bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency and pattern of Chinese herbal medicine prescriptions for urticaria in Taiwan during 2009: analysis of the national health insurance database
Authors: Chien Pei-Shan , Tseng Yu-Fang , Hsu Yao-Chin , Lai Yu-Kai , Weng Shih-Feng
Published: August 2013

Background

Large-scale pharmaco-epidemiological studies of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for treatment of urticaria are few, even though clinical trials showed some CHM are effective. The purpose of this study was to explore the frequencies and patterns of CHM prescriptions for urticaria by analysing the population-based CHM database in Taiwan.

Methods

This study was linked to and processed through the complete traditional CHM database of the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan during 2009. We calculated the frequencies and patterns of CHM prescriptions used for treatment of urticaria, of which the diagnosis was defined as the single ICD-9 Code of 708. Frequent itemset mining, as applied to data mining, was used to analyse co-prescription of CHM for patients with urticaria.

Results

There were 37,386 subjects who visited traditional Chinese Medicine clinics for urticaria in Taiwan during 2009 and received a total of 95,765 CHM prescriptions. Subjects between 18 and 35 years of age comprised the largest number of those treated (32.76%). In addition, women used CHM for urticaria more frequently than men (female:male = 1.94:1). There was an average of 5.54 items prescribed in the form of either individual Chinese herbs or a formula in a single CHM prescription for urticaria. Bai-Xian-Pi (Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz) was the most commonly prescribed single Chinese herb while Xiao-Feng San was the most commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula. The most commonly prescribed CHM drug combination was Xiao-Feng San plus Bai-Xian-Pi while the most commonly prescribed triple drug combination was Xiao-Feng San, Bai-Xian-Pi, and Di-Fu Zi (Kochia scoparia).

Conclusions

In view of the popularity of CHM such as Xiao-Feng San prescribed for the wind-heat pattern of urticaria in this study, a large-scale, randomized clinical trial is warranted to research their efficacy and safety.
Establishment of a novel extracorporeal bowel model to study luminal approaches to treat inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Breitrück Anne , Sparmann Gisela , Mitzner Steffen , Kerkhoff Claus
Published: August 2013

We have established an extracorporeal bowel model system for the analysis of early events in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and therapeutic applications. This model consists of an intestinal segment that is cannulated and perfused in situ, allowing the investigation of cellular responses of apical mucosa cells on luminal applied substances. Short-term treatment with iodoacetamide mimicked experimental intestinal inflammation in IBD, as indicated by histological alterations such as hemorrhage, hyperemia and loss of regular crypt architecture, as well as enhanced expression of cytokines (e.g. IL-6, IL-10 and MCP-1) compared with control segments perfused with media. Perfusion of therapeutic agents (e.g. dexamethasone or Mutaflor) in the small intestine segment significantly reduced the features of early inflammation that are induced by iodoacetamide. Moreover, similar data were obtained for Resormin®, a montmorillonite-illite mixed-layer mineral (smectite), indicating that smectites might be a newly identified therapeutic option for IBD. In summary, this model could provide novel insights into epithelial injury as well as genesis of IBD and, therefore, be useful in testing the therapeutic potential of compounds for IBD therapy.
Immune response to aTrichinella spiralisinfection in house mice from lines selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running
Authors: Dlugosz Elizabeth M. , Schutz Heidi , Meek Thomas H. , Acosta Wendy , Downs Cynthia J. , Platzer Edward G. , Chappell Mark A. , Garland Theodore
Published: August 2013

Four lines of mice bred for High voluntary wheel Running (HR lines) have high baseline circulating corticosterone levels and increased daily energy expenditure as compared with four non-selected Control (C) lines. High corticosterone may suppress immune function and competing energy demands may limit ability to mount an immune response. We hypothesized that HR mice have a reduced immune response and therefore a decreased ability to fight an infection by Trichinella spiralis, an ecologically relevant nematode common in mammals. Infections have an acute, intestinal phase while the nematode is migrating, reproducing, and traveling throughout the bloodstream, followed by a chronic phase with larvae encysted in muscles. Adult males (generation 55) were sham-infected or infected by oral gavage with ~300 J1 T. spiralis larvae. During the chronic phase of infection, mice were given wheel access for 6 days, followed by 2 days of maximum aerobic performance trials. Two weeks post-infection, infected HR had significantly lower circulating Immunoglobulin E levels compared with infected C mice. However, we found no statistical difference between infected HR and C mice in numbers of encysted larvae within the diaphragm. As expected, both voluntary running and maximum aerobic performance were significantly higher in HR mice and lower in infected mice, with no linetype-by-infection interactions. Results complement those of previous studies suggesting decreased locomotor abilities during the chronic phase of T. spiralis infection. However, breeding for high voluntary exercise does not appear to have a substantial negative impact on this aspect of immune function, despite reduced antibody production.
Case Report: A rare cause of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: Human Herpes Virus 6 infection
Authors: Tekguc Hakan , Galip Nilufer , Dalkan Ceyhun , Çobanoğlu Nazan , Bahceciler Nerin Nadir
Published: August 2013

