bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of transcallosal inhibition by bilateral activation of agonist and antagonist proximal arm muscles
Authors: Perez Monica A. , Butler Jane E. , Taylor Janet L.
Published: October 2013

Transcallosal inhibitory interactions between proximal representations in the primary motor cortex remain poorly understood. In this study, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to examine the ipsilateral silent period (iSP; a measure of transcallosal inhibition) in the biceps and triceps brachii during unilateral and bilateral isometric voluntary contractions. Healthy volunteers performed 10% of maximal isometric voluntary elbow flexion or extension with one arm while the contralateral arm remained at rest or performed 30% of maximal isometric voluntary elbow flexion or extension. The iSP was measured in the arm performing 10% contractions, and electromyographic (EMG) recordings were comparable across conditions. The iSP onset and duration in the biceps and triceps brachii were comparable. In both muscles, the iSP depth and area were increased during bilateral contractions of homologous agonist muscles (extension-extension and flexion-flexion) compared with a unilateral contraction, whereas during bilateral contractions of nonhomologous antagonist muscles (extension-flexion and flexion-extension), the iSP depth and area were decreased compared with a unilateral contraction, and sometimes facilitation of EMG was seen. This effect was never observed during bilateral activation of homologous muscles. The size of responses evoked by cervicomedullary electrical stimulation in the arm that made 10% contractions remained unchanged across conditions. Thus transcallosal inhibition targeting triceps and biceps brachii is upregulated by voluntary contraction of the contralateral agonist muscle and downregulated by voluntary contraction of the contralateral antagonist muscle. We speculate that these reciprocal task-dependent interactions between bilateral flexor and extensor arm regions of the motor cortex may contribute to coupling between the arms during motor behavior.
Bilateral saccadic deficits following large and reversible inactivation of unilateral frontal eye field
Authors: Peel Tyler R. , Johnston Kevin , Lomber Stephen G. , Corneil Brian D.
Published: October 2013

Inactivation permits direct assessment of the functional contribution of a given brain area to behavior. Previous inactivation studies of the frontal eye field (FEF) have either used large permanent ablations or reversible pharmacological techniques that only inactivate a small volume of tissue. Here we evaluated the impact of large, yet reversible, FEF inactivation on visually guided, delayed, and memory-guided saccades, using cryoloops implanted in the arcuate sulcus. While FEF inactivation produced the expected triad of contralateral saccadic deficits (increased reaction time, decreased accuracy and peak velocity) and performance errors (neglect or misdirected saccades), we also found consistent increases in reaction times of ipsiversive saccades in all three tasks. In addition, FEF inactivation did not increase the proportion of premature saccades to ipsilateral targets, as was predicted on the basis of pharmacological studies. Consistent with previous studies, greater deficits accompanied saccades toward extinguished visual cues. Our results attest to the functional contribution of the FEF to saccades in both directions. We speculate that the comparative effects of different inactivation techniques relate to the volume of inactivated tissue within the FEF. Larger inactivation volumes may reveal the functional contribution of more sparsely distributed neurons within the FEF, such as those related to ipsiversive saccades. Furthermore, while focal FEF inactivation may disinhibit the mirroring site in the other FEF, larger inactivation volumes may induce broad disinhibition in the other FEF that paradoxically prolongs oculomotor processing via increased competitive interactions.
An Inotropic Action Caused by Muscarinic Receptor Subtype 3 in Canine Cardiac Purkinje Fibers
Authors: Tsuchida Katsuharu , Mizukawa Yumiko , Urushidani Tetsuro , Tachibana Shigehiro , Naito Yukiko
Published: October 2013

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the inotropic mechanisms and the related muscarinic receptor subtype of acetylcholine (ACh) in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers. Materials and Methods. Isolated Purkinje fiber bundles were used for the measurement of contraction. The receptor subtype was determined using PCR and real-time PCR methods. Results. ACh evoked a biphasic response with a transient negative inotropic effect followed by a positive inotropic effect in a concentration-dependent manner. The biphasic inotropic actions of ACh were inhibited by the pretreatment with atropine. Caffeine inhibited the positive inotropic effect of ACh. ACh increased inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate content in the Purkinje fibers, which was abolished by atropine. Muscarinic subtypes 2 (M2) and 3 (M3) mRNAs were detected in the canine Purkinje fibers albeit the amount of M3 mRNA was smaller than M2 mRNA. M1 mRNA was not detected. Conclusion. These results suggest that the positive inotropic action of ACh may be mediated by the activation of IP3 receptors through the stimulation of M3 receptors in the canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.
Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy: A Recurrent and Bilateral Foot Drop Case Report
Authors: Flor-de-Lima Filipa , Macedo Liliana , Taipa Ricardo , Melo-Pires Manuel , Rodrigues Maria Lurdes
Published: October 2013

