bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta‐analysis in context
Authors: Moore Zena
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  To provide a detailed description of the concept, practice and relevance of meta‐analysis.

Background.  An increasing abundance of research contributes to a gap between research and clinical practice. The conduct of meta‐analysis, when carried out appropriately, provides a means by which data may be summarised such that it provides important answers for practising clinicians pertaining to the strength and direction of the evidence base.

Design.  A discursive design was adopted to encapsulate the current thinking regarding the use of meta‐analysis.

Methods.  A literature review approach was employed to provide a narrative summary of the subject of meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis is a statistical procedure, which involves quantitatively pooling the data from a group of independent studies that have looked at the same or similar clinical problems, using the same or similar research methods. The data are then reanalysed to calculate a pooled estimate of effect and a confidence interval around this estimate.

Results.  The findings from this review indicate that meta‐analysis is a statistical procedure, which involves quantitatively pooling the data from a group of independent studies that have looked at the same or similar clinical problems, using the same or similar research methods. Correctly conducted, meta‐analysis provides useful information for practice, identifying the strength and direction of the evidence base pertaining to important clinical problems.

Conclusion.  Meta‐analysis is a useful means by which those in the clinical practice setting may clarify the evidence base surrounding a wide variety of clinical problems.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The value of meta‐analysis is that this information may be used to guide clinical practice decision‐making and also to direct the development of future research strategies.
Perceptions of the benefits and challenges of the role of advanced practice nurses in nurse‐led out‐of‐hours care in Hong Kong: a questionnaire study
Authors: Christiansen Angela , Vernon Veronica , Jinks Annette
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  The aim of the study was to identify the factors that nurses perceive may facilitate or hinder the development of advanced practice nurse roles in Hong Kong.

Background.  Advanced practice nurses are increasingly prominent in nurse‐led out‐of‐hours care in Hong Kong in response to changes to junior doctors’ hours of work.

Setting.  Three five‐day workshops for Hong Kong‐based advanced practice nurses were offered in partnership with UK clinicians. The aim of the workshops was to share UK experiences of implementation of the ‘Hospital at Night’ model of care delivery. The questionnaire study undertaken was not part of the workshop programme. However, the workshops gave the authors a unique opportunity to access relatively large numbers of Hong Kong‐based advanced practice nurses.

Participants.  The workshops were attended by experienced nurses who had been or were about to be appointed as advanced practice nurses. All nurses who attended one of the three workshops (n = 120) agreed to participate in the study.

Methods.  Responses to two open questions posed in the questionnaire were the subject of a content analysis.

Results.  A prominent finding of the study was that respondents viewed the benefits of introducing advanced practice nurse roles in Hong Kong as outweighing any challenges. One of the main features of the perceived benefits relates to improving the quality and safety of patient care. The greatest challenges associated with the role related to acceptance of the role by other healthcare professionals, and difficulties associated with the general public’s traditional attitudes to healthcare provision in Hong Kong.

Conclusions.  Education of the public concerning the implementation of such roles is of crucial importance.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Findings from this study enhance understanding of the factors that hinder or facilitate advanced practice roles in out‐of‐hours care in Hong Kong.
Serum bile acid levels as a predictor for the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Shlomai A. , Halfon P. , Goldiner I. , Zelber‐Sagi S. , Halpern Z. , Oren R. , Bruck R.
Published: August 2012

Summary.  Serum bile acids (SBAs) are commonly elevated in cholestatic liver diseases, but it is unclear if SBA levels are also elevated in noncholestatic chronic liver diseases and whether those levels correlate with disease severity. We analysed SBA levels of 135 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and correlated these levels with the degree of liver fibrosis as determined by liver biopsy. In addition, we assessed the accuracy of SBA levels as a noninvasive predictor for liver fibrosis by its comparison to the patients’ FibroTest scores. Two‐thirds (90/135 patients, 67%) of the study patients had nonsevere liver fibrosis (Metavir F0–F2), and the others (45/135, 33%) had severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (Metavir F3–F4). The SBA levels were significantly higher in patients with severe fibrosis as compared to nonsevere fibrosis (11.46 ± 10.01 vs 6.37 ± 4.69, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, a receiver operator characteristics curve based on a model that included serum bile acids, age, body mass index, serum AST, glucose and cholesterol levels suggested that this combination reliably predicts the degree of liver fibrosis and is not inferior to the current noninvasive FibroTest score (areas under the curve of 0.837 vs 0.83, respectively, P = 0.87). We conclude that measurement of SBA levels may have a clinical role as a simple noninvasive tool to assess the severity of HCV‐induced liver disease. Combined with widely available laboratory parameters, SBA levels can predict disease severity with a high degree of accuracy.
Optimizing the swallow protocol of clinical high‐resolution esophageal manometry studies
Authors: Xiao Y. , Nicodème F. , Kahrilas P. J. , Roman S. , Lin Z. , Pandolfino J. E.
Published: August 2012

Background  The Chicago Classification (CC) of Esophageal Motility Disorders is based on 10 water swallows performed in the supine position. The aim of the study was to assess whether upright and provocative swallows (PS) provided important information beyond that obtained from the standard supine manometric protocol.