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) is a member of the β-herpes virus subfamily which targets mainly CD4 T cells and is a well-known cause of roseola infantum. Fever without roseola, encephalitis and hepatitis however are not uncommon after HHV-6 infection. More severe clinical cases are commonly observed in immune compromised patients. Case: An 11-month old girl, after a 24-hour fever, and with poor appetite was admitted into the hospital. Oral antibiotic treatment was initiated and she was discharged from the state hospital’s out-patient clinic two hours later. The following day, the patient continued to experience high fever, and hematemesis, and a tendency to sleep were added to her condition and she was once more admitted to the hospital. Lab results showed thrombocytopenia, alanine aminotransferase over 3000 U/L, INR was 2.5 and urea and creatinine were elevated at 75 mg/dl and 1.1 mg/dl, respectively. Due to persistent high fever and somnolence, a lumbar puncture was performed. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was clear of any cells; protein and glucose were within normal range. However, test results were positive for HHV-6 DNA in the CSF, serum, and lymphocytes. Four organ dysfunctions including the central nervous-, hematologic-, renal- and hepatic systems, developed because of HHV-6 infection. Organ functions were normalized within one week of supportive treatment. HHV-6 is a benign virus that very rarely causes severe infection and hardly ever leads to a fatal infection. However, in our case, a healthy child, with a HHV- viral infection led to multiple organ dysfunction without any predisposing reason.
Sheet Pile Embedment Length Estimation with Reciprocal Influence of Neighbouring Foundations
Authors: Чиж Ирина , Скибин Геннадий , Skibin Gennadiy
Published: August 2013

The article deals with experimental research results of reciprocal influence of neighbouring foundations of an existing building and a constructed one on a sand base using their models. The authors determine the distance between them at which sheeting is rational and choose the optimal sheet pile embedment length. The authors conclude that the interaction between the stamps modelling the foundations ceases when the distance between them is more than 2b (b is the foundation width). And when the distance is equal to 2b the best protection from that reciprocal influence is provided by embedding of the sheeting to the depth of 4b.
Monitoring and Modeling of Landslide Processes on the Example of the City of Sochi
Authors: Лейер Дарья , Маций Сергей , Maciy Sergey , Безуглова Екатерина , Bezuglova Ekaterina
Published: August 2013

ssible designing of reinforcement constructions. Yet some problems in simulation of landslide situation do occur. Options for using different soil models and calculation schemes are being analyzed on the example of protective structures construction for railway tunnel in the city of Sochi region. Simulation of landslide slope condition is carried out using geotechnical software Plaxis conside­ring different soil models (Linear Elastic и Mohr-Coulomb) and «reconstruction» of structures displacements. The value of retaining wall displacement alongside landslide slope as well as retaining walls sections inner movement is being estimated by results of complex monitoring. Recent developments were causing threat to the safety of building and construction works continuation at the railway and also to the normal operation of structures lower down the slope.
Los verbos 'frecuentativos' con sufijo -it- en la comedia de Plauto y Terencio: Primera parte
Authors: González Vázquez Carmen
Published: August 2013

After reading the palliata comedy, we have checked that the frequentative suffix is very often used by Plautus and not so much by Terence. Starting from that consideration, we have analyzed the
El comportamiento en latín de tres lexías complejas
Authors: Conde Salazar Matilde
Published: August 2013

The aim of this article is to state that the constituents of three Latin phrasal lexemes:
Semántica Cognitiva del latín (II): haeret haec res, o qué es un "problema" en latín
Authors: García-Jurado Francisco
Published: August 2013

The aim of this paper is to consider what is a "problem" in Latin from a cognitive perspective: a problem is not but "a thing that falls on us", "a place without exit", or "a thing without movement". We shall study etymologies of Latin words for "problem" and "solution" and usual expressions such as
Le parfait latin, entre acquis et révolu
Authors: Mellet Sylvie
Published: August 2013

This paper proposes a new analysis of the Latin perfect studied from its use in the St. Augustin's
Enrichment and Simplification in Latin Syntax: (the Development of the Optative and the Subjunctive)
Authors: Calboli Gualtiero
Published: August 2013

Though the Latin language seems to have been rather stable and have undergone few changes even in the passage from early to classical Latin, some new words and morpho-syntactic forms entered into Latin, some perished and some other were reintroduced. Two forces, therefore, seem to have been active in Latin which can be calied enrichment and simplification (enrVsimpl.). After taking into account this Situation of Latin language I will use this criterion to explain some syntactic enlargements, and in particular the birth and enlargement of optative and subjunctive moods and the passage from an early phase of Indo-European languages (as represented by Hittite) to a historical one (I will give a hypothesis of such a birth). Birth and expansion of these moods offered the possibility of distinguishing deictic and non-deictic verbal processes. Such an enrichment of Greek and Latin fmite verb produced some distinctions which could not be expressed before and perhaps didn't exisL This brought to a syntax more and more concentrated on the use of finite verbal forms and permitted an expression which got more clear and fine and, through conservation of old expressions and introduction of new ones, was also richer.
Morphosyntaxe de la “voix” verbale en latin: le pseudo-“réfléchi pronominal”
Authors: De Carvalho Paulo
Published: August 2013

