bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects on the osseointegration of titanium implants incorporating calcium–magnesium: a resonance frequency and histomorphometric analysis in rabbit tibia
Authors: Gehrke Sergio Alexandre , Maté Sánchez de Val José Eduardo , Fernández Domínguez Manuel , de Aza Moya Piedad Nieves , Gómez Moreno Gerardo , Calvo Guirado José Luis
Published: July 2016

Objective

This study assessed the bone formation around titanium surface incorporating the calcium–magnesium (CaMg) deposited by blasted in rabbit tibia bone to determine whether this surface would further enhance bone healing compared with commercially available implant surface.

Material and methods

The deposition of CaMg on the titanium SLA surface were obtained by blasting formed the experimental group (EX group), while implants with traditional SLA surface were used as control group (CO group), in this study. Fifty cylindrical threaded implants with a length of 8 mm were used (P = 25 per group). Five implants of each group were used to surface characterization by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and optical profilometry. Ten New Zealand white rabbits received 40 implants (n = 20 per group). Resonance frequency analysis was performed three times (0, 4, and 6 weeks). Histomorphometric analysis was performed 4 and 6 weeks after implantation. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Blasted CaMg deposition on SLA implant surface displayed almost identical surface morphologies and R(a) values at the micron scale. In comparing the implant stability quotient at the three time points, highly significant statistic differences were found (P < 0.001). Histomorphological analysis showed higher degrees of bone organization in the samples of test implant surfaces at both implantation times.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, the results indicate that the deposition of CaMg on the SLA titanium surface may be effective in enhancing the osseointegration of moderately rough grit‐blasted implants by increasing the degree of bone–implant contact.
Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Surface Insertion of Hippocampal AMPA Receptor GluR1 Subunit via Phosphorylating at Serine‐831/Serine‐845 Sites Through a Sulfhydration‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Li Yuan‐Long , Zhou Jun , Zhang Hai , Luo Yi , Long Li‐Hong , Hu Zhuang‐Li , Chen Jian‐Guo , Wang Fang , Wu Peng‐Fei
Published: July 2016

Aims

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been widely accepted as a gas neuromodulator to regulate synaptic function. Herein, we set out to determine the effect of H2S on α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and its mechanism.

Methods

BS3 protein cross‐linking, Western blot, patch clamp, and biotin‐switch assay.

Results

Bath application of H2S donor NaHS (50 and 100 μM) rapidly promoted surface insertion of hippocampal AMPAR GluR1 subunit. This effect can be abolished by dithiothreitol (DTT) and mimicked by Na2S4, indicating that a sulfhydration‐dependent mechanism may be involved. NaHS increased APMAR‐mediated EPSC and led to an elevation of GluR2‐lacking AMPAR content. Notably, NaHS did not increase the sulfhydration of AMPAR subunits, but it significantly increased the phosphorylation of GluR1 at serine‐831 and serine‐845 sites. Postsynaptic signal pathways that control GluR1 phosphorylation, such as protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C, and calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinases II (CaMKII), were sulfhydrated, activated by NaHS, and these effects can be occluded by DTT. H2S increased S‐sulfhydration of protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A), which may be partially involved in the activation of signal pathways.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that H2S promotes surface insertion of AMPARs via phosphorylation of GluR1, which depends on a sulfhydration‐mediated mechanism.
Quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: a clinical trial comparing the use of bilastine versus loratadine
Authors: Locks R.B. , dos Santos K. , da Silva J.
Published: July 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in health‐related quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis treated with bilastine 20 mg compared to those treated with loratadine 10 mg.

Design

This was a prospective randomised double‐blinded study.

Setting

Otolaryngology outpatient clinics in Criciúma, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Participants

Seventy‐three patients, aged between 18 and 63 years, of whom 36 were treated with loratadine 10 mg and 37 with bilastine 20 mg with medication administered once a day for 10 days.

Main outcome measures

The outcome was quality of life as assessed by the modified Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQm), which was applied at baseline and after 10 days of treatment.

Results

The use of bilastine 20 mg or loratadine 10 mg significantly reduced RQLQm scores after 10 days of treatment (P < 0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Health‐related quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis improved significantly after 10 days of treatment with loratadine and bilastine, and the effectiveness of both was equivalent.
Vestibular migraine screening in a migraine‐diagnosed patient population, and assessment of vestibulocochlear function
Authors: Yollu U. , Uluduz D.U. , Yilmaz M. , Yener H.M. , Akil F. , Kuzu B. , Kara E. , Hayir D. , Ceylan D. , Korkut N.
Published: July 2016

Objective

The primary aim of this study is to do a vestibular migraine scan in a population of patients with migraine diagnosis using the most recent standardized diagnosis criterion which is International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) 3 Beta and to identify the epidemiological data. The second part of the study involves performing several vestibulocochlear tests on patients who received vestibular migraine (VM) diagnosis to collect data that may be important for diagnostic purposes by comparing the patients with normal population when necessary.

Design

Blind, cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Tertiary referral hospital.

Participants

One hundred patients were scanned for VM using ICHD 3 Beta guideline.

