bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Follow-Up of Mobile Bearing Total Ankle Arthroplasty in the United States
Authors: Jastifer James R. , Coughlin Michael J.
Published: September 2014

Background:

The published long-term follow-up of modern total ankle arthroplasty is limited. We report results after a minimum of 10-year follow-up in a cohort of patients who underwent the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR™) in the United States.

Methods:

Between 1998 and 2003, 18 patients underwent total ankle arthroplasty for end-stage ankle degeneration and were available for follow-up at a minimum of 10 years postoperatively out of a consecutive series of 41 patients. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon at a single institution. Clinical, radiographic, and functional examinations were performed. Revision was defined as failure of either the tibial or the talar metallic component. The mean length of follow-up was 12.6 years (range, 10.2 to 14.6).

Results:

Overall implant survival was 94.4% (17/18). A total of 39% (7/18) required additional surgical procedures, most of which were performed greater than 9 years postoperatively, and 1 required a revision of the prosthesis. Preoperative VAS pain scale scores improved from 8.1 to 2.1 out of 10 at latest follow-up. Mean Buechel–Pappas Scale scores improved from 32.8 to 82.1 and mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale scores improved from 32.8 to 78.1 at latest follow-up. All patients reported their outcome as good or excellent.

Conclusion:

In the current cohort of STAR ankle patients, implant survival, patient satisfaction, pain relief, and function were high. However, the rate of additional procedures was also high, which highlights the need for patient follow-up and additional long-term outcome studies on total ankle arthroplasty.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, cohort study.
A Prospective Investigation of Factors That Predict Desistance From Recidivism for Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended
Authors: Worling James R. , Langton Calvin M.
Published: September 2014

Current approaches to violence risk assessment are focused on the identification of factors that are predictive of future violence rather than factors that predict desistance. This is also true for the popular tools designed to predict adolescent sexual recidivism. Research on strengths-based variables with adolescents who have sexually offended that could serve a protective function is only recently underway. In the current prospective study, scores from clinician-completed assessments using the Estimate of Risk of Adolescent Sexual Offense Recidivism (ERASOR) and the parent-completed form of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS-2) were evaluated in a sample of 81 adolescent males with at least one sexual offense. As expected, the ERASOR was significantly correlated with sexual recidivism over an average 3.5-year follow-up. In terms of a protective function, the Affective Strength scale of the BERS-2 was significantly negatively correlated with sexual recidivism, although it did not have incremental validity over and above the ERASOR. The BERS-2 School Functioning scale was significantly negatively correlated with nonsexual recidivism. The results are discussed in terms of previous findings and theoretical work on attachment in sexual offending behavior and implications for risk assessment practice.
Improving Transition Behaviors in Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Lequia Jenna , Wilkerson Kimber L. , Kim Sunyoung , Lyons Gregory L.
Published: September 2014

Students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit rigidity, which can lead to difficulties with transitions. Such difficulties can explain why students with ASD are placed in more restrictive educational environments. This review offers a quantitative synthesis of effects of interventions aimed to improve transitions of students with ASD and provides a descriptive overview of the quality of the included studies. Analyses focused on the main component of the intervention, topography of challenging behavior, and the type of transition expected of students with ASD. Activity schedules were most prominently used and most successful to ease transition difficulties. Strategies that align with preferences of students with ASD also successfully improved transitions. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
Smoke and mirrors: Institutional entrepreneurship and gender identities in the US Tobacco Industry, 1920–1945
Authors: Prasad Pushkala , Prasad Anshuman , Baker Kelly
Published: September 2014

This article examines the institutional entrepreneurship displayed by the US tobacco industry in its attempt to overcome the moral illegitimacy of smoking among women in the years following World War I. Using historical analysis within a critical institutional framework, we trace the strategies used by the tobacco industry in combating seemingly powerful taboos and convincing large sections of the female population to take up smoking. Contrary to popular explanations linking the appeal of cigarettes to the aura of sexual glamour that was associated with them, we posit that the industry was able to initially expand its female consumer base by creatively appropriating the discourse of ‘the new American woman’ that was emerging in elite circles at that time. We found that many tobacco manufacturers were institutionally entrepreneurial in their ability to discursively connect selected ideals of emancipation with a spectrum of female identities in American society. We conclude by drawing implications for an understanding of the management of moral illegitimacy.
Disparities in dietary habits and physical activity in Denmark and trends from 1995 to 2008
Authors: Groth Margit Velsing , Sørensen Mette Rosenlund , Matthiessen Jeppe , Fagt Sisse , Landvad Niels , Knudsen Vibeke Kildegaard
Published: September 2014

