bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted therapy with MXD3 siRNA, anti‐CD22 antibody and nanoparticles for precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Satake Noriko , Duong Connie , Chen Cathy , Barisone Gustavo A. , Diaz Elva , Tuscano Joseph , Rocke David M. , Nolta Jan , Nitin Nitin
Published: September 2014

Conventional chemotherapy for precursor B‐cell (preB) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has limitations that could be overcome by targeted therapy. Previously, we discovered a potential therapeutic molecular target, MDX3 (MAX dimerization protein 3), in preB ALL. In this study, we hypothesize that an effective siRNA therapy for preB ALL can be developed using antiCD22 antibody (αCD22 Ab) and nanoparticles. We composed nanocomplexes with super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO NPs), αCD22 Abs and MXD3 siRNA molecules based on physical interactions between the molecules. We demonstrated that the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes entered leukaemia cells and knocked down MXD3, leading the cells to undergo apoptosis and resulting in decreased live cell counts in the cell line Reh and in primary preB ALL samples in vitro. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes were significantly enhanced by addition of the chemotherapy drugs vincristine or doxorubicin. We also ruled out potential cytotoxic effects of the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes on normal primary haematopoietic cells. Normal B cells were affected while CD34‐positive haematopoietic stem cells and non‐B cells were not. These data suggest that MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes have the potential to be a new targeted therapy for preB ALL.
The universal in the social: Universalism, universality, and universalization in Canadian political culture and public policy
Authors: Prince Michael J.
Published: September 2014

This article provides a conceptual analysis of universalism, universality, and universalization in the Canadian context, important for students, activists, and practitioners of social policy for better understanding the content of debates and examining the ever‐shifting balance between universal programs and other types of social provisions. Three perspectives are evident in public opinion and political discourse in social policy making: the anti‐universalists, administrative universalists, and the active universalists. This article also identifies several kinds of universality: symbolic, tenuous, stalled, restrictive, and expansive. In a society of growing diversity, the relationship between the plural and the universal has led to theorizing about new notions of universalism. The social is a political space of multiple jurisdictions, governance relations, policies and citizen identities. The article argues that while retrenchment and austerity politics are present realities, the community values associated with universalism and the policy techniques linked with universality have not been abandoned.
Expression profile of Nanos2 gene in dairy goat and its inhibitory effect on Stra8 during meiosis
Authors: Yao X. , Tang F. , Yu M. , Zhu H. , Chu Z. , Li M. , Liu W. , Hua J. , Peng S.
Published: September 2014

Objectives

Nanos2, an RNA‐binding protein, belongs to the Nanos gene‐coding family and contains two CCHC zinc‐finger motifs. In mouse, it plays a pivotal role in male germ cell development, and self‐renewal of spermatogonial stem cells. However, little is known of its expression pattern and functions in dairy goat testis.

Materials and methods

Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were used to generate the expression profile of Nanos2 in dairy goat testis. Furthermore, its overexpression effects on male germline stem cells (mGSCs) were studied using qRT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, dual‐luciferase reporter assay and western blotting.

Results

Nanos2 is a conservative gene expressed widely in various tissues, especially in pancreas, and it displays higher expression in adult testes than in other age groups. Overexpression of Nanos2 significantly downregulated meiosis‐related genes, including Stra8 and Scp3, which induced inhibition of meiosis. Results from dual‐luciferase reporter assay and western blotting indicated that Nanos2 directly downregulated Stra8 in goat GmGSCs.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggest that Nanos2 plays an important role in spermatogonia and that its overexpression restrained meiosis in the dairy goat.
Benefits and limitations of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis and classification of leprosy in primary and secondary healthcare settings
Authors: Ray R. , Mondal R. K. , Pathak S.
Published: September 2014

Objectives

The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem. This will only be possible when all patients are detected and cured using multidrug therapy, which requires accurate diagnosis prior to treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the diagnosis of leprosy lesions by fine needle aspiration cytology according to a modification of the Ridley–Jopling scale, as it can be used in primary and secondary healthcare centres, especially in low‐resource settings in which leprosy is prevalent.

Methods

A prospective study comprising 54 cases with cardinal features of leprosy was performed. Among the 54 cases, 27 patients consented to a histopathological biopsy procedure. The slides were stained with Giemsa, modified Ziehl–Neelsen, Papanicolaou and haematoxylin and eosin methods.

Results

Among the 54 cases, 34 were reported as tuberculoid leprosy, five as mid‐borderline (BB), three as borderline lepromatous (BL) and eight as lepromatous leprosy (LL); four were unsatisfactory. Histopathological study was performed in 27 cases, which showed cyto‐histological correlation in 21 cases (78%). Agreement between histological and cytological diagnosis was achieved in 12 of the 15 tuberculoid cases, one of the three BB cases, one of the two BL cases and all seven LL cases.

