bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From puffery to penalties: a historical analysis of US masked marketing public policy concerns
Authors: Petty Ross D.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This article aims to examine the US history of practices that mask the marketing content of messages to consumers and of the public policy approaches taken towards such practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines both primary sources such as legal challenges and contemporary writings as well as secondary sources.

Findings

The US legal/regulatory system has been examining practices that mask the marketing content of communications for over 125 years. Fully masked messages were initially regulated under postal service laws and publisher self‐regulatory codes. Partially masked messages, e.g. testimonials, were examined first by courts and later by regulatory and industry self‐regulatory agencies. These diverse sources of regulation led to diverse approaches and in part explain the modern preference for information disclosure over prohibiting the masking of marketing messages.

Originality/value

Modern analysis of these practices ignores their history and the historical evolution of their regulation. This article not only reveals a rich regulatory history, but also suggests that modern policy should treat the broad array of masking practices consistently and correct current policy approaches that are based on historical development rather than modern public policy analysis and concerns.
Income vs price subsidy: policy options to help the urban poor facing food price surge
Authors: Chunyan Huang , Funing Zhong , Jun He
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the costs of price and income subsidies when the food security policy targets the urban poor. The result may help policymakers choose a desired subsidy scheme to ensure food security for the urban poor facing food price surge.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis consists of three parts: constructing an empirical model on provincial panel data in 1993‐2009 estimating the impact of grain price on food security among urban residents by different income level; evaluating the potential costs of shifting to income subsidy aiming to maintain the real income levels of the low income, lowest income or the poor residents if grain price increases by 20 percent; and comparing with the cost of price subsidy to achieve the same policy goal.

Findings

The paper finds that, food price surge will hurt the urban poor much more seriously than the high income population; the rich residents may receive more benefit from price subsidy; and income subsidy has obviously a cost advantage while the targeted people benefit more.

Originality/value

The obvious value of the paper is to show that income subsidy is much more desired than price subsidy, if the policy goal is to help the poor during food price surge.
A typology of food security in developing countries
Authors: Yu Bingxin , You Lingzhi
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The recent high food price and volatility, as well as economic recession, have reversed the last decade's progress in reducing hunger and poverty. This aim of this paper is to conduct a factor and sequential typology analysis to identify groups of countries categorized according to five measures of food security.

Design/methodology/approach

The recent high food price and volatility, as well as economic recession, have reversed the last decade's progress in reducing hunger and poverty. This paper conducts a factor and sequential typology analysis to identify groups of countries categorized according to five measures of food security – consumption, production, imports, distribution, and agricultural potential – by using indicators from 175 countries. The analysis first identifies five distinct food security groups, measured by the levels of nutrient intake, and then further splits these groups based on indicators of food production, trade security, and agricultural potential.

Findings

The results suggest that the terms of “developing country” or “low income country” can be inaccurate in the discussion of food security because they are too general and can actually mask the extreme heterogeneity in different aspects of food security. The results also indicate that different responses are needed by different types of food‐insecure countries to address their unique food and economic challenges.

Originality/value

The typology of food security and linkage between agricultural potential and food security contribute to a better understanding of the effectiveness of different policy interventions under a country's unique conditions.
Conflict analysis based on the graph model for conflict resolution and grey matrix
Authors: Han Xueshan , Dieu Linh Nguyen Thi , Xu Haiyan
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a complete theory of grey conflict analysis model based on grey game and the graph model for conflict resolution and also, to illustrate a case of “prisoner's dilemma” in the traditional grey game as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theories of grey game and graph model for conflict resolution, this paper concentrates on the model of grey conflict analysis in a case of two players under the condition of symmetrical loss information. By analyzing decision makers, strategies, states, graph model and grey potential, and the number of decision makers' steps, the pure strategy Nash equilibrium is extended to grey potential‐general metarationality, grey potential‐symmetrical metarationality, and grey potential‐sequential stability. Meanwhile, the logical relationships between solutions are discussed. A specific case study is carried out to illustrate how the proposed grey conflict analysis model is used in practice.

Findings

The results in this paper indicate that more stable solutions are found when one considers the grey potential‐general metarationality, the grey potential‐symmetrical metarationality, and the grey potential‐sequential stability, and then solve the paradox of “prisoner's dilemma”.

Practical implications

This new grey conflict analysis model could be used to provide useful information for policy makers during existing conflicts or negotiations among parties or enterprises.

