bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Monocyte Secretion Function in a Porcine Pancreatitis Model by Continuous Dose-Dependent Veno-Venous Hemofiltration
Authors: Tao J. , Gong D. , Ji D. , Xu B. , Liu Z. , Li L.
Published: January 2018

Objective

Monocyte and its secreted cytokines play a crucial role in the process of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). It has been known that continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) can partially attenuate the inflammatory process by removal of cytokines, but the effect of CVVH on monocyte secretion function remains unknown. This study investigated the effect of different doses of CVVH on monocyte secretion function as well as the plasma cytokine profile in a SAP porcine model.

Methods

After successful induction of SAP by pressure-controlled (100 mmHg), intraductal injection of sodium taurocholate (4%, 1 ml/kg) and trypsin (2 U/kg), 24 swine were randomly assigned to 3 groups. Swine in group I (n=8) serving as SAP controls received only standard medical therapy (SMT). Besides SMT, swine in two other groups received zero-balanced CVVH, one hour after the induction of SAP, with low volume fluid exchange (group II, n=8, ultrafiltration rate (UFR) 20 ml/kg/h, LV-CVVH) or high volume (group III, n=8, UFR 100 ml/kg/h, HV-CVVH). Using heparin as anticoagulant, the filter (AN69, Hospal, Lyon, France) was changed every 24 hours. Monocytes were isolated from porcine blood at various timepoints for detection of cytokine secretion (interleukin-6, IL-6; interleukin-10, IL-10; tumor necrosis-α, TNF-α) after LPS stimulus; plasma cytokines were measured simultaneously.

Results

CVVH showed a dose-dependent beneficial effect on the animals’ survival time. In control animals, plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels exhibited a double-phase fluctuation after SAP induction: IL-6 and TNF-α rapidly increased to a peak level within 6–12 hours, then dropped to very low level in the late stage. Unlike pro-inflammatory cytokines, the plasma level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 reached a plateau within 6–12 hours but dropped little. In CVVH-treated animals, the peak-nadir patterns of 3 cytokines were all flattened, most prominently in the HV-CVVH group. Similarly to plasma cytokine patterns, the monocyte ex vivo response to LPS stimulus showed an over-production of cytokines within 6–12 hours, but low production in the late stage. Although unable to totally prevent the abnormality of the monocyte secretion function, CVVH showed a dose-dependent ameliorative effect on it.

Conclusions

Monocytes are over-reactive to stimulus in the early stage of SAP, accompanied by a high level of plasma cytokines, and hypo-reactive to stimulus in the late stage of SAP, accompanied with a low level of plasma cytokines. CVVH treatment has a dose-dependent improvement effect on monocyte responsiveness.
Intra-Catheter Leukocyte Culture to Monitor Hemodialysis Catheter Colonization. a Prospective Study to Prevent Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Del Pozo J.L. , Aguinaga A. , Garcia-Fernandez N. , Hernaez S. , Serrera A. , Alonso M. , Ramos A. , Guillen-Grima F. , Leiva J.
Published: January 2018

The most serious problem related to the use of tunneled catheters in hemodialysis is bacteremia. The aim of this study was to detect hemodialysis catheter colonization and, establish a preemptive therapy based on a catheter antibiotic lock in order to prevent development of catheter-related bloodstream infections. During a 24-month period, all patients with tunneled catheters in our hemodialysis unit were evaluated by extracting a through-catheter leukocyte culture every 15 days. There were 28 episodes of catheter colonization occurring in 13 patients (2.2 colonization episodes per 1000 catheter patient-days). At the time of colonization, catheters had been in place for a mean of 562 days (range: 16 to 1475 days). Coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) were the most common microorganisms to be isolated. A preemptive therapy consisting in teicoplanin locks (10 mg/mL) for 21 days was able to eradicate catheter colonization in 89% of the cases when CNS were isolated. However, relapse of colonization occurred in 61.2% of these cases. The mean duration of catheter use was 239 days (range: 9 to 483 days) after treatment of a colonization episode. The incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infection in our population was 0.78 episodes per 1000 catheter patient-days (IC 95%: 0.374–1.434). This study shows the utility of intra-catheter leukocyte culture for early detection of hemodialysis catheter colonization. Moreover, it establishes that the eradication of biofilm-related CNS is possible without the removal of the catheter, thus enabling a longer catheter lifespan. (Int J Artif Organs 2008; 31: 820–6)
Combating Implant Infections. Remarks by a Women's Team
Authors: Arciola C. R. , Balaban N. , Baldassarri L. , Fromm K. , HÄnsch G. M. , Obst U. , Presterl E. , Stefani S. , Verran J. , Visai L. ,   An International Cooperative Group, Arciola Carla Renata , Balaban Naomi , Baldassarri Lucilla , Fromm Katharina , Hänsch Gertrud Maria , Obst Ursula , Presterl Elisabeth , Stefani Stefania , Verran Joanna , Visai Livia
Published: January 2018