Aims: To examine social disparities in dietary-, alcohol- and leisure-time physical activity habits in Danish adults from 1995 to 2008 and to test the hypothesis of widening disparities. Methods: Four cross-sectional surveys of representative samples of the Danish population aged 20–75 years were analysed, a total of 7900 respondents. Dietary and alcohol habits were measured by a 7-day pre-coded food diary and physical activity and education by a face-to-face interview. Multivariate analyses were used to test associations between explanatory variables and response variables and the hypothesis of widening disparities. Results: In all analyses, both diet quality and physical inactivity differed systematically with educational group and with healthier habits for the group with long education. Only for alcohol habits was an opposite social gradient seen. Disparities persisted over all time periods. The analyses using “The Concentration Index” did not change any of the conclusions. Gender also influenced diet quality. Men had dietary and alcohol habits furthest away from the guidelines. A trend of healthier habits was also found over the time period. Conclusions: Social disparities in diet quality and leisure-time physical activity were seen for all examined time periods and with no significant change. Therefore, there is no support to the hypothesis of widening social disparities. In all educational groups some improvement of dietary habits was found, especially for those foods where comprehensive initiatives had taken place. However, social disparities still exist. There is an ongoing need to address these disparities in order to reduce social inequality in health.
Wounded bonds: A review of the social work literature on gay, lesbian and bisexual military service members and veterans
Authors: Pelts Michael D , Rolbiecki Abigail J , Albright David L
Published: September 2014

The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) allows people who identify as gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) to serve openly in the U.S. Military. Military officials are taking great efforts to include GLB service members. This article reviews the historical accounts of the military’s treatment of people who identify as GLB, emphasizing the importance of understanding this history for the social work profession. The article also reports on the review of content related to GLB service members and veterans in 13 journals of social work, identifying implications for social work.

Findings

Based on the applicability to topic and population, ‘journal impact factor’ was utilized to identify the 13 primary journals of social work from 1992–2013 for content related to GLB and military or veterans. Within the 13 journals only eight articles were published during this period relevant to this population.

Applications

Results suggest a strong need to provide more scholarly literature and research with military and veterans that identify as GLB. More information is needed to understand the needs and inform social work education and practice.
The precarious character of routine practice in social and primary health care
Authors: Rexvid Devin , Evertsson Lars , Forssén Annika , Nygren Lennart
Published: September 2014

This article presents a description and analysis of the written narratives of problematic situations given by social workers and general practitioners (GPs) within the framework of the sociology of professions and organisations. The narratives were collected from 28 social workers and 24 GPs, working in several Swedish counties.

Findings

Our findings show that the professionals rarely described lack of knowledge or difficulties choosing the right intervention or treatment as problematic. Rather, the problematic situations contained encounters with clients perceived as disruptive to professional routine practice. We conclude that there were three different types of problematic situations where the professional routine practice was disrupted: (1) Situations related to ‘client-making work’, where the professionals perceived it difficult to, e.g., gather enough information about the client to make a diagnosis, set a timetable or decide on adequate interventions; (2) Situations related to ‘wicked work’, where the professionals experienced clients unable to articulate their problems or understand and follow the interventions suggested by the professionals; (3) Situations related to ‘dirty work’ were only present in GPs’ narratives and typically occurred when GPs perceived that they were dealing with clients who endangered their professional status.

Applications

Contrary to previous studies, this study indicates that problematic situations are not necessarily connected with traits and characteristic of the client or a lack of professional competence. Instead, they might be connected to situations where professional routine practice is disrupted. Furthermore, it is questionable to what extent problematic situations connected to such disruption can be managed by evidence-based methods, manualisation and standardisation.
Experience of media presentations for the alleviation of agitation and emotional distress among dementia patients in a long-term nursing facility
Authors: Chung Joohyun , Choi Seong-In , Kim Jun
Published: September 2014

Although the cause and the cure for dementia remain unknown, it is clear that environmental factors can offer relief of cognitive impairment and encourage emotional stability. The purpose was to explore dementia patients’ experiences of a media presentation including images of nature. Combining a qualitative approach with quantitative data analysis, the project exposed 23 participants to slide show presentations of fascinating natural scenes over 4 weeks. The patients’ feelings and experiences of the media presentations were investigated using semistructured interviews and daily chart reviews in which weekly behavioral changes. The experience of natural scenes in dementia patients’ everyday atmosphere became a new and positive aspect of life at the long-term nursing facility, although the quantitative data did not significantly change during the project. This treatment could provide dementia patients with a nurturing relationship, making nature a supportive part of their everyday experience.
Reading the signs: using a qualitative Geographic Information System to examine the commemoration of slavery and emancipation on historical markers in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Authors: Hanna Stephen P. , Hodder E. Fariss
Published: September 2014

