bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated metal concentrations inhibit biological recovery of Cladocera in previously acidified boreal lakes
Authors: Labaj Andrew L. , Kurek Joshua , Jeziorski Adam , Smol John P.
Published: November 2014

Lakes near Sudbury, Canada, have been exposed to intense acidification and metal contamination from nearby mining and smelting operations. Although lakewater pH improved substantially following the implementation of emission controls in the late 1960s, biological recovery continues to lag behind chemical recovery.

We assessed the current state of biological recovery (relative to pre‐impact times) using multiproxy palaeolimnological records from two nearby lake districts (Sudbury and Killarney), both impacted by acidification but having experienced differences in metal contamination due to their respective distances from smelters.

Twentieth century cladoceran shifts were most pronounced in the acidified and metal‐contaminated Sudbury lakes, with assemblage changes tracking industrial activity. Chydorus brevilabris increased markedly in dominance, largely at the expense of Bosmina spp. In contrast, the Killarney lakes, with similar changes in pH but lower Cu and Ni inputs than the Sudbury lakes, experienced minimal changes within their sedimentary cladoceran assemblages.

These regional differences in cladoceran impact and recovery patterns are best explained by varying levels of Cu and Ni contamination, with concentrations of these metals still exceeding provincial water quality guidelines in the Sudbury lakes. Biological recovery in these systems appears to be inhibited by persistent high metal levels.

Increased lake primary production and coincident shifts in cladoceran assemblages over the past approximately 40 years in all the study lakes suggest that climate impacts may be gaining prominence as drivers of ecological change, and therefore a return to the biotic structure of the pre‐smelter era is unlikely.
Reconceptualising the beta diversity‐environmental heterogeneity relationship in running water systems
Authors: Heino Jani , Melo Adriano S. , Bini Luis M.
Published: November 2014

Beta diversity modelling has received increased interest recently. There are multiple definitions of beta diversity, but here, we focus on variability in species composition among sampling units within a given area. This facet can be described using various approaches. Some approaches ignore the spatial scale of the area considered (i.e. region limits), while some consider different region limits as a starting point for the analysis of beta diversity.

We focused specifically on the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship in running waters. First, we present two conceptual models, which assume either (1) strong environmental control among localities (riffle sites in our case) within each region unit (a region unit encompasses a species pool and can be a stream or a basin or an ecoregion) or (2) that the spatial level of a region unit affects the relative importance of mechanisms affecting variability in species composition among localities (i.e. among riffle sites) within each region unit. Second, we compared three recent studies that used similar methods to examine the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship, but which were based on different region units, comprising sets of streams or sets of basins or sets of ecoregions.

Our conceptual framework assumes that environmental control is not likely to be the sole mechanism affecting variability in community composition among localities within each region unit, but it is likely to be most important when dispersal rates are intermediate (i.e. among localities within a basin). In contrast, if dispersal rates are very high (i.e. among localities within a stream) or very low (i.e. among localities within an ecoregion), environmental control is in part masked by high dispersal rates or is prevented from occurring because not all species can reach all localities, respectively. Such scale dependency in the relative strength of environmental control might therefore transcend spatial scales from individual region units to the strength of the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship. We emphasise that the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship can only be tested across multiple region units. The results of three case studies are consistent with these predictions. Specifically, the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity regression was highly significant across multiple basins, but not across multiple streams or across multiple ecoregions.

We suggest that researchers take spatial scale and region unit level explicitly into account when inferring the mechanisms structuring ecological communities and mapping variation in beta diversity. We also propose a unified terminology for studies examining the beta diversity–environmental heterogeneity relationship in running waters because inconsistent terminology is likely to hamper the progress of our science.
Expression of cadherin 17 in well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Snow Anthony N , Mangray Shamlal , Lu Shaolei , Clubwala Rashna , Li Jianhong , Resnick Murray B , Yakirevich Evgeny
Published: November 2014

Aims

Cadherin 17 (CDH17) is expressed primarily in normal intestinal epithelium and digestive tract tumours, and has limited expression in other neoplasms. The aims of this study were to examine CDH17 expression in well‐differentiated neuroendocrine tumours (WDNETs) from various primary sites, representing the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and tumours metastasizing to the liver, and to correlate the differences between the expression of CDH17, CDX2, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1).

Methods and results

We investigated CDH17 immunohistochemical expression in 150 primary WDNETs from eight anatomical sites, including 68 from the foregut, 70 from the midgut, and 12 from the hindgut, and 15 metastases. CDH17 immunoreactivity increased significantly from foregut to hindgut WDNETs (P < 0.0001). Pancreatic WDNETs expressed CDH17 at a significantly higher frequency than other foregut tumours. Within the midgut, appendiceal and small‐intestinal WDNETs were more frequently positive for CDH17 than for CDX2. All hindgut WDNETs expressed CDH17, in contrast to CDX2 (positive in one rectal case). CDH17 expression in liver metastases was similar to that of the primary tumours.

