bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Receiving a national quality award three times
Authors: Cauchick Miguel Paulo A.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– In recent decades, a framework for management performance has proven to be an important management practice for achieving organisational performance excellence. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to analyse how a specific company manages to achieve performance excellence through the attainment of the Brazilian National Quality Award.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopts a case-based approach using a single unit of analysis that might be considered a revealing case. The company studied is one of the largest companies in the information and financial analysis sector in Latin America and is part of a major worldwide corporation. Semi-structured interviews with senior managers and document analysis were used for data collection, with content and inductive analysis performed a posteriori.

Findings

– The main results outline the approach adopted by the company for each performance excellence award criterion and highlight some of the relevant organisational practices, especially those related to the nature of the company’s businesses. The findings show that the top management has been an essential driving force in transforming the managers at all levels into agents of improvement at the studied company. Additional key points are the deployment of the company’s “shared values” throughout the company and the implementation of a medium- and long-term comprehensive strategic plan focused on the award criteria. The company’s strategic system has been a driving force of its success.

Research limitations/implications

– For a more extensive empirical validation, further replications using other samples are needed to ensure the external validity of these findings.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the few published studies discussing business excellence in emerging economies, which is not observed very often in developing markets. In addition, the paper focuses on promoting a culture of quality, a less common phenomenon in the economies of developing countries than in those of developed nations. Finally, this paper may be useful for practitioners and academics interested in the subject of quality and performance excellence.
A comparison of fentanyl with pethidine for pain relief during childbirth: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Fleet J , Belan I , Jones MJ , Ullah S , Cyna AM
Published: January 2015

Objective

To compare the efficacy of fentanyl administered via the subcutaneous (s.c.) or intranasal (i.n.) route with intramuscular (i.m.) pethidine in labouring women requesting analgesia.

Design

A randomised controlled trial three‐armed, parallel‐design.

Setting

A regional hospital and the largest tertiary maternity centre in South Australia.

Sample

One hundred and fifty‐six healthy parturients birthing at term.

Methods

Women were randomised to receive s.c. fentanyl (n = 53), i.n. fentanyl (n = 52), or i.m. pethidine (n = 51). The outcomes were analysed by intention‐to‐treat.

Main outcome measures

Pain scores measured before and 30 minutes after opioid administration.

Results

All groups reported clinically significant reductions in pain scores (mean range 1.2–1.6; P < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. Significantly more women in the fentanyl groups reported satisfaction with using the study drug again, compared with women receiving i.m. pethidine (82.9% i.n. fentanyl, 80.6% s.c. fentanyl, and 44.0% i.m. pethidine; P < 0.01). Women in the fentanyl groups experienced less sedation (i.n. fentanyl 7.3%, s.c. fentanyl 2.9%, i.m. pethidine 44%; P ≤ 0.03), shorter labours by at least 2 hours (P < 0.05), and fewer difficulties establishing breastfeeding (78.8% i.m. pethidine, 39.4% i.n. fentanyl, and 44.0% s.c. fentanyl; P < 0.01). Neonates in the pethidine group were more likely to require nursery admission (P < 0.02).

Conclusions

Fentanyl administered by s.c. and i.n. routes is as efficacious in relieving labour pain as i.m. pethidine, but resulted in greater satisfaction, less sedation, shorter labour, fewer nursery admissions, and fewer difficulties in establishing breastfeeding. Fentanyl appears to be a suitable alternative to pethidine when providing parenteral pain relief to labouring women.
Validation of an obstetric comorbidity index in an external population
Authors: Metcalfe A , Lix LM , Johnson J‐A , Currie G , Lyon AW , Bernier F , Tough SC
Published: January 2015

Objectives

An obstetric comorbidity index has been developed recently with superior performance characteristics relative to general comorbidity measures in an obstetric population. This study aimed to externally validate this index and to examine the impact of including hospitalisation/delivery records only when estimating comorbidity prevalence and discriminative performance of the obstetric comorbidity index.

Design

Validation study.

Setting

Alberta, Canada.

Population

Pregnant women who delivered a live or stillborn infant in hospital (n = 5995).

Methods

Administrative databases were linked to create a population‐based cohort. Comorbid conditions were identified from diagnoses for the delivery hospitalisation, all hospitalisations and all healthcare contacts (i.e. hospitalisations, emergency room visits and physician visits) that occurred during pregnancy and 3 months pre‐conception. Logistic regression was used to test the discriminative performance of the comorbidity index.

Main outcome measures

Maternal end‐organ damage and extended length of stay for delivery.

Results

Although prevalence estimates for comorbid conditions were consistently lower in delivery records and hospitalisation data than in data for all healthcare contacts, the discriminative performance of the comorbidity index was constant for maternal end‐organ damage [all healthcare contacts area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.70; hospitalisation data AUC = 0.67; delivery data AUC = 0.65] and extended length of stay for delivery (all healthcare contacts AUC = 0.60; hospitalisation data AUC = 0.58; delivery data AUC = 0.58).

