bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of extraction procedures for water‐extractable organic matter in soils
Authors: Guigue J. , Mathieu O. , Lévêque J. , Mounier S. , Laffont R. , Maron P. A. , Navarro N. , Chateau C. , Amiotte‐Suchet P. , Lucas Y.
Published: June 2014

Summary

The characteristics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in soils are often determined through laboratory experiments. Many different protocols can be used to extract organic matter from soil. In this study, we used five air‐dried soils to compare three extraction methods for water‐extractable organic matter (WEOM) as follows: (i) pressurised hot‐water‐extractable organic carbon (PH‐WEOC), a percolation at high pressure and temperature; (ii) water‐extractable organic carbon (WEOC), a 1‐hour end‐over shaking; and (iii) leaching‐extractable organic carbon (LEOC), a leaching of soil columns at ambient conditions. We quantified the extraction yield of organic carbon; the quality of WEOM was characterized by UV absorbance, potential biodegradability (48‐day incubation) and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) modelling of fluorescence excitation emission matrices (FEEMs). Biodegradation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was described by two pools of organic C. The proportions of labile and stable DOC pools differed only slightly between the WEOC and LEOC methods, while PH‐WEOC contains more stable DOC. The mineralization rate constants of both labile and stable DOC pools were similar for the three methods. The FEEMs were decomposed into three components: two humic‐like fluorophores and a tryptophan‐like fluorophore. The effect of extraction method was poorly discriminant and the most similar procedures were PH‐WEOC and LEOC while WEOC extracts were depleted in humic‐like fluorophores. This study demonstrates that WEOM quality is primarily determined by soil characteristics and that the extraction method has a smaller, but still significant, impact on WEOM quality. Furthermore, we observed considerable interaction between extraction procedure and soil type, showing that method‐induced differences in WEOM quality vary with soil characteristics.
Frontal and thalamic changes of GABA concentration indicate dysfunction of thalamofrontal networks in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Hattingen Elke , Lückerath Christian , Pellikan Stefanie , Vronski Dmitri , Roth Christine , Knake Susanne , Kieslich Matthias , Pilatus Ulrich
Published: June 2014

Objective

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) has been considered to be a frontal variant of thalamocortical network dysfunction in epilepsy. Changes of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurotransmission may play a key role in this dysfunction. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is the only noninvasive method to measure GABA concentrations in different brain regions. We measured GABA and other metabolite concentrations in the thalamus and frontal lobe of patients with JME.

Methods

A specific protocol was used for determining GABA concentrations in the thalamus, frontal lobe, and motor cortex contralateral to the handedness in 15 patients with JME and 15 age‐matched controls. In addition, we measured concentrations of glutamate and glutamine, N‐acetyl‐aspartate (NAA), myoinositol, creatine, and choline using MRS with short echo time. JME‐related concentration changes were analyzed comparing patients to controls, also considering potential effects of antiepileptic drugs.

Results

In patients with JME, GABA and NAA were reduced in the thalamus (p = 0.03 and p = 0.02), whereas frontal GABA and glutamine were elevated (p = 0.046 and p = 0.03). MRS revealed reduced NAA in the thalamic gray matter contralateral to the handedness (p = 0.04 each). These changes were found consistently in patients treated with new antiepileptic drugs and with valproate, although the extent of metabolic changes differed between these treatments.

Significance

Decreased thalamic and increased frontal GABA suggest a dysfunction of GABAergic neurotransmission in these brain regions of patients with JME. The NAA decrease in the gray matter of the thalamus may hint to a damage of GABAergic neurons, whereas frontal increase of GABA and its precursor glutamine may reflect increased density in GABAergic neurons due to subtle cortical disorganization in the thalamofrontal network.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Cytogenetic biomonitoring in oral leukoplakia patients with mild dysplasia
Authors: Sánchez‐Siles Mariano , Camacho‐Alonso Fabio , Ros‐Llor Irene , López‐Jornet Pia
Published: June 2014

Objective

A study is made of DNA damage and apoptosis in a group of patients with oral leukoplakia (OL) with mild dysplasia.

Materials and methods

The study comprised 30 patients with a clinicopathological diagnosis of OL with mild dysplasia and 30 controls. Both samples were similar in terms of age and gender distribution. Brush samples of lesion epithelial cells were collected, followed by cell centrifugation, preparation of the slides, fixation and staining, and analysis under the fluorescent light microscope. The exfoliated cells were examined to detect micronuclei (MN), nuclear buds, binucleated cells, condensed chromatin, pyknosis, and cells with karyorrhexis and karyolysis.

Results

The patients with OL with mild dysplasia showed a greater frequency of MN (P < 0.001), nuclear buds (P = 0.018), and binucleated cells (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Cytogenetic biomonitoring is a simple and scantly invasive technique allowing clinicians to assess DNA damage and apoptosis in patients with OL.

