hinterland regions, and in sustaining economic and social development in their communities. Informed by recent calls for greater attention to the diverse experiences of rural aging, individually and collectively, and drawing on previous research on voluntarism in aging rural communities and on community development in Canada's resource hinterland, we conceptualize voluntarism as a multifaceted process that both shapes and is shaped by the interactions between older people and aging places. We articulate an approach for interrogating initiatives that link voluntarism, aging, and community development together, and present findings from an exploratory analysis of local media from two resource towns in northern British Columbia to identify and describe the interrelationship between voluntary sector activities in support of community development and those in support of aging in place. The findings provide evidence of the multiple, nuanced, and reciprocal ways in which voluntarism creates and reinforces the connections between aging and community development, often via the leadership and participation of older residents. Avenues for further research aimed at developing an in‐depth understanding of voluntarism as a potentially transformative process in resource frontier communities are discussed.
The utility of the ISAC allergen array in the investigation of idiopathic anaphylaxis
Authors: Heaps A , Carter S , Selwood C , Moody M , Unsworth J , Deacock S , Sumar N , Bansal A , Hayman G , El-Shanawany T , Williams P , Kaminski E , Jolles S
Published: March 2014

A diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis following a detailed clinical assessment remains very challenging for patients and clinicians. Risk reduction strategies such as allergen avoidance are not possible. This study investigated whether the (ISAC) allergen array with 103 allergens would add diagnostic value in patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis. We extended the specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E testing in 110 patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic anaphylaxis from five UK specialist centres using ISAC arrays. These were divided into three groups: score I identified no new allergen sensitization beyond those known by previous assessment, score II identified new sensitizations which were not thought likely to explain the anaphylaxis and score III identified new sensitizations felt to have a high likelihood of being responsible for the anaphylaxis. A proportion (50%) of score III patients underwent clinical reassessment to substantiate the link to anaphylaxis in this group. The results show that 20% of the arrays were classified as score III with a high likelihood of identifying the cause of the anaphylaxis. A wide range of major allergens were identified, the most frequent being omega-5-gliadin and shrimp, together accounting for 45% of the previously unrecognized sensitizations. The ISAC array contributed to the diagnosis in 20% of patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis. It may offer additional information where a careful allergy history and follow-on testing have not revealed the cause of the anaphylaxis.
Cross‐Modality Effects of Prey Odour During the Intraspecific Interactions of a Mosquito‐Specialist Predator
Authors: Cross Fiona R. , Jackson Robert R.
Published: March 2014

One of the predictions from evolutionary game theory is that individuals will increase their willingness (i.e. become primed) to escalate aggression when they detect the presence of a limiting resource. Here, we test this prediction in the context of prey odour priming escalation decisions during vision‐based encounters by Evarcha culicivora. This East African jumping spider (Salticidae) feeds indirectly on vertebrate blood by actively choosing blood‐carrying female mosquitoes as preferred prey. Unlike many salticid species, it also expresses pronounced mutual mate choice. As predicted, we show here that, in the presence of odour from their preferred prey, both sexes of E. culicivora escalate during vision‐based same‐sex encounters. This is further evidence that the odour of blood‐carrying mosquitoes is salient to this salticid. For both sexes of E. culicivora, this particular prey may be a resource that matters in the context of intrasexual selection.
Responses to Predators Differ Between Native and Invasive Freshwater Turtles: Environmental Context and its Implications for Competition
Authors: Costa Zacharia J.
Published: March 2014

Optimal escape theory predicts that animals facing a predation threat should react in a manner that balances perceived threats with the costs of escape. Flight distance, the distance at which animals flee in response to an approaching predator, is often used as a quantitative measure of animal risk assessment and is thus useful to examine predictions of optimal escape theory. However, applying this theory to a broader diversity of animals under more complex environmental conditions has been hampered by a paucity of data. In this study, I measure the flight distances of two freshwater turtles, the invasiveTrachemys scripta elegans, and the nativeEmys marmorata,in an urban California water body to examine how flight distance is affected by time of day, initial visibility to the approaching predator, and the presence of conspecifics. I found thatE. marmoratawas more sensitive to predation risk thanT. scriptaand would flee earlier (at a greater distance). Time of day and the presence of conspecifics had no effect onE. marmorata'sflight distance although visibility and the interaction between time and visibility did.Emys marmoratawould flee earlier when visible, and in the afternoon visible turtles would flee earlier than non‐visible turtles, but in the morning, visibility did not affect turtle flight distance. In contrast,T. scripta'sflight distance was not affected by any measured variables, although this may be due to a lack of statistical power given the low sample size. This study demonstrates that multiple environmental characteristics influence risk assessment in turtles, and implies that interspecific differences in responses to predation threats may lead to increased competition for thermal resources between native and invasive ectotherms. This is a likely mechanism contributing to the negative impacts ofT. scriptaon native turtle populations, especially in urban environments.
Interpreting the reasons for the choice and changing of two drug regimens in an observational cohort: comparison of a ritonavir‐boosted protease inhibitor‐based versus a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor‐based first‐line regimen
Authors: Jarrin I , Hernández‐Novoa B , Alejos B , Santos I , Lopez‐Aldeguer J , Riera M , Gutiérrez F , Rubio R , Antela A , Blanco JR , Moreno S ,   the Cohort of the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS)
Published: March 2014

