bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The introduction of the national e-health record into Australian community pharmacy practice: pharmacists’ perceptions
Authors: Mooranian Armin , Emmerton Lynne , Hattingh Laetitia
Published: April 2013

Objective

Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records (PCEHRs) were introduced for Australian health consumers in July 2012. This study aimed to determine, in the months prior to the launch, community pharmacists’ perceptions about practical and professional aspects relating to integration of the PCEHR into pharmacy practice, with a view to informing practice guidelines and training.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 25 pharmacy owners and/or managers from 24 community pharmacies in Perth, Western Australia, were undertaken during March–April 2012. Participants were given a standardised briefing about the PCEHR before exploratory questioning regarding the expected integration, benefits and challenges of the system in pharmacy practice.

Key findings

Despite some awareness of the impending introduction of PCEHRs via the lay media, pharmacists were almost unanimously uninformed about the intended rollout, design and functionality of the system for health consumers and practitioners. Participants expressed concerns regarding patients’ control over their data management, time associated with staff training, technical upgrades and resource allocation. Obstacles included pharmacists’ inability to legitimately access patient data outside consultations. Pharmacists expected flexibility to record clinical activities and health services. Priorities identified for the profession were remuneration, medico-legal guidelines and boundaries, and clarification of roles and responsibilities.

Conclusions

Despite being unaware of details surrounding integration of PCEHRs in practice, community pharmacists provided insights into their expectations and concerns and the perceived benefits relating to implementation of the system. Training priorities and practice guidelines should address ethical data management and optimal use of electronic health records for clinical services.
The translation of needs into rights: Reconceptualising social citizenship as a global phenomenon
Authors: Dean Hartley
Published: April 2013

The article proceeds from the contention that rights are socially constructed; that social rights are constructed through the naming and claiming of needs; and that social citizenship provides the context for the realisation of such rights. It is argued that needs precede rights, but both are framed within two intersecting dimensions: sociality (the competing meanings that attach to social interdependency) and negotiation (the dynamics of the claiming process). From this premise, the article advances a post‐Marshallian concept of citizenship that is truly social; that may be constituted in a variety of modes and at a variety of sites at the points at which competing understandings of needs and rights collide; that may transcend territorial boundaries; that may be shaped by a spectrum of means, ranging from local customs to international covenants; that may be centred on a politics of need as the process whereby needs are translated into rights.
Teaching Teachers about Supply Chain Management to Influence Students’ Career and Education Choices
Authors: Gardner Leslie L.
Published: April 2013

Since teachers are influential in high school students’ career choices, enabling high school teachers to introduce educational and career opportunities in supply chain management is a viable strategy for reaching high school students about these opportunities. This article presents a pilot program of supply chain workshops to educate high school and middle school teachers and guidance counselors about the opportunities in supply chain management and logistics and to enable them to integrate supply chain concepts into their teaching. These workshops incorporate a mix of slideshows to introduce concepts, hands‐on activities to illustrate how the concepts work, and field trips and guest speakers to demonstrate concepts in real world applications.
Cross‐Neutralisation of the Neurotoxic Effects of Egyptian Cobra Venom with Commercial Tiger Snake Antivenom
Authors: Kornhauser Rachelle , Isbister Geoffrey K. , O'Leary Margaret A. , Mirtschin Peter , Dunstan Nathan , Hodgson Wayne C.
Published: April 2013

Cross‐neutralisation has been demonstrated for haemorrhagic venoms including Echis spp. and Cerastes spp. and for Australia elapid procoagulant toxins. A previous study showed that commercial tiger snake antivenom (TSAV) was able to neutralise the systemic effects of the Egyptian cobra, Naja haje, in vivo but it is unclear if this was true cross‐neutralisation. The aim of the current study was to determine whether TSAV can neutralise the in vitro neurotoxic effects of N. haje venom. Both Notechis scutatus (10 μg/ml) and N. haje (10 μg/ml) venoms caused inhibition of indirect (supramaximal V, 0.1 Hz, 0.2 msec.) twitches of the chick biventer cervicis nerve–muscle preparation with t90 values (i.e. the time to produce 90% inhibition of the original twitch height) of 26 ± 1 min. (n = 4) and 36 ± 4 min.; (n = 4). This effect at 10 μg/ml was significantly attenuated by the prior addition of TSAV (5 U/ml). A comparison of the reverse‐phase HPLC profiles of both venoms showed some similarities with peak elution times, and SDS‐PAGE analysis elucidated comparable bands across both venoms. Further analysis using Western immunoblotting indicated TSAV was able to detect N. haje venom, and enzyme immunoassay showed that in‐house biotinylated polyclonal monovalent N. scutatus antibodies were able to detect N. haje venom. These findings demonstrate cross‐neutralisation between different and geographically separated snakes supporting potential immunological similarities in snake toxin groups for a large range of snakes. This provides more evidence that antivenoms could be developed against specific toxin groups to cover a large range of snakes.
Regulation of Neuropathic Hypersensitivity by α2‐Adrenoceptors in the Pontine A7 Cell Group
Authors: Wei Hong , Pertovaara Antti
Published: April 2013

