bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound scoring in combination with ultrasound elastography for differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules
Authors: Shao Jun , Shen Ye , Lü Jieqiong , Wang Jianming
Published: August 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of ultrasound scores obtained by conventional ultrasonography and ultrasound elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in Chinese patients.

Methods

This study included 297 patients who were referred for surgery for compressive symptoms or suspicion of malignancy. Five hundred and twelve thyroid nodules were examined by ultrasonography. The final diagnosis was based on histological findings. A seven‐point ultrasound scoring system based on conventional ultrasonography and a five‐point scoring system based on ultrasound elastography were applied independently or in combination. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were graphed, and the areas under the curves (AUCs) were compared using the χ2‐test.

Results

Solid composition, hypo‐echoic appearance, an irregular or blurred margin, an aspect ratio ≥1, intranodular blood flow and presence of microcalcifications were significant predictors of malignant thyroid nodules. The AUC (95% CI) was 0·9067 (0·8817–0·9318) for the ultrasound scores based on conventional ultrasonography and 0·9080 (0·8842–0·9317) for the elasticity scores. The combination of these two scoring systems provided good accuracy with an AUC (95% CI) of 0·9415 (0·9223–0·9606), which was significantly higher than that obtained with the conventional ultrasound scores (χ2 = 36·03, P < 0·001) or the elasticity scores (χ2 = 12·80, P < 0·001) individually. When we set the cut‐point to ≥5, the sensitivity and specificity were 85·22% and 87·38%, respectively.

Conclusions

Elastography in combination with conventional ultrasonography is a promising imaging‐based approach that can assist in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
Pilot study to assess measures to be used in the prospective audit of the management of foot ulcers in people with diabetes
Authors: Holman N. , Young B. , Stephens H. , Jeffcoate W. ,   the members of the National Foot Care Audit Steering Group
Published: August 2014

Aim

To design and test a methodology for assessing aspects of the management of foot disease in diabetes.

Methods

A national working group devised pilot datasets that may be used to document the process of management of active ulceration. Participating volunteer specialist units throughout England were required to characterize newly presenting people with diabetic foot ulcers using a standard questionnaire comprising the dataset and to document outcomes at 6 and 12 months. Semi‐structured interviews were later conducted with the volunteers at the units.

Results

A total of 23 units recorded baseline data on 652 people with incident foot ulcers; valid outcome data were available for 541 people (83.0%). Of the 541 index ulcers, 351 (64.9%) healed within 24 weeks, with a median time to healing of 63 days. Ulcer site and depth and peripheral arterial disease were associated with differing ulcer healing rates. By contrast, baseline demographic characteristics were not independently associated with healing. These were used to calculate a standardized case‐mix adjusted healing ratio. In most units data collection took < 10 min per person, but participants reported that the burden of local data collection was still excessive.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the feasibility of routine multi‐unit comparative assessment of care of the foot in diabetes, including the generation of meaningful service reports, but for general use the burden of local data collection will need to be reduced (e.g. by using linkage to existing national data collections).
Are Family Firms Really More Socially Responsible?
Authors: Cruz Cristina , Larraza–Kintana Martin , Garcés–Galdeano Lucía , Berrone Pascual
Published: August 2014

This paper conducts an empirical study as to whether family firms are more socially responsible than their nonfamily counterparts and explores the conditions in which this difference in social behavior occurs. We argue that family firms, given their socioemotional wealth bias, have a positive effect on social dimensions linked to external stakeholders, yet have a negative impact on internal social dimensions. Thus, family firms can be socially responsible and irresponsible at the same time. We also suggest that institutional and organizational conditions act as catalysts in the relationship between firm type and corporate social responsibility (CSR). General support for our thesis that family firms neglect internal social dimensions came from the study of a sample of 598 listed European firms over a period of 4 years. Moreover, while national standards and industry conditions influence the degree of CSR in nonfamily firms, these factors do not affect family firms. However, family firms’ social activities are more sensitive to declining organizational performance.
Congenital oesophageal stricture in anArabian filly treated by balloon dilation
Authors: Berlin D. , Shaabon K. , Peery D.
Published: August 2014

Congenital oesophageal stricture was diagnosed via endoscopy in a 3‐day‐oldArabian filly suffering from nasal milk regurgitation. Vascular ring anomaly or other extramural, intramural or intraluminal causes were not identified on radiographs or on a computed tomography scan; thus a functional abnormality was suspected. The filly was treated with antibiotics for aspiration pneumonia and was fed milk through an indwelling nasoesophageal tube. Two sessions of balloon bougienage at the stenotic site, under sedation, resulted in marked clinical improvement and thereafter the filly was gradually reintroduced to suckling from the mare. The filly was discharged from the hospital after 17 days and on follow‐up there were no reports of food regurgitation even after the introduction of solid food. The filly was still doing well in the latest follow‐up at age 11 months.
Caudal lumbar vertebral fractures inCaliforniaQuarterHorse andThoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Collar E. M. , Zavodovskaya R. , Spriet M. , Hitchens P. L. , Wisner T. , Uzal F. A. , Stover S. M.
Published: August 2014

Reasons for performing study

To gain insight into the pathophysiology of equine lumbar vertebral fractures in racehorses.

