bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loneliness Correlates in Advanced Alcohol Abusers
Authors: Hörnquist Jan Olof , Åkerlind Ingemar
Published: January 2017

The current study was performed in order to extend a preceding correlational analysis of loneliness to clinical and psychological parameters in a sample of 95 alcohol abusers. The alcoholics were examined twice with an approximate interval of two years. In the preceding analysis of social factors and needs, the lonely abuser appeared as discontented and somewhat passive in essential life-spheres. This pattern was highly confirmed in the current study. In the psychological part, life-dissatisfaction and indolence were especially pronounced by the lonely abusers. The association between loneliness and lack of self-esteem was also extraordinarily marked, while the relations to some neurotic-tinged parameters were at a more ordinary level. In the clinical psychiatric part of the study, a number of relations of medium degree confirmed the link to psychopathology. Achievements on the intellectual tests were nonrelated to loneliness, as were also most of the biochemical laboratory test results. The main conclusion was that loneliness primarily is a sensitive indicator of perceived quality of life and attitude to life as a whole.
Smoking Habits and Their Confounding Effects among Occupational Groups in Sweden
Authors: Rosén Måns , Wall Stig , Hanning Marianne , Lindberg Gudrun , Nyström Lennarth
Published: January 2017

Smoking habits among different occupational groups in Sweden were estimated from nation wide surveys of living conditions in 1977 and 1980/81. These surveys were conducted by Statistics Sweden and consist of interviews covering the Swedish population aged 16–74 years. The sample includes about 12000 persons for each of the two investigations. The results show that those who may be exposed to excess risks in their work environment, smoke more than those in other occupational groups. Transport and manufacturing workers, miners, wood and paper workers and painters, for example, have higher rates of daily smokers than the national average. The highest rates, however, were found among the category of early retired or unemployed. These findings confirm that an appropriate evaluation of occupationally-related diseases affected by smoking must take smoking data into consideration. If smoking data are available from other sources, adjusted work-related risks could be calculated. This presumes the absence of interaction effects. Procedures are given and illustrated. The paper also discusses the declining trends in smoking habits between 1977 and 1980/81 and possible reasons for differences in smoking habits between occupations.
Disability as a Predictor of Outcome for the Elderly in a Department of Internal Medicine
Authors: Åsberg Kerstin Hulter
Published: January 2017

The predictive validity of ratings based on Katz' Index of ADL' (Activities of Daily Living) and of physician ratings of patient outcome was studied in a department of internal medicine. 129 patients, 65 years of age or older, were assessed independently and simultaneously by licensed practical nurses using Katz' Index of ADL and by a physician using clinical judgement. These assessments were related to observed outcome regarding survival or death in the ward, length of stay, and type of hospital discharge. Two alternative ADL-groupings were used, grade A–E versus grade F–G and grade A–F versus grade G. Sensitivity and specificity of ADL-ratings and of physician ratings were found to be rather similar regarding length of stay less than 10 days and discharge to own home. Predictions regarding patient deaths based on ADL-grades F–G and G had a higher sensitivity than predictions based on physician ratings. The specificity of the two types of predictions was about the same. There was only a fair correlation between age and ADL-grade. ADL-assessments may thus be useful for planning purposes for elderly patients also in acute medical wards.
The Period Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Complaints among Swedish Professional Drivers
Authors: Hedberg Gudrun E.
Published: January 2017

The aim of the investigation was to survey the period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among Swedish professional drivers. 460 out of 570 male drivers answered a postal inquiry. The period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints was highest for the low back, the shoulders, the knees and the neck, in that order. For some parts of the musculoskeletal system the period prevalence of complaints tended to increase with age. A subdivision of the examined group of drivers according to task revealed—after standardizing for age (SRR)—different relative risk of complaints in various anatomical regions of the body. The interaction among some variables was studied by means of Automatic Interaction Detection Analysis. The analysis showed that the variables age and task reduced the variance of the period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints most.
Chronic Otitis Media and Sequelae in the Population of Greenland
Authors: Pedersen Christian Brahe , Zachau-Christiansen Bengt
Published: January 2017

