bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fathers of children with or without ID: understanding long‐term psychological symptoms
Authors: Cohen S. R. , Zeedyk S. M. , Tipton L. A. , Rodas N. V. , Blacher J.
Published: December 2015

Background

Researchers have primarily relied on mother report to understand the parenting contexts of rearing children with intellectual disabilities. Fathers are increasingly being considered as equally important reporters of their child's behaviours, as they have unique and independent relationships with their children. The purpose of this study was to understand how one source of stress – reports of child behaviour problems – along with spousal support related to parenting tasks, associated with fathers' reports of psychological symptoms over time.

Method

One hundred eighty‐two father participants completed measures of child behaviour problems, spousal support and psychological symptoms. Growth curve modelling was employed to examine paternal psychological symptoms over the child's developmental trajectory.

Results

Fathers' reports of child behaviour problems predicted initial levels of paternal psychological symptoms but did not predict change in paternal psychological symptoms over time. Spousal support further reduced initial levels of paternal psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

Child behaviour problems are more important than disability status in predicting father's psychological symptoms. Spousal support predicts paternal psychological symptoms and can be viewed as an additional resource for fathers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Breast histopathology image segmentation using spatio‐colour‐texture based graph partition method
Authors: BELSARE A.D. , MUSHRIF M.M. , PANGARKAR M.A. , MESHRAM N.
Published: December 2015

This paper proposes a novel integrated spatio‐colour‐texture based graph partitioning method for segmentation of nuclear arrangement in tubules with a lumen or in solid islands without a lumen from digitized Hematoxylin–Eosin stained breast histology images, in order to automate the process of histology breast image analysis to assist the pathologists. We propose a new similarity based super pixel generation method and integrate it with texton representation to form spatio‐colour‐texture map of Breast Histology Image. Then a new weighted distance based similarity measure is used for generation of graph and final segmentation using normalized cuts method is obtained. The extensive experiments carried shows that the proposed algorithm can segment nuclear arrangement in normal as well as malignant duct in breast histology tissue image. For evaluation of the proposed method the ground‐truth image database of 100 malignant and nonmalignant breast histology images is created with the help of two expert pathologists and the quantitative evaluation of proposed breast histology image segmentation has been performed. It shows that the proposed method outperforms over other methods.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) prevents corticosterone‐induced changes in astrocyte morphology and function
Authors: Champeil‐Potokar Gaëlle , Hennebelle Marie , Latour Alizée , Vancassel Sylvie , Denis Isabelle
Published: December 2015

The many functions of astrocytes, such as glutamate recycling and morphological plasticity, enable them to stabilize synapses environment and protect neurons. Little is known about how they adapt to glucocorticoid‐induced stress, and even less about the influence of dietary factors. We previously showed that omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3PUFA), dietary fats which alleviate stress responses, influence the way astroglia regulate glutamatergic synapses. We have explored the role of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main ω3PUFA, in the astroglial responses to corticosterone, the main stress hormone in rodents to determine whether ω3PUFA help astrocytes resist stress. Cultured rat astrocytes were enriched in DHA or arachidonic acid (AA, the main ω6PUFA) and given 100 nM corticosterone for several days. Corticosterone stimulated astrocyte glutamate recycling by increasing glutamate uptake and glutamine synthetase (GS), and altered the astrocyte cytoskeleton. DHA‐enriched astrocytes no longer responded to the action of corticosterone on glutamate uptake, had decreased GS, and the cytoskeletal effect of corticosterone was delayed, while AA‐enriched cells were unaffected. The DHA‐dependent anti‐corticosterone effect was related to fewer glucocorticoid receptors, while corticosterone increased DHA incorporation into astrocyte membranes. Thus, DHA helps astrocytes resist the influence of corticosterone, so perhaps promoting a sustainable response by the stressed brain.

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We show that corticosterone increases the glutamate recycling capacity of rat cortical astrocytes in culture, and alters their morphology, which may be detrimental in the long term. Increasing the membrane incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main omega‐3 in brain, reduces the amount of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and prevents the effects of corticosterone. This may help the astrocytes maintain a functional phenotype in chronic stress situations.
Effects of cold temperatures on the excitability of rat trigeminal ganglion neurons that are not for cold sensing
Authors: Kanda Hirosato , Gu Jianguo G.
Published: December 2015

