bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
News translation as a site of framing Chinese identity: The case of Yeeyan Sport
Authors: Luo Yongzhou
Published: August 2014

This article examines the various devices which the translators of Yeeyan Sport employ to reframe certain narratives of China and Chinese sport that were encoded in the Western media during the convening of the 2012 London Olympics. They range from selective appropriation, labelling, temporal and spatial framing, to repositioning of participants. In so doing, we are enabled to understand the hold of ‘positioning’ over linguistic production, and particularly how the translators’ claimed position can conflict with their position which is performed in their action of framing and which is embodied in the narratives they construct in translation. It also calls attention to the role of news translation in reconstructing national identity, and particularly, how translation of sports news can be infused with ethnocentric undertones.
Myth and ideology in consumer culture theory
Authors: Fitchett James A. , Patsiaouras Georgios , Davies Andrea
Published: August 2014

The special issue of Marketing Theory (2013) on consumer culture theory (CCT) updates and restates the main aims and controversies in CCT as well as offers a number of novel interpretations on the history and possible future direction of the movement. Whilst the anchor paper from Thompson et al. (2013) is notable for the invocation of Bakhtin’s concept of Heteroglossia, its main significance is as a reply to ongoing critiques of the CCT project. In this commentary article, we highlight the common tendency among critics to emphasize the paradigmatic and institutional basis for CCT as residing in the context of academic discourse. These accounts utilize what Coskiner-Balli (2013) discusses as the mobilization of cultural myths. One consequence of this process of retelling the CCT creation narrative is that it diverts and obscures other ideological readings of CCT. We highlight what we understand as the underlying neo-liberal sentiment at the centre of the CCT project. A neo-liberal perspective repositions some of the main criticisms of CCT, especially those regarding the overemphasis on consumer subjectivities.
Social Marketing as the Subject of Doctoral Dissertations
Authors: Truong V. Dao , Garry Tony , Hall C. Michael
Published: August 2014

This article examines the evolution of social marketing as the subject of doctoral dissertations. Search strategies were used and online databases mined to identify 93 social marketing-focused doctoral theses completed between 1971 and 2013. Dissertation titles and abstracts were analyzed to determine growth trends, institutional output, disciplinary context, topical coverage, theory and model use, and differences between countries. Results indicate that the growth in the number of doctoral theses on social marketing was neither stable nor continuous over the examined period but that a rapid increase has been seen in recent years. More than 80% of the identified doctoral dissertations were undertaken in American and British educational institutions. The largest contributions came from the fields of health sciences and education, followed by business administration, marketing, communications, and psychology. Public health was predominantly the research topic. Theories and models were not always reported, with Theory of Planned Behaviour, Diffusion of Innovations Theory, and Health Belief Model being utilized most often. This study also suggests that many dissertations were focused on program development while paying relatively limited attention to theoretical advancement. This study contributes to the debate on the academic legitimacy of social marketing and helps shape directions for further knowledge creation in the field.
Characteristics of Parent–Child Interactions
Authors: Blackwell Anna K. M. , Harding Sam , Babayiğit Selma , Roulstone Sue
Published: August 2014

The importance of parent–child interaction (PCI) for language development has been well established. This has led many speech and language therapy (SLT) interventions to focus on modifying PCI as a means to improving children’s early language delay. However, the success of such programs is mixed. The current review compares PCI, observed in naturally occurring contexts, with preschool children with language delay and age- or language-matched typically developing (TD) controls. A systematic review of the literature searched 10 databases for studies using a case-control design and extracted data concerning participants, matching, selection, design, assessments, measures, findings, statistics, and bias. Quality appraisal used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme case-control checklist. The search identified 17,824 articles, which were reviewed against exclusion criteria. The final review included 9 studies, which were diverse in terms of matching, delay criteria, and PCI measure. A narrative synthesis was conducted. The evidence for PCI differences between children with language delay and TD peers was limited and any suggestion that parents were less responsive could be attributed to limited language skills of children with language delay. The findings question the assumption that communicative environments of children with language delay are different, although the evidence is from a small sample of children from middle-class families. Children with language delay may instead be less able to learn from their environment. The review highlights the gap in understanding the relationship between parent and child language use during PCI. The need for further, longitudinal research is emphasized, including children ranging in type and severity of delay, across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
Field Observations into the Environmental Soul
Authors: Ferdous Farhana , Moore Keith Diaz
Published: August 2014

This article focuses on the important, facilitating role architectural design plays in social interaction within long-term care facilities (LTCFs) serving people with dementia. Here, we apply space syntax, a set of theories and techniques for the analysis of spatial configurations, as an objective measure of environmental characteristics. Almost 150 rounds of behavioral observations were collected in the social spaces of 3 LTCFs. Using the visibility and proximity metrics of space syntax, the locations of occurrence of various social activities in relation to the furniture and spatial layout on architectural floor plans have been identified. The results did not confirm the space syntax hypothesis that spaces with greater visibility and proximity promote more social interaction. Further analysis revealed that when in settings with better visibility and accessibility, the residents were more likely to engage in low levels of interaction. High-level social interactions actually were more likely to occur in settings providing greater privacy (eg, less visibility and accessibility). The findings suggest an important nuance that architectural configuration factors impact not only the likelihood but also the type of conversations likely to occur in certain locations. This would have implications for both design and staff training on how best to utilize social spaces for therapeutic effect, particularly within the context of person-centered care.
Firearms in Frail Hands
Authors: Patel Dupal , Syed Quratulain , Messinger-Rapport Barbara J. , Rader Erin
Published: August 2014

