bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trajectory of a projectile on a frictional inclined plane
Authors: Wang Xiaosun
Published: July 2014

A closed form solution is given for the trajectory of a particle sliding on an inclined plane with Coulomb-type friction. If the inclination of the plane is less than the friction angle, the particle eventually comes to rest and expressions for the location of this point and the duration of the motion are given. If the initial launch is inclined at a small angle with respect to the upward line of greatest slope, the direction of the velocity changes rapidly during the last instants of motion.
Reliability of Clinician Scoring of the Functional Movement Screen to Assess Movement Patterns
Authors: Stobierski Lisa M. , Fayson Shirleeah D. , Minthorn Lindsay M. , McLeod Tamara C. Valovich , Welch Cailee E.
Published: July 2014

Clinical Scenario:

Injuries are inevitable in the physically active population. As a part of preventive medicine, health care professionals often seek clinical tools that can be used in real time to identify factors that may predispose individuals to these injuries. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS), a clinical tool consisting of 7 individual tasks, has been reported as useful in identifying individuals in various populations that may be susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries. If factors that may predispose physically active individuals to injury could be identified before participation, clinicians may be able to develop a training plan based on FMS scores, which could potentially decrease the likelihood of injury and overall time missed from physical activities. However, in order for a screening tool to be used clinically, it must demonstrate acceptable reliability.

Focused Clinical Question:

Are clinicians reliable at scoring the FMS, in real time, to assess movement patterns of physically active individuals?
Maximal Sprint Speed in Boys of Increasing Maturity
Authors: Meyers Robert W. , Oliver Jonathan L. , Hughes Michael G. , Cronin John B. , Lloyd Rhodri S.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the natural development of the mechanical features of sprint performance in relation to maturation within a large cohort of boys. Three hundred and thirty-six boys (11-15 years) were analyzed for sprint performance and maturation. Maximal speed, stride length (SL), stride frequency (SF), flight time (FT) and contact time (CT) were assessed during a 30m sprint. Five maturation groups (G1-5) were established based on age from peak height velocity (PHV) where G1=>2.5years pre-PHV, G2 = 2.49-1.5years pre-PHV, G3 = 1.49-0.5years pre-PHV, G4 = 0.49years pre- to 0.5years post-PHV and G5 = 0.51-1.5years post-PHV. There was no difference in maximal speed between G1, G2 and G3 but those in G4 and G5 were significantly faster (p < .05) than G1-3. Significant increases (p < .05) in SL were observed between groups with advancing maturation, except G4 and G5 (p > .05). SF decreased while CT increased (both p < .05) between G1, G2 and G3, but no further significant changes (p > .05) were observed for either variable between G3, G4 and G5. While G1-3 increased their SL, concomitant decreases in SF and increases in CT prevented them from improving maximal speed. Maximal sprint speed appears to develop around and post-PHV as SF and CT begin to stabilize, with increases in maximal sprint speed in maturing boys being underpinned by increasing SL.
On the structural stability of mutualistic systems
Authors: Rohr Rudolf P. , Saavedra Serguei , Bascompte Jordi
Published: July 2014

A structural approach to species interactions

What determines the stability of ecological networks? Rohr
et al.
devised a conceptual approach to study interactions between species that emphasizes the role of network structure (see the Perspective by Pawar). Using the example of mutualistic networks of communities of plants and their pollinator species, they show how the structure of networks can determine the persistence of the interactions. Network structures and architectures observed in nature intrinsically match the most stable solution. This approach has promise for application to questions of ecological community stability under global change.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1253497
; see also p.
383
Time-resolved dissection of early phosphoproteome and ensuing proteome changes in response to TGF-β
Authors: J. D’Souza Rochelle C. , Knittle Anna M. , Nagaraj Nagarjuna , van Dinther Maarten , Choudhary Chunaram , ten Dijke Peter , Mann Matthias , Sharma Kirti
Published: July 2014

Proteomics analysis of TGF-β signaling in keratinocytes reveals widespread changes in protein phosphorylation and abundance.
REDD1 enhances protein phosphatase 2A–mediated dephosphorylation of Akt to repress mTORC1 signaling
Authors: Dennis Michael D. , Coleman Catherine S. , Berg Arthur , Jefferson Leonard S. , Kimball Scot R.
Published: July 2014

REDD1 targets a phosphatase to the kinase Akt, thereby changing the substrate specificity of Akt and inhibiting mTORC1 activity.
The membrane protein Pannexin1 forms two open-channel conformations depending on the mode of activation
Authors: Wang Junjie , Ambrosi Cinzia , Qiu Feng , Jackson David G. , Sosinsky Gina , Dahl Gerhard
Published: July 2014

Pannexin1 can be stimulated to form either a high- or a low-conductance channel with distinct ionic permeabilities.
Retrograde Flow for Forward Cell Migration
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: July 2014

Retrograde flow of adherens junctions enables collectively migrating cells to maintain cohesion and requires polarized regulation of cadherin-catenin interactions.
Seeking Help: B Cells Adapting to Flu Variability
Authors: van der Most Robbert G. , Roman François P. , Innis Bruce , Hanon Emmanuel , Vaughn David W. , Gillard Paul , Walravens Karl , Wettendorff Martine
Published: July 2014

