bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Iron and Homocysteine Levels on T Peak‐to‐End Interval and Tp‐e/QT Ratio in Elite Athletes
Authors: Duyuler Serkan , Türker Duyuler Pınar , Batur Mustafa Kemal
Published: March 2016

Background

Electrocardiography (ECG) is frequently used in preparticipation evaluation of competitive athletes. Repolarization heterogeneities on ECG is a well‐known indicator for malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We aimed to investigate the effect of iron and homocysteine levels on arrhythmogenic indicators, T peak‐to‐end (Tp‐e) interval, and Tp‐e/QT ratio in elite athletes.

Methods

A total of 72 players (48 football and 24 basketball) with a mean age of 25.4 ± 5.0 years were included to the analysis. Blood biochemistry, homocysteine level, and iron parameters (transferrin saturation and serum iron) were obtained by standard methods. Duration of QRS, QT interval, and Tp‐e interval were measured manually on the precordial leads and Tp‐e/QT ratio was calculated.

Results

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population were compared in two groups according to the median value of Tp‐e/QT = 0.219. Both iron and transferrin saturations were higher in the above median group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively), however, homocysteine levels were not statistically different among two groups (P = 0.405). In correlation analysis, both serum iron and transferrin saturation were significantly correlated with Tp‐e interval (r = 0.368; P = 0.001 and r = 0.394; P = 0.00, respectively) and Tp‐e/QT ratio (r = 0.357; P = 0.002 and r = 0.372; P = 0.001, respectively). Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that transferrin saturation was an independent predictor of Tp‐e interval and Tp‐e/QT ratio (β = 0.325; P = 0.002 and β = 0.372; P = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

This study showed an independent relationship between iron status and Tp‐e interval and Tp‐e/QT ratios of elite sport players which were also not correlated with serum homocysteine levels.
Infection rates with use of intra‐articular pain catheters in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Ham Andrew , Goyal Navendu , Harris Ian A. , Chen Darren B. , MacDessi Samuel J.
Published: March 2016

Background

Intra‐articular pain catheters effectively reduce postoperative pain in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by delivering analgesia to the surgical site. However, concerns exist regarding the potential for increasing deep infections. This study tested the hypothesis that intra‐articular pain catheters in TKA increase the rate of deep surgical site infections.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1915 patients undergoing primary TKA between January 2008 and December 2013 was undertaken, comparing infection rates between patients with intra‐articular catheters inserted and those without.

Results

Deep infection rate was 0.53% with intra‐articular pain catheters, compared with 0.77% when the catheters were not inserted. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.56).

Conclusion

Intra‐articular pain catheters in TKA did not increase the rate of deep infection.
Generalised Rank Regression Estimator with Standard Error Adjusted Lasso
Authors: Turkmen A.S. , Ozturk O.
Published: March 2016

One of the standard variable selection procedures in multiple linear regression is to use a penalisation technique in least‐squares (LS) analysis. In this setting, many different types of penalties have been introduced to achieve variable selection. It is well known that LS analysis is sensitive to outliers, and consequently outliers can present serious problems for the classical variable selection procedures. Since rank‐based procedures have desirable robustness properties compared to LS procedures, we propose a rank‐based adaptive lasso‐type penalised regression estimator and a corresponding variable selection procedure for linear regression models. The proposed estimator and variable selection procedure are robust against outliers in both response and predictor space. Furthermore, since rank regression can yield unstable estimators in the presence of multicollinearity, in order to provide inference that is robust against multicollinearity, we adjust the penalty term in the adaptive lasso function by incorporating the standard errors of the rank estimator. The theoretical properties of the proposed procedures are established and their performances are investigated by means of simulations. Finally, the estimator and variable selection procedure are applied to the Plasma Beta‐Carotene Level data set.
Policy Shocks and Macroeconomic Fluctuations in a Two‐country Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Model: Evidence from China*
Authors: Ma Yong
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we construct a two‐country dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model to investigate the sources of business cycles in China and the contributions of policy shocks in economic fluctuations. The empirical results from Bayesian estimation show that, apart from the traditional supply and demand shocks, monetary and fiscal policy shocks also play important roles in determining China's economic fluctuations. In addition, we find significant feedback effects between monetary and fiscal policies in China, indicating that policy coordination is an important feature of China's monetary and fiscal policies. Overall, these results not only shed new light on the policy factors behind China's economic fluctuations, but also provide new evidence that is helpful for understanding the policy transmission mechanisms in China.
Impacts of Road Access on Subjective Well‐being in Timor‐Leste
Authors: Chongvilaivan Aekapol , Taniguchi Kiyoshi , Rabanal Rommel
Published: March 2016