Clinical relevance

Oral cancer should be detected and controlled in its precancerous stages in order to increase survival rates. Leukoplakia lesions must be biomonitorized periodically. Biomonitorization offers sensibility, no morbidity, speed, and low cost.
Topical ivermectin versus crotamiton cream 10% for the treatment of scabies
Authors: Goldust Mohamad , Rezaee Elham , Raghiafar Ramin
Published: June 2014

Scabies, known colloquially as the 7‐year itch, is a contagious skin infection that occurs among humans and other animals. The treatment of choice is still controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of topical ivermectin vs. crotamiton cream 10% for the treatment of scabies. In total, 340 patients with scabies were enrolled, and randomized into two groups. The first group received 1% ivermectin applied topically to the affected skin. The dose employed was 400 μg/kg, repeated once the following week, and the second group received crotamiton 10% cream and were told to apply this twice daily for five consecutive days. Treatment was evaluated at intervals of two and four weeks, and if there was treatment failure at the 2‐week follow‐up, treatment was repeated. Two applications of topical ivermectin provided a cure rate of 64.7% at the 2‐week follow‐up, which increased to 82.3% at the 4‐week follow‐up after repeating the treatment. Treatment with single applications of crotamiton cream 10% was effective in 41.2% of patients at the 2‐week follow‐up, which increased to 64.7% at the 4‐week follow‐up after this treatment was repeated. Ivermectin was quite safe in our cases. Two applications of ivermectin were as effective as single applications of crotamiton 10% cream at the 2‐week follow‐up. After repeating the treatment, ivermectin was superior to crotamiton cream 10% at the 4‐week follow‐up.
Disseminated giant porokeratosis and porokeratosis of Mibelli in Bankura and Bardhaman districts, West Bengal, India
Authors: Koley Sankha , Mandal Rajesh Kumar , Bar Chittaranjan
Published: June 2014

Porokeratosis of Mibelli (PM) is a rare genodermatosis. It is caused by proliferation of abnormal clones of epidermal cells in response to several stimuli, the most important of which is sunlight. Giant porokeratosis is thought to be a variant of PM. We report two cases of disseminated PM and one case of disseminated giant porokeratosis from the Bankura and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal in India; presenting to a single observer in the summer of 2012. Interestingly we have noted that the majority of cases of porokeratosis in India have been reported from West Bengal. Few patients with a single lesion of giant porokeratosis have been reported in world literature. As far as we know, this is the first case report of disseminated giant porokeratosis in world literature.
Mannose‐binding lectin exon 1 and promoter polymorphisms in tuberculosis disease in a mediterranean area
Authors: García‐Gasalla M. , Milá Llambí J. , Losada‐López I. , Cifuentes‐Luna C. , Fernández‐Baca V. , Pareja‐Bezares A. , Mir‐Villadrich I. , Payeras‐Cifré A.
Published: June 2014

Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein that activates the complement and mediates phagocytosis. MBL levels and MBL2 genotype may impact upon host susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) disease but evidence to date has been conflicting. MBL2 exon 1 and promoter genotyping and serum MBL concentrations were determined in 79 patients with active tuberculosis (58 pulmonary TB and 21 extrapulmonary or miliary TB) and 120 household healthy contacts (HHC) from a Mediterranean area (Majorca Island, Spain). Significantly higher serum MBL levels were found in patients with active tuberculosis than in HHC [median MBL concentrations 3430 ng mL−1 (10–28 415) and 2600 ng mL−1 (5–20 000) respectively, P = 0.002]. These higher MBL levels were mainly related to the most prevalent YA/YA wild‐type diplotype. There was a strong correlation between MBL2 exon 1 and promoter genotype and MBL levels. The diplotype LYQA/HYPA was present in 12 out of 57 of the pulmonary TB cases but in none of the extrapulmonary TB patients. Diplotype LXPA/HYPA, producer of high levels of MBL, was significantly more frequent in HHC than in patients (16.8% vs. 6.4%, P = 0.031) suggesting a protective role against the development of TB disease that has not been previously found.
Why people seek advice from community pharmacies about skin problems
Authors: Tucker Rod , Stewart Derek
Published: June 2014

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore the reasons why patients with undiagnosed skin problems seek advice at pharmacies.

Methods

Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with patients presenting at pharmacies requesting advice for their own (or their child's) undiagnosed skin problem.

Key findings

Twenty-five patients were interviewed. Key themes around choice of pharmacy were convenience of professional advice, triage to general practitioner (GP) care if warranted, inaccessibility of GP care and perceived non-serious nature of the condition. Interviewees also described high levels of trust in their pharmacists. Few concerns were noted, but those that were centred on lack of privacy and the potential for misdiagnosis. Almost all participants felt positive about their pharmacy care and would re-visit for future skin problems.

Conclusions

Patients with undiagnosed skin problems seek advice from pharmacies for reasons of professional advice, accessibility, familiarity and trust and because they perceive their conditions as non-serious.
Overweight and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein are weakly associated with kidney stone formation in Japanese men
Authors: Oda Eiji
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To investigate longitudinal relationships between obesity/inflammation and kidney stone formation in a population where obesity is not prevalent.

