bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a better understanding of dental appointment‐keeping behavior
Authors: Lapidos Adrienne , Shaefer H. Luke , Gwozdek Anne
Published: August 2015

Objective

Broken appointments cause adverse outcomes in healthcare systems: They interrupt continuity of care, waste resources, affect workflow, and reduce population‐wide access to care. A better understanding of dental appointment‐keeping behavior would support efforts toward designing novel interventions aimed at reducing rates of broken appointments.

Methods

The authors conducted a conceptual review of quantitative and qualitative research on dental appointment‐keeping in the United States.

Results

Research in this area is limited. Providers tend to use a blunt instrument to improve appointment‐keeping: a system of reminder calls. There is evidence that patients with higher rates of broken dental appointments are the very ones who are most in need of care. Appointment‐keeping barriers are multifactorial and related to social issues. They can be described as falling into three overlapping categories: psychological barriers, structural barriers, and health literacy barriers.

Conclusions

Appointment‐keeping interventions could simultaneously address social factors that exacerbate illness and improve workflow and finances. There arises an opportunity to design innovative patient‐centered interventions tailored to particular barriers.
Improving credibility and transparency of conservation impact evaluations through the partial identification approach
Authors: McConnachie Matthew M. , Romero Claudia , Ferraro Paul J. , van Wilgen Brian W.
Published: August 2015

The fundamental challenge of evaluating the impact of conservation interventions is that researchers must estimate the difference between the outcome after an intervention occurred and what the outcome would have been without it (counterfactual). Because the counterfactual is unobservable, researchers must make an untestable assumption that some units (e.g., organisms or sites) that were not exposed to the intervention can be used as a surrogate for the counterfactual (control). The conventional approach is to make a point estimate (i.e., single number along with a confidence interval) of impact, using, for example, regression. Point estimates provide powerful conclusions, but in nonexperimental contexts they depend on strong assumptions about the counterfactual that often lack transparency and credibility. An alternative approach, called partial identification (PI), is to first estimate what the counterfactual bounds would be if the weakest possible assumptions were made. Then, one narrows the bounds by using stronger but credible assumptions based on an understanding of why units were selected for the intervention and how they might respond to it. We applied this approach and compared it with conventional approaches by estimating the impact of a conservation program that removed invasive trees in part of the Cape Floristic Region. Even when we used our largest PI impact estimate, the program's control costs were 1.4 times higher than previously estimated. PI holds promise for applications in conservation science because it encourages researchers to better understand and account for treatment selection biases; can offer insights into the plausibility of conventional point‐estimate approaches; could reduce the problem of advocacy in science; might be easier for stakeholders to agree on a bounded estimate than a point estimate where impacts are contentious; and requires only basic arithmetic skills.
Accuracy of preoperative T and N staging in colon cancer – a national population‐based study
Authors: Sjövall A. , Blomqvist L. , Egenvall M. , Johansson H. , Martling A.
Published: August 2015

Aim

To select patients for neoadjuvant therapy in colon cancer, there is a need to improve pre‐therapeutic locoregional staging. There are now data showing that the TN stage can be adequately assessed by preoperative CT in dedicated centres. In Sweden the use of preoperative CT of the abdomen for staging of the primary tumour is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the preoperatively reported radiological TN stage correlates with the histopathological TN stage in an entire population.

Method

Data were collected on the preoperative cTN stage according to the radiologist and postoperative pTN stage according to the pathologist on all patients operated on for colon cancer in Sweden 2007–2010. The correlation between cTN stage and pTN stage was calculated using kappa statistics.

Results

T stage was compared in 4373 patients with cT and pT stage. The correlation coefficient was 0.44, indicating fair agreement. The cN and pN correlation coefficient was 0.28, indicating a slight correlation. There was no difference in correlation related to age, gender, tumour location, body mass index or emergent vs elective surgery. A slight difference was seen between different geographical regions.

Conclusion

Preoperative CT in an unselected population does not result in an accurate cTN staging as previously reported from dedicated centres. To achieve adequate preoperative cTN staging nationally, the education of radiologists and optimization of the radiological method will be necessary.
Taxonomic sufficiency and indicator taxa reduce sampling costs and increase monitoring effectiveness for ants
Authors: Souza Jorge Luiz Pereira , Baccaro Fabricio Beggiato , Landeiro Victor Lemes , Franklin Elizabeth , Magnusson William Ernest , Pequeno Pedro Aurélio Costa Lima , Fernandes Itanna Oliveira
Published: August 2015

Aim

Despite the accelerating loss of biodiversity and the increased number of methods for conservation planning, the availability of information about the spatial distribution of biodiversity remains limited. One way to overcome this problem is to focus on surrogate resolutions that are able to represent species‐level data and can be efficiently measured. Surrogates are only useful if the ecological patterns detected at the species‐level still hold when based on coarser taxonomic identification, and if these responses are consistent across regions. We present a comprehensive analysis using data from a large‐scale evaluation of ground‐dwelling ants, to evaluate the use of surrogates.

Location

Amazon basin.

