bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patterns of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV drug resistance over time in the Stratall ANRS 12110/ESTHER trial in Cameroon
Authors: Meresse M , March L , Kouanfack C , Bonono R‐C , Boyer S , Laborde‐Balen G , Aghokeng A , Suzan‐Monti M , Delaporte E , Spire B , Carrieri M‐P , Laurent C ,   Stratall ANRS 12110/ESTHER Study Group
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The emergence of HIV drug resistance is a crucial issue in Africa, where second‐line antiretroviral therapy (ART) is limited, expensive and complex. We assessed the association between adherence patterns and resistance emergence over time, using an adherence measure that distinguishes low adherence from treatment interruptions, in rural Cameroon.

Methods

We performed a cohort study among patients receiving nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)‐based ART in nine district hospitals, using data from the Stratall trial (2006−2010). Genotypic mutations associated with antiretroviral drug resistance were assessed when 6‐monthly HIV viral loads were > 5000 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL. ART adherence data were collected using face‐to‐face questionnaires. Combined indicators of early (1−3 months) and late (6 months to t − 1; t is the time point when the resistance had been detected) adherence were constructed. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox models were used to assess the association between adherence patterns and early (at 6 months) and late (after 6 months) resistance emergence, respectively.

Results

Among 456 participants (71% women; median age 37 years), 45 developed HIV drug resistance (18 early and 27 late). Early low adherence (< 80%) and treatment interruptions (> 2 days) were associated with early resistance [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 8.51 (1.30–55.61) and 5.25 (1.45–18.95), respectively]. Early treatment interruptions were also associated with late resistance [adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 3.72 (1.27–10.92)].

Conclusions

The emergence of HIV drug resistance on first‐line NNRTI‐based regimens was associated with different patterns of adherence over time. Ensuring optimal early adherence through specific interventions, adequate management of drug stocks, and viral load monitoring is a clinical and public health priority in Africa.
Contribution of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells to the morphological changes in the bladder after partial outlet obstruction: A preliminary study
Authors: Kanno Yukiko , Mitsui Takahiko , Sano Hiroshi , Kitta Takeya , Moriya Kimihiko , Nonomura Katsuya
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To investigate the contribution of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells to the changes in bladder morphology in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Methods

Allogenic bone marrow cells were transplanted from transgenic rats expressing green fluorescent protein into female Sprague–Dawley rats 1 day after their bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells had been destroyed by irradiation. This generated chimeric rats in which green fluorescent protein labeled bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells replaced host bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells. The animals received partial bladder outlet obstruction or sham surgery 6 weeks later. The animals were killed 6 weeks after the surgery, and bladder tissue was prepared for immunofluorescence with antibodies against a urothelium marker (AE1/AE3), a myofibroblast marker (vimentin), a smooth muscle marker and green fluorescent protein.

Results

More labeled bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were found in the partial bladder outlet obstruction group than in the in the sham group. Most bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were present around the basement membrane (laminin) and lamina propria below the urothelium. Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were also found in the urothelium layer, and some of them were double‐stained with green fluorescent protein and AE1/AE3. Some bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, which were located in the interstitial tissue, were double‐stained with green fluorescent protein and vimentin. Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells, which migrated into the smooth muscle layer, showed fusiform morphology, and some were double‐stained with green fluorescent protein and smooth muscle marker.

Conclusions

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells home to the partial bladder outlet obstruction bladder, and these cells have the potential to differentiate into the several components of bladder tissue including the urothelium, myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Thus, bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells contribute to the morphological changes of the bladder in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction.
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Intrusive Thoughts, and Disruption Are Longitudinally Related to Elevated Cortisol and Catecholamines Following a Major Hurricane
Authors: Ironson Gail , Kumar Mahendra , Greenwood Debra , Schneiderman Neil , Cruess Dean , Kelsch Courtney B. , Wynings Christina , Wellens Rod , Benight Charles , Burnett Kent , Fernandez Jesus B. , Baum Andrew
Published: March 2014

This is the first study of a natural disaster (Hurricane Andrew) in which psychological and neuroendocrine data were collected 1–4 and 9–12 months afterward. Data were assessed using a community sample (N = 111) of hurricane survivors. Elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms (intrusive and avoidant thoughts) and stress hormones that initially were twice normal control values decreased significantly over time and returned to levels of non‐hurricane controls by the end of the year. In contrast to previous reports, suggesting low cortisol in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our sample had elevated cortisol, perhaps due to the nature of the trauma (i.e., natural disaster vs. crime, rape or war), our timing, or getting samples a few months after the event. In addition, the decrease in stress hormones over the year (cortisol and epinephrine [E]) was related to a decrease in psychological symptoms of trauma. Cortisol and norepinephrine (NE) were both related to the hurricane experience as well (damage and rebuilding; damage and disruption). Gender differences showed women reported more distress, but men had higher NE and cortisol. Finally, cortisol correlated most consistently both cross sectionally and longitudinally with reported days ill.
Maastricht Social Protocol Revisited: Origins of theEuropean Industrial Relations System
Authors: Nakano Satoshi
Published: March 2014