Main Outcome Measures

In order to evaluate the vestibulocochlear functions of the patients with VM diagnosis, audiometry, tympanometry, electrocochleography (EcochG), computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and video head impulse test (vHIT) were performed; besides in order to evaluate the significance of the results of the tests, second group was formed with migraine patients without any vestibular complaints and control group was formed from healthy population when needed.

Results

VM prevalence was determined to be 21% in migraine patients which is much higher than stated in current literature. No significant difference was observed between migraine and VM patients with respect to audiometric and tympanometric measurements. According to the CDP results, balance defects were present in VM patients, even during attack‐free periods. EcochG data suggests average SP/AP scores of VM patients are significantly higher than migraine patients. Furthermore, the number of patients who exceeded a limit value of 0.4 or 0.5 in SP/AP scores was significantly higher in VM patients than in migraine patients. Also vHIT results show that nearly half the VM patients, which is a significant ratio, have saccadic movements and this is thought to be compatible with peripheral vestibular involvement.

Conclusion

Our results suggest VM disease is more common than previously thought. We believe that further EcochG‐based studies would shed light on the controversial topic on the intersection and disjunction sets of MD and VM diseases. Although the results of the present study are compatible with peripheral vestibular effects, it is not possible to rule out another central mechanism at some other level.
Efficacy and safety of switching from sitagliptin to liraglutide in subjects with type 2 diabetes (LIRA‐SWITCH): a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, active‐controlled 26‐week trial
Authors: Bailey T. S. , Takács R. , Tinahones F. J. , Rao P. V. , Tsoukas G. M. , Thomsen A. B. , Kaltoft M. S. , Maislos M.
Published: July 2016

Aims

To confirm superiority on glycaemic control by switching from sitagliptin to liraglutide 1.8 mg/d versus continued sitagliptin.

Materials and methods

A randomized, multicentre, double‐blind, double‐dummy, active‐controlled trial across 86 office‐ or hospital‐based sites in North America, Europe and Asia. Subjects with type 2 diabetes who had inadequate glycaemic control (glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] 7.5−9.5% on sitagliptin (100 mg/d) and metformin (≥1500 mg daily) for ≥90 days were randomized to either switch to liraglutide (n = 203) or continue sitagliptin (n = 204), both with metformin. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26. Change in body weight was a confirmatory secondary endpoint.

Results

Greater reduction in mean HbA1c was achieved with liraglutide than with continued sitagliptin [−1.14% vs. −0.54%; estimated mean treatment difference (ETD): −0.61% (95% CI −0.82 to −0.40; p < 0.0001)], confirming superiority of switching to liraglutide. Body weight was reduced more with liraglutide [−3.31 kg vs. −1.64 kg; ETD: −1.67 kg (95% CI −2.34 to −0.99; p < 0.0001)]. Nausea was more common with liraglutide [44 subjects (21.8%)] than with continued sitagliptin [16 (7.8%)]. Three subjects (1.5%) taking sitagliptin reported a confirmed hypoglycaemic episode.

Conclusions

Subjects insufficiently controlled with sitagliptin who switch to liraglutide can obtain clinically relevant reductions in glycaemia and body weight, without compromising safety. A switch from sitagliptin to liraglutide provides an option for improved management of type 2 diabetes while still allowing patients to remain on dual therapy.
Black and Blue Bloods: Protecting Police Officer Families from Domestic Violence
Authors: Cheema Rafaqat
Published: July 2016

Officer‐involved domestic violence (OIDV) is a national problem, with police officer families having higher rates of domestic violence than non–police officer families. OIDV is also an underresearched problem with few studies or proposed solutions. Many victims of OIDV do not report their abuse precisely because their abuser is a police officer, whom they fear is in a unique position to protect him/herself from any legal consequences. Often, OIDV complaints are not investigated properly in a nonbiased manner. While a handful of police agencies around the country have developed specific policies and procedures to deal with OIDV, Washington State has enacted legislation that requires its police agencies to adopt OIDV‐specific policies. The International Associations of Chiefs of Police (IACP), an organization that addresses various issues confronting law enforcement, has also developed a model policy on OIDV. This Note proposes that, in light of the Washington legislation and the model policy proposed by the IACP, each state should enact a statute that requires its police agencies to develop policies on OIDV. This Note also outlines a specific set of procedures that such statutes should, at a minimum, require its police agencies to adopt, ranging from educating police officers on domestic violence to developing guidelines on responding to and investigating OIDV complaints.
Play by the Rules: why States Should Adopt Uniform Court Rules for Forensic Psychologists in Child Custody Evaluations
Authors: DiPrizito Tiffani
Published: July 2016

It is not uncommon for children to fall victim to the stress and tension of a contentious custody dispute. If a party seeks a mental health evaluation and the opposing party challenges the results, the child then endures a series of evaluations until a valid report is produced. The court will often remedy this situation by appointing a neutral forensic psychologist to perform the evaluation independent from a previous party‐hired forensic psychologist. This Note proposes that the court instead appoint the forensic psychologist first to conduct an evaluation and draft a report. Only at the judge's discretion may the parties hire a private forensic psychologist to challenge the report. Additionally, states should codify court rules that enumerate standards for forensic psychologists in child custody evaluations. These rules should set forth criteria that shall be required and highlighted throughout each mental health evaluator's report, allowing judges to compare and contrast each evaluation more effectively. This legislation will not only reduce the child's exposure to excessive testing, but will also provide a more efficient way of arriving at a just result.
Book Review: Divorced From Reality: Rethinking Family Dispute Resolution by Jane C.Murphy and Jana B.Singer
Authors: Glesner Fines Barbara
Published: July 2016