The incidence of neurocognitive disorders, which may impair the ability of older adults to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), rises with age. Depressive symptoms are also common in older adults and may affect ADLs. Safe storage and utilization of firearms are complex ADLs, which require intact judgment, executive function, and visuospatial ability, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Depression or cognitive impairment may cause paranoia, delusions, disinhibition, apathy, or aggression and thereby limit the ability to safely utilize firearms. These problems may be superimposed upon impaired mobility, arthritis, visual impairment, or poor balance. Inadequate attention to personal protection may also cause hearing impairment and accidents. In this article, we review the data on prevalence of firearms access among older adults; safety concerns due to age-related conditions; barriers to addressing this problem; indications prompting screening for firearms access; and resources available to patients, caregivers, and health care providers.
Is Immobilization of the Ankle and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Effective in Suppressing the Spread of Infection in Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Authors: Sakakibara Shunsuke , Tsuji Yoriko , Hashikawa Kazunobu , Terashi Hiroto
Published: August 2014

Diabetics with foot-related problems might eventually need to undergo major or minor amputation because of infection or cellulites. It has been suggested that immobilization of the ankle and the metatarsophalangeal joint suppresses the spread of infection; however, there is no evidence to support this inference. Here, we demonstrate by histological analysis how the immobilization works. The tendon from the amputated toe is harvested, and a hematoxylin–eosin stained paraffin-embedded section is prepared and analyzed. Necrosis occurred in only a single fiber of the tendon, and intact and necrotic or infected tendon fibers were found intermingled. The reciprocal movements of the tendon and the joint (extension and flexion) may be the pathogenic cause of cellulites and infection, leading to the massage effect and the spread of bacteria along the tendon itself. We suggest that immobilizing the ankle and the metatarsophalangeal joint with a removable contacting cast would suppress the spread of infection in foot ulcers.
Tempol protects blood proteins and lipids against peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative damage
Authors: Mustafa Ayman G , Bani-Ahmad Mohammad A , Jaradat Ahmad Q , Allouh Mohammed Z
Published: August 2014

Oxidative stress is characterized by excessive production of various free radicals and reactive species among which, peroxynitrite is most frequently produced in several pathological conditions. Peroxynitrite is the product of the superoxide anion reaction with nitric oxide, which is reported to take place in the intravascular compartment. Several studies have reported that peroxynitrite targets red blood cells, platelets and plasma proteins, and induces various forms of oxidative damage. This in vitro study was designed to further characterize the types of oxidative damage induced in platelets and plasma proteins by peroxynitrite. This study also determined the ability of tempol to protect blood plasma and platelets against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage. The ability of various concentrations of tempol (25, 50, 75, and 100 µM) to antagonize peroxynitrite-induced oxidation was evaluated by measuring the levels of protein carbonyl groups and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances in experimental groups. Exposure of platelets and plasma to 100 µM peroxynitrite resulted in an increased levels of carbonyl groups and lipid peroxidation ( P < 0.05). Tempol significantly inhibited carbonyl group formation in plasma and platelet proteins ( P < 0.05). In addition, tempol significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation in both plasma and platelet samples ( P < 0.05). Thus, tempol has antioxidative properties against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage in blood plasma and platelets.
Hindlimb Stretching Alters Locomotor Function After Spinal Cord Injury in the Adult Rat
Authors: Caudle Krista L. , Atkinson Darryn A. , Brown Edward H. , Donaldson Katie , Seibt Erik , Chea Tim , Smith Erin , Chung Karianne , Shum-Siu Alice , Cron Courtney C. , Magnuson David S. K.
Published: August 2014

Background. Stretching is a widely accepted standard-of-care therapy following spinal cord injury (SCI) that has not been systematically studied in animal models. Objective. To investigate the influence of a daily stretch-based physical therapy program on locomotor recovery in adult rats with moderate T9 contusive SCI. Methods. A randomized treatment and control study of stretching in an animal model of acute SCI. Moderate SCIs were delivered with the NYU Impactor. Daily stretching (30 min/day, 5 days/wk for 8 weeks) was provided by a team of animal handlers. Hindlimb function was assessed using the BBB Open Field Locomotor Scale and kinematically. Passive range-of-motion for each joint was determined weekly using a goniometer. Results. Declines in hindlimb function during overground stepping were observed for the first 4 weeks for stretched animals. BBB scores improved weeks 5 to 10 but remained below the control group. Stretched animals had significant deficits in knee passive range of motion starting at week 4 and for the duration of the study. Kinematic assessment showed decreased joint excursion during stepping that partially recovered beginning at week 5. Conclusion. Stretch-based therapy significantly impaired functional recovery in adult rats with a moderate contusive SCI at T10. The negative impact on function was greatest acutely but persisted even after the stretching ceased at 8 weeks postinjury.
Utilization of a Novel Rib Spreader for Minimally Invasive Lung Transplantation
Authors: Mohite Prashant Nanashaeb , Popov Aron-Frederik , Sabashnikov Anton , Weymann Alexander , Simon Andre R.
Published: August 2014