Aside from a small population of primary afferent neurons for sensing cold, which generate sensations of innocuous and noxious cold, it is generally believed that cold temperatures suppress the excitability of primary afferent neurons not responsible for cold sensing. These not‐for‐cold‐sensing neurons include the majority of non‐nociceptive and nociceptive afferent neurons. In this study we have found that the not‐for‐cold‐sensing neurons of rat trigeminal ganglia (TG) change their excitability in several ways at cooling temperatures. In nearly 70% of not‐for‐cold‐sensing TG neurons, a cooling temperature of 15°C increases their membrane excitability. We regard these neurons as cold‐active neurons. For the remaining 30% of not‐for‐cold‐sensing TG neurons, the cooling temperature of 15°C either has no effect (cold‐ineffective neurons) or suppress their membrane excitability (cold‐suppressive neurons). For cold‐active neurons, the cold temperature of 15°C increases their excitability as is evidenced by increases in action potential (AP) firing numbers and/or the reduction in AP rheobase when these neurons are depolarized electrically. The cold temperature of 15°C significantly inhibits M‐currents and increases membrane input resistance of cold‐active neurons. Retigabine, an M‐current activator, abolishes the effect of cold temperatures on AP firing, but not the effect of cold temperature on AP rheobase levels. The inhibition of M‐currents and the increases of membrane input resistance are likely two mechanisms by which cooling temperatures increase the excitability of not‐for‐cold‐sensing TG neurons.

This article is part of the special article series “Pain”.

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Exosomal cellular prion protein drives fibrillization of amyloid beta and counteracts amyloid beta‐mediated neurotoxicity
Authors: Falker Clemens , Hartmann Alexander , Guett Inga , Dohler Frank , Altmeppen Hermann , Betzel Christian , Schubert Robin , Thurm Dana , Wegwitz Florian , Joshi Pooja , Verderio Claudia , Krasemann Susanne , Glatzel Markus
Published: December 2015

Alzheimer's disease is a common neurodegenerative, progressive, and fatal disorder. Generation and deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides associate with its pathogenesis and small soluble Aβ oligomers show the most pronounced neurotoxic effects and correlate with disease initiation and progression. Recent findings showed that Aβ oligomers bind to the cellular prion protein (PrPC) eliciting neurotoxic effects. The role of exosomes, small extracellular vesicles of endosomal origin, in Alzheimer's disease is only poorly understood. Besides serving as disease biomarkers they may promote Aβ plaque formation, decrease Aβ‐mediated synaptotoxicity, and enhance Aβ clearance. Here, we explore how exosomal PrPC connects to protective functions attributed to exosomes in Alzheimer's disease. To achieve this, we generated a mouse neuroblastoma PrPC knockout cell line using transcription activator‐like effector nucleases. Using these, as well as SH‐SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, we show that PrPC is highly enriched on exosomes and that exosomes bind amyloid beta via PrPC. Exosomes showed highest binding affinity for dimeric, pentameric, and oligomeric Aβ species. Thioflavin T assays revealed that exosomal PrPC accelerates fibrillization of amyloid beta, thereby reducing neurotoxic effects imparted by oligomeric Aβ. Our study provides further evidence for a protective role of exosomes in Aβ‐mediated neurodegeneration and highlights the importance of exosomal PrPC in molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease.

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We show that the prion protein (PrPC) on exosomes captures neurotoxic species of amyloid beta (Aβ) promoting its fibrillization. Our study provides evidence for a protective role of exosomes in Alzheimer`s disease and suggests that, depending on its membrane topology, PrPC holds a dual function: when expressed at the neuronal surface it acts as receptor for Aβ leading to neurotoxic signaling, whereas it detoxifies Aβ when present on exosomes. This provides further support for key roles of PrPC in Alzheimer's disease.

Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 9.

Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13312.
Spatial variation in osteon population density at the human femoral midshaft: histomorphometric adaptations to habitual load environment
Authors: Gocha Timothy P. , Agnew Amanda M.
Published: December 2015

Intracortical remodeling, and the osteons it produces, is one aspect of the bone microstructure that is influenced by and, in turn, can influence its mechanical properties. Previous research examining the spatial distribution of intracortical remodeling density across the femoral midshaft has been limited to either considering only small regions of the cortex or, when looking at the entirety of the cortex, considering only a single individual. This study examined the spatial distribution of all remodeling events (intact osteons, fragmentary osteons, and resorptive bays) across the entirety of the femoral midshaft in a sample of 30 modern cadaveric donors. The sample consisted of 15 males and 15 females, aged 21–97 years at time of death. Using geographic information systems software, the femoral cortex was subdivided radially into thirds and circumferentially into octants, and the spatial location of all remodeling events was marked. Density maps and calculation of osteon population density in cortical regions of interest revealed that remodeling density is typically highest in the periosteal third of the bone, particularly in the lateral and anterolateral regions of the cortex. Due to modeling drift, this area of the midshaft femur has some of the youngest primary tissue, which consequently reveals that the lateral and anterolateral regions of the femoral midshaft have higher remodeling rates than elsewhere in the cortex. This is likely the result of tension/shear forces and/or greater strain magnitudes acting upon the anterolateral femur, which results in a greater amount of microdamage in need of repair than is seen in the medial and posterior regions of the femoral midshaft, which are more subject to compressive forces and/or lesser strain magnitudes.
Arginase inhibition improves endothelial function in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia irrespective of their cholesterol levels
Authors: Kovamees O. , Shemyakin A. , Eriksson M. , Angelin B. , Pernow J.
Published: December 2015

Background

Elevated LDL cholesterol is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction, an early event in the development of atherosclerosis, is characterized by a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Arginase has emerged as a key regulator of endothelial function through competition with NO synthase for the common substrate l‐arginine. Arginase in endothelial cells is activated by oxidized LDL. The study aim was to investigate the importance of arginase for endothelial dysfunction in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).