This essay summarizes key points from the book and observes the very different players and processes involved when families in poverty enter the family court system.
May Mediators Draft Settlement Agreements?
Authors: Lee Calvin
Published: July 2016

This article surveys the current law in various states as well as the Model Rules of Professional Conduct regarding whether a mediator‐lawyer may draft a settlement agreement at the conclusion of a mediation. It includes a look at the traditional boundaries between a lawyer and a mediator and concludes with a recommendation on how California should approach whether a mediator‐lawyer should be allowed to draft a settlement agreement for parties at the conclusion of a mediation.
The Organization of Child Representation Services in Child Welfare Cases: A Study of Washington State
Authors: Zinn Andrew , Orlebeke Britany , Duquette Donald N. , Zhou Xiaomeng
Published: July 2016

To date no empirical studies have analyzed delivery of legal services to children and considered the implications of organizational structure for child representation practice. This study of 126 attorneys in Washington State compares children's lawyers working in solo practice, private law firms, and specialty staff attorney offices. The manner in which child representation is organized has lessons for the recruitment, training, and support of such lawyers. Staff attorney offices offer a number of advantages but rural areas with fewer cases may not be able to support such offices and the attorneys in specialty offices were less experienced and report lower incomes.
Allometric equations for integrating remote sensing imagery into forest monitoring programmes
Authors: Jucker Tommaso , Caspersen John , Chave Jérôme , Antin Cécile , Barbier Nicolas , Bongers Frans , Dalponte Michele , van Ewijk Karin Y. , Forrester David I. , Haeni Matthias , Higgins Steven I. , Holdaway Robert J. , Iida Yoshiko , Lorimer Craig , Marshall Peter L. , Momo Stéphane , Moncrieff Glenn R. , Ploton Pierre , Poorter Lourens , Rahman Kassim Abd , Schlund Michael , Sonké Bonaventure , Sterck Frank J. , Trugman Anna T. , Usoltsev Vladimir A. , Vanderwel Mark C. , Waldner Peter , Wedeux Beatrice M. M. , Wirth Christian , Wöll Hannsjörg , Woods Murray , Xiang Wenhua , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Coomes David A.
Published: July 2016

Remote sensing is revolutionizing the way we study forests, and recent technological advances mean we are now able – for the first time – to identify and measure the crown dimensions of individual trees from airborne imagery. Yet to make full use of these data for quantifying forest carbon stocks and dynamics, a new generation of allometric tools which have tree height and crown size at their centre are needed. Here, we compile a global database of 108753 trees for which stem diameter, height and crown diameter have all been measured, including 2395 trees harvested to measure aboveground biomass. Using this database, we develop general allometric models for estimating both the diameter and aboveground biomass of trees from attributes which can be remotely sensed – specifically height and crown diameter. We show that tree height and crown diameter jointly quantify the aboveground biomass of individual trees and find that a single equation predicts stem diameter from these two variables across the world's forests. These new allometric models provide an intuitive way of integrating remote sensing imagery into large‐scale forest monitoring programmes and will be of key importance for parameterizing the next generation of dynamic vegetation models.
Trend of centenarian deaths in Hong Kong between 2001 and 2010
Authors: Yu Ruby , Tam Wilson , Woo Jean
Published: July 2016

Aim

To examine the trends in the leading causes of deaths in centenarians in Hong Kong.

Methods

Descriptive analyses of vital statistics data on mortality in Hong Kong from 2001 to 2010 were carried out.

Results

The number of centenarians’ deaths increased by 136% in 10 years, from less than 28 men and 166 women in 2001 to 80 men and 378 women in 2010. During the study period, the top leading cause of death was pneumonia, accounting for 33.8% of all deaths. In contrast, the other leading causes accounted for much smaller percentages; for example, the second and third leading causes were chronic ischemic heart disease and unspecified dementia, and account for 4.3% and 4.2% of the total, respectively. This cause‐of‐death pattern has remained fairly stable between 2001 and 2010. A total of 985 (30.8%) deaths occurred in January to March. The correlation between the average monthly temperature and the number of deaths was –0.720 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The number of deaths continues to increase in Hong Kong. These trends have major implications for healthcare in an aging population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 931–936.
Hepatitis C virus core protein increases Snail expression and induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway in hepatoma cells
Authors: Zhou Jia‐Jia , Meng Zhe , He Xiao‐Yu , Cheng Di , Ye Hui‐Lin , Deng Xiao‐Geng , Chen Ru‐Fu
Published: July 2016

Aim

Aberrant expression of Snail, a mediator of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), is crucial for cancer invasiveness and metastasis. Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein has been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, the relationship between HCV core and Snail expression has not been clarified.

