bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding communication and coordination among government and service organisations after a disaster
Authors: Curtis Christopher A.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study is to discover how coordination and communication between the government and service organisations responsible for the relief effort following Hurricane Katrina contributed to the poor outcomes for the communities impacted by the storm. Two hypotheses were tested in this study: communication was positively correlated with the degree of coordination immediately following Katrina; and miscommunication was negatively correlated with the degree of coordination after the storm. Quantitative content analysis of media reports was used to analyse the data and test the hypotheses. Both communication and miscommunication were found to be positively correlated with coordination. The results of this study suggest that increasing interorganisational communication and establishing clearly defined roles for organisations must be a high priority in revamping organisational protocol on disaster response if any new approach is to be successful.
Diversity, extinction, and threat status in Lagomorphs
Authors: Verde Arregoitia Luis D. , Leach Katie , Reid Neil , Fisher Diana O.
Published: March 2015

A quarter of all lagomorphs (pikas, rabbits, hares and jackrabbits) are threatened with extinction, including several genera that contain only one species. The number of species in a genus correlates with extinction risk in lagomorphs, but not in other mammal groups, and this is concerning because the non‐random extinction of small clades disproportionately threatens genetic diversity and phylogenetic history. Here, we use phylogenetic analyses to explore the properties of the lagomorph phylogeny and test if variation in evolution, biogeography and ecology between taxa explains current patterns of diversity and extinction risk. Threat status was not related to body size (and, by inference, its biological correlates), and there was no phylogenetic signal in extinction risk. We show that the lagomorph phylogeny has a similar clade‐size distribution to other mammals, and found that genus size was unrelated to present climate, topography, or geographic range size. Extinction risk was greater in areas of higher human population density and negatively correlated with anthropogenically modified habitat. Consistent with this, habitat generalists were less likely to be threatened. Our models did not predict threat status accurately for taxa that experience region‐specific threats. We suggest that pressure from human populations is so severe and widespread that it overrides ecological, biological, and geographic variation in extant lagomorphs.
A new live‐cell biobank workflow efficiently recovers heterogeneous melanoma cells from native biopsies
Authors: Raaijmakers Marieke I. G. , Widmer Daniel S. , Maudrich Melanie , Koch Tabea , Langer Alice , Flace Anna , Schnyder Claudia , Dummer Reinhard , Levesque Mitchell P.
Published: March 2015

Fibroblast contamination can make establishing primary melanoma cell cultures from native biopsies a major challenge, due to fibroblasts overgrowing the melanoma cells. Standard protocols therefore enrich for highly proliferative melanoma cells that grow well in vitro but may not represent the full range of in vivo tumor heterogeneity. Here we apply conditional methods that more effectively retrieve melanoma cells by differential trypsinization or by inducing fibroblast senescence through contact inhibition, serum starvation or deprivation of adhesion. Simple mixing experiments of melanoma and fibroblast cells demonstrated the efficacy of the new protocols in retrieving slow‐growing melanoma cells. Applying our protocols to 20 cultures that had failed to grow by conventional methods, we could retrieve 12 (60%) validated melanoma cell cultures. Further application of the protocols in the live‐cell biobank of 124 early passage cultures significantly improved recovery rates from 13% using standard protocols to 70% overall for the new workflow.
Modulation of HMGB1 translocation and RAGE/NFκB cascade by quercetin treatment mitigates atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga transgenic mice
Authors: Karuppagounder Vengadeshprabhu , Arumugam Somasundaram , Thandavarayan Rajarajan A. , Pitchaimani Vigneshwaran , Sreedhar Remya , Afrin Rejina , Harima Meilei , Suzuki Hiroshi , Nomoto Mayumi , Miyashita Shizuka , Suzuki Kenji , Nakamura Masahiko , Watanabe Kenichi
Published: March 2015

Quercetin, glycosylated form of flavonoid compound, has potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. In this study, we have investigated the effects of quercetin on skin lesion, high‐mobility group box (HMGB)1 cascade signalling and inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. AD‐like lesion was induced by the application of house dust mite extract to the dorsal skin of NC/Nga transgenic mouse. After AD induction, quercetin (50 mg/kg, p.o) was administered daily for 2 weeks. We evaluated dermatitis severity, histopathological changes and changes in protein expression by Western blotting for HMGB1, receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), toll‐like receptor (TLR)4, nuclear factor (NF)κB, nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor (Nrf)2, kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein (Keap)1, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, cyclooxygenase (COX)2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐2Rα and other inflammatory markers in the skin of AD mice. In addition, serum levels of T helper (Th) cytokines (interferon (IFN)γ, IL‐4) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Quercetin treatment attenuated the development of AD‐like skin lesions. Histological analysis showed that quercetin inhibited hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis, mast cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, quercetin treatment downregulated cytoplasmic HMGB1, RAGE, nuclear p‐NFκB, p‐ERK1/2, COX2, TNFα, IL‐1β, IL‐2Rα, IFNγ and IL‐4 and upregulated nuclear Nrf2. Our data demonstrated that the HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB signalling might play an important role in skin inflammation, and quercetin treatment could be a promising agent for AD by modulating the HMGB1/RAGE/NFκB signalling and induction of Nrf2 protein.
Extending the MODPATH Algorithm to Rectangular Unstructured Grids
Authors: Pollock David W.
Published: March 2015