The Protocol and the Agreement on Social Policy annexed to the Treaty onEuropeanUnion (the so‐called ‘social protocol’) stipulated the procedural rules of theEuropean system of industrial relations about twenty years ago. It has been pointed out, however, that the procedure has such distinct features as centricity of cross‐sectoral agreements and a close nexus between legislation and negotiations, which most of the national social systems lack. This article locates the origins of these features in the historical processes towards the 1991 social partners' agreement through some primary and secondary documents as well as a series of structured questionnaire studies and hearings. It is discussed that, contrary to what some conventional interpretations assume, the social protocol was an original model of horizontal subsidiarity, with actors' different preferences on the desirability of labour market order governed by both legislation and negotiations in its background.
Labial soft tissue volume evaluation of different techniques for ridge preservation after tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Schneider David , Schmidlin Patrick R. , Philipp Alexander , Annen Beat M. , Ronay Valerie , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Attin Thomas , Jung Ronald E.
Published: March 2014

Objective

To volumetrically evaluate soft tissue changes of different ridge preservation techniques compared to spontaneous healing 6 months after tooth extraction.

Materials and Methods

In each of 40 patients, one single‐rooted tooth was extracted and four treatment modalities were randomly assigned to the following groups (n = 10 each): A) ß‐tricalcium‐phosphate‐particles with a polylactid coating (ß‐TCP), B) demineralized bovine bone mineral with 10% collagen covered with a collagen matrix (DBBM‐C/CM), C) DBBM with 10% collagen covered with an autogenous soft tissue punch graft (DBBM‐C/PG), D) spontaneous healing (control). Impressions were obtained before extraction and 6 months later, casts were digitized and volumetric changes at the buccal soft tissues were determined. One‐way anova was performed and pair‐wise Wilcoxon rank sum test with Bonferroni‐Holm method was applied for comparison of differences between two groups.

Results

After 6 months, horizontal contour changes accounted for −1.7 ± 0.7 mm (A), −1.2 ± 0.5 mm (B), −1.2 ± 0.7 mm (C) and −1.8 ± 0.8 mm (D). None of the group comparisons reached statistical significance.

Conclusions

Six months after tooth extraction all groups revealed a horizontal volume change in the buccal soft tissue contour. Application of DBBM‐C/CM or DBBM‐C/PG reduced the amount of volume resorption compared to ß‐TCP or spontaneous healing without reaching statistically significant difference.
GPs' perspectives on the diagnostic work‐up in patients with shoulder pain: a qualitative study
Authors: Ottenheijm Ramon P. G. , Hesselmans Nicolle J. J. M. , Kemper Anouk , Moser Albine , de Bie Rob A. , Dinant Geert‐Jan , Cals Jochen W. L.
Published: March 2014

Rationale, aims and objectives

The diagnostic work‐up of patients with shoulder pain in general practice is complex. General practitioners' (GPs) guidelines advise a pragmatic diagnostic work‐up in which additional imaging has a limited role. However, diagnostic ultrasounds are increasingly ordered by GPs, which seems to reflect complexity in management of shoulder pain. This study aimed to explore GPs' perspectives on the diagnostic work‐up of patients with shoulder pain.

Method

This study has a qualitative exploratory design with an inductive approach and was carried out in Dutch general practice. The study population consisted of 18 Dutch GPs who were sampled purposefully with a spread in clinical experience and ordering diagnostic ultrasound. Data were gathered by means of semi‐structured interviews and analysed following principles of the constant comparative method.

Results

Three main categories with subcategories emerged that captured the diagnostic work‐up of shoulder pain: variety in diagnostic classifications [(non‐)specific diagnosis and interdisciplinary differences], establishing strategies for diagnostic work‐up (use of existing tools and motives to deviate from existing tools), and strategies dealing with diagnostic uncertainties (accepting diagnostic uncertainties, diagnostic imaging tests, and interdisciplinary consultation and referral).

Conclusions

Despite the availability of evidence‐based shoulder guidelines, GPs experience uncertainties during diagnostic work‐up and apply different strategies when dealing with these uncertainties. At some point, GPs as well as patients seem to have a need for a specific diagnosis. Currently, there appears to be little agreement if, or in which phase of shoulder pain, diagnostic ultrasound is useful or indicated.
Esthetic Management of Developmental Enamel Opacities in Young Permanent Maxillary Incisors with Two Microabrasion Techniques—A Split Mouth Study
Authors: Sheoran Neha , Garg Shalini , Damle Satyawan G. , Dhindsa Abhishek , Opal Shireen , Gupta Shivani
Published: March 2014

Purpose

This study evaluated the effectiveness of two microabrasion materials for the removal of developmental enamel opacities in young permanent maxillary incisors.

Materials and Methods

Using a split‐mouth study design, 37% phosphoric acid and 18% hydrochloric acid were used for removal of visually unesthetic developmental enamel opacities of young permanent maxillary anterior teeth from 25 subjects (11–13 years old) by two microabrasion techniques for 10 and 5 seconds respectively. This procedure was repeated four to six times during each clinical appointment. The subjects were evaluated about their satisfaction with the treatment. Two blinded evaluators appraised both sides of the mouth using visual analog scale. The records were analyzed using Wilcoxon test.

