bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of nipP.w
of Pectobacterium wasabiae is dependent on functional flgKL flagellar genes
Authors: Laasik Eve , Põllumaa Lee , Pasanen Miia , Mattinen Laura , Pirhonen Minna , Mäe Andres
Published: October 2013

While flagellum-driven motility is hypothesized to play a role in the virulence of Pectobacterium species, there is no direct evidence that genes involved in flagellum assembly regulate the synthesis of virulence factors. The purpose of this study was to identify genes that affect the production or secretion of necrosis-inducing protein (Nip) in the strain SCC3193. Transposon mutagenesis of an RpoS strain overexpressing Nip
P.w
was performed, and a mutant associated with decreased necrosis of tobacco leaves was detected. The mutant contained a transposon in the regulatory region upstream of the flagellar genes flgK and flgL. Additional mutants were generated related to the flagellar genes fliC and fliA. The mutation in flgKL, but not those in fliC and fliA, inhibited nipP.w
transcription. Moreover, the regulatory effect of the flgKL mutation on nipP.w
transcription was partially dependent on the Rcs phosphorelay. Secretion of Nip
P.w
was also dependent on a type II secretion mechanism. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the flgKL mutation is responsible for reduced motility and lower levels of nipP.w
expression.
Crystal structures of hydrates of simple inorganic salts. I. Water-rich magnesium halide hydrates MgCl2·8H2O, MgCl2·12H2O, MgBr2·6H2O, MgBr2·9H2O, MgI2·8H2O and MgI2·9H2O
Authors: Hennings Erik , Schmidt Horst , Voigt Wolfgang
Published: October 2013

The previously reported structures of the hydrates of simple inorganic salts that crystallize at room temperature are generally well determined. This is not true for water-rich hydrates, which crystallize at temperatures below 273 K. In this series, investigations of the crystal structures of water-rich hydrates crystallized from aqueous solutions at low temperatures are presented. Reported herein are the structures of a set of magnesium salts. Crystals of MgCl2·8H2O (magnesium dichloride octahydrate), MgCl2·12H2O (magnesium dichloride dodecahydrate), MgBr2·6H2O (magnesium dibromide hexahydrate), MgBr2·9H2O (magnesium dibromide nonahydrate), MgI2·8H2O (magnesium diiodide octahydrate) and MgI2·9H2O (magnesium diiodide nonahydrate) were grown from their aqueous solutions at temperatures below 298 K according to the solid–liquid phase diagrams. All structures are built up from Mg(H2O)6octahedra. Dimensions and angles in the hexaaqua cation complexes are very similar and variation is not systematic. The anions are incorporated into a specific network of O—H...Xhydrogen bonds.
Methanesulfonic acid salt forms of carbamazepine and 10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine
Authors: Eberlin Alex R. , Eddleston Mark D. , Frampton Christopher S.
Published: October 2013

New methanesulfonic acid salt forms of the anticonvulsant and analgesic active pharmaceutical ingredient carbamazepine and its closely related structural analogue 10,11-dihydrocarbamazepine have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 120 and 100 K, respectively {namely [(5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-5-yl)(hydroxy)methylidene]azanium methanesulfonate, C15H13N2O+·CH3SO3−, and [(10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepin-5-yl)(hydroxy)methylidene]azanium methanesulfonate, C15H15N2O+·CH3SO3−}. In light of the structural information obtained, the crystal structure of the carbamazepine trifluoroacetic acid monosolvate [dibenzo[b,f]azepine-5-carboxamide–trifluoroacetic acid (1/1), C15H12N2O·CF3COOH] was redetermined at 100 and 270 K, and from this data it was concluded that the protonation state for this solvate species is best described as in an `intermediate state' with the acidic proton located almost at the mid-point between the acid and base.
The double molybdate Na9Sc(MoO4)6refined from powder XRD data
Authors: Savina Aleksandra A. , Morozov Vladimir A. , Basovich Olga M. , Khaikina Elena G. , Lazoryak Bogdan I.
Published: October 2013

Na9Sc(MoO4)6{nonasodium scandium hexakis[tetraoxidomolybdate(II)]} was synthesised by a solid-state method. The basic structure units are polyhedral clusters composed of an ScO6octahedron and three NaO6octahedra sharing total edges. The clusters are connected by sharing vertices with bridging MoO4tetrahedra, forming a three-dimensional framework where the cavities are occupied by the other two crystallographically independent Na atoms.
A 1:2 cocrystal of genistein with isonicotinamide: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Sowa Michał , Ślepokura Katarzyna , Matczak-Jon Ewa
Published: October 2013