Methods and results

Endothelial function was evaluated in 12 patients with heterozygous FH and 12 age‐matched healthy normocholesterolaemic subjects using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography. The evaluations in FH patients occurred when they were on lipid‐lowering therapy and 4 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (EDV) was assessed by intrabrachial artery infusion of serotonin, and endothelium‐independent dilatation was assessed by infusion of nitroprusside before and after 120 min administration of the arginase inhibitor N ω‐hydroxy‐nor‐l‐arginine (nor‐NOHA; 0.1 mg min−1). In FH patients LDL cholesterol increased from 4.3 ± 0.9 mmol L−1 at baseline to 7.6 ± 1.9 mmol L−1 at follow‐up (P < 0.001). Arginase inhibition enhanced EDV in FH patients by a similar degree independent of lipid‐lowering therapy. The improvement in EDV by arginase inhibition was significantly greater in FH patients than in the control group.

Conclusion

Arginase inhibition results in greater improvement in endothelial function in patients with FH compared to healthy controls irrespective of their cholesterol levels. Arginase may be a promising therapeutic target for improving endothelial function in patients with hypercholesterolaemia.
Gender Differences in Time Perception During Olfactory Stimulation
Authors: Giovannelli F. , Giganti F. , Saviozzi A. , Rebai M. , Marzi T. , Righi S. , Tramacere L. , Borgheresi A. , Cincotta M. , Viggiano M.P.
Published: December 2015

In this study, we conducted two experiments to evaluate the effect of different types of odors on a time reproduction task, comparing performances of males to those of females. In the first experiment, subjects had to estimate short (510, 600, 690 ms) and long (1700, 2000, 2300 ms) interval durations under three odor conditions: positive, negative and neutral. A gender specific effect of olfactory stimulation on time estimation was found only for short durations. Namely, females were less accurate (overestimated) in reproducing short time intervals during the unpleasant odor presentation. This effect was confirmed and strengthened in the second experiment in which the intensity of the negative odor was enhanced. The present findings suggest that the neural network underlying time estimation is more “sensitive” to context manipulations in females than in men.

Practical Applications

The first important point is that there might be relevant gender differences in the processing of time (time estimation) that are mediated by olfactory stimulation. This new evidence might have important implications and applications in health issues and especially in workplace safety, for example in jobs or contexts in which fast processing and rapid decisions or choices are required. Therefore, the knowledge that females are more influenced by unpleasant odors than males during time estimation should be seriously considered in situations in which time plays a crucial role such as during rapid decision‐making, where automatic processes should be efficiently activated. Overall, the higher sensitivity to specific olfactory stimulation observed in women probably reflects individual differences in a complex process such as time processing.
Correlates of past year dental health visits: findings from the Indiana black men's health study
Authors: Stapleton Shauna , Finlayson Tracy L. , Ohmit Anita , Hunte Haslyn E. R.
Published: December 2015

Objectives

To examine the role of social support and additional predisposing, enabling and need factors that may be associated with past year dental visits among adult Black men.

Methods

Data came from a 2011 study of 1,444 Black men from 12 Indiana counties. Based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Utilization, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses examining predisposing (age, sex, marital status, education), enabling (income, employment, health insurance, place of sick care, social support) and need factors (self‐reported smoking status, health status, mental health days, and fruit and vegetable consumption).

Results

Overall, 42% of African American males sought dental care in the past year. Several predisposing (being married, having a college degree), enabling (being unemployed, having higher income, having health insurance and reporting high levels of social support) and need (increased fruit consumption) factors were found to be positively associated (P < 0.05) with past year dental care utilization in the fully adjusted model. Vegetable consumption was not significantly associated with past year dental use.

Conclusion

Adult black men in this sample underutilized dental services. Results suggest several factors that can be used to target Black men to increase utilization rates. In particular, social support may be a promising factor that should be explored in further studies.
Melatonin reverses flow shear stress‐induced injury in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase signaling
Authors: Yang Yang , Fan Chongxi , Deng Chao , Zhao Lin , Hu Wei , Di Shouyin , Ma Zhiqiang , Zhang Yu , Qin Zhigang , Jin Zhenxiao , Yan Xiaolong , Jiang Shuai , Sun Yang , Yi Wei
Published: December 2015

