bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Mutation Protects Obese Mice Against Endothelial Dysfunction by Decreasing NADPH Oxidase Isoforms 1 and 4
Authors: Liang Chao-Fan , Liu Jacky TC , Wang Yu , Xu Aimin , Vanhoutte Paul M.
Published: February 2013

Objective—

To analyze the role of toll-like receptor 4 in modulating metabolism and endothelial function.

Approach and Results—

Type 2 diabetic mice with mutated toll-like receptor 4 (DWM) were protected from hyperglycemia and hypertension, despite an increased body weight. Isometric tension was measured in arterial rings with endothelium. Relaxations to acetylcholine were blunted in aortae and mesenteric arteries of Lepr
db/db
mice, but not in DWM mice; the endothelial NO synthase dimer/monomer ratio and endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation levels were higher in DWM preparations. These differences were abolished by apocynin. Contractions to acetylcholine (in the presence of L-NAME) were larger in carotid arteries from Lepr
db/db
mice than from DWM mice and were inhibited by indomethacin and SC560, demonstrating involvement of cyclooxygenase-1. The release of 6-ketoprostaglandin F
1α
was lower in DWM mice arteries, implying lower cyclooxygenase-1 activity. Apocynin, manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin, catalase, and diethyldithiocarbamate inhibited endothelium-dependent contractions. The mRNA and protein levels of NADPH oxidase isoforms NOX1 and NOX4 were downregulated in DWM mice arteries. The in vivo and in vitro administration of lipopolysaccharide caused endothelial dysfunction in the arteries of wild-type, but not toll-like receptor 4–mutated mice.

Conclusions—

Toll-like receptor 4 plays a key role in obesity and diabetes-associated endothelial dysfunction by increasing oxidative stress.
Stress Hypoperfusion and Tissue Injury in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tyan Chung Chun , Armstrong Sarah , Scholl David , Stirrat John , Blackwood Kimberly , El-Sherif Omar , Thompson Terry , Wisenberg Gerald , Prato Frank S. , So Aaron , Lee Ting Yim , Drangova Maria , White James A.
Published: February 2013

Background—

Ischemia and tissue injury are common in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging offers combined evaluations of each phenomenon at sufficiently high resolution to examine transmural spatial distribution. In this prospective cohort study, we examine the spatial distribution of stress perfusion abnormalities and tissue injury in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results—

One hundred consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Cine, stress perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement, and T2-weighted imaging techniques were used. Each was spatially coregistered according to predefined segmental and subsegmental models and was blindly analyzed for abnormalities using validated techniques. Spatial associations among stress perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement, and T2 imaging were made at segmental and subsegmental levels. Of the 100 patients studied, the phenotype was septal in 86 and apical in 14. Late gadolinium enhancement imaging was abnormal in 79 patients (79%). Eighty-six patients met prespecified safety criteria to undergo stress perfusion, and ischemia was identified in 46 patients (57%). T2 imaging was available in 81 patients and was abnormal in 19 (29%). The dominant distribution of all 3 findings was to segment with hypertrophy. Subsegmental analysis revealed geographic dominance of ischemia within the subendocardial zones. However, this zone was most commonly spared from late gadolinium enhancement and T2 abnormalities, typically seen in midwall and subepicardial zones.

Conclusions—

Inducible hypoperfusion is a common finding in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is typically identified within segments exhibiting imaging markers of tissue injury. However, the respective transmural dominance of these phenomena seems distinct. Alternate factors contributing to a regional susceptibility to tissue injury are deserving of further study.
Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging May Underestimate Acute Ischemic Lesions
Authors: Kawano Hiroyuki , Hirano Teruyuki , Nakajima Makoto , Inatomi Yuichiro , Yonehara Toshiro
Published: February 2013

Background and Purpose—

Diffusion-weighted imaging sometimes fails to detect early computed tomography (CT) ischemic lesions in acute ischemic stroke patients, which is termed reversed discrepancy (RD), but its clinical significance remains unclear. The incidence and factors associated with RD in acute ischemic stroke patients within 3 hours of onset were examined.

Methods—

A total of 164 consecutive patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke was enrolled. All patients underwent both magnetic resonance imaging and CT within 3 hours of onset and before treatment. Their early ischemic changes were evaluated with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score. RD was defined as present when the early ischemic change detected on CT was not seen on diffusion-weighted imaging.

Results—

RD was found in 40 patients (24%). RD group patients were older (78.7±9.6 versus 74.1±12.1 years;
P
=0.03) and had a higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (median, 22 versus 11;
P
<0.01), higher rates of atrial fibrillation (75% versus 42%;
P
<0.01), a higher rate of internal carotid artery/middle cerebral artery proximal occlusion (55% versus 28%;
P
<0.01), and lower CT-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (median 5 versus 10;
P
<0.01) and diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (7 versus 9;
P
<0.01) than patients in the non-RD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that atrial fibrillation was independently associated with the presence of RD (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.05–6.12).

