bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resprouting of woody species encroaching temperate European grasslands after cutting and burning
Authors: Michielsen Mathias , Szemák László , Fenesi Annamária , Nijs Ivan , Ruprecht Eszter
Published: January 2017

Questions

Are there interspecific differences in resprouting after cutting and burning among woody species encroaching temperate grasslands? Are alien woody species more successful than natives in their resprouting after the two treatments proposed to control shrub encroachment? Is resprouting influenced by age of the individuals? Does resprouting differ between cutting and burning?

Location

Temperate grasslands encroached by shrubs, Transylvania, Romania.

Methods

We investigated the resprouting after cutting or burning of four shrub species (Cornus sanguinea, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa and Rosa canina) encroaching grasslands in field sites 3 yr following treatments. We compared the resprouting ability of shrubs between species and treatments and analysed the relationship between the number of resprouts and stump diameter, as a proxy for age. In a common garden experiment on 1‐yr‐old individuals we compared resprouting after cutting and burning between three native (C. sanguinea, C. monogyna and P. spinosa) and three alien woody species (Ailanthus altissima, Elaeagnus angustifolia and Hippophae rhamnoides) during one growing season.

Results

C. monogyna produced the largest number of resprouts in the field study, and H. rhamnoides in the experimental study. Overall, resprouting ability of alien woody species did not differ from that of natives. In the field study, we found an increasing number of resprouts with increasing stump diameter, and the rate of increase in the number of resprouts was highest in C. monogyna. We detected no difference in the resprouting of woody species between cutting and burning treatments either in the field or in the experimental study.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the success of encroachment control in grasslands does not depend on treatment type, but on the woody species composition and age of individuals. Grasslands encroached by C. monogyna or H. rhamnoides will be more labour‐intensive to restore and maintain free of shrubs. Restoration measures should be implemented in the early stage of shrub encroachment since younger shrubs have lower resprouting ability. Burning and cutting may be equally effective in controlling shrub encroachment, but treatments should be more intensive than in the current study in order to damage the resprouting buds and arrest resprouting.
The role of shame in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia
Authors: Keen Nadine , George Darren , Scragg Peter , Peters Emmanuelle
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To examine the role of shame and its relationship to depression in schizophrenia. It was predicted that individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia would exhibit higher levels of shame due to the stigma associated with their diagnosis, independently of depression levels, compared with psychiatric and medical control groups.

Design

Cross‐sectional design with three groups: individuals with a diagnosis of (1) schizophrenia, (2) depression, and (3) rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

Sixty individuals participated in the study (20 per group). Groups were compared on questionnaires assessing external shame, trait shame and guilt, and depression.

Results

The pattern of group differences depended on the type of shame measure used. Both the schizophrenia and depression groups exhibited higher levels of external shame, or seeing others as shaming, than the medical group. For individuals with schizophrenia, seeing others as shaming was associated with higher levels of depression, a relationship not found in either control group. They also showed lower levels of trait guilt and shame (at trend level), compared with both control groups. No difference was found between the groups on depression, suggesting that the observed differences were not attributable to differences in levels of depression.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the importance of shame in schizophrenia, especially the link between seeing other people as shaming and depression, which was unique to this group. These results suggest that stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness, and schizophrenia in particular, has negative emotional consequences that may impede recovery, and should be addressed by psychological and social interventions.

Practitioner points

Clinical implications

Individuals with a diagnosis of mental illness (schizophrenia or depression) are more likely to experience others as shaming than those diagnosed with a physical illness, irrespective of current levels of depression and proneness to shame.

There is a specific association between external shame and depression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, suggesting the need for interventions levelled both at the individual's illness appraisals, and at social stigma relating to schizophrenia.

Limitations of the study

The participant numbers were low in each group.

The three groups could not be matched on all variables.

No additional internalized‐stigma measure was used.
Editorial: CAMHS goes mainstream
Authors: Fonagy Peter , Pugh Kathryn
Published: January 2017

Over the last 2 years the world has woken up to something that we in the world of children and young people's mental health have known for a very long time – the best correlate of adult life satisfaction is not income but physical and mental health, and we can predict adult life satisfaction best, not from academic qualifications but from the emotional health of 16‐year olds (Clark, Fleche, Layard, Powdthavee, & Ward, 2016). The overwhelming burden of disease associated with mental ill health suggests that early intervention focused on child mental health is probably the most effective social investment any government could make both from economic and ethical perspectives. We are now at the moment of national insight – so how will we translate this into real goals and action, and drive our own effective strategies?
Associations between participation in family activities and adolescent school problems
Authors: Goldfarb S. S. , Locher J. L. , Preskitt J. , Becker D. , Davies S. L. , Sen B.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Adolescent risk outcomes related to school issues are widespread, with about 20% parents reporting poor school engagement amongst their youth. Previous literature suggests that adolescents who report strong bonds with their parents are often identified as being less likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as substance use. The current study sought to examine the association between the frequencies of selected family activities and school problems amongst adolescents after adjustments for family connectedness and other characteristics.