Methods  Two independent investigators reviewed high‐resolution manometry (HRM) studies of 148 patients with both supine and upright liquid swallows and additional studies from patients with PS (increased volume, viscosity, and a marshmallow) for a resultant change in CC diagnoses. Significant diagnostic changes were defined as a change from normal or borderline motor function to abnormal motor function, esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction, or achalasia. Discordant diagnoses were reviewed and the Kappa test was used to evaluate the agreement between diagnoses in the different protocols.

Key Results  The overall agreement in diagnosis between the five supine swallows and the five upright swallows was good (k = 0.583). Changing to the upright position elicited a significant diagnostic change in 10.1% (15/148) of cases. The PS suggested an alternative diagnosis from the supine position in 14 of 75 studies (18.7%); 11 of these changed to EGJ obstruction during viscous or solid bolus challenges.

Conclusions & Inferences  Changing position in HRM elicited a significant change in diagnosis in about 10% of studies, whereas provocative bolus challenges with viscous liquid and marshmallows increased the detection of EGJ outflow obstruction. Performing manometric evaluations in both positions with PS may increase the yield of standard HRM technique.
Optineurin is potentially associated with TDP‐43 and involved in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis
Authors: Yamashita S. , Kimura E. , Tawara N. , Sakaguchi H. , Nakama T. , Maeda Y. , Hirano T. , Uchino M. , Ando Y.
Published: August 2012

S. Yamashita, E. Kimura, N. Tawara, H. Sakaguchi, T. Nakama, Y. Maeda, T. Hirano, M. Uchino and Y. Ando (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 406–416

Optineurin is potentially associated with TDP‐43 and involved in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis

Aims: Increasing evidences suggest a similarity in the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuronal cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myofibre degeneration in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). The aim of this study is to elucidate the involvement of ALS‐causing proteins in the pathophysiological mechanisms in sIBM. Methods: Skeletal muscle biopsy specimens of five patients with sIBM, two with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), three with polymyositis (PM), three with dermatomyositis (DM), three with neurogenic muscular atrophy, and three healthy control subjects were examined. We analysed the expression and localization of familial ALS‐causing proteins, including transactive response DNA binding protein‐43 (TDP‐43), fused in sarcoma/translocated in liposarcoma (FUS/TLS), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and optineurin (OPTN) by immunohistochemistry. Results: TDP‐43, OPTN and, to a lesser extent, FUS/TLS were more frequently accumulated in the cytoplasm in patients with sIBM and OPMD than in patients with PM, DM, neurogenic muscular atrophy, or healthy control subjects. SOD1 was accumulated in a small percentage of myofibres in patients with sIBM and OPMD, and to a very small extent in patients with PM and DM. Confocal microscopy imaging showed that TDP‐43 proteins more often colocalized with OPTN than with FUS/TLS, p62 and phosphorylated Tau. Conclusions: These findings suggest that OPTN in cooperation with TDP‐43 might be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of skeletal muscular degeneration in myopathy with rimmed vacuoles. Further investigation into these mechanisms is therefore warranted.
Case–control study of Staphylococcus lugdunensis infection isolates from small companion animals
Authors: Rook Kathryn A. , Brown Dorothy C. , Rankin Shelley C. , Morris Daniel O.
Published: August 2012

Background –  Coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus lugdunensis has recently been shown to cause invasive infections of people, which are similar in pathogenic effect to those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Little is known about the pathogenicity of S. lugdunensis in companion animals.

Objectives –  To compare potential risk factors for infection, body sites affected, and whether cases and controls had been treated with antimicrobial drugs based upon susceptibility test results.

Animals –  Thirty‐three cases of S. lugdunensis infection (25 dogs, six cats and two small mammals) were identified between January 2003 and August 2011. Two Staphylococcus pseudintermedius controls, which were identified by the microbiology laboratory immediately before and after each S. lugdunensis case, were host‐species matched to each case.

Methods –  A retrospective case–control analysis.

Results –  During the period evaluated, the prevalence of S. lugdunensis infection was 1.3 cases per 10,000 hospital admissions for dogs and 0.95 cases per 10,000 admissions for cats (P = 0.453). In univariate analyses, S. pseudintermedius isolation was significantly associated with skin infections (P < 0.0001), while S. lugdunensis isolation was associated with the respiratory tract (P = 0.03) and other deep tissues (P = 0.005). Cases were less likely than controls to have been treated based upon susceptibility test results (P = 0.02). A conditional logistic regression analysis showed isolation of S. lugdunensis to be associated with recent (≤ 30 days) steroid administration (odds ratio, 17.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.35–132.82; P = 0.005); and in‐patient status (odds ratio, 9.67; 95% confidence interval, 2.18–42.88; P = 0.003).