Genistein, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, was combined with isonicotinamide, a pharmaceutically acceptable coformer, to yield a 1:2 cocrystal [systematic name: 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chromen-4-one–pyridine-4-carboxamide (1/2)], C15H10O5·2C6H6N2O. The molecules in the cocrystalline phase are present in their neutral forms, and assemble a molecular layer by means of hydrogen bonding.
Use of PRN medication in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Delafon Vijay , Kiani Reza , Barrett Mary , Vahabzadeh Arshya , Vaidya Hasit , Walker Gordon , Bhaumik Sabyasachi
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify psychotropic medication being prescribed for people with intellectual disability “as and when required” (PRN); the indications, frequency of use, rate of poly-pharmacy and contribution of PRN medication towards this. The paper also aimed to identify individual and environmental factors associated with PRN medication prescribing.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from nursing and medical records for the 119 service users in the acute assessment and treatment unit and NHS residential care settings managed by specialist intellectual disability services covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland over a month period. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios for predictor variables.

Findings

– In total, 72 per cent of the service users were prescribed and 25 per cent were administered PRN medication over the study period. The most common indications for PRN prescribing were aggression and agitation. Lorazepam and chlorpromazine were the most frequently prescribed PRN medications. The rate of poly-pharmacy was 41 and 38 per cent of this was attributable to PRN medication. Male gender and history of challenging behaviour were found to be significant factors associated with PRN medication prescribing.

Originality/value

– PRN medications are commonly prescribed in people with intellectual disabilities and contribute to poly-pharmacy. Whilst PRN medication continues to remain an effective therapeutic option in situations where environmental and behavioural approaches are proving insufficient, their use should always be in conjunction with effective review mechanisms.
Oil bearing seasonal crops in India: energy and phytoremediation potential
Authors: Tandon Mamta , Vasudevan Padma , Naik S.N. , Davies Philip
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– A variety of biomass plantations are being raised for energy production. This case study is on energy production potential of seasonal oil bearing crops in India. These crops have the advantage of producing oil (liquid fuel) as well as biomass as agro residue (solid fuel). The purpose of the study is to estimate total energy yields of oil bearing crops and compare with other types of energy plantations. Also oil bearing crops bioaccumulate metals and thus phytoremediate soil. This provides scope for waste water irrigation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Relevant published papers on energy production by raising oil bearing crops have been analyzed. The effect of waste water irrigation and agronomic practices on increasing productivity is given special attention.

Findings

– It is shown that the seasonal oil bearing crops such as castor have a high potential to generate energy and this is comparable to energy produced by many perennial grasses. The energy yields of castor under irrigated condition was 196×103 MJ/ha and this is comparable to the reed canary grass which yields 195×103 MJ/ha. Some of the oil bearing crops are also super accumulators of certain toxic metals.

Research limitations/implications

– In this study, only all the accessible papers on the topic could be analyzed.

Practical implications

– This case study indicates that raising oil bearing crops such as castor using waste water has many advantages which include high energy yields, utilization of waste water for productive purpose and phytoremediation of soil.

Originality/value

– The comparison made between various types of energy crops for their energy generation is an original contribution. Findings of economic and environmental benefits by waste water irrigation are also of value.
Trigeneration using biomass energy for sustainable development
Authors: Vasudevan Padma , Sen P.K. , Singh S.N. , Singh Prahlad , Davies Philip , Kumar Dey Prasanta , Berry Robert
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to design and prove the concept of micro-industry using trigeneration fuelled by biomass, for sustainable development in rural NW India.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is being tested at village Malunga, near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The system components comprise burning of waste biomass for steam generation and its use for power generation, cooling system for fruit ripening and the use of steam for producing distilled water. Site was selected taking into account the local economic and social needs, biomass resources available from agricultural activities, and the presence of a NGO which is competent to facilitate running of the enterprise. The trigeneration system was designed to integrate off-the-shelf equipment for power generation using boilers of approximate total capacity 1 tonne of fuel per hour, and a back-pressure steam turbo-generator (200 kW). Cooling is provided by a vapour absorption machine (VAM).

Findings

– The financial analysis indicates a payback time of less than two years. Nevertheless, this is sensitive to market fluctuations and availabilities of raw materials.

Originality/value

– Although comparable trigeneration systems already exist in large food processing industries and in space heating and cooling applications, they have not previously been used for rural micro-industry. The small-scale (1-2 m3/h output) multiple effect distillation (3 effect plus condenser) unit has not previously been deployed at field level.
Practitioner leadership: a missing link in leadership theory
Authors: Penlington Clare , Holmstrom Kristi
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– In the collective or distributed leadership models that are now increasingly dominant in the literature about leadership in public services, the role of the “practitioner as leader” takes on powerful significance. The purpose of this paper is to address a gap in this corpus of research, which is a critical analysis of what constitutes the role of the practitioner leader, and the strengths and limitations of these informal leaders as agents of organisational change.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper develops a critical comparative analysis of the role of ordinary teachers and doctors as leaders, as a way of gaining purchase on what comprises and shapes the role of practitioner leader and the potential of this form of leadership to be a driver for quality improvements in the public sectors of education and health.