Objectives

We compared reasons for the choice of regimen, time to and reasons for third drug modification, virological response and change in CD4 T‐cell counts in patients started on atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r)‐ vs. efavirenz (EFV)‐based first‐line regimens.

Methods

We included patients from the Cohort of the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS), a multicentre cohort of HIV‐positive treatment‐naïve subjects, in the study. We used logistic regression to assess factors associated with choosing ATV/r vs. EFV, proportional hazards models on the subdistribution hazard to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) for third drug modification, logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for virological response and linear regression to assess mean differences in CD4 T‐cell count increase from baseline.

Results

Of 2167 patients, 10.7% started on ATV/r. ATV/r was more likely than EFV to be prescribed in injecting drug users [adjusted OR 1.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–3.33], in 2009–2010 (adjusted OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.08–2.47) and combined with abacavir plus lamivudine (adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI 0.98–2.43). Multivariate analyses showed no differences, comparing ATV/r vs. EFV, in the risk of third drug modification (sHR 1.04; 95% CI 0.74–1.46) or in virological response (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.46–1.41); differences in mean CD4 T‐cell count increase from baseline were at the limit of statistical significance (mean difference 29.8 cells/μL; 95% CI −4.1 to 63.6 cells/μL). In patients changing from EFV, 48% of changes were attributable to toxicity/adverse events, 16% to treatment failure/resistance, 3% to simplification, and 8 and 12%, respectively, to patients' and physicians' decisions; these percentages were 24, 6, 12, 14 and 24%, respectively, in those changing from ATV/r.

Conclusions

ATV/r‐ and EFV‐based regimens meet the requirements of both efficacy and safety for initial combination antiretroviral regimen, which relate to better durability.
Social work in the making: The state and social work development in China
Authors: Gao Jian Guo , Yan Miu Chung
Published: March 2014

The instrumental role of government in the development of social work in China has led to questions about its political function. So far, little has been reported on how the government has “made” social work in China. To fill this gap, we first provide a brief chronological review of major policies and activities of the Chinese government in its making of social work in China. The state's intervention has indeed been massive and crucial although, politically, it may limit the mandate of social work in China. Yet, we argue that the development of the social work profession in China is generating institutional space for the emerging civil society to take a more active role in welfare service delivery. Situated and mediating between the state and the emerging civil society, the social work profession in China will need to constantly negotiate its mandate to meet the needs of both sides.
Differences in methodological quality between positive and negative published clinical trials
Authors: Chiavetta Noelle M. , Martins Ana R.S. , Henriques Inês C.R. , Fregni Felipe
Published: March 2014

Aim

Comparison of methodological quality differences in nursing clinical trials with positive and negative findings.

Background

The growth of nursing publications and increased reliance on data to guide clinical care make publication quality assessment imperative. One major concern is the tendency for more studies with positive findings to be published, potentially resulting in the publication of lower quality trials.

Design

Secondary analysis of published trials to compare studies with positive and negative findings in terms of clinical trial quality and sample size calculation methodology.

Data Sources

Twenty articles each from three major nursing journals (Journal of Clinical Nursing, Journal of Advanced Nursing and International Journal of Nursing Studies) for the years 2010–2012. We assessed article quality in terms of Jadad scores, methods and total sample size.

Implications for Nursing

This article underscores the importance of nurses and nursing students having the ability to assess the quality of published trials, so that they can make appropriate judgments on the implementation of care for patients as the use of evidence‐based practice increases.

