bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi‐quantitative HPV viral load in patients with ASC‐US cytology: viral load correlates strongly with the presence of CIN but only weakly with its severity
Authors: Lee S. J. , Kim W. Y. , Shim S.‐H. , Cho S.‐H. , Oh I. K. , Hwang T. S. , Kim S.‐N. , Kang S.‐B.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

This study was performed to evaluate the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) viral load, expressed in relative light units (RLUs), in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) cytology.

Methods

A total of 349 ASC‐US cases with HPV infection, detected using Hybrid Capture 2, were diagnosed histologically. A colposcopically directed punch biopsy was performed on acetowhite areas. Endocervical curettage biopsy and random cervical punch biopsy in four quadrants were performed in unsatisfactory colposcopy cases. In negative colposcopy cases, random cervical punch biopsy in four quadrants was performed.

Results

Case with no cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), CIN1 and CIN2+ (CIN2/CIN3) accounted for 162, 135 and 52 cases, respectively. The mean age showed no difference among the three groups (P = 0.510). There was a significant correlation between RLU values and the presence of CIN (P < 0.001), but less so with its severity: the median RLU values for negative, CIN1 and CIN2+ cases were 42.68, 146.45 and 156.43, respectively, with widely overlapping confidence intervals. The cut‐off values of RLU to detect CIN1+ and CIN2+ were 6.73 and 45.64, respectively.

Conclusions

The HPV viral load in ASC‐US cases showed a significant correlation with the presence of CIN and less so with its severity, and showed large overlap of viral loads between grades of CIN. In ASC‐US cases, RLU was not an accurate predictor of immediate high‐grade CIN.
Safety of gastrointestinal endoscopic biopsy in patients taking antithrombotics
Authors: Fujita Minoru , Shiotani Akiko , Murao Takahisa , Ishii Manabu , Yamanaka Yoshiyuki , Nakato Rui , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Tarumi Ken‐ichi , Manabe Noriaki , Kamada Tomoari , Hata Jiro , Haruma Ken
Published: April 2014

Background and Aim

Current Japanese gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic guidelines permit endoscopic biopsy without cessation of antiplatelet agents and warfarin in patients with a therapeutic range of prothrombin time–international normalized ratio (PT‐INR) levels, although the evidence levels are low. We evaluated the safety of endoscopic biopsy in patients currently taking antithrombotics.

Methods

Consecutive patients receiving antithrombotics who underwent GI endoscopy from August 2012 to August 2013 were enrolled. Adverse events and endoscopic hemostasis after biopsy were evaluated. PT‐INR level was measured in patients taking warfarin the day before endoscopy.

Results

Among 7939 patients undergoing endoscopy, 1034 patients (13.0%, 706 men and 328 women, average age 72.8 years) were receiving antithrombotics. Antithrombotics included aspirin (44.8%), warfarin (34.7%), thienopyridine (16.1%), cilostazol (10.3%), dabigatran (4.8%) etc. PT‐INR levels in patients taking warfarin were >3.0 in 13 patients (4.3%), between 2.5 and 3.0 in 18 patients (6.0%), <2.5 in 269 patients (89.7%). Two hundred and six patients received endoscopic biopsy while taking aspirin (51.2%), warfarin (22.8%), and thienopyridine (13.6%). Endoscopic hemostasis was required in three patients after endoscopic biopsy (spraying thrombin in two patients, spraying thrombin and clipping in one patient). There were no major complications. The incidence of endoscopic hemostasis after biopsy in patients without antithrombotic cessation was not significantly different than in the controls not taking antithrombotics (1.5% vs 0.98%, P = 0.51).

Conclusion

Endoscopic biopsy did not increase the bleeding risk despite not stopping antithrombotics prior to biopsy even among patients taking warfarin whose PT‐INR was within the therapeutic range.
At least one in three people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus referred to a diabetes centre has symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Storgaard H. , Mortensen B. , Almdal T. , Laub M. , Tarnow L.
Published: April 2014

Aims

To investigate the prevalence of symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea in unselected patients with Type 2 diabetes referred to a tertiary diabetes clinic.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional design, all newly referred patients were offered a stepwise screening for obstructive sleep apnoea with: (1) The Berlin questionnaire; then, if indicative: (2) overnight home monitoring with the ApneaLink™ device. Patients with an apnoea–hypopnoea index ≥ 5/h were offered referral for diagnostic polygraphy and treatment initiation.