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy is characterized by acute, painless, recurrent mononeuropathies secondary to minor trauma or compression. A 16-year-old boy had the first episode of right foot drop after minor motorcycle accident. Electromyography revealed conduction block and slowing velocity conduction of the right deep peroneal nerve at the fibular head. After motor rehabilitation, he fully recovered. Six months later he had the second episode of foot drop in the opposite site after prolonged squatting position. Electromyography revealed sensorimotor polyneuropathy of left peroneal, sural, posterior tibial, and deep peroneal nerves and also of ulnar, radial, and median nerves of both upper limbs. Histological examination revealed sensory nerve demyelination and focal thickenings of myelin fibers. The diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy was confirmed by PMP22 deletion of chromosome 17p11.2. He started motor rehabilitation and avoidance of stressing factors with progressive recovery. After one-year followup, he was completely asymptomatic. Recurrent bilateral foot drop history, “sausage-like” swellings of myelin in histological examination, and the results of electromyography led the authors to consider the diagnosis despite negative family history. The authors highlight this rare disease in pediatric population and the importance of high index of clinical suspicion for its diagnosis.
High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging to Evaluate Liver Fibrosis Progression in Rats and Yi Guan Jian Herbal Therapeutic Effects
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Jiun-Yu , Tung Yu-Tang , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Kuo Chia-Wen , Chuang Chia-Hui , Chong Kowit-Yu , Mao Frank Chiahung , Chen Chuan-Mu
Published: October 2013

The animals used in liver fibrosis studies must usually be sacrificed. Ultrasound has been demonstrated to have the ability to diagnose hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in experimental small-animal models. However, few studies have used high-frequency ultrasound (HFU, 40 MHz) to monitor changes in the rat liver and other hollow organs longitudinally. In this study, liver fibrosis was induced by administering dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in SD rats, aged 8 weeks, for three consecutive days per week for up to 4 weeks. A Chinese herbal medicine Yi Guan Jian (YGJ) was orally administered (1.8 g/kg daily) to DMN-induced liver fibrosis rats for 2 weeks. Compared with the normal control rats, rats treated with DMN for either 2 weeks or 4 weeks had significantly lower body weights, liver indexes and elevation of hydroxyproline, GOT, and GPT contents. YGJ herbal treatment remarkably prevented rats from DMN-induced liver fibrosis. The HFU scoring results among the normal controls, 2-week DMN-treated rats, 4-week DMN-treated rats, and combined 2-week YGJ therapy with 4-week DMN-treated rats also reached statistical significance. Thus, HFU is an accurate tool for the longitudinal analysis of liver fibrosis progression in small-animal models, and the YGJ may be useful in reversing the development of hepatic fibrosis.
Molecular Docking Study of Conformational Polymorph: Building Block of Crystal Chemistry
Authors: Dubey Rashmi , Tewari Ashish Kumar , Singh Ved Prakash , Singh Praveen , Dangi Jawahar Singh , Puerta Carmen , Valerga Pedro , Kant Rajni
Published: October 2013

Two conformational polymorphs of novel 2‐[2‐(3‐cyano‐4,6‐dimethyl‐2‐oxo‐2H‐pyridin‐1‐yl)‐ethoxy]‐4,6‐dimethyl nicotinonitrile have been developed. The crystal structure of both polymorphs (1a and 1b) seems to be stabilized by weak interactions. A difference was observed in the packing of both polymorphs. Polymorph 1b has a better binding affinity with the cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) receptor than the standard (Nimesulide).
Multiple-Set Split Feasibility Problems forκ-Strictly Pseudononspreading Mapping in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Quan Jing , Chang Shih-sen , Zhang Xiang
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this paper is to prove some weak and strong convergence theorems for solving the multiple-set split feasibility problems forκ-strictly pseudononspreading mapping in infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces by using the proposed iterative method. The main results presented in this paper extend and improve the corresponding results of Xu et al. (2006), of Osilike et al. (2011), and of many other authors.
An Unusual Case of Subclinical Peripheral Neuropathy and Cervical Spondylosis in Atopic Myelitis
Authors: Leventoglu Alev , Ozlu Pelin , Ince Ferda
Published: October 2013

Many cases of atopic myelitis have been reported in Japan; however very few were described in western countries. An 82-year-old woman with a past medical history of atopic dermatitis and asthma presented with progressive paresthesia (tingling) of both hands and tetraparesis. Before the onset of neurological symptoms, she complained of ichthyosis of both legs for 5 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated multisegmental degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and abnormal spinal cord signal intensity over several cervical segments, suggesting the diagnosis of myelitis. Total serum IgE level was elevated. Nerve conduction studies revealed asymmetric axonal sensorimotor neuropathy. The cerebrospinal fluid specimen showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated protein level. Based on clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings, atopic myelitis was diagnosed. The diagnosis of atopic myelitis should be considered in myelopathy patients with history of atopy and elevated serum IgE levels.
Common Fixed Points of a Pair of Hardy Rogers Type Mappings on a Closed Ball in Ordered Dislocated Metric Spaces
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Shoaib Abdullah , Vetro Pasquale
Published: October 2013