Rack-and-pinion-type stainless steel rib spreader was innovated by Truffier in 1914, which was modified by Finochietto to have fenestrated blades and a hand-cranked lever to both separate the arms in a staged fashion and lock them in place at each stop. Its Burford–Finochietto variants with replaceable blades are ubiquitous in open thoracic surgery. Fehling Surgical Instrument, Inc (Acworth, GA) introduced a modified rib spreader—an assembly of movable and adjustable blades, a mobile bridge and spreader arms, which owing to its adaptation of thoracotomy incision provides an optimum exposure without injuring the ribs. The spreader is indispensible in lung transplantation surgery performed especially through minimally invasive (bilateral limited anterolateral thoracotomies with intact sternum) approach.
The Bidirectional Relationship Between Exercise and Sleep
Authors: Kline Christopher E.
Published: August 2014

Exercise has long been associated with better sleep, and evidence is accumulating on the efficacy of exercise as a nonpharmacologic treatment option for disturbed sleep. Recent research, however, has noted that poor sleep may contribute to low physical activity levels, emphasizing a robust bidirectional relationship between exercise and sleep. This article will briefly review the evidence supporting the use of exercise as a nonpharmacologic treatment for sleep disturbance, outline future research that is needed to establish the viability of exercise as a behavioral sleep treatment, describe recent research that has emphasized the potential influence of poor sleep on daytime activity levels, and discuss whether improving sleep may facilitate adoption and/or better adherence to a physically active lifestyle. With poor sleep and physical inactivity each recognized as key public health priorities, additional research into the bidirectional relationship between exercise and sleep has significant implications for facilitating greater exercise adherence and improving sleep in society.
The shifting discourses of educational leadership
Authors: Torrance Deirdre , Humes Walter
Published: August 2014

Increasing emphasis has been placed on leadership within educational theory, policy and practice. Drawing on a wide range of academic literature and policy documents, this paper explores how the discourse of leadership has shifted and for what purposes. The authors are critical of the lack of conceptual underpinning for that discourse, evident both nationally and internationally, and they identify key issues that the teaching profession has been left to try to understand and make sense of. They caution that, despite attempts to align contemporary policy developments to position leadership as inherent in the role of every teacher, flaws in the conceptualisation of leadership, and particularly in favoured forms such as ‘distributed leadership’ and ‘teacher leadership’, pose significant challenges to a serious attempt to ‘reprofessionalise’ teachers. Contemporary developments in Scottish education are referred to, exemplifying key tensions inherent in translating international trends into practice.
Embodying the story: Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation leadership
Authors: Redekop Benjamin W
Published: August 2014

Informed by the growing literature on narrative and embodied approaches to the study of leadership, this article explores Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation leadership as mediated by photographs, cartoon images, and his own writings and speeches. It argues that Roosevelt embodied his story about the natural world and the place of “man” in it through five different but related roles or personas: as proponent of “the strenuous life,” as cowboy, as Rough Rider, as hunter, and naturalist. It presents a critical analysis of Roosevelt’s conservation leadership that draws upon historical research, feminist and eco-feminist critique, and concepts from the field of organizational leadership including the “Virtual Leader Construct.” As such, the article makes a contribution to our historical understanding of Roosevelt, contemporary theorizing about leadership as a narrated and embodied practice, visual and esthetic approaches to the study of leadership, and to the emerging field of environmental leadership.
Delayed emergency myelopoiesis following polymicrobial sepsis in neonates
Authors: Cuenca Alex G , Cuenca Angela L , Gentile Lori F , Efron Philip A , Islam Saleem , Moldawer Lyle L , Kays David W , Larson Shawn D
Published: August 2014

Neonates have increased susceptibility to infection, which leads to increased mortality. Whether or not this as a result of implicit deficits in neonatal innate immune function or recapitulation of innate immune effector cell populations following infection is unknown. Here, we examine the process of emergency myelopoiesis whereby the host repopulates peripheral myeloid cells lost following the initial infectious insult. As early inflammatory responses are often dependent upon NF-κB and type I IFN signaling, we also examined whether the absence of MyD88, TRIF or MyD88 and TRIF signaling altered the myelopoietic response in neonates to polymicrobial sepsis. Following neonatal polymicrobial septic challenge, hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion in bone marrow and the spleen were both attenuated and delayed in neonates compared with adults. Similar reductions in other precursors were observed in neonates. Similar to adult studies, the expansion of progenitor stem cell populations was also seen in the absence of MyD88 and/or TRIF signaling. Overall, neonates have impaired emergency myelopoiesis in response to sepsis compared with young adults. Despite reports that this expansion may be related to TLR signaling, our data suggest that other factors may be important, as TRIF–/– and MyD88–/– neonatal HSCs are still able to expand in response to polymicrobial neonatal sepsis.
Process evaluation of a walking programme delivered through the workplace in the South Pacific island Vanuatu
Authors: Siefken Katja , Schofield Grant , Schulenkorf Nico
Published: August 2014

