bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease presenting with prurigo: Circulating T‐helper 2 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis
Authors: Takamura Saori , Suyama Takayuki , Teraki Yuichi
Published: March 2016

We report a case of immunoglobulin G4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) which presented with prurigo on the trunk and extremities. A 66‐year‐old man had a 2‐month history of itchy erythematous papules on his trunk and extremities. Bilateral eyelid swelling and enlargement of the submandibular and parotid glands were also observed. Computed tomography revealed pleural thickening and diffuse pancreatic enlargement. Serum levels of IgG4 were markedly increased. A biopsy specimen obtained from an erythematous papule showed a perivascular inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes with eosinophils in the dermis, whereas a parotid gland biopsy revealed an infiltrate of abundant IgG4‐positive plasma cells. Treatment with prednisolone resulted in improvement of the skin and other lesions along with a decrease in IgG4 serum levels. A flow cytometric assay revealed that percentages of interleukin (IL)‐4‐ and IL‐13‐producing CD4+ T cells were markedly higher in the circulation of the IgG4‐RD patient than in that of healthy subjects. Moreover, those populations dramatically decreased after treatment. Thus, prurigo may be a skin manifestation of IgG4‐RD and T‐helper 2 cells may contribute to the pathogenesis.
Vaginal progesterone as maintenance treatment after an episode of preterm labour (PROMISE) study: a multicentre, double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Palacio M , Cobo T , Antolín E , Ramirez M , Cabrera F , Mozo de Rosales F , Bartha JL , Juan M , Martí A , Oros D , Rodríguez À , Scazzocchio E , Olivares JM , Varea S , Ríos J , Gratacós E ,   the PROMISE Collaborative Group
Published: March 2016

Objective

To evaluate whether maintenance treatment with vaginal progesterone after an arrested preterm labour reduces the incidence of preterm delivery.

Design

Multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial.

Setting

Twelve tertiary care centres in Spain.

Population

A total of 265 women with singleton pregnancy, preterm labour successfully arrested with tocolytic treatment, and cervical length of <25 mm.

Methods

Randomisation was stratified by gestational age (from 24.0 to <31.0 weeks of gestation and from 31.0 to <34.0 weeks of gestation) and centre. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 1 : 1 ratio, to either daily vaginal capsules of 200 mg progesterone or placebo until delivery or 36.6 weeks of gestation, whichever occurred first.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome was delivery before 34.0 and 37.0 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes were discharge‐to‐delivery time, readmissions because of preterm labour, emergency service use, and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Results

From June 2008 through June 2012, 1419 women were screened: 472 met the inclusion criteria and 265 were randomised. The final analysis included 258 women: 126 in the progesterone group and 132 in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the progesterone and placebo groups in terms of delivery at <34 weeks of gestation [9/126 (7.1%) versus 10/132 (7.6%), P = 0.91] or <37 weeks of gestation [36/126 (28.6%) versus 29/132 (22.0%), P = 0.22]. There were no differences observed between groups when considering the two strata of gestational age at inclusion.

Conclusions

A maintenance treatment of 200 mg of daily vaginal progesterone capsules in women discharged home after an episode of arrested preterm labour did not significantly reduce the rate of preterm delivery.

Tweetable abstract

Maintenance progesterone in 258 women after arrested PTL showed no benefit.
Postcomparison of [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the brain after short‐term bright light exposure and no intervention
Authors: Kohno K. , Terao T. , Hatano K. , Kodama K. , Makino M. , Mizokami Y. , Kamei K. , Sakai A. , Shirahama M. , Hirakawa H. , Kashino G. , Matsumoto S. , Mori H. , Ohashi K. , Yano T.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Bright light therapy is widely used as the treatment of choice for seasonal affective disorder. Nonetheless, our understanding of the mechanisms of bright light is limited and it is important to investigate the mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis that bright light exposure may increase [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in olfactory bulb and/or hippocampus which may be associated neurogenesis in the human brain.

Method

A randomized controlled trial comparing 5‐day bright light exposure + environmental light (bright light exposure group) with environmental light alone (no intervention group) was performed for 55 participants in a university hospital. The uptake of [18F]FDG in olfactory bulb and hippocampus using FDG positron emission tomography was compared between two groups.

Results

There was a significant increase of uptake in both right and left olfactory bulb for bright light exposure group vs. no intervention group. After adjustment of log‐transformed illuminance, there remained a significant increase of uptake in the right olfactory bulb.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest a possibility that 5‐day bright light exposure may increase [18F]FDG in the right olfactory bulb of the human brain, suggesting a possibility of neurogenesis. Further studies are warranted to directly confirm this possibility.
Placebo‐controlled pilot trial testing dose titration and intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous routes for ketamine in depression
Authors: Loo C. K. , Gálvez V. , O'Keefe E. , Mitchell P. B. , Hadzi‐Pavlovic D. , Leyden J. , Harper S. , Somogyi A. A. , Lai R. , Weickert C. S. , Glue P.
Published: March 2016

Objective

This pilot study assessed the feasibility, efficacy and safety of an individual dose‐titration approach, and of the intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) routes for treating depression with ketamine.