Conclusions

The obstetric comorbidity index shows similar performance characteristics in an external population and is a valid measure of comorbidity in an obstetric population. Furthermore, the discriminative performance of the comorbidity index was similar for comorbidities ascertained at the time of delivery, in hospitalisation data or through all healthcare contacts.
Bioassay‐Based Isolation and Identification of Phenolics from Sweet Cherry That Promote Active Glucose Consumption by HepG2 Cells
Authors: Cao Jinping , Li Xin , Liu Yunxi , Leng Feng , Li Xian , Sun Chongde , Chen Kunsong
Published: January 2015

A variety of phenolics had been found to be functional in promoting cellular glucose consumption that is important for blood glucose regulation. Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) is rich in such kinds of phenolics, including hydrocinnamic acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavan‐3‐ols. Furthermore, a sweet cherry phenolics‐rich extract (PRE) was found to be effective in promoting HepG2 glucose consumption. Seventeen components were preliminarily identified by HPLC‐ESI‐MS, including 9 hydrocinnamic acids, 4 anthocyanins, 3 flavonols, and 1 flavan‐3‐ol. To investigate the cellular glucose consumption‐promotion activity of different phneolics subclasses, the phenolics were further fractionated into an anthocyanin‐rich fraction (ARF), hydrocinnamic acid‐rich fraction (HRF), and flavonol‐rich fraction (FRF) through liquid–liquid extraction and mix‐mode cation‐exchange solid‐phase extraction. The 3 fractions promoted HepG2 glucose consumption to different levels, with the promotion effects of HRF and FRF stronger than that of the ARF. The results provide guidance on the use of sweet cherry as a functional fruit.
Predictive Response Surface Model for Heat‐Induced Rheological Changes and Aggregation of Whey Protein Concentrate
Authors: Alvarez Pedro A. , Emond Charles , Gomaa Ahmed , Remondetto Gabriel E. , Subirade Muriel
Published: January 2015

Whey proteins are now far more than a by‐product of cheese processing. In the last 2 decades, food manufacturers have developed them as ingredients, with the dairy industry remaining as a major user. For many applications, whey proteins are modified (denatured) to alter their structure and functional properties. The objective of this research was to study the influence of 85 to 100 °C, with protein concentration of 8% to 12%, and treatment times of 5 to 30 min, while measuring rheological properties (storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity) and aggregation (intermolecular beta‐sheet formation) in dispersions of whey protein concentrate (WPC). A Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology modeled the heat denaturation of liquid sweet WPC at 3 variables and 3 levels. The model revealed a very significant fit for viscoelastic properties, and a lesser fit for protein aggregation, at temperatures not previously studied. An exponential increase of rheological parameters was governed by protein concentration and temperature, while a modest linear relationship of aggregation was governed by temperature. Models such as these can serve as valuable guides to the ingredient and dairy industries to develop target products, as whey is a major ingredient in many functional foods.
The Nature of Innovative Activity and the Protection of Intellectual Property in Asia
Authors: Geng Difei , Saggi Kamal
Published: January 2015

This paper examines trends in innovative activity in several major Asian countries during the period 1997–2011 as measured by their filings and grants of various types of intellectual property (IP). By almost all measures, there has been a remarkable increase in innovative activity in China. In fact, in 2011, China accounted for roughly 25% of global patent applications. However, several indirect measures suggest that the quality of this newly created Chinese IP is not (yet) world‐class. For example, relative to residents of other major Asian countries and the USA, Chinese residents tend to file IP applications in foreign markets at a much lower rate. Similarly, the ratio of royalty payments earned by Chinese residents to the number of patents granted to them is fairly low by international standards. Finally, the ratio of patent to utility model applications (typically granted for relatively minor innovations) in China is also relatively small.
Macaques and the Ritual Production of Sacredness among Balinese Transmigrants in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Peterson Jeffrey V. , Riley Erin P. , Putu Oka Ngakan
Published: January 2015

Long‐tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at temple sites in Bali may be considered sacred because of the presence of monkeys in Hindu texts or through their association with sacred temple spaces. Using an ethnoprimatological approach, our research goal was to further explain how primates become sacred by exploring differences in perceptions of primate sacredness between Balinese Hindus living in Bali and those living in transmigrant communities in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 100 individuals from three transmigrant communities regarding their relationship with local booted macaques (Macaca ochreata). We found that the majority of transmigrants did not consider booted macaques sacred. Reasons given for this lack of sacredness included the absence of macaques in and around transmigrant temple sites, as well as generally unhabituated and destructive behavior. Our research also helps explain perceptions of macaque sacredness in Bali. We demonstrate how macaque sacredness cannot be viewed through a singular lens; rather, it is multifaceted, deriving from the convergence of multiple factors and contexts. The presence of long‐tailed macaques in temple sites during rituals, their habituated (i.e., peaceful) behavior during those rituals, and a landscape of social engagement between humans and macaques in Bali contribute to their perceived sacredness.
Maya Codex Book Production and the Politics of Expertise: Archaeology of a Classic Period Household at Xultun, Guatemala
Authors: Rossi Franco D. , Saturno William A. , Hurst Heather
Published: January 2015

