bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of oil volatility shocks on global emerging market stock returns
Authors: Dutta Probal , Noor Md Hasib , Dutta Anupam
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the crude oil volatility index (OVX) plays any key role in explaining the trend in emerging market stock returns from a global standpoint.

Design/methodology/approach

At the empirical stage, different forms of the GARCH-jump model have been estimated.

Findings

The findings confirm the effects of OVX on equity returns. In addition, the results document that there exist time-varying jumps in the stock market returns. Besides, the impacts of OVX shocks appear to be symmetric. The analysis further shows that the magnitude of OVX impact is marginally bigger than that of the conventional oil price shocks.

Originality/value

Since various financial assets are traded on the basis of oil and equity markets, investors, for instance, could use the findings of this study for taking proper investment decisions and gaining better portfolio diversification benefits. Additionally, policymakers could utilize the results to develop effective measures and strategies in order to minimize the oil price risk.
Comparative process-based life-cycle assessment of bioconcrete and conventional concrete
Authors: Soleimani Milad , Shahandashti Mohsen
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Bioconcrete is widely believed to be environmentally beneficial over conventional concrete. However, the process of bioconcrete production involves several steps, such as waste recovery and treatment, that potentially present significant environmental impacts. Existing life-cycle assessments of bioconcrete are limited in the inventory and impact analysis; therefore, they do not consider all the steps involved in concrete production and the corresponding impacts. The purpose of this study is to extensively study the cradle-to-gate environmental impacts of all the production stages of two most common bioconcrete types (i.e. sludge-based bioconcrete and cement kiln dust-rice husk ash (CKD-RHA) bioconcrete) as opposed to conventional concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

A cradle-to-gate life-cycle assessment process model is implemented to systematically analyze and quantify the resources consumed and the environmental impacts caused by the production of bioconcrete as opposed to the production of conventional concrete. The impacts analyzed in this assessment include global warming potential, ozone depletion potential, eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, smog, fossil fuel use, human toxicity, particulate air and water consumption.

Findings

The results indicated that sludge-based bioconcrete had higher levels of global warming potential, eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, fossil fuel use, human toxicity and particulate air than both conventional concrete and CKD-RHA bioconcrete.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study to the state of knowledge is that it sheds light on the hidden impacts of bioconcrete. The contribution to the state of practice is that the results of this study inform the bioconcrete production designers about the production processes with the highest impact.
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Criminal Extremity: New Evidence for Sexual Homicide
Authors: DeLisi Matt , Beauregard Eric
Published: August 2017

Adverse childhood experiences are associated with a wide range of behavioral, health, and psychiatric deficits and have recently been used to study the development of serious offending careers. Unfortunately, this research paradigm has largely ignored forensic populations. This study utilized the adverse childhood experiences framework to examine the associations between exposure to violence, victimization, and total adverse childhood experiences on sexual homicide using a sample of 616 incarcerated adult male sexual offenders from Canada 85 of whom committed sexual homicide. Epidemiological tables of odds revealed that a gradient of adverse childhood experiences was associated with sexual homicide, but that the most significant risks were for offenders who had the most extensive abuse histories. In adjusted models, exposure to violence, victimization, and total adverse childhood experiences increased the odds of sexual homicide by 334%, 249%, and 546%, respectively. These effects intensified in models adjusted for childhood enuresis, cruelty to animals, parental abandonment, deviant sexual behaviors, poor self‐image, and sexual problems to 559%, 326%, and 849%, respectively. The adverse childhood experiences framework is a systematic way to organize the criminogenic developmental sequela in sexual homicide.
The Physical Effects of Contact and Close‐Distance Gunfire on Sweatshirt Fleece
Authors: Kusluski Michael A.
Published: August 2017

Powder stippling caused by the impact of propellant particles during close‐distance gunfire has been previously described on skin and solid objects only. Additionally, radial tearing has been described as clear evidence of a contact‐distance shot, requiring no further testing. Patterns of discrete perforating holes (referred to here as “stippling perforations”) and other physical