The recent release of MODFLOW‐USG, which allows model grids to have irregular, unstructured connections, requires a modification of the particle‐tracking algorithm used by MODPATH. This paper describes a modification of the semi‐analytical particle‐tracking algorithm used by MODPATH that allows it to be extended to rectangular‐based unstructured grids by dividing grid cells with multi‐cell face connections into sub‐cells. The new method will be incorporated in the next version of MODPATH which is currently under development.
Thomas More on the Sadness of Christ: From Mystagogy to Martyrdom
Authors: Morrow Jeffrey L.
Published: March 2015

Thomas More presents us with a wonderful example of martyrological exegesis where his exegetical work was intended to inspire his readers to live the virtues, to follow Christ, and to provide consolation amidst tribulation. Such exegesis aimed to aid the reader to live the martyrdom required in ordinary life and beyond that, if necessary, with mental anguish, physical torture, and even death on behalf of Christ. Before examining More's work, I first situate this discussion within the broader conversation concerning modern biblical interpretation‐ in particular the notion of senses of Scripture ‐ therein explaining how I shall be using terms like mystagogy and martyrdom in this article. I shall then examine More's spiritual exegesis of Jesus' passion narratives, paying particular attention to the agony in the garden. I shall conclude with a look at the saint's life, which provides a background for his interpretation of Scripture.
Morphometric measurement of submucosal thickness in areas of fat deposition in the terminal ileum and colonic sections, with correlation with body mass index, weight and age: a male autopsy study
Authors: Mesa Hector , Drawz Sarah , Dykoski Richard , Manivel Juan Carlos
Published: March 2015

Aims

An increased amount of submucosal (SM) fat in the colon on imaging is considered to be characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, a recent study in patients without IBD reported a correlation between colonic SM fat deposition and body weight (BW). The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric investigation of SM thickness in areas of fat deposition in the terminal ileum (TI), ileocaecal valve (ICV), and colonic sections, to determine whether there are variations by site, and whether it shows a correlation with BW, body mass index (BMI), or age.

Methods and results

Representative samples of TI, ICV and colonic sections were collected prospectively from 115 autopsy cases without IBD. All of the study subjects were male (Veterans Hospital). SM thickness was measured in areas of fat deposition. Correlation analysis was performed between SM thickness and BW, BMI, and age. Fat deposition was common; however, with the exception of the ICV, it was neither consistent nor prominent, and it did not show a statistical correlation with BW, BMI, or age.

Conclusions

SM fat deposition is common but not uniform or conspicuous in the TI or colon. In contrast to extravisceral intra‐abdominal fat, it does not show a correlation with BW or BMI, and is not associated with ageing. As all study subjects were male, gender‐dependent variability cannot be excluded.
In Situ Methodology for Studying State Driver Stress: A Between‐Subjects Design Replication
Authors: Wickens Christine M. , Wiesenthal David L. , Roseborough James E. W.
Published: March 2015

Previous studies of driver stress have utilized in‐vehicle in situ questionnaires to measure driver stress during the actual commute. These studies demonstrated several important findings, but all adopted a repeated‐measures research design where each participant was exposed to counterbalanced high and low congestion conditions. This approach reduced between‐subjects variability but increased the possibility of demand characteristics. The current study replicated the findings of the in situ methodology using a between‐subjects research design. State stress was greater in heavy traffic. Time urgency, lack of perceived control, and trait susceptibility to perceiving driving as stressful contributed to higher levels of state driver stress. No gender differences in state driver stress were found. Implications of the results and future research directions are discussed.
Survivor in the cancer context: a concept analysis
Authors: Hebdon Megan , Foli Karen , McComb Sara
Published: March 2015

Aim

The aim of this analysis was to define survivor in the cancer context.

Background

Cancer survivor has been used in the cancer lexicon, but may not represent the individuals it defines.

Design

This concept analysis was completed according to Walker and Avant's method.

Data sources

PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL, JSTOR, Google and medical and public health websites.

Review methods

Thirty sources from multiple disciplines, published between 1987–2013, were analysed for recurrent themes and conceptual meaning. Critical attributes, antecedents and consequences were extrapolated. Model, related and contrary cases were developed based on an amalgamation of clinical observations. Illegitimate, borderline and invented cases were excluded for this reason.

Results

Survivor in the cancer context is an individual with a history of malignancy, who has lived through a personalized challenge and has ongoing positive and negative consequences. Not all cancer survivors would identify themselves using the term survivor.

