bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of non‐surgical periodontal treatment on HbA1c: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liew AKC , Punnanithinont N , Lee Y‐C , Yang J
Published: August 2013

Background

A meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate whether non‐surgical periodontal treatment can reduce the HbA1c% level in type 2 diabetic patients.

Recent accumulation of RCTs necessitates updating of the findings of previous reviews.

Methods

A search of the literature on English publications was conducted in Cochrane CENTRAL, Medline and EMBASE (until 31 March 2012). An RCT was selected if the study population was type 2 diabetic patients (≥16 years old) diagnosed with periodontitis, and compared HbA1c% change with or without non‐surgical periodontal treatment for at least three months of the study duration. Weighted mean differences for pooled data and antibiotic use strata were calculated. Heterogeneity and publication bias were explored.

Results

A total of 358 articles were identified but only six were suitable. Compared to the control group, the pooled analysis (n = 422) showed −0.41% (95% CI: −0.73% to −0.09%, p = 0.013) absolute difference in HbA1c% with treatment. Studies without adjunctive antibiotic had HbA1c% change of −0.64% (95% CI: −1.06% to −0.23%, p = 0.002), but we could not conclude on the effect of adjunctive antibiotic use (p = 0.734). Publication bias was significant with Egger's test (p = 0.014) but not with Begg's test (p = 0.06).

Conclusions

The meta‐analysis suggested that non‐surgical periodontal treatment was associated with a reduction in HbA1c%.
An Investigation of Cattle Birth Seasonality using δ13C and δ18O Profiles within First Molar Enamel
Authors: Towers J. , Gledhill A. , Bond J. , Montgomery J.
Published: August 2013

Cattle (Bos taurus) are biologically able to breed year‐round, potentially giving farmers the freedom to choose a calving strategy to best meet their economic goals. Thus, an accurate method to determine cattle birth seasonality from archaeological remains would prove to be a valuable tool when investigating a prehistoric farming community. This paper presents the results of intra‐tooth isotope ratio analysis (δ18O, δ13C) of first, second and third molars from 15 cattle. The principal outcome is a possible new approach to determining cattle birth seasonality utilizing both carbon and oxygen isotope ratio measurements of first molar enamel. Although this technique requires verification through more extensive testing, particularly of modern material, initial results suggest that it may produce more accurate predictions of birth seasonality than techniques based on intra‐tooth δ18O measurements of second and third molars.
Patent Angiostrongylus mackerrasae infection in a black flying fox (Pteropus alecto)
Authors: Mackie JT , Lacasse C , Spratt DM
Published: August 2013

Background

A wild adult male black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) was presented unable to fly or hang strongly.

Results

Necropsy and histological examination revealed a severe pneumonia, with numerous Angiostrongylus mackerrasae in the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary parenchyma contained numerous eggs and rare larvae.

Conclusion

This is the first report of patent Angiostrongylus infection in an accidental (i.e. non‐Rattus) host species. It is also the first report of A. mackerrasae infection in an accidental host (including flying foxes). Worms recovered from cases of suspected angiostrongyliasis should be examined in morphological detail to ensure correct identification.
Across Boundaries: The Global Challenges Facing Workers and Employment Research
Authors: Jackson Gregory , Kuruvilla Sarosh , Frege Carola
Published: August 2013

The overall complexity of employment relations today raises new challenges for scholars to extend their work across the boundaries of particular geographies, organizations, theoretical perspectives and disciplines. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of theBritish Journal of Industrial Relations, this article introduces key aspects of global challenges facing employees and research on employment relations. Drawing on the articles of this anniversary issue, we identify several theoretical concepts drawn from the wider social sciences that have proven useful in understanding global challenges around global value chains, transnational and multi‐level institutional frameworks, and the role of global finance. We also identify and discuss the emergence of new actors that have a growing salience for global employment research and the establishment of more global forms of worker representation. By further developing theoretical concepts around these global challenges, we argue that employment relations research will increase its dialogue with and distinctive contribution to wider debates in the social sciences.
The effect of psychological stress and expectation on auditory perception: A signal detection analysis
Authors: Hoskin Robert , Hunter Mike D. , Woodruff Peter W. R.
Published: August 2013

Both psychological stress and predictive signals relating to expected sensory input are believed to influence perception, an influence which, when disrupted, may contribute to the generation of auditory hallucinations. The effect of stress and semantic expectation on auditory perception was therefore examined in healthy participants using an auditory signal detection task requiring the detection of speech from within white noise. Trait anxiety was found to predict the extent to which stress influenced response bias, resulting in more anxious participants adopting a more liberal criterion, and therefore experiencing more false positives, when under stress. While semantic expectation was found to increase sensitivity, its presence also generated a shift in response bias towards reporting a signal, suggesting that the erroneous perception of speech became more likely. These findings provide a potential cognitive mechanism that may explain the impact of stress on hallucination‐proneness, by suggesting that stress has the tendency to alter response bias in highly anxious individuals. These results also provide support for the idea that top‐down processes such as those relating to semantic expectation may contribute to the generation of auditory hallucinations.
Investigating changes in use of services by high‐need families following the Helping Families Programme, an innovative parenting intervention for children with severe and persistent conduct problems
Authors: Stevens Madeleine , Harris Lucy , Ellis Megan , Day Crispin , Beecham Jennifer
Published: August 2013

Background

Interventions aimed at high‐need families have difficulty demonstrating short‐term impact on child behaviour. Measuring impact on use of services could provide short‐term indication of longer term benefits.