Findings

– Traversing traditional academic divides and comparing medical and teacher leadership provides a clearer picture of how professional and organisational culture strongly influences the roles that practitioner leaders can take up and the influence they can wield. This comparison also shows that building capacity of practitioner leadership in the public services should be approached as an expansion of professional identity, rather than an “added extra” for keen few.

Originality/value

– Importantly, this critical comparative review indicates that practitioner leadership is best understood and fostered as a particular ethical stance, rather than a special form of power or knowledge and that it occupies an interstitial space in between formal leadership structures and ordinary practitioners. This is both its strength and its weakness as a form of leadership.
The effects of employment externalization on the climate of flexibility
Authors: Javier Lloréns-Montes Francisco , Teresa Ortega-Egea Ma , Ruiz-Moreno Antonia
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the consequences of externalization from the perspective of the employees. The paper contributes to this line of research by examining how externalization influences internal employees’ perceptions of flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses were tested with data collected from 249 internal workers in five organizations. To contrast the hypotheses, the paper used hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

– The results of the study indicate that externalization has a negative and significant effect on the climate of flexibility among internal workers. These negative consequences decrease in a context of group potency, but increase among employees with greater supervisory responsibility.

Originality/value

– The results obtained add evidence to the small body of theoretical research that has studied the negative effects of externalization on internal employees’ perceptions.
Gardening as a mental health intervention: a review
Authors: Clatworthy Jane , Hinds Joe , M. Camic Paul
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The number of gardening-based mental health interventions is increasing, yet when the literature was last reviewed in 2003, limited evidence of their effectiveness was identified. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the current evidence-base for gardening-based mental health interventions and projects through examining their reported benefits and the quality of research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

– Studies evaluating the benefits of gardening-based interventions for adults experiencing mental health difficulties were identified through an electronic database search. Information on the content and theoretical foundations of the interventions, the identified benefits of the interventions and the study methodology was extracted and synthesised.

Findings

– Ten papers published since 2003 met the inclusion criteria. All reported positive effects of gardening as a mental health intervention for service users, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants described a range of benefits across emotional, social, vocational, physical and spiritual domains. Overall the research was of a considerably higher quality than that reviewed in 2003, providing more convincing evidence in support of gardening-based interventions. However, none of the studies employed a randomised-controlled trial design.

Research limitations/implications

– There is a need for further high-quality research in this field. It is important that adequate outcome measures are in place to evaluate existing gardening-based mental health interventions/projects effectively.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an up-to-date critique of the evidence for gardening-based mental health interventions, highlighting their potential clinical value.
Molecular-level computational investigation of mechanical transverse behavior of p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA) fibers
Authors: Grujicic Mica , Ramaswami Subrahmanian , Snipes Jennifer , Yavari Ramin , Lickfield Gary , Yen Chian-Fong , Cheeseman Bryan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– A series of all-atom molecular-level computational analyses is carried out in order to investigate mechanical transverse (and longitudinal) elastic stiffness and strength of p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA) fibrils/fibers and the effect various microstructural/topological defects have on this behavior. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– To construct various defects within the molecular-level model, the relevant open-literature experimental and computational results were utilized, while the concentration of defects was set to the values generally encountered under “prototypical” polymer synthesis and fiber fabrication conditions.

Findings

– The results obtained revealed: a stochastic character of the PPTA fibril/fiber strength properties; a high level of sensitivity of the PPTA fibril/fiber mechanical properties to the presence, number density, clustering and potency of defects; and a reasonably good agreement between the predicted and the measured mechanical properties.

Originality/value

– When quantifying the effect of crystallographic/morphological defects on the mechanical transverse behavior of PPTA fibrils, the stochastic nature of the size/potency of these defects was taken into account.
Prediction of solidification behavior of gas-atomized Sn-5mass%Pb droplets
Authors: Li Shu , Wu Ping
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of the present work is to study the effect of processing conditions on solidification path and resultant microstructure and further predict the solidification behavior of gas-atomized Sn-5mass%Pb droplets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Combined with previous models for in-flight droplet nucleation and non-equilibrium solidification, a simulation method is applied to four typical containerless solidification conditions with helium, nitrogen or argon gas at two different gas jet velocities, in the presence of 10 or 500 ppm oxygen. The simulation outputs distribution of primary dendrite composition, tip velocity and tip radius with radial distance from the nucleation point, and the fraction solid at the end of recalescence and the post-recalescence duration. Both surface and internal nucleation are considered. The possible dendritic fragmentation in the post-recalescence stage is also discussed.