Conclusions

This study is the first to comprehensively examine CDH17 expression in WDNETs from different sites. CDH17 is a sensitive marker for midgut WDNETs, and the CDH17+/CDX2−/TTF1− phenotype was found to be sensitive (92%) and specific (91%) for hindgut WDNETs.
Master apical file size – smaller or larger: a systematic review of microbial reduction
Authors: Aminoshariae A. , Kulild J.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine, in patients undergoing root canal treatment, whether apical enlargement of canals affected microbial reduction. A PICO (population, intervention, comparison and outcome) strategy was developed to identify previously published studies dealing with apical size of canal and microbial reduction. The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and PubMed databases were searched. Additionally, the bibliographies of all relevant articles and textbooks were manually searched. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently selected the relevant articles. Due to the variety of methodologies and different techniques used to measure outcome for master apical file enlargement, it was not possible to standardize the research data and to apply a meta‐analysis. Seven articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Five of the seven articles generally concluded that canal enlargement reduced bioburden in the root canal system. Two articles reported no difference in canals enlarged to size 25 or 40. The results of the systematic review confirmed that more evidence‐based research in this area is needed. With the limited information currently available, the best current available clinical evidence suggests that contemporary chemomechanical debridement techniques with canal enlargement techniques do not eliminate bacteria during root canal treatment at any size.
Restructuring and merger waves
Authors: Rodrigues Vasco
Published: November 2014

Although merger waves are one of the most important market structures shaping forces, they have been the object of little theoretical investigation in industrial economics. This paper explains how the occurrence of industry merger waves is determined by the interplay between the synergy opportunities offered by mergers and the possibility to free‐ride other firms ’ mergers market power effects. This explanation arises in the context of a two‐stage model in which mergers are endogenously determined before firms compete in the product ’s market. The endogenous market structure can either be excessively or insufficiently concentrated from a total surplus perspective.
Is there a role of C‐reactive protein in red blood cell aggregation?
Authors: Flormann D. , Kuder E. , Lipp P. , Wagner C. , Kaestner L.
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Numerous clinical studies related the plasma level of C‐reactive protein (CRP) to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) independent of the kind of disease. The molecular regulation of the process is unknown.

Methods

We performed a meta‐analysis of 10 previous studies and experimentally probed for a direct action of CRP on red blood cells (RBCs) by different methods including determination of a microscopic aggregation index, Ca2+ imaging and analysis of sedimentation experiments.

Results

The meta‐analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation (Pearson coefficient of 0.37; P < 0.0001), but we could not find any experimental evidence for a direct CRP–RBC interaction. Instead, we could confirm a correlation between fibrinogen level and ESR.

Conclusion

Therefore, we concluded that CRP and ESR cannot account for nor replace each other as a diagnostic measure. The correlation between CRP level and ESR is most probably caused by fibrinogen, because its increase coincides with elevated CRP levels.
Predictive Impact of Daily Physical Activity on New Vascular Events in Patients with Mild Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kono Yuji , Kawajiri Hiroyuki , Kamisaka Kenta , Kamiya Kuniyasu , Akao Keigo , Asai Chikako , Inuzuka Kana , Yamada Sumio
Published: November 2014

Background

Daily physical inactivity is associated with a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the target level of daily physical activity remains unclear.

Aim

We aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity on long-term vascular events in patients with mild ischemic stroke.

Methods

We designed a single hospital-based prospective observational study and studied 166 ischemic stroke patients (mean age: 63·9 ± 9·2) who had a modified Rankin Scale 0–1. We measured the daily step count as a variable of the daily physical activity after three-months from the stroke onset. Other clinical characteristics including age, body mass index, blood pressure, blood laboratory tests, vascular function and medications were also assessed. The primary outcomes were hospitalization due to stroke recurrence, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris and peripheral artery disease. Survival curves were calculated by a Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and the hazard ratios for recurrences were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results

After a median follow-up periods of 1332 days, 34 vascular events (23 stroke recurrences, 11 coronary artery disease) and 7 drop-outs occurred, and the remaining patients were divided into two groups: the without recurrence group ( n = 125) and the with recurrence group ( n = 34). The daily step count was lower in the nonsurvivor group than in the survivor group. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses revealed that the daily step counts was independent predictors of new vascular events. A daily step count cutoff value of 6025 steps per day was determined by analyzing the receiver-operating characteristics that showed a sensitivity of 69·4% and a specificity of 79·4%. The Kaplan–Meier survival curves after a log-rank test showed a significantly lower event rate in the more than 6025 steps per day group compared with the less than 6025 steps per day group ( P = 0·0002). The positive and negative predictive values of less than 6025 steps were 38·0% and 91·6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that daily physical activity evaluated by step counts may be useful for forecasting the prognosis in patients with mild ischemic stroke. Daily step counts of approximately 6000 steps per day may be an initial target level for reducing new vascular events.
Explaining Undocumented Migration to the U.S.
Authors: Massey Douglas S. , Durand Jorge , Pren Karen A.
Published: November 2014