CD4 T cell help, potentially driven by adjuvantation, increases B cell adaptability by driving the plasticity and evolution of B cells and, consequently, the antibody response to influenza antigens.
Some gating potentiators, including VX-770, diminish ΔF508-CFTR functional expression
Authors: Veit Guido , Avramescu Radu G. , Perdomo Doranda , Phuan Puay-Wah , Bagdany Miklos , Apaja Pirjo M. , Borot Florence , Szollosi Daniel , Wu Yu-Sheng , Finkbeiner Walter E. , Hegedus Tamas , Verkman Alan S. , Lukacs Gergely L.
Published: July 2014

Ivacaftor, a potentiator of ΔF508-CFTR channel function in cystic fibrosis, reduces the ability of corrector drugs to rescue the ΔF508-CFTR membrane trafficking defect.
CFTR Potentiators: Not an Open and Shut Case
Authors: Clancy John P.
Published: July 2014

Positive and negative effects of drugs in cystic fibrosis raise questions about therapeutic development.
Evasion of Short Interfering RNA-Directed Antiviral Silencing in Musa acuminata Persistently Infected with Six Distinct Banana Streak Pararetroviruses
Authors: Rajeswaran Rajendran , Seguin Jonathan , Chabannes Matthieu , Duroy Pierre-Olivier , Laboureau Nathalie , Farinelli Laurent , Iskra-Caruana Marie-Line , Pooggin Mikhail M.
Published: July 2014

Vegetatively propagated crop plants often suffer from infections with persistent RNA and DNA viruses. Such viruses appear to evade the plant defenses that normally restrict viral replication and spread. The major antiviral defense mechanism is based on RNA silencing generating viral short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that can potentially repress viral genes posttranscriptionally through RNA cleavage and transcriptionally through DNA cytosine methylation. Here we examined the RNA silencing machinery of banana plants persistently infected with six pararetroviruses after many years of vegetative propagation. Using deep sequencing, we reconstructed consensus master genomes of the viruses and characterized virus-derived and endogenous small RNAs. Consistent with the presence of endogenous siRNAs that can potentially establish and maintain DNA methylation, the banana genomic DNA was extensively methylated in both healthy and virus-infected plants. A novel class of abundant 20-nucleotide (nt) endogenous small RNAs with 5′-terminal guanosine was identified. In all virus-infected plants, 21- to 24-nt viral siRNAs accumulated at relatively high levels (up to 22% of the total small RNA population) and covered the entire circular viral DNA genomes in both orientations. The hotspots of 21-nt and 22-nt siRNAs occurred within open reading frame (ORF) I and II and the 5′ portion of ORF III, while 24-nt siRNAs were more evenly distributed along the viral genome. Despite the presence of abundant viral siRNAs of different size classes, the viral DNA was largely free of cytosine methylation. Thus, the virus is able to evade siRNA-directed DNA methylation and thereby avoid transcriptional silencing. This evasion of silencing likely contributes to the persistence of pararetroviruses in banana plants.

IMPORTANCE
We report that DNA pararetroviruses in
Musa acuminata
banana plants are able to evade DNA cytosine methylation and transcriptional gene silencing, despite being targeted by the host silencing machinery generating abundant 21- to 24-nucleotide short interfering RNAs. At the same time, the banana genomic DNA is extensively methylated in both healthy and virus-infected plants. Our findings shed light on the siRNA-generating gene silencing machinery of banana and provide a possible explanation why episomal pararetroviruses can persist in plants whereas true retroviruses with an obligatory genome-integration step in their replication cycle do not exist in plants.
Virome Analysis of Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis Ticks Reveals Novel Highly Divergent Vertebrate and Invertebrate Viruses
Authors: Tokarz Rafal , Williams Simon Hedley , Sameroff Stephen , Sanchez Leon Maria , Jain Komal , Lipkin W. Ian
Published: July 2014

A wide range of bacterial pathogens have been identified in ticks, yet the diversity of viruses in ticks is largely unexplored. In the United States,
Amblyomma americanum
,
Dermacentor variabilis
, and
Ixodes scapularis
are among the principal tick species associated with pathogen transmission. We used high-throughput sequencing to characterize the viromes of these tick species and identified the presence of Powassan virus and eight novel viruses. These included the most divergent nairovirus described to date, two new clades of tick-borne phleboviruses, a mononegavirus, and viruses with similarity to plant and insect viruses. Our analysis revealed that ticks are reservoirs for a wide range of viruses and suggests that discovery and characterization of tick-borne viruses will have implications for viral taxonomy and may provide insight into tick-transmitted diseases.