Method

During a feasibility pilot study we collected data on service use and attitudes to services from a small sample of parents from high‐need families, before and after receiving the Helping Families Programme.

Results

Respondents provided a range of opinions on a variety of social and community services received.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates the potential of short‐term changes in enhanced service use data for building hypotheses of longer term change.
Blood–neural barrier: Overview and latest progress
Authors: Sano Yasuteru , Kanda Takashi
Published: August 2013

The central and peripheral nervous systems are tightly sealed from the blood by the blood–brain barrier, the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier, the blood–spinal cord barrier and the blood–nerve barrier (BNB). These neural barriers inhibit free paracellular diffusion of water soluble molecules through complex tight junctions that interconnect endothelial cells and choroid plexus epithelial cells. These barriers also play a role in the influx transport of essential molecules and the efflux transport of xenobiotics. The differences and commonalities between these barrier systems have been gradually elucidated in recent years. It is now clear that disruption of the blood–neural barrier plays a key role in a number of diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the present review, we describe the current knowledge regarding the cellular and molecular basis of the functional blood–neural tissue barrier, while addressing the BNB in particular detail.
How can we pick up undiagnosed multifocal motor neuropathy patients?
Authors: Kanda Takashi
Published: August 2013

As multifocal motor neuropathy is a treatable disorder lacking in easily available clinical markers, the establishment of diagnostic criteria of high sensitivity with acceptable specificity is eagerly awaited. Based on a nationwide survey in Japan, novel diagnostic criteria have been proposed in the present article.
Transanal colorectal resection using natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)
Authors: Emhoff Isha Ann , Lee Grace Clara , Sylla Patricia
Published: August 2013

The surgical management of rectal cancer has evolved over the past century, with total mesorectal excision (TME) emerging as standard of care. As a result of the morbidity associated with open TME, minimally invasive techniques have become popular. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been held as the next revolution in surgical techniques, offering the possibility of ‘incisionless’ TME. Early clinical series of transanal TME with laparoscopic assistance (n = 72) are promising, with overall intraoperative and postoperative complication rates of 8.3% and 27.8%, respectively, similar to laparoscopic TME. The mesorectal specimen was intact in all patients, and 94.4% had negative margins. There was no oncological recurrence in average‐risk patients at short‐term follow up, and 2‐year survivalrates in high‐risk patients were comparable to that after laparoscopic TME. These preliminary studies demonstrate transanal NOTES TME with laparoscopic assistance to be clinically feasible and safe given careful patient selection, surgical expertise, and appropriate procedural training. We are hopeful that with optimization of transanal instruments and surgical techniques, pure transanal NOTES TME will become a viable alternative to open and laparoscopic TME in the future.
Composite efficacy parameters and predictors of hypoglycaemia in basal‐plus insulin therapy—a combined analysis of 713 type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Seufert J. , Brath H. , Pscherer S. , Borck A. , Bramlage P. , Siegmund T.
Published: August 2013

Aims

We aimed to identify predictors of hypoglycaemia in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes treated with a single daily bolus of insulin glulisine on top of insulin glargine and oral antidiabetic drugs (basal‐plus regimen).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed four large basal‐plus trials including 713 patients (47% female) with type 2 diabetes, mean age of 59.9 ± 9.5 years and diabetes duration of 11 ± 7.0 years. Predictors for symptomatic, severe and nocturnal hypoglycaemia were identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses, calculation of odds ratios (ORs) and Wald 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Mean numbers of hypoglycaemic events per year were 4.64 ± 11.4 (symptomatic < 60 mg/dl), 0.59 ± 2.28 (nocturnal) and 0.03 ± 0.22 (severe). A total of 44.5% of patients reached the composite endpoint of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) <7.0% plus no severe hypoglycaemia, and 26.7% reached the composite of HbA1c <7.0% plus no symptomatic hypoglycaemia. Predictors of nocturnal and symptomatic hypoglycaemia were female gender (OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.07–3.11 and OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.31–2.78), diabetes duration >10 versus <5 years (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.03–6.59 and OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.15–3.51) and higher basal insulin dose (per unit of increase) (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.03 and OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.02). Conversely, a higher body mass index (BMI) (27–30 vs. <27 kg/m2 and >30 vs. <27 kg/m2) conferred a reduced risk of symptomatic hypoglycaemia with an OR of 0.53 (95% CI 0.31–0.90) and an OR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.39–0.97).