The discovery of mural paintings at the Classic Maya site of Xultun, Guatemala, provides an important context for the study of ancient literacy and writing in practice. The mural chamber was a place of writing where the hands of multiple scribes recorded events and astronomical tabulations on walls that were also painted with portraits of ritual specialists and the reigning king. We present evidence suggesting that creation and inscription of indigenous Maya books, called codices, also took place onsite by a specific cohort of ritual specialists called taaj. In this article, we seek to archaeologically “situate” these codex‐like inscriptions in the mural room—revealing a crucial and distinctly Precolumbian window (as opposed to colonial Spanish view) into Maya bookmaking, its practitioners, and the physical contexts in which it was carried out. Together, the images, texts, and archaeological materials found in and around the chamber enable us to contextualize acts of writing and their authorship as well as engage larger questions regarding the social and political structures shaping literacy in Maya society during the eighth century.
Changes in hearing threshold between 28 and 42 weeks of age in babies born at under 30 weeks of gestation
Authors: Jiang Ze D. , Yin Rong , Wilkinson Andrew R.
Published: January 2015

Aim

This study aimed to describe changes in hearing thresholds in babies born below 30 weeks of gestation at 28–42 weeks of postconceptional age, detect differences between gestational ages and explore the prevalence of hearing impairment.

Methods

The threshold of brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was obtained longitudinally at 28–42 weeks of postconceptional age in 71 babies born at 23–29 weeks of gestation.

Results

The BAER threshold was 28 decibels above normal hearing level (dB nHL) at 28 weeks of postconceptional age and decreased to 13 dB nHL at 39–42 weeks. The threshold was slightly higher in babies born at 23–26 weeks of gestation than in those born at 27–29 weeks at most postconceptional ages studied. From 28 to 36 weeks, the threshold decreased at 0.98 dB/week. At term, BAER threshold elevation (>20 dB nHL) occurred in 12 (16.9%) of the 71 babies.

Conclusion

The hearing threshold of babies born at 23–29 weeks of gestation decreased from 28 dB at 28 weeks of postconceptional age to 13 dB at 42 weeks. There were no major differences between gestational ages. During the preterm period, the threshold changed at around 1 dB/week. At term, one in six babies had hearing impairment.
MPTP‐induced changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory are prevented by memantine through the BDNF‐TrkB pathway
Authors: Zhu Guoqi , Li Junyao , He Ling , Wang Xuncui , Hong Xiaoqi
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose

Mild cognitive deficit in early Parkinson's disease (PD) has been widely studied. Here we have examined the effects of memantine in preventing memory deficit in experimental PD models and elucidated some of the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Approaches

I.p. injection of 1‐methyl‐4‐ phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydro pyridine (MPTP) in C57BL/6 mice was used to produce models of PD. We used behavioural tasks to test memory. In vitro, we used slices of hippocampus, with electrophysiological, Western blotting, real time PCR, elisa and immunochemical techniques.

Key Results

Following MPTP injection, long‐term memory was impaired and these changes were prevented by pre‐treatment with memantine. In hippocampal slices from MPTP treated mice, long‐term potentiation (LTP) –induced by θ burst stimulation (10 bursts, 4 pulses) was decreased, while long‐term depression (LTD) induced by low‐frequency stimulation (1 Hz, 900 pulses) was enhanced, compared with control values. A single dose of memantine (i.p., 10 mg·kg−1) reversed the decreased LTP and the increased LTD in this PD model. Activity‐dependent changes in tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), ERK and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression were decreased in slices from mice after MPTP treatment. These effects were reversed by pretreatment with memantine. Incubation of slices in vitro with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) decreased depolarization‐induced expression of BDNF. This effect was prevented by pretreatment of slices with memantine or with calpain inhibitor III, suggesting the involvement of an overactivated calcium signalling pathway.

Conclusions and Implications

Memantine should be useful in preventing loss of memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity in PD models.
Quality of life measures for myasthenia gravis and evaluation of non‐motor symptoms
Authors: Jones Sarah M. , Gwathmey Kelly G. , Burns Ted M.
Published: January 2015

Health‐related quality of life measures have become an important tool in measuring clinical outcomes. Disease‐specific health‐related quality of life scales, particularly in diseases that might fluctuate, can draw attention to non‐motor symptoms and guide symptom management. The following review provides an overview of quality of life (QOL) with a focus of disease‐specific QOL measures for myasthenia gravis. We also review the current understanding of non‐motor symptoms in myasthenia gravis and suggest that QOL measures might be a useful way of accounting for these symptoms. After reading the review, the reader will have a better understanding of QOL measures and how they can be used for patient care and clinical research.
ARE SUNK COSTS IRRELEVANT? EVIDENCE FROM PLAYING TIME IN THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Authors: Leeds Daniel M. , Leeds Michael A. , Motomura Akira
Published: January 2015

We use playing time in the National Basketball Association to investigate whether sunk costs affect decision making. Behavioral economics implies that teams favor players chosen in the lottery and first round of the draft because of the greater financial and psychic commitment to them. Neoclassical economics implies that only current performance matters. We build on previous work in two ways. First, we better capture potential playing time by accounting for time lost to injuries or suspension. Second, we use regression discontinuity to capture changes when a player's draft position crosses thresholds. We find that teams allocate no more time to highly drafted players. (JEL L83, J23, D03)
Assessment of two e‐learning methods teaching undergraduate students cephalometry in orthodontics
Authors: Ludwig B. , Bister D. , Schott T. C. , Lisson J. A. , Hourfar J.
Published: January 2015

Aim

Cephalometry is important for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning and is part of the core curriculum for training dentists. Training involves identifying anatomical landmarks. The aim of this investigation was to assess whether e‐learning improves learning efficiency; a programme specifically designed for this purpose was compared to commercially available software.