The impacts of access to roads on subjective well‐being at the household level are empirically examined using Timor‐Leste's nationally representative surveys. This paper examines not only the quantity, but also the quality of road infrastructure and, thus, extends existing studies that only consider the benefits of road accessibility. It is found that proximity to main roads may not necessarily result in improved welfare. Instead, ensuring all‐weather access to roads appears to be a more significant factor in raising household well‐being. Specifically, road accessibility during the rainy season reduces the probability of households reporting a ‘less than adequate’ (low satisfaction) response by 13–25 percent. This suggests that in Timor‐Leste, and likely in other developing economies under similar conditions, maintenance of existing roads is more essential to well‐being than building more roads.
Dietary administration of probiotics to sows and/or their neonates improves the reproductive performance, incidence of post‐weaning diarrhea and histopathological parameters in the intestine of weaned piglets
Authors: Hayakawa Teruo , Masuda Tomohide , Kurosawa Daisuke , Tsukahara Takamitsu
Published: March 2016

Probiotics have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on livestock performance and health. The most significant effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the host animals take place when they are included in diets during particularly stressful periods such as weaning and/or at the beginning of the lactation period. The probiotics Bacillus mesentericus strain TO‐A at 1 × 108 colony forming units (CFU)/g, Clostridium butyricum strain TO‐A at 1 × 108 CFU/g and Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110 at 1 × 109 CFU/g were used. Litter weight at delivery and ratio of return to estrous improved significantly (17% and 24% improvement, respectively) by probiotic administration to sows (0.2% (w/w)). Furthermore, the feed intake of the probiotics‐administered sows was greater than that of the control sows during the late lactation period. Post‐weaning diarrheal incidence and growth performance was improved by probiotics administration to neonates (0.02% (w/w)), while the combined use of probiotics in sows and their neonates induced the enlargement of villous height and prevented muscle layer thinning in the small intestine of weaning piglets. The administration of probiotics of three species of live bacteria improved the porcine reproductive performance around stressful periods of sows (farrowing) and piglets (weaning). [Corrections added on 26 April 2016, after first online publication: ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐100’ has been corrected to ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110’ in the above paragraph and in the ‘Probiotics’ section under the Materials and Methods heading.]
Frequency and characterization of known and novel RHD variant alleles in 37 782 Dutch D‐negative pregnant women
Authors: Stegmann Tamara C. , Veldhuisen Barbera , Bijman Renate , Thurik Florentine F. , Bossers Bernadette , Cheroutre Goedele , Jonkers Remco , Ligthart Peter , de Haas Masja , Haer‐Wigman Lonneke , van der Schoot C. Ellen
Published: March 2016

To guide anti‐D prophylaxis, Dutch D‐ pregnant women are offered a quantitative fetal‐RHD‐genotyping assay to determine the RHD status of their fetus. This allowed us to determine the frequency of different maternal RHD variants in 37 782 serologically D‐ pregnant women. A variant allele is present in at least 0·96% of Dutch D‐ pregnant women The D‐ serology could be confirmed after further serological testing in only 54% of these women, which emphasizes the potential relevance of genotyping of blood donors. 43 different RHD variant alleles were detected, including 15 novel alleles (11 null‐, 2 partial D‐ and 2 DEL‐alleles). Of those novel null alleles, one allele contained a single missense mutation (RHD*443C>G) and one allele had a single amino acid deletion (RHD*424_426del). The D‐ phenotype was confirmed by transduction of human D‐ erythroblasts, consolidating that, for the first time, a single amino acid change or deletion causes the D‐ phenotype. Transduction also confirmed the phenotypes for the two new variant DEL‐alleles (RHD*721A>C and RHD*884T>C) and the novel partial RHD*492C>A allele. Notably, in three additional cases the DEL phenotype was observed but sequencing of the coding sequence, flanking introns and promoter region revealed an apparently wild‐type RHD allele without mutations.
Levels of uninvolved immunoglobulins predict clinical status and progression‐free survival for multiple myeloma patients
Authors: Harutyunyan Nika M. , Vardanyan Suzie , Ghermezi Michael , Gottlieb Jillian , Berenson Ariana , Andreu‐Vieyra Claudia , Berenson James R.
Published: March 2016

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by the enhanced production of the same monoclonal immunoglobulin (M‐Ig or M protein). Techniques such as serum protein electrophoresis and nephelometry are routinely used to quantify levels of this protein in the serum of MM patients. However, these methods are not without their shortcomings and problems accurately quantifying M proteins remain. Precise quantification of the types and levels of M‐Ig present is critical to monitoring patient response to therapy. In this study, we investigated the ability of the HevyLite (HLC) immunoassay to correlate with clinical status based on levels of involved and uninvolved antibodies. In our cohort of MM patients, we observed that significantly higher ratios and greater differences of involved HLC levels compared to uninvolved HLC levels correlated with a worse clinical status. Similarly, higher absolute levels of involved HLC antibodies and lower levels of uninvolved HLC antibodies also correlated with a worse clinical status and a shorter progression‐free survival. These findings suggest that the HLC assay is a useful and a promising tool for determining the clinical status and survival time for patients with multiple myeloma.
Clinical trial designs to obtain marketing authorization of drugs for haematological malignancy in Japan, the EU and the US
Authors: Nagai Sumimasa , Ozawa Keiya
Published: March 2016