Methods

Data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1997. Of the 8984 youth interviewed, 3855 also had a sibling interviewed who met the selection criteria. School problem outcomes measured were suspension occurrence, poor grades and highest grade completed low for age. Independent variables of interest were self‐reported frequency of family dinner, fun and religious activities in a typical week. Multivariable logistic models were estimated for each outcome, and multivariable linear probability models were estimated adjusting for family fixed effects.

Results

Adjusting for family connectedness, there were significant associations between certain family activities and adolescent school problem measures. However, these results did not remain significant in models with family fixed effects, suggesting that associations could be driven by family‐level confounders.

Discussion

This study did not find strong evidence of a protective relationship between family activities and school problems. Therefore, it suggested that programme and policymakers be cautious in overstating the importance of family activities in preventing adolescent risk outcomes until true causal relationships can be determined.
An evaluation of the quality of evidence available to inform current bone conducting hearing device national policy
Authors: Mandavia R. , Carter A.W. , Haram N. , Mossialos E. , Schilder A.G.M.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

In 2016, NHS England published the commissioning policy on Bone Conducting Hearing Devices (BCHDs). This policy was informed by updated evidence on the clinical and cost‐effectiveness of BCHDs as well as by the 2013 Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) policy. Commissioning policies set the criteria for service delivery and therefore have a major impact on the care received by patients. It is important that stakeholders have a good appreciation of the available evidence informing policy, as this will promote engagement both with the policy and with future research leading on from the policy. In this article, we provide stakeholders with a transparent and pragmatic assessment of the quality of the body of evidence available to inform current BCHD national policy.

Method

(i) A systematic review of the literature on BCHDs published since the development of the 2013 policy was performed in September 2016, adhering to PRISMA recommendations. The search terms used were as follows bone conduction; bone conducting; bone anchor; BAHA; Bone Anchored Hearing Aid; Bone Conducting Hearing Device; BCHD; Bone Conducting Hearing Implant; BCHI; Sophono; Bonebridge; Soundbite; Ponto; Hearing aid; implant; device; hearing device. Publications that could inform current BCHD policy were included. The quality of included articles was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. (ii) The quality of evidence referenced by the 2013 BAHA policy was assessed using the GRADE system.

Results

(i) Of the 2576 publications on BCHDs identified by the systematic search, 39 met the inclusion criteria for further analysis. Using the GRADE criteria, the quality of evidence was classified as of ‘very low quality’. (ii) The 2013 BAHA policy was informed by 14 references. The GRADE system classifies the quality of evidence that informed the policy as of ‘very low quality’.

Conclusions

The GRADE system defines the body of evidence available to inform current national BCHD policy as of ‘very low quality’. There is an urgent need for high‐quality research to help make informed policy decisions about the care of patients with hearing loss. An (inter)national registry of BCHDs could address this need.
Group Learning, Wage Dispersion and Non‐stationary Offers
Authors: Rotemberg Julio J.
Published: January 2017

Can differences in equilibrium beliefs among otherwise identical individuals account for a substantial degree of wage inequality? This paper shows that this is possible if two conditions are met. First, people learn about the distribution of wage offers from the experience of their peers, and second, people believe that wage offers are stationary even though offers that arrive later tend to have higher wages than offers that arrive earlier. Peer groups can then end up with different stable beliefs that lead to intergroup wage differences. The non‐stationarity of offers is rationalized in a model where firms can either advertise their job openings or not, and where advertised ones have more influence on more inexperienced job searchers. A statistic is proposed whose application to existing studies suggests that the non‐stationarity considered here is present in data.
Early exposure to predation risk carries over metamorphosis in two distantly related freshwater insects
Authors: FONTANA‐BRIA LAIA , SELFA JESÚS , TUR CARLES , FRAGO ENRIC
Published: January 2017

1. Predation and competition play a central role in ecological communities, and it is increasingly recognised that animals use early warning cues to reduce the impact of these antagonistic interactions.

2. Strategies to avoid risk can occur during embryo development through plasticity in egg hatching time. This strategy, and its associated costs and carryover effects on adults are little understood in insects. In this study, these are explored in two distantly related freshwater insects: the damselfly Ischnura elegans and the mosquito Aedes albopictus.

3. As predicted, damselfly eggs hatched earlier in response to larval predators cues, a treatment that also affected adult size. Risk cues did not affect mosquito egg hatching time, but they did affect larval development time in a sex‐dependent manner.