Conclusion

With the implementation of the WHO classification based on patch counting, there is the possibility of the over‐treatment of paucibacillary cases and under‐treatment of multibacillary cases. Cytology in terms of cellular type morphology and bacteriological study can complement the WHO classification.
Predicting road culvert passability for migratory fishes
Authors: Januchowski‐Hartley Stephanie R. , Diebel Matthew , Doran Patrick J. , McIntyre Peter B.
Published: September 2014

Aim

Our goal was to predict road culvert passability, as defined by culvert outlet drop and outlet water velocity, for three fish swimming groups using remotely collected environmental variables that have been shown to influence the passability of road culverts.

Locatio

Laurentian Great Lakes Basin, north‐eastern North America, on the Canada–USA border.

Methods

We generated four boosted regression tree models, one for road culvert outlet drop and one each for the three culvert outlet water velocities, and predicted the probability of impassable road culverts on low‐order streams (Strahler 1‐4) based on the models. Independent variables in the models included the upstream area draining to the culvert, slope at the culvert, stream segment gradient and stream reach gradient.

Results

Gradient of the stream segment was the most important predictor in the outlet drop model, while upstream drainage area was the most important predictor in the three water velocity models. A majority of road culverts on low‐order streams are estimated to be passable even for weaker swimming fishes. Moderate to highly impassable road culverts are distributed across many low‐order streams throughout the basin, but particular regions are predicted to have higher densities than others due to topography.

Main conclusions

Predicted passability of road culverts by migratory fish is related to natural gradients in topography and stream size. While the probability of any particular culvert being impassable is low, the vast number of culverts in the basin means that, together, they could pose a greater challenge to migratory fish than dams. Our modelling framework could be used in any region where culverts are prevalent in the riverscape. The resulting estimates of passability to fishes can guide surveys towards the most problematic hydrological regions and structures and contribute to broad‐scale prioritization of barrier removals to restore ecological connectivity.
Using real‐world data to evaluate the association of incretin‐based therapies with risk of acute pancreatitis: a meta‐analysis of 1 324 515 patients from observational studies
Authors: Wang T. , Wang F. , Gou Z. , Tang H. , Li C. , Shi L. , Zhai S.
Published: September 2014

Aim

To investigate the real‐world incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with incretin‐based therapy (IBT).

Methods

We carried out a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies using Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Database, ClinicalTrials.gov and conference proceedings. We included: those studies in which AP was a pre‐defined clinical outcome; longitudinal studies (case–control, cohort); studies that adjusted for confounders; studies that reported on a population exposed to IBT; studies in which non‐IBT users or past users (who received IBTs >90 days before the index date) were used as the control group; studies that reported risk estimates [relative risks, odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for AP event with IBT use, or that reported sufficient data to estimate these; and publications in the English language. Data were extracted by two independent investigators, and a consensus was reached with involvement of a third. Study‐specific ORs from seven cohort studies and two case–control studies were meta‐analysed using random‐effects models. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different patient characteristics and study quality.

Results

A total of nine studies that included 1 324 515 patients and 5195 cases of AP were included in our meta‐analysis. The summary estimate of OR for an association between IBT and AP was 1.03 (95% CI 0.87–1.20).

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis of real‐world data does not suggest that IBT is associated with AP. Although we should continue to remain vigilant, IBTs should be regarded as reasonable options to consider adding to the regimen of a patient with type 2 diabetes.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease: state of the science
Authors: Talano Julie‐An , Cairo Mitchell S.
Published: September 2014

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder secondary to a point mutation at the sixth position of the beta chain of human hemoglobin resulting in the replacement of valine for glutamic acid. This recessive genetic abnormality precipitates the polymerization of the deoxygenated form of hemoglobin S inducing a major distortion of red blood cells (S‐RBC), which decreases S‐RBC deformability leading to chronic hemolysis and vaso‐occlusion. These processes can result in severe complications including chronic pain, end‐organ dysfunction, stroke, and early mortality. The only proven curative therapy for patients with SCD is myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA‐matched sibling donors. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with SCD including more novel approaches such as reduced toxicity conditioning and the use of alternative allogeneic donors, including matched unrelated donors (MUDs), unrelated cord blood donors (UCBT), and familial haploidentical (FHI) donors. The results to date are very encouraging regarding allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with SCD including high survival rates and enabling a greater number of patients suffering from this chronic and debilitating condition to receive curative allogeneic stem cell therapies. However, we still have several areas to investigate and barriers to overcome to successfully cure the majority of patients with severe SCD through allogeneic stem cell therapies.
Move for Change Part III: a European survey evaluating the impact of the EPDA Charter for People with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bloem B. R. , Stocchi F.
Published: September 2014

Background and purpose

Move for Change is an online pan‐European patient survey based on the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) Charter for People with Parkinson's Disease (PD), which states that all PD patients have the right to: be referred to a doctor with a specialist interest in PD; receive an accurate diagnosis; have access to support services; receive continuous care; and take part in managing their illness.