Conclusions –  These results suggest that S. lugdunensis may cause invasive infections in companion animals, which should be treated with antimicrobials based upon susceptibility tests when available.
Brain region‐ and sex‐specific alterations in DAMGO‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in mice with Oprm1A112G
Authors: Wang Yu‐Jun , Huang Peng , Blendy Julie A. , Liu‐Chen Lee‐Yuan
Published: August 2012

The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the human μ‐opioid receptor (MOPR) gene (OPRM1) was associated with heightened dopamine release by alcohol intake, better treatment outcome for nicotine and alcohol addiction, and reduced analgesic responses to morphine. A mouse model that possesses the equivalent substitution (A112G) in the mouse MOPR gene (OPRM1) was generated to delineate the mechanisms of the impact of the SNP. Mice homozygous for the G112 allele (G/G) displayed lower morphine‐induced antinociception than mice homozygous for the A112 allele (A/A), similar to the results in humans. In this study, we examined whether A112G SNP affected MOPR‐mediated G protein activation in the mouse model. We compared A/A and G/G mice in the MOPR‐selective agonist [D‐Ala2, N‐MePhe4, Gly‐ol]‐enkephalin (DAMGO)‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in brain regions by autoradiography. When the data of males and females were combined, G/G mice exhibited lower DAMGO‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in the ventral tegmental area than A/A mice, in accord with the previously reported reduced morphine‐induced hyperactivity and locomotor sensitization in G/G mice. In the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core, female G/G mice displayed lower DAMGO‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding than female A/A mice, which is consistent with the previously reported deficiency in morphine‐induced conditioned place preference in female G/G mice. In G/G mice, males showed higher DAMGO‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding than females in the cingulate cortex, caudate putamen, NAc core, thalamus and amygdala. Thus, A112G SNP affects DAMGO‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in region‐ and sex‐specific manners.
Serum and CSF soluble CD26 and CD30 concentrations in healthy pediatric surgical outpatients
Authors: Delezuch W. , Marttinen P. , Kokki H. , Heikkinen M. , Vanamo K. , Pulkki K. , Matinlauri I.
Published: August 2012

Activated T‐helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes induce a cellular type immune response, and Th2 lymphocytes, a humoral or antibody‐mediated type immune response. Soluble CD26 (sCD26) and soluble CD30 (sCD30) are regarded as markers of Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte activation, respectively. Serum from 112 generally healthy pediatric surgical patients and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 39, aged 1–17 years were measured for sCD26 and sCD30 using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method. The detection limit for sCD26 was 6.8 ng/ml and for sCD30, 1.9 IU/ml. For serum sCD26 and sCD30, 2.5% and 97.5% percentiles constituted the reference limits, and the 95% credible intervals for the percentiles were calculated using regression models with a Bayesian approach. A significant between‐gender difference was observed (P = 0.015) in serum sCD26 concentration, of which the lower limits ranged between 273 and 716 ng/ml for girls and 235 and 797 ng/ml for boys. The upper limits ranged between 1456 and 1898 ng/ml for girls and between 1419 and 1981 ng/ml for boys. Moreover, the concentrations of sCD26 increased in infants and children up to 10 years in girls and 12 years in boys. After this however, the values decreased. The serum sCD30 concentration was highest among the youngest infants aged 1 year (80–193 IU/ml), after which a consistent age‐related decrease was found. The lowest values were found at the age of 17 years (10–89 IU/ml). A significant between‐gender difference in sCD30 concentration was observed (P = 0.019). sCD26 and sCD30 concentrations were low in the CSF samples analyzed: 13.3 ng/ml (median); range 8.3–51.5 ng/ml and 7.6 IU/ml; 2.1–18.5 IU/ml, respectively. Reference limits for serum sCD26 in children aged 1–17 years were established as being 235–1800 ng/ml in toddlers and 400–1800 ng/ml in female adolescents and 700–2000 ng/ml in male adolescents. For sCD30; reference limits of 80–190 IU/ml were established in the youngest age group and 10–90 IU/ml in adolescents.
Bartonella henselae‐mediated disease in solid organ transplant recipients: two pediatric cases and a literature review
Authors: Rostad C.A. , McElroy A.K. , Hilinski J.A. , Thompson M.P. , Drew C.P. , Denison A.M. , Zaki S.R. , Mahle W.T. , Rogers J. , Abramowsky C.R. , Shehata B.
Published: August 2012

Bartonella henselae, the etiologic agent of cat‐scratch disease, causes a well‐defined, self‐limited syndrome of fever and regional lymphadenopathy in immunocompetent hosts. In immunocompromised hosts, however, B. henselae can cause severe disseminated disease and pathologic vasoproliferation known as bacillary angiomatosis (BA) or bacillary peliosis. BA was first recognized in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. It has become more frequently recognized in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, but reports of pediatric cases remain rare. Our review of the literature revealed only one previously reported case of BA in a pediatric SOT recipient. We herein present 2 pediatric cases, one of which is the first reported case of BA in a pediatric cardiac transplant recipient, to our knowledge. In addition, we review and summarize the literature pertaining to all cases of B. henselae‐mediated disease in SOT recipients.
Multiple viral infections after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Ernst J. , Sauerbrei A. , Krumbholz A. , Egerer R. , Mentzel H.‐J. , Kurzai M. , Häfer R. , Beck J.F. , Gruhn B.
Published: August 2012

After allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), viral infections/reactivations are a frequent complication, sometimes with fatal outcome. Thus, early diagnosis is recommended by screening of whole blood or plasma preparations using highly sensitive molecular techniques that test for the most common viral pathogens, such as Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and adenoviruses (ADVs). Despite this approach, not every reactivation/infection can be adequately detected or excluded, even with highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction. Particularly after toxic treatment, uncommon infections or infections resistant to first‐line treatment can occur, even in unusual locations. Herein, we present the case of a child with Philadelphia chromosome‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic HSCT who suffered from 5 different viral reactivations/infections, including acyclovir‐resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 esophagitis, human herpesvirus 6 encephalitis, rotavirus gastroenteritis, respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia, and ADV esophagitis, despite routinely performed blood examinations for viral pathogens remaining unrevealing at all times.
Historical contingency and behavioural divergence in territorial Anolis lizards
Authors: Ord T. J.
Published: August 2012

The extent that evolution – including adaptation – is historically contingent (dependent on past events) has often been hotly debated, but is still poorly understood. In particular, there are little data on the degree that behaviour, an aspect of the phenotype that is strongly linked to contemporary environments (social or physical), retains the imprint of evolutionary history. In this study, I examined whether differences in the design of the territorial displays among species of Caribbean Anolis lizards reflect island‐specific selection regimes, or historically contingent predispositions associated with different clade histories. Adult males advertise territory ownership using a series of headbobs and dewlap extensions, bouts of which vary in duration among species. When display durations were mapped onto the Anolis phylogeny, prominent differences between species belonging to the Western and Eastern Caribbean radiations were apparent. Statistical analyses confirmed that species differences in the duration of headbob displays, and to some extent the duration of dewlap extensions, were historically contingent. The unique evolutionary histories of each clade have seemingly had a profound effect on the subsequent direction of display evolution among descendent taxa. These results combined with those from previous studies on these lizards show that past history can have an important impact on the type of behaviour exhibited by species today, to the point that adaptive evolution can proceed quite differently in lineages originating from different evolutionary starting points.
Asymmetric time‐dependent activation of right central amygdala neurones in rats with peripheral neuropathy and pregabalin modulation
Authors: Gonçalves Leonor , Dickenson Anthony H.
Published: August 2012

Neuropathic pain (NP) often presents with comorbidities, including depression and anxiety. The amygdala is involved in the processing of mood disorders, fear, and the emotional‐affective components of pain. Hemispheric lateralization of pain processing in the amygdala has recently been brought to light because, independently of the side of the peripheral injury, the right central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) showed higher neuronal activity than the left in models of inflammatory pain. Although the CeA has been called the ‘nociceptive amygdala’, because of its high content of nociceptive neurones, little is known about changes in its neuronal function in vivo, under NP conditions. Herein, we quantified CeA spontaneous and evoked activity in rats subjected to spinal nerve ligation (SNL), under isoflurane anaesthesia, following application of mechanical and thermal stimuli to widespread body areas. We found that spontaneous and stimulus‐evoked neuronal activity was higher in the left CeA at 2 and 6 days after SNL induction and declined afterwards, whereas activity in the right CeA became dominant at 14 days after surgery, independently of the side of surgery. We also observed that systemic injection of pregabalin, which is widely used in patients with NP, reduced CeA spontaneous and stimulus‐evoked neuronal activity. Overall, we observed that peripheral nerve injury produced asymmetric plasticity in ongoing and evoked activity in the left and right CeA. Remarkably, at 14 days after SNL induction, enhanced evoked activity in the right CeA persisted compared to short‐term increases in activity in the left CeA. The plasticity found in ongoing and evoked activity was inhibited by pregabalin.
The interaction of amylin with other hormones in the control of eating
Authors: Lutz T. A.
Published: August 2012

Twenty years of research established amylin as an important control of energy homeostasis. Amylin controls nutrient and energy fluxes by reducing energy intake, by modulating nutrient utilization via an inhibition of postprandial glucagon secretion and by increasing energy disposal via a prevention of compensatory decreases of energy expenditure in weight reduced individuals. Like many other gastrointestinal hormones, amylin is secreted in response to meals and it reduces eating by promoting meal‐ending satiation. Not surprisingly, amylin interacts with many of these hormones to control eating. These interactions seem to occur at different levels because amylin seems to mediate the eating inhibitory effect of some of these gastrointestinal hormones, and the combination of some of these hormones seems to lead to a stronger reduction in eating than single hormones alone. Amylin's effect on eating is thought to be mediated by a stimulation of specific amylin receptors in the area postrema. Secondary brain sites that were defined to mediate amylin action – and hence potential additional sites of interaction with other hormones – include the nucleus of the solitary tract, the lateral parabrachial nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic area and other hypothalamic nuclei. The focus of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of amylin interactions in the control of eating. In most cases, these interactions have only been studied at a descriptive rather than a mechanistic level and despite the clear knowledge on primary sites of amylin action, the interaction sites between amylin and other hormones are often unknown.
Incretin and pancreatic hormone secretion in Caucasian non‐diabetic carriers of the TCF7L2 rs7903146 risk T allele
Authors: Færch K. , Pilgaard K. , Knop F. K. , Hansen T. , Pedersen O. , Jørgensen T. , Holst J. J.
Published: August 2012