Differences in regulatory actions between Japan, the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) regarding the approval date and primary endpoints of pivotal trials have never been analysed comprehensively. This study aimed to examine such differences in haematological malignancy indications not only in applications for new molecular entity agents but also in supplemental applications for additional indications. A total of 101 haematological malignancy indications were examined for 58 drugs. Only 30 indications were approved by the regulatory agencies of all three regions with 25, 9 and 67 indications being first approved in Japan, the EU and the US, respectively. Regarding the 18 indications approved only in the US, 13 were approved based on results of single‐arm trials. The approval of all nine indications approved first in the EU was based on results of comparative trials. The primary endpoints were different between the EU and the US in 4 of 49 indications approved by both regulatory agencies, all of which were approved earlier in the US than in the EU. This analysis shows that the US Food and Drug Administration has taken the most active attitude to acceptance of surrogate endpoints in single‐arm trials. Therefore, not only shorter review time but also this attitude may lead to earlier approval in US.
Attentional capture in driving displays
Authors: Arexis Mahé , Maquestiaux François , Gaspelin Nicholas , Ruthruff Eric , Didierjean André
Published: March 2016

Drivers face frequent distraction on the roadways, but little is known about situations placing them at risk of misallocating visual attention. To investigate this issue, we asked participants to search for a red target embedded within simulated driving scenes (photographs taken from inside a car) in three experiments. Distraction was induced by presenting, via a GPS unit, red or green distractors positioned in an irrelevant location at which the target never appeared. If the salient distractor captures attention, visual search should be slower on distractor‐present trials than distractor‐absent trials. In Experiment 1, salient distractors yielded no such capture effect. In Experiment 2, we decreased the frequency of the salient distractor from 50% of trials to only 10% or 20% of trials. Capture effects were almost five times larger for the 10% occurrence group than for the 20% occurrence group. In Experiment 3, the amount of available central resources was manipulated by asking participants to either simultaneously monitor or ignore a stream of spoken digits. Capture effects were much larger for the dual‐task group than for the single‐task group. In summary, these findings identify risk factors for attentional capture in real‐world driving scenes: distractor rarity and diversion of attention.
Efferocytosis of apoptotic human papillomavirus‐positive cervical cancer cells by human primary fibroblasts
Authors: Hermetet François , Jacquin Elise , Launay Sophie , Gaiffe Emilie , Couturier Mélanie , Hirchaud Fabienne , Sandoz Patrick , Prétet Jean‐Luc , Mougin Christiane
Published: March 2016

Background information

Efficient clearance of apoptotic cells, named efferocytosis, is a fundamental physiological process for tissue development and homeostasis. The contribution of non‐professional phagocytes like fibroblasts to efferocytosis has been established, although the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We recently demonstrated that horizontal DNA transfer can occur through the uptake of apoptotic human papillomavirus‐positive cancer cells by human primary fibroblasts leading to their transformation. The aim of this present study was to analyse the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive the phagocytic activity of human primary fibroblasts in the context of apoptotic cervical cancer cell removal.

Results

Here we provide evidence that human primary fibroblasts engulf late more efficiently than early apoptotic cells, but their phagocytic ability remains limited compared to professional phagocytes such as human monocyte‐derived macrophages. The engulfment occurs in a time‐, temperature‐ and calcium‐dependent manner. Remodelling of actin‐fibers contributes to the biogenesis of apoptotic cell containing macroendocytic vacuoles. Both morphological analyses and pharmacological approaches confirmed the involvement of actin‐driven phagocytosis and likely macropinocytotic mechanisms in apoptotic target internalization. The uptake of apoptotic cells requires phosphatidylserine recognition, which is mainly mediated by phosphatidylserine‐receptor brain‐specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1. Confocal microscopy analyses with organelle‐specific markers revealed that internalised apoptotic material traffics into late phagolysosomes and specific features of microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3‐associated phagocytosis were observed.

Conclusions

Our in vitro data show that fibroblasts contribute to apoptotic tumour cell removal by phagocytosis and likely macropinocytotic mechanisms. Efferocytosis by fibroblasts involves phosphatidylserine receptor brain‐specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1, which participates in subsequent uptake orchestration via actin cytoskeleton remodelling.