Research on implant infections requires cooperative efforts and integration between basic and clinical expertises. An international group of women scientists is acting together in this field. The main research topics of the participants of this group are described. Formation of bacterial biofilms, antibiotic resistance and production of virulence factors like adhesins and toxins are investigated. New biomaterials, coatings and drugs designed to inhibit microbial adhesion are evaluated, and infection-resistant biomaterials are under study, such as a novel heparinizable polycarbonate-urethane (Bionate) or incorporation of diamino-diamide-diol (PIME) to reduce bacterial attachment. The correlation between biofilm production and the accessory-gene-regulator (agr) is investigated in Staphylococcus aureus. The ability to form biofilm has also been shown to be one of the important virulence factors of Enterococcus faecalis, favouring colonization of inert and biological surfaces. The study of quorum sensing has led to the discovery of a quorum sensing inhibitor termed RIP that suppresses staphylococcal biofilm and infections. The immune response and the local defence mechanisms of the host against implant-associated infections, activation and infiltration of immunocompetent cells into the sites of infection have been studied in patients with implant-associated osteomyelitis. Production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as possible vaccines against the staphylococcal collagen-binding MSCRAMMs is in progress. (Int J Artif Organs 2008; 31: 858–64)
Localized and Sustained SDF-1 Gene Release Mediated by Fibronectin Films: A Potential Method for Recruiting Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Li Wenzhong , Ong Lee -L. , LÜtzow Karola , Lendlein Andreas , Furlani Dario , GÄbel Ralf , Kong Deling , Wang Jun , Li Ren -K. , Steinhoff Gustav , Ma Nan
Published: January 2018

Gene-activated matrix has wide potential utilization in tissue engineering. It may genetically modify cells with plasmid DNA encoding therapeutic genes and allow sustained expression and release of the proteins to surrounding tissues. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of the local gene release from human fibronectin (HFN) substrate and the efficacy of local release of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) gene on c-kit+ cell homing. Cationic polymer polyethylenimine (25kDa PEI) was used as non-viral DNA vector. Gene-activated HFN (GAH) was prepared by mixing PEI/DNA complexes with HFN substrate. The DNA retardation, the complex size, and the DNA release speed from the GAH were studied. The in vitro transfection was optimized by luciferase expression and cell viability assay in the COS7 cell line. Localized gene expression in COS7 cells cultured on the GAH was assessed by LacZ and GFP-N3-SDF-1 marker genes. C-kit+ cell homing was investigated in response to the local in vitro SDF-1 expression from rat mesenchymal stem cells (RMSCs) cultured on GAH. Results showed GAH allows long time-sustained DNA release, localized gene delivery, and high transfection efficiency. Local SDF-1 expression with GAH is a promising method to induce targetable stem cell homing.
The Thickness of Electrospun Poly (ε-Caprolactone) Nanofibrous Scaffolds Influences Cell Proliferation
Authors: Ghasemi-Mobarakeh Laleh , Morshed Mohammad , Karbalaie Khadijeh , Fesharaki Mehr-Afarin , Nematallahi Marziyeh , Nasr-Esfahani Mohammad-Hossein , Baharvand Hossein
Published: January 2018

Nanofibrous scaffolds have morphological similarities to native extracellular matrix and have been considered as candidate scaffolds in tissue engineering. However, there is no report on the effect of the thickness of nanofibrous scaffold on cell behavior. In this study poly (∊-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous scaffolds with thicknesses of 0.1 and 0.6 mm were fabricated by electrospinning. Properties of PCL nanofibrous scaffolds were measured by contact angle and air permeability measurements while the morphology of the nanofibers was observed by SEM. Mouse embryonal carcinoma stem cells (P19), monkey epithelial kidney cells (Vero), Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) and mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were seeded on PCL nanofibrous scaffolds with thicknesses of 0.1 and 0.6 mm. Air permeability measurements showed that air permeability decreases with the increase in the thickness of nanofibrous scaffolds, and contact angle measurements revealed a contact angle of 118° for electrospun PCL nanofibers. The MTT assays showed that the proliferation of the cells was influenced by the thickness of the nanofibrous scaffold. Scaffolds with a thickness of 0.6 mm were found to provide a better substrate for cell proliferation, possibly due to more dimensional stability. Therefore, regardless of cell origin, thicker scaffolds provide a better substrate for cell proliferation, possibly due to the higher dimensional stability and tightness of thicker scaffolds.
Long-Term follow up of Sustained Viral Response after Treatment of Hepatitis C with Pegylated Interferon α-2a in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Dzekova Pavlina , Asani Arben , Selim Gjulsen , Gelev Saso , Trajceska Lada , Amitov Vili , Selja Nexheni , Zabzun Mustafa , Mena Sami , Gaseva Magdalena , Sikole Alexander
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of sustained viral response after treatment of hepatitis C with pegylated interferon α-2a in hemodialysis patients.

Methods

14 hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with pegylated interferon α-2a for a period of 48 weeks. Achieved sustained viral response rate was 35.7% (5/14 patients) at week 72, i.e. 24 weeks after the treatment ended. All treated patients were then prospectively followed until week 144. Follow-up viral data, such as HCV antibodies, serum HCV RNA, and HCV RNA genotype, were determined at week 96 and week 144. HCV antibodies were determined by a 3rd-generation ELISA assay. The presence of HCV RNA was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (AMPLICOR Hepatitis C Virus Test). HCV genotype was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction followed by hybridization of amplified products. The biochemical data were recorded every 24 weeks during the follow-up period.

