bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Lavora Muir (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Tropiduchidae) with descriptions of two new species from Solomon Islands
Authors: Wang Rong-Rong , Webb Michael D. , Liang Ai-Ping
Published: February 2013

The planthopper genus Lavora Muir, 1931 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Tropiduchidae) is reviewed and seven species, including two new species, are recognized: L. anchora Fennah, 1949 (Russell Island), L. fuscimarginata Fennah, 1949 (San Cristobal, Ugi Island), L. longispinosa Wang, sp.n. (Guadalcanal Island, Isabel Island), L. ricanoides Muir, 1931 (Guadalcanal Island), L. sanctaeisabelae Fennah, 1949 (Santa Isabel Island), L. similis Wang, sp.n. (New Georgia Island) and L. straminea Fennah, 1949 (Vella Lavella Island). The female of L. ricanoides Muir, and L. fuscimarginata are recorded for the first time. Redescriptions of the genus and species based on the newly found female and other specimens are provided. A distribution map and key to the known species of this genus are also given.
Wu Yaozong and the YMCA: From Social Reform to Social Revolution, 1927-1937
Authors: Reilly Thomas
Published: February 2013

The Republican-era Chinese National YMCA is often depicted as a business-friendly, evangelically motivated, Kuomintang-supporting organization which advocated Western-style gradual reform. All of this is true – but not of Wu Yaozong, one of the most prominent YMCA national secretaries of the period. If Wu, who studied at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, is known at all in the West, it is for his later role in organizing and leading the government-sponsored Three-Self Protestant Church after 1949. But during the 1930s,Wu encouraged the YMCA’s constituency and Protestant churchmen to consider progressive views of social reform, and toward the end of the Nanjing decade, to take a new look at communism, especially the Communist vision of social revolution.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Shift in Japanese Diplomacy at the Beginning of the Second Cold War, 1979: A New Look
Authors: Wataru Yamaguchi
Published: February 2013

Previous studies have proposed two different views as to how the beginning of the Second Cold War shaped Japanese diplomacy. This study demonstrates and reinterprets transformations in Japanese diplomacy experienced at that time, examining in particular the perceptions and behaviors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, based on primary source materials of both Japan and the United States. Japanese diplomacy was slowly transformed as the international environment became harsher. Indeed, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan made the ministry aware of the Soviet threat, and Japan consequently started to increase its defense spending and make use of strategic foreign aid: these transformations might not have been radical, but were enough to cause the United States to perceive Japan more positively on security issues. However, the ministry’s attitude had been changing even before the beginning of the Second Cold War, inspired by jurisdictional disputes in the context of the diversification of security and the public approval of defense policies. The changes enabled the U.S.-Japan alliance to evolve into a much more complex partnership in the 1980s.
Production, Communication, and Comprehension of Knowledge of the New World: Ethnographic Descriptions in Caspar Barlaeus’ Rerum per Octennium
Authors: Dams Britt
Published: February 2013

This article deals with the textual legacy of Dutch Brazil, in particular the ethnographic descriptions in one of the most popular works about the colony: Barlaeus’ Rerum per Octennium in Brasilia et alibi nuper gestarum. Barlaeus never set foot in Brazil, but was an important Dutch intellectual authority in the seventeenth century. To compose the Rerum per Octennium, he relied on a wide variety of available sources, not only firsthand observations, but also classical, biblical and other contemporary sources. From these, he made a careful selection to produce his descriptions.

Recent research shows that the Dutch participated in networks of knowledge and imagination as well as in a more familiar early modern trading network. This article reveals that Barlaeus’ descriptions not only circulated as knowledge, but also produced new knowledge. The Rerum soon became one of the standard works about the colony due to the importance of its author and its composition.

Furthermore, the article discusses the rhetorical techniques used in some selected descriptions in order to shed light upon the strategies Barlaeus used in his discourse on the strange reality of the New World. For example, his ethnographic descriptions employed parallel customs or events from the classical Antiquity or the Bible. In these comparisons he displays both his intellectual capacities and shows his desire to comprehend this exotic reality.
The Gathering Storm: Slave Responses to the Threat of Interregional Migration in the Early Nineteenth Century
Authors: Alan Pargas Damian
Published: February 2013

Between the American Revolution and the outbreak of the Civil War almost a million American-born slaves were relocated from the Upper South and eastern seaboard to the ever-expanding southern interior. An outpouring of historical research has greatly contributed to our understanding of the political, economic, demographic, and business aspects of interregional slave migration in the antebellum period, but as yet relatively few studies have examined the ways in which early-nineteenth-century slaves anticipated and reacted to the prospect of interstate migration, the ways in which they attempted to resist or negotiate the terms of their migration, or their motivations for doing so. Drawing from slave narratives and interviews, travel accounts, southern newspapers, and plantation records, this study briefly explores the ways in which slave migrants (and their loved ones) experienced and dealt with the news of forcible removal across state lines in early-nineteenth-century America, with a particular emphasis on the theme of family separation as a motivating factor behind their actions and reactions.
Morphological analysis of the oribatid mite species Scutovertex pannonicus Schuster and description of its juvenile stages (Acari: Oribatida: Scutoverticidae)
Authors: MCCULLOUGH ELKE , KRISPER GÜNTHER
Published: February 2013

