bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manners of Death in Drug‐Related Fatalities in Florida
Authors: Lee Dayong , Delcher Chris , Maldonado‐Molina Mildred M. , Thogmartin Jon R. , Goldberger Bruce A.
Published: March 2016

To understand the mortality patterns among drug users and potential risk factors, we evaluated drug‐related deaths reported to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission from 2001 to 2013, by substances, demographics, and manner of death. The annual drug‐related fatalities increased by 57% from 2001 to 2013 (total n = 100,882); 51.8% were accidental, 7.9% homicide, 18.6% natural, and 19.6% suicide. The different manners of death exhibited distinct demographic profiles and drug composition. The gender gap was more prominent in homicide. Age ≥55 years was more closely associated with natural death and suicide. Age <35 years and central nervous system (CNS) stimulants including amphetamines and cocaine showed higher relative risks for accidental death and homicide, whereas CNS depressants including benzodiazepines, carisoprodol, opioids, and zolpidem were more strongly associated with accidental death and/or suicide. The findings aid in identifying populations more vulnerable to drug‐related deaths, developing targeted interventions and thereby improving efficiency of preventive efforts.
Effect of the ban on short selling on market prices and volatility
Authors: Helmes Uwe , Henker Julia , Henker Thomas
Published: March 2016

We examine the effects of the short‐selling ban, imposed by Australian regulators in the wake of the global financial crisis, on the trading of financial stocks. Our findings argue against commonly stated reasons for imposing short‐sale bans. We find no evidence that short‐sale restrictions provide support for stock prices or that they reduce volatility. Moreover, stocks subject to the short‐selling ban suffered a severe degradation in market quality. Controlling for the adverse effects of the financial crisis on markets, we show that short‐selling restrictions increase intraday volatility, reduce trading activity and increase bid–ask spreads.
The effects of China's Sloping Land Conversion Program on agricultural households
Authors: Liu Zhen , Henningsen Arne
Published: March 2016

In the late 1990s, China aimed to mitigate environmental degradation from agricultural production activities by introducing the world's largest “Payments for Environmental Servicesˮ program: the Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP). We develop a microeconomic Agricultural Household Model, which can model the production, consumption, and nonfarm labor supply decisions of agricultural households in rural China in a theoretically consistent fashion. Based on this theoretical model, we derive an empirical specification, which we econometrically estimate using the Hausman–Taylor method and a large longitudinal farm household data set. The empirical results significantly differ between regions, but are generally consistent with the results of our theoretical comparative static analysis, for example, that the SLCP significantly decreases agricultural production. While the SLCP only increases nonfarm labor supply and total consumption in some regions, these effects could not be observed in others. The recent reduction of the SLCP compensation payment rates generally had negligible effects on agricultural production and off‐farm work and only very small effects on household consumption.
Tradeoffs and complementarities in the adoption of improved seeds, fertilizer, and natural resource management technologies in Kenya
Authors: Wainaina Priscilla , Tongruksawattana Songporne , Qaim Matin
Published: March 2016

There is widespread consensus that agricultural technology has an important role to play for poverty reduction and sustainable development. There is no consensus, however, about the types of technologies that are best suited for smallholder farmers in Africa. While some consider natural resource management (NRM) technologies as most appropriate, others propagate input intensification with a stronger role of the private sector. In the public debate, these two strategies are often perceived as incompatible. Environmental non‐governmental organizations in particular consider low‐external input strategies as the only sustainable form of agriculture, a view that has considerable influence on policymakers and the international donor community. Most existing research studies on smallholder innovation focus on the adoption of individual technologies, so that comparisons between different types of technologies in the same context are not easily possible. We use representative data from maize‐producing households in Kenya and a multivariate probit model to analyze the adoption of different types of technologies simultaneously. Results indicate that NRM technologies and strategies that build on external inputs are not incompatible. Interesting complementarities exist, which are not yet sufficiently exploited because many organizations promote either one type of technology or the other, but rarely a combination of both.
Day‐restricted feeding during pregnancy and lactation programs glucose intolerance and impaired insulin secretion in male rat offspring
Authors: de Almeida Faria J. , de Araújo T. M. F. , Mancuso R. I. , Meulman J. , da Silva Ferreira D. , Batista T. M. , Vettorazzi J. F. , da Silva P. M. R. , Rodrigues S. C. , Kinote A. , Carneiro E. M. , Bordin S. , Anhê G. F.
Published: March 2016

Aim

The maternal environment during pregnancy and lactation plays a determining role in programming energy metabolism in offspring. Among a myriad of maternal factors, disruptions in the light/dark cycle during pregnancy can program glucose intolerance in offspring. Out‐of‐phase feeding has recently been reported to influence metabolism in adult humans and rodents; however, it is not known whether this environmental factor impacts offspring metabolism when applied during pregnancy and lactation. This study aims to determine whether maternal day‐restricted feeding (DF) influences energy metabolism in offspring.

Methods

Pregnant and lactating Wistar rats were subjected to ad libitum (AL) or DF during pregnancy and lactation. The offspring born to the AL and DF dams were intra‐ and interfostered, which resulted in 4 group types.