Methods

This part of the survey focuses on the final two elements of the Charter. It was administered online through the EPDA website and through affiliated patient associations’ websites. A total of 1591 questionnaires were received and 1546 were analysed (97.2%).

Results

Approximately half of the patients (53.0%) consulted a neurologist regularly (every 4–6 months). Consultations were usually arranged as part of a follow‐up process (65.5%) and lasted for 15–30 min (63.2%), with 16.1% lasting <10 min and 17.9% lasting >30 min. Patients were largely satisfied with the attention they received (63.2%) but just 11.6% of patients were involved in treatment decisions, and 39.1% prepared a list of symptom changes for discussion. Two hundred caregivers also took part in the survey, and 71.4% felt included in the treatment plan by the doctor.

Conclusions

These results highlight that PD disease‐management is driven by the clinician; he/she arranges consultations and makes the majority of management decisions, rather than patients being included in the process. This survey can be used to raise awareness for PD patients, encouraging greater involvement in the management of PD.
The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score: a promising tool for evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gabelić T. , Krbot Skorić M. , Adamec I. , Barun B. , Zadro I. , Habek M.
Published: September 2014

Background and purpose

Concerning the great importance of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS), the aim of this study was to explore the role of the newly developed vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score as a possible marker of brainstem involvement in MS patients.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective case−control study which included 100 MS patients divided into two groups (without and with clinical signs of brainstem involvement) and 50 healthy controls. Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) measurements were performed in all participants and analyzed for latencies, conduction block and amplitude asymmetry ratio. Based on this the VEMP score was calculated and compared with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration and magnetic resonance imaging data.

Results

Multiple sclerosis patients with clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 2) had a statistically significant higher percentage of VEMP conduction blocks compared with patients without clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 1) and healthy controls (P = 0.027 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, the VEMP score was significantly higher in group 2 compared with group 1 (P = 0.018) and correlated with EDSS and disease duration (P = 0.011 and P = 0.032, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the VEMP score has a statistically significant influence on the EDSS score (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.239).

Conclusions

Interpretation of the oVEMP and cVEMP results in the form of the VEMP score enables better evaluation of brainstem involvement than either of these evoked potentials alone and correlates well with disability.
Comparing ischaemic stroke in six European countries. The EuroHOPE register study
Authors: Malmivaara A. , Meretoja A. , Peltola M. , Numerato D. , Heijink R. , Engelfriet P. , Wild S. H. , Belicza É. , Bereczki D. , Medin E. , Goude F. , Boncoraglio G. , Tatlisumak T. , Seppälä T. , Häkkinen U.
Published: September 2014

Background and purpose

The incidence of hospitalizations, treatment and case fatality of ischaemic stroke were assessed utilizing a comprehensive multinational database to attempt to compare the healthcare systems in six European countries, aiming also to identify the limitations and make suggestions for future improvements in the between‐country comparisons.

Methods

National registers of hospital discharges for ischaemic stroke identified by International Classification of Diseases codes 433–434 (ICD‐9) and code I63 (ICD‐10), medication purchases and mortality were linked at the patient level in each of the participating countries and regions: Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden. Patients with an index admission in 2007 were followed for 1 year.

Results

In all, 64 170 patients with a disease code for ischaemic stroke were identified. The number of patients registered per 100 000 European standard population ranged from 77 in Scotland to 407 in Hungary. Large differences were observed in medication use. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted all‐cause case fatality amongst hospitalized patients at 1 year from stroke was highest in Hungary at 31.0% (95% confidence interval 30.5–31.5). Regional differences in age‐ and sex‐adjusted 1‐year case fatality within countries were largest in Hungary (range 23.6%–37.6%) and smallest in the Netherlands (20.5%–27.3%).

Conclusions

It is feasible to link population‐wide register data amongst European countries to describe incidence of hospitalizations, treatment patterns and case fatality of ischaemic stroke on a national level. However, the coverage and validity of administrative register data for ischaemic stroke should be developed further, and population‐based and clinical stroke registers should be created to allow better control of case mix.
Site‐specific clinical disease onset in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Willis M. D. , Harding K. E. , Wardle M. , Pickersgill T. P. , Tomassini V. , Loveless S. , Robertson N. P.
Published: September 2014

Background and purpose

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system characterized by acute episodes of neurological dysfunction thought to reflect focal areas of demyelination occurring in clinically eloquent areas. These symptomatic relapses are generally considered to be random clinical events occurring without discernible pattern. The hypothesis that relapses may follow a predetermined sequence and may provide insights into underlying pathological processes was investigated.