This paper is a refutation of the existence, in Latin, in addition to the traditional "active" and "passive", of a "middle voice" (expressed by analytic means e. g.
Corrélatifs, relatifs et conyonctions en latin: rupture ou continuité, de la corrélation à la Subordination?
Authors: Escriva Jean-Pierre
Published: August 2013

Settling a clear distinction between pronouns (viz. relative or interrogative pronouns) and conjunctions is not very easy in many languages, peculiarly in Latin. Pronouns, conjunctions and their correlatives are derived from the same kinds of stems and they have similar uses in clauses. We propose to discriminate what we call an endophoric relation for conjunctions and what we call an exophoric relation for subordinating pronouns.
Las completivas de ut con uerba accedendi
Authors: Panchón Federico
Published: August 2013

There is a subgroup of the
Oposiciones entre formas de subjuntivo en latin bajomedieval: el caso de la documentación notarial asturiana
Authors: Prieto Entrialgo Clara E.
Published: August 2013

On the basis of a selection of Latin-written Asturian documents from the Xlllth Century, we analyse the relation between subjunctive forms
Particles in questions
Authors: Risselada Rodie
Published: August 2013

This paper deals with the use of Latin particles in a specific environment, viz. interrogatives (or questions in a Wide sense). For that purpose, I first explore the various functions which questions can have, both as individual speech acts and within larger discourse structures, on the basis of modern insights gained within conversation analysis and discourse analysis. It tums out that in interrogative utterances, particles are more often connected with specific discourse functions than with illocutionary functions, and they seem to be used more in particular to mark the various types of reactive questions that are found in the comedies of Plautus.
The Position of satellites in Latin word order
Authors: Ros Hilke
Published: August 2013

This paper investigates in which positions satellites can occur in the Latin clause. The theory of Functional Grammar (FG) assumes that four types of satellites are to be distinguished and that these types differ, amongst other things, in their formal behavior. In the following, predictions about the position of satellites in the clause will be checked with regard to a corpus of letters by Cicero (Ad Atticum, book I-II). The relative position of satellites, arguments and the verb will be examined with particular interest in the position of satellite clauses. It will be shown that predicate satellite clauses prefer to be placed ad the end of the sentence, while illocutionaiy and prepositional satellite clauses tend to occur at the beginning of the sentence. The type of predication satellites should be split into two groups: purpose, consequence and causative clauses predominantly occur after and temporal, conditional and concessive clauses before the main verb. These observations are discussed in view of some general principles of Functional Grammar.
Constructions "apersonnelles" en latin
Authors: Suárez Martinez Pedro Manuel
Published: August 2013

Latin grammars show a varied repertoir of the so called "impersonal" constructions. However under that label we find rather different phenomena exhibiting several regularity degrees. Together with real impersonal constructions, i.e., passive voice third person Singular forms, lacking subject, object and agent, other items such as weather and ethical verbs are added to the paradigm, though these conform a particular closed group that cannot be mirrored by others. Subjectless constructions formed by a third person plural active voice
La personnification des noms abstraits en latin
Authors: Conso Danièle
Published: August 2013

Personification is a process through which an inanimate entity appears as a fictitious character. This process might give rise to an allegory. It can be read in an either literal or figurative way. Personification indicates somebody's presence, whose only reality is its name, which is an abstract noun. Among those abstract nouns, only those indicating a favourably or unfavourably connotated notion can be personified. Through personification, the abstract noun loses its diathetic ambiguity and "referential dependance". It becomes a proper noun of a peculiar kind, for it is Justified. Personification does not transform abstract into concrete, but only what is abstract and inanimate into abstract and animated. It does not refer to any peculiar concrete experience, but only to a common cultural tradition.
L'interjection dans un corpus d'auteurs latins
Authors: Denooz Joseph
Published: August 2013

Though they have hardly been studied so far whether by ancient or modem grammarians, interjections, which make up a highly heterogeneous category, are items of discourse the use and stylistic value of which seems to depend on several factors. While the Ancients - among them Aulus Gellius - had already noticed that a particular interjection could only be used by men and some other by women, it has so far never been established that a writer or a literary genre could have an impact on the use of interjections. The present paper examines, on the one hand, the frequency with which interjections are used in a Latin corpus consisting of 1,600,000 words and. on the other, occurrences that specifically belong to prose, poetry or to this or that writer.
Linguistisches und Stilistisches zum Hendiadyoin
Authors: Panagl Oswald
Published: August 2013