Common fixed point results for mappings satisfying locally contractive conditions on a closed ball in an ordered complete dislocated metric space have been established. The notion of dominated mappings is applied to approximate the unique solution of nonlinear functional equations. Our results improve several well-known conventional results.
MicroRNAs in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: John Keziah , Wu Jennifer , Lee Bing-Wei , Farah Camile S.
Published: October 2013

microRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding single-stranded RNAs, about 19–25 nucleotides long. They have been shown to be capable of altering mRNA expression; thus some are oncogenic or tumour suppressive in nature and are regulated by cellular and epigenetic factors. The molecular pathogenic pathway of many cancers has been modified since the discovery of miRs. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common cancer in the world, has recently been associated with infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV). miR expression profiles are altered in the transition from dysplasia to carcinoma, with some changes being specific to the underlying risk factor. This difference is particularly significant in HPV-positive HNSCC where host miRs are modulated by the virus, creating a different profile to HPV-negative HNSCC. Saliva, as an easily collected proximal biofluid containing numerous miRs, presents an attractive noninvasive diagnostic tool in detecting HNSCC and determining prognosis. Furthermore, miRs may play a role in the analysis of surgical margins for residual tumour extension and in the development of novel miR-based therapeutic targets and agents.
Identifying Patients with Poststroke Mild Cognitive Impairment by Pattern Recognition of Working Memory Load-Related ERP
Authors: Li Xiaoou , Yan Yuning , Wei Wenshi
Published: October 2013

The early detection of subjects with probable cognitive deficits is crucial for effective appliance of treatment strategies. This paper explored a methodology used to discriminate between evoked related potential signals of stroke patients and their matched control subjects in a visual working memory paradigm. The proposed algorithm, which combined independent component analysis and orthogonal empirical mode decomposition, was applied to extract independent sources. Four types of target stimulus features including P300 peak latency, P300 peak amplitude, root mean square, and theta frequency band power were chosen. Evolutionary multiple kernel support vector machine (EMK-SVM) based on genetic programming was investigated to classify stroke patients and healthy controls. Based on 5-fold cross-validation runs, EMK-SVM provided better classification performance compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms. Comparing stroke patients with healthy controls using the proposed algorithm, we achieved the maximum classification accuracies of 91.76% and 82.23% for 0-back and 1-back tasks, respectively. Overall, the experimental results showed that the proposed method was effective. The approach in this study may eventually lead to a reliable tool for identifying suitable brain impairment candidates and assessing cognitive function.
Complexity Analysis and Parameter Estimation of Dynamic Metabolic Systems
Authors: Tian Li-Ping , Shi Zhong-Ke , Wu Fang-Xiang
Published: October 2013

A metabolic system consists of a number of reactions transforming molecules of one kind into another to provide the energy that living cells need. Based on the biochemical reaction principles, dynamic metabolic systems can be modeled by a group of coupled differential equations which consists of parameters, states (concentration of molecules involved), and reaction rates. Reaction rates are typically either polynomials or rational functions in states and constant parameters. As a result, dynamic metabolic systems are a group of differential equations nonlinear and coupled in both parameters and states. Therefore, it is challenging to estimate parameters in complex dynamic metabolic systems. In this paper, we propose a method to analyze the complexity of dynamic metabolic systems for parameter estimation. As a result, the estimation of parameters in dynamic metabolic systems is reduced to the estimation of parameters in a group of decoupled rational functions plus polynomials (which we call improper rational functions) or in polynomials. Furthermore, by taking its special structure of improper rational functions, we develop an efficient algorithm to estimate parameters in improper rational functions. The proposed method is applied to the estimation of parameters in a dynamic metabolic system. The simulation results show the superior performance of the proposed method.
Transient Activation of Hedgehog Pathway Rescued Irradiation-Induced Hyposalivation by Preserving Salivary Stem/Progenitor Cells and Parasympathetic Innervation
Authors: Hai Bo , Qin Lizheng , Yang Zhenhua , Zhao Qingguo , Shangguan Lei , Ti Xinyu , Zhao Yanqiu , Kim Sangroh , Rangaraj Dharanipathy , Liu Fei
Published: October 2013

Purpose: To examine the effects and mechanisms of transient activation of the Hedgehog pathway on rescuing radiotherapy-induced hyposalivation in survivors of head and neck cancer.

Experimental Design: Mouse salivary glands and cultured human salivary epithelial cells were irradiated by a single 15-Gy dose. The Hedgehog pathway was transiently activated in mouse salivary glands, by briefly overexpressing the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) transgene or administrating smoothened agonist, and in human salivary epithelial cells, by infecting with adenovirus encoding Gli1. The activity of Hedgehog signaling was examined by the expression of the Ptch1-lacZ reporter and endogenous Hedgehog target genes. The salivary flow rate was measured following pilocarpine stimulation. Salivary stem/progenitor cells (SSPC), parasympathetic innervation, and expression of related genes were examined by flow cytometry, salisphere assay, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA.

