bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing child mental health: A state‐wide survey of Victorian children
Authors: Goldfeld Sharon R , Hayes Linda
Published: May 2012

Aims: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of mental health problems among Victorian children and to investigate factors associated with poorer mental health.

Method: Computer‐assisted telephone interviews were undertaken with the parents of 3370 randomly selected Victorian children aged 4 to 12 years. They reported on their child's mental health and special health‐care needs as well as their own mental health, family functioning and a range of community and socio‐demographic variables. Population estimates and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results: Overall, 11.6% (95% CI = 10.3–12.9%) of Victorian children were estimated to be at risk of having mental health problems. Factors independently placing children at increased risk of mental health problems that were ‘of concern’ include a child having special health‐care needs (OR = 7.89, 95% CI 5.16 to 12.08), unhealthy family functioning (OR = 3.84, 95% CI 2.19 to 6.74), parental mental health problems (OR = 7.89, 95% CI 5.16 to 12.08), neighbourhood safety (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.20 to 5.07) and area of residence (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.02).

Conclusions: A significant proportion of Victorian children are at some risk of mental health problems. These limited but important predictors of children's mental health reinforce the need for policy solutions that will extend beyond those offered by traditional mental health service systems.
Experiences of motherhood when suffering from mental illness: A hermeneutic study
Authors: Blegen Nina Elisabeth , Hummelvoll Jan Kåre , Severinsson Elisabeth
Published: May 2012

Being a mother is inseparable from women's existential life. Mothers with mental illness struggle with conflicting and distressing feelings related to motherhood. They seldom obtain the necessary support to increase their control over the determinants of their role as a mother, thus their opportunity of improving their own and their children's mental health is weakened. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of being a mother with mental illness. The research question was: How can mothers' experiences of motherhood when suffering from mental illness be understood? The understanding emerged through a hermeneutical interpretation of the empirical material on four different levels of abstraction. The inductive–deductive approach, inspired by the philosophy of Gadamer, was used. The mothers' experiences were understood in their way of struggling to become good enough mothers, managing to become the mother they longed to be, being present in the caring relationship with their child, as well as being recognized as a mother and living openly and honestly in relationships with others. Addressing the existential needs of motherhood is important for their improvement and recovery, as well as for promoting their children's mental health and well‐being.
Explicit bounds on elastic moduli of solids containing isotropic mixture of cracks and voids
Authors: XU X. F. , STEFANOU G.
Published: May 2012

A variational formulation has been recently proposed by the authors (Xu X.F. and Stefanou, G. (2011). Int J Multiscale Comput Engng 9(3) pp. 347–363) to evaluate effective elastic moduli of randomly cracked solids. Using this formulation, explicit expressions have been obtained for the upper bounds of the elastic moduli in the case of penny‐shaped and slit‐like random cracks with parallel and random orientations subject to a spherical exclusion constraint. In this paper, it is shown that the bounds derived previously are directly applicable to solids containing isotropic mixture of cracks with no exclusion constraint, which is a more general case for a cracked solid. The bounds are further extended to solids containing spheroidal voids that are characterized with finite value of aspect ratios.
Ultrasound guidance characteristics and efficiency of suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks in infants: a descriptive prospective study
Authors: Sola Chrystelle , Raux Olivier , Savath Laurent , Macq Christine , Capdevila Xavier , Dadure Christophe
Published: May 2012

Background:  Bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks approach improves pain relief after palate surgery. We report the feasibility and efficiency of ultrasound‐guided suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks in cleft palate repair in children.

Methods:  Twenty‐five children scheduled to undergo surgical cleft palate repair were included. Ultrasound‐guided suprazygomatic maxillary blocks were performed according to landmarks previously defined. The ultrasound probe was located optimally over the maxilla and under the zygomatic bone to visualize the pterygopalatine fossa. 0.15·ml·kg−1 of 0.2% ropivacaine was injected bilaterally. Feasibility of block, spread of local anesthetic, pain scores and side effects were noted.

Results:  Fifty ultrasound‐guided suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks were performed in 25 children. The needle movement was seen in all cases using an out‐of‐plane approach. The spread of LA was clearly observed in 94% (47/50) of cases. A poor ultrasound imaging was found in 4% (2/50), and the spread of LA was not identified in 2% of case (1/50). The median time to perform the block was 56 s (35–120 s). The median pain scores and consumption of nalbuphine were low during the study period. 80% of patients did not require continuous opioid infusion. No complication related to maxillary blocks was reported.