Results

The majority of the subjects (approximately 97%) reported satisfaction at the end of the treatment (p = 0.001**). Statistical significant reduction in enamel opacities was observed by evaluators immediately after microabrasion technique in group 1 (81.75%) and in group 2 (81.4%) (p < 0.002). Reduction was increased to 97.2% in group 1 and 96.7% in group 2 after 1 month.

Conclusions

Both microabrasion techniques showed comparative highly significant successful results in esthetic management of enamel opacities clinically and in terms of subject's satisfaction.

Clinical Significance

Developmental enamel defects like diffuse opacities due to high‐fluoride content in water and demarcated opacities associated with positive dental history and are commonly seen in young permanent maxillary incisors of both boys and girls in their developing years. They are aware of unesthetic appearance of these newly erupted permanent anterior teeth and become highly motivated when informed about minimally invasive, patient friendly, cost‐effective, and safe treatment like microabrasion for esthetic improvement. Both noninvasive microabrasion techniques using 37% phosphoric acid (group 1) and 18% hydrochloric acid (group 2) show comparatively high success results in treating enamel defects successfully to the subject's satisfaction along with their parents.
Validation of otolith daily increments in early juveniles of shanny Lipophrys pholis
Authors: Carvalho M. G. , Moreira A. S. , Moreira C. , Queiroga H. , Santos P. T. , Correia A. T.
Published: March 2014

To assess the periodicity of micro‐increment formation in otoliths of Lipophrys pholis, 90 early juveniles were immersed in alizarin red S or tetracycline hydrochloride for 24 h and sacrificed after 10, 20 and 30 days. The number of micro‐increments viewed under light microscopy was significantly related to the duration of the experimental period, and the slopes of the linear regressions were not significantly different from 1. This study indicates that micro‐increments in sagittae were deposited daily and can be used as reliable sources of age information for L. pholis.
Metabolic and embryonic responses to terrestrial incubation of Fundulus grandis embryos across a temperature gradient
Authors: Brown C. A. , Green C. C.
Published: March 2014

This study simulated terrestrial incubation and measured rates of embryogenesis, nitrogen elimination, heart rate, lactate production, maximum length of time a hatch could be delayed and developmental responses of terrestrially incubated Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis embryos at temperatures ranging from 20 to 30° C. Temperature had a positive relationship with rate of embryogenesis, but a negative relationship with extent of extended incubation. The 30° C treatment reached embryonic maturity 6 days before the 20° C treatment. Embryos hatched between intervals of 240 and 336, 144 and 288, 96 and 240 and 96 and 192 h after reaching developmental maturity for the 20, 23, 26 and 30° C treatments. Significantly higher concentrations of total nitrogen, in the form of ammonia and urea, were recorded in the 20 and 30° C treatments. While temperature significantly influenced lactate and ATP concentrations, no significant influence of time of incubation was detected. Terrestrial embryos displayed an ability to develop quickly during embryogenesis and prolong incubation for an extended period of time after reaching embryonic maturity. This adaptation may be a life‐history trait used to minimize asynchronous hatching, cannibalism and cohort size heterogeneity.
Intermittent Drying of Nopal (Opuntia Ficus Indica) in a Fluidized Bed Pilot Dryer Adapted with Revolving Chambers
Authors: Vega–Valencia Y. , Cruz y Victoria M.T. , Vizcarra Mendoza M.G. , Anaya Sosa I.
Published: March 2014

Intermittent drying is a novel method for improving the food drying kinetics, enhancing product quality and reducing energy consumption per unit of moisture removed at the lab scale. However, the drying protocol itself makes it difficult to implement it at the pilot plant scale without important energy loses. Taking this into account, an accessory for a fluidized bed pilot dryer was developed using an arrangement of revolving chambers that could increase the efficiency of the drying process; nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) was employed as a food material. Several drying experiments were conducted at the laboratory scale in order to establish the most appropriate drying condition to be further tested at the pilot plant scale. No statistical difference was observed between the drying curves obtained in the laboratory and pilot plant dryers under conventional and intermittent drying conditions, which means that the arrangement of chambers guarantees equal and consistent treatment of the solid. Interestingly, the results indicate that a drying protocol of nopal size “E” using the adapted fluidized bed dryer with tempering cycles at pilot plant scale can be regarded as an excellent and cost‐effective methodology for processing vegetables without chemical quality losses.

Practical Applications

In this work, the performance of a novel fluidized bed dryer, adapted with an arrangement of revolving chambers specially designed to increase the efficiency of intermittent drying at the pilot plant scale, was evaluated. Cubes of nopal (Opuntia ficus indica) was chosen to take advantage of a biomaterial with high nutrimental characteristics. It was concluded that the arrangement of the equipment was able to maintain an equal and consistent treatment of the solid that in consequence, lead to a high chemical quality of the final dried product, comparable to that obtained at the laboratory scale. Additionally, the results indicate that the scaling of the process in the dryer prototype was highly efficient as it allowed to increase 300% the amount of biomaterial to be processed in one single drying operation. It was proposed that the use of the dryer adaptor has a great potential to increase the efficiency of drying processes of other biomaterials.
Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Physicochemical, Sensory and Microbiological Properties of Spray‐Dried Sea Buckthorn Fruit Juice Powder
Authors: Selvamuthukumaran Meenakshisundaram , Khanum Farhath
Published: March 2014