Originality/value

The paper succeeds in constructing a new grey conflict analysis model, in which the solution concepts are studied; and the two‐player grey game will be extended to n‐players in the near future.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus type IV pili mediate interactions with diatom‐derived chitin and point to an unexplored mechanism of environmental persistence
Authors: Frischkorn Kyle R. , Stojanovski Asta , Paranjpye Rohinee
Published: January 2013

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a naturally occurring bacterium common in coastal waters where it concentrates in shellfish through filter feeding. The bacterium is a human pathogen and the leading cause of seafood‐borne gastroenteritis. Presently there is little information regarding mechanisms of environmental persistence of V. parahaemolyticus or an accurate early warning system for outbreak prediction. Vibrios have been shown to adhere to several substrates in the environment, including chitin, one of the most abundant polymers in the ocean. Diatoms are abundant in estuarine waters and some species produce chitin as a component of the silica cell wall or as extracellular fibrils. We examined the role of specific surface structures on the bacterium, the type IV pilins PilA and MshA, in adherence to diatom‐derived chitin. Biofilm formation and adherence of V. parahaemolyticus to chitin is mediated by the ability of the bacterium to express functional type IV pili. The amount of adherence to diatom‐derived chitin is controlled by increased chitin production that occurs in later stages of diatom growth. The data presented here suggest late‐stage diatom blooms may harbour high concentrations of V. parahaemolyticus and could serve as the foundation for a more accurate early warning system for outbreaks of this human pathogen.
Opportunities and Challenges in Supply‐Side Simulation: Physician‐Based Models
Authors: Gresenz Carole Roan , Auerbach David I. , Duarte Fabian
Published: January 2013

Objective

To provide a conceptual framework and to assess the availability of empirical data for supply‐side microsimulation modeling in the context of health care.

Data Sources

Multiple secondary data sources, including the American Community Survey, Health Tracking Physician Survey, and SK&A physician database.

Study Design

We apply our conceptual framework to one entity in the health care market—physicians—and identify, assess, and compare data available for physician‐based simulation models.

Principal Findings

Our conceptual framework describes three broad types of data required for supply‐side microsimulation modeling. Our assessment of available data for modeling physician behavior suggests broad comparability across various sources on several dimensions and highlights the need for significant integration of data across multiple sources to provide a platform adequate for modeling. A growing literature provides potential estimates for use as behavioral parameters that could serve as the models' engines. Sources of data for simulation modeling that account for the complex organizational and financial relationships among physicians and other supply‐side entities are limited.

Conclusions

A key challenge for supply‐side microsimulation modeling is optimally combining available data to harness their collective power. Several possibilities also exist for novel data collection. These have the potential to serve as catalysts for the next generation of supply‐side‐focused simulation models to inform health policy.
Multinationals vs. Cooperatives: The Income and Efficiency Effects of Supply Chain Governance in India
Authors: Vandeplas Anneleen , Minten Bart , Swinnen Johan
Published: January 2013

The impact of multinational firms on the domestic agricultural sector in developing countries is controversial, in particular in India. Relying on a unique set of household‐level data from the state of Punjab, we study the biggest dairy company in the world (Nestlé) in India and compare its vertical spillover effects on upstream suppliers to other market channels (informal sector and cooperatives). We find that farmers that supply informal channels are less efficient and earn lower profits per dairy animal than farmers supplying the cooperative and the multinational sector. Furthermore, we find that farmers using the multinational channel are more efficient than farmers in the cooperative channel, but equally profitable. Hence, we do not find that supplying the cooperative channel is more beneficial for local dairy farmers than supplying the multinational channel. Overall, however, dairy productivity and profitability levels are still dramatically low, with substantial scope for dairy development.
THE ELUSIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND CRIME: AN ASSESSMENT ACROSS DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF THE SOUTH BRONX
Authors: SLOCUM LEE ANN , RENGIFO ANDRES F. , CHOI TIFFANY , HERRMANN CHRISTOPHER R.
Published: January 2013

Several theoretical perspectives posit a negative association between the extent of a neighborhood's organizational infrastructure and crime; yet, empirical support for this proposition has been limited in that researchers generally examine only a few types of organizations or combine them into one aggregate measure. Studies with few measures may omit organizations that are effective at reducing crime, whereas those using aggregate measures obscure differences across organizations in their ability to control crime. Using data from 74 block groups in the South Bronx, NY, this research seeks to specify more clearly the relationship between organizations and crime in a disadvantaged urban environment. We examine the relationship among nine different types of organizations and violent and property crime controlling for prior crime, land use, and area sociodemographic characteristics. Consistent with theories that highlight the importance of organizations for establishing ties outside the neighborhood, we find that block groups with more organizations that bridge to the larger community experience a decrease in crime. Property crime also is reduced in block groups with more organizations that promote the well‐being of families and children. We find that schools are associated with an increase in property crime, whereas the effects of other organizations are context specific and vary based on neighborhood racial composition, commercial land use, and disadvantage.
Who gets to the top? Generalists versus specialists in managerial organizations
Authors: Ferreira Daniel , Sah Raaj K.
Published: January 2013

We study organizations with individuals whose expertise differ in content and breadth. For example, specialists have deeper expertise than generalists, but in fewer areas. Difficulties in communication depend on who communicates with whom. Our analysis, which is consistent with several empirical findings, shows that: (i) an organization is more valuable and its leader has broader expertise if it is more complex, faces more unpredictability, or communication technologies improve; (ii) those higher in multilayered hierarchies have broader expertise; and (iii) any one‐dimensional concept (e.g., talent) cannot explain the assignment of different individuals to different levels in hierarchies.
Enrichment of an anammox bacterial community from a flooded paddy soil
Authors: Hu Bao‐lan , Shen Li‐dong , Liu Shuai , Cai Chen , Chen Ting‐ting , Kartal Boran , Harhangi Harry R. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Lou Li‐ping , Xu Xiang‐yang , Zheng Ping , Jetten Mike S. M.
Published: January 2013

