bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderate‐intensity treadmill running promotes expansion of the satellite cell pool in young and old mice
Authors: Shefer Gabi , Rauner Gat , Stuelsatz Pascal , Benayahu Dafna , Yablonka‐Reuveni Zipora
Published: March 2013

Satellite cells, the myogenic progenitors located at the myofibre surface, are essential for the repair of adult skeletal muscle. There is ample evidence for an age‐linked decline in the number of satellite cells and performance in limb muscles. Hence, an effective means of activating and expanding the satellite cell pool may enhance muscle maintenance and reduce the impact of age‐associated muscle deterioration (sarcopaenia). Accordingly, in the present study, we explored the beneficial effects of endurance exercise on satellite cells in young and old mice. Animals were subjected to an 8‐week moderate‐intensity treadmill‐running approach that does not inflict apparent muscle damage (0° inclination, 11.5 m·min−1 for 30 min·day−1, 6 days·week−1). Myofibres of extensor digitorum longus muscles were then isolated from exercised and sedentary mice and used for monitoring the number of satellite cells, as well as for harvesting individual satellite cells for clonal growth assays. We specifically focused on satellite cell pools of single myofibres, with the view that daily wear of muscles probably affects individual myofibres rather than causing overall muscle damage. We found an expansion of the satellite cell pool in the exercised groups compared to the sedentary groups, with the same increase (~ 1.6‐fold) in both ages. The results of the present study are in agreement with our findings obtained using rat gastrocnemius, indicating the consistent effect of exercise on satellite cell expansion in limb muscles. The experimental paradigm established in the present study is useful for investigating satellite cell dynamics at the myofibre niche, as well as for broader investigations of the impact of physiologically and pathologically relevant factors on adult myogenesis.
Long‐term effects of climatic–hydrological drivers on macroinvertebrate richness and composition in two Mediterranean streams
Authors: Pace Giorgio , Bonada Núria , Prat Narcís
Published: March 2013

The unique information provided by multiyear data sets can aid in detecting major long‐term trends and making predictions with respect to environmental and biological variables. These trends are expected to differ among climatic regions but little information exists concerning long‐term variability within a particular climate region.

We analysed the long‐term (14‐year time span) patterns in species richness and composition of aquatic insects (EPT: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) in relation to changes in temperature, precipitation and discharge in two reference streams in Catalonia (north‐east Spain). Our study sites were located in the Mediterranean macroclimate region but in different mesoclimatic areas, one in the Wet Mediterranean climate area and the other in the Dry Mediterranean climate area (WM and DM, respectively).

At the macroclimate scale, precipitation decreased and the frequency of drought events increased during the 14‐year period. Although the mean number of taxa in each of the two sites remained similar, there was a replacement of species characteristic of riffle‐like conditions by species characteristic of pool‐like conditions over time in both sites.

EPT composition differed between sites at the mesoclimate scale, demonstrating the importance of regional factors. In particular, changes in EPT composition were less variable in WM than in DM both in the short term and in the long term, indicating that the WM site was less constrained by climate than the DM site. Such differences between mesoclimates are related to differences in flood magnitude (higher in WM) and drought frequency (more frequent in DM) as well as local hydromorphological differences.

Our findings indicate that the streams responded similarly to long‐term patterns in large‐scale variables (i.e. those affecting the overall macroclimatic region), but differed with respect to the effect of local‐scale variables (i.e. those differentially affecting each mesoclimatic area). Predictive bio‐assessment models that use reference conditions must incorporate long‐term variability to accurately assess the ecological status of Mediterranean climate streams.
Complications after polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) injections in the face: a literature review
Authors: Medeiros Clarissa C. G. , Cherubini Karen , Salum Fernanda G. , de Figueiredo Maria Antonia Z.
Published: March 2013

Objective

This article is a review of the several types of complications due to facial fillers containing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

Background

Polymethylmethacrylate facial fillers are used to soften the results of the ageing process and to augment tissue. Although considered safe for the most part by advocates, they have been associated with many adverse reactions such as ecchymosis, haematomas, swelling, itching, erythema, hypertrophic scarring, hypersensitivity, palpable nodules, tissue necrosis, blindness and foreign body granuloma.

Materials and methods

The articles presented in this review are the result of a search and selection of literature from theNationalCenter forBiotechnology Information (NCBI) database, which met the inclusion criteria for the study.

Conclusion

Polymethylmethacrylate is widely used because it is inexpensive, readily accessible and simple to apply. However, some complications are severe and permanent and can be confused with other types of stomatological lesions.
Trauma Exposure versus Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Relative Associations With Migraine
Authors: Smitherman Todd A. , Kolivas Elizabeth D.
Published: March 2013

Background

Recent research has uncovered associations between migraine and experiencing traumatic events, the latter of which in some cases eventuates in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, existing studies have not attempted to explore the relative associations with migraine between experiencing trauma and suffering from PTSD.