Pontine A5, A6 (locus coeruleus) and A7 cell groups provide noradrenergic innervation of the spinal cord. Here, we assessed whether activation of α2‐adrenoceptors in A7 influences peripheral nerve injury‐induced hypersensitivity in the rat, and whether spinal α2‐adrenoceptors mediate the descending effect. Fadolmidine, an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist that because of its pharmacokinetic properties has a limited spread from the injection site, was microinjected through a chronic guide cannula into A7 or for comparison into A6 ipsilateral to the nerve injury. Moreover, atipamezole, an α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, was injected intrathecally in an attempt to reverse the possible antihypersensitivity effect. Tactile hypersensitivity was assessed in the injured limb by determining limb withdrawal evoked by calibrated monofilaments, mechanical hyperalgesia by determining withdrawal evoked by noxious mechanical stimulation of the paw, and thermal nociception by assessing heat‐induced withdrawal of the intact tail. Fadolmidine (1.0 or 3.0 μg) in A7, but not in A6, produced a tactile antihypersensitivity effect. Intrathecal atipamezole (5 μg) reversed the tactile antihypersensitivity effect by fadolmidine in A7. Atipamezole alone (5.0 μg) intrathecally or in A7 failed to influence tactile hypersensitivity. Fadolmidine in A7 failed to influence mechanical hyperalgesia or heat nociception at doses that produced a tactile antihypersensitivity effect. We propose that tonic noradrenergic drive of A6 by A7 promotes neuropathic hypersensitivity by suppressing descending noradrenergic inhibition originating in A6. Consequently, the activation of inhibitory α2‐adrenoceptors within the pontine A7 cell group suppresses neuropathic hypersensitivity by disinhibiting A6 and its descending noradrenergic pathways acting on spinal α2‐adrenoceptors.
Selenium Modulates Oxidative Stress‐Induced TRPM2 Cation Channel Currents in Transfected Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells
Authors: Nazıroğlu Mustafa , Özgül Cemil , Küçükayaz Mustafa , Çiğ Bilal , Hebeisen Simon , Bal Ramazan
Published: April 2013

It has been recently reported that the essential antioxidant element selenium has protective effects on cytosolic Ca2+ levels in cell lines. However, the effects of selenium on like transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) in response to oxidative stress (H2O2) are not well understood. We investigated the effects of selenium on H2O2‐induced TRPM2 channel currents in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line using patch‐clamp and fura‐2 fluorescence imaging techniques.
An International Examination of Assurance Practices on Carbon Emissions Disclosures
Authors: Green Wendy , Zhou Shan
Published: April 2013

This paper provides a detailed examination of the assurance practices for carbon emissions disclosures for an international sample of 3008 companies across 43 countries between 2006 and 2008. The demand for such assurance services was found to be mainly from companies in Europe and companies from carbon intensive industries, with a majority of these engaging specialist assurers. The results reported reflect the growth and evolving nature of this emerging market. Through providing an understanding of current practice in this dichotomous market our study provides important information for standard setters and regulators as they work towards establishing guidelines and standards to regulate this market.
A systematic review of the association between obesity and asthma in children
Authors: Liu Pei‐Ching , Kieckhefer Gail M. , Gau Bih‐Shya
Published: April 2013

Aim

To provide a comprehensive integration of contemporary studies focusing on the relationship between obesity and asthma in paediatric populations.

Background

The simultaneous increase in asthma and obesity prevalence has been widely discussed over the past 20 years. Although studies have discovered a positive correlation between the two, evidence‐based findings are needed to develop nursing interventions.

Design

A quantitative systematic review on the literature was conducted from June–December 2011.

Data sources

An electronic database search was conducted for studies published between January 1966–May 2011. Additional articles were identified through the reference lists of reviewed papers.

Review methods

Inclusion/exclusion criteria and quality appraisal were applied to ensure research primarily designed to study the relationship between obesity and asthma in children was included.

Results

The majority of studies support a positive association between obesity and asthma in children. Among correlates recognized as important effect modifiers, gender was the most prominent, with obese girls more likely to have asthma diagnoses than obese boys. Scrutinization of covariates in selected studies revealed that most related to children's demographic characteristics and were inconsistent across the studies.

Conclusions

This review was designed to integrate contemporary scientific findings on the association between obesity and asthma by including a large number of studies with variant research designs. To identify high‐risk groups and develop nursing interventions to help children affected by both epidemics, more interdisciplinary and well‐designed investigations focusing on an expanded spectrum of correlates including demographic and behavioural factors are warranted.
On the origin of theSlovenianCika cattle
Authors: Simčič M. , Lenstra J.A. , Baumung R. , Dovč P. , Čepon M. , Kompan D.
Published: April 2013