Methods

The sampling design covered 13 sites in eight phytophysiognomies, which in conjunction with other environmental characteristics (altitude, soil granulometry and slope) were used to validate the ecological patterns (ability of the surrogates to reproduce the ecological responses identified for species) of coarser surrogate taxa (indicator taxa, mixed‐level approach, genus and subfamily). The surrogates were evaluated for their capacity to predict variation in total species richness and composition. We also estimated the monetary and time costs, in order to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of using different surrogate levels.

Results

Genus was the most cost‐effective surrogate: it predicted 81% of site variation in species richness, was highly correlated (r2 = 0.76) with species composition, very highly correlated (r2 = 0.97) with ecological patterns detected at species level and saved ~40% of total project costs. The mixed‐level approach, indicator taxa and subfamily were not effective in representing the species‐level data.

Main conclusions

Genus can be used as a surrogate for species, due to its high predictive value, independent of environmental heterogeneity. Genus may be useful as a surrogate for species in other megadiverse regions, especially where savings in project costs can be applied to increase sampling effort.
Genetic causal attribution of epilepsy and its implications for felt stigma
Authors: Sabatello Maya , Phelan Jo C. , Hesdorffer Dale C. , Shostak Sara , Goldsmith Jeff , Sorge Shawn T. , Winawer Melodie R. , Chung Wendy K. , Ottman Ruth
Published: August 2015

Objective

Research in other disorders suggests that genetic causal attribution of epilepsy might be associated with increased stigma. We investigated this hypothesis in a unique sample of families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.

Methods

One hundred eighty‐one people with epilepsy and 178 biologic relatives without epilepsy completed a self‐administered survey. In people with epilepsy, felt stigma was assessed through the Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS), scored 1–7, with higher scores indicating more stigma and >4 indicating some felt stigma. Felt stigma related to having epilepsy in the family was assessed through the Family Epilepsy Stigma Scale (FESS), created by replacing “epilepsy” with “epilepsy in my family” in each ESS item. Genetic attribution was assessed through participants' perceptions of the (1) role of genetics in causing epilepsy in the family, (2) chance they had an epilepsy‐related mutation, and (3) (in people with epilepsy) influence of genetics in causing their epilepsy.

Results

Among people with epilepsy, 22% met criteria for felt stigma (ESS score >4). Scores were increased among individuals who were aged ≥60 years, were unemployed, reported epilepsy‐related discrimination, or had seizures within the last year or >100 seizures in their lifetime. Adjusting for other variables, ESS scores in people with epilepsy were significantly higher among those who perceived genetics played a “medium” or “big” role in causing epilepsy in the family than in others (3.4 vs. 2.7, p = 0.025). Only 4% of relatives without epilepsy had felt stigma. Scores in relatives were unrelated to genetic attribution.

Significance

In these unusual families, predictors of felt stigma in individuals with epilepsy are similar to those in other studies, and stigma levels are low in relatives without epilepsy. Felt stigma may be increased in people with epilepsy who believe epilepsy in the family has a genetic cause, emphasizing the need for sensitive communication about genetics.
Treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in a horse by surgical debulking followed by metronomic chemotherapy
Authors: Tornago R. , Sabattini S. , De Simoi A. , Bettini G. , Furlanello T. , Baldassarre V. , Cornali M. , Mazzucato M. , Carlin S. , Gentilini F.
Published: August 2015

A 19‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding presented with a 6‐week history of hypersalivation, halitosis and dysmasesis. Oral examination revealed retention of food and saliva and the presence of a raised, nodular, 6 × 7 cm, ulcerated mass on the dorsal surface of the tongue base. The mass was confirmed histologically as squamous cell carcinoma. Complete resection of the mass was not possible and surgical laser debulking was followed 15 days later by chemotherapy with a combination of meloxicam and cyclophosphamide in metronomic regimen. After one week, there was a significant improvement in clinical signs and food consumption returned to normal. Therapy was well tolerated with no alteration in haematological or urinalysis parameters. After 5 months of excellent life quality, the horse showed progressive difficulties in mastication and swallowing. Endoscopic examination showed extension of the tumour to all the aboral aspect of the tongue and, with the owner's consent, the patient was subjected to euthanasia. This is believed to be the first report on the combined use of meloxicam and cyclophosphamide in a metronomic fashion for management of an oral squamous cell carcinoma in a horse. Since metronomic therapy is less expensive than conventional chemotherapy, easily administrable and well tolerated, it should be considered as a possible treatment option for nonresectable equine malignant tumours.
Role of 100S ribosomes in bacterial decay period
Authors: Shcherbakova Ksenia , Nakayama Hideki , Shimamoto Nobuo
Published: August 2015