Background:

The South Pacific region is experiencing significant rates of chronic diseases. Well-evaluated health promotion programmes are needed as a central piece of a strategic solution. Just as important as the evaluation itself is how that evaluation outcome can be communicated for future programme use by local programme planners. The objective of this study is to evaluate a physical activity (PA) programme that was designed for Pacific women in urban Vanuatu, and subsequently to develop new techniques to display data that support the understanding and communication of programme success and challenges.

Methods:

Data collection methods included quantitative Likert scale questions and qualitative open-ended questions. A new analysis technique visualises open-ended process evaluation data. We present themes using word sizes proportional to the frequency of the themes identified through thematic analysis.

Results:

The Likert scale technique revealed little meaningful information; almost all participants rated most elements of the programme highly. This may be related to Pacific people being frequently inclined to assent with external ideas. Open-ended questions provided more significant insights. For example, we found a stronger change in eating habits (68.9%) than in exercise behaviour (28.2%).

Conclusion:

We present an evaluation of the first pedometer-based PA intervention in the Pacific and respond to the paucity of process evaluations that have been carried out in the context of low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, the new thematic data visualisation (TDV) approach may aid in understanding complex and cluttered data in a constructive and coordinated way; we present a new approach in health promotion research.
Clinical Evaluation of the Use of a Multifunctional Remotely Controlled Insulin Pump
Authors: Boizel Robert , Pinget Michel , Lachgar Karim , Parkin Christopher G. , Grulet Hervé , Guillon-Metz Françoise , Weissmann Joerg
Published: August 2014

Background:

Current insulin pumps now feature advanced functions for calculating insulin dosages, delivering insulin and analyzing data, however, the perceived usefulness of these functions in clinical settings has not been well studied. We assessed the use and patient perceptions of an insulin delivery system (Accu-Chek® Combo, Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) that combines an insulin pump and a handheld multifunctional blood glucose meter with integrated remote control functions.

Methods:

This prospective, observational, multicenter study enrolled 74 type 1 diabetes patients within 13 weeks after starting use of the pump system. At 4 to 24 weeks, investigators collected usage data from the latest 14-day period.

Results:

Seventy-two patients completed the evaluation, aged 39 ± 15 years, diabetes duration 16 ± 13 years, HbA1c 8.3 ± 1.6%. At follow-up, 62 (86.1%) patients used the remote control for ≥50% of all boluses, 20 (27.8%) used the bolus advisor for ≥50% of all boluses, and 42 (58.3%) viewed at least 1 of the e-logbook reports. More than 95% of users appraised the functions as easy-to-use and useful; median scores from VAS (0 = useless to 100 = indispensable) ranged from 72 to 85.

Conclusion:

A high percentage of study patients used the system’s advanced features, especially the remote control feature for bolusing. Overall, patients assessed the functions as useful and easy to use. Results support the implementation of these smart capabilities in further insulin pump developments.
A Novel Shear Reduction Insole Effect on the Thermal Response to Walking Stress, Balance, and Gait
Authors: Wrobel James S. , Ammanath Peethambaran , Le Tima , Luring Christopher , Wensman Jeffrey , Grewal Gurtej S. , Najafi Bijan , Pop-Busui Rodica
Published: August 2014

Background:

Shear stresses have been implicated in the formation of diabetes-related foot ulcers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel shear-reducing insole on the thermal response to walking, balance, and gait.

Method:

Twenty-seven diabetes peripheral neuropathy patients were enrolled and asked to take 200 steps in both intervention and standard insoles. Thermal foot images of the feet were taken at baseline (1) following a 5-minute temperature acclimatization and (2) after walking. Testing order was randomized, and a 5-minute washout period was used between testing each insole condition. Sudomotor function was also assessed. Gait and balance were measured under single and dual task conditions using a validated body worn sensor system.

Results:

The mean age was 65.1 years, height was 67.3 inches, weight was 218 pounds, and body mass index was 33.9, 48% were female, and 82% had type 2 diabetes. After walking in both insole conditions, foot temperatures increased significantly in standard insoles. The intervention insole significantly reduced forefoot and midfoot temperature increases (64.1%, P = .008; 48%, P = .046) compared to standard insoles. There were significant negative correlations with sudomotor function and baseline temperatures ( r = .53-.57). The intervention demonstrated 10.4% less gait initiation double support time compared to standard insoles ( P = .05). There were no differences in static balance measures.