Significance

Our results highlight the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibroblast‐mediated clearance of apoptotic tumour cells. Consequences regarding alternative mechanism of carcinogenesis or tumour progression should be addressed.
Genesis, distribution and dynamics of lagoon marl extrusions along the Curonian Spit, southeast Baltic Coast
Authors: Sergeev Alexander Y. , Zhamoida Vladimir A. , Ryabchuk Daria V. , Buynevich Ilya V. , Sivkov Vadim V. , Dorokhov Dmitry V. , Bitinas Albertas , Pupienis Donatas
Published: March 2016

A unique geological process of extrusion of lagoon marl from beneath massive migrating sand dunes is characteristic for large segments of the Curonian Spit – a ~100‐km‐long sandy barrier that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Exposures of a composite set of Holocene organic sediments such as gyttja, clayey gyttja and gyttja clay, collectively referred to as ‘lagoon marl’, are common along the northern half of the lagoon coast of the spit. The marl outcrops rise up to 3–4 m above the lagoon level and owe their origin to extrusion from their 7–8 m in situ depth beneath the present regional water table. New detailed investigations of the Baltic Sea bottom along the southern half of the Curonian Spit using side‐scan sonar, a multibeam echosounder, seismic imaging, sediment sampling and video observations allowed identification and mapping of a unique underwater landscape formed by extensive outcrops of laminated and folded lagoon marl at water depths of 5–15 m. The combined onshore–offshore database indicates that relict lagoon marl was deformed, compacted and dehydrated by a massive dune‐covered coastal barrier migrating landward (retrograding) over these sediments during the Littorina Sea transgression in a processes termed ‘dune tectonics’. Spatial analysis of the relict sediments traced in offshore geophysical data helped to constrain the rates of the southeast migration of the dune massif. A conceptual model is presented to explain the present context of marl exposures above the regional water table, as well as the occurrence of relict lagoon marl extrusions (diapirs) on the underwater marine slope of the Curonian Spit.
External Design for Reputation, Perspective and Exposure
Authors: Abecassis‐Moedas Celine , Rodrigues Pereira Joana
Published: March 2016

This paper analyses why and how design‐centred industrial firms with internal design teams contract external designers. This research is based on an exploratory multiple case study methodology, with a sample of five highly reputable design‐centred industrial firms, operating in hypercompetitive industries. While some results challenge the mainstream literature on design management, others expand the existing literature, highlighting that not all firms extract the same benefits from external designers; neither do all external designers bring the same benefits to firms. The paper shows that firms with internal design teams contract external design for (1) reputation (external designers sign products and bring their reputation to the product and to the firm), (2) perspective (external designers bring a different perspective, especially when they come from a different industry from the firm), and (3) exposure (external designers bring exposure that enriches internal design teams).
Assessment of cortical bone thickness using ultrasound
Authors: Degen Katharina , Habor Daniel , Radermacher Klaus , Heger Stefan , Kern Jaana‐Sophia , Wolfart Stefan , Marotti Juliana
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The aim of the study was to analyze the accuracy of measuring the cortical bone thickness using a combination of low‐ and high‐frequency ultrasound (US) compared with cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) and using stereomicroscopy as reference method.

Material and Methods

Ten jawbone models were prepared using bovine ribs and porcine gingiva. A dental implant was placed in each model. All models were investigated by US, CBCT, and stereomicroscopy. The cortical bone thickness was measured directly above and 4 mm beside the implant with each method in different slices.

Results

The median deviation of US measurements compared to the reference method was 0.23 mm. The CBCT method was slightly more accurate (median percent deviation of 9.2%) than the US method (10.3%). However, US measurements directly above the implant were more accurate than CBCT measurements with a median percent deviation of 10.5% for US vs. 11.8% for CBCT.

Conclusion

Ultrasound showed a high potential to supplement CBCT for measurements of the cortical bone thickness.
Sofosbuvir and simeprevir without ribavirin effectively treat hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection after liver transplantation in a two‐center experience
Authors: Jackson Whitney E. , Hanouneh Mohamad , Apfel Tehilla , Alkhouri Naim , John Binu V. , Zervos Xaralambos , Zein Nizar N. , Hanouneh Ibrahim A.
Published: March 2016

Background

The interferon‐free antiviral regimen, sofosbuvir (SOF) and simeprevir (SIM) without ribavirin has been reported to achieve high sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with few adverse effects when treating patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 (HCV GT1) infection. However, there is scarcity of safety and efficacy data in this regimen after liver transplantation (LT).

Aim and methods

We aim to report the safety, tolerability and efficacy of SOF + SIM to treat LT recipients with recurrent HCV GT1 in a multicenter cohort study.