Results

The male offspring born to and breastfed by the DF dams (DF/DF off) were glucose intolerant, but without parallel insulin resistance as adults. Experiments with isolated pancreatic islets demonstrated that the male DF/DF off rats had reduced insulin secretion with no parallel disruption in calcium handling. However, this reduction in insulin secretion was accompanied by increased miRNA‐29a and miRNA34a expression and decreased syntaxin 1a protein levels.

Conclusion

We conclude that out‐of‐phase feeding during pregnancy and lactation can lead to glucose intolerance in male offspring, which is caused by a disruption in insulin secretion capacity. This metabolic programming is possibly caused by mechanisms dependent on miRNA modulation of syntaxin 1a.
Seasonal variation in diet breadth of folivorous Lepidoptera in the Brazilian cerrado
Authors: Scherrer Scheila , Lepesqueur Cintia , Vieira Marcos C. , Almeida‐Neto Mário , Dyer Lee , Forister Matt , Diniz Ivone Rezende
Published: March 2016

Documented patterns of specialization and species interactions often omit plasticity in resource use across space and time, yet such variation is an important part of species interactions. To examine temporal variation in resource use, we compared species‐ and community‐level patterns of host plant use by folivorous caterpillars between the dry and rainy seasons in four preserved areas of cerrado vegetation in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. We sampled plants and caterpillars in 10 m circular plots monthly from March 2010 to March 2011. At the community level, we found a significant increase in the mean diet breadth of dry season caterpillars relative to those collected in the rainy season. Families and species of moths varied in diet breadth, but most exhibited a seasonal expansion. In particular, intraspecific comparisons showed a 30% increase in the number of host plants used in the dry season compared to the rainy season. These results provide a clear example of how temporal variation in resource use is heterogeneous, and more generalized patterns of resource use can emerge from studies at large temporal scales. Thus, seasonal or annual heterogeneity may obscure ecologically relevant specialized interactions that occur at smaller scales.
Plant composition associated with environmental gradients in tropical montane forests (Cueva de Los Guacharos National Park, Huila, Colombia)
Authors: Prada Cecilia M. , Stevenson Pablo R.
Published: March 2016

Niche differentiation among tropical forest plants can generate species turnover along gradients of soil, topography, climate, and land use history. In this study we explore the relative importance of these variables as drivers of floristic composition in Cueva de Los Guacharos National Park. We established twenty 0.1‐ha plots, within which trees, lianas, and shrubs (diameter ≥ 2.5 cm) were censused. We selected plot locations in primary and disturbed forests, and we measured topography and soil variables. Despite their structural similarity, primary and disturbed forests differed floristically, and also differed in environmental variables measured. A NMDS ordination showed that variation in the floristic composition across plots is highly correlated to the exchangeable acidity, elevation, temperature, and magnesium availability. Variance partitioning analysis shows that together spatial and environmental variables explain 24.2 percent of the variation in species composition. ‘Pure environmental’ variables were more important in explaining compositional variability than ‘pure spatial’ processes (9.8% and 1.4%, respectively). Residual variance may be attributed to stochastic process or non‐measured biotic effects.
Homozygous PKP2 deletion associated with neonatal left ventricle noncompaction
Authors: Ramond F. , Janin A. , Di Filippo S. , Chanavat V. , Chalabreysse L. , Roux‐Buisson N. , Sanlaville D. , Touraine R. , Millat G.
Published: March 2016

Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) is a clinically heterogeneous disorder characterized by a trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular myocardial recesses that communicate with the left ventricular cavity. Several genetic causes of LVNC have been reported, with variable modes of inheritance, including autosomal dominant and X‐linked inheritance, but relatively few responsible genes have been identified. A NGS workflow, based on a panel of 95 genes developed for sequencing most prevalent sudden cardiac death‐causing genes, was used to make a rapid and costless molecular diagnosis in two siblings with a severe noncompaction cardiomyopathy starting prenatally and leading to rapid cardiac failure. For the first time, a total homozygous PKP2 deletion was identified. This molecular defect was further confirmed by MLPA and array‐comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Heterozygous PKP2 mutations are usually reported in a significant proportion of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy cases. Our results show, for the first time, the involvement of PKP2 in severe cardiomyopathy with ventricular non compaction.
Incidence and timing of wild and escaped farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Norwegian rivers inferred from video surveillance monitoring
Authors: Svenning Martin‐A. , Lamberg Anders , Dempson Brian , Strand Rita , Hanssen Øyvind Kanstad , Fauchald Per
Published: March 2016