Methods

Thirty undergraduate students underwent traditional training of cephalometry consisting of lectures and tutorials. Tracing skills were tested immediately afterwards (T0). The students were then randomly allocated to three groups: 10 students served as control (CF); they were asked to improve their skills using the material provided so far. Ten students were given a program specifically designed for this study that was based on a power point presentation (PPT). The last group was given a commercially available program that included teaching elements (SW). The groups were tested at the end the six week training (T1). The test consisted of tracing 30 points on two radiographs and a point score improvement was calculated. The students were interviewed after the second test.

Results

Both e‐learning groups improved more than the traditional group. Improvement scores were four for CF; 8.6 for PPT and 2.8 for SW. For PPT all participants improved and the student feedback was the best compared to the other groups. For the other groups some candidates worsened.

Conclusions

Blended learning produced better learning outcomes compared to using a traditional teaching method alone. The easy to use Power Point based custom software produced better results than the commercially available software.
The Way We Do Europe: Subsidiarity and the Substantive Democratic Deficit
Authors: Bartl Marija
Published: January 2015

The new institutional framework of subsidiarity is expected to lower the EU democratic deficit. In contrast to this optimistic scenario, I argue that the success of subsidiarity depends on its capacity to unravel the EU's ‘substantive’ democratic deficit. Linked to the Union's functionalist institutional design, this dimension of the democratic deficit has developed due to two limitations of EU‐level politics. First, the EU functionalist design has narrowed the range of topics open to democratic debate (horizontal substantive democratic deficit). Second, the proportion of the debate which we could genuinely describe as being political is declining as a result of the de‐politicisation of EU goals, underpinned by a massive accumulation of allegedly apolitical expert knowledge (vertical substantive democratic deficit). Against this background, I contend that by involving actors relatively alien to the EU functionalist thinking, subsidiarity could offer an opportune ground for the re‐politicisation of democratic ‘blind spots’ in EU policy making.
Poly(A)+ mRNA‐binding protein Tudor‐SN regulates stress granules aggregation dynamics
Authors: Gao Xingjie , Fu Xue , Song Juan , Zhang Yi , Cui Xiaoteng , Su Chao , Ge Lin , Shao Jie , Xin Lingbiao , Saarikettu Juha , Mei Mei , Yang Xi , Wei Minxin , Silvennoinen Olli , Yao Zhi , He Jinyan , Yang Jie
Published: January 2015

Stress granules (SGs) and processing bodies (PBs) comprise the main types of cytoplasmic RNA foci during stress. Our previous data indicate that knockdown of human Tudor staphylococcal nuclease (Tudor‐SN) affects the aggregation of SGs. However, the precise molecular mechanism has not been determined fully. In the present study, we demonstrate that Tudor‐SN binds and colocalizes with many core components of SGs, such as poly(A)+ mRNA binding protein 1, T‐cell internal antigen‐1‐related protein and poly(A)+ mRNA, and SG/PB sharing proteins Argonaute 1/2, but not PB core proteins, such as decapping enzyme 1 a/b, confirming that Tudor‐SN is an SG‐specific protein. We also demonstrate that the Tudor‐SN granule actively communicates with the nuclear and cytosolic pool under stress conditions. Tudor‐SN can regulate the aggregation dynamics of poly(A)+ mRNA‐containing SGs and selectively stabilize the SG‐associated mRNA during cellular stress.
Fractalkine promotes chemotaxis of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells towards ischemic brain lesions through Jak2 signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Zheng Jian , Zhou Zhujuan , Zhou Huadong , Wang Yanjiang , Gong Zili , Zhu Jie
Published: January 2015

The fractalkine (FKN)–CX3CR1 (FKN receptor) axis reportedly plays an important role in the progression of many neural pathologies. However, its role in the recruitment of bone marrow‐derived progenitor cells for neurogenesis remains elusive. The chemokine‐based mechanism underlying the migration of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated in a double‐chamber transmigration model with recombinant FKN and endogenous FKN extract, and the results confirmed the involvement of FKN in migration. This chemotactic response was CX3CR1‐dependent and FKN‐sensitive. Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and transmigration assays revealed that the Janus kinase (Jak)2–signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)5α–extracellular signal‐related kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway was activated by FKN. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to demonstrate cytoskeletal reorganization caused by remodeling of the surface receptor integrin α5β1, intracellular phosphorylation of Fak and Pax, and upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 during BMSC migration. Moreover, significant inhibition of signaling and migration was detected after treatment of cells with Jak2‐interfering RNA or the antagonist AG490. In addition, the results of a fluorescence immunohistochemical analysis of an in vivo chemotactic model, developed via transplantation of BMSCs into transient middle cerebral artery‐occluded rats, were consistent with the in vitro results. These findings suggest that FKN activates Jak2–Stat5α–ERK1/2 signaling through CX3CR1, thereby triggering integrin‐dependent machinery reorganization to allow chemotactic migration of BMSCs towards an ischemic cerebral lesion.
Crisis, What Crisis? Regulation and the Academic Orthodoxy
Authors: Tombs Steve
Published: January 2015