Conclusion

Potential differences in methodological quality between positive and negative trials may lead to positive trials with biased results, or discrimination against negative trials. The CONSORT is recommended, but use is still limited. Therefore, it is important to reinforce the use of these guidelines to supply readers with information on the quality of the published trials. The combination of authors publishing higher quality trials and deeper reader knowledge of quality assessment can have important clinical consequences.
Direct and indirect effects of an insect outbreak increase the reproductive output for an avian insectivore and nest‐cavity excavator, the red‐breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis
Authors: Norris Andrea R. , Martin Kathy
Published: March 2014

Community‐wide food pulses may ameliorate food constraints but may also result in increased competition for other resources and predation rates. In cavity‐nesting vertebrate communities, where the availability of tree cavities can limit reproduction and the reuse of cavities can increase nest predation by squirrels, excavators may maximize their fecundity by creating new cavities in competitor‐ and predator‐rich habitats that undergo food pulses. The reproductive cost associated with excavation (i.e. increased energy allocation early in the breeding season that often delays laying and thereby reduces clutch size), may be reduced if food pulses allow for a longer breeding season and larger clutches. A large‐scale mountain pine beetle Dendroctonus ponderosae outbreak that occurred during our long‐term study (1995–2009) provided a natural food supplementation experiment across 27 sites in British Columbia, Canada. We examined the effects of a reduction in food constraints accompanied with increases in excavation rates, conspecific density and nest predation risk on the fecundity of a facultative excavator, the red‐breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis. We found a total of 420 nests in tree cavities. Nuthatch clutch sizes ranged from two to nine eggs, and broods from one to nine fledglings per nest. Later clutches were larger at sites and in years with high beetle abundance (mean clutch size of six eggs did not decline later in the season), second broods were produced in outbreak years (usually only one nesting attempt/normal year), and the number of fledglings per successful nest increased with increasing beetle abundance and nuthatch densities, but declined with increased squirrel densities. Since fecundity did not differ between new and reused cavities, the costs and benefits of excavation versus cavity reuse may be neutralized for nuthatches during strong resource pulses. Overall, the beetle outbreak reduced food constraints for nuthatches and provided alternate food for nest predators, allowing increased annual fecundity.
Commentary: Self‐harm: a global health priority – reflections on Brunner et al. (2014)
Authors: Ougrin Dennis
Published: March 2014

The accompanying cross‐sectional study by Brunner et al. (2014) investigates the prevalence and correlates of self‐injury in adolescents. It is one of the largest epidemiological studies of its kind published to date. Self‐injury by cutting is a strong independent predictor of suicide (Hawton et al., 2012), therefore, understanding the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of this behaviour is of great importance.
Efficacy of commercial formulations of entomopathogenic nematodes against tropical sod webworm, Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Tofangsazi N. , Cherry R. H. , Arthurs S. P.
Published: March 2014

Large quantities of insecticides are used on warm season turfgrasses to combat pest infestations. To investigate the potential for microbial control, we screened commercially available entomopathogenic nematode products against Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Guenée, an economically injurious pest in the south‐eastern United States and Caribbean islands. All tested products, based on Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis and H. indica, were pathogenic to H. phaeopteralis larvae in the laboratory, but S. carpocapsae caused the highest mortality. Amongst nematode species, median lethal concentration (LC50) was not different for three different larval sizes (based on 95% CL) with the exception of H. indica, which had higher LC50 for small larvae. The number of infective juvenile stages (IJs) produced per White trap was significantly greater from larvae infected by H. bacteriophora and least for those infected by H. indica. A proprietary formulation of S. carpocapsae ‘Millenium®’ was chosen for further greenhouse experiments. Overall, the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin provided the best control, but greenhouse experiments also revealed that the label rate of Millenium (106 IJ/l at 2500 l/ha) reduced webworm populations by 83–93% and was as effective as clothianidin against larger‐size larvae. Our data suggest that commercial formulations of S. carpocapsae can be a good option for H. phaeopteralis biocontrol, but further field studies are warranted to confirm effectiveness under different environmental scenarios.
Evidenced‐based, practical food portion sizes for preschool children and how they fit into a well balanced, nutritionally adequate diet
Authors: More J. A. , Emmett P. M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Healthy eating guidelines for 1–4‐year‐old children are available but evidence‐based portion sizes have not been specified. Parents and early‐years providers are concerned about under‐ or over‐feeding young children. The present study aimed to report detailed information about appropriate average portion size ranges and suggest a practical food plan for feeding preschool children, providing adequate nutrient intakes within energy requirements.

Methods

Two sources of information were used to obtain an appropriate portion size range for the types of foods normally eaten by this age group. Median portions of a variety of foods were combined into a food plan fulfilling healthy eating guidelines regarding the number of servings from each food group. The nutrient and energy content of the plan was assessed and compared with recommended adequate nutrient intakes and percentage energy contributions from macronutrients. UK children, aged 1–4 years, taking part in Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children and National Diet and Nutrition Survey, were used in the present study.