Results

The 5 patients (35.7%), who achieved sustained viral response (SVR), remained HCV RNA negative at week 96. At week 144, 4 hemodialysis patients (28.6%) remained HCV RNA negative. There was a relapse of HCV infection in 1 patient after week 96 of the study. The patients who remained HCV RNA negative also maintained the achieved biochemical response throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusion

Long-term follow-up of treated hemodialysis patients with pegylated interferon α-2a showed persistence of the sustained viral and biochemical response.
Initial Results of Clinical Trial with a New Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Providing Synchronous Pulsatile Flow
Authors: Gazzoli Fabrizio , Viganò Mario , Pagani Francesco , Alloni Alessia , Silvaggio Giuseppe , Panzavolta Marco , Banayosy Aly El , Koerfer Reiner , Morshuis Michiel , Pavie Alain , Leprince Pascal , Glauber Mattia , Del Sarto Paolo , Haxhiademi Dorela , Vitali Ettore , Russo Claudio F. , Scuri Silvia
Published: January 2018

Objectives

A multicentric European Clinical Study is ongoing to evaluate safety and efficacy of a new pulsatile implantable LVAD (BestBeat), smaller and lighter than similar devices, capable of providing synchronous and counterpulsating flow with respect to the LV of end-stage heart failure patients. Preliminary clinical results are reported.

Methods

The new BestBeat LVAD was used, consisting of an implantable pulsatile blood pump, electromechanically driven by a ball screw mechanism, and a wearable electronic controller and power sources. The clinical trial was conducted at 5 European centers. Adult patients affected by CHF in NYHA Class IV despite optimized medical treatment were enrolled. The primary study endpoint was survival at 90 days. Further study endpoints were maintenance of adequate LVAD pump flow and a minimum rate of adverse events during support.

Results

As of June 2008, 6 patients received the implant. Cumulative support time was 3.7 years, median support time 176 days. All patients who completed the study survived except for one, who died after 48 days, due to combined infection and cerebrovascular accident. Another two patients died: one from intracranial bleeding 113 days after implant, and one from septic shock after 123 days. Hemodynamic improvement with Cl>2.0 l/min/m2 and recovery of end-organ function expressed by consistent improvement of BUN, creatinine and bilirubin were reached in all patients. No device failure was observed. There was no bleeding requiring re-exploration, no hemolysis and only two device-related infections (both in one patient). Neurologic events were reported, the most serious ones occurring in patients with pre-implant respiratory and kidney failure. Three patients were discharged home. Two patients were successfully transplanted, one after 6 months and one after 13 months on device.

Conclusions

Good performance and efficacy of the device were observed; the endpoints of the study were achieved, and its safety was consistent with expectations. The ongoing study will allow further conclusions to be drawn.
Smooth Muscle-Dependent Changes in Aortic Wall Dynamics during Intra-Aortic Counterpulsation in an Animal Model of Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Fischer Edmundo I. Cabrera , Bia Daniel , ZÓCalo Yanina , Armentano Ricardo L.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) may modify arterial biomechanics; however, its effects on arterial wall properties during acute cardio-depression have not yet been fully explored. This dynamical study was designed to characterize the effects of IABP on aortic wall mechanics in an in vivo animal model of acute heart failure.

Methods

Aortic pressure, diameter and blood flow were measured in six anesthetized sheep with acute cardio-depression by halothane (4%), before and during IABP (1:2). Aortic characteristic impedance and aortic wall stiffness indexes were calculated.

Results

Acute experimental cardio-depression resulted in a reduction in mean aortic pressure (p<0.05) and an increase in the characteristic impedance (p<0.005), incremental elastic modulus (p<0.05), stiffness index (p<0.05) and Peterson elastic modulus (p<0.05). IABP caused an increase in the cardiac output (p<0.005) and a reduction in the systemic vascular resistances (p<0.05). In addition, the aortic impedance, incremental elastic modulus, stiffness index and Peterson modulus were significantly reduced during IABP (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Our findings show that IABP caused changes in aortic wall impedance and intrinsic wall properties, improving the arterial functional capability and the left ventricular afterload by a reduction in both. Systemic vascular resistances and aortic stiffness were also improved by means of smooth muscle-dependent mechanisms.
Phagocytosis of Staphylococci Biofilms by Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils: S. aureus and S. epidermidis Differ with Regard to Their Susceptibility Towards the Host Defense
Authors: Guenther Frank , Stroh Petra , Wagner Christof , Obst Ursula , Hänsch Gertrud Maria
Published: January 2018