Using data from the Mexican Migration Project and the Latin American Migration Project, we find that undocumented migration from Mexico reflects U.S. labor demand and access to migrant networks and is little affected by border enforcement, which instead sharply reduces the odds of return movement. Undocumented migration from Central America follows primarily from political violence associated with the U.S. intervention of the 1980s, and return migration has always been unlikely. Mass undocumented migration from Mexico appears to have ended because of demographic changes there, but undocumented migration from Central America can be expected to grow slowly through processes of family reunification.
Thematic analysis of psychiatric patients' perceptions of nursing staff
Authors: Stewart Duncan , Burrow Heather , Duckworth Alex , Dhillon Jasbir , Fife Sarah , Kelly Siobhan , Marsh‐Picksley Sophie , Massey Emma , O'Sullivan John , Qureshi Maria , Wright Steve , Bowers Len
Published: November 2014

Therapeutic and informal interactions with nurses are integral to the quality of care that psychiatric patients receive. How well these interactions are performed, and their impact on the experience and outcomes of inpatient care, have not been subject to systematic evaluation. The aim of the present study was to examine patients' perceptions of the personal and professional qualities of nursing staff and how these contribute to the ward environment. Patients (n = 119) from 16 acute psychiatric wards were interviewed using a schedule developed by a service‐user researcher. Transcriptions of interviews were coded and organized into six themes: staff duties, staff disposition, control, communication and engagement, therapeutic ward environment, and consistency. Patients recognized that nurses have a difficult and stressful job, but frequently expressed feelings of anger, frustration, and hopelessness about their experience of the wards. Patients frequently felt that nursing staff did not understand issues from their perspective or attempt to empathize with them. The findings indicate poorly‐communicated and inconsistent care. Initiatives to improve patients' experiences of acute psychiatric wards are urgently needed.
Case series of rash associated with influenza B in school children
Authors: Skowronski Danuta M. , Chambers Catharine , Osei William , Walker Jill , Petric Martin , Naus Monika , Li Yan , Krajden Mel
Published: November 2014

This case series describes morbilliform and other rash presentations among schoolchildren during a March 2014 outbreak of influenza‐like illness (ILI) in British Columbia, Canada. Multiplex nucleic acid testing of nasopharyngeal specimens and paired serologic investigations identified that influenza B, characterized as B/Massachusetts/02/2012‐like (Yamagata‐lineage), was the only viral aetiology and most likely cause of ILI and rash. An association between influenza B and rash has been described infrequently elsewhere, and not previously in North America. Influenza B should be considered in the differential diagnosis of febrile exanthem. Evaluation of the nature, incidence and contributing agent–host–environment interactions, and immunologic mechanisms to possibly explain influenza‐associated rash is warranted.
Horizontal cooperation in road transportation: a case illustrating savings in distances and greenhouse gas emissions
Authors: Pérez‐Bernabeu Elena , Juan Angel A. , Faulin Javier , Barrios Barry B.
Published: November 2014

This paper discusses horizontal cooperation in road transportation and supports the relevance of this praxis as a way of reducing delivery costs and greenhouse gas emissions. In a competitive market, costs reduction due to economies of scale in short and long run constitutes a key issue for small and medium enterprises. The paper reviews the existing literature on the topic and then examines different scenarios in order to quantify the savings in route costs that can be attained throughout horizontal cooperation. This numerical analysis is based on a set of well‐known benchmarks for the Multidepot Vehicle Routing Problem, which has been adapted to illustrate a realistic but seldom considered example of horizontal cooperation. An Iterated Local Search algorithm is proposed to obtain high‐quality solutions for this collaborative scenario, while noncollaborative scenarios are solved using a well‐tested algorithm for the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem. The savings in routing costs—both regarding distance‐based and environmental costs—are computed taking into account different geographical distributions of customers with respect to their assigned service providers.
Economic selection of process mean and lot‐sizing decisions for multi‐newsvendor supply chain
Authors: Darwish M. A. , Aldaihani Majid M.
Published: November 2014

Two related problems are integrated in this paper, the first is the targeting problem and another is production/inventory decisions in a supply chain. The supply chain under consideration consists of a supplier of raw material, a single producer, and multiple newsvendors. The producer can adjust the process mean before starting the production run. Once set to a certain target value, the process mean is not changed until the production lot is completed. At the end of a production run, the producer screens the lot and uses specification limits to evaluate the quality of the item. Nonconforming items are scrapped with no salvage value; however, conforming items are delivered to newsvendors who are subjected to random demand. If demand on a newsvendor in a season is lower than anticipated, surplus items will be returned to the producer at a certain transportation cost. We first develop a mathematical model that maximizes the expected total profit of the supply chain. Then, a table for two special functions is devised to simplify the solution method and is used to find the optimal solution of the proposed model. We also study the significance of this integration by comparing the performance of the proposed model with an independent model where the process mean selection and lot‐sizing decisions are found separately.
CAMAM: A Miniature Laser Ablation Ionisation Mass Spectrometer and Microscope‐Camera System for In Situ Investigation of the Composition and Morphology of Extraterrestrial Materials
Authors: Tulej Marek , Riedo Andreas , Neuland Maike B. , Meyer Stefan , Wurz Peter , Thomas Nicolas , Grimaudo Valentine , Moreno‐García Pavel , Broekmann Peter , Neubeck Anna , Ivarsson Magnus
Published: November 2014