Methods

Using Cox regression models, associations between kidney stone formation and body mass index, waist circumference, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein and other possible risk factors were retrospectively examined in a health screening Japanese population including 1726 men and 992 women.

Results

During 4 years of follow up (mean 3.2 years), kidney stones were formed in 238 men (34.5 per 1000 person‐years) and 82 women (20.7 per 1000 person‐years). In men, when the possible risk factors were separately examined as continuous parameters, body mass index (P = 0.030) and waist circumference (P = 0.025) were significantly, and log C‐reactive protein (P = 0.092) were marginally, associated with kidney stone formation. However, none of these parameters was independently associated with kidney stone formation after fully adjusted. In women, none of the aforementioned three parameters was associated with kidney stone formation. As a categorical parameter, the higher two quintiles of C‐reactive protein were significantly associated with kidney stone formation compared with the lower two quintiles in men (P = 0.026).

Conclusions

Overweight and C‐reactive protein are weakly associated with kidney stone formation in Japanese men. Inflammation might be an underlying mechanism of the association between obesity and kidney stone formation.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: a common hormonal condition with major metabolic sequelae that physicians should know about
Authors: Shorakae S. , Boyle J. , Teede H.
Published: June 2014

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent, chronic and heterogeneous endocrine condition, with reproductive, metabolic and psychological features. Insulin resistance and hyperandrogenaemia are the key pathophysiological hormonal abnormalities. Insulin resistance is a significant contributor to the reproductive and metabolic complications of PCOS, both independently and in the setting of excess bodyweight. While the diagnostic criteria are now internationally uniformly accepted, individual components of the criteria are ill‐defined, making diagnosis challenging. This, along with low awareness of PCOS, has resulted in a significant proportion of women remaining undiagnosed. While reproductive features are best recognised in PCOS and form the basis of the diagnostic criteria, awareness of psychological and metabolic features, recommended screening protocols, and management strategies to prevent metabolic complications are important. In this review, we focus on diagnostic criteria, and reproductive, metabolic and psychological features of PCOS, as well as recommended screening and management strategies suggested by national and international evidence‐based guidelines.
Zoledronic acid causes γδ T cells to target monocytes and down‐modulate inflammatory homing
Authors: Fowler Daniel W. , Copier John , Dalgleish Angus G. , Bodman‐Smith Mark D.
Published: June 2014

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is a potential immunotherapy for cancer because it can induce potent γδ T‐cell‐mediated anti‐tumour responses. Clinical trials are testing the efficacy of intravenous ZA in cancer patients; however, the effects of systemic ZA on the activation and migration of peripheral γδ T cells remain poorly understood. We found that γδ T cells within ZA‐treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were degranulating, as shown by up‐regulated expression of CD107a/b. Degranulation was monocyte dependent because CD107a/b expression was markedly reduced in the absence of CD14+ cells. Consistent with monocyte‐induced degranulation, we observed γδ T‐cell‐dependent induction of monocyte apoptosis, as shown by phosphatidylserine expression on monocytes and decreased percentages of monocytes in culture. Despite the prevailing paradigm that ZA promotes tumour homing in γδ T cells, we observed down‐modulation of their tumour homing capacity, as shown by decreased expression of the inflammatory chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR3, and reduced migration towards the inflammatory chemokine CCL5. Taken together our data suggest that ZA causes γδ T cells to target monocytes and down‐modulate the migratory programme required for inflammatory homing. This study provides novel insight into how γδ T cells interact with monocytes and the possible implications of systemic use of ZA in cancer.
Do the Married Really Live Longer? The Role of Cohabitation and Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Drefahl Sven
Published: June 2014

Numerous studies have shown that married women and men experience the lowest mortality. Legal marital status, however, does not necessarily reflect today's social reality because individuals are classified as never married, widowed, or divorced even when they are living with a partner. Denmark is one of the forerunners of developments in coresidential partnerships and one of only a few countries where administrative sources provide individual‐level information on cohabitation for the whole population. Using register information from Statistics Denmark on 3,888,072 men and women ages 18–65, the author investigated mortality differences by living arrangement with hazard regression models. Overall, premature mortality was found to be lowest for married persons, followed by cohabiting persons. Adjusting for socioeconomic status reduced excess mortality of nonmarried individuals. Moreover, a mortality‐crossover effect emerged in which cohabiters with above‐average socioeconomic status had a lower risk of dying than married people. This finding was particularly pronounced for men.
Writing and Reviewing Manuscripts in the Multidimensional World of Qualitative Research
Authors: LaRossa Ralph
Published: June 2014

Qualitative manuscripts occupy a multidimensional world and can vary by their “latitude” (where they are with respect to the humanities and sciences), “longitude” (where they are with respect to the length and number of data excerpts), and “altitude” (where they are with respect to the level of theorizing). In this article, I discuss these 3 dimensions as they relate to the field of family studies, delineate the options available to authors as they carry out their analyses and present their findings, and outline the criteria reviewers frequently use when they evaluate qualitative work. It is hoped that, with a map of the writing and reviewing process, authors will be better equipped to chart the coordinates of their qualitative manuscripts and reviewers will be better able to provide the kinds of recommendations that authors can profitably utilize.
Working on the Weekend: Fathers' Time With Family in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hook Jennifer L.
Published: June 2014