This paper deals with the syntactic and semantic properties of the so-called ‘hendiadyoin’ as well as with its value as a stylistic and rhetoric figure. Apart from its qualities as a specimen of pleonasm and abundancy, the hendiadyoin likewise serves as a tool to compensate the relative weakness of Latin to create nominal compounds, especially of determinative type. Casting a glance on the history of the Latin language and on the development of the individual style of some Latin authors, we can make remarkable observations. Whereas the figure is rather rare in early Latin, classical writers and poets give preference to it. Whereas, on the other hand, Cicero in his first texts prefers the combination of substantives with adjective attributes, he likes the hendiadyoin pattern very much in his mature speeches and dialogues.
Vraies et fausses polysémies: quelques leçons du travail de traduction
Authors: Poirier Michel
Published: August 2013

This paper intends to show that, when a Latin word is provided with a great number of translations, distributed in several sections of an article in a bilingual dictionary, the real meanings of the word are far less numerous, and it often occurs that there is only one meaning. The Latin word receives various translations in modem languages because, from a language to another, the semantic features which compose the meaning of the word are differently distributed in the vocabulary. Our study is based upon the survey of iubeo, probo, arguo, uel, conscius, fides as examples. Some notions, like latent semantic features, or the organization of the numerous translations around one semantic feature as a common centre of the comprehension of the word (that centre being associated with various other semantic features in each particular translation), are used to provide difficult Latin words with a genuine unity of meaning.
Ille referre aliter saepe solebat idem (Ovidio, Ars II, 128): reflexiones sobre el uso de la repetición en las Tristia de Ovidio
Authors: Tola Eleonora
Published: August 2013

Because of the interaction and oscillation between poetic imagery and subjective experience, Ovid’s exilic texts are a privileged locus for studying the relationship of rhetorical and poetic discourse. The use of repetition in its various features (at the level of the phoneme, of the word, of the meter, etc.) allows us to investigate the functioning of these two kinds of discourse in Tristia and Epistulae ex Ponto. In this paper we will examine the mise en scene of this rhetorical device in Tristia, considered as a structural part of a poetic design which includes it not as a mere formal technique but as a per- formative strategy. From this perspective, repetition assumes a functional role. For our analysis we will take some significative examples of a corpus which presents a semantic unity, the elegies of Naso’s journey to Tomi (7>. 1,2; 1,4; I, 10 and I, 11).
Syntheses and crystal structures of the novel oxide chloride oxoborates Ln4O4Cl[BO3] (Ln = Eu–Tm)
Authors: Schäfer Marion C. , Nikelski Tanja , Schleid Thomas
Published: August 2013

The here reported compounds of the isotypic series Ln
Aproximaciones cientificas al mestizo mexicano
Authors: Lopez-Beltran Carlos , Deister Vivette Garcia
Published: August 2013

La categoría colonial del mestizo fue un recurso ideológico, formador de la identidad nacional en la posrevolución mexicana. El eje indio-mestizo sirvió para organizar las interacciones étnicas y las políticas del estado. Médicos y antropólogos reforzaron esta taxonomía dual en estudios de poblaciones humanas, produciendo con marcadores biomédicos y descripciones diferenciadas del indio y del mestizo. Las descripciones genómicas han contribuido tanto a la construcción de una noción cientificista del mestizo arraigada en porcentajes de ancestría india, europea y africana, como al surgimiento de dos objetos tecnocientíficos que llamamos el mestizo molecular y el mestizo bioinformático. Aquí describimos las interacciones entre las encarnaciones ideológicas y científicas del mestizo.
Saliva and Serum Levels of Pentraxin‐3 and Interleukin‐1β in Generalized Aggressive or Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Gümüş Pınar , Nizam Nejat , Nalbantsoy Ayşe , Özçaka Özgün , Buduneli Nurcan
Published: August 2013

Background: Pentraxin‐3 (PTX3) is a multifactorial protein involved in immunity and inflammation, which is rapidly produced and released by several cell types in response to inflammatory signals. The aim of the present study is to evaluate saliva, serum levels of PTX3, interleukin (IL)‐1β in patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP) or aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and periodontally healthy individuals.

Methods: A total of 94 participants (25 patients with AgP, 25 patients with CP, and 44 periodontally healthy individuals matched with AgP and CP groups) were recruited. Saliva and serum samples were collected. Clinical periodontal measurements were recorded. PTX3, IL‐1β levels in serum, and saliva samples were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Data were tested statistically using Kruskal‐Wallis, Mann‐Whitney U, and Spearman ρ rank test.

Results: Serum and saliva data were similar in CP and AgP groups. Saliva levels of IL‐1β were significantly higher in the AgP and CP groups than controls (P <0.05). Salivary PTX3 levels were similar in the CP and control groups. Significantly higher salivary concentrations of PTX3 were detected in the AgP group than the control group (P <0.05). Saliva PTX3 levels correlated with plaque index and bleeding on probing in the CP group (P <0.05). Serum and saliva PTX3 levels correlated with those of IL‐1β in the AgP group (P <0.05).