Conclusion:  With a very low technical failure rate and a good clinical success rate, ultrasound appears to be a useful and simple tool to aid suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block in children.
Chloride and organic osmolytes: a hybrid strategy to cope with elevated salinities by the moderately halophilic, chloride‐dependent bacterium Halobacillus halophilus
Authors: Saum Stephan H. , Pfeiffer Friedhelm , Palm Peter , Rampp Markus , Schuster Stephan C. , Müller Volker , Oesterhelt Dieter
Published: May 2012

Salt acclimation in moderately halophilic bacteria is the result of action of a grand interplay orchestrated by signals perceived from the environment. To elucidate the cellular players involved in sensing and responding to changing salinities we have determined the genome sequence of Halobacillus halophilus, a Gram‐positive moderate halophilic bacterium that has a strict requirement for the anion chloride. Halobacillus halophilus synthesizes a multitude of different compatible solutes and switches its osmolyte strategy with the external salinity and growth phase. Based on the emerging genome sequence, the compatible solutes glutamate, glutamine, proline and ectoine have already been experimentally studied. The biosynthetic routes for acetyl ornithine and acetyl lysine are also delineated from the genome sequence. Halobacillus halophilus is nutritionally very versatile and most compatible solutes cannot only be produced but also used as carbon and energy sources. The genome sequence unravelled isogenes for many pathways indicating a fine regulation of metabolism. Halobacillus halophilus is unique in integrating the concept of compatible solutes with the second fundamental principle to cope with salt stress, the accumulation of molar concentrations of salt (Cl‐) in the cytoplasm. Extremely halophilic bacteria/archaea, which exclusively rely on the salt‐in strategy, have a high percentage of acidic proteins compared with non‐halophiles with a low percentage. Halobacillus halophilus has an intermediate position which is consistent with its ability to integrate both principles.
Comparisons of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and viromes in human saliva reveal bacterial adaptations to salivary viruses
Authors: Pride David T. , Salzman Julia , Relman David A.
Published: May 2012

Explorations of human microbiota have provided substantial insight into microbial community composition; however, little is known about interactions between various microbial components in human ecosystems. In response to the powerful impact of viral predation, bacteria have acquired potent defences, including an adaptive immune response based on the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs)/Cas system. To improve our understanding of the interactions between bacteria and their viruses in humans, we analysed 13 977 streptococcal CRISPR sequences and compared them with 2 588 172 virome reads in the saliva of four human subjects over 17 months. We found a diverse array of viruses and CRISPR spacers, many of which were specific to each subject and time point. There were numerous viral sequences matching CRISPR spacers; these matches were highly specific for salivary viruses. We determined that spacers and viruses coexist at the same time, which suggests that streptococcal CRISPR/Cas systems are under constant pressure from salivary viruses. CRISPRs in some subjects were just as likely to match viral sequences from other subjects as they were to match viruses from the same subject. Because interactions between bacteria and viruses help to determine the structure of bacterial communities, CRISPR‐virus analyses are likely to provide insight into the forces shaping the human microbiome.
Prostatic relaxation induced by agmatine is decreased in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Lee Liang‐Ming , Tsai Tsung‐Chin , Chung Hsien‐Hui , Tong Yat‐Ching , Cheng Juei‐Tang
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Neurotransmitters are known to control prostate contractility. Agmatine is one of them and induces relaxation through imidazoline receptors.

The paper shows that the action of agmatine is reduced in hypertensive rats, and that this change is related to the decrease of ATP‐sensitive potassium channels in the prostate. The findings can increase our understanding of the possible underlying mechanism for the development of clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES

To compare agmatine‐induced prostatic relaxation in hypertensive and control rats.

To investigate the responsible mechanism(s) and the role of the ATP‐sensitive potassium channel.

METHODS

Prostate strips were isolated from male spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats and normal Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats for measurement of isometric tension. The strips were precontracted with 1 µmol/L phenylephrine or 50 mmol/L KCl. Dose‐dependent relaxation of the prostatic strips was studied by cumulative administration of agmatine, 1 to 100 µmol/L, into the organ bath.

Effects of specific antagonists on agmatine‐induced relaxation were studied.

Western blotting analysis was used to measure the gene expression of the ATP‐sensitive potassium channel in the rat prostate.

RESULTS

Prostatic relaxation induced by agmatine was markedly reduced in SH rats compared with WKY rats.

The relaxation caused by agmatine was abolished by BU224, a selective imidazoline I2‐receptor antagonist, but was not modified by efaroxan at a dose sufficient to block imidazoline I1‐receptors.

The relaxation induced by diazoxide at a concentration sufficient to activate ATP‐sensitive potassium channels was markedly reduced in the SH rat prostate.

Expressions of ATP‐sensitive potassium channel sulphonylurea receptor and inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir) 6.2 subunits were both decreased in the prostate of SH rats.

CONCLUSION

The decrease of agmatine‐induced prostatic relaxation in SH rats is related to the change in ATP‐sensitive potassium channels.
Percutaneous cryoablation of solitary sporadic renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Schmit Grant D. , Thompson R. Houston , Kurup Anil N. , Weisbrod Adam J. , Carter Rickey E. , Callstrom Matthew R. , Atwell Thomas D.
Published: May 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Percutaneous renal cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment for patients with small renal masses, who are poor surgical candidates.