Objectives

To characterise equine lumbar vertebral fractures inCalifornia racehorses.

Study design

Retrospective case series and prospective case–control study.

Methods

Racehorsepost mortemreports and jockey injury reports were retrospectively reviewed. Vertebral specimens from 6 racehorses affected with lumbar vertebral fractures and 4 control racehorses subjected to euthanasia for nonspinal fracture were assessed using visual, radiographic, computed tomography and histological examinations.

Results

Lumbar vertebral fractures occurred in 38QuarterHorse and 29Thoroughbred racehorses over a 22 year period, primarily involving the 5th and/or 6th lumbar vertebrae (L5–L6; 87% ofQuarterHorses and 48% ofThoroughbreds). Lumbar vertebral fractures were the third most common musculoskeletal cause of death inQuarterHorses and frequently involved a jockey injury. Lumbar vertebral specimens contained anatomical variations in the number of vertebrae, dorsal spinous processes and intertransverse articulations. Lumbar vertebral fractures examined in 6 racehorse specimens (5QuarterHorses and oneThoroughbred) coursed obliquely in a cranioventral to caudodorsal direction across the adjacentL5–L6vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc, although one case involved only one endplate. All cases had evidence of abnormalities on the ventral aspect of the vertebral bodies consistent with pre‐existing, maladaptive pathology.

Conclusions

Lumbar vertebral fractures occur in racehorses with pre‐existing pathology at theL5–L6vertebral junction that is likely predisposes horses to catastrophic fracture. Knowledge of these findings should encourage assessment of the lumbar vertebrae, therefore increasing detection of mild vertebral injuries and preventing catastrophic racehorse and associated jockey injuries.
Faunal response to benthic and hyporheic sedimentation varies with direction of vertical hydrological exchange
Authors: Mathers Kate L. , Millett Jonathan , Robertson Anne L. , Stubbington Rachel , Wood Paul J.
Published: August 2014

Sedimentation and clogging of benthic and hyporheic zone substrata is increasingly being recognised as one of the greatest threats to the ecological integrity of riverine ecosystems globally. This ex situ study examined the influence of sedimentation (surface and subsurface) and pattern of hydrological exchange on the vertical distribution of the freshwater shrimp Gammarus pulex within the experimental substrata of running water mesocosms.

Six sediment treatments representing a continuum from a clean gravel substratum to heavy sediment loading of both surface (benthic) and subsurface (hyporheic) substrata were used to examine the distribution of G. pulex in relation to the direction of hydrological exchange (downwelling, upwelling and no exchange).

The distribution of G. pulex between the sediment layers was dependent on the pattern of hydrological exchange, sediment treatment and the interaction between these two factors.

Sedimentation of the surface layer under no‐exchange conditions resulted in a lower proportion of G. pulex being recorded in the benthic sediments, whilst there were no significant differences under downwelling and upwelling flow conditions.

Sedimentation of multiple layers of the column (benthic and subsurface) reduced the ability of individuals to utilise the subsurface layers of the substratum (i.e. the hyporheic zone) under no‐exchange and upwelling conditions. However, with downwelling conditions, the abundance of G. pulex declined with depth regardless of the fine sediment distribution or volume.

This study demonstrates that faunal movement, and use of benthic and hyporheic substrata, may be influenced by sedimentation and modified by the pattern of vertical hydrological exchange. Severe sedimentation (colmation) has the potential to prevent benthic fauna from accessing the hyporheic zone and its resources which may ultimately lead to a reduction in stream diversity and metabolism, thereby limiting overall productivity and lotic ecosystem resilience.
Neonatal lethality of neural crest cell‐specific Rest knockout mice is associated with gastrointestinal distension caused by aberrations of myenteric plexus
Authors: Aoki Hitomi , Hara Akira , Oomori Yoshiyuki , Shimizu Yasutake , Yamada Yasuhiro , Kunisada Takahiro
Published: August 2014

RE1‐silencing transcription factor (REST), also known as NRSF (neuron‐restrictive silencer factor), is a well‐known transcriptional repressor of neural genes. Rest null mice have embryonic lethality which prevents further investigations of the functions of the Rest gene in vivo. We studied neonatal but not embryonic lethality that was characterized by gastrointestinal tract dilation in the neural crest cell (NCC)‐specific Rest conditional knockout (CKO) mice. While no histological abnormalities except the thinning of the digestive tract as a consequence of the gas accumulation were found in the digestive tract of the mutant mice, they do not have proper gastric retention after oral dye administration and the reduction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in NCC‐derived myenteric plexus in the stomach was detected. High CO2 concentration in the dilated digestive tract of the Rest CKO mice indicates a failure of gut function by underdeveloped cholinergic transmission in the enteric nervous system. The observed gastrointestinal distension phenotype provides a model for understanding the genetic and molecular basis of NCC defects in humans.
Exploration of shared decision‐making processes among dieticians and patients during a consultation for the nutritional treatment of dyslipidaemia
Authors: Vaillancourt Hugues , Légaré France , Gagnon Marie‐Pierre , Lapointe Annie , Deschênes Sarah‐Maude , Desroches Sophie
Published: August 2014

Background

Shared decision making (SDM) holds great potential for improving the therapeutic efficiency and quality of nutritional treatment of dyslipidaemia by promoting patient involvement in decision making. Adoption of specific behaviours fostering SDM during consultations has yet to be studied in routine dietetic practice.