This paper provides a detailed redescription of the adult as well as the first morphological description of all juvenile instars (inclusive egg, prelarva and earlier larval stages) of Scutovertex pannonicus. The adults are characterized by their relatively large size (692–892 μm), their well developed sharply bordered foveae which are regularly distributed on the whole notogaster, except in the central field and the posterior notogastral brush-like setae ps1, h1-h3. The exochorion of the eggs shows the typical structures for the genus Scutovertex like ‘mushrooms’ and granules with the species-specific expression of the ‘mushrooms’ and its substructures. The exochorion is covered with an extra thin layer which is typical for this species. The larva and the nymphs can be distinguished from those of S. sculptus and S. minutus mainly by their lateral setae l’ and l’’ on tibia I which are strongly serrated and slightly broadened.
Towards an Australian Bioregionalisation Atlas: A provisional area taxonomy of Australia’s biogeographical regions
Authors: EBACH MALTE C. , GILL ANTHONY C. , KWAN ALAN , AHYONG SHANE T. , MURPHY DANIEL J. , CASSIS GERASIMOS
Published: February 2013

The large number, definition, varied application and validity of named Australian biogeographical regions reflect their ad hoc development via disparate methods or case study idiosyncracies. They do not represent a coherent system. In order to resolve these uncertainties an Australian Bioregionalisation Atlas is proposed as a provisional hierarchical classification, accounting for all known named areas. This provisional area taxonomy includes a diagnosis, description, type locality and map for each named area within the Australian continent, as well as a first-ever area synonymy. Akin to biological clas-sifications, this Atlas seeks to provision universality, objectivity and stability, such that biogeographers, macroecologists and geographers, can test existing areas as well as proposing novel areas. With such a formalised and comparative system in place, practitioners can analyse the definition and relationships of biotic areas, and putatively minimise ad hoc expla-nations.
Phylogenetic placement of the European sand gobies in Gobionellidae and characterization of gobionellid lineages (Gobiiformes: Gobioidei)
Authors: THACKER CHRISTINE E.
Published: February 2013

The Mediterranean, northeastern Atlantic, and inland freshwaters of Europe and the Ponto-Caspian region host a distinct fauna of gobiiform fishes, including the sand gobies (Pomatoschistus Gill and related genera), all of which have been clas-sified in the most diverse goby group, the family Gobiidae. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have suggested that the sand gobies are not gobiids, and are instead part of their sister clade Gobionellidae (Thacker and Roje 2011). Phylo-genetic analysis of Pomatoschistus in the context of both gobiid and gobionellid taxa indicates that Pomatoschistus is part of Gobionellidae, specifically the Mugilogobius lineage. Gobionellidae includes 93 genera, which are arrayed into four lineages (Stenogobius, Mugilogobius, Periophthalmus and Northern Pacific). These lineages exhibit variation in charac-ters of the jaw and suspensorium, including the shapes and relative positions of the palatine, quadrate, and ectopterygoid. The observations of the palatopterygoid complex in Gobionellidae of Harrison (1989) and Larson (2001) are supported and augmented. Gobionellidae generally exhibit suspensoria that are overall more elongated and gracile than those of go-biids: the palatine/ectopterygoid pair features a very short (Periophthalmus lineage) or elongate, pointed palatine (Mugi-logobius, Northern Pacific, and Stenogobius lineages), with a relatively slender ectopterygoid and a short quadrate articulation. In Gobiidae, the palatine extends about halfway along the length of the ectopterygoid, and the ectopterygoid generally features a large, flat articulation with the quadrate. Suspensoria of Pomatoschistus and relatives are similar to those of other taxa in the Mugilogobius lineage. Placement of Pomatoschistus and relatives in Gobionellidae rather than Gobiidae is significant in that it indicates that sand gobies are not closely related to other European gobies, and has impli-cations for any comparative evolutionary or biogeographic studies.
Four new earthworm species and subspecies belonging to genus Amynthas and Metaphire (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae) from Hainan Island, China
Authors: ZHAO QI , JIANG JIBAO , SUN JING , QIU JIANGPING
Published: February 2013

Three new species and one new subspecies of earthworms from Hainan Island, China, are described: Amynthas dinganensis sp. nov., Amynthas tenuis sp. nov., Metaphire wuzhimontis sp. nov. and Metaphire magna minuscula subsp. nov. Amynthas dinganensis and Amynthas tenuis have two pairs of spermathecal pores in 5/6–6/7, and Metaphire wuzhimontis and Metaphire magna minuscula have two pairs of spermathecal pores in 7/8–8/9. COI and 16S gene fragments of the new species taxa have been sequenced. We provide comparisons between these new species taxa and related species using morphological and molecular characters.
A Satellite Study of Tropical Moist Convection and Environmental Variability: A Moisture and Thermal Budget Analysis
Authors: Masunaga Hirohiko
Published: February 2013