Objectives

The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess the predictive utility of trauma exposure vs PTSD in predicting migraine status and headache frequency, severity, and disability.

Methods

One thousand fifty‐one young adults (mean age = 18.9 years [SD = 1.4]; 63.1% female; 20.6% non‐Caucasian) without secondary causes of headache provided data from measures of headache symptomatology and disability, trauma and PTSD symptomatology, and depression and anxiety. Three hundred met diagnostic criteria for migraine and were compared on trauma exposure and PTSD prevalence with 751 participants without migraine.

Results

Seven hundred twenty‐eight participants (69.3%) reported experiencing at least 1 traumatic event consistent with Criterion A for PTSD, of whom 184 also met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Migraineurs were almost twice as likely as controls to meet criteria for PTSD (25.7% vs 14.2%, P < .0001) and reported a higher number of traumatic event types that happened to them personally (3.0 vs 2.4, P < .0001). However, experiencing a Criterion A event only was not a significant predictor of migraine either alone (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17, P = nonsignificant) or after adjustment for covariates. By comparison, the OR of migraine for those with a PTSD diagnosis (vs no Criterion A event) was 2.30 (P < .0001), which remained significant after controlling for relevant covariates (OR = 1.75, P = .009). When using continuous variables of trauma and PTSD symptomatology, PTSD was again most strongly associated with migraine. Numerous sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. PTSD symptomatology, but not the number of traumas, was modestly but significantly associated with headache frequency, severity, and disability in univariate analyses.

Conclusions

Consistently across analyses, PTSD was a robust predictor of migraine, whereas trauma exposure alone was not. These data support the notion that it is not exposure to trauma itself that is principally associated with migraine, but rather the development and severity of PTSD symptoms resulting from such exposure.
Use of Common Migraine Treatments in Breast‐Feeding Women: A Summary of Recommendations
Authors: Hutchinson Susan , Marmura Michael J. , Calhoun Anne , Lucas Sylvia , Silberstein Stephen , Peterlin B. Lee
Published: March 2013

Background

Breast‐feeding has important health and emotional benefits for both mother and infant, and should be encouraged. While there are some data to suggest migraine may improve during breast‐feeding, more than half of women experience migraine recurrence with 1 month of delivery. Thus, a thorough knowledge base of the safety and recommended use of common acute and preventive migraine drugs during breast‐feeding is vital to clinicians treating migraine sufferers. Choice of treatment should take into account the balance of benefit and risk of medication. For some of the medications commonly used during breast‐feeding, there is not good evidence about benefits.

Methods

A list of commonly used migraine medications was agreed upon by the 6 authors, who treat migraine and other headaches on a regular basis and are members of the Women's Special Interest Section of the American Headache Society. Each medication was researched by the first author utilizing widely accepted data sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics publication “The Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk; Thomas Hale's manual Medications and Mothers Milk; Briggs, Freeman, and Yaffe's reference book Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation; and the National Library of Medicine's Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) – a peer‐reviewed and fully referenced database available online.

Results

Many commonly used migraine medications may be compatible with breast‐feeding based on expert recommendations. Ibuprofen, diclofenac, and eletriptan are among acute medications with low levels in breast milk, but studies of triptans are limited. Toxicity is a concern with aspirin due to an association with Reye's syndrome; sedation or apnea is a concern with opioids. Finally, preventive medications not recommended include zonisamide, atenolol, and tizanidine.

Conclusions

Several excellent resources are available for clinicians making treatment decisions in breast‐feeding women. Clinicians treating migraine should discuss both acute and preventive treatment options shortly before and within a few months after delivery, keeping in mind the clinical features of the individual patient, and in consultation with their obstetrician and pediatrician. An awareness of the pharmacological data that are currently available and how to access that data may be helpful in making treatment decisions in this population.
Cephalalgia Alopecia or Nummular Headache With Trophic Changes? A New Case With Prolonged Follow‐Up
Authors: Irimia Pablo , Palma Jose‐Alberto , Idoate Miguel Angel , España Agustin , Riverol Mario , Martinez‐Vila Eduardo
Published: March 2013

Cephalalgia alopecia is a rare and recently described headache syndrome in which recurrent, burning head and neck pain is associated with hair loss from areas of scalp affected by the pain. We here report the case of a 33‐year‐old woman with continuous unilateral occipital pain and colocalized alopecia, only responsive to onabotulinumtoxin A injections. We hypothesize whether this clinical phenotype may correspond to either cephalalgia alopecia or nummular headache with trophic changes, conditions that might represent 2 manifestations of the same spectrum of disorders.
Periurethral skeletal myofibre implantation in patients with urinary incontinence and intrinsic sphincter deficiency: a phase I clinical trial
Authors: Yiou René , Hogrel Jean‐Yves , Loche Catherine‐Marie , Authier François‐Jerome , Lecorvoisier Philippe , Jouany Pauline , Roudot‐Thoraval Françoise , Lefaucheur Jean‐Pascal
Published: March 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Cell therapy using muscle precursor cell (MPC) injections has shown promise for urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD), but the cell‐preparation process is complex and costly. Implantation of freshly isolated myofibres carrying MPCs, mainly satellite cells, was very efficient in repairing muscle damage in recent animal experiments.