It is generally recognized that chronic otitis media and sequelae of this disease are frequently encountered among the native population of Greenland, but the prevalence of chronic otitis in Greenland has not previously been systematically traced. Treatment for this disease has improved and we expect an increased demand for treatment of this disease among Greenland natives. To evaluate the need of treatment the prevalence of chronic otitis media in two large Greenland towns was assessed. The study population included 303 persons aged 11–20 years and 305 aged 41–50 years. Medical histories were recorded and objective examinations were performed using e.g. oto-micro-scopy. Among the young participants, 8% had chronic suppurative otitis and 14% sequelae of chronic otitis media. Among the older participants, 2% had suppurative otitis and 13% sequelae of chronic otitis. It is estimated, using Scandinavian criteria, that 8.6% of the participants would have benefitted from an ear operation either to stop otorrhea and/or to improve the hearing. The launching of an oto-surgical effort in Greenland is considered justifiable on the grounds of the importance of hearing to communication and the isolation in point of the native Greenland population.
One-Year Incidence of Occupational Injuries among Teenagers in a Swedish Rural Municipality
Authors: Jacobsson Bo , Schelp Lothar
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate occupational injuries among teenagers in a defined population and geographical area with regard to incidence and severity and to compare our registration system with that of the Swedish Occupational Injury Information System. All occupational accidents in the age group 15–19 years were registered at public health centres. We found a higher incidence compared to school accidents in the same age group as well as in relation to occupational accidents in the older population. Part-time work, lack of experience, temporary employment, unskilled work, and age-specific behavioural patterns are factors that might explain the higher incidence rate. The highest rates were found in service, military and unspecified occupations. Only 25 % of the work-related accidents in our study were registered by the Swedish Occupational Injury System (ISA). It seems possible to reduce the number of accidents through the instigation of fairly simple measures. The coverage of the registration by the ISA seems to be incomplete.
Contributions of Social Medicine and Systems Analysis to Formulating Objectives for a Community-Based Cancer Prevention Programme
Authors: Sanderson Colin , Svanströrm Leif
Published: January 2017

In the part of Stockholm Cancer Prevention Programme, that is focussing on diet and cancer, the contribution of social medicine has been based on its concern for the relationships between individuals, populations, the environment and the socio-political structure. This has led to the choice of the community intervention approach, based on geographically defined populations, and involving the participation of organisations already active within the relevant areas. The contribution of systems analysis has been based on its concern for explicit models of the processes of cause and effect that lead from intervention to outcome, as a basis for debate and common under-standing among the various participants. The combination of the two approaches has helped to clarify the objectives and has shaped the planned pattern of intervention.
Comparison between Data Obtained through Questionnaires and Interviews: Life-Style Habits of Pregnant Women
Authors: Olsen Jørn , Frische Grethe
Published: January 2017

A random sample of pregnant women in the cities of Odense and Aalborg, Denmark, was taken as a part of a quasi-experimental study. The time period of the study was from October 1984 to March 1985. Out of 175 randomly selected pregnant women, 146 filled out the questionnaire in the 36th week of their pregnancy. The questionnaire was concerned with eating, smoking, and drinking habits before and during their pregnancy. These 146 pregnant women participated in an interview 3 weeks later where some of the same questions on the questionnaire were asked by the interviewer. In spite of the rather short interval between the two data collections, there were some differences in the answers given at the individual level. This is especially true for eating habits and estimated average drinking habits during pregnancy. No tendency was observed for a more frequent recalling of “less socially acceptable norms” in the questionnaire method of obtaining information. Lack of knowledge of the “true” classification is probably the main reason for the lack of stability in the answers given. This leads to some unavoidable misclassification in studies on self-reporting life style habits among pregnant women.
Physical Disease and Disability among 416 Suicide Cases in Sweden
Authors: Stensman Richard , Sundqvist-Stensman Ulla-Britt
Published: January 2017

All suicides occurring among the inhabitants of the County of Uppsala in Sweden between 1977 and 1984 were analyzed on the basis of information from autopsy reports and from somatic and psychiatric medical records. Among the 416 persons who committed suicide, 70 (17%) had a somatic disease of probable importance for the suicidal act. No somatic diagnosis appeared to stand out as being especially associated with a very high risk of suicide. Some diagnoses (e.g. malignant neoplasm, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis) were, however, associated with a suicidal rate above that in the general population. Further knowledge about the relation between suicide and specific somatic diagnoses would be of value, since a high suicide rate in association with a particular illness might indicate insufficient medical care and rehabilitation.
Battered Women—Their Susceptibility to Treatment
Authors: Bergman Bo K. , Larsson Gunilla E. , Brismar Bo G. , Klang Marie E.
Published: January 2017

During an eight-month period a trial was made of a special therapeutic programme focused on the diagnosis and treatment of battered women who sought treatment for physical injuries at a surgical emergency department. Forty-nine women agreed to undergo the treatment programme, the aim of which was to provide social and psychological support. The women were treated as inpatients at the department of surgery. After their discharge from the hospital, contact on an out-patient basis was difficult to maintain. Nearly half of the women dropped out during the first month and only 22 women (45%) completed the programme. The causes of the high drop-out rate were analysed considering the women's backgrounds of repeated battering, high alcohol consumption and psychiatric morbidity. It is concluded that battered women need long-term and individualized support and that more attention should be focused on the possibility of carrying out the suggested treatment. Prolonged ambulatory treatment within the frame of medical care does not, however, seem to be the right method for helping and supporting battered women.
Violence in the Family: Morbidity and Medical Consumption
Authors: Larsson Gunilla , Andersson Mona
Published: January 2017