Bacteria organized in biofilms are a common cause of relapsing or persistent infections. In patients receiving orthopedic implants, such as endoprostheses or osteosynthesis materials, Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis are prevalent and it is widely assumed that bacteria in biofilms are not only relatively resistant towards antibiotics and biocides, but also towards host defense mechanisms. In that context, we addressed the question how polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), the “first line defense” against bacterial infection, interact with biofilms generated in vitro. By time-lapse video microscopy, we observed migration of PMN towards the biofilms. In the case of S. aureus, the PMN moved across the biofilm and took up bacteria as they moved along. On S. epidermidis, in contrast, the PMN were rather immobile, and phagocytosis was limited to bacteria in the immediate vicinity. By labeling the bacteria within the biofilm with 3H-thymidine we found that S. aureus biofilms were more sensitive towards the PMN attack than S. epidermidis. Following phagocytosis of either bacteria strain, the PMN underwent apoptosis, in line with the dogma, that phagocytosis induces programmed cell-death in order to prevent spilling of the bactericidal and cytotoxic entities. In conclusion, biofilms are not inherently protected against the attack by phagocytic cells; their sensitivity, however, varies among bacterial strains, presumably due to properties of the extracellular biofilm matrix affecting the motility of PMN on the film.
Regulation of Biofilm Formation by σB is a Common Mechanism in Staphylococcus Epidermidis and is not Mediated by Transcriptional Regulation of sarA
Authors: JÄger Sebastian , Jonas Beate , Pfanzelt Dorothea , Horstkotte Matthias A. , Rohde Holger , Mack Dietrich , Knobloch Johannes K.-M.
Published: January 2018

Biofilm formation is a major pathogenetic factor of Staphylococcus epidermidis. In S. epidermidis the alternative sigma factor σB was identified to regulate biofilm formation in S. epidermidis 1457. In S. aureus σB dependent regulation plays a minor role, whereas sarA (Staphylococcus accessory regulator) is an essential regulator. Therefore, we investigated the impact of σB on sarA transcription and biofilm formation in three independent S. epidermidis isolates. Mutants with dysfunctional σB displayed a strongly reduced biofilm formation, whereas in mutants with constitutive σB activity bio film formation was increased. Transcriptional analysis revealed that IcaA transcription was down-regulated in all σB negative mutants while icaR transcription was up-regulated. However, transcriptional differences varied between individual strains, indicating that additional σB-dependent regulators are involved in biofilm expression. Interestingly, despite the presence of a σB promoter beside two σA promoters no differences, or only minor ones, were observed in sarA transcription, indicating that σB-dependent sarA transcript has no influence on the phenotypic changes. The data observed in independent clinical S. epidermidis isolates suggests that, in contrast to S. aureus, regulation of biofilm formation by σB is a general feature in S. epidermidis. Additionally, we were able to demonstrate that the sarA- dependent regulation is not involved in this regulatory pathway.
A Simple Isolation and Cryopreservation Method for Adult Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Hang Hualian , Shi Xiaolei , Gu Guangxiang , Wu Yafu , Ding Yitao
Published: January 2018

Objective

The objective of this study was to establish a stable method of isolation, culture and cryopreservation of adult primary hepatocytes to provide potential hepatocyte resources for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases by hepatocyte transplantation and bioartificial liver support systems, and for the use of hepatocytes as an in vitro model of the liver.

Methods

Adult hepatocytes of 20 separate donors were isolated with a two-step extracoporeal collagenase perfusion technique. Seven preincubation time points (2h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 36h, 48h and 72h) were selected, then the hepatocytes were transferred to HepatoZYME-SFM medium containing 10% FBS and 10% DMSO, and were immediately put into an isopropanol progressive freezing container at -80 °C overnight and immersed in liquid nitrogen the next day. During the postthawing culture period, viability, plating efficiency, albumin secretion and urea synthesis were analyzed.

Results

The viability and plating efficiency of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy using two-step extracorporeal collagenase perfusion technique were 75.0±4.6% and 72.0±6.0% respectively. Preincubation at 4°C for 12 hours or 24 hours proved to be the optimal time at which the albumin secretion was higher than at other time points (p<0.05). Compared to the immediate cryopreservation groups (IC), we also found significant improvement in viability (61.4±4.8%/62.0±5.6% vs. 53.4±4.2%, p<0.05), plating efficiency (63.2±5.8%/62.6±3.6% vs. 55.2±4.6%, p<0.05), albumin secretion and urea synthesis (p<0.05) at these time points.

Conclusions

The two-step extracorporeal collagenase perfusion technique after partial hepatectomy provides a novel, simple, and reliable method for hepatocyte isolation. The results of the present study suggest that recovery of human hepatocytes after isolation preincubation at 4 °C for 12 hours to 24 hours prior to cryopreservation can obtain hepatocytes ideal for use in pharmacotoxicology bioartificial liver and cell therapy research purposes.
Tissue Engineering toward Organ Replacement: A Promising Approach in Airway Transplant
Authors: Asnaghi Adelaide , Macchiarini Paolo , Mantero Sara
Published: January 2018

Autologous tissue transfer, allografts and prosthetic replacements have so far failed to offer functional solutions for the treatment of long circumferential tracheal defects. Because of the shortcomings related with these strategies, interest has turned increasingly to the field of tissue engineering which applies the principles of engineering and life sciences in an effort to develop in vitro biological substitutes able to restore, maintain, or improve tissue and organ function. The advances in this field during the past decade have thus provided a new attractive approach toward the concept of functional substitutes and may represent an alternative to the shortage of suitable grafts for reconstructive airway surgery. This article gives an overview of the tissue engineering approach and of the encouraging strategies attempted so far in trachea regeneration.
Hemoglobin Variability in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease in the Netherlands
Authors: Van Der Putten Karien , Van Der Baan Frederieke H. , Schellekens Huub , Gaillard Carlo A.J.M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Hemoglobin cycling has been reported in hemodialysis patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and is associated with increased mortality. Information on hemoglobin cycling in Europe is limited. We investigated hemoglobin variability in the Netherlands. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients were studied and pre-dialysis patients were enrolled.