Results

A total of 200 patients participated (61% men; age 59.6 ± 10.5 years, diabetes duration 8.3 ± 6.3 years and BMI 31.7 ± 6.7 kg/m2). According to the questionnaire, 106 patients showed ‘high risk’ of obstructive sleep apnoea, and 72 of these were referred to polygraphy based on ApneaLink screening corresponding to a prevalence of symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea of 39%. Patients with symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea had significantly higher BMI, poorer glycaemic control and lower plasma HDL cholesterol levels as compared with patients unlikely to have obstructive sleep apnoea. The groups were not different with respect to sex, age, diabetes duration, blood pressure, diabetic complications or medication use. In multiple regression analyses, age, BMI and HDL cholesterol levels were all significant, independent predictors of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Conclusions

At least one third of people with Type 2 diabetes referred to a diabetes clinic in Denmark has symptomatic obstructive sleep apnoea. Our data suggest higher age, a compromised plasma lipid profile and a more obese phenotype in patients with Type 2 diabetes who have obstructive sleep apnoea, highlighting the need to focus on screening and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in these patients.
Learning clinical procedures through Internet visual resources: A qualitative study amongst undergraduate students
Authors: Gao X. , Wong L. M. , Chow D. Y. S. , Law X. J. , Ching L. Y. L.
Published: April 2014

Objective

Acquiring competency in performing clinical procedures is central to professional education of healthcare providers. Internet visual resources (IVR), defined as visual materials openly accessible on public websites, provides a new channel to learn clinical procedures. This qualitative study aimed to profile the experience and opinions of undergraduate students (in dentistry, medicine and nursing) in learning clinical procedures through IVR.

Methods

From clinical degree programmes (Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Nursing) of University of Hong Kong, 31 students were recruited to join six focus group discussions, which were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis using inductive method, in which themes emerge from data.

Findings

Students actively looked for IVRs through various means and used them for pre‐clinical preparation, post‐clinical revision, learning simple and advanced procedures, exploring alternative and updated techniques, and benchmarking against international peers. IVRs were valued for their visual stimulation, inclusion of a wide variety of real‐life cases, convenience in access, user‐friendliness and time‐saving features. Students tended to share and discuss IVRs with their peers rather than with tutors, even when contents deviated from school teaching or faculty's e‐learning materials. When doubts persisted, they chose to follow faculty guidelines for examination purpose. Students were frustrated sometimes by difficulties in judging the scientific quality, lack of immediate interactive discussions and loosely structured presentations in some IVRs. Teachers' attitudes towards IVR appeared to vary greatly.

Conclusion

Despite the wide spectrum of experience and opinions, IVR was generally viewed by undergraduates from across clinical faculties as enhancing their clinical confidence and self‐perceived competency, enriching their learning experience and serving as an important supplement to formal learning in the planned curriculum.
The effect of temperature‐induced soil water repellency on transient capillary pressure–water content relations during capillary rise
Authors: Reszkowska A. , Bachmann J. , Lamparter A. , Diamantopoulos E. , Durner W.
Published: April 2014

Long‐term capillary rise experiments (0 to about 89 000 hour) were performed at 19°C on homogenized and heat‐treated podsolic forest top‐ and subsoil samples. These were packed into columns, the bases of which were then partially immersed, at constant depth, in water reservoirs to simulate a constant water table. Selected columns were equipped with tensiometer and TDR probes. Other columns were removed at prescribed times and divided into 2‐cm horizontal segments whose volumetric water contents were determined. The degree of saturation was then estimated by comparison with the capillary rise in duplicate arrangements of samples immersed in ethanol. It was found that the heat treatments conferred increased water repellency (WR) on the soil, which increased with temperature (significantly so at greater than 60°C). This had a profound effect on the capillary rise characteristics and development of water content in the soil behind the wetting front, indicating an effective, albeit slow, reduction in effective WR. This has implications for hydraulic modelling of soils with significant WR and demonstrates that sub‐surface WR exerts a significant influence on capillary rise from a water table and suggests that commonly used indicators of surface WR using droplet tests may not be useful for such modelling purposes.
Nitrous oxide and methane emissions from a surface drip‐irrigated system combined with fertilizer management
Authors: Vallejo A. , Meijide A. , Boeckx P. , Arce A. , García‐torres L. , Aguado P. L. , Sanchez‐martin L.
Published: April 2014

Drip‐fertigated systems have variable distributions of water and nutrients in the soil, which influence soil microbial activity. Because there is a lack of data on greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes for these systems, a field experiment comparing drip irrigation systems (fertigated and non‐fertigated) was carried out in a melon crop. For the fertigated treatment, nitrogen (N) as NH4NO3 was dissolved in irrigation water and split into six applications (Fertigation treatment). In the non‐fertigated soil (ANS treatment), granular NH4NO3 was incorporated homogeneously into the upper part of soil surface at planting. A control treatment without N fertilizer was also included. In order to evaluate the pattern of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4), measurements were made at six different distances from the irrigation distributor point (dripper). An additional field experiment with 15N‐labelled N fertilizer was carried out in parallel, with the aim of evaluating the contribution of nitrification and denitrification to the total N2O flux. Two different sources of 15N were applied: 15NH4NO3 (20 at% excess 15N) (15NH4+ treatment, TR1) and NH415NO3 (20 at% excess15N) (15NO3− treatment, TR2). Results indicated that both treatments (ANS and Fertigation) had small emission fluxes of N2O (< 0.1% of N applied). However, Fertigation produced larger emissions (175.3 g N2O‐N ha−1) than ANS (90.1 g N2O N ha−1), with the pattern of N2O emission being strongly influenced by nitrification in both systems. Denitrification also contributed to emissions of 15N2O but mainly on the day after fertilizer application in the Fertigation treatment. Methane fluxes were also affected by N fertilizer, with a decrease in the sink effect for CH4 when NH4+ was present in the soil.
Experimental predator removal causes rapid salt marsh die‐off
Authors: Bertness Mark D. , Brisson Caitlin P. , Coverdale Tyler C. , Bevil Matt C. , Crotty Sinead M. , Suglia Elena R.
Published: April 2014