Oncological outcomes from previous percutaneous ablation studies are difficult to interpret because of the large number of patients treated with a history of RCC (38% in our experience) and the large number of treated renal masses without a pathology‐proven diagnosis. This cryoablation study addresses these issues by evaluating only solitary, sporadic biopsy‐proven RCC. Oncological outcomes and complications were also evaluated by tumour T‐stage, which allows some degree of comparison with previously published surgical results.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate retrospectively our single institution experience with percutaneous cryoablation of solitary, sporadic renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), and to compare the efficacy and safety of this technique for treatment of different T‐stage RCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

116 patients were treated with percutaneous cryoablation for a solitary, sporadic biopsy‐proven RCC in a single treatment session between November 2003 and November 2010.

The technical success of the ablation procedure, complications and evidence for local or metastatic tumour recurrence were evaluated for each patient.

RESULTS

83 patients (72%) were treated for a stage T1a RCC, 27 patients (23%) for a stage T1b RCC, and six patients (5%) for a stage T2 RCC.

Technical success was achieved in the treatment of 115 of 116 (99%) renal tumours. The single technical failure occurred in the treatment of a 4.3‐cm RCC.

Local recurrent tumour was identified in one of 88 patients (1%) with follow‐up computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging available for review >3 months from the time of ablation. The median (range) imaging follow‐up in these patients was 21 (3–73) months. The local tumour recurrence was identified on CT 11 months after the ablation procedure in a patient treated for a 2.7 cm RCC.

None of the patients developed metastatic RCC.

The major complication rate was 4% for patients with stage T1a tumours, 15% for those with stage T1b tumours, and 33% for those with stage T2 tumours. There were no procedural‐related deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous renal cryoablation of RCC can be performed with high technical success in patients with tumours up to, and beyond 7 cm in maximum diameter.

The tumour recurrence rate after percutaneous renal cryoablation was low, and recurrence was not related to tumour size in this group of patients.

Statistically significant higher complication rates were seen with treatment of larger (higher T‐stage) RCCs.
Detecting internet activity for erectile dysfunction using search engine query data in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Davis Niall F. , Smyth Lisa G. , Flood Hugh D.
Published: May 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Despite the increasing prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), there is reluctance among symptomatic patients to present to healthcare providers for appropriate advice and treatment.

A number of Internet campaigns have been launched by the Irish healthcare media since 2007 aiming to provide easily accessible advice on ED. Novel online technologies appear to provide a useful tool for educating the general public on the symptoms of ED because there has been a significant increase in overall Internet search activity for this term since 2007.

OBJECTIVES

To assess Internet search trends for erectile dysfunction (ED) subsequent to public awareness campaigns being launched within the Republic of Ireland

To assess whether the advent of such campaigns correlates with increased Internet search activity for ED.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Google insights for search was utilized to examine Internet search trends for the term ‘erectile dysfunction’ across all categories between January 2005 and December 2011.

Search activity was limited to users from the Republic of Ireland within this timeframe.

Additionally, the number of Irish Internet media campaigns and Irish web pages providing information on ED was assessed between January 2005 and December 2011.

Statistical analysis of the data was performed using analysis of variance and Student's t‐tests for pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS

There has been a significant increase in mean search activity for ED on an annual basis since 2007 (P < 0.001).

The number of Irish web pages associated with information on ED has also increased significantly on an annual basis since 2007 (P < 0.001).

There have been seven different Irish Internet media campaigns on ED since 2007 compared to two from 2005 to 2007 (P < 0.001).

There was no significant change in mean search activity for ED from 2005 to 2007

CONCLUSIONS

The advent of recent Internet media campaigns and increasing number of Irish web pages is associated with a significant increase in online activity for ED in the Republic of Ireland.

Novel online technologies appear to provide a useful tool for educating the general public on the symptoms and treatment options available for ED.
Development of insulin allergy after bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Yoshida N. , Okubo M. , Ishiguro K. , Mori Y.
Published: May 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1339–1341 (2012)

Background  Insulin allergy is a not uncommon condition even though human insulin and insulin analogues are widely used. However, the development of insulin allergy after bone marrow transplantation has not been reported.

Case report  A 44‐year‐old Japanese woman had aplastic anaemia and secondary haemochromatosis. She was diagnosed with having diabetes at age 32 years and had been treated with human insulin. At age 34 years, bone marrow transplantation was performed. One year later, a rash and urticaria appeared immediately after insulin injections. Intracutaneous tests were positive for both human insulins and analogues, whereas the test for protamine was negative. Furthermore, an IgE–radioallergosorbent test against insulin was positive. Thus, we diagnosed the patient with having an IgE‐mediated type I allergy against insulin. Insulin therapy with insulin aspart, which showed the least skin reaction, was continued and the insulin allergy disappeared in 7 years.

Conclusions  This is the first description of insulin allergy after bone marrow transplantation. Our case underscores the effects of bone marrow cells on IgE‐mediated type I allergy for insulin.
Building the niche through time: using 13,000 years of data to predict the effects of climate change on three tree species in Europe
Authors: Maiorano L. , Cheddadi R. , Zimmermann N. E. , Pellissier L. , Petitpierre B. , Pottier J. , Laborde H. , Hurdu B. I. , Pearman P. B. , Psomas A. , Singarayer J. S. , Broennimann O. , Vittoz P. , Dubuis A. , Edwards M. E. , Binney H. A. , Guisan A.
Published: May 2012

Aim  Species distribution models (SDMs) based on current species ranges underestimate the potential distribution when projected in time and/or space. A multi‐temporal model calibration approach has been suggested as an alternative, and we evaluate this using 13,000 years of data.