Objective

Using a cross‐sectional study design, we aimed to explore both dieticians' and patients' adoption of SDM behaviours in dietetic consultations regarding the nutritional treatment of dyslipidaemia.

Methods

Twenty‐six dieticians working in local health clinics in the Quebec City metropolitan area were each asked to identify one dyslipidaemic patient they would see in an upcoming consultation. Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), questionnaires were designed to study two targeted SDM behaviours: ‘to discuss nutritional treatment options for dyslipidaemia’ and ‘to discuss patients’ values and preferences about nutritional treatment options for dyslipidaemia'. These questionnaires were administered to the dietician–patient dyad individually before the consultation. Associations between TPB constructs (attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control) towards behavioural intentions were analysed using Spearman's partial correlations.

Results

Thirteen unique patient‐dietician dyads completed the study. Perceived behavioural control was the only TPB construct significantly associated with both dieticians' and patients' intentions to adopt the targeted SDM behaviours (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

As perceived behavioural control seems to determine dieticians' and patients' adoption of SDM behaviours, interventions addressing barriers and reinforcing enablers of these behaviours are indicated. This exploratory study highlights issues that could be addressed in future research endeavours to expand the knowledge base relating to SDM adoption in dietetic practice.
Extracavitary primary effusion lymphoma: clinical, morphological, phenotypic and cytogenetic characterization using nuclei enrichment technique
Authors: Juskevicius Darius , Dietsche Tanja , Lorber Thomas , Rufle Alexander , Ruiz Christian , Mickys Ugnius , Krasniqi Fatime , Dirnhofer Stephan , Tzankov Alexandar
Published: August 2014

Abstract Aims

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare form of aggressive B‐cell lymphoma, which typically manifests as malignant effusion in the body cavities. However, extracavitary solid variants are also described. The aim of this study was to investigate copy number aberrations in two cases of solid PEL at their first occurrences and relapse by applying a newly developed methodology of tumour nuclei enrichment.

Methods and results

Using histological and genetic techniques, a novel protocol for tumour nuclei enrichment by flow sorting and array‐comparative genomic hybridization, we characterized two cases of extracavitary PEL, one of which later relapsed as effusion. Both primary tumours were positive for HHV8 and EBV, confined to lymph nodes, and aberrantly expressed CD3, yet displaying clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements indicating B‐cell origin. Cytogenetic characterization of primary tumours revealed modest number of aberrations, partially overlapping with previously reported affected loci. The effusional relapse in case 1 was cytogenetically related to the primary tumour but showed dramatic increase of chromosomal instability.

Conclusions

We for the first time demonstrate a cytogenetic relationship between solid and effusional presentations of PEL. Moreover, we provide an indirect evidence of multiple malignant clones, which gave rise to clonally‐related, yet karyotypically different relapsing lymphoma manifestations.
Bone marrow involvement of Langerhans cell histiocytosis: immunohistochemical evaluation of bone marrow for CD1a, Langerin, and S100 expression
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Ki , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Jang Seongsoo , Cho Young‐Uk , Park Sang Hyuk , Koh Kyung Nam , Im Ho Joon , Seo Jong Jin
Published: August 2014

Aims

Although bone marrow (BM) involvement in Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a negative prognostic indicator, there are no widely accepted criteria to define BM involvement in LCH. We evaluated the BM of LCH patients at diagnosis by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for S100, CD1a and Langerin, along with other features.

Methods and results

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients diagnosed as LCH at our center. IHC stains of Langerin, CD1a and S100 were done using paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. Only three cases showed massive involvement of clustered Langerhans cells. There were linear associations between positive cell count and disease extent. Some discordant results between Langerin and CD1a IHC stains were noted. Among cases showing positive results for all three IHC stains, six patients (54.5%) were in the multisystem group, and three patients (27.3%) had cytopenias. The reactivation‐free survival rates did not differ between the group positive for CD1a or Langerin, and the group negative for Langerin and CD1a.

Conclusions

Langerin and CD1a seem to be useful markers of Langerhans cells, and S100 might be a nonspecific marker for these cells, in the BM. Both Langerin and CD1a IHC staining is needed to evaluate the BM involvement of LCH.
Childhood florid follicular hyperplasia with immunoglobulin light‐chain restriction in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Martinez‐Lopez Azahara , Montes‐Moreno Santiago , Ramos Rafael , Afonso‐Martin Juan Luis , Mazorra Francisco , Gonzalez de Villambrosia Sonia , Batlle Ana , Grogan Thomas M , Piris Miguel Angel
Published: August 2014

Aims

Immunoglobulin light‐chain expression is used routinely as an indirect marker of clonality for recognizing B cell lymphoproliferative disorders.