Morbidity in homes, where family violence occurred, was investigated. Approximately 90% of the women and 60% of the men had been treated in hospital during a five-year period. Treatment in surgical department was most common. More women than men had symptoms indicating psychosomatic or indefinite aetiologies. One fifth of the women reported injuries due to physical violence. The medically certified illness for both men and women was about three times higher than in the general population. The children had twice as many admissions to hospital than controls. The diagnoses of the children were more frequently socially related. An early diagnosis of the family conditions and preventive measures are needed to safeguard against repeated battery and counteract social handicap.
Mortality among Female Farmers in Finland in 1979–1985
Authors: Notkola Veijo J. , Husman Kaj R.
Published: January 2017

In this study cause-specific mortality of female farmers in Finland was examined by size of farm, by type of farm production, and by geographic area. It was shown that mortality of female farmers was higher for those with small farms. In particular, mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system and mortality due to accidents, poisonings and violence was slightly increased (statistically not significantly) among those with small farms. Assessed by type of farm production, the differences in mortality were small. Mortality differences among female farmers were smaller than among male farmers.
Evaluation of environmental impacts of hotel buildings having different envelopes using a life cycle analysis approach
Authors: Kaoula D. , Bouchair A.
Published: January 2017

A life cycle analysis approach was used to assess the environmental impacts for three types of hotel buildings having various envelope configurations and materials, built in different climates: Algeria and France. The study assesses through a comparative approach the impact of building components on its energy performance and their environmental cost over the entire life cycle of the building. The life cycle analysis was performed using PLEIADES software tools. The results show that it is possible to reduce the energy requirements of both traditional and standard building envelopes by assigning low-consumption building scenarios. However, although these scenarios could reduce some environmental impacts, they could also enhance others. In order to improve the results of life cycle analysis, another variant that generates less impacts than previously simulated variants was developed by retaining the following environmental scenarios: superfluous material at the site, 5%; lifetime of doors and windows should be 30 years; coating life-time should be 10 years; use of natural gas for heating; wood energy for domestic hot water; consumption of cold water should be 0.2 m3/person/day; selective collection of glass, 50%; selective collection of paper, 30%; incinerated waste, 30%; and the produced waste should not be more than 1 kg/person/day.
The Benefits of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Multiple Co-morbidities
Authors: Erdmann Erland
Published: January 2017

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is common among the elderly, who typically suffer from multiple co-morbidities.The clinician therefore needs to consider the possibility of interaction between drugs given to treat these underlying conditions and drugs given to treat CHF. Patients who remain symptomatic despite established CHF therapy derive important clinical benefits from the addition of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity and baseline heart failure, as recognised in the recent revision of the European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the treatment of CHF.

Rationalisation of concomitant therapy in accordance with guideline recommendations can help to minimise the potential for adverse effects.

This case report describes an elderly man with CHF and multiple co-morbidities who remained symptomatic despite established therapy.
Symptomatic despite Multiple Drug Therapy: Where do you Turn Next?
Authors: Pietro Maggioni Aldo
Published: January 2017

Clinicians may be reluctant to implement evidence-based guideline recommendations because they believe that patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) who are enrolled into clinical trials are not truly representative of those seen in routine practice. Moreover, there may also be perceived safety issues associated with polypharmacy in patients with CHF. Clinicians should strive to implement guideline recommendations for the management of CHF to ensure optimal patient outcome in routine clinical practice.

This case report demonstrates that symptom control may require a large number of pharmacological treatments, to be administered in accordance with guidelines.
Management of Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: Cohen-Solal Alain
Published: January 2017

The diagnosis and management of chronic heart failure (CHF) with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function are problematic. Management strategies in current CHF guidelines are largely speculative, as to date few trials have studied such patients.The Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM)-Preserved study, the only study that has specifically recruited CHF patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), provides direct evidence that treatment with candesartan has substantial clinical benefits in this patient group, and this has been recognised in current guidelines for management of CHF. This treatment strategy warrants consideration in the management of these patients in the routine clinical setting. This case report discusses some of the issues in diagnosis and management of a patient with preserved LVEF.
Smoking has no impact on survival and it is not associated with ACE gene I/D polymorphism in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Kiss István , Kiss Zoltán , Kerkovits Lóránt , Paksy András , Ambrus Csaba
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

The relationship between smoking and mortality in patients on hemodialysis is controversial. Earlier studies showed that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene might have an effect on mortality. The aim of this study was to test the impact of smoking on survival and whether this association was influenced by ACE gene I/D polymorphism in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Participants and methods:

In this prospective, multicenter cohort study we analyzed 709 prevalent patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Patients were allocated into groups based on their smoking habit. Outcome data were collected during the 144-month follow-up period. Outcomes of current smokers and lifelong non-smokers were compared. In order to control for interactions between predictor variables, we also identified 160 matched pairs for further sub-analysis.