Whereas most resident fathers are able to spend more time with their children on weekends than on weekdays, many fathers work on the weekends, spending less time with their children on these days. There are conflicting findings about whether fathers are able to make up for lost weekend time on weekdays. Using unique features of the United Kingdom's National Survey of Time Use 2000, the author examined the impact of fathers' weekend work on the time fathers spend with their children, family, and partners (N =595 fathers). The results revealed that weekend work is common among fathers and is associated with less time with children, families, and partners. Fathers do not recover lost time with children on weekdays, largely because weekend work is a symptom of overwork. The findings also revealed that even if fathers had compensatory time, they are unlikely to recover lost time spent as a family or couple.
Reassessing Differences in Work and Income in Cohabitation and Marriage
Authors: Kuperberg Arielle
Published: June 2014

Are cohabiters different than married couples who cohabited before marriage? This study used the 2002 wave of the National Survey of Families and Households to determine how work behavior might differ for 4 relationship types: (a) cohabiters with uncertain marriage plans, (b) cohabiters with definite marriage plans, (c) premarital cohabiters who recently married, and (d) premarital cohabiters married 5 or more years (n =638). The results are compared with differences found in overall comparisons of all cohabiters and married couples (N =916) and were markedly different, indicating that overall comparisons do not adequately capture the range of behavior across cohabitation and marriage. Evidence of increased specialization was found in marriage, yet steep behavioral differences were not found between cohabiters with definite marriage plans and recently married couples but instead were associated with longevity in marriage. This implies that any possible causal effect of marriage on behavior may accrue with time spent married.
The Tempo of Sexual Activity and Later Relationship Quality
Authors: Sassler Sharon , Addo Fenaba R. , Lichter Daniel T.
Published: June 2014

Rapid sexual involvement may have adverse long‐term implications for relationship quality. This study examined the tempo of sexual intimacy and subsequent relationship quality in a sample of married and cohabiting men and women. Data come from the Marital and Relationship Survey, which provides information on nearly 600 low‐ to moderate‐income couples living with minor children. Over one third of respondents became sexually involved within the first month of the relationship. Bivariate results suggested that delaying sexual involvement was associated with higher relationship quality across several dimensions. The multivariate results indicated that the speed of entry into sexual relationships was negatively associated with marital quality, but only among women. The association between relationship tempo and relationship quality was largely driven by cohabitation. Cohabiting may result in poorer quality relationship because rapid sexual involvement early in the romantic relationship is associated with entrance into shared living.
Three‐Generation Family Households: Differences by Family Structure at Birth
Authors: Pilkauskas Natasha V.
Published: June 2014

Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 4,898), this study investigated how the share, correlates, transition patterns, and duration of 3‐generation households vary by mother's relationship status at birth. Nine percent of married mothers, 17% of cohabiting mothers, and 45% of single mothers lived in a 3‐generation family household at the time of the child's birth. Incidence over time was much higher and most common among single‐mother households: Sixty percent lived in a 3‐generation family household at least 1 wave. Economic need, culture, and generational needs were associated with living in a 3‐generation household; correlates varied by mother's relationship status. Three‐generation family households were short lived, and transitions were frequent. Kin support through coresidence was an important source of support for families with young children and in particular families in which the parents were unwed at the time of their child's birth.
Transactional and Cascading Relations Between Early Spanking and Children's Social‐Emotional Development
Authors: Gromoske Andrea N. , Maguire‐Jack Kathryn
Published: June 2014

The authors tested a series of models linking spanking and child social‐emotional outcomes using a sample of 3,870 families from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study. Spanking was measured by the number of times the focal child was spanked by the mother at ages 1, 3, and 5. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 3 and 5. Child emotionality was used to index child behavior at age 1. A series of nested transactional and cascade models was tested through structural equation modeling. The final model supported transactional effects between spanking and child externalizing behaviors over child ages 1, 3, and 5. In addition, one cascade effect was found: Spanking at age 1 was related to greater externalizing behavior at age 3, which was related to greater internalizing behavior at age 5. Implications for family theory and future research are discussed.
The Structure of Intergenerational Relations in Rural China: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Guo Man , Chi Iris , Silverstein Merril
Published: June 2014

Most existing typology studies of intergenerational relations have used samples in North America and Europe. The present study expands on previous research by determining whether similar family relation typologies could be found using a sample of Chinese rural elders. The data were derived from a survey of 1,224 older adults in China's rural Anhui province in 2009. Latent class analysis revealed 5 types of intergenerational relations in rural Chinese families: (a) tight‐knit, (b) nearby but discordant, (c) distant discordant, (d) distant reciprocal, and (e) distant ascending. The authors argue that the distant ascending ties reflect the strong filial obligations that Chinese adult children have toward their parents and that the distant reciprocal ties reflect collaborative and mutually beneficial parent–child relations in rural China in the context of massive rural‐to‐urban migration. The findings of this study demonstrate how family relations in contemporary China are shaped by the larger economic, geographic, and cultural contexts.
Does the Reason Matter? Variations in Childlessness Concerns Among U.S. Women
Authors: McQuillan Julia , Greil Arthur L. , Shreffler Karina M. , Wonch‐Hill Patricia A. , Gentzler Kari C. , Hathcoat John D.
Published: June 2014