Results: Irradiation does not activate Hedgehog signaling in mouse salivary glands. Transient Shh overexpression activated the Hedgehog pathway in ductal epithelia and, after irradiation, rescued salivary function in male mice, which is related with preservation of functional SSPCs and parasympathetic innervation. The preservation of SSPCs was likely mediated by the rescue of signaling activities of the Bmi1 and Chrm1–HB-EGF pathways. The preservation of parasympathetic innervation was associated with the rescue of the expression of neurotrophic factors such as Bdnf and Nrtn. The expression of genes related with maintenance of SSPCs and parasympathetic innervation in female salivary glands and cultured human salivary epithelial cells was similarly affected by irradiation and transient Hedgehog activation.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that transient activation of the Hedgehog pathway has the potential to restore salivary gland function after irradiation-induced dysfunction. Clin Cancer Res; 20(1); 140–50. ©2013 AACR.
Radio Occultation Observations as Anchor Observations in Numerical Weather Prediction Models and Associated Reduction of Bias Corrections in Microwave and Infrared Satellite Observations
Authors: Cucurull L. , Anthes R. A. , Tsao L.-L.
Published: October 2013

Satellite radiance measurements are used daily at numerical weather prediction (NWP) centers around the world, providing a significant positive impact on weather forecast skill. Owing to the existence of systematic errors, either in the observations, instruments, and/or forward models, which can be larger than the signal, the use of infrared or microwave radiances in data assimilation systems requires significant bias corrections. As most bias-correction schemes do not correct for biases that exist in the model forecasts, the model needs to be grounded by an unbiased observing system. These reference measurements, also known as “anchor observations,” prevent a drift of the model to its own climatology and associated biases, thus avoiding a spurious drift of the observation bias corrections.

This paper shows that the assimilation of global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) observations over a 3-month period in an operational NWP system results in smaller, more accurate bias corrections in infrared and microwave observations, resulting in an overall more effective use of satellite radiances and a larger number of radiance observations that pass quality control. A full version of the NCEP data assimilation system is used to evaluate the results on the bias corrections for the High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder-3 (HIRS-3) on NOAA-17 and the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) on NOAA-15 in an operational environment.
Development and Impact of an Intervention to Boost Recruitment in a Multicenter Pediatric Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Bhatnagar Sonika , Hoberman Alejandro , Kearney Diana H. , Shaikh Nader , Moxey-Mims Marva M. , Chesney Russell W. , Carpenter Myra A. , Greenfield Saul P. , Keren Ron , Mattoo Tej K. , Mathews Ranjiv , Gravens-Mueller Lisa , Ivanova Anastasia
Published: October 2013

Objectives. Our primary objective was to develop and evaluate an intervention to increase recruitment in a multicenter pediatric randomized clinical trial (RCT). Our secondary objective was to assess the impact beyond 120 days. Methods. The study was conducted at 17 academic centers participating in a pediatric RCT. The intervention consisted of utilizing a recruitment assessment tool at a site visit or teleconference with key site personnel. Results. We found a significant increase in the number of individuals enrolled for all 17 sites at 120 days postintervention (mean = 1.12 per site; median = 1 per site; 95% confidence interval = 1-2; P = .04). No significant differences were apparent beyond the first 120 days postintervention. Conclusions. Successful recruitment in RCTs is essential to the quality, generalizability, and cost-effectiveness of clinical research. Implementation of this recruitment intervention may effectively increase recruitment in RCTs. Beyond the first 120 days postintervention, repeated interventions may be required. What is new? Despite general and pediatric-specific challenges to recruitment in RCTs, a paucity of evidence exists on effective recruitment strategies or assessment tools to reliably enhance recruitment. We developed a recruitment intervention for use in RCTs that enables clinical researchers to enhance recruitment.
Use of metaphors and international discourse: The EU as an Idiot power, a deceptive Pangloss and a Don Juan in his infancy
Authors: Carta Caterina
Published: October 2013

This article looks at ways in which the EU’s institutional representatives and individual civil servants of the Commission and the European External Action Service frame their discourse on the EU’s international role and values. It proceeds as follows. Firstly, it introduces the data and methodology employed in Discourse Historical Analysis. Secondly, it presents a section to illustrate the metaphors that have been adopted to organise collected material. It identifies three main patterns of discourse-making and associates them with metaphors coming from the Western European literature tradition: two figures coming from Voltaire’s Candide – Candide and Pangloss – and a character from a Mozart opera, Don Giovanni. Finally, the article focuses on perceptions of the EU’s international actions and its core underlying values.
The Committee for Economic Development, Foreign Trade and the Rise of American Corporate Liberalism, 1942–8
Authors: Whitham Charlie
Published: October 2013

This article shows how the Committee for Economic Development rose to prominence after the Second World War as a champion of American economic internationalism and came to embody the business-government symbiosis that featured so highly in framing American political economy thereafter. Through a detailed analysis of previously unpublished documents the complex and controversial journey of the CED from reluctant student to enthusiastic leader of economic internationalism is documented. It is revealed that through a combination of government prodding, rigid corporate liberal ideals and altered postwar conditions the CED finished the war offering policy prescriptions that balanced free-market capitalism with minimal state involvement in a way that suited American economic needs. This account of the CED and its attitude to foreign trade and high employment is a revealing window into the minds of the corporate business elite as it struggled to comprehend the unprecedented challenges and opportunities that faced the country at this pivotal juncture in history.
Reconsidering the Role of the Welfare State Within the German Democratic Republic’s Political System
Authors: Burdumy Alexander
Published: October 2013