Run timing of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar vs. wild fish was compared by the use of video camera surveillance in 15 rivers over several years, covering 1600 km of the Norwegian coastline (from 58°N to 69°N). Annual runs of wild salmon varied among rivers from <200 fish to more than 10 000. During the surveillance period that for most rivers extended from late May to early October, larger‐sized salmon (fish ≥ 65 cm) generally entered the rivers earlier than small fish. The percentage of salmon identified as escaped farmed fish ranged from 0.1% to 17% across rivers with an average of 4.3%. Estimates of escapees are, however, assumed to represent minimum values because an unknown number of farmed fish passing the video cameras may have been misclassified as wild fish. By the use of a linear mixed model and generalised additive mixed models, it was found that the relationship between run timing and fish length differed significantly between farmed and wild salmon. While small‐sized farmed and wild fish (<65 cm) entered the river at about the same time, wild large salmon returned on average 1–2 weeks earlier than similarly sized escapees. The proportion of large‐sized farmed escapees also increased until late August and decreased thereafter. In contrast, there was a relatively constant and lower proportion of small‐sized escapees throughout the season. Within the surveillance period, there was no evidence of any exceptionally late runs of fish classified as escaped farmed salmon.
The effect of humic acid on the sorption and desorption of myo‐inositol hexaphosphate to gibbsite and kaolinite
Authors: Ruyter‐Hooley M. , Morton D. W. , Johnson B. B. , Angove M. J.
Published: March 2016

The effect of humic acid (HA) on myo‐inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) sorption and desorption to gibbsite and kaolinite was investigated with measurements of macroscopic sorption. Gibbsite tended to have a larger sorption capacity for both HA and IP6. The behaviour in the ternary systems, where both HA and IP6 were present, was complex. Both pH and the addition sequence of HA and IP6 were found to be important in affecting IP6 and HA sorption to both minerals; with more noticeable effects on the gibbsite surface than on kaolinite. When HA was added first, IP6 sorption decreased when the pH was less than 9, whereas HA sorption decreased over the whole pH range. The addition of HA to mineral‐bound IP6 had little effect on IP6 sorption, but HA sorption decreased. The observed decreases in HA and IP6 sorption most probably result from a reduction in the availability of sites at the surface and electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged HA and IP6 ions at the surface. Desorption experiments indicate that IP6 was bound strongly to the gibbsite surface, especially at pH 6 where little IP6 was released into solution, even in the presence of HA.

Highlights

Aim to understand how the sorption of inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) and humic acid (HA) are affected when both are present in soil.

Both the nature of the mineral surface and order of addition of adsorbates affect the amount of each sorbed.

The presence of HA on the mineral surface decreases the amount of IP6 that sorbs at lower pH values, but it cannot displace IP6 from the surface.

The presence of sorbed HA is likely to affect the plant‐available IP6 in soil systems.
Conservation tool or threatening process? management implications of interactions of cattle with vegetation and land at the Vale of Belvoir reserve
Authors: Tengia Blanka , Taylor Matthew , Kirkpatrick Jamie
Published: March 2016

A recently purchased private reserve of high conservation value has been grazed in summer by cattle since the early nineteenth century. We ask whether the cattle are causing continuing damage and whether they are necessary to maintain any conservation values. We used five‐year‐old exclosures to determine the effects of cattle on wetland vegetation, mapped damage to soils and landforms and mapped cattle dung deposition in relation to the distributions of rare and threatened plant species. Cattle impacts on wetland plants were minor. Cattle damage to landforms by pugging and bank collapse was frequent near unfenced water bodies. Rare and threatened species were largely on well‐drained ground, while cattle dung was concentrated in wetlands and near water bodies. We conclude that cattle grazing is impacting some conservation values and is not necessary for conservation purposes. Destocking should be accompanied by careful monitoring of threatened plant populations. If necessary, alternative planned disturbances can provide regeneration niches for rare and threatened plants.
Effect of artificial shade and grazing removal on degraded grasslands: Implications of woody restoration for herbaceous vegetation
Authors: Norton David A. , Young Laura M.
Published: March 2016

Extensive degraded short tussock grasslands of New Zealand's eastern South Island were dominated by woody vegetation prior to burning and livestock grazing associated with human settlement starting 800 years ago. There is increasing interest in restoring some of these grasslands back to a woody state. However, because of the long time frames involved in establishing a woody cover, it is difficult to predict the impacts that woody restoration will have on the extant herbaceous flora. Using a factorial trial with artificial shade and grazing exclusion, we assessed the potential impact of woody restoration on the structure and composition of the herbaceous flora over a six‐year period. The imposition of artificial shade resulted in significant increases in total species richness and the total cover of herbaceous vegetation, increases in cover of several individual forb and grass species and decreases in the cover of bare ground, moss and lichen in shade treatments. There were also changes in the overall community composition of shaded treatments reflecting these changes in vegetation cover and species richness. We found no statistically significant effects of grazing exclusion. We suggest that increased soil moisture resulting from shade addition plays an important role in increasing the herbaceous component of the flora. While woody restoration will have a range of effects on the herbaceous understorey, for example through competition and changes in soil conditions, our findings are important for planning future woody restoration in these degraded tussock grasslands. In particular, our results suggest that the best approach to ensure the persistence of herbaceous vegetation in woody restorations might be to ensure that restoration plantings result in a spatially heterogeneous vegetation arrangement.
Cerebrospinal fluid markers in the differentiation of molecular subtypes of sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease
Authors: Gmitterová K. , Heinemann U. , Krasnianski A. , Gawinecka J. , Zerr I.
Published: March 2016

Background and purpose

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis supports the clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt−Jakob disease (sCJD) when applied within an adequate clinical context. A diagnostic potential has been attributed to CSF proteins such as 14‐3‐3, but also tau protein, phosphorylated tau (181P) (p‐tau) protein, amyloid β1–42, S100B and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE). There has been only limited information available about the contribution of CSF analysis in the differentiation of various molecular sCJD subtypes.