Tissue‐engineered heart valves (TEHVs) are a promising treatment for valvular heart disease, although their application is limited by high flow shear stress (FSS). Melatonin has a wide range of physiological functions and is currently under clinical investigation for expanded applications; moreover, extensive protective effects on the cardiovascular system have been reported. In this study, we investigated the protection conferred by melatonin supplementation against FSS‐induced injury in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and elucidated the potential mechanism in this process. Melatonin markedly reduced BMSC apoptotic death in a concentration‐dependent manner while increasing the levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) and B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and decreasing those of Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax), p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA), and caspase 3. Notably, melatonin exerted its protective effects by upregulating the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), which promotes acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation. Further molecular experiments revealed that luzindole, a nonselective antagonist of melatonin receptors, blocked the anti‐FSS injury (anti‐FSSI) effects of melatonin. Inhibition of AMPK by Compound C also counteracted the protective effects of melatonin, suggesting that melatonin reverses FSSI in BMSCs through the AMPK‐dependent pathway. Overall, our findings indicate that melatonin contributes to the amelioration of FSS‐induced BMSC injury by activating melatonin receptors and AMPK/ACC signaling. Our findings may provide a basis for the design of more effective strategies that promote the use of TEHCs in patients.
Inducing tolerability of adverse events increases sorafenib exposure and optimizes patient's outcome in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ponziani Francesca Romana , Bhoori Sherrie , Germini Alessandro , Bongini Marco , Flores Maria , Sposito Carlo , Facciorusso Antonio , Gasbarrini Antonio , Mazzaferro Vincenzo
Published: December 2015

Background & Aims

Various grades of adverse events are associated with sorafenib and have recently been considered as a surrogate of response in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this prospective study was to measure the efficacy of a sorafenib dose reduction regimen, adjusted on patient's tolerability, and aimed at increasing the exposure to the drug.

Methods

A total of 73/140 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving sorafenib developed relevant adverse events (grade ≥2) and were managed with a tolerable‐adverse‐event‐protocol consisting of a drug stepwise dose reduction adjusted on patient's tolerability. The remaining 67 patients with toxicity grade 0–1 (minor adverse event group) were managed conventionally with just symptomatic treatment.

Results

Median follow‐up was 7 months. By adopting the tolerable‐adverse‐event‐protocol, 48% of patients meant to transiently or definitively interrupt the drug were kept on treatment. Macrovascular invasion with/out extra‐hepatic spread (HR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.8; P = 0.001) and sorafenib exposure <2 months (HR = 4, 95% CI: 2.5–6.4; P < 0.0001) were independently related to a worse survival. Overall disease control rate, time to progression and survival were: 63.5%, 6 and 9.1 months respectively. The tolerable‐adverse‐event‐protocol group experienced a more favourable outcome with respect to the minor adverse event group as for disease control rate (78% vs. 48%: P < 0.0001), time to progression (9.5 vs. 3 months; HR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2–0.5, P < 0.0001) and survival (12.5 vs. 5.7 months; HR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.6; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

In patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, sorafenib dose adjustments based on inducing tolerability of relevant adverse events prolong drug exposure and maximize survival.
The Decline and Resurgence of the Kuomintang in Taiwan
Authors: Choi Eunjung
Published: December 2015

What explains the decline and resurgence of dominant parties? While economic performance, policy adaptation, electoral rules, and generational replacement have been offered as common causes for the decline of one‐party dominance, the case of Taiwan challenges those prevailing explanations. This paper focuses on how partisan splits from the Kuomintang (KMT) and their (dis)coordination with the KMT first undermined and then recovered the KMT's dominance. Furthermore, this study pays particular attention to cross‐strait relations in shaping the dynamics of electoral coalitions in Taiwan. This study argues that China's military threat and Taiwan's deepening economic integration to the Mainland, along with other international forces, have influenced Taiwanese public opinion on cross‐strait policy and have thus affected electoral coalition formation and the electoral fortunes of the KMT.
Exploring de novo specificity: the Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis–barley interaction
Authors: Aboukhaddour R. , Strelkov S. E.
Published: December 2015

Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Ptr) is a destructive fungal pathogen of wheat worldwide. In addition to wheat, Ptr has been isolated from various other hosts in the family Poaceae, yet the nature of its interaction with those hosts is unknown. The Ptr–barley relationship was explored and the existence of a specific interaction between Ptr and barley is described for the first time; symptom development on several barley genotypes was evaluated in bioassays and by toxin infiltration into barley leaves. Ptr ToxB‐producing isolates of the fungus were able to cause significant damage when inoculated onto certain barley genotypes, and Ptr ToxB was able to induce chlorosis in a highly selective manner when infiltrated into those same genotypes. Ptr–barley specificity is subtle and can break with slight changes in temperature after infection. To understand the infection process in barley, a cytological analysis and in planta fungal biomass estimation using quantitative PCR were performed. The fungus penetrates through the host epidermal cells and advances to colonize the mesophyll layer intercellularly, with the infection process on barley closely resembling that on wheat. Here, evidence is provided for a specific interaction between barley and Ptr, expanding understanding of Ptr host specificity and breaking the assumption that the highest level of specificity seen with Ptr is restricted to particular genotypes of the wheat host.
The framing of knowledge transfers to shared R&D suppliers and its impact on innovation performance: a regulatory focus perspective
Authors: Martínez‐Noya Andrea , García‐Canal Esteban
Published: December 2015

