bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between factors related to atopic disease and glaucoma in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Tseng Victoria L , Lee Janet , Yu Fei , Sirsy Omar , Coleman Anne L
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

Previous studies have suggested associations between glaucoma and serum sensitization to specific allergens. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between inciting factors for atopic disease, atopic diseases and symptoms, and glaucoma in the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods:

The study population included adult participants of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006. Inciting factors for atopic disease included pet ownership, mildew/musty smell in home, cockroaches in home, use of water treatment devices, and crowded living conditions. Atopic diseases and symptoms included hay fever, eczema, any allergy, sneezing problems, and sinus infections. The outcome was glaucoma defined by the Rotterdam criteria. Covariates included age, gender, ethnicity, and allergy-related medication use. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between each exposure and glaucoma prevalence, controlling for all covariates. Statistical analyses were weighted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey multistage sampling design.

Results:

The weighted study population included 83,205,587 subjects, of whom 2,657,336 (3.2%) had glaucoma. After adjusting for covariates, factors associated with increased glaucoma included cat ownership (odds ratio =1.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.02–3.87) and mildew/musty smell in home (odds ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 0.99–3.84; borderline significance), while history of eczema was associated with decreased glaucoma (odds ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval = 0.02–0.99).

Conclusion:

In National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, self-reported cat ownership is associated with increased glaucoma prevalence, while a mildew/musty smell in home may have a borderline association with increased glaucoma prevalence. These findings are possibly related to laboratory associations identified in the same population and further studies are needed to identify potential mechanisms to explain these associations.
Surface integrity of polyethylene liners following trunnionosis of a dual modular neck total hip implant
Authors: Spiegelberg Ben GI , Lanting Brent A , Howard James L , Teeter Matthew G , Naudie Douglas DR
Published: May 2018

Background:

There has been a trend in the evolution of total hip arthroplasty towards increased modularity; with this increase in modularity come some potentially harmful consequences. Modularity at the neck shaft junction has been linked to corrosion, adverse reaction to metal debris and pseudotumour formation.

Aim:

The aim of this retrieval study is to assess whether the surface integrity of the polyethylene (PE) liner is affected by metal wear debris in a single implant design series of THA revised for trunnionosis.

Methods:

A retrieval analysis of thirty dual-taper modular neck hip prostheses was performed; the mean time from implantation to revision was 2.7 years (1.02–6.2). PE liners were analysed using a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive spectrometer to assess for metal particles embedded on the liner surface. Serum metal ion levels and inflammatory markers were also analysed.

Results:

There were small numbers of metal particles present on the PE liners. The mean number of metal particles per liner was four and the particles varied in size from 0.5 µm to 122 µm mean 16 µm. All patients had elevated metal ion levels: cobalt 6.02 µg/l, chromium 1.22 µg/l, titanium 3.11 µg/l. The cobalt:chromium ratio was 7.55:1. Inflammatory markers were also marginally raised (ESR 17; CRP 10).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that retention of PE liners may be reasonable when performing isolated revision of the femoral component in cases of failure at the modular neck stem junction, especially when the inner diameter of the liner is already optimised for head size and stability.
Relationship between muscular and bony anatomy in native hips: a theoretical background for approach-specific implant positioning
Authors: Akgün Doruk , von Roth Philipp , Winkler Tobias , Perka Carsten , Trepczynski Adam , Preininger Bernd
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between bony joint orientation and the distribution of hip musculature.

Methods:

The bone anatomy of the hip (femoral antetorsion (AT), acetabular anteversion (AV), and combined anteversion (AV/AT)) and the muscle volume of the gluteal muscles and the tensor fasciae latae were analysed bilaterally using computed tomography data of 49 patients. Muscle force direction (MFD) was determined for each muscle. The total MFD of the hip musculature was calculated and then correlated with the bony anatomy.

Results:

The mean AV, AT, and AV/AT were 21.9° ± 5.9°, 7.22° ± 7.4°, and 29.2° ± 9°, respectively. We found the following mean muscle volumes: gluteus maximus: 780 ± 227 cm3, gluteus medius: 322 ± 82 cm3, gluteus minimus: 85 ± 20 cm3, and tensor fasciae latae: 68 ± 22 cm3. The mean MFD was 18.92° ± 1.29°. We found a uniform distribution of the musculature that was not correlated with the bone anatomy.

Conclusion:

This study highlights the variability in native acetabular and femoral anatomy and that bone hip anatomy does not correlate with the distribution of hip musculature. Although native acetabular anteversion matches the suggested targets for cup insertion, native combined anteversion is not related to current implant insertion targets. Understanding native muscular anatomy and the alterations that occur with different surgical approaches can serve as an explanatory model for THAs that has become unstable despite the components being implanted within the safe zone.
Bilateral total hip arthroplasty: one-stage versus two-stage procedure
Authors: Taheriazam Afshin , Mohseni Gholamreza , Esmailiejah Ali A , Safdari Farshad , Abrishamkarzadeh Hashem
Published: May 2018

Background:

Despite several studies, controversy has prevailed over the rate of complications following 1-stage and 2-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). In the current study, we compare the complications and functional outcomes of 1-stage and 2-stage procedures.