Until recently, narratives of slavery and emancipation have been absent from, or at best marginalized within, landscapes designed to commemorate colonial, antebellum, and Civil War history in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and most other places within the United States. As many scholars, journalists, and activists argue, the erasure of slavery, Jim Crow era segregation, and other race-based discrimination from national understandings of United States’ history continues to have a large and negative impact on efforts to understand and redress racial inequality. In this article, we argue that historical markers and monuments, as both elements within and interpretations of Fredericksburg’s commemorative landscape can be used to assess the extent to which slavery and emancipation have been integrated into the town’s collective memory. Since the locations as well as the content of these markers determine which past narratives are central and which are marginal, we use a qualitative Geographic Information System to perform content and discourse analyses on markers selected by their topics and locations. This approach enables us to critically examine both the presences and absences of slavery and emancipation in Fredericksburg’s commemorative landscape.
A light-emitting diode motorcycle low-beam headlamp based on a freeform reflector
Authors: Ge P , Wang X , Li Y , Wang H
Published: September 2014

The illumination quality of a motorcycle lighting system is essential for safety and driving comfort. In this paper, we propose a light-emitting diode (LED) motorcycle low-beam headlamp based on a freeform reflector. The reflector is generated by a freeform optics design method. Then, the optical system is simulated by the Monte Carlo method using commercial optical tracing software. The low-beam headlamp is then fabricated and assembled into a physical object. Both the simulation and measurement results show that the headlamp fully complies with United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) vehicle regulations.
An optimized melt spinning process to increase the productivity of nanofiber materials
Authors: Patnaik Asis , Anandjiwala Rajesh D
Published: September 2014

The main disadvantage of the current electrospinning and related processes for producing nanofibers is low throughput rate, which is a challenge for quite some time. Traditional approach of studying the influence of one factor at time on nanofiber diameter does not give a complete picture of the process, where many interacting process parameters are being neglected. This paper reports a melt spinning process to increase the production rate of nanofiber materials. An additional attachment was fixed below the filament extruder of a melt spinning line. This attachment with controlled heated airflow arrangement stretches the filament coming out of the extruder by the process of sequential drawing which result in the formation of nanofiber materials. A die with segmented cross-section was used during melt extrusion process. A Box and Behnken factorial design of experiment was conducted to study the influence of multiple parameters on fiber/filament diameters. These parameters were distance of the first drawing zone from the die, airflow, and air temperature. The selected parameters were varied at three levels, −1, 0, and +1, respectively. The current setup produces fibers with diameter ranging from 820 to 1145 nm, smallest diameter was 820 nm. Among the selected parameters, the interaction effect of the air temperature and distance of the first drawing zone from the die was a dominant factor on the extrusion of nanofibers. These results show that in a multivariable process, interaction effect of the parameters played a major role in determining fiber diameter and it cannot be neglected.
Effects of Alcohol Consumption on Cognition and Regional Brain Volumes Among Older Adults
Authors: Downer Brian , Jiang Yang , Zanjani Faika , Fardo David
Published: September 2014

This study utilized data from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort to examine the relationship between midlife and late-life alcohol consumption, cognitive functioning, and regional brain volumes among older adults without dementia or a history of abusing alcohol. The results from multiple linear regression models indicate that late life, but not midlife, alcohol consumption status is associated with episodic memory and hippocampal volume. Compared to late life abstainers, moderate consumers had larger hippocampal volume, and light consumers had higher episodic memory. The differences in episodic memory according to late life alcohol consumption status were no longer significant when hippocampal volume was included in the regression model. The findings from this study provide new evidence that hippocampal volume may contribute to the observed differences in episodic memory among older adults and late life alcohol consumption status.
Mimesis
Authors: Billett Stephen
Published: September 2014

This article proposes that human resource development (HRD) practitioners need to reconsider the potential of workers’ learning through every activities and interactions at work. It holds that the majority of learning across working lives likely occurs outside of being mentored, taught, or guided through training programs by others (e.g., teachers or experienced coworkers etc.) and their predetermined intentions for what is to be learnt. Yet, many, and perhaps most, explanatory and procedural accounts emphasize these kinds of intentional interventions by others (e.g., educational and training programs), more than workers’ actions as learners in and through their everyday work activities and interactions. Therefore, it seems important for HRD that these everyday learning processes be understood more fully. Here, an account is advanced of how workers’ learning through everyday work activities and interactions, both remote from and when engaged with others, arises through mimetic processes (i.e., observation, imitation, and action).
Conscious Cooperation With the Individuating Adult Learner
Authors: Spear Stephen B.
Published: September 2014