Findings

– Result indicates that dendritic fragmentation is not likely to occur in droplets solidifying along the paths considered in the simulation.

Originality/value

– The simulation method applies to any droplet-based solidification process for which droplet cooling schedule is known and thus provides a scientific basis for powder quality assurance.
Herding in financial markets: a review of the literature
Authors: Spyrou Spyros
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of theory and empirical evidence on herding behavior in financial markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Review and discussion of the literature.

Findings

– More than two decades of empirical and theoretical research have provided a significant insight on investor herding behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– The discussion indicates that there are still open issues and areas with inconclusive evidence, e.g. the author knows relatively little for markets other than equity markets.

Practical implications

– The paper may need empirical methodologies to evaluate herding that address current limitations.

Originality/value

– The paper reviews recent empirical evidence and identifies open issues for future research.
Achieving sustainable social enterprises for older people: evidence from a European project
Authors: Whitelaw Sandy , Hill Carol
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– In light of the contemporary UK policy framework elevating neo-mutualism and communitarian ethics within social policy, the purpose of this paper is to report on the delivery of an EU project Older People for Older People that tested the proposition that older people in remote and rural communities can contribute to providing services for others in their age group through the creation of sustainable social enterprises – either in “co-production” with statutory public service providers or as new, stand-alone services.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the context of a literature based theoretical exploration of the nature of “sustainability”, the paper reports on a series of rural community “case study” social enterprises (e.g. community transport schemes, care hubs, cafés and a radio station; “drop in” and outreach services (including alternative therapies and counselling); ITC training, helping, and friendship schemes; volunteering support and history and culture projects).

Findings

– From this, the authors highlight both conducive and problematic circumstances that are intrinsic to community led social enterprise and suggest that sustainability is unlikely to be “spontaneous”. Rather, it will require a complex mix of supportive inputs that is at odds with the innate liberalism of entrepreneurship. The authors also offer a more nuanced conceptualisation of sustainability that moves beyond a simple economic or temporal notion and suggest that the “success” of social enterprises, their worth and sustainability, must be assessed in more multifaceted terms. The authors conclude by reflecting on the nature of this ground in the wider context of the “Big Society” movement in the UK and highlight the inherent tension between “Big Society” rhetoric, the support needed to establish and sustain localised social enterprises, and the expected agency of communities.

Originality/value

– The paper is original in three respects: it develops an in-depth empirical consideration of social enterprise sustainability; it does this within a broad policy and theoretical context; and it specifically looks at social enterprise development and delivery in relation to older people and rural contexts.
The governance of social enterprises in China
Authors: Yu Xiaomin
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the governance structures and models adopted by diverse types of social enterprises (SEs) in China, a rarely studied topic of theoretical and practical importance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis is based on a comparative case study of 38 typical social enterprises. Empirical data are drawn from secondary sources (bylaws, annual reports, board meeting minutes and other relevant documents) and in-depth interviews with multiple stakeholders (founders, board members, general managers and beneficiaries).

Findings

– Although SEs in China are registered in various forms, their ownership frameworks nevertheless commonly lack a legislatively defined community or multi-stakeholder orientation. According to their registration status and the participation of their multiple stakeholders, SEs normally adopt three forms of governance structures: government-supervised, shareholder-controlled and member-regulated. Currently, the hybrid of stewardship and co-optation or stakeholder approach is becoming the predominant governance model among SEs in China.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper is based primarily on the qualitative case method to make a preliminary assessment of the governance dynamics of SEs in China. Compared with large-N quantitative methods, case studies may have limitations in terms of insufficient quantification, objectivity and generalisability of findings.

Originality/value

– The paper sheds light on the governance issues of SEs in China, emphasising contextual effects specific to China and providing an empirical base to extend and refine previous theoretical perspectives on the governance of SEs.
Flower colour and phylogeny along an altitudinal gradient in the Himalayas of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Mani , Dyer Adrian G. , Bhattarai Prakash , Burd Martin
Published: October 2013

Both the phylogenetic structure and trait composition of flowering plant communities may be expected to change with altitude. In particular, floral colours are thought to vary with altitude because Hymenoptera typically decline in importance as pollinators while Diptera and Lepidoptera become more important at higher elevations. Thus, ecological filtering among elevation zones and competitive processes among co‐occurring species within zones could influence the floral chromatic cues present at low and high elevations.

We collected data from 107 species of native flowering plants in the Himalaya Mountains of central Nepal over an elevation range of 900–4100 m, which includes habitat ranging from subtropical to subalpine within a relatively small geographical area. Using a phylogenetic framework, we asked whether and how flower colour diversity differed between species assemblages at lower and higher elevation, between monocots and eudicots, and between our sample from central Nepal and angiosperms from other regions of the world.