Performance studies of a microscope‐camera system (MCS) and a laser ablation/ionisation mass spectrometer (LIMS) instrument (referred to here as a laser mass spectrometer or LMS) are presented. These two instruments were designed independently for in situ analysis of solids on planetary surfaces and will be combined to a single miniature instrument suite for in situ chemical and morphological analysis of surface materials on planetary bodies. LMS can perform sensitive chemical (elemental, isotope and molecular) analyses with spatial resolution close to micrometre‐sized grains. It allows for studies with mass resolution (M/ΔM) up to 800 in ablation mode (elemental composition) and up to 1500 in desorption mode (molecular analysis). With an effective dynamic range of at least eight orders of magnitude, sensitive and quantitative measurements can be conducted of almost all elements and isotopes with a concentration larger than a few ppb atoms. Hence, in addition to the major element composition, which is important for the determination of mineralogical constituents of surface materials, trace elements can also be measured to provide information on mineral formation processes. Highly accurate isotope ratio measurements can be used to determine in situ geochronology of sample material and for investigations of various isotope fractionation processes. MCS can conduct optical imagery of mm‐sized objects at several wavelengths with micrometre spatial resolution for the characterisation of morphological surface details and to provide insight into surface mineralogy. Furthermore, MCS can help in the selection of sample surface areas for further mass spectrometric analysis of the chemical composition. Surface auto‐fluorescence measurements and images in polarised light are additional capabilities of the MCS, to identify either fluorescing minerals or organic materials, if present on the analysed surface, for further investigation by LMS. The results obtained by investigations of NIST reference materials, amino acid films and a natural graphite sample embedded in silicate rock are presented to illustrate the performance of the instruments and their potential to deliver chemical information for mineral and organic phases in their geological context.
Cross Relaxation of Sm3+ and Energy Transfer Between Sm3+ and Eu3+ Ions in (Ca0.97Sr0.03)3(VO4)2 Phosphor Host
Authors: Chiang Chung‐Hao , Lin Han‐Yu , Chu Sheng‐Yuan
Published: November 2014

An attempt was made to verify that the inhibition of Sm3+→Eu3+ energy transfer in (Ca0.97Sr0.03)2.82(VO4)2:Sm3+,0.12Eu3+ phosphors at Sm3+ content levels of >0.06 mol can be ascribed to the cross‐relaxation effect. The emission peak at around 951 nm attributed to the 6F11/2→6H5/2 transition of Sm3+, which should be barely detectable according to the energy‐gap law, was observed in this work by exciting the 4K11/2 state of Sm3 + . The results indicate that cross‐relaxation channels, which can depopulate the 4F3/2 state of Sm3+, such as 1st Sm3+ (4F3/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6H5/2)→1st Sm3+ (6F11/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6F5/2) and 1st Sm3+ (4F3/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6H5/2)→1st Sm3+ (6F5/2) + 2nd Sm3+ (6F11/2), may form and become efficient at an Sm3+ doping level of ≧0.06 mol. It was found that the 951‐nm emission suffered from concentration quenching, which resulted from a dipole–dipole multipolar interaction.
Vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women postpartum: a quantitative systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol
Authors: Oblasser Claudia , Christie Janice , McCourt Christine
Published: November 2014

Aim

To identify, critically appraise and synthesize the best current evidence on the use of vaginal cones or balls to improve pelvic floor muscle performance and urinary continence in women post partum.

Background

The vaginal use of cones or balls is a pelvic floor muscle training method that aims to enhance muscle performance and thereby prevent or treat urinary incontinence. Nonetheless to date, no systematic review has focused on the effectiveness of these devices specifically during the postpartum period.

Design

Quantitative systematic review with potential meta‐analysis.

Methods

The review will be undertaken by searching 14 scientific databases (including PubMed and CINAHL, without date restriction) and the world‐wide web; experts will also be contacted for published and unpublished data. Included studies must be randomized or quasi‐randomized trials and have female participants until 1 year after childbirth. The intervention will be compared with no treatment, placebo, sham treatment or active controls. Outcome measures will relate to pelvic floor muscle performance or urinary incontinence. Studies will be selected, ‘risk of bias’ assessed and data extracted by two reviewers independently. Following inter‐reviewer agreement of included studies, data will be checked after entry into systematic review processing software. If appropriate, data will be synthesized by meta‐analysis; if this is not possible, a narrative review only will be undertaken.