Location  Europe.

Methods  We used fossil‐based records of presence for Picea abies, Abies alba and Fagus sylvatica and six climatic variables for the period 13,000 to 1000 yr bp. To measure the contribution of each 1000‐year time step to the total niche of each species (the niche measured by pooling all the data), we employed a principal components analysis (PCA) calibrated with data over the entire range of possible climates. Then we projected both the total niche and the partial niches from single time frames into the PCA space, and tested if the partial niches were more similar to the total niche than random. Using an ensemble forecasting approach, we calibrated SDMs for each time frame and for the pooled database. We projected each model to current climate and evaluated the results against current pollen data. We also projected all models into the future.

Results  Niche similarity between the partial and the total‐SDMs was almost always statistically significant and increased through time. SDMs calibrated from single time frames gave different results when projected to current climate, providing evidence of a change in the species realized niches through time. Moreover, they predicted limited climate suitability when compared with the total‐SDMs. The same results were obtained when projected to future climates.

Main conclusions  The realized climatic niche of species differed for current and future climates when SDMs were calibrated considering different past climates. Building the niche as an ensemble through time represents a way forward to a better understanding of a species' range and its ecology in a changing climate.
The Two Pathways to Being an (Un‐)Popular Narcissist
Authors: Küfner Albrecht C. P. , Nestler Steffen , Back Mitja D.
Published: May 2012

Objective

Narcissism affects social relationships from the very first interactions. The overall positivity of social impressions narcissists evoke is, however, unclear—with previous research reporting positive, negative, or null effects on popularity at short‐term acquaintance. Here we postulate a dual‐pathway model, which explains the effects of narcissism on (un‐)popularity as the result of two opposing behavioral pathways: assertiveness and aggressiveness.

Method

In two studies, unacquainted German college students (N = 100; N = 68) met in groups of four to six persons and engaged in group discussions. Afterward, they provided ratings of each other's assertiveness, aggressiveness, and likeability. In Study 2, we additionally videotaped the sessions and assessed participants’ actual behavior.

Results

Results of both studies confirm our dual‐pathway hypothesis: There was a “positive” and a “negative” path from targets’ narcissism to being liked or not—dependent upon being seen as assertive or aggressive. Behavioral observations showed that expressive and dominant behaviors mediated the positive path, whereas arrogant and combative behaviors mediated the negative path.

Conclusions

Initial (un‐)popularity of narcissists at early stages of interpersonal interactions depends on the behavioral pathway that is triggered in the given situational context.
Muscle MRI in female carriers of dystrophinopathy
Authors: Tasca G. , Monforte M. , Iannaccone E. , Laschena F. , Ottaviani P. , Silvestri G. , Masciullo M. , Mirabella M. , Servidei S. , Ricci E.
Published: May 2012

Background and purpose

Duchenne muscular dystrophy carriers represent a rare condition that needs to be recognized because of the possible implications for prenatal diagnosis. Muscle biopsy is currently the diagnostic instrument of choice in sporadic patients. We wanted to verify whether muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could identify a pattern of involvement suggestive of this condition and whether it was similar to that reported in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Methods

Evaluation of pelvic and lower limb MRI scans of 12 dystrophinopathy carriers was performed.

Results

We found a frequent involvement of the quadratus femoris, gluteus maximus and medius, biceps femoris long head, adductor magnus, vasti and paraspinal muscles, whilst the popliteus, iliopsoas, recti abdominis, sartorius, and gracilis were relatively spared. Asymmetry was a major feature on MRI; it could be detected significantly more often than with sole clinical examination and even in patients without weakness.

Conclusions

The pattern we describe here is similar to that reported in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, although asymmetry represents a major distinctive feature. Muscle MRI was more sensitive than clinical examination for detecting single muscle involvement and asymmetry. Further studies are needed to verify the consistency of this pattern in larger cohorts and to assess whether muscle MRI can improve diagnostic accuracy in carriers with normal dystrophin staining on muscle biopsy.
Critical Comments on Experimental, Discursive, and General Social Psychology
Authors: Jahoda Gustav
Published: May 2012

The historical background of the contrasting traditions of experimental and discursive social psychologies is outlined, and two illustrative experimental and discursive studies are described in detail and critically scrutinised. Among the major weaknesses of the experimental approach is an increasing tendency towards an a‐social computer‐mediated procedure and a decontextualised setting. While experimental methods and results are clearly set out, the discursive research presents only small and highly selected fragments of masses of data. Hence the actual ways in which findings are arrived at remain largely obscure. Experimental, and to a lesser extent discursive social psychology, make implicit and unjustified claims for universality. The scientific pretensions of mainstream social psychology texts are also questioned in a brief discussion of the implications of these critiques for social psychology at large.
Involvement of α2‐adrenoceptors, imidazoline, and endothelin‐A receptors in the effect of agmatine on morphine and oxycodone‐induced hypothermia in mice
Authors: Bhalla Shaifali , Andurkar Shridhar V. , Gulati Anil
Published: May 2012