There was significant phylogenetic clustering in the communities as a result of monocots, particularly orchids, which were found overwhelmingly at lower elevations. Phylogenetic signal for floral colours indicated that related species had colours that were more disparate than expected under Brownian motion evolution. Floral colours were significantly more diverse in the higher elevation subalpine zone than in the subtropical zone. However, the chromatic cues at both elevations were consistent with the hue discrimination abilities of the trichromatic hymenopteran visual system.

Synthesis. Flower colour is not highly differentiated between subtropical and subalpine vegetation due to differences in the available orders of insect pollinators, or by the rate or direction of colour evolution in the lineages composing the two communities. Differences in colour diversity between zones may reflect differences in the ecologically available morphospace based on pollinator species richness and the constancy of their foraging behaviour. The chromatic signals present in Nepali species are similar to the signals found in insect‐pollinated floras of other regions of the world.
Engaging the Russian Elite: Approaches, Methods and Ethics
Authors: Richardson Paul Benjamin
Published: October 2013

This article discusses the strategies and country-specific challenges of conducting elite interviews overseas. Drawing on examples from fieldwork undertaken in the Russian Federation, it explores the ways in which the knowledge produced from such interviews is contingent on the analytical approaches selected; the researcher's time-specific entry into the field; issues of ethics; the contemporary political environment; and notions of insider/outsider. Undertaking elite interviews overseas places the researcher in a particularly intense and unique set of power relations with his or her research subjects. This provides both opportunities and challenges, which ultimately have the potential to elicit insights into the personal convictions and beliefs of the political and intellectual elite, as well as the contexts within which they operate.
On the Price Comovement of U.S. Residential Real Estate Markets
Authors: Kallberg Jarl G. , Liu Crocker H. , Pasquariello Paolo
Published: October 2013

We investigate the comovement among Case‐Shiller Home Price Indices for 14 metropolitan areas between 1992 and 2008. We define the portion of this comovement deemed as fundamental (excessive) as the covariation that can (cannot) be attributed to common fundamental factors directly influencing real estate prices. We find that i) comovement among these markets considerably increased over the sample period, especially in the late 1990s; ii) this increase is mostly attributable to underlying systematic real and financial factors, consistent with a greater fundamental integration of those markets; and iii) excess comovement is a less important factor than commonly believed. We discuss the implications of these results for the evolution of U.S. real estate prices over the last two decades and the ongoing credit crisis.
Metformin induces renal medullary interstitial cell apoptosis in type 2 diabetic mice (二甲双胍诱导2型糖尿病小鼠模型肾髓间质细胞凋亡)
Authors: Zheng Senfeng , Liu Jia , Han Qifei , Huang Shizheng , Su Wen , Fu Jialin , Jia Xiao , Du Shengnan , Zhou Yunfeng , Zhang Xiaoyan , Guan Youfei
Published: October 2013

Objective

Metformin is a first‐line antidiabetic drug for type 2 diabetes (T2D) with a relatively good safety profile. Metformin activates AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is crucial in maintaining renal medullary function, with inappropriate AMPK activation facilitating renal medullary interstitial cells (RMICs) apoptosis under hypertonic challenge. The present study was to determine the effects of metformin on RMIC survival in both normal and T2D mice.

Methods

Mice (C57BL/6, db/m, and db/db) were treated with 450 mg/kg metformin for 7 days and subjected to 24‐h water restriction (=dehydration) before being killed. Cell apoptosis in the renal medulla was determined by the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP–digoxigenin nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) assay. Cultured RMIC were treated with 10 mmol/L metformin in the presence or absence of hypertonic stress. Cell viability was determined and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.

Results

Metformin induced significant apoptosis of RMIC in dehydrated normal mice and both hydrated and dehydrated T2D mice. Hypertonicity increased ATP production and inhibited AMPK phosphorylation in RMIC, which was attenuated by metformin. Metformin augmented hypertonicity‐induced apoptosis of RMIC, suppressed the nuclear factor‐κB/cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 pathway, reduced reactive oxygen species production and inhibited transcriptional activation of tonicity‐responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) and its downstream osmoprotective gene expression.