Does the reason why women have no children matter with regard to level of childlessness concerns? Reasons include biomedical barriers, situational barriers, delaying motherhood, and choosing to be childfree. The concept of “childlessness concerns” captures the idea that holidays and family gatherings are difficult because of not having children or feeling left out or sad that others have children. Life course and identity theories guided the structural equation model analyses of a representative sample of 1,180 U.S. women without children from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers. The results indicated that women with the least control over pregnancy, those with biomedical barriers, had the highest childlessness concerns. As hypothesized, the association between reasons and childlessness concerns was mediated by the identity‐relevant measure, importance of motherhood. Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, the association was not mediated by social messages to have children. Thus, it is primarily involuntarily childless women who have high childlessness concerns.
How Older People Position Their Late‐Life Childlessness: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Allen Ruth E. S. , Wiles Janine L.
Published: June 2014

This research explored how older people describe their paths to late‐life childlessness. In‐depth accounts from 38 childless older people, age 63–93, highlight the complex journeys and diverse meanings of childlessness for male and female participants, single and partnered, including some who had outlived children. Positioning theory is used to show how the conventional voluntary – involuntary binary is insufficient for capturing their experiences. Childlessness was for some an active choice to break a family violence cycle; for others, it was an outcome of social upheaval. It evoked feelings of both grief and relief over time, it was seen as evidence of discernment in being unwilling to parent at any price, or it was something that felt “natural” within a meaningful life. Rates of childlessness are increasing; this research highlights the fact that pathways and meanings of childlessness vary so much that it is unwise to assume that people have similar experiences of nonparenthood, especially in later life.
Family Time Activities and Adolescents' Emotional Well‐being
Authors: Offer Shira
Published: June 2014

The literature is divided on the issue of what matters for adolescents' well‐being, with one approach focusing on quality and the other on routine family time. Using the experience sampling method, a unique form of time diary, and survey data drawn from the 500 Family Study (N =237 adolescents with 8,122 observations), this study examined the association between family time and adolescents' emotional well‐being as a function of the type of activities family members engaged in during their time together. Hierarchical linear model analyses revealed that eating meals together was beneficial to adolescents' emotional well‐being, especially when fathers were present. Family leisure was also beneficial to teens' well‐being. By contrast, productive family time (e.g., homework) was associated with lower emotional well‐being, as was maintenance family time (e.g., household chores), but only when adolescents engaged in it with both parents.
Mothers' and Fathers' Work Hours, Child Gender, and Behavior in Middle Childhood
Authors: Johnson Sarah , Li Jianghong , Kendall Garth , Strazdins Lyndall , Jacoby Peter
Published: June 2014

This study examined the association between typical parental work hours (including nonemployed parents) and children's behavior in two‐parent heterosexual families. Child behavior was measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at ages 5, 8, and 10 in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study (N = 4,201 child‐year observations). Compared to those whose fathers worked fewer hours per week, children whose fathers worked 55 hours or more per week had significantly higher levels of externalizing behavior. This association was not explained by father–child time during the week, poorer family functioning, or overreactive parenting practice. Further, when stratifying the analysis by child gender, this association appeared to exist only in boys. Mothers' work hours were unrelated to children's behavioral problems. The role of parent and child gender in the relationships between parental work hours and children's behavioral problems, together with mediating factors, warrants further investigation.
Influence of Intermediate ZnO on the Crystallization of PbSe Quantum Dots in Silicate Glasses
Authors: Ma De‐Wei , Zhang Yan‐Ni , Xu Zhou‐Su , Cheng Cheng
Published: June 2014

Glasses containing PbSe quantum dots have important prospective applications in the area of near infrared optoelectronic devices. ZnO plays an important but complicated role in the preparation of quantum dot glass. We gave reasonable elaborations on the color changes of the as‐prepared and annealed glasses containing PbSe quantum dots. The as‐prepared glasses presenting nearly black to transparent straw‐yellow colors with rising ZnO content can be understood in terms of the conversion between PbSe and ZnSe; the colors of all annealed glasses turning very black can be well explained through thermodynamic calculations with the Gibbs–Helmho1tz equation. Next, according to the results of X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and optical measurements, the sample with an introduction of 9.4 wt.% ZnO possesses a maximum degree of crystallization and the best optical properties among all samples, which suggests the host glass with addition of 9.4 ± 1 wt.% ZnO is optimum for crystallization of PbSe quantum dots. Finally, we employed classical nucleation theory to quantitatively calculate the nucleation rates and growth rates of PbSe quantum dots, and found that with the growing ZnO content in host glass, the nucleation rate decreases, whereas the growth rate of PbSe quantum dot increases gradually.
Efficacy and safety of topical glycopyrrolate in patients with facial hyperhidrosis: a randomized, multicentre, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, split‐face study
Authors: Hyun M.Y. , Son I.P. , Lee Y. , Choi H.G. , Park K.Y. , Li K. , Kim B.J. , Seo S.J. , Kim M.N. , Hong C.K.
Published: June 2014

Background

Although facial hyperhidrosis has been frequently associated with a diminished quality of life, various conservative modalities for its management are still far from satisfactory.