Results

Eighty‐one patients with HCV GT1 met criteria to be considered for treatment. Sixty‐seven patients received SOF + SIM following LT to date: 69% male, 39% with HCV RNA >6 000 000 IU/mL, 22% advanced hepatic fibrosis (stage 3–4), 6% cholestatic recurrence. Fifty‐eight percent previously failed or did not tolerate interferon‐based treatments. Mean time from LT to treatment was 6.1 ± 5.2 yr. All patients had estimated GFR >30 mL/min. Tacrolimus was primary immunosuppression in 84% of patients and minimal immunosuppression dose adjustments were required during treatment. In intention‐to‐treat analysis, 90% achieved end‐of‐treatment virologic response and 88% achieved SVR.

Conclusions

Sofosbuvir + SIM combination therapy without ribavirin is well tolerated and results in high virologic response rates in recurrent HCV GT1 infection after liver transplantation.
Epithelioid gastrointestinal stromal tumour of the ileum; a diagnosis using fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Dey B. , Pradhan P. , Siddaraju N. , Gochhait D. , Barwad A.
Published: March 2016

This letter reviews the cytological appearances and immunocytochemistry of the epithelioid variant of gastrointestinal stromal tumour.
Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin versus metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: a randomized, open‐label, prospective study (VISION)
Authors: Ji L.‐N. , Pan C.‐Y. , Lu J.‐M. , Li H. , Zhu D.‐L. , Li Q. , Li Q.‐F. , Peng Y.‐D. , Tian H.‐M. , Yao C. , Zhao Z.‐G. , Wang L. , Wang B.‐H. ,   for the VISION Study Group
Published: March 2016

Aims

To compare the efficacy and safety of combination of vildagliptin and metformin therapy with metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) inadequately controlled with low‐dose metformin.

Methods

In this 24‐week prospective, randomized, multicentre, open‐label study, patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin ≤1000 mg daily were divided 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 into four prespecified subgroups based on age and body mass index (BMI). Patients in each subgroup were randomized 5 : 1 to receive either vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) plus metformin [500 mg twice daily; vildagliptin and low‐dose metformin (VLDM) group] or metformin uptitration [1000 mg twice daily; high‐dose metformin (HDM) group]. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline at week 24. The key secondary endpoints included percentage of patients achieving target HbA1c without adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events and mean change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline to week 24.

Results

A total of 3084 patients were randomized. HbA1c reduction of 0.54% at week 24 in the VLDM group was non‐inferior and statistically superior compared with 0.40% in the HDM group (P < 0.0001). VLDM's non‐inferiority to HDM was confirmed in the four subgroups and its superiority was shown for all subgroups (p < 0.05) except for the subgroup of patients aged <60 years with a BMI of ≥24 kg/m2. Compared with HDM, VLDM significantly increased the percentage of patients achieving HbA1c ≤6.5% and HbA1c ≤6.5% without GI events. FPG levels in the VLDM group were lower at week 24 numerically than in the HDM group. The two treatment arms had similar safety profiles.

Conclusions

VLDM was non‐inferior and statistically superior to HDM in glycaemic control in Chinese patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with low‐dose metformin.
Effect of Age on Left Ventricular Global Dyssynchrony in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Population Study
Authors: Vancheri Federico , Vancheri Sergio , Henein Michael Y.
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

Left ventricular (LV) segmental dyssynchrony is common in patients with heart failure or myocardial activation abnormalities and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Total isovolumic time (t‐IVT) and Tei index are sensitive indexes of global ventricular dyssynchrony. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age on t‐IVT and Tei index.

Methods

We evaluated 410 individuals with no evidence for coronary heart disease or activation abnormalities. T‐IVT was calculated as 60 − (total ejection time + total filling time) and Tei index as t‐IVT/total ejection time. The relationship between age, LV systolic and diastolic function parameters as well as t‐IVT and Tei index was studied.

Results

Ejection fraction and stroke volume did not change with age, whereas early diastolic filling velocity fell and atrial systolic velocity increased, reducing the E/A ratio. Isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) lengthened. With every 10 years of age, total LV ejection time shortened by 1.5 sec/min and total filling time by 2.1 sec/min. T‐IVT and Tei index increased with age and strongly correlated with IVCT and E/A, but not with ejection fraction or QRS duration.