IMPORTANCE
Ticks are implicated as vectors of a wide array of human and animal pathogens. To better understand the extent of tick-borne diseases, it is crucial to uncover the full range of microbial agents associated with ticks. Our current knowledge of the diversity of tick-associated viruses is limited, in part due to the lack of investigation of tick viromes. In this study, we examined the viromes of three tick species from the United States. We found that ticks are hosts to highly divergent viruses across several taxa, including ones previously associated with human disease. Our data underscore the diversity of tick-associated viruses and provide the foundation for further studies into viral etiology of tick-borne diseases.
Atomic Force Microscopy in Microbiology: New Structural and Functional Insights into the Microbial Cell Surface
Authors: Dufrêne Yves F.
Published: July 2014

Microbial cells sense and respond to their environment using their surface constituents. Therefore, understanding the assembly and biophysical properties of cell surface molecules is an important research topic. With its ability to observe living microbial cells at nanometer resolution and to manipulate single-cell surface molecules, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has emerged as a powerful tool in microbiology. Here, we survey major breakthroughs made in cell surface microbiology using AFM techniques, emphasizing the most recent structural and functional insights.
An integrative framework for sensor-based measurement of teamwork in healthcare
Authors: Rosen Michael A , Dietz Aaron S , Yang Ting , Priebe Carey E , Pronovost Peter J
Published: July 2014

There is a strong link between teamwork and patient safety. Emerging evidence supports the efficacy of teamwork improvement interventions. However, the availability of reliable, valid, and practical measurement tools and strategies is commonly cited as a barrier to long-term sustainment and spread of these teamwork interventions. This article describes the potential value of sensor-based technology as a methodology to measure and evaluate teamwork in healthcare. The article summarizes the teamwork literature within healthcare, including team improvement interventions and measurement. Current applications of sensor-based measurement of teamwork are reviewed to assess the feasibility of employing this approach in healthcare. The article concludes with a discussion highlighting current application needs and gaps and relevant analytical techniques to overcome the challenges to implementation. Compelling studies exist documenting the feasibility of capturing a broad array of team input, process, and output variables with sensor-based methods. Implications of this research are summarized in a framework for development of multi-method team performance measurement systems. Sensor-based measurement within healthcare can unobtrusively capture information related to social networks, conversational patterns, physical activity, and an array of other meaningful information without having to directly observe or periodically survey clinicians. However, trust and privacy concerns present challenges that need to be overcome through engagement of end users in healthcare. Initial evidence exists to support the feasibility of sensor-based measurement to drive feedback and learning across individual, team, unit, and organizational levels. Future research is needed to refine methods, technologies, theory, and analytical strategies.
Directing the public to evidence-based online content
Authors: Cooper Crystale Purvis , Gelb Cynthia A , Vaughn Alexandra N , Smuland Jenny , Hughes Alexandra G , Hawkins Nikki A
Published: July 2014

To direct online users searching for gynecologic cancer information to accurate content, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) ‘Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer’ campaign sponsored search engine advertisements in English and Spanish. From June 2012 to August 2013, advertisements appeared when US Google users entered search terms related to gynecologic cancer. Users who clicked on the advertisements were directed to relevant content on the CDC website. Compared with the 3 months before the initiative (March–May 2012), visits to the CDC web pages linked to the advertisements were 26 times higher after the initiative began (June–August 2012) (p<0.01), and 65 times higher when the search engine advertisements were supplemented with promotion on television and additional websites (September 2012–August 2013) (p<0.01). Search engine advertisements can direct users to evidence-based content at a highly teachable moment—when they are seeking relevant information.
Collagenous enterocolitis and maturity onset type 1 diabetes manifesting as uraemia, malabsorption and extreme weight loss
Authors: Hunter Jonathan Michael , Lee Hui Jean , Dettrick Andrew , Tan Christopher
Published: July 2014

A 37-year-old patient with type 1 diabetes had been recently diagnosed with collagenous colitis (CC) after sigmoidoscopy. She rapidly progressed from a fortnight of watery diarrhoea, to a malabsorptive state with severe dehydration and acute kidney injury. This necessitated admission to an intensive care unit for emergency dialysis. She was subsequently diagnosed with collagenous enterocolitis affecting gastric, small bowel and colonic mucosa which required systemic steroid therapy. Physicians caring for patients with CC should be aware of the potential extreme manifestations of upper gastrointestinal collagenous deposition.
Effective ultra-low doses of erlotinib in patients with EGFR sensitising mutation
Authors: Szejniuk Weronika Maria , McCulloch Tine , Røe Oluf Dimitri
Published: July 2014

We describe three cases of patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation treated with erlotinib 25 mg/day and 25 mg every second day, being equal to one-sixth and one-twelfth of the recommended dose. The mean age of our patients was above 70 with a WHO performance status 1 before and during the treatment. The reasons for erlotinib dose reduction were rash, diarrhoea and fatigue. The decision was a result of lack of other treatment options and radiological response on standard doses. We did not observe any liver enzyme abnormalities. However, the post-treatment creatinine increased significantly. As of February 2014, our patients are still on treatment with tolerable side effects and improved quality of life. These findings indicate that some patients responding to erlotinib with noxious side effects could have clinical benefit in doses much lower than recommended.
Preschoolers’ parent-rated health disparities are strongly associated with measures of adiposity in the Lifeways cohort study children
Authors: Shrivastava Aakash , Murrin Celine , Kelleher Cecily C
Published: July 2014

Objective

To examine the relationship between lifecourse factors from preschoolers’ microecosystem and their parent-reported (mother-reported) health (PRH), following them prospectively from preconception to age 5 years. To investigate if preschoolers’ body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were associated with preschoolers’ PRH when controlled for lifecourse predictors.

Design

Lifeways cross-generation cohort study.

Setting

Ireland.