Fundamental to the process of Jungian individuation is the integration of ego consciousness and unconsciousness. For this to occur, the ego must be willing to consciously cooperate with the unconscious, acknowledging and nonjudgmentally accepting the imaginal communications that flow from it. The ego’s decision to cooperate with the unconscious is also the vital first step in transformative learning, viewed from a Jungian perspective. Consideration is given to forms of resistance to the unconscious, including the presence of a thick boundary between the ego and unconsciousness. Educators who are in a relationship of conscious cooperation with their own unconscious will be better prepared to create the open, protected space within which the unconsciousness of their learners will be granted freedom of movement and expression.
Posterior tibial vein aneurysm presenting as tarsal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Ayad Micheal , Whisenhunt Anumeha , Hong EnYaw , Heller Josh , Salvatore Dawn , Abai Babak , DiMuzio Paul J
Published: September 2014

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel. Its etiology varies, including space occupying lesions, trauma, inflammation, anatomic deformity, iatrogenic injury, and idiopathic and systemic causes. Herein, we describe a 46-year-old man who presented with left foot pain. Work up revealed a venous aneurysm impinging on the posterior tibial nerve. Following resection of the aneurysm and lysis of the nerve, his symptoms were alleviated. Review of the literature reveals an association between venous disease and tarsal tunnel syndrome; however, this report represents the first case of venous aneurysm causing symptomatic compression of the nerve.
Connecting local support: A qualitative study exploring the role of voluntary organisations in long-term condition management
Authors: Morris Rebecca , Kirk Susan , Kennedy Anne , Vassilev Ivaylo , Mathieson Amy , Jeffries Mark , Blickem Christian , Brooks Helen , Sanders Caroline , Rogers Anne
Published: September 2014

Objectives

To examine the role of community groups to support people living with long-term conditions and the organisational factors that influence this role.

Methods

Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with voluntary group organisers purposefully sampled in Greater Manchester from a local database of community groups. Interviews explored the organisations role in supporting people living with a long-term condition, their social networks and the origins of the groups.

Results

Respondents’ construed their role in supporting individual capacity for management either explicitly (e.g. providing exercise) or implicitly (e.g. emotional support). This role was influenced by a combination of group ideology, funding and social networks. Analysis highlights the role of the non-clinical setting, the social support provided within the group, as well as organisational processes that influenced their capacity to support people living with long-term conditions.

Conclusion

By examining the organisation of voluntary groups, this study highlights the way in which they may support or constrain access to an extended range of support for people with long-term conditions. This paper has implications for commissioning of services by the health service from the third sector because of the differing ideological perspectives and limited operational capacity.
Official Chinese media representations of US business, 1979–2011: A text mining approach
Authors: Murphy Priscilla , Vilceanu Marilena Olguta
Published: September 2014

How have three decades of change in Chinese society, business, and politics influenced its official media coverage of emerging partnerships and interactions with US business? This question was explored through text mining and semantic network analysis of 929 articles in China Daily and Xinhua News Service, from 1979 through 2011. The articles were examined via cluster analysis (grouping news stories with similar coverage) and factor analysis (revealing themes for each cluster). Four clusters of stories emerged, suggesting phases in Sino-American trade relations: 1979–1983 (emergence of basic principles), 1984–1987 (delicate balance between trade and politics), 1988–2002 (maturation of relations with American business), and 2003–2011 (tensions following China’s entrance into the World Trade Organization). Factor analysis revealed 17 themes throughout the period. A sense of historical inevitability surrounded China’s progress from the periphery to the core of globalization, while the US moved from sole player to one of many partners for China.
Evidence for the efficacy of interferon beta-1b in delaying the onset of clinically definite multiple sclerosis in individuals with clinically isolated syndrome
Authors: Freedman Mark S.
Published: September 2014

The BEtaferon®/BEtaseron® in Newly Emerging MS For Initial Treatment (BENEFIT) trial assessed the efficacy of early versus delayed treatment with interferon beta-1b for patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either interferon beta-1b 250 μg every other day (early treatment, n = 292) or placebo (delayed treatment, n = 176) for 2 years or until progression to clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes were assessed after 2 years (at the end of the placebo-controlled phase) and then again at 3, 5, and 8 years post randomization. MRI assessments were made after 2, 3, and 5 years. The results showed a consistent advantage of early treatment across most clinical and MRI variables, although median Expanded Disability Status Scale scores remained consistently low, with no differences between groups. These findings suggest that early treatment with interferon beta-1b improves long-term outcomes for patients presenting with CIS.
Reliability and accuracy of digital templating for the humeral component of total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Lee Christopher S , Davis Shane M , Lane Christianne J , Koonce Ryan C , Hartman Andrew P , Ball Kenneth , Esch James C
Published: September 2014

Background

This experimental study evaluated the interobserver reliability and accuracy of pre-operative digital templating for humeral head size, stem size and neck angle for total shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods

Twenty-five patients underwent a total shoulder arthroplasty with a single prosthesis. Four independent, blinded surgeons (two experienced shoulder surgeons and two PGY-6 fellows) used pre-operative radiographs and templating software to generate templates of the humeral head, stem and neck for each patient. Interobserver reliability was calculated using weighted kappa (κ) analysis. Accuracy was assessed by comparing templates to actual implant sizes.