Results:

The vast majority of patients (67%) were non-smokers, followed by current smokers (22.2%) and ex-smokers (9.8%). Smoking had no impact on survival in the matched pair analysis ( p = 0.99). After adjustment for ACE I/D polymorphism and other co-variates, smoking had no effect on survival.

Conclusion:

Our data suggest that smoking has no impact on survival; neither is it associated with ACE gene I/D polymorphism in hemodialysis patients.
Midterm Results of Proximal Aneurysm Sealing With the Ovation Stent-Graft According to On- vs Off-Label Use
Authors: de Donato Gianmarco , Setacci Francesco , Bresadola Luciano , Castelli Patrizio , Chiesa Roberto , Mangialardi Nicola , Nano Giovanni , Setacci Carlo ,   on behalf of the TriVascular Ovation Italian Study (TOIS) Collaborators, Setacci Carlo , de Donato Gianmarco , Ricci Carmelo , Gasparini Daniele , Piccoli Gianluca , Chiesa Roberto , Kahlberg Andrea , Nano Giovanni , Stegher Silvia , Castelli Patrizio , Carrafiello Gianpaolo , Rivolta Nicola , Novali Claudio , Rivellini Carlo , Lenti Massimo , Isernia Giacomo , Mangialardi Nicola , Ronkey Sonia , Giudice Rocco , Speziale Francesco , Sirignano Pasqualino , Bresadola Luciano , Marcucci Giustino , Accrocca Federico , Volpe Pietro , Talarico Francesco , La Barbera Gaetano
Published: January 2017

Purpose: To compare the use of the Ovation stent-graft according to the ≥7-mm neck length specified by the original instructions for use (IFU) vs those treated off-label (OL) for necks <7 mm long. Methods: A multicenter retrospective registry (TriVascular Ovation Italian Study) database of all patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair with the Ovation endograft at 13 centers in Italy was interrogated to identify patients with a minimum computed tomography (CT) follow-up of 24 months, retrieving records on 89 patients (mean age 76.4±2.4 years; 84 men) with a mean follow-up of 32 months (range 24–50). Standard CT scans (preoperative, 1-month postoperative, and latest follow-up) were reviewed by an independent core laboratory for morphological changes. For analysis, patients were stratified into 2 groups based on proximal neck length ≥7 mm (IFU group, n=57) or <7 mm (OL group, n=32). Outcome measures included freedom from type Ia endoleak, any device-related reintervention, migration, and neck enlargement (>2 mm). Results: At 3 years, there was no aneurysm-related death, rupture, stent-graft migration, or neck enlargement. There were no differences in terms of freedom from type Ia endoleak (98.2% IFU vs 96.8% OL, p=0.6; hazard ratio [HR] 0.55, 95% CI 0.02 to 9.71 or freedom from any device-related reintervention (92.8% IFU vs 96.4% OL, p=0.4; HR 2.42, 95% CI 0.34 to 12.99). In the sealing zone, the mean change in diameters was −0.05±0.8 mm in the IFU group and −0.1±0.5 mm in the OL group. Conclusion: Use of the Ovation stent-graft in patients with neck length <7 mm achieved midterm outcomes similar to patients with ≥7-mm-long necks. These midterm data show that the use of the Ovation system for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm is not restricted by the conventional measurement of aortic neck length, affirming the recent Food and Drug Administration–approved changes to the IFU.
From lab-scale film preparation to up- scale spinning fibre manufacturing of multiwall carbon nanotube/poly ethylene terephthalate composites
Authors: Vogli Effrosyni D , Turkarslan Ozlem , Iconomopoulou Sofia M , Korkmaz Deniz , Soto Beobide Amaia , Voyiatzis George A
Published: January 2017

Carbon nanotubes are among the stiffest and strongest fibres known and they are thus considered as ideal fillers for polymeric fibre reinforcement. Carbon nanotube polymer composites have consequently attracted huge academic and industrial interest with thousands of relevant research works being published every year. In current work, we present a quite integrated study of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced poly ethylene terephthalate (PET) composites prepared at laboratory scale along with industrial melt-spun fibres. For an optimum dispersion of the nanomaterial in the polymer matrix, we proceeded to appropriate functionalization of multiwall carbon nanotubes. The morphology of the composites was inspected by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, while the physical properties, such as crystallinity and orientation, by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The addition of well-dispersed carbon nanotubes acts as a nucleation agent increasing the crystallization of poly ethylene terephthalate matrix, however, decreasing the orientation of either films or fibres. Carbon nanotubes /poly ethylene terephthalate polymer composite films present an increment of Young’s modulus and tensile strength to detriment of failure strain; namely, stiffness is accompanied by a less ductile behaviour. With the addition of carbon nanotubes to poly ethylene terephthalate fibres, a decrease in shrinkage and only a slight improvement in dimensional stability was attained; this once more explains the slow growth of their commercial applications since the mechanical properties of these materials still remain a fraction of the expected theoretical values.
Coconut shell extract imparting multifunction properties to ligno-cellulosic material
Authors: Teli Mangesh D , Pandit Pintu , Basak Santanu
Published: January 2017