Discussion

The information gained from this systematic review will help midwives, nurses, other health professionals and women after childbirth decide how to promote female pelvic floor health and in defining further areas of study.
Development and Operational Testing of a Super‐Ensemble Artificial Intelligence Flood‐Forecast Model for a Pacific Northwest River
Authors: Fleming Sean W. , Bourdin Dominique R. , Campbell Dave , Stull Roland B. , Gardner Tobi
Published: November 2014

Coastal catchments in British Columbia, Canada, experience a complex mixture of rainfall‐ and snowmelt‐driven contributions to flood events. Few operational flood‐forecast models are available in the region. Here, we integrated a number of proven technologies in a novel way to produce a super‐ensemble forecast system for the Englishman River, a flood‐prone stream on Vancouver Island. This three‐day‐ahead modeling system utilizes up to 42 numerical weather prediction model outputs from the North American Ensemble Forecast System, combined with six artificial neural network‐based streamflow models representing various slightly different system conceptualizations, all of which were trained exclusively on historical high‐flow data. As such, the system combines relatively low model development times and costs with the generation of fully probabilistic forecasts reflecting uncertainty in the simulation of both atmospheric and terrestrial hydrologic dynamics. Results from operational testing by British Columbia's flood forecasting agency during the 2013‐2014 storm season suggest that the prediction system is operationally useful and robust.
Stable Shareholdings, the Decision Horizon Problem and Earnings Smoothing
Authors: Shuto Akinobu , Iwasaki Takuya
Published: November 2014

Prior studies argue that stable shareholders do not encourage firm managers to manage their earnings to achieve short‐term earnings goals. They also state that firm managers with stable shareholders have an incentive to report smooth earnings to maintain long‐term relationships with such shareholders. We focus on cross‐shareholdings and stable shareholdings owned by financial institutions as stable shareholdings in Japan, and investigate the effect of these ownership structures on earnings management patterns. Specifically, we hypothesize that stable shareholdings are positively associated with the informational components of earnings smoothing. Consistent with our hypothesis, we first find that as stable shareholdings increase, managers are more likely to conduct earnings smoothing that provides useful information to stable shareholders. Further, our additional analysis shows that stable shareholdings reduce incentives for managers to cut discretionary expenditures to meet short‐term earnings benchmarks, implying that stable shareholdings could reduce the possibility of a myopic problem. These results suggest that managers with stable shareholdings tend to report smoother and less volatile earnings, and do not tend to pursue earnings management to attain short‐term earnings targets.
Breeding status affects fine‐scale habitat selection of southern right whales on their wintering grounds
Authors: Rayment William , Dawson Steve , Webster Trudi
Published: November 2014

Aim

To develop and validate a model for fine‐scale distribution of southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) on their calving grounds, accounting for breeding status.

Location

Port Ross, a harbour at the northern end of the sub‐Antarctic Auckland Islands, approximately 450 km south of mainland New Zealand.

Methods

Species–habitat surveys were conducted during annual winter expeditions to the Auckland Islands from 2010 to 2012. Presence locations for groups including calves (calf groups; n = 462) and not including calves (non‐calf groups; n = 313) were recorded during small‐boat surveys of Port Ross, and an equal number of pseudo‐absence locations were generated in a GIS analysis. Explanatory variables tested were water depth, seabed slope, distance to coast, distance to shelter from prevailing wind and average wave exposure (estimated from a custom‐built wave model). The occurrence of calf groups and non‐calf groups was separately related to explanatory variables using binomial generalized additive models, with best models chosen via the minimum Akaike information criterion score. Multi‐fold validation was conducted to assess model performance and temporal variation in distribution.

Results

The best models for calf groups were consistent, always including wave exposure, distance to shelter, depth and distance to the coastline. In contrast, the best non‐calf group models were more variable and explained only a small proportion of the variation in the data. Validation metrics indicated that the calf group models were useful predictors of distribution in Port Ross during winter, and that the calf group models performed better than the non‐calf models using the same suite of environmental variables.

Main conclusions

Breeding female southern right whales seek sheltered, nearshore waters during the early life‐stages of their calves and are more selective of these habitats than non‐calving whales. The results highlight the importance of sheltered habitat for taxa with vulnerable life‐history stages, and the need to account for reproductive status to refine species–habitat models.
Improving the Culture of Safety on a High‐Acuity Inpatient Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Unit by Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction Training of Staff
Authors: Hallman Ilze S. , O'Connor Nancy , Hasenau Susan , Brady Stephanie
Published: November 2014

Problem

The purpose of this study was to reduce perceived levels of interprofessional staff stress and to improve patient and staff safety by implementing a brief mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) training program on a high‐acuity psychiatric inpatient unit.

Methods

A one‐group repeated measure design was utilized to measure the impact of the (MBSR) training program on staff stress and safety immediately post‐training and at 2 months. Two instruments were utilized in the study: the Toronto Mindfulness Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale.