When outsourcing research and development (R&D) services, fears of knowledge leakage can make client firms reluctant to transfer knowledge to their suppliers, even at the cost of reducing the performance of the agreement. Outsourcing to R&D suppliers shared with competitors ensures relying on refined capabilities due to the aggregation of the demands of related clients, but also aggravates this interorganizational learning dilemma. Taking a regulatory focus perspective, we argue that the client's commitment to the process of knowledge transfer with a shared supplier will depend on whether the relationship is framed with a promotion or a prevention focus. Using primary data at the transaction level from a survey conducted among 170 European and US technological firms, we find that sharing suppliers with competitors only boosts the client's innovative performance when outsourcing R&D services that do not require the transfer of tacit and firm‐specific knowledge. Otherwise, the appropriability hazards involved will make the firm frame the relationship with a prevention focus limiting the client's ability to achieve its innovation objectives.
Positioning UK research and technology organizations as outward‐facing technology‐bases
Authors: Readman Jeff , Bessant John , Neely Andy , Twigg David
Published: December 2015

UK research and technology organizations (RTOs) compete globally by offering engineering, technology and innovation services. Although associated historically with specific industries, UK RTOs have expanded into nontraditional markets and sectors. This article profiles 15 UK RTOs and we suggest that UK RTOs have unique technology and innovation capabilities, which cut across industrial boundaries.
Anti‐Müllerian Hormone in the Domestic Dog during the Anestrus to Oestrous Transition
Authors: Nagashima JB , Hansen BS , Songsasen N , Travis AJ , Place NJ
Published: December 2015

Contents

The reproductive cycle of the domestic dog features a long period of relative ovarian inactivity or anestrus. The mechanism of anestrous termination/oestrous resumption is not yet fully understood, which presents a challenge to the development of oestrous induction protocols. In this study, we assess the possibility that anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) might play a role in this transition by characterizing its patterns of expression in the circulation during the transition from anestrus to oestrous and in all stages of ovarian follicular growth. Serum samples from five beagles (2.0–4.5 years) were collected three times per week at least 30 days prior to the onset of oestrous and assessed for AMH concentrations. Serum AMH concentration increased significantly during the transition from anestrus to proestrus and then declined back to the anestrous baseline beginning on day −4 before the luteinizing hormone surge, which was determined by changes in serum progesterone concentrations. Cortical sections of ovaries from females undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy (aged 8 months–5 years, n = 4) were evaluated for AMH by immunohistochemistry. Pre‐antral and small antral follicles were most strongly immunoreactive for AMH. These data suggest that the increase in the number of antral follicles is associated with the rise in serum AMH as the anestrous period comes to an end. The rise in AMH might be useful in predicting the onset of oestrus and therefore assist with the optimization of oestrous induction protocols and possibly other assisted reproductive technologies.
Apatite Composition of Representative Magnetite‐series and Ilmenite‐series Granitoids in Japan
Authors: Ishihara Shunso , Moriyama Takeru
Published: December 2015

Apatites of representative magnetite‐series and ilmenite‐series granitoids were studied in the Japanese Islands. Concentrations of the volatile components F, Cl and SO3 are differently distributed in apatites of these granitoid series. Apatites are always fluoroapatite. They have weakly higher F content in the ilmenite series than in the magnetite series. In contrast, Cl and SO3, are significantly concentrated in apatites of the magnetite series compared to the ilmenite series. These characteristics reflect the original concentrations of these components in the host granitic magmas. A high fO2 seems most important for the S‐concentration as sulfate in apatite of the magnetite series. REE and Y are only erratically high in the studied apatites.
Patients' experiences of communication and involvement in decision‐making about atrial fibrillation treatment in consultations with nurses and physicians
Authors: Siouta Eleni , Hellström Muhli Ulla , Hedberg Berith , Broström Anders , Fossum Bjöörn , Karlgren Klas
Published: December 2015

Background

Insights in consultations across patient interactions with physicians and nurses are of vital importance for strengthening the patients' involvement in the treatment decision‐making process. The experience of involvement and communication in decision‐making from the patients' perspective has been sparsely explored.

Objective

To examine how patients describe involvement in and communication about decision‐making regarding treatment in consultations with nurses and physicians.

Method

Twenty‐two patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), aged 37–90 years, were interviewed directly after their consultations with nurses and physicians in outpatient AF clinics in six Swedish hospitals.

Results

In consultations with nurses, the patients felt involved when obtaining clarifications about AF as a disease and its treatment and when preparing for and building up confidence in decision‐making. In consultations with physicians, the patients felt involved when they could cooperate in decision‐making, when acquiring knowledge, and when they felt that they were being understood. One shared category was found in consultations with both nurses and physicians, and the patients felt involved when they had a sense of trust and felt secure during and between consultations.