Conclusions: It may be suggested that PTX3 is related with periodontal tissue inflammation. Its salivary concentrations may have a diagnostic potential. Additional intervention and follow‐up studies coupling PTX3 concentrations with microbiologic analysis would better clarify its role in periodontal diseases.
Grassroots Movement Building and Preemption in the Campaign for Residential Fire Sprinklers
Authors: Pertschuk Mark , Hobart Robin , Paloma Marjorie , Larkin Michelle A. , Balbach Edith D.
Published: August 2013

Home fires account for 85% of fire deaths in the United States, the majority in 1- or 2-family homes lacking fire sprinklers. Since 1978, however, a grassroots movement has successfully promoted more than 360 local ordinances mandating sprinklers in all new residential construction, including 1- and 2-family homes. The homebuilding industry has responded by seeking state preemption of local authority, a strategy previously used by other industries concerned about protecting their profits. From 2009 through 2011, 13 states adopted laws eliminating or limiting local authority over residential fire sprinklers. This study of the residential sprinkler movement adds to our understanding of grassroots public health movements and provides additional evidence that preemption can have a negative impact on public health and safety.
Disparities in Abortion Rates: A Public Health Approach
Authors: Dehlendorf Christine , Harris Lisa H. , Weitz Tracy A.
Published: August 2013

Women of lower socioeconomic status and women of color in the United States have higher rates of abortion than women of higher socioeconomic status and White women. Opponents of abortion use these statistics to argue that abortion providers are exploiting women of color and low socioeconomic status, and thus, regulations are needed to protect women. This argument ignores the underlying causes of the disparities. As efforts to restrict abortion will have no effect on these underlying factors, and instead will only result in more women experiencing later abortions or having an unintended childbirth, they are likely to result in worsening health disparities. We provide a review of the causes of abortion disparities and argue for a multifaceted public health approach to address them.
Marketing Little Cigars and Cigarillos: Advertising, Price, and Associations With Neighborhood Demographics
Authors: Cantrell Jennifer , Kreslake Jennifer M. , Ganz Ollie , Pearson Jennifer L. , Vallone Donna , Anesetti-Rothermel Andrew , Xiao Haijun , Kirchner Thomas R.
Published: August 2013

Objectives. We have documented little cigar and cigarillo (LCC) availability, advertising, and price in the point-of-sale environment and examined associations with neighborhood demographics.

Methods. We used a multimodal real-time surveillance system to survey LCCs in 750 licensed tobacco retail outlets that sold tobacco products in Washington, DC. Using multivariate models, we examined the odds of LCC availability, the number of storefront exterior advertisements, and the price per cigarillo for Black & Mild packs in relation to neighborhood demographics.

Results. The odds of LCC availability and price per cigarillo decreased significantly in nearly a dose-response manner with each quartile increase in proportion of African Americans. Prices were also lower in some young adult neighborhoods. Having a higher proportion of African American and young adult residents was associated with more exterior LCC advertising.

Conclusions. Higher availability of LCCs in African American communities and lower prices and greater outdoor advertising in minority and young adult neighborhoods may establish environmental triggers to smoke among groups susceptible to initiation, addiction, and long-term negative health consequences.
School-Based Gay-Affirmative Interventions: First Amendment and Ethical Concerns
Authors: Meyer Ilan H. , Bayer Ronald
Published: August 2013

Public health professionals and educators have developed effective school-based interventions to reduce prejudice and stigma against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. Such interventions can reduce the harm caused to sexual minority youths by stigma and can improve health outcomes. However, critics have warned that these interventions attempt to control speech and religious beliefs protected by the First Amendment. We review this critique and assess the legal and ethical arguments. We conclude that, both legally and ethically, there is great leeway for schools to implement LGBT-affirmative interventions. Still, we recommend that interventionists attend critics’ concerns using principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Using CBPR approaches, interventionists can achieve better community acceptance and cooperation and more successful interventions.
Capacity of US Drug Treatment Facilities to Provide Evidence-Based Tobacco Treatment
Authors: Hunt Jamie J. , Gajewski Byron J. , Jiang Yu , Cupertino A. Paula , Richter Kimber P.
Published: August 2013

Although people with drug problems consume a large proportion of cigarettes smoked in the United States, few drug treatment facilities offer tobacco treatment. Our analysis of 405 facilities showed that most had the skills but few had policies, leadership, or financial resources to provide evidence-based tobacco treatment. For-profits reported significantly fewer tobacco treatment resources than nonprofits. The Affordable Care and Mental Health Parity acts will improve treatment access for drug-dependent persons. To realize these acts’ full promise, policymakers should ensure that clients have access to tobacco treatment.
Mexican American Trial of Community Health Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community Health Worker Intervention for Mexican Americans With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Rothschild Steven K. , Martin Molly A. , Swider Susan M. , Tumialán Lynas Carmen M. , Janssen Imke , Avery Elizabeth F. , Powell Lynda H.
Published: August 2013

Objectives. We assessed whether community health workers (CHWs) could improve glycemic control among Mexican Americans with diabetes.

Methods. We recruited 144 Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes between January 2006 and September 2008 into the single-blinded, randomized controlled Mexican American Trial of Community Health Workers (MATCH) and followed them for 2 years. Participants were assigned to either a CHW intervention, delivering self-management training through 36 home visits over 2 years, or a bilingual control newsletter delivering the same information on the same schedule.