Conclusions

Female gender, a long diabetes duration and higher basal insulin dose were predictors of hypoglycaemia, while protection was provided by BMI > 30. These results may help to successfully establish basal‐plus insulin regimen in individual patients on their transition from basal‐only to basal‐bolus treatment.
Economic Geographies of Brands and Branding
Authors: Pike Andy
Published: August 2013

Brands and branding are an underinvestigated area in economic geography. Despite their pervasive growth as sources and carriers of meaning and value, the economic geographic dimensions of brands and branding lack conceptual clarity and remain undertheorized. This article introduces the idea of geographical associations to provide stronger conceptual and theoretical foundations to explain the importance and role of brands and branding in economic geographies. It then builds on and critically examines the worth of this understanding in an empirical exploration of the Burberry brand and its branding in the luxury fashion business. The argument is that conceiving of the geographical associations constituting the economic geographies of brands and branding explains their role as means of cohering and stabilizing meaning and value in spatial circuits. Concerted attention to brands and branding can broaden the reach of economic geography in its intersections between cultural and political economy.
The relation between body iron stores and adipose tissue function in patients with manifest vascular disease
Authors: Westerink Jan , Olijhoek Jobien K. , Koppen Arjen , Faber Daniël R. , Kalkhoven Eric , Monajemi Houshang , van Asbeck B. Sweder , van der Graaf Yolanda , Visseren Frank L. J.
Published: August 2013

Background

We investigated whether plasma ferritin levels through the pro‐inflammatory effects of free iron are associated with adipose tissue dysfunction in a relevant population of patients with manifest vascular disease who would potentially benefit the most from further aetiological insights.

Materials and methods

In a cohort of 355 patients with vascular diseases, the association between plasma ferritin and adiponectin levels was quantified using linear regression analysis. Interleukin‐6 and adiponectin levels were measured in medium from pre‐adipocytes and adipocytes after incubation with increasing concentrations of Fe(III)‐citrate and after co‐incubation with iron chelators or radical scavengers.

Results

Increasing ferritin plasma concentrations were not related to plasma adiponectin levels in patients without (β −0·13; 95% CI −0·30 to 0·04) or with the metabolic syndrome (β −0·04; 95% CI −0·17 to 0·10). Similar results were found in patients who developed a new cardiovascular event in the follow‐up period. In vitro, incubation with increasing concentrations of Fe(III)‐citrate‐induced inflammation in pre‐adipocyte cultures as witnessed by increased IL‐6 secretion at 30 μm Fe(III)‐citrate vs. control (500 ± 98 pg/mL vs. 194 ± 31 pg/mL, P = 0·03). Co‐incubation of pre‐adipocytes with iron chelators or radical scavengers prevented this inflammatory response. Incubation of adipocytes with 30 μm Fe(III)‐citrate did not influence adiponectin secretion compared with control.

Conclusions

In patients with vascular disease, there is no association between plasma ferritin and adiponectin levels. In vitro, free iron induces an inflammatory response in pre‐adipocytes, but not in adipocytes. This response was blocked by co‐incubation with iron chelators or radical scavengers. Adiponectin secretion by adipocytes was not influenced by free iron.
Logic and Ontology in Hegel's Theory of Predication
Authors: Harrelson Kevin J.
Published: August 2013

In this paper I sketch some arguments that underlie Hegel's chapter on judgment, and I attempt to place them within a broad tradition in the history of logic. Focusing on his analysis of simple predicative assertions or ‘positive judgments’, I first argue that Hegel supplies an instructive alternative to the classical technique of existential quantification. The main advantage of his theory lies in his treatment of the ontological implications of judgments, implications that are inadequately captured by quantification. The second concern of this paper is the manner in which Hegel makes logic not only dependent on ontology generally, but also variant in regard to domains of objects. In other words, he offers a domain‐specific logical theory, according to which the form of judgment or inference is specific to the subject of judgment. My third concern lies with the metaphilosophical consequences of this theory, and this includes some more familiar Hegelian themes. It is well known that Hegel frequently questioned the adequacy of the sentential form for expressing higher order truths. My reading of his theory of predication explains and contextualizes this tendency by demystifying notions like the so‐called speculative proposition.
Horse‐, rider‐, venue‐ and environment‐related risk factors for elimination fromFédérationEquestreInternationale endurance rides due to lameness and metabolic reasons
Authors: Nagy A. , Murray J. K. , Dyson S. J.
Published: August 2013

Reasons for performing the study

There is limited information on risk factors for elimination from endurance rides.

Objectives

To assess risk factors for elimination for lameness and metabolic reasons fromFédérationEquestreInternationale (FEI) endurance rides of 80–160 km distance.

Study design

Unmatched case–control.

Methods

Venue‐, horse‐ and rider‐related data were collected from theFEIwebsite. Data on weather conditions and terrain were collected at the venue. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess risk factors for elimination for lameness and metabolic reasons, respectively.