Conclusions—

RD is observed in a quarter of acute ischemic stroke patients. RD should be taken into consideration, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation, to prevent underestimating the extent of ischemic lesions.
Egregious Emitters
Authors: Kennedy Emily Huddart , Krahn Harvey , Krogman Naomi T.
Published: February 2013

This article presents survey data from households in Alberta, Canada, examining the relationship between income and carbon footprint. Using multivariate statistics to scrutinize the role of income, the data demonstrate substantial disproportionality in the composition and size of household carbon footprints. Results show that household energy consumption (heating, cooking, cooling) comprises half of the average footprint, with automobile transportation contributing 30% and air travel another 15%. In a linear multiple regression model, the size of household carbon footprints is positively associated with income, in addition to other variables. The highest income quintile has household carbon footprints 2.2 times greater than the lowest income quintile.
A Qualitative Study of Barriers to the Utilization of HIV Testing Services Among Rural African American Cocaine Users
Authors: Wright Patricia B. , Stewart Katharine E. , Curran Geoffrey M. , Booth Brenda M.
Published: February 2013

This qualitative study is about barriers to the utilization of HIV testing as perceived by African Americans who have recently used cocaine and who live in the rural Delta region of Arkansas. Affordability, physical accessibility, and geographic availability were not perceived as barriers to HIV testing in this sample, yet acceptability was still perceived as poor. Acceptability due to social mores and norms was a major barrier. Many said testing was unacceptable because of fear of social costs. Many were confident of being HIV-negative based on risky assumptions about testing and the notification process. Small-town social and sexual networks added to concerns about reputation and risk. System approaches may fail if they focus solely on improving access to HIV services but do not take into consideration deeply internalized experiences of rural African Americans as well as involvement of the community in developing programs and services.
The Good, the Bad, and the Benevolent Interventionist
Authors: Young Kevin
Published: February 2013

U.S. journalists and commentators have helped popularize the image of two distinct Latin American lefts: a “bad” left that is politically authoritarian and economically erratic and a “good” left that is democratic and committed to free-market economics. This binary image oversimplifies the Latin American left in three ways: by overstating the contrast between the two alleged camps, by ignoring complex realities within each camp, and by exaggerating the failings of the so-called bad-left governments. The distinction makes sense, however, as a strategy for countering the rise of independent left-leaning governments in Latin America. Binary characterizations of subordinate peoples reflect a common discursive response to popular resistance on the part of imperial interests and one with many precedents in the history of U.S.–Latin American relations. Widespread U.S. media adherence to the good-left/bad-left thesis is explicable given this context and given the historic and continuing dependence of the press on state and corporate interests.

Periodistas y comentaristas norteamericanos han contribuido a la popularización de la imagen de dos izquierdas en América Latina: una “mala” izquierda, la cual es políticamente autoritaria y económicamente errática, y una “buena” izquierda, la cual es democrática y comprometida con la economía de libre mercado. Esta imagen binaria simplifica demasiado la izquierda latinoamericana en tres formas: exagera el contraste entre lo que se alega sean dos campos; ignora realidades complejas dentro de cada campo; y exagera las fallas de los gobiernos de la llamada mala izquierda. Sin embargo, la distinción tiene sentido vista como una estrategia para contrarrestar la emergencia de gobiernos independientes de izquierda en América Latina. Las caracterizaciones binarias de los pueblos subordinados reflejan una respuesta discursiva común de parte de intereses imperiales a la resistencia popular y uno con muchos precedentes históricos en las relaciones entre los EE.UU. y Latinoamérica. La extensa adhesión de los medios norteamericanos a la tesis de buena-izquierda/mala-izquierda se puede explicar dado este contexto y dada la histórica y continua dependencia de la prensa de los intereses del Estado y las corporaciones.
Spiritual and Religious Beliefs and Practices and Social Support’s Relationship to Diabetes Self-Care Activities in African Americans
Authors: Watkins Yashika J. , Quinn Lauretta T. , Ruggiero Laurie , Quinn Michael T. , Choi Young-Ku
Published: February 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship among spiritual and religious beliefs and practices, social support, and diabetes self-care activities in African Americans with type 2 diabetes, hypothesizing that there would be a positive association.

Method

This cohort study used a cross-sectional design that focused on baseline data from a larger randomized control trial. Diabetes self-care activities (Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities) and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed, in addition to spiritual and religious beliefs and practices and social support based on the Systems of Belief Inventory subscales I (beliefs and practices) and II (social support).

Results

There were 132 participants: most were women, middle-aged, obese, single, high school educated, and not employed. Based on Pearson correlation matrices, there were significant relationships between spiritual and religious beliefs and practices and general diet. Additional significant relationships were found for social support with general diet, specific diet, and foot care. Based on multiple linear regression, social support was a significant predictor for general diet, specific diet, and foot care. Sex was a significant predictor for specific diet, and income was a significant predictor for blood glucose testing.