Conclusion

Normal aging is associated with worsening of LV global dyssynchrony shown by prolongation of isovolumic times resulting in shortening of filling and ejection times. Age also affects diastolic function as shown by E/A but not systolic function parameters, ejection fraction or stroke volume. Worsening of global dyssynchrony correlates with that of diastolic function but not with QRS duration.
Partial Posteromedial Papillary Muscle Rupture Caused by Myocardial Ischemia Only without Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Tsujimoto Masanaga , Tanaka Hidekazu , Matsumoto Kensuke , Inoue Takeshi , Okita Yutaka , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: March 2016

Mini‐Abstract

A 66‐year‐old woman with a history of exertional chest pain was admitted to our hospital. Transthoracic echocardiography displayed an ejection fraction of 71% without regional wall‐motion abnormalities. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation due to prolapse of P2 scallop with posteromedial papillary muscle (PPM) rupture. Coronary angiography showed 90% stenosis in the left circumflex artery (LCx), and myocardial ischemia without infarction in the lateral wall was observed by means of stress scintigraphy. The surgical inspection and histological finding confirmed diagnosis of P2 scallop prolapse with partial PPM rupture. PPM rupture due to only myocardial ischemia was extremely rare.
First episode psychosis in the over 35 s: is there a role for early intervention?
Authors: Greenfield Philippa , Joshi Snehita , Christian Suneel , Lekkos Petros , Gregorowicz Anna , Fisher Helen L. , Johnson Sonia
Published: March 2016

Aim

The early intervention (EI) model appears to improve outcomes of psychosis for younger people, and there is now interest in implementing it in older groups. In the UK, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence advised that EI should be accessible to all individuals with first episode psychosis (FEP). We aimed to explore the likely impact on EI workloads and clinical populations of extending age range.

Methods

Data were collected on all patients aged 36–65 years who were referred to an inner London EI service from 2011–2014 using the MiData 2 tool at entry and at 1‐year follow up.

Results

People aged between 36 and 65 represented 30% of all referrals to the service. There were high levels of recorded past trauma in the sample (62.5%), half had dependent children (58.3%) and just under half physical comorbidity (48.6%). Duration of untreated psychosis was less than a year for the majority. At 1‐year follow up, inpatient admission rates were lower than in previously studied younger EI populations, but only 15% experienced a single episode with full remission.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that admitting over 35‐year‐olds to EI results in a substantial increase in workload. A large proportion had become unwell relatively recently, indicating that the concept of EI may not be redundant in this age range. Evidence is needed on EI effectiveness in this group.
Gender differences in pathways to care for early psychosis
Authors: Ferrari Manuela , Flora Nina , Anderson Kelly K. , Haughton Asante , Tuck Andrew , Archie Suzanne , Kidd Sean , McKenzie Kwame ,   on behalf of the ACE Project Team
Published: March 2016

Aims

Gender is a critical demographic determinant in first‐episode psychosis research. We used data from the ACE Pathways to Care Project, which examined pathways to care in African‐origin, Caribbean‐origin and European‐origin participants, to investigate the role of gender in pathways to early intervention programmes.

Method

A qualitative approach was used to examine gender differences in the routes to care. We conducted four focus groups and four individual in‐depth interviews with 25 service users of early intervention services from African‐origin, Caribbean‐origin and European‐origin populations.

Results

Gender stereotypes negatively influence the first service contact for women, and the early phase of the help seeking process for men. Women reported trying to seek care. However, family members and service providers often questioned their calls for help. Men described having difficulties in talking about their symptoms, as the act of seeking help was perceived as a sign of weakness by peers.

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that gender stereotypes shape the journey to specialized care in different ways for men and women. Awareness of the impact that gender stereotypes have when a young person is seeking care for psychosis could help to promote a shift in attitudes among health‐care providers and the provision of more compassionate and patient‐centred care during this critical time.
Test–retest reliability of a new technique with pressure algometry applied to teeth in healthy Chinese individuals
Authors: Liu Ran , Gu Xinyu , Zhang Jinglu , Yu Linfeng , Chen Wenjing , Wang Kelun , Svensson Peter
Published: March 2016

Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) have been shown to be useful measures of mechanical pain sensitivity in deep tissues. However, clinical methods for measuring mechanical allodynia or hyperalgesia in teeth have not been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of PPTs in periodontal ligament of healthy Chinese participants. Twenty healthy young adults participated. Pressure pain thresholds were measured at six teeth and in two directions. The tests included three consecutive trials, in two separate sessions, which were performed on the first day by one examiner. After 1–3 wk, an identical protocol was carried out by two examiners, also in two separate sessions. There were no significant differences between repeated measures for all teeth. The PPTs had excellent reliability with high intraclass coefficients (ICCs) across different sessions (ICC: 0.871–0.956), days (ICC: 0.879–0.951), and examiners (ICC: 0.845–0.950). Pressure pain thresholds applied to the teeth have excellent intra‐ and inter‐examiner agreement in healthy participants. This method may be proposed as an easy and reliable technique to assess mechanical pain sensitivity (e.g. mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia) in the periodontal ligament, which is associated with endodontic or periodontal conditions.
An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration
Authors: Sampaio Flávia D F , Freire Carolina A
Published: March 2016

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO2 and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na+ and Cl‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H+ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.
The role of calsyntenin‐3 in dystrophic neurite formation in Alzheimer's disease brain
Authors: Uchida Yoko , Gomi Fujiya
Published: March 2016