Results

Multivariable logistic regression on 1435 horse starts revealed that the venue was significantly associated with elimination for lameness (P = 0.013). The horse's previous experience at a greater distance than the current ride (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.71–0.95, P = 0.008) and >90 days elapsed since the lastFEIride (OR= 0.78, 95%CI0.62–0.99, P = 0.044) significantly reduced the risk of elimination for lameness. In the multivariable model for elimination for metabolic reasons, the venue (P = 0.011), increasing number of started horses (OR= 1.008, 95%CI1.00–1.01, P = 0.001) and deep sand or soil on the track (OR= 1.98, 95%CI1.17–3.35, P = 0.001) significantly increased the risk of elimination for metabolic reasons.

Conclusions

Reducing the frequency of racing may contribute to decreased risk of elimination for lameness. Competing in deep sand or soil may contribute to exhaustion, leading to elimination for metabolic reasons. Eliminations are likely to be the end result of a complex process, and not every aspect was or can be measured. Further studies with a larger number of horse starts and assessment of variables that could not be measured in this study may identify additional risk factors that can be modified.
Effects of angling and manual handling on pike behaviour investigated by high‐resolution positional telemetry
Authors: Baktoft H. , Aarestrup K. , Berg S. , Boel M. , Jacobsen L. , Koed A. , Pedersen M. W. , Svendsen J. C. , Skov C.
Published: August 2013

Human disturbances such as angling and manual handling may have long‐term effects on the behaviour of pike, Esox lucius L., an ecologically important species. Using continuous high‐resolution positional telemetry, this study compared the swimming activity of handled and unhandled pike in a small lake. Pike pre‐equipped with acoustic transmitters were angled and exposed to a handling protocol including measurements of length and mass. Pike not recaptured constituted an unhandled control group. Results demonstrated that the handling protocol caused temperature‐dependent changes in pike activity, with higher temperatures leading to lower activity of the recaptured pike. The effects, however, were transitory and not detectable after 48‐h post‐release. These findings indicate that pike are relatively resilient to handling and quickly resume pre‐handling activity.
Systematic point sampling of fish communities in medium‐ and large‐sized rivers: sampling procedure and effort
Authors: Tomanova S. , Tedesco P. A. , Roset N. , Berrebi dit Thomas R. , Belliard J.
Published: August 2013

Compared with small rivers and streams, the study of fish communities in large rivers remains challenging as spatial and temporal data variability can be greatly influenced by sampling strategy and operator choice. In an attempt to limit this variability, a new sampling protocol for fish communities in medium‐ to large‐sized rivers was developed, based on point sampling by electric fishing and using standardised procedures and effort. Here, change in data quality (assemblage abundance, richness, structure and biotic index) with increasing sampling effort (from 1 to 100 sampling points) was evaluated. A total of 75 sampling points are proposed as the standard number of samples per site. Broadly, the results show that the application of 75 sampling points provides a reproducible representation of fish community structure in medium and large rivers, with little additional information provided by further sampling except under certain conditions, when 100 points are recommended to maintain data quality.
Mortality of European eel after downstream migration through two types of pumping stations
Authors: Buysse D. , Mouton A. M. , Stevens M. , Van den Neucker T. , Coeck J.
Published: August 2013

Although numerous pumping stations (PS) have been used by water managers for numerous applications on rivers, canals and other water bodies, their impact on fish populations is poorly understood. This study investigates European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), mortality after natural downstream passage through a propeller pump and two Archimedes screw pumps at two PSs on two lowland canals in Belgium. Fyke nets were mounted permanently on the outflow of the pumps during the silver eel migration periods. Based on the condition and injuries, maximum eel mortality rates were assessed. Mortality rates ranged from 97 ± 5% for the propeller pump to 17 ± 7% for the large Archimedes screw pump and 19 ± 11% for the small Archimedes screw pump. Most injuries were caused by striking or grinding. The results demonstrate that PSs may significantly threaten escapement targets set in eel management plans.
A Systematic Review of Behavioral Headache Interventions With an Aerobic Exercise Component
Authors: Baillie Lauren E. , Gabriele Jeanne M. , Penzien Donald B.
Published: August 2013

Background

Behavioral approaches have been found to be effective in managing chronic headache. Recently, attention has been given to the role of exercise in chronic headache management, although much of the literature addresses it as a monotherapy. The current review assesses the effectiveness of exercise as an adjunct to other behavioral treatments for chronic headache.

Objective

To evaluate the methodology and outcomes of studies using behavioral headache interventions with an aerobic exercise component.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed and PsychInfo to identify studies that offered or recommended aerobic exercise as part of a multicomponent treatment for headaches. The search included only those articles that were written in English and published in academic journals.