The thermodynamic variability associated with moist convection over tropical oceans is analyzed by making use of a variety of satellite sensors including radars, an infrared and microwave sounder unit, and a microwave radiometer and scatterometer aboard different platforms. Satellite measurements of atmospheric parameters including air temperature, water vapor, cumulus cloud cover, and surface wind are composited with respect to the temporal lead or lag from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)-detected convection to obtain statistically continuous time series on hourly to daily time scales. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)-observed temperature and humidity profiles, representing cloud-cleared sounding, are combined with semitheoretical estimates of in-cloud temperature and humidity to construct the large-scale mean field. Those measurements are ingested to the moisture and thermal budget equations integrated vertically over each layer separated by cloud base. This strategy makes it possible to evaluate the free-tropospheric (FT) convergence of moisture and dry static energy and their vertical flux at cloud base from satellite observations alone. The main findings include the following: 1) vertical moisture transport at cloud base is the dominant source of FT moistening prior to isolated cumulus development while overwhelmed by horizontal moisture convergence for highly organized systems; 2) FT diabatic heating is largely offset on an instantaneous basis; and 3) FT moistening by convective eddies amounts to a half of the total cloud-base moisture flux in the background state, while large-scale mean updrafts modulate the variability of cloud-base flux when highly organized systems develop. The known correlation between congestus clouds and FT moisture before deep convection may be accounted for by large-scale mean moisture updraft rather than congestus eddy moistening.
A Nonlinear Response of Sahel Rainfall to Atlantic Warming
Authors: Neupane Naresh , Cook Kerry H.
Published: February 2013

The response over West Africa to uniform warming of the Atlantic Ocean is analyzed using idealized simulations with a regional climate model. With warming of 1 and 1.5 K, rainfall rates increase by 30%–50% over most of West Africa. With Atlantic warming of 2 K and higher, coastal precipitation increases but Sahel rainfall decreases substantially. This nonlinear response in Sahel rainfall is the focus of this analysis. Atlantic warming is accompanied by decreases in low-level geopotential heights in the Gulf of Guinea and in the large-scale meridional geopotential height gradient. This leads to easterly wind anomalies in the central Sahel. With Atlantic warming below 2 K, these easterly anomalies support moisture transport from the Gulf of Guinea and precipitation increases. With Atlantic warming over 2 K, the easterly anomalies reverse the westerly flow over the Sahel. The resulting dry air advection into the Sahel reduces precipitation. Increased low-level moisture provides moist static energy to initiate convection with Atlantic warming at 1.5 K and below, while decreased moisture and stable thermal profiles suppress convection with additional warming. In all simulations, the southerly monsoon flow onto the Guinean coast is maintained and precipitation in that region increases. The relevance of these results to the global warming problem is limited by the focus on Atlantic warming alone. However, confident prediction of climate change requires an understanding of the physical processes of change, and this paper contributes to that goal.
Understanding Prediction Skill of Seasonal Mean Precipitation over the Tropics
Authors: Kumar Arun , Chen Mingyue , Wang Wanqiu
Published: February 2013

The connection between the local SST and precipitation (SST–P) correlation and the prediction skill of precipitation on a seasonal time scale is investigated based on seasonal hindcasts from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2). The results demonstrate that there is good correspondence between the two: precipitation skill is generally high only over the regions where SST–P correlation is positive and is low where SST–P correlation is small or weakly negative. This result has fundamental implications for understanding the limits of precipitation predictability on seasonal time scale and helps explain spatial variations in the skill of seasonal mean precipitation. Over the regions where atmospheric variability drives the ocean variability (and consequently the local SST–P correlation is weakly negative), the inherently unpredictable nature of atmospheric variability leads to low predictability for seasonal precipitation. On the other hand, over the regions where slow time scale ocean variability drives the atmosphere (and the local SST–P correlation is large positive), the predictability of seasonal mean precipitation is also high.
Evaluation and Uncertainty Estimation of NOAA/NSSL Next-Generation National Mosaic Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Product (Q2) over the Continental United States
Authors: Chen Sheng , Gourley Jonathan J. , Hong Yang , Kirstetter P. E. , Zhang Jian , Howard Kenneth , Flamig Zachary L. , Hu Junjun , Qi Youcun
Published: February 2013

Quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) products from the next-generation National Mosaic and QPE system (Q2) are cross-compared to the operational, radar-only product of the National Weather Service (Stage II) using the gauge-adjusted and manual quality-controlled product (Stage IV) as a reference. The evaluation takes place over the entire conterminous United States (CONUS) from December 2009 to November 2010. The annual comparison of daily Stage II precipitation to the radar-only Q2Rad product indicates that both have small systematic biases (absolute values > 8%), but the random errors with Stage II are much greater, as noted with a root-mean-squared difference of 4.5 mm day−1 compared to 1.1 mm day−1 with Q2Rad and a lower correlation coefficient (0.20 compared to 0.73). The Q2 logic of identifying precipitation types as being convective, stratiform, or tropical at each grid point and applying differential Z–R equations has been successful in removing regional biases (i.e., overestimated rainfall from Stage II east of the Appalachians) and greatly diminishes seasonal bias patterns that were found with Stage II. Biases and radar artifacts along the coastal mountain and intermountain chains were not mitigated with rain gauge adjustment and thus require new approaches by the community. The evaluation identifies a wet bias by Q2Rad in the central plains and the South and then introduces intermediate products to explain it. Finally, this study provides estimates of uncertainty using the radar quality index product for both Q2Rad and the gauge-corrected Q2RadGC daily precipitation products. This error quantification should be useful to the satellite QPE community who use Q2 products as a reference.
An Investigation of Sample Size Splitting on ATFIND and DIMTEST
Authors: Socha Alan , DeMars Christine E.
Published: February 2013

Modeling multidimensional test data with a unidimensional model can result in serious statistical errors, such as bias in item parameter estimates. Many methods exist for assessing the dimensionality of a test. The current study focused on DIMTEST. Using simulated data, the effects of sample size splitting for use with the ATFIND procedure for empirically deriving a subtest composed of items that potentially measure a second dimension versus DIMTEST for assessing whether this subtest represents a second dimension were investigated. Conditions explored included proportion of sample used for ATFIND, sample size, test length, interability correlations, test structure, and distribution of item difficulties. Overall, it appears that DIMTEST has Type I error rates near the nominal rate and good power in detecting multidimensionality, although Type I error inflation is observed for larger sample sizes. Results suggest that a 50/50 split maximizes power and keeps the Type I error rate below the nominal level unless the test is short and the sample is large. A 75/25 split controls Type I error better for short tests and large samples.
Effects of Initial Stresses and Time on Orthodontic External Root Resorption
Authors: Viecilli R.F. , Kar-kuri M.H. , Varriale J. , Budiman A. , Janal M.
Published: February 2013

Optimum stresses for a favorable response to orthodontics are still unknown. Here, we compared the effects of initial periodontal ligament (PDL) stresses over time in orthodontic external root resorption (OERR), necrosis, and the TRAP+ cell population. Forty-two rats (Fischer CDF) were treated with 10 cN of force for 5 different time periods. Finite element (FE) models of the first maxillary molars were constructed from μCT scans to calculate initial PDL stresses. The scans were also used for OERR measurements before histology. Time, stress, and their interaction were significant to result in an OERR increase only in the regions of medium and high stress. OERR was not significantly different between control and treated animals over time in the region of low stress. After 30 days, OERR was increased by 5- and 3-fold in the zone of high- and medium-stress regions, respectively. The TRAP+ cell population initially followed the stress gradient, but changed after bone and necrotic tissue resorption. In the 30-day modeling cycle, the correspondent 3rd principal stress range to promote direct bone resorption and insignificant OERR was between -9.92 and -7.75 KPa. These translate to approximate forces of 30 to 40 cN applied at the bracket level (tipping) of a human maxillary canine.
A new method of measuring the bending rigidity of  fabrics and its application to the determination of the their anisotropy
Authors: Fridrichová Ludmila
Published: February 2013

Bending rigidity is a significant property of textiles that influences their further behavior, for example draping and wrinkling. The thorough analysis of draping and wrinkling behavior of textiles requires also knowledge of bending rigidity of the textiles in different directions, the so-called anisotropy of bending rigidity. Anisotropy of bending rigidity has been so far mostly measured on rectangular shaped samples; nevertheless, the circular shape seems to be the ideal one. This article presents device TH-7, which enables one to measure this non-standard circular shaped sample. Comparing the results of measuring of bending rigidity on the standard device KES-FB2 with the results of measuring on device TH-7, we can see a very good correspondence, that is, the value of the correlation coefficient equals 0.9. The described way of measuring the anisotropy of bending rigidity on circular samples will speed up and improve the quality of further research in the field of influence of the textile structure (weave, sett) on bending rigidity and, consequently, on draping and wrinkling of the textile.
Civic Laughter
Authors: Lombardini John
Published: February 2013

While the loss of the second book of the Poetics has deprived us of Aristotle’s most extensive account of laughter and comedy, his discussion of eutrapelia (wittiness) as a virtue in his ethical works and in the Rhetoric points toward the importance of humor for his ethical and political thought. This article offers a reconstruction of Aristotle’s account of wittiness and attempts to explain how the virtue of wittiness would animate the everyday interactions of ordinary citizens. Placing Aristotle’s account of wittiness in dialogue with recent work within the ethical turn in contemporary political theory can help articulate what a late-modern ethos of democratic laughter might look like.
Constructive Deviance in Organizations
Authors: Vadera Abhijeet K. , Pratt Michael G. , Mishra Pooja
Published: February 2013