Sea buckthorn fruit juice powder was developed in order to assess the shelf stability by spray drying process. The developed product was packed in paper foil polyethylene pouch, sealed under different modified atmosphere packaging conditions, viz. air, CO2, N2 and vacuum, and stored at room temperature. Physicochemical properties of juice powder show that the sugars significantly increased, while vitamins C and E, total phenols, carotenoids and anthocyanins significantly reduced during storage at the above conditions. Moisture, bulk density, solubility, dispersibility and browning exhibited slight insignificant changes. Sensory properties of stored juice powder show that the vacuum‐packed samples recorded highest organoleptic scores and air‐packed samples showed least scores. Microbiological properties show that the product exhibited nil microbial growth and they were acceptable up to a period of 8 months. Vacuum‐stored samples exhibited superior qualities when compared to air‐, CO2‐ and N2‐stored samples in terms of physicochemical, sensory and microbiological properties.

Practical Applications

Sea buckthorn fruit juice can be converted into powder form and can be utilized throughout the year because of spray drying process. The product stability can be enhanced by adopting modified atmosphere packing as a novel technique; therefore, this study will help the entrepreneur to successfully utilize this product by reconstituting it into juice and further it into products such as jam, ready to serve and squash during off‐season period also. This study will find a path to market the product successfully because of its higher shelf stability.
Reading the Marriage Plot
Authors: Harrison Mary‐Catherine
Published: March 2014

Novels from the 18th and 19th centuries have powerfully shaped modern conceptions of marriage and family life. With the development of the British realist novel, the courtship and marriage plot took on a new cultural prominence that “naturalized” a deeply cultural institution and normalized a particular set of heterosexual gender roles. The cultural significance of these novels can be measured by their reverberations in contemporary popular culture and their impact on modern life stories. Jane Austen's (1813/2002)Pride and Prejudiceand Helen Fielding's (1996) popular adaptation of Austen's novel,Bridget Jones's Diary, offer family theorists and researchers a case study on the influence of canonical plot structures on modern stories about marriage.
Estimation of Life Cycle Material Costs of Cadmium Telluride– and Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide–Photovoltaic Absorber Materials based on Life Cycle Material Flows
Authors: Marwede Max , Reller Armin
Published: March 2014

Chalcogenide and chalcopyrite photovoltaic (PV) technologies are highly suitable for solar energy conversion because of their high efficiency, long‐term stable performance, and low‐cost production. However, the absorber materials that are used, such as indium, gallium, and tellurium, are regarded as critical, and their limited availability can hinder market expansion. Therefore, we assess how material efficiency measures along the PV module's life cycle can reduce the net material demand of the absorber materials and thus the material costs. In order to estimate the material flows, we developed a closed‐loop model for the life cycle representing the phasesmodule production,module collection,module recycling, andrefinement. In order to reflect the variety and uncertainty in each phase, we compose three different efficiency scenarios by varying material efficiency measures on process and product levels. For each scenario, we compute the life cycle material costs based on the computed material flows. The results show that, in the long term, the material demand can be reduced down to one fourth of the required feedstock for module manufacturing; that is, three fourths of the absorber material stays in the life cycle in a very efficient scenario. Thus, total material costs along the life cycle could be significantly reduced, because the costs for material recycling are lower than the costs for “new” technical‐grade material. This reduction in life cycle material costs means that cadmium telluride– and copper indium gallium diselenide–PV can still be financially viable even if the price of the absorber materials increases significantly. Hence those technologies will still be competitive against crystalline silicon PV in the mid to long term.
Interleukin‐6, but Not C‐Reactive Protein, Predicts the Occurrence of Cardiovascular Events after Drug‐Eluting Stent for Unstable Angina
Authors: CHEN SHAO‐LIANG , LIU YAN , LIN LING , YE FEI , ZHANG JUN‐JIE , TIAN NAI‐LIANG , ZHANG JUN‐XIA , HU ZUO‐YING , XU TIAN , LI LI , XU BO , LATIF FAISAL , NGUYEN THACH
Published: March 2014

Background

Evidences concerning the predictive value of baseline inflammatory biomarkers after drug‐eluting stent (DES) placement are controversial, mainly because the use of statin was not precisely defined.

Objectives

The aim was to compare the differences between interleukin (IL)‐6 and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) in predicting cardiovascular events 2 years after stenting in patients with unstable angina (UA) who had not received statin pretreatment.

Methods

There were 1,896 patients included in this study. The primary end‐point was the occurrence of cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary endpoints included all‐cause death, stent thrombosis (ST), target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR), or a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 2 years after the procedure.

Results

During the median follow‐up of 2.77 years, 96 patients experienced cardiac death (n = 37, 1.95%) or MIs (n = 70, 3.69%), 94 TLRs, 123 TVRs, 215 MACEs, and 21 definite or probable STs. In multivariable Cox proportional‐hazards models and discrimination analysis, elevated IL‐6 levels were superior to hs‐CRP in predicting the occurrence not only of cardiac death or MI (HR 1.337, 95% CI 1.234–1.449, P < 0.001), but also of MACE and late‐occurring definite/probable ST. Incorporation of IL‐6 into conventional variables resulted in significantly increased c statistic for the prediction of end‐points, with the exception of TLR and TVR.