Conclusions

This contributes to the paradigm shift of cancer as a chronic disease as it establishes the unique nature of the cancer experience while highlighting the long‐term concerns related to this set of diseases. The Theory of Uncertainty in Illness provides a framework to understand the individualized nature of being a cancer survivor. Nursing research and practice should address the personal experiences of cancer survivors while still focusing on general survivorship needs.
Reduction of protein kinase C α (PKC‐α) promote apoptosis via down‐regulation of Dicer in bladder cancer
Authors: Jiang Zhenming , Kong Chuize , Zhang Zhe , Zhu Yuyan , Zhang Yuxi , Chen Xi
Published: March 2015

In clinic, we examined the expression of protein kinase C (PKC)‐α and Dicer in the samples of bladder cancer patients, and found that the two proteins have a line correlation. Our study confirmed this correlation existing by clearing the decreasing expression of Dicer after the PKC‐α knockdown. Treatment of bladder cancer cell lines (T24, 5637) with the PKC‐α or Dicer knockdown and the PKC inhibitors (Calphostin C and Gö 6976) can promote the apoptosis. Inhibition of PKC can increase the activities of caspase‐3 and PARP, however, decrease the expression of Dicer. And knockdown of the PKC‐α or Dicer can also activate the caspase‐3 or the PARP. Considering the reduction of PKC‐α can induce the Dicer down‐regulation, we make the conclusion that the reduction of PKC‐α can promote the apoptosis via the down‐regulation of Dicer in bladder cancer.
Foam cell‐derived 4‐hydroxynonenal induces endothelial cell senescence in a TXNIP‐dependent manner
Authors: Riahi Yael , Kaiser Nurit , Cohen Guy , Abd‐Elrahman Ihab , Blum Galia , Shapira Oz M. , Koler Tomer , Simionescu Maya , Sima Anca V. , Zarkovic Neven , Zarkovic Kamelija , Orioli Marica , Aldini Giancarlo , Cerasi Erol , Leibowitz Gil , Sasson Shlomo
Published: March 2015

Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) senescence is considered an early event in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Stressful stimuli, in particular oxidative stress, have been linked to premature senescence in the vasculature. Foam cells are a major source of reactive oxygen species and may play a role in the induction of VEC senescence; hence, we investigated their involvement in the induction of VEC senescence in a co‐culture transwell system. Primary bovine aortic endothelial cells, exposed to the secretome of THP‐1 monocyte‐derived foam cells, were analysed for the induction of senescence. Senescence associated β‐galactosidase activity and the expression of p16 and p21 were increased, whereas phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein was reduced. This senescent phenotype was mediated by 4‐hydroxnonenal (4‐HNE), a lipid peroxidation product secreted from foam cells; scavenging of 4‐HNE in the co‐culture medium blunted this effect. Furthermore, both foam cells and 4‐HNE increased the expression of the pro‐oxidant thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP). Molecular manipulation of TXNIP expression confirmed its involvement in foam cell‐induced senescence. Previous studies showed that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)δ was activated by 4‐hydroalkenals, such as 4‐HNE. Pharmacological interventions supported the involvement of the 4‐HNE‐PPARδ axis in the induction of TXNIP and VEC senescence. The association of TXNIP with VEC senescence was further supported by immunofluorescent staining of human carotid plaques in which the expression of both TXNIP and p21 was augmented in endothelial cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that foam cell‐released 4‐HNE activates PPARδ in VEC, leading to increased TXNIP expression and consequently to senescence.
A Conditional Joint Modeling Approach for Locally Dependent Item Responses and Response Times
Authors: Meng Xiang‐Bin , Tao Jian , Chang Hua‐Hua
Published: March 2015

The assumption of conditional independence between the responses and the response times (RTs) for a given person is common in RT modeling. However, when the speed of a test taker is not constant, this assumption will be violated. In this article we propose a conditional joint model for item responses and RTs, which incorporates a covariance structure to explain the local dependency between speed and accuracy. To obtain information about the population of test takers, the new model was embedded in the hierarchical framework proposed by van der Linden (). A fully Bayesian approach using a straightforward Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampler was developed to estimate all parameters in the model. The deviance information criterion (DIC) and the Bayes factor (BF) were employed to compare the goodness of fit between the models with two different parameter structures. The Bayesian residual analysis method was also employed to evaluate the fit of the RT model. Based on the simulations, we conclude that (1) the new model noticeably improves the parameter recovery for both the item parameters and the examinees’ latent traits when the assumptions of conditional independence between the item responses and the RTs are relaxed and (2) the proposed MCMC sampler adequately estimates the model parameters. The applicability of our approach is illustrated with an empirical example, and the model fit indices indicated a preference for the new model.
Why are there so few freshwater fish species in most estuaries?
Authors: Whitfield A. K.
Published: March 2015