Salt marsh habitat loss to vegetation die‐offs has accelerated throughout the western Atlantic in the last four decades. Recent studies have suggested that eutrophication, pollution and/or disease may contribute to the loss of marsh habitat. In light of recent evidence that predators are important determinants of marsh health in New England, we performed a total predator exclusion experiment. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that predator depletion can cause salt marsh die‐off by releasing the herbivorous crab Sesarma reticulatum from predator control. Excluding predators from a marsh ecosystem for a single growing season resulted in a >100% increase in herbivory and a >150% increase in unvegetated bare space compared to plots with predators. Our results confirm that marshes in this region face multiple, potentially synergistic threats.
Applying trait‐based models to achieve functional targets for theory‐driven ecological restoration
Authors: Laughlin Daniel C.
Published: April 2014

Manipulating community assemblages to achieve functional targets is a key component of restoring degraded ecosystems. The response‐and‐effect trait framework provides a conceptual foundation for translating restoration goals into functional trait targets, but a quantitative framework has been lacking for translating trait targets into assemblages of species that practitioners can actually manipulate. This study describes new trait‐based models that can be used to generate ranges of species abundances to test theories about which traits, which trait values and which species assemblages are most effective for achieving functional outcomes. These models are generalisable, flexible tools that can be widely applied across many terrestrial ecosystems. Examples illustrate how the framework generates assemblages of indigenous species to (1) achieve desired community responses by applying the theories of environmental filtering, limiting similarity and competitive hierarchies, or (2) achieve desired effects on ecosystem functions by applying the theories of mass ratios and niche complementarity. Experimental applications of this framework will advance our understanding of how to set functional trait targets to achieve the desired restoration goals. A trait‐based framework provides restoration ecology with a robust scaffold on which to apply fundamental ecological theory to maintain resilient and functioning ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.
α‐Synuclein oligomers distinctively permeabilize complex model membranes
Authors: Stefanovic Anja N. D. , Stöckl Martin T. , Claessens Mireille M. A. E. , Subramaniam Vinod
Published: April 2014

α‐Synuclein oligomers are increasingly considered to be responsible for the death of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. The toxicity mechanism of α‐synuclein oligomers likely involves membrane permeabilization. Even though it is well established that α‐synuclein oligomers bind and permeabilize vesicles composed of negatively‐charged lipids, little attention has been given to the interaction of oligomers with bilayers of physiologically relevant lipid compositions. We investigated the interaction of α‐synuclein with bilayers composed of lipid mixtures that mimic the composition of plasma and mitochondrial membranes. In the present study, we show that monomeric and oligomeric α‐synuclein bind to these membranes. The resulting membrane leakage differs from that observed for simple artificial model bilayers. Although the addition of oligomers to negatively‐charged lipid vesicles displays fast content release in a bulk permeabilization assay, adding oligomers to vesicles with compositions mimicking mitochondrial membranes shows a much slower loss of content. Oligomers are unable to induce leakage in the artificial plasma membranes, even after long‐term incubation. CD experiments indicate that binding to lipid bilayers initially induces conformational changes in both oligomeric and monomeric α‐synuclein, which show little change upon long‐term incubation of oligomers with membranes. The results of the present study demonstrate that the mitochondrial model membranes are more vulnerable to permeabilization by oligomers than model plasma membranes reconstituted from brain‐derived lipids; this preference may imply that increasingly complex membrane components, such as those in the plasma membrane mimic used in the present study, are less vulnerable to damage by oligomers.
A structural model of human ferroportin and of its iron binding site
Authors: Bonaccorsi di Patti Maria C. , Polticelli Fabio , Cece Giovanna , Cutone Antimo , Felici Franco , Persichini Tiziana , Musci Giovanni
Published: April 2014

A structural model of human ferroportin has been built using two Escherichia coli proteins belonging to the major facilitator superfamily of transporters. A potential iron binding site was identified in the inward‐open conformation of the model, and its relevance was tested through measurement of iron export of HEK293T cells expressing wild‐type or mutated ferroportin. Aspartates 39 and 181 were found to be essential for the transport ability of the protein. Noteworthy, the D181V mutation is naturally found in type 4 hemochromatosis with reticuloendothelial system iron retention phenotype. The outward‐open conformation of ferroportin was also predicted, and showed that significant conformational changes must occur in the inward‐ to outward‐open transition of ferroportin. In particular, putative iron ligands move several ångströms away from each other, leading to the logical conclusion that the iron binding site is not occupied by the metal in the outward‐open conformation of ferroportin.
How Do Underwriters Select Peers When Valuing IPOs?
Authors: Paleari Stefano , Signori Andrea , Vismara Silvio
Published: April 2014