Methods and results

Here we describe four floral follicular hyperplasia cases in the gastrointestinal tract (appendix and rectum) of children (4 to 6 years). Immunohistochemical studies revealed lambda light‐chain restriction that was associated with polyclonal IgH pattern. Clinical features and follow‐up of the patients did not reveal any other systemic symptoms, laboratory abnormalities or organ alterations.

Conclusions

Recognition of this phenomenon is useful in the diagnosis of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the gastrointestinal tract, for avoiding overdiagnosis of lymphoid malignancies, and raises concerns that the identification of light‐chain restriction is not necessarily a marker of monoclonality.
Breakeven prices for recording of indicator traits to reduce the environmental impact of milk production
Authors: Hansen Axelsson H. , Thomasen J.R. , Sørensen A.C. , Rydhmer L. , Kargo M. , Johansson K. , Fikse W.F.
Published: August 2014

A breeding scheme using genomic selection and an indicator trait for environmental impact (EI) was studied to find the most effective recording strategy in terms of annual monetary genetic gain and breakeven price for the recording of indicator traits. The breakeven price shows the investment space for developing a recording system for an indicator trait. The breeding goal consisted of three traits – milk production, functional trait and environmental impact – with economic values of €83, €82 and €−83, respectively. The first scenario included only breeding goal traits and no indicator traits (NoIT). The other scenarios included all three breeding goal traits and one indicator trait (IT) for EI. The indicator traits were recorded on a large scale (stayability after first lactation and stature), medium scale (live weight and greenhouse gases (GHG) measured in the breath of the cow during milking) or small scale (residual feed intake and total enteric methane measured in a respiration chamber). In the scenario with stayability, the genetic gain in EI was over 11% higher than it was in NoIT. The breakeven price of recording stayability was €8 per record. Stayability is easy to record in the national milk recording system, and its use as an indicator trait for EI would not generate any additional recording costs. Therefore, stayability would be a good indicator trait to use to mitigate EI. The highest genetic gain in EI (23% higher compared to NoIT) was achieved when the GHG measured in the breath of the cow was used as indicator trait. The breakeven price for this indicator trait was €29 per record in the reference population. Ideally the recording of a specific indicator trait for EI would take place when: (i) the genetic correlation between the IT and EI is high; and (ii) the number of phenotypic records for the indicator trait is high enough to achieve a moderately high reliability of direct genomic values.
Late Quaternary climate change, relict populations and present‐day refugia in the northern Atacama Desert: a case study from Quebrada La Higuera (18° S)
Authors: Mujica María Isabel , Latorre Claudio , Maldonado Antonio , González‐Silvestre Leticia , Pinto Raquel , de Pol‐Holz Ricardo , Santoro Calogero M.
Published: August 2014

Aim

In deserts, past climate change (and particularly past rainfall variability) plays a large role in explaining current plant species distributions. We ask which species were most and which were least affected by changes in rainfall during the late Quaternary in northernmost Chile.

Location

Quebrada La Higuera (QLH; 18° S), a shallow canyon that cuts east–west through the western Andean precordillera of northern Chile, connecting the Altiplano with the hyperarid Atacama Desert.

Methods

We collected and dated 22 rodent middens from elevations of 3100–3500 m in QLH. These were analysed for identifiable plant macrofossils and pollen. We also measured chinchilla rat (Abrocoma cinerea) faecal pellets in the youngest middens to explore how they relate to past ecological and climatic change.

Results

The three oldest middens dated to more than 37 ka (thousand calibrated 14C years), four middens dated to 14.4–11.6 ka, and fifteen middens spanned the last 650 years. During all the intervals examined, extralocal species (those found today at higher elevations and indicative of positive rainfall anomalies) were present at our midden sites. In the youngest interval, Parastrephia pollen (indicating increased rainfall) increased abruptly at ad 1760 and remained high until the mid‐1800s. This increase was also seen in our faecal pellet record.

Main conclusions

Extralocal species were prevalent in late Pleistocene middens at lower elevations when the climate was wetter. When combined with other regional midden records, we postulate that many species found today in the Altiplano were displaced to lower elevations during the late Pleistocene. The recent large‐scale mortality documented among arboreal cactus populations along the present upper margins of the Atacama suggests that these are relict populations that are likely to have flourished during a wetter period in the early 1800s.
Communities of wood‐inhabiting bryophytes and fungi on dead beech logs in Europe – reflecting substrate quality or shaped by climate and forest conditions?
Authors: Heilmann‐Clausen Jacob , Aude Erik , van Dort Klaas , Christensen Morten , Piltaver Andrej , Veerkamp Mirjam , Walleyn Ruben , Siller Irén , Standovár Tibor , Òdor Péter
Published: August 2014

Aim

Fungi are drivers of wood decay in forested ecosystem, while bryophytes use dead wood as a platform for their autotrophic lifestyle. We tested the hypothesis that fungal communities on beech logs are mainly structured by substrate quality, while bryophyte communities are structured by climatic gradients. In addition, we tested whether community structure in both organism groups is altered along a gradient from nearly pristine forest to forests heavily affected by management and human disturbance in the past.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We surveyed 1207 fallen beech logs in 26 of the best‐preserved forest stands across six European countries, representing a gradient in overall naturalness of the forest landscape. Recorded species were classified into ecological guilds. Indirect ordination and variation partitioning was used to analyse the relationship between species composition and environmental variables, recorded at log or site level.