We characterised 62 non‐diabetic, middle‐aged, Caucasians with and without the T risk allele of rs7903146 in transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) with regard to secretion of insulin, glucagon, glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) as well as insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose production. All participants had a 3‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an intravenous glucose tolerance test and a euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp. After adjustment for age and sex, risk T allele carriers had higher haemoglobin A1c levels (p = 0.030), reduced first‐phase insulin response (p = 0.048), higher peripheral insulin sensitivity (p = 0.050) and lower fasting GIP concentrations (p = 0.003) than CC allele carriers. The latter was also reflected by lower total GIP secretion during the OGTT (p = 0.018). We found no significant differences in endogenous glucose production, hepatic insulin sensitivity or fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon and GLP‐1 between the groups. The findings suggest that the effect of TCF7L2 on diabetes risk may include reduced secretion of GIP.
The novel GLP‐1‐gastrin dual agonist, ZP3022, increases β‐cell mass and prevents diabetes in db/db mice
Authors: Fosgerau K. , Jessen L. , Lind Tolborg J. , Østerlund T. , Schæffer Larsen K. , Rolsted K. , Brorson M. , Jelsing J. , Skovlund Ryge Neerup T.
Published: August 2012

Aim

Diabetes is characterized by β‐cell deficiency, and therefore restoration of β‐cell function has been suggested as a potential therapy. We hypothesized that a novel glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1)‐gastrin dual agonist, ZP3022, improves glycaemic control via improvement of β‐cell status in db/db mice.

Methods

Diabetic mice were studied following short‐ or long‐term treatment with either the GLP‐1‐gastrin dual agonist or the commercially available GLP‐1 agonists (exendin‐4 and liraglutide). The effects on glycaemic control were addressed by repeated glucose tolerance tests and/or measurements of HbA1c levels, and pancreatic islet and β‐cell masses were determined by stereology.

Results

ZP3022 and the pure GLP‐1 agonists improved glycaemic control after both short‐ and long‐term treatment compared with vehicle. Interestingly, the effect was sustainable only in mice treated with ZP3022. Stereology data displayed a dose‐dependent increase of β‐cell mass (p < 0.05) following treatment with ZP3022, whereas no significant effect of liraglutide was observed (β‐cell mass: vehicle 3.7 ± 0.2 mg; liraglutide (30 nmol/kg) 3.4 ± 0.5 mg; ZP3022 (30 nmol/kg) 4.3 ± 0.4 mg and ZP3022 (100 nmol/kg) 5.2 ± 0.4 mg).

Conclusion

The novel GLP‐1‐gastrin dual agonist, ZP3022, improved glycaemic control in db/db mice, and pancreatic islet and β‐cell mass increased significantly following treatment with ZP3022 compared with vehicle.
Preputial/penile skin flap, as a dorsal onlay or tubularized flap: a versatile substitute for complex anterior urethral stricture
Authors: Srivastava Alok , Vashishtha Saurabh , Singh Uday Pratap , Srivastava Aneesh , Ansari Mohd S. , Kapoor Rohit , Pradhan Manas R. , Kapoor Rakesh
Published: August 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

For long complex anterior urethral stricture augmentation urethroplasty is considered the standard procedure but the best substitute material is still to be ascertained.

Preputial/penile skin is a very good substitute especially when used as a dorsal onlay. It demonstrates exceptional functional and cosmetic results even in patients with unsuitable oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVE

To present our experience of single‐stage reconstruction of urethral stricture with preputial/penile skin flap, as a dorsal onlay flap (DOF) where there is an adequate urethral plate and as a tubularized flap (TF) where there is a compromised urethral plate, in cases of complex anterior urethral strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 144 patients, who underwent single‐stage repair of pendular /bulbar urethral strictures with preputial/penile flap as either a DOF or a TF, between January 2001 and December 2008.

Patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 consisted of patients who underwent transverse preputial DOF; Group 2 consisted of those who underwent tube urethroplasty; and Group 3 consisted of those patients who were circumcised and for whom the penile skin was used as a DOF (circumpenile flap).

Patients were followed up by physical examination, retrograde urethrography, uroflowmetry and post‐void residual urine measurement.

RESULTS

The mean follow‐up was 40.1 months (range 36–84 months).

The primary success rates at 1 year follow‐up were 90, 85 and 93.3% for Groups1, 2 and 3, respectively, and at 3‐years follow‐up they were 85, 75 and 86.7%, respectively.

Half of the recurrences were successfully managed with a single visual internal urethrotomy or dilatation.

The secondary success rate was defined as recurrent stricture managed by a single endoscopic procedure and was 5, 10 and 6.8% in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The overall success rate was 90.85 and 93.3%, respectively.