Results. Intervention participants showed significantly lower hemoglobin A1c levels than control participants at both year 1 Δ = −0.55; P = .021) and year 2 (Δ = −0.69; P = .005). We observed no effect on blood pressure control, glucose self-monitoring, or adherence to medications or diet. Intervention participants increased physical activity from a mean of 1.63 days per week at baseline to 2.64 days per week after 2 years.

Conclusions. A self-management intervention delivered by CHWs resulted in sustained improvements in glycemic control over 2 years among Mexican Americans with diabetes. MATCH adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of CHWs to reduce diabetes-related health disparities.
A Randomized Trial of a Hepatitis Care Coordination Model in Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Masson Carmen L. , Delucchi Kevin L. , McKnight Courtney , Hettema Jennifer , Khalili Mandana , Min Albert , Jordan Ashly E. , Pepper Nicole , Hall Jessica , Hengl Nicholas S. , Young Christopher , Shopshire Michael S. , Manuel Jennifer K. , Coffin Lara , Hammer Hali , Shapiro Bradley , Seewald Randy M. , Bodenheimer Henry C. , Sorensen James L. , Des Jarlais Don C. , Perlman David C.
Published: August 2013

Objectives. We evaluated the efficacy of a hepatitis care coordination intervention to improve linkage to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination and clinical evaluation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among methadone maintenance patients.

Methods. We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 489 participants from methadone maintenance treatment programs in San Francisco, California, and New York City from February 2008 through June 2011. We randomized participants to a control arm (n = 245) and an intervention arm (n = 244), which included on-site screening, motivational-enhanced education and counseling, on-site vaccination, and case management services.

Results. Compared with the control group, intervention group participants were significantly more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 41.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 19.4, 90.0) to receive their first vaccine dose within 30 days and to receive an HCV evaluation within 6 months (OR = 4.10; 95% CI = 2.35, 7.17). A combined intervention adherence outcome that measured adherence to HAV–HBV vaccination, HCV evaluation, or both strongly favored the intervention group (OR = 8.70; 95% CI = 5.56, 13.61).

Conclusions. Hepatitis care coordination was efficacious in increasing adherence to HAV–HBV vaccination and HCV clinical evaluation among methadone patients.
Adolescent Sexually Transmitted Infections and Risk for Subsequent HIV
Authors: Newbern E. Claire , Anschuetz Greta L. , Eberhart Michael G. , Salmon Melinda E. , Brady Kathleen A. , De Los Reyes Andrew , Baker Jane M. , Asbel Lenore E. , Johnson Caroline C. , Schwarz Donald F.
Published: August 2013

Objectives. We estimated the risk of HIV associated with sexually transmitted infection (STI) history during adolescence.

Methods. We retrospectively studied a cohort of adolescents (n = 75 273, born in 1985–1993) who participated in the Philadelphia High School STD Screening Program between 2003 and 2010. We matched the cohort to STI and HIV surveillance data sets and death certificates and performed Poisson regression to estimate the association between adolescent STI exposures and subsequent HIV diagnosis.

Results. Compared with individuals reporting no STIs during adolescence, adolescents with STIs had an increased risk for subsequent HIV infection (incidence rate ratio [IRR] for adolescent girls = 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5, 4.7; IRR for adolescent boys = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.7, 3.1). Risk increased with number of STIs. The risk of subsequent HIV infection was more than 3 times as high among those with multiple gonococcal infections during adolescence as among those with none.

Conclusions. Effective interventions that reduce adolescent STIs are needed to avert future STI and HIV acquisition. Focusing on adolescents with gonococcal infections or multiple STIs might have the greatest impact on future HIV risk.
Disease-threat model explains acceptance of genetically modified products
Authors: Prokop Pavol , Ozel Murat , Usak Muhammet , Senay Ibrahim
Published: August 2013

Natural selection favoured survival of individuals who were able to avoid
disease. The behavioural immune system is activated especially when our
sensory system comes into contact with disease-connoting cues and/or when
these cues resemble disease threat. We investigated whether or not perception
of modern risky technologies, risky behaviour, expected reproductive goals
and food neophobia are associated with the behavioural immune system related
to specific attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) products. We found
that respondents who felt themselves more vulnerable to infectious diseases
had significantly more negative attitudes toward GM products. Females had
less positive attitudes toward GM products, but engaging in risky behaviours,
the expected reproductive goals of females and food neophobia did not predict
attitudes toward GM products. Our results suggest that evolved psychological
mechanisms primarily designed to protect us against pathogen threat are
activated by modern technologies possessing potential health risks.
Exploring the factor structure of the Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI): Example of Serbia
Authors: Radisic Jelena , Seva Nada
Published: August 2013