Methods

Employing prospective clinical database data from 1482 patients who had experienced one or more consecutive relapses were analysed. Using regression analysis, site and symptom of index event were compared with those of first relapse.

Results

It is demonstrated that following disease ignition subsequent relapses may not be random events but dependent on characteristics of the index event. All anatomical sites were more likely to be affected in the first relapse if that site had been involved in the index event with a similar association observed when comparing by symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings have importance in understanding the evolution of the disease and predicting individual disease progression and may aid with patient counselling and management.
The incidence and triggers of adult‐onset Guillain−Barré syndrome in southwestern Finland 2004–2013
Authors: Sipilä J. O. T. , Soilu‐Hänninen M.
Published: September 2014

Background and purpose

A Swiss study recently reported surgery as a potential risk factor for developing Guillain−Barré syndrome (GBS). It was sought to establish this in the Finnish adult population.

Methods

Persons over 16 years of age who received a diagnosis of GBS in 2004–2013 were identified from the patient register of Turku University Hospital and their patient records were analyzed to identify possible triggers.

Results

A cohort of 69 adult patients with GBS (63.8% men) was identified giving an annual incidence of 1.82/100 000. Of these, four (5.8%) had experienced a surgical procedure during the preceding 6 weeks with a relative risk of 6.28 (95% confidence interval 4.15–9.47, P < 0.001) compared with the general study population or a risk of 1.25/100 000 operations. No difference between genders was found. Only two (2.9%) patients had received a vaccination [one against seasonal influenza (P = 0.888) and one against pandemic influenza (Pandemrix®, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium, relative risk 2.85, 95% confidence interval 1.27–6.38, P = 0.011)] during the preceding 6 weeks. The most common GBS triggers identified were respiratory tract infections in 30 cases (43.5%) and gastroenteritis in 16 cases (23.2%) whilst two patients (2.9%) had had both.

Conclusions

The overall incidence of GBS in the adult population of southwestern Finland was similar to previous studies worldwide and the most common triggers were respiratory tract infections and gastroenteritis. Surgery was a rare risk factor and of vaccinations only the one against pandemic influenza raised the risk of GBS.
The Changing Costs of Hospital Treatment for Colic: A Preliminary Audit
Authors: Bates A. , Whiting M. , Witte T.H.
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing study

Treatment of colic can be expensive and may exceed the owners’ financial limitations. This may result in premature euthanasia prior to treatment on rectifiable financial grounds rather than for welfare reasons. It is therefore important to ensure appropriate business model auditing to identify where costs may limit expected treatment options.

Objectives

This study investigated how the costs of treatment for equine colic at a single university referral hospital have changed over a 10‐year period between 2003 and 2013. The aim was to analyse which costs have changed excessively or disproportionately between different treating services, consumables and professional fees, which may render treatment of colic financially prohibitive.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Methods

All charges billed against cases undergoing treatment for colic between 2003 and 2013 were accessed from hospital records. Horses were identified as having surgery or purely medical management. Charges were categorised by service (medicine, surgery, anaesthesia), type (consumable, livery, professional fee), and consumable type (e.g. NSAID, opiate, antibiotic, fluid therapy, lab fee, surgery consumables).

Results

There was a significant association between year and the frequency of medically and surgically treated colic (Chi‐square test, P<0.001). Between 2003 and 2012, median total treatment costs increased in both medically (42%) and surgically treated (46%) cases. Costs attributable to consumables increased (surgical cases 28%, medical cases 14%), while those attributable to livery (surgical ‐19%, medical ‐21%) and professional fees decreased (surgical ‐22%, medical ‐8%). The greatest increase in consumable cost was attributable to fluids (surgical 94%, medical 182%).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates areas where the cost of colic treatment are disproportionately changing and thus highlights potential targets where business models may be optimised in the interest of patient survival. The substantial increase in costs attributable to fluids correlates with increasing emphasis on fluid therapy in the management of colic.

Ethical animal research: Ethical committee oversight not currently required by this congress: retrospective study of clinical records. Explicit owner informed consent for participation in this study was not stated. Sources of funding: Not stated. Competing interests: None.
Topical Ophthalmic Atropine in Horses – An Experimental Study
Authors: Ström L. , Dalin F. , Domberg M. , Haubro Andersen P. , Ekesten B.
Published: September 2014

Reasons for performing study

Topical administration of atropine is an important part of the treatment of equine uveitis. However, very high doses of topically administered atropine have been associated with decreased gut motility and colic in horses.

Objectives

To evaluate systemic effects of topical atropine in doses used clinically in horses, with emphasis on gut motility and ability to induce colic.

Study design

Randomised, blinded, controlled crossover study.