Potentiation of opioid analgesia by endothelin‐A (ETA) receptor antagonist, BMS182874, and imidazoline receptor/α2‐adrenoceptor agonists such as clonidine and agmatine are well known. It is also known that agmatine blocks morphine hyperthermia in rats. However, the effect of agmatine on morphine or oxycodone hypothermia in mice is unknown. The present study was carried out to study the role of α2‐adrenoceptors, imidazoline, and ETA receptors in morphine and oxycodone hypothermia in mice. Body temperature was determined over 6 h in male Swiss Webster mice treated with morphine, oxycodone, agmatine, and combination of agmatine with morphine or oxycodone. Yohimbine, idazoxan, and BMS182874 were used to determine involvement of α2‐adrenoceptors, imidazoline, and ETA receptors, respectively. Morphine and oxycodone produced significant hypothermia that was not affected by α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine, imidazoline receptor/α2 adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan, or ETA receptor antagonist, BMS182874. Agmatine did not produce hypothermia; however, it blocked oxycodone but not morphine‐induced hypothermia. Agmatine‐induced blockade of oxycodone hypothermia was inhibited by idazoxan and yohimbine. The blockade by idazoxan was more pronounced compared with yohimbine. Combined administration of BMS182874 and agmatine did not produce changes in body temperature in mice. However, when BMS182874 was administered along with agmatine and oxycodone, it blocked agmatine‐induced reversal of oxycodone hypothermia. This is the first report demonstrating that agmatine does not affect morphine hypothermia in mice, but reverses oxycodone hypothermia. Imidazoline receptors and α2‐adrenoceptors are involved in agmatine‐induced reversal of oxycodone hypothermia. Our findings also suggest that ETA receptors may be involved in blockade of oxycodone hypothermia by agmatine.
Racial Differences in Gait Velocity in an Urban Elderly Cohort
Authors: Blanco Irene , Verghese Joe , Lipton Richard B. , Putterman Chaim , Derby Carol A.
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To investigate whether there are racial differences in gait velocity in elderly adults.

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Setting

Bronx, New York.

Participants

Two hundred thirteen participants of the Einstein Aging Study (157 Caucasian, 56 African American), a longitudinal study of community‐residing elderly adults recruited using Medicare and voter registration records.

Measurements

Demographic characteristics, medical history, Geriatric Depression Scale, Blessed Information–Memory–Concentration Test, Total Pain Index, gait velocity.

Results

Caucasians were older (median 79.9 vs 75.5, P = .002) and more educated (median 14 vs 12 years, P = .007) and had lower body mass index (mean 26.9 ± 4.3 vs 28.9 ± 6.4, P = .03). African Americans were more likely to be female (80.4% vs 59.9%, P = .006) and to have diabetes mellitus (28.6% vs 13.4%, P = .01). Pain levels were not significantly different between Caucasians and African Americans. African Americans had a significantly slower gait velocity (mean 90.2 ± 17.9 vs 99.1 ± 20.1 cm/s, P = .004). This difference persisted after adjusting for multiple covariates. Differences in common factors known to influence gait did not explain a 7.79‐cm/s slower gait speed in African Americans than Caucasians.

Conclusion

Differences in gait velocity persist between African Americans and Caucasians despite adjusting for many confounders. Increases of just 10 cm/s are associated with lower mortality. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether there are modifiable risk factors that may explain this difference and whether an intervention could reduce the discrepancy between the groups.
Effectiveness of Tai Chi as a Community‐Based Falls Prevention Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taylor Denise , Hale Leigh , Schluter Philip , Waters Debra L. , Binns Elizabeth E. , McCracken Hamish , McPherson Kathryn , Wolf Steven L.
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness of tai chi and low‐level exercise in reducing falls in older adults; to determine whether mobility, balance, and lower limb strength improved and whether higher doses of tai chi resulted in greater effect.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Eleven sites throughout New Zealand.

Participants

Six hundred eighty‐four community‐residing older adults (mean age 74.5; 73% female) with at least one falls risk factor.

Intervention

Tai chi once a week (TC1) (n = 233); tai chi twice a week (TC2) (n = 220), or a low‐level exercise program control group (LLE) (n = 231) for 20 wks.

Measurements

Number of falls was ascertained according to monthly falls calendars. Mobility (Timed‐Up‐and‐Go Test), balance (step test), and lower limb strength (chair stand test) were assessed.

Results

The adjusted incident rate ratio (IRR) for falls was not significantly different between the TC1 and LLE groups (IRR = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83–1.33, P = .70) or between the TC2 and LLE groups (IRR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.68–1.16, P = .37). Adjusted multilevel mixed‐effects Poisson regression showed a significant reduction in logarithmic mean fall rate of −0.050 (95% CI = −0.064 to −0.037, P < .001) per month for all groups. Multilevel fixed‐effects analyses indicated improvements in balance (P < .001 right and left leg) and lower limb strength (P < .001) but not mobility (P = .54) in all groups over time, with no differences between the groups (P = .37 (right leg), P = .66 (left leg), P = .21, and P = .44, respectively).