4. The results suggest that responses aimed at avoiding risks can be triggered during the egg stage, and although they can vary dramatically among species, they are likely to be widespread in insects. Early warning responses can be particularly important to understand the ecology of aquatic insects, some of them global vectors of human diseases.
Feasibility of a psychosis information intervention to improve mental health literacy for professional groups in contact with young people
Authors: Sutton Marie , O'Keeffe Donal , Frawley Timothy , Madigan Kevin , Fanning Felicity , Lawlor Elizabeth , Roche Eric , Kelly Aine , Turner Niall , Horenstein Arielle , O'Callaghan Eadbhard , Clarke Mary
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a psychosis information intervention for professionals in contact with young people in Ireland. A quasi‐experimental pre‐ and post‐intervention design was used. One thousand and thirty‐two professionals received an information intervention designed to improve mental health literacy (MHL) and confidence in providing help to people with psychosis. Seven hundred and fifty‐five participants completed the Psychosis Information and Confidence Questionnaire pre‐ and post‐intervention. The information intervention significantly improved participants’: (1) knowledge of psychosis; (2) ability to recognize signs and symptoms of psychosis; (3) awareness of how to access services; and (4) confidence in providing help to people experiencing psychosis. Findings provide promising support for the intervention's feasibility and acceptability. The intervention enhanced MHL regarding psychosis among professionals in contact with young people. Further research assessing if such improvements translate to the facilitation of appropriate help seeking, the enhanced early detection of psychosis and a reduction of the duration of untreated psychosis is required.
The second Team Haemophilia Education Meeting, 2016, Frankfurt, Germany
Authors: Berntorp Erik , Dargaud Yesim , Hart Daniel , Lobet Sébastien , Mancuso Maria Elisa , d'Oiron Roseline , Perry David , Pollard Debra , van den Berg Marijke , Blatný Jan , Chambost Hervé , Doria Andrea S. , Holme Pål André , Kaczmarek Radoslaw , Mantovani Lorenzo , McLaughlin Paul , Nanayakkara Lochana , Petrini Pia , Sannié Thomas , Laane Edward , Maia Raquel , Dettoraki Athina , Farrell Anna , Halimeh Susan , Raza Sayma , Taylor Stephanie
Published: January 2017

The first Team Haemophilia Education (THE) Meeting was held on 7–8 May 2015 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. It aimed to promote the optimal care of patients with haemophilia through education of the multidisciplinary treatment team. This was achieved by reviewing the latest developments in haemophilia management, considering how these can be implemented in the clinic to improve patient care and providing a platform for networking and debate for all haemophilia treatment team members. The second THE Meeting was held on 19–20 May in Frankfurt, Germany, and participants included doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, patient representatives and data management staff from 20 different countries. Topics covered the role of the multidisciplinary team in delivering the best haemophilia care, challenges in the management of haemophilia across Europe, available clotting factor treatments, future treatments and the use of genetics in advising carriers of haemophilia. This report is a summary of the key developments in haemophilia care presented by various investigators and healthcare professionals at THE Meeting 2016.
Microbial diversity and soil functions
Authors: Nannipieri P. , Ascher J. , Ceccherini M. T. , Landi L. , Pietramellara G. , Renella G.
Published: January 2017

Soil is a complex and dynamic biological system, and still in 2003 it is difficult to determine the composition of microbial communities in soil. We are also limited in the determination of microbially mediated reactions because present assays for determining the overall rate of entire metabolic processes (such as respiration) or specific enzyme activities (such as urease, protease and phosphomonoesterase activity) do not allow any identification of the microbial species directly involved in the measured processes. The central problem posed by the link between microbial diversity and soil function is to understand the relations between genetic diversity and community structure and between community structure and function. A better understanding of the relations between microbial diversity and soil functions requires not only the use of more accurate assays for taxonomically and functionally characterizing DNA and RNA extracted from soil, but also high‐resolution techniques with which to detect inactive and active microbial cells in the soil matrix.

Soil seems to be characterized by a redundancy of functions; for example, no relationship has been shown to exist between microbial diversity and decomposition of organic matter. Generally, a reduction in any group of species has little effect on overall processes in soil because other microorganisms can take on its function.

The determination of the composition of microbial communities in soil is not necessary for a better quantification of nutrient transformations. The holistic approach, based on the division of the systems in pools and the measurement of fluxes linking these pools, is the most efficient. The determination of microbial C, N, P and S contents by fumigation techniques has allowed a better quantification of nutrient dynamics in soil. However, further advances require determining new pools, such as active microbial biomass, also with molecular techniques. Recently investigators have separated 13C‐ and 12C‐DNA, both extracted from soil treated with a 13C source, by density‐gradient centrifugation. This technique should allow us to calculate the active microbial C pool by multiplying the ratio between labelled and total DNA by the microbial biomass C content of soil. In addition, the taxonomic and functional characterization of 13C‐DNA allows us to understand more precisely the changes in the composition of microbial communities affected by the C‐substrate added to soil.
From Talk to Action: How the IAALS Summit Recommendations Can Reshape Family Justice
Authors: A. Knowlton Natalie
Published: January 2017