Methods

HepG2 and Huh7 stable cell lines were established by transfection with pcDNA‐HCVc. HepG2‐HCVc and Huh7‐HCVc cells were co‐administered with AG490. Cell migration and invasiveness were tested. STAT3 and Snail expression was analyzed by Real‐time PCR and Western blot.

Results

We found that HCV core is capable of increasing Snail expression and inducing EMT in hepatoma cells. HCV core‐induced Snail expression was accompanied by activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), inhibition of STAT3 abrogated HCV core‐induced Snail expression and EMT. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that phosphorylated STAT3 directly binds to the Snail promoter.

Conclusion

Collectively, these results suggest that HCV core would play a role in hepatocellular carcinoma invasiveness and metastasis by activating the STAT3 pathway, increasing Snail expression and subsequently triggering EMT. These findings would advance the understanding of HCV‐mediated invasiveness and metastasis, and might provide a new potential therapeutic target for HCV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma.
An investigation of the questions posted on medical consultation websites
Authors: Chiu Ming‐Hsin Phoebe
Published: July 2016

Background

Online medical consultation has recently become a more and more popular alternative venue for healthcare. It allows patients and caregivers to discuss their health problems and symptoms with qualified medical health professionals via the Internet.

Objective

This study investigates the questions posted on an asynchronous online medical consultation website, Taiwan eDoctor. Five research themes are explored: (1) length of questions, (2) moment of seeking consultation, (3) strategies of communicating chief complaints, (4) purpose of seeking consultation and (5) identity disclosure.

Methods

Data collection was conducted by randomly selecting 50 resolved consultation Q&As for each of 24 medical specialties, resulting in a total of 1200 entries in the primary data set. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively and quantitatively.

Results

Average length of questions was 161.21 words. Online medical consultation was sought when healthy, healthy but not robust, when suspicious of illness, when diagnosed as ill and during treatment/recovery. In communicating chief complaints, consultation seekers were engaged in contextual, focal or emotional communication styles. Nine distinct purposes to seek online consultation were identified and can be broadly interpreted as intellectual, social and emotional. The finding also suggests that more than two‐third of questions were asked for by the patients themselves.

Conclusion

Through content analysis of questions posted on an online medical consultation website, this study characterises communication patterns during the health information seeking process. These findings can help guide the design of more effective patient‐centred online medical consultation services.
Contributions of slab fluid and sediment melt components to magmatism in the Mariana Arc–Trough system: Evidence from geochemical compositions and Sr, Nd, and noble gas isotope systematics
Authors: Ikeda Yasuo , Nagao Keisuke , Ishii Teruaki , Matsumoto Daisuke , Stern Robert J. , Kagami Hiroo , Arima Makoto , Bloomer Sherman H.
Published: July 2016

This study presents new major and trace element, mineral, and Sr, Nd, and noble gas isotope geochemical analyses of basalts, gabbro, and clinopyroxenite from the Mariana Arc (Central Islands and Southern Seamount provinces) including the forearc, and the Mariana Trough (Central Graben and Spreading Ridge). Mantle source compositions beneath the Mariana Arc and the Mariana Trough indicate a mantle source that is depleted in high field strength elements relative to MORB (mid‐oceanic ridge basalt). Samples from the Mariana Arc, characterized by high ratios of Ba/Th, U/Th, 84Kr/4He and 132Xe/4He, are explained by addition of fluid from the subducted slab to the mantle wedge. Correlations of noble gas data, as well as large ion lithophile elements, indicate that heavy noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) provide evidence for fluid fluxing into the mantle wedge. On the other hand, major elements and Sr, Nd, He, and Ne isotopic data of basalts from the Mariana Trough are geochemically indistinguishable from MORB. Correlations of 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar in the Mariana Trough samples are explained by mixing between MORB and atmosphere. One sample from the Central Graben indicates extreme enrichment in 20Ne/22Ne and 21Ne/22Ne, suggesting incorporation of solar‐type Ne in the magma source. Excess 129Xe is also observed in this sample suggesting primordial noble gases in the mantle source. The Mariana Trough basalts indicate that both fluid and sediment components contributed to the basalts, with slab‐derived fluids dominating beneath the Spreading Ridge, and that sediment melts, characterized by high La/Sm and relatively low U/Th and Zr/Nb, dominate in the source region of basalts from the Central Graben.
Phenylbutyrate exerts adverse effects on liver regeneration and amino acid concentrations in partially hepatectomized rats
Authors: Holecek Milan , Vodenicarovova Melita
Published: July 2016