A total of 75% of the patients in the study completed 60 months of follow‐up with no additional recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

A preputial/penile flap for complex anterior urethral stricture is a good treatment option, with results similar to other techniques, has acceptable donor site morbidity and is effective even in circumcised patients and for those patients with unsuitable oral mucosa.

A DOF is less likely to lead to diverticula formation and post‐void dribbling. TFs have a higher failure rate than DOFs but, when combined judiciously with secondary endoscopic procedures, can provide good results.
Social Intermediation in Base‐of‐the‐Pyramid Markets
Authors: Kistruck Geoffrey M. , Beamish Paul W. , Qureshi Israr , Sutter Christopher J.
Published: August 2012

Our study explores the structuring decisions made by intermediaries seeking to alleviate poverty by connecting base‐of‐the‐pyramid markets with more developed markets. Using intermediation theory to ground our study, we collected qualitative data on 29 social intermediation projects located within Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Our findings suggest that ‘socializing’ intermediation theory to more accurately explain and predict structural outcomes across more diverse contexts requires three key modifications: (1) the attenuation of opportunism, which creates an internalizing social force; (2) the accommodation of non‐monetary objectives, which creates an externalizing social force; and (3) the perception of transaction capabilities as tractable, which serves as a guidepost for reconciling these two opposing social forces.
Transient Nod factor‐dependent gene expression in the nodulation‐competent zone of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) roots
Authors: Hayashi Satomi , Reid Dugald E. , Lorenc Michał T. , Stiller Jiri , Edwards David , Gresshoff Peter M. , Ferguson Brett J.
Published: August 2012

All lateral organ development in plants, such as nodulation in legumes, requires the temporal and spatial regulation of genes and gene networks. A total mRNA profiling approach using RNA‐seq to target the specific soybean (Glycine max) root tissues responding to compatible rhizobia [i.e. the Zone Of Nodulation (ZON)] revealed a large number of novel, often transient, mRNA changes occurring during the early stages of nodulation. Focusing on the ZON enabled us to discard the majority of root tissues and their developmentally diverse gene transcripts, thereby highlighting the lowly and transiently expressed nodulation‐specific genes. It also enabled us to concentrate on a precise moment in early nodule development at each sampling time. We focused on discovering genes regulated specifically by the Bradyrhizobium‐produced Nod factor signal, by inoculating roots with either a competent wild‐type or incompetent mutant (nodC−) strain of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. Collectively, 2915 genes were identified as being differentially expressed, including many known soybean nodulation genes. A number of unknown nodulation gene candidates and soybean orthologues of nodulation genes previously reported in other legume species were also identified. The differential expression of several candidates was confirmed and further characterized via inoculation time‐course studies and qRT‐PCR. The expression of many genes, including an endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase, a cytochrome P450 and a TIR‐LRR‐NBS receptor kinase, was transient, peaking quickly during the initiation of nodule ontogeny. Additional genes were found to be down‐regulated. Significantly, a set of differentially regulated genes acting in the gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis pathway was discovered, suggesting a novel role of GAs in nodulation.
Evolving concepts on adjusting human resting energy expenditure measurements for body size
Authors: Heymsfield S. B. , Thomas D. , Bosy‐Westphal A. , Shen W. , Peterson C. M. , Müller M. J.
Published: August 2012

Establishing if an adult's resting energy expenditure (REE) is high or low for their body size is a pervasive question in nutrition research. Early workers applied body mass and height as size measures and formulated the Surface Law and Kleiber's Law, although each has limitations when adjusting REE. Body composition methods introduced during the mid‐20th century provided a new opportunity to identify metabolically homogeneous ‘active’ compartments. These compartments all show improved correlations with REE estimates over body mass–height approaches, but collectively share a common limitation: REE‐body composition ratios are not ‘constant’ but vary across men and women and with race, age and body size. The now‐accepted alternative to ratio‐based norms is to adjust for predictors by applying regression models to calculate ‘residuals’ that establish if an REE is relatively high or low. The distinguishing feature of statistical REE‐body composition models is a ‘non‐zero’ intercept of unknown origin. The recent introduction of imaging methods has allowed development of physiological tissue–organ‐based REE prediction models. Herein, we apply these imaging methods to provide a mechanistic explanation, supported by experimental data, for the non‐zero intercept phenomenon and, in that context, propose future research directions for establishing between‐subject differences in relative energy metabolism.
Anarchism! What Geography Still Ought To Be
Authors: Springer Simon
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  This article is a manifesto for anarchist geographies, which are understood as kaleidoscopic spatialities that allow for multiple, non‐hierarchical, and protean connections between autonomous entities, wherein solidarities, bonds, and affinities are voluntarily assembled in opposition to and free from the presence of sovereign violence, predetermined norms, and assigned categories of belonging. In its rejection of such multivariate apparatuses of domination, this article is a proverbial call to non‐violent arms for those geographers and non‐geographers alike who seek to put an end to the seemingly endless series of tragedies, misfortunes, and catastrophes that characterize the miasma and malevolence of the current neoliberal moment. But this is not simply a demand for the end of neoliberalism and its replacement with a more moderate and humane version of capitalism, nor does it merely insist upon a more egalitarian version of the state. It is instead the resurrection of a prosecution within geography that dates back to the discipline's earliest days: anarchism!
Parenting and Child DRD4 Genotype Interact to Predict Children’s Early Emerging Effortful Control
Authors: Smith Heather J. , Sheikh Haroon I. , Dyson Margaret W. , Olino Thomas M. , Laptook Rebecca S. , Durbin C. Emily , Hayden Elizabeth P. , Singh Shiva M. , Klein Daniel N.
Published: August 2012