Findings

The MBSR program reduced staff stress across the 2‐month post‐training period and increased staff mindfulness immediately following the brief training period of 8 days, and across the 2‐month post‐training period. A trend toward positive impact on patient and staff safety was also seen in a decreased number of staff call‐ins, decreased need for 1:1 staffing episodes, and decreased restraint use 2 months following the training period.

Conclusions

A brief MBSR training program offered to an interprofessional staff of a high‐acuity inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit was effective in decreasing their stress, increasing their mindfulness, and improving staff and patient safety.
Association of Hyperuricemia With Conventional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Elderly Patients
Authors: Marotta Teodoro , Liccardo Maria , Schettini Federico , Verde Francesco , Ferrara Aldo L.
Published: November 2014

The relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and cardiovascular risk profile was investigated in 557 outpatients (415 women) aged 60 years and older. Patients were grouped according to a UA cutoff level of 5.5 mg/dL. Prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose metabolism was increased in women with higher UA, who had higher body mass index (37.7±6.9 vs 33.1±5.9 kg/m2,P<.001), waist circumference, and serum glucose and triglyceride concentrations than women with lower UA levels. Conversely, men with higher UA levels showed lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher left ventricular mass than men with lower UA levels. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was reduced in patients with high UA levels of both sexes (65±17 vs 72±16 mL/min/1.73 m2,P<.001, for women; 70±16 vs 76±15 mL/min/1.73 m2,P<.03, for men). Grouping patients by sex‐specific median UA concentrations produced similar results. These data indicate that, even in the elderly, UA clusters in a sex‐specific fashion with features of metabolic syndrome and signs of target organ damage.
Low Sodium and High Potassium Intake for Cardiovascular Prevention: Evidence Revisited With Emphasis on Challenges in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Noubiap Jean Jacques N. , Bigna Jean Joel R. , Nansseu Jobert Richie N.
Published: November 2014

Reduction in dietary salt intake and increase in potassium intake can make a major contribution to the prevention and control of hypertension and consequential cardiovascular disease, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) where prevalence rates are highest. African populations are going through a westernization of their traditional eating patterns, with a shift towards a US/Western‐style diet, which contains an excessive amount of salt. Currently, the mean sodium intake in SSA populations is far above the recommended daily allowance. Besides, potassium intake is low, and, particularly, the supply of fruits and vegetables that are important sources of potassium is insufficient to meet current and growing population needs in SSA countries. Context‐relevant strategies are needed for population‐wide sodium intake reduction and increase in potassium intake.
Association between FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: a HuGE Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Qiu Chun‐Jian , Ye Xiao‐Zheng , Yu Xiao‐Juan , Peng Xiao‐Ren , Li Tong‐Huan
Published: November 2014

Many studies have examined the association between the FABP2 (rs1799883) Ala54Thr gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk (T2DM) in various populations, but their results have been inconsistent. To assess this relationship more precisely, A HuGE review and meta‐analysis were performed. The PubMed and CNKI database was searched for case‐control studies published up to April 2014. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Ultimately, 13 studies, comprising 2020 T2DM cases and 2910 controls were included. Overall, for the Thr carriers (Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr) versus the wild‐type homozygotes (Ala/Ala), the pooled OR was 1.18 (95% CI = 1.04–1.34, P = 0.062 for heterogeneity), for Thr/Thr versus Ala/Ala the pooled OR was 1.17 (95% CI = 1.05–1.41 P = 0.087 for heterogeneity). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, the significantly risks were found among Asians but not Caucasians. This meta‐analysis suggests that the FABP2 (rs1799883) Ala54Thr polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to T2DM risk among Asians but not Caucasians.
Telocytes damage in endometriosis‐affected rat oviduct and potential impact on fertility
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Jun , Yang Jian , Liu Zhen , Yang Gang , Shen Zong‐Ji
Published: November 2014

Women with endometriosis (EMs) have unexplained infertility. The recently identified telocytes (TCs) might participate in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of oviduct tissue, but so far the involvement of TCs in EMs‐affected oviduct tissue and potential impact on fertility capacity remain unknown. By an integrated technique of haematoxylin and eosin staining, in situ immunohistochemistry and double‐labelled immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopy approach, TCs were studied in the autotransplantation Sprague–Dawley rat model of EMs‐affected oviduct tissue and in sham control, respectively, together with determination of iNOS, COX‐2, LPO and estradiol. TCs were found in perivascular connective tissue and smooth muscle bundles in sham oviduct, with typical ultrastructural features (a slender piriform/spindle/triangular cell body, and one or more extremely long prolongations, emerged from cell bodies and extend to various directions), and specific immunophenotype of CD34‐positive/vimentin‐positive/c‐kit‐negative. However, in EMs‐affected oviduct tissue (grade III), extensive ultrastructural damage (degeneration, discontinue, dissolution and destruction), significant decrease or loss of TCs and interstitial fibrosis were observed, together with elevated level of iNOS, COX‐2, LPO and estradiol, thus suggestive of inflammation and ischaemia‐induced TCs damage. Based on TCs distribution and intercellular connections, we proposed that such damage might be involved in structural and functional abnormalities of oviduct, such as attenuated intercellular signalling and oviduct contractility, impaired immunoregulation and stem cell‐mediated tissue repair, 3‐D interstitial architectural derangement and tissue fibrosis. Therefore, TCs damage might provide a new explanation and potential target for EMs‐induced tubal damage and fertility disorders.
A protective role of ciglitazone in ox‐LDL‐induced rat microvascular endothelial cells via modulating PPARγ‐dependent AMPK/eNOS pathway
Authors: Xu Lei , Wang Shijun , Li Bingyu , Sun Aijun , Zou Yunzeng , Ge Junbo
Published: November 2014