What can criminology or socio‐legal studies tell us about the causes of the financial crisis – a failure of regulation, at the very least – or ways in which further such crises might be prevented, mitigated, responded to? The article begins by setting out the emergence and dimensions of the academic orthodoxy on regulation – a series of shared assumptions regarding feasible and desirable forms of regulation. Then it undertakes a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of work on regulation and the crisis to assess the extent to which this orthodoxy has been reassessed in the light of events since 2007.
An Overview of the Strengthening of Glass Fibers by Surface Stress Relaxation
Authors: Lezzi Peter J. , Tomozawa Minoru
Published: January 2015

Pristine glass fiber is well known to become mechanically weaker when heat‐treated in the presence of water vapor. However, recently, the same fiber was found to become stronger if heat‐treated while held under a subcritical tensile stress at a temperature below the glass transition temperature. The added strength was attributed to the formation of a surface compressive layer on the glass created by a surface stress relaxation process that occurred while being held under the tensile stress in air. Silica glass fibers with strengths estimated to be ~7–8 GPa were produced, exceeding the ~5.5 GPa strength of fresh optical fiber commonly reported at room temperature in air. Similar degrees of strengthening, a 20–30% improvement, have been observed previously for E‐glass and is reported here for the first time for soda‐lime silicate glasses. This process is a new glass strenthening method that may be applied to all oxide glasses and is not subject to the same constraints as currently available methods.
Exploring antecedents of healthy food choices: an Indian experience
Authors: Dharni Khushdeep , Gupta Ketki
Published: January 2015

Label information on food items is seen as a tool to facilitate better choices. Merely, provision of label information may not lead to the desired outcome. Comprehension and processing of label information during consumer decision making is crucial for better food choices. Based on the primary data obtained from 150 consumers of pre‐packaged food items, the research proposes a conceptual model for healthier food choices. Previously, a number studies related to consumer decision making have employed ‘label reading’ and ‘label use’ interchangeably. Present research advocates that label reading does not amount to label use. Findings from ordered probit model and path analysis suggest that comprehension of label information leads to increase in its perceived usefulness. Further, increased perceived usefulness facilitates better food choice. Instances of better food choices can be maximized by enhancing perceived usefulness and comprehension of label information through educational and awareness campaigns, especially in context of developing countries such as India.
Linking electronic health records with community‐level data to understand childhood obesity risk
Authors: Tomayko E. J. , Flood T. L. , Tandias A. , Hanrahan L. P.
Published: January 2015

Background

Environmental and socioeconomic factors should be considered along with individual characteristics when determining risk for childhood obesity.

Objectives

To assess relationships and interactions among the economic hardship index (EHI) and race/ethnicity, age and sex in regard to childhood obesity rates in Wisconsin children using an electronic health record dataset.

Methods

Data were collected using the University of Wisconsin (UW) Public Health Information Exchange database, which links electronic health records with census‐derived community‐level data. Records from 53 775 children seen at UW clinics from 2007 to 2012 were included. Mixed‐effects modelling was used to determine obesity rates and the interaction of EHI with covariates (race/ethnicity, age, sex). When significant interactions were determined, linear regression analyses were performed for each subgroup (e.g. by age groups).

Results

The overall obesity rate was 11.7% and significant racial/ethnic disparities were detected. Childhood obesity was significantly associated with EHI at the community level (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). A significant interaction was determined between EHI and both race/ethnicity and age on obesity rates.

Conclusions

Reducing economic disparities and improving environmental conditions may influence childhood obesity risk in some, but not all, races and ethnicities. Furthermore, the impact of EHI on obesity may be compounded over time. Our findings demonstrate the utility of linking electronic health information with census data to rapidly identify community‐specific risk factors in a cost‐effective manner.
Reduced retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in children with severe obesity
Authors: Pacheco‐Cervera J. , Codoñer‐Franch P. , Simó‐Jordá R. , Pons‐Vázquez S. , Galbis‐Estrada C. , Pinazo‐Durán M. D.
Published: January 2015

Background

Some optic nerve diseases are silent and insidious. Recently, reduced thickness of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) has been associated with increasing body mass index in adults.

Objectives

To investigate the association of childhood obesity with RNFL measured by optical coherence tomography imaging.

Methods

Ninety‐seven children aged 5–14 years classified according to standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS‐BMI) were included. Parameters of metabolic risk, adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin) and interleukin‐6 were analyzed. All subjects underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination with direct ophthalmoscopy. Evaluation of RNFL with optical coherence tomography of the head of the nerve was performed.