Conclusions:

We found significantly lower forefoot and midfoot temperature increases following walking with shear-reducing insoles compared to standard insoles. We also found improvements in gait. These findings merit future study for the prevention of foot ulcer.
The Risks and Benefits of Running Barefoot or in Minimalist Shoes
Authors: Perkins Kyle P. , Hanney William J. , Rothschild Carey E.
Published: August 2014

Context:

The popularity of running barefoot or in minimalist shoes has recently increased because of claims of injury prevention, enhanced running efficiency, and improved performance compared with running in shoes. Potential risks and benefits of running barefoot or in minimalist shoes have yet to be clearly defined.

Objective:

To determine the methodological quality and level of evidence pertaining to the risks and benefits of running barefoot or in minimalist shoes.

Data Sources:

In September 2013, a comprehensive search of the Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases was performed by 2 independent reviewers.

Study Selection:

Included articles were obtained from peer-reviewed journals in the English language with no limit for year of publication. Final inclusion criteria required at least 1 of the following outcome variables: pain, injury rate, running economy, joint forces, running velocity, electromyography, muscle performance, or edema.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Data Extraction:

Two reviewers appraised each article using the Downs and Black checklist and appraised each for level of evidence.

Results:

Twenty-three articles met the criteria for this review. Of 27 possible points on the Downs and Black checklist, articles scored between 13 and 19 points, indicating a range of evidence from very limited to moderate. Moderate evidence supports the following biomechanical differences when running barefoot versus in shoes: overall less maximum vertical ground reaction forces, less extension moment and power absorption at the knee, less foot and ankle dorsiflexion at ground contact, less ground contact time, shorter stride length, increased stride frequency, and increased knee flexion at ground contact.

Conclusion:

Because of lack of high-quality evidence, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding specific risks or benefits to running barefoot, shod, or in minimalist shoes.
The many faces of emotional contagion
Authors: Elfenbein Hillary Anger
Published: August 2014

Emotional contagion—emotions being linked across people—has captured psychologists’ attention yet little is known about its mechanisms. Early influential treatments focused on primitive mimicry. Later accounts emphasized (a) social comparison, whereby people compare their feelings with compatriots’, (b) emotional interpretation, where others’ expressive displays serve as information, and (c) empathy, or imagining another person’s feelings. This paper introduces affective process theory (APT), which unifies these mechanisms and identifies others. Using a rule-governed theoretical process, APT reveals 10 distinct mechanisms that connect people’s affective states, which fall into three types. Convergent linkage occurs when individuals share the same vantage point and interpretations of emotionally evocative stimuli. Divergent linkage occurs with a shared vantage point but different interpretations. Complementary linkage occurs when the other person is itself the stimulus. APT integrates past findings on moderating factors such as social closeness and cooperation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Success for All in England
Authors: Tracey Louise , Chambers Bette , Slavin Robert E. , Hanley Pam , Cheung Alan
Published: August 2014

This article reports the third-year findings of a longitudinal evaluation in England of Success for All (SFA), a comprehensive literacy program. Eighteen SFA schools across England and 18 control schools, matched on prior achievement and demographics, were included in this quasi-experimental study. The results of hierarchical linear modeling analysis reveal a statistically significant positive school-level effect for SFA schools compared with control schools on standardized reading measures of word-level and decoding skills, and there were directionally positive but nonsignificant school-level effects on measures of comprehension and fluency. Practical and policy implications of these findings are discussed, particularly as they relate to recent English government policies encouraging schools to implement research-proven approaches.
Subacromial Injection Results in Further Scapular Dyskinesis
Authors: Ettinger Luke , Shapiro Matthew , Karduna Andrew
Published: August 2014

Background:

Scapular kinematic movement patterns between patients with subacromial impingement and healthy controls have been extensively investigated. However, a high degree of variability has been reported in the literature pertaining to differences between these 2 groups.

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of subacromial pain on scapular kinematics.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

A total of 21 patients with stage 2 subacromial impingement who received local anesthetic injections as part of their normal treatment were recruited for this study. The postinjection kinematic data from these patients were compared with those of healthy age-, sex-, and arm dominance–matched controls.

Results:

Subacromial injections of anesthetics resulted in increased scapular anterior tilting; however, no changes were noted in upward or internal rotation. When compared with healthy controls, patients had greater anterior tilting and upward rotation of the scapula.

Conclusion:

The study findings indicate that the removal of pain in patients with impingement results in further dyskinesis of the scapula.

Clinical Relevance:

Pain may be causing patients with subacromial impingement to limit scapular tilt and upward rotation, and movement limitations may continue after an anesthetic injection.
Inadequate prenatal care utilization and associated factors in São Luís, Brazil
Authors: Bernardes Ariane Cristina Ferreira , da Silva Raimundo Antonio , Coimbra Liberata Campos , Alves Maria Teresa Seabra Soares de Britt , Queiroz Rejane Christine de Sousa , Batista Rosângela Fernandes Lucena , Bettiol Heloisa , Barbieri Marco Antônio , da Silva Antônio Augusto Moura
Published: August 2014

Background

Over the last decades there has been a reduction of social inequalities in Brazil, as well as a strong expansion of health services, including prenatal care. The objective of the present study was to estimate the rate of inadequate prenatal care utilization and its associated factors in São Luís, Brazil, in 2010 and to determine whether there was a reduction of inequity in prenatal care use by comparing the present data to those obtained from a previous cohort started in 1997/98.