In 2002, it was discovered that severalCika cattle in the mountain areas ofSlovenia had escaped the official policy of cross‐breeding. Here, we report a genetic characterization to assess their status as autochthonous breed. We compared genotypes for 14 microsatellite markers in 150Cika cattle individuals with data from 16CentralEuropean cattle breeds. We show thatCika cattle are genetically as diverse as otherEasternAlpine breeds, are more diverse thanAustrianSimmental but less than theBalkanBusha cattle.STRUCTUREanalysis showedPinzgauer admixture in several individuals but also indicated a unique genetic identity forCika. This analysis also allowed a selection of the most genetically pureCika individuals as assessed by the panel of microsatellites. These originalCika cattle form anEasternAlpine breed cluster together withPinzgauer andPustertaler cattle.Cika cattle should be considered as an authentic and valuable genetic resource, which offers clear opportunities for sustainable agriculture and landscape conservation in marginal and mountain areas.
Dronedarone's Inhibition of If Current Is the Primary Mechanism Responsible for Its Bradycardic Effect
Authors: SOBRADO LUCAS F. , VARONE BRUNO B. , MACHADO ANANDA D. , NEARING BRUCE D. , ZENG DEWAN , BELARDINELLI LUIZ , VERRIER RICHARD L.
Published: April 2013

Dronedarone's Bradycardic Effect

Introduction

The mechanism(s) whereby dronedarone reduces sinus rate are not well understood, although L‐type calcium channel antagonism, beta‐adrenergic blockade, and inhibition of If are plausible.

Methods and Results

In anesthetized pigs, we compared the effects of dronedarone to the prototypical If inhibitor, ivabradine, and the L‐type calcium channel antagonist diltiazem on heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and contractility. Dronedarone's effects on the phenylephrine‐induced rise in MAP and on the chronotropic response to isoproterenol were also investigated. Cumulative doses of dronedarone (0.5 mg/kg, i.v., and 5.0 mg/kg, i.v.; plasma level: 80 ± 16.1 nM) progressively reduced heart rate (P < 0.02) without changes in MAP or contractility as assessed by LV dP/dt (N = 6). Ivabradine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) similarly reduced heart rate (P < 0.01) without change in MAP (N = 6). Diltiazem (0.8 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced heart rate and MAP and decreased contractility (N = 6). Dronedarone blunted phenylephrine's alpha‐receptor‐mediated increase in MAP but did not alter the marked beta‐adrenergic receptor (BAR)‐mediated increase in heart rate induced by isoproterenol. When dronedarone injection was preceded by ivabradine, no further decrease in heart rate or change in MAP was observed (N = 6).

Conclusions

Dronedarone reduced heart rate without affecting MAP or contractility, effects that differ from L‐type calcium channel blockade. Dronedarone did not antagonize BAR stimulation, and its heart‐rate lowering effects were eliminated by prior administration of ivabradine. Thus, dronedarone's bradycardic action is likely due to inhibition of If and not to blockade of either L‐type calcium channels or BAR.
Atrial Flutter Following Pulmonary Vein Isolation: What Is the Mechanism?
Authors: YAMADA TAKUMI , KAY G. NEAL
Published: April 2013

Arrhythmia Rounds

 A 70‐year‐old man with atrial flutter (AFL) following pulmonary vein (PV) isolation (PVI) underwent electrophysiologic testing. The AFL exhibited positive P waves in the inferior leads and lead V1. Left atrial activation mapping revealed 2 remote sites with early activation that were located at the antrum of the left superior PV roof and the left inferior PV bottom. A single irrigated radiofrequency ablation targeting the earliest PV activation at the left PV carina eliminated the AFL. This case demonstrated that PV carina tachycardia with multiple conduction gaps and inter‐PV conduction after PVI might mimic double focal atrial tachycardias.
Prevalence of True Therapeutic Inertia in Blood Pressure Control in an Academic Chronic Kidney Disease Clinic
Authors: Desai Nayan , Madhavankutty Saraswathy Vishnupriya , Hunter Krystal , McFadden Christopher
Published: April 2013

Therapeutic inertia (TI) in blood pressure (BP) control has been traditionally defined as failure to initiate or intensify therapy when treatment goals are not met. The fallacy with this definition is that TI may be overestimated because it includes hypertensive patients deliberately uncontrolled. This is a retrospective chart review study that evaluated physicians' response to an uncontrolled clinic BP reading in a population of patients with stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension. Of 429 patients screened, 166 had controlled BP and 263 did not. Of these 263 patients, 115 patients had no clear reason documented for the absence of changes in medication regimen. This population was defined as cases with true TI. In the remaining 148 patients, the medication regimen was changed in 81 patients. In the rest of the patients, there was a reason documented for not changing the medication regimen. The prevalence of true TI rate (defined as percentage of uncontrolled hypertension as a result of physician inaccountability) in our study was 44% as compared with 69% if the traditional TI definition is applied. Thus, we conclude that the prevalence of TI in the literature overestimates the rate of true TI as it does not account for physician decision making. The current definition of TI in BP control needs to be revised, as it underestimates a provider's care to improve BP control and is misleading. The TI definition should include some mechanism to account for interventions beyond medication titration.
Dairy food consumption is inversely associated with the risk of the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults
Authors: Kim J.
Published: April 2013

Background

The present study explored the association between dairy food consumption and the risk of the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults using the most recent nationally representative data.