Conclusion

Elevated IL‐6 levels were independent predictors of cardiac death or MI, MACE, and late ST in patients with UA who had not received statin pretreatment, suggesting a role for IL‐6 in the inflammatory risk assessment. Pathological studies have confirmed that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Serum levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), matrix metalloproteinase, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, the complement components C3a or C5a, and interleukin(IL)‐6 were reported to provide strong and independent indications of the risk for future cardiovascular (CV) events, even among individuals who are thought to be free of vascular disease. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:142–154)
Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Patients with Aortic Dissection
Authors: DIVCHEV DIMITAR , TURAN GÖKMEN , REHDERS TIM , NIENABER CHRISTOPH A.
Published: March 2014

Background

We report on feasibility, safety, and mid‐term outcomes of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) in hypertensive patients after endovascular treatment for aortic dissection.

Methods

Six patients were subjected to RSD after receiving endovascular treatment for complicated aortic dissection. Between April 2011 and May 2012, RSD procedure was applied for persistent hypertension despite maximized antihypertensive drug therapy using the Symplicity® catheter system. Endovascular aortic treatment was performed for malperfusion or rapid expansion by virtue of a stent‐graft system (Valiant®, n = 5) or an open cell stent (Smart®; n = 1).

Results

Systolic blood pressure (BP) was 189.8 ± 32.2 mmHg and diastolic BP 96.2 ± 11.1 mmHg at baseline on 24 hours readings; after RSD, a successful reduction to 129.5 ± 11.8 mmHg (P = 0.004) for systolic and to 77.7 ± 10.7 (P = 0.004) for diastolic BP at 3‐month follow‐up was documented on ambulatory 24‐hour BP readings with sustained reduction at 1‐year follow‐up (127.2 ± 11.8 mmHg [P = 0.002] and 77.7 ± 7.7 [P = 0.011]).

Conclusion

RSD using the Symplicity® catheter system is feasible and safe in hypertensive patients previously subjected to endovascular repair for complicated aortic dissection. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:334–339)
The Self-Estimation Index of Erectile Function-No Sexual Intercourse (SIEF-NS): A Multidimensional Scale to Assess Erectile Dysfunction in the Absence of Sexual Intercourse
Authors: Yuan Yiming , Zhang Zhichao , Gao Bing , Peng Jing , Cui Wanshou , Song Weidong , Xin Zhongcheng , Guo Yinglu
Published: March 2014

Introduction

A new concept of Erectile Dysfunction with No Sexual Intercourse (ED-NS) is proposed to acknowledge the subpopulation of patients who are unable to achieve or sustain an erection in the absence of sexual intercourse. Since the commonly used ED diagnostic tool, International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire is not able to adequately assess the erectile function (EF) in the absence of intercourse, the researchers developed a new 10-item questionnaire to better evaluate the EF in this special patient subpopulation: Self-Estimation Index of Erectile Function-No Sexual Intercourse (SIEF-NS).

Aim

To validate the reliability, sensitivity and specificity of SIEF-NS.

Methods

The study was carried out in three phases. Phase one applied component analysis to 126 ED-NS patients to search for the primary factors and Cronbach's alpha standardized statistic values for SIEF-NS. Phase two applied discriminant analysis to participants' (212 ED-NS patients and 193 normal controls) scores on each question item, each factor and the overall 10-item questionnaire. Phase three investigated SIEF-NS's capability of evaluating treatment effect on 41 ED-NS patients.

Main Outcome Measures

Reliability, sensitivity and specificity were defined and used to evaluate the performance of SIEF-NS.

Results

EF by autonomic response (factor 1) and EF with potential sexual partners (factor 2) are the two primary factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.0. High degree of internal consistency was observed for the two factors and the 10-item questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha values: 0.871 for 10 items, 0.84 for factor 1, and 0.823 for factor 2). SIEF-NS demonstrated adequate construct validity, high sensitivity (0.925) and specificity (0.829) to diagnose ED-NS. The EF scores of ED-NS patients post treatment showed significant improvement (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

SIEF-NS can be used to identify ED-NS patients and detect treatment-related EF changes in ED-NS patients.
Religiosity and Spirituality as Resiliency Resources: Moderation, Mediation, or Moderated Mediation?
Authors: Reutter Kirby K. , Bigatti Silvia M.
Published: March 2014

A growing body of literature indicates a modestly positive association between religiosity and spirituality as predictors of psychological health (anxiety and depression), suggesting they serve as personal resiliency factors. The purpose of this study was to expand our understanding of the relationships among these constructs. Using Lazarus's Transactional Model of Stress as a theoretical framework, we examined: (a) the extent to which spirituality and religiosity mediated and/or moderated the association between perceived stress and psychological health and (b) whether there was a moderated (religiosity) mediation (spirituality) between stress and health. The Perceived Stress Scale, Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale, Religious Commitment Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered to measure the following constructs: stress, spirituality, religiosity, and psychological health. This study utilized a nonexperimental, quantitative, correlational, cross‐sectional, moderated‐mediation design, and included a convenience sample of 331 research participants. Both spirituality and religiosity moderated stress and health. However, only spirituality partially mediated the relationship. In addition, religiosity did not moderate the mediating effects of spirituality. Overall, this study confirmed the role of both religiosity and spirituality as effective resiliency resources.
Atom‐probe analyses of nanodiamonds from Allende
Authors: Heck Philipp R. , Stadermann Frank J. , Isheim Dieter , Auciello Orlando , Daulton Tyrone L. , Davis Andrew M. , Elam Jeffrey W. , Floss Christine , Hiller Jon , Larson David J. , Lewis Josiah B. , Mane Anil , Pellin Michael J. , Savina Michael R. , Seidman David N. , Stephan Thomas
Published: March 2014