In a phase I clinical trial, we investigated whether periurethral myofibre implantation generated local myogenesis and improved continence in 10 patients (five men and five women) with ISD. We found that myofibre implantation increased intraurethral pressure and periurethral electromyographic activity in patients with ISD. There were no serious side‐effects.

Objectives

To assess the safety of periurethral myofibre implantation in patients with urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD)

To assess the resulting myogenic process and effects on urinary continence.

Patients and Methods

An open‐label non‐randomised phase I clinical trial was conducted in five men and five women with ISD (mean age, 62.5 years).

A free muscle strip from the patient's gracilis muscle was implanted around the urethra as a means to deliver locally myofibres and muscle precursor cells (MPCs).

Patients were assessed for collection formation and incomplete bladder emptying.

The maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and concomitant periurethral electromyographic (EMG) activity were recorded before surgery and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Continence was assessed using the 24‐h pad test and self‐completed questionnaires, for 12 months.

Results

There were no serious side‐effects.

Continence improved significantly during the 12‐month follow‐up in four of the five women, including two who recovered normal continence. In the women, MUCP increased two‐fold and de novo EMG periurethral activity was recorded. In the men, MUCP and EMG recordings showed similar improvements but the effect on continence was moderate.

The few patients enrolled could affect these results.

Conclusions

This is the first report of a one‐step procedure for transferring autologous MPCs via myofibre implantation in patients with ISD.

EMG and urodynamic assessments showed improvement of periurethral muscle activity.

Further work is needed to confirm and improve the therapeutic efficiency of this procedure.
Mustn't Grumble: Immigration, Health and Health Service Use in the UK and Germany*
Authors: Wadsworth Jonathan
Published: March 2013

A rise in population caused by increased immigration is sometimes accompanied by concerns that the increase in population puts additional or differential pressure on welfare services, which might affect the net fiscal contribution of immigrants. The UK and Germany have experienced significant increases in immigration in recent years and this study uses longitudinal data from both countries to examine whether immigrants differ in their use of health services from native‐born individuals on arrival and over time. While immigrants to Germany, but not the UK, are more likely to self‐report poor health than the native‐born population, the samples of immigrants use hospital and GP services at broadly the same rate as the native‐born populations in both countries. Controls for observed and unobserved differences between immigrants and native‐born sample populations make little difference to these broad findings.
The Distributional Impact of the Greek Crisis in 2010*
Authors: Matsaganis Manos , Leventi Chrysa
Published: March 2013

The severe economic crisis affecting Greece is widely thought to be having a significant social impact in terms of greater inequality and increased poverty. We provide an early assessment of whether (and to what extent) this was the case in 2010, the first year of the Greek crisis. We distinguish between two interrelated factors: on the one hand, the austerity policies taken to reduce fiscal deficits; on the other hand, the wider recession. Using a tax–benefit model, we attempt to quantify the distributional implications of both. With respect to the austerity policies, we focus on the changes affecting taxation, pension benefits and public sector pay. With respect to the wider recession, we model the effects of rising unemployment and inflation, as well as of lower earnings for self‐employed workers and for employees of private firms. In simulating the impact of these changes on the distribution of incomes (and in estimating how the total burden of the crisis is shared across income groups), we take into account tax evasion and benefit non‐take‐up. We conclude by discussing the main findings, methodological pitfalls and policy implications of our research.
The Effects of Structures and Power on State Bargaining Strategies
Authors: McKibben Heather Elko
Published: March 2013

When and why will states adopt more (or less) cooperative bargaining strategies? Standard answers to this question focus on the role of state power. Other scholars highlight socialization effects. I argue that in most international negotiations, the institutional bargaining structure will mitigate the effects of power and socialization, and drive state bargaining behavior. Factors highlighted by formal models of international bargaining should therefore best explain the variation in the strategies states adopt. I introduce empirical measures of these abstract concepts, and test their effects against those of power and socialization using an original dataset of state bargaining strategies in the European Union (EU). The results show that structural factors best explain variation in the EU states’ bargaining strategies. I conclude by highlighting the conditions under which these effects should explain state bargaining behavior in other international negotiations, and discuss the implications of this argument for the study of international bargaining.
The functional biogeography of species: biogeographical species roles of birds in Wallacea and the West Indies
Authors: Carstensen Daniel W. , Dalsgaard Bo , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Rahbek Carsten , Fjeldså Jon , Sutherland William J. , Olesen Jens M.
Published: March 2013