A growing literature explores the notion of constructive deviance conceptualized as behaviors that depart from the norms of the reference group such that they benefit the reference group and conform to hypernorms. We argue that constructive deviance is an umbrella term that encompasses several different behaviors, including taking charge, creative performance, expressing voice, whistle-blowing, extra-role behaviors, prosocial behaviors, prosocial rule breaking, counter-role behaviors, and issue selling. Using the three common mechanisms underlying constructive deviance to organize our review (intrinsic motivation, felt obligation, and psychological empowerment), we provide an emergent model that integrates extant empirical work on the antecedents of constructive deviance. We conclude by discussing issues for future research, such as examining obstacles, outcomes, and unexplored mechanism dynamics associated with constructive deviance.
Leader-driven foreign-policy change: Denmark and the Persian Gulf War
Authors: Doeser Fredrik
Published: February 2013

In contrast to most previous research on foreign-policy change, this article investigates how an individual decision-maker can have an impact on major changes in foreign policy. The article takes as its theoretical point of departure the concept of leader-driven change, which focuses on the determined efforts of a political leader to change policy. Empirically, the article investigates the change that occurred in Denmark’s foreign policy when its government decided to participate in the United Nations sanctions against Iraq in August 1990. The article finds that the foreign minister was the main initiator of the policy change, that his personal characteristics played a decisive role, and that the Gulf crisis created a window of opportunity for the foreign minister to initiate the change in policy. In implementing the policy change, however, the foreign minister could not act independently, since he needed the support of other political actors. On the basis of these empirical findings, the article suggests a new theory of foreign-policy change.
Palliative care research: Lessons learned by our team over the last 25 years
Authors: Bruera Eduardo , Hui David
Published: February 2013

Background:

In the last 25 years, palliative care has made major progress as an interdisciplinary specialty that addresses quality-of-life issues for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Research by numerous investigators has contributed to our increasing body of knowledge to support an evidence-based practice.

Aim:

We highlight some lessons learned by our group in the process of conducting palliative care research, focusing in particular on symptom assessment; the management of pain, fatigue, cachexia, dyspnea, delirium, and opioid-induced neurotoxicity; and outcomes of our palliative care program.

Design:

Narrative review of selected literature, focusing on studies conducted by our group.

Data sources:

This article is based on the Second Vittorio Ventafridda Memorial Lecture by Dr Eduardo Bruera, delivered at the European Association for Palliative Care, Trondheim, Norway on 8 June 2012.

Results:

For each topic, we review some of the pivotal studies in palliative care, discuss the challenges in research design, and outline possible directions for future research.

Conclusions:

We conclude by sharing some of what we learned about the processes, pearls, and pitfalls of palliative care research.
Tools to measure quality of life and carer burden in informal carers of heart failure patients: A narrative review
Authors: Whittingham Katharine , Barnes Sarah , Gardiner Clare
Published: February 2013

Background:

Heart failure is a complex cardiac syndrome prevalent in an older population. Caring for heart failure patients through the disease trajectory presents physical and emotional challenges for informal carers. Carers have to deal with clinically unstable patients, the responsibility of managing and titrating medication according to symptoms and frequent admissions to acute care. These challenges compound the demands on caregivers’ physical and psychosocial well-being. Alongside the negative impact of being a carer, positive aspects have also been demonstrated; carers describe feelings of shared responsibility of caring with professional carers and the reward of supporting a loved one, which creates a new role in their relationship.

Aim:

This review explores the dimensions that impact caregiver burden and quality of life in carers of patients with heart failure and highlights both the negative and positive aspects of being an informal carer for heart failure patients.

Design:

This review followed the processes recommended for a narrative review. Studies identified were selected systematically following the PRISMA guidelines.

Data sources:

Searches were conducted using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords of the following search engines: MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (ASSIA), PsycINFO and Cochrane for literature published until January 2012.

Results:

Quality assessment of the studies was conducted using quality indicators, and the studies included in this review were categorised as fair or good according to the criteria. Of the 1008 studies initially identified, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. A thematic synthesis was undertaken, and the following themes were identified Perceived carer control; Mental and emotional well-being; Types and impact of caregiving tasks; Impact of patients’ physical condition; Impact of age/gender/demographic factors; Positive aspects of caregiving.

Conclusions:

This review highlights evidence that informal carers supporting patients with heart failure face many challenges impacting their physical and mental well-being. The studies described provide an insight into the individual dimensions that make a carer particularly vulnerable, namely, younger carers, female carers and carers with existing physical and emotional health issues. Additionally, there are external influences that increase risk of burden, including New York Heart Association Score status of the patient, if the patient has had recurrent emergency admissions or has recently been discharged home and the level of social support available to the carer. A further finding from conducting this review is that there are still limited measures of the positive aspects of caregiving.
“Don’t Know” Responses to Risk Perception Measures
Authors: Waters Erika A. , Hay Jennifer L. , Orom Heather , Kiviniemi Marc T. , Drake Bettina F.
Published: February 2013