Conclusions

The findings of this study highlight the importance of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices and social support in diabetes self-care activities. Future research should focus on determining how providers integrate patients’ beliefs and practices and social support into clinical practice and include those in behavior change interventions.
Botulinum toxin type A in chronic plantar fasciitis: clinical effects one year after injection
Authors: Díaz-Llopis Ismael V , Gómez-Gallego Diego , Mondéjar-Gómez Francisco J , López-García Alfredo , Climent-Barberá Jose M , Rodríguez-Ruiz Carmen M
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To determine whether the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in chronic plantar fasciitis was maintained for more than six months after treatment.

Design:

Observational follow-up study.

Subjects:

Twenty-four patients who received botulinum toxin type A injection in a previous randomized study of chronic plantar fasciitis (active treatment group) and who presented a benefit one month after treatment.

Methods:

A visual analogue scale for pain and the Foot Health Status Questionnaire were used to re-evaluate results 12 months after the botulinum toxin injection. No further injections of botulinum toxin had been administered during the follow-up period. Patients were also asked to give a subjective assessment of treatment outcome.

Results:

At 12 months, compared with the six-month evaluation, there was a further improvement in foot pain measured using the visual analogue scale, though this did not reach significance (1.78 at 6 months versus 1.22 at 12 months; P = 0.142). However, there were significant improvements in two domains of Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain (91.11 at 6 months versus 80.00 at 12 months; P = 0.001) and foot function (96.19 at 6 months versus 89.38 at 12 months; P = 0.047). There was a small, non-significant deterioration in the shoe and foot health domains. Satisfaction with the outcome was good or very good in the large majority of patients.

Conclusions:

In patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, the positive effect detected six months after treatment with botulinum toxin type A was maintained at 12 months and there was a further improvement in pain and foot function.
Effect of whole body vibration training on mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled experimenter-blinded study
Authors: Lee Byoung-Kwon , Chon Seung-Chul
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To evaluate ambulatory function and leg muscle thickness after whole body vibration training in children with cerebral palsy.

Design:

A block randomized controlled trial with two groups.

Setting:

Physical therapy department laboratory.

Subjects:

A total of 30 (15 experimental, mean (SD) age 10.0 (2.26) years and 15 control, 9.6 (2.58)) children with cerebral palsy, 15 males and 15 females.

Interventions:

The experimental group underwent whole body vibration training combined with conventional physical therapy training; the control group underwent conventional physical therapy training three days a week for eight weeks respectively.

Main outcome measures:

Three-dimensional gait analyses and ultrasonographic imaging of the leg muscles were measured at pre- and post-test of intervention for eight weeks.

Results:

Whole body vibration training resulted in significantly better gait speed ( P = 0.001, from 0.37 (0.04) m/s to 0.48 (0.06)), stride length ( P = 0.001, from 0.38 (0.18) m to 0.48 (0.18)) and cycle time ( P = 0.001, from 0.85 (0.48) s to 0.58 (0.38)) in the experimental group compared with that in the control group. The ankle angle ( P = 0.019, from 7.30 (4.02) degree to 13.58 (8.79)) also showed a remarkable increase in the experimental group, but not the hip ( P = 0.321) and knee angle ( P = 0.102). The thicknesses of the tibialis anterior ( P = 0.001, 0.48 (0.08) mm to 0.63 (0.10)) and soleus ( P = 0.001, 0.45 (0.04) mm to 0.63 (0.12)) muscles were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effect was observed in the thickness of the gastrocnemius muscle ( P = 0.645).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that whole body vibration may improve mobility in children with cerebral palsy, probably through a positive effect on the leg muscles.
Simplified modified Rankin Scale questionnaire correlates with stroke severity
Authors: Bruno Askiel , Close Brian , Switzer Jeffrey A , Hess David C , Gross Hartmut , Nichols Fenwick T , Akinwuntan Abiodun E
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To further validate the simplified modified Rankin Scale questionnaire (smRSq), we compare it here to a well-established predictor of functional outcome after stroke, the initial stroke severity.

Design:

Retrospective correlation analysis.

Participants:

Forty patients identified from a registry of stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator.

Setting:

Community and 17 hospital Emergency Departments within a web-based telestroke network throughout the state of Georgia, USA.

Measures:

Five certified raters assessed the initial stroke severities with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) via the telestroke system. Over a 20 month period, one certified rater, unaware of the NIHSS scores, attempted to contact each patient in the registry to assess their functional outcomes with the smRSq via telephone. We analyzed patients who had the smRSq assessment at least three months after stroke.

Results:

Forty of 120 registered patients were contacted and qualified for this study. The baseline clinical characteristics of the 40 analyzed and the 80 disqualified patients were similar. The correlation between the initial NIHSS and the smRSq was good (r = 0.69, R2 = 0.47, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The good correlation of the smRSq with the initial stroke severity further confirms the smRSq validity in assessing functional outcome after stroke.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy in psychotic disorders: a critical review of neurobiology, efficacy, tolerability and cost effectiveness
Authors: Lochmann van Bennekom Marc WH , Gijsman Harm J , Zitman Frans G
Published: February 2013

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to review the scientific evidence for neurobiological rationale, efficacy, tolerability and cost effectiveness of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP).