Phenylbutyrate is recommended in urea cycle disorders and liver injury to enhance nitrogen disposal by the urine. However, hypothetically there may be adverse responses to the use of phenylbutyrate in the treatment of liver disease because of its role as a histone deacetylase inhibitor and its stimulatory effect on branched‐chain alpha‐keto acid dehydrogenase, the rate‐limiting enzyme in the catabolism of branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA; valine, leucine and isoleucine). We report the effects of phenylbutyrate on liver regeneration and amino acid levels in plasma of partially hepatectomized (PH) rats. Phenylbutyrate or saline was administered at 12‐h intervals to PH or laparotomized rats. Phenylbutyrate delayed the onset of liver regeneration compared to the saline‐treated controls, as indicated by lower hepatic DNA specific activities 18 and 24 h post‐PH, decreased hepatic fractional protein synthesis rates 24 h post‐PH and lowered the increases in liver weights and hepatic protein and DNA contents 48 h after PH. Hepatic DNA fragmentation (a hallmark of apoptosis) was higher in the phenylbutyrate‐treated animals than in controls. Phenylbutyrate decreased the glutamine and BCAA concentrations and the ratio of the BCAA to aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine) in the blood plasma in both hepatectomized and laparotomized animals. In conclusion, the delayed onset of liver regeneration and the decrease in BCAA/AAA ratio in blood suggest that phenylbutyrate administration may be disastrous in subjects with acute hepatic injury and BCAA supplementation is needed when phenylbutyrate is used therapeutically.
That Squeezing Feeling: The Interest Burden and Public Debt Stabilization
Authors: Debrun Xavier , Kinda Tidiane
Published: July 2016

The paper explores the extent to which the pressure of debt service on other spending items may magnify governments’ concern for debt dynamics, independently of the public debt level itself. Our empirical analysis identifies thresholds of interest bill indicators beyond which governments appear to intensify efforts to curb the debt trajectory. Hence, in the current context of historically high public debts, a country experiencing high and rising borrowing costs and interest payments would be more likely to enact a more aggressive fiscal consolidation than one benefitting from persistently low interest rates – even though both consolidation paths would be consistent with solvency. This could be an important consideration when setting the appropriate pace of normalization of monetary policy.
Phylogenetic analysis of human rhinoviruses collected over four successive years in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Ratnamohan Vigneswary M. , Zeng Frank , Donovan Linda , MacIntyre Chandini R. , Kok Jen , Dwyer Dominic E.
Published: July 2016

Background

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) cause a wide spectrum of disease, ranging from a mild influenza‐like illness (ILI) to severe respiratory infection. Molecular epidemiological data are limited for HRV circulating in the Southern Hemisphere.

Objectives

To identify the species and genotypes of HRV from clinical samples collected in Sydney, Australia, from 2006 to 2009.

Methods

Combined nose and throat swabs or nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from individuals with ILI were tested for HRV using real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Sequencing data of 5′UTR and VP4/VP2 coding regions on RT‐PCR‐positive specimens were analysed.

Results

Human rhinoviruses were detected by real‐time PCR in 20.9% (116/555) of samples tested. Phylogenetic analysis of 5′UTR and VP4/VP2 on HRV‐positive samples was concordant in the grouping of HRV A and B species but not HRV C species. Eighty per cent (16/20) of sequences that grouped as HRV C in the VP4/VP2 tree clustered as HRV A, alongside some previously described C strains as subspecies C/A. Discordant branching was seen within HRV A group: two sequences clustering as A in the VP4/VP2 tree branched within the C/A subspecies in the 5′UTR tree, and one sequence showed identity to different HRV A strains in the two genes. The prevalence of HRV C and C/A species was greater in paediatric compared to adult patients (47.9% vs 25.5%, P = .032).

Conclusion

Human rhinoviruses are a common cause of respiratory infections, and HRV C is present in the Southern Hemisphere. Sequencing of multiple HRV regions may be necessary to determine exact phylogenetic relationships.
Analysis of risk factors and their interactions in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross‐sectional survey in Guilin, China
Authors: Zou Disha , Ye Yao , Zou Nina , Yu Jian
Published: July 2016

Aims/Introduction

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance, and is associated with the effects of genetic and environmental factors. The present study aimed to not only analyze the influence of a single factor for type 2 diabetes, but also to investigate the interaction effects between risk factors.

Materials and Methods

A total of 6,660 individuals selected by the method of cluster random sampling accepted a cross‐sectional survey (questionnaire investigation, physical measurement, laboratory examination and liver ultrasound examination). The classification tree was used to analyze the risk factors and their interactions in type 2 diabetes. The clinical and metabolic characteristics were compared between type 2 diabetes patients and controls, and the non‐conditional logistic regression model was used to quantitatively analyze the interactions.

Results

A total of 338 participants were classified as type 2 diabetes (217 men and 121 women), the classification tree model showed three variables with close associations with type 2 diabetes: age, triglycerides (TG) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Type 2 diabetes patients had higher age and incidences of high TG, NAFLD, hypertension, high body mass index, high uric acid, high total cholesterol, high low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the following factors had interactions in type2 diabetes: high TG × advanced age (odds ratio 2.499, 95% confidence interval 1.868–3.344, P = 0.000), NAFLD × advanced age (odds ratio 1.250, 95% confidence interval 1.048–1.491, P = 0.013) and NAFLD × high TG (odds ratio 1.349, 95% confidence interval 1.144–1.590, P = 0.000).