Biogeographical systems can be analyzed as networks of species and geographical units. Within such a biogeographical network, individual species may differ fundamentally in their linkage pattern, and therefore hold different topological roles. To advance our understanding of the relationship between species traits and large‐scale species distribution patterns in archipelagos, we use a network approach to classify birds as one of four biogeographical species roles: peripherals, connectors, module hubs, and network hubs. These roles are based upon the position of species within the modular network of islands and species in Wallacea and the West Indies. We test whether species traits – including habitat requirements, altitudinal range‐span, feeding guild, trophic level, and body length – correlate with species roles. In both archipelagos, habitat requirements, altitudinal range‐span and body length show strong relations to species roles. In particular, species that occupy coastal‐ and open habitats, as well as habitat generalists, show higher proportions of connectors and network hubs and thus tend to span several biogeographical modules (i.e. subregions). Likewise, large body size and a wide altitudinal range‐span are related to a wide distribution on many islands and across several biogeographical modules. On the other hand, species restricted to interior forest are mainly characterized as peripherals and, thus, have narrow and localized distributions within biogeographical modules rather than across the archipelago‐wide network. These results suggest that the ecological amplitude of a species is highly related to its geographical distribution within and across bio geographical subregions and furthermore supports the idea that large‐scale species distributions relate to distributions at the local community level. We finally discuss how our biogeographical species roles may correspond to the stages of the taxon cycle and other prominent theories of species assembly.
The condition of Britain: A new politics of society for the centre‐left
Authors: Cruddas Jon , Byrne Liam
Published: March 2013

Labour MPs Jon Cruddas and Liam Byrne discuss the everyday pressures facing people in Britain today. They question the pessimistic notion of ‘Broken Britain’ and argue that a centre‐left response lies in rebuilding an ethic of contribution and a new social politics that mobilises human potential.
Statecraft without statism: Governing for shared prosperity in an age of austerity
Authors: Plunkett James
Published: March 2013

James Plunkett argues that governing from 2015 will be more than a rescue mission. It will mean both securing a recovery and reshaping the state for new times. However, the great challenge will be addressing falling living standards.
A PATIENT PERSPECTIVE ON THE BARRIERS TO HOME DIALYSIS
Authors: Hope Jonathon
Published: March 2013

Introduction

People with End Stage Renal Disease rarely choose home dialysis therapies even though they can offer a range of Quality‐of‐Life (QOL) benefits such as improved convenience, mental health well‐being, employment, reduced mortality and cost effectiveness. Attempts to increase usage of such self‐caring modalities, have met with limited success, in part due to a lack of understanding of patient decision making and patient perceived barriers to such therapies.

Objective

To explore the patient perspective on the main barriers to a range of self‐care or home dialysis therapies, including Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis, Home Haemodialysis and Extended Home Haemodialysis.

Materials and methods

A longitudinal patient narrative approach is adopted.

Results

There are significant barriers to all aspects of informed decision making around home therapies, but many are based on perception. Creating decision aids and education programmes to tackle these perceived barriers, actively encouraging home therapy take up, focusing on QOL in clinical decision making, offering peer support and expanded in‐centre self‐care treatment options may increase awareness and uptake of self‐care therapies.
A NEW PARADIGM: HOME THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WHO START DIALYSIS IN AN UNPLANNED WAY
Authors: Lecouf Angelique , Ryckelynck Jean‐Philippe , Ficheux Maxence , Henri Patrick , Lobbedez Thierry
Published: March 2013

Background

Starting dialysis in a non‐planned manner or in a ‘suboptimal’ manner is a frequent situation in dialysis centres, even for patients with a regular nephrology follow‐up. Unplanned dialysis initiation can be defined as a patient beginning dialysis with no functional vascular access or peritoneal dialysis catheter. These patients start haemodialysis with a temporary catheter, frequently converted to a tunnelled catheter pending native fistula creation or whilst waiting for fistula maturation. In this case, conventional in‐centre haemodialysis (ICH) is more frequently used than peritoneal dialysis (PD) or home haemodialysis (HHD).

Review findings

This review found that patients who start dialysis in an unplanned way are significantly older and have more heart and peripheral vascular diseases. Home‐based dialysis therapies showed better outcomes than ICH (PD for the first two to three years and HHD for the long‐term).

Recommendations

This review proposes a paradigm shift in the initial form of dialysis offered to new patients starting dialysis in an unplanned way. Even if they require a temporary catheter, it is possible for them to receive a pre‐dialysis education programme (PDEP). The PDEP should be based on both individualised information session(s) given by an experienced nurse to the patient and family and therapeutic education (educative diagnosis, individualised and group session(s)) in order to relieve anxiety and promote home modalities.
DISCOUNT RATE DISTORTIONS AND THE RESOURCE CURSE
Authors: HU BIN , MCKITRICK ROSS
Published: March 2013