Methods:

One hundred and eighty patients (ASA class I or II) with bilateral hip osteoarthritis were assigned randomly to two equal groups. The two groups were matched in terms of age and sex. All of the surgeries were performed via the Hardinge approach using uncemented implants. In 2-stage procedures, surgeries were performed with a 6-month to 1-year interval. All patients were evaluated 1 year postoperatively.

Results:

The Harris Hip Score (HHS) averaged 84.1 and 82.6 in 1-stage and 2-stage groups, respectively ( p = 0.528). The hospital stay was significantly longer in the 2-stage group (9.8 days vs. 4.9 days). The cumulative haemoglobin drop and the number of transfused blood units were the same. One patient in each group developed symptomatic deep venous thrombosis which was managed successfully. There was no patient with perioperative death, pulmonary embolism, infection, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture or heterotrophic ossification. No patient required reoperation. Two patients in the 1-stage group developed unilateral temporary peroneal nerve palsy, which was resolved after 3–4 months.

Conclusion:

1-stage bilateral THA can be used successfully for patients with bilateral hip disease without increasing the rate of complications. Functional and clinical outcomes are comparable and hospital stay is significantly shorter.
Immune-Informatic Analysis and Design of Peptide Vaccine From Multi-epitopes Against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Authors: Droppa-Almeida Daniela , Franceschi Elton , Padilha Francine Ferreira
Published: May 2018

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is a disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacteria that affects sheep and goats. The absence of a serologic diagnose is a factor that contributes for the disease dissemination, and due to the formation of granuloma, the treatment is very expensive. Therefore, prophylaxis is the approach with best cost-benefit relation; however, it still lacks an effective vaccine. In this sense, this work seeks to apply bioinformatic tools to design an effective vaccine against CLA, using CP40 protein as standard for the design of immunodominant epitopes, from which a total of 6 sequences were obtained, varying from 10 to 16 amino acid residues. The evaluation of different properties of the vaccines showed that the vaccine is a potent and nonallergenic antigen remaining stable in a wide range of temperatures. The initial tertiary structure of the vaccine was then predicted and a model selected. Later, the process of CP40 protein and TLR2 receptor binding was performed, presenting interaction with this receptor, which plays an important role in the activation of the immune response.
Association between Abdominal Free Fluid and Postoperative Complications and Mortality in Patients with Small-Bowel Obstruction
Authors: Pinar I. , Abdul-Wahid W. , Fransgaard T. , Gögenur I.
Published: May 2018

Background and Aims:

Small-bowel obstruction is a frequent cause of hospitalization. The condition is potentially life-threatening, causing many admission days and is a heavy burden socioeconomically. Patients with small-bowel obstruction may develop abdominal free fluid and the quality of this fluid may be predictive of worse outcomes. Our aim was to examine whether the presence of free fluid and its density, measured on computed tomography scans, was associated with severe complications and mortality postoperatively.

Materials and Methods:

Patients admitted to the Department of Surgery, Zealand University Hospital with a diagnosis of small-bowel obstruction between January 2010 and December 2015 were included. Medical records were reviewed and preoperative computed tomography scans were examined. A radiologist blinded to the outcomes reviewed all Hounsfield unit values of the free fluid. The primary outcomes evaluated were odds ratios of the severity of complications and hazard ratios of 30- and 90-day mortality postoperatively.

Results:

A total of 289 patients were included. Analyses revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 1.03 (95%confidence interval = 0.93–1.15) between the presence of free fluid and postoperative complications and an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.28 (95% confidence interval =  0.80–2.05, p = 0.30) of the 30-day mortality in this patient group. Furthermore, the analyses revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 1.22 (95% confidence interval 0.98–1.52) between the density of the free fluid > 20 Hounsfield unit and postoperative complications and an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.85 (95% confidence interval =  0.28–2.63, p = 0.78) of the 30-day mortality.

Conclusion:

No significant correlation was found between the presence of free fluid nor its density in regard to postoperative complications or mortality in patients with small-bowel obstruction.
Evaluation and validation of large-eddy simulation sub-grid spray dispersion models using high-fidelity volume-of-fluid simulation data and engine combustion network experimental data
Authors: Tsang Chi-Wei , Kuo Chia-Wei , Trujillo Mario , Rutland Christopher
Published: May 2018