Conclusions

The present study showed that type 2 diabetes resulted from the interactions of many factors; the interactions among age, TG and NAFLD are important risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
Climate‐mediated adaptation after mainland colonization of an ancestrally subtropical island lizard, Anolis carolinensis
Authors: Campbell‐Staton S. C. , Edwards S. V. , Losos J. B.
Published: July 2016

Climate‐mediated evolution plays an integral role in species migration and range expansion. Gaining a clearer understanding of how climate affects demographic history and adaptation provides fundamental insight into the generation of intra‐ and interspecific diversity. In this study, we used the natural colonization of the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) from the island of Cuba to mainland North America to investigate the role of evolution at the niche, phenotypic and genetic levels after long‐term establishment in a novel environment. The North American green anole occupies a broader range of thermal habitats than its Cuban sister species. We documented niche expansion in the mainland green anole, mediated primarily through adaptation to winter temperatures. Common garden experiments strongly suggest a genetic component to differences in thermal performance found between populations in different temperature regimes. Analysis of geographic variation in population structure based on 53 486 single nucleotide variants from RAD loci revealed increased genetic isolation between populations in different vs. similar thermal environments. Selection scans for environment‐allele correlations reveal 19 genomic loci of known function that may have played a role in the physiological adaptation of A. carolinensis to temperate environments on the mainland.
Discovery of a fluorinated 4‐oxo‐quinoline derivative as a potential positron emission tomography radiotracer for imaging cannabinoid receptor type 2
Authors: Slavik Roger , Müller Herde Adrienne , Haider Achi , Krämer Stefanie D. , Weber Markus , Schibli Roger , Ametamey Simon M. , Mu Linjing
Published: July 2016

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is part of the endocannabinoid system and has gained growing attention in recent years because of its important role in neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, we reported on a carbon‐11 labeled 4‐oxo‐quinoline derivative, designated RS‐016, as a promising radiotracer for imaging CB2 using PET. In this study, three novel fluorinated analogs of RS‐016 were designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically evaluated. The results of our efforts led to the identification of N‐(1‐adamantyl)‐1‐(2‐(2‐fluoroethoxy)ethyl)‐8‐methoxy‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxamide (RS‐126) as the most potent candidate for evaluation as a CB2 PET ligand. [18F]RS‐126 was obtained in ≥ 99% radiochemical purity with an average specific radioactivity of 98 GBq/μmol at the end of the radiosynthesis. [18F]RS‐126 showed a logD7.4 value of 1.99 and is stable in vitro in rat and human plasma over 120 min, whereas 55% intact parent compound was found in vivo in rat blood plasma at 10 min post injection. In vitro autoradiographic studies with CB2‐positive rat spleen tissue revealed high and blockable binding which was confirmed in in vivo displacement experiments with rats by dynamic PET imaging. Ex vivo biodistribution studies confirmed accumulation of [18F]RS‐126 in rat spleen with a specificity of 79% under blocking conditions. The moderate elevated CB2 levels in LPS‐treated mice brain did not permit the detection of CB2 by [18F]RS‐126 using PET imaging. In summary, [18F]RS‐126 demonstrated high specificity toward CB2 receptor in vitro and in vivo and is a promising radioligand for imaging CB2 receptor expression.

image

Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is an interesting target for PET imaging. Specific binding of [18F]RS‐126 in CB2‐positive spleen tissue (white arrow head) was confirmed in in vivo displacement experiments with rats. Time activity curve of [18F]RS‐126 in the spleen after the addition of GW405833 (CB2 specific ligand, green) demonstrates faster radiotracer elimination (blue) compared to the tracer only (red).
Effects of systematic nursing instruction on a low‐phosphorus diet, serum phosphorus level and pruritus of patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Cheng Ting‐Yin , Tarng Der‐Cherng , Liao Yuan‐Mei , Lin Pi‐Chu
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of systematic nursing instruction on a low‐phosphorus diet, serum phosphorus level and pruritus of haemodialysis patients.

Background

A high number of end‐stage renal disease patients on haemodialysis are bothered by pruritus. Hyperphosphataemia was reported to be related to pruritus.

Design

An experimental design was applied.

Methods

Ninety‐four patients who received haemodialysis between September 2013 and December 2013 at a medical centre in Taipei, Taiwan, were recruited. An experimental group received individual systematic nursing instruction by the investigator through a nursing instruction pamphlet and reminder card for taking medication. A control group received traditional nursing instruction. The pruritus, blood phosphorus level and five‐day diet records were evaluated before and after intervention.

Results

The experimental group had a low‐phosphorus diet intake compared with the control group (p < 0·001). A significant difference in serum phosphorus level was observed between the experimental and control groups (p = 0·002). Incidence of pruritus was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 0·001).

Conclusion

A systematic nursing instruction included using a pamphlet, pictures and reminder cards, the patients' blood phosphorus levels decreased, the patients consumed more low‐phosphorus food, and pruritus decreased.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study recommends that clinical nursing staff include systematic nursing instruction as a routine practice for dialysis patients.
Comparative Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Three Immersion Chemical Disinfectants on Clinically Derived Poly(Vinyl Siloxane) Impressions
Authors: Jeyapalan Vidhya , Krishnan Chitra Shankar , Ramasubramanian Hariharan , Sampathkumar Jayakrishnakumar , Azhagarasan N. S. , Krishnan Madhusudan
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To comparatively evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of freshly prepared electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) with that of 2.4% glutaraldehyde (GA) and 1% sodium hypochlorite (SH) on clinically derived poly vinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions.