This study describes the enrichment of anammox bacteria in a column simulating oxygen limited flooded paddy soils, which are important man‐made ecosystems that receive substantial amounts of fixed nitrogen. The upper 50 cm of the paddy soil, containing a high amount of ammonium [1.6–10.4 mmol N kg (dry weight)−1], was selected as the inoculum for anammox enrichment. After 18 months of incubation with freshwater from the paddy soil ecosystem, the enrichment culture consumed approximately 4 mmol ammonium l−1 day−1 and 5 mmol nitrite l−1 day−1. The maximum specific anammox activity of the culture was 35.7 μmol N g (dry weight)−1 h−1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicated that anammox cells constituted 50% ± 10% of the enrichment culture. The phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and the diagnostic hydrazine synthase (hzsA) genes showed that two dominant anammox species were enriched from paddy soil. The enriched Candidatus Anammoxoglobus‐like organisms showed a 16S rRNA gene similarity of 97.5–99.2% to Candidatus Anammoxoglobus propionicus and the Candidatus Jettenia‐like organisms showed 92.1–93.1% 16S rRNA gene identity to Candidatus Jettenia asiatica. Real‐time quantitative PCR of hzsA gene suggested that up to 1010 copies g (dry weight)−1 of soil anammox bacteria were present in the enrichment culture.
Factors affecting incidence and severity of leaf spot disease on lettuce caused by Septoriabirgitae
Authors: Lohmeier U. , Farahani‐Kofoet R. Djalali , Kofoet A. , Grosch R.
Published: January 2013

In the 1990s during wet seasons a new disease causing brown leaf spots on lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was found for the first time in many lettuce‐growing areas of Austria and Germany. The causal agent, a new pathogenic species called Septoria birgitae, may be responsible for total crop loss. To study how temperature, inoculum density and leaf wetness period influence disease incidence and severity of leaf spot on lettuce caused by S. birgitae, we carried out in vivo experiments in growth chambers and in the field. Additionally, we evaluated the relevance of infected plant debris acting as a primary inoculum source in soil for subsequent crops. S. birgitae produces spores over a wide temperature range between 5°C and 30°C, and can infect plants at temperatures between 10°C and 30°C, with an optimum between 20°C and 30°C. Spores of S. birgitae at a density of at least 103 conidia mL–1 are essential for disease outbreak on lettuce. Because leaf wetness is crucial for releasing conidia from pycnidia, we studied the impact of leaf wetness duration on disease development under various temperature conditions. For relevant leaf spot disease development on lettuce in vivo, a leaf wetness duration of at least 24 h and temperatures higher than 10°C were necessary. Leaf spot disease development in the field required several leaf wetness periods longer than 20 h at approximately 15°C at the beginning of crop cultivation. Incorporating S. birgitae infected plant debris in soil as a primary inoculum was not relevant for leaf spot disease outbreak in the next year. However, in cases of continuous cropping of lettuce on the same field and in the same season, Septoria‐infected lettuce debris may become more relevant.
Stool DNA testing for the detection of colorectal neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Kisiel J. B. , Yab T. C. , Nazer Hussain F. T. , Taylor W. R. , Garrity‐Park M. M. , Sandborn W. J. , Loftus E. V. , Wolff B. G. , Smyrk T. C. , Itzkowitz S. H. , Rubin D. T. , Zou H. , Mahoney D. W. , Ahlquist D. A.
Published: January 2013

Background

Current approaches to the detection of colorectal neoplasia associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD‐CRN) are suboptimal.

Aim

To test the feasibility of using stool assay of exfoliated DNA markers to detect IBD‐CRN.

Methods

This investigation comprised tissue and stool studies. In the tissue study, gene sequencing and methylation assays were performed on candidate genes using tissue DNA from 25 IBD‐CRNs and from 25 IBD mucosae without CRN. Mutations on p53, APC, KRAS, BRAF or PIK3CA genes were insufficiently informative, but several aberrantly methylated genes were highly discriminant. In the stool study, we evaluated candidate methylated genes (vimentin, EYA4, BMP3, NDRG4) in a prospective blinded study on buffered stools from 19 cases with known IBD‐CRN and 35 age‐ and sex‐matched IBD controls without CRN. From stool‐extracted DNA, target genes were assayed using quantitative allele‐specific real‐time target and signal amplification method.