Methods

Four horses received placebo eye drops (saline) and 2 different protocols of topical atropine administration during 120 h with 35 days washout periods in between different treatments. One drop of 1% atropine solution was administered unilaterally at 3‐h intervals for 48 h and at 12‐h intervals for another 72 h (high dose), whereas the low dose group was given alternating treatment with atropine and saline according to the same protocol. In the placebo group, saline was administered at 3‐h intervals for 48 h and at 12‐h intervals for another 72 h. All horses were walked for 10 min 3 times a day. Pupillary light reflexes, heart rate, respiratory rate, gut sounds and clinical signs of abdominal pain were monitored every 3 h and faecal output once daily.

Results

None of the horses showed any signs of abdominal pain. Gut sounds were present at every auscultation in all horses. Gut sound scores were significantly lower during the high dose regime (P = 0.0007) compared to placebo, but not during the low dose regime (P = 0.17).

Conclusions

Topically administered atropine in clinically relevant doses temporarily reduced gut motility, but did not cause ileus or colic in healthy horses receiving a small amount of daily exercise. However, this effect may be additive to other factors that reduce gut motility in horses with uveitis, such as pain and stress in relation to hospitalisation.

Ethical animal research: The regional Ethical Committee (Uppsala Djurförsöksetiska nämnd, Sweden, Dnr C372/12) approved the use of the horses in this study. Sources of funding: None. Competing interests: None.
Strong influence of the littoral zone on sedimentary lipid biomarkers in a meromictic lake
Authors: Bovee R. J. , Pearson A.
Published: September 2014

Planktonic sulfur bacteria growing in zones of photic zone euxinia (PZE) are important primary producers in stratified, sulfur‐rich environments. The potential for export and burial of microbial biomass from anoxic photic zones remains relatively understudied, despite being of fundamental importance to interpreting the geologic record of bulk total organic carbon (TOC) and individual lipid biomarkers. Here we report the relative concentrations and carbon isotope ratios of lipid biomarkers from the water column and sediments of meromictic Mahoney Lake. The data show that organic matter in the central basin sediments is indistinguishable from material at the lake shoreline in both its lipid and carbon isotopic compositions. However, this material is not consistent with either the lipid profile or carbon isotope composition of biomass obtained directly from the region of PZE. Due to the strong density stratification and the intensive carbon and sulfur recycling pathways in the water column, there appears to be minimal direct export of the sulfur‐oxidizing planktonic community to depth. The results instead suggest that basinal sediments are sourced via the littoral environment, a system that integrates an indigenous shoreline microbial community, the degraded remains of laterally rafted biomass from the PZE community, and detrital remains of terrigenous higher plants. Material from the lake margins appears to travel downslope, traverse the strong density gradient, and become deposited in the deep basin; its final composition may be largely heterotrophic in origin. This suggests an important role for clastic and/or authigenic minerals in aiding the burial of terrigenous and mat‐derived organic matter in euxinic systems. Downslope or mineral‐aided transport of anoxygenic, photoautotrophic microbial mats may have been a significant sedimentation process in early Earth history.
Mechanical control of biofilm in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ferraz Nayara Kelly Lyrio , Tataounoff Juliana , Nogueira Lilian Capanema , Ramos‐Jorge Joana , Ramos‐Jorge Maria Leticia , Pimenta Pinheiro Marcos Luciano
Published: September 2014

Background

Dental biofilm removal is difficult and can be ineffective in individuals with cerebral palsy.

Objective

Determine the effectiveness of brushing with an electric toothbrush on and off in comparison with manual brushing for the removal of biofilm in children aged four to 16 years with cerebral palsy.

Methods

A crossover, randomized, simple‐blind, clinical trial was conducted. The examiner was blinded to the brushing method (G1: manual; G2: electric toothbrush on; and G3: electric toothbrush off). The order was determined randomly. The participants (n = 40) were examined before and after brushing performed by caregivers using the Turesky–Quigley–Hein biofilm index. Statistical analysis involved the paired t‐test, Wilcoxon, Kruskal–Wallis, and anova tests.

Results

Biofilm was significantly reduced with the three brushing methods (P < 0.001) (mean reductions: 47.6% in G1; 47.4% in G2; 44.5% in G3). Significant differences were found between G1 and G3 (P < 0.001) and between G2 and G3 (P = 0.007). No significant difference was found between G1 and G2 (P = 0.06).