Method

Fifteen treatment‐refractory depressed participants received ketamine or midazolam (control treatment) in a multiple crossover, double‐blind study. Ketamine was administered by IV (n = 4), IM (n = 5) or SC (n = 6) injection. Dose titration commenced at 0.1 mg/kg, increasing by 0.1 mg/kg up to 0.5 mg/kg, given in separate treatment sessions separated by ≥1 week, with one placebo control treatment randomly inserted. Mood, psychotomimetic and hemodynamic effects were assessed and plasma ketamine concentrations assayed.

Results

Twelve participants achieved response and remission criteria, achieved at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg. All three routes of administration resulted in comparable antidepressant effects. Fewest adverse effects were noted with the SC route. Antidepressant response, adverse effects and ketamine concentrations were dose‐related.

Conclusion

Antidepressant response occurred at a range of doses and at <0.5 mg/kg. The dose‐titration approach is a practical method for optimizing the efficacy – side‐effects trade‐off on an individual patient basis. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence for SC injection as a practical, feasible and efficacious treatment approach.
Former charcoal kiln platforms as microhabitats affecting understorey vegetation in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Carrari Elisa , Ampoorter Evy , Verheyen Kris , Coppi Andrea , Selvi Federico
Published: March 2016

Aim

Production of wood charcoal is an ancient form of anthropogenic forest use that existed for millennia in Mediterranean countries and only vanished in the last century. As a result, thousands of abandoned charcoal kiln platforms still occur in present‐day woodlands. Because of peculiar light and soil properties, the understorey vegetation at these platforms may differ from the surrounding stands. Our study investigated, for the first time, the effects of abandoned kiln platforms on understorey vegetation diversity, composition and biomass production in forests of a Mediterranean area.

Location

Tuscany, central Italy.

Methods

One 3 × 3 m kiln plot on charcoal kiln area and one 3 × 3 m control plot in the surrounding stands were established in 59 representative sites located in three major forest types dominated by evergreen sclerophylls, deciduous oaks and beech. In each plot, diversity and composition of the understorey community were analysed, together with soil factors (content of C, N, C:N ratio, pH) and light conditions (PAR). A 50 × 50 cm frame was randomly placed in each plot to measure biomass production.

Results

The charcoal kiln habitat positively affected understorey diversity and above‐ground biomass, as well as the content of C, C:N ratio, pH and light availability. Significant compositional differences between the two plot types occurred, although to a variable extent for the three forest types. Graminoids were more abundant on kiln plots, and 12 indicator species were found for this habitat in deciduous oak forests. Higher values of cover and biomass showed the lack of detrimental effects of wood charcoal accumulation on understorey productivity.

Conclusions

Long‐term wood charcoal production in Mediterranean woodlands has caused long‐lasting effects on the understorey via persistent changes in abiotic factors. Hence, former kiln platforms represent anthropogenic microhabitats that increase biodiversity and fine‐scale heterogeneity of forest ecosystems. Conservation measures are advocated to preserve them against various external threats.
Measuring Maternal Sensitivity: Cultural Variations in the Measurement of Emotional Availability
Authors: Cheung Hoi Shan , Elliott John M.
Published: March 2016

The validity of the Emotional Availability (EA) sensitivity scale was examined in Singapore. Participants were mainly from middle‐class families of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and “Other” ethnic groups. Study 1 involved 30 mother–child dyads (children aged 4–6). Scores on EA sensitivity and the Maternal Behavior Q‐set were highly correlated, suggesting convergent validity. In Study 2 (164 mother–child dyads), criterion validity was tested by the associations between EA sensitivity and children's vocabulary and likability by peers. Unlike findings from similar studies conducted in the United States, EA sensitivity was negatively correlated with children's likability by female peers, suggesting that measures developed in Western contexts may not be fully applicable locally, or that the meaning of sensitivity may vary across cultures.
Validation of a rapid type 1 diabetes autoantibody screening assay for community-based screening of organ donors to identify subjects at increased risk for the disease
Authors: Wasserfall C , Montgomery E , Yu L , Michels A , Gianani R , Pugliese A , Nierras C , Kaddis J S , Schatz D A , Bonifacio E , Atkinson M A
Published: March 2016

The Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes (nPOD) programme was developed in response to an unmet research need for human pancreatic tissue obtained from individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus and people at increased risk [i.e. autoantibody (AAb)-positive] for the disease. This necessitated the establishment of a type 1 diabetes-specific AAb screening platform for organ procurement organizations (OPOs). Assay protocols for commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (elisas) determining AAb against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), insulinoma-associated protein-2 (IA-2A) and zinc transporter-8 (ZnT8A) were modified to identify AAb-positive donors within strict time requirements associated with organ donation programmes. These rapid elisas were evaluated by the international islet AAb standardization programme (IASP) and used by OPO laboratories as an adjunct to routine serological tests evaluating donors for organ transplantation. The rapid elisas performed well in three IASPs (2011, 2013, 2015) with 98-100% specificity for all three assays, including sensitivities of 64–82% (GADA), 60–64% (IA-2A) and 62–68% (ZnT8A). Since 2009, nPOD has screened 4442 organ donors by rapid elisa; 250 (5·6%) were identified as positive for one AAb and 14 (0.3%) for multiple AAb with 20 of these cases received by nPOD for follow-up studies (14 GADA+, two IA-2A+, four multiple AAb-positive). Rapid screening for type 1 diabetes-associated AAb in organ donors is feasible, allowing for identification of non-diabetic, high-risk individuals and procurement of valuable tissues for natural history studies of this disease.
Weddings in the Town Square: Young Russian Israelis Protest the Religious Control of Marriage in Tel–Aviv
Authors: Prashizky Anna , Remennick Larissa
Published: March 2016

The article discusses alternative wedding ceremonies staged in urban spaces as a statement of protest among immigrant couples that cannot marry in rabbinical courts, because they are not recognized as Jews. These public weddings are organized and sponsored by the Fishka association of young Israeli adults of Russian origin. Our field–work at Fishka included participant observation of its various events during 2013–2014, as well as in–depth interviews with the key informants, promotional materials, and video recordings of their public wedding ceremonies held in the streets of Tel–Aviv in 2009–2011. Embedded in the social history of the city and framed in the concepts of urban diversity and the politics of belonging, our ethnographic data juxtapose “Russian” street weddings with other public festivals sponsored by Fishka and other protest actions by minority groups. Alternative, civil weddings emerge as a form of active and critical citizenship among young Russian immigrants, seeking solidarity of other Israelis in the joint effort to reform the status quo and enable civil alternatives to Orthodox marriage. The active political stance and cultural activism of Fishka members challenge native Israelis’ monopoly on communal public space; young immigrants are thus carving a place for themselves in the iconic sites of the city's public cultural sphere.
Biomechanical, micro‐computed tomographic and immunohistochemical analysis of early osseous integration at titanium implants placed following lateral ridge augmentation using extracted tooth roots
Authors: Becker Kathrin , Drescher Dieter , Hönscheid Ralf , Golubovic Vladimir , Mihatovic Ilja , Schwarz Frank
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To assess biomechanical, micro‐computed tomographic (micro CT) and immunohistochemical characteristics of early osseous integration at titanium implants placed following lateral ridge augmentation using autogenous extracted tooth roots.

Material & Methods

The roots of healthy maxillary premolars (PM) and retromolar cortical autogenous bone (AB) blocks were used for lateral ridge augmentation at chronic‐type defects in the lower quadrants of n = 16 foxhounds. At 12 weeks, titanium implants were inserted and left to heal for another 3 weeks. Osteocalcin (OC) antigen reactivity, removal torque values (RT) and the bone volume per tissue volume (micro CT‐ BV/TV) along the implants were assessed.

Results

Median OC (PM: 6.71 vs. AB: 2.73%), RT (PM: 61.97 vs. AB: 44.8 Ncm) and BV/TV (PM: 0.34 vs. AB: 0.21) values were comparable in both PM and AB groups.

Conclusions

PM and AB grafted sites equally supported the early stages of osseointegration.
Using global sensitivity analysis of demographic models for ecological impact assessment
Authors: Aiello‐Lammens Matthew E. , Akçakaya H. Resit
Published: March 2016

Population viability analysis (PVA) is widely used to assess population‐level impacts of environmental changes on species. When combined with sensitivity analysis, PVA yields insights into the effects of parameter and model structure uncertainty. This helps researchers prioritize efforts for further data collection so that model improvements are efficient and helps managers prioritize conservation and management actions. Usually, sensitivity is analyzed by varying one input parameter at a time and observing the influence that variation has over model outcomes. This approach does not account for interactions among parameters. Global sensitivity analysis (GSA) overcomes this limitation by varying several model inputs simultaneously. Then, regression techniques allow measuring the importance of input‐parameter uncertainties. In many conservation applications, the goal of demographic modeling is to assess how different scenarios of impact or management cause changes in a population. This is challenging because the uncertainty of input‐parameter values can be confounded with the effect of impacts and management actions. We developed a GSA method that separates model outcome uncertainty resulting from parameter uncertainty from that resulting from projected ecological impacts or simulated management actions, effectively separating the 2 main questions that sensitivity analysis asks. We applied this method to assess the effects of predicted sea‐level rise on Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus). A relatively small number of replicate models (approximately 100) resulted in consistent measures of variable importance when not trying to separate the effects of ecological impacts from parameter uncertainty. However, many more replicate models (approximately 500) were required to separate these effects. These differences are important to consider when using demographic models to estimate ecological impacts of management actions.
The future of pelvic floor services in the UK
Authors: Hainsworth A. J. , Schizas A. M. P. , Brown S. , Williams A. B.
Published: March 2016

Aim

The study aimed to determine the current state of UK pelvic floor services and to discuss future strategies.