The recommendations contained in “The Family Law Bar: Stewards of the System, Leaders of Change” were generated from discussions among those who are steeped in the practice of family law. Their focus is much broader, however, implicating key family justice system stakeholders beyond family law practitioners. Additionally, the recommendations are intended to benefit family court litigants broadly—not simply those who are represented by a family law attorney. This article leverages findings from the recent IAALS Cases Without Counsel study of self‐representation in family court, illustrating areas of overlap between this study's findings and Family Bar Summit suggestions for family justice system reform.
A Survey of Beliefs and Priorities About Access to Justice of Family Law: The Search for A Multidisciplinary Perspective*
Authors: Salem Peter , Saini Michael
Published: January 2017

Within the last decade, the term “access to justice” has grown in popularity among legal commentators, scholars, family justice reformers, government policy makers, and the media. But with all of this new attention, there remains no common understanding or definition of access to justice and its potential implications for children and families in domestic relation courts. The purpose of this cross‐sectional online survey was to explore the meaning of access to justice according to legal, mental health, and dispute resolution professionals in various countries. The sample included 442 respondents (e.g., judges, lawyers, custody evaluators, mediators, family court services, court administrators, parent educators, etc.) from seven countries. Of the total respondents, 398 participants completed the survey (response rate of ninety percent). The majority of participants defined access to justice as the ability of disputants to seek and obtain a remedy through formal (e.g., the courts) or informal (e.g., mediation) institutions and services for resolving disputes. Noteworthy differences were reported, however, between the views of legal and mental health professionals, where the latter most likely viewed access to justice as a legal issue, while the former focused on alternative approaches outside of the legal system to resolve family disputes. Implications for family court reforms are discussed.
PKN2 is essential for mouse embryonic development and proliferation of mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Danno Sally , Kubouchi Koji , Mehruba Mona , Abe Manabu , Natsume Rie , Sakimura Kenji , Eguchi Satoshi , Oka Masahiro , Hirashima Masanori , Yasuda Hiroki , Mukai Hideyuki
Published: January 2017

PKN2, a member of the protein kinase N (PKN) family, has been suggested by in vitro culture cell experiments to bind to Rho/Rac GTPases and contributes to cell–cell contact and cell migration. To unravel the in vivo physiological function of PKN2, we targeted the PKN2 gene. Constitutive disruption of the mouse PKN2 gene resulted in growth retardation and lethality before embryonic day (E) 10.5. PKN2−/− embryo did not undergo axial turning and showed insufficient closure of the neural tube. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from PKN2−/− embryos at E9.5 failed to grow. Cre‐mediated ablation of PKN2 in PKN2flox/flox MEFs obtained from E14.5 embryos showed impaired cell proliferation, and cell cycle analysis of these MEFs showed a decrease in S‐phase population. Our results show that PKN2 is essential for mouse embryonic development and cell‐autonomous proliferation of primary MEFs in culture. Comparison of the PKN2−/− phenotype with the phenotypes of PKN1 and PKN3 knockout strains suggests that PKN2 has distinct nonredundant functions in vivo, despite the structural similarity and evolutionary relationship among the three isoforms.
Nursing perceptions of patient safety climate in the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Elsous A. , Akbari Sari A. , AlJeesh Y. , Radwan M.
Published: January 2017

Aims

This study was undertaken to assess the perception of nurses about patient safety culture and to test whether it is significantly affected by the nurses’ position, age, experience and working hours.

Background

Patient safety has sparked the interest of healthcare mangers, yet there is limited knowledge about the current patient safety culture among nurses in the Gaza Strip.

Methods

This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study, administering the Arabic Safety Attitude Questionnaire (Short Form 2006) to 210 nurses in four public general hospitals.

Results

Job Satisfaction was the most highly perceived factor affecting patient safety, followed by Perception of Management. Safety culture varied across nursing position, age, work experience and working hours. Nurse Managers had more positive attitudes towards patients than frontline clinicians did. The more experience nurses had, the better their attitudes towards patient safety. Nurses who worked the minimum weekly required hours and who were 35 years and older had better attitudes towards all patient safety dimensions except for Stress Recognition. Nurses with a positive attitude had better collaboration with healthcare professionals than those without a positive attitude.

Limitation

Generalization is limited, as nurses who worked in private and specialized hospitals were excluded.