Methods

This observational retrospective study was executed in a Dutch dialysis center. We studied 157 patients from 2005 to 2007: 56 hemodialysis, 12 peritoneal dialysis and 29 pre-dialysis patients, all treated with ESA; and 60 pre-dialysis patients without ESA. Patients were divided on the basis of their pattern of hemoglobin fluctuation around a range of 11–12 g/dL. In dialysis patients, the amount of time that hemoglobin remained within that range was calculated. For all patients, the magnitude of hemoglobin fluctuations was assessed (i.e. the difference between hemoglobin maximum and minimum) and data on ESA dose changes and hospitalizations were collected.

Results

None of the ESA treated patients had hemoglobin levels stable within the target range over a one-year period. Pre-dialysis patients without ESA also showed variable hemoglobin levels. A stepwise decrease in the magnitudes of hemoglobin fluctuation was observed in the hemodialysis patients, peritoneal dialysis patients, pre-dialysis patients using ESA, and the pre-dialysis patients without ESA, respectively.

Conclusion

In the Netherlands, hemoglobin variability is common in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, but also in pre-dialysis patients. The results of this study warrant further research into the relationship between hemoglobin variability and clinical outcomes.
Reflections of a Latino Associate Professor
Authors: Peguero Anthony A.
Published: January 2018

The following reflection essay is about my experiences as a Latino Associate Professor who focuses on criminology, youth violence, juvenile justice, and the associated disparities with race, ethnicity, and immigration. I reflect about the “race and justice” job market, pursuing and establishing a Latina/o Criminology working group, often being the only Latinx scholar in the room, and the significance of being a child of Latina/o immigrants in a precarious time of immigration and justice. In addition, it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to share my reflection because so many mentors, colleagues, and students have shared their similar experiences with me.
Patterns of Knowledge Construction
Authors: Chang Bo
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify knowledge construction patterns in a local learning community. Observation, documents, and semistructured interviews were employed to collect data. Twenty learners were interviewed. Data were analyzed inductively using the constant comparative method. Five major patterns—radiation, circulation, simulation, socialization, and contextualization—were generalized from an analysis of the data, and their applications in practice were discussed. These patterns concretize the ideas of social construction and emphasize the different aspects of learning in the process of constructing knowledge. The five patterns indicate how knowledge is socially constructed when learners interact with others and their surroundings. This article reveals the main factors that play significant roles in knowledge construction, such as social interactions, social relationships and social connections, knowledge relevance, and knowledge and its social entities.
A Systematic Review of Teacher-Delivered Behavior-Specific Praise on K–12 Student Performance
Authors: Royer David J. , Lane Kathleen Lynne , Dunlap Kristin D. , Ennis Robin Parks
Published: January 2018

Behavior-specific praise (BSP) is a core component of many positive behavioral interventions and supports at each level of prevention, often used to increase student academic outcomes and/or reduce inappropriate behavior. We conducted a systematic literature review to explore this low-intensity, teacher-delivered strategy, applying Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) quality indicators and standards to determine whether BSP can be considered an evidence-based practice (EBP). Included articles ( N = 6) investigated BSP delivered by a classroom teacher in K–12 traditional school-based settings with academic and/or behavioral student outcome measures. Findings indicated using BSP increased student time on task, decreased inappropriate behaviors, and reduced student tardiness. All studies met our 80% weighted coding criterion. We concluded BSP can be categorized as a potentially EBP based on CEC guidelines. Limitations and directions for future inquiry are presented.
Les Incoherences Dans Le Renseignement Du Temps Pour Le Secteur Linge-Couture-Tricot De L'Enquete “Modes De Vie”
Authors: Giraud Christophe
Published: January 2018

Incoherencies in the Time Data for Linen Sowing-Knitting Activities in a “Life Styles” Survey. In INSEE's “Modes de Vie (1988-1989)” life styles survey, whose objective is to quantify household activities, the comparison of two estimations of time spent on different activities for a non-negligible number of households, showed the data was incoherent. This article, which limits itself to the study of knitting and needle-work activities, based on the data files of the linen-sowing-knit ting sector of the survey, gives an explanation of the existence of these incoherencies. Survey Incoherence and Errors, Effect of Imposing a Problematique, Memory, Quantification, Data Consistency.
Comparative Analysis Using Large Scale National Data Sources of Women's Employment
Authors: Dex Shirley , Laurie Heather
Published: January 2018