The freshwater fish assemblage in most estuaries is not as species rich as the marine assemblage in the same systems. Coupled with this differential richness is an apparent inability by most freshwater fish species to penetrate estuarine zones that are mesohaline (salinity: 5·0–17·9), polyhaline (salinity: 18·0–29·9) or euhaline (salinity: 30·0–39·9). The reason why mesohaline waters are avoided by most freshwater fishes is difficult to explain from a physiological perspective as many of these species would be isosmotic within this salinity range. Perhaps, a key to the poor penetration of estuarine waters by freshwater taxa is an inability to develop chloride cells in gill filament epithelia, as well as a lack of other osmoregulatory adaptations present in euryhaline fishes. Only a few freshwater fish species, especially some of those belonging to the family Cichlidae, have become fully euryhaline and have successfully occupied a wide range of estuaries, sometimes even dominating in hyperhaline systems (salinity 40+). Indeed, this review found that there are few fish species that can be termed holohaline (i.e. capable of occupying waters with a salinity range of 0–100+) and, of these taxa, there is a disproportionally high number of freshwater species (e.g. Cyprinodon variegatus, Oreochromis mossambicus and Sarotherodon melanotheron). Factors such as increased competition for food and higher predation rates by piscivorous fishes and birds may also play an important role in the low species richness and abundance of freshwater taxa in estuaries. Added to this is the relatively low species richness of freshwater fishes in river catchments when compared with the normally higher diversity of marine fish species for potential estuarine colonization from the adjacent coastal waters. The almost complete absence of freshwater fish larvae from the estuarine ichthyoplankton further reinforces the poor representation of this guild within these systems. An explanation as to why more freshwater fish species have not become euryhaline and occupied a wide range of estuaries similar to their marine counterparts is probably due to a combination of the above described factors, with physiological restrictions pertaining to limited salinity tolerances probably playing the most important role.
Chemical Characteristics and Sensory Evaluation of Raw and Roasted Buckwheat Groats Fermented by Rhizopus Oligosporus
Authors: Wronkowska Małgorzata , Christa Karolina , Ciska Ewa , Soral‐Śmietana Maria
Published: March 2015

The effect of 24‐h Rhizopus oligosporus fermentation on raw and roasted buckwheat groats was investigated. The changes in the chemical composition were analyzed and sensory evaluation of fermented product was performed. The significant increase in content of protein and some minerals in both fermented products was observed. In the raw buckwheat groat, the main saturated fatty acids were palmitic and stearic acids and the main unsaturated fatty acids were oleic and linoleic. The fermentation process did not affect the content of fatty acids in both products. A higher content of amino acids was found in the product obtained after the 24‐h fermentation as compared with nonfermented samples. The fermentation process by R. oligosporus improved the protein digestibility, in both fermented buckwheat products it exceeded 87%. The sensory evaluation proved that fermented buckwheat products were well accepted by the evaluators.

Practical Applications

Fermented buckwheat products added to different food systems can greatly enhance the nutritional status, especially protein and some minerals, without compromising consumer acceptance. The fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus can be recommended for production of tempeh‐like functional buckwheat‐based foods with valuable nutritive substances. Moreover, another possible application of the fermented buckwheat products is to use it as an additive for baking products, soups or sauces.
Effect of Intensification of Vaporization by Decompression to the Vacuum as a Pretreatment for Roasting Australian Chickpea: Multiple Optimization by Response Surface Methodology of Chemical, Textural and Color Parameters
Authors: Mrad Rachelle , El Rammouz Rabih , Maroun Richard G. , Louka Nicolas
Published: March 2015

Intensification of vaporization by decompression to the vacuum was applied on Australian chickpea as a pretreatment for roasting. The aim was to obtain crunchy roasted chickpeas having good expansion and nice color without loss of polyphenols. The study was realized in function of three experimental parameters: initial water content (W), steam pressure (P) and processing time (t). Using response surface methodology, the effects of these parameters were studied along with their interactions after roasting. Results were confirmed by sensory analysis. W was found to favor expansion, decrease the crunchiness and increase browning of the final product. P and t expanded the product, liberated polyphenols and increased the crunchiness and the browning. Optimization was conducted in order to prepare a final product having a compromise between phenolic content, appearance, texture and color. The optimum was reached for: W = 37%, P = 6.8 bar and t = 23 s.

Practical Applications

Chickpea is a legume known worldwide and consumed as a snack product after roasting. However, the hard texture of chickpea requires a special texturizing pretreatment before roasting. Preliminary experiments have shown that structure expansion of chickpea reduced the roasting time and improved textural characteristics of the grains after roasting. Vaporization by decompression to the vacuum (IVDV) is a new expansion technique, distinguished by its capacity to preserve the nutritional and organoleptic quality and improve texture in order to get better quality of snack products. This is due to two important factors: important pressure denivelation, which reduces temperature and heat processing time, and the rapid cooling that the product undergoes directly after processing. Based on a scale‐up study on our pilot reactor, the society “Al‐Kazzi,” which financed this study, is building a reactor of industrial size in order to produce chickpea (as well as other snacks) expanded by IVDV.
Evaluation of an intervention to individualise patient education at a nurse‐led heart failure clinic: a mixed‐method study
Authors: Ross Anita , Ohlsson Ulla , Blomberg Karin , Gustafsson Margareta
Published: March 2015

Aims and objectives

The main aim of this study was to evaluate whether addressing the written questions of heart failure patients could individualise the education and increase patient satisfaction. A further aim was to describe the learning needs of patients with newly diagnosed heart failure.