Results

RNFL thickness on the average and inferior, superior and nasal quadrants were decreased in severely obese children (SDS‐BMI > 4) with respect to the other groups. However, no statistically significant association was found between the different groups of children and RNFL thickness in the temporal quadrant. There was a significant inverse correlation of RNFL thickness with adiposity indices (P = 0.016), leptin (P = 0.029) and interleukin‐6 (P = 0.030) in overweight and obese children.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that adiposity and obesity‐related inflammatory factors may be associated with the loss of retinal ganglion cells in children.
Fasting gut hormone levels change with modest weight loss in obese adolescents
Authors: Jensen D. E. , Nguo K. , Baxter K. A. , Cardinal J. W. , King N. A. , Ware R. S. , Truby H. , Batch J. A.
Published: January 2015

Background

Gut hormones change with weight loss in adults but are not well studied in obese youth.

Objective

The primary aim was to evaluate how gut hormones and subjective appetite measure change with dietary weight loss in obese adolescents.

Methods

Participants were a subset of those taking part in the ‘Eat Smart Study’. They were aged 10–17 years with body mass index (BMI) > 90th centile and were randomized to one of three groups: wait‐listed control, structured reduced carbohydrate or structured low‐fat dietary intervention for 12 weeks. Outcomes were fasting glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, total amylin, acylated ghrelin, active glucagon‐like peptide‐1, glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and total peptide tyrosine‐tyrosine. Pre‐ and postprandial subjective sensations of appetite were assessed using visual analogue scales.

Results

Of 87 ‘Eat Smart’ participants, 74 participated in this sub‐study. The mean (standard deviation) BMI z‐score was 2.1 (0.4) in the intervention groups at week 12 compared with 2.2 (0.4) in the control group. Fasting insulin (P = 0.05) and leptin (P = 0.03) levels decreased, while adiponectin levels increased (P = 0.05) in the intervention groups compared with control. The intervention groups were not significantly different from each other. A decrease in BMI z‐score at week 12 was associated with decreased fasting insulin (P < 0.001), homeostatic model of assessment‐insulin resistance (P < 0.001), leptin (P < 0.001), total amylin (P = 0.03), GIP (P = 0.01), PP (P = 0.02) and increased adiponectin (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in appetite sensations.

Conclusions

Modest weight loss in obese adolescents leads to changes in some adipokines and gut hormones that may favour weight regain.
Zanamivir versus trivalent split virus influenza vaccine: a pilot randomized trial
Authors: Coleman Brenda L. , Fadel Shaza A. , Drews Steven J. , Hatchette Todd F. , McGeer Allison J.
Published: January 2015

Background

Healthcare workers may be exposed to people with respiratory viral infections more often than other working adults. Understanding the risk and the effectiveness of different preventive measures is of great importance.

Objectives

To estimate adherence to prophylactic antiviral medication for a full influenza season, to the compare efficacy of antiviral prophylaxis to that of the seasonal influenza vaccine and to identify exposures that increase risk of acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) in healthy adults.

Methods

Participants were randomized 1:2 to receive the 2008–2009 influenza vaccine or daily prophylaxis with 10 mg of zanamivir during the season. Web‐based questionnaires collected information on demographics, symptoms, exposures, medication use and side effects.

Results

Sixty‐four healthy adults were recruited in November 2008. Three of 40 active participants discontinued zanamivir due to side effects; the remaining 37 took >85% of scheduled doses for a median of 121 days. Symptomatic, laboratory‐confirmed influenza was detected in one person randomized to zanamivir (2·5%) and 2/20 (10%) who received the vaccine (P = 0·25). Forty‐seven participants reported 109 episodes of ARI. Factors associated with an ARI were exposure to a spouse (OR 7·2), child (OR 2·4) or patient (OR 2·0) with symptoms of an ARI in the previous 7 days.

Conclusions

Breakthrough influenza infection occurred in both vaccinated participants and those receiving antiviral prophylaxis. Most adults were willing and able to comply with season‐long prophylaxis. Report of recent exposure to family members and patients with an ARI increased the risk of developing an ARI in healthy adults.
Screening Wheat (Triticum spp.) Genotypes for Root Length under Contrasting Water Regimes: Potential Sources of Variability for Drought Resistance Breeding
Authors: Ayalew H. , Ma X. , Yan G.
Published: January 2015