Methods

The CSF levels of the aforementioned proteins from 73 sCJD patients with distinct molecular subtypes were determined.

Results

Differences in tau values were significant amongst the homozygous patients (MM and VV genotype) compared to the heterozygous group (P = 0.07 and P = 0.02 respectively). Significantly higher CSF tau levels (P = 0.003) and NSE (P = 0.02) but lower p‐tau/tau ratio (P = 0.01) were observed in MM1 compared to MM2 patients. The p‐tau/tau ratio enabled the differentiation of MV genotype with higher levels in PrPsc type 2 (P = 0.04). Elevation of S100B (P < 0.001) and NSE (P = 0.03) was observed in VV2 compared to VV1 subtype. PRNP codon 129 genotype, PrPsc isotype, disease duration and clinical stage influenced the test sensitivity in all proteins.

Conclusions

Cerebrospinal fluid protein levels might be useful in the pre‐mortem differentiation of molecular sCJD subtypes when the codon 129 genotype is known.
On the design and test of equivalent configurations for notch and fretting fatigue
Authors: Araújo J. A. , Castro F. C. , Pommier S. , Bellecave J. , Meriaux J.
Published: March 2016

This work investigates the possibility of designing fretting and notch fatigue experiments that are nominally equivalent in terms of damage evaluated by a multiaxial fatigue model. The methodology adopted to carry out this search considered a cylinder‐on‐flat contact geometry and a V‐notched plate. The loading conditions and geometries of the experimental configurations were adjusted to obtain the same decay of the multiaxial fatigue index from the hot spot up to a critical distance. Aluminium alloy 7050‐T7451 was used in the experimental evaluation of the methodology. Considering the well‐known scatter of fatigue data and the limited number of specimens available, the obtained results suggest that the use of the notch analogy in fretting fatigue is appropriate.
Four‐year decline in radioactive cesium transfer to perennial Gramineae candidate bioenergy crops in a field polluted by radioactive fallout from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011
Authors: Kobayashi Makoto , Matsunami Hisaya , Tsuruta Shin‐ichi , Sato Hiroko , Ando Shotaro
Published: March 2016

The accident caused at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 resulted in radioactive fallout over a wide area of eastern Japan. Production of bioenergy crops and their conversion to energy may be one way to resume agricultural production at an early date and to put renewable energy to practical use. We examined yearly changes in radioactive cesium concentrations in the harvested parts of six perennial Gramineae candidate bioenergy crops and the distribution of the cesium in plant organs and rhizosphere soil layers under no‐till conditions in an experimental field 112 km from the nuclear power plant. Average radioactivity of the sum of cesium‐134 and cesium‐137 in the harvested parts (foliage) of the six bioenergy crops on the day of harvest declined considerably from 193.3 Bq kg−1 in 2011 to 31.6% of the 2011 level in 2012, 28.8% in 2013 and 28.7% in 2014. Radioactivity was higher in the underground plant parts (subterranean stem and root) than in the aboveground parts (foliage and stubble). In 2014, radioactivity in the untilled rhizosphere soil was higher in the shallow layer (0–5 cm from the soil surface) than in the deeper layers, indicating that rainfall and perennial bioenergy crop cultivation for more than 3 years had a limited effect on the soil distribution of the fallout. These results provide unique and specific information on radioactive cesium transfer to bioenergy crops and could help in the planning of feedstock supplies in radiation‐polluted areas.
Declining trends in invasive orthopedic interventions for people with hemophilia enrolled in the Universal Data Collection program (2000–2010)
Authors: Tobase P. , Lane H. , Siddiqi A.‐E‐A. , Ingram‐Rich R. , Ward R. S. ,   Universal Data Collection Joint Outcome Working Group, Hemophilia Treatment Center Network (HTCN) Study Investigators
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Recurrent joint hemarthroses due to hemophilia (Factor VIII and Factor IX deficiency) often lead to invasive orthopedic interventions to decrease frequency of bleeding and/or to alleviate pain associated with end‐stage hemophilic arthropathy.

Aim

Identify trends in invasive orthopedic interventions among people with hemophilia who were enrolled in the Universal Data Collection (UDC) program during the period 2000–2010.

Methods

Data were collected from 130 hemophilia treatment centers in the United States annually during the period 2000–2010, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of visits in which an invasive orthopedic intervention was reported was expressed as a proportion of the total visits in each year of the program. Invasive orthopedic interventions consisted of arthroplasty, arthrodesis, and synovectomy. Joints included in this study were the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle.

Results

A 5.6% decrease in all invasive orthopedic interventions in all joints of people with hemophilia enrolled in the UDC program over the 11‐year study period was observed.