Methods

The study sample comprised 4862 Korean adults (≥19 years) who participated in the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Dairy food consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Results

We found that the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly lower in subjects with higher milk or yogurt consumption (P < 0.0001). Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for abdominal obesity and high fasting glucose were significantly lower among subjects in the highest (≥ once per day) than in the lowest (none or rarely) category of milk consumption after adjusting for potential risk factors [OR = 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.50–0.93, P for trend = 0.0314; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.65–1.03, P for trend = 0.0233]. The adjusted ORs for lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was 28% lower among subjects in the highest compared to subjects in the lowest category of yogurt consumption (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.52–1.00, P for trend = 0.0197). Furthermore, higher consumption of milk or yogurt was found to be significantly associated with a lower risk of the metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.55–0.93, P for trend = 0.0066; OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.48–1.05, P for trend = 0.0067).

Conclusions

High intakes of dairy foods may be associated with a lower risk of the metabolic syndrome.
Sustainability Assessment of Red Sand as a Substitute for Virgin Sand and Crushed Limestone
Authors: Biswas Wahidul K. , Cooling David
Published: April 2013

This article assesses the sustainability benefits of replacing virgin sand and crushed limestone with Red Sand for road construction and top dressing. The sustainability of Red Sand was assessed using a triple bottom line analysis that includes economic, social, and environmental objectives. Each of these objectives consists of a number of headline performance indicators, with each being the aggregate of key performance indicators that measure whether Red Sand applications foster or impede sustainability.

 Red Sand is a newly developed product that is expected to be commercially available in 2014. It is produced by washing and carbonating the coarse fraction of the residue produced by the Bayer alumina refining process. Our assessment indicates that replacing virgin sand and crushed limestone with Red Sand will provide a range of financial and environmental benefits. For example, some environmental impacts associated with using virgin sand and crushed limestone, such as loss of biodiversity and land degradation, can be avoided by substituting Red Sand. Also, the use of Red Sand for road construction and top dressing is expected to conserve land and raw materials for future generations, thus enhancing intergenerational social equity. The energy consumption associated with producing Red Sand is projected to be lower than that required to quarry virgin sand and crushed limestone, thereby conserving energy and reducing the overall greenhouse impact of road construction and top‐dressing applications that use virgin sand and crushed limestone. The greenhouse benefit of Red Sand is further enhanced by avoiding the loss of vegetation associated with sand and limestone quarrying. There are also intangible benefits expected from the substitution of Red Sand, including ecological, aesthetic, and recreational benefits associated with bushland conservation, a significant issue in areas surrounding metropolitan Perth.
THE THEORY OF ENDOGENOUS MARKET STRUCTURES
Authors: Etro Federico
Published: April 2013

Most market structures are neither perfectly or monopolistically competitive: they are characterized by a few large firms that are engaged in strategic interactions in their production and investment decisions and whose number is endogenous. The theory of endogenous market structures analyzes markets in partial and general equilibrium where strategies affect entry and entry affects strategies, and exogenous primitive conditions on technology and preferences affect the equilibrium. We discuss applications to industrial organization, international trade, business cycle theory, international finance, growth and implications for welfare and for competition, trade, fiscal and monetary policy.
Non‐surgical prevention and management of scoliosis for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: What is the evidence?
Authors: Harvey Adrienne , Baker Louise , Williams Katrina
Published: April 2013

A review was performed to examine the evidence for non‐surgical interventions for preventing scoliosis and the need for scoliosis surgery in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Medline and Embase databases and reference lists from key articles were searched. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 13 studies were critically appraised independently by two reviewers. The included studies examined spinal orthoses and steroid therapy. There were no studies with high levels of evidence (randomised or other controlled trials). The studies with the highest level of evidence were non‐randomised experimental trials. There is some evidence that children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who receive steroid therapy might have delayed onset of scoliosis, but more evidence is required about the long‐term risks versus benefits of this intervention. There is weak evidence that spinal orthoses do not prevent and only minimally delay the onset of scoliosis.
First Report of a 16SrI‐C Phytoplasma Infecting Celery (Apium graveolens) with Stunting, Bushy Top and Phyllody in the Czech Republic
Authors: Fránová Jana , Špak Josef
Published: April 2013

Apium graveolens L. plants showing stunting, purplish/whitening of new leaves, flower abnormalities and bushy tops were observed in South Bohemia (Czech Republic) during 2011 and 2012. Transmission electron microscopy observations showed phytoplasmas in phloem sieve tube elements of symptomatic but not healthy plants. Polymerase chain reactions with universal and group‐specific phytoplasma primers followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses and sequencing of 16S rDNA enabled classification of the detected phytoplasmas into the aster yellows group, ribosomal subgroup 16SrI‐C. Identical analyses of the ribosomal protein genes rpl22 and rps3 were used for further classification and revealed affiliation of the phytoplasmas with the rpIC subgroups. This is the first report of naturally occurring clover phyllody phytoplasma in A. graveolens in both the Czech Republic and worldwide.
Emergency room visits for dental problems among working poor Canadians
Authors: Ramraj Chantel C. , Quiñonez Carlos R.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To explore the risk of visiting hospital emergency rooms (ERs) for dental problems not associated with trauma among a sample of working poor Canadians.