Data sources:

A systematic literature search of Medline, Embase, Ovid and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews until April 2012 was carried out.

Results:

Theories behind APP have only modest pre-clinical and clinical evidence. We found limited statistical evidence supporting modest efficacy of APP in patients with psychotic symptoms refractory to clozapine. APP is associated with increased mortality, metabolic syndrome, decreased cognitive functioning, high dose prescription and non-adherence. It brings up extra costs, lacking evidence for cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

Pre-clinical studies underpinning neurobiological hypotheses in APP are lacking. Evidence supporting efficacy of APP is limited with modest beneficial clinical relevance. APP is associated with several serious adverse effects and increased health costs. In the absence of more convincing pre-clinical support and clinical evidence we advise adherence to existing guidelines and limiting combinations of antipsychotics (in consideration with other pharmacotherapeutic, somatic and psychotherapeutic options) to patients with clozapine-refractory psychosis in well-evaluated individual trials that might need 10 weeks or more.
Direct correlation of electrochemical behaviors with anti-thrombogenicity of semiconducting titanium oxide films
Authors: Wan Guojiang , Lv Bo , Jin Guoshou , Maitz Manfred F , Zhou Jianzhang , Huang Nan
Published: February 2013

Biomaterials-associated thrombosis is dependent critically upon electrochemical response of fibrinogen on material surface. The relationship between the response and anti-thrombogenicity of biomaterials is not well-established. Titanium oxide appears to have good anti-thrombogenicity and little is known about its underlying essential chemistry. We correlate their anti-thrombogenicity directly to electrochemical behaviors in fibrinogen containing buffer solution. High degree of inherent n-type doping was noted to contribute the impedance preventing charge transfer from fibrinogen into film (namely its activation) and consequently reduced degree of anti-thrombogenicity. The impedance was the result of high donor carrier density as well as negative flat band potential.
Effect of POSS-NH2 functionalization of MWNTs on reinforcing properties in epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Damian Celina Maria , Ciobotaru Claudiu Constantin , Gârea Sorina Alexandra , Iovu Horia
Published: February 2013

The research focuses on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) functionalization with aminoethyl aminopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane to increase their compatibility with epoxy polymers and enhancement of interface adhesion. Functionalization of MWNTs consisted of a three-stage reaction by oxidation and further amidation through acylation with thionyl chloride. The new nanomaterials were dispersed as reinforcing agent in a weight ratio of 0.3% related to the epoxy matrix, which was further cured with an aromatic polyamine. Characterization of functionalized MWNTs by infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of POSS cages bonded to the MWNTs through the formation of amide groups, these findings were also proved by transmission electron microscopic images. Although catalytic influence of the reinforcing agent on the curing reaction was not significant at this level of reinforcement, scanning electron microscopic images of the nanocomposites fracture surface revealed strong interfacial adhesion and crack retardant effect of POSS-functionalized MWNTs.
Optimal design of radial cylindrical roller bearings for maximum load-carrying capacity
Authors: Dragoni Eugenio
Published: February 2013

The design of compact and inexpensive mechanical drives and gearboxes can take advantage from the use of custom rolling bearings in which the rolling elements are directly in contact with the shaft and the housing containing them. The custom construction is particularly convenient for the case of roller bearings, either cylindrical or tapered, because these elements are easily manufactured and provide a remarkable loading capacity. Starting from the standard load rating equations available in the literature (ISO standards), this paper develops a step-by-step design procedure for the geometric optimization of radial bearings with cylindrical rollers. The procedure includes constraints on the geometry and leads to the optimal bearing with the maximum static and dynamic load ratings compatible with the space available.
Optimization of support vector machine based multi-fault classification with evolutionary algorithms from time domain vibration data of gears
Authors: Bordoloi DJ , Tiwari Rajiv
Published: February 2013

In the present work, a multi-fault classification of gears has been attempted by the support vector machine learning technique using the vibration data in time domain. A proper utilization of the support vector machine is based on the selection of support vector machine parameters. The main focus of this article is to examine the performance of the multiclass ability of support vector machine techniques by optimizing its parameters using the grid-search method, genetic algorithm and artificial bee colony algorithm. Four fault conditions were considered. A group of statistical features were extracted from time domain data. The prediction of fault classification is attempted at the same angular speed as the measured data as well as innovatively at the intermediate and extrapolated angular speed conditions. This is due to the fact that it is not feasible to have measurement of vibration data at all continuous speeds of interest. The classification ability is noted and it shows an excellent prediction performance.
Participation in Safety-Net Programs and the Utilization of Employment Services Among Working-Age Persons With Disabilities
Authors: Houtenville Andrew J. , Brucker Debra L.
Published: February 2013