Results

IBD‐CRN cases included 17 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and two with Crohn's disease (CD); nine had cancer and 10 had dysplasia. Controls included 25 with UC and 10 with CD. Individually, BMP3, vimentin, EYA4 and NDRG4 markers showed high discrimination in stools with respective areas under the ROC curve of 0.91, 0.91, 0.85 and 0.84 for total IBD‐CRN and of 0.97, 0.97, 0.95 and 0.85 for cancer. At 89% specificity, the combination of BMP3 and mNDRG4 detected 9/9 (100%) of CRC and 80% of dysplasia, 4/4 (100%) of high grade and 4/6 (67%) of low grade.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the feasibility of stool DNA testing for non‐invasive detection of colorectal neoplasia associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Differences in resting corticolimbic functional connectivity in bipolar I euthymia
Authors: Torrisi Salvatore , Moody Teena D , Vizueta Nathalie , Thomason Moriah E , Monti Martin M , Townsend Jennifer D , Bookheimer Susan Y , Altshuler Lori L
Published: January 2013

Objective:  We examined resting state functional connectivity in the brain between key emotion regulation regions in bipolar I disorder to delineate differences in coupling from healthy subjects.

Methods:  Euthymic subjects with bipolar I disorder (n = 20) and matched healthy subjects (n = 20) participated in a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Low‐frequency fluctuations in blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signal were correlated in the six connections between four anatomically defined nodes: left and right amygdala and left and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC). Seed‐to‐voxel connectivity results were probed for commonly coupled regions. Following this, an identified region was included in a mediation analysis to determine the potential of mediation.

Results:  The bipolar I disorder group exhibited significant hyperconnectivity between right amygdala and right vlPFC relative to healthy subjects. The connectivity between these regions in the bipolar I disorder group was partially mediated by activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC).

Conclusions:  Greater coupling between right amygdala and right vlPFC and their partial mediation by the ACC were found in bipolar I disorder subjects in remission and in the absence of a psychological task. These findings have implications for a trait‐related and clinically important imaging biomarker.
A comparison between intensive and conventional cabergoline treatment of newly diagnosed patients with macroprolactinoma
Authors: Rastogi Ashu , Bhansali Anil , Dutta Pinaki , Singh Paramjit , Vijaivergiya Rajesh , Gupta Vaishali , Sachdeva Naresh , Bhadada Sanjay Kumar , Walia Rama
Published: January 2013

Context

Intensive treatment with cabergoline may lead to earlier reduction in prolactin and tumour volume in comparison to conventional schedule.

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of two different dosing schedules of cabergoline in patients with macroprolactinoma.

Design

Prospective, randomized trial in drug naive patients assigned to conventional (4 weekly escalation by 0·5 mg per week, group A) or intensive (weekly increase by 1 mg per week followed by 4 weekly escalation, group B) treatment with cabergoline.

Outcome measure

The duration required to achieve normoprolactinemia and tumour shrinkage of >50% as a composite end‐point.

Results

38 patients (19 in each group) completed the study with a mean follow‐up of 64·3 ± 24·9 weeks. More subjects (22%) achieved the composite end‐point in group B (18/19) as compared to the group A (14/19) (P = 0·18). The duration of cabergoline treatment required to achieve the composite end‐point was 13·1 ± 9·5 weeks vs 19·3 ± 15·7 weeks (P = 0·34) in the group A and B, respectively. A reduction in prolactin of ≥90% by the fourth week of cabergoline therapy predicted subsequent normalization of prolactin (AUC 0·78; P = 0·04). A further increase in cabergoline dosage after normalization of prolactin in patients with tumour reduction of <50%, led to further tumour shrinkage by 31·2% in an additional 26·3% of patients.

Conclusions

Intensive treatment with cabergoline is not superior to the conventional recommended dosage schedule in respect to the time necessary to achieve normoprolactinemia and ≥50% tumour shrinkage. Clinical trial registry: NCT 01143584.
Screening for X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy among adult men with Addison's disease
Authors: Horn Morten A. , Erichsen Martina M. , Wolff Anette S. B. , Månsson Jan‐Eric , Husebye Eystein S. , Tallaksen Chantal M. E. , Skjeldal Ola H.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy is an important cause of Addison's disease in boys, but less is known about its contribution to Addison's disease in adult men. After surveying all known cases of X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy in Norway in a separate study, we aimed to look for any missed cases among the population of adult men with nonautoimmune Addison's disease.

Study design

Among 153 adult men identified in a National Registry for Addison's Disease (75% of identified male cases of Addison's disease in Norway), those with negative indices for 21‐hydroxylase autoantibodies were selected. Additionally, cases with low autoantibody indices (48–200) were selected. Sera from subjects included were analysed for levels of very long‐chain fatty acids, which are diagnostic for X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy in men.

Results

Eighteen subjects had negative indices and 17 had low indices for 21‐hydroxylase autoantibodies. None of those with low indices and only one of those with negative indices were found to have X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy; this subject had already been diagnosed because of the neurological symptoms. Cases of Addison's disease proved to be caused by X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy constitute 1·5% of all adult male cases in Norway; the proportion among nonautoimmune cases was 15%.

Conclusions

We found X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy to be an uncommon cause of Addison's disease in adult men. However, this aetiological diagnosis has far‐reaching consequences both for the patient and for his extended family. We therefore recommend that all adult men with nonautoimmune Addison's disease be analysed for levels of very long‐chain fatty acids.
Impact of glove occlusion on cumulative skin irritation with or without hand cleanser–comparison in an experimental repeated irritation model
Authors: Antonov Dimitar , Kleesz Peter , Elsner Peter , Schliemann Sibylle
Published: January 2013

Background. Irritant contact dermatitis remains a substantial problem in the food processing industries. Irritants that are weak by themselves, such as glove occlusion and mild detergents, could interact to produce contact dermatitis.