Welfare state policy in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) was distinctly different from that in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). The rationale for welfare provision in the GDR was not provision for the sick and elderly, but the political goal of regime stabilization through welfare measures. This article reconsiders the role of welfare state policy and shows how it fulfilled several different roles within the system, and how this determined the shape of the GDR’s welfare state. The article begins with a brief historical overview, outlines developments from 1971 onwards, and reviews problems and successes in East German welfare policy. In the end, the shortcomings of the GDR’s planned economy became the biggest obstacle preventing it from achieving its goal of regime stabilization. Most of the research findings presented here are based on archival sources; this includes petitions and complaints from citizens, known as Eingaben, correspondence from SED functionaries and confidential reports on public opinion from the Ministry of State Security. The article is based on the broader research conducted for a PhD dissertation at Aston University, Birmingham and two papers containing the general thoughts of this article.
Natural rubber/styrene butadiene rubber blends prepared by ultrasonically aided extrusion
Authors: Choi Jaesun , Isayev Avraam I
Published: October 2013

Ultrasonically aided extrusion of natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and NR/SBR blends with ratio of 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 were carried out at various ultrasonic amplitudes up to 10 μm. A die pressure of NR and NR/SBR blends continuously decreased with increase of ultrasonic amplitude, while that of SBR showed a slight increase with increase in amplitude from 5.0 to 7.5 μm due to a dominant effect of SBR gel formation. Complex dynamic viscosity, minimum and maximum torque of curing curves of NR, SBR, and NR/SBR blends, and cross-link density and gel fraction of their vulcanizates were decreased by the ultrasonic treatment at an amplitude of 10 μm, due to the molecular chain scission. The latter also led to a decrease in the hardness, modulus at a strain of 100%, and abrasion resistance of NR and NR/SBR blends. However, the modulus and abrasion resistance of SBR showed an improvement at amplitude of 7.5 μm, dueto a dominant effect of gel formation. Both the tensile strength and elongation at break of ultrasonically treated NR/SBR blends showed a maximum at amplitude of 5.0 μm, with the modulus at a strain of 100% not being affected. Morphological studies using the phase-contrast optical microscope and atomic force microscopy showed a reduction in the size of rubber phases and a better homogeneity of NR/SBR blend by the ultrasonic treatment at amplitude of 5.0 μm. Accordingly, the increase in both the tensile strength and elongation at break of ultrasonically treated NR/SBR blends at an amplitude of 5.0 μm is mainly ascribed to the lower size of rubber phases and improved uniformity of blend caused by the ultrasonic treatment.
One-stage repair of tetralogy of Fallot with coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Makhija Zeena , Radhakrishnan Sitaraman , Goel Apporva , Sharma Rajesh
Published: October 2013

We describe the rare case of a 10-month-old girl who had coarctation of the aorta in association with tetralogy of Fallot. The surgical management and postoperative course is described. This case highlights the rare association of coarctation with tetralogy of Fallot, with a large intracardiac right-to-left shunt. Although an exception to the rule, it challenges the reduced fetal blood flow theory and the smooth muscle cell migration theory as embryological explanations for the development of coarctation.
Does discharge hemoglobin affect medium-term survival after coronary bypass?
Authors: Poullis Michael
Published: October 2013

Background

the effect of discharge hemoglobin on survival of patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting is unknown. Blood transfusion frequently confounds the issue.

Methods

4682 consecutive patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass were studied. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify whether discharge hemoglobin was an independent risk factor determining survival after isolated coronary artery bypass. The analysis was complemented with a neuronal network.

Results

univariate analysis identified discharge hemoglobin ( p = 0.01) and blood transfusion ( p < 0.0001) as significant factors affecting survival. Multivariate analysis identified age ( p < 0.0001) ejection fraction ( p < 0.0001), dialysis ( p < 0.0001), peripheral vascular disease ( p = 0.001), preoperative hemoglobin ( p = 0.01), and blood transfusion ( p = 0.0002) as significant factors determining survival. Neuronal network analysis confirmed the lack of importance of hemoglobin on discharge as a factor determining survival.