β‐Amyloid (Aβ) oligomers may play an important role in the early pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease: cognitive impairment caused by synaptic dysfunction. Dystrophic neurites surrounding Aβ plaques, another pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease, are plaque‐associated neuritic alterations preceding the appearance of synaptic loss. In the present review, we focus on the mechanism of dystrophic neurite formation by Aß oligomers, and discuss the neurotoxic role of Aβ‐induced calsyntenin‐3 in mediating dystrophic neurite formation. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 43–50.
Telomere attrition and diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tamura Yoshiaki , Takubo Kaiyo , Aida Junko , Araki Atsushi , Ito Hideki
Published: March 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by dysfunction of various organs. Recent studies have shown a close relationship between DM and telomere attrition in leukocytes. In patients with DM or impaired glucose tolerance, excessive oxidative stress induces damage to telomeres and shortens their length. Furthermore, it is suggested that telomere length is a good surrogate marker for mortality and diabetic complications in DM patients. We recently found that telomere length in pancreatic β‐cells is also shortened in DM patients, potentially leading to an impaired capacity for proliferation and insulin secretion, and accelerated cell death. In contrast, leukocyte telomere length has also been reported in patients with obesity or insulin resistance, both of which are frequently associated with type 2 DM. In an animal model, it has been shown that telomere attrition in adipose tissue induces insulin resistance. Taken together, the available data suggest that hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and telomere attrition in pancreatic β‐cells and adipocytes create a vicious cycle that underlies the pathophysiology of type 2 DM. Inhibition of telomere attrition in various organs, including pancreatic β‐cells, could be a new approach for preventing the progression of DM and its complications. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 66–74.
Atopic dermatitis in older adults: A viewpoint from geriatric dermatology
Authors: Tanei Ryoji , Hasegawa Yasuko
Published: March 2016

Atopic dermatitis (AD) in older adults represents a newly defined subgroup of AD. The prevalence of elderly AD is approximately 1–3% among elderly populations in industrialized countries. Elderly patients with AD show some common clinical characteristics, such as a male predominance, a lower incidence of lichenified eczema at the elbow and knee folds, and particular patterns of onset and clinical course. Both immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐allergic and non‐IgE‐allergic types are observed in elderly AD. Elderly patients with IgE‐allergic AD show high rates of positivity for specific IgE antibodies against house dust mites, associations with IgE allergic and asthmatic complications, histopathological features with a predominance of IgE‐mediated allergic inflammation in the lesional skin, and a significantly lower incidence of malignancy as compared with control subjects. The etiology of elderly AD might be associated with immunosenescence, age‐related changes to the sex hormone milieu, age‐related barrier dysfunctions in the skin and gut, functional disturbance of sweat production, and environmental stimuli in the lifestyle of elderly individuals. Powerful anti‐inflammatory treatments, such as oral corticosteroids, might be required together with standard treatments to manage moderate to severe cases of elderly AD. Finally, most elderly patients with AD reach the end of life with this disease, which should now be considered a lifelong allergic disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 75–86.
Effects of sites and years on the coefficients of rising plate meter calibration under varying coefficient models
Authors: Nakagami Koji
Published: March 2016

An existing varying coefficient calibration method for estimating herbage mass from rising plate meter reading was validated using datasets for different years and pastures, and the variation among these in the coefficients of the model was structurally assessed using a linear mixed effects model to develop a versatile calibration equation. The calibration's advantage was confirmed by the lower Akaike's information criterion values in the two current pooled models than those in the model that assumes fixed coefficients throughout the year. While sites affect the degree of gradual change after the reproductive stage in the slope coefficient, years affect the degree of steep change before the reproductive stage in the intercept coefficient. Further, the shift in the levels of both coefficients was detected by site and year.
Social Support and the Mental Health of Family Caregivers: Sons and Daughters Caring for Aging Parents in Japan
Authors: Kikuzawa Saeko
Published: March 2016

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among family caregivers has been documented as a serious social problem that could threaten the lives of the elderly and their family caregivers. Social support is considered to be a promising remedy for this problem, although a comprehensive examination of the availability and effectiveness of social support that includes both formal and informal support across multiple dimensions remains limited. In addition, little research has been conducted in Japan on gender differences in stress processes. This study tried to fill those gaps by analyzing recent survey data on sons and daughters who are caring for their elderly parents. The results indicate that sons and daughters have similar levels of formal and informal support for daily care and advice, while there are some gender differences in regard to the availability of other types of social support. It was also found that many types of informal support were significantly associated with a lower caregiver burden for daughters, although this was not necessarily the case for formal support. General instrumental support from formal sources was even associated with higher levels of distress. For sons acting as caregivers, daily caregiving support was the only formal support that was significantly associated with their lower level of distress. Issues of formal support are discussed, in order to reduce the psychological burdens borne by sons and daughters who care for their parents at home.
Negotiating Partial Citizenship under Neoliberalism: Regularization Struggles among Filipino Domestic Workers in France (2008–2012)
Authors: Ito Ruri
Published: March 2016