Participants

Of 1082 families, 62% mothers responded on a health and lifestyle questionnaire at follow-up. Food frequency, BMI and waist circumference were measured. There were 547 family data sets available for analysis of children's PRH.

Main outcome measure

Mother-reported children's PRH at age 5. Associations with child's individual and familial exposures from preconception to age 5 years examined using logistic regression.

Results

In univariate analysis, relatively positive rating of children's PRH were associated with children's lower intake of fats (OR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.1 to 4.3)), higher intake of fruits/vegetables (OR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.1 to 4.3)); as well as familial socioeconomic characteristics {higher household income (OR (95% CI) 3.0 (1.6 to 5.9)), non-entitlement to means-tested healthcare (OR (95% CI) 2.1 (1.0 to 4.3)), mothers’ higher education (OR (95% CI) 1.9 (1.0 to 3.6))}, psychosocial characteristics {father's participation in study (OR (95% CI) 2.1 (1.0 to 4.3)), mothers’ perceiving better support from partner (OR (95% CI) 2.3 (1.2 to 4.3)), children (OR (95% CI) 1.9 (1.0 to 3.7)) or relatives (OR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.1 to 4.1))}, parents’ lifestyle {mothers’ lower intake of energy (OR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.1 to 4.3)), fathers’ non-smoking status (OR (95% CI) 2.2 (1.1 to 4.4))} and parents’ health {mothers’ self-rated health relatively positive (OR (95% CI) 5.1 (2.6 to 9.9)), fathers’ self-rated health relatively positive (OR (95% CI) 3.0 (1.5 to 6.0))}.

In multivariable analysis (χ2=34.2, df=21, N=303, R2 = 0.26, p<0.05), one of the two strong predictors of children's relatively positive PRH was child not being obese by International Obesity Task Force classification (OR (95% CI) 5.5 (1.4 to 21.0)), observed also using BMI (kg/m2; OR (95% CI) 0.73 (0.58 to 0.93)) or waist circumference (cm; OR (95% CI) 0.89 (0.81 to 0.98)) as continuous variables. The other significant predictor was mothers’ self-rated health relatively positive (OR (95% CI) 4.2 (1.5 to 12.2)).

Conclusions

Preschoolers’ health is adversely associated with obesity and this is independent of lifecourse and social and environmental inequalities. The findings suggest that reducing childhood obesity and improving maternal health may be useful ways to improve child's global health.
Visceral leishmaniasis-associated mortality in Bangladesh: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Huda M Mamun , Chowdhury Rajib , Ghosh Debashis , Dash Aditya Prasad , Bhattacharya Sujit Kumar , Mondal Dinesh
Published: July 2014

Objective

To investigate visceral leishmaniasis (VL) deaths and risk factors in two VL endemic areas of Bangladesh.

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional.

Setting

Two geographically and culturally different VL endemic subdistricts, Godagari in the district of Rajshahi and Trishal in the district of Mymensingh in Bangladesh, August 2009–December 2011.

Participants

51 094 inhabitants from randomly selected Unions in the two subdistricts.

Main outcome measures

VL deaths, confirmed independently by qualified physicians using the verbal autopsy procedure ICD10 guideline.

Results

The total number of people screened for VL deaths was 51 094 from 12 032 households from Godagari and Trishal subdistricts . About 16% of the people from Godagari were Tribals. The average age of the study population was 25.6 years (SD 18.4) and 49.7% were females. The VL case fatality rate averaged 6.12% (12/196) including 2/137 in Trishal and 10/59 in Godagari. Most of the VL deaths (9/12, 75%) occurred at home and the rest in tertiary hospitals. None of these deaths had been reported in the national VL surveillance system. The VL case fatality rate in the Tribal ethnic (22.2%) population was about 17 times higher than that in the Bangali ethnic (1.3%) population (p<0.0001). Tribal ethnicity had an 18 times (OR=18.1, 95% CI 3.6 to 90.6) higher risk for VL deaths compared with Bangali ethnicity (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

VL deaths were found to be high in the study areas and were under-reported. The Tribal ethnic population was at the highest risk for VL deaths. The national VL Elimination Programme should give special attention to the tribal community in the endemic areas, especially for those in Rajshahi, and should strengthen VL surveillance by including tertiary hospitals in the national surveillance system.
Prescription opioid injection and risk of hepatitis C in relation to traditional drugs of misuse in a prospective cohort of street youth
Authors: Hadland Scott E , DeBeck Kora , Kerr Thomas , Feng Cindy , Montaner Julio S , Wood Evan
Published: July 2014

Objective

Despite dramatic increases in the misuse of prescription opioids, the extent to which their intravenous injection places drug users at risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains unclear. We sought to compare risk of HCV acquisition from injection of prescription opioids to that from other street drugs among high-risk street youth.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from September 2005 to November 2011.

Participants

The At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS) is a prospective cohort of drug-using adolescents and young adults aged 14–26 years. Participants were recruited through street-based outreach and snowball sampling.

Primary outcome measure

HCV antibody seroconversion, measured every 6 months during follow-up. Risk for seroconversion from injection of prescription opioids was compared with injection of other street drugs of misuse, including heroin, cocaine or crystal methamphetamine, using Cox proportional hazards regression controlling for age, gender and syringe sharing.