Results

In total, 10,367 bryophyte and 15,575 fungal records were made, representing 157 and 272 species, respectively. Fungal communities were more clearly structured by substrate quality than were bryophyte communities. In both groups a distinct turnover in species composition was evident along a longitudinal gradient from Central to Western Europe. Fungi specialized in trunk rot and specialized epixylic bryophytes were scarcely represented in Atlantic regions, and partly replaced by species belonging to less specialized guilds. Variables related to climate and forest conditions were confounded along this main geographical gradient in community composition.

Main conclusions

We found that bryophyte and fungal communities co‐occurring on fallen beech logs in European beech forest reserves differed in their responses to biogeographical drivers and local‐scale habitat filters. Both groups responded to major gradients in climate and forest conditions, but the loss of specialist guilds in degraded forest landscapes points to a functionally important effect of forest landscape degradation at the European continental scale.
Impact of baseline microbiological status on clinical outcomes in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients treated with or without adjunctive amoxicillin and metronidazole: an exploratory analysis from a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Guerrero Adrián , Nibali Luigi , Lambertenghi Roberta , Ready Derren , Suvan Jean , Griffiths Gareth S. , Wilson Michael , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: August 2014

Aim

To explore whether subjects harbouring A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis or T. forsythia at baseline showed increased clinical benefits with the adjunctive use of systemic amoxicillin and metronidazole (AMX‐MET) during non‐surgical treatment of generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).

Material and Methods

Forty one subjects were included in this 6‐month randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial using a 7‐day course of systemic AMX‐MET or placebo as adjuncts to non‐surgical periodontal therapy. Clinical and microbiological parameters were collected at baseline, 2 and 6 months after treatment. Microbiological cultures were processed for pooled subgingival samples and identities of isolates were determined by PCR for A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and T. forsythia

Results

At 6 months, the test treatment resulted in significant additional improvements in the primary outcome variable compared to placebo, and the effect of the adjunctive antimicrobials was not modified by the baseline microbiological status in the primary analysis. However, secondary exploratory subgroup analyses showed improved clinical outcomes in subjects harbouring A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline compared to subjects who did not harbour this pathogen.

Conclusions

All subjects benefited from the tested adjunctive antimicrobial regimen, although subjects who harboured A. actinomycetemcomitans at baseline may show greater clinical benefits. Larger appropriately powered studies are needed to confirm whether adjunctive AMX‐MET is more beneficial for GAgP patients who harbour A. actinomycetemcomitans, along with other key periodontal pathogens.
Neurocognitive predictors of substance use disorders and nicotine dependence in ADHD probands, their unaffected siblings, and controls: a 4‐year prospective follow‐up
Authors: Groenman Annabeth P. , Oosterlaan Jaap , Greven Corina U. , Vuijk Pieter Jelle , Rommelse Nanda , Franke Barbara , Hartman Catharina A. , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Sergeant Joseph , Faraone Stephen V. , Buitelaar Jan
Published: August 2014

Background

Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a risk factor for substance use disorders (SUDs) and nicotine dependence (ND). Neurocognitive deficits may predict the increased risk of developing SUDs and nicotine dependence.

Methods

This study comprised three groups derived from the Dutch part of the International Multicenter ADHD Genetics (IMAGE) study: ADHD probands (n = 294), unaffected siblings (n = 161), and controls (n = 214). At baseline (age = 12.2), a range of neurocognitive functions was assessed including executive functions (inhibition, working memory, timing), measures of motor functioning (motor timing and tracking) and IQ. After a mean follow‐up of 4.2 years, SUDs and ND were assessed.

Results

None of the neurocognitive functions predicted later SUDs or ND in ADHD probands, even after controlling for medication use and conduct disorder. Slower response inhibition predicted later nicotine dependence in unaffected siblings (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.22–3.48), and lower IQ predicted increased risk for SUDs in controls (OR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.12–3.44).