Conclusions

Patients with AF stated that they would need to acquire knowledge and build up confidence and ability in order to be effectively involved in the decision‐making about treatment. Despite not being actively involved in decision‐making, patients felt involved through experiencing supportive and confirming communication.

Practice implications

Attention must be given to the relationship with the patient to create the conditions for patient involvement in the consultation. This can be achieved through supportive communication attempting to create a feeling of clarity and building confidence. This will support involvement in decision‐making concerning AF treatment and feelings of being understood and of trust in physicians and/or nurses.
Attitudes towards Minorities in Post‐communist and Democratic Poland
Authors: Celinska Katarzyna
Published: December 2015

The political transformation of Eastern European countries heralded many fundamental economic, social, and cultural changes. One aspect of democracy – cultural democracy – focuses on the situation of minority groups. The treatment of minorities, while largely determined by law and actions of the government, is also influenced by the attitudes and opinions held by the citizens. This article analyses opinion polls conducted between 1994 and 2014 on attitudes towards ethnic and national minorities in Poland. The data comes from the Public Opinion Research Center (Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej – CBOS) and was published solely in the Polish language. This analysis is situated within Poland's shifting political, social, and cultural contexts, and emphasizes current legislation concerning minorities in Poland.
Gulf Nationalism and the Geopolitics of Constructing Falconry as a ‘Heritage Sport’
Authors: Koch Natalie
Published: December 2015

This paper illustrates how Gulf nationals' claims to their homelands are affirmed and enacted through the ostensibly banal, but highly political, effort to construct falconry as a ‘heritage sport’. Taking the case of the United Arab Emirates, I argue that local elites have harnessed the global discourse of ‘heritage’ to construct an ethnicized and gendered vision of a primordial Arab homeland. Heritage discourses surrounding falconry play an important role in legitimating prevailing structural inequalities in Gulf societies, reaffirming the minority citizen‐nationals' claims to ‘ownership’ of the state, as well as naturalizing the masculinist imaginings of desert landscapes. Also considering the transnational dimensions of a geopolitics of falconry, I show how these nationalist narratives relate to cross‐regional networks between the Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia. I argue that Gulf Arab falconry practices are not essentially ‘primordial’, but are made possible by and reinforce political economic inequalities institutionalized by contemporary territorial regimes.
Constituting Public Support for the National Stem Cell Project: Kungmin as a Rhetorical Flag in South Korean Media
Authors: Chekar Choon Key
Published: December 2015

The global stem cell scandal widely known as the ‘Hwang scandal’ was a reminder of the somewhat taken‐for‐granted fact that the South Korean public is often referenced and addressed as kungmin in media discourse. Kungmin, which means ‘South Korean nationals’, has considerable purchase in everyday life in South Korea as a constant reminder of nationhood. Using Michael Billig's concept of banal nationalism as the key theoretical linchpin of analysis, this article argues that kungmin was a readily available, powerful rhetorical tool for the uncritically pro‐science and profit‐driven South Korean media to justify its support for Hwang's stem cell breakthroughs in the name of kungmin. The general public's support for Hwang was framed as a ‘natural’ response even after the revelation of unethical procurement of human oocysts and scientific fraud. The article also considers how this politicized representation of the South Korean public restricted the opportunities for democratic social debate on this controversial biotechnology.
Investigation of Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 Polymorphisms in Gastric Cardia Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tang W. , Wang Y. , Chen S. , Lin J. , Chen B. , Yu S. , Chen Y. , Gu H. , Kang M.
Published: December 2015

To assess the potential effects of Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) gene polymorphisms on susceptibility to gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA), we genotyped four polymorphisms (rs733618 A>G, rs16840252 C>T, rs231775 G>A and rs3087243 G>A) in CTLA4 and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the genotype and allele distributions between GCA cases and controls. The CTLA4 genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction–ligase detection reaction (PCR‐LDR) analysis in 330 GCA patients and 608 unrelated cancer‐free controls. In this case–control study, there was no significant difference in the genotype and allele distributions of four CTLA4 polymorphisms between GCA patients and controls. However, haplotype association analysis indicated that compared with CTLA4 Grs733618Crs16840252Grs231775Crs3087243, CTLA4 Grs733618Crs16840252Ars231775Grs3087243 and Ars733618Crs16840252Grs231775Ars3087243 haplotypes conferred increased risks of GCA (OR = 6.46, 95% CI = 1.33–31.28; P = 0.012; both); however, CTLA4 Ars733618Crs16840252Ars231775Grs3087243 and Ars733618Trs16840252Grs231775Grs3087243 haplotypes conferred decreased risks of GCA (P = 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively). These results highlight that the rare CTLA4 haplotypes may affect the development of GCA in the Chinese population.
Co‐authorship Networks in Swiss Political Research
Authors: Leifeld Philip , Ingold Karin
Published: December 2015