Ribosomal proteins S10 and S2 were each fused with GFP to track the fates of these proteins in the stationary growth phase and the following decay period in Escherichia coli. The fused proteins localized mainly in the cytoplasm, and their amounts were proportional to the colony‐forming unit. S10‐GFP strains that lacked genes responsible for regulating 100S ribosomes and S2‐GFP strain that was unable to form 100S both showed shortened stationary phases. This result indicates that these strains exhibit earlier death in the absence of 100S formation (S2‐GFP, S10‐GFP∆rmf and S10‐GFP∆hpf) and breakdown (S10‐GFP∆yfiA). Therefore, in addition to the mere presence of 100S, the correct timing of 100S formation and breakdown is required to maintain viability. We propose a model in which 100S acts as a tentative repository of ribosomes that are protected from degradation and provide a source of amino acids in later growth period.
Ageing effects on the diameter, nanomechanical properties and tactile perception of human hair
Authors: Tang W. , Zhang S.G. , Zhang J.K. , Chen S. , Zhu H. , Ge S.R.
Published: August 2015

Background

The typical changes to hair associated with ageing are greying, thinning, dryness and brittleness. Research on the influence of ageing on hair properties will enable a detailed understanding of the natural ageing process.

Methods

The studies were carried out using an SEM (scanning electron microscope), a TriboIndenter and an artificial finger. Three characteristic features of tactile perception that could reflect the perceptual dimensions of the fineness, roughness and slipperiness of hair were extracted. The influences of ageing on the diameter, surface topography, nanomechanical properties and tactile perception of hair were determined.

Results

In the three age group hair samples, the children's group hair samples have the smallest diameter. The hair cuticles in the children and young adult groups were relatively complete and less damaged than in the elderly group. The hardness and elastic modulus of the young adult group's hair samples were higher than those in the elderly and children's groups. For all groups, loss modulus E” was smaller than storage modulus E'. Vertical deviations (R) and coefficient of friction (μ) increased, and spectral centroid (SC) decreased, with the increase in age. Ageing decreased the tactile perception of hair.

Conclusion

Ageing influences the diameter, surface topography, hardness, loss modulus, storage modulus and tactile perception of human hair.
Clinical characteristics of patients with lower limb cellulitis and antibiotic usage in Hospital Kuala Lumpur: a 7‐year retrospective study
Authors: Ch'ng Chin Chwen , Johar Asmah
Published: August 2015

Background

Cellulitis commonly involved lower limbs. This study was carried out to determine the demography, clinical characteristics, risk factors, microbiological aspects, and antibiotics usage in this group of patients in Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

Methods

A total of one hundred and twenty four patients with lower limb cellulitis treated in the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, between January 2008 and May 2013 were included in this study.

Results

There were 70 male and 54 female patients, aged between 13 and 87 years (mean 57.23±12.854). Thirty‐one of them (25%) had recurrent cellulitis. Fifty‐seven (46%) had fever at presentation, 55 (44.4%) had bullous cellulitis. The top risk factors identified were toe web intertrigo (n = 79, 63.7%), hypertension (n=76, 61.3%), obesity (n = 55, 44.4%), and diabetes (n = 55, 44.4%). However, only toe web intertrigo (p = 0.003), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.01), and varicose veins (p = 0.02) were significantly higher in recurrent cellulitis. Thirty patients (24.2%) were complicated with lipodermatosclerosis, and six (4.8%) had lymphostasis verrucosa cutis. Skin swab cultures were positive in 54 (43.5%) patients, and Pseudomonas sp. was the most frequently identified organism. Mean number of antibiotics given for one episode of cellulitis was 1.7±1. The antibiotics most given were cloxacillin (n=57, 46%) and other penicillins (n = 71, 57%), followed by cephalosporins (n = 40, 32%).

Conclusion

Identifying clinical characteristics of those at risk may help to prevent recurrence of cellulitis and long‐term complications.
Lipodermatosclerosis: a clinicopathologic correlation
Authors: Choonhakarn Charoen , Chaowattanapanit Suteeraporn , Julanon Narachai
Published: August 2015

Background

Lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) is a chronic fibrosing panniculitis associated with venous insufficiency. Although LDS is often a clinical diagnosis, it can be confused with other panniculitides. Microscopic examination is therefore essential to support the diagnosis in this condition. Histopathologic changes, however, have not been extensively defined. The purpose of this study was to characterize the histopathologic spectrum of this condition correlated with clinical manifestation.

Methods

A total of 25 cases were collected retrospectively, and the clinical information and histopathologic findings were reviewed.

Results

Of 25 patients, the female to male ratio was 4 : 1. The mean age was 54 years (range, 31–74 years). Clinical features were acute in eight (32%), subacute in 12 (48%), and chronic in five (20%). The microscopic study mostly demonstrated vascular stasis changes of varying degrees depending on the age of the lesion. Adipocyte necrosis with thickened septa, extravasation of erythrocytes, and lymphocytic infiltration were major findings in the early lesions. In the chronic lesion, lipomembranous fat necrosis with microcyst formation, vascular stasis changes in subcutaneous tissue, and septal fibrosis were predominant features. Iron deposition or hemosiderin extending to the subcutaneous layer was always seen in all specimens at the subacute and chronic stages.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of LDS still needs clinicopathologic correlation. The constellation of findings including septal fibrosis, lipomembranous fat necrosis, prominent vascular changes of stasis, and erythrocytic extravasation can be used to define LDS histopathologically. Interestingly, iron deposition in the subcutaneous tissue is a useful finding for this chronic condition.
How stress triggers itch: a preliminary study of the mechanism of stress‐induced pruritus using fMRI
Authors: Kim Hee Joo , Park Jae Beom , Lee Jong Hwan , Kim Il‐Hwan
Published: August 2015

Background

Itch is one of the most prevalent and familiar nociceptions in humans and can result in impaired quality of life. The central processing of itch is known to be important in perceptions of itch and strategies for coping with it, and various triggers have been reported to be associated with patterns of brain activation in pruritus. Stress is known to be an important aggravating factor in itch, but the precise mechanism by which brain activation results in stress‐induced pruritus remains elusive.