A comprehensive analysis of the 2009 Current Population Survey–Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC) provides the first snapshot of the involvement of people with disabilities in a broad array of government programs. Focusing on the working-age population, this analysis reveals that people with disabilities represent one third of the persons who participate in safety-net programs. Among persons with disabilities, 65% participate in a safety-net program, compared with 17% of persons without disabilities. Among Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) beneficiaries, 38% participate in safety-net programs other than DI, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and Medicare. Furthermore, results suggest that only 3% and 8% of low-income nonworking safety-net participants with and without disabilities, respectively, utilize employment services. Improved data collection on the use of employment services is needed to further evaluate the interaction of safety-net and employment services programs.
Service Separation and Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Paluch Stefanie , Blut Markus
Published: February 2013

Remote services are often provided without customer-provider contact for remote diagnostics, repair, and maintenance purposes in business-to-business industries such as information technology, medical health care, and mechanical engineering. Two empirical studies (Studies 1 and 2) suggest that numerous characteristics of remote services are critical to customer satisfaction: (1) security, (2) reliability, (3) level of process integration, (4) economic benefit, (5) post-provision documentation, (6) exchange options, (7) individualization, and (8) support services. Study 3 revealed a paradox that complicates service provision—a situation in which customers experience ambivalent feelings toward service separation as associated with remote services. They express (i) a strong desire to be part of the remote service provision in order to maintain control over the process, while at the same time, (ii) for personal and contractual reasons they do not want to be integrated into the process. Satisfaction levels were found to vary depending on how customers assess physical and mental service separation. We identified service initiation as a situational factor influencing the shift from a positive to a negative assessment of service separation. To prevent customer dissatisfaction, service providers should integrate customers into service provision for provider-initiated services, whereas for customer-initiated services they should not bring the customer in.
Reassembling Weber to reveal the-past-as-history in management and organization studies
Authors: Mills Albert J. , Weatherbee Terrance G. , Durepos Gabrielle
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this article is to unravel the link between the past and history to reveal the importance and the problems of developing a historically informed critical management studies (Booth and Rowlinson, 2006; Kieser, 1994). Drawing on Munslow (2010), we focus on the relationship between ‘the past’ and ‘history’ as ‘ontologically dissonant’ (p. 3) to argue for an ‘epistemically skeptical,’ relational approach to critical organizational history. These arguments are explored through analysis of the ‘career’ of Max Weber in management and organization studies (MOS).
Longitudinal follow-up of vision in a neuromyelitis optica cohort
Authors: Bouyon M , Collongues N , Zéphir H , Ballonzoli L , Jeanjean L , Lebrun C , Chanson JB , Blanc F , Fleury M , Outteryck O , Defoort S , Labauge P , Vermersch P , Speeg C , De Seze J
Published: February 2013

Background:

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease associated with optic neuritis and myelitis. Recently, several studies showed that optical coherence tomography (OCT) could be an interesting method for the evaluation of disease severity; however, to date there are no studies with a longitudinal follow-up of visual function in NMO. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of OCT to evaluate the progression of visual dysfunction in NMO.

Patients and methods:

A group of 30 NMO patients (thus, 60 eyes), comprised of 20 women and 10 men with a mean age of 43.7 +/− 12.3 years, were prospectively evaluated clinically and by a whole neuro-ophthalmological work-up, including: visual acuity (VA), fundoscopy, visual evoked potential (VEP), visual field (VF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). All patients were tested at baseline (after a mean disease duration of 6.1 years) and after a mean time of follow-up of 18 months (range: 12–36 months).

Results:

Mean VA was similar at the two evaluation times (0.77 +/− 0.36 versus 0.77 +/− 0.35). The mean VF defect decreased slightly, but the difference was not significant (−5.9 +/− 1.3 dB versus −5.3 +/− 1.3 dB). In contrast, the mean retinal thickness seen on OCT decreased from 87.4 +/− 23.3 µm to 79.7 +/- 22.4 µm ( p = 0.006). These modifications were only observed in eyes with a past or a recent history of optic neuritis (−15.1 µm; p < 0.001) and not in eyes without any history of optic neuritis (−2.4 µm; not significant). Also, they occurred independently of the occurrence of relapses ( n = 13) and especially optic neuritis episodes; however, the number of optic neuritis episodes was low ( n = 5).