Objectives. To model the irritant action of an antibacterial hand cleanser and glove occlusion, with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a positive control. The effects of a pre‐exposure cream and a post‐exposure cream were also investigated.

Methods. A modified repeated short‐time occlusive irritation test with 20 healthy volunteers, and application of irritants over 4 days, with pre‐exposure and post‐exposure creams and overnight glove occlusion, was performed. The changes in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) served as a measure of the irritant damage to the epidermal barrier.

Results. The antibacterial cleanser and the glove occlusion separately induced only minor increases in TEWL. When combined, the two showed a tandem effect, as the TEWL increase was significantly higher, and was similar to that seen with the positive control, SLS. The pre‐exposure and post‐exposure creams alone significantly mitigated the cumulative irritation, and this effect was strongest when the two creams were combined.

Conclusions. Irritant contact dermatitis may develop through the tandem effects of long‐term glove occlusion and the accumulation of barrier damage from hand washing, even when mild hand cleansers are employed.
Significance of elevated transplant renal artery velocities in the postoperative renal transplant patient
Authors: Siskind Eric , Lombardi Pamela , Blum Mark , Tyrell Richard , Villa Manuel , Kuncewitch Michael , Olsen Elizabeth M. , Alex Asha , Lumermann Leandro , Bhaskaran Madhu C. , Jhaveri Kenar D. , Sachdeva Mala , Calderon Kellie , Greben Craig , Putterman Daniel , Gandras Eric , Caplin Drew , D’ Agostino Catherine , Pellerito John , Coppa Gene , Molmenti Ernesto P.
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Non‐invasive imaging studies can provide visualization of allograft perfusion in the postoperative evaluation of newly transplanted renal allografts.

Aim

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the significance of elevated renal artery velocities in the immediate postoperative period.

Methods

Peak systolic velocities (PSVs) were obtained in the transplanted renal artery of 128 patients immediately after transplantation. Repeat allograft Doppler ultrasonography was performed on patients with elevated values.

Results

Of the 128 patients, 57 (44.5%) had severely elevated Doppler velocities >400 cm/s on the initial studies. Three patients within this category had persistently elevated values of >400 cm/s, warranting angiographic visualization of the renal vessels. Stent placement within the transplanted renal artery was required in two of these patients. There was normalization of the PSV in the remaining patients.

Conclusions

Routine allograft Doppler ultrasonography in the immediate postoperative period allows for visualization of allograft perfusion. Elevated renal artery velocities in the immediate postoperative period do not necessarily represent stenosis requiring intervention. Failure of the PSV to normalize may require further intervention, and angiography continues to be the gold standard.
Implementing and interpreting local‐scale invasive species distribution models
Authors: Brummer Tyler J. , Maxwell Bruce D. , Higgs Megan D. , Rew Lisa J.
Published: January 2013

Aim

Use of local‐scale non‐native plant species (NNS) distribution models has the potential to decrease survey effort and improve population prioritization for management. We developed and evaluated data collection methods and minimum sampling requirements to inform local‐scale models of NNS distribution. We also evaluated overall model predictive performance for 16 species at two sites and determined how classes of variables contributed to model performance and suggest invasion drivers.

Location

Wyoming and Idaho, USA

Methods

A simulation study was used to test the efficiency of different sampling methods to predict imposed species distributions. Empirical distribution models of species occurrence data from two environmentally disparate sites were cross‐validated at increasing sample sizes, and the asymptotic maximum predictive performance and relative contribution of classes of variables were determined for 16 NNS.

Results

Transect sampling was the most efficient method for maximizing model performance after accounting for logistics. Minimum sample sizes to reach model maximum predictive performance were similar for the simulation (< 0.5% of study area) and empirical studies (mean of 0.13% using transects). Maximum predictive performance tended to be greater at the site with steeper environmental gradients, and topo‐climatic/biotic variables were most important to model improvement.

Main conclusions

Local‐scale SDMs can be useful to NNS managers. Using transect methodology, enough data can be collected (ca. 0.13% of the management area) to fit models within logistical/budgetary constraints. These models are most predictive for well‐established species as opposed to new invaders and in areas with steeper environmental gradients. Finally, topo‐climatic/biotic predictors are the most important variables for predicting more established species, but disturbance and dispersal limitation should be considered and quantified to ensure variables associated with dominant processes are included in the SDM.
Dual origin of melanocytes defined by Sox1 expression and their region‐specific distribution in mammalian skin
Authors: Yoshimura Naoko , Motohashi Tsutomu , Aoki Hitomi , Tezuka Ken‐ichi , Watanabe Natsuki , Wakaoka Takanori , Era Takumi , Kunisada Takahiro
Published: January 2013