Flame retardant textiles are increasingly in demand. There have been a number of approaches by which textile material is made flame retardant. The plant extracts imparting such properties to lingo-cellulosic material has been studied in this work. The paper reports the application of green coconut ( Cocosnucifera Linn) shell extract which is a natural waste source onto jute fabric. The acidic coconut shell extract was applied in neutral and alkaline conditions on jute fabric in different concentrations. The emerging fabric showed good flame retardant properties which were measured by different standard flammability tests. The limiting oxygen index value found to increase by 48% after application of alkaline coconut shell extract as such and on concentrating the coconut shell extract, it was found to increase 81%. The thermo gravimetric behaviour and degradation mechanism were studied by using thermo gravimetric analysis in nitrogen atmosphere. The presence of different elements, chemical groups and the structural topography of the untreated and coconut shell extract-treated lingo-cellulosic fabric were analysed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared, Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and phytochemical analysis tests. In addition to the flame retardant property, the treated fabric showed natural colour (measured by colour strength value) and antibacterial property against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Urinary MicroRNA-30c-5p and MicroRNA-192-5p as potential biomarkers of ischemia–reperfusion-induced kidney injury
Authors: Zou Yan-Fang , Wen Dan , Zhao Qian , Shen Ping-Yan , Shi Hao , Zhao Qiang , Chen Yong-Xi , Zhang Wen
Published: January 2017

Early detection of acute kidney injury is difficult due to lack of known biomarkers; previous studies have tried to identify new biomarkers for detecting acute kidney injury at an early stage. MicroRNA, a 21-23 nucleotide noncoding RNA molecule, has emerged as a desirable marker in the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases. This study aims to identify the expression profile of microRNA in ischemia–reperfusion-induced kidney injury and determine the possibility of using the candidate microRNA as biomarker for the detection of I/R-induced kidney injury. Based on the established rat model of I/R-induced kidney injury, a microarray analysis of rat urine was performed at the beginning of operation (0 h) as well as 72 h post operation. To validate the results, urine samples from 71 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were collected, after which urinalysis was conducted to determine the microRNA concentration. An alternative expression profile of microRNAs was detected in rat urine. The quantitative validation of microRNA showed that the expression of miR-30c-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-378a-3p was elevated significantly in urine post operation, which was consistent with those of the microarray analysis and earlier than kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). In patients with acute kidney injury, increased levels of miR-30c-5p and miR-192-5p were also detected 2 h post operation, and miR-30c-5p showed preferable diagnostic value compared with protein-based biomarkers. In conclusion, an aberrant expression profile of microRNA was detected in rat urine based on the established ischemia–reperfusion animal model. Both miR-30c-5p and miR-192-5p served as important potential diagnostic markers for I/R-induced kidney injury.

Impact statement

Firstly, one differentiating factor in our study is that the candidate miRNAs were screened in a controlled animal model rather than in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) to ensure the purity of the cause of disease and to avoid possible effects of comorbidities on the spectrum of urine miRNA. This ensured the presence of only the relevant candidate miRNA (that associated with I/R injury); and what’s more, the alterative expression of miR-192-5p and miR-30c-5p in animal model, patients with AKI, and cell model was confirmed simultaneously, which is likely to be more convincing. Secondly, the candidate miRNAs were screened sequentially at regular time points, which covered the initiation, progression, and partial repair stages, thus ensuring that no significant miRNAs were omitted in the screening process, and miR-biomarkers in 2 h post operation showed preferable diagnostic performance.
PEGylated long-circulating liposomes deliver homoharringtonine to suppress multiple myeloma cancer stem cells
Authors: Li Miao , Shi Fangfang , Fei Xiong , Wu Songyan , Wu Di , pan Meng , Luo Shouhua , Gu Ning , Dou Jun
Published: January 2017

The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the inhibiting effect of high proportion polyethyleneglycol of long-circulating homoharringtonine liposomes on RPMI8226 multiple myeloma cancer stem cells. The CD138−CD34− multiple myeloma cancer stem cells isolated from RPMI8226 cell line using magnetic activated cell sorting system were, respectively, incubated with the optimized formulation of polyethyleneglycol of long-circulating homoharringtonine liposomes and the homoharringtonine in vitro, and the multiple myeloma cancer stem cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell cycle were analyzed. The inhibition of the multiple myeloma CD138−CD34− cancer stem cell growth was investigated in non-obese-diabetic/severe-combined-immunodeficiency mice that were implanted with multiple myeloma RPMI 8226 cancer stem cells and treated with the LCL-HHT-H-PEG. The results showed that the polyethyleneglycol of long-circulating homoharringtonine liposomes significantly inhibited MM cancer stem cell proliferation, colony formation, and induced cancer stem cell apoptosis in vitro as well as MM cancer stem cell growth in non-obese-diabetic/severe-combined-immunodeficiency mice compared with the homoharringtonine. In addition, the mouse bone mineral density and the red blood cell count were significantly increased in polyethyleneglycol of long-circulating homoharringtonine liposomes group. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that the developed polyethyleneglycol of long-circulating homoharringtonine liposomes formulation may serve as an efficient therapeutic drug for suppressing CD138−CD34− multiple myeloma cancer stem cell growth by inducing cancer stem cell apoptosis in non-obese-diabetic/severe-combined-immunodeficiency mouse model.