Empirical evidence has suggested a “resource curse” exists, in which countries with abundant resources may have higher initial consumption but then grow more slowly. The effect appears to be dependent on a country's political structure. Theoretical models not typically accounted for historical exceptions, or have not shown the effect exists in a dynamic growth setting. We derive the resource curse effect in an optimal growth model augmented with a political process. The economy has a finite nonrenewable resource, and the government planner can choose to over‐extract natural resources relative to the efficient path by distorting the discount rate, but in so doing incurs political costs that depend on the presence of democracy. Government planners in non‐democratic countries usually have more autonomy in policymaking than those in democratic countries; therefore, the political cost is lower for non‐democratic countries. We show that the incentive for the planner to distort the extraction path is larger, the higher is the initial resource endowment. Consistent with empirical evidence, the distortion raises short‐term consumption but lowers the long‐term growth rate, and institutional differences create corner solutions that explain why some resource‐abundant countries avoid the curse. These results are robust to the inclusion of autonomous technological change.
REGIONAL FINANCIAL INTEGRATION IN SUB‐SAHARAN AFRICA – AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF ITS EFFECTS ON FINANCIAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Authors: FREY LEO , VOLZ ULRICH
Published: March 2013

This article examines the effects of political agreements on regional financial integration (RFI) on financial market development and access to and cost of finance inSub‐SaharanAfrica (SSA). Our results suggest thatRFIpositively affects financial development – measured very broadly as ratio of liquid liabilities to gross domestic product (GDP) – when combined with a sufficient level of institutional quality. If institutional quality is below a threshold level,RFIapparently has negative effects on financial development. However, we cannot find any significant effects of RFI on the ratio of private credit toGDPor on the efficiency of the banking sector. Regarding the effects ofRFIon access to and costs of finance of enterprises inSSA, our results are mixed. We can find no significant effect ofRFIon access to finance for all firms in the aggregate, but the results indicate thatRFIactually impedes small firms' access to finance. Furthermore, there is a significant positive influence of foreign bank involvement on the severity of the credit constraint for small enterprises, while we do not find such an influence for large enterprises. These results provide some support for the foreign bank barrier hypothesis in the context ofRFI.
Nursing Outcomes for Brazilian Pediatric Patients Hospitalized With Deficient Diversional Activity
Authors: de Abreu Almeida Miriam , da Silva Marcos Barragan , Panato Bruna Paulsen , de Oliveira Siqueira Ana Paula , Laurent Maria do Carmo Rocha
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To validate the content of nursing outcomes for pediatric patients hospitalized with a nursing diagnosis of deficient diversional activity.

Methods

The nursing outcomes were evaluated by expert nurses from a Brazilian hospital; the nurses used a Likert‐type scale. We considered those that had a weighted average of ≥0.80 as valid outcomes.

Findings

Eight (57.14%) nursing outcomes and 54 (45.38%) indicators were validated.

Conclusions

The study suggests that nursing outcomes validated by the experts are pertinent for Brazilian pediatric patients hospitalized and diagnosed with deficient diversional activity.

Implications for Practice

Nursing Outcomes Classification is a viable alternative for the assessment of nursing care outcomes. Further studies should investigate the applicability of these data in clinical practice.

Objetivos

Validar o conteúdo (Modelo de Fehring adaptado) dos Resultados de Enfermagem NOC para pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados com o diagnóstico de enfermagem Atividade de Recreação Deficiente.

Métodos

Os Resultados de Enfermagem foram avaliados por sete enfermeiros experts de um hospital brasileiro, utilizando‐se uma escala Likert, validando‐se aqueles que atingiram o escore de ≥0,80.

Resultados

Oito (57,14%) Resultados de Enfermagem e 54 (45,38%) indicadores foram validados.

Conclusões

Os Resultados de Enfermagem validados foram considerados importantes pelos experts para pacientes pediátricos brasileiros hospitalizados com este diagnóstico.

Implicações Para A Prática

A NOC consiste em alternativa para avaliar os resultados dos cuidados de enfermagem. Em continuidade ao estudo, será investigada a aplicabilidade destes dados na prática clínica.
Implications of Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Legislation for Nursing Clinical Information System Development and Refinement
Authors: Scherb Cindy A. , Maas Meridean L. , Head Barbara J. , Johnson Marion R. , Kozel Marie , Reed David , Swanson Elizabeth , Moorhead Sue
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

 To describe what electronic health record meaningful use requirements mean for nursing clinical information system (CIS) development.

Conclusions:

 The nursing CIS in many, if not most hospitals, has a number of critical design inadequacies that constrain the meaningful use of nursing data to ensure quality outcomes for patients and data‐based maturing of the nursing profession.

Implications:

 It is the responsibility and obligation of nurses to ensure that CISs are designed for the meaningful use of nursing clinical data. To accomplish these ends, interoperable clinical nursing data must be documented in a properly integrated operational CIS, and must be retrievable and stored in data repositories for analysis and reports.
The economic benefits of increased levels of nursing care in the hospital setting
Authors: Twigg Diane E. , Geelhoed Elizabeth A. , Bremner Alexandra P. , M. Duffield Christine
Published: March 2013

Aim

To assess the economic impact of increased nursing hours of care on health outcomes in adult teaching hospitals in Perth, Western Australia.