Background: Risk perceptions are legitimate targets for behavioral interventions because they can motivate medical decisions and health behaviors. However, some survey respondents may not know (or may not indicate) their risk perceptions. The scope of “don’t know” (DK) responding is unknown. Objective: Examine the prevalence and correlates of responding DK to items assessing perceived risk of colorectal cancer. Methods: Two nationally representative, population-based, cross-sectional surveys (2005 National Health Interview Survey [NHIS]; 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey [HINTS]), and one primary care clinic-based survey comprised of individuals from low-income communities. Analyses included 31,202 (NHIS), 1,937 (HINTS), and 769 (clinic) individuals. Measures: Five items assessed perceived risk of colorectal cancer. Four of the items differed in format and/or response scale: comparative risk (NHIS, HINTS); absolute risk (HINTS, clinic), and “likelihood” and “chance” response scales (clinic). Only the clinic-based survey included an explicit DK response option. Results: “Don’t know” responding was 6.9% (NHIS), 7.5% (HINTS-comparative), and 8.7% (HINTS-absolute). “Don’t know” responding was 49.1% and 69.3% for the “chance” and “likely” response options (clinic). Correlates of DK responding were characteristics generally associated with disparities (e.g., low education), but the pattern of results varied among samples, question formats, and response scales. Limitations: The surveys were developed independently and employed different methodologies and items. Consequently, the results were not directly comparable. There may be multiple explanations for differences in the magnitude and characteristics of DK responding. Conclusions: “Don’t know” responding is more prevalent in populations affected by health disparities. Either not assessing or not analyzing DK responses could further disenfranchise these populations and negatively affect the validity of research and the efficacy of interventions seeking to eliminate health disparities.
Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Small Interfering RNA and Rapamycin Synergistically Inhibit Tumour Growth in a Mouse Xenograft Model of Human Oesophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Sun MM , Zhang MZ , Chen Y , Li SL , Zhang W , Ya GW , Chen KS
Published: February 2013

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and rapamycin on tumour size and levels of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mTOR proteins, and mTOR mRNA, in a mouse xenograft model of human oesophageal carcinoma.

Methods:

Tumours were induced in BALB/c nude mice using the human oesophageal squamous cell carcinomacell line, EC1, injected subcutaneously. Animals were divided into four treatment groups ( n = 5 per group) after 7 days:control (phosphate buffered saline, daily intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection); 50 μg/kg rapamycin, daily i.p. injection; 3 μg/kg mTOR siRNA, daily i.p. injection;combined mTOR siRNA and rapamycin, daily i.p. injections. Tumour volume was measured 21 days after xenograft. Levels of mTOR, VEGF and HIF-1α were assessed via immunohisto chemistry and in situ hybridization.

Results:

mTOR siRNA and/or rapamycin significantly decreased tumour volume and levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and mTOR protein, and mTOR mRNA. Combination treatment was significantly more effective than either treatment alone.

Conclusions:

mTOR siRNA and/or rapamycin inhibited the growth of oesophageal carcinoma in vivo. This may represent a novel and effective treatment strategy for oesophageal carcinoma.
Antitumour Effect of Sesquiterpene (+)-chabranol on Four Human Cancer Cell Lines by Inducing Apoptosis and Autophagy
Authors: Liu XY , Lv TH , Xie XD , Li J , Su G , Wu H
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of sesquiterpene (+)-chabranol on proliferation of a panel of four human tumour cell lines (BGC-823, SGC-7901, SSMC-7721 and HepG2).

Methods:

Cell viability was assessed using a standard methyltetrazolium assay; cell-cycle analysis of BGC-823 cells was performed by flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine the ultrastructure of BGC-823 cells exposed to (+)-chabranol. Apoptosis was investigated by evaluating DNA laddering, using gel electrophoresis.

Results:

(+)-Chabranol had a marked time- and concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on BGC-823 cell proliferation. The effect was less marked in SGC-7901, SSMC-7721 and HepG2 cells. Exposure of BGC-823 cells to (+)-chabranol arrested the cell cycle at G1. Evidence of apoptosis and autophagy was observed by TEM; DNA laddering in BGC-823 cells supported the presence of apoptosis.

Conclusions:

This study suggested that (+)-chabranol has antitumour activity against BGC-823 cells, and may exert its action by inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis and autophagy. With further development, (+)-chabranol may represent a potential novel treatment for poorly differentiated gastric cancer.
Correlation between Oxidative Stress and L-type Calcium Channel Expression in the Ventricular Myocardia of Selenium-deficient Mice
Authors: Cui J , Zhong R , Chu E , Zhang XF , Zhang WG , Fang CF , Dong Q , Li FL , Li H
Published: February 2013

Objective:

Expression of the Cacna1c (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, Ltype, a1C subunit) gene was studied to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and L-type calcium channels in the myocardium of seleniumdeficient mice.

Methods:

Selenium levels in liver and heart tissue samples from mice fed normal or selenium-deficientdiets were evaluated by fluorometry. In the same mice, glutathione peroxidase ( GPx) and Cacna1c gene expression were analysed, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, oxidoreductase gene expression profiles were analysed (by DNA microarray), and myocardial structural changes were studied.