Conclusion:

OCT seems to be a more sensitive test than VA or VF for monitoring ophthalmological function in NMO and it seems to be helpful for the detection of infra-clinical episodes in patients with a past history of optic neuritis. Our results suggest that this easily performed technique should be used in the follow-up of NMO, but complementary studies are warranted to confirm its interest at an individual level.
The matter of absence
Authors: Frers Lars
Published: February 2013

In recent writings the concept of absence has been used to question the reach of phenomenological accounts of the human-world relation from a deconstructionist perspective. This article argues that absence is rooted in the corporeal embeddedness of human beings in the world that surrounds them. This is the case although absences refer to entities that are not present. Discussing the absence-presence relation, it is made clear that the simultaneity of absence and presence is not paradoxical, because the absence of presence and the presence of absence refer to different entities. Contrary to the connotation of absence with Derrida, the spectral and hauntings, absences are experienced in a wide variety of practices that are both extraordinary and mundane. A detailed investigation into the processes in which absences are experienced then shows how an experience of absence comes into being and what affects the power of the experience. The article argues that the experience of absence is stronger when it refers to practices, emotions and corporal attachments that have been deeply ingrained into those who experience the absence. Since materiality, embodiment and (the lack of) resistance play a crucial role in the actual experience of absences, the conceptualization of absence should reflect these qualities. It is precisely because absence is rooted in processual corporality that absence can unfold such disturbing power. Those who experience something as absent have to fill the void that they experience with their own emotions, they have to bridge the emptiness that threatens their established expectations and practices. Accordingly, absence is presented as a phenomenologically grounded concept that gains its epistemological and experiential quality through its connection to the corporal body, its senses and emotions, and the world around it.
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act and the Unaddressed Role of Nurses
Authors: Grundy Quinn
Published: February 2013

Clinician–industry relationships have risen on the policy agenda due to their associated economic and ethical costs. The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA) is the first federal legislation that aims to mitigate these costs through mandating disclosure of these relationships. Interest group lobbying theory is used to show how stakeholders have responded to scrutiny, first through self-regulation and then, progressively, through contributing to legislation development. Limitations of the PPSA include the notable omission of nurses and allied health professionals, making it unlikely the PPSA will be effective in mitigating these costs. However, it is symbolic as it marks a departure from the traditional reliance on self-regulation on part of industry and the medical profession.
Evolving risk of therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia following cancer chemotherapy among adults in the United States, 1975-2008
Authors: Morton Lindsay M. , Dores Graça M. , Tucker Margaret A. , Kim Clara J. , Onel Kenan , Gilbert Ethel S. , Fraumeni Joseph F. , Curtis Rochelle E.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Coincident with major changes in cancer treatments, the occurrence of tAML has changed significantly with time. The risks for tAML should be weighed against the benefits of chemotherapy.
Perivascular support of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Corselli Mirko , Chin Chee Jia , Parekh Chintan , Sahaghian Arineh , Wang Wenyuan , Ge Shundi , Evseenko Denis , Wang Xiaoyan , Montelatici Elisa , Lazzari Lorenza , Crooks Gay M. , Péault Bruno
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Perivascular cells maintain HSPCs ex vivo.
Fertilisation and early developmental barriers to hybridisation in field crickets
Authors: Tyler Frances , Rodríguez-Muñoz Rolando , Tregenza Tom
Published: February 2013

Background

Post-mating interactions between the reproductive traits and gametes of mating individuals and among their genes within zygotes are invariably complex, providing multiple opportunities for reproduction to go awry. These interactions have the potential to act as barriers to gene flow between species, and may be important in the process of speciation. There are multiple post-mating barriers to interbreeding between the hybridising field cricketsGryllus bimaculatusandG. campestris.FemaleG. bimaculatuspreferentially store sperm from conspecific males when mated to both conspecific and heterospecific partners. Additionally, conspecific males sire an even greater proportion of offspring than would be predicted from their sperm’s representation in the spermatheca. The nature of these post-sperm-storage barriers to hybridisation are unknown. We use a fluorescent staining technique to determine whether barriers occur prior to, or during embryo development.

Results

We show that eggs laid byG. bimaculatusfemales mated toG. campestrismales are less likely to begin embryogenesis than eggs from conspecific mating pairs. Of the eggs that are successfully fertilised and start to develop, those from heterospecific mating pairs are more likely to arrest early, prior to blastoderm formation. We find evidence for bimodal variation among egg clutches in the number of developing embryos that subsequently arrest, indicating that there is genetic variation for incompatibility between mating individuals. In contrast to the pattern of early embryonic mortality, those hybrids reaching advanced stages of embryogenesis have survival rates equal to that of embryos from conspecific mating pairs.

Conclusions

Post-sperm-storage barriers to hybridisation show evidence of genetic polymorphism. They are sufficiently large, that if the species interbreed where they are sympatric, these barriers could play a role in the maintenance of reproductive isolation between them. The number of eggs that fail to develop represents a substantial cost of hybridization toG. bimaculatusfemales, and this cost could reinforce the evolution of barriers occurring earlier in the reproductive process.
On the proportional hazards model for occupational and environmental case-control analyses
Authors: Gauvin Héloïse , Lacourt Aude , Leffondré Karen
Published: February 2013

Background

Case-control studies are generally designed to investigate the effect of exposures on the risk of a disease. Detailed information on past exposures is collected at the time of study. However, only the cumulated value of the exposure at the index date is usually used in logistic regression. A weighted Cox (WC) model has been proposed to estimate the effects of time-dependent exposures. The weights depend on the age conditional probabilities to develop the disease in the source population. While the WC model provided more accurate estimates of the effect of time-dependent covariates than standard logistic regression, the robust sandwich variance estimates were lower than the empirical variance, resulting in a low coverage probability of confidence intervals. The objectives of the present study were to investigate through simulations a new variance estimator and to compare the estimates from the WC model and standard logistic regression for estimating the effects of correlated temporal aspects of exposure with detailed information on exposure history.