Background

Advancing technology and increased availability of treatment interventions are increasing demand for health care while the downturn in world economies has increased demand for greater efficiency. Nurse managers must balance nurse staffing to optimize care and provide efficiencies.

Design

This longitudinal study involved the retrospective analysis of a cohort of multi‐day stay patients admitted to adult teaching hospitals.

Methods

Hospital morbidity and staffing data from September 2000 until June 2004, obtained in 2010 from a previous study, were used to analyse nursing‐sensitive outcomes pre‐ and post‐implementation of the Nurse Hours per Patient Day staffing method, which remains in place today. The cost of the intervention comprised increased nursing hours following implementation of the staffing method.

Results

The number of nursing‐sensitive outcomes was 1357 less than expected post‐implementation and included 155 fewer ‘failure to rescue’ events. The 1202 other nursing‐sensitive outcomes prevented were ‘surgical wound infection’, ‘pulmonary failure’, ‘ulcer, gastritis’, ‘upper gastrointestinal bleed’, and ‘cardiac arrest’. One outcome, pneumonia, showed an increase of 493. Analysis of life years gained was based on the failure to rescue events prevented and the total life years gained was 1088. The cost per life year gained was AUD$8907.

Conclusion

The implementation of the Nurse Hours per Patient Day staffing method was cost‐effective when compared with thresholds of interventions commonly accepted in Australia.
Predicting the Risk of Incident Hypertension in a Korean Middle‐Aged Population: Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study
Authors: Lim Nam‐Kyoo , Son Kuk‐Hui , Lee Kwang‐Soo , Park Hyeon‐Young , Cho Myeong‐Chan
Published: March 2013

The objectives of this study were to construct a risk score for predicting incident hypertension by using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) data and to compare the performance between KoGES and the Framingham model. A total of 4747 participants were analyzed. The entire cohort was randomly assigned to derivation and validation sets at a ratio of 6:4. A hypertension risk score was developed based on the derivation cohort, using the same risk factors that were used for developing the Framingham hypertension risk score. The accuracy of KoGES and Framingham models was evaluated in terms of calibration and discrimination. The area under receiver operating characteristic (AROC) curves were 0.789 for the Framingham model and 0.791 for the KoGES model. The AROC calculated for the point‐based risk score was 0.790, which is almost identical to that for the KoGES model. The Framingham model showed poor agreement (χ2=29.73, P=.0002) and underestimated the risk of hypertension in most deciles of predicted risk. The model based on KoGES yielded results similar to the observed risk of hypertension (χ2=4.17, P=.8415). This study demonstrates that the Framingham risk score based on data from a non‐Korean population can lead to the underestimation of the prediction risk of hypertension.
Derivation of Postharvest Fruit Behavior Reduced Order Models for Online Monitoring and Control of Quality Parameters During Refrigeration
Authors: Rivas Diana , Vilas Carlos , Alonso Antonio A. , Varas Fernando
Published: March 2013

In this paper, an efficient computational tool to predict the evolution of the key variables in the fruit refrigeration process is presented. This computational model is intended to be used in real time quality control.

The tool is based on detailed mathematical models proposed in the literature which accounts for the main phenomena occurring during refrigeration. Since integration using standard numerical schemes leads to a computational cost unaffordable in real time environments, a reduced order model (ROM; able to combine a high accuracy with a low computational cost) is derived.

In the derivation of this model, the role of the presence of quite disparate time scales is considered. In this respect, two alternative ROMs are considered: a general model (aiming at describing the evolution at arbitrary time scales) and a model assuming a strong coupling between the state variables (as expected in the long term behavior of the system).

Practical Applications

The modeling reduction methodology proposed in this work for the fruit refrigeration process, either during storage or transport, will enable the use of computer‐aided process engineering tools for reducing the computational load required to perform predictions. With such tools, optimal operation policies to maximize fruit quality, extend the storage time and/or minimize costs can be efficiently obtained. Also, in the event of unexpected disturbances, they will allow us to recompute in real time the operation policy, and in this way ensure a minimum quality lost.
American Geriatrics Society Identifies Five Things That Healthcare Providers and Patients Should Question
Authors:   AGS Choosing Wisely Workgroup
Published: March 2013

Given the American Geriatrics Society's (AGS) commitment to improving health care for older adults by, among other means, educating older people and their caregivers about their health and healthcare choices, the AGS was delighted when, in late 2011, the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation invited the Society to join its “Choosing Wisely®” campaign. Choosing Wisely is designed to engage patients, healthcare professionals, and family caregivers in discussions about the safety and appropriateness of medical tests, medications, and procedures. Ideally, these discussions should examine whether the tests and procedures are evidence‐based, whether any risks they pose might overshadow their potential benefits, whether they are redundant, and whether they are truly necessary. In addition to improving the quality of care, the initiative aims to rein in unneeded healthcare spending. According to a 2008 Congressional Budget Office report, as much as 30% of healthcare spending in the United States may be unnecessary.
Examining the Impact of Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) on Family Functioning
Authors: Cornett Nick , Bratton Sue C.
Published: March 2013