Impact statement

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains largely incurable until now. One of the main reasons is that there are cancer stem cells (CSCs) in MM, which are responsible for MM’s drug resistance and relapse. In this study, we wanted to extend our previous investigation22 that whether we developed the LCL-HHT-H-PEG formulation have an inhibitory effect on MM CD138−CD34−CSCs in MM CSC engrafted NOD/SCID mouse model. Our data from the present study have demonstrated the therapeutic effect of LCL-HHT-H-PEG on MM-bearing mouse model. The study represents the first attempt to demonstrate that the LCL-HHT-H-PEG formulation is available for treatment MM patients in clinic. Therefore, this finding is important and deserves publication in Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Histone deacetylase-high mobility group box-1 pathway targeted by hypaconitine suppresses the apoptosis of endothelial cells
Authors: Bai Ye , Du Shaohui , Li Fei , Huang Fengyuan , Deng Rudong , Zhou Jianhong , Chen Dongfeng
Published: January 2017

Hypaconitine is an active component of Aconitum carmichaelii Debx, a Chinese medicinal herb for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanism underlying its effect remains elusive. In this study, we found that hypaconitine, rather than aconitum alkaloids in A. carmichaelii (e.g. aconitine, mesaconitine and benzoylaconitine), prevented endothelial cells from damage due to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) challenge. Cleaved caspase 3 expression in endothelial cells was up-regulated by oxLDL and markedly attenuated by hypaconitine, suggesting that hypaconitine inhibited the oxLDL-induced cell apoptosis. Microarray analysis revealed that histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) was significantly increased by hypaconitine. The cytoplasmic relocation and extracellular release of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1, an HDAC3 downstream effector) in endothelial cells were significantly increased by oxLDL and markedly decreased by hypaconitine. The effect of hypaconitine on the oxLDL-induced apoptosis and HMGB1 release in endothelial cells was significantly reduced by the suppression of HDAC3 by siRNA or a specific inhibitor. Thus, this study proves that the histone deacetylase-HMGB1 pathway targeted by hypaconitine suppresses the apoptosis of endothelial cells. Our findings are of therapeutic significance and provide the potential of hypaconitine exploitation.

Impact statement

First, our study shows the antiapoptosis effect of Aconitum carmichaelii and its active component hypaconitine on endothelial cells. It may provide new strategies for the treatment of diseases involving endothelium damage. Second, this finding indicates the function of hypaconitine in regulating HDAC3-HMGB1 pathway, which suggests a new anti-inflammatory therapy. Third, due to its poisonousness, A. carmichaelii is always used with caution in clinics. Thus, the identification of hypaconitine as an active component of A. carmichaelii could contribute to the development of toxicity-decreasing procedure for A. carmichaelii.
Featured Article: Downregulation of transgelin blocks interleukin-8 utilization and suppresses vasculogenic mimicry in breast cancer cells
Authors: Aikins Anastasia R , Kim MiJung , Raymundo Bernardo , Kim Chan-Wha
Published: January 2017

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a non-classical mechanism recently described in many tumors, whereby cancer cells, rather than endothelial cells, form blood vessels. Transgelin is an actin-binding protein that has been implicated in multiple stages of cancer development. In this study, we investigated the role of transgelin in VM and assessed its effect on the expression of endothelial and angiogenesis-related genes during VM in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. We confirmed the ability of MDA-MB-231 cells to undergo VM through a tube formation assay. Flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase in the expression of the endothelial-related markers VE-cadherin and CD34 in cells that underwent VM, compared with those growing in a monolayer, which was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. We employed siRNA to silence transgelin, and knockdown efficiency was determined by western blot analyses. Downregulation of transgelin suppressed cell proliferation and tube formation, but increased IL-8 levels in Matrigel cultures. RT-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of IL-8, VE-cadherin, and CD34 was unaffected by transgelin knockdown, indicating that increased IL-8 expression was not due to enhanced transcriptional activity. More importantly, the inhibition of IL-8/CXCR2 signaling also resulted in suppression of VM with increased IL-8 levels, confirming that increased IL-8 levels after transgelin knockdown was due to inhibition of IL-8 uptake. Our findings indicate that transgelin regulates VM by enhancing IL uptake. These observations are relevant to the future development of efficient antivascular agents.