Results

Portion size ranges were developed for 164 foods. The theoretical food plan using foods with high to medium nutrient density was shown to provide an adequate intake of all nutrients, except vitamin D, for which there are very few food sources.

Conclusions

These practical food portion size ranges could be used both in early years settings and in advice to parents. The food plan emphasises the need to include a variety of nutrient‐dense foods if a balanced diet is to be achieved for preschool children.
The Significance of the New Venture's First Sale: The Impact of Founders' Capabilities and Proactive Sales Orientation
Authors: Pitkänen Ilona , Parvinen Petri , Töytäri Pekka
Published: March 2014

Initial sale success in the market with a new product is a critical milestone for a new venture. Failure at the introduction stage of a new product could have lethal consequences for the venture. In the present study, the authors investigate the role of a new venture company's first successful sale in the venture's future commercial success. The authors develop and test a model of the impact of the founders' entrepreneurial and commercial capabilities and proactive sales orientation on the significance of the first sale and sales growth of a new venture. Using survey data and partial least squares estimation, the results reveal that the founders' commercial capabilities have a positive effect on proactive sales orientation, while their entrepreneurial capabilities positively moderate the effect of commercial capabilities. Further, the results reveal that a proactive sales orientation positively affects the significance of the first sale and that value‐based selling approach positively moderates the effect of proactive sales orientation. Finally, the results reveal that the significance of the first sale is positively related to sales growth. Thus, the authors conclude that combining the founders' commercial and entrepreneurial capabilities strengthens proactive sales orientation and that, in turn, a proactive sales orientation particularly increases the significance of the first sale when new venture companies practice value‐based selling. Research has convincingly demonstrated proactive selling behavior to be one of the most powerful predictors of sales performance. Value‐based selling is a sales approach to identify, quantify, communicate, and verify value of a new product to the customer. Our findings suggest that founders who possess both strong commercial and entrepreneurial capabilities engage considerably more in proactive sales practice as compared with founders that only possess strong commercial capabilities. Hence, rather than hiring specific sales expertise, founders should develop their proactive, value‐selling capabilities.
Legal Ambiguity in Managerial Assessments of Criminal Records
Authors: Lageson Sarah Esther , Vuolo Mike , Uggen Christopher
Published: March 2014

In an age of widespread background checks, we ask how managers in different organizational contexts navigate legal ambiguity in assessing applicants' criminal history information, based on interview data obtained in a recent field experiment. The study builds on institutional analyses of the social sources of workplace legality to describe how employers consider applicants with criminal histories. We find that some organizations set explicit standards to guide hiring decisions, providing concrete policies on how to treat applicants with records. Where such procedural mandates are lacking, however, hiring managers turn to a micro‐rational decision process to evaluate potential risk and liability. These individualized approaches create inconsistencies in how the law is interpreted and applied across organizations, as evidenced by actual hiring behavior in the field experiment.
Investigating the age‐related “anterior shift” in the scalp distribution of the P3b component using principal component analysis
Authors: Alperin Brittany R. , Mott Katherine K. , Rentz Dorene M. , Holcomb Phillip J. , Daffner Kirk R.
Published: March 2014

An age‐related “anterior shift” in the distribution of the P3b is often reported. Temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the basis of this observation. ERPs were measured in young and old adults during a visual oddball task. PCA revealed two spatially distinct factors in both age groups, identified as the posterior P3b and anterior P3a. Young subjects generated a smaller P3a than P3b, while old subjects generated a P3a that did not differ in amplitude from their P3b. Rather than having a more anteriorly distributed P3b, old subjects produced a large, temporally overlapping P3a. The pattern of the age‐related “anterior shift” in the P3 was similar for target and standard stimuli. The increase in the P3a in elderly adults may not represent a failure to habituate the novelty response, but may reflect greater reliance on executive control operations (P3a) to carry out the categorization/updating process (P3b).
Development and validation of a clinical risk score for predicting drug‐resistant bacterial pneumonia in older Chinese patients
Authors: Ma Hon Ming , Ip Margaret , Woo Jean , Hui David SC
Published: March 2014

Background and objective

Health care‐associated pneumonia (HCAP) and drug‐resistant bacterial pneumonia may not share identical risk factors. We have shown that bronchiectasis, recent hospitalization and severe pneumonia (confusion, blood urea level, respiratory rate, low blood pressure and 65 year old (CURB‐65) score ≥3) were independent predictors of pneumonia caused by potentially drug‐resistant (PDR) pathogens. This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical risk score for predicting drug‐resistant bacterial pneumonia in older patients.