Results

Baseline HCV seropositivity was 10.6%. Among 512 HCV-seronegative youth contributing 860.2 person-years of follow-up, 56 (10.9%) seroconverted, resulting in an incidence density of 6.5/100 person-years. In bivariate analyses, prescription opioid injection (HR=3.48; 95% CI 1.57 to 7.70) predicted HCV seroconversion. However, in multivariate modelling, only injection of heroin (adjusted HR=4.56; 95% CI 2.39 to 8.70), cocaine (adjusted HR=1.88; 95% CI 1.00 to 3.54) and crystal methamphetamine (adjusted HR=2.91; 95% CI 1.57 to 5.38) remained independently associated with HCV seroconversion, whereas injection of prescription opioids did not (adjusted HR=0.94; 95% CI 0.40 to 2.21).

Conclusions

Although misuse of prescription opioids is on the rise, traditional street drugs still posed the greatest threat of HCV transmission in this setting. Nonetheless, the high prevalence and incidence of HCV among Canadian street youth underscore the need for evidence-based drug prevention, treatment and harm reduction interventions targeting this vulnerable population.
‘This isn't what mine looked like’: a qualitative study of symptom appraisal and help seeking in people recently diagnosed with melanoma
Authors: Walter Fiona M , Birt Linda , Cavers Debbie , Scott Suzanne , Emery Jon , Burrows Nigel , Cavanagh Gina , MacKie Rona , Weller David , Campbell Christine
Published: July 2014

Objective

To explore symptom appraisal and help-seeking decisions among patients recently diagnosed with melanomas, and to compare experiences of people with ‘thinner’ (<1 mm) and ‘thicker’ (>2 mm) melanomas, as thickness at diagnosis is an important prognostic feature.

Methods

In-depth interviews with patients within 10 weeks of melanoma diagnosis explored the factors impacting on their pathways to diagnosis. Framework analysis, underpinned by the Model of Pathways to Treatment, was used to explore the data with particular focus on patients’ beliefs and experiences, disease factors, and healthcare professional (HCP) influences.

Results

63 patients were interviewed (29–93 years, 31 women, 30 thicker melanomas). All described their skin changes using rich lay vocabulary. Many included unassuming features such as ‘just a little spot’ as well as common features of changes in size, colour and shape. There appeared to be subtly different patterns of symptoms: descriptions of vertical growth, bleeding, oozing and itch were features of thicker melanomas irrespective of pathological type. Appraisal was influenced by explanations such as normal life changes, prior beliefs and whether skin changes matched known melanoma descriptions. Most decisions to seek help were triggered by common factors such as advice from family and friends. 11 patients reported previous reassurance about their skin changes by a HCP, with little guidance on monitoring change or when it would be appropriate to re-consult.

Conclusions

Patients diagnosed with both thinner and thicker melanomas often did not initially recognise or interpret their skin changes as warning signs or prompts to seek timely medical attention. The findings provide guidance for melanoma awareness campaigns on more appropriate images, helpful descriptive language and the need to stress the often apparently innocuous nature of potentially serious skin changes. The importance of appropriate advice, monitoring and safety-netting procedures by HCPs for people presenting with skin changes is also highlighted.
Tea consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis update
Authors: Yang Jian , Mao Qun-Xia , Xu Hong-Xia , Ma Xu , Zeng Chun-Yu
Published: July 2014

Objective

Tea has been suggested to decrease blood glucose levels and protect pancreatic β cells in diabetic mice. However, human epidemiological studies showed inconsistent results for the association between tea consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to further explore the association between tea consumption and incidence of T2DM.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature search up to 30 August 2013 in PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Wanfang Database and CNKI database. Pooling relative risks (RRs) were estimated by random-effect models. Two kinds of subgroup analyses (according to sex and regions) were performed. Sensitive analyses were performed according to types of tea.

Results

Overall, no statistically significant relationship between tea consumption and risk of T2DM was found based on 12 eligible studies (pooling RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.03). Compared with the lowest/non-tea group, daily tea consumption (≥3 cups/day) was associated with a lower T2DM risk (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.97). Subgroup analyses showed a difference between men and women. Overall, the RRs (95% CI) were 0.92 (0.84 to 1.00) for men, and 1.00 (0.96 to 1.05) for women, respectively. Tea consumption of ≥3 cups/day was associated with decreased T2DM risk in women (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.00). Overall, the RRs (95% CIs) were 0.84 (0.71 to 1.00) for Asians, and 1.00 (0.97 to 1.04) for Americans and Europeans, respectively. No obvious change was found in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

The results suggest that daily tea consumption (≥3 cups/day) is associated with a lower T2DM risk. However, further studies are needed to enrich related evidence, especially with regard to types of tea or sex.
A combined teamwork training and work standardisation intervention in operating theatres: controlled interrupted time series study
Authors: Morgan Lauren , Pickering Sharon P , Hadi Mohammed , Robertson Eleanor , New Steve , Griffin Damian , Collins Gary , Rivero-Arias Oliver , Catchpole Ken , McCulloch Peter
Published: July 2014

Background

Teamwork training and system standardisation have both been proposed to reduce error and harm in surgery. Since the approaches differ markedly, there is potential for synergy between them.