Conclusions

These data reflect a declining trend in invasive orthopedic interventions in people with hemophilia. Further research is needed to understand the characteristics that may influence invasive orthopedic interventions.
Adrenal insufficiency presenting as unexplained hypotension in nocturnal home hemodialysis
Authors: Koh Timothy Jee Kam , Chan Christopher T.
Published: March 2016

Adrenal insufficiency is a complication of chronic corticosteroid therapy. Unexplained hypotension may be a manifestation of an adrenal insufficient state in patients with a history of corticosteroid therapy on hemodialysis. We present a series of five cases of patients on nocturnal home hemodialysis with hypotension as the main manifestation of adrenal insufficiency. Unexplained hypotension in patients with a history of corticosteroid therapy should prompt the managing clinician to consider adrenal insufficiency as a possible cause.
Surveillance rates for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C based on Japanese claims database
Authors: Hirata Aya , Hirata Takumi , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Nakayama Takeo
Published: March 2016

Aim

Surveillance is recommended for patients with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) such as viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (LC). Although populations are at higher risk in Asia, surveillance rates have not been evaluated in those countries. Therefore, we aimed to examine surveillance rates for HCC and to compare predictors for surveillance among each type of liver disease in Japan.

Methods

We carried out an observational study using the medical claims data of Japan. A total of 4713 patients who were diagnosed with LC, hepatitis B virus (HBV), or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were followed for 12 months. We described surveillance rates in patients with HBV or HCV infection or non‐viral LC and evaluated potential predictors for follow‐up surveillance among them by using multivariable logistic regression analysis, in which we set explanatory variables as sex, age, medical facility, HBV or HCV infection, and LC.

Results

The HCC surveillance rate during follow‐up was 42.3% among patients with chronic viral hepatitis, 56.5% with viral cirrhosis and 26.0%, with non‐viral LC. Significant predictors for follow‐up surveillance were presence of LC and hospital visits. Hepatitis B virus‐infected patients aged <50 years and HCV‐infected patients aged ≥50 years were more likely to undergo exams, that is, different tendencies between HBV and HCV patients were shown.

Conclusions

Follow‐up surveillance for HCC was not adequately carried out among patients at risk for HCC in Japan, despite of recommendation in guidelines. In future, methodological research might be needed to increase surveillance rates for HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis or those who received treatment at a clinic.
Fall frequency and associated factors among men and women with or at risk for HIV infection
Authors: Erlandson KM , Plankey MW , Springer G , Cohen HS , Cox C , Hoffman HJ , Yin MT , Brown TT
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Falls and fall‐related injuries are a major public health concern. HIV‐infected adults have been shown to have a high incidence of falls. Identification of major risk factors for falls that are unique to HIV infection or similar to those in the general population will inform development of future interventions for fall prevention.

Methods

HIV‐infected and uninfected men and women participating in the Hearing and Balance Substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and Women's Interagency HIV Study were asked about balance symptoms and falls during the prior 12 months. Falls were categorized as 0, 1, or ≥ 2; proportional odds logistic regression models were used to investigate relationships between falls and demographic and clinical variables and multivariable models were created.

Results

Twenty‐four per cent of 303 HIV‐infected participants reported at least one fall compared with 18% of 233 HIV‐uninfected participants (P = 0.27). HIV‐infected participants were demographically different from HIV‐uninfected participants, and were more likely to report clinical imbalance symptoms (P ≤ 0.035). In univariate analyses, more falls were associated with hepatitis C, female sex, obesity, smoking, and clinical imbalance symptoms, but not age, HIV serostatus or other comorbidities. In multivariable analyses, female sex and imbalance symptoms were independently associated with more falls. Among HIV‐infected participants, smoking, a higher number of medications, and imbalance symptoms remained independent fall predictors, while current protease inhibitor use was protective.

Conclusions

Similar rates of falls among HIV‐infected and uninfected participants were largely explained by a high prevalence of imbalance symptoms. Routine assessment of falls and dizziness/imbalance symptoms should be considered, with interventions targeted at reducing symptomatology.
Industrial relations changes in the Maldives: critical events and actors
Authors: Najeeb Ali , Barrett Mary
Published: March 2016

This paper analyses recent industrial relations (IR) and political changes in the Maldives. Critical incidents were compiled from interview and document data and analysed using a quasi‐grounded theory approach. The analysis shows that, precipitated by the political events of September 2003, profound democratic and IR changes took place, including the emergence of new IR actors and institutions. However, the outcomes of these changes proved short‐lived as old undemocratic practices were reasserted. The paper highlights the reasons why democratic and IR changes occurred as they did in the Maldives and why they reversed.
Non‐surgical periodontal treatment in conjunction with 3 or 7 days systemic administration of amoxicillin and metronidazole in severe chronic periodontitis patients. A placebo‐controlled randomized clinical study
Authors: Cosgarea Raluca , Juncar Raluca , Heumann Christian , Tristiu Roxana , Lascu Liana , Arweiler Nicole , Stavropoulos Andreas , Sculean Anton
Published: March 2016

Aim

To evaluate the effect of 3 or 7 days systemic administration of amoxicillin (AMX) and metronidazole (MET) or placebo as adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal treatment in severe chronic periodontitis patients.