Objective

To evaluate the antiperspirant efficacy and safety of the topical glycopyrrolate on facial hyperhidrosis at specified posttreatment intervals.

Methods

Thirty‐nine patients with facial hyperhidrosis were enrolled and treated with 2% topical glycopyrrolate on one‐half of the forehead, whereas the other half of the forehead was treated with a placebo. All patients applied topical glycopyrrolate or placebo once a day for nine successive days. Each evaluation included weighing sweat and assessing the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) score and any adverse effects.

Results

Compared with the placebo‐treated sides, topical glycopyrrolate‐treated sides showed a reduction in the rate of sweat production at the forehead of 25.16 ± 10.30% (mean ± SD) at 90 min after the first application (day 1), 29.63 ± 7.74% at 24 h after the first application (day 2) and 36.68 ± 11.41% at 24 h after eight additional successive daily applications (day 10) (all P < 0.025). There was a little more decrease in HDSS score with the topical glycopyrrolate‐treated half of the forehead, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.025). No serious adverse events were reported during the course of this study. Only one patient developed a transient headache after treatment.

Conclusion

Topical glycopyrrolate application appears to be significantly effective and safe in reducing excessive facial perspiration.
Nationwide population‐based study of cause‐specific death rates in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Salahadeen E. , Torp‐Pedersen C. , Gislason G. , Hansen P.R. , Ahlehoff O.
Published: June 2014

Background

Psoriasis is a common chronic disease, mediated by type 1 and 17 helper T cell‐driven inflammation. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a wide range of comorbidities and increased mortality rates. However, the current evidence on psoriasis‐related mortality is limited and nationwide data have not been presented previously.

Methods

In a nationwide population‐based cohort we evaluated all‐cause and cause‐specific death rates in patients with psoriasis as compared to the general population.

Results

The entire Danish population aged 18 and above, corresponding to a total of 5 458 627 individuals (50.7% female, 40.9 years ± 19.7), including 94 069 with mild psoriasis (53% female, 42.0 ± 17.0 years) and 28 253 with severe psoriasis (53.4% female, 43.0 ± 16.5 years), was included. A total of 884 661 deaths were recorded, including 10 916 in patients with mild psoriasis and 3699 in patients with severe psoriasis. The age at time of death varied by psoriasis status, i.e. 76.5 ± 14.0, 74.4 ± 12.8 and 72.0 ± 13.4 years, for the general population, mild psoriasis and severe psoriasis respectively. In general, the highest death rates were observed in patients with severe psoriasis. Overall death rates per 1000 patient years were 13.8 [confidence interval (CI) 13.8–13.8], 17.0 (CI 16.7–17.3) and 25.4 (CI 24.6–26.3) for the general population, patients with mild psoriasis and patients with severe psoriasis respectively.

Conclusion

This nationwide population‐based study of cause‐specific death rates in patients with psoriasis demonstrated reduced lifespan and increased rates of all examined specific causes of death in patients with psoriasis compared to the general population.
Psychiatric comorbidities in 3207 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Shavit E. , Dreiher J. , Freud T. , Halevy S. , Vinker S. , Cohen A.D.
Published: June 2014

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease affecting skin that bears apocrine glands. Only anecdotal reports and a few small studies have demonstrated a possible association between HS and depression, but these studies were uncontrolled or were based on small sample sizes. To the best of our knowledge, the association between HS and other psychiatric disorders has never been investigated.

Objectives

To investigate the association between HS and psychiatric disorders: depression, anxiety, psychoses, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted utilizing the database of Clalit Health Services (over 4 100 000 patients). Case patients were defined as having HS when diagnosed by a dermatologist. Control patients without HS were age and gender matched in a 2 : 1 manner. The proportions of patients with psychiatric diseases were compared between patients with and without HS. The association between HS and psychiatric diseases was assessed in multivariate models using logistic regression analyses.

Results

The study included 3207 patients with HS and 6412 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Depression was diagnosed in 5.9% of patients with HS vs. 3.5% of patients without HS (P < 0.001). Anxiety was diagnosed in 3.9% of patients with HS vs. 2.4% of patients without HS (P < 0.001). These associations were significant after controlling for the confounders age and gender (Depression: OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4–2.1; Anxiety: OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–2.1).