Methods

Design:Controlled interrupted time series with a 3 month intervention and observation phases before and after.Setting:Operating theatres conducting elective orthopaedic surgery in a single hospital system (UK Hospital Trust).Intervention:Teamwork training based on crew resource management plus training and follow-up support in developing standardised operating procedures. Focus of subsequent standardisation efforts decided by theatre staff.Measures:Paired observers watched whole procedures together. We assessed non-technical skills using NOTECHS II, technical performance using glitch rate and compliance with WHO checklist using a simple quality tool. We measured complication and readmission rates and hospital stay using hospital administrative records. Before/after change was compared in the active and control groups using two-way ANOVA and regression models.

Results

1121 patients were operated on before and 1100 after intervention. 44 operations were observed before and 50 afterwards. Non-technical skills (p=0.002) and WHO compliance (p<0.001) improved significantly after the intervention in the active versus the control group. Glitch count improved in both groups and there was no significant effect on clinical outcomes.

Discussion

Combined training in teamwork and system improvement causes marked improvements in team behaviour and WHO performance, but not technical performance or outcome. These findings are consistent with the synergistic hypothesis, but larger controlled studies with a strong implementation strategy are required to test potential outcome effects.
Anticoagulation service: improving the referral process
Authors: Davies Thomas , Geleit Ryan
Published: July 2014

Oral anticoaguIants are extremely common, and it is estimated that there are between 500,000 and 1 million people prescribed them in the UK.[1] These drugs are the most frequently named medication in fatal errors and litigation claims [2] and they require the implementation of additional safety controls.[3] Warfarin is the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant and it requires regular international normalised ratio (INR) monitoring and dosage adjustment to achieve the desired therapeutic range.[4] Under-anticoagulation can cause thrombosis and over-anticoagulation can lead to haemorrhage, both of which can be fatal.[5]

At St. Peter's hospital there is an anticoagulation service providing regular international normalised ratio (INR) monitoring for patients on warfarin. However, the current referral system is paper-based and a baseline audit found that only 66% of patients were successfully referred to the service on discharge from hospital. This identifies a significant patient safety issue which could result in life-threatening consequences.

An electronic referral form was developed within a pre-existing computer based ordering system with the aim of improving the referral rate. The electronic referral tool streamlined the referral process, making the form quicker and easier to fill out and removed the need for faxing lengthy paper forms. Key information on the form was made mandatory. After intervention a re-audit revealed that 84% of patients discharged on warfarin were referred to the clinic, which equates to an increase of 18%. The increased referral rate will improve patient safety and prevent unnecessary hospital admissions.

There should be continued promotion of the importance of referring patients to the anticoagulation clinic. This can be delivered through inductions, teaching sessions, and re-audits. Future goals include an automated referral system triggered on patient discharge.
The effect of urban green on small-area (healthy) life expectancy
Authors: Jonker M F , van Lenthe F J , Donkers B , Mackenbach J P , Burdorf A
Published: July 2014

Background

Several epidemiological studies have investigated the effect of the quantity of green space on health outcomes such as self-rated health, morbidity and mortality ratios. These studies have consistently found positive associations between the quantity of green and health. However, the impact of other aspects, such as the perceived quality and average distance to public green, and the effect of urban green on population health are still largely unknown.

Methods

Linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of three different measures of urban green on small-area life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) in The Netherlands. All regressions corrected for average neighbourhood household income, accommodated spatial autocorrelation, and took measurement uncertainty of LE, HLE as well as the quality of urban green into account.

Results

Both the quantity and the perceived quality of urban green are modestly related to small-area LE and HLE: an increase of 1 SD in the percentage of urban green space is associated with a 0.1-year higher LE, and, in the case of quality of green, with an approximately 0.3-year higher LE and HLE. The average distance to the nearest public green is unrelated to population health.

Conclusions

The quantity and particularly quality of urban green are positively associated with small-area LE and HLE. This concurs with a growing body of evidence that urban green reduces stress, stimulates physical activity, improves the microclimate and reduces ambient air pollution. Accordingly, urban green development deserves a more prominent place in urban regeneration and neighbourhood renewal programmes.
Flow diverter stents for unruptured saccular anterior circulation perforating artery aneurysms: safety, efficacy, and short-term follow-up
Authors: Kühn Anna Luisa , Hou Samuel Y , Perras Mary , Brooks Christopher , Gounis Matthew J , Wakhloo Ajay K , Puri Ajit S
Published: July 2014

Background

Anterior circulation perforating artery aneurysms including anterior choroidal artery and lenticulostriate artery aneurysms are rare. Injury to these vessels can lead to severe debilitating symptoms.

Objective

To present a new approach to treatment using flow diversion technology.

Methods

Patients treated with a Pipeline embolization device (PED) for perforator artery aneurysms at our institution between June 2012 and May 2013 were identified and included in our retrospective analysis. We evaluated patient vascular risk factors; family history of aneurysms; aneurysm characteristics; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) on admission; and angiography follow-up and patient clinical outcome at discharge, 6 months, and 1 year.