Methods

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we attempted to evaluate if stress‐induced pruritus is associated with the activation of certain areas of the brain. Furthermore, we investigated whether sedating antihistamines are more effective than non‐sedating antihistamines in decreasing stress‐induced pruritus. Memories of stressful events followed by visual stimuli using a series of pictures depicting fearful and stressful conditions, mixed with neutralizing pictures, were used to evoke pruritus.

Results

The hippocampus and subcortical structures were found to be involved in stress‐associated pruritus. Interestingly, sedating antihistamines were involved in the deactivation of brain regions associated with the relief of itch by active scratching, which suggests that sedating antihistamines may mitigate pruritus by instigating patterns of brain activity similar to those induced by scratching behavior.

Conclusions

Itch scratching reflects a complicated pattern of brain activity. Activation of the hippocampus appears to be involved in stress‐associated pruritus, and sedating antihistamines may work in a manner similar to that of scratching behavior. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate brain functioning in relation to stress‐induced pruritus.
Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis arising in a patient with immunoglobulin G4‐related disease
Authors: Takao Mariko , Hamada Toshihisa , Kaji Tatsuya , Ikeda‐Mizuno Kazuko , Takehara‐Yasuhara Chinatsu , Ichimura Kouichi , Yanai Hiroyuki , Yshino Tadashi , Iwatsuki Keiji
Published: August 2015

Background

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis (HUV) has been defined as a syndrome associated with urticarial lesions caused by leukocytoclastic vasculitis. It has been observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and related conditions. Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)‐related disease is a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by sclerosing pancreatitis, retroperitoneal fibrosis, sclerotic cholangitis, acute interstitial nephritis, and Mikulicz's disease, and associated with elevated levels of IgG4 and hypocomplementemia. Various cutaneous lesions may occur in IgG4‐related disease.

Methods

We report a 74‐year‐old woman with HUV, followed by systemic organ involvement suggestive of IgG4‐related disease. Symptoms included submandibular gland swelling, lymphadenopathy, interstitial nephritis, and a thyroid nodule. Laboratory examinations revealed an elevated serum IgG4 level of 637 mg/dl in a total IgG level of 2176 mg/dl, and the production of autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor and antiphospholipid antibodies. In the swollen lymph node, neither clonal proliferation of T or B cells nor Epstein–Barr virus infection was detected, although the structure had been destroyed by the infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Among total IgG‐producing cells, approximately 40% were positive for IgG4.

Results

All symptoms and abnormal laboratory findings improved in response to oral prednisolone.

Conclusions

Hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis may represent a clinical symptom of IgG4‐related disease.
Actinic keratosis: a cross‐sectional study of disease characteristics and treatment patterns in Danish dermatology clinics
Authors: Erlendsson Andrés M. , Egekvist Henrik , Lorentzen Henrik F. , Philipsen Peter A. , Stausbøl‐Grøn Birgitte , Stender Ida M. , Haedersdal Merete
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The incidence of actinic keratosis (AK) is increasing, and several treatment options are available. The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics and treatment patterns in patients with AK treated by Danish dermatologists.

Methods

A multicenter, non‐interventional, cross‐sectional study was conducted. Three dermatology hospital departments and seven private dermatology clinics enrolled eligible AK patients consecutively during one week.

Results

A total of 312 patients were included. Non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was previously reported in 51.0% of patients and currently suspected in 9.4% of AK‐affected anatomical regions. Lesions of AK were located primarily on the face (38.6%), scalp (12.8%), and hands (11.2%). Actinic keratosis commonly presented with multiple AK lesions (38.6%) and field cancerization (38.5%). The treatments used most frequently were cryotherapy (57.7%) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with methyl aminolevulinate (17.1%) and imiquimod (11.2%). The likelihood of receiving cryotherapy was higher for men (odds ratio [OR] 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–2.47) and increased with age (2.2% per year, 0.4–4.0%). PDT represented the most frequently applied treatment for severe actinic damage and was more likely to be prescribed to women (OR 4.08, 95% CI 2.22–7.47) and young patients (OR 0.97 per year, 95% CI 0.95–0.99). The prevalence of severe actinic damage (17.3% versus 9.6%) and intake of immunosuppressive medication (29.0 versus 2.0) were higher among hospital patients compared with those treated in private practices (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The majority of AK patients in Danish dermatology clinics have a history of skin cancer, and NMSC is suspected in almost 10% of AK‐affected regions. Cryotherapy is the most frequently used treatment overall, except in instances of severe actinic damage, in which PDT is the first‐choice treatment.
Measures of satisfaction for providers and patients using same day teledermoscopy consultation
Authors: Kenney Angela S. , Yiannias James A. , Raghu T. S. , David Paru S. , Chang Yu‐Hui H. , Greig Hope E.
Published: August 2015

Background

We aimed to determine whether patients and providers were satisfied with teledermoscopy consultation for skin lesions.