Method

A questionnaire developed by the Pelvic Floor Society was sent in 2014 to the 175 colorectal units recognized by the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland. Questions included type of centre, frequency of pelvic floor clinics/interdisciplinary joint pelvic floor clinics/multidisciplinary meetings (MDMs) and workload.

Results

Sixty‐seven (38%) centres replied including 75% of units with a consultant who was as member of the Pelvic Floor Society. Of the 67 centres 39% were tertiary centres for pelvic floor surgery (tertiary), 48% performed some pelvic floor surgery (regional) and 13% did not perform any (local). Ninety‐six per cent of tertiary referral centres served a population over 500 000. The mean number of whole time equivalent consultants in tertiary centres was 1.03 and 0.77 in regional centres. Eighty per cent of tertiary centres and 56% of regional centres ran pelvic floor clinics. Eighty‐four per cent of tertiary referral and 75% of regional units held or attended an MDM. Anal ultrasonography, anorectal physiology and proctography were performed in 96% of tertiary centres compared with 50% of non‐tertiary units.

Conclusion

The provision of pelvic floor services includes local, regional and tertiary centres. The overall response rate was low (38%) and biased to centres with a consultant who was a member of the Pelvic Floor Society. Not all regional or tertiary centres held an MDM or a pelvic floor clinic. Given the nature of pelvic floor pathology an integrated service should be aimed at linking different centres and specialities.
Effectiveness of motor interventions in infants with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Authors: Morgan Catherine , Darrah Johanna , Gordon Andrew M , Harbourne Regina , Spittle Alicia , Johnson Robert , Fetters Linda
Published: March 2016

Aim

To systematically review the evidence on the effectiveness of motor interventions for infants from birth to 2 years with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or at high risk of it.

Method

Relevant literature was identified by searching journal article databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Knowledge, and PEDro). Selection criteria included infants between the ages of birth and 2 years diagnosed with, or at risk of, cerebral palsy who received early motor intervention.

Results

Thirty‐four studies met the inclusion criteria, including 10 randomized controlled trials. Studies varied in quality, interventions, and participant inclusion criteria. Neurodevelopmental therapy was the most common intervention investigated either as the experimental or control assignment. The two interventions that had a moderate to large effect on motor outcomes (Cohen's effect size>0.7) had the common themes of child‐initiated movement, environment modification/enrichment, and task‐specific training.

Interpretation

The published evidence for early motor intervention is limited by the lack of high‐quality trials. There is some promising evidence that early intervention incorporating child‐initiated movement (based on motor‐learning principles and task specificity), parental education, and environment modification have a positive effect on motor development. Further research is crucial.
The red edge excitation shift phenomenon can be used to unmask protein structural ensembles: implications for NEMO–ubiquitin interactions
Authors: Catici Dragana A.M. , Amos Hope E. , Yang Yi , van den Elsen Jean M.H. , Pudney Christopher R.
Published: March 2016

To understand complex molecular interactions, it is necessary to account for molecular flexibility and the available equilibrium of conformational states. Only a small number of experimental approaches can access such information. Potentially steady‐state red edge excitation shift (REES) spectroscopy can act as a qualitative metric of changes to the protein free energy landscape (FEL) and the equilibrium of conformational states. First, we validate this hypothesis using a single Trp‐containing protein, NF‐κB essential modulator (NEMO). We provide detailed evidence from chemical denaturation studies, macromolecular crowding studies, and the first report of the pressure dependence of the REES effect. Combination of these data demonstrate that the REES effect can report on the ‘ruggedness’ of the FEL and we present a phenomenological model, based on realistic physical interpretations, for fitting steady‐state REES data to allow quantification of this aspect of the REES effect. We test the conceptual framework we have developed by correlating findings from NEMO ligand‐binding studies with the REES data in a range of NEMO–ligand binary complexes. Our findings shed light on the nature of the interaction between NEMO and poly‐ubiquitin, suggesting that NEMO is differentially regulated by poly‐ubiquitin chain length and that this regulation occurs via a modulation of the available equilibrium of conformational states, rather than gross structural change. This study therefore demonstrates the potential of REES as a powerful tool for tackling contemporary issues in structural biology and biophysics and elucidates novel information on the structure–function relationship of NEMO and key interaction partners.
Predicting the responses of forest distribution and aboveground biomass to climate change underRCPscenarios in southern China
Authors: Dai Erfu , Wu Zhuo , Ge Quansheng , Xi Weimin , Wang Xiaofan
Published: March 2016