Co‐authorship is an important indicator of scientific collaboration. Co‐authorship networks are composed of sub‐communities, and researchers can gain visibility by connecting these insulated subgroups. This article presents a comprehensive co‐authorship network analysis of Swiss political science. Three levels are addressed: disciplinary cohesion and structure at large, communities, and the integrative capacity of individual researchers. The results suggest that collaboration exists across geographical and language borders even though different regions focus on complementary publication strategies. The subfield of public policy and administration has the highest integrative capacity. Co‐authorship is a function of several factors, most importantly being in the same subfield. At the individual level, the analysis identifies researchers who belong to the “inner circle” of Swiss political science and who link different communities. In contrast to previous research, the analysis is based on the full set of publications of all political researchers employed in Switzerland in 2013, including past publications.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A*02 variant, HLA‐A*02:586, in a Taiwanese bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Ng J. , Lazaro A. , Hung J. H. , Lin P. Y.
Published: December 2015

One nucleotide substitution at residue 179 of the HLA‐A*02:07:01 results in a new allele, HLA‐A*02:586.
A novel HLA‐DRB1 allele, DRB1*15:66:02 was identified in a Chinese potential donor by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Nie X.‐M. , Zhang Y. , Qiao W.‐B. , Zhu C.‐F. , Zhao Y.‐R.
Published: December 2015

DRB1*15:66:02 differs from DRB1*15:66:01 at codons 57 and 58 resulting in no coding change.
Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma – Sézary syndrome in a Boxer
Authors: Rütgen Barbara C. , Flickinger Irene , Wolfesberger Birgitt , Litschauer Barbara , Fuchs‐Baumgartinger Andrea , Hammer Sabine E. , Saalmüller Armin , Schwendenwein Ilse
Published: December 2015

A 7‐year‐old male Boxer with a 3.5‐year history of atopy and food hypersensitivity was presented with multiple poorly circumscribed nodules and maculae of the skin and tongue, and jaundiced mucosal membranes. Cytologic and histopathologic examination of the skin lesions revealed cutaneous epitheliotropic lymphoma. Cells were CD3+ and CD8+ in flow cytometry. The CBC showed a moderate leukocytosis with 16% atypical lymphocytes with irregularly cleaved nuclei. Flow cytometric phenotyping of peripheral blood showed an elevated proportion of the CD8+ T‐lymphocyte subpopulation, indicating a malignant population of T‐cell origin, and the electropherogram of the PCR antigen receptor rearrangement produced a monoclonal peak for TCRγ. Liver enzyme activities were markedly increased and abdominal ultrasound examination showed increased echogenicity of the liver and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Fine‐needle aspirates of the liver confirmed infiltration with lymphocytes exhibiting the same morphology as the cells detected in skin and peripheral blood. Treatment was induced with L‐asparaginase, lomustine, and prednisone. Partial clinical remission of the skin and tongue lesions was achieved within 10 days, and hematologic abnormalities resolved. Despite further treatment with L‐asparaginase and lomustine, the dog relapsed within one month and was euthanized. Presence of malignant lymphocytes in skin, peripheral blood, and liver indicate a rare variant of leukemic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma, equivalent of Sézary syndrome in a dog. This case report describes the use of flow cytometry as a complementary tool for lymphocyte characterization of skin lesions for the first time.
Local release of pioglitazone (a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ agonist) accelerates proliferation and remodeling phases of wound healing
Authors: Sakai Shigeki , Sato Keisuke , Tabata Yasuhiko , Kishi Kazuo
Published: December 2015

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily known for its anti‐inflammatory and macrophage differentiation effects, as well as its ability to promote fat cell differentiation and reduce insulin resistance. Pioglitazone (Pio) is a PPARγ agonist used clinically as an anti‐diabetic agent for improving insulin sensitivity in patients with diabetes. The objective of this study was to develop a drug delivery system (DDS) for the local release of Pio to promote wound healing. Pio of low aqueous solubility was water‐solubilized by micelles formed from gelatin grafted with L‐lactic acid oligomers, and incorporated into a biodegradable gelatin hydrogel. An 8‐mm punch biopsy tool was used to prepare two skin wounds on either side of the midline of 8‐week‐old mice. Wounds were treated by the hydrogels with (Pio‐hydrogel group) or without (control group) Pio, and the wound area were observed 1, 4, 7, and 14 days after treatment. In addition, a protein assay and immunohistological stain were performed to determine the effects of the Pio‐hydrogel on inflammation and macrophage differentiation. The Pio‐hydrogels promote wound healing. Moreover, Western blotting analysis demonstrated that treatment with Pio‐hydrogels resulted in decreased levels of the cytokines MIP‐2 and TGF‐β, and increased levels of glucose‐regulating adiponectin. It is concluded that Pio‐incorporated hydrogels promote the proliferation and remodeling phases of wound healing, and may prove to be effective as wound dressings.
Exercise oxidative skeletal muscle metabolism in adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Werkman Maarten , Jeneson Jeroen , Helders Paul , Arets Bert , van der Ent Kors , Velthuis Birgitta , Nievelstein Rutger , Takken Tim , Hulzebos Erik
Published: December 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Do intrinsic abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis?