Results

Interobserver reliability was fair to substantial (κ = 0.26 to 0.71) for head size, fair to substantial (κ = 0.39 to 0.72) for stem size and slight to fair (κ = 0.16 to 0.34) for neck angle. Templated head size, stem size and neck angle had accuracies of 53%, 77% and 68% within one size variation, respectively. Experience did not affect accuracy ( p = 0.11 to 0.48).

Conclusions

Digital templating is not a useful guide for pre-operative surgical planning and should not be used to select a prosthesis.
Contributions to the Impact of the Javits Act by the National Research Center on the Gifted and the Talented
Authors: Gubbins E. Jean , Callahan Carolyn M. , Renzulli Joseph S.
Published: September 2014

One component of the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act was provision for research on a national scale. In response, The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (NRC/GT) was created to design and implement a research portfolio. Based on emphasis in the Javits Act on underrepresented populations, on issues of identification and programming, and on priorities of an initial NRC/GT needs assessment, we elected to concentrate on summarizing the NRC/GT research reflecting identification practices, the status of current curricular and instructional strategies and practices, the development of challenging curricula, and the effectiveness of various professional development strategies as potential catalysts for change. The history underlying the development of the Javits Act and the organization and operation of the NRC/GT are described in the article titled “Laying the Base for the Future: One Cornerstone of the Javits Act” in this special issue of the Journal of Advanced Academics (JOAA).
TruFit Plug for Repair of Osteochondral Defects—Where Is the Evidence? Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Verhaegen J. , Clockaerts S. , Van Osch G.J.V.M. , Somville J. , Verdonk P. , Mertens P.
Published: September 2014

Objective:

Treatment of osteochondral defects remains a challenge in orthopedic surgery. The TruFit plug has been investigated as a potential treatment method for osteochondral defects. This is a biphasic scaffold designed to stimulate cartilage and subchondral bone formation. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical, radiological, and histological efficacy of the TruFit plug in restoring osteochondral defects in the joint.

Design:

We performed a systematic search in five databases for clinical trials in which patients were treated with a TruFit plug for osteochondral defects. Studies had to report clinical, radiological, or histological outcome data. Quality of the included studies was assessed.

Results:

Five studies describe clinical results, all indicating improvement at follow-up of 12 months compared to preoperative status. However, two studies reporting longer follow-up show deterioration of early improvement. Radiological evaluation indicates favorable MRI findings regarding filling of the defect and incorporation with adjacent cartilage at 24 months follow-up, but conflicting evidence exists on the properties of the newly formed overlying cartilage surface. None of the included studies showed evidence for bone ingrowth. The few histological data available confirmed these results.

Conclusion:

There are no data available that support superiority or equality of TruFit compared to conservative treatment or mosaicplasty/microfracture. Further investigation is needed to improve synthetic biphasic implants as therapy for osteochondral lesions. Randomized controlled clinical trials comparing TruFit plugs with an established treatment method are needed before further clinical use can be supported.
Early onset type 2 diabetes: risk factors, clinical impact and management
Authors: Wilmot Emma , Idris Iskandar
Published: September 2014

Early onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasingly prevalent with a significant impact on the individual, healthcare service delivery and planning. The individuals are likely to be obese, lead a sedentary lifestyle, have a strong family history of T2DM, be of black and minority ethnic (BME) origin and come from a less affluent socioeconomic group. They have a heightened risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications, often at an earlier stage and with greater frequency than seen in type 1 diabetes. As such, early and aggressive risk factor management is warranted. Early onset T2DM is complex and impacts on service delivery with a need for multidisciplinary care of complications and comorbidities’, in addition to adequate educational and psychological support. This review on the impact of early onset T2DM provides the latest insights into this emerging epidemic.
Development, content validity and inter-rater reliability testing of the Chronic Illness Management Implementation – Building Research Initiative Group: Chronic Illness Management and Adherence in Transplantation: An instrument to assess the level of chronic illness management implemented in solid organ transplant programmes
Authors: Berben Lut , Russell Cynthia L , Engberg Sandra , Dobbels Fabienne , De Geest Sabina
Published: September 2014

Introduction

In this article we report the item generation, validity and inter-rater reliability testing of the Chronic Illness Management Implementation – Building Research Initiative Group: Chronic Illness Management and Adherence in Transplantation instrument.

Methods

The instrument was developed based on the World Health Organization’s Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions framework by the research team in consultation with a chronic illness management expert and a focus group of transplant nurses. Seven chronic illness management experts were used to assist in calculating the content validity index for each item and the total instrument. A pilot study was conducted in two transplant programmes to examine inter-rater reliability. Percent agreement by professionals working within the same centre was calculated by averaging the percent agreement on individual items.