Methods

From 2010 to 2011, patients with clinically suspicious lesions were referred for teledermoscopy by internal medicine physicians. Lesions were digitally photographed using a dermatoscope accessory lens. Images were interpreted by an on‐call dermatologist. We conducted same day surveys of providers and patients after the evaluations.

Results

The survey response rate was 100%. Of the 20 patients surveyed, all agreed that a teledermoscopic consult was convenient and helpful. Nineteen patients (95%) strongly agreed that teledermoscopy potentially was a cost‐saving tool. All providers thought the evaluations were helpful. Ninety‐five percent of providers and patients reported satisfaction with the ease of use of this technology.

Conclusions

Teledermoscopy may give primary care providers the ability to consult with dermatologists when seeing patients in remote or medically underserved areas. This can streamline the referral process and decrease the number of referrals for benign lesions.
Temozolomide for central nervous system involvement in mycosis fungoides
Authors: Bird Thomas G. , Whittaker Sean , Wain Elizabeth M. , Child Fiona , Morris Stephen L.
Published: August 2015

Background

The central nervous system (CNS) is one of the most commonly involved sites in the systemic progression of primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCLs) such as mycosis fungoides (MF). There is no consensus on the treatment of CNS progression in CTCL, but survival of 3–6 months is suggested when methotrexate‐based chemotherapy and/or CNS irradiation is used. Temozolomide is active in earlier stages of MF and readily crosses the blood–brain barrier. There are no published data on its use in MF patients with CNS involvement.

Methods

Four MF patients were treated with oral temozolomide (200 mg/m2 per day for 5 d on a 28‐day cycle) for CNS progression. Two patients received temozolomide with low‐dose CNS irradiation as initial treatment, and two received temozolomide following disease progression after methotrexate‐based chemotherapy and CNS irradiation. All patients received dexamethasone.

Results

Temozolomide was well tolerated; there were no treatment withdrawals or dose reductions caused by toxicity. Patient 1 had an excellent partial response in pre‐irradiated disease. Patient 2 showed disease stabilization following irradiation. Patient 3 showed a complete response after a partial response to irradiation. Patient 4 demonstrated continued stabilization after a partial response to irradiation. Overall survival ranged from 10 to 33 months. Patient 3 remains alive and symptom‐free at 23 months following treatment.

Conclusions

Temozolomide following low‐dose CNS irradiation appears to be well tolerated and effective in MF patients with CNS progression. It may represent a less toxic alternative to chemotherapy containing methotrexate or an option for second‐line therapy.
Smoking and risk for psoriasis: a population‐based twin study
Authors: Lønnberg Ann Sophie , Skov Lone , Skytthe Axel , Kyvik Kirsten Ohm , Pedersen Ole Birger , Thomsen Simon Francis
Published: August 2015

Background

Smoking is a potential risk factor for psoriasis. Both psoriasis and smoking habits are partly explained by genetic factors. However, twin studies investigating the association between these traits are limited.

Methods

Questionnaire‐based data on smoking habits and psoriasis were collected for 34,781 twins, aged 20–71 years, from the Danish Twin Registry. A co‐twin control analysis was performed on 1700 twin pairs discordant for lifetime history of smoking. Genetic and environmental correlations between smoking and psoriasis were estimated using classical twin modeling.

Results

After multivariable adjustment, age group (50–71 vs. 20–49 years) and childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were significantly associated with psoriasis in the whole population (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.29 [P = 0.021] and OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10–1.49 [P = 0.002], respectively). Risk for psoriasis increased substantially (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.82–2.61; P < 0.001) for smokers with a history of >5 pack‐years, even after adjusting for age, sex, and childhood ETS. Among twin pairs discordant for smoking, risk for psoriasis in the ever‐smoking twin was lower among monozygotic twins (OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.59–2.56; P = 0.578) than among same‐sex dizygotic twins (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.36–3.58; P = 0.001). Genetic factors explained 20% (14–25%; P < 0.001) of the correlation between psoriasis and smoking, whereas non‐shared environmental factors explained 8% (0–22%; P = 0.504).