Screening for root traits has been one of the most difficult areas to practise over large number of genotypes. Hydroponic systems enable easy access to roots while high‐molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used to induce water stress. A total of 838 genotypes were evaluated for root length in a hydroponic trial under PEG‐induced stress and non‐stress growing conditions. Augmented complete block design with seven blocks and six standard control varieties was used. Root length differences were highly significant (P < 0.01) under both stress and non‐stress growing conditions among genotypes. Osmotic stress has caused an average reduction of 54 % in root length. Among the genotypes, root length ranged from 1.4 to 13.3 cm under stress, and 4.4 to 23.3 cm under non‐stress conditions, respectively. The best control variety for drought resistance was significantly (P < 0.05) outperformed by four new entries namely Colotana 296‐52, Compare, Santa Elena and Tammarin Rock, while the shortest roots were measured on genotypes Aus 16356, Elia, Camm, Portugal 3, and Sentinel. Differences among ploidy levels, domesticated and wild forms were also significant (P < 0.05). Hexaploid wheat showed significantly longer roots in both growing conditions while wild tetraploids showed the shortest roots under stress. There was a change in the ranking of genotypes under the two water regimes, which indicates the difficulty of selecting drought resistant varieties under optimum environments.
Efficacy and Safety of Calcium Channel Blocker/Diuretics Combination Therapy in Hypertensive Patients: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Rimoldi Stefano F. , Messerli Franz H. , Chavez Patricia , Stefanini Giulio G. , Scherrer Urs
Published: January 2015

Although recent guidelines recommend the combination of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and thiazide (‐like) diuretics, this combination is not widely used in clinical practice. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of this combination regarding the following endpoints: all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Four studies with a total of 30,791 of patients met the inclusion criteria. The combination CCB/thiazide (‐like) diuretic was associated with a significant risk reduction for myocardial infarction (risk ratio [RR], 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.95) and stroke (RR, 0.77; CI, 0.64–0.92) compared with other combinations, whereas it was similarly effective compared with other combinations in reducing the risk of all‐cause (RR, 0.89; CI, 0.75–1.06) and cardiovascular (RR, 0.89; CI 0.71–1.10) mortality. Elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension may particularly benefit from such a combination, since both drug classes have been shown to confer cerebrovascular protection.
Ovarian cavity fluid of the viviparous surfperch Neoditrema ransonnetii suppresses the spontaneous cytotoxic activity of head‐kidney leucocytes against xenogeneic targets
Authors: Yokozawa N. , Nakamura O. , Saito E. , Tsutsui S.
Published: January 2015

In this study, the effect of ovarian cavity fluid (OCF) from a surfperch Neoditrema ransonnetii on the cytotoxic activity of leucocytes was investigated. In an assay targeting RTG‐2, a cell line derived from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gonads, leucocytes from both the spleen and head kidney showed spontaneous killing activity. Pre‐incubation with OCF significantly suppressed the cytotoxic activity of head‐kidney leucocytes towards RTG‐2. This suppressive activity was due to the presence of low molecular‐mass materials. These results suggest that OCF plays significant roles in pregnancy by its ability to modulate cytotoxicity with maternal leucocytes.
The effects of salinity on swimming performance of two estuarine fishes, Fundulus heteroclitus and Fundulus majalis
Authors: Yetsko K. , Sancho G.
Published: January 2015

Prolonged and high‐speed swimming performance measurements were used to explore the swimming abilities of two species of estuarine fishes, the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus and the striped killifish Fundulus majalis, under different salinities. Critical swimming performance was significantly higher for F. majalis in high salinity than in low salinity, but no difference was observed in brief constant acceleration swimming trials in this species; however, the swimming performance of F. heteroclitus was not significantly affected by salinity changes, indicating that this species is well adapted to regular estuarine salinity oscillations. Fundulus majalis displayed higher swimming speeds than F. heteroclitus in both high and low salinities, and while this cannot be explained by their respective salinity preferences, the specific habitat preferences of F. majalis for sandy subtidal habitats and F. heteroclitus for vegetated marshes could explain the better swimming performance of F. majalis.
An eukaryotic translation initiation factor, AteIF5A‐2, affects cadmium accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Yan , Ding Zhong‐Jie , Chen Lei , Yan Jin‐Ying , Li Gui‐Xin , Zheng Shao‐Jian
Published: January 2015

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic elements and can be accumulated in plants easily; meanwhile, eIF5A is a highly conserved protein in all eukaryotic organisms. The present work tried to investigate whether eIF5A is involved in Cd accumulation and sensitivity in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana L.) by comparing the wild‐type Columbia‐0 (Col‐0) with a knockdown mutant of AteIF5A‐2, fbr12‐3 under Cd stress conditions. The results showed that the mutant fbr12‐3 accumulated more Cd in roots and shoots and had significantly lower chlorophyll content, shorter root length, and smaller biomass, suggesting that downregulation of AteIF5A‐2 makes the mutant more Cd sensitive. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that the expressions of metal transporters involved in Cd uptake and translocation including IRT1, ZIP1, AtNramp3, and AtHMA4 were significantly increased but the expressions of PCS1 and PCS2 related to Cd detoxification were decreased notably in fbr12‐3 compared with Col‐0. As a result, an increase in MDA and H2O2 content but decrease in root trolox, glutathione and proline content under Cd stress was observed, indicating that a severer oxidative stress occurs in the mutant. All these results demonstrated for the first time that AteIF5A influences Cd sensitivity by affecting Cd uptake, accumulation, and detoxification in Arabidopsis.
Position of Occlusal Plane in Dentate Patients with Reference to the Ala‐Tragal Line Using a Custom‐Made Occlusal Plane Analyzer
Authors: Shetty Sanath , Zargar Nazia Majeed , Shenoy Kamalakanth , D'Souza Neevan
Published: January 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine which of the three positions on the tragus, (superior, middle, inferior) when joined with the ala of the nose for the ala‐tragal line was most parallel to the natural occlusal plane in dentate patients.