Methods

Data from the BRISA (Brazilian birth cohort studies of Ribeirão Preto and São Luís) population-based cohort, which started in 2010 (5067 women), were used. The outcome variable was the inadequate utilization of prenatal care, classified according to the recommendations of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The explanatory variables were organized into three hierarchical levels based on the Andersen’s behavioral model of the use of health services: predisposing, enabling and need factors.

Results

Only 2.0% of the women did not attend at least one prenatal care visit. The rate of inadequate prenatal care utilization was 36.7%. Despite an improved adequacy of prenatal care use from 47.3% in 1997/98 to 58.2% in 2010, social inequality persisted: both low maternal schooling (prevalence ratio (PR) = 2.78; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.23-3.47 for 0 to 4 years of study) and low family income, less than 0.5 monthly minimum wage per capita (PR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.22-1. 54), continued to be associated with higher rates of inadequate prenatal care utilization. Racial disparity regarding adequate utilization of prenatal services was detected, with black (PR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.04-1.36) and mulatto (PR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.26) women showing higher rates of inadequate use. On the other hand, women covered by the FHP - Family Health Program (PR = 0.92; 95% CI 0.85-0.98) showed a lower rate of inadequate prenatal care utilization.

Conclusions

Despite strong expansion of health services and expressive improvements in adequate prenatal care use and social indicators, inequalities in prenatal care use still persist. The FHP seems to be effective in reducing inadequate prenatal care utilization.
Direct synthesis of carbon nanofibers from South African coal fly ash
Authors: Hintsho Nomso , Shaikjee Ahmed , Masenda Hilary , Naidoo Deena , Billing Dave , Franklyn Paul , Durbach Shane
Published: August 2014

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs), cylindrical nanostructures containing graphene, were synthesized directly from South African fly ash (a waste product formed during the combustion of coal). The CNFs (as well as other carbonaceous materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) were produced by the catalytic chemical vapour deposition method (CCVD) in the presence of acetylene gas at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 700°C. The fly ash and its carbonaceous products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), laser Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements. It was observed that as-received fly ash was capable of producing CNFs in high yield by CCVD, starting at a relatively low temperature of 400°C. Laser Raman spectra and TGA thermograms showed that the carbonaceous products which formed were mostly disordered. Small bundles of CNTs and CNFs observed by TEM and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the catalyst most likely responsible for CNF formation was iron in the form of cementite; X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Mössbauer spectroscopy confirmed these findings.
A handy approximate solution for a squeezing flow between two infinite plates by using of Laplace transform-homotopy perturbation method
Authors: Filobello-Nino Uriel , Vazquez-Leal Hector , Cervantes-Perez Juan , Benhammouda Brahim , Perez-Sesma Agustin , Hernandez-Martinez Luis , Jimenez-Fernandez Victor Manuel , Herrera-May Agustin Leobardo , Pereyra-Diaz Domitilo , Marin-Hernandez Antonio , Huerta Chua Jesus
Published: August 2014

This article proposes Laplace Transform Homotopy Perturbation Method (LT-HPM) to find an approximate solution for the problem of an axisymmetric Newtonian fluid squeezed between two large parallel plates. After comparing figures between approximate and exact solutions, we will see that the proposed solutions besides of handy, are highly accurate and therefore LT-HPM is extremely efficient.
GEF-H1 controls focal adhesion signaling that regulates mesenchymal stem cell lineage commitment
Authors: Huang I-Husan , Hsiao Cheng-Te , Wu Jui-Chung , Shen Rong-Fong , Liu Ching-Yi , Wang Yang-Kao , Chen Yu-Chen , Huang Chi-Ming , del álamo Juan C. , Chang Zee-Fen , Tang Ming-Jer , Khoo Kay-Hooi , Kuo Jean-Cheng
Published: August 2014

Focal adhesions (FAs) undergo maturation culminating in size and composition changes that modulate adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling and differentiation. While it is well-recognized that stimuli for osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) drive FA maturation, actin organization, and stress-fiber polarization, the extent to which FA-mediated signals regulated by the FA protein composition specifies MSC commitment remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that, upon dexamethasone (osteogenic induction) treatment, guanine nucleotide exchange factor-H1 (GEF-H1) is significantly enriched in FAs. Perturbation of GEF-H1 inhibits FA formation, anisotropic stress-fiber orientation and MSC osteogenesis in an actomyosin contractility-independent manner. To determine the role of GEF-H1 in MSC osteogenesis, we explore the GEF-H1-modulated FA proteome that reveals non-muscle myosin-II heavy chain-B (NMIIB) as a target of GEF-H1 in FAs. Inhibition of targeting NMIIB into FAs suppresses FA formation, stress-fiber polarization, cell stiffness and osteogenic commitments in MSCs. Our data demonstrate FA signaling in specifying MSC commitment.
Actin-binding proteins differentially regulate endothelial cell stiffness, ICAM-1 function and neutrophil transmigration
Authors: Schaefer Antje , te Riet Joost , Ritz Katja , Hoogenboezem Mark , Anthony Eloise C. , Mul Frederik P. J. , de Vries Carlie J. , Daemen Mat J. , Figdor Carl G. , van Buul Jaap D. , Hordijk Peter L.
Published: August 2014

Chronic vascular inflammation is driven by interactions between activated leukocytes and the endothelium. Leukocyte β2-integrins bind to endothelial ICAM-1 (InterCellular Adhesion Molecule-1), which allows leukocyte spreading, crawling and transendothelial migration. Leukocytes scan the vascular endothelium for permissive sites to transmigrate suggestive for apical membrane heterogeneity within the endothelium. However, the molecular basis for this heterogeneity is unknown.