Conclusions

Cold executive functions, motor functioning, and IQ did not predict the elevated risk of SUDs and ND in ADHD. Future studies should target ‘hot’ executive functions such as reward processing as risk factors for SUDs or ND.
Trophic niche and habitat shifts of sympatric Gerreidae
Authors: Ramos J. A. A. , Barletta M. , Dantas D. V. , Lima A. R. A. , Costa M. F.
Published: August 2014

The diet and mouth growth rates of three Gerreidae species (Eugerres brasilianus, Eucinostomus melanopterusandDiapterus rhombeus) were assessed at different ontogenetic phases (juveniles, sub‐adults and adults) in order to detect allometric growth, and whether they are related to habitat and seasonal changes in the Goiana Estuary, north‐east Brazil. The importance of each prey for each ontogenetic phase was described using the index of relative importance. The three species showed seasonal ontogenetic shifts in diet and allometric growth of mouth morphology. They also had an exclusively zoobenthic diet, comprising mainly Polychaeta, Copepoda, Ostracoda, Gastropoda and Bivalvia. Mouth development showed a possible influence on diet changes forE. melanopterus. Significant interactions (P< 0·01) were detected among seasons, areas and ontogenetic phases for the most important prey forE. brasilianusandE. melanopterus. Diet overlaps are evidence of intra and interspecific competition among gerreids for specific prey. A conceptual model of the competition and seasonal diet shifts among ontogenetic phases of gerreids is given. The sediment ingested due to the feeding mechanisms of Gerreidae species could also partially explain the ingestion of synthetic items observed for all ontogenetic phases, which indicates one of a myriad effects of human activities (e.g.artisanal fishery) in this estuary.
Validation of a web‐based questionnaire to assess the dietary intake of Brazilian children aged 7–10 years
Authors: Davies V. F. , Kupek E. , de Assis M. A. , Natal S. , Di Pietro P. F. , Baranowski T.
Published: August 2014

Background

The Food Intake and Physical Activity of School Children (CAAFE) comprises an online questionnaire to self‐report diet and physical activity of Brazilian schoolchildren.

Background

The present study aimed to assess the validity (matches, omissions and intrusions) and moderating factors of the CAAFE.

Methods

Direct observation was made of foods consumed (five public schools) and child self‐reporting on the CAAFE. Additional data included school grade, gender, body mass index, completion of food diary, socioeconomic status and access to computer. Data were analysed using regression.

Results

In total, 602 children participated in the study [mean (SD) age 9.5 (1.24) years; 53.6% boys]. On average, there were 43% matches, 29% intrusions and 28% omissions. Matches doubled in third grade compared to the second grade (P = 0.004); matches almost tripled for afternoon snack compared to morning snack (P < 0.001); and matches were 69% higher for children with access to a computer at home (P < 0.01). Intrusions decreased by almost one‐half in fifth compared to fourth grades (P = 0.004). Omissions declined significantly in the third and fourth grades but increased in the fifth grade. Omissions were 47% lower for children in the highest income and lower among children who completed the food diary. No differences were found for gender or body mass index.

Conclusions

Children older than 8 years old, who owned a computer and completed a food diary, performed better in the CAAFE. A high incidence of disagreement was found in relation to the schools and the type of meal. Overall matches (43%), intrusions (29%) and omissions (28%) indicate that further studies are required to improve the validity of the CAAFE.
Determinants of Capital Structure: United Kingdom Versus Continental European Countries
Authors: Acedo‐Ramírez Miguel A. , Ruiz‐Cabestre Francisco J.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we analyze how country‐specific differences influence capital structure indirectly through firm‐specific variables. We apply a system Generalized Method of Moments technique to a panel data sample of companies from five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) during the period 1998–2008. As the different financial systems of European economies (bank‐oriented or market‐oriented) may influence capital structure differently through firm‐specific variables, we first examine the determinants of capital structure for each country separately and we then analyze whether the observed differences between the United Kingdom and the continental European countries are relevant. The results show that there are substantial differences in the capital structure choices of firms across five major European countries. These differences are motivated by the type of financial systems of the countries (bank‐oriented and market‐oriented) and influence the capital structure indirectly through the firm‐specific variables. Overall, our results support the relevance of the differences in the capital structure choices of firms across five major European countries, and in particular, the singularity of the United Kingdom (a market‐oriented economy) as opposed to continental European countries (bank‐oriented economies).
Organisation, practice and experiences of mouth hygiene in stroke unit care: a mixed‐methods study
Authors: Horne Maria , McCracken Giles , Walls Angus , Tyrrell Pippa J , Smith Craig J
Published: August 2014

Aims and objectives

To (1) investigate the organisation, provision and practice of oral care in typical UK stroke units; (2) explore stroke survivors', carers' and healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions about the barriers and facilitators to receiving and undertaking oral care in stroke units.

Background

Cerebrovascular disease and oral health are major global health concerns. Little is known about the provision, challenges and practice of oral care in the stroke unit setting, and there are currently no evidence‐based practice guidelines.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey of 11 stroke units across Greater Manchester and descriptive qualitative study using focus groups and semi‐structured interviews.

Methods

A self‐report questionnaire was used to survey 11 stroke units in Greater Manchester. Data were then collected through two focus groups (n = 10) with healthcare professionals and five semi‐structured interviews with stroke survivors and carers. Focus group and interview data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework approach.