Background

Despite well‐designed patient education, daily problems and self‐care sometimes seem difficult to manage for the patient with heart failure. The literature suggested that nurses should include individualised educational interventions.

Design

The study had an evaluative and descriptive design.

Methods

A mixed‐method approach was used. A quasi‐experimental method was used to compare patients in the control group (n = 41), who received regular education at the nurse‐led heart failure clinic, with patients in the intervention group (n = 44), who received regular education but also education addressing questions they had written down at home before coming to the clinic. Two instruments were used to investigate, respectively, whether the intervention caused patients to experience a greater sense of involvement in their education and greater satisfaction. The patients' questions were subjected to manifest content analysis.

Results

There was no significant difference in satisfaction with the education between the control group and the intervention group. However, the intervention group did feel more strongly that the information they received was related to their personal situation. The patients' learning needs before education were categorised as: causes and meaning of illness, control and management of the disease, impact on daily living and future health.

Conclusion

Asking heart failure patients to write down their learning needs before the education increases their chances of receiving education based on their individual needs.

Relevance to clinical practice

The method is simple and cost‐effective and could be a way to improve the patient education and facilitate person‐centred care.
The experience of learning to speak up: a narrative inquiry on newly graduated registered nurses
Authors: Law Bernice Yee‐Shui , Chan Engle Angela
Published: March 2015

Aims and objectives

To explore the process of learning to speak up in practice among newly graduated registered nurses.

Background

Speaking up is an important aspect of communication to ensure patient safety within a healthcare team. However, nurses have reported being hesitant about speaking up or being unable to be heard, despite adopting various safety tools. A power differential could be a factor in their hesitation to speak up. While a large number of new graduates are employed in the lower rungs of the hospital hierarchy to resolve local and global nursing shortages, the process of their learning to speak up remains under‐explored.

Design

The narrative concept of experience is addressed through the three‐dimensional space of a narrative inquiry.

Methods

Eighteen new graduates were recruited. Stories of experiences of speaking up emerged naturally during repeated unstructured interviews and ongoing email conversations with three participants.

Results

The complex process of learning to speak up is schematically represented. Three interrelated narrative threads were identified: (1) learning to speak up requires more than one‐off training and safety tools, (2) mentoring speaking up in the midst of educative and miseducative experiences and (3) making public spaces safe for telling secret stories.

Conclusions

Speaking up requires ongoing mentoring to see new possibilities for sustaining professional identities in the midst of miseducative experiences under the potential shaping of the Chinese culture and generational differences. Appreciative inquiry might be a new approach that can be used to promote positive cultural changes to encourage newly graduated registered nurses to learn to speak up to ensure patient safety.

Relevance to clinical practice

Cultivating a safe and open culture of communication and mentoring new graduates to speak up will benefit patient safety now and in the future by helping to retain committed patient advocates who could mentor future generations.
Mutual Fund Flows and Cross‐Fund Learning within Families
Authors: BROWN DAVID P. , WU YOUCHANG
Published: March 2015

We develop a model of performance evaluation and fund flows for mutual funds in a family. Family performance has two effects on a member fund's estimated skill and inflows: a positive common‐skill effect, and a negative correlated‐noise effect. The overall spillover can be either positive or negative, depending on the weight of common skill and correlation of noise in returns. Its absolute value increases with family size, and declines over time. The sensitivity of flows to a fund's own performance is affected accordingly. Empirical estimates of fund flow sensitivities show patterns consistent with rational cross‐fund learning within families.
The Determinants of Long‐Term Corporate Debt Issuances
Authors: BADOER DOMINIQUE C. , JAMES CHRISTOPHER M.
Published: March 2015

A significant proportion of the debt issued by investment‐grade firms has maturities greater than 20 years. In this paper we provide evidence that gap‐filling behavior is an important determinant of these very long‐term issues. Using data on individual corporate debt issues between 1987 and 2009, we find that gap‐filling behavior is more prominent in the very long end of the maturity spectrum where the required risk capital makes arbitrage costly. In addition, changes in the supply of long‐term government bonds affect not just the choice of maturity but also the overall level of corporate borrowing.
White Matter Hyperintensities and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Mak Elijah , Dwyer Michael G. , Ramasamy Deepa P. , Au Wing Lok , Tan Louis C.S. , Zivadinov Robert , Kandiah Nagaendran
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVES

The clinical implications of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) in non‐demented Parkinson's disease (PD) have not been thoroughly examined. To address this, we investigated the spatial distribution of WMH and their regional predilection in non‐demented patients with mild PD.