Thiazolidinediones, the antidiabetic agents such as ciglitazone, has been proved to be effective in limiting atherosclerotic events. However, the underlying mechanism remains elucidative. Ox‐LDL receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) plays a central role in ox‐LDL‐mediated atherosclerosis via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and nitric oxide reduction. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that ciglitazone, the PPARγ agonist, protected endothelial cells against ox‐LDL through regulating eNOS activity and LOX‐1 signalling. In the present study, rat microvascular endothelial cells (RMVECs) were stimulated by ox‐LDL. The impact of ciglitazone on cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, eNOS expression and phosphorylation, nitric oxide synthesis and related AMPK, Akt and VEGF signalling pathway were observed. Our data showed that both eNOS and Akt phosphorylation, VEGF expression and nitric oxide production were significantly decreased, RMVECs ageing and apoptosis increased after ox‐LDL induction for 24 hrs, all of which were effectively reversed by ciglitazone pre‐treatment. Meanwhile, phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) was suppressed by ox‐LDL, which was also prevented by ciglitazone. Of interest, AMPK inhibition abolished ciglitazone‐mediated eNOS function, nitric oxide synthesis and angiogenesis, and increased RMVECs ageing and apoptosis. Further experiments showed that inhibition of PPARγ significantly suppressed AMPK phosphorylation, eNOS expression and nitric oxide production. Ciglitazone‐mediated angiogenesis and reduced cell ageing and apoptosis were reversed. Furthermore, LOX‐1 protein expression in RMVECs was suppressed by ciglitazone, but re‐enhanced by blocking PPARγ or AMPK. Ox‐LDL‐induced suppression of eNOS and nitric oxide synthesis were largely prevented by silencing LOX‐1. Collectively, these data demonstrate that ciglitazone‐mediated PPARγ activation suppresses LOX‐1 and moderates AMPK/eNOS pathway, which contributes to endothelial cell survival and function preservation.
Epidermal growth factor attenuates tubular necrosis following mercuric chloride damage by regeneration of indigenous, not bone marrow‐derived cells
Authors: Yen Tzung‐Hai , Alison Malcolm R. , Goodlad Robert A. , Otto William R. , Jeffery Rosemary , Cook H. Terence , Wright Nicholas A. , Poulsom Richard
Published: November 2014

To assess effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and pegylated granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (P‐GCSF; pegfilgrastim) administration on the cellular origin of renal tubular epithelium regenerating after acute kidney injury initiated by mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Female mice were irradiated and male whole bone marrow (BM) was transplanted into them. Six weeks later recipient mice were assigned to one of eight groups: control, P‐GCSF+, EGF+, P‐GCSF+EGF+, HgCl2, HgCl2+P‐GCSF+, HgCl2+EGF+ and HgCl2+P‐GCSF+EGF+. Following HgCl2, injection tubular injury scores increased and serum urea nitrogen levels reached uraemia after 3 days, but EGF‐treated groups were resistant to this acute kidney injury. A four‐in‐one analytical technique for identification of cellular origin, tubular phenotype, basement membrane and S‐phase status revealed that BM contributed 1% of proximal tubular epithelium in undamaged kidneys and 3% after HgCl2 damage, with no effects of exogenous EGF or P‐GCSF. Only 0.5% proximal tubular cells were seen in S‐phase in the undamaged group kidneys; this increased to 7–8% after HgCl2 damage and to 15% after addition of EGF. Most of the regenerating tubular epithelium originated from the indigenous pool. BM contributed up to 6.6% of the proximal tubular cells in S‐phase after HgCl2 damage, but only to 3.3% after additional EGF. EGF administration attenuated tubular necrosis following HgCl2 damage, and the major cause of this protective effect was division of indigenous cells, whereas BM‐derived cells were less responsive. P‐GCSF did not influence damage or regeneration.
Role of Shh and TGF in cyclosporine‐enhanced expression of collagen and α‐SMA by gingival fibroblast
Authors: Chung Yi , Fu Earl , Chin Yu‐Tang , Tu Hsiao‐Pei , Chiu Hsien‐Chung , Shen E‐Chin , Chiang Cheng‐Yang
Published: November 2014

Objective

Cyclosporine‐A (CsA)‐induced gingival overgrowth may arise from an alteration in stoma matrix homeostasis. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) plays a key role during embryogenic development and fibrotic progression, and may be involved in CsA‐altered gingival matrix homeostasis.