Methods

We derived a risk score by assigning a weighting to each of these risk factors as follows: 14, bronchiectasis; 5, recent hospitalization; 2, severe pneumonia. A 0.5 point was defined for the presence of other risk factors for HCAP. We compared the areas under the receiver‐operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of our risk score and the HCAP definition in predicting PDR pathogens in two cohorts of older patients hospitalized with non‐nosocomial pneumonia.

Results

The derivation and validation cohorts consisted of 354 and 96 patients with bacterial pneumonia, respectively. PDR pathogens were isolated in 48 and 21 patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The AUROCs of our risk score and the HCAP definition were 0.751 and 0.650, respectively, in the derivation cohort, and were 0.782 and 0.671, respectively, in the validation cohort. The differences between our risk score and the HCAP definition reached statistical significance. A score ≥2.5 had the best balance between sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions

Our risk score outperformed the HCAP definition to predict pneumonia caused by PDR pathogens. A history of bronchiectasis or recent hospitalization is the major indication of starting empirical broad‐spectrum antibiotics.
Nosocomial infections within the first month of solid organ transplantation
Authors: Dorschner P. , McElroy L. M. , Ison M.G.
Published: March 2014

Infections remain a common complication of solid organ transplantation. Early postoperative infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Although significant effort has been made to understand the epidemiology and risk factors for early nosocomial infections in other surgical populations, data in SOT recipients are limited. A literature review was performed to summarize the current understanding of pneumonia, urinary tract infection, surgical‐site infection, bloodstream infection, and Clostridium difficult colitis, occurring within the first 30 days after transplantation.
Efficacy of just‐in‐time plerixafor rescue for Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with poor peripheral blood stem cell mobilization
Authors: Yuan Shan , Nademanee Auayporn , Kaniewski Mark , Palmer Joycelynne , Shayani Sepideh , Wang Shirong
Published: March 2014

Background

Plerixafor is a Food and Drug Administration–approved agent for improving peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in filgrastim (granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor [G‐CSF])‐stimulated patients with multiple myeloma and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Limited information is available on its use in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients. We describe our experience with plerixafor as an immediate rescue agent in HL patients with poor PBSC mobilization.

Study Design and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the collection data of 27 consecutive HL patients at our center in whom plerixafor was added to rescue a failing PBSC collection after G‐CSF and chemotherapy (26) or G‐CSF alone (1). Plerixafor was added in 11 patients due to peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ counts that persisted below the threshold (>10 × 106/L) to initiate collection (median, 1.47 × 106; range 0 × 106‐6.28 × 106/L) and in 16 patients due to low collection yields, who had a median yield of 0.33 × 106 (0.14 × 106‐0.65 × 106) CD34+ cells/kg on the last collection before plerixafor administration.

Results

After a median of 2 (range, 2‐4) collections with plerixafor, the patients collected a median of 1.82 × 106 (0.52 × 106‐11.14 × 106) CD34+ cells/kg. The addition of plerixafor enabled 20 patients (74.1%) to reach the 2.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg minimum required for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) during the same collection cycle. Subsequent remobilization in three patients with plerixafor enabled all three to reach this goal.

Conclusion

Plerixafor can be used in HL patients with poor mobilization as a rescue agent and boosts mobilization sufficiently in most patients in the same collection attempt, thus not only permitting ASCT, but also avoiding remobilization and the associated costs, treatment delays, and patient inconvenience.
How do we use molecular red blood cell antigen typing to supplement pretransfusion testing?
Authors: Sapatnekar Suneeti , Figueroa Priscilla I.
Published: March 2014

The molecular basis of many blood group antigens is known, and it provides a means for predicting the red blood cell phenotype. Molecular typing methods are useful when serologic typing cannot be performed, due to sample or reagent limitations. We discuss the implementation of a commercial molecular typing assay at our Transfusion Service, the indications for testing, and the advantages and drawbacks of the assay. We also present our algorithm for selecting candidates for testing.
Computational study of flow characteristics of acid mine drainage on the structure of oxidation pond
Authors: Lee Dong‐Kil , Cheong Young‐Wook
Published: March 2014