In the present study we explored the core factor structure originally
proposed by the developer of the Parent Reading Belief Inventory (PRBI)
DeBaryshe (DeBaryshe & Binder, 1994; DeBaryshe, 1995). The PRBI was developed
to assess and explore parents? beliefs about reading aloud to their children,
measuring parents? attitudes and perceptions about how children learn, the
content of their learning and parental efficacy in the process. The PRBI is
supposed to have 7 underlying subscales and a total score. Using a sample of
227 parents in Serbia our analyses showed internal consistency estimates were
not in line with those reported by the authors of the PRBI. Using
confirmatory factor analysis the subscale models showed substantial variance
in how well they fit. Better fit was found for the overall models for the
entire PRBI scale. Among them, the correlated factors model exhibited the
best fit indices. Limitations and future research are discussed.
Biochemical responses to a non-standard exercise in horses trained for jumping
Authors: Hura Vladimír , Novotný Franišek , Boldižár Martin , Rédl Martin , Noskovičová Jana , Horňák Slavomír , Petrovič Vladimír , Lazar Gabriel , Kováč Gabriel
Published: August 2013

The aims of this study were to analyze the indices of mineral, enzymatic, protein and lipid metabolism, and the antioxidant status in horses trained for jumping after prolonged exercise. A total of 10 Slovak warmblood horses (aged 6–15 years) trained for jumping were used. Blood samples were taken before and after the jumping training (control), immediately after prolonged exercise and after the following 36 h of rest. Control samplings showed no signs of exercise-induced dehydration, but an increase of haematological indices, increased concentration of lactate and increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase whose changes may be indicative of splenic blood efflux and activation of anaerobic metabolism. On the other hand, changes of biochemical indices (such as: increased alanine aminotrasferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase, decreased K and Fe, increased malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase) that are indicative for the muscle membrane leakage, oxidative stress and electrolyte imbalances, and alterations of intermediary metabolism were found due to the non-standard prolonged exercise. Although this study demonstrates that trained horses adapted to a certain exercise regimen are exposed to oxidative and metabolic stress by non-standard prolonged workload, further research is required to assign an appropriate resting regime needed to compensate for the induced biochemical changes.
Radiographic changes of the patellar ligament in dogs after tibial tuberosity advancement
Authors: Stehlík Ladislav , Proks Pavel , Fedorová Petra , Nečas Alois
Published: August 2013

Patellar desmopathy in dogs after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy has been described in many studies. Tibial tuberosity advancement is a biomechanically different technique. It is assumed that the patellar ligament is loaded with little force similarly as after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Various aspects related to secondary patellar desmopathy are not completely understood. This study deals with computed radiography measurement of patellar ligament thickness after tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The thickness of the patellar ligament in exactly predetermined locations was measured from mediolateral radiographs of stifle joints. A total of 18 dogs (20 knee joints) with cranial cruciate ligament (ligamentum cruciatum craniale) rupture underwent three radiographic examinations of the knee (preoperative examination and control examination 7 and 15 weeks after the surgery). Significant difference was found between the thickness of the patellar ligament in the first and second examinations. Some of the demographic factors possibly related to patellar ligament thickness (age, sex, body weight, type of cranial cruciate ligament rupture, arthrotomy, cage size, meniscal injury, time between surgery and radiographic examination) were analyzed. However, statistical analyses did not show any effect of these factors on the thickness of the patellar ligament, except for the time between surgery and radiographic examination. These findings can extend the surgeons’ knowledge of biomechanical aspects of tibial tuberosity advancement.
Auditory processing disorder (APD) in children
Authors: Moore David R. , Hunter Lisa L.
Published: August 2013

Currently, there are two major hypotheses concerning the nature of developmental APD. One is conventional, that APD results from impaired ‘bottom-up’ processing of sounds. However, while a conventional view suggests the problem with APD lies in the central auditory nervous system (CANS), we propose that the problem may lie more peripherally, possibly in the ear. Alternatively, processing problems expressed in the ear, hindbrain or auditory cortex could reflect the second hypothesis, ‘top-down’ influences from cortical cognitive processing centers that may exert their influence on the auditory cortex, and be conveyed to lower targets via CANS efferent pathways. A variant of this hypothesis is that the problem may be entirely cognitive, primarily affecting language processing, attention or memory and exerting a non-specific (e.g. supramodal) effect on perception. Whichever of these hypotheses turns out to be correct, we propose that the very high co-occurrence of APD with a wide variety of other auditory- and/or language-based learning disorders may reflect a more general ‘neurodevelopmental syndrome’ (NDS). NDS is conceptualized as a supramodal communication disorder that captures a broad range of currently separate markers (e.g. language, literacy, attention and behavior problems) across age. Data are presented from a large pediatric audiology service to show the extensive co-occurrence between APD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The Sword in the Zone: Fantasies of Land-Use Planning Law
Authors: Morgan Ed
Published: August 2013