Conclusions

the discharge hemoglobin level does not affect medium-term survival.
Socioeconomic Diversity, Political Engagement, and the Density of Nonprofit Organizations in U.S. Counties
Authors: Kim Mirae
Published: October 2013

This study examines the hypothesis that a community’s heterogeneous demands for public service, represented by a community’s income inequality and racial-ethnic diversity, together with its level of political engagement, help explain the density of nonprofits in a local area. Using data on more than 3,000 U.S. counties, empirical analyses reveal that communities with a higher level of income inequality and political engagement tend to have more nonprofits per resident than otherwise similar communities. This pattern holds for the nonprofit sector overall and for 6 of the 10 major subsectors examined. These findings suggest that nonprofit organizations may fill a gap in the delivery of public services, especially when a community has a great variety of social and economic needs. This study thus highlights the role of income inequality as a factor in explaining the density of nonprofit organizations at the local level. Implications for public policy and administration are discussed.
Stereotype Threat Can Both Enhance and Impair Older Adults’ Memory
Authors: Barber Sarah J. , Mather Mara
Published: October 2013

Negative stereotypes about aging can impair older adults’ memory via stereotype threat; however, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are unclear. In two experiments, we tested competing predictions derived from two theoretical accounts of stereotype threat: executive-control interference and regulatory fit. Older adults completed a working memory test either under stereotype threat about age-related memory declines or not under such threat. Monetary incentives were manipulated such that recall led to gains or forgetting led to losses. The executive-control-interference account predicts that stereotype threat decreases the availability of executive-control resources and hence should impair working memory performance. The regulatory-fit account predicts that threat induces a prevention focus, which should impair performance when gains are emphasized but improve performance when losses are emphasized. Results were consistent only with the regulatory-fit account. Although stereotype threat significantly impaired older adults’ working memory performance when remembering led to gains, it significantly improved performance when forgetting led to losses.
Problematic internet use in childhood and youth: evolution of a 21st century affliction
Authors: Tam Philip , Walter Garry
Published: October 2013

Objective:

To describe the emergence of, and myriad issues pertaining to, problematic internet use in childhood and youth. In this overview and appraisal of a uniquely 21st century affliction, the focus is on youth and less on young adult perspectives.

Conclusions:

We employed relevant literature-search methodology though EMBASE, Psychinfo and Web of Science, utilising the key terms of PIU, internet addiction and youth mental health, and present a selection of the pioneering and important research developments both nationally and internationally. We focused on the literature from the past 10 years, but we also included relevant early developments in the field going back to the 1990s. We also made reference, where appropriate, to major considerations of relevance to the general public, where these were reported in reputable international news and media organisations. The authors utilised common internet search engines to access these news reports. It was found that the complex, novel and at times controversial concept of ‘problematic internet use’ (PIU) – often popularly dubbed ‘internet addiction’ – has attracted much public, media and research interest, particularly over the past decade. In common with many other afflictions that have a prominent ‘pop-cultural’ component, often the commentary and debate has been polarising, unclear and sensationalist. At times, more light than heat appears to be generated.
Experiences of Intimacy Among People With Bladder Exstrophy
Authors: Anderson Deborah L. , Murray Craig D. , Hurrell Ruth
Published: October 2013

Previous research investigating the psychosocial and psychosexual impact of living with the complex genitourinary condition bladder exstrophy has been limited in scope and methodological quality. However, the limited evidence suggests that people with bladder exstrophy commonly encounter difficulties that might negatively impact their experiences of intimacy. We conducted an interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore intimacy in 6 participants aged 16 to 56 years. Participants discussed how their parents and later they themselves concealed their health condition. This concealment was associated with feeling safe and protected, yet shameful. Participants also discussed developing intimate knowledge of their own emerging identity while developing intimacy with others, as well as the importance of sharing the experience of bladder exstrophy with others in the development of intimate relationships. We discuss the findings in relation to theoretical issues of concealment, shame, attachment, psychosocial development, intimacy, and chronic illness.
Pediatric Palliative Care
Authors: Chin Loh Ee , Loong Lam Chee , Ngen Chin Cheuk , Beng Tan Seng , Shireen Chin , Kuan Wong Sook , Shaw Rosalie
Published: October 2013

Good communication is essential but sometimes challenging in pediatric palliative care. We describe 3 cases whereby miniature chairs made of various materials and colors were used successfully to encourage communication among pediatric patients, family, and health care professionals. This chair-inspired model may serve as a simple tool to facilitate complex discussions and to enable self-expression by children in the pediatric palliative care setting.
Spaces of Power/Knowledge
Authors: Jackson Alecia Youngblood
Published: October 2013

In this paper, I argue for a consideration of Foucault’s power/knowledge doublet as a spatial, analytic methodology for the use of studying the productive effects of practices in education. A spatial reading involves disentangling the complex production of subjectivity as an effect of power/knowledge relations and practices. A power/knowledge reading of the multiple effects of social, cultural, and material practices within relations of power/knowledge illustrates how educational subjects are in a continual process of constructing and transforming their selves and their worlds through their interactions with others. In particular, I sketch what this spatial methodology looked like in the context of an ethnographic study that I conducted on southern girls’ subjectivity and education. I conclude that a Foucauldian spatial methodology that analyzes power/knowledge practices within educational contexts shows that people and their practices are not causal results of educational discrimination or injustice but are ever-changing, interpretive effects of complex relations of power/knowledge that converge and are made visible by people’s responses.
Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment
Authors: Kelly Ronald , Puurveen Gloria
Published: October 2013