Leukocyte adhesion induces ICAM-1 clustering which promotes its association to the actin-binding proteins FilaminB, α-Actinin-4 and Cortactin. We show that these endothelial proteins differentially control adhesion, spreading and transmigration of neutrophils. Loss of FilaminB, α-Actinin-4 and Cortactin revealed adapter-specific effects on a nuclear-to-peripheral gradient of endothelial cell stiffness. Conversely, increasing endothelial cell stiffness stimulates ICAM-1 function. We identify endothelial α-Actinin-4 as a key regulator of endothelial cell stiffness and of ICAM-1-mediated neutrophil transmigration. Finally, we found that the endothelial lining of human and murine atherosclerotic plaques shows elevated levels of α-Actinin-4. These results identify endothelial cell stiffness as an important regulator of endothelial surface heterogeneity and of ICAM-1 function which in turn controls adhesion and transmigration of neutrophils.
Secreted fibroblast miR-34a induces tubular cell apoptosis in fibrotic kidney
Authors: Zhou Yang , Xiong Mingxia , Niu Jing , Sun Qi , Su Weifang , Zen Ke , Dai Chunsun , Yang Junwei
Published: August 2014

Tubular epithelial cell apoptosis contributes to tubulointerstitial fibrosis but its regulation remained unclear. Here, in fibrotic kidney induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), we demonstrated that miR-34a was markedly up-regulated in tubulointerstitial spaces and microvesicles isolated from kidney. However, the increased miR-34a was not de novo synthesized by proximal tubular epithelial cells but by fibroblasts after incubated with TGF-β1. MiR-34a was markedly up-regulated in microvesicles isolated from cell culture media of TGF-β1 treated fibroblasts. These microvesicles acted as a vector for delivery of up-regulated miR-34a from fibroblasts to tubular cells. The fibroblast-derived miR-34a-containing microvesicles induced apoptosis of tubular cells. The exogenous miR-34a regulated tubular apoptosis by modulating the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Moreover, injection of exogenous miR-34a-containing microvesicles enhanced tubular cell apoptosis in mice. This study suggests that secreted fibroblast miR-34a transported by microvesicles induces tubular cell apoptosis in obstructive kidney. This study provided a new mechanism concerning microvesicle-mediated fibroblast-to-tubular cell communication of miRNA in regulating tubular cell apoptosis, which might provide new therapeutic targets for renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
Actin and PIP3 waves in giant cells reveal the inherent length scale of an excited state
Authors: Gerhardt Matthias , Ecke Mary , Walz Michael , Stengl Andreas , Beta Carsten , Gerisch Günther
Published: August 2014

The membrane and actin cortex of a motile cell can autonomously differentiate into two states, one typical of the front, the other of the tail. On the substrate-attached surface of Dictyostelium cells, dynamic patterns of front-like and tail-like states are generated that are best suited to monitor transitions between these states. To image large-scale pattern dynamics independent of boundary effects, we produced giant cells by electric-pulse induced cell fusion. In these cells actin waves are coupled to the front and back bands of PIP3-rich bands that have a finite width. that are flanked at their front and back by an actin wave These composite waves propagate across the plasma membrane of the giant cells with undiminished velocity. After any disturbance, the bands of PIP3 are characterized by an return to their intrinsic width. to which they return after any disturbance Upon collision, the waves locally annihilate each other and change direction; at the cell border they are either extinguished or reflected. Accordingly, expanding areas of progressing PIP3 synthesis become unstable beyond a critical radius, their center switching from a front-like to a tail-like state. Our data suggest that PIP3 patterns in normal-sized cells are segments of the self-organizing patterns that evolve in giant cells.
SkateBase, an elasmobranch genome project and collection of molecular resources for chondrichthyan fishes
Authors: Wyffels Jennifer , L. King Benjamin , Vincent James , Chen Chuming , Wu Cathy H. , Polson Shawn W.
Published: August 2014

Chondrichthyan fishes are a diverse class of gnathostomes that provide a valuable perspective on fundamental characteristics shared by all jawed and limbed vertebrates. Studies of phylogeny, species diversity, population structure, conservation, and physiology are accelerated by genomic, transcriptomic and protein sequence data. These data are widely available for many sarcopterygii (coelacanth, lungfish and tetrapods) and actinoptergii (ray-finned fish including teleosts) taxa, but limited for chondrichthyan fishes.  In this study, we summarize available data for chondrichthyes and describe resources for one of the largest projects to characterize one of these fish, Leucoraja erinacea, the little skate.  SkateBase (http://skatebase.org) serves as the skate genome project portal linking data, research tools, and teaching resources.
Spiritual coping of older persons in Malta and Australia (part 2)
Authors: Baldacchino Donia R , Bonello Lilian , Debattista Clifford J
Published: August 2014