What is the main finding and its importance?

This study found no evidence that in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis in a stable clinical state intrinsic abnormalities in skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism seem to play a clinical significant role. Based on these results, we concluded that there is no metabolic constraint to benefit from exercise training.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are reported to have limited exercise capacity. There is no consensus about a possible abnormality in skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism in CF. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance in adolescents with mild CF. Ten adolescents with CF (12–18 years of age; forced expiratory volume in 1 s >80% of predicted; and resting oxygen saturation >94%) and 10 healthy age‐matched control (HC) subjects were tested with supine cycle ergometry using near‐infrared spectroscopy and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study skeletal muscle oxygenation and oxidative metabolism during rest, exercise and recovery. No statistically significant (P > 0.1) differences in peak workload and peak oxygen uptake per kilogram lean body mass were found between CF and HC subjects. No differences were found between CF and HC subjects in bulk changes of quadriceps phosphocreatine (P = 0.550) and inorganic phosphate (P = 0.896) content and pH (P = 0.512) during symptom‐limited exercise. Furthermore, we found statistically identical kinetics for phosphocreatine resynthesis during recovery for CF and HC subjects (P = 0.53). No statistically significant difference in peak exercise arbitrary units for total haemoglobin content was found between CF and HC subjects (P = 0.66). The results of this study provide evidence that in patients with mild CF and a stable clinical status (without signs of systemic inflammation and/or chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization), no intrinsic metabolic constraints and/or abnormalities in oxygenation and/or muscle oxidative metabolism contribute to exercise intolerance.
Low temperature platinum atomic layer deposition on nylon-6 for highly conductive and catalytic fiber mats
Authors: Mundy J. Zachary , Shafiefarhood Arya , Li Fanxing , Khan Saad A. , Parsons Gregory N.
Published: December 2015

Low temperature platinum atomic layer deposition (Pt-ALD) via (methylcyclopentadienyl)trimethyl platinum and ozone (O3) is used to produce highly conductive nonwoven nylon-6 (polyamide-6, PA-6) fiber mats, having effective conductivities as high as ∼5500–6000 S/cm with only a 6% fractional increase in mass. The authors show that an alumina ALD nucleation layer deposited at high temperature is required to promote Pt film nucleation and growth on the polymeric substrate. Fractional mass gain scales linearly with Pt-ALD cycle number while effective conductivity exhibits a nonlinear trend with cycle number, corresponding to film coalescence. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy reveals island growth mode of the Pt film at low cycle number with a coalesced film observed after 200 cycles. The metallic coating also exhibits exceptional resistance to mechanical flexing, maintaining up to 93% of unstressed conductivity after bending around cylinders with radii as small as 0.3 cm. Catalytic activity of the as-deposited Pt film is demonstrated via carbon monoxide oxidation to carbon dioxide. This novel low temperature processing allows for the inclusion of highly conductive catalytic material on a number of temperature-sensitive substrates with minimal mass gain for use in such areas as smart textiles and flexible electronics.
Microstructural modifications in powder-metallurgically produced Al0.675Cr0.275Fe0.05 targets during cathodic arc evaporation
Authors: Koller Christian M. , Hahn Rainer , Ramm Jürgen , Kolozsvári Szilárd , Mayrhofer Paul H.
Published: December 2015

Recently, the authors showed that metallic droplets, originating from the Al0.675Cr0.275Fe0.05 cathode surface, play an essential role in the nucleation process of hexagonal crystallites in mixed cubic and hexagonal-structured cathodic arc-evaporated (Al0.70Cr0.25Fe0.05)2O3 films. Here, the authors investigated in detail the corresponding powder-metallurgically produced Al0.7Cr0.3 and Al0.675Cr0.275Fe0.05 targets (after the arc evaporation process) and the ejected macroparticles, which were intentionally separated and collected from the plasma stream. The 15–200 μm thick melting zone (under given process conditions not entirely covering the target surface) of both target materials predominately consists of intermetallic Al80Cr20, Al9Cr4 and dominating Al8Cr5 phases. The selective melting process, induced by the cathodic arc spot size and particle size distribution of the targets, led to the formation of Al-enriched areas. Oxide islands, which form on the target surfaces, especially contain Cr- and Fe-enriched particles. The latter are only present for Al0.675Cr0.275Fe0.05 targets, where the majority of Fe is basically dissolved in the intermetallic Al-Cr phases formed at the target surface due to the cathodic arc interaction. The chemical composition of the ejected macroparticles corresponds with these cathodic arc interaction zones. Based on here presented results, the authors can conclude that Fe-containing intermetallic phases, which are also present within the droplets, as well as Cr- and Fe-enriched particles, are the influential factors for the nucleation of hexagonal phases within arc-evaporated (Al,Cr,Fe)2O3 coatings.