Valuing initial public offerings (IPOs) using multiples allows underwriters discretion when selecting comparable firms. We find that they systematically exclude candidate comparable firms that make a given IPO appear overvalued. On average, comparable firms published in official prospectuses have 13%‐38% higher valuation multiples than those obtained from matching algorithms or selected by sell‐side analysts, including the same underwriter's analyst after the IPO. Even if IPOs are priced at a discount as compared to peers selected by the underwriters, they are still at a premium with regard to alternatively selected peers. Greater bias in the underwriter's selection of peers leads to poorer long run performance.
Wood production response to climate change will depend critically on forest composition and structure
Authors: Coomes David A. , Flores Olivier , Holdaway Robert , Jucker Tommaso , Lines Emily R. , Vanderwel Mark C.
Published: April 2014

Established forests currently function as a major carbon sink, sequestering as woody biomass about 26% of global fossil fuel emissions. Whether forests continue to act as a global sink will depend on many factors, including the response of aboveground wood production (AWP; MgC ha−1 yr−1) to climate change. Here, we explore howAWPin New Zealand's natural forests is likely to change. We start by statistically modelling the present‐day growth of 97 199 individual trees within 1070 permanently marked inventory plots as a function of tree size, competitive neighbourhood and climate. We then use these growth models to identify the factors that most influence present‐dayAWPand to predict responses to medium‐term climate change under different assumptions. We find that if the composition and structure of New Zealand's forests were to remain unchanged over the next 30 years, thenAWPwould increase by 6–23%, primarily as a result of physiological responses to warmer temperatures (with no appreciable effect of changing rainfall). However, if warmth‐requiring trees were able to migrate into currently cooler areas and if denser canopies were able to form, then a differentAWPresponse is likely: forests growing in the cool mountain environments would show a 30% increase inAWP, while those in the lowland would hardly respond (on average, −3% when mean annual temperature exceeds 8.0 °C). We conclude that response of wood production to anthropogenic climate change is not only dependent on the physiological responses of individual trees, but is highly contingent on whether forests adjust in composition and structure.
A comparison of the global warming effects of wood fuels and fossil fuels taking albedo into account
Authors: Holtsmark Bjart
Published: April 2014

Traditionally, wood fuels, like other bioenergy sources, have been considered carbon neutral because the amount of CO2 released can be offset by CO2 sequestration due to the regrowth of the biomass. Thus, until recently, most studies assigned a global warming potential (GWP) of zero to CO2 generated by the combustion of biomass (biogenic CO2). Moreover, emissions of biogenic CO2 are usually not included in carbon tax and emissions trading schemes. However, there is now increasing awareness of the inadequacy of this way of treating bioenergy, especially bioenergy from boreal forests. Holtsmark (2014) recently quantified the GWP of biogenic CO2 from slow‐growing forests (GWPbio), finding it to be significantly higher than the GWP of fossil CO2 when a 100 year time horizon was applied. Hence, the climate impact seems to be even higher for the combustion of slow‐growing biomass than for the combustion of fossil carbon in a 100 year timeframe. The present study extends the analysis of Holtsmark (2014) in three ways. First, it includes the cooling effects of increased surface reflectivity after harvest (albedo). Second, it includes a comparison with the potential warming impact of fossil fuels, taking the CO2 emissions per unit of energy produced into account. Third, the study links the literature estimating GWPbio and the literature dealing with the carbon debt, and model simulations estimating the payback time of the carbon debt are presented. The conclusion is that, also after these extensions of the analysis, bioenergy from slow‐growing forests usually has a larger climate impact in a 100 year timeframe than fossil oil and gas. Whether bioenergy performs better or worse than coal depends on a number of conditions.
Sedative load and salivary secretion and xerostomia in community‐dwelling older people
Authors: Tiisanoja Antti , Syrjälä Anna‐Maija , Komulainen Kaija , Hartikainen Sirpa , Taipale Heidi , Knuuttila Matti , Ylöstalo Pekka
Published: April 2014

Objective

The aim was to investigate how sedative load and the total number of drugs used are related to hyposalivation and xerostomia among 75‐year‐old or older dentate, non‐smoking, community‐dwelling people.

Materials and Methods

The study population consisted of 152 older people from the Oral Health GeMS study. The data were collected by interviews and clinical examinations during 2004–2005. Sedative load, which measures the cumulative effect of taking multiple drugs with sedative properties, was calculated using the Sedative Load Model.

Results

The results showed that participants with a sedative load of either 1–2 or ≥3 had an increased likelihood of having low stimulated salivary flow (<0.7 ml/min; OR: 2.4; CI: 0.6–8.6 and OR: 11; CI: 2.2–59; respectively) and low unstimulated salivary flow (<0.1 ml/min; OR: 2.7, CI: 1.0–7.4 and OR: 4.5, CI: 1.0–20, respectively) compared with participants without a sedative load. Participants with a sedative load ≥3 had an increased likelihood of having xerostomia (OR: 2.5, CI: 0.5–12) compared with participants without a sedative load. The results showed that the association between the total number of drugs and hyposalivation was weaker than the association between sedative load and hyposalivation.