Methods

One hundred and two patients with severe chronic periodontitis [e.g. ≥1 site with probing pocket depth (PD) ≥ 6 mm per quadrant] were randomly divided into three equally sized groups and treated with either scaling and root planing within 24 h (SRP) + placebo (Group A) or SRP + AMX + MET (both 500 mg × 3 times daily) for 3 days (Group B) or SRP + AMX + MET (both 500 mg × 3 times daily) for 7 days (Group C). PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), full‐mouth plaque scores (FMPS) and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were assessed prior to treatment (baseline), and at 3 and 6 months post‐treatment. The primary outcome variable was the difference (Δ) in the number of sites with PD ≥ 6 mm.

Results

Ninety‐one patients completed the study. At both 3 and 6 months, all three treatment protocols resulted in statistically significant improvements compared to baseline for all evaluated clinical parameters (p < 0.001). At 6 months, a statistically significantly greater reduction in the mean number of sites with PD ≥ 6 mm was observed in group B (28.62 ± 15.32 sites) and group C (30.45 ± 15.04 sites) compared to the placebo group (17.10 ± 14.68 sites). Furthermore, both the 3‐ and the 7‐day antibiotic regimen resulted in statistically significantly higher clinical improvements compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The present findings indicate that in patients with severe chronic periodontitis, non‐surgical periodontal therapy in conjunction with a 3 or 7 days systemic administration of AMX + MET may lead to significantly greater clinical improvements compared to non‐surgical therapy alone.
Drug survival of biologic therapy in a large, disease‐based registry of patients with psoriasis: results from the Psoriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR)
Authors: Menter A. , Papp K.A. , Gooderham M. , Pariser D.M. , Augustin M. , Kerdel F.A. , Fakharzadeh S. , Goyal K. , Calabro S. , Langholff W. , Chavers S. , Naessens D. , Sermon J. , Krueger G.G.
Published: March 2016

Background

Drug survival is a marker for treatment sustainability in chronic diseases such as psoriasis.

Objective

The aim of these analyses was to assess survival of biologic treatments in the PSOriasis Longitudinal Assessment and Registry (PSOLAR).

Methods

PSOLAR is a large, prospective, international, disease‐based registry of patients with psoriasis receiving (or eligible for) systemic therapy in a real‐world setting. Drug survival is defined as the time from initiation to discontinuation (stop/switch) of biologic therapy on registry. The number of patients who discontinued each treatment and the duration of therapy were recorded. Using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox‐regression analyses [hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs)], time to discontinuation was compared across cohorts undergoing first‐, second‐ or third‐line treatment with ustekinumab, infliximab, adalimumab or etanercept.

Results

As of the 2013 data cut, 12 095 patients with psoriasis were enrolled in PSOLAR. Of the 4000 patients initiating any new biologic therapy, approximately 3500 started a first‐line, second‐line or third‐line biologic therapy during the registry. Lack of effectiveness was the most common reason for discontinuation across biologic therapies. Based on the multivariate analysis, significantly shorter times to discontinuation were observed for infliximab [HR (95%CI) = 2.73 (1.48–5.04), P = 0.0014]; adalimumab [4.16 (2.80–6.20), P < 0.0001]; and etanercept [4.91 (3.28–7.35) P < 0.0001] compared with ustekinumab [reference treatment]) for first‐line biologic use; results were similar for treatment effects for second/third‐line therapies. Although limited in power, analyses in patients with concurrent psoriatic arthritis confirmed by a rheumatologist reflect observations in the overall psoriasis population.

Conclusion

Drug survival was superior for ustekinumab compared with infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept in patients with psoriasis.
A comparison of propensity score‐based approaches to health service evaluation: a case study of a preoperative physician‐led clinic for high‐risk surgical patients
Authors: Pham Clarabelle T. , Gibb Catherine L. , Mittinty Murthy N. , Fitridge Robert A. , Marshall Villis R. , Karnon Jonathan D.
Published: March 2016

Rationale, aims and objectives

A physician‐led clinic for the preoperative optimization and management of high‐risk surgical patients was implemented in a South Australian public hospital in 2008. This study aimed to estimate the costs and effects of the clinic using a mixed retrospective and prospective observational study design.

Method

Alternative propensity score estimation methods were applied to retrospective routinely collected administrative and clinical data, using weighted and matched cohorts. Supplementary survey‐based prospective data were collected to inform the analysis of the retrospective data and reduce potential unmeasured confounding.

Results

Using weighted cohorts, clinic patients had a significantly longer mean length of stay and higher mean cost. With the matched cohorts, reducing the calliper width resulted in a shorter mean length of stay in the clinic group, but the costs remained significantly higher. The prospective data indicated potential unmeasured confounding in all analyses other than in the most tightly matched cohorts.