Melanocytes are pigment‐producing cells generated from neural crest cells (NCCs) that delaminate from the dorsal neural tube. The widely accepted premise that NCCs migrating along the dorsolateral pathway are the main source of melanocytes in the skin was recently challenged by the finding that Schwann cell precursors are the major cellular source of melanocytes in the skin. Still, in a wide variety of vertebrate embryos, melanocytes are exclusively derived from NCCs. In this study, we show that a NCC population that is not derived from Sox1+ dorsal neuroepithelial cells but are derived from Sox1− cells differentiate into a significant population of melanocytes in the skin of mice. Later, these Sox1− cells clearly segregate from cells that originated from Sox1+ dorsal neuroepithelial cell‐derived NCCs. The possible derivation of Sox1− cells from epidermal cells also strengthens their non‐neuroepithelial origin.
Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Systolic Excursion: A Distinguishing Echocardiographic Finding in Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: López‐Candales Angel , Edelman Kathy
Published: January 2013

Background

Even though chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) and acute pulmonary embolism (aPE) increase pulmonary vascular resistance and result in right ventricular (RV) dilatation and systolic dysfunction; both conditions operate through drastically different mechanisms. Unfortunately, simple echocardiographic examination might be insufficient to distinguish both entities. This study attempted to determine which objective measures would be useful in differentiating aPE from cPH.

Methods

Standard measures of main RV as well as RV outflow tract (RVOT) size and systolic performance calculations were retrospectively measured from 15 patients with confirmed aPE by chest computed tomography and compared with similar data collected from the same number of age‐matched patients with moderate (mcPH), severe (scPH), and patients without PH.

Results

Although a positive McConnell sign was seen in 60% of aPE patients and in 17% of the cPH patients, all aPE had a profound reduction in RVOT systolic excursion when compared with cPH patients. Furthermore, maximal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, velocity time integral of the RVOT ejection signal, end‐systolic or end‐diastolic RV to left ventricle (LV) dimension ratio were not useful to distinguish aPE from any of the 2 forms of cPH.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that measurement of RVOT systolic excursion not only is feasible but also extremely useful in identifying aPE and it is particularly helpful in differentiating it from patients with either mcPH or scPH. This variable might be useful to estimate the global impairment in RV contractility and acute hemodynamic derangement seen in aPE.
Assessment of Left Atrial Function after Percutaneous Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: Vavuranakis Manolis , Kavouras Charalampos , Vlasseros Ioannis , Aggeli Constantina , Felekos Ioannis , Vrachatis Dimitrios A. , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: January 2013

Background

Τhe influence of atrial septal occluders in left atrial (LA) function after percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) has not been thoroughly studied.

Methods

Twenty‐five patients (mean age 40.7 ± 12 years) undergoing percutaneous PFO closure were enrolled in this study. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) was performed 3 and 6 months before the procedure. Volumetric indices (active emptying fraction: LA AEF, expansion index: LA EI, and passive emptying fraction: LA PEF), strain and strain rate (SR), were calculated during the contractile, reservoir, and conduit LA phases for the lateral, anterior, and inferior LA walls with TTE.

Results

After 3 months, a decrease in the SR of the LA anterior wall was observed (from 2.12 ± 0.22 to 1.66 ± 0.26, P < 0.045), while the LA lateral wall strain was found to be increased (from 0.708 ± 0.15 to 0.783 ± 0.159, P < 0.001). Moreover, simultaneously LA AEF was greater compared with baseline (from 31.0 ± 1.6 to 34.0 ± 1.6, P < 0.004). However, all these alterations reversed at 6 months.

Conclusions

Segmental LA function is altered transiently after percutaneous PFO closure with a septal occlude. The LA anterior wall SR decreases, while the lateral wall strain increases. The impact of these alterations needs further clarification.
Cognitive remediation in schizophrenia: efficacy and effectiveness in patients with early versus long‐term course of illness
Authors: Bowie Christopher R. , Grossman Michael , Gupta Maya , Oyewumi L. Kola , Harvey Philip D.
Published: January 2013

Aim

We examined the efficacy and effectiveness (transfer to functional competence and everyday functioning) of cognitive remediation in early‐course (within 5 years of first episode) and long‐term (more than 15 years of illness) schizophrenia.

Methods

Treatment lasted 12 weeks and included computerized exercises, strategic monitoring and methods to transfer cognition to behaviour. Assessments included a standard battery of neurocognition, performance‐based measures of social and adaptive competence, and case manager ratings of real‐world functional behaviour. Changes from baseline to post‐treatment were examined with repeated measures analysis of variance and estimated premorbid intelligence and total months in hospital as covariates.

Results

The early‐course group had larger improvements in measures of processing speed and executive functions, as well as larger improvements in adaptive competence and real‐world work skills. Duration of illness was inversely associated with improvement in neurocognition and real‐world work skills.