Impact statement

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an angiogenic-independent mechanism of blood vessel formation whereby aggressive tumor cells undergo formation of capillary-like structures. Thus, interventions aimed at angiogenesis might not target the entire tumor vasculature. A more holistic approach is therefore needed in the development of improved antivascular agents. Transgelin, an actin-binding protein, has been associated with multiple stages of cancer development such as proliferation, migration and invasion, but little is known about its role in vasculogenic mimicry. We present here, an additional mechanism by which transgelin promotes malignancy by way of its association with the occurrence of VM. Although transgelin knockdown did not affect the transcript levels of most of the angiogenesis-related genes in this study, it was associated with the inhibition of the uptake of IL-8, accompanied by suppressed VM, indicating that transgelin is required for VM. These observations are relevant to the future development of efficient antivascular agents.
Autophagy protects gastric mucosal epithelial cells from ethanol-induced oxidative damage via mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Chang Weilong , Bai Jie , Tian Shaobo , Ma Muyuan , Li Wei , Yin Yuping , Deng Rui , Cui Jinyuan , Li Jinjin , Wang Guobin , Zhang Peng , Tao Kaixiong
Published: January 2017

Alcohol abuse is an important cause of gastric mucosal epithelial cell injury and gastric ulcers. A number of studies have demonstrated that autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism, has a protective effect on cell survival. However, it is not known whether autophagy can protect gastric mucosal epithelial cells against the toxic effects of ethanol. In the present study, gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1 cells) and Wistar rats were treated with ethanol to detect the adaptive response of autophagy. Our results demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced gastric mucosal epithelial cell damage, which was accompanied by the downregulation of mTOR signaling pathway and activation of autophagy. Suppression of autophagy with pharmacological agents resulted in a significant increase of GES-1 cell apoptosis and gastric mucosa injury, suggesting that autophagy could protect cells from ethanol toxicity. Furthermore, we evaluated the cellular oxidative stress response following ethanol treatment and found that autophagy induced by ethanol inhibited generation of reactive oxygen species and degradation of antioxidant and lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence that ethanol can activate autophagy via downregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway, serving as an adaptive mechanism to ameliorate oxidative damage induced by ethanol in gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Therefore, modifying autophagy may provide a therapeutic strategy against alcoholic gastric mucosa injury.

Impact statement

The effect and mechanism of autophagy on ethanol-induced cell damage remain controversial. In this manuscript, we report the results of our study demonstrating that autophagy can protect gastric mucosal epithelial cells against ethanol toxicity in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that ethanol can activate autophagy via downregulation of the mTOR signaling pathway, serving as an adaptive mechanism to ameliorate ethanol-induced oxidative damage in gastric mucosal epithelial cells. This study brings new and important insights into the mechanism of alcoholic gastric mucosal injury and may provide an avenue for future therapeutic strategies.
The Dance of Discoveries
Authors: de Fátima de A. Silveira Maria , Gualda Dulce Maria Rosa , Sobral Vera , de S. Garcia Ademilda Maria
Published: January 2017

The authors present the methodology used for collecting data developed through the use of the metaphor of dance. The tools were the workshops run in an Extension Course in Brazil given to nurses caring for women. The process is described as a meeting where the main objective reached was the collective construction of knowledge about the body of the women cared for. The socialization of experiences, the debate of ideas, the reflection about care permeated by solidarity and humanization, caring for the care-givers, reducing the asymmetry between researchers and researched — the dancers — went beyond merely generating data towards research.
Concept Analysis as Empirical Method
Authors: Levering Bas
Published: January 2017

Although there is not much support anymore for a clear cut distinction between object-language and meta-language, the view is generally accepted that the outcomes of concept analysis concern knowledge of the structures of language and not knowledge of reality. So it is rather risky to present concept analysis as an empirical method. Rules about language use, however, play an important part in what people do and how they behave and thus inform about specific parts of social reality. The so-called ‘thick concepts’ provide a special access to the way people interact. In this article, several examples of the analysis of ‘thick concepts’ are presented. In some cases, outcomes of concept analysis turn out to be strictly language and cultural bound; in other cases, conceptual knowledge appears to transcend those boundaries. The fact that empirical research is often nothing else than a form of language analysis calls for a tuning of conceptual-analytic and empirical research.
Developmental Coordination Disorder: Validation of a Qualitative Analysis Using Statistical Factor Analysis
Authors: Ahern Kathy
Published: January 2017

This study investigates triangulation of the findings of a qualitative analysis by applying an exploratory factor analysis to themes identified in a phenomenological study. A questionnaire was developed from a phenomenological analysis of parents' experiences of parenting a child with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The questionnaire was administered to 114 parents of DCD children and data were analyzed using an exploratory factor analysis. The extracted factors provided support for the validity of the original qualitative analysis, and a commentary on the validity of the process is provided. The emerging description is of the compromises that were necessary to translate qualitative themes into statistical factors, and of the ways in which the statistical analysis suggests further qualitative study.
The Correspondence Method as a Data-Gathering Technique in Qualitative Enquiry
Authors: Harris Jennifer
Published: January 2017