METHODS

Cognitive assessments classified the sample into patients with mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI, n = 25) and patients with no cognitive impairment (PD‐NCI, n = 65) based on the recent formal Movement Disorder Task Force diagnostic criteria. The mean age was 65.1 ± 7.7 years, disease duration was 5.3 ± 3.9 years, and Hoehn and Yahr stage was 1.9 ± .4. WMHs were outlined on T2‐weighted imaging using a semi‐automated technique. The spatial distribution of WMHs were compared between PD‐MCI and PD‐NCI using voxel‐wise lesion probability maps (LPM). General linear models examined the associations between spatially specific WMHs and cognitive domains.

RESULTS

LPM analyses showed significant differences in the spatial distribution of WMH in PD‐MCI compared to PD‐NCI in widespread regions of the brain (P < .05). PD‐MCI demonstrated significantly greater total and periventricular WMHs compared to PD‐NCI (P ≤ .02). Spatial distribution of WMHs was also significantly associated with global cognition, performance on the Frontal Assessment Battery and Fruit Fluency (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Voxel‐wise LPM analysis revealed differences in the spatial distribution of WMH between PD‐MCI and PD‐NCI patients, particularly in the periventricular regions. A more widespread extent of WMH might be indicative of cognitive deterioration. Our findings warrant further longitudinal investigation into the importance of WMH spatial distribution as a predictor for conversion from PD to PD with dementia.
Fracture Strength of Implant‐Supported Ceramic Crowns with Customized Zirconia Abutments: Screw Retained vs. Cement Retained
Authors: Nogueira Lorenna Bastos Lima Verde , Moura Carmem Dolores Vilarinho Soares , Francischone Carlos Eduardo , Valente Valdimar Silva , Alencar Suyá Moura Mendes , Moura Walter Leal , Soares Martins Gregorio Antonio
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To compare the fracture resistance before and after cyclic fatigue assays of ceramic crowns with customized zirconia abutments when screw retained and cemented onto implants.

Materials and Methods

The sample of this study consisted of 40 ceramic crowns with zirconia infrastructure fixed onto external hexagonal implants. The crowns were distributed into two groups (n = 20): Screw‐retained and cemented crowns. Half the crowns of each group (n = 10) underwent compression until fracture and the other half (n = 10) underwent cyclic fatigue and subsequent compression until fracture. The cyclic fatigue test was carried out using an electromechanical fatigue device (loads from 0 to 100 N, 2 Hz frequency, in distilled water, at 37°C for a period of 1 million cycles). The compression test was carried out using a universal testing machine with a 0.5 mm/min speed and 5 KN load cell. After fracture, the crowns were classified according to the type of fracture. Student's t test (p < 0.05) was used for statistical analysis.

Results

The cyclic fatigue altered neither the mean fracture resistance of the screw‐retained crowns (before = 1068.31 N, after = 891.49 N; p > 0.05) nor that of the cemented crowns (before = 2117.78 N; after = 2094.81 N; p > 0.05); however, the mean fracture resistance of the cemented crowns was higher than that of the screw‐retained crowns both before (p < 0.001) and after (p < 0.001) the cyclic fatigue. Fractures occurred most frequently in the ceramic veneer, followed by fracture of some of the copings.

Conclusion

The ceramic crowns cemented onto the customized zirconia abutments offered greater fracture resistance than ceramic crowns with customized zirconia abutments screw retained onto implants. The cyclic fatigue did not seem to influence the fracture resistance of these crowns, whether cemented or screw retained onto implants. Fracture of the veneering ceramic was the predominant failure in this study.
A MULTI‐DIMENSIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Pagels Agneta A. , Hylander Britta , Alvarsson Michael
Published: March 2015

Background

Diabetes is currently the most common cause of kidney disease among patients receiving renal replacement therapy. Pedagogical interventions to promote self‐management and secondary prevention have been shown to be effective in delaying disease progression.

Objectives and Design

A non‐randomised, quasi‐experimental design (‘uncontrolled before and after’) to evaluate the effects of a group‐based, multidisciplinary and multidimensional support programme in patients with diabetic kidney disease. The programme comprised 1) Disease‐related knowledge, 2) Skills training and increased self‐care agency 3) A motivational approach, with group discussions, participant questions and narratives, setting and follow‐up of individual health goals.

Participants

Fifty‐eight patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Outcome measures

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, body mass index, waist, physical activity and participant experiences from the programme.

Results

The evaluation indicated positive effects on HbA1c, albuminuria and physical activity at follow‐up after four months. The proportion of patients achieving blood pressure targets increased. The participants reported improved understanding of their health condition and treatment regime.