Atom‐probe tomography (APT) is currently the only analytical technique that, due to its spatial resolution and detection efficiency, has the potential to measure the carbon isotope ratios of individual nanodiamonds. We describe three different sample preparation protocols that we developed for the APT analysis of meteoritic nanodiamonds at sub‐nm resolution and present carbon isotope peak ratios of meteoritic and synthetic nanodiamonds. The results demonstrate an instrumental bias associated with APT that needs to be quantified and corrected to obtain accurate isotope ratios. After this correction is applied, this technique should allow determination of the distribution of 12C/13C ratios in individual diamond grains, solving the decades‐old question of the origin of meteoritic nanodiamonds: what fraction, if any, formed in the solar system and in presolar environments? Furthermore, APT could help us identify the stellar sources of any presolar nanodiamonds that are detected.
Metal phases in ordinary chondrites: Magnetic hysteresis properties and implications for thermal history
Authors: Gattacceca J. , Suavet C. , Rochette P. , Weiss B. P. , Winklhofer M. , Uehara M. , Friedrich Jon M.
Published: March 2014

Magnetic properties are sensitive proxies to characterize FeNi metal phases in meteorites. We present a data set of magnetic hysteresis properties of 91 ordinary chondrite falls. We show that hysteresis properties are distinctive of individual meteorites while homogeneous among meteorite subsamples. Except for the most primitive chondrites, these properties can be explained by a mixture of multidomain kamacite that dominates the induced magnetism and tetrataenite (both in the cloudy zone as single‐domain grains, and as larger multidomain grains in plessite and in the rim of zoned taenite) dominates the remanent magnetism, in agreement with previous microscopic magnetic observations. The bulk metal contents derived from magnetic measurements are in agreement with those estimated previously from chemical analyses. We evidence a decreasing metal content with increasing petrologic type in ordinary chondrites, compatible with oxidation of metal during thermal metamorphism. Types 5 and 6 ordinary chondrites have higher tetrataenite content than type 4 chondrites. This is compatible with lower cooling rates in the 650–450 °C interval for higher petrographic types (consistent with an onion‐shell model), but is more likely the result of the oxidation of ordinary chondrites with increasing metamorphism. In equilibrated chondrites, shock‐related transient heating events above approximately 500 °C result in the disordering of tetrataenite and associated drastic change in magnetic properties. As a good indicator of the amount of tetrataenite, hysteresis properties are a very sensitive proxy of the thermal history of ordinary chondrites, revealing low cooling rates during thermal metamorphism and high cooling rates (e.g., following shock reheating or excavation after thermal metamorphism). Our data strengthen the view that the poor magnetic recording properties of multidomain kamacite and the secondary origin of tetrataenite make equilibrated ordinary chondrites challenging targets for paleomagnetic study.
The secondary history of Sutter's Mill CM carbonaceous chondrite based on water abundance and the structure of its organic matter from two clasts
Authors: Beck P. , Quirico E. , Garenne A. , Yin Q.‐Z. , Bonal L. , Schmitt B. , Montes‐Hernandez G. , Montagnac G. , Chiriac R. , Toche F.
Published: March 2014

Sutter's Mill is a regolith breccia composed of both heavily altered clasts and more reduced xenoliths. Here, we present a detailed investigation of fragments of SM18 and SM51. We have characterized the water content and the mineralogy by infrared (IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the structure of the organic compounds by Raman spectroscopy, to characterize the secondary history of the clasts, including aqueous alteration and thermal metamorphism. The three methods used in this study suggest that SM18 was significantly heated. The amount of water contained in phyllosilicates derived by TGA is estimated to be approximately 3.2 wt%. This value is quite low compared with other CM chondrites that typically range from 6 to 12 wt%. The infrared transmission spectra of SM18 show that the mineralogy of the sample is dominated by a mixture of phyllosilicate and olivine. SM18 shows an intense peak at 11.2 μm indicative of olivine (Fig. 1). If we compare SM18 with other CM and metamorphosed CM chondrites, it shows one of the most intense olivine signatures, and therefore a lower proportion of phyllosilicate minerals. The Raman results tend to support a short‐duration heating hypothesis. In the ID/IG versus FWHM‐D diagram, SM18 appears to be unusual compared to most CM samples, and close to the metamorphosed CM chondrites Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91008 and PCA 02012. In the case of SM51, infrared spectroscopy reveals that olivine is less abundant than in SM18 and the 10 μm silicate feature is more similar to that of moderately altered CM chondrites (like Murchison or Queen Alexandra Range [QUE] 97990). Raman spectroscopy does not clearly point to a heating event for SM51 in the ID/IG versus FWHM‐D diagram. However, TGA analysis suggests that SM51 was slightly dehydrated as the amount of water contained in phyllosilicates is approximately 3.7 wt%, which is higher than SM18, but still lower than phyllosilicate water contents in weakly altered CM chondrites. Altogether, these results confirm that fragments with different secondary histories are present within the Sutter's Mill fall. The dehydration that is clearly observed for SM18 is attributed to a short‐duration heating based on the similarity of its Raman spectra to that of PCA 91008. Because of the brecciated nature of Sutter's Mill and the presence of adjacent clasts with different thermal histories, impacts that can efficiently fragment and heat porous materials are the preferred heat source.
Two refractory Wild 2 terminal particles from a carrot‐shaped track characterized combining MIR/FIR/Raman microspectroscopy and FE‐SEM/EDS analyses
Authors: Rotundi A. , Rietmeijer F. J. M. , Ferrari M. , Della Corte V. , Baratta G. A. , Brunetto R. , Dartois E. , Djouadi Z. , Merouane S. , Borg J. , Brucato J. R. , Le Sergeant d'Hendecourt L. , Mennella V. , Palumbo M. E. , Palumbo P.
Published: March 2014