Materials and Methods

Four clinically derived PVS impressions each were obtained from 10 subjects. One impression from each subject was randomly kept as control (group I), without disinfection. The remaining three impressions were randomly disinfected by immersion in either 2.4% GA (group II), 1% SH (group III), or freshly prepared EOW (group IV). The samples were subjected to microbial culture individually on brain heart infusion (BHI) agar medium. The organisms isolated were confirmed by visual examination and gram staining. Mean colony forming units (CFU) were counted, log10 reduction obtained and compared. Data were statistically analyzed using one‐way ANOVA, followed by multiple comparisons using Tukey‐HSD post hoc tests (p < 0.05).

Results

Streptococci, Staphylococci, Pseudomonas, Candida, Proteus, Klebsiella, and E. coli were isolated from all impressions including the controls, except those disinfected by EOW. All three disinfectants showed significant reduction in CFU and log10 reduction values as compared to the controls. EOW showed significantly higher reduction in log10 values compared to GA and SH, whereas GA and SH showed similar reductions. EOW, GA, and SH showed kill rates of 100%, 99.60%, and 99.82%, respectively.

Conclusion

EOW showed significant antimicrobial efficacy as evidenced by reduction in log10 values when used as an immersion disinfectant for PVS impressions when compared with the results obtained using GA and SH. These results need further investigation.

Clinical implications

EOW shows high antimicrobial efficacy when used as an immersion disinfectant as compared to GA and SH for clinically derived PVS impressions.
Implementing a Hospitalist Program in a Critical Access Hospital
Authors: Dougan Brian M. , Montori Victor M. , Carlson Kurt W.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The hospitalist model of inpatient care has rapidly expanded, but little is known about hospitalist care in critical access hospitals (CAHs). We aimed to determine the impact of a hospitalist model of care on staff satisfaction, patient volumes, patient satisfaction, length of stay, and care quality in a CAH.

Methods

We initiated a hybrid rotating hospitalist program in September 2008 at Winneshiek Medical Center (Decorah, Iowa), a 25‐bed rural CAH. We reviewed patient volumes, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services core quality measures, acute length of stay, and staff satisfaction for primary care—hospitalist physicians and inpatient and clinic nurses. Patient volume and length of stay were compared with CAH data reported by the Iowa Hospital Association.

Findings

Patient volumes (acute, skilled, and observation) increased by 15% compared with a 17% decrease for statewide CAHs. Length of stay decreased from 2.88 to 2.75 days and remained lower than the average stay for Iowa CAHs (3.05 days). In the year after implementation, we observed no deterioration in core quality measures (range, 93%‐100%) or patient satisfaction (86th percentile). Inpatient nurse satisfaction and primary care‐hospitalist satisfaction improved. Early clinic nurse skepticism showed improved satisfaction at the 5‐year review.

Conclusions

Hospitalist care contributed to ongoing delivery of high‐quality care and satisfactory patient experiences while supporting the mission of a CAH in rural Iowa. Implementation required careful consideration of its effects on the outpatient practice. Broader implementation of this model in CAHs may be warranted.
Testosterone, Risk Taking, and Religiosity: Evidence from Two Cultures
Authors: Ellis Lee , Hoskin Anthony W. , Ratnasingam Malini
Published: July 2016

Miller and Stark (2002) argued that worldwide tendencies for males to be less religious than females must have a physiological foundation. In the same year, Stark (2002) proposed that males are more prone to risk taking than females (thereby becoming less religious) due to their higher testosterone levels. The present study was undertaken to assess the merits of these proposals using questionnaire data obtained from Malaysian and U.S. college students. Seven religiosity traits were factor analyzed into a single factor, two risk‐taking traits were averaged into a single variable, and five traits were factor analyzed into two factorial measures of androgens. The usual gender differences in religiosity and risk taking were confirmed. However, contrary to Miller and Stark's suggestion, risk taking was not found to be inversely correlated with religiosity. Regarding the two androgen factors, most of the findings were inconsistent with Stark's proposal that negative correlations would be found. Aside from females being more religious and less prone to take risks than males, most of the other theoretical ideas offered by Miller and Stark were not supported by findings from this study.
Effect of Hybrid Abalone, Haliotis discus hannai × Haliotis discus discus, Cultivation on the Carbon Cycle: Carbon Source/Sink
Authors: Wang Haiqing , Ge Changzi , Mao Yuze , Huang Yao , Sui Haidong
Published: July 2016