Conclusions

Treatment of cognitive impairments is feasible in both early‐course and chronic schizophrenia, but the clinical meaningfulness and generalization to functioning appear to be more substantial when delivered early. Cognitive remediation should be considered a tool for early intervention in schizophrenia.
Manganese‐induced parkinsonism in methcathinone abusers: bio‐markers of exposure and follow‐up
Authors: Sikk K. , Haldre S. , Aquilonius S.‐M. , Asser A. , Paris M. , Roose Ä. , Petterson J. , Eriksson S.‐L. , Bergquist J. , Taba P.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

Methcathinone abuse is a new cause of manganism. The psychostimulant is prepared from pseudoephedrine using potassium permanganate as an oxidant. We describe the clinical, biological, neuroimaging characteristics and follow‐up results in a large Estonian cohort of intravenous methcathinone users.

Methods

During 2006–2012 we studied 38 methcathinone abusers with a mean age of 33 years. Subjects were rated by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr (HY), and Schwab and England (SE) rating scales. Twenty‐four cases were reassessed 9–70 (20 ± 15) months after the initial evaluation. Manganese (Mn) in plasma and hair was analysed by inductively coupled plasma‐atom emission spectrometry. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 11, and single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with iodobenzamide (IBZM) in eight subjects.

Results

The average total UPDRS score was 43 ± 21. The most severely affected domains in UPDRS Part III were speech and postural stability, the least affected domain was resting tremor. At follow‐up there was worsening of HY and SE rating scales. Subjects had a higher mean level of Mn in hair (2.9 ± 3.8 ppm) than controls (0.82 ± 1.02 ppm), P = 0.02. Plasma Mn concentrations were higher (11.5 ± 6.2 ppb) in active than in former users (5.6 ± 1.8 ppb), P = 0.006. Active methcathinone users had increased MRI T1‐signal intensity in the globus pallidus, substantia nigra and periaquaductal gray matter. IBZM‐SPECT showed normal symmetric tracer uptake in striatum.

Conclusion

Methcathinone abusers develop a distinctive hypokinetic syndrome. Though the biomarkers of Mn exposure are characteristic only of recent abuse, the syndrome is not reversible.
Applicability of the new ILAE classification for epilepsies (2010) in persons with epilepsy at a tertiary care center in India
Authors: Uttam Ashwani K. , Joshi Rupa , Dwivedi Rekha , Prasad Kameshwar , Padma Madakasira V. , Bhatia Rohit , Singh Mamta B. , Tripathi Manjari
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To test the applicability of the new International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) 2010 classification for epilepsies and to compare it with the ILAE 1989 classification and the ILAE 2001 diagnostic scheme in developing countries with limited resources such as India.

Methods

Prospective data of 500 consecutive patients with epilepsy, presenting in neurology department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, was collected from January 2011 to June 2012 and analyzed according to the three systems proposed by ILAE in 1989, 2001, and 2010.

Key Findings

All 500 patients could be classified in the ILAE 1989 classification system, but only 413 in the ILAE 2001 diagnostic scheme (in axes 3 and 4) and 420 in the ILAE 2010 classification system. Leading categories were localization‐related epilepsies, symptomatic focal epilepsies, perinatal insult, and epilepsies attributed to structural and metabolic cause in ILAE 1989, 2001 axis 3, 2001 axis 4, and 2010 systems, respectively. The ILAE 1989 classification system could categorize significantly greater numbers of patients compared to the 2001 and 2010 systems, whereas the latter two remained similar.

Significance

A large group of patients remained unclassified in the new classification system despite our tremendous gain in knowledge through improved imaging, genomics, and molecular biology, and so on, which could be attributed to lack of availability of facilities in developing countries. Dichotomy of localization‐related and generalized epilepsy still makes for a fundamental and pragmatic working diagnosis and guides the physician about the extent of investigations and treatment especially in “epilepsies of unknown cause.”
Global justice and disasters
Authors: Clark Nigel , Chhotray Vasudha , Few Roger
Published: January 2013

Critical inquiry into the relationship between natural hazards and disasters has raised pressing questions about the uneven exposure and resilience of different social groups. This paper argues that human‐induced climate change and its implication in a range of extreme events extends and complicates the pursuit of justice in the context of differentiated vulnerability to hazards. But the challenge of living with natural hazards can provoke and inspire the idea of global environmental justice in other ways. Sustained consideration of the unpredictability of physical environments draws us into engagement with the temporality and spatiality of earth processes. It points to the ways that any extended place‐based inhabitation must involve demanding accommodations to environmental uncertainty – raising questions about how to ‘do justice’ to these achievements. Confronting forms of hardship that are triggered by the dynamics of the earth itself can also be taken as a prompt to conceive of environmental justice not only in regard to what others deserve or are entitled to, but in terms of what might be offered simply in response to their suffering. In this way, the paper proposes, thinking through natural hazard and disaster might play a part in re‐imagining the very concept of environmental justice.
Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of infective endocarditis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Htin A. K. F. , Friedman N. D. , Hughes A. , O'Brien D. P. , Huffam S. , Redden A.‐M. , Athan E.
Published: January 2013

Background

Outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy has been shown to be efficacious, safe and cost‐effective for a variety of infections. The data from managing infective endocarditis (IE) with hospital in the home (HITH) are limited. We evaluated the safety and outcomes of patients with IE treated with HITH at our centre.

Aims

To evaluate the safety, efficacy and 1‐year outcomes of patients with IE treated under HITH at our centre over 9 years.