Results

The instrument content validity index was 87%. The percentage agreement in both transplant programmes was 84.6% and 74.8%, indicating good inter-rater reliability. The final instrument consists of 55 items.

Discussion

The results are promising, suggesting its value as a tool to measure implementation of chronic illness management in transplant programmes.
Random Movements Generation in Western and Eastern Cultures
Authors: Vicario Carmelo Mario , Sgubin Giulia , Newman Anica
Published: September 2014

Recent investigations document a space number association effect in decisional processes of left-to-right reading cultures. Here, we expanded on this issue by studying motor decisional processes in a group of bilingual Iranians (i.e., which read text from right to left and numbers from left to right) and a group of monolingual Australians, submitted to four different numerical cues (i.e., digits written in Arabic, digits written in East Arabic, English number words, Farsi number words). According to previous evidence, we found that both Arabic digits and English number words affect the performance of the Australian participants; on the contrary, no effect has been reported for all four codes in the performance of the Iranian participants. The current findings are discussed according to the absence of a consistence in the reading direction between numbers and words (i.e., Iranian participants) as well as the specific Inter Stimulus Interval (ISI) adopted for displaying all four codes.
Dietary intake practices associated with cardiovascular risk in urban and rural Ecuadorian adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ochoa-Avilés Angélica , Verstraeten Roosmarijn , Lachat Carl , Andrade Susana , Van Camp John , Donoso Silvana , Kolsteren Patrick
Published: September 2014

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are amongst the leading causes of death worldwide. Risk factors of CVD develop during childhood and adolescence, and dietary quality has been linked to the development of CVD itself. This study examines the association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk in a group of urban and rural Ecuadorian adolescents from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2008 to April 2009 among 606 adolescents from the 8th, 9th and 10th grade in an urban area (Cuenca), and 173 adolescents from a rural area (Nabón) in Ecuador. Data collection involved measuring anthropometric data (weight, height and waist circumference), blood pressure, dietary intake (2-day 24 h recall) and socio-demographic characteristics. Fasting blood lipids and glucose were measured in a subsample of 334 adolescents. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns and linear regression models were used to (i) identify differences in food intake practices according to socioeconomic status and place of residence and (ii) establish relationships between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Median energy intake was 1851 kcal/day. Overall, fiber, fish and fruit and vegetables were scarcely consumed, while added sugar, refined cereals and processed food were important constituents of the diet. Two dietary patterns emerged, one labelled as “rice-rich non-animal fat pattern” and the other one as “wheat-dense animal-fat pattern”. The first pattern was correlated with a moderate increase in glucose in urban participants, while the second pattern was associated with higher LDL and cholesterol blood levels in rural participants.

Conclusions

This group of adolescents presented various dietary practices conducive to CVD development. Effective strategies are needed to prevent CVD in the Ecuadorian population by encouraging a balanced diet, which contains less refined cereals, added sugar, and processed food, but has more fruits, vegetables and whole grain cereals.
The existence of symmetric positive solutions for a seconder-order difference equation with sum form boundary conditions
Authors: Guo Yanping , Ji Yude , Lv Xuefei
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we consider the existence of positive solutions for a second-order discrete boundary value problemΔ(g(k−1)Δu(k−1))+w(k)f(k,u(k))=0subject to the boundary conditions:au(0)−bg(0)Δu(0)=∑i=1n−1h(i)u(i),au(n)+bg(n−1)Δu(n−1)=∑i=1n−1h(i)u(i), wherea,b>0,Δu(k)=u(k+1)−u(k)fork∈{0,1,…,n−1},g(k)>0is symmetric on{0,1,…,n−1},w(k)is symmetric on{0,1,…,n},f:{0,1,…,n}×[0,+∞)is continuous,f(k,u)=f(n−k,u)for all(k,u)∈{0,1,…,n}×[0,+∞), andh(i)is nonnegative and symmetric on{0,1,…,n}. By the fixed point theorem and the Hölder inequality, we study the existence of symmetric positive solutions for the above difference equation with sum form boundary conditions.
Detecting functional changes with [18F]FAZA in a renal cell carcinoma mouse model following sunitinib therapy
Authors: Chapman David W , Jans Hans-Sonke , Ma Ivy , Mercer John R , Wiebe Leonard I , Wuest Melinda , Moore Ronald B
Published: September 2014

Background

The multitargeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib is currently the first-line drug therapy for metastasizing renal cell carcinoma (RCC). TKIs have profound effects on tumor angiogenesis, leading to modifications of the tumor microenvironment. The goal of this study was to determine whether these treatment-induced changes can be detected with [18F]FAZA.