We present the analyses results of two bulk Terminal Particles, C2112,7,171,0,0 and C2112,9,171,0,0, derived from the Jupiter‐family comet 81P/Wild 2 returned by the Stardust mission. Each particle embedded in a slab of silica aerogel was pressed in a diamond cell. This preparation, as expected, made it difficult to identify the minerals and organic materials present in these particles. This problem was overcome using a combination of three different analytical techniques, viz. FE‐SEM/EDS, IR, and Raman microspectroscopy that allowed identifying the minerals and small amounts of amorphous carbon present in both particles. TP2 and TP3 were dominated by Ca‐free and low‐Ca, Mg‐rich, Mg,Fe‐olivine. The presence of melilite in both particles is supported by IR microspectroscopy, but is not confirmed by Raman microspectroscopy, possibly because the amounts are too small to be detected. TP2 and TP3 show similar silicate mineral compositions, but Ni‐free and low‐Ni, subsulfur (Fe,Ni)S grains are present in TP2 only. TP2 contains indigenous amorphous carbon hot spots; no indigenous carbon was identified in TP3. These nonchondritic particles probably originated in a differentiated body. This work found an unanticipated carbon contamination following the FE‐SEM/EDS analyses. It is suggested that organic materials in the embedding silica aerogel are irradiated during FE‐SEM/EDS analyses creating a carbon gas that develops a strong fluorescence continuum. The combination of the selected analytical techniques can be used to characterize bulk Wild 2 particles without the need of extraction and removal of the encapsulating aerogel. This approach offers a relatively fast sample preparation procedure, but compressing the samples can cause spurious artifacts, viz. silica contamination. Because of the combination of techniques, we account for these artifacts.
Genetically distinct pathways guide effector export through the type VI secretion system
Authors: Whitney John C. , Beck Christina M. , Goo Young Ah , Russell Alistair B. , Harding Brittany N. , De Leon Justin A. , Cunningham David A. , Tran Bao Q. , Low David A. , Goodlett David R. , Hayes Christopher S. , Mougous Joseph D.
Published: March 2014

Bacterial secretion systems often employ molecular chaperones to recognize and facilitate export of their substrates. Recent work demonstrated that a secreted component of the type VI secretion system (T6SS), haemolysin co‐regulated protein (Hcp), binds directly to effectors, enhancing their stability in the bacterial cytoplasm. Herein, we describe a quantitative cellular proteomics screen for T6S substrates that exploits this chaperone‐like quality of Hcp. Application of this approach to the Hcp secretion island I‐encoded T6SS (H1‐T6SS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to the identification of a novel effector protein, termed Tse4 (type VI secretion exported 4), subsequently shown to act as a potent intra‐specific H1‐T6SS‐delivered antibacterial toxin. Interestingly, our screen failed to identify two predicted H1‐T6SS effectors, Tse5 and Tse6, which differ from Hcp‐stabilized substrates by the presence of toxin‐associated PAAR‐repeat motifs and genetic linkage to members of the valine‐glycine repeat protein G (vgrG) genes. Genetic studies further distinguished these two groups of effectors: Hcp‐stabilized effectors were found to display redundancy in interbacterial competition with respect to the requirement for the two H1‐T6SS‐exported VgrG proteins, whereas Tse5 and Tse6 delivery strictly required a cognate VgrG. Together, we propose that interaction with either VgrG or Hcp defines distinct pathways for T6S effector export.
Randomized clinical trial on the effect of a multispecies probiotic on visceroperception in hypersensitive IBS patients
Authors: Ludidi S. , Jonkers D. M. , Koning C. J. , Kruimel J. W. , Mulder L. , van der Vaart I. B. , Conchillo J. M. , Masclee A. A. M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by heterogeneous pathophysiology and low response to treatment. Up to 60% of IBS patients suffers from visceral hypersensitivity, which is associated with symptom severity and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Recently, positive effects of probiotics in IBS have been reported, but overall the response was modest. We performed a study in IBS patients, characterized by visceral hypersensitivity measured with the rectal barostat, aiming to assess the effect of 6 weeks of multispecies probiotic mix on visceral pain perception.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial in forty Rome III IBS patients with visceral hypersensitivity. Prior to intake, patients kept a 2‐week symptom diary and underwent a rectal barostat measurement. When hypersensitivity was confirmed, participation was allowed and patients received a multispecies probiotic with in vitro proven potential beneficial effects on mechanisms contributing to visceral hypersensitivity (six different probiotic strains; 109 cfu/g), or a placebo product of one sachet (5 g) per day for 6 weeks. At the end of the intervention period, visceroperception and symptoms were reassessed.