Method

A retrospective analysis of the clinical outcomes of all cases of IE treated with HITH at a tertiary referral centre was undertaken for patients treated between June 2002 and July 2011 (9 years). Outcome measures included clinical cure, readmission rate, relapses and 1‐year mortality.

Results

Sixty‐eight cases of IE were treated with HITH over the study period, including 29 native valve infections, 24 prosthetic valve infections, 12 pacemaker lead infections, 1 defibrillator lead infection, 1 myocardial wall infection and 1 aortic graft infection. Thirteen cases had valve replacement surgery and 12 cases had removal of infected pacemaker leads. Staphylococcus aureus (18 cases), Coagulase‐negative staphylococcus (10 cases) and viridians‐group streptococcus (18 cases) were the most common pathogens. Median duration of antimicrobial therapy with HITH was 24 days (range 4 to 42 days). There were three readmissions during antimicrobial therapy with HITH. Two patients relapsed. There were two deaths and one patient was lost to follow up. One‐year survival was 96% (65/68).

Conclusion

Outpatient antimicrobial therapy with HITH is safe and effective in carefully selected cases of IE.
Cigarette smoke increases BLT2 receptor functions in bronchial epithelial cells: in vitro and ex vivo evidence
Authors: Pace Elisabetta , Ferraro Maria , Vincenzo Serena Di , Bruno Andreina , Giarratano Antonino , Scafidi Valeria , Lipari Luana , Benedetto Denise Valentina Di , Sciarrino Serafina , Gjomarkaj Mark
Published: January 2013

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a neutrophil chemotactic molecule with important involvement in the inflammatory responses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway epithelium is emerging as a regulator of innate immune responses to a variety of insults including cigarette smoke, the major risk factor for COPD. In this study we have explored whether cigarette smoke extracts (CSE) or soluble mediators present in distal lung fluid samples (mini‐bronchoalveolar lavages) from smokers alter the expression of the LTB4 receptor 2 (BLT2) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α) in bronchial epithelial cells. We also evaluated the effects of CSE on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and on the binding of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT‐1) to ICAM‐1 promoter as well as the adhesiveness of neutrophils to bronchial epithelial cells. CSE and mini‐bronchoalveolar lavages from smokers increased BLT2 and ICAM‐1 expression as well as the adhesiveness of neutrophils to bronchial epithelial cells and decreased PPAR‐α expression. CSE induced the activation of STAT‐1 and its binding to ICAM‐1 promoter. These findings suggest that, in bronchial epithelial cells, CSE promote a prevalent induction of pro‐inflammatory BLT2 receptors and activate mechanisms leading to increased neutrophil adhesion, a mechanism that contributes to airway neutrophilia and to tissue damage.
Complications of Gastric Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Authors: Oda Ichiro , Suzuki Haruhisa , Nonaka Satoru , Yoshinaga Shigetaka
Published: January 2013

Endoscopic resection is now a widely accepted treatment for early gastric cancer, having a negligible risk of lymph‐node metastasis. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a relatively new endoscopic resection method developed in the mid‐1990s that facilitates en‐bloc resection even in patients with large or ulcerative lesions difficult to resect using conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). However, compared to EMR, ESD requires a longer procedure time and a higher level of technical expertise, in addition to having a slightly greater risk of complications. Endoscopists must be aware of not only the risk factors for, and incidence of, complications, but also how to effectively treat such complications. Perforation and bleeding are the major complications associated with gastric ESD. The perforation and delayed bleeding rates have been reported to range from 1.2% to 5.2% and 0% to 15.6%, respectively, and can usually be managed with appropriate endoscopic treatment. Immediate bleeding during gastric ESD is quite common and controlling such bleeding, which is primarily achieved by carrying out electrocautery, plays a critical role in the successful completion of ESD.
Management of complications associated with endoscopic submucosal dissection/ endoscopic mucosal resection for esophageal cancer
Authors: Isomoto Hajime , Yamaguchi Naoyuki , Minami Hitomi , Nakao Kazuhiko
Published: January 2013

Endoscopic resection of early esophageal cancer (EEC) is an established therapy in Japan and is increasingly becoming accepted and used regularly in other countries. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), an application of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), has been developed to allow the resection of larger lesions in an en bloc manner; the earliest results so far have been promising even in EEC. ESD allows precise assessment of the histopathological curability of resected specimens, reducing local recurrence. However, ESD has relatively high complication rates; notification of perforation risk is essential especially in the esophagus. Bleeding during ESD can be managed by endoscopic closure with endoclips, and delayed bleeding is rare. Esophageal stricture following semicircular or complete circular esophageal ESD was relatively frequent even when treated by multiple pre‐emptive endoscopic balloon dilation. Endoscopic triamcinolone injection, temporal stenting and innovative transplantation of autologous tissue‐engineered epithelial cell sheets have shown promising results for the prevention of luminal stricture following semicircular esophageal ESD. In cases of circumferential ESD, however, giving oral prednisolone can offer a unique treatment option for the prevention of intractable post‐procedural stricture of the esophagus.