Material and Methods

This study was carried out on 500 individuals, selected randomly and who agreed to participate in the study. A custom‐made occlusal plane analyzer was used to check the parallelism between the ala‐tragal line and the occlusal plane. The tragus was divided into three parts: superior, middle, and inferior. The instrument was placed in the participant's mouth, and the posterior points on the tragus were determined.

Results

For the 500 dentate participants in this study, the most common location of the posterior point on the tragus was the inferior part of the tragus (50.8%). The second most common location of the tragus was the middle part (24.7%), followed by the superior location (12.1%).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicated that the occlusal plane was found parallel to a line joining the ala of the nose and the inferior part of the tragus in a slight majority of the participants.
Micro‐CT Detection and Characterization of Porosity in Luting Cements
Authors: Malkoç Meral Arslan , Sevimay Müjde , Tatar İlkan , Çelik Hakan Hamdi
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To evaluate porosity volume and localization in luting cements under fixed dental prostheses after cementation using micro‐computed tomography (CT).

Materials and Methods

Seventy‐seven sound molars were circumferentially prepared to receive all‐ceramic crowns, and IPS e.max ceramic copings were fabricated according to the manufacturer's instructions. For this study, different dental luting cements were used: eight resin‐based cements (Variolink II, RelyX ARC, Clearfil Esthetic, BisCem, RelyX U100, Panavia EX, Super Bond C&B, and Multilink Automix), one resin‐modified glass ionomer (Ketac Cem Plus), one glass ionomer (Ketac Cem), and one polycarboxylate (Durelon). Specimens were scanned with a micro‐CT (SkyScan) for detection and comparison of the cements’ porosities. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal‐Wallis one‐way ANOVA and Bonferroni's adjusted Mann‐Whitney U tests.

Results

Multilink Automix (Volume = 0.11 ± 0.08 mm3; Surface Area = 1.63 ± 1.31 mm2), Ketac Cem Plus (Volume = 0.22 ± 0.21 mm3; Surface Area = 4.32 ± 3.71 mm2), and Variolink II (Volume = 0.34 ± 0.38 mm3; Surface Area = 6.47 ± 5.10 mm2) contained less porosity (p < 0.001) than all other cements. All other cements were not significantly different from one another (p > 0.05); however, the volume and surface area of the porosity found in the other tested luting cements were significantly greater than those of the Multilink Automix, Ketac Cem Plus, and Variolink II (p < 0.001), all of which demonstrated no significant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The liquid and powder forms prepared by manually mixing the cements were found to cause greater porosity.
A Survey of the Management of Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders by General Dental Practitioners in Southern Brazil
Authors: Aldrigue Raquel H. S. , Sánchez‐Ayala Alfonso , Urban Vanessa M. , Pavarina Ana C. , Jorge Janaina H. , Campanha Nara H.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are recognized as one of the most controversial topics in dentistry, despite the fact that both basic science and clinical researchers have currently reached some degree of consensus. This study aimed to conduct a questionnaire‐based survey about the management of TMD patients by general dental practitioners (GDPs).

Materials and Methods

One hundred fifty‐one GDPs with a private practice in a city of southern Brazil were included, independent of school of origin, gender, graduation year, and curriculum content. All participants were administered a questionnaire about the management of patients with TMD, and the responses were analyzed by binomial and chi‐square tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Of the GDPs, 88.7% received TMD patients, who were primarily diagnosed on the basis of medical history (36.6%) or physical examination (30.4%). Of these, 65.4% referred the patients elsewhere, primarily to specialists in occlusion (36.1%) or orthodontics (29.7%). Occlusal splinting was the most commonly used management modality (20.8%), followed by occlusal adjustment (18.1%) and pharmacotherapy (16.6%). Splints were fabricated in maximum habitual intercuspation or centric relation depending on individual patient (54.8%). The hard stabilization form was the most common type of appliance used (35.0%). Moreover, 73.8% of the GDPs did not employ semi‐adjustable articulators, and 69.5% adjusted the appliances at the time of fixing. The duration of splint use and the frequency of follow‐up were considered patient dependent by 62.1% and 72.8%, respectively. GDPs considered the two major TMD etiologic categories as multifactorial (20.8%) and occlusion (19.9%). Multidisciplinary medical and dental treatment was considered necessary by 97.9%.

Conclusions

The evaluated general dental practitioners manage TMD patients according to international guidelines.
Paediatric infectious diseases: The last 50 years
Authors: Starr Mike
Published: January 2015

Many advances and challenges have occurred in the field of paediatric infectious diseases during the past 50 years. It is impossible to cover all of these in a short review, but a few highlights and lowlights will be covered. These include virtual disappearance of some infectious diseases, emergence of new ones, infections in the immunocompromised, antimicrobial resistance, development of new and improved antimicrobials, improved diagnostic tests and the Human Microbiome Project.