Research supports that child parent relationship therapy (CPRT), a filial therapy approach, has strong effects on participating parents and children. Some speculate that filial therapy improves the family system; however, minimal research exists to support this claim. Using a single‐case design, researchers examined CPRT's impact on the functioning of 8 families. Results revealed that 6 families experienced statistically significant improvements in targeted areas of family functioning. Results from self‐reported measures indicated that 7 families improved in family satisfaction, 4 in cohesion, 3 in communication, and 1 in flexibility. Observational measures also revealed improvements: 5 families in flexibility, 4 families in cohesion, and 4 families in communication. The results support that the benefits of CPRT may extend to the family system.
GSK‐3α/β‐mediated phosphorylation of CRMP‐2 regulates activity‐dependent dendritic growth
Authors: Tan Minghui , Ma Shanshan , Huang Qiaoying , Hu Kunhua , Song Bin , Li Mingtao
Published: March 2013

Neuronal activity shapes the dendritic arbour; however, most of the molecular players in this process remain to be identified. We observed that depolarization‐induced neuronal activity causes an increase in the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK‐3)α/β on Ser21/9 in cerebellar granule neurons. Using several approaches, including gene knockdown and GSK‐3α/βS21A/S21A/S9A/S9A double knockin mice, we demonstrated that both GSK‐3β and GSK‐3α mediate activity‐dependent dendritic growth and that Ser21/9 phosphorylation of GSK‐3α/β plays an important role in this process. Collapsin response mediator protein‐2 (CRMP‐2), which is crucial for axon development, is phosphorylated at Thr514 and inactivated by GSK‐3. We found CRMP‐2 was located mainly in the dendrites of cerebellar granule neurons, in contrast to the axonal distribution in hippocampal neurons. Over‐expression of CRMP‐2 promoted and knockdown of CRMP‐2 impaired dendritic growth, suggesting that CRMP‐2 is necessary and sufficient for activity‐dependent dendritic development. Furthermore, silencing CRMP‐2 completely blocked the dendritic growth‐promoting effects of GSK‐3 knockdown, and expression of Thr514 nonphosphorylated form of CRMP‐2 counteracted the inhibitory effect of constitutively active GSK‐3. This data indicate that CRMP‐2 functions downstream of GSK‐3. Together, these findings identify a novel GSK‐3/CRMP‐2 pathway that connects neuronal activity to dendritic growth.
Benign Notochordal Lesions of the Posterior Clivus: Retrospective Review of Prevalence and Imaging Characteristics
Authors: Golden Louis D. , Small Juan E.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Distinguishing BNCT from chordoma with imaging is critical because of the profound differences in prognosis and management. Yet few reports define the variable imaging characteristics of BNCT. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of BNCT.

METHODS

A total of 916 patients with 64‐section CT and 1.5T MR imaging through the posterior fossa between 2004 and 2009 were evaluated to catalogue the prevalence, clinical presentation, morphology, and imaging properties associated with BNCT.

RESULTS

BNCTs were identified in 7 patients (imaging prevalence of 0.76%). All were midline, T1 hypointense, and T2 hyperintense. When present, the bony stalk often associated with EP measured between 1.65 and 3.72 mm. Five cases demonstrated atypical features such as absence of bony stalk (one case), arterial enhancement (one case), clival erosion (four cases), clinical symptoms (one case), and mass effect (one case).

CONCLUSION

Many notochordal lesions do not fit neatly into the diagnostic criteria for either EP or chordoma. It may be useful to consider these atypical cases along a spectrum of notochord remnant lesions. Close inspection of imaging reveals BNCTs at a similar frequency to its pathologic prevalence. BNCTs such as EP vary in size and may be easily overlooked.
Decrease of autophagy activity promotes malignant progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Yawen , Wang Cheng , Tang Haikuo , Wang Miao , Weng Junquan , Liu Xiqiang , Zhang Rong , Huang Hongzhang , Hou Jinsong
Published: March 2013

Background

Autophagy is a catabolic process involving the degradation of cells' own unnecessary, injured, or aged proteins and recycling of degraded products to maintain hemostasis. Recently, studies indicated that autophagy plays a crucial role in cancer development. However, the role of autophagy in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) has not been well documented. This study aims to assess the expression of autophagy‐related protein and investigate its effect on TSCC.

Materials and methods

Archival 50 TSCC samples were enrolled. Immunohistochemistry were performed to examine the expression of Beclin1 and LC3. Statistical analyses were carried out to assess the associations among clinicopathologic parameters. In vitro, cells were treated with rapamycin or 3‐MA. Then, qPCR, western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression of Beclin1 and LC3. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to identify autophagsomes. For functional analysis, cell proliferation and cell cycle were evaluated with MTT assay and flow cytometer, respectively. At last, cell migration and invasion potentials were assessed by wound healing assay and transwell assay.