Conclusions

Metformin treatment is associated with increased RMIC apoptosis in both normally hydrated and dehydrated T2D mice. The results confirm AMPK as a critical factor involved in the maintenance of RMIC viability in T2D and raise safety concerns for metformin and other AMPK‐activating antidiabetic drugs in dehydrated diabetic patients.
Quality of life and correlation with musculoskeletal problems, hand disability and depression in patients with hemodialysis
Authors: Fidan Fatma , Alkan Berat Meryem , Tosun Aliye , Altunoğlu Alparslan , Ardıçoğlu Özge
Published: October 2013

Objectives

The aims of this study were to assess the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with hemodialysis using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL™) and to determine its relationships with conventional clinical measures, musculoskeletal problems, hand disability and depression.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in our tertiary hospital's dialysis unit. Fifty patients under hemodialysis treatment were included in the study. HRQOL, disability, pain and depression were assessed using KDQOL‐36, Duruoz hand index (DHI), visual analog scale (VAS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results

It was seen that all of the patients included had one or more musculoskeletal problems, the most common of which were muscle cramps, myalgias and arthralgias. Depression was the second most common accompanying disease. It was also seen that older patients had much poorer physical functioning scores, DHI scores and BDI scores than younger patients. DHI score was found to be significantly lower in men than in women. Educational level, presence of arthrosis, myalgia, bone pain, arthralgia, CTS, VAS‐hand and VAS‐upper extremities scales, DHI and BDI scores significantly affected both physical and mental areas of KDQOL‐36, whereas age, shoulder periarthritis, mobilization scores and presence of hypertension only had effects on physical areas.

Conclusion

Physical functioning depends mainly on the age, severity of comorbid conditions, depression, locomotor findings and hand disability of hemodialysis patients. The KDQOL‐36 is related to the clinical status and functional ability of hemodialysis patients and it can be used as a sensitive health status measure for clinical evaluation.
Meta‐analysis shows limited evidence for using Lactobacillus acidophilus LB to treat acute gastroenteritis in children
Authors: Szajewska Hania , Ruszczyński Marek , Kolaček Sanja
Published: October 2013

A meta‐analysis of four randomised controlled trials of varying methodological quality, involving 304 children aged 1–48 months, showed that Lactobacillus acidophilus LB (LB) reduced the duration of diarrhoea in hospitalised, but not outpatient, children compared with a placebo. The chance of a cure on day three was similar in both groups, but LB increased the chance of cure on day four.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence to recommend LB for treating paediatric diarrhoea.
Adverse respiratory outcome after premature rupture of membranes before viability
Authors: Verspyck Eric , Bisson Violene , Roman Horace , Marret Stéphane
Published: October 2013

Aim

To determine whether preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 24 weeks is an independent risk factor for poor outcome in preterm neonates.

Methods

A retrospective comparative cohort study was conducted, including viable premature infants born between 25 and 34‐weeks gestation. Each preterm case with early PPROM was matched with two preterm controls of the same gestational age at birth, sex and birth date and who were born spontaneously with intact membranes. Logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with composite respiratory and perinatal adverse outcomes for the overall population of preterm infants.

Results

Thirty‐five PPROM cases were matched with 70 controls. Extreme prematurity (26–28 weeks) was an independent risk factor for composite perinatal adverse outcomes [odds ratio (OR) 43.9; p = 0.001]. Extreme prematurity (OR 42.9; p = 0.001), PPROM (OR 7.1; p = 0.01), male infant (OR 5.2; p = 0.02) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, OR 4.8; p = 0.04) were factors for composite respiratory adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

Preterm premature rupture of membranes before viability represents an independent risk factor for composite respiratory adverse outcomes in preterm neonates. Extreme prematurity may represent the main risk factor for both composite respiratory and perinatal adverse outcomes.
Prostate histotripsy: evaluation of prostatic urethral treatment parameters in a canine model
Authors: Schade George R. , Styn Nicholas R. , Ives Kimberly A. , Hall Timothy L. , Roberts William W.
Published: October 2013

Objective

To assess the impact of histotripsy treatment parameters (pulse number and pulse‐repetition frequency [PRF]) on the efficiency of histotripsy induced homogenisation of the prostatic urethra.

Materials and Methods

In all, 34 transabdominal prostate histotripsy treatments were applied along a perpendicular plane traversing the prostatic urethra of 21 dogs.

Prostate histotripsy was applied with (i) escalating pulse number with fixed PRF or (ii) at fixed pulse number with varying PRFs.

The development of urethral homognisation ≤14 days of histotripsy was evaluated endoscopically and confirmed histologically.

Results

Within 14 days of histotripsy 50%, 83%, 83%, and 100% of dogs receiving 12 500, 25 000, 50 000, and 100 000 pulses/mm of treatment path (delivered at 500 Hz PRF), respectively developed prostatic urethral disintegration.

Delivery of 100 000 pulses/mm was required to achieve urethral disintegration in all dogs within 24 h of histotripsy treatment.

Increasing histotripsy PRF from 50 to 500 to 2000 Hz while applying a constant dose of 25 000 pulses/mm treatment was associated with increased rate of urethral disintegration (50% vs 75% vs 100% at 14 days, respectively).