Conclusion

Evaluation of the safety culture is the essential starting point to identify hindrances or drivers for safe patient care. Job Satisfaction, Perception of Management and Teamwork necessitate reinforcement, while Working Conditions, Stress Recognition and Safety Climate require improvement.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Ensuring job satisfaction through adequate staffing levels, providing incentives and maintaining a collegial environment require both strategic planning and institutional policies at the higher administrative level. Creation of a non‐punitive and learning environment, promoting open communication and fostering continuous education should be fundamental aspects of hospital management. A policy of mixing experienced nurses with inexperienced nurses should be considered.
Editorial Perspective: Effective mental health and psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents in street situations
Authors: Watters Cynthia
Published: January 2017

Children and adolescents in street situations (CASS) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LAMIC) could arguably be regarded as the most at‐risk group of children for mental health and psychosocial impairments compared with any other group of children. CASS, street‐connected children and street children are some of the terms used to describe this group of children who have some association with the street; such as living, working or loitering for long periods of time on the street. These children are often described as ‘voiceless’; a vulnerable group of children who experience a considerable amount of adversity from a young age.
Evaluation of iris functional capillary density in experimental local and systemic inflammation
Authors: ARORA N. , ISLAM S. , WAFA K. , ZHOU J. , TOGURI J.T. , CERNY V. , LEHMANN C.
Published: January 2017

The ocular microcirculation represents an important target to treat inflammatory diseases of eye, where impairment of microvascular blood flow plays key role as, for example, in anterior uveitis. To evaluate novel interventions targeting the microcirculation, appropriate and reliable tools to study this particular microvascular bed are needed. Intravital microscopy (IVM) belongs to several methods allowing evaluation of microcirculation experimentally, even in small animals. The aim of our study was to examine the iridial microcirculation (IMIC) in uveitis induced by local or systemic endotoxin administration in rats and mice by IVM and to propose new parameters to quantify the changes within the IMIC. Systemic inflammation was induced in rats by intravenous endotoxin administration, control group received normal saline intravenously. Local inflammation was induced in mice by intravitreal endotoxin administration, the control group received normal saline intravitreally. IVM of IMIC was performed in animals receiving systemic endotoxin prior injection and 1 and 2 h afterwards, respectively, in animals receiving intravitreal endotoxin/saline prior local injection and 5 h afterwards. Obtained video recordings were analyzed off‐line. Functional capillary density (FCD) and dysfunctional capillary density (DCD) were evaluated for description of IMIC, and calculation of FCD/DCD ratio was performed. In systemic inflammation, FCD was significantly decreased compared to control animals. In local inflammation, the number of functional capillaries in the IMIC was significantly reduced following the endotoxin challenge. Analysis of the DCD revealed a significant increase in capillaries with reduced perfusion after intravitreal endotoxin administration and right shift of the FCD/DCD ratio was observed after endotoxin local injection. Detecting and quantifying changes in IMIC during systemic or local inflammation in experimental animals by IVM was feasible. Therefore, IVM of the IMIC represents a valuable tool to evaluate and quantify inflammatory changes in experimental eye disease.
What is the relationship between increased access to HAART, relationship status and fertility decisions amongst HIV‐positive women? A literature review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Burgess Abigail , Purssell Edward
Published: January 2017

Aims and objectives

To investigate the relationship between fertility decisions, to have already had a child or to desire to have one in the future, and the prognostic factors; access to antiretrovirals, the time since these became widely available (year of the study); and relationship status.

Background

There have been significant advances in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus with the advent of antiretroviral therapy which has been used to successfully reduce the rate of mother to child transmission; leading researchers to hypothesise that human immunodeficiency virus‐positive women may desire to have children more so now than in the past. However, this topic is often not discussed in healthcare consultations.

Design & Methods

A systematic search was conducted on Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Medline, using the key terms ‘fertility decisions’ and ‘human immunodeficiency virus positive’. A meta‐analysis of proportions and a meta‐regression were conducted using a random‐effects model and a logit transformation to normalise the data. Heterogeneity was assessed using Q, I2 and R2 values, and p‐values were produced for each regressed variable.

Results

There was no statistically significant relationship between a desire to have children in the future and any of the prognostic variables. However, there were statistically significant relationships between already having had at least one child; being on antiretroviral therapy; wanting a child in the future; and being in a cohabiting partnership or marriage.

Conclusion

There are no reliable prognostic variables which can be used to predict fertility intentions in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive women. There is, however, a significant proportion of women who wish to have children or who have already had children and are in need of reproductive counselling from their healthcare providers.

Relevance to clinical practice

A greater knowledge of factors which may influence reproductive decisions amongst human immunodeficiency virus‐positive position will allow healthcare professionals to individualise the care they provide.
Perceived consequences, changeability and personal control of coronary heart disease are associated with health‐related quality of life
Authors: Sigurdardottir Arun K , Sigurlásdóttir Kolbrún , Ólafsson Kjartan , Svavarsdóttir Margrét Hrönn
Published: January 2017

Aims and objectives

To explore changes in illness perception and health‐related quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease following percutaneous coronary intervention from the time when patients were discharged from hospital and five months later and to investigate association between illness perception and physical and mental health‐related quality of life at five‐month follow‐up.