Methods

The present study utilized positron emission tomography (PET) to analyze tumor oxygenation status during and after sunitinib therapy in the murine Caki-1 RCC tumor model. Dynamic and static scans were performed, as well as ex vivo biodistributions at 3 h post injection (p.i.). Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue was carried out for the quantification of pimonidazole binding and the hypoxia-associated factors CD-31, Ki-67, and Von Willebrand factor (VWF). In addition, in vitro cellular uptake studies were done to analyze the direct effects of sunitinib on the Caki-1 cells.

Results

During therapy with sunitinib (40 mg/kg/day), uptake of [18F]FAZA into Caki-1 mice decreased by 46±5% (n = 4; 5 days) at 3 h post injection (p.i.) during the first study and 22±5% (n = 8; 9 days) during the long-term study, indicating a decrease in the tumor's hypoxia level. However, when drug therapy was stopped, this effect was reversed completely, and the tumor [18F]FAZA uptake increased to 126±6% (n = 6) of the control tumor uptake, indicative of an even higher level of tumor hypoxia compared to the therapy starting point. Sunitinib had no direct effect on [18F]FAZA uptake into Caki-1 cells in vitro.

Conclusion

[18F]FAZA PET could be used to monitor drug response during sunitinib therapy in RCC and may guide combination therapies based on the tumor's hypoxia status.
Effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells from healthy or ovalbumin-induced lung inflammation donors on recipient allergic asthma mice
Authors: Abreu Soraia C , Antunes Mariana A , Mendonça Lucas , Branco Vivian C , de Melo Elga Bandeira , Olsen Priscilla C , Diaz Bruno L , Weiss Daniel J , Paredes Bruno D , Xisto Debora G , Morales Marcelo M , Rocco Patricia RM
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Asthma is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process which may lead to several changes in bone marrow cell composition. We hypothesized that bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) obtained from ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation mice may promote different effects compared to BMMCs from healthy donors in a model of allergic asthma.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to two groups. In the OVA group, mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin, while healthy animals (control group) received saline using the same protocol. BMMCs were analyzed by flow cytometry 24 hours after the last challenge. After BMMC characterization, another group of OVA mice were further randomized into three subgroups to receive intratracheal saline (BMMC-SAL), BMMCs from control or BMMCs from OVA mice (BMMC-Control and BMMC-OVA, respectively; 2x106 cells/mouse), 24 hours after the last challenge.

Results

BMMC-OVA exhibited an increased percentage of eosinophils, monocytes and hematopoietic precursors, while mesenchymal stem cells decreased, as compared with BMMC-Control. BMMCs from both donor groups reduced airway resistance, alveolar collapse, bronchoconstriction index, eosinophil infiltration, collagen fiber content in alveolar septa and levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13, interferon-γ, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor in lung homogenates. However, the benefits of BMMCs were significantly more pronounced when cells were obtained from control donors.

Conclusion

Both BMMC-Control and BMMC-OVA reduced the inflammatory and remodeling processes; nevertheless, BMMC-Control led to a greater improvement in lung morphofunction, which may be due to different BMMC composition and/or properties.
Pathologic Findings at Risk-Reducing Salpingo-Oophorectomy: Primary Results From Gynecologic Oncology Group Trial GOG-0199
Authors: Sherman Mark E. , Piedmonte Marion , Mai Phuong L. , Ioffe Olga B. , Ronnett Brigitte M. , Van Le Linda , Ivanov Iouri , Bell Maria C. , Blank Stephanie V. , DiSilvestro Paul , Hamilton Chad A. , Tewari Krishnansu S. , Wakeley Katie , Kauff Noah D. , Yamada S. Diane , Rodriguez Gustavo , Skates Steven J. , Alberts David S. , Walker Joan L. , Minasian Lori , Lu Karen , Greene Mark H.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) lowers mortality from ovarian/tubal and breast cancers among BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Uncertainties persist regarding potential benefits of RRSO among high-risk noncarriers, optimal surgical age, and anatomic origin of clinically occult cancers detected at surgery. To address these topics, we analyzed surgical treatment arm results from Gynecologic Oncology Group Protocol-0199 (GOG-0199), the National Ovarian Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Study.

Participants and Methods

This analysis included asymptomatic high-risk women age ≥ 30 years who elected RRSO at enrollment. Women provided risk factor data and underwent preoperative cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) serum testing and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU). RRSO specimens were processed according to a standardized tissue processing protocol and underwent central pathology panel review. Research-based BRCA1/2 mutation testing was performed when a participant's mutation status was unknown at enrollment. Relationships between participant characteristics and diagnostic findings were assessed using univariable statistics and multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Invasive or intraepithelial ovarian/tubal/peritoneal neoplasms were detected in 25 (2.6%) of 966 RRSOs (BRCA1 mutation carriers, 4.6%; BRCA2 carriers, 3.5%; and noncarriers, 0.5%; P < .001). In multivariable models, positive BRCA1/2 mutation status (P = .0056), postmenopausal status (P = .0023), and abnormal CA-125 levels and/or TVU examinations (P < .001) were associated with detection of clinically occult neoplasms at RRSO. For 387 women with negative BRCA1/2 mutation testing and normal CA-125 levels, findings at RRSO were benign.

Conclusion

Clinically occult cancer was detected among 2.6% of high-risk women undergoing RRSO. BRCA1/2 mutation, postmenopausal status, and abnormal preoperative CA-125 and/or TVU were associated with cancer detection at RRSO. These data can inform management decisions among women at high risk of ovarian/tubal cancer.
Developing a Service Model That Integrates Palliative Care Throughout Cancer Care: The Time Is Now
Authors: Partridge Ann H. , Seah Davinia S.E. , King Tari , Leighl Natasha B. , Hauke Ralph , Wollins Dana S. , Von Roenn Jamie Hayden
Published: September 2014

Palliative care is a fundamental component of cancer care. As part of the 2011 to 2012 Leadership Development Program (LDP) of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a group of participants was charged with advising ASCO on how to develop a service model integrating palliative care throughout the continuum of cancer care. This article presents the findings of the LDP group. The group focused on the process of palliative care delivery in the oncology setting. We identified key elements for models of palliative care in various settings to be potentially equitable, sustainable, feasible, and acceptable, and here we describe a dynamic model for the integrated, simultaneous implementation of palliative care into oncology practice. We also discuss critical considerations to better integrate palliative care into oncology, including raising consciousness and educating both providers and the public about the importance of palliative care; coordinating palliative care efforts through strengthening affiliations and/or developing new partnerships; prospectively evaluating the impact of palliative care on patient and provider satisfaction, quality improvement, and cost savings; and ensuring sustainability through adequate reimbursement and incentives, including linkage of performance data to quality indicators, and coordination with training efforts and maintenance of certification requirements for providers. In light of these findings, we believe the confluence of increasing importance of incorporation of palliative care education in oncology education, emphasis on value-based care, growing use of technology, and potential cost savings makes developing and incorporating palliative care into current service models a meaningful goal.
PIK3CA Mutations Are Associated With Lower Rates of Pathologic Complete Response to Anti–Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) Therapy in Primary HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer
Authors: Loibl Sibylle , von Minckwitz Gunter , Schneeweiss Andreas , Paepke Stefan , Lehmann Annika , Rezai Mahdi , Zahm Dirk M. , Sinn Peter , Khandan Fariba , Eidtmann Holger , Dohnal Karel , Heinrichs Clemens , Huober Jens , Pfitzner Berit , Fasching Peter A. , Andre Fabrice , Lindner Judith L. , Sotiriou Christos , Dykgers August , Guo Sanxing , Gade Stephan , Nekljudova Valentina , Loi Sherene , Untch Michael , Denkert Carsten
Published: September 2014

Purpose

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway aberrations are common in breast cancer, with mutations in PIK3CA being the most common. This study investigated the association between PIK3CA genotype and pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive breast cancer treated with either dual or single anti-HER2 treatment in addition to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Patients and Methods

PIK3CA mutations in 504 tumor samples from participants in the neoadjuvant GeparQuattro, GeparQuinto, and GeparSixto studies were evaluated. All HER2-positive patients received either trastuzumab or lapatinib or the combination plus anthracycline-taxane chemotherapy. PIK3CA mutations were evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from core biopsies with a tumor cell content of ≥ 20% by using classical Sanger sequencing of exon 9 and exon 20.

Results

Overall, 21.4% of the patients harbored a PIK3CA mutation. Detection of a PIK3CA mutation was significantly associated with a lower pCR rate (19.4% with PIK3CA mutation v 32.8% with PIK3CA wild-type; odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.83; P = .008). In the 291 hormone receptor (HR) –positive tumors, pCR rate was 11.3% with a PIK3CA mutation compared with 27.5% with PIK3CA wild-type (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.78; P = .011). In 213 patients with HR-negative tumors, pCR rate was 30.4% with PIK3CA mutation and 40.1% without (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.32 to 1.32; P = .233; interaction test P = .292). In multivariable analysis, HR status and PIK3CA status provided independent predictive information. In patients with PIK3CA mutation, the pCR rates were 16%, 24.3%, and 17.4% with lapatinib, trastuzumab, and the combination, respectively (P = .654) and in the wild-type group, they were 18.2%, 33.%, and 37.1%, respectively (P = .017). Disease-free survival and overall survival were not statistically significantly different between patients with mutant and wild-type PIK3CA.

Conclusion

HER2-positive breast carcinomas with a PIK3CA mutation are less likely to achieve a pCR after neoadjuvant anthracycline-taxane–based chemotherapy plus anti-HER2 treatment, even if a dual anti-HER2 treatment is given.