This paper considers two main questions. First, how do the various theoretical frameworks for carrying out comparative research help us to gain a better understanding of the role women are playing in the labour markets of advanced industrial economies and are some better suited than others for this task? Secondly, we ask whether research practice can lead to better theorising on comparative research. The paper discusses the usefulness of various theoretical frameworks through the experience of using a number of cross-national data sets including a European Science Foundation network of Household Panel Studies and a number of two-country cross-sectional comparative studies. The paper argues that there may be things which can be learnt from engaging in the process of doing comparative research which are relevant to theorising about such research, and which are to some extent independent of the theoretical approach taken up at the outset. Cross-National Research, Cross-cultural Research, Comparability, Women's Labour Market Behaviour.
Cost-Effectiveness of Evaluation of Children With Epilepsy in the Emergency Department: Need for Investment in Patient Education
Authors: Carvalho Karen S. , Fine Anthony L. , Haines Christopher J. , Valencia Ignacio , Khurana Divya S. , Legido Agustin
Published: January 2018

We aimed to study cost-effectiveness of seizure evaluation of children with epilepsy in the emergency department (ED). We reviewed epilepsy patients seen at our ED for 1 year. Age, laboratory and neuroimaging results, treatment, disposition, and usefulness of the visit (need for hospitalization, clinical improvement) were analyzed. We identified 330 patients, aged 23 days–21 years, 190 (57.5%) had blood tests, 45 (13.6%) urinalysis, 2 (0.6%) cerebrospinal fluid testing, and 44 neuroimaging studies (13.3%). Tests’ positive yield were 41%, 11%, 0%, and 4.5%, respectively. One-third of patients (n = 122) were treated with antiepileptic drugs. Other treatments were administered to 44 (13.3%). One hundred eighteen patients (35.7%) were admitted to our hospital, 208 (63%) discharged to home. Two hundred eight visits were useful (63%). One-third of visits did not provide useful patient care. Their visits were expensive and not very cost-effective. Investment in patient education could decrease unnecessary ED visits.
Are Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns Born to Obese Women at Increased Risk of Cerebral Palsy at 2 Years?
Authors: van der Burg Jelske W. , O’Shea T. Michael , Kuban Karl , Allred Elizabeth N. , Paneth Nigel , Dammann Olaf , Leviton Alan
Published: January 2018

The authors hypothesized that the risk of cerebral palsy at 2 years in children born extremely preterm to overweight and obese women is increased relative to the risk among children born to neither overweight nor obese women. In a multicenter prospective cohort study, the authors created multinomial logistic regression models of the risk of diparetic, quadriparetic, and hemiparetic cerebral palsy that included the prepregnancy body mass index of mothers of 1014 children born extremely preterm, cerebral palsy diagnoses of children at 2 years, as well as information about potential confounders. Overweight and obese women were not at increased risk of giving birth to a child who had cerebral palsy. The risk ratios associated with overweight varied between 1.1 for quadriparesis (95% CI = 0.5, 2.1) to 2.0 for hemiparesis (95% CI = 0.4, 9.8). The risk ratios associated with obesity varied between 0.7 for diparesis (95% CI = 0.2, 2.5) to 2.5 for hemiparesis (95% CI = 0.4, 13).
Quit Outcomes and Program Utilization by Mode of Entry Among Clients Enrolling in a Quitline
Authors: Nair Uma S. , Reikowsky Ryan C. , Wertheim Betsy C. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Gordon Judith S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

To investigate how mode of entry into a quitline influences program utilization and quit outcomes among clients seeking cessation services.

Design:

This is a retrospective analysis of clients receiving quitline services from January 2011 to June 2016.

Setting:

The study was conducted at the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline.

Participants:

Enrolled clients completed a 7-month follow-up (N = 18 650).

Measures:

The independent variable was referral mode of entry (ie, proactive, passive, and self-referral). Outcome variables included tobacco cessation medication use, number of coaching sessions completed, and 30-day tobacco abstinence at 7 months.

Analysis:

Logistic regression was used to analyze tobacco abstinence after controlling for potential confounders.

Results:

Compared to self-referred clients, proactively referred clients were least likely (odds ratio [OR]: 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.97), whereas passively referred clients were most likely (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.00-1.30) to report tobacco abstinence. Proactively referred (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70-0.88), but not passively referred, clients were 21% less likely to report tobacco cessation medication use than self-referred clients.

Conclusion:

Proactive referrals are associated with lower utilization of tobacco cessation medication and less successful quit outcomes; however, provider referrals are critical to reaching tobacco users who may have more significant health risks and barriers to quitting. Examining potential barriers among both providers and provider-referred clients is needed to inform improvements in training providers on brief interventions for tobacco cessation.
Characterization of Vaccination Policies for Attendance and Employment at Day/Summer Camps in New York State
Authors: Prescott William A. , Violanti Kelsey C. , Fusco Nicholas M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction:

New York state requires day/summer camps to keep immunization records for all enrolled campers and strongly recommends requiring vaccination for all campers and staff. The objective of this study was to characterize immunization requirements/recommendations for children/adolescents enrolled in and staff employed at day/summer camps in New York state.