Conclusion

The multidimensional support programme, addressing health‐promoting factors and self‐management in small patient groups, has a potential to effectively reduce HbA1c and may have some beneficial effects which contribute to health promotion in patients with diabetic kidney disease. This mode of a multidimensional support programme should continue to develop, with longer term follow‐up and further evaluations with appropriate research designs.
DIFFERENCES IN ILLNESS REPRESENTATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE
Authors: Pagels Agneta A. , Söderquist Birgitta Klang , Heiwe Susanne
Published: March 2015

Objective

To explore the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on individual illness representations, including symptoms and causal attributions.

Design and measures

Fifty‐four patients responded to the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ‐R) and a further seven patients undertook cognitive interviews regarding the IPQ‐R. All respondents had CKD stage 2–5, not undergoing renal replacement therapy.

Results

Those in earlier CKD stages and those with fewer symptoms perceived a significantly different understanding of their condition than those in more advanced disease stages or with more symptoms. Behavioural and psychological attributions were commonly referred to as contributing causes to CKD. These attributions were associated to negative illness representations. An uncertainty assessing symptoms attributed to CKD was indicated, especially in earlier disease stages.

Conclusion

Illness representations differ with CKD stages and symptom burden. The patients in earlier disease stages or with fewer symptoms did not hold as strong beliefs about their illness as being a threat as those in advanced stages or with more symptoms. Self‐blame emerged as a common causal attribution. Patients did not always relate symptoms to CKD, therefore this study identifies a gap in patients’ disease knowledge, especially in earlier stages of the condition.
Gestational weight gain and obesity, adiposity and body size in African–American and Dominican children in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan
Authors: Widen Elizabeth M. , Whyatt Robin M. , Hoepner Lori A. , Mueller Noel T. , Ramirez‐Carvey Judyth , Oberfield Sharon E. , Hassoun Abeer , Perera Frederica P. , Gallagher Dympna , Rundle Andrew G.
Published: March 2015

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is potentially modifiable and is associated with infant size and body composition; however, long‐term effects on childhood obesity have not been reported among multi‐ethnic urban populations. We examined the association between GWG and child anthropometric measures and body composition at 7 years [waist circumference (WC), body mass index z‐score (BMIZ), obesity (BMIZ ≥95%ile) and bioelectrical impedance analysis estimates of percentage body fat (%fat)] in African–American and Dominican dyads (n = 323) in the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health prospective birth cohort study from 1998 to 2013. Linear and logistic regression evaluated associations between excessive GWG [>Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2009 guidelines] and outcomes, adjusting for pre‐pregnancy BMI and covariates. Pre‐pregnancy BMI (mean ± standard deviation, all such values) and total GWG were 25.8 ± 6.2 kg m−2 (45% overweight/obese) and 16.4 ± 7.9 kg (64% > IOM guidelines), respectively. Excessive GWG was associated with higher BMIZ {0.44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2, 0.7], P < 0.001}, WC [β: 2.9 cm (95% CI: 1.1, 4.6), P = 0.002], %fat at 7 years [β: 2.2% (95% CI: 1.0, 3.5), P = 0.001)] and obesity [odds ratio: 2.93 (95% CI: 1.5, 5.8), P = 0.002]. Pre‐pregnancy BMI was positively associated with child size, adiposity and obesity (all P < 0.05). Excessive GWG was highly prevalent and was associated with child obesity, greater percentage body fat and abdominal adiposity. Strategies to support healthy GWG are warranted to promote healthy growth and prevent childhood obesity.
The scope and practice of behaviour change communication to improve infant and young child feeding in low‐ and middle‐income countries: results of a practitioner study in international development organizations
Authors: Pelto Gretel H. , Martin Stephanie L. , Van Liere Marti , Fabrizio Cecilia S.
Published: March 2015

We describe features of the landscape of behaviour change communication (BCC) practice devoted to infant and young child feeding (IYCF) in low‐ and middle‐income countries by practitioners in international development organizations. We used an iterative, snowball sampling procedure to identify participants, and the self‐administered questionnaire contained pre‐coded questions and open‐ended questions, relying primarily on content analysis to derive generalizations. Highlights of findings include (i) IYCF‐specific BCC is usually delivered within the context of other public health messages and programmes; (ii) technical assistance with programme development and implementation are primary activities, and evaluation‐related work is also common; and (iii) formative research and evaluation is universal, but process evaluation is not. With respect to scaling up nutrition: (i) use of mass media and digital technology generally play only a minor role in BCC activities and are not currently an integral part of BCC programming strategies and (ii) only 58% of the participants report activities related to communication with policy makers. The individuals who comprise the community of BCC leaders in the area of IYCF are a diverse group from the perspective of academic backgrounds and nationalities. In addition to nutrition, public health, agriculture and adult learning are common disciplinary backgrounds. In our view, this diversity is a source of strength. It facilitates continuing growth and maturation in the field by assuring inputs of different perspectives, theoretical orientations and experiences.
Labor Market Dynamics: A Time‐Varying Analysis
Authors: Mumtaz Haroon , Zanetti Francesco
Published: March 2015