Conclusions

The application of alternative propensity‐based approaches to a large sample of retrospective data, supplemented with a smaller sample of prospective data, informed a pragmatic approach to reducing potential observed and unmeasured confounding in an evaluation of a physician‐led preoperative clinic. The need to generate tightly matched cohorts to reduce the potential for unmeasured confounding indicates that significant uncertainty remains around the effects of the clinic. This study illustrates the value of mixed retrospective and prospective observational study designs but also underlines the need to prospectively plan for the evaluation of costs and effects alongside the implementation of significant service innovations.
Reintervention for occluded metal stent in malignant bile duct obstruction: A prospective randomized trial comparing covered and uncovered metal stent
Authors: Lee Ban Seok , Ryu Ji Kon , Jang Dong Kee , Chung Kwang Hyun , Yoon Won Jae , Kim Jaihwan , Woo Sang Myung , Lee Sang Hyub , Lee Woo Jin , Kim Yong‐Tae
Published: March 2016

Background and Aim

No prospective data are available on comparing covered and uncovered self‐expandable metal stent (SEMS) for reintervention of occluded uncovered metal stents during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Methods

From June 2010 to November 2014, 43 patients with inoperable distal biliary obstruction of a previously placed uncovered SEMS were enrolled from three centers in Korea and randomly assigned to covered (n = 22) or uncovered SEMS group (n = 21). The primary outcome was overall stent patency. Secondary outcome was time‐to‐stent occlusion, patient survival, cause of stent occlusion, and adverse events.

Results

Overall median patency of secondary stent was 112.0 days. Median stent patency of covered and uncovered SEMS was 112.0 and 181.0 days, respectively, (P = 0.373). There was a tendency towards a longer time‐to‐stent occlusion in uncovered SEMS group (median: 112.0 vs 181.0 days). However, it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.214). Most common causes of occlusion were stent clogging (36.4%) and tumor ingrowth (33.3%) in covered and uncovered SEMS groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in median survival between the groups (median: 308 vs 300 days; P = 0.325). Acute cholangitis occurred in four patients (three in covered vs one in uncovered SEMS group, P = 0.607).

Conclusions

In this exploratory trial, there were no statistically significant differences in stent patency, time‐to‐stent occlusion, patient survival, and complication rates between covered and uncovered SEMS groups. Larger confirmatory multicenter trial is needed for the clear conclusion (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01315522).
The topical penta‐peptide Gly‐Pro‐Ile‐Gly‐Ser increases the proportion of thick hair in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Iwabuchi Tokuro , Takeda Shunsuke , Yamanishi Haruyo , Ideta Ritsuro , Ehama Ritsuko , Tsuruda Akinori , Shibata Hideaki , Ito Tomoko , Komatsu Nobuyuki , Terai Keiko , Oka Syuichi
Published: March 2016

Background

A penta‐peptide, Gly‐Pro‐Ile‐Gly‐Ser (GPIGS), promotes proliferation of mouse hair keratinocytes and accelerates hair growth in mice.

Aim of this study

This study focused on the ability of the peptide to promote human hair growth.

Methods

We used a human hair keratinocyte proliferation assay and organ cultures of human hair follicle as in vitro systems. The lotions with and without the penta‐peptide were administered to 22 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) for 4 months in a double‐blind and randomized clinical study.

Results

The penta‐peptide significantly stimulated the proliferation of human hair keratinocytes at a concentration of 2.3 μm (P < 0.01), and 5.0 μm of this peptide had a marked effect on hair shaft elongation in the organ culture (P < 0.05). The change in the proportion of thick hair (≥60 μm) compared to baseline in patients that received the peptide was significantly higher than in the placebo (P = 0.006). The change in the proportion of vellus hair (<40 μm) was also significantly lower in the peptide group than in the placebo (P = 0.029). The penta‐peptide also significantly improved the appearance of baldness (P = 0.020) when blinded reviewers graded photographs of the participants according to a standardized baldness scale. No adverse dermatological effects due to treatment were noted during this clinical study.

Conclusions

This penta‐peptide promotes proliferation of human hair keratinocytes and hair shaft elongation of human hair follicles, in vitro. This peptide increases thick hair ratio in vivo, and this compound is useful for the improvement of AGA.
Positive, Negative, and Ambivalent Interactions With Family and Friends: Associations With Well‐being
Authors: Lee Hyo Jung , Szinovacz Maximiliane E.
Published: March 2016

Although the relationship between social relationships and mental health is well established, debate continues about the relative importance of specific sources (spouses, children, relatives, friends) as well as of positive and negative interactions. The authors examined the associations of positive, negative, and ambivalent interactions with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms for spouses, children, relatives, and friends, using data from the 2008 Health and Retirement Study (N = 6,418). The findings generally showed positive associations between positive interactions and mental health and negative associations between negative or ambivalent interactions and mental health. These associations were most pronounced for relationships with spouses and children. Gender differences were found in life satisfaction but not in depressive symptoms. These results imply that future research on older adults needs to consider both positive and negative relationship features from diverse sources separately and in combination to disentangle their relative effects and their additive or compensatory potential.
Prices and Deadweight Loss in Multiproduct Monopoly
Authors: AMIR RABAH , JIN JIM Y. , PECH GERALD , TRÖGE MICHAEL
Published: March 2016

The paper investigates prices and deadweight loss in multiproduct monopoly with linear interrelated demand and constant marginal costs. We show that, with commonly used models for linear demand such as the Bowley demand and vertically or horizontally differentiated demand, the price for each good is independent of demand cross‐effects and of the characteristics and number of other goods. This contrasts with the oft‐expressed view that prices critically depend on demand cross‐effects. We also show that for these linear models, the deadweight loss due to monopoly amounts to half the total monopoly profit. Finally, we show how a production subsidy might restore social efficiency.
Discrimination via Exclusion: An Experiment on Group Identity and Club Goods
Authors: CHAKRAVARTY SURAJEET , FONSECA MIGUEL A.
Published: March 2016