Conclusion

There was no difference in falls rates between the groups, with falls reducing similarly (mean falls rate reduction of 58%) over the 17‐month follow‐up period. Strength and balance improved similarly in all groups over time.
Gene polymorphism of interleukin‐1 alpha and beta in keratocystic odontogenic tumors
Authors: Eshghyar Nosratollah , Nikbin Behrouz , Amirzargar Aliakbar , Dehghani Nazhvani Ali , Shakiba Yadollah
Published: May 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 697–701

Aim and background:  Odontogenic keratocysts have a different growth mechanism and biologic behavior in comparison with more common dentigerous and radicular cysts. It was reclassified as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). The proliferative activity of the epithelial cells of KCOT has a close relationship with tissue levels of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1). Moreover, IL‐1 increases the expression of several matrix metalloproteinases in the fibroblasts of adjacent stroma and activates the osteoclastogenesis process. So it plays an important role in the activity, spread, and local aggressiveness of this tumor. Therefore, it seems that the gene polymorphism of the cytokines of the IL‐1 family is influential in the pathogenesis of KCOT and the patients’ susceptibility to disease.

Method:  A total of 38 blood samples of patients suffering from KCOT and 150 blood samples of healthy patients were assessed using PCR‐SSP. The blood samples were assessed for the following polymorphisms: interleukin‐1 alpha (‐889) and interleukin‐1 beta (‐511). Following up the patients, we found six recurrent and one syndromic cases.

Findings:  By comparing the case and control groups, we observed the significant dominance of allele T over C, and genotype TT over CC and CT in IL‐1α, although no significant difference was seen in the allele frequency and genotypes regarding IL‐1β.

Conclusion:  The function of IL‐1α has a significant relationship with KCOT. Its effective genotype associated with pathogenesis, growth, local invasion, and recurrence is TT.
The effect of herbal, essential oil and chlorhexidine mouthrinse on de novo plaque formation
Authors: Singh A , Daing A , Dixit J
Published: May 2012

To cite this article:   Int J Dent Hygiene DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2012.00556.x Singh A, Daing A, Dixit J. The effect of herbal, essential oil and chlorhexidine mouthrinse on de novo plaque formation.

Abstract:  Background:  Brushing and flossing are the most widely accepted procedures, the ‘gold standard’, for controlling bacterial plaque, but these mechanical methods have limitations. Based on results derived from several clinical trials, essential oil (EO) mouthrinse (Listerine®) and a chlorhexidine mouthrinse have been accepted by ADA to be used as an adjunct to routine mechanical oral hygiene measures however, both of them are associated with side effects, therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the antiplaque efficacy of a new herbal formulation as compared to an EO and chlorhexidine rinse.

Materials and method:  The study was a single blind parallel randomized controlled trial involving four groups. 48 volunteers refrained from all oral hygiene measures for 4 days, but rinsed instead twice daily with 10 ml of a herbal (HM), EO, chlorhexidine (CHX) or a placebo (PL) solution. Plaque index and plaque area (PA) was assessed on Day 4.

Results:  The HM and EO showed a significant inhibition of plaque regrowth compared to PL (P < 0.001), but the lowest values of PI and PA were obtained with CHX. Statistically significant difference in plaque parameters was observed when CHX was compared to HM and EO, and HM to EO rinse.

Conclusion:  The new herbal mouthrinse had a promising plaque inhibitory potential but it not as efficacious as chlorhexidine in preventing plaque regrowth.
Calcium homeostasis may influence resting energy expenditure with effects most apparent in early pubertal girls
Authors: Hanks LJ , Casazza K , Ashraf A , Fernandez JR
Published: May 2012

Aim:  Perturbations in dietary and hormonal components of the calciotropic network may be mediated through the influence of calcium homoeostasis on resting energy expenditure (REE). We investigated the association of dietary and hormonal factors involved in the regulation of calcium homoeostasis with REE in girls.

Methods:  Thirty‐six girls aged 7–11 years participated. REE was assessed by indirect calorimetry, and body composition, dietary intake (calcium, vitamins D and K, phosphorus) and serum hormones (PTH, osteocalcin, 25OHD) were evaluated by DXA, 24 h recall and serum assay, respectively.

Results:  A positive association between vitamin K and REE and an inverse association of parathyroid hormone (PTH) with REE (p = 0.05) were observed. PTH and REE were positively related in those having normal adiposity (p = 0.03) and inversely related in those with excess adiposity (p = 0.01). The association of REE with vitamin K intake was evident in lean individuals (p = 0.001), but was null in those with excess adiposity.