A computational flow analysis using the concept of the inflow age was conducted to evaluate the flow characteristics and retention time depending on the shape and number of inlets and outlets in an oxidation pond. The oxidation pond was rectangular in shape with a width‐to‐length ratio of 3, a depth of 3 m, an area of 500 m2, and square‐shaped inlet and outlet. The flow rate of the mine drainage was set to 5 L/s. The computational flow analysis showed that the homogeneity and inflow exchange efficiency were the highest when the width‐to‐height ratio of the inlet and outlet was 0.5, while they were the lowest when it was 1.0. The number of inlets in the oxidation pond had a significant effect on the flow characteristics in the pond, whereas the number of outlets had no significant effect. The homogeneity and inflow exchange efficiency appeared to be the highest when the number of inlets was two.
Effect of rhizome fragment length and burial depth on emergence of Tussilago farfara
Authors: Dalbato A L , Alfredsson T , Karlsson L M , Andersson L
Published: March 2014

Mechanical control of Tussilago farfara is carried out mainly by soil cultivation. The aim is to deplete the energy stored in the rhizomes. The treatment includes cutting the rhizomes, to stimulate increased shooting, followed by renewed soil cultivation to destroy the shoots and incorporate them into the soil. Factors generally regarded as important in the control of perennial weeds are extent of fragmentation and burial depth. In this study, the importance of these two factors on T. farfara emergence was studied in detail in two pot experiments. Rhizomes were cut into different lengths (5–25 cm) and buried at various depths (1–42 cm) in pots filled with peat soil or clay loam. Shoot germination, emergence and early plant performance were studied. Intensive fragmentation and deep burial (possible to achieve using conventional tillage) are not enough to completely hinder emergence of T. farfara; 6‐cm fragments emerged and developed normal leaves from 42 cm depth, regardless of soil type. However, there were higher total emergence and emergence rates in peat soil than in clay soil. Burial depth was correlated with time to emergence; burying rhizome fragments, not longer than 25 cm, to at least 20 cm depth gave a time to emergence of at least 20 days. The delay of weed emergence should allow good establishment of a crop and ensure a significant competitive effect against T. farfara.
Alternatives to hexazinone and terbuthylazine for chemical control of Cytisus scoparius in Pinus radiata plantations in New Zealand
Authors: Watt M S , Rolando C A
Published: March 2014

Two herbicides used for post‐plant weed control in commercial forests in New Zealand, terbuthylazine and hexazinone, are not endorsed for use on land certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). These herbicides are effective for controlling competitive woody weeds, such as Cytisus scoparius (broom). To investigate the potential of non‐residual, alternative herbicides for the control of C. scoparius after planting, a range of treatments were implemented at two trials. The trials were established in newly planted Pinus radiata plantations where C. scoparius dominated. The objectives were to (i) optimise application rates of alternative herbicides and compare their efficacy to current practice and (ii) identify if treatment efficacy varied across sites. Treatments at each site included weedy and weed‐free controls, current practice using terbuthylazine and hexazinone, applied as both spot treatment and broadcast application, and a range of new treatments consisting of different dosage combinations of clopyralid, triclopyr and picloram. Broadcast application of the clopyralid, triclopyr and picloram mixture showed increasing weed‐control efficacy against C. scoparius with increasing dose rate, resulting in increased tree volume. Broadcast application of the clopyralid, triclopyr and picloram mixture at 75% or 100% of a typical industry use rate (100% industry rate includes clopyralid 1.5 kg a.i. ha−1, triclopyr 0.15 kg a.i. ha−1 and picloram 0.05 kg a.i. ha−1) achieved greatest tree volume by year four with tree volumes exceeding that obtained using the operational spot treatment with terbuthylazine and hexazinone. Treatment rankings were similar between locations. The result supports the use of clopyralid, triclopyr and picloram to control C. scoparius during the first year of P. radiata establishment.
Acute Effects of Sled Towing on Sprint Time in Male Youth of Different Maturity Status
Authors: Rumpf Michael Clemens , Cronin John Barry , Mohamad Ikhwan Nur , Mohamad Sharil , Oliver Jonathan , Hughes Michael
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% body mass load on resisted sled towing 30 meter sprint times in male youth athletes of different maturity status. A total of 35 athletes (19 prepeak-height-velocity (PHV) and 16 mid/post-PHV) sprinted three times in an unloaded and each of the loaded conditions. The pre-PHV athletes were significantly slower (~33%; p < .05) than the more mature athletes across all loads (unloaded, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10% body mass). Each incremental load (i.e., 2.5% body mass) was found to reduce 30 m sprint times by 3.70% (± 2.59) and 2.45% (± 1.48) for the pre- and mid/post-PHV respectively. The slopes of the pre- (y = 0.09 x + 5.71) and mid/post (y = 0.04 x + 4.38) regression equations were compared and found to be statistically different (p = .004) suggesting that athletes of different maturity status responded differentially to the same relative resisted sprint load. Ten percent body mass load resulted in a reduced sprint time of ~15.8 and ~9.8% for the pre- and mid/post-PHV group, respectively. These results enable predictive equations to be formulated and appropriate resisted sprint loading, based on the intended focus of a session.
Patterns of Sedentary Behavior and Weight Status Among Children
Authors: Carson Valerie , Stone Michelle , Faulkner Guy
Published: March 2014