Conclusion

All methods reduced biofilm. Effectiveness was similar between manual brushing and with the electric toothbrush on, whereas both these methods achieved better results in comparison with the electric toothbrush switched off.
Single‐machine common flow allowance scheduling with aging effect, resource allocation, and a rate‐modifying activity
Authors: Ji Min , Yao Danli , Yang Qinyun , Cheng T.C.E.
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we consider scheduling of deteriorating jobs on a single machine with slack (SLK) due date assignment, resource allocation, and a rate‐modifying activity. The rate‐modifying activity can change jobs’ processing rates such that the actual processing time of a job depends on whether the job is processed before or after the rate‐modifying activity. In addition, the actual processing time of a job also depends on its position in a processing sequence (i.e., the aging effect) and the amount of resource allocated to it. The objective is to determine the optimal sequence, optimal common flow allowance, optimal resource allocation, and optimal location of the rate‐modifying activity to minimize a total penalty function comprising the earliness, tardiness, common flow allowance, and resource allocation costs. We consider two variants of the problem associated with two different processing time functions and provide a polynomial‐time algorithm to solve each variant.
A pilot study investigating lactic acid bacterial symbionts from the honeybee in inhibiting human chronic wound pathogens
Authors: Butler Éile , Oien Rut F. , Lindholm Christina , Olofsson Tobias C. , Nilson Bo , Vásquez Alejandra
Published: September 2014

Treatment and management of chronic wounds is a large burden on the health sector and causes substantial suffering for the patients. We believe that 13 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) symbionts isolated from the honey crop of the honeybee are important players in the antimicrobial action of honey, by producing antimicrobial substances and can be used in combination with heather honey as an effective treatment in wound management. A total of 22 patients with chronic ulcers were included; culture‐dependent and molecular‐based (MALDI‐MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing) techniques were used to identify bacteria from chronic wounds. These clinical isolates were used for in vitro antimicrobial testing with standardised viable LAB and sterilised heather honey mixture. Twenty of the patients' wounds were polymicrobial and 42 different species were isolated. Patient isolates that were tested in vitro were inhibited by the LAB and honey combination with inhibitory zones comparable with different antibiotics. LAB and heather honey in combination presents a new topical option in chronic wound management because of the healing properties of honey, antimicrobial metabolite production from the LAB and their bactericidal effect on common chronic wound pathogens. This new treatment may be a stepping stone towards an alternative solution to antibiotics.
Efficacy of a new multifunctional surfactant‐based biomaterial dressing with 1% silver sulphadiazine in chronic wounds
Authors: Zölß Christoph , Cech Jürgen D
Published: September 2014

Chronic wounds represent a large and growing segment of health care and add considerably to human suffering and economic burden as populations age. More effective materials, especially those promoting ease of use and economy, are needed to treat this increasing number of patients. A case series conducted at a European outpatient tertiary wound centre used a novel surfactant‐based biomaterial dressing containing 1% silver sulphadiazine on 226 chronic wound patients with various aetiologies. Eighty‐eight patients had been undergoing standard of care treatment at the facility, while the remainder (n = 138) began treatment with the surfactant‐based biomaterial dressing on enrollment. A total of 73% of the first group healed or showed improvement, with 60% healing by a median of 17 weeks after beginning treatment, and 86% of the group of new enrollees healed or showed improvement, with 73% healing within a median of 12 weeks of beginning treatment with the new product. Patient and clinician reports showed improved compliance, reduced pain and a favourable side‐effect profile. Limited economic analysis showed markedly reduced treatment costs compared with standard of care. Further research is recommended.
Evaluating ‘FREDA Challenge’: A Coproduced Human Rights Board Game in Services for People With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Montenegro Miguel , Greenhill Beth
Published: September 2014

Background

A serious board game called ‘FREDA Challenge’ was co‐produced with people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) as a tool for human rights (HR) education and increase positive attitudes towards HR in healthcare settings. The current study evaluated ‘FREDA Challenge’ with PWID and their carers.

Method

Eighteen PWID and 13 carers participated in a repeated measures design whereby changes in attitudes and knowledge of HR were measured.

Results

Analysis revealed statistically significant differences (P = 0.02) between PWID and carers in their knowledge of HR. The same was not evident for attitudes towards HR. The positive attitudes and knowledge in the PWID group significantly increased after playing the game (P ≤ 0.02), but not for the carers/professionals group.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that playing the board game can positively change the attitudes and knowledge of PWID towards HR. The board game seems to elicit positive interpersonal dynamics between PWID and carers/professionals.
Periodontal findings in individuals with newly identified pre‐diabetes or diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lamster Ira B. , Cheng Bin , Burkett Sandra , Lalla Evanthia
Published: September 2014

Aim

To assess the periodontal status and number of missing teeth in patients with newly identified pre‐diabetes or diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A total of 1097 subjects with previously undiagnosed diabetes were available for study, and were categorized into normoglycaemic, potentially pre‐diabetes or potentially diabetes groups based on a point‐of‐care (POC) HbA1c test.