Method

We proposed a new variance estimator using a superpopulation approach, and compared its accuracy to the robust sandwich variance estimator. The full exposure histories of source populations were generated and case-control studies were simulated within each source population. Different models with selected time-dependent aspects of exposure such as intensity, duration, and time since cessation were considered. The performances of the WC model using the two variance estimators were compared to standard logistic regression. The results of the different models were finally compared for estimating the effects of correlated aspects of occupational exposure to asbestos on the risk of mesothelioma, using population-based case-control data.

Results

The superpopulation variance estimator provided better estimates than the robust sandwich variance estimator and the WC model provided accurate estimates of the effects of correlated aspects of temporal patterns of exposure.

Conclusion

The WC model with the superpopulation variance estimator provides an alternative analytical approach for estimating the effects of time-varying exposures with detailed history exposure information in case-control studies, especially if many subjects have time-varying exposure intensity over lifetime, and if only one control is available for each case.
Correlation of MLH1 and MGMTexpression and promoter methylation with genomic instability in patients with thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Santos Juliana Carvalho , Bastos André Uchimura , Cerutti Janete Maria , Ribeiro Marcelo Lima
Published: February 2013

Background

Gene silencing of the repair genes MLH1 and MGMT was shown to be a mechanism underlying the development of microsatellite instability (MSI), a phenotype frequently associated with various human malignancies. Recently, aberrant methylation of MLH1, MGMT and MSI were shown to be associated with mutations in genes such as BRAF, RAS and IDH1 in colon and brain tumours. Little is known about the methylation status of MLH1 and MGMT in thyroid tumours and its association with MSI and mutational status.

Methods

In a series of 96 thyroid tumours whose mutational profiles of BRAF, IDH1 and NRAS mutations and RET/PTC were previously determined, we investigated MLH1 and MGMT expression and methylation status by qPCR and methylation-specific PCR after bisulphite treatment, respectively. MSI was determined by PCR using seven standard microsatellite markers.

Results

Samples with point mutations (BRAF, IDH1 and NRAS) show a decrease in MLH1 expression when compared to negative samples. Additionally, malignant lesions show a higher MSI pattern than benign lesions. The MSI phenotype was also associated with down-regulation of MLH1.

Conclusions

The results of this study allow us to conclude that low expression of MLH1 is associated with BRAF V600E mutations, RET/PTC rearrangements and transitions (IDH1 and NRAS) in patients with thyroid carcinoma. In addition, a significant relationship between MSI status and histological subtypes was found.
Effectiveness and efficiency of assertive outreach for Schizophrenia in Germany: study protocol on a pragmatic quasi-experimental controlled trial
Authors: Bramesfeld Anke , Moock Jörn , Kopke Kirsten , Büchtemann Dorothea , Kästner Denise , Radisch Jeanett , Rössler Wulf
Published: February 2013

Background

A model of assertive outreach (AO) in which office-based psychiatrists collaborate with ambulatory nursing services for providing intensive home-treatment is currently being implemented in rural areas of Lower Saxony, Germany. The costs of the model are reimbursed by some of the statutory health insurance companies active in Lower Saxony. Effectiveness and efficiency of this model for patients suffering from schizophrenia is evaluated in a pragmatic and prospective trial.

Methods

Quasi-experimental controlled trial: patients receiving the intervention are all those receiving AO; controls are patients not eligible for AO based on their health insurance affiliation. Eligibility criteria: clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10 F.20), aged at least 18 years and being moderately to severely impaired in global functioning. Primary outcome: admission and days spent in psychiatric inpatient care; secondary outcomes: clinical and functional status; patient satisfaction with chronic care; health care costs. Follow-up time: 6 and 12 months.

Discussion

The study faces many challenges typical to pragmatic trials such as the rejection of randomisation by service providers, the quality of treatment as usual (TAU) to which the intervention will be compared, and the impairment of the study subjects. Solutions of how to deal with these challenges are presented and discussed in detail.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: http://ISRCTN34900108, German Clinical Trial Register: http://DRKS00003351
Intention to voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) among health professionals in Jimma zone, Ethiopia: the theory of planned behavior (TPB) perspective
Authors: Abamecha Fira , Godesso Ameyu , Girma Eshetu
Published: February 2013

Background

Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT) forms one of the cornerstones of HIV prevention strategies. It is imperative to understand HIV testing correlates and their theoretical underpinnings in order to promote VCT uptake. The aim of this study was to predict the intention to VCT and associated factors among health professionals in Jimma zone, Ethiopia using the theory of planned behavior.