Results

Nine studies met inclusion criteria, of which 2 were randomized controlled trials. Despite methodological limitations, results of existing studies suggest that the behavioral headache interventions that include aerobic exercise may be associated with positive outcomes for headache variables. Four single‐group studies reported statistically significant improvements in at least 1 headache variable at the end of treatment. Both randomized controlled trials and 1 non‐randomized trial reported statistically significant post‐treatment improvement in at least 1 headache outcome variable in the intervention group compared with control groups.

Conclusions

Incorporating exercise into behavioral headache treatments appears to be promising, but as studies to date have not evaluated the individual contribution of exercise, its role in managing headache symptoms is unclear. Further work is needed to evaluate the unique role of exercise in such treatment programs. Recommendations for future research include adhering to published guidelines for clinical trial design and reporting, adhering to existing guidelines for headache research (such as reporting outcome data for multiple headache variables), developing exercise prescriptions based on public health recommendations, and reporting all aspects of exercise prescriptions.
Duloxetine Prophylaxis for Episodic Migraine in Persons Without Depression: A Prospective Study
Authors: Young William B. , Bradley Kathleen C. , Anjum M. Waseem , Gebeline‐Myers Cheryl
Published: August 2013

Objective

The objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of daily duloxetine, 60‐120 mg, on the frequency, duration, and severity of migraine attacks and the level of disability in episodic migraineurs.

Background

There is a need for more proven effective migraine preventive medications. Two antidepressants, both of which block serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, have been shown to be effective in the preventive treatment of migraine. Neither has earned a level A recommendation in the 2012 guidelines of the American Academy of Neurology. Duloxetine also blocks serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.

Methods

This was a prospective, 5‐visit study on duloxetine treatment of episodic migraine headache with 4‐10 migraine days, and less than 15 headache days per month. Patients were titrated to a goal dose of 120 mg. They were excluded if they had depression.

Results

There were 22 completers plus 5 subjects who took at least 1 dose of drug. The mean duloxetine dose was 110 mg. In a modified intent‐to‐treat analysis, subjects went from 9.2 ± 2.7 headache days per month at baseline to 4.5 ± 3.4 headache days per month (P < .001). There were no significant differences in the average headache duration, average headache severity, maximum headache attack severity, and level of functioning. Fifty‐two percent of subjects had a 50% or greater improvement in headache days.

Conclusions

Migraine prophylactic treatment with high‐dose duloxetine may be effective in a nondepressed individual. The reported treatment response is in line with other commonly used migraine preventives.
HIV testing among Portuguese men who have sex with men – results from the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS)
Authors: Carvalho C , Fuertes R , Lucas R , Martins A , Campos MJ , Mendão L , Schmidt AJ , Barros H
Published: August 2013

Objectives

To describe HIV testing behaviour and context of MSM in Portugal participating in the European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS).

Methods

Data for the Portuguese sample were extracted and those for 5187 participants were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to quantify the association between participants' characteristics and HIV testing behaviour and context.

Results

Seventy‐two percent of the participants had ever been tested for HIV and among those ever tested, 11% were diagnosed with HIV. Primary care was the most common testing setting for HIV‐negative men (37%). Compared to those never tested, men who had ever taken an HIV test had higher educational level (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.67‐2.14) and identified themselves as gay/homosexual more frequently (aOR 1.94 , 95% CI 1.70‐2.20). HIV testing odds significantly increased with the number of sexual partners in the previous 12 months. Those who reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a partner of unknown or serodiscordant HIV status in the previous 12 months were less likely to report an HIV test (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.33–0.44). Among those never tested or who tested negative, 41% and 22% reported UAI with a partner of unknown or serodiscordant status in the previous 12 months, respectively. Among men with diagnosed HIV, 72% were currently on antiretroviral therapy and 58% reported an undetectable viral load. More than one third (38%) of those who had detectable or unknown/undisclosed viral load reported at least one episode of UAI with a partner of unknown or serodiscordant HIV status in the last 12 months.

Conclusions

Actual interventions should focus on: improving testing uptake and counselling; increasing treatment coverage; achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load; and intensifying prevention efforts focused on consistent condom use.
Who are the men who have sex with men in Spain that have never been tested for HIV?
Authors: Fernández‐Dávila P , Folch C , Ferrer L , Soriano R , Diez M , Casabona J
Published: August 2013

Objectives

The aims of the study were to describe the sociodemographic profile of men who have sex with men (MSM) who have never been tested for HIV and to analyse factors associated with never having been tested.

Methods

The European MSM Internet Survey (EMIS) was implemented in 2010 in 38 European countries on websites for MSM and collected data on sociodemographics, sexual behaviour, and other sexual health variables. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess variables associated with never having been tested for HIV.

Results

Of the 13 111 respondents living in Spain, 26% had never been tested for HIV. Those who had never been tested were significantly more likely to live in a settlement with fewer than 100 000 inhabitants, be younger than 25 years old, have a lower education level, be a student, and identify themselves as bisexual. In the multivariate analysis, to have never been tested for HIV was associated with being born in Spain [odds ratio (OR) 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.192–1.539], living outside large settlements (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.216–1.534), being younger than 25 years old (OR 2.94; 95% CI 2.510–3.441), being out to no one or only a few people (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.938–2.399), having had no nonsteady partners in the last 12 months (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.109–1.422), and being not at all confident to access HIV testing (OR 3.66; 95% CI 2.676–5.003), among others factors.