Results

In fully adjusted models, significant differences were observed between all groups for the per cent of teeth with at least one site with a probing depth of ≥5 mm. For bleeding on probing, there were significant differences between diabetes and pre‐diabetes (p = 0.001), and between diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.002). For missing teeth, there were significant differences between the pre‐diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.034), and the diabetes and normoglycaemic groups (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Individuals with previously unidentified pre‐diabetes demonstrate a level of periodontal destruction between that observed for normoglycaemic individuals and persons with diabetes. These data emphasize the association of oral findings to dysglycaemia, and suggest that periodontal disease and tooth loss can be early complications of diabetes mellitus.
Cell‐penetrating peptide delivery of biologically active oct4 protein into cultured Takifugu rubripes spermary cells
Authors: Yang X. X. , Hou X. N. , Xu B. , Hao X. , Jiang G. J. , Fan T. J.
Published: September 2014

Continuous cell culture of a puffer fish Takifugu rubripes has been established for efficient delivery of exogenous genes or proteins to cultured fish cells. Transcription factor oct4 was chosen for transduction into cultured fish cells because of its conserved structure and function between fish and mammals. In this work, the T. rubripes oct4 gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a recombinant protein by introducing cell‐penetrating peptide (CPP) poly‐arginine (11R) and 6His‐tag at the C‐terminus. After purification, recombinant proteins were added to the growth medium and incubated with T. rubripes spermary cells. Recombinant proteins that crossed the cell membrane were detected in the cytoplasm and nucleus by western blot and immunofluorescent observation. The function of transduced oct4 as a transcription factor in fish cells was confirmed by driving green fluorescent protein expression in the pEGFP‐1 reporter construct with the conserved specific oct4‐binding sequence from mouse Mus musculus. Taken together, 11R can be an efficient CPP in delivering fusion proteins to cultured fish cells.
Effects of rearing density and dietary fat content on burst‐swim performance and oxygen transport capacity in juvenile Atlantic salmonSalmo salar
Authors: Hammenstig D. , Sandblom E. , Axelsson M. , Johnsson J. I.
Published: September 2014

The effects of hatchery rearing density (conventional or one third of conventional density) and feeding regime (high or reduced dietary fat levels) on burst‐swim performance and oxygen transport capacity were studied in hatchery‐reared Atlantic salmonSalmo salar, using wild fish as a reference group. There was no effect of rearing density or food regime on swimming performance in parr and smolts. The maximum swimming speed of wild parr was significantly higher than that of hatchery‐reared conspecifics, while no such difference remained at the smolt stage. In smolts, relative ventricle mass was higher in wildS. salarcompared with hatchery‐reared fish. Moreover, wildS. salarhad lower maximum oxygen consumption following a burst‐swim challenge than hatchery fish. There were no effects of hatchery treatment on maximum oxygen consumption or relative ventricle mass.Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, however, were lower in low‐density fish than in fish reared at conventional density. Furthermore, dorsal‐fin damage, an indicator of aggression, was similar in low‐density reared and wild fish and lower than inS. salarreared at conventional density. Together, these results suggest that reduced rearing density is more important than reduced dietary fat levels in producing anS. salarsmolt suitable for supplementary release.
Influence of genetic and environmental factors on oral diseases and function in aged twins
Authors: Kurushima Y. , Ikebe K. , Matsuda K. , Enoki K. , Ogata S. , Yamashita M. , Murakami S. , Hayakawa K. , Maeda Y.
Published: September 2014

This study was conducted to quantify the genetic and environmental contributions to oral disease and function in twins. Participants were middle‐aged and old twins, 116 monozygotic and 16 dizygotic pairs whose mean age was 66·1 ± 10·3 (SD) years. Number of teeth, percentage of decayed, filled and missing teeth and periodontal status were recorded as indicators of oral disease. The widths of upper and lower dental arch served as indicators of morphological figures. Furthermore, stimulated salivary flow rate, occlusal force and masticatory performance were measured as indicators of oral function. Univariate genetic analysis with monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs was conducted to detect the fittest structural equation model of each outcome. Both number of teeth and periodontal status fitted the model composed of common environmental factor and unique environmental factor. Decayed, filled and missing teeth, morphological figures and measurements of oral function fitted the model composed of additive genetic factor and unique environmental factor. The model fitting of each measurement suggested that periodontal disease was mainly affected by environmental factors, while morphological figures and oral functions were influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Depression is not associated with peripheral insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection
Authors: Shah S. C. , Kornak J. , Khalili M.
Published: September 2014