Results

We confirmed that down‐regulation of Beclin1 and LC3 is a frequent event in TSCC. Then, we demonstrated that decreased expression of Beclin1 was associated with T stage, clinical stage and differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that activation of autophagy by rapamycin suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibition of autophagy by 3‐MA promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in TSCC cells.

Conclusion

Taken together, these data suggest that autophagy plays a pivotal role in the progression of TSCC.
Moral Immemorial: The Rarity of Self‐Criticism for Previous Generations’ Genocide or Mass Violence
Authors: Leach Colin Wayne , Zeineddine Fouad Bou , Čehajić‐Clancy Sabina
Published: March 2013

Partly in response to political leaders’ public expressions of self‐criticism for past generations’ genocide or other mass violence, psychologists have suggested that individuals who are psychologically connected to perpetrators may view themselves as sharing some responsibility. Such broadened self‐perception should enable self‐criticism for past failures just as it enables self‐congratulation for past triumphs. We review studies of self‐criticism regarding European colonization (of Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Indonesia) and 20th century genocide (in Bosnia, Germany, Norway, and Rwanda). Self‐criticism—feelings of guilt, shame, and responsibility; wanting reparation—tended to be low. Self‐criticism appeared to be lowest among nonstudent samples, those allowed to explicitly disagree with self‐criticism, and those asked about more recent violence. Theoretical and practical implications of these patterns are discussed.
Restoring Self in Community: Collective Approaches to Psychological Trauma after Genocide
Authors: Anne Pearlman Laurie
Published: March 2013

Recovery from the profound negative psychological and spiritual effects of genocide is essential for individuals to live fulfilling lives, engage in reconciliation, and prevent future violence. This article discusses community approaches to trauma recovery that focus on individuals within their social context. It briefly identifies common psychological problems that follow genocide. It then presents constructivist self development theory (CSDT) as a foundation for understanding these effects and the RICH (Respect, Information, Connection, and Hope) framework, based in CSDT, for designing and assessing the effects of post‐genocide psychosocial interventions. The article reviews three approaches to collective recovery: a multifamily group approach, a psychoeducational program focused on youth, and a public education program aimed to promote trauma recovery and prevent future violence. The RICH framework is applied to each approach.
AlfredSchutz andHerbertSimon: Can their Action Theories Work Together?
Authors: Castellani Marco
Published: March 2013

This paper combinesAlfredShultz andHerbertSimon's theories of action in order to understand the grey area between dynamic and completely unstructured decision making better. As a resultIhave put together a specific scheme of how choice elements are represented from an agent's personal experience, so as to create a bridge between the phenomenological and cognitive‐procedural approaches of decision making.Ifirst look at the key points of their original models relatingAlfredSchutz's “provinces of meaning” andHerbertSimon's “satisficing” mechanism.Ithen consider the particular concept of intentionality and reasoning by analogy for different choice settings. FinallyIhave suggested a perspective based on creative behaviour and sense‐making for ill‐structured conditions.
Relationalism through Social Robotics
Authors: Jones Raya A.
Published: March 2013

Social robotics is a rapidly developing industry‐oriented area of research, intent on making robots in social roles commonplace in the near future. This has led to rising interest in the dynamics as well as ethics of human‐robot relationships, described here as a nascent relational turn. A contrast is drawn with the 1990s’ paradigm shift associated with relational‐self themes in social psychology. Constructions of the human‐robot relationship reproduce the “I‐You‐Me” dominant model of theorising about the self with biases that (as in social constructionism) consistently accentuate externalist or “interactionist” standpoints as opposed to internalist or “individualistic”. Perspectives classifiable as “ecological relationalism” may compensate for limitations of interactionist‐individualistic dimension. Implications for theorising subjectivity are considered.
Depletion study and estimation of the withdrawal period for enrofloxacin in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)
Authors: Paschoal J. A. R. , Quesada S. P. , Gonçalves L. U. , Cyrino J. E. P. , Reyes F. G. R.
Published: March 2013

Defining the pharmacokinetic parameters and depletion intervals for antimicrobials used in fish will help in the development of important guidelines for future regulations by Brazilian agencies on the use of these substances in fish farming. This paper presents a depletion study for enrofloxacin (ENR) and its main metabolite, ciprofloxacin (CIP), in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) fillets. The depletion study was carried out under monitored environmental conditions, with the temperature controlled at 27 °C to mimic the fish farming conditions inBrazil.ENRwas administered orally via medicated feed for 10 consecutive days at daily dosages of 10 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). The fish were slaughtered at 6, 12, and 24 h and 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, and 24 days after the medication period. Considering a maximum residue limit of 100 μg/kg for the sum of theENRandCIPresidues in the fillet, the results obtained in the depletion study allowed the estimation of a half‐life forENRof 2.75 days and a withdrawal period of 23 days. The results obtained in this study are important for the farming of pacu in tropical regions.