Conclusions

Increasing the number of histotripsy pulses and/or increasing the PRF of histotripsy treatment applied to the urethra may improve the rate and efficiency of prostatic urethral disintegration in the canine model.

This understanding will aid in the development of treatment strategies for prostate histotripsy for benign prostatic hyperplasia in human trials.
Changes of Marginal Bone Level in Patients with “Progressive Bone Loss” at Brånemark System® Implants: A Radiographic Follow‐Up Study over an Average of 9 Years
Authors: Jemt Torsten , Sundén Pikner Solweig , Gröndahl Kerstin
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients have in many studies been identified with progressive bone loss and peri‐implantitis problems, but few studies are available where these groups of patients have been followed up.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study further progression of bone loss in a cohort of 182 patients that have been reported to suffer from “progressive” bone loss and peri‐implantitis.

Materials and Methods

Altogether, 182 patients that have earlier been identified to suffer from “progressive” bone loss formed the present study group. Data from patients' files have been retrieved, and intraoral radiographs have been analyzed for further bone level changes. Bone loss has been measured from time of inclusion into the present group to last available radiographs. Within each patient, one or several implants were diagnosed to suffer from “progressive” bone loss (affected), whereas others are not (unaffected).

Results

Altogether, 145 patients (80%) were radiographically followed up on an average of 9.1 years (SD3.77) after inclusion. Twenty‐four implants (3.1%) were lost in 16 patients (11%). Marginal bone loss was on an average 0.3 mm (SD0.75) at stable implants with only small differences between “affected” and “unaffected” implants. In total, 67 implants (8.6%) presented an annual bone loss of >0.2 mm. Oral hygienist treatment and/or peri‐implantitis surgery did not neither reduce implant failure rate nor marginal bone loss in 88 treated patients as compared with untreated patients.

Conclusions

Less than one‐third of the patients identified with “progressive bone loss” showed one or more implants as failures or with high annual bone loss (>0.2 mm) during follow‐up (11.6% of implants). Treated patients (oral hygienist and/or surgery) did not perform better than untreated patients with regard to bone loss or implant failure.
Community‐acquired skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus: What is the role of the Panton‐Valentine leukocidin toxin?
Authors: Waldenburger Stefanie , Vogel Ulrich , Goebeler Matthias , Kolb‐Mäurer Annette
Published: October 2013

Background

The data concerning frequency and relevance of the toxin Panton‐Valentine leukocidin (PVL) in skin infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus is controversial. The objective of the study was the identification of the role of the toxin in community‐acquired skin infections caused by S. aureus.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 112 patients with the diagnosis of skin infections caused by S. aureus. Frequency of PVL was investigated by PCR for the lukSF gene. Risk factors and severity of the disease were analyzed. Furthermore, spa typing was done in 55 of the isolated S. aureus.

Results

PVL occurred in 45 % of patients with skin infections caused by methicillin‐susceptible S. aureus; methicillin‐resistant strains were positive in 63 %. Mean age was 30.9 years in PVL‐positive infections and thus statistically highly significantly lower than in PVL‐negative infections. There was no correlation between presence of PVL and severity and course of skin infections or presence of special risk factors. The spa types showed a high variability in PVL‐positive as well as in PVL‐negative strains.

Conclusions

In our study the PVL status of S. aureus isolated from skin infections was neither correlated with methicillin‐resistance nor with the severity of disease. Remarkably, PVL‐positive S. aureus strains appeared to be more frequent in younger than in older patients. Our results demonstrate that routine determination of PVL status is not required since the outcome has no diagnostic or therapeutic consequences in daily dermatological practice.
For Richer, for Poorer: Marriage and Casualized Sex in East African Artisanal Mining Settlements
Authors: Bryceson Deborah Fahy , Jønsson Jesper Bosse , Verbrugge Hannelore
Published: October 2013

Migrants to Tanzania's artisanal gold mining sites seek mineral wealth, which is accompanied by high risks of occupational hazards, economic failure, AIDS and social censure from their home communities. Male miners in these settlements compete to attract newly arrived young women who are perceived to be diverting male material support from older women and children's economic survival. This article explores the dynamics of monogamy, polygamy and promiscuity in the context of rapid occupational change. It shows how a wide spectrum of productive and welfare outcomes is generated through sexual experimentation, which calls into question conventional concepts of prostitution, marriage and gender power relations.
TALEN‐induced gene knock out in Drosophila
Authors: Kondo Takefumi , Sakuma Tetsushi , Wada Housei , Akimoto‐Kato Ai , Yamamoto Takashi , Hayashi Shigeo
Published: October 2013