In the past three decades, our global climate has been experiencing unprecedented warming. This warming has and will continue to significantly influence the structure and function of forest ecosystems. While studies have been conducted to explore the possible responses of forest landscapes to future climate change, the representative concentration pathways (RCPs) scenarios under the framework of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) have not been widely used in quantitative modeling research of forest landscapes. We usedLANDIS‐II, a forest dynamic landscape model, coupled with a forest ecosystem process model (PnET‐II), to simulate spatial interactions and ecological succession processes underRCPscenarios,RCP2.6,RCP4.5 andRCP8.5, respectively. We also modeled a control scenario of extrapolating current climate conditions to examine changes in distribution and aboveground biomass (AGB) among five different forest types for the period of 2010–2100 in Taihe County in southern China, where subtropical coniferous plantations dominate. The results of the simulation show that climate change will significantly influence forest distribution andAGB. (i) Evergreen broad‐leaved forests will expand into Chinese fir and Chinese weeping cypress forests. The area percentages of evergreen broad‐leaved forests underRCP2.6,RCP4.5,RCP8.5 and the control scenarios account for 18.25%, 18.71%, 18.85% and 17.46% of total forest area, respectively. (ii) The totalAGBunderRCP4.5 will reach its highest level by the year 2100. Compared with the control scenarios, the totalAGBunderRCP2.6,RCP4.5 andRCP8.5 increases by 24.1%, 64.2% and 29.8%, respectively. (iii) The forest totalAGBincreases rapidly at first and then decreases slowly on the temporal dimension. (iv) Even though the fluctuation patterns of totalAGBwill remain consistent under various future climatic scenarios, there will be certain responsive differences among various forest types.
R26‐WntVis reporter mice showing graded response to Wnt signal levels
Authors: Takemoto Tatsuya , Abe Takaya , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Nakao Kazuki , Furuta Yasuhide , Suzuki Hitomi , Takada Shinji , Fujimori Toshihiko , Kondoh Hisato
Published: March 2016

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway plays a major role in the regulation of embryogenesis and organogenesis, where signal strength‐dependent cellular responses are of particular importance. To assess Wnt signal levels in individual cells, and to circumvent the integration site‐dependent bias shown in previous Wnt reporter lines, we constructed a new Wnt signal reporter mouse line R26‐WntVis. Heptameric TCF/LEF1 binding sequences were combined with a viral minimal promoter to confer a graded response to the reporter depending on Wnt signal strengths. The histone H2B‐EGFP fusion protein was chosen as the fluorescent reporter to facilitate single‐cell resolution analyses. This WntVis reporter gene was then inserted into the ROSA26 locus in an orientation opposite to that of the endogenous gene. The R26‐WntVis allele was introduced into Wnt3a−/− and Wnt3avt/− mutant mouse embryos and compared with wild‐type embryos to assess its performance. The R26‐WntVis reporter was activated in known Wnt‐dependent tissues and responded in a graded fashion to signal intensity. This analysis also indicated that the major Wnt activity early in embryogenesis switched from Wnt3 to Wnt3a around E7.5. The R26‐WntVis mouse line will be widely useful for the study of Wnt signal‐dependent processes.
Factors that affect implementation of a nurse staffing directive: results from a qualitative multi‐case evaluation
Authors: Robinson Claire H. , Annis Ann M. , Forman Jane , Krein Sarah L. , Yankey Nicholas , Duffy Sonia A. , Taylor Beth , Sales Anne E.
Published: March 2016

Aim/s

To assess implementation of the Veterans Health Administration staffing methodology directive.

Background

In 2010 the Veterans Health Administration promulgated a staffing methodology directive for inpatient nursing units to address staffing and budget forecasting.

Design

A qualitative multi‐case evaluation approach assessed staffing methodology implementation.

Methods

Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted from March – June 2014 with Nurse Executives and their teams at 21 facilities. Interviews focused on the budgeting process, implementation experiences, use of data, leadership support, and training. An implementation score was created for each facility using a 4‐point rating scale. The scores were used to select three facilities (low, medium and high implementation) for more detailed case studies.

Results/findings

After analysing interview summaries, the evaluation team developed a four domain scoring structure: (1) integration of staffing methodology into budget development; (2) implementation of the Directive elements; (3) engagement of leadership and staff; and (4) use of data to support the staffing methodology process. The high implementation facility had leadership understanding and endorsement of staffing methodology, confidence in and ability to work with data, and integration of staffing methodology results into the budgeting process. The low implementation facility reported poor leadership engagement and little understanding of data sources and interpretation.

Conclusion

Implementation varies widely across facilities. Implementing staffing methodology in facilities with complex and changing staffing needs requires substantial commitment at all organizational levels especially for facilities that have traditionally relied on historical levels to budget for staffing.
Factors influencing patient satisfaction: assessment in outpatients in dermatology department
Authors: De Salins C.A. , Brenaut E. , Misery L. , Roguedas‐Contios A.M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Improving patient satisfaction may lead to better adherence with treatment and consequently to better clinical outcomes for skin diseases.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing patient satisfaction in consultations with dermatologists.

Methods

All patients presenting to the secretariat for a medical consultation received a one‐page anonymous questionnaire to fill at the end of the consultation.