Conclusions

Tobacco consumption and childhood ETS are significantly associated with psoriasis. Results indicate shared genetic factors for smoking and psoriasis.
I Heard That … : Do rumors affect hiring decisions?
Authors: Dalal Dev K. , Diab Dalia L. , Tindale R. Scott
Published: August 2015

Misinformation can have a negative impact on decision making. Little empirical attention has, however, been given to the effect of rumors, a type of misinformation, on person judgments. Although rumors have been shown to affect other areas of organizational functioning (e.g., corporate reputation, employee morale), there is a lack of research investigating how rumors may influence hiring decisions. This study argues why rumors may influence hiring decisions by drawing from attribution, social judgment, and judgment and decision making theories, and provides an experimental investigation of this argument. Although participants reported not believing and being less likely to use the rumor, rumors were not discounted when determining if an individual should be hired. In short, results suggest that rumors impacted hiring decisions.
Standardized intermittent catheterisation education improves catheterisation compliance in individuals with spinal cord injury
Authors: Zanollo Lucia Giovanna , Stensrød Gro Cecilia , Kerdraon Jacques , Lund Kirsti Gytre , Halvorsen Annette , Losavio Ernesto , Als Karoline Skibsted , Soler Jean Marc
Published: August 2015

Intermittent catheterisation (IC) is considered the gold standard for bladder dysfunction‐related voiding problems following spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite this, up to 50% of individuals were no longer using IC 5 years after discharge from the rehabilitation centre. Hence, we initiated the IC Education Programme to offer standardized IC training and improve adherence. The programme was a European initiative undertaken by eight rehabilitation centres in Norway, France and Italy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the IC Education Programme. The control group comprised individuals with SCI discharged from one of the participating rehabilitation centres using IC up to 1 year before the Education Programme was initiated. A questionnaire was sent by post to this group before the IC Education Programme started. The second group comprised individuals who had participated in and been discharged using the IC Education Programme; they received the questionnaire up to 1 year after programme initiation. Anonymous responses from the two groups were compared to assess outcomes such as ongoing use of IC, satisfaction with training and attitude towards bladder issues. Three hundred sixteen responses (from 500 questionnaires sent) were received from the control group (63%) and 84 (of 142) from the IC Education Programme group (59%). The IC Education Programme significantly increased the percentage of individuals still using IC during the first year at home (99 vs. 83% for the Education Programme and control groups, respectively; p < 0·05) and improved satisfaction with training in IC. Individuals who had participated in the IC Education Programme were also significantly less bothered by bladder issues than the control group (overall SF‐Qualiveen index 1·58 vs. 1·76, respectively; p = 0·032). The IC Education Programme improved the standard of care following SCI as it enabled more individuals to continue with IC up to 1 year after discharge, and improved training satisfaction.
I Don't Like the Tone of Your Voice: Infants Use Vocal Affect to Socially Evaluate Others
Authors: Paquette‐Smith Melissa , Johnson Elizabeth K.
Published: August 2015

Infants can make social judgments about characters by visually observing their interactions with others (e.g., Hamlin, Wynn & Bloom, Nature, 2007, 450, 557). Here, we ask whether infants can form similar judgments about potential social partners based solely on their tone of voice. In Experiment 1, we presented 10.5‐month‐olds with two visually neutral puppets. One puppet spoke in a positive affect and the other spoke in a negative affect. When the puppets were placed within reach of the infants, infants selected the formerly positive puppet. This preference disappeared when the voices were paired with nonsocial objects (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, 10.5‐month‐olds were once again exposed to the same emotionally negative and positive voices. However, no visual characters were present. At test, infants’ visual orientation controlled how long they heard the neutral versions of each voice. Here, infants listened longer to the neutral voice of the formerly positive speaker. That is, just as in Experiment 1, infants’ preferences for the emotionally neutral test stimuli were shaped by their earlier exposure to emotionally charged recordings of that voice. Our findings provide convergent evidence to suggest that infants possess sophisticated social evaluation abilities, preferring to interact with prosocial over antisocial others.
Mothers' Verbal and Nonverbal Strategies in Relation to Infants' Object‐Directed Actions in Real Time and Across the First Three Years in Ethnically Diverse Families
Authors: Luo Rufan , Tamis‐LeMonda Catherine S.
Published: August 2015

We examined maternal behavioral strategies in relation to infants' object‐directed actions in real time and over developmental time in 206 mother–infant dyads from African American, Dominican immigrant, and Mexican immigrant backgrounds. Mothers were asked to share a set of beads and strings with their infants when children were 14, 24, and 36 months. We coded three types of maternal strategies—eliciting attention, instructive assistance, and encouragement—which could be expressed verbally (e.g., “look”, “turn it”, “good job!”) or physically (i.e., through gestures, hands‐on guidance, or transfer of objects). We also coded infants' unassisted bead‐stringing. Across ethnic groups and ages, mothers' hands‐on guidance and object transfer increased the likelihood that infants would follow with unassisted bead‐stringing during real‐time interaction. Over developmental time, mothers modified their strategies: They displayed fewer attention‐getting strategies and more encouragement across infant ages, and peaked in their provision of instructive assistance when infants were 24 months. Additionally, Mexican mothers displayed more nonverbal strategies (e.g., gestures, hands‐on guidance) than did African American and/or Dominican mothers, who displayed more verbal strategies (e.g., attention‐getting and encouraging language). Developmental and real‐time patterns in mother–infant object‐related interactions generalize across ethnicities, although mothers' emphases on specific strategies are culture specific.
The Development of Selective Attention Orienting is an Agent of Change in Learning and Memory Efficacy
Authors: Markant Julie , Amso Dima
Published: August 2015