Results:

In selenium-deficient versus control mice, GPx expression and SOD activity were decreased, and Cacna1c expression and MDA concentration were increased. Selenoprotein oxidoreductase and nonselenoprotein oxidoreductase gene expression differed significantly between selenium-deficient and control mice. In selenium-deficient mice, myocardial fibres were separated by loose collagenous tissue; electron microscopy showed shortened sarcomeres, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum, scattered myofibril lysis and increased mitochondria with amorphous matrix densities.

Conclusion:

L-type calcium channels were involved in selenium deficiency-induced cardiomyocyte injury, which was positively related to oxidative stress.
Absence of Clinically Relevant Interactions between Rivaroxaban - an Oral, Direct Factor Xa Inhibitor - and Digoxin or Atorvastatin in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kubitza D , Becka M , Roth A , Mueck W
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate potential interactions between rivaroxaban, an oral direct Factor Xa inhibitor approved for the management of thromboembolic disorders, and digoxin or atorvastatin.

Methods:

Two randomized, phase 1 clinical trials were undertaken in healthy men to assess pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between rivaroxaban and digoxin or atorvastatin, and the safety of these drug combinations.

Results:

Steady-state rivaroxaban did not affect the pharmacokinetic profile of steady-state digoxin ( n = 17). Digoxin did not significantly influence the pharmacokinetic profile of single-dose rivaroxaban and had minimal effects on rivaroxaban-induced inhibition of Factor Xa activity and prolongation of clotting time. Similarly, steady-state atorvastatin did not affect the pharmacokinetic profile or the pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban and vice versa ( n = 19). All drugs (alone or in combination) were well tolerated.

Conclusions:

There were no clinically relevant pharmacokinetic or pharmaco - dynamic interactions between rivaroxaban and digoxin, or between rivaroxaban and atorvastatin, suggesting that rivaroxaban can be coadministered with either drug. This study also confirmed that rivaroxaban does not interact with substrates for permeability (P)-glycoprotein alone (digoxin) or P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450(CYP)3A4 (atorvastatin).
Association between Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 Gly388Arg Polymorphism and Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Zhang HF , Zhao KJ , Yang PF , Fang YB , Zhang YH , Liu JM , Huang QH
Published: February 2013

Objective:

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) play important roles in the vascular system. The FGFR4 rs351855 (Gly388Arg) poly morphism has been shown to be a risk factor for many diseases. This case-control study investigated the association between the FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism and susceptibility to ischaemic stroke in the Chinese population.

Methods:

The FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in patients with ischaemic stroke and healthy controls.

Results:

Frequencies of genotypes GA and AA, and prevalence of the A allele, were significantly lower in ischaemic stroke patients ( n = 952) than in controls ( n = 986). Genotype AA and allele A were significantly more frequent in stroke patients with, than in those without, diabetes.

Conclusion:

These results suggested that the GA genotype, AA genotype and A allele of FGFR4 Gly388Arg polymorphism are all associated with decreased risk of ischaemic stroke in the Chinese population.
Terlipressin Resolves Ascites of Cirrhotic Rats through Downregulation of Aquaporin 2
Authors: Huang Y-Y , Sun J-Y , Wang J-Y , Bai C-X , He B-M
Published: February 2013

Objectives:

To investigate the presence of aquaporin (AQP) 1 and AQP2 in kidneys of cirrhotic rats with ascites, and to determine the effect of terlipressin on AQP1 and AQP2 levels and its therapeutic efficacy in ascites treatment.

Methods:

Eighteen rats were randomly divided into normal noncirrhotic rats treated with saline, cirrhotic rats treated with saline and cirrhotic rats treated with terlipressin ( n = 6 per group). In all rats, 24-h net fluidexcretion volume, presence or absence of ascites and portal vein pressure were measured; AQP1 and AQP2 mRNA and protein levels in renal tissue were evaluated.

Results:

Terlipressin resolved ascites in all animals in the terlipressintreated group, and significantly increased the 24-h net fluid-excretion volume and decreased portal vein pressure compared with saline treatment. AQP1 and AQP2 were significantly upregulated in cirrhotic rat kidneys compared with normal control rat kidneys. Terlipressin administration significantly down regulated AQP2 in rat kidneys but did not affect AQP1.

Conclusions:

AQP1 and AQP2 are important factors in ascites induction. Terlipressin appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of ascites due to liver cirrhosis in a rat model, possibly due to AQP2 reduction in kidneys.
Low-dose Risedronate Sodium Protects Bone Cells after Abrupt Oestrogen Withdrawal
Authors: Wang G , Zhu Z , Lei C , Li M , Liu F , Mao Y , Yu Z , Liu M , Zhao X , Tang T
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate the effects of low-dose risedronate sodium on the in vitro cellular profile of osteoblasts, adipocytes, osteocytes and osteoclasts in a rat model of abrupt oestrogen deficiency.