Conclusions

The profile of the MSM who had never been tested for HIV indicates that most of them were men who were hard to reach (young, bisexual men, in the closet). Interventions should aim to improve access to and the convenience of testing.
Automatic oral fluid‐based HIV testing in HIV screening programmes: automatic for the people
Authors: Rayment M , Doku E , Thornton A , Pearn M , Sudhanva M , Jones R , Nardone A , Roberts P , Tenant‐Flowers M , Anderson J , Sullivan AK , Atkins M
Published: August 2013

Objectives

UK guidelines recommend routine HIV testing in general clinical settings when the local HIV prevalence is > 0.2%. During pilot programmes evaluating the guidelines, we used laboratory‐based testing of oral fluid from patients accepting tests. Samples (n = 3721) were tested manually using the Bio‐Rad Genscreen Ultra HIV Ag‐Ab test (Bio‐Rad Laboratories Ltd, Hemel Hempstead, UK). This was a methodologically robust method, but handling of samples was labour intensive. We performed a validation study to ascertain whether automation of oral fluid HIV testing using the fourth‐generation HIV test on the Abbott Architect (Abbott Diagnostics, Maidenhead, UK) platform was possible.

Methods

Oral fluid was collected from 143 patients (56 known HIV‐positive volunteers and 87 others having contemporaneous HIV serological tests) using the Oracol+ device (Malvern Medicals, Worcester, UK). Samples were tested concurrently: manually using the Genscreen Ultra test and automatically on the Abbott Architect.

Results

For oral fluid, the level of agreement of results between the platforms was 100%. All results agreed with HIV serology. The use of the Oracol+ device produced high‐quality samples. Subsequent field use of the test has shown a specificity of 99.97% after nearly 3000 tests.

Conclusions

Laboratory‐based HIV testing of oral fluid requires less training of local staff, with fewer demands on clinical time and space than near‐patient testing. It is acceptable to patients. The validation exercise and subsequent clinical experience support automation, with test performance preserved. Automation reduces laboratory workload and speeds up the release of results. Automated oral fluid testing is thus a viable option for large‐scale HIV screening programmes.
Age‐induced hair greying – the multiple effects of oxidative stress
Authors: Seiberg M.
Published: August 2013

Synopsis

An obvious sign of ageing is hair greying, or the loss of pigment production and deposition within the hair shafts. Numerous mechanisms, acting at different levels and follicular locations, contribute to hair greying, ranging from melanocyte stem cells defects to follicular melanocyte death. One key issue that is in common to these processes is oxidative damage. At the hair follicle stem cells niche, oxidative stress, accelerated by B‐cell lymphoma 2 gene (BCL‐2) depletion, leads to selective apoptosis and diminution of melanocyte stem cells, reducing the repopulation of newly formed anagen follicles. Melanotic bulbar melanocytes express high levels of BCL‐2 to enable survival from melanogenesis‐ and ultraviolet A (UVA)‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) attacks. With ageing, the bulbar melanocyte expression of anti‐oxidant proteins such as BCL‐2, and possibly TRP‐2, is reduced, and the dedicated enzymatic anti‐oxidant defence system throughout the follicle weakens, resulting in enhanced oxidative stress. A marked reduction in catalase expression and activity results in millimolar accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, contributing to bulbar melanocyte malfunction and death. Interestingly, amelanotic melanocytes at the outer root sheath (ORS) are somewhat less affected by these processes and survive for longer time even within the white, ageing hair follicles. Better understanding of the overtime susceptibility of melanocytes to oxidative stress at the different follicular locations might yield clues to possible therapies for the prevention and reversal of hair greying.
Protease activity, localization and inhibition in the human hair follicle
Authors: Bhogal R. K. , Mouser P. E. , Higgins C. A. , Turner G. A.
Published: August 2013

Synopsis

Objective

In humans, the process of hair shedding, referred to as exogen, is believed to occur independently of the other hair cycle phases. Although the actual mechanisms involved in hair shedding are not fully known, it has been hypothesized that the processes leading to the final step of hair shedding may be driven by proteases and/or protease inhibitor activity. In this study, we investigated the presence of proteases and protease activity in naturally shed human hairs and assessed enzyme inhibition activity of test materials.

Methods

We measured enzyme activity using a fluorescence‐based assay and protein localization by indirect immunohistochemistry (IHC). We also developed an ex vivo skin model for measuring the force required to pull hair fibres from skin.