Methods:

An electronic hyperlink to a 9-question survey instrument was distributed via e-mail to 178 day/summer camps located in New York state cities with a population size greater than 100 000 people. A follow-up telephone survey was offered to nonresponders. The survey instrument included questions pertaining to vaccination documentation policies for campers/staff and the specific vaccines that the camp required/recommended. Fisher’s exact and Chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data.

Results:

Sixty-five day/summer camps responded to the survey (36.5% response rate): 48 (73.8%) and 23 (41.8%) camps indicated having a policy/procedure for documenting vaccinations for campers and staff, respectively. Camps that had a policy/procedure for campers were more likely to have a policy/procedure for staff ( P = .0007). Age-appropriate vaccinations that were required/recommended for campers by at least 80% of camps included: measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP), hepatitis B, inactivated/oral poliovirus (IPV/OPV), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and varicella. Age-appropriate vaccinations that were required/recommended for staff by at least 80% of camps included: DTaP, hepatitis B, IPV/OPV, MMR, meningococcus, varicella, Hib, and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap).

Conclusion:

Vaccination policies at day/summer camps in New York state appear to be suboptimal. Educational outreach may encourage camps to strengthen their immunization policies, which may reduce the transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Social Investing: What Matters From the Perspective of Social Enterprises?
Authors: Mayer Judith , Scheck Barbara
Published: January 2018

Due to a massive increase in available social venture capital (SVC), social entrepreneurs often get to choose among various financing options. As financial parameters can easily be adapted or replicated, this article analyzes how social entrepreneurs evaluate the central nonfinancial features of these funders. Based on an experiment with 44 social entrepreneurs, we assess their perception of the five most relevant criteria for evaluating investor attractiveness: business advisory, network access, information rights, control rights, and reputation of the investor. Our analysis of 1,056 hypothetical decisions reveals that the investor’s reputation is the single most important criterion and that the positive effect of support provided through business advisory and network access strongly outweighs the negative effect of oversight via information rights and control rights. These findings indicate that social entrepreneurs perceive the behavior of SVC investors as steward like rather than principal like.
Chinese youth and alternative narratives of volunteering
Authors: Spires Anthony J.
Published: January 2018

Over the past 20 years, volunteering has developed as a new field for governmental control and regulation of an emergent civil society. This article draws on interviews with 60 young volunteers in southern China, mostly university students and recent graduates. I contrast their experiences in off-campus, youth-led voluntary associations with the officially approved student organizations of normal university life. I argue that the instrumental organization of volunteers characterizes the party-state’s efforts to funnel youthful enthusiasm and compassion into particular political projects and officially prescribed goals. Unhappy with the ‘formalistic’ nature of these activities, youth engaging in bottom–up volunteer initiatives articulate other priorities, including a strong desire for meaningful, personal engagement that state-led programmes and university student organizations are typically unable to provide.
Entropy generation analysis for the cavitating head-drop characteristic of a centrifugal pump
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Jiang Zhiwu , Zhu Zuchao , Si Qiaorui , Li Yi
Published: January 2018

Cavitation is a challenging flow abnormality that leads to undesirable effects on the hydraulic behaviour of centrifugal pumps. This study analyses the cavitating flow at a normal flow rate using the shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model and the Zwart cavitation model to capture the cavitation development and spatial distribution of vapour structures within the pump. A general description of the pump head-drop phenomenon was analysed through the study of local and global flow fields. The relationship between vapour distribution and entropy generation fields was mainly investigated through the local flow analysis method. Results show that the tendency of total entropy generation rate within the impeller coincides with the pump head-drop curve. The entropy generation rate changes slightly at the early stage of the cavitation development whereas rapidly increases when the cavitation has fully developed. Cavitation development enhances the hydraulic losses and flow unsteadiness in the impeller. These hydraulic losses are located substantially at the interface of the cavity, especially at the rear portion of the cavity region.
Integrated wearable and self-carrying active upper limb orthosis
Authors: Merchant Roberto , Cruz-Ortiz David , Ballesteros-Escamilla Mariana , Chairez Isaac
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to develop a prototype of an orthotic system that can be used as a support tool in the rehabilitation of the upper limb. The construction of this device was motivated by the increasing number of subjects suffering from full or partial loss of the upper limb function as a consequence of spinal cord injuries, strokes, occupational syndromes and sports injuries. The majority of procedures used in upper limb rehabilitation consist of repetitive movements enforced by physiotherapists; a robotic device executing the same tasks seems to be a plausible solution if the orthosis can be programmed and controlled automatically. This study reports the mechanical design, electronic instrumentation and automatic control of an upper limb orthosis made of plastic polymer that makes the orthosis a wearable and self-carrying device. The orthosis consisted of a mechatronic device with five joints. The pieces made by a three-dimensional plastic printer were used to construct the device leading to a total weight of 2.6 kg. The application of a robust automatic controller based on the sliding-mode theory forces the movement of the arm, while taking into account the constraints in each angular displacement of the orthosis. A set of reference trajectories designed to represent the usual movements of a healthy upper limb served for evaluating the controller execution. The orthosis was tested on 15 volunteers with a maximum experimental steady-state error of 2% in the angular deviation of all articulations with respect to their reference trajectories.
‘Ici, une immense usine perfectionnée; là, une chambre meublée de faubourg’: Julien Duvivier, mobility and migration
Authors: McCann Ben
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on a specific instance of migration and mobility in French film director Julien Duvivier’s career, namely his first brief stint in Hollywood in 1938. He was invited to film The Great Waltz, an expensive costume drama, for MGM, a studio renowned for its lavish attention to mise en scène. Unlike other French directors who had spent, or would subsequently spend, time in America, Duvivier succeeded in inculcating his own particular formal and visual touches into the film, while simultaneously negotiating the tricky terrain of producer interference and suspicion of a foreigner’s working methods. Duvivier’s professional leap from one cinema ecosystem to another paved the way for his enforced migration to Hollywood in 1940, when he escaped from Occupied France to work again in the studio system. For Duvivier, Hollywood did not disable his talent, but rather enabled it, revitalising his praxis and leading him towards increasingly ambitious projects back in France.
Rituximab use in pediatric lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome – report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Cetin Gedik K , Siddique S , Aguiar C L
Published: January 2018