Methods

Data stem from a telephone survey administered between March and August 2007 of working poor Canadians aged 18‐64 years. Logistic regressions were employed to determine the predictors of reporting a visit to an ER for dental problems not associated with trauma.

Results

Approximately 6.1 percent of the sample reported visiting an ER in the past for a dental problem not associated with trauma. Those who were publicly insured, reported poor oral health, experienced a bed day due to dental pain, had dependent children, were lone parents, had competing needs, a history of receiving welfare, a history of an inability to afford dental care, and a perceived need for dental treatment were all more likely to have reported an ER visit. When adjusting for all variables, having experienced a bed day due to dental pain and a history of an inability to afford dental care were the dominant predictors of this outcome. A higher but not significantly different prevalence of ER visits for dental problems was found among the working poor sample when compared with the general Canadian population (6.1 percent versus 5.4 percent, P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Further research is needed in order to provide insight into the reasons why the working poor population is seeking dental care in hospital settings.
Activated Rho Kinase Mediates Diabetes-Induced Elevation of Vascular Arginase Activation and Contributes to Impaired Corpora Cavernosa Relaxation: Possible Involvement of p38 MAPK Activation
Authors: Toque Haroldo A. , Nunes Kenia P. , Yao Lin , Liao James K. , Webb R. Clinton , Caldwell Ruth B. , Caldwell R. William
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Activated RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) has been implicated in diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. Earlier studies have demonstrated involvement of ROCK pathway in the activation of arginase in endothelial cells. However, signaling pathways activated by ROCK in the penis remain unclear.

Aim

We tested whether ROCK and p38 MAPK are involved in the elevation of arginase activity and subsequent impairment of corpora cavernosal (CC) relaxation in diabetes.

Methods

Eight weeks after streptozotocin-induced diabetes, vascular functional studies, arginase activity assay, and protein expression of RhoA, ROCK, phospho-p38 MAPK, p38 MAPK, phospho-MYPT-1Thr850, MYPT-1 and arginase levels were assessed in CC tissues from nondiabetic wild type (WT), diabetic (D) WT (WT + D), partial ROCK 2+/− knockout (KO), and ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice.

Main Outcome Measures

The expression of RhoA, ROCK 1 and 2, phosphorylation of MYPT-1Thr850 and p38 MAPK, arginase activity/expression, endothelial- and nitrergic-dependent relaxation of CC was assayed.

Results

Diabetes significantly reduced maximum relaxation (Emax) to both endothelium-dependent acetylcholine (WT + D: Emax; 61 ± 4% vs. WT: Emax; 75 ± 2%) and nitrergic nerve stimulation. These effects were associated with increased expression of active RhoA, ROCK 2, phospho-MYPT-1Thr850, phospho-p38 MAPK, arginase II, and activity of corporal arginase (1.6-fold) in WT diabetic CC. However, this impairment in CC of WT + D mice was absent in heterozygous ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice for acetylcholine (Emax: 80 ± 5%) and attenuated for nitrergic nerve-induced relaxation. CC of ROCK 2+/− KO + D mice showed much less ROCK activity, did not exhibit p38 MAPK activation, and had reduced arginase activity and arginase II expression. These findings indicate that ROCK 2 mediates diabetes-induced elevation of arginase activity. Additionally, pretreatment of WT diabetic CC with inhibitors of arginase (ABH) or p38 MAPK (SB203580) partially prevented impairment of ACh- and nitrergic nerve-induced relaxation and elevation of arginase activity.

Conclusion

ROCK 2, p38 MAPK and arginase play key roles in diabetes-induced impairment of CC relaxation.
Role of hepatitis C virus substitutions and interleukin‐28B polymorphism on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in a prospective study of response‐guided therapy
Authors: Liang C.‐M. , Hu T.‐H. , Lu S.‐N. , Hung C.‐H. , Huang C.‐M. , Wang J.‐H. , Yen Y.‐H. , Chen C.‐H. , Chang K.‐C. , Tsai M.‐C. , Kuo Y.‐H. , Lee C.‐M.
Published: April 2013

Recent studies have indicated that amino acid (aa) substitutions in the core region and NS5A interferon sensitivity‐determining region (ISDR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as well as genetic polymorphisms in the interleukin‐28B (IL‐28B) locus affect the outcome of interferon (IFN)‐based therapies. We aimed to investigate the role of these factors on response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in a prospective study of response‐guided therapy. The aa sequences in core region and ISDR and rs12979860 genotypes were analysed in 115 HCV‐1 patients. The treatment was 24 weeks for patients achieving a rapid virological response (RVR), 48 weeks for those with an early virological response (EVR) and early terminated in those without an EVR. A sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 82% of 34 RVR patients, 45% of 74 EVR patients and 0% of seven non‐EVR patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that ISDR mutation (≥2) [odds ratio(OR): 6.024], double core 70/91 mutations (OR: 0.136), and platelet counts ≥ 15 × 104/μL (OR: 3.119) were independent pretreatment factors associated with SVR. Apart from rs12979860 CC genotype, low viral load and ISDR mutation (≥2) were significant factors predictive of RVR. Combination of rs12979860 genotype and baseline viral characteristics (viral load and core/ISDR mutations) could predict RVR and SVR with positive predictive value of 100% and 91%, and negative predictive value of 80% and 54%, respectively. In conclusion, pretreatment screening rs12979860 genotype and aa substitutions in the core region and ISDR could help identifying patients who are good candidates for peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy.
Melanism, body condition and elevational distribution in the asp viper
Authors: Castella B. , Golay J. , Monney J.‐C. , Golay P. , Mebert K. , Dubey S.
Published: April 2013