Methods:

Oestrogen deficiency was induced by ovariectomy in 24 female rats. The rats were treated with low-dose (0.24 μg/kg) or high-dose (2.4 μg/kg) risedronate sodium for 4 days presurgery, continuing every 3 days until 15 days postsurgery. Osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation were determined in cultured bone marrow cells by alkaline phosphatase and Oil Red O staining, respectively, and by osteogenic and adipogenic gene expression. Osteoclast formation was measured in bone marrow cells stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand, and stained with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Osteocyte apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling assay and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) immuno - histochemistry.

Results:

Low-dose risedronate sodium enhanced osteoblast differentiation, suppressed adipocyte differentiation and osteoclast formation, and reduced osteocyte apoptosis through regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2-associated X protein.

Conclusions:

Low-dose risedronate sodium may have clinical benefit in protecting against bone loss after abrupt oestrogen deficiency.
Prolonged-release Oxycodone/Naloxone in Postoperative Pain Management: From a Randomized Clinical Trial to Usual Clinical Practice
Authors: Kuusniemi K , Zöllner J , Sjövall S , Huhtala J , Karjalainen P , Kokki M , Lemken J , Oppermann J , Kokki H
Published: February 2013

Objective:

These studies evaluated the feasibility of using oral prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (OXN PR) for the management of acute postoperative pain.

Methods:

Three studies were undertaken: (i) the analgesic efficacy of OXN PR was compared with prolonged-release oxycodone (OXY PR) in patients with knee arthroplasty in an immediate postoperative period (IPOP) study; (ii) OXN PR treatment was compared with other opioids during rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty in a noninterventional study (NIS); and (iii) surgical patients on other opioids were switched to OXN PR postoperatively during a quality improvement programme (QIP).

Results:

In the IPOP study, the pain intensity at rest score decreased by a similar amount in the OXN PR and OXY PR groups, indicating similar analgesic efficacies. In the NIS, patient assessments indicated enhanced efficacy and tolerability for OXN PR compared with other opioids. The QIP indicated significant improvements in bowel function and less difficulty passing urine at the end of OXN PR treatment compared with baseline. No safety concerns were raised.

Conclusions:

The analgesic efficacies of OXN PR and OXY PR were similar in postoperative pain settings. OXN PR reduced the degree of restriction in relation to patients carrying out physio - therapy compared with other opioids, and improved bowel and bladder function.
Comparison of Clinical Outcomes between Patellar Resurfacing and Nonresurfacing in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Retrospective Study of 130 Cases
Authors: Li B , Bai L , Fu Y , Wang G , He M , Wang J
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To compare clinical outcomes between patellar resurfacing and nonresurfacing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods:

Data from osteoarthritis patients who underwent TKA and were followed up for ≥ 9 years were analysed retrospectively. Patients were divided into two groups: patellar nonresurfacing group and patellar resurfacing group. In the nonresurfacing group, the partial lateral facet of the patella was removed, the patella was reshaped to match the trochlea of the femoral prosthesis and circumpatellar denervation was performed. In the resurfacing group, the patella was resurfaced with a cemented component. Clinical outcomes included incidence of anterior knee pain, Knee Society Score, patient satisfaction, revision rate and radiographic findings.

Results:

Of the 130 patients included, 71 were assigned to the nonresurfacing group and 59 to the resurfacing group. No significant between-group differences were observed for any clinical outcomes measured. The incidence of anterior knee pain was 14.1% (nonresurfacing group) and 5.1% (resurfacing group). The revision rate was 9.89% (nonresurfacing group) and 3.4% (resurfacing group).

Conclusion:

Clinical outcomes for patellar nonresurfacing, including patelloplasty and circumpatellar denervation, are similar to those for patellar resurfacing, in TKA.
Comparison of Preincisional and Postincisional Parecoxib Administration on Postoperative Pain Control and Cytokine Response After Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Bao Y , Fang J , Peng L , Yi Y , Liu K , Li W , Luo H
Published: February 2013

Objective:

To investigate whether preincisional parecoxib administration can reduce postoperative pain and modulate the inflammatory cytokine response to a greater extent than preincisional parecoxib administration in total hip replacement patients.

Methods:

Patients were randomized to receive 40 mg parecoxib intravenously either before or after skin incision (preincisional and postincisional groups, respectively). Morphine was administered for postoperative analgesia. Visual analogue pain scale (VAS) scores and morphine consumption were recorded at 1, 6, 18 and 24 h postoperation. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor-a were measured 30 min before skin incision and 6 h postoperation.

Results:

Compared with the post - incisional group, VAS pain scores at 1 and 6 h postoperation were significantly lower in the preincisional group. Morphine consumption was significantly lower in the preincisional group at 6, 18 and 24 h postoperation. In both groups, IL-6 and IL- 8 levels increased significantly at 6 h postoperation compared with pre - operation, and the preincisional group had significantly lower levels of IL-6 and IL-8 at 6 h postoperation compared with the postincisional group.

Conclusions:

Preincisional parecoxib administration reduced postoperative pain and morphine consumption compared with post - incisional administration, and attenuated IL-6 and IL-8 production 24 h after hip replacement surgery.