This study examined whether the developmental transition from facilitation‐based orienting mechanisms available very early in life to selective attention orienting (e.g., inhibition of return, IOR) promotes better learning and memory in infancy. We tested a single age group (4‐month‐olds) undergoing rapid development of attention orienting mechanisms. Infants completed a spatial cueing task designed to elicit IOR, in which cat or dog category exemplars consistently appeared in either the cued or noncued locations. Infants were subsequently tested on a visual paired comparison of exemplars from these cued and noncued animal categories. As expected, infants showed either facilitation‐based orienting or the more mature IOR‐based orienting during spatial cueing/encoding. Infants who demonstrated IOR‐based orienting showed memory for both specific exemplars and broader category learning, whereas those who showed facilitation‐based orienting showed weaker evidence of learning. Attention orienting also interacted with previous pet experience, such that the number of pets at home influenced learning only when infants engaged facilitation‐based orienting during encoding. Learning in the context of IOR‐based orienting was stable regardless of pet experience, suggesting that selective attention serves as an online learning mechanism during visual exploration that is less sensitive to prior experience.
Indirect Effects of Maternal Sensitivity on Infant Emotion Regulation Behaviors: The Role of Vagal Withdrawal
Authors: Perry Nicole B. , Calkins Susan D. , Bell Martha Ann
Published: August 2015

The potential indirect effect of observed maternal sensitivity at 5 months on the development of infants' behavioral regulation of emotion from 5 to 10 months (i.e., distraction and maternal‐orientation behaviors) via infant's vagal withdrawal was investigated (N = 230). Results indicated that maternal sensitivity at 5 months was not directly associated with behavioral regulation at 10 months. However, greater maternal sensitivity at 5 months was associated with greater vagal withdrawal at 10 months, after controlling for vagal withdrawal at 5 months. Further, vagal withdrawal at 10 months was associated with greater orientation toward the mother at 10 months, after controlling for 5‐month orientation behaviors. The indirect effect of maternal sensitivity on maternal‐orientation behaviors was significant, suggesting that infant's vagal withdrawal may be one potential mechanism through which maternal sensitivity is related to behavioral regulation.
Tacit Collusion: The Neglected Experimental Evidence
Authors: Engel Christoph
Published: August 2015

Both in the United States and in Europe, antitrust authorities prohibit merger not only if the merged entity, in and of itself, is no longer sufficiently controlled by competition, but also if, post merger, the market structure has changed such that “tacit collusion” or “coordinated effects” become disturbingly more likely. It seems that antitrust neglects the fact that for more than 50 years, economists have been doing experiments on this very question. Almost any conceivable determinant of higher or lower collusion has been tested. This article standardizes the evidence by way of a meta‐study, and relates experimental findings as closely as possible to antitrust doctrine.
Levels of Renibacterium salmoninarum antigens in resident and anadromous salmonids in the River Ellidaár system in Iceland
Authors: Kristmundsson Á , Árnason F , Gudmundsdóttir S , Antonsson T
Published: August 2015

In relation to stock enhancement programmes, wild salmon broodfish have been routinely screened for the presence of Renibacterium salmoninarum antigens (Rs‐Ag) for decades. A sudden increase in the prevalence of Rs‐Ag experienced caused extensive problems to this industry as eggs from positive fish are discarded. The prevalence and level of Rs‐Ag were examined in resident and anadromous salmonids in the River Ellidaár system and the progress of Rs‐Ag in a cohort of salmon followed. Both prevalence and Rs‐Ag levels were high in resident salmonids and emigrating salmon smolts in the river system. When the smolts re‐entered their home river as adults the following summer, they were almost free of Rs‐Ag, but the longer they stayed in the river, the more Rs‐Ag they acquired; the majority being positive at spawning. This study demonstrates a high level of Rs‐Ag in salmonids in the River Ellidaár system which significantly reduces in the salmon during its seawater phase. Accordingly, it seems ideal to sample salmon broodfish as soon as possible after ascending the river and subsequently transfer to Rs‐free environment for storage until stripping, which could result in lower Rs‐prevalence and minimize the problems that stock enhancement programmes have faced due to Rs‐positive wild broodfish.
Body Mass Index Trajectories in Relation to Change in Lean Mass and Physical Function: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Authors: Reinders Ilse , Murphy Rachel A. , Martin Kathryn R. , Brouwer Ingeborg A. , Visser Marjolein , White Daniel K. , Newman Anne B. , Houston Denise K. , Kanaya Alka M. , Nagin Daniel S. , Harris Tamara B. ,   for the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To examine body mass index (BMI) trajectories with change in lean mass and physical function in old age.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Health, Aging and Body Composition Study.

Participants

Black and white men (n = 482) and women (n = 516) aged 73.1 ± 2.7 and initially free of disability.