We report here a case study of TALEN‐induced gene knock out of the trachealess gene of Drosophila. Two pairs of TALEN constructs caused targeted mutation in the germ line of 39% and 17% of injected animals, respectively. In the extreme case 100% of the progeny of TALEN‐injected fly was mutated, suggesting that highly efficient biallelic germ line mutagenesis was achieved. The mutagenic efficiency of the TALEN pairs paralleled their activity of single strand annealing (SSA) assay in cultured cells. All mutations were deletion of 1 to 20 base pairs. Merit and demerit of TALEN‐based gene knockout approach compared to other genome editing technologies is discussed.
Genetics, genomics and metabolomics: new insights into maternal metabolism during pregnancy
Authors: Lowe W. L. , Karban J.
Published: October 2013

Maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy differs from the non‐gravid state to allow the mother to meet her own and the growing fetus's energy needs. New insights into the mechanisms underlying maternal metabolism during pregnancy are being gained through the use of new ‘omics’ technologies. This review focuses on the application of genetics/genomics and metabolomics to the study of maternal metabolism during pregnancy. Following the identification of susceptibility genes for Type 2 diabetes through genome‐wide association studies, association has been demonstrated of some Type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes with gestational diabetes mellitus, suggesting that the genetic architecture of Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes are, in part, similar. More recent genome‐wide association studies examining maternal metabolism during pregnancy have demonstrated overlap of genes associated with metabolic traits in the gravid and non‐gravid population, as well as genes that appear to be relatively unique to pregnancy. Metabolomics has also been used to profile the metabolic state of women during pregnancy through the multiplexed measurement of many low molecular weight metabolites. Measurement of amino acids and conventional metabolites have demonstrated changes in mothers with higher insulin resistance and glucose similar to changes in non‐gravid, insulin‐resistant populations, suggesting similarities in the metabolic profile characteristic of insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia in pregnant and non‐pregnant populations. Metabolomics and genomics are but a few of the now available high‐throughput ‘omics’ technologies. Future studies that integrate data from multiple technologies will allow an integrated systems biology approach to maternal metabolism during pregnancy.
Drug treatment for diabetes in nursing home residents
Authors: de Souto Barreto P. , Sanz C. , Vellas B. , Lapeyre‐Mestre M. , Rolland Y.
Published: October 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe drug treatment for diabetes in a large sample of nursing home residents and to compare subjects' health outcomes according to the anti‐diabetic agents used.

Methods

The cross‐sectional data of 6275 residents [average age 86 years (± 8.2); 73.7% women] from 175 nursing homes in France were analysed. Participants were divided into one of the following four groups: diabetes non‐drug treatment, diabetes hypoglycaemic (e.g. insulins, sulphonylurea) treatment, diabetes non‐hypoglycaemic (e.g. metformin) treatment and no diabetes. Group comparisons were made on functional ability (activities of daily living score) and on the prevalence of the following variables (yes vs. no): emergency department visits, falls and fractures.

Results

Of the participants, 1076 (17.1%) had diabetes: 222 participants in the non‐drug treatment group, 722 in the hypoglycaemic group and 132 in the non‐hypoglycaemic group. The remaining 5199 participants made up the group without diabetes. Insulin and metformin were used by 549 and 185 participants, respectively. Activities of daily living scores differed across the four groups, with those in the non‐drug treatment group being the most disabled. Adjusted multivariate analyses showed that, compared with the group without diabetes, those in the hypoglycaemic group had a higher probability of emergency department visits (odds ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.03–1.54) and increased the incidence rate ratios (1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.04) of disability (activities of daily living score), whereas the non‐hypoglycaemic group was not significantly associated with these outcomes.

Conclusions

The use of hypoglycaemic drugs was associated with poor health outcomes in nursing home residents. Therefore, more attention must be paid to adapting anti‐diabetic treatment in this complex population.
Assessment of pain threshold in haemophilic patients
Authors: Teyssler P. , Kolostova K. , Bobek V.
Published: October 2013

Many patients with haemophilia (PWH) live with persistent end‐stage arthritis, as a result of multiple joint haemarthrosis, and experience daily pain. For these people, pain becomes a central aspect of life. The aim of this study was to use mechanical pain thresholds (MPT) to characterize pain perception in different PWH groups. The groups tested were characterized by age, previous bleeding into joints, Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) and PAIN perception score in the HJHS scoring. A total of 23 PWH (haemophilia A) were included in this study (10 children, 13 adults). A total of 12 PWH suffered from repeated bleeding into some of the tested joints. Data were compared to those collected from 15 age‐matched control subjects. The most significant differences in MPTs were found when the PWH were compared to the controls, based on the differences in PAIN score (PAIN score 1 and 2) in all the tested joints, except for the right knee. Similarly, the difference in MPT in ankle joints was confirmed when PWH with and without bleeding were compared to controls. Summarizing the outcomes, we can emphasize the potential usefulness of MPT as an objective tool in evaluating the pain of PWH.