Effortful control (EC), or the trait‐like capacity to regulate dominant responses, has important implications for children’s development. Although genetic factors and parenting likely influence EC, few studies have examined whether they interact to predict its development. This study examined whether the DRD4 exon III variable number tandem repeat polymorphism moderated the relation between parenting and children’s EC. Three hundred and eighty‐two 3‐year‐olds and primary caregivers completed behavioral tasks assessing children’s EC and parenting. Children’s DRD4 genotypes moderated the relation between parenting and EC: Children with at least one 7‐repeat allele displayed lower EC in the context of negative parenting than children without this allele. These findings suggest opportunities for modifying early risk for low EC.
Children Associate Racial Groups With Wealth: Evidence From South Africa
Authors: Olson Kristina R. , Shutts Kristin , Kinzler Katherine D. , Weisman Kara G.
Published: August 2012

Group‐based social hierarchies exist in nearly every society, yet little is known about whether children understand that they exist. The present studies investigated whether 3‐ to 10‐year‐old children (N = 84) in South Africa associate higher status racial groups with higher levels of wealth, one indicator of social status. Children matched higher value belongings with White people more often than with multiracial or Black people and with multiracial people more often than with Black people, thus showing sensitivity to the de facto racial hierarchy in their society. There were no age‐related changes in children’s tendency to associate racial groups with wealth differences. The implications of these results are discussed in light of the general tendency for people to legitimize and perpetuate the status quo.
Infants Use Compression Information to Infer Objects’ Weights: Examining Cognition, Exploration, and Prospective Action in a Preferential‐Reaching Task
Authors: Hauf Petra , Paulus Markus , Baillargeon Renée
Published: August 2012

The present research used a preferential‐reaching task to examine whether 9‐ and 11‐month‐olds (n = 144) could infer the relative weights of two objects resting on a soft, compressible platform. Experiment 1 established that infants reached preferentially for the lighter of 2 boxes. In Experiments 2–4, infants saw 2 boxes identical except in weight resting on a cotton wool platform. Infants reached prospectively for the lighter box, but only when their initial exploratory activities provided critical information. At 11 months, infants succeeded as long as they first determined that the platform was compressible; at 9 months, infants succeeded only if they also explored the boxes and thus had advance knowledge that they differed in weight.
Escape From Metaignorance: How Children Develop an Understanding of Their Own Lack of Knowledge
Authors: Rohwer Michael , Kloo Daniela , Perner Josef
Published: August 2012

Previous research yielded conflicting results about when children can accurately assess their epistemic states in different hiding tasks. In Experiment 1, ninety‐two 3‐ to 7‐year‐olds were either shown which object was hidden inside a box, were totally ignorant about what it could be, or were presented with two objects one of which was being put inside (partial exposure). Even 3‐year‐olds could assess their epistemic states in the total ignorance and the complete knowledge task. However, only children older than 5 could assess their ignorance in the partial exposure task. In Experiment 2 with one hundred and one 3‐ to 7‐year‐olds, similar results were found for children under 5 years even when more objects were shown in partial exposure tasks. Implications for children’s developing theory of knowledge are discussed.
Dworkin and Phenomenology of the “Pre‐Legal”?
Authors: GOORDEN DEAN
Published: August 2012