Depression is common in individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), and both depression and HCV infection are independently associated with insulin resistance (IR). To evaluate the relationship between depression and IR, among other factors, in an HCV‐infected cohort. In this cross‐sectional analysis, seventy‐four non‐type 2 diabetic, noncirrhotic, HCV‐infected patients underwent comprehensive clinical, histologic and metabolic evaluation. IR was assessed directly with an insulin suppression test by measuring steady‐state plasma glucose (SSPG) levels during continuous infusions of octreotide, glucose and insulin. Logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate predictors associated with depression. Thirty‐nine (53%) patients were depressed, and 21 (54%) depressed patients were on at least one antidepressant. A higher estimated proportion of depressed patients were Caucasian (51% vs 20%, P = 0.005), unemployed (69% vs 49%, P = 0.07), heavier smokers (18 pack‐years vs 13 pack‐years, P = 0.07), on substance abuse therapy (16% vs 3%, P = 0.06) and had lower HDL levels (1.2 mmol/L vs 1.4 mmol/L, P = 0.01). The mean SSPG levels in depressed and nondepressed patients were 7.3 and 8.3 mmol/L (P = 0.45), respectively. In multipredictor adjusted analysis, only Caucasian race (OR 4.19, 95% CI 1.42–12.35, P = 0.009) and lower HDL (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89–0.99, P = 0.046) were associated with depression. In conclusion, although prevalent, depression was not associated with peripheral IR in this HCV‐infected cohort. Attention to other modifiable factors associated with depression in the HCV‐infected population is warranted.
Machinamentum X: Marvell and Technology
Authors: Werlin Julianne
Published: September 2014

Recent scholarship in the history of technology has provided new insights into the early modern investigation of nature, troubling fixed boundaries between invention and discovery, and more broadly, between art and knowledge. Drawing on such research, as well as literary scholars' discussions of parallels between Renaissance poetics and technics, I suggest that further inquiries into the role of technology in Andrew Marvell's poetry may yield new insights into his depiction of nature, his politics, and the relation of the two. I conclude with a reading of ‘Music's Empire’, a poem that reveals how deeply Marvell considered the role of technology in culture.
Radio Studies and 20th‐Century Literature: Ethics, Aesthetics, and Remediation
Authors: Whittington Ian
Published: September 2014

This article provides an overview of the history of radio studies as it intersects with 20th‐century literary studies, and outlines recent research trends in the field. Beginning with the earliest theorists and practitioners of radio (including Hilda Matheson, Rudolf Arnheim, and Lance Sieveking), the article considers how mid‐20th‐century attitudes to radio as a medium of cultural expression varied among Marxist thinkers (Theodor Adorno, Herbert Marcuse, Walter Benjamin, and Bertolt Brecht), sociologists (Paul Lazarsfeld and Hadley Cantril), and media theorists (Marshall McLuhan and Walter Ong). The article then examines how two recent scholarly developments – the expanded conception of modernist culture under the name of the “new modernist studies” and the growth of sound studies as an interdisciplinary field with both aesthetic and historical implications – have, since the mid‐1990s, inaugurated a new wave of literary radio scholarship. These distinct but related developments have fostered newly integrated approaches to the study of radio as a medium that intersects not only with literature but with other media; the article therefore provides a summary of recent works that approach radio through a lens of remediation (the mutual influence and interpenetration of various media), as well as works that consider the aesthetic and ethical potential of the medium. The article closes by noting important avenues still to be explored, including questions of cultural hierarchy and “the middlebrow,” transnational broadcasting, and the cultural life of radio in the age of television and beyond.
Making Assumptions, Making Space: An Anthropological Critique of Cultural Competency and Its Relevance to Queer Patients
Authors: Baker Kelly , Beagan Brenda
Published: September 2014

Despite increased attention to “culturally competent” practice with diverse populations, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people remain relatively invisible within medicine and other health professions. Health care providers (HCPs) frequently dismiss sexual and gender identity as irrelevant to care. This study uses interviews with 24 physicians and 38 LGBTQ‐identified women to explore how routine practices in health care can perpetuate or challenge the marginalization of LGBTQ women. While physicians avoid making assumptions to reduce judgment, a “neutral” stance reinforces the hetero‐ and gender normative status quo. Cultural competence with LGBTQ patients requires learning with, rather than learning about, LGBTQ people's particular health care concerns as well as paying explicit attention to pervasive power relations and normative contexts.
Current status of emergency department triage in mainland China: A narrative review of the literature
Authors: Peng Lingli , Hammad Karen
Published: September 2014

In this review, the current status of emergency department triage in mainland China is explored, with the purpose of generating a deeper understanding of the topic. Literature was identified through electronic databases, and was included for review if published between 2002 and 2012, included significant discussion of daily emergency department triage in mainland China, was peer reviewed, and published in English or Chinese. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes which emerged from the reviewed literature. This resulted in 21 articles included for review. Four themes emerged from the review: triage process, triage training, qualification of triage nurses, and quality of triage. The review demonstrates that there is currently not a unified approach to emergency department triage in mainland China. Additionally, there are limitations in triage training for nurses and confusion around the role of triage nurses. This review highlights that emergency department triage in mainland China is still in its infancy and that more research is needed to further develop the role of triage.