Results

Our data demonstrate the presence of protease activity in the tissue material surrounding club roots. We also demonstrated the localization of specific serine protease protein expression in human hair follicle by IHC. These data provide evidence demonstrating the presence of proteases around the hair club roots, which may play a role during exogen. We further tested the hypothesis that a novel protease inhibitor system (combination of Trichogen® and climbazole) could inhibit protease activity in hair fibre club root extracts collected from a range of ethnic groups (UK, Brazil, China, first‐generation Mexicans in the USA, Thailand and Turkey) in both males and females. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this combination is capable of increasing the force required to remove hair in an ex vivo skin model system.

Conclusion

These studies indicate the presence of proteolytic activity in the tissue surrounding the human hair club root and show that it is possible to inhibit this activity with a combination of Trichogen® and climbazole. This technology may have potential to reduce excessive hair shedding.
High sensitivity and specificity of a new functional flow cytometry assay for clinically significant heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia antibodies
Authors: Garritsen H. S. , Probst‐Kepper M. , Legath N. , Eberl W. , Samaniego S. , Woudenberg J. , Schuitemaker J. H. N. , Kroll H. , Gurney D. A. , Moore G. W. , Zehnder J. L.
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life‐threatening condition, in which the anticoagulant heparin, platelet factor 4 (PF4), and platelet‐activating antibodies form complexes with prothrombotic properties. Laboratory tests to support clinical diagnosis are subdivided into functional, platelet activation assays, which lack standardization, or immunological assays, which have moderate specificity toward HIT.

In this study, clinical performance of HITAlert, a novel in vitro diagnostic (IVD) registered platelet activation assay, was tested in a large cohort of HIT‐suspected patients and compared with immunological assays.

Methods

From 346 HIT‐suspected patients (single center), clinical data including 4T pretest probability results, citrated platelet‐poor plasmas, and sera were collected, allowing direct comparison of clinical observations with HITAlert results. HITAlert performance was compared with PF4 IgG ELISA (246 patients, three centers) and PF4 PaGIA (298 patients, single center).

Results

HITAlert showed high sensitivity (88.2%) and specificity (99.1%) when compared with clinical diagnosis. Agreement of HITAlert with PF4 ELISA‐ and PF4 PaGIA‐positive patients is low (52.7 and 23.2%, respectively), while agreement with PF4 IgG ELISA‐ and PF4 PaGIA‐negative patients is very high (98.1 and 99.1%, respectively).

Conclusion

HITAlert performance is excellent when compared with clinical HIT diagnosis, making it a suitable assay for rapid testing of platelet activation due to anticoagulant therapy.
Experimental and Finite Element Study of an Air Plasma Sprayed Thermal Barrier Coating under Fixed Cycle Duration at Various Temperatures
Authors: Ahmadian Shayan , Thistle Charles , Jordan Eric H.
Published: August 2013

Cyclic furnace tests were conducted on Air Plasma Sprayed (APS) Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) samples which were coated with NiCoCrAlY on a nickel‐based superalloy at three temperatures. From these tests the following were determined: oxidation kinetics and activation energy, bond coat rumpling rate, and cyclic failure lives. All failures occurred in the top coat consistent with engine experience. The measured rumpling rate and oxidation kinetics were used as input for a finite element model that utilized a highly realistic top coat constitutive model that included creep and relaxation behavior as well as tension/compression flow stress asymmetry consistent with available experimental data. The modeling results based on these measured inputs show that the primary sources of stress and strain in descending order are rumpling, oxide growth and finally thermal expansion mismatch between the top coat and underlying metal. Three important implications of these results are; predicted stresses are too low to predict failure based on single crack fracture mechanics, cycling increases accumulated inelastic strain in a fixed time interval providing an additional reason why cycling is damaging and finally to get realistic stresses and strains it is necessary to accurately characterize the geometry changes associated with rumpling.
Development and Integration of a Groundwater Simulation Model to an Open Geographic Information System
Authors: Almeida C.N. , Roehrig J. , Wendland E.
Published: August 2013

This study presents the implementation of a spatial decision support system (SDSS) named ARENA. The program has been developed based on object‐oriented concepts using the Java programming language. The SDSS is made up of a groundwater simulation tool coupled to an open geographic information system (open GIS). Both the open GIS and groundwater simulation package share common spatial and nonspatial entities during the modeling process. A dedicated interface provides direct access to the GIS data without the need of external files. The finite element method is used to solve the partial differential equation that governs groundwater flow. The system implementation is presented by depicting the main classes and coupling procedures. A study case demonstrates the applicability of the simulation tool.
Physiological regulation in infants of women with a mood disorder: examining associations with maternal symptoms and stress
Authors: Johnson Katrina C. , Brennan Patricia A. , Stowe Zachary N. , Leibenluft Ellen , Newport D. Jeffrey
Published: August 2013

Background

The offspring of mothers with mood disorders may evidence increased behavioral problems as early as preschool; however, no study to date has examined psychophysiological characteristics during infancy, particularly among offspring of mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Elucidating psychobiological mechanisms of risk early in development is critical to inform prevention and early intervention efforts.