Ronald Dworkin states in his preface to “Law's Empire” (1986) that he is doing a phenomenology of law. In regards to a phenomenology of law, I wish to investigate Dworkin's theory of law, and subsequently, what is left out in order for it to be considered a phenomenological account. In doing so, I will compare Dworkin's phenomenology of law to Schütz's phenomenology of the social world. The comparison between the two will illuminate what I believe is necessary for law, and that is a Phenomenology of the Pre‐Legal.
The emergence of Eastern European English
Authors: SALAKHYAN ELENA
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT:  The status of English in the Expanding Circle has been of significant interest in recent years. The use of English by Slavic speakers in Post‐Communist space, especially in light of the EU enlargement, has nevertheless been largely ignored. This paper aims to present evidence of the emergence of Eastern European English (EEE) in European language contact situations. The questions addressed in the study are, first, how Slavic speakers of English render a temporal‐aspectual plane in a lingua franca discourse, and, second, what constitutes an authentic lexical mosaic of EEE. Spoken production data (Tübingen Corpus of EEE: 60,000 words) and introspective data were elicited from fifteen native speakers of Russian, Ukrainian, Polish and Slovak. The analyses suggest that EEE is indeed emerging. In contrast to native speakers of English, Slavic speakers possess a limited repertoire of English tenses. The English simple past and the past progressive, for example, are used to render Slavic categories of imperfective and perfective aspect. Eastern European English seems to be a product of an interrelation of various speaker‐specific dimensions, such as the speakers’ L1, and their communicative competence in L3.
The present perfect in world Englishes
Authors: YAO XINYUE , COLLINS PETER
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT: This paper reports on a comprehensive corpus‐based study of regional and stylistic variation in the distribution of the English present perfect. The data represents ten English varieties of both the Inner Circle and Outer Circle, covering four major text types: conversation, news reportage, academic and fictional writing. The results are discussed in light of the finding that the present perfect has been losing ground to the preterit since Late Modern English, a tendency which is possibly influenced by a process of colloquialization and which is most prominent in American English. The study shows that the distribution of the present perfect (along with the preterit) in most of the English varieties investigated can be placed on a continuum with British English (BrE) and American English (AmE) lying at its two opposite ends. The findings are suggestive of the influence of a combination of various factors including substrate transfer, different degrees of colloquialization, historical input, and geographical and cultural proximity.
The Study of English in China as a patriotic enterprise
Authors: (ANDY) GAO XUESONG
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACT:  Drawing on research on China's path to individualization, this paper deconstructs a nationally renowned Chinese individual's construction of his success in learning English in China. By deconstructing his success, this paper illustrates how he skilfully integrates traditional cultural discourses into his messages, calling upon individual Chinese to invest effort into learning English. The deconstruction helps reveal that this successful learner has consistently projected himself as a ‘desiring’ and ‘enterprising’ individual who remains patriotic in his pursuit of English competence. It can be argued that the successful language learner in his construction is a product of the individualization process, which has been managed and endorsed by the political establishment on the Chinese mainland.
ON ‘NICE’ AND ‘VERY NICE’ AUTARKIC EQUILIBRIA IN STRATEGIC MARKET GAMES*
Authors: DICKSON ALEX , HARTLEY ROGER
Published: August 2012

We study a strategic market game in which traders are endowed with both a good and money and can choose whether to buy or sell the good. We derive conditions under which a non‐autarkic equilibrium exists and when the only equilibrium is autarky. Autarky is ‘nice’ (robust to small perturbations in the game) when it is the only equilibrium, and ‘very nice’ (robust to large perturbations) when no gains from trade exist. We characterize economies where autarky is nice but not very nice, i.e. when gains from trade exist and yet no trade takes place.
Market Familiarity and the Location of South and North MNEs
Authors: Azemar Celine , Darby Julia , Desbordes Rodolphe , Wooton Ian
Published: August 2012

We use a systematic empirical analysis of the determinants of South‐South (SS) and North‐South (NS) foreign direct investment (FDI) as a canvas to explore how multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) location decisions are shaped by better acquaintance with a foreign market resulting from bilateral ties, experience of international expansion, and knowledge of how to deal with poor governance. We find that these various aspects of market familiarity, which can interact together, are important to explain and differentiate the location behaviors of South MNEs (S‐MNEs) and North MNEs (N‐MNEs) in developing countries.
Dynamic changing process of hope in early adolescence: Analysis of individual differences during the transition from elementary school to junior high school1
Authors: TSUZUKI MANABU
Published: August 2012

This study investigated the individual difference in trajectories of hope during the transition from elementary school to junior high school using seven waves of longitudinal data. The findings using 157 students from fifth to eighth grade showed there was a clear decrease in hope for the future for boys and girls, and also six different trajectories of hope for the future were found by cluster analyses. In contrast, a comparison between before and after transition using 755 students suggested hope for the future didn't change, but cluster analyses yielded six different fluctuations of hope for the future, which was similar to the results of the first analysis. In addition, the types with increment in hope showed an increase in self‐esteem and peer support, whereas the types with decrement in hope showed a decrease in self‐esteem and there was no difference in academic achievement between those types. Finally, the findings were discussed in terms of the importance of considering individual differences in hope to gain a better understanding of the developmental meaning of the transition from elementary school to junior high school.
Time orientation and identity formation: Long‐term longitudinal dynamics in emerging adulthood1
Authors: SHIRAI TOSHIAKI , NAKAMURA TOMOYASU , KATSUMA KUMIKO
Published: August 2012

This study explores how time orientation causes identity formation in emerging adulthood. We assume identity formation can be led by a balanced time orientation, which is defined as a time orientation with which individuals not only pursue a future goal but also combine it with living fully in the present. We used a long‐term longitudinal design. The participants (N = 181), who were college students at the beginning of this investigation, were followed from age 20–31 years. They were asked to answer a questionnaire that was composed of the Time Orientation Questionnaire (TOQ) and the Identity Status Scale (ISS). A bivariate latent growth curve model using the data at age 24, 27, and 30 years revealed that, as predicted, a balanced time orientation contributed to identity development. We mainly discuss the results of the analyses in terms of the role of a balanced time orientation in revising identity as they accommodate a wider range of life experiences during the transition to adulthood.