Results

Two hundred forty‐seven questionnaires were completed. Mean age of the population was 43.6 years with 58.4% of women and 41.6% of men in the sample. Patients were generally satisfied with their consultation (77.1%). Patient age was signifcantly related to overall satisfaction (P < 0.01), with greater satisfaction among patients aged 50 years and older. The factors that infuence overall satisfaction the most were quality of life, physician's concerning, interest in the medical problem and attention given to symptoms. Performance of a full‐body skin examination, use of dermatoscopy, performance of a skin biopsy and comfort of the waiting room were additional factors contributing to satisfaction among patients 50 years and older.

Conclusions

Interpersonal skills of dermatologists and attention to the quality of life are important factors in outpatient satisfaction.
Interaction between the moss Physcomitrella patens and Phytophthora: a novel pathosystem for live‐cell imaging of subcellular defence
Authors: OVERDIJK ELYSA J. R. , DE KEIJZER JEROEN , DE GROOT DEBORAH , SCHOINA CHARIKLEIA , BOUWMEESTER KLAAS , KETELAAR TIJS , GOVERS FRANCINE
Published: March 2016

Live‐cell imaging of plant–pathogen interactions is often hampered by the tissue complexity and multicell layered nature of the host. Here, we established a novel pathosystem with the moss Physcomitrella patens as host for Phytophthora. The tip‐growing protonema cells of this moss are ideal for visualizing interactions with the pathogen over time using high‐resolution microscopy. We tested four Phytophthora species for their ability to infect P. patens and showed that P. sojae and P. palmivora were only rarely capable to infect P. patens. In contrast, P. infestans and P. capsici frequently and successfully penetrated moss protonemal cells, showed intracellular hyphal growth and formed sporangia. Next to these successful invasions, many penetration attempts failed. Here the pathogen was blocked by a barrier of cell wall material deposited in papilla‐like structures, a defence response that is common in higher plants. Another common response is the upregulation of defence‐related genes upon infection and also in moss we observed this upregulation in tissues infected with Phytophthora. For more advanced analyses of the novel pathosystem we developed a special set‐up that allowed live‐cell imaging of subcellular defence processes by high‐resolution microscopy. With this set‐up, we revealed that Phytophthora infection of moss induces repositioning of the nucleus, accumulation of cytoplasm and rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, but not of microtubules.
The Provision of Language‐Specific Public Services
Authors: ARMSTRONG ALEX
Published: March 2016

I consider the optimal provision of public services when individuals' effective consumption of the services depends on their proficiency in the language they are provided in. A social planner chooses levels of provision in both a dominant and minority language which are financed by a linear tax on labor income. Minority language speakers make a costly investment to increase their proficiency in the dominant language. In doing so they increase their wage and, possibly, gain access to higher levels of public services provided in the dominant language. The planner faces a trade‐off between compensating minority language speakers for their lower wages and encouraging their integration by rewarding higher levels of dominant language proficiency. Under majority voting, it is possible that the level of public services is increasing in the relative size of the minority language community. This result contrasts with what is typically assumed in the literature on fractionalization and public good provision—that cultural heterogeneity decreases the level of public goods.
Your tools disappear when you stop eating: phenotypic variation in gizzard mass of eiders
Authors: Laursen K. , Møller A. P.
Published: March 2016

Animals show phenotypic flexibility in their digestive system in response to seasonal changes in diet, activity, metabolic rate and reproduction. Many birds are capital breeders that alternate between periods of extensive feeding used for storage and periods of fasting during reproduction. Here, we analyzed the mass of the gizzard (gizzard mass without content) in 885 male and 348 female adult common eiders Somateria mollissima shot by Danish hunters during winter and spring in relation to alternating periods of foraging and fasting during reproduction. Gizzard mass of adult female eiders varied annually from 31 g (N = 25) during reproduction to 119 g during pre‐breeding (N = 314), or almost a four‐fold difference in mass. During winter, both male and female eiders with large gizzard mass had eaten a larger number of preferred blue mussels Mytilus edulis that constitute the main food. Adult female eiders with large gizzard mass had eaten larger but not more mussels. Individual adult females with large gizzard mass that had larger numbers of mussels in their gizzards were in superior body condition. These findings of phenotypic flexibility in gizzard mass show that individuals with larger gizzards consuming larger food items had an advantage in terms of superior body condition, potentially allowing for elevated reproductive success.
Male genital dermatophytosis – clinical features and the effects of the misuse of topical steroids and steroid combinations – an alarming problem in India
Authors: Verma Shyam B. , Vasani Resham
Published: March 2016

Genital dermatophytosis has been considered rare by most Western authorities. However, to the contrary, Indian reports have shown a higher prevalence of genital dermatophytosis due to warm and humid climate, overcrowding and lack of hygiene. A review is presented for 24 cases of male genital dermatophytosis occurring in patients suffering from tinea cruris in India who have been randomly applying various broad‐spectrum steroid antifungal and antibacterial creams containing one or more antifungal and antibiotic in addition to potent corticosteroids, mainly clobetasol propionate. This is such a common phenomenon that Indian dermatologists are witnessing an epidemic of sorts of steroid‐modified dermatophytosis and we hereby share various clinical presentations of dermatophytosis of penis and/or scrotum in patients with tinea cruris who have been applying the above‐mentioned creams. The review also discusses the bleak scenario that prevails in India regarding the drug regulatory affairs that allow such dangerous and irrational combinations that are sold over the counter because of misinterpretation of the law and lax implementation of existing laws.
The rediscovery of ‘the national’ in the 1990s – contexts, new cultural forms and practices in reunified Germany
Authors: Götz Irene
Published: March 2016