Conclusions

Hidradenitis suppurativa was associated with depression and anxiety. Dermatologists treating patients with HS should be aware of this important association.
Serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in alcoholics: Relation to liver disease severity, fibrogenesis, and alcohol use
Authors: Tuomi Heidi , Kultti Johanna , Danielsson Joanna , Kangastupa Päivikki , Åkerman Kari , Niemelä Onni
Published: June 2014

Background and Aim

Heavy alcohol consumption may lead to development of liver disease and the need for non‐invasive parameters for detecting those at risk is widely acknowledged.

Methods

We measured serum soluble urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) levels from 63 patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), 57 heavy drinkers without apparent liver disease, and 39 controls who were either moderate drinkers or abstainers.

Results

The highest serum suPAR concentrations were detected in patients with ALD (P < 0.001) showing high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating ALD patients from heavy drinkers without liver disease (area under curve 0.921, P < 0.001). Levels of suPAR correlated positively with serum markers of fibrogenesis (aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen and hyaluronic acid) (P < 0.001), with clinical (combined clinical and laboratory index P < 0.01) and morphological (combined morphological index P < 0.05) indices of liver disease severity and with the stage of fibrosis (P < 0.01). The suPAR concentrations were also elevated in heavy drinkers when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The data indicate that serum suPAR concentrations are increased as a result of heavy alcohol consumption and further with development of ALD, showing a good diagnostic performance in detecting those with liver disease. The association with the histological severity of ALD and correlation with fibrosis indicates potential of serum suPAR also as a prognostic marker in ALD.
Normal values and symptom correlation of a simplified oatmeal‐based gastric emptying study in the Chinese population
Authors: Tseng Ping‐Huei , Wu Yen‐Wen , Lee Yi‐Chia , Cheng Mei‐Fang , Tzen Kai‐Yuan , Wang Hsiu‐Po , Lin Jaw‐Town , Hsieh Sung‐Tsang , Yang Wei‐Shiung , Wu Ming‐Shiang
Published: June 2014

Background and Aim

Instant oatmeal has been proposed as a good alternative to the standardized low‐fat egg white test meal for gastric emptying studies. We aim to establish normal values of oatmeal‐based gastric emptying scintigraphy and test its correlation with gastroparesis symptoms in the Chinese population.

Methods

This study prospectively enrolled 60 healthy volunteers, 30 functional dyspepsia and 30 diabetes patients with gastroparesis symptoms. All participants were evaluated using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index. Each participant ingested instant oatmeal mixed with 1 mCi of 99mTc diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid, and serial imaging was immediately acquired for 3 h in the supine position using a left anterior oblique projection. Time‐activity curves were generated and quantitative parameters were determined. Normal values were established from healthy volunteers and further applied in the symptomatic patients.

Results

All participants finished the test meal and tolerated the procedure well. All gastric emptying parameters were not significantly affected by age or gender. Values above the 95th percentile of T1/2, gastric retention at 1, 2, and 3 h (85 min, 65%, 28%, and 8%, respectively) were indicative of delayed gastric emptying. Values below the 5th percentile of gastric retention at 0.5 and 1 h (40% and 15%, respectively) were indicative of rapid gastric emptying. The lower gastric retention limit at 0.5 and 1 h were 40% and 15%, respectively. Four (13.3%) diabetes and four (13.3%) functional dyspepsia patients had delayed emptying while three diabetes patients (10%) had rapid emptying. Gastric emptying parameters correlated best with vomiting (r = 0.621) and nausea (r = 0.566) in diabetes patients.

Conclusions

We established normal values of oatmeal‐based gastric emptying scintigraphy and observed good correlation with cardinal gastroparesis symptoms in the Chinese population.
Similarities and differences in the clinical features between cardia varices and esophageal varices
Authors: Kondo Takayuki , Maruyama Hitoshi , Kiyono Soichiro , Sekimoto Tadashi , Shimada Taro , Takahashi Masanori , Okugawa Hidehiro , Kobayashi Satoshi , Yoshizumi Hiroaki , Yokosuka Osamu
Published: June 2014

Background and Aim

Little is known about the clinical features of cardia varices (CV). The aim was to examine the background, bleeding risk, and post‐treatment outcomes of CV in patients with portal hypertension.

Methods

The subjects of this retrospective study were 277 patients (179 males, 98 females, 62.9 ± 11.5 years) with esophageal varices (EV). In patients with CV, there were 65 bleeders, and 95 patients received endoscopic treatment for primary or secondary prophylaxis.

Results

There were 147 patients with CV (53.1%). The higher grade of EV (P < 0.01) and the lower grade of gastric fundal varices (FV) (P = 0.046) were significant factors for the presence of CV. Significant risk factors for bleeding were: the higher grade of EV (P < 0.01), red sign on EV (P < 0.01), lower albumin (P = 0.01), and Child‐Pugh B/C (P < 0.01) for EV and red sign on CV (P < 0.01) and use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/aspirin (P < 0.01) for CV. All CV disappeared by sclerotherapy combined with argon plasma coagulation or band ligation, and 20 patients (21.1%) in EV and 18 patients (18.9%) in CV had recurrences during the median observation period of 19.4 months. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate between non‐bleeders, bleeders from EV, and those from CV.