Conclusion:  Decreased calciotropic hormone levels along with increased related nutrient intakes were associated with greater REE, although these relationships differed according to adiposity. The physiologic response to the diet and subsequent energy partitioning needs to be considered in the context of puberty. In particular, regulation and signalling of the calciotropic network during pubertal maturation warrant investigation.
Palliative radiotherapy for patients with tracheobronchial and esophageal compression due to intrathoracic malignant tumors
Authors: TANAKA Hidekazu , HAYASHI Shinya , OHTAKARA Kazuhiro , HOSHI Hiroaki
Published: May 2012

Aims:  To evaluate palliative outcomes of patients with extrinsic malignant tracheobronchial or esophageal stenosis treated with radiation. Mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy surrounding the tracheobronchi or esophagus may cause compression, presenting as dyspnea and dysphagia respectively. Treatment is important for symptom relief and maintaining patients' quality of life.

Methods:  Dyspnea and dysphagia were assessed using the Hugh–Jones score and a modified dysphagia scale, respectively. A total of 13 patients (median age, 60 years) with dyspnea received palliative radiotherapy. The primary organs were lung (n = 6), colorectum (n = 5), hypopharynx (n = 1) and uterine cervix (n = 1). Three patients received concurrent chemotherapy. The median time‐adjusted biological effective dose (BED) was 33.0 Gy10. Ten patients (median age, 61) with dysphagia received palliative radiotherapy. The primary organs were lung (n = 7), esophagus (n = 2) and hypopharynx (n = 1). Three patients received concurrent chemotherapy. The median time‐adjusted BED was 32.1 Gy10.

Results:  Palliation of dyspnea and dysphagia occurred in seven (54%) and five (50%) patients, respectively. Patients treated with doses over 35 Gy10 had greater score improvements than those treated with less than 35 Gy10 in both groups. Patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy had greater score improvements than those treated with radiotherapy alone. Dyspnea patients with pretreatment scores of 2 (n = 5) had greater score improvements than those with scores of 3 or more (n = 8).

Conclusion:  External beam radiotherapy should be considered for patients with tracheobronchial or esophageal stenosis before their symptoms worsen. The prescription dose should be over 35 Gy10.
Picture quiz: Abdominal pain in an intensive care patient
Authors: Howard James , Ahmed Hana , Guarino Salvatore , Bhan Chetan , Wijeyekoon Sanjaya P.
Published: May 2012

A picture quiz and case report on an intensive care (ICU) patient with abdominal pain is reported in the present study. A computed tomography scan shows the typical signs of a poorly‐understood disease, with a mortality rate of over 70 per cent. We outline the pathophysiology of this condition and recent advances in its diagnosis and treatment.
Organizations and Learning: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Casey Catherine
Published: May 2012

Discussions about organizations and learning continue to attract critical interest. Since the emergence in the 1970s of the notion of the “learning organization,” notions of systems’ learning, knowledge management and lifelong learning have progressively entered into the debates. Earlier debates, which drew on education and psychology fields as well as organization and management studies, frequently explored plural objectives for learning occurring within organizational and workplace arenas. They included emphasis on workers’ as well as managerial interests in various forms and objectives of learning. Latter debates on organizational learning appear predominantly shaped by a distinctive economic rationality and management interest. This article, from a sociological vantage point, reviews key thematic issues and critically explores some current questions in regard to organizations and learning. It proposes that a prevailing economic model in accordance with generalized policy objectives evident across the advanced economies for a neo‐liberalized “knowledge‐based economy” and “learning society” poses a particular set of contemporary issues and problems. The current juncture may, however, stimulate further innovation in models of learning organizations that widen agenda and prospects for learning.
Exploring the Influence of the Attachment Organizations of Novice Therapists on their Delivery of Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples
Authors: Wittenborn Andrea K.
Published: May 2012

Clinicians’ own internal resources for understanding relationships—that is, their attachment organizations—have been found to influence the process and outcome of treatment. The current study addressed whether the attachment organizations of novice couple and family therapists were associated with couples’ experiences of their therapists, therapeutic alliance, session impact, and emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) fidelity (i.e., especially as related to targeting and working with attachment needs and overt and underlying emotions). Novice couple and family therapists delivered EFT, an attachment‐based approach, to couples in a simulated session and an embedded multicase study design guided a cross‐case analysis. Findings indicated that secure therapists, when compared to their insecure peers, were more competent at working with attachment needs, as well as the overt and underlying emotions of their clients. Secure therapists perceived themselves as being more skilled in emotion regulation, which may have contributed to their abilities to remain attuned to their clients’ attachment needs and emotional expression, even in the face of emotional arousal in session. Couples of insecure therapists also reported greater alliance splits. Future research is needed to further explore the dyadic influences of both therapists’ and clients’ attachment organizations, as well as the training and supervision practices these findings implicate.
Therapist Presence in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy Blamer Softening Events: Promoting Change Through Emotional Experience
Authors: Furrow James L. , Edwards Shenelle A. , Choi Yok , Bradley Brent
Published: May 2012