Conclusion

Sedative load is strongly related to hyposalivation and to a lesser extent with xerostomia. The adverse effects of drugs on saliva secretion are specifically related to drugs with sedative properties.
Home death is associated with frequency of physician home medical care visits: A questionnaire survey on communications in home medical care settings
Authors: Kimura Takuma , Imanaga Teruhiko , Matsuzaki Makoto , Akahoshi Tohru
Published: April 2014

Aim

To investigate the factors related to communications in home medical care settings, and the association between such factors and a patient's place of death.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of 295 families of patients who had previously received home medical care was carried out in June and July 2011. The response rate was 83.8% (n = 227). Following the exclusion of families where the patient was still alive, or where the place of death was unknown, 143 questionnaires were available for analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify significant associations between possible factors related to communication and occurrence of home death.

Results

Home death was observed in 66.4% (n = 95) of the families analyzed. Home death was significantly associated with the frequency of doctor home‐visits per week (OR 2.835, 95% CI 1.436–5.597, P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant association between home death and any of the other variables included: malignant tumors as primary disease, independence in daily activity, duration of home medical care, duration of doctor's visits, experience of doctor–patient communication without family, doctor–family communication without the patient or explanation from the doctor on the phone, existence of home‐visit nursing services, existence of family's anxieties and/or questions, age of primary caregiver(s) and sex of primary caregiver(s).

Conclusion

The frequency of doctor home‐visits was the only factor identified that was positively associated with the occurrence of home death in home medical care settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 465–471.
Fall frequency and risk factors in patients with Parkinson's disease in Belgrade, Serbia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gazibara Tatjana , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Kisic Tepavcevic Darija , Tomic Aleksandra , Stankovic Iva , Kostic Vladimir S , Svetel Marina
Published: April 2014

Aim

The aim of the present study was to estimate fall frequency as well as demographic and clinical factors related to falling in a cohort of Serbian patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Method

The cross‐sectional study comprised 300 consecutive patients recruited at the Neurology Clinic in Belgrade, Serbia, from August 2011 to December 2012. Data were acquired though detailed interviews, while a history of falling referred to the period of 6 months before testing. After a interview related to the circumstances of the last fall sustained by PD patients, the participants were evaluated with the Mini‐Mental State Examination, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the Hoehn and Yahr scale, the Falls Efficacy Scale and the Self‐Assessment Disability Scale, New Freezing of Gait questionnaire for frequency and impact of freezing, and the Hamilton Depression and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.

Results

A total of 60% of individuals reported a fall in the 6‐month period before testing. Multivariate regression showed that patients with PD who had a Self‐Assessment Disability Scale score of ≥56 and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale total score of ≥69 were 2.04 and 3.32 times more likely to fall, respectively (95% CI 1.10–3.79, P = 0.023 for Self‐Assessment Disability Scale and 95% CI 1.83–6.00, P = 0.001 for Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale). In contrast, a decrease of risk for falling by 57% was observed among those who practiced regular physical activity before the onset of PD (95% CI 0.23–0.80, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

There is a strong relationship between falling and self‐perceived disability, whereas previous physical exercise had a protective effect. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 472–480.
Mudi, a web tool for identifying mutations by bioinformatics analysis of whole‐genome sequence
Authors: Iida Naoko , Yamao Fumiaki , Nakamura Yasukazu , Iida Tetsushi
Published: April 2014

In forward genetics, identification of mutations is a time‐consuming and laborious process. Modern whole‐genome sequencing, coupled with bioinformatics analysis, has enabled fast and cost‐effective mutation identification. However, for many experimental researchers, bioinformatics analysis is still a difficult aspect of whole‐genome sequencing. To address this issue, we developed a browser‐accessible and easy‐to‐use bioinformatics tool called Mutation discovery (Mudi; http://naoii.nig.ac.jp/mudi_top.html), which enables ‘one‐click’ identification of causative mutations from whole‐genome sequence data. In this study, we optimized Mudi for pooled‐linkage analysis aimed at identifying mutants in yeast model systems. After raw sequencing data are uploaded, Mudi performs sequential analysis, including mapping, detection of variant alleles, filtering and removal of background polymorphisms, prioritization, and annotation. In an example study of suppressor mutants of ptr1‐1 in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, pooled‐linkage analysis with Mudi identified mip1+, a component of Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1), as a novel component involved in RNA interference (RNAi)‐related cell‐cycle control. The accessibility of Mudi will accelerate systematic mutation analysis in forward genetics.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T gene mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia in Budd–Chiari syndrome and portal vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Qi Xingshun , Yang Zhiping , De Stefano Valerio , Fan Daiming
Published: April 2014

Aim

A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to explore the role of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and ScienceDirect databases were searched. Eligible studies should compare the prevalence of the MTHFR C677T mutation or hyperhomocysteinemia or the homocysteine levels between BCS or non‐cirrhotic PVT patients and healthy controls or between cirrhotic patients with and without PVT. A pooled odds ratio or weighted mean difference with 95% confidence interval was calculated.