Conclusions

The CV were closely associated with advanced grade of EV and less‐advanced grade of FV. Further, usage of NSAIDs/aspirin and red sign were significantly related to the bleeding from CV, suggesting the need for careful management.
Clinicopathological features of patients with acute graft‐versus‐host disease of the upper digestive tract
Authors: Nomura Kosuke , Iizuka Toshiro , Kaji Daisuke , Yamamoto Hisashi , Kuribayashi Yasutaka , Kimura Ryusuke , Yamada Akihiro , Furuhata Tsukasa , Yamashita Satoshi , Kikuchi Daisuke , Matsui Akira , Mitani Toshifumi , Ogawa Osamu , Hoteya Shu , Ota Yasunori , Taniguchi Shuichi , Kaise Mitsuru
Published: June 2014

Background and Aims

Acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) occurring within 100 days post‐transplant is one of critical factors influencing prognosis in transplant recipients. Among cases of GVHD of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, GVHD rarely affects the upper GI. In this study, we retrospectively examined the frequency of upper GI GVHD and diagnostic accuracy.

Patients and Methods

From among 868 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our hospital between January 2005 and June 2012, 115 of whom underwent biopsy for upper GI symptoms. The endoscopic findings and histologic diagnosis from these 115 patients were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

GVHD was histologically diagnosed in 85 patients overall (9.8% of all 868 transplant recipients). Although gastric mucosal exfoliation was not commonly observed, this endoscopic finding when used as a diagnostic predictor had both a specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100%. When using redness, luster, and mucosal change as predictors, specificity and PPV were relatively high, suggesting that these gastric endoscopic findings are useful in the diagnosis of upper GI GVHD. Among the duodenal endoscopic findings, erosion as a diagnostic predictor had both a high specificity and PPV. The biopsy results often lead to a diagnosis of GVHD even in cases judged to be endoscopically normal.

Conclusions

Among the gastric endoscopic findings, mucosal exfoliation, although rare, and redness, luster, and mucosal change are likely to be useful diagnostic predictors of upper GI GVHD. GVHD was frequently diagnosed in patients with endoscopically normal duodenum, suggesting that biopsies are important for definitive diagnosis.
Association Between Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment for Scope of Treatment and In‐Hospital Death in Oregon
Authors: Fromme Erik K. , Zive Dana , Schmidt Terri A. , Cook Jennifer N. B. , Tolle Susan W.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To examine the relationship between Physician Orders for Life‐Sustaining Treatment (POLST) for Scope of Treatment and setting of care at time of death.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Oregon in 2010 and 2011.

Participants

People who died of natural causes.

Measurements

Oregon death records containing cause and location of death were matched with POLST orders for people with a POLST form in the Oregon POLST registry. Logistic regression was used to measure the association between POLST orders and location of death.

Results

Of 58,000 decedents, 17,902 (30.9%) had a POLST form in the registry. Their orders for Scope of Treatment were comfort measure only, 11,836 (66.1%); limited interventions, 4,787 (26.7%); and full treatment, 1,153 (6.4%). Comfort measures only (CMO) orders advise avoiding hospitalization unless comfort cannot be achieved in the current setting; 6.4% of participants with POLST CMO orders died in the hospital, compared with 44.2% of those with orders for full treatment and 34.2% for those with no POLST form in the registry. In the logistic regression, the odds of dying in the hospital of those with an order for limited interventions was 3.97 times as great (95% CI = 3.59–4.39) as of those with a CMO order, and the odds of those with an order for full treatment was 9.66 times as great (95% CI = 8.39–11.13).

Conclusions

The association with numbers of deaths in the hospital suggests that end‐of‐life preferences of people who wish to avoid hospitalization as documented in POLST orders are honored.
OsHK3 is a crucial regulator of abscisic acid signaling involved in antioxidant defense in rice
Authors: Wen Feng , Qin Tingting , Wang Yao , Dong Wen , Zhang Aying , Tan Mingpu , Jiang Mingyi
Published: June 2014

In this study, the role of the rice (Oryza sativa L.) histidine kinase OsHK3 in abscisic acid (ABA)‐induced antioxidant defense was investigated. Treatments with ABA, H2O2, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) induced the expression of OsHK3 in rice leaves, and H2O2 is required for ABA‐induced increase in the expression of OsHK3 under water stress. Subcellular localization analysis showed that OsHK3 is located in the cytoplasm and the plasma membrane. The transient expression analysis and the transient RNA interference test in rice protoplasts showed that OsHK3 is required for ABA‐induced upregulation in the expression of antioxidant enzymes genes and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Further analysis showed that OsHK3 functions upstream of the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase OsDMI3 and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase OsMPK1 to regulate the activities of antioxidant enzymes in ABA signaling. Moreover, OsHK3 was also shown to regulate the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase genes, OsrbohB and OsrbohE, and the production of H2O2 in ABA signaling. Our data indicate that OsHK3 play an important role in the regulation of ABA‐induced antioxidant defense and in the feedback regulation of H2O2 production in ABA signaling.