To make robust conclusions regarding the association between accelerometer-measured sedentary time and overweight and obesity among children, several gaps in the literature must be addressed. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between sedentary time, weekday sedentary time, weekend sedentary time, sedentary bouts, sedentary breaks, and BMI z-score among children and by low (bottom 50%) and high (top 50%) moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) participation. Results are based on 787 children aged 11 years living in Toronto, Canada. Children’s physical activity and sedentary time were objectively assessed using ActiGraph accelerometers in 2010/11. Height and weight were measured and BMI z-scores were calculated based on the World Health Organization growth standards. When participants were stratified into low and high MVPA groups, sedentary bouts of 5–9 (β = 0.22 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.43]) and 10–19 (0.30 [−0.05, 0.55]) minutes for total days were associated with BMI z-score in the low MVPA group only. Similar trends were observed with the weekday but not the weekend variables. Therefore, in addition to increasing MVPA, reducing time spent in 5- to 19-min sedentary bouts may have important implications for weight status particularly for children with lower MVPA participation during the week.
Application of Stable Isotope Tracers in the Study of Exercise Metabolism in Children: A Primer
Authors: Mahon Anthony D. , Timmons Brian W.
Published: March 2014

Exercise metabolism in children has traditionally been assessed using the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) to determine the contributions of fat and carbohydrate to the exercise energy demands. Although easily measured, RER measurements have limitations. Other methods to assess metabolism such as the obtainment of a muscle biopsy and the use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy carry ethical and feasibility concerns, respectively, which limit their use in studies involving children. Stable isotopes, used routinely in studies involving adults, can also be applied in studies involving children in an ethical and feasible manner. Two common stable isotopes used in metabolic studies involving children include carbon-13 (13C) and nitrogen-15 (15N). 13C-glucose can be used to study carbohydrate metabolism and 15N-glycine can be used to assess protein metabolism. This article reviews the use of 13C-glucose and 15N-glycine to study exercise metabolism in children, considers some of the associated ethical aspects, explains the general methodology involved in administering these isotopes and the resources required, and describes studies involving children utilizing these methods. Finally, suggestions for future research are provided to encourage further use of these techniques.
Validation of activPAL Defined Sedentary Time and Breaks in Sedentary Time in 4- to 6-Year-Olds
Authors: Janssen Xanne , Cliff Dylan P. , Reilly John J. , Hinkley Trina , Jones Rachel A. , Batterham Marijka , Ekelund Ulf , Brage Soren , Okely Anthony D.
Published: March 2014

This study examined the classification accuracy of the activPAL, including total time spent sedentary and total number of breaks in sedentary behavior (SB) in 4- to 6-year-old children. Forty children aged 4–6 years (5.3 ± 1.0 years) completed a ~150-min laboratory protocol involving sedentary, light, and moderate- to vigorous-intensity activities. Posture was coded as sit/lie, stand, walk, or other using direct observation. Posture was classified using the activPAL software. Classification accuracy was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC). Time spent in each posture and total number of breaks in SB were compared using paired sample t-tests. The activPAL showed good classification accuracy for sitting (ROC-AUC = 0.84) and fair classification accuracy for standing and walking (0.76 and 0.73, respectively). Time spent in sit/lie and stand was overestimated by 5.9% (95% CI = 0.6−11.1%) and 14.8% (11.6−17.9%), respectively; walking was underestimated by 10.0% (−12.9−7.0%). Total number of breaks in SB were significantly overestimated (55 ± 27 over the course of the protocol; p < .01). The activPAL performed well when classifying postures in young children. However, the activPAL has difficulty classifying other postures, such as kneeling. In addition, when predicting time spent in different postures and total number of breaks in SB the activPAL appeared not to be accurate.
Gastric variceal bleeding due to pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis
Authors: Gotto Antonio , Lieberman Michael , Pochapin Mark
Published: March 2014

Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is a common clinical scenario. In the upper gastrointestinal tract, gastric varices can be frequently overlooked on endoscopy, particularly if not suspected or volume depleted. We report a case of suspected gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with a childhood history of pancreatitis, who also experienced severe epigastric pain while in hospital. After transfer to an academic medical centre, the presence of gastric varices was identified and presumed to be due to splenic vein thrombosis. Pancreatitis is the most common cause of splenic vein thrombosis and accords with the patient's history, even though it occurred many years previously. This case highlights the importance of recognising pancreatitis-induced splenic vein thrombosis as a possible aetiology for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
Boston type 1 based keratoprosthesis (Auro Kpro) and its modification (LVP Kpro) in chronic Stevens Johnson syndrome
Authors: Basu Sayan , Sureka Shraddha , Shukla Rashmi , Sangwan Virender
Published: March 2014

Two young women with completely dry and keratinised eyes post-Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) underwent unilateral oral mucous membrane grafts (MMGs) in preparation for modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (MOOKP) implantation. In both cases, the mucosal graft was deemed to be too tight to accommodate the MOOKP implant. Instead of proceeding with MOOKP, the first patient underwent Auro Kpro (Boston type 1-based keratoprosthesis) implantation under the MMG, while the second patient underwent implantation of a modification of Auro Kpro with a longer optical stem (LVP Kpro) exposed through the MMG. Both patients maintained a visual acuity of 20/20, N6 at 15 months post-implantation. The first patient needed repeated mucosal trimming because of mucosal overgrowth; while in the second patient, mucosal overgrowth did not occur. This report highlights the innovative and successful use of Boston type 1-based keratoprosthesis (Auro Kpro) and its modification (LVP Kpro) in completely dry and keratinised post-SJS eyes.
Disparities in selective referral for cancer surgeries: implications for the current healthcare delivery system
Authors: Sun Maxine , Karakiewicz Pierre I , Sammon Jesse D , Sukumar Shyam , Gervais Mai-Kim , Nguyen Paul L , Choueiri Toni K , Menon Mani , Trinh Quoc-Dien
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Among considerable efforts to improve quality of surgical care, expedited measures such as a selective referral to high-volume institutions have been advocated. Our objective was to examine whether racial, insurance and/or socioeconomic disparities exist in the use of high-volume hospitals for complex surgical oncological procedures within the USA.

Design, setting and participants

Patients undergoing colectomy, cystectomy, oesophagectomy, gastrectomy, hysterectomy, lung resection, pancreatectomy or prostatectomy were identified retrospectively, using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, between years 1999 and 2009. This resulted in a weighted estimate of 2 508 916 patients.

Primary outcome measures

Distribution of patients according to race, insurance and income characteristics was examined according to low-volume and high-volume hospitals (highest 20% of patients according to the procedure-specific mean annual volume). Generalised linear regression models for prediction of access to high-volume hospitals were performed.

Results

Insurance providers and county income levels varied differently according to patients’ race. Most Caucasians resided in wealthier counties, regardless of insurance types (private/Medicare), while most African Americans resided in less wealthy counties (≤$24 999), despite being privately insured. In general, Caucasians, privately insured, and those residing in wealthier counties (≥$45 000) were more likely to receive surgery at high-volume hospitals, even after adjustment for all other patient-specific characteristics. Depending on the procedure, some disparities were more prominent, but the overall trend suggests a collinear effect for race, insurance type and county income levels.

Conclusions

Prevailing disparities exist according to several patient and sociodemographic characteristics for utilisation of high-volume hospitals. Efforts should be made to directly reduce such disparities and ensure equal healthcare delivery.
The quest for the Higgs boson at the LHC
Authors: Virdee Tejinder S.
Published: March 2014

In July 2012 the ATLAS and CMS experiments announced the discovery of a Higgs boson, confirming the conjecture put forward by Tom Kibble and others in the 1960s. This article will attempt to outline some of the challenges faced during the construction of the Large Hadron Collider and its experiments, their operation and performance, and selected physics results. In particular, results relating to the new heavy boson will be discussed as well as its properties and the future prospects for the LHC programme.
On the pattern of black hole information release
Authors: Park I. Y. , James F.
Published: March 2014

We propose a step towards a resolution to black hole information paradox by analyzing scattering amplitudes of a complex scalar field around a Schwarzschild black hole. The scattering cross-section reveals much information on the incoming state but exhibits flux loss at the same time. The flux loss should be temporary, and indicate mass growth of the black hole. The black hole should Hawking-radiate subsequently, thereby, compensating for the flux loss. By examining the purity issue, we comment on the possibility that information bleaching may be the key to the paradox.