Method

This study compared physiological and behavioral responsivity in 6‐month‐old infants (N = 329) of mothers with lifetime histories of bipolar disorder (BD, n = 44), major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 244), or no history of Axis I disorders (CTL, n = 41). Infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was measured in a laboratory stressor paradigm. Measures of infant affect and behavior during mother–infant interaction, current maternal depressive symptoms, and exposure to stressful life events were examined with respect to diagnostic group and RSA.

Results

Groups did not differ in baseline RSA or infant affect measures. However, during the stressor task, infants of mothers with BD evidenced increases in RSA, while infants of MDD and CTL mothers evidenced decreases in RSA. Though levels of postnatal stress and current levels of maternal depressive symptoms differed among groups, neither of these factors predicted infant psychophysiological responses.

Conclusions

At 6 months of age, infants of mothers with BD show differences in psychophysiological regulation. These differences cannot be accounted for by perinatal outcome, current maternal depressive symptoms, or exposure to stressful life events, and thus may reflect endophenotypic markers of psychopathological risk.
Inbreeding depression in an insect with maternal care: influences of family interactions, life stage and offspring sex
Authors: Meunier J. , Kölliker M.
Published: August 2013

Although inbreeding is commonly known to depress individual fitness, the severity of inbreeding depression varies considerably across species. Among the factors contributing to this variation, family interactions, life stage and sex of offspring have been proposed, but their joint influence on inbreeding depression remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that these three factors jointly shape inbreeding depression in the European earwig,Forficula auricularia. Using a series of cross‐breeding, split‐clutch and brood size manipulation experiments conducted over two generations, we first showed that sib mating (leading to inbred offspring) did not influence the reproductive success of earwig parents. Second, the presence of tending mothers and the strength of sibling competition (i.e. brood size) did not influence the expression of inbreeding depression in the inbred offspring. By contrast, our results revealed that inbreeding dramatically depressed the reproductive success of inbred adult male offspring, but only had little effect on the reproductive success of inbred adult female offspring. Overall, this study demonstrates limited effects of family interactions on inbreeding depression in this species and emphasizes the importance of disentangling effects of sib mating early and late during development to better understand the evolution of mating systems and population dynamics.
Cross‐generational effects of temperature on flight performance, and associated life‐history traits in an insect
Authors: Ferrer A. , Dorn S. , Mazzi D.
Published: August 2013

Nongenetic parental effects may affect offspring phenotype, and in species with multiple generations per year, these effects may cause life‐history traits to vary over the season. We investigated the effects of parental, offspring developmental and offspring adult temperatures on a suite of life‐history traits in the globally invasive agricultural pestGrapholita molesta. A low parental temperature resulted in female offspring that developed faster at low developmental temperature compared with females whose parents were reared at high temperature. Furthermore, females whose parents were reared at low temperature were heavier and more fecund and had better flight abilities than females whose parents were reared at high temperature. In addition to these cross‐generational effects, females developed at low temperature had similar flight abilities at low and high ambient temperatures, whereas females developed at high temperature had poorer flight abilities at low than at high ambient temperature. Our findings demonstrate a pronounced benefit of low parental temperature on offspring performance, as well as between‐ and within‐generation effects of acclimation to low temperature. In cooler environments, the offspring generation is expected to develop more rapidly than the parental generation and to comprise more fecund and more dispersive females. By producing phenotypes that are adaptive to the conditions inducing them as well as heritable, cross‐generational plasticity can influence the evolutionary trajectory of populations. The potential for short‐term acclimation to low temperature may allow expanding insect populations to better cope with novel environments and may help to explain the spread and establishment of invasive species.
Weak impact of fine‐scale landscape heterogeneity on evolutionary potential in Arabidopsis lyrata
Authors: Paccard A. , Vance M. , Willi Y.
Published: August 2013

Microhabitat heterogeneity can lead to fine‐scale local adaptation when gene flow is restricted, which may be important for the maintenance of genetic variation within populations. This study tested whether microhabitat heterogeneity was associated with trait differences in a population of Arabidopsis lyrata and studied its impact on the genetic variance–covariance (G) matrix. Maternal seed families were collected from dune tops and bottoms, two microhabitats known to vary significantly in water availability. In a common garden experiment, replicate individuals per family were raised under wet and dry conditions, and physiological, morphological and life‐history traits were assessed. Plants from the two microenvironments differed in their response to treatment in two performance components, in stomata density and most strongly in flowering time. Under wet conditions, plants originating from dune bottoms flowered 4 weeks earlier than those from dune tops. Only one of three G‐matrix comparisons revealed that habitat heterogeneity and evolutionary potential were positively linked. The number of independent trait dimensions was larger in the entire population than within subpopulations separated by microhabitat under wet conditions. However, the size of the G‐matrix was no larger in the entire population than within subpopulations separated by microhabitat, and trait correlation structure between microhabitats and treatments was not significantly different. These results indicate that fine‐scale habitat heterogeneity likely led to local adaptation, which weakly affected levels of across‐trait genetic variation.