The use of correspondence in qualitative research has traditionally been limited to a supporting role, with ‘live’ data taking the primary focus. In this article, the merits and demerits of using letter writing as a means of gathering data are discussed. The article also covers representation of the self in letters, researching or advising and ‘invisibility’ to one's respondents, before exploring how this method ‘fits’ within the general principles and practices of qualitative research. As far as it can be established, this article forms the first attempt to explore the use of letter writing as a primary data collection strategy.
Writing Competitions as a New Research Method
Authors: Warkentin Raija
Published: January 2017

The goal of this article is to introduce the international audience to writing competitions as a data collection method. Although commonly used in Finland this method is less known elsewhere. The article will use a Canada-wide writing competition on the Finnish-Canadian sauna as an example of this method. It compares and contrasts the method to two other more commonly used methods, interviewing and auto-ethnography. The advantages, disadvantages and challenges of this method are described and discussed. According to the author, a writing competition is a fast way of gathering a large amount of data from a wide geographical area.
Symposium Introduction - Issues of Validity: Behavioral Concepts, Their Derivation and Interpretation
Authors: Morse Janice M. , Hupcey Judith E. , Penrod Janice , Spiers Jude A. , Pooler Charlotte , Mitcham Carl
Published: January 2017

Qualitative inquiry that commences with the concept, rather than the phenomenon itself, is subject to violating the tenet of induction, thus is exposed to particular threats of invalidity. In this symposium, using the examples of the concepts of uncertainty, trust, vulnerability and suffering, and interview and videotaped data, we discuss strategies to maintain the inductive thrust, and hence validity, during data analysis. The authors present the use of a skeletal framework and scaffold as techniques to “frame” the concept, while, at the same time, continuing to further develop the concept.
Exploring Qualitatively-Derived Concepts: Inductive—Deductive Pitfalls
Authors: Morse Janice M. , Mitcham Carl
Published: January 2017

Analytic induction is a sacred tenet of qualitative inquiry. 1 Therefore, when one begins a project focusing on concept of interest (rather than allowing the concepts to emerge from the data per se), how does one maintain a valid approach? When commencing inquiry with a chosen concept or phenomena of interest, rather than with a question from the data per se about what is going on, how does one control deductive tendencies to see what one desires to see and which threaten validity?

Difficulties stem from the nature of induction itself – Is analytic induction an impossible operation in qualitative research, as Popper (1963/65) suggests? In this section, we first discuss Popper's concern, followed by a discussion of two major threats that may prevent an inductive approach in qualitative research.2 The first threat is the “pink elephant paradox;? the second is the avoidance of conceptual tunnel vision or, specifically, how does the researcher decontextualize the concept of interest from the surrounding context and thereby avoid the tendency to consider all data to be pertinent to the concept of interest? As we explore each of these pitfalls, and we present methodological strategies to maintain both the integrity of the concept and the integrity of the research.
Horizons Revealed: From Methodology to Method
Authors: de Sales Turner
Published: January 2017

In this article, the author reports on a method crafted to interrogate the data of a Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenological study that explored hope seen through the eyes of a small number of Australian youth. She advocates for transparency throughout data analysis, by commencing with an explication of Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, followed by a description of the manner by which the data were interrogated. It is a basic premise of this work that all too often authors have adopted thematic analysis uncritically, and have used this method of analysis without considering its fit to the philosophical or methodological orientation of the study, and this practice has remained, by and large, unchallenged. While not advocating against thematic analysis per se, the author disputes that this analytical method is appropriate for studies that are grounded by the philosophical underpinnings of Gadamerian hermeneutic phenomenology, and therefore offers a unique method of data analysis.
Inductive, Analogical, and Communicative Generalization
Authors: Smaling Adri
Published: January 2017

Three forms of inductive generalization - statistical generalization, variation-based generalization and theory-carried generalization - are insufficient concerning case-to-case generalization, which is a form of analogical generalization. The quality of case-to-case generalization needs to be reinforced by setting up explicit analogical argumentation. To evaluate analogical argumentation six criteria are discussed. Good analogical reasoning is an indispensable support to forms of communicative generalization - receptive and responsive (participative) generalization — as well as exemplary generalization.
Toward Holism: The Significance of Methodological Pluralism
Authors: Morse Janice M. , Chung Seung Eun
Published: January 2017

In this article, we make a case for achieving comprehensive understanding by using multiple methods in a research program. We argue that used alone, qualitative methods are not holistic, but actively provide segmented perspective on a research problem. We illustrate this concern using three types of data. The limitations of individual methods used alone can be systematically overcome with investigators increasing methodology skill and developing research program.