Alternative morphotypes can confer important selective advantages in different habitats, whereas they can be penalized in other circumstances. In ectotherms, such as reptiles, the body colour can have direct effects on numerous aspects of their existence, such as thermoregulation or prey–predator interactions. Darker melanic individuals show lower skin reflectance and consequently heat up more rapidly and maintain optimal body temperatures more easily than lighter coloured individuals. As a consequence, melanistic individuals of diurnal species in cool areas may exhibit higher body condition, growth rate, survival and fecundity than lighter coloured individuals. Such advantages of dark coloration may be counterbalanced by a lower crypsis to predators and a decreased foraging efficiency. We investigated, in two montane populations of asp vipers Vipera aspis, the relationship between (1) colour polymorphism and body condition and length and (2) the coloration of individuals and their elevational distribution. We showed significant relationships between (1) the coloration, body condition and sex of individuals; (2) sexes and reproductive state and morph frequency; and (3) colour morphs that were distributed following an elevational gradient. Hence, colour polymorphism plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of the asp viper and is maintained through differential selective pressures.
What a Bayesian Analysis Can Do for SLA: New Tools for the Sociolinguistic Study of Subject Expression in L2 Spanish
Authors: Gudmestad Aarnes , House Leanna , Geeslin Kimberly L.
Published: April 2013

This study constitutes the first statistical analysis to employ a Bayesian multinomial probit model in the investigation of subject expression in first and second language (L2) Spanish. The study analyzes the use of third‐person subject‐expression forms and demonstrates that the following variables are important for subject expression: perseveration, switch reference, number of the verb, specificity, verbal tense/mood/aspect, object pronoun, referent cohesiveness, the interaction of switch reference and referent cohesiveness, and the interaction of native language and four independent variables (number, specificity, tense/mood/aspect, and object pronoun). However, only certain parameters of these independent variables predicted use. The analysis highlights that, for advanced L2 speakers and native speakers, all forms of subject expression (i.e., lexical noun phrases, null subjects, personal pronouns, and other pronouns) allow variation and should be examined for a thorough understanding of subject expression in Spanish. The study offers theoretical and empirical evidence for the need to conduct cross‐disciplinary research in second language acquisition.
Cartilage degradation in temporomandibular joint induced by unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis
Authors: Wang Y‐L , Zhang J , Zhang M , Lu L , Wang X , Guo M , Zhang X , Wang M‐Q
Published: April 2013

Objective

To investigate the pathological effects on temporomandibular joint cartilage of an experimentally created unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis.

Methods

Six‐week‐old female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into experimental and control groups and further divided into three subgroups for three time points (n = 9). In experimental groups, the unilateral anterior crossbite was created by bonding two metal tubes on left maxillary and mandibular incisors. 2, 4, or 8 weeks after operation, the histomorphological changes and the expression changes of PCNA, COL II, aggrecan, MMP‐3, MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and TIMP‐1 in condylar cartilage were investigated by hematoxylin–eosin and toluidine blue staining, real‐time PCR, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

In experimental groups, decreasing in chondrocytes, cell‐free areas, reduction in the thickness of hypertrophic layer, and loss of extracellular matrix were noticed. The expression level of PCNA was decreased at week 2 and week 4. The mRNA expression of COL II was decreased at 4 week and that of aggrecan was increased at 2 week but decreased at 4 and 8 week. The expression of MMP‐9, MMP‐13, and TIMP‐1 was increased at 2‐week and decreased at 4‐ and 8‐week, while that of MMP‐3 was increased at 4‐ and 8‐week.

Conclusions

The present unilateral anterior crossbite prosthesis led to degradation of mandibular condylar cartilage.
Aloe vera herbal dentifrices for plaque and gingivitis control: a systematic review
Authors: Dhingra K
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of aloe vera containing herbal dentifrices in improving plaque control and gingival health.

Methods

A manual and electronic literature (MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) search was performed up to July 2012, for randomized controlled trials presenting clinical, microbiological, immunological, and patient‐centered data for the efficacy of aloe vera herbal dentifrices for controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis.