Background

Illness perception is known to influence patients’ motivation to engage in preventive behaviour.

Design

Prospective and comparative with two measurement points: at discharge from hospital (time 1) and five months later (time 2).

Methods

Two self‐administered questionnaires were used as follows: the Illness Perception Questionnaire‐Revised measured illness perception and the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) measured physical and mental health‐related quality of life. The sample consisted of patients with coronary heart disease admitted to University Hospital between November 2011–April 2012.

Results

A total of 69 questionnaires were returned for both measurement times. Most responders were male (71%), mean age was 68·9 (SD 10·3) years. Health‐related quality of life increased over time, and illness perception changed; five months after discharge, participants were more aware that the disease was chronic and could worsen suddenly, and they perceived that the disease had less of a consequence on their lives compared to when they were staying in the hospital. Associations between increased personal control, changeability of the disease, perceptions of less of a consequence of the disease on daily life and increased health‐related quality of life were demonstrated at time 2.

Conclusion

Perceptions of personal control, changeability and consequences of the disease should be assessed and discussed with cardiac patients, as these illness perceptions are related to physical and mental health‐related quality of life.

Relevance to clinical practice

Increased understanding of consequences of the disease, personal control and perceived changeability of the illness affects health‐related quality of life; these are factors that nurses in clinical practice can influence and thereby improve patients’ outcomes.
Sleep quality and body mass index: a co‐twin study
Authors: Madrid‐Valero Juan J. , Martínez‐Selva José M. , Ordoñana Juan R.
Published: January 2017

There is a consistent relationship between body mass index and sleep quality. However, the directionality and possible confounding factors of this relationship are unclear. Our aim is to confirm the association between sleep quality and body mass index, independent of possible genetic confounding, as well as to provide some indirect inferences about the directionality of this association. The co‐twin study design was used to analyse the body mass index–sleep relationship in a sample of 2150 twins. We selected two parallel sub‐samples of twins discordant for body mass index (n = 430 pairs), or discordant for sleep quality (n = 316 pairs). Sleep quality and body mass index showed an inverse relationship (b = 0.056, P = 0.032) in the global sample. When twins discordant for body mass index were selected, this association maintained a similar effect size and statistical significance, at all levels of the case–control analysis (all discordant pairs b = 0.173, P < 0.001; dizygotic twins b = 0.174, P = 0.002; monozygotic twins b = 0.173, P = 0.050). Nevertheless, when twin pairs were selected on the basis of their discordance for sleep quality, the association between body mass index and sleep quality appeared weaker and lost significance (b = 0.021, P = 0.508). The analyses including only dizygotic (b = 0.028, P = 0.526) or monozygotic (b = 0.001, P = 0.984) pairs produced similar non‐significant results. Our results confirm the relationship between sleep quality and body mass index, even after applying high levels of control, including genetic factors. Moreover, this study suggests a possible directionality of this relationship, such that sleep quality would strongly affect body mass index, while the opposite would be less robust and consistent in non‐clinical samples.
Acute and Chronic Effects of Ammonia on Juvenile Cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis
Authors: Peng Rui‐Bing , Wang Peng‐Shuai , Le Ke‐Xin , Wang Yuan , Han Qing‐Xi , Jiang Xia‐Min
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to provide a reference value for the safe regulation and control of ammonia nitrogen in the aquaculture of Sepia pharaonis. The effects of acute and chronic toxicity of ammonia on the cuttlefish, S. pharaonis, were tested experimentally using juvenile S. pharaonis. The results showed that the half‐lethal concentration (LC50
) values of ammonia nitrogen in juvenile S. pharaonis with a body weight of 6.52 ± 0. 23 g at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h were 31.72, 25.77, 23.33, and 18.33 mg/L, respectively, and the corresponding un‐ionized ammonia nitrogen (UIA‐N) concentrations were 1.66, 1.35, 1.22, and 0.96 mg/L, respectively. Compared with the control, the survival rate, specific growth rate, and feed intake of juvenile S. pharaonis declined significantly, and the feed conversion ratio and hepatosomatic index increased significantly at 56 d after exposure to >1 mg/L ammonia nitrogen. Juvenile S. pharaonis should be maintained at a concentration of ammonia nitrogen of no more than 1 mg/L (UIA‐N is 0.056 mg/L) in culture, and removing harmful nitrogenous wastes from the seawater is critical in maintaining cuttlefish culture.
Taxonomic notes on Isodon (Nepetoideae, Lamiaceae) in China I: revision of four species
Authors: Chen Ya‐Ping , Xiang Chun‐Lei , Hu Guo‐Xiong , Peng Hua
Published: January 2017