Results

Eleven stroke units in Greater Manchester responded to the survey. Stroke survivors and carers identified a lack of oral care practice and enablement by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals identified a lack of formal training to conduct oral care for stroke patients, inconsistency in the delivery of oral care and no set protocols or use of formal oral assessment tools.

Conclusion

Oral care post‐stroke could be improved by increasing healthcare professionals' awareness, understanding and knowledge of the potential health benefits of oral care post‐stroke. Further research is required to develop and evaluate the provision of oral care in stroke care to inform evidence‐based education and practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Development of staff training and education, and evidence‐based oral care protocols may potentially benefit patient care and outcomes and be implemented widely across stroke care.
Reconnecting Disconnected Youth: Examining the Development of Productive Engagement
Authors: Zaff Jonathan F. , Ginsberg Kei Kawashima , Boyd Michelle J. , Kakli Zenub
Published: August 2014

Little is known about the developmental process of disconnected youth reengaging in more productive aspects of life. For this study, we examined the process of developing productive engagement among 38 disconnected youth who are either gang‐affiliated, involved with juvenile justice, or (and) homeless. These youth were reengaging into educational and workforce experiences through a comprehensive youth development center. Using a dynamic systems analytic strategy, we categorized upwards of 24 monthly assessments for each youth to determine their development of productive engagement. We found productive engagement does not develop along a homogeneous path. Instead, we found four different pathways. All youth had dips in their engagement, but those along more positive paths rebounded and continued on to graduation from the program.
Considerations of a Dual‐Systems Model of Cognitive Development and Risky Driving
Authors: Lambert Ann E. , Simons‐Morton Bruce G. , Cain Sarah A. , Weisz Sarah , Cox Daniel J.
Published: August 2014

The dual‐systems model of adolescent risk‐taking postulates that risk‐taking during adolescence partially results from an imbalance in the development of the executive and the socio‐emotional cognitive systems. While supported by behavioral and neuroanatomical data, translational research linking the model with real‐world driving or laboratory driving simulation is sparse. This article discusses the model as it relates to adolescent driving and reviews empirical studies that have applied it in a driving‐specific context. While the studies reviewed provided partial support, each lacked a critical component necessary to fully test the model. Thus, a strong test has yet to be implemented; however, the dual‐systems model holds promise for advancing the understanding of teen driving risk and guiding applications for prevention and policy.
Assessing Critical Consciousness in Youth and Young Adults
Authors: Thomas Anita J. , Barrie Rabiatu , Brunner John , Clawson Angela , Hewitt Amber , Jeremie‐Brink Gihane , Rowe‐Johnson Meghan
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop a scale to assess critical consciousness to be used as an assessment tool for assessing critical consciousness levels of individuals: first for prevention work, including programs that foster multicultural awareness and sensitivity, rites of passages, or racial socialization programs; and second for clinical work. The Critical Consciousness Inventory (CCI) is a nine‐item scale using a Guttman model of scaling. Two hundred participants of varying ethnic/racial backgrounds completed the scale. Psychometric properties of the scale are included. The scale differentiates individuals at diverse levels of critical consciousness development. The CCI is related to social dominance and stigma consciousness.
Evolution of wild emmer wheat and crop improvement
Authors: NEVO Eviatar
Published: August 2014

Allotetraploid wild emmer wheat, Triticum dicoccoides (TD) 2n = 28, the progenitor of most cultivated bread wheat, is an ecological specialist and excellent model organism for advancing evolutionary theory, wheat evolution, and wheat improvement. The center of origin and diversity of TD is northeastern Upper Galilee and the Golan. Elsewhere in the Fertile Crescent, it occurs in semi‐isolated and isolated populations. The genetic structure is generally an “archipelago.” Regional and local genetic patterns are partly or largely adaptive at the protein and DNA levels, both at coding and noncoding genomes, correlated with and predictable by environmental abiotic and biotic stresses. TD is a rich, mostly untapped, genetic resource for improving cultivated wheat, harboring drought, salt, mineral, and disease resistances, grain proteins, and with high variation in photosynthetic yield. TD was chromosomally mapped with 549 molecular markers and 70 QTLs for 11 traits of agricultural importance and domestication. Prospects include sequencing its genome; including 80% repeat elements for structural, functional, and regulatory polymorphisms, epigenetics, and genetic resources for wheat improvement. TD is affected by global warming both phenotypically (advancing flowering time) and genotypically (genetic erosion, SSR allelic turn‐over, and novel drought resistant alleles). Hence, it should be conserved in situ and ex situ, to safeguard the arguably best source for wheat improvement and future food production in an exploding world population.
The effect of interpreters on eliciting information, cues to deceit and rapport
Authors: Ewens Sarah , Vrij Aldert , Leal Sharon , Mann Samantha , Jo Eunkyung , Fisher Ronald P.
Published: August 2014

Background

The present experiment examined how the presence of an interpreter during investigative interviews affects eliciting information, cues to deceit and rapport.