Results

From 79 titles and abstracts, eight full‐text articles were screened and finally two randomized controlled trials were selected. These randomized controlled trials reported that aloe vera dentifrices were similar in efficacy to control dentifrices in effectively reducing plaque and gingival inflammation in gingivitis patients based on the assessment of clinical, microbiological, and patient‐centered treatment outcomes. However, many important details (composition and characteristics of aloe vera and control dentifrices along with appropriate randomization, blinding, and outcomes assessed) were lacking in these trials, and therefore, the quality of reporting and methods was generally flawed with high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Even though there are some promising results, the clinical effectiveness of aloe vera herbal dentifrices is not sufficiently defined at present and warrants further investigations based on reporting guidelines of herbal CONSORT statement.
Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment for Patients with Shoulder Pain Booked for Surgery: A Double‐Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taverner Murray , Loughnan Terence
Published: April 2013

Shoulder pain is the third most common musculoskeletal problem and accounts for 5% of general practitioner consultations. Although many treatments are described, there is no consensus on optimal treatment and up to 40% of patients still have pain 12 months after initially seeking help for pain. Previously, the effect of transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment (TCPRFT) was evaluated in a retrospective audit that showed good pain relief for a mean 395 days and justified this randomized sham controlled trial. In this study, 51 patients entered into a randomized double‐blinded, placebo controlled study of TCPRFT. Patients were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks by a blinded observer and compared with baseline. We observed sustained reductions in pain at night, pain with activity, and functional improvement at 4 and 12 weeks with active but not sham TCPRFT. The 25 subjects who received active treatment showed statistically significant reductions of 24/100 in pain at night and 20/100 of pain with activity at 4 weeks and 18/100 and 19/100, respectively, at 12 weeks from baseline. Statistically significant lower Brief Pain Inventory pain and function scores (4 and 12 weeks), improved pain self‐efficacy (4 weeks), Oxford Shoulder scores (12 weeks), and internal rotation (12 weeks) were seen. Pain at both rest and shoulder elevation were not improved by active treatment. No complications were seen. This study of a simple, low risk, outpatient treatment confirms the findings of our earlier study of TCPRFT for knee pain and shoulder pain audit that transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency treatment may help some people with painful shoulders.
Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Phenol Injection for Abdominal Wall Cancer Pain
Authors: Restrepo‐Garces Carlos Eduardo , Asenjo Juan Francisco , Gomez Carlos Mario , Jaramillo Santiago , Acosta Nathalia , Ramirez Lizeth Jazmin , Lopera Luz Maria , Vargas Juan Felipe
Published: April 2013

A subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) phenol injection was performed on a patient with refractory cancer pain due a metastatic involvement of the abdominal wall. A diagnostic block with local anesthetic was performed under ultrasound guidance (USG), resulting in a decrease of 80% and 100% in dynamic and static visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, respectively, for 20 hours. A phenol injection was then performed under USG. The patient reported 70% and 100% reduction in the dynamic and static VAS for pain and had a 50% decrease in the opioid requirement that was maintained for 2 months. TAP blocks offer an interesting tool for either diagnosis or therapeutic purpose in chronic pain management. USG provides an optimal approach to soft‐tissue lesions where fluoroscopy techniques are not useful.
Quantitative models of hydrolysis conversion efficiency and biomass crystallinity index for plant breeding
Authors: Vandenbrink Joshua P. , Hilten Roger N. , Das K.C. , Paterson Andrew H. , Alex Feltus Frank
Published: April 2013

In conjunction with improvements to processing technology, selective breeding can be used to increase bioenergy yield potential either through an increase in total harvestable biomass or by modifying biomass conversion efficiency. In this study, the measurement of biomass composition (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) and proximate (fixed carbon, volatile matter, ash and moisture contents) components was conducted on leaf and tissue samples from diverse Sorghum bicolor genotypes across two environments. Multiple regression analysis was used to create models that predict two biomass conversion traits: hydrolysis yield potential (HYP) and crystallinity index (CI). CI model variables included tissue type, ash and lignin. HYP model variables included tissue type, ash, cellulose and volatile matter. The presence of ash content in all models was a salient finding of our study. Given that several models were able to predict HYP and CI in alternate grow‐out years, these models may be useful in selective breeding programmes aimed at sorghum bioenergy feedstock improvement through increased conversion efficiency.
Virtue beyond Reason
Authors: Landrum Ty
Published: April 2013

In the wake of Aristotle, it is often thought that moral virtue is a matter of feeling and acting for the right reasons. This notion is not incorrect, but it obscures one of the most interesting dimensions of virtue. It overlooks the formative role that virtue can play in bringing forth the kinds of considerations that count as reasons. To illustrate this point, I discuss some instances of love and resentment that are not plausibly conceived as responses to reasons, but which exemplify virtue nonetheless. They do so, I argue, because they positively assert human worth.
Responses of physiological indexes and leaf epicuticular waxes of Brassica napus to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infection
Authors: Ni Y. , Guo Y. ‐J. , Wang J. , Xia R. ‐E. , Wang X. ‐Q. , Ash G. , Li J. ‐N.
Published: April 2013