Results

We included four patients with a mean age of 59.8 years. Two patients had a positive family history of aneurysms. Patient vascular risk factors included smoking, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. All patients presented with a NIHSS and mRS of 0 on admission. Aneurysms were located at the anterior choroidal (n=2) or lenticulostriate artery (n=2) and were treated with a single PED. No periprocedural or postprocedural complications occurred. The patients were discharged with no change in NHISS or mRS score. Six-month and 1-year follow-up angiography showed complete aneurysm occlusion. Mild intimal hyperplasia was seen in 2 cases at 6 months, but was resolved at the 1-year follow-up. No re-treatment was necessary. NIHSS and mRS remained 0 at follow-up time points.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results show that flow diversion technology is an effective and safe therapy for complex, hard-to-treat aneurysms in perforating arteries. Larger studies with long-term follow-up are needed to validate our promising results.
Efficacy of a new attenuated duck parvovirosis vaccine in Muscovy ducks
Authors: Maurin‐Bernaud L. , Goutebroze S. , Merdy O. , Chanay A. , Cozette V. , Gros F‐X Le
Published: July 2014

The efficacy of a new live attenuated parvovirosis vaccine was tested in conventional ducklings against Derzsy's disease by comparing two vaccination regimens. Ducklings were vaccinated with either one injection at 17 days of age or two injections at 1 and 17 days of age. Controls and vaccinated ducklings were challenged with a virulent Derzsy strain at 21 days of age (day 20). Weight was measured on days 20, 34 and 42/43. Surviving birds were necropsied on day 42/43. Protection rates were significantly higher in the groups vaccinated once (90 per cent, P=0.003) and twice (95 per cent, P<0.001) than in the control group (59 per cent). The bodyweight was significantly higher in both vaccinated groups than in the control group on day 34 (P=0.008 and P<0.001, respectively) and day 42/43 (P<0.001 for both groups). The growth was significantly higher in the group vaccinated twice than the group vaccinated once on day 34 (P=0.047) and day 42/43 (P=0.017). Both vaccination regimens provided a quick onset of immunity. The higher weight gain in the group vaccinated twice suggests that an early vaccination at hatchery followed by a second injection at 17 days of age is an optimal and practical schedule to prevent parvovirosis.
1H-NMR analysis of the human urinary metabolome in response to an 18-month multi-component exercise program and calcium–vitamin-D3supplementation in older men
Authors: Sheedy John R. , Gooley Paul R. , Nahid Amsha , Tull Dedreia L. , McConville Malcolm J. , Kukuljan Sonja , Nowson Caryl A. , Daly Robin M. , Ebeling Peter R.
Published: July 2014

The musculoskeletal benefits of calcium and vitamin-D3supplementation and exercise have been extensively studied, but the effect on metabolism remains contentious. Urine samples were analyzed by1H-NMR spectroscopy from participants recruited for an 18-month, randomized controlled trial of a multi-component exercise program and calcium and vitamin-D3fortified milk consumption. It was shown previously that no increase in musculoskeletal composition was observed for participants assigned to the calcium and vitamin-D3intervention, but exercise resulted in increased bone mineral density, total lean body mass, and muscle strength. Retrospective metabolomics analysis of urine samples from patients involved in this study revealed no distinct changes in the urinary metabolome in response to the calcium and vitamin-D3intervention, but significant changes followed the exercise intervention, notably a reduction in creatinine and an increase in choline, guanidinoacetate, and hypoxanthine (p < 0.001, fold change > 1.5). These metabolites are intrinsically involved in anaerobic ATP synthesis, intracellular buffering, and methyl-balance regulation. The exercise intervention had a marked effect on the urine metabolome and markers of muscle turnover but none of these metabolites were obvious markers of bone turnover. Measurement of specific urinary exercise biomarkers may provide a basis for monitoring performance and metabolic response to exercise regimes.
Resveratrol supplementation does not augment performance adaptations or fibre-type–specific responses to high-intensity interval training in humans
Authors: Scribbans Trisha D. , Ma Jasmin K. , Edgett Brittany A. , Vorobej Kira A. , Mitchell Andrew S. , Zelt Jason G.E. , Simpson Craig A. , Quadrilatero Joe , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: July 2014

The present study examined the effect of concurrent exercise training and daily resveratrol (RSV) supplementation (150 mg) on training-induced adaptations following low-dose high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Sixteen recreationally active (∼22 years, ∼51 mL·kg−1·min−1) men were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either the RSV or placebo group with both groups performing 4 weeks of HIIT 3 days per week. Before and after training, participants had a resting muscle biopsy taken, completed a peak oxygen uptake test, a Wingate test, and a submaximal exercise test. A main effect of training (p < 0.05) and interaction effect (p < 0.05) on peak aerobic power was observed; post hoc pairwise comparisons revealed that a significant (p < 0.05) increase occurred in the placebo group only. Main effects of training (p < 0.05) were observed for both peak oxygen uptake (placebo – pretraining: 51.3 ± 1.8, post-training: 54.5 ± 1.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, effect size (ES) = 0.93; RSV – pretraining: 49.6 ± 2.2, post-training: 52.3 ± 2.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, ES = 0.50) and Wingate peak power (placebo: pretraining: 747 ± 39, post-training: 809 ± 31 W, ES = 0.84; RSV – pretraining: 679 ± 39, post-training: 691 ± 43 W, ES = 0.12). Fibre-type distribution was unchanged, while a main effect of training (p < 0.05) was observed for succinate dehydrogenase activity and glycogen content, but not α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity or intramuscular lipids in type I and IIA fibres. The fold change in PGC-1α, SIRT1, and SOD2 gene expression following training was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the RSV group than placebo. These results suggest that concurrent exercise training and RSV supplementation may alter the normal training response induced by low-volume HIIT.
Evidence that meal fat content does not impact hemodynamic reactivity to or recovery from repeated mental stress tasks
Authors: Poitras Veronica J. , Slattery David J. , Gurd Brendon J. , Pyke Kyra E.
Published: July 2014