This article is a report on a study to develop a pressure ulcer risk assessment scale for home care clients. Multiple linear regressions were used to model scores on the Braden assessment scale and subcales, using data from the Resident Assessment Instrument—Home Care (RAI-HC) assessment. In Phase 1, data from 510 home care clients who received both assessments within a 14-day period were used to develop the models. Suitable “proxy Braden” models were constructed for the Braden scale and all subscales except for the nutrition subscale. In Phase 2, receiver operating curves revealed the proxy Braden to be a significantly better predictor than the RAI-HC Pressure Ulcer Risk Scale (PURS) of pressure ulcer development in home care clients.
Enhancing Home Care Staff Safety Through Reducing Client Aggression and Violence in Noninstitutional Care Settings
Authors: Campbell Colleen L. , McCoy Sean , Burg Mary Ann , Hoffman Nannette
Published: October 2013

The problematic occurrence of client violence and patient aggression toward health care workers is pervasive, with studies and reports finding that home health care workers experience one of the highest rates of client violence than any other career field. With the recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in 2010, traditional health care delivery in institutional care settings is increasingly shifted to service delivery venues in noninstitutional care settings. During this transition, greater numbers of health care workers are providing services in patients’ private homes, increasing the potential risk to staff safety and well-being in these settings.
Hospitalization of Home Care Patients
Authors: Mager Diana R.
Published: October 2013

This study investigated causes of hospitalizations due to adverse drug events (ADEs) and falls among patients at a nonprofit Visiting Nurse Association, over 1 year, using a retrospective record review ( n = 50). Findings revealed that 42 hospitalizations occurred related to hypo-/hyperglycemia ( n = 1), ADEs ( n = 10), and falls ( n = 31). Patients experienced medication side effects such as bradycardia, hypotension, hemorrhage, electrolyte imbalances, and syncope contributing to ADEs and resulting in potentially preventable hospitalizations.
Intravenous and Inhaled Antimicrobials at Home in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Thigpen Jim , Odle Brian
Published: October 2013

The primary clinical characteristics of cystic fibrosis (CF) are malnutrition caused by malabsorption secondary to pancreatic insufficiency, chronic pulmonary infections, and male infertility. The major cause of morbidity and mortality are bronchiectasis and obstructive pulmonary disease. Lung disease in CF is manifested by this chronic lung disease progression, with intermittent episodes of acute worsening of symptoms called pulmonary exacerbations. Once the patient has stabilized, and if suitable care can be arranged, these interventions are often transitioned to the home. This review summarizes important points pertinent to the use of intravenous and inhaled antimicrobials that may be encountered by prescribers, nurses, technicians, and case managers in the home health setting. Appropriate dosing, indications, adverse drug reactions, monitoring parameters, and practicality of both intravenous and inhaled antimicrobials are discussed.
Reading Performance of Young Adults With ADHD Diagnosed in Childhood
Authors: Miranda Ana , Mercader Jessica , Fernández M. Inmaculada , Colomer Carla
Published: October 2013

Objective: To study reading performance of young adults with ADHD and its relation with executive functioning. Method: Thirty young adults with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD and 30 with normal development (ND) were compared on reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. Furthermore, ADHD with reading disabilities (ADHD+RD) and ADHD without reading disabilities (ADHD-RD) subgroups were compared using self-report and informant-report versions of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Adult version (BRIEF-A). Results: Adults with ADHD obtained significantly worse results than the ND adults on reading speed, responses to literal questions, and a cloze test. Although the comparison of the ADHD+RD and ADHD-RD groups did not show significant differences on the BRIEF-A subscales, the ADHD+RD group surpassed the critical percentile (85) on more subscales, with working memory and metacognition especially affected. Conclusion: The findings point out that reading should be assessed in individuals with ADHD as part of their evaluation to design effective early interventions.
Do Workers Profit from the Nonprofit Tax Exemption? The Impact of State Tax Exemption on the Nonprofit Wage Differential of Hospital Workers
Authors: Byrne Paul F.
Published: October 2013

Previous studies on the impact of nonprofit status on employee compensation view nonprofit status as yielding a fixed benefit attributable to the legal prohibition against distributing profits. However, nonprofit status also exempts firms from many federal, state, and local taxes resulting in the size of economic rents varying by the jurisdiction. This study examines how differences in the implied subsidy of state and local tax exemption impact the nonprofit wage differential in the hospital industry. The study also takes advantage of the fact that a significant proportion of nonprofit hospitals are religiously affiliated to control for worker self-selection into the nonprofit sector. Results indicate that nonprofit hospital workers receive a wage premium; however, the wage premium decreases as state tax burden increases. This finding suggests that the nonprofit wage differential is not accentuated by a hospital’s tax-exempt status but is instead a byproduct of the nondistribution constraint.
Introduction to endoscopy in the cat
Authors: Robertson Elise , Lhermette Philip
Published: October 2013

Practical relevance:

For many years, endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery have been considered ‘standard’ in human healthcare. With the expansion of the used medical equipment market, and the falling cost of new equipment, veterinary practitioners are now starting to appreciate first-hand the benefits of performing endoscopic procedures: for example, vastly improved visualisation of the surgical site, reduced tissue trauma, minimal postoperative pain and faster recovery times, especially in feline patients. In addition, clients almost always choose a less invasive procedure if the capabilities are present, and will often consent to these procedures sooner than they would to conventional surgery.