A sub-grid model accounting for the interaction of spray and sub-grid turbulence was developed and tested. The model predicts the sub-grid scale dispersion velocity used for calculating the slip velocity in Lagrangian–Eulerian Large-eddy simulation spray models. The dispersion velocity is assumed to be decomposed into a deterministic and a stochastic part, and it is updated in every turbulence correlation time for each computational parcel. The model was validated against two datasets: volume-of-fluid simulations and Engine Combustion Network experiments. The volume-of-fluid data showed that dispersion velocities at the centerline are anisotropic. This qualitative feature is well captured by the current model. For the Engine Combustion Network Spray A cases, it was found that sub-grid scale dispersion has profound impact on the prediction of the spatial distribution of liquid mass. Neglecting the sub-grid scale dispersion model results in underprediction of the width of the lateral projected liquid mass density profiles. Also, the prediction of the projected liquid mass density is sensitive to the two model constants determining the sub-grid scale dispersion velocity magnitude and turbulence time scale. However, the predictions of resolved gas-phase statistics are relatively insensitive to different sub-grid scale dispersion model setups. The primary reason for this was investigated. It was found that the motion of high-momentum liquid blobs in the near-nozzle region leading to air entrainment and subsequent gas jet development is minimally influenced by sub-grid scale dispersion. The importance of sub-grid scale dispersion inversely correlates with drag force magnitude: the larger the drag force, the less critical the sub-grid scale dispersion. Moving further downstream, quasi-equilibrium between the two phases is established, resulting in relatively small slip velocity and drag force.
Optical study on characteristics of non-reacting and reacting diesel spray with different strategies of split injection
Authors: Desantes Jose M , García-Oliver José M , García Antonio , Xuan Tiemin
Published: May 2018

Even though studies on split-injection strategies have been published in recent years, there are still many remaining questions about how the first injection affects the mixing and combustion processes of the second one by changing the dwell time between both injection events or by the first injection quantity. In this article, split-injection diesel sprays with different injection strategies are investigated. Visualization of n-dodecane sprays was carried out under both non-reacting and reacting operating conditions in an optically accessible two-stroke engine equipped with a single-hole diesel injector. High-speed Schlieren imaging was applied to visualize the spray geometry development, while diffused background-illumination extinction imaging was applied to quantify the instantaneous soot production (net result of soot formation and oxidation). For non-reacting conditions, it was found that the vapor phase of second injection penetrates faster with a shorter dwell time and independently of the duration of the first injection. This could be explained in terms of one-dimensional spray model results, which provided information on the local mixing and momentum state within the flow. Under reacting conditions, interaction between the second injection and combustion recession of the first injection is observed, resulting in shorter ignition delay and lift-off compared to the first injection. However, soot production behaves differently with different injection strategies. The maximum instantaneous soot mass produced by the second injection increases with a shorter dwell time and with longer first injection duration.
Toward the accurate prediction of soot in engine applications
Authors: Gao Jian , Kuo Tang-Wei
Published: May 2018

Soot emissions from internal combustion engines represent a major challenge to engine manufactures with ever most stringent emission regulations, not only in soot mass yielded but also in soot particle number. For example, a particulate number standard has been introduced in 2011 with Euro 5b for diesel engines and in 2014 with Euro 6 for petrol engines (a limit of 6 × 1011/km). Soot models provide a detailed insight into soot evolution processes and are thus an essential tool in today’s advanced engine designs. Therefore, continuous efforts are made to develop more physically based engine soot models and improve the prediction accuracy. The primary objective of this work is to identify and demonstrate the critical parameters for accurate soot predictions in internal combustion engine applications using the high-fidelity detailed soot model from an engineering point of view. A detailed soot model based on sectional method was used to solve the soot process in diesel and spark ignition direct injection gasoline engines. A series of sensitivity analyses were carried out to evaluate the importance and significance of wall boundary conditions, wall film formation and vaporization, multi-component fuel surrogate, and soot transport process in engine exhaust on soot predictions. The predicted results were compared in details to engine-out measurements in terms of soot mass, number density, and size distributions under various operating conditions. The model results demonstrate that the correct description of the spray–wall interaction and wall film vaporization, as well as the soot transport processes in full engine cycle, is critical for achieving reliable predictive capabilities in engine simulations, especially for spark ignition direct injection gasoline engines. The findings should help engineers in this field for more accurate soot predictions in engine simulations.
VJ Vertov: from the compositing interface to the use of the projection space
Authors: García-Crespo Oswaldo , Ramahí-García Diana , Dafonte-Gómez Alberto
Published: May 2018

Once digitization had been standardized in the process of audiovisual creation, there has been an improvement over the last decades in the efficiency of storage, coding and transfer systems, an integration of editing and compositing procedures, an increased potential for real-time image and sound manipulation and an increase in the mediation of software and its interface in creative processes. On the basis of both a representative work – Chelovek S Kino-Apparatom ( Man with a Movie Camera, Dziga Vertov, 1929) − and the considerations of Lev Manovich, one of the leading theorists on the subject, this essay is intended as a starting point for addressing issues related to the mutations produced in the traditional concept of film editing as a consequence of the digitization process described above. For this purpose, the authors summarize the results of practical research based on the real-time filmic reinterpretation of the film’s editing.
Optical design of a high-mast luminaire based on four COB LED light source modules
Authors: Hao R , Ge A , Tao X , Liu Y , Zhao B , Yang E
Published: May 2018

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been widely used in road lighting. This study investigates the optical design of a high-mast luminaire based on four chips-on-board LED light source modules and applies it to road lighting. The model of the high-mast luminaire is built with Solidworks, and then the optical simulations are analysed by Tracepro and Dialux. We also make a physical prototype of the high-mast luminaire to test its performance in practice. The illuminance distribution of the test area is nearly rectangular. The interior of the rectangle forms a smaller highlighted rectangular illumination area with uniform illumination. The outer edges of the rectangular illumination area will overlap the outer edges of the illumination area of other high-mast luminaires. The desired illuminance distribution and the uniform illumination can be obtained. Both the simulations and the experimental results meet the requirements of road lighting standards and the high-mast lamp can even achieve a better optical performance.
Role-induced bias in criminal prosecutions
Authors: Egli Anthonioz Nicole , Schweizer Mark , Vuille Joëlle , Kuhn André
Published: May 2018

There are two main models of criminal prosecution in the western world. One tasks an independent magistrate (the examining judge) with the duty of conducting the investigation of a given case and transferring all evidence collected to the parties and the trial court. The other vests the prosecution with the task of conducting the investigation before representing the accusation in court. In 2011, a new code of criminal procedure entered into force in Switzerland, forcing most Swiss cantons to transition from the first model to the second. We investigate whether the change in the person conducting the investigation (from examining judge to prosecutor) could introduce or exacerbate bias against or in favor of the defendant. Through an empirical study carried out with students, we tried to determine whether this change might affect the fairness of the proceedings. We contend that the rights of the defense are better safeguarded in the first model than in the second, even if the contrast is not as stark as was initially predicted.
Prisoners’ participation and involvement in prison life: Examining the possibilities and boundaries
Authors: Brosens Dorien
Published: May 2018

Prisoners’ participation and involvement in prison life are becoming important topics featuring on European political agendas. To investigate the different types of prisoner participation and involvement in one prison in Belgium, the experiences of prisoners and professionals, and the processes that enhance or limit prisoners’ participation, 11 focus groups have been conducted with prisoners ( N = 36) and professionals ( N = 42). A thematic analysis of this data identifies that various formal and informal participation initiatives exist, but several barriers between prisoners, prison staff and prison management impede (structural) participation. Implementing and increasing the participation and involvement of prisoners requires organizational and cultural changes. The article concludes by discussing practical issues raised by the study, as well as some limitations.
Towards post-industrial foodways: Public pedagogy, spaces, and the struggle for cultural legitimacy
Authors: Hsu Jesse P
Published: May 2018

Re-embedding foodways in local communities and ecologies is an enormous undertaking that is supported in part through a myriad of educational processes. For niche spaces of post-industrial foodways, a crucial step toward normalization is being accepted, appreciated, and even desired by the wider society. This article explores how pedagogy underlies all food system change, especially for forming cultural legitimacy of emergent spaces. The theoretical perspective of public pedagogy is reviewed in order to provide an analytical frame for analyzing the educational processes that nurture cultural legitimacy for emergent food-oriented spaces. As various conceptions of public pedagogy have been used in a wide variety of contexts, I suggest an articulation that assumes learning to be an assemblage of spaces, practices, people, artifacts, and policies, which better captures the wide range of educational processes that precipitate cultural change (Deleuze and Guattari, 1988; McFarlane, 2011). To illustrate the role of public pedagogy in legitimizing emergent food-oriented spaces, I explore two specific cases. The first case of urban spatial policy takes public pedagogy as a starting point for the legitimization of certain spaces; while the second case of the residential front yard begins with a specific space that is a site of struggle with opposing public pedagogy processes, each creating cultural legitimacy for a different landscape form. By exploring the linkages between public pedagogy and space, I make the claim that education is the primary driver for food culture transformation.
Can Gerrymanders Be Detected? An Examination of Wisconsin’s State Assembly
Authors: Krasno Jonathan , Magleby Daniel B. , McDonald Michael D. , Donahue Shawn , Best Robin E.
Published: May 2018

In October 2017, the Supreme Court heard an appeal of a November 2016 ruling striking down Wisconsin’s State Assembly districts as a Republican gerrymander that illegally dilutes the weight of Democratic votes. We take the opportunity to revisit this litigation to evaluate three proposed methods of detecting gerrymanders: the “efficiency gap,” a count of Assembly districts carried by statewide candidates, and the difference between the district-level partisan median and mean. The first two measures figure either centrally or peripherally in the plaintiffs’ case in Wisconsin, while the third is the approach we favor. We expand on the analysis offered at trial by evaluating how these measures fare across a variety of elections in Wisconsin and with the aid of 10,000 alternative Assembly maps drawn by computer. The alternative maps provide the appropriate baseline with which to gauge the level of vote dilution in Wisconsin and distinguish between the effect of residential geography and the Legislature’s actions. The results show that Wisconsin’s Assembly map is a substantial gerrymander according the median–mean comparison across all elections, while the two tests relied upon by the plaintiffs provide mixed results. We examine the measurement qualities of each test and show that the efficiency gap and districts-carried count both capture elements beyond partisan bias. We find no similar ambiguity with the median–mean comparison and conclude that the plaintiffs’ claim that Wisconsin’s Assembly map systematically dilutes the weight of Democratic votes is correct.
Perceptions of Writing Anxiety and Self-Efficacy Among Spanish Heritage Language Learners
Authors: Torres Kelly M. , Arrastia-Chisholm Meagan Caridad , Tackett Samantha
Published: May 2018

Many Hispanics living in the United States have limited Spanish language abilities particularly in relation to literacy skills. This study investigated 25 Hispanic heritage language learners’ (HLLs) perceptions of their Spanish language writing abilities. During interview sessions, participants described the aspects of writing that were the easiest and most difficult for them to acquire. Findings revealed that HLLs experienced difficulties with accent rules, correct spelling, and conjugations. Additional findings, limitations, and further research are discussed.
¿Comprenderán Mis Amigos y La Familia? Analyzing Spanish Translations of Admission Materials for Latina/o Students Applying to 4-Year Institutions in the United States
Authors: Taylor Zachary W.
Published: May 2018

This study examines first-year undergraduate admissions materials from 325 bachelor-degree granting U.S. institutions, closely analyzing the English-language readability and Spanish-language readability and translation of these materials. Via Yosso’s linguistic capital, the results reveal 4.9% of first-year undergraduate admissions materials had been translated into Spanish, 4% of institutional admissions websites embed translation widgets, and the average readability of English-language content is above the 13th-grade reading level. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Ethics of End-of-Trial Obligations in a Pediatric Malaria Vaccine Trial: The Perspectives of Stakeholders From Ghana and Tanzania
Authors: Ward Claire Leonie , Shaw David , Anane-Sarpong Evelyn , Sankoh Osman , Tanner Marcel , Elger Bernice
Published: May 2018

This study explores stakeholder experiences and perspectives on end-of-trial obligations at the close of a phase II/III Pediatric Malaria Vaccine Trial (PMVT) [GSK/PATH-MVI RTS, S) (NCT00866619]. We conducted 52 key informant interviews with major stakeholders of an international multicentre PMVT in Ghana and Tanzania. The responses fell into four main themes: (a) Communicating End-of-Trial, (b) Maintaining Health Care Services, (c) Dissemination of Results, and (d) Post-Trial Access. Interviewee responses shared important practical experiences and insights that complement current thinking in the literature on research ethics guidance: (a) accompany end-of-trial communication with information on personal and family health care responsibilities, (b) establish public health indicators to measure the impact of research on a health care system, (c) design a gradual exit strategy with opportunities to address unplanned events, (d) endorse a principled approach of continuity of care when designing a health care service handover, and (e) devise an actionable post-trial treatment access pathway with diverse stakeholder representatives.
Recruitment Tools for Reaching Millennials
Authors: Dalessandro Cristen
Published: May 2018

While some research has explored the use of Craigslist or other digital technologies to recruit research participants, little social science research has reflected on how digital technologies and Internet websites might be useful specifically for recruiting millennials. In this article, I discuss attempts to recruit millennial study participants through both digital and nondigital methods. Based on these attempts, I come to the conclusion that because U.S. millennials’ social worlds are increasingly intertwined with digital technologies, this group of young people search for a range of opportunities and experiences primarily using digital means. Therefore, in order to recruit millennial participants in the United States most successfully, social researchers should consider using digital technologies.
Does Online Technology Make Us More or Less Sociable? A Preliminary Review and Call for Research
Authors: Waytz Adam , Gray Kurt
Published: May 2018

How does online technology affect sociability? Emerging evidence—much of it inconclusive—suggests a nuanced relationship between use of online technology (the Internet, social media, and virtual reality) and sociability (emotion recognition, empathy, perspective taking, and emotional intelligence). Although online technology can facilitate purely positive behavior (e.g., charitable giving) or purely negative behavior (e.g., cyberbullying), it appears to affect sociability in three ways, depending on whether it allows a deeper understanding of people’s thoughts and feelings: (a) It benefits sociability when it complements already-deep offline engagement with others, (b) it impairs sociability when it supplants deeper offline engagement for superficial online engagement, and (c) it enhances sociability when deep offline engagement is otherwise difficult to attain. We suggest potential implications and moderators of technology’s effects on sociability and call for additional causal research.
Intra-articular biomaterials-assisted delivery to treat temporomandibular joint disorders
Authors: Dashnyam Khandmaa , Lee Jung-Hwan , Mandakhbayar Nandin , Jin Guang-Zhen , Lee Hae-Hyoung , Kim Hae-Won
Published: May 2018

The temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as myofascial pain syndrome, is considered one of the prevalent chronic pain diseases caused by muscle inflammation and cartilage degradation in head and neck, and thus influences even biopsychosocial conditions in a lifetime. There are several current treatment methodologies relieving inflammation and preventing degradation of the joint complex. One of the promising non-surgical treatment methods is an intra-articular injection of drugs such as corticosteroids, analgesics, and anti-depressants. However, the side effects of drugs due to frequent injections and over-doses, including dizziness, dry mouth, and possible drug dependency are considered limitations. Thus, the delivery of therapeutic molecules through the use of nano/microparticles is currently considered as a promising strategy primarily due to the controlled release. This review highlights the nano/microparticle systems for effective intra-articular therapeutics delivery to prevent cartilage degradation and protect subchondral bone in a temporomandibular joint.
A randomized controlled trial of the safety and efficacy of a topical gentamicin–collagen sponge in diabetic patients with a mild foot ulcer infection
Authors: Uçkay Ilker , Kressmann Benjamin , Di Tommaso Sébastien , Portela Marina , Alwan Heba , Vuagnat Hubert , Maître Sophie , Paoli Christophe , Lipsky Benjamin A
Published: May 2018

Objectives:

The initial phase of infection of a foot ulcer in a person with diabetes is often categorized as mild. Clinicians usually treat these infections with antimicrobial therapy, often applied topically. Some experts, however, believe that mild diabetic foot ulcer infections will usually heal with local wound care alone, without antimicrobial therapy or dressings.

Methods:

To evaluate the potential benefit of treatment with a topical antibiotic, we performed a single-center, investigator-blinded pilot study, randomizing (1:1) adult patients with a mild diabetic foot ulcer infection to treatment with a gentamicin–collagen sponge with local care versus local care alone. Systemic antibiotic agents were prohibited.

Results:

We enrolled a total of 22 patients, 11 in the gentamicin–collagen sponge arm and 11 in the control arm. Overall, at end of therapy, 20 (91%) patients were categorized as achieving clinical cure of infection, and 2 (9%) as significant improvement. At the final study visit, only 12 (56%) of all patients achieved microbiological eradication of all pathogens. There was no difference in either clinical or microbiological outcomes in those who did or did not receive the gentamicin–collagen sponge, which was very well tolerated.

Conclusion:

The results of this pilot trial suggest that topical antibiotic therapy with gentamicin–collagen sponge, although very well tolerated, does not appear to improve outcomes in mild diabetic foot ulcer infection.
A silent massive ossification of Achilles tendon as a suspected rare late effect of surgery for club foot
Authors: Manfreda Francesco , Ceccarini Paolo , Corzani Marco , Petruccelli Rosario , Antinolfi Pierluigi , Rinonapoli Giuseppe , Caraffa Auro
Published: May 2018

We report the case of a 66-year-old male patient with massive ossification of the distal portion of the Achilles tendon, as a late consequence of a surgical release for club foot conducted in his childhood. The singularity of the case report derives from its clinical features: the bone mass was of abnormal dimensions, almost substituting the entire tendon; the condition had always been asymptomatic, without deficits in range of motion, in absence of either pain or biomechanical defects with age. In fact, the condition was diagnosed just recently as a consequence of a tear. Despite an ultrasound diagnosis after the injury, only during the surgical treatment, a proper evaluation of the entity of the pathology was possible. Although the ossification of Achilles tendon is a rare clinical condition with a complex multifactorial etiology, in our case report, some of the elements in the patient’s medical history could be useful for the pathogenesis and early diagnosis of the disease. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance both of a correct evaluation of clinical history and of an accurate diagnosis, in order to conduct a proper management of this pathology.
Mental health recovery, goal setting and working alliance in an Australian community-managed organisation
Authors: Rose Grenville , Smith Lorraine
Published: May 2018

This article examines the relationships between goal setting and achievement, working alliance and recovery in an Australian mental health community-managed organisation. The study gathered data over a 14-month period after the introduction of routine outcome measures. Both goal achievement and the strength of the working alliance were shown to have a positive effect on the personal recovery of the clients in the study. Both working alliance and goal achievement are robustly supportive at whatever point a person is on in the recovery journey. The brief goals card used is a useful adjunct to other tools.
The enhancing effect of Klebsiella pneumoniae lysate on cellular immunity
Authors: Ge Anxing , Fu Fangjie , Wang Xuelian
Published: May 2018

Cellular immunity plays important roles in clearing intracellular pathogens or tumor cells. It is of significance to develop an adjuvant able to efficaciously induce cellular immunity, but such an approved adjuvant is not currently available. Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K. pneumoniae) possesses lipopolysaccharide and capsular polysaccharide, both of which have been demonstrated to be able to induce humoral immunity. In this study, we investigated the effect of K. pneumoniae on epidermal cellular immunity, in vitro. The effects of K. pneumoniae on the maturation of Langerhans cells (LCs), the capacity to induce T-cell proliferation, and the secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by T cells were examined. The results showed that K. pneumoniae induced significant upregulation of CD86 and human leukocyte antigen-deterodimer (HLA-DR) levels on LCs, but not CD40 and CD80. K. pneumoniae-loaded LCs induced significant CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation. Significant increases in extracellular IFN-γ secretion by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells stimulated with K. pneumoniae-pulsed LCs using enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) were demonstrated, while only a part of the subjects showed increases in intracellular secretion of IFN-γ using intracellular staining assay. In sum, K. pneumoniae has the potential to enhance epidermal cellular immunity and may act as a potential adjuvant in intradermal vaccines designed to enhance cellular immunity.
Framing the Olympic Elite Athlete Funding Issue: A Case Study of Canadian Newspaper Coverage
Authors: Xue Hanhan , Mason Daniel S. , Humphreys Brad R. , Johnson Bruce K. , Whitehead John C.
Published: May 2018

This article employs media framing theory to examine the debate over public funding to support elite athlete development. More specifically, it examines the discourse in Canadian newspaper coverage of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games surrounding funding for elite athletes. The article first provides an overview of government funding support for elite athletes in Canada and then reviews relevant literature on media framing theory. Methods are discussed, followed by a summary of the frames found in the data analysis process, which examines frames across two distinct time periods—a period leading up to the Games where many stakeholders worried about the ability of Canadian athletes to perform for the host country and the period during and following the Games (where Canadian athletes achieved unprecedented success in winning medals). Several frames emerged from the media coverage regarding the issue of federal government funds for elite athletes over the periods before and during/after the 2010 Olympic Games. Through examining the frequencies of particular frames, we find that three frames—medal performance and national pride, diversified funding approaches, and sport participation and health benefits—were present in both pre-Olympics and during/post-Olympics periods examined, but the salience of the three frames varied between the time periods.
The Associations Among Callous-Unemotional Traits, Worry, and Aggression in Justice-Involved Adolescent Boys
Authors: Robertson Emily L. , Frick Paul J. , Ray James V. , Thornton Laura C. , Wall Myers Tina D. , Steinberg Laurence , Cauffman Elizabeth
Published: May 2018

Previous research has reported that elevations on both callous-unemotional (CU) traits and anxiety (measured as trait worry) among adolescents are associated with a particularly severe pattern of aggressive behavior. In the current study, we tested whether elevated trait worry would add only to the prediction of less severe and reactive aggression assessed by self-report but not to more severe violence, proactive aggression, and official records of violent arrests. First-time male juvenile offenders ( N = 1,216) were assessed at 6-month intervals for 30 months. Contrary to predictions, our analyses found both CU traits and worry independently predicted self-reported violent offenses (regardless of violence severity) and aggression (both proactive and reactive) across 30 months after their first arrest. However, when using arrest records, only CU traits were associated with violent offenses. This suggests that the additive effects of anxiety and worry in predicting risk for later violence may be limited to self-report.
Measuring extraordinary rendition and international cooperation: A response to Blakeley and Raphael
Authors: Cordell Rebecca
Published: May 2018

In my article, “Measuring extraordinary rendition and international cooperation” I present a model that can be used to measure extraordinary rendition and identify international cooperation in the Central Intelligence Agency’s Rendition, Detention and Interrogation program using public flight data and information on rendition flight characteristics. My analysis identifies 307 new likely rendition flights and 15 previously unidentified countries potentially involved. In response, Blakeley and Raphael argue that these results do not move beyond what they have already published, and also challenge the claim that these flights are “likely rendition flights” as they have not been triangulated by further evidence. However, it seems inconsistent to claim both that: (a) the findings are not new; and (b) the findings are wrong. I respond to their concerns by providing a detailed evaluation of my results in relation to their own findings. I demonstrate that there are important differences between the results in Blakeley and Raphael’s previous work and my own. I reinforce my earlier claim that triangulating these new results with reliable qualitative evidence is a crucial step.
Family Functioning in Adolescents with Perinatal HIV Infection
Authors: Louthrenoo Orawan , Aurpibul Linda , Oberdorfer Peninnah , Sirisanthana Virat
Published: May 2018

This study aimed to assess family functioning in adolescents with perinatal HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy compared with healthy controls. Correlations between self-reported and caregiver-reported family functions were also evaluated. A sample of 195 participants including 65 perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and 130 healthy controls were enrolled. The total family functioning score in HIV-infected adolescents was significantly lower than that in healthy controls by self-report (105.86 vs 115.41; P ≤ .001). Caregivers of HIV-infected adolescents also reported lower scores of family functioning than those of controls (109.91 vs 114.98; P ≤ .001). Among the HIV-infected group, there was no or minimal correlation between the self-reported and caregiver-reported total scores of family functioning. However, there were moderate correlations between self-reported and caregiver-reported family functioning total scores in the control group. Overall, HIV-infected adolescents reported lower family functioning than healthy controls. Improved functioning in the family may help with better adjustment in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents.
Prevalence and Consequences of Injuries in Powerlifting: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Strömbäck Edit , Aasa Ulrika , Gilenstam Kajsa , Berglund Lars
Published: May 2018

Background:

Powerlifting consists of the squat, bench press, and dead lift, and extreme loads are lifted during training and competitions. Previous studies, which have defined an injury as an event that causes an interruption in training or competitions, have reported a relatively low frequency of powerlifting injuries (1.0-4.4 injuries/1000 hours of training). No previous study has investigated the prevalence of injuries, defined as a condition of pain or impairment of bodily function that affects powerlifters’ training, in a balanced sample of men and women, and no studies have established possible risk factors for an injury.

Purpose:

To investigate the prevalence, localization, and characterization of injuries among Swedish subelite classic powerlifters, with an emphasis on differences between men and women, and to investigate whether training and lifestyle factors are associated with an injury.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 53 female and 51 male Swedish subelite powerlifters answered an online questionnaire including questions about background characteristics, training habits, and lifestyle factors. The main part of the questionnaire included questions about injuries and their consequences. An injury was defined as a condition of pain or impairment of bodily function that affects powerlifters’ training.

Results:

Seventy percent (73/104) of participants were currently injured, and 87% (83/95) had experienced an injury within the past 12 months. The lumbopelvic region, shoulder, and hip were the most commonly injured areas for both sexes. Women experienced a significantly greater frequency of injuries in the neck and thoracic region than men. Injuries seemed to occur during training, although only 16% (11/70) of those currently injured had to completely refrain from training. Training frequency, greater personal best in the dead lift, injury onset during bench-press and dead-lift training, use of straps, alcohol consumption, and dietary issues were associated with current injuries.

Conclusion:

Injuries are very common in subelite powerlifters. Men and women report similar injury frequencies but different anatomic locations. These injuries do not prevent powerlifters from training and competing, but they may change the content of training sessions. Why powerlifters develop injuries is still unclear; however, it is likely that the management of training loads and optimization of the lifting technique during the squat, bench press, and dead lift are of importance.
Effects of Expanding Envelope Fluctuations on Consonant Perception in Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Authors: Wiinberg Alan , Zaar Johannes , Dau Torsten
Published: May 2018

This study examined the perceptual consequences of three speech enhancement schemes based on multiband nonlinear expansion of temporal envelope fluctuations between 10 and 20 Hz: (a) “idealized” envelope expansion of the speech before the addition of stationary background noise, (b) envelope expansion of the noisy speech, and (c) envelope expansion of only those time-frequency segments of the noisy speech that exhibited signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) above −10 dB. Linear processing was considered as a reference condition. The performance was evaluated by measuring consonant recognition and consonant confusions in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners using consonant-vowel nonsense syllables presented in background noise. Envelope expansion of the noisy speech showed no significant effect on the overall consonant recognition performance relative to linear processing. In contrast, SNR-based envelope expansion of the noisy speech improved the overall consonant recognition performance equivalent to a 1- to 2-dB improvement in SNR, mainly by improving the recognition of some of the stop consonants. The effect of the SNR-based envelope expansion was similar to the effect of envelope-expanding the clean speech before the addition of noise.
Ginger Extract and [6]-Gingerol Inhibit Contraction of Rat Entire Small Intestine
Authors: Chatturong Usana , Kajsongkram Tanwarat , Tunsophon Sakara , Chanasong Rachanee , Chootip Krongkarn
Published: May 2018

This study aims to investigate the effect of oral administration and the direct action of ginger extract or [6]-gingerol on small intestinal contractility. The direct effect of 10 minutes preincubation of ginger ethanolic extract (10, 100 and 300 μg/mL) or [6]-gingerol (1, 30, and 100 μM) on 0.01 to 30 μM ACh-induced contractions of all parts of the small intestine isolated from normal rats was investigated using the organ bath technique. For in vivo study, the rats were orally administered with extract (10, 20, and 100 mg/kg/d) or [6]-gingerol (2 mg/kg/d) for 7 days, followed by determining the contractile responses to ACh of rat isolated duodenum, jejunum, and ileum and their histology were assessed. Direct application of the extract or [6]-gingerol attenuated ACh-induced contractions in each small intestinal segment, Emax was reduced by 40% to 80%, while EC50 increased 3- to 8-fold from control. Similarly, in the in vivo study ACh-induced contractions were reduced in all parts of the small intestine isolated from rats orally treated with ginger extract (20 and 100 mg/kg/d) or [6]-gingerol (2 mg/kg/d). Emax decreased 15% to 30%, while EC50 increased 1- to 3-fold compared to control. No discernable changes in the histology of intestinal segments were detectable. Thus, the results support the clinical application of ginger for disorders of gastrointestinal motility.