The magnitude (reactivity) and duration (recovery) of hemodynamic stress responses are predictive of cardiovascular risk, and fat intake has been shown to enhance hemodynamic reactivity to psychological stress tasks. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a high-fat meal (HFM) on the magnitude and stability of hemodynamic stress reactivity and recovery. This was assessed by: (i) the peak changes from baseline to during stress for heart rate (HR); mean, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure; cardiac output; and total peripheral resistance; and (ii) the residual arousal in hemodynamic parameters at 2 points post-stress (“early” and “late” recovery). On different days, 10 healthy males (aged 23.2 ± 3.3 years) consumed either a HFM (54 g fat) or low-fat meal (LFM; 0 g fat) (∼1000 calories each), followed by 4 hourly 10-min stress tasks (mental arithmetic and speech tasks). Pre-stress (baseline) parameters did not differ between HFM and LFM conditions (all P > 0.05). Plasma triglycerides were greater following the HFM versus the LFM (P = 0.023). No reactivity or recovery parameters differed between meals (all P > 0.05). Stress reactivity and recovery parameters were stable over the 4 stress tasks (main effects of time, all P > 0.05), with the exception of HR (P < 0.05). Contrary to previous reports, meal fat content did not impact hemodynamic reactivity to laboratory stressors. These data also provide the first evidence that meal fat content does not impact hemodynamic recovery from repeated mental stress tasks.
Geometry and general relativity in the groupoid model with a finite structure group
Authors: Heller Michael , Miller Tomasz , Pysiak Leszek , Sasin Wiesław
Published: July 2014

In a series of papers (M. Heller et al. J. Math. Phys. 38, 5840 (1997). doi:10.1063/1.532186 ; M. Heller and W. Sasin. Int. J. Theor. Phys. 38, 1619 (1999). doi:10.1023/A:1026617913754 ; M. Heller et al. Int. J. Theor. Phys. 44, 619 (2005). doi:10.1007/s10773-005-3992-7 ) we proposed a model unifying general relativity and quantum mechanics. The idea was to deduce both general relativity and quantum mechanics from a noncommutative algebra, [Formula: see text], defined on a transformation groupoid Γ determined by the action of the Lorentz group on the frame bundle (E, πM, M) over space–time M. In the present work, we construct a simplified version of the gravitational sector of this model in which the Lorentz group is replaced by a finite group, G, and the frame bundle is trivial E = M × G. The model is fully computable. We define the Einstein–Hilbert action, with the help of which we derive the generalized vacuum Einstein equations. When the equations are projected to space–time (giving the “general relativistic limit”), the extra terms that appear due to our generalization can be interpreted as “matter terms”, as in Kaluza–Klein-type models. To illustrate this effect we further simplify the metric matrix to a block diagonal form, compute for it the generalized Einstein equations and find two of their “Friedman-like” solutions for the special case when G = [Formula: see text]. One of them gives the flat Minkowski space–time (which, however, is not static), another, a hyperbolic, linearly expanding universe.
A survey of the number of legally blind university physics students in Canada during 2003–2013
Authors: Slavin Alan J.
Published: July 2014

Over the last few years, video assistive apparatus has become available at an accessible price that will allow students who have limited vision to participate almost fully in many laboratory courses at university. This paper presents a survey of the number of legally blind university physics students in Canada for the period 2003 to 2013. It will act as a benchmark to measure the effectiveness, in laboratory courses, of recent legislation mandating the provision of assistive devices in educational institutions. The survey was sent to all 52 physics departments at institutions in Canada that grant physics degrees, with all but one of the departments replying. None knew of any legally blind physicists practising in Canada. The only legally blind physics students reported were one partially sighted student who was awarded a Ph.D. in 2001, and one currently at Trent University. The survey results show that of the 12.5% of blind students who hold university degrees in Canada, very few of them are in physics.
Elastic and phonon instabilities in simple-cubic heavier alkali metalsK,RbandCsunder hydrostatic pressure studied usingab initiocalculations
Authors: Zhao Hui , Song Xiao-Sheng
Published: July 2014

Using first-principles calculation based on density functional theory, the elastic stability and dynamic stability of heavier alkali metals K , Rb and Cs in sc structure are investigated. Results reveal that the C44instabilities are responsible for the mechanical instabilities for these heavier alkali metals and the spin-polarization phases are more stable than non-spin-polarization phases. Other than K - sc which presents BZ edge instability at the M-point at ambient condition, the K - sc and Rb - sc are dynamically stable for the range of the pressure in our calculation. But for Cs - sc , it becomes unstable starting from 7 GPa. Especially we demonstrate that the most stable phases of K at low temperatures and pressures around 20 GPa are ferromagnetic K in sc structure.