Results

Of the 484 articles retrieved, 20 were included. BCS and non‐cirrhotic PVT patients had a higher prevalence of homozygous MTHFR mutation than healthy controls. The difference was statistically significant in BCS patients, but not in non‐cirrhotic PVT patients. BCS and non‐cirrhotic PVT patients had a significantly higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and homocysteine level than healthy controls. Cirrhotic patients with PVT had a significantly higher prevalence of homozygous MTHFR mutation than those without PVT. However, the association between homocysteine level and PVT in cirrhotic patients was inconsistent among three studies.

Conclusion

Homozygous MTHFR mutation and hyperhomocysteinemia may be associated with the occurrence of BCS and non‐cirrhotic PVT. In addition, homozygous MTHFR mutation may increase the risk of PVT in cirrhotic patients. However, the current evidence failed to support the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with PVT in cirrhotic patients.
Are parents of children hospitalized with severe community‐acquired pneumonia more satisfied with care when physicians allow them to share decisions on the antibiotic route?
Authors: Rosati Paola , Di Salvo Viviana , Crudo Stefania , D'Amico Roberto , Carlino Cecilia , Marchili Maria Rosaria , Gonfiantini Michaela , Di Ciommo Vincenzo
Published: April 2014

Context and objective

Despite convincing evidence that oral and injected amoxicillin have equal efficacy in children with severe community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospitalized children often receive injected antibiotics. To investigate whether shared decision‐making (choosing the antibiotic route) influences parental satisfaction.

Design, setting and participants

In a one‐year questionnaire‐based study, we enrolled consecutive children hospitalized for CAP. At admission, all children's parents received a leaflet on CAP. Parents arriving during the daytime were assigned to a shared group and could choose the antibiotic route, those admitted at other times were assigned to an unshared group for whom physicians chose the antibiotic route. Shared group parents answered anonymous questionnaire investigating why they chose a specific route. Parents in both groups answered another anonymous questionnaire at discharge assessing perceived satisfaction with care.

Main outcome measure

Parents' satisfaction with perceived medical information as assessed by data from a questionnaire.

Results

Of the 95 children enrolled, more children's parents were assigned to the unshared than the shared group (77 vs. 18). Of the 18 children's parents in the shared group, 14 chose the oral antibiotic route mainly to avoid painful injections. Doctors explanations were considered better in the shared than in the unshared group (P = 0.02).

Discussion and conclusions

The larger number of children's parents assigned to the unshared group reflects paediatricians' reluctance to offer shared‐decision making. Well‐informed parents prefer oral antibiotic therapy for children with severe CAP. Allowing parents choose the antibiotic route respects parents' wishes, reduces children's pain and improves satisfaction.
Scanning electron microscopy of superficial defects in Twisted files and Reciproc nickel–titanium files after use in extracted molars
Authors: Caballero H. , Rivera F. , Salas H.
Published: April 2014

Aim

To evaluate the usage and superficial defects in size 25, 0.08 taper Twisted files (TF) and R25 Reciproc files after root canal instrumentation.

Methodology

One hundred and twenty mandibular molars with root canal curvature, ranging from 15° to 30° and a 4–5 mm radius, were randomly divided into two groups according to single‐file instrumentation: size 25, 0.08 taper TF or R25 files. A total of fifteen files per group were evaluated before and after three, six, nine and 12 uses. The instruments were fixed in custom‐made holders and photographed using scanning electron microscopy at ×260 to ×1200 magnifications. The presence of superficial defects (plastic deformation, microcracks, fracture, craters, disruption of the cutting edges and blunt edges) was scored from the pre‐ and post‐usage photographs. Chi‐squared test was used to analyse differences after usages in both groups individually. Two‐way anova was used to analyse differences between both instruments. The level of significance for all analyses was 5%.

Results

Superficial defects were observed after the instrumentation of six root canals in the TF group and after the instrumentation of nine root canals in the R25 group. Plastic deformation and disruption of cutting edges were the prevalent defects observed in the TF group, and craters and blunt edges were observed in R25 files. The presence of defects was significantly increased with successive usages in both groups (P < 0.05), but TF had more superficial defects than R25 files (P < 0.001). Dentine debris was observed on all instruments. No instruments fractured.

Conclusions

Instrumentation was possible for six root canals with TF files and nine root canals with R25 files before the presence of superficial defects appeared. Differences in the prevalence and development of superficial defects were observed between the TF and R25 files.
Role of the p38 pathway in mineral trioxide aggregate‐induced cell viability and angiogenesis‐related proteins of dental pulp cell in vitro
Authors: Huang S.‐C. , Wu B.‐C. , Kao C.‐T. , Huang T.‐H. , Hung C.‐J. , Shie M.‐Y.
Published: April 2014

Aim

To investigate the influence of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on angiogenesis of primary human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) via the MAPK pathway, in particular p38.

Methodology

Human dental pulp cells were cultured with MTA to angiogenesis, after which cell viability, ion concentration, osmolality, NO secretion, the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and angiopoietin‐1 (Ang‐1) protein expression were examined. PrestoBlue® was used for evaluating the proliferation of hDPCs. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine vWF and Ang‐1 protein secretion in hDPCs cultured on MTA and the control. Cells cultured on the tissue culture plate without the cement were used as the control. The t‐test was used to evaluate the significance of the differences between the mean values.