Aim:

This article aims to guide the general feline practitioner towards a basic understanding of endoscopic and ancillary equipment, and in the direction of appropriate training required to perform routine endoscopic procedures.

Evidence base:

The authors draw on information provided in a combination of published texts, articles, reviews and their own clinical experience to provide a practical information guide for the clinician interested in feline endoscopy.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the cat
Authors: Neiger Reto , Robertson Elise , Stengel Christiane
Published: October 2013

Practical relevance:

Endoscopic examination of the feline gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a minimally invasive method for obtaining biopsy samples of the GI mucosa, which is often necessary for a diagnosis of chronic GI diseases. In addition endoscopy has several therapeutic indications including foreign body retrieval, oesophageal stricture dilation and placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube.

Clinical challenges:

Initially, practitioners must learn the subtle manipulations necessary to efficiently guide the endoscope through the GI tract to obtain biopsy samples of high diagnostic quality, and develop skills for implementing interventional procedures (eg, foreign body removal). Another challenge in mastering GI endoscopy is the ability to recognise normal from abnormal, which requires many years of practice and experience. Endoscopy is a diagnostic and interventional procedure that should be performed only in conjunction with a thorough history, physical examination, appropriate laboratory evaluation, and radiographic and/or ultrasonographic imaging.

Audience:

This review is intended to familiarize both the general and referral practitioner with GI endoscopy as a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic intervention for the feline patient.

Evidence base:

The guidance contained within this article is based on a combination of the published literature, the authors’ personal experience and the experience of colleagues.
The politics of materiality: Affective encounters in a transdisciplinary debate
Authors: Irni Sari
Published: October 2013

This article analyses the discussion about the ‘new materialism’ or ‘material feminisms’ as an interplay between transdisciplinarity – moving beyond canons and disciplines (Lykke, 2004) – and affective interdisciplinary encounters. The previous discussion (e.g. Ahmed, 2008; Barad, 2003; Hemmings, 2011; Sullivan, 2012) is taken in a slightly different direction, by arguing that a politics of materiality is at work in the debate, which is implied in affective interdisciplinary encounters. It is argued that despite the transdisciplinarity, the relations of natural science engagements to both social science and humanities feminisms are pivotal. Two specific cases are analysed: the politics of definition, where ‘materiality’ tends to be equated with ‘natural science matters’, and the matter and politics of race. In the latter, race ‘sticks’ to the materiality of material ist feminism (cf. Hemmings, 2011), which tends to be left out of the sphere of the presumably new and exciting material feminisms.
Quality of life outcomes with BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: The DEFINE study
Authors: Kappos Ludwig , Gold Ralf , Arnold Douglas L , Bar-Or Amit , Giovannoni Gavin , Selmaj Krzysztof , Sarda Sujata P , Agarwal Sonalee , Zhang Annie , Sheikh Sarah I , Seidman Emily , Dawson Katherine T
Published: October 2013

Background:

Oral BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate), approved for the treatment of the relapsing forms of MS, has demonstrated clinical efficacy with an acceptable safety profile in the Phase III “Determination of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Fumarate in Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)” (DEFINE) and “Comparator and an Oral Fumarate in RRMS” (CONFIRM) studies.

Objectives:

To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment that is associated with RRMS and to assess the effects of BG-12 on HRQoL in the DEFINE study.

Methods:

Patients with RRMS were randomized to BG-12 240 mg twice (BID) or three times (TID) daily, or placebo, for 2 years. HRQoL was assessed by the Short Form-36 (SF-36), global assessment of well-being visual analog scale and the EuroQol-5D.

Results:

In the 1237 patients from DEFINE, HRQoL impairment was greatest in patients who had higher disability scores and in those who had experienced relapse. Change in SF-36 physical component summary scores during 2 years’ treatment significantly favored BG-12 over placebo (both doses: p < 0.001). We saw similar benefits in other measures of functioning and general well-being as early as Week 24. These benefits were maintained during the study.

Conclusions:

Our results add to evidence for a negative impact of RRMS on HRQoL and they demonstrate the benefits of BG-12 on HRQoL measures, which coupled with significant clinical efficacy, further support its use as a new treatment for RRMS.
An Unlikely Advocate
Authors: DeBrew Jacqueline Kayler
Published: October 2013

School nurses are often the first line of advocacy for children when problems arise. One common learning disability, dyslexia, requires advocacy from the school nurse. However, due to lack of knowledge, misunderstandings, and misconceptions about the disorder, the school nurse may feel inadequate in an advocacy role. This article describes dyslexia, including warning signs, so that school nurses can be better prepared to assess for signs, provide intervention, and advocate for struggling children and families.