Key Results

Thirty‐five patients completed the trial. The percentage of patients with visceral hypersensitivity decreased significantly in the probiotic and placebo group (76.5% and 71.4%, respectively; N.S. between groups). Improvement in pain scores and mean symptom score did not differ between the probiotic and placebo group.

Conclusions & Inferences

In this placebo‐controlled trial in IBS patients with visceral hypersensitivity, no significant effect of a multispecies probiotic on viscerperception was observed. The study has been registered in the US National Library of Medicine (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00702026).
Chronic prenatal stress epigenetically modifies spinal cordBDNFexpression to induce sex‐specific visceral hypersensitivity in offspring
Authors: Winston J. H. , Li Q. , Sarna S. K.
Published: March 2014

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a heterogeneous disorder with abdominal pain as one of the primary symptoms. The etiology ofIBSremains unknown. Epidemiological studies found that a subset of these patients have a history of adverse early‐life experiences. We tested the hypothesis that chronic prenatal stress (CPS) epigenetically enhances brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in spinal cord to aggravate colon sensitivity to colorectal distension (CRD) differentially in male and female offspring.

Methods

We used heterotypic intermittent chronic stress (HeICS) protocols in pregnant dams from E11 until delivery.

Key Results

Chronic prenatal stress induced significant visceral hypersensitivity (VHS) toCRDin male and female offspring. A second exposure to HeICSin adult offspring exacerbatedVHSgreater in female offspring that persisted longer than in male offspring. Chronic prenatal stress upregulatedBDNFexpression in the lumbar‐sacral dorsal horn that correlated with the exacerbation ofVHSin female, but not in male offspring. The upregulation ofBDNFwas due to a significant increase inRNAPol II binding, histone H3 acetylation, and significant decrease in histone deacetylase 1 association with the core promoter ofBDNFin female offspring. Other chronic prenatal and neonatal stress protocols were less effective than HeICS.

Conclusions & Inferences

The development ofVHS, which contributes to the symptom of intermittent abdominal pain, is a two‐step process, chronicin uterostress followed by chronic stress in adult‐life. This two‐step process induces aggravated and persistent colon hypersensitivity in female than in male offspring. Our preclinical model explains several clinical features inIBSpatients.
Arctic canopy photosynthetic efficiency enhanced under diffuse light, linked to a reduction in the fraction of the canopy in deep shade
Authors: Williams Mathew , Rastetter Edward B. , Van der Pol Laura , Shaver Gaius R.
Published: March 2014

We investigated how radiation conditions within a tundra canopy were linked to canopy photosynthesis, and how this linkage explained photosynthetic sensitivity to sky conditions, that is total radiation and its diffuse fraction.

We measured within canopy radiation at leaf scales and netCO2exchanges at canopy scales, under varied total irradiance and diffuse fraction, inAlaskan shrub tundra.

Normalised mean radiation profiles within canopies showed no significant differences with varied diffuse fractions. However, radiation density distribution was non‐normal, being more unimodal under diffuse conditions and distinctly bimodal under direct sunlight. There was a nearly three‐fold increase in the proportion of the canopy in deep shade under direct illumination, compared to diffuse conditions. Under diffuse conditions the canopy had higher light‐use efficiency (LUE), resulting in up to 17% greater photosynthesis.

The enhancement inLUEunder diffuse illumination was not related to differences in the mean light profiles, but instead was due to significant shifts in the density distribution of light at leaf scales, in particular a reduced fraction of the canopy in deep shade under diffuse illumination. These results provide unique information for testing radiative transfer schemes in canopy models, and for better understanding canopy structure and trait variation within plant canopies.
Policy insights from the nutritional food market transformation model: the case of obesity prevention
Authors: Struben Jeroen , Chan Derek , Dubé Laurette
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a system dynamics policy model of nutritional food market transformation, tracing over‐time interactions between the nutritional quality of supply, consumer food choice, population health, and governmental policy. Applied to the Canadian context and with body mass index as the primary outcome, we examine policy portfolios for obesity prevention, including (1) industry self‐regulation efforts, (2) health‐ and nutrition‐sensitive governmental policy, and (3) efforts to foster health‐ and nutrition‐sensitive innovation. This work provides novel theoretical and practical insights on drivers of nutritional market transformations, highlighting the importance of integrative policy portfolios to simultaneously shift food demand and supply for successful and self‐sustaining nutrition and health sensitivity. We discuss model extensions for deeper and more comprehensive linkages of nutritional food market transformation with supply, demand, and policy in agrifood and health/health care. These aim toward system design and policy that can proactively, and with greater impact, scale, and resilience, address single as well as double malnutrition in varying country settings.