Methods

An institution based cross-sectional quantitative study among a sample of 336 health professionals in 12 selected districts of Jimma, Ethiopia was conducted in 2012. The constructs and principles of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) were measured. Data were collected using structured questionnaire on self administered basis. A multivariable linear regression model was used to predict the role of independent variables/TPB constructs on the intention to use VCT using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

The components of TPB independently explained the variance in intention to VCT by 30.3%. Both components of TPB and socio-demographic characteristic in the final model explained 32.7% of variance in the intention to use VCT services. Significant proportions (33.0%) of the respondents have never been tested for HIV. The respective indirect components of the TPB predicted the direct components. The strongest predictors of intention to VCT were subjective norm (β=0.39, p<0.001) and attitude (β= 0.19, p<0.001) whereas, none of the socio-demographic variables were significantly predicted the intention to use VCT. Past VCT experience did not have significant statistical association with VCT use intention.

Conclusions

Behavioral intention to use VCT was a function of attitude and perceived social pressure. Demographic related social determinants were not barriers for VCT use intention. Most health workers test their blood by themselves. Strategies to empower health professionals on social pressure resistance and programs targeted at changing negative attitude on VCT use can enhance intention of health professionals to use VCT.
Electrochemical route to the synthesis of ZnO microstructures: its nestlike structure and holding of Ag particles
Authors: Ding Ling , Zhang Ruixue , Fan Louzhen
Published: February 2013

A simple and facile electrochemical route was developed for the shape-selective synthesis of large-scaled series of ZnO microstructures, including petal, flower, sphere, nest and clew aggregates of ZnO laminas at room temperature. This route is based on sodium citrate-directed crystallization. In the system, sodium citrate can greatly promote ZnO to nucleate and directly grow by selectively capping the specific ZnO facets because of its excellent adsorption ability. The morphology of ZnO is tuned by readily adjusting the concentration of sodium citrate and the electrodeposition time. Among the series structures, the remarkable ZnO nestlike structure can be used as a container to hold not only the interlaced ZnO laminas but also Ag nanoparticles in the center. The special heterostructures of nestlike ZnO holding Ag nanoparticles were found to display the superior properties on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering. This work has signified an important methodology to produce a wide assortment of desired microstructures of ZnO.

PACS

81 Materials science 81.07.-b nanoscale materials and structures Fabrication Characterization 81.15.-z Methods of deposition of films Coatings Film growth and epitaxy.
n-3 PUFA added to high-fat diets affect differently adiposity and inflammation when carried by phospholipids or triacylglycerols in mice
Authors: Awada Manar , Meynier Anne , Soulage Christophe O , Hadji Lilas , Géloën Alain , Viau Michèle , Ribourg Lucie , Benoit Berengère , Debard Cyrille , Guichardant Michel , Lagarde Michel , Genot Claude , Michalski Marie-Caroline
Published: February 2013

Background

Dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is primarily recognized to protect against cardiovascular diseases, cognitive dysfunctions and the onset of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. However, some of their properties such as bioavailability can depend on their chemical carriers. The objective of our study was to test the hypothesis that the nature of n-3 PUFA carrier results in different metabolic effects related to adiposity, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Methods

4 groups of C57BL/6 mice were fed for 8 weeks low fat (LF) diet or high-fat (HF, 20%) diets. Two groups of high-fat diets were supplemented with long-chain n-3 PUFA either incorporated in the form of phospholipids (HF-ω3PL) or triacylglycerols (HF-ω3TG).

Results

Both HF-ω3PL and HF-ω3TG diets reduced the plasma concentrations of (i) inflammatory markers such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), (ii) leptin and (iii) 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a marker of n-6 PUFA-derived oxidative stress compared with the control HF diet. Moreover, in both HF-ω3PL and HF-ω3TG groups, MCP-1 and IL-6 gene expressions were decreased in epididymal adipose tissue and the mRNA level of gastrointestinal glutathione peroxidase GPx2, an antioxidant enzyme, was decreased in the jejunum compared with the control HF diet. The type of n-3 PUFA carrier affected other outcomes. The phospholipid form of n-3 PUFA increased the level of tocopherols in epididymal adipose tissue compared with HF-ω3TG and resulted in smaller adipocytes than the two others HF groups. Adipocytes in the HF-ω3PL and LF groups were similar in size distribution.

Conclusion

Supplementation of mice diet with long-chain n-3 PUFA during long-term consumption of high-fat diets had the same lowering effects on inflammation regardless of triacyglycerol or phospholipid carrier, whereas the location of these fatty acids on a PL carrier had a major effect on decreasing the size of adipocytes that was not observed with the triacyglycerol carrier. Altogether, these results would support the development functional foods containing LC n-3 PUFA in the form of PL in order to prevent some deleterious outcomes associated with the development of obesity.