Results

Mineral trioxide aggregate elicited a significant (P < 0.05) increased viability compared with the control (15%, 16% and 13% on days 1, 3 and 5 of cell seeding, respectively). MTA consumed calcium and phosphate ions, and released more Si ions in the medium. MTA significantly (P < 0.05) increased the osmolality of the medium to 313, 328 and 341 mOsm kg−1 after 1, 3 and 5 days, respectively. P38 was activated through phosphorylation, and the phosphorylation kinase was investigated in the cell system after being cultured with MTA. Expression levels for Ang‐1 and vWF in hDPCs on MTA were higher than those of the MTA + p38 inhibitor (SB203580) group (P < 0.05) at all of the time‐points.

Conclusions

Mineral trioxide aggregate was able to activate the p38 pathway in hDPCs cultured in vitro. Moreover, Si increased the osmolality required to facilitate the angiogenic differentiation of hDPCs via the p38 signalling pathway. When the p38 pathway was blocked by SB203580, the angiogenic‐dependent protein secretion decreased. These findings verify that the p38 pathway plays a key role in regulating the angiogenic behaviour of hDPCs cultured on MTA.
Ferroelectric–Ferromagnetic Ceramic Composites Based on PZT with Added Ferrite
Authors: Niemiec Przemysław , Bochenek Dariusz , Chrobak Artur , Guzdek Piotr , Błachowski Artur
Published: April 2014

The study presents a ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composite based on a doped PZT‐type and ferrite powders. Ferroelectric powder (in amount of 90 wt‐%) was based on multicomponent PZT‐type materials, while nickel–zinc ferrite Ni1–xZnxFe2O4 (in amount of 10 wt‐%) served as the magnetic component of the composite. The syntheses of the ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composite's components were performed using solid‐phase sintering, while final densification of the synthesized powder was achieved using free sintering. X‐ray analysis of the composite confirmed the presence of strong maxima originating from particular PZT‐type material phases, as well as weak peaks from the Ni0.64Zn0.36Fe2O4 ferrite, without foreign phases. The microstructure of the fracture of the ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composites shows that the ferrite grains on the surface of the ferroelectric component are distributed heterogeneously. Magnetic studies have characterized composite as a soft ferromagnetic material. The study indicated the influence of the magnetic subsystem on the electrical properties. In the two‐phase PBZTMC–NZF ceramic composite, the magnetic component causes the decrease in electric permittivity and increased value of the dielectric losses.
Enrichment of rice noodles with fibre‐rich fractions derived from cassava pulp and pomelo peel
Authors: Wandee Yuree , Uttapap Dudsadee , Puncha‐arnon Santhanee , Puttanlek Chureerat , Rungsardthong Vilai , Wetprasit Nuanchawee
Published: April 2014

Cassava pulp and pomelo peel were evaluated for their potential as sources of dietary fibre in dried rice noodles. Noodles containing cassava pulp (1–20%) and pomelo peel (1–10%) had significantly higher cooking weight (136–166%) than the control sample (125%). Elongation of noodles containing cassava pulp (61–86%) was significantly higher than that of the control (56%) and noodles containing pomelo peel (29–49%). Total dietary fibre (TDF) content of noodles made from rice flour was 3.0%, and increased to 7.0% and 10.2% after adding 20% of cassava pulp and 10% of pomelo peel, respectively. A combination of cassava pulp and pomelo peel at a total amount of 20% resulted in an obvious increase in cooking weight, whereas tensile stress and elongation of noodles were comparable to those of the control noodle. The highest TDF content obtained was 14.4%.
Comparison of not for resuscitation (NFR) forms across five Victorian health services
Authors: Levinson M. , Mills A. , Hutchinson A. M. , Heriot G. , Stephenson G. , Gellie A.
Published: April 2014

Background

Within Australian hospitals, cardiac and respiratory arrests result in a resuscitation attempt unless the patient is documented as not for resuscitation.

Aim

To examine the consistency of policies and documentation for withholding in‐hospital resuscitation across health services.

Method

An observational, qualitative review of hospital policy and documentation was conducted in June 2013 in three public and two private sector hospitals in metropolitan Melbourne. Not for resuscitation (NFR) forms were evaluated for physical characteristics, content, authorisation and decision‐making. Hospital policies were coded for alerts, definition of futility and burden of treatment and management of discussions and dissent.

Results

There was a lack of standardisation, with each site using its own unique NFR form and accompanying site‐specific policies. Differences were found in who could authorise the decision, what was included on the form, the role of patients and families, and how discussions were managed and dissent resolved. Futility and burden of treatment were not defined independently. These inconsistencies across sites contribute to a lack of clarity regarding the decision to withhold resuscitation, and have implications for staff employed across multiple hospitals.