Lupus anticoagulant hypoprothrombinemia syndrome (LA-HPS) is a rare condition that may predispose both to thrombosis and bleeding due to positive lupus anticoagulant (LA) and factor II (FII) deficiency. It can be seen in association with infections or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may require glucocorticoids (GCs) and/or immunosuppressive medications. Pediatric LA-HPS cases in the literature and three cases that received only rituximab (RTX) for LA-HPS (in addition to GCs) at two institutions between January 2010 and June 2017 were analyzed descriptively. Pediatric LA-HPS cases (≤18 years) with bleeding or thrombotic events were included. Information obtained included demographics, presenting symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, pre-/post-treatment prothrombin time (PT)/partial thromboplastin time (PTT)/LA/FII levels, and outcomes. In addition to three LA-HPS cases identified at our institutions, as of June 2017, 37 articles reported 54 pediatric LA-HPS cases (mean age: 8 years (0.9–17 years); female/male: (2:1); viral illness 27 (50%), SLE 20 (37%), and other six (11%)). All cases had a positive LA and FII deficiency (range: 0%–40%). All cases presented with bleeding diathesis and were treated with various regimens, but there was no reported use of RTX. The purpose of this report is to describe the novel use of RTX as a steroid-sparing agent in three pediatric SLE cases and to systematically review the literature on pediatric cases of LA-HPS.
Secular trends in the impact factors of SLE publications over a 45-year period—a systematic review
Authors: Cohen N , Mimouni M , Glatstein M M , Furst D E , Amarilyo G
Published: January 2018

Objective

We assessed publication bias in the field of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by conducting a search of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) on SLE therapies that had been published over the past 45 years. Our aim was to assess a potential publication bias by determining whether RCTs reporting positive results, RCTs with placebo arms, biologics RCTs, and industry-funded RCTs are more likely to be published in journals with higher impact factors (IFs).

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of all RCTs registered in PubMed between 1 January 1975 and 1 November 2016. Each RCT was classified as having a positive result (PR) or a negative result (NR). The IF of each journal was determined for the year of publication.

Results

Our search yielded 233 relevant RCTs. There was no significant difference in IFs between studies with NRs and those with PRs or between studies that were financially supported by commercial companies compared to studies that were not. However, there was a significant correlation between sample size and the journal’s IF.

Conclusions

IF scores of RCTs in the field of SLE are influenced by sample size and not biased by either a tendency to report PRs or by being funded by pharmaceutical companies or any other commercial sources.
From protection to coordinated preparedness: A genealogy of critical infrastructure in Canada
Authors: Boyle Philip J , Speed Shannon T
Published: January 2018

This article provides a genealogy of the governance of critical infrastructure in Canada. We focus in particular on a largely unknown and unexamined civil defense initiative introduced during World War II that sought to count, categorize and, under declaration of a national emergency, directly protect what were then known as ‘vital points’ from sabotage. Our analysis recounts major episodes and turning points in the deployment of this organizational apparatus by the various institutions responsible for civil defence and emergency management in which it was embedded. In the latter sections of this article we show how the problem of critical infrastructure was decoupled from the exercise of exceptional emergency power and reconstituted in the form of what we refer to as ‘coordinated preparedness’, through which the governance of critical infrastructure is accomplished in ways that are compatible with the constitutionalization of Canada’s emergency power. We conclude by considering what the governance of critical infrastructure in Canada reveals for critical understandings of emergencies and emergency power.
Resilience in Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Mohan Radhika , Kulkarni Mrinmoyi
Published: January 2018

The objective of this study was to understand the experience of parents of children with intellectual difficulties. In the context of a developing country where social services are minimal, the onus of a child’s development lies squarely with the parents. A total of 32 parents from Mumbai were asked to describe their experience of raising a special child. The narratives were analysed using the grounded theory method and the dominant themes with respect to resilience that emerged were acceptance, cognitive adaptation, positive affect (PA), social support and self-efficacy. Based on these themes a theoretical model, linking perception, cognition, emotion and behaviour in the development of resilience, has been proposed.