Respiration, calcification, and bio‐deposition of hybrid abalone, Haliotis discus hannai × Haliotis discus discus, fed on different foodstuffs have been measured to evaluate the effect of hybrid abalone culture on carbon source/sink in coastal areas. Fed with Laminaria japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, U. pinnatifida, and Ulva pertusa, alternated mutually, the carbon bio‐deposition rate of hybrid abalone was 24.29 ± 6.39, 65.40 ± 10.55, 21.48 ± 5.99, and 29.28 ± 6.47 µg/g/h, respectively. Hybrid abalone fed on U. pinnatifida had a higher carbon bio‐deposition rate compared to that fed on other foodstuff (P < 5%). Rate of CO2 released by respiration of hybrid abalone fed on the experimental foodstuff was 24.53 ± 8.57, 32.73 ± 7.99, 29.31 ± 6.39, and 33.67 ± 12.37 µg/g/h, respectively. Results indicated that calcification presented less relationship with body weight type of the foodstuff. The rate of CO2 released by calcification into seawater and atmosphere was 2.77 ± 1.89 and 6.53 ± 3.36 µg/g/h, respectively. The total rate of CO2 released because of bio‐deposition, respiration, and calcification processes was 16.19 ± 4.67 µg/g/h, while the total rate of carbon sequestered in shells and tissues was 8.94 ± 2.07 µg/g/h. The study revealed that hybrid abalone culture is a source of CO2.
The curious case of loners: Social isolation and juvenile incarceration
Authors: Reid Shannon E.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The current study examines a subset of youth incarcerated within California's Division of Juvenile Justice who stated they had no close friends during their current period of confinement. As social isolation and peer rejection can have behavioural and developmental issues associated with it, this study examines this concept among an understudied population, incarcerated male youth.

Method

Utilizing official and interview data from 213 male youth who responded to an egocentric friendship prompt, this study analyses the correlates of self‐identifying as a ‘loner’ during periods of incarceration. The final logistic regression model uses a multiple imputation model to account for missing data.

Results

Findings from this study indicate that loner status is influenced by a youth's vulnerable commitment status and commitment offence. Youth sentenced through the adult court and older youth were more likely to state they had no close friends in the institution, while those with a sex offence and those who reported involvement with gang violence were more likely to state they had at least one close friend.

Conclusion

The self‐reporting incarcerated loner offers a unique area of study as it examines social isolation among a highly delinquent group of juveniles. This study has important implications for correctional psychologists, staff, and researchers as a youth's removal from the larger social network may be at odds with the rehabilitative goals of the institution.
Embodying Transition in Later Life: “Having a Fall” as an Uncertain Status Passage for Elderly Women in Southeast London
Authors: Boyles Miriam
Published: July 2016

In their (2014 report, the charity AgeUK states that one‐third of older people (over 3 million) fall each year. This article takes a focused look at falling by describing four women's accounts of “having a fall” in Walworth, southeast London, which sheds light on the experience of personal and corporeal change in later life. While some experiential studies of falling have made reference to a loss of embodied control and changes in identity, these aspects have not been explored in sufficient depth. Attending closely to the embodied experience of falling for older women in the context of everyday activity reveals the uncertainty surrounding what it actually signifies and the powerful effect this uncertainty has on their everyday lives and sense of self. This in‐depth phenomenological account speaks to important gaps in the literature on falls, given the current research emphasis on the management of falls risk.
Unstable tandem gene amplification generates heteroresistance (variation in resistance within a population) to colistin in Salmonella enterica
Authors: Hjort Karin , Nicoloff Hervé , Andersson Dan I
Published: July 2016

Heteroresistance, a phenomenon where subpopulations of a bacterial isolate exhibit different susceptibilities to an antibiotic, is a growing clinical problem where the underlying genetic mechanisms in most cases remain unknown. We isolated colistin resistant mutants in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at different concentrations of colistin. Genetic analysis showed that genetically stable pmrAB point mutations were responsible for colistin resistance during selection at high drug concentrations for both species and at low concentrations for E. coli. In contrast, for S. Typhimurium mutants selected at low colistin concentrations, amplification of different large chromosomal regions conferred a heteroresistant phenotype. All amplifications included the pmrD gene, which encodes a positive regulator that up‐regulates proteins that modify lipid A, and as a result increase colistin resistance. Inactivation and over‐expression of the pmrD gene prevented and conferred resistance, respectively, demonstrating that the PmrD protein is required and sufficient to confer resistance. The heteroresistance phenotype is explained by the variable gene dosage of pmrD in a population, where sub‐populations with different copy number of the pmrD gene show different levels of colistin resistance. We propose that variability in gene copy number of resistance genes can explain the heteroresistance observed in clinically isolated pathogenic bacteria.
Jacques Maritain's Ethics of Art
Authors: Haynes Anthony Richard
Published: July 2016

I examine Jacques Maritain's views on the relationship between art and ethics or what is today called the ‘ethical criticism of art’, and examine what Maritain's thought can contribute to debates in contemporary aesthetics and wider society. In part I of the article, I approach Maritain's attempted reconciliation of artistic freedom and the demands of morality in three steps, first recalling Maritain's definition of art, second looking at Maritain's analysis of the extra‐artistic concerns of the artist, and third offering a critique of Maritain's views on why art is valued by the community and what justifiable moral claims of the community upon the artist might be—particularly regarding the method of production of artworks. Comparing Maritain's theories to those of contemporary writers in part II, I argue that Maritain's ethics of art can be used to complement Jacques Rancière's notions of the ‘distribution of the sensible’ and ‘artistic regimes’, and that, in the terminology of the ethical criticism of art, Maritain affirms a position which is a composite of ‘moderate moralism’ and ‘ethicism’—a position which is both explanatorily powerful in ascertaining how and why we recognise and value art, and flexible in accommodating changing artistic forms and practices.