The blamer softening event has been associated with successful treatment outcomes in emotionally focused couple therapy. Previous research has highlighted the critical role of softening events and heightened emotional experience in best sessions of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT). This study examined the effects of a therapist’s emotional presence in predicting heightened levels of client emotional experience in blamer softening events. Findings from a detailed analysis of successful and unsuccessful EFT softening attempts demonstrated that a therapist’s emotional presence and corresponding evocative vocal quality were more likely to predict heightened levels of client emotional experience in successful softening attempts. Implications of these findings are reviewed in light of EFT research and practice.
Variations in Discovery‐Based Preeclampsia Candidate Genes
Authors: Founds Sandra A. , Shi Haiwen , Conley Yvette P. , Jeyabalan Arun , Roberts James M. , Lyons‐Weiler James
Published: May 2012

Preeclampsia is a common and potentially lethal pregnancy disorder with lifelong increased risk of cardiovascular disease in survivors. Our prior global gene expression microarray analysis led to a novel set of 36 candidates in first trimester placentas of women who subsequently developed preeclampsia. In this report, we present preliminary studies demonstrating biomarkers of genotype and methylation variations in a subset of these candidate genes in maternal leukocyte and fetoplacental DNA of 28 case and 27 control dyads. We tested 84 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using MassArray iPLEX and 50 CpG sites using EpiTYPER assays. Promising prediction modeling was identified with 25 SNPs selected using Fisher's exact tests (p< 0.05) and 20 CpG sites selected on fold change. Genotype Distribution Analysis identified SNP variations that differed between nine paired cases versus paired controls. The findings validate the examined candidate genes and support feasibility of methods for further biomarker development. The integrative approach that was implemented begins to translate the 36 candidates toward clinical utility as a screening modality for preeclampsia. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 333–339
Induction of Angiogenesis by Controlled Delivery of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Using Nanoparticles
Authors: Xie Jiaqi , Wang Haibin , Wang Yunya , Ren Fangping , Yi Wei , Zhao Kun , Li Zilin , Zhao Qiang , Liu Zhenhua , Wu Hong , Gu Chunhu , Yi Dinghua
Published: May 2012

Aims

The study reports the feasibility and efficiency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) delivery using nanoparticles synthesized from glycidyl methacrylated dextran (Dex‐GMA) and gelatin for therapeutic angiogenesis.

Methods

The nanoparticles were prepared using phase separation method, and the drug release profile was determined by ELISA study. The bioactivity of VEGF‐incorporated nanoparticles (VEGF‐NPs) were determined using tube formation assay. A rabbit hind limb ischemia model was employed to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effect. Blood perfusion was measured by single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Vessel formation was evaluated by contrast angiography and immunohistochemistry.

Results

The nanoparticles synthesized were spherical in shape with evenly distributed size of about 130 ± 3.5 nm. The VEGF encapsulated was released in a biphase manner, with the majority of 69% released over 1–12 days. Tube formation assays showed increased tubular structures by VEGF‐NP compared with empty nanoparticles and no treatment. Both free VEGF and VEGF‐NP significantly increased blood perfusion compared with empty nanoparticles (both P < 0.001), but it was much higher in VEGF‐NP‐treated limbs (P < 0.001). Contrast angiography and immunohistological analysis also revealed more significant collateral artery formation and higher capillary density in VEGF‐NP‐treated limbs.

Conclusions

Dex‐GMA and gelatin‐based nanoparticles could provide sustained release of VEGF and may serve as a new way for angiogenesis.
Application of the Random Forest Method to Analyse Epidemiological and Phenotypic Characteristics of Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:‐ and Salmonella Typhimurium Strains
Authors: Barco L. , Mancin M. , Ruffa M. , Saccardin C. , Minorello C. , Zavagnin P. , Lettini A.A , Olsen J. E. , Ricci A.
Published: May 2012

Salmonella enterica 4,[5],12:i:‐ is a monophasic variant of S. Typhimurium. In the last decade, its prevalence rose sharply. Although S. 4,[5],12:i:‐ and S. Typhimurium are known to pose a considerable public health risk, there is no detailed information on the circulation of these serovars in Italy, particularly as far as veterinary isolates are concerned. For this reason, a data set of 877 strains isolated in the north‐east of Italy from foodstuffs, animals and environment was analysed during 2005–2010. The Random Forests (RF) method was used to identify the most important epidemiological and phenotypic variables to show the difference between the two serovars. Both descriptive analysis and RF revealed that S. 4,[5],12:i:‐ is less heterogeneous than S. Typhimurium. RF highlighted that phage type was the most important variable to differentiate the two serovars. The most common phage types identified for S. 4,[5],12:i:‐ were DT20a, U311 and DT193. The same phage types were also found in S. Typhimurium isolates, although with a much lower prevalence. DT7 and DT120 were ascribed to the two serovars at comparable levels. DT104, DT2 and DT99 were ascribed exclusively to S. Typhimurium, and almost all the other phage types identified were more related to the latter serovar. Such data confirm that phage typing can provide an indication of the biphasic or monophasic state of the strains investigated and could therefore support serotyping results. However, phage typing cannot be used as the definitive method to differentiate the two serovars, as part of the phage types were detected for both serovars and, in particular, all phage types found for S. 4,[5],12:i‐ were found also for S. Typhimurium.