A taxonomic revision of four species of Isodon (I. alborubrus, I. lungshengensis, I. rubescens and I. scrophularioides) from China is presented. Isodon alborubrus, previously regarded as conspecific with I. sculponeatus, is resurrected as a distinct species. Seven synonyms are newly proposed: I. gibbosus as a synonym of I. lungshengensis, I. henryi, Rabdosia rubescens var. rubescens f. lushanensis, R. rubescens var. taihangensis, R. rubescens var. lushiensis and I. rubescens var. eglandulosus of I. rubescens var. rubescens, and R. megathyrsoides of I. scrophularioides. Information about nomenclature, description, phenology, distribution and habitat, taxonomic notes as well as specimens examined is provided for each species.
Phonetic analysis during treatment with rapid maxillary expander
Authors: Biondi E. , Bandini A. , Lombardo L. , Orlandi S. , Siciliani G. , Manfredi C.
Published: January 2017

Structured Abstract

Objectives

To investigate possible changes and/or device‐related impairments in phonetic habits produced by rapid maxillary expansion (RME).

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐five patients scheduled for RME were divided into two groups: Group A (banded two‐arm Hyrax) and Group B (banded four‐arm Hyrax). Speech samples were collected at six time points, before, during and after RME removal. Acoustical analysis was performed using PRAAT and BioVoice analysis tools. Ten volunteers completed a questionnaire on the acceptability of patient's speech. Maxillary dimensions and palatal volume were measured on dental casts before and after expansion using a digital gauge.

Results

Voice analysis showed an increase in the peak frequency of fricative consonants (/s/,/ʃ/) after expansion, whereas there was no change of formant frequencies of palatal consonants (/ɲ/,/ʎ/). Vowel /i/ displayed a lowering of the first formant frequency, and an increase in the second and third formant frequencies. After bonding, Group B showed both a greater reduction in the peak frequency of fricatives and a greater increase in the formant frequencies of palatal consonants than Group A.

Conclusion

Rapid maxillary expansion causes a slight phonetic change in the acoustical parameters of both consonants and vowels. The two‐arm Hyrax caused less speech impairment than the four‐arm Hyrax during the treatment.
Successful surgical management of congenital Kasabach–Merritt syndrome
Authors: Pascal Sébastien , Bettex Quentin , Andre Nicolas , Petit Philippe , Casanova Dominique , Degardin Nathalie
Published: January 2017

Since the first description of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome (KMS) in 1940, many treatments have been proposed combining pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic approaches, which can be effective on the pathology but can have adverse and unpredictable side‐effects with long‐term use. Herein we describe the solely surgical treatment of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome in a neonate with a severe and rapidly progressive thrombocytopenia. The patient's condition normalized at 7 days postoperatively, with rapid increase in platelet count and normalization of d‐dimer concentration.
Partial monosomy of 10p and duplication of another chromosome in two patients
Authors: Ohta Sayaka , Isojima Tsuyoshi , Mizuno Yoko , Kato Motohiro , Mimaki Masakazu , Seki Masafumi , Sato Yusuke , Ogawa Seishi , Takita Junko , Kitanaka Sachiko , Oka Akira
Published: January 2017

Partial monosomy of 10p is a rare chromosomal abnormality. Common features are hypoparathyroidism, deafness, renal anomalies, distinctive facies, and mental retardation, with phenotypic variability. We report two patients with chromosomal abnormalities identified on single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis. Although patient 1 had common features of monosomy10p, G‐banding indicated a normal karyotype. SNP array and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), however, indicated unbalanced translocation of a 10p terminal deletion of 11.7 Mb and a 15q terminal duplication of 8.2 Mb. In patient 2, SNP array and FISH indicated a 10p terminal deletion of 12.6 Mb and a 7q terminal duplication of 1.9 Mb. This is the first case report of monosomy 10p combined with trisomy 15q (patient 1). Because the clinical heterogeneity of the 10p deletion syndrome would be affected by duplication of another chromosome, we emphasize that SNP/microarray analysis is necessary to confirm genotype–phenotype correlation.
Neonatal stridor and laryngeal cyst: Which comes first?
Authors: Marseglia Lucia , D'Angelo Gabriella , Impellizzeri Pietro , Salvo Vincenzo , Catalano Natalia , Bruno Rocco , Galletti Claudio , Galletti Bruno , Galletti Francesco , Gitto Eloisa
Published: January 2017