We study using laboratory experiments the impact on cooperation of allowing individuals to invest in group‐specific, excludable public goods. We find that allowing different social groups to voluntarily contribute to such goods increases total contributions. However, a significant proportion of that contribution goes toward the group‐specific club good rather than the public good, even when the latter has higher financial returns to cooperation. We find significant evidence of in‐group biases, which are manifested by positive in‐group reciprocity. That is, club goods allow subjects to display their preferences for interaction with their in‐group members, as well as positive in‐group reciprocity.
Topical delivery of diclofenac into and across equine skin from a novel liquid diclofenac epolamine formulation
Authors: del Río‐Sancho S. , Concas D. , Oreste P. , Zoppetti G. , Briggs P. H. , Kalia Y. N.
Published: March 2016

The aim was to investigate diclofenac delivery into and across equine skin in vitro using Franz diffusion cells from a novel diclofenac epolamine (DIC‐EP; 1.3%) formulation and to compare the results to those of Surpass® (1% diclofenac sodium liposomal cream) and a 1% aqueous solution of diclofenac sodium. Skin was harvested from the lower legs of Freiberger geldings immediately after slaughter and sliced to a thickness of ~2 mm. Skin samples were divided into two groups [Group 1: 1 year old (n = 2) and Group 2: 6–8 years old (n = 3)]. Cumulative permeation of diclofenac in Groups 1 and 2 after 24 h using diclofenac sodium solution was 1.91 ± 0.27 and 1.76 ± 0.34 μg/cm2, respectively. The values for Surpass® and DIC‐EP were 3.2 ± 0.8/3.3 ± 0.7 μg/cm2 and 230 ± 59/89.2 ± 32.5 μg/cm2, respectively. Thus, diclofenac permeation from DIC‐EP was significantly greater and appeared to show an age‐dependent effect. Mathematical modelling showed that the DIC‐EP formulation significantly increased diclofenac partitioning into the skin and a linear correlation was observed between steady‐state flux and the partition parameter. Greater skin deposition of diclofenac was also observed with DIC‐EP. These preliminary results suggest that the DIC‐EP formulation may be effective in treating inflammatory conditions in horses.
Urban population genetics of the invasive black rats in Franceville, Gabon
Authors: Mangombi J. B. , Brouat C. , Loiseau A. , Banga O. , Leroy E. M. , Bourgarel M. , Duplantier J.‐M.
Published: March 2016

The invasive black ratRattus rattushas established commensal populations in most cities of the world. Known as a reservoir of numerous zoonotic diseases, this species is considered as an urban pest and may have major consequences on human health. However, little is known about the genetic structure of urban populations, although it could help to design the scale of appropriate control strategies (at the city or at the district level). In this study, we characterize the genetic structure ofR. rattuswithin Franceville (Republic of Gabon), an African tropical city that has undergone a recent growth, like many other cities of the developing countries. Sampling was conducted in six different districts of the city, chosen to represent variable levels of connectivity and building aggregation. Genetic structure was assessed using 16 microsatellite markers. Our results suggest the occurrence of a large population ofR. rattusthat is continuously distributed at the scale of the city, with no impact of urban characteristics or putative barriers on genetic differentiation. Isolation by distance analyses show that effective dispersal ofR. rattusis, however, spatially limited to a few hundred meters. Regarding management strategies, our results suggest that rodent control should be envisaged at the scale of the city.
A novel membrane anchor for FtsZ is linked to cell wall hydrolysis in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Meier Elizabeth L. , Razavi Shiva , Inoue Takanari , Goley Erin D.
Published: March 2016

In most bacteria, the tubulin‐like GTPase FtsZ forms an annulus at midcell (the Z‐ring) which recruits the division machinery and regulates cell wall remodeling. Although both activities require membrane attachment of FtsZ, few membrane anchors have been characterized. FtsA is considered to be the primary membrane tether for FtsZ in bacteria, however in Caulobacter crescentus, FtsA arrives at midcell after stable Z‐ring assembly and early FtsZ‐directed cell wall synthesis. We hypothesized that additional proteins tether FtsZ to the membrane and demonstrate that in C. crescentus, FzlC is one such membrane anchor. FzlC associates with membranes directly in vivo and in vitro and recruits FtsZ to membranes in vitro. As for most known membrane anchors, the C‐terminal peptide of FtsZ is required for its recruitment to membranes by FzlC in vitro and midcell recruitment of FzlC in cells. In vivo, overproduction of FzlC causes cytokinesis defects whereas deletion of fzlC causes synthetic defects with dipM, ftsE and amiC mutants, implicating FzlC in cell wall hydrolysis. Our characterization of FzlC as a novel membrane anchor for FtsZ expands our understanding of FtsZ regulators and establishes a role for membrane‐anchored FtsZ in the regulation of cell wall hydrolysis.