Measurements

A group‐based trajectory model was used to determine BMI trajectories, the path a person's BMI followed over 9 years. Lean mass, gait speed, grip strength, and knee extension strength were assessed at baseline and after 9 years, and relative changes were calculated. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine associations between trajectories and relative change in lean mass and physical function.

Results

Four BMI trajectories were identified for men and four for women. Although all demonstrated a decline in BMI, the rate of decline differed according to trajectory for women only. Men in Trajectory 4 (mean BMI at baseline 33.9 ± 2.3 kg/m2) declined more than those in Trajectory 1 (mean BMI at baseline 22.9 ± 1.6 kg/m2) in gait speed (−9.91%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −15.15% to −4.67%) and leg strength (−8.63%, 95% CI = −15.62% to −1.64%). Women in Trajectory 4 (mean BMI at baseline 34.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) had greater losses than those in Trajectory 1 (mean BMI at baseline 20.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2) in lean mass in the arms (−3.19%, 95% CI = −6.16% to −0.23%). No other associations were observed.

Conclusion

Obese men had the highest risk of decline in physical function despite similar weight loss between trajectories, whereas overweight and obese women who lost the most weight had the greatest risk of lean mass loss. The weight at which a person enters old age is informative for predicting loss in lean mass and physical function, illustrating the importance of monitoring weight.
LP/HTmetamorphism as a temporal marker of change of deformation style within the Late Palaeozoic accretionary wedge of central Chile
Authors: Hyppolito T. , Juliani C. , Garcia‐Casco A. , Meira V. , Bustamante A. , Hall C.
Published: August 2015

A Late Palaeozoic accretionary prism, formed at the southwestern margin of Gondwana from Early Carboniferous to Late Triassic, comprises the Coastal Accretionary Complex of central Chile (34–41°S). This fossil accretionary system is made up of two parallel contemporaneous metamorphic belts: a high‐pressure/low temperature belt (HP/LT– Western Series) and a low pressure/high temperature belt (LP/HT– Eastern Series). However, the timing of deformation events associated with the growth of the accretionary prism (successive frontal accretion and basal underplating) and the development of theLP/HTmetamorphism in the shallower levels of the wedge are not continuously observed along this paired metamorphic belt, suggesting the former existence of local perturbations in the subduction regime. In the Pichilemu region, a well‐preserved segment of the paired metamorphic belt allows a first order correlation between the metamorphic and deformational evolution of the deep accreted slices of oceanic crust (blueschists andHPgreenschists from the Western Series) and deformation at the shallower levels of the wedge (the Eastern Series).LP/HTmineral assemblages grew in response to arc‐related granitic intrusions, and porphyroblasts constitute time markers recording the evolution of deformation within shallow wedge material. IntegratedP–T–t–danalysis reveals that theLP/HTbelt is formed between the stages of frontal accretion (D1) and basal underplating of basic rocks (D2) forming blueschists atc. 300 Ma. A timeline evolution relating the formation of blueschists and the formation and deformation ofLP/HTmineral assemblages at shallower levels, combined with published geochronological/thermobarometric/geochemistry data suggests a cause–effect relation between the basal accretion of basic rocks and the deformation of the shallowerLP/HTbelt. The S2foliation that formed during basal accretion initiated near the base of the accretionary wedge at ~30 km depth atc. 308 Ma. Later, the S2foliation developed atc. 300 Ma and ~15 km depth shortly after the emplacement of the granitoids and formation of the (LP/HT) peak metamorphic mineral assemblages. This shallow deformation may reflect a perturbation in the long‐term subduction dynamics (e.g. entrance of a seamount), which would in turn have contributed to the coeval exhumation of the nearby blueschists atc. 300 Ma. Finally,40Ar–39Ar cooling ages reveal that foliated LP/HT rocks were already at ~350 °C atc. 292 Ma, indicating a rapid cooling for this metamorphic system.
Markers of Psychological Differences and Social and Health Inequalities: Possible Genetic and Phenotypic Overlaps
Authors: Mõttus René , Marioni Riccardo , Deary Ian J.
Published: August 2015

Associations between markers of ostensible psychological characteristics and social and health inequalities are pervasive but difficult to explain. In some cases, there may be causal influence flowing from social and health inequalities to psychological differences, whereas sometimes it may be the other way around. Here, we focus on the possibility that some markers that we often consider as indexing different domains of individual differences may in fact reflect at least partially overlapping genetic and/or phenotypic bases. For example, individual differences in cognitive abilities and educational attainment appear to reflect largely overlapping genetic influences, whereas cognitive abilities and health literacy may be almost identical phenomena at the phenotypic, never mind genetic, level. We make the case for employing molecular genetic data and quantitative genetic techniques to better understand the associations of psychological individual differences with social and health inequalities. We illustrate these arguments by using published findings from the Lothian Birth Cohort and the Generation Scotland studies. We also present novel findings pertaining to longitudinal stability and change in older age personality traits and some correlates of the change, molecular genetic data‐based heritability estimates of Neuroticism and Extraversion, and the genetic correlations of these personality traits with markers of social and health inequalities.