Methods

Using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, we investigated the mRNA and protein expressions of Shh, type 1 collagen (COL1), alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) in human gingival fibroblasts after CsA treatments. The effect of Shh on CsA‐induced alterations was further evaluated by the extra‐supplement or inhibition of Shh or TGF‐β.

Results

Cyclosporine‐A enhanced COL1, α‐SMA, Shh and TGF‐β expressions in human gingival fibroblasts. The exogenous Shh/TGF‐β augmented the expression of COL1 and α‐SMA, and the Shh/TGF‐β inhibition suppressed the CsA‐enhanced COL1 and α‐SMA expressions. Moreover, Shh mRNA and protein expressions increased if extra‐supplementing the exogenous TGF‐β, whereas the CsA‐upregulated Shh was mitigated by the TGF‐β pathway inhibitor. However, neither exogenous Shh nor the Shh pathway inhibitor alters TGF‐β expression or CsA‐up‐regulated TGF‐β expression.

Conclusions

Shh, regulated by TGF‐β, mediates CsA‐altered gingival matrix homeostasis.
Trauma memories, mental health, and resilience: a prospective study of Afghan youth
Authors: Panter‐Brick Catherine , Grimon Marie‐Pascale , Kalin Michael , Eggerman Mark
Published: November 2014

Background

Studies of war‐affected youth have not yet examined how trauma memories relate to prospective changes in mental health and to subjective or social experiences.

Methods

We interviewed a gender‐balanced, randomly selected sample of Afghan child‐caregiver dyads (n = 331, two waves, 1 year apart). We assessed lifetime trauma with a Traumatic Event Checklist, past‐year events with a checklist of risk and protective events, and several child mental health outcomes including posttraumatic distress (Child Revised Impact of Events Scale, CRIES) and depression. We examined the consistency of trauma recall over time, identified mental health trajectories with latent transition modeling, and assessed the predictors of posttraumatic distress and depression trajectories with multinomial logistic regressions.

Results

From baseline to follow‐up, reports of lifetime trauma significantly changed (p ≤ 0.01). A third of the cohort reported no trauma exposure; only 10% identified the same event as their most distressing experience. We identified four CRIES trajectories: low or no distress (52%), rising distress (15%), declining distress (21%), and sustained high distress (12%). Youth with chronic posttraumatic distress were more likely to be girls (OR = 5.78, p ≤ 0.01), report more trauma exposure at baseline (OR = 1.55, p ≤ 0.05) and follow‐up (OR = 5.96, p ≤ 0.01), and experience ongoing domestic violence (OR = 4.84, p ≤ 0.01). The risks of rising distress and sustained distress showed a steady increase for youth recalling up to four traumatic experiences. Depression and CRIES trajectories showed weak comorbidity.

Conclusions

Memories of violent events are malleable, embedded in social experiences, and present heterogeneous associations with posttraumatic distress. Our study provides insights on resilience and vulnerability to multiple adverse childhood experiences, highlighting research and clinical implications for understanding trauma in conflict‐affected youth.
Evaluation of the fatty liver index as a predictor for the development of diabetes among insurance beneficiaries with prediabetes
Authors: Nishi Takumi , Babazono Akira , Maeda Toshiki , Imatoh Takuya , Une Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Aims/Introduction

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in developed countries, and it was required to monitor patients with prediabetes. However, there have been few reports establishing the risk for diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with prediabetes. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of NAFLD on the progression of DM among insurance beneficiaries with prediabetes, using data from specific health check‐ups and the fatty liver index (FLI).

Materials and Methods

We used a retrospective cohort study that enrolled 967 insurance beneficiaries with prediabetes who had rarely drunk or could not drink alcohol, or whose alcohol consumption was <19 g/day from two health insurance societies. We divided insurance beneficiaries into FLI <30, intermediates FLIs and FLI ≥60, and compared the incidence rate of DM among the groups after 3 years' follow up, using multiple logistic regression models.

Results

During 3 years' follow up, progression of diabetes was seen in 65 men (11.5%) and 24 women (6.0%). Logistic regression analyses showed that those with NAFLD had significantly higher risks of developing DM; this was the case in both men (odds ratio 2.68, 95% confidential interval 1.29–5.56) and women (odds ratio 10.35, 95% confidential interval 3.22–33.31).

Conclusions

Among insurance beneficiaries with prediabetes, those with NAFLD had a significantly higher risk of DM than those without NAFLD. The FLI might be useful for detecting individuals who have an especially higher risk for DM, and developing more effective guidance for delivering healthcare services in Japan.