Conclusions

NFR forms should be reviewed and standardised so as to be clear, uniform and consistent with the legislative framework. We propose a two‐stage process of documentation. Stage 1 facilitates discussion of patient‐specific goals of care and consideration of limitations of treatment. Stage 2 serves to communicate a NFR order. Decisions to withhold resuscitation are inherently complex but could be aided by separating the decision‐making process from the communication of the decision, resulting in improved end‐of‐life care.
Association between waist‐to‐height ratio and chronic kidney disease in the Taiwanese population
Authors: Li W.‐C. , Chen J.‐Y. , Lee Y.‐Y. , Weng Y.‐M. , Hsiao C.‐T. , Loke S.‐S.
Published: April 2014

Background

Obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are all becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. Body mass index (BMI) has traditionally been employed to identify overweight or obese individuals, yet multiple studies have yielded conflicting results when BMI was used to evaluate the association between obesity and CKD.

Aims

The purpose of this large, population‐based, multicentre study was to evaluate the associations of BMI and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) with CKD.

Methods

A retrospective study of 41 600 subjects who had physical examinations from January 2010 to December 2011 was performed. Data such as life style and habits were collected by interviews, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), height, body weight, waist circumference, total cholesterol (TC), high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides (TG), fasting blood glucose and creatinine levels were measured. The association of these factors with CKD was analysed by use of SPSS 15.0 software.

Results

The key findings of this study were that WHtR but not BMI was an independent predictor of CKD. Additionally, SBP was a predictor of CKD in males and females, and TG and TC were independent predictors of CKD in females. Such measures are components of MS, which may also be associated with the development of CKD.

Conclusion

WHtR appears to be a better measure of central obesity than BMI, and is an easy‐to‐use, noninvasive tool for identifying individuals at risk of developing obesity‐related CKD, and potentially also MS‐related CKD.
Prime–boost bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination with lentivirus‐vectored and DNA‐based vaccines expressing antigens Ag85B and Rv3425 improves protective efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice
Authors: Xu Ying , Yang Enzhuo , Wang Jianguang , Li Rui , Li Guanghua , Liu Guoyuan , Song Na , Huang Qi , Kong Cong , Wang Honghai
Published: April 2014

To prevent the global spread of tuberculosis (TB), more effective vaccines and vaccination strategies are urgently needed. As a result of the success of bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) in protecting children against miliary and meningeal TB, the majority of individuals will have been vaccinated with BCG; hence, boosting BCG‐primed immunity will probably be a key component of future vaccine strategies. In this study, we compared the ability of DNA‐, protein‐ and lentiviral vector‐based vaccines that express the antigens Ag85B and Rv3425 to boost the effects of BCG in the context of immunity and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that prime–boost BCG vaccination with a lentiviral vector expressing the antigens Ag85B and Rv3425 significantly enhanced immune responses, including T helper type 1 and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses, compared with DNA‐ and protein‐based vaccines. However, lentivirus‐vectored and DNA‐based vaccines greatly improved the protective efficacy of BCG against M. tuberculosis, as indicated by a lack of weight loss and significantly reduced bacterial loads and histological damage in the lung. Our study suggests that the use of lentiviral or DNA vaccines containing the antigens Ag85B and Rv3425 to boost BCG is a good choice for the rational design of an efficient vaccination strategy against TB.
La convention et la recommandation de l'OIT sur les travailleurs domestiques: une ouverture pour la justice sociale
Authors: OELZ Martin
Published: April 2014

Les travailleurs domestiques constituent une main‐d'œuvre largement féminine, dont les droits sociaux ont été négligés depuis toujours. Il devenait d'autant plus urgent d'agir que la demande de services domestiques et à la personne augmente fortement. La convention n° 189 et la recommandation n° 201 établissent des normes minimales pour le travail domestique. L'auteur fait le point sur les textes internationaux applicables avant 2011, puis présente les définitions et le champ d'application des deux instruments, avant d'en venir à leurs dispositions sur le temps de travail, la rémunération, l'environnement de travail, les conditions de vie, la sécurité sociale et à leur mise en application.
La OIT y el derecho de huelga
Authors: BELLACE Janice R.
Published: April 2014

En junio de 2012, el Grupo de los Empleadores de la Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo cuestionó el principio, hasta entonces aceptado por todos, de que el derecho de huelga esté protegido en virtud del Convenio sobre la libertad sindical y la protección del derecho de sindicación, 1948 (núm. 87). La autora analiza los textos fundamentales de la OIT, los debates sobre el Convenio y sobre el establecimiento del sistema de control de la Organización y su contexto histórico, demostrando que desde la Conferencia de Paz de París los mandantes de la OIT reconocen un derecho positivo de huelga, indisoluble de la libertad sindical, de la cual es corolario.
Protección de los créditos laborales tras una quiebra empresarial. Casos australianos
Authors: ANDERSON Helen
Published: April 2014

Estudiando casos recientes de quiebras empresariales en los que los trabajadores lograron proteger sus créditos, la autora considera los factores que contribuyeron a dicho desenlace positivo. La comparación de esos casos con otros menos favorables para los asalariados pone de relieve la importancia de factores como el momento en que ocurren los hechos, las estrategias utilizadas, la originalidad de los métodos y medidas aplicados, la intervención de las autoridades pertinentes, la presión sindical, los intereses políticos o simplemente un concurso favorable de circunstancias, es decir, la suerte. Alguien, en alguna parte, ha hecho lo que había que hacer.