This article examines how and in which societal and political contexts nationhood is expressed and symbolised in reunified Germany. This ‘rediscovery’ of nationhood since the 1990s mixes new and old motifs of the cultural repertoire of ‘the national’ for different purposes. Three main contexts triggered a rediscovery of ‘the national’ after 1989: reunification, immigration and the retrenchment of the social state. I argue, by analysing ethnographic material and political discourses, that these contexts, on the one hand, rearticulate old forms of ethnic and cultural nationalism and, on the other hand, create new images and symbols of an open civic society and immigration country. There are ‘playful’ forms, such as campaigns of nation branding, that symbolically include the ‘productive’ and ‘useful’ immigrant into the national project. Moreover, such campaigns serve to legitimatise the downsizing of the national state that – according to a neoliberal attitude – relies on a new community spirit of entrepreneurial, ‘activated’ citizens who ‘help themselves’. Thus, focusing on these pluralised renationalisation processes makes evident how polyvalent ‘the national’ still is. It can be employed by those who attempt to ‘reunite’ the East and West Germans, by businesses to sell their goods and ideas and by almost any political orientation, be it right‐wing or left‐wing.
Factors shaping e‐feedback utilization following electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examinations
Authors: Ashby Samantha E. , Snodgrass Suzanne H. , Rivett Darren A. , Russell Trevor
Published: March 2016

The development of student‐practitioners' practical clinical skills is essential in health professional education. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations are central to the assessment of students performing clinical procedures on simulated patients (actors). While feedback is considered core to learning providing timely, individualised student OSCE feedback is difficult. This study explored the perceptions of students about the multiple factors which shape the utility of e‐feedback following an electronic Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, which utilized iPad and specialised software. The e‐feedback was trialled in four courses within occupational therapy and physiotherapy pre‐professional programs with a cohort of 204 students. Evaluation of student perceptions about feedback was collected using two surveys and eight focus groups. This data showed three factors shaped perceptions of the utility of e‐ Objective Structured Clinical Examinations feedback: 1) timely accessibility within one day of the assessment, 2) feedback demonstrating examiners' academic literacy and 3) feedback orientated to ways of improving future performance of clinical skills. The study found training in the provision of feedback using IPads and software is needed for examiners to ensure e‐feedback meets students' needs for specific, future‐oriented e‐feedback and institutional requirements for justification of grades.
Tracking gastrointestinal transit of solids in aged rats as pharmacological models of chronic dysmotility
Authors: Dalziel J. E. , Young W. , Bercik P. , Spencer N. J. , Ryan L. J. , Dunstan K. E. , Lloyd‐West C. M. , Gopal P. K. , Haggarty N. W. , Roy N. C.
Published: March 2016

Background

Dysmotility in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract often leads to impaired transit of luminal contents leading to symptoms of diarrhea or constipation. The aim of this research was to develop a technique using high resolution X‐ray imaging to study pharmacologically induced aged rat models of chronic GI dysmotility that mimic accelerated transit (diarrhea) or constipation. The 5‐hydroxytryptamine type 4 (5‐HT4) receptor agonist prucalopride was used to accelerate transit, and the opioid agonist loperamide was used to delay transit.

Methods

Male rats (18 months) were given 0, 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg/day prucalopride or loperamide (in dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO) for 7 days by continuous 7‐day dosing. To determine the GI region‐specific effect, transit of six metallic beads was tracked over 12 h using high resolution X‐ray imaging. An established rating scale was used to classify GI bead location in vivo and the distance beads had propagated from the caecum was confirmed postmortem.

Key Results

Loperamide (1 mg/kg) slowed stomach emptying and GI transit at 9 and 12 h. Prucalopride (4 mg/kg) did not significantly alter GI transit scores, but at a dose of 4 mg/kg beads had moved significantly more distal than the caecum in 12 h compared to controls.

Conclusions & Inferences

We report a novel high‐resolution, non‐invasive, X‐ray imaging technique that provides new insights into GI transit rates in live rats. The results demonstrate that loperamide slowed overall transit in aged rats, while prucalopride increased stomach emptying and accelerates colonic transit.
Examining Views and Attitudes About Forgiveness Among Teachers in the Arab World: A Comparison Between Five Communities
Authors: Nasser Ilham , Abu‐Nimer Mohammed
Published: March 2016