This paper studies how key labour market stylized facts and the responses of labour market variables to technology shocks vary over the US postwar period. It uses a benchmark dynamic, stochastic, general equilibrium model enriched with labour market frictions and investment‐specific technological progress that enables a novel identification scheme based on sign restrictions on a SVAR with time‐varying coefficients and stochastic volatility. Key findings are: (i) the volatility in job finding and separation rates has declined over time, while their correlation varies across time; (ii) the job finding rate plays an important role for unemployment, and the two series are strongly negatively correlated over the sample period; (iii) the magnitude of the response of labour market variables to technology shocks varies across the sample period.
eHealth interventions for the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: a systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Hutchesson M. J. , Rollo M. E. , Krukowski R. , Ells L. , Harvey J. , Morgan P. J. , Callister R. , Plotnikoff R. , Collins C. E.
Published: March 2015

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in adults. Eight databases were searched for studies published in English from 1995 to 17 September 2014. Eighty‐four studies were included, with 183 intervention arms, of which 76% (n = 139) included an eHealth component. Sixty‐one studies had the primary aim of weight loss, 10 weight loss maintenance, eight weight gain prevention, and five weight loss and maintenance. eHealth interventions were predominantly delivered using the Internet, but also email, text messages, monitoring devices, mobile applications, computer programs, podcasts and personal digital assistants. Forty percent (n = 55) of interventions used more than one type of technology, and 43.2% (n = 60) were delivered solely using eHealth technologies. Meta‐analyses demonstrated significantly greater weight loss (kg) in eHealth weight loss interventions compared with control (MD −2.70 [−3.33,−2.08], P < 0.001) or minimal interventions (MD −1.40 [−1.98,−0.82], P < 0.001), and in eHealth weight loss interventions with extra components or technologies (MD 1.46 [0.80, 2.13], P < 0.001) compared with standard eHealth programmes. The findings support the use of eHealth interventions as a treatment option for obesity, but there is insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for weight loss maintenance or weight gain prevention.
Impact of policy and built environment changes on obesity‐related outcomes: a systematic review of naturally occurring experiments
Authors: Mayne S. L. , Auchincloss A. H. , Michael Y. L.
Published: March 2015

Policies and changes to the built environment are promising targets for obesity prevention efforts and can be evaluated as ‘natural'‐ or ‘quasi'‐experiments. This systematic review examined the use of natural‐ or quasi‐experiments to evaluate the efficacy of policy and built environment changes on obesity‐related outcomes (body mass index, diet or physical activity). PubMed (Medline) was searched for studies published 2005–2013; 1,175 abstracts and 115 papers were reviewed. Of the 37 studies included, 18 studies evaluated impacts on nutrition/diet, 17 on physical activity and 3 on body mass index. Nutrition‐related studies found greater effects because of bans/restrictions on unhealthy foods, mandates offering healthier foods, and altering purchase/payment rules on foods purchased using low‐income food vouchers compared with other interventions (menu labelling, new supermarkets). Physical activity‐related studies generally found stronger impacts when the intervention involved improvements to active transportation infrastructure, longer follow‐up time or measured process outcomes (e.g. cycling rather than total physical activity), compared with other studies. Only three studies directly assessed body mass index or weight, and only one (installing light‐rail system) observed a significant effect. Studies varied widely in the strength of their design and studies with weaker designs were more likely to report associations in the positive direction.
Tracking sesamin synthase gene expression through seed maturity in wild and cultivated sesame species – a domestication footprint
Authors: Pathak N. , Bhaduri A. , Bhat K.V. , Rai A.K.
Published: March 2015

Sesamin and sesamolin are the major oil‐soluble lignans present in sesame seed, having a wide range of biological functions beneficial to human health. Understanding sesame domestication history using sesamin synthase gene expression could enable delineation of the sesame putative progenitor. This report examined the functional expression of sesamin synthase (CYP81Q1) during capsule maturation (0–40 days after flowering) in three wild Sesamum species and four sesame cultivars. Among the cultivated accessions, only S. indicum (CO‐1) exhibited transcript abundance of sesamin synthase along with high sesamin content similar to S. malabaricum, while the other cultivated sesame showed low expression. The sesamin synthase expression analysis, coupled with quantification of sesamin level, indicates that sesamin synthase was not positively favoured during domestication. The sesamin synthase expression pattern and lignan content, along with phylogenetic analysis suggested a close relationship of cultivated sesame and the wild species S. malabaricum. The high genetic identity between the two species S. indicum and S. malabaricum points towards the role of the putative progenitor S. malabaricum in sesame breeding programmes to broaden the genetic base of sesame cultivars. This study emphasises the need to investigate intraspecific and interspecific variation in the primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools to develop superior sesame genotypes.