Neonatal stridor is a rare condition usually caused by laryngomalacia. Congenital laryngeal cyst represents an uncommon cause of stridor in the neonatal population and may be misinterpreted as laryngomalacia, leading to serious morbidity and mortality if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Herein we report the case of a full‐term infant with stridor, feeding problems and failure to thrive. Initially, direct laryngoscopy diagnosed only laryngomalacia. As stridor worsened, however, and respiratory distress appeared, repeat laryngoscopy showed vallecular laryngeal cyst, visible macroscopically. The patient was successfully treated with endoscopic marsupialization. There was no evidence of recurrence at follow up after 3 months. This case highlights the importance of laryngoscopic assessment for suspected laryngeal abnormalities in infants with stridor. If symptoms worsen, endoscopy should be repeated, because congenital laryngeal cysts may not be immediately visible macroscopically.
Bcl‐2 family in non‐small cell lung cancer: its prognostic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Sun Ping‐Li , Sasano Hironobu , Gao Hongwen
Published: January 2017

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Despite significant advances in its research of tumor biology and therapy, the prognosis for this neoplasm has still remained poor. The great majority of anticancer agents, regardless of their mechanisms of action, exert their lethal actions on cancer cells by inducing apoptosis following drug‐induced cellular damage. Many reported studies have evaluated the prognostic and therapeutic implications of apoptosis in lung cancer, but their exact clinical value has remained unclear. Therefore more prospective studies are currently required to further validate apoptosis as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in lung cancer patients. The current study reviewed the studies on the prognostic and predictive significances of Bcl‐2 family proteins in NSCLC. We also discussed potential treatment strategies which could target apoptotic proteins in lung carcinoma cells. Exception for Bcl‐2 itself, studies of the prognostic significance of other Bcl‐2 family proteins is markedly limited. The abundance of literature suggests that targeting apoptosis in NSCLC is feasible. However, many troubling questions arise with the use of new drugs or treatment strategies, and new biomarkers are needed.
Effect of cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrins on cryosurvival of dog spermatozoa
Authors: Khan J , Tahir MZ , Khalid A , Sattar A , Ahmad N
Published: January 2017

Contents

Cryopreservation affects integrity of cholesterol and phospholipids in the plasma membrane of sperm leading to decreased fertility of frozen‐thawed semen. Cholesterol‐loaded cyclodextrins (CLC) have been shown to improve post‐thaw semen quality in various species. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal concentration of CLC for better post‐thaw semen quality in dogs. Semen collection, through digital manipulation, was conducted once a week in four adult German shepherd dogs (n = 20 ejaculates; five ejaculates/dog). Semen samples with mass motility>3 (0: without movement; 5: fast progressive movement), motility >70% and concentration >200 × 106/ml were pooled and processed in Tris‐citrate extender containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 mg of CLC. The post‐thaw quality was assessed on the basis of percentage motility, morphological abnormalities, live/dead ratio and plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA integrity, evaluated using anova and further analysed by Tukey's range test, if applicable. The addition of CLC showed an overall improvement in post‐thaw semen quality. Among various treatment groups, and when compared to the control, the percentages of motile (55.5%), viable (65%), plasma membrane intact (56.7%), acrosome intact (49.2%) and DNA intact (98%) spermatozoa were significantly higher in 2 mg/ml CLC group (p < .05). It is concluded that incorporation of cholesterol in semen extender results in a beneficial increase in post‐thaw semen quality in dogs.
The Use of Heuristic Optimization Algorithms to Facilitate Maximum Simulated Likelihood Estimation of Random Parameter Logit Models
Authors: Hole Arne Risa , Yoo Hong Il
Published: January 2017

Applications of random-parameter logit models can be found in various disciplines. These models have non-concave simulated likelihood functions and the choice of starting values is therefore crucial to avoid convergence at an inferior optimum. Little guidance exists, however, on how to obtain good starting values. We apply an estimation strategy which makes joint use of heuristic global search routines and gradient-based algorithms. The central idea is to use heuristic routines to locate a starting point which is likely to be close to the global maximum, and then to use gradient-based algorithms to refine this point further. Using four empirical data sets, as well as simulated data, we find that the strategy proposed locates higher maxima than more conventional estimation strategies.
Viable insertion in agribusiness value chains? Seaweed farming after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in Iloilo Province, the Philippines
Authors: Andriesse Edo , Lee Zack
Published: January 2017

This article provides one of the first academic assessments of upstream agribusiness value chain and rural livelihood challenges after the November 2013 Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), which devastated many coastal communities in the central Philippines. Based on a survey and semistructured interviews among fisherfolk, seaweed farmers and other stakeholders in Iloilo Province, this article lays bare the limited viability of the seaweed value chain as a result of the recurring typhoon threat, other environmental pressures and an ineffective regional political economy. Since Typhoon Yolanda, the marginalized communities have depended on horizontal coordination and support from international civil society. The empirical results show that enhanced information dissemination and public sector cooperation are necessary for the seaweed value chain to become more inclusive. The results could also have a wider significance for rural development in other coastal areas in Southeast Asia, namely in the spheres of adaptive strategies amidst vulnerability, upstream vertical coordination and upgrading.