This study contributes to the literature on forgiveness attitudes, both on the conceptual and application levels in Arab society contexts. It highlights the importance of examining teachers’ views on forgiveness and suggests various directions for conducting further research and developing interventions to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts and to reduce violence in schools. Social and cultural considerations about forgiveness in hypothetical situations were examined among 490 teachers in elementary and secondary schools in various communities in the Middle East. Data analysis suggested significant differences across communities and religions. Participating teachers from Jordan and the West Bank showed less willingness to forgive, especially in situations related to family and close relationships, while teachers from Lebanon, followed by those from Egypt, showed higher tendencies to forgive. There were no significant differences in demographics such as gender, age, education, or marital status. These results will add to the understanding of social, cultural, and religious factors and their impact on teachers’ attitudes in Arab schools and other Muslim countries.
The effect of board human capital on the performance of technical alliance investments
Authors: Chen Li‐Yu , Lai Jung‐Ho
Published: March 2016

Despite boards of directors’ prominent involvement in strategic alliance (SA) decisions in practice and reports from news media, there is relatively little academic research exploring the board's value for a firm's technical SA investments involving a technical transfer or R&D, which are characterized by a high level of uncertainty, information asymmetry, and extreme complexity. Anchored in the resource dependence theory, this study aims to address this important issue by examining how board of directors contribute their human capital, in the form of relevant strategic experience, may mitigate the core challenges managers face when pursuing technical SAs and thereby influencing their outcomes. Our empirical results show that when outside directors hold more extensive alliance experience, they can better execute their consulting function and improve the firm's technical alliance performance. In addition, directors with experience specifically related to technical alliances also have a positive effect on performance. Last, we find that the impact of alliance experience on technical alliance performance is positively moderated by the size of directors’ prior affiliated companies and their share ownership in the focal firm.
Understanding the formation of supported lipid bilayers via vesicle fusion—A case that exemplifies the need for the complementary method approach (Review)
Authors: Lind Tania K. , Cárdenas Marité
Published: March 2016

In this review, the authors discuss the challenges of studying supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) deposited by vesicle fusion in terms of (1) evaluating SLB formation and quality using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation and (2) analyzing the composition and asymmetry of SLBs composed by lipid mixtures using complementary surface sensitive techniques. An overview of the literature is presented and the inconsistencies on this topic are discussed with the objective to expand beyond simple lipid compositions and set the basis for forming and analyzing SLBs of complex natural lipid extracts formed via the vesicle fusion method. The authors conclude by providing some guidelines to successfully form SLBs of complex lipid mixtures including natural extracts.
Split Bregman multicoil accelerated reconstruction technique: A new framework for rapid reconstruction of cardiac perfusion MRI
Authors: Kamesh Iyer Srikant , Tasdizen Tolga , Likhite Devavrat , DiBella Edward
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

Rapid reconstruction of undersampled multicoil MRI data with iterative constrained reconstruction method is a challenge. The authors sought to develop a new substitution based variable splitting algorithm for faster reconstruction of multicoil cardiac perfusion MRI data.

Methods:

The new method, split Bregman multicoil accelerated reconstruction technique (SMART), uses a combination of split Bregman based variable splitting and iterative reweighting techniques to achieve fast convergence. Total variation constraints are used along the spatial and temporal dimensions. The method is tested on nine ECG‐gated dog perfusion datasets, acquired with a 30‐ray golden ratio radial sampling pattern and ten ungated human perfusion datasets, acquired with a 24‐ray golden ratio radial sampling pattern. Image quality and reconstruction speed are evaluated and compared to a gradient descent (GD) implementation and to multicoil k‐t SLR, a reconstruction technique that uses a combination of sparsity and low rank constraints.

Results:

Comparisons based on blur metric and visual inspection showed that SMART images had lower blur and better texture as compared to the GD implementation. On average, the GD based images had an ∼18% higher blur metric as compared to SMART images. Reconstruction of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) cardiac perfusion images using the SMART method was ∼6 times faster than standard gradient descent methods. k‐t SLR and SMART produced images with comparable image quality, though SMART was ∼6.8 times faster than k‐t SLR.

Conclusions:

The SMART method is a promising approach to reconstruct good quality multicoil images from undersampled DCE cardiac perfusion data rapidly.
National Sport Governing Bodies and Sport Tourism: Agency and Resources
Authors: Kennelly Millicent , Toohey Kristine
Published: March 2016

This paper employs agency theory and resource dependence theory to explore relationships between Australian national sport governing bodies and commercial tour operators. These relationships produce domestic and international travel packages to major sport events and can provide commercial revenue to sport governing bodies. The research identifies agency challenges inherent in the relationships and how these are managed by sport governing bodies. Findings indicate that while sport governing bodies and tour operators interact to generate revenue, the two parties have divergent attitudes toward risk, particularly risks associated with pursuit of profit. The sport governing bodies manage interaction with tour operators through control of event tickets, a perishable and finite resource. The research contributes insights into the challenges confronting sport governing bodies attempting to diversify revenue into commercial sport tourism, as well as the underexplored role of sport bodies in facilitating major event tourism.
Sandy ripples point to Mars's past
Authors: Hand Eric
Published: March 2016

Unique dune features emerge from rover's campaign in the sand.
Immunity goes local
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: March 2016

The temporary immune command posts that form near infections or inflammation draw clinical interest.