Method

A total of 60 native English speakers were interviewed in English and 183 non‐native English speakers were interviewed in English (a foreign language) or through an interpreter who interpreted their answers sentence by sentence (short consecutive interpretation) or summarized their answers (long consecutive interpretation). Interviewees discussed the job they had (truth tellers) or pretended to have (liars).

Results

Interviewees who spoke through an interpreter provided less detail than interviewees who spoke in their first language and a foreign language (English) without an interpreter. Additionally, cues to deceit occurred more frequently when interviewees spoke without an interpreter. The presence of an interpreter had no effect on rapport.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that at present there are no benefits to using an interpreter with regard to eliciting information. Future research should investigate how best to utilize an interpreter to gain maximum detail from an interview.
The post‐translational modification of the Clostridium difficile flagellin affects motility, cell surface properties and virulence
Authors: Faulds‐Pain Alexandra , Twine Susan M. , Vinogradov Evgeny , Strong Philippa C. R. , Dell Anne , Buckley Anthony M. , Douce Gillian R. , Valiente Esmeralda , Logan Susan M. , Wren Brendan W.
Published: August 2014

Clostridium difficile is a prominent nosocomial pathogen, proliferating and causing enteric disease in individuals with a compromised gut microflora. We characterized the post‐translational modification of flagellin in C. difficile 630. The structure of the modification was solved by nuclear magnetic resonance and shown to contain an N‐acetylglucosamine substituted with a phosphorylated N‐methyl‐l‐threonine. A reverse genetics approach investigated the function of the putative four‐gene modification locus. All mutants were found to have truncated glycan structures by LC‐MS/MS, taking into account bioinformatic analysis, we propose that the open reading frame CD0241 encodes a kinase involved in the transfer of the phosphate to the threonine, the CD0242 protein catalyses the addition of the phosphothreonine to the N‐acetylglucosamine moiety and CD0243 transfers the methyl group to the threonine. Some mutations affected motility and caused cells to aggregate to each other and abiotic surfaces. Altering the structure of the flagellin modification impacted on colonization and disease recurrence in a murine model of infection, showing that alterations in the surface architecture of C. difficile vegetative cells can play a significant role in disease. We show that motility is not a requirement for colonization, but that colonization was compromised when the glycan structure was incomplete.
Molecular surveillance of the subtle septum: discovering a new mode of peptidoglycan synthesis in streptococci
Authors: Cadby Ian T. , Lovering Andrew L.
Published: August 2014

The process of septation requires precise temporal and spatial organization of penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) and associated proteins for the deposition of new cell wall material. In most bacteria, the filamentous protein FtsZ organises PBPs into assemblies at the midcell which then constrict inwards as peptidoglycan is synthesised, eventually closing the septa. Tsui et al. (2014), through the use of fluorescent d‐amino acids and high resolution microscopy, report that PBP2x of Streptococcus pneumoniae is directed to a discrete location within the septal aperture during the later stages of cell division. Once at this new site, PBP2x catalyses the de novo synthesis of peptidoglycan, which is imaged by the authors as a central ‘spot’, distinct from material made by other PBPs at the outer ring. This discovery, which represents a novel mode of cell wall assembly, was made in a directed capsular knockout of strain D39, thereby avoiding potential mechanistic complications in commonly used laboratory strain R6. These findings prompt not only a partial rethink of septum formation in S. pneumoniae, but consideration of the modes of PBP localization and the subtleties that can influence phenotypic study.
Differentiation of DctA and DcuS function in the DctA/DcuS sensor complex of Escherichia coli: function of DctA as an activity switch and of DcuS as the C4‐dicarboxylate sensor
Authors: Steinmetz Philipp Aloysius , Wörner Sebastian , Unden Gottfried
Published: August 2014

The C4‐dicarboxylate responsiveness of the sensor kinase DcuS is only provided in concert with C4‐dicarboxylate transporters DctA or DcuB. The individual roles of DctA and DcuS for the function of the DctA/DcuS sensor complex were analysed. (i) Variant DctA(S380D) in the C4‐dicarboxylate site of DctA conferred C4‐dicarboxylate sensitivity to DcuS in the DctA/DcuS complex, but was deficient for transport and for growth on C4‐dicarboxylates. Consequently transport activity of DctA is not required for its function in the sensor complex. (ii) Effectors like fumarate induced expression of DctA/DcuS‐dependent reporter genes (dcuB–lacZ) and served as substrates of DctA, whereas citrate served only as an inducer of dcuB–lacZ without affecting DctA function. (iii) Induction of dcuB–lacZ by fumarate required 33‐fold higher concentrations than for transport by DctA (Km = 30 μM), demonstrating the existence of different fumarate sites for both processes. (iv) In titration experiments with increasing dctA expression levels, the effect of DctA on the C4‐dicarboxylate sensitivity of DcuS was concentration dependent. The data uniformly show that C4‐dicarboxylate sensing by DctA/DcuS resides in DcuS, and that DctA serves as an activity switch. Shifting of DcuS from the constitutive ON to the C4‐dicarboxylate responsive state, required presence of DctA but not transport by DctA.