The theme of this article is that the contradictory impulses found in modern land-use planning law are impossible to overcome. The analysis takes place at two levels; that is, on the level of law and on the level of land-use planning. In the first place, the case law on the decision-making authority of municipal bodies and their provincial review boards will be examined in an effort to clarify, if possible, the question of whether land development raises issues that are, at heart, law or policy and, consequently, whether they are entitled to intervention or deference by reviewing courts. That case law, which forms a shell for land-use planning approaches, is then filled in with an examination of divergent approaches toward fashioning the liveable city. The regulatory flux between density and sprawl and the tension between more recent new-urbanist designs and the traditional suburban development plan are explored, demonstrating that neo-urban hub developments are premised on a false vision of collective social experiences, while suburban garden developments are premised on the hollow dream of an idyllic society. Each of these competing approaches simultaneously answers the weaknesses of the other and contains weaknesses of its own that are answerable by the other. Given this incoherence, this article, therefore, endorses a substantial deregulation of the field. Paradoxically, this advocacy of privatization does not proceed, first and foremost, out of respect for the value of the market as efficient regulator; rather, it proceeds out respect for the values inherent in public regulation and administrative law – values which government land-use planning has found impossible to achieve.
Corrective Justice and Unjust Enrichment
Authors: Doyle Matthew
Published: August 2013

An important theoretical account of private law explains it in terms of corrective justice. Ernest Weinrib in particular has argued that private law is the instantiation of a particular form of corrective justice; one which invests the Aristotelian notion with elements of Kant’s concept of right. The early battleground for Weinrib’s theory was tort law. A debate has also occurred in contract law, thanks in large part to the work of Peter Benson. More recently, the focus has shifted to consider whether Weinrib’s theory can account for another major area of the private law, unjust enrichment. This article argues that Weinrib’s theory cannot explain the duty to restore which arises in cases where the defendant plays no role in the sequence of events that result in the conferral of the enrichment.
Effect of stereotactic radiosurgery before bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease on the incidence of Nelson's syndrome
Authors: Mehta Gautam U. , Sheehan Jason P. , Vance Mary Lee
Published: August 2013

Object

Nelson's syndrome (NS) is a significant and frequent risk for patients with Cushing's disease (CD) who undergo bilateral adrenalectomy. A recent study has shown tumor progression in 47% of patients at risk for NS. The authors sought to define the rate of NS in patients who were treated with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GK SRS) prior to bilateral adrenalectomy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with CD who were treated with GK SRS after pituitary surgery but before bilateral adrenalectomy were included. Serial MRI sequences were analyzed to evaluate for pituitary tumor growth. Clinical evaluations were performed to screen for NS. Follow-up for adrenocorticotropic hormone levels and hormone studies of other pituitary axes was performed.

Results

Twenty consecutive patients were followed with neuroimaging and clinically for a median of 5.4 years (range 0.6–12 years). One patient (5%) developed pituitary tumor growth consistent with NS 9 months after adrenalectomy. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, progression-free survival was 94.7% at 1, 3, and 7 years. No predisposing factors were identified for the tumor progression. Two patients developed new pituitary dysfunction and no patient developed cranial neuropathy or visual deficit after GK SRS.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that GK SRS not only serves a role as second-line therapy for CD, but that it also provides prophylaxis for NS when used before bilateral adrenalectomy.
Desmoplastic fibroma of the spine causing severe mediastinal compression and brachial plexus encasement
Authors: Lau Darryl , Yarlagadda Jay , Jahan Thierry , Jablons David , Chou Dean
Published: August 2013

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is a rare bone tumor that accounts for about 0.1%–0.3% of all bone tumors. It is typically characterized as slow growing, but in rare cases it can proliferate extensively and exhibit locally aggressive characteristics. It is found most commonly in the appendicular skeleton and rarely in the axial skeleton. The authors present the cases of 2 women in their 20s with DF originating from the cervicothoracic spine. Both tumors intimately involved the brachial plexus and caused significant impingement of the mediastinum resulting in cardiopulmonary compromise. Both patients underwent hemiclamshell thoracotomies for tumor resection, and in both cases subtotal resection was performed given the encasement of the brachial plexus. Although DF is a benign process, it can be locally aggressive and proliferate at extensive rates. The authors describe these 2 cases, review the literature, and discuss management.
On the Function of Boredom
Authors: Bench Shane , Lench Heather
Published: August 2013

Boredom is frequently considered inconsequential and has received relatively little research attention. We argue that boredom has important implications for human functioning, based on emotion theory and empirical evidence. Specifically, we argue that boredom motivates pursuit of new goals when the previous goal is no longer beneficial. Exploring alternate goals and experiences allows the attainment of goals that might be missed if people fail to reengage. Similar to other discrete emotions, we propose that boredom has specific and unique impacts on behavior, cognition, experience and physiology. Consistent with a broader argument that boredom encourages the behavioral pursuit of alternative goals, we argue that, while bored, attention to the current task is reduced, the experience of boredom is negative and aversive, and that boredom increases autonomic arousal to ready the pursuit of alternatives. By motivating desire for change from the current state, boredom increases opportunities to attain social, cognitive, emotional and experiential stimulation that could have been missed. We review the limited extant literature to support these claims, and call for more experimental boredom research.