Part I presented the research methodology and the quantitative findings of this descriptive sequential explanatory study. Part 2 will discuss the qualitative findings that explain the impact of the use of spiritual coping strategies on institutionalised older persons. Participants were recruited from six institutions in Malta and Australia: four private homes (two in Australia, n=30; two in Malta, n=43) and two state residences in Malta (n=64). The residents (n=137; 103 women, 34 men), aged 72.8 years (mean) were all Roman Catholics, mobile and with a minimal residence of 6 months. The quantitative data (phase I) were collected by the Maltese version of the Spiritual Coping scale (SCS) ( Baldacchino and Buhagiar, 2003 ) while the qualitative data were collected through audiotaped face-to-face interviews (n=42) (phase II) and three focus groups (n=23) (phase III). The qualitative data generated three main themes, namely: self-empowerment through connectedness with God, self, others and nature; belongingness to the residence; and the finding of meaning and purpose in life or the perceived afterlife. Recommendations were made for integration of spirituality into nursing education and clinical practice; more frequent participation in the socio-religious activities at ward level; self-awareness exercises and support groups; and further crosscultural longitudinal studies.
Effect of tear size, corticosteroids and subacromial decompression surgery on the hierarchical structural properties of torn supraspinatus tendons
Authors: Tilley J. M. R. , Murphy R. J. , Chaudhury S. , Czernuszka J. T. , Carr A. J.
Published: August 2014

Objectives

The effects of disease progression and common tendinopathy treatments on the tissue characteristics of human rotator cuff tendons have not previously been evaluated in detail owing to a lack of suitable sampling techniques. This study evaluated the structural characteristics of torn human supraspinatus tendons across the full disease spectrum, and the short-term effects of subacromial corticosteroid injections (SCIs) and subacromial decompression (SAD) surgery on these structural characteristics.

Methods

Samples were collected inter-operatively from supraspinatus tendons containing small, medium, large and massive full thickness tears (n = 33). Using a novel minimally invasive biopsy technique, paired samples were also collected from supraspinatus tendons containing partial thickness tears either before and seven weeks after subacromial SCI (n = 11), or before and seven weeks after SAD surgery (n = 14). Macroscopically normal subscapularis tendons of older patients (n = 5, mean age = 74.6 years) and supraspinatus tendons of younger patients (n = 16, mean age = 23.3) served as controls. Ultra- and micro-structural characteristics were assessed using atomic force microscopy and polarised light microscopy respectively.

Results

Significant structural differences existed between torn and control groups. Differences were identifiable early in the disease spectrum, and increased with increasing tear size. Neither SCI nor SAD surgery altered the structural properties of partially torn tendons seven weeks after treatment.

Conclusions

These findings may suggest the need for early clinical intervention strategies for torn rotator cuff tendons in order to prevent further degeneration of the tissue as tear size increases. Further work is required to establish the long-term abilities of SCI and SAD to prevent, and even reverse, such degeneration. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:252–61.
María Elena Walsh and the Art of Subversive Children’s Literature
Authors: Dunbar Alina
Published: August 2014

María Elena Walsh reinvented the genre of children’s literature in Argentina. Writing under a series of repressive governments, Walsh exploited the perceived innocence of children’s literature, utilizing it as a conduit to criticize authority, while never abandoning her young readers. In her novel Dailan Kifki , the young, female protagonist is the sole voice of reason—a tribute to Louis Carroll’s Alice—who provide young readers with new ways of perceiving the world.
The New Children of Resistance: Becoming a Child through the Stories Told by the EZLN
Authors: González Cadaval Rodrigo Mier
Published: August 2014

This article is about the Zapatista’s ongoing struggle for resistance and autonomy. We show in what sense the stories written by Subcommander Marcos of the EZLN have not been written only for children or for the indigenous in Chiapas (or anywhere else in Mexico), but for those individuals whose history has the age of the modern state. We propose that the movement’s latest initiative, “La libertad según las zapatistas,” should be discussed alongside the EZLN’s previous literary production of children’s literature, and has contributed in the formation of a new kind of subject: “the new children of resistance.”
Magical Realist Moments in Malín Alegía’s Border Town Series
Authors: Cummins Amy , Cano Tiffany
Published: August 2014

In Malín Alegría’s Border Town, the first young adult fiction series set on the Mexico-United States border, magical realist moments subvert power relations and reveal that popular beliefs are legitimate forms of knowledge. Magical realist occurrences demonstrate the importance of knowing about Mexican American folklore and folk saints such as bailando con el diablo [dancing with the devil], las lechuzas [bewitched owls], La Llorona [the weeping woman], and la Santa Muerte [Saint Death].