This article examines the social and historical conditions of negotiations for expanding migrant domestic workers partial citizenship under neoliberal policies. It uses a case study of Filipino domestic workers struggling for regularization in the Parisian region, 2008–2012. Under Sarkozy's neoliberal immigration policy called chosen immigration, Hortefeux, the then Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Cooperative Development, authorized case‐by‐case “regularization based on work” in his circular of 7 January 2008. Consequently, led by a coalition of trade unions, sans papiers (undocumented) collectives and migrant support groups, large‐scale mobilizations occurred demanding rights‐based regularization. Although undocumented Filipino domestic workers remained socially invisible during this campaign, a quiet, small‐scale but unprecedented mobilization took place among Filipino sans papières. Based on 10 months of fieldwork, this article shows how the neoliberal tendency in the two policy areas of immigration and personal services opened up the opportunity for Filipino migrant women to have access to the institutional resources of the Private Household Workers (PHW) trade union and to break the deadlock of “double irregularity”, that is, the dispossession of both their residential permit and labor contract. This case depended on the activism of a trade unionist of Filipino origin, a trailblazer who filled the structural hole between Filipino ethnic networks and the local domestic workers’ movement. Among the outcomes are the rising consciousness among Filipinos of the usefulness of learning French, as well as a new narrative that incorporates the struggles of Filipino domestic workers in the PHW trade union history.
Hesitant Madams in a Global City: Japanese Expat Wives and their Global Householding in Hong Kong
Authors: Kitamura Aya
Published: March 2016

Care work, once a sanctioned labor of love, is increasingly commodified in transnational contexts. The picture of migrant women shouldering the housework and child care of local professonal women may seem like a mutually beneficial arrangement—matching the “needs” of the haves and have‐nots—, but the global care chain ultimately works to maintain the traditional gendered division of labor as well as global inequality. To this trend of globalization of care work, Japan has been an exception; however, how much longer it will be so is now in a question, as the government paves the way for importing domestic labor from abroad. This article focuses on Japanese expat wives in Hong Kong in order to locate Japanese women vis‐à‐vis the global care chain. The narrative analysis on how they decide whether to hire a domestic worker in their home away from home highlights the sociopolitical nature of their supposedly private choices. Some drew on cultural ideal of wifehood and motherhood to rationalize their choice while others referred to racialized or even overtly racist and classist images of foreign domestic workers. A few women spoke against the system itself, showing awareness of its inherent social injustice. All such narratives are never purely personal; their decisions and the rationalization behind them sustain the prevailing discourses of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and class, which, in turn, envelop their attempts at global householding.
On the complexity of the {k}‐packing function problem
Authors: Dobson M. Patricia , Hinrichsen Erica , Leoni Valeria
Published: March 2016

Given a positive integer k, the “‐packing function problem” (PF) is to find in a given graph G, a function f that assigns a nonnegative integer to the vertices of G in such a way that the sum of over each closed neighborhood is at most k and over the whole vertex set of G (weight of f) is maximum. It is known that PF is linear time solvable in strongly chordal graphs and in graphs with clique‐width bounded by a constant. In this paper we prove that PF is NP‐complete, even when restricted to chordal graphs that constitute a superclass of strongly chordal graphs. To find other subclasses of chordal graphs where PF is tractable, we prove that it is linear time solvable for doubly chordal graphs, by proving that it is so in the superclass of dually chordal graphs, which are graphs that have a maximum neighborhood ordering.
Pay‐as‐you‐throw versus recycling fund system in closed‐loop supply chains with alliance recycling
Authors: Ma Zu‐Jun , Hu Shu , Dai Ying , Ye Yu‐Sen
Published: March 2016

This paper develops closed‐loop supply chain models with alliance recycling under two financing systems for recycling used products, that is, pay‐as‐you‐throw (PAYT) and recycling fund (RF). The primary goal behind analytic formulation is to investigate the differences between the two financing systems and determine which one performs better, and to examine the impact of target recycling rate and competition between recycling alliances (RAs) on channel decisions. We find that the PAYT system is always more beneficial to customers and the retailer, while the RF system increases the social welfare. If there is no competition between RAs, which system performs better for the RA depends on the baseline of subsidy fee, while which system performs better for manufacturers depends on their shares. However, if there is competition between RAs, the RF system is favored by the disadvantaged RA. Moreover, the restriction on target recycling rate has an effect on channel decisions.