Two Brassica napus genotypes with different resistances to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum were used to clarify whether or not the epicuticular wax is involved in the defence mechanism of B. napus to S. sclerotiorum. The total wax and wax constituents were significantly higher in the susceptible cultivar than in the resistant cultivar, except for esters. Infection by S. sclerotiorum increased the content of aldehydes in both cultivars, while increasing the content of alkanes and unknowns in the resistant cultivar. More crystalloid rods were observed on adaxial surfaces of leaves of the susceptible cultivar than on those of the resistant cultivar. The resistance to S. sclerotiorum was correlated to the responses of wax content but not the amount of total wax. The up‐regulation of transcription of a wax‐related gene and a pathogenesis‐related gene (PR1) in the pathogen‐challenged resistant cultivar also supported this observation. After inoculation, the increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in the resistant cultivar and the decrease in the susceptible cultivar were correlated with their resistance to disease. The content of alkanes, alcohols, ketones and total wax were negatively correlated with the activities of PAL and polyphenoloxidase. After wax removal, the resistant cultivar developed more necrotic spots compared to seedlings with intact wax, whilst no significant change was observed for susceptible seedlings. These results show that epicuticular wax contributed more to the defence of resistant cultivars than susceptible cultivars. The leaf epicuticular wax, defence enzymes and salicylic acid‐dependent signalling pathway all contribute to defence against S. sclerotiorum in B. napus.
Identifying concealment‐related responses in the concealed information test
Authors: Matsuda Izumi , Nittono Hiroshi , Ogawa Tokihiro
Published: April 2013

The concealed information test (CIT) assesses an examinee's recognition of a crime‐relevant item using physiological measures. However, a guilty examinee not only recognizes the crime‐relevant item but also conceals the recognition intentionally. In this study, we attempted to identify the effect of concealing the recognition on event‐related potentials and autonomic responses. After committing a mock theft of two items, 30 participants received twoCITs: one for an item that they had to conceal, and the other for an item that they had disclosed.N2,P3, heart rate, skin conductance, and cutaneous blood flow differed between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items in bothCITs. In contrast, late positive potential and respiration differed between crime‐relevant and irrelevant items only when the examinee needed to conceal. The former measures appear to be related to orienting process, whereas the latter to controlled process related to concealment.
Housing Market Integration of Migrants: Moroccans in Spain
Authors: Meier Sarah
Published: April 2013

Moroccans are the largest group of immigrants in Spain. Once they arrive at the new place, one of their first necessities is to access shelter. Focusing on the south‐eastern region of Murcia in Spain and combining quantitative and qualitative data, I explore the process of housing market integration of Moroccan migrants. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of this process and the role that the interaction between the supply side and the foreign demand of accommodation plays. Thereby, I will emphasise how an unfavourable structure of the housing market, along with behaviour of local private landlords on the supply side leads to considerable problems concerning the housing market integration of migrants in Spain. Thus, this paper aims to give a more accurate interpretation of the dynamics influencing the housing outcomes of migrants in the studied area.
Spatial Concentration in the Irish Pharmaceutical Industry: The Role of Spatial Planning and Agglomeration Economies
Authors: van Egeraat Chris , Curran Declan
Published: April 2013

This paper explores the idea that spatial planning‐triggered satellite industrial platform‐type concentrations may, over time, automatically gain the capacity to generate substantial agglomeration economies and ultimately transform into entities capable of stimulating self‐perpetuating growth. Applying the lexicon of agglomeration theory, the idea is explored in the context of the spatial dynamics of the pharmaceutical industry in Ireland. Spatial concentration indices indicate a particularly high level of spatial concentration in one of the industry's sub‐sectors, namely, drug substance production. Based on interview data and secondary sources, a detailed investigation of the spatial dynamics of the Irish concentrations suggests that, while some agglomeration advantages have emerged, they remain relatively limited and have played only a minor role in shaping local industrial concentration. They are mainly of the urbanisation type, relating particularly to the pooled market for workers. The evidence serves to show that the kind of spatial planning‐triggered satellite industrial platforms in late‐developing economies do not automatically start generating substantial agglomeration economies and crucial technological spillovers, not even after, as in the case of the Cork pharmaceuticals concentration, nearly 40 years of existence.
Rab and Arf Proteins in Genetic Diseases
Authors: Seixas Elsa , Barros Mafalda , Seabra Miguel C. , Barral Duarte C.
Published: April 2013

Rab and ADP‐ribosylation factor (Arf) family proteins are master regulators of membrane trafficking and are involved in all steps of vesicular transport. These families of small guanine‐nucleotide‐binding (G) proteins are well suited to regulate membrane trafficking processes since their nucleotide state determines their conformation and the capacity to bind to a multitude of effectors, which mediate their functions. In recent years, several inherited diseases have been associated with mutations in genes encoding proteins belonging to these two families or in proteins that regulate their GTP‐binding cycle. The genetic diseases that are caused by defects in Rabs, Arfs or their regulatory proteins are heterogeneous and display diverse symptoms. However, these diseases mainly affect two types of subcellular compartments, namely lysosome‐related organelles and cilia. Also, several of these diseases affect the nervous system. Thus, the study of these diseases represents an opportunity to understand their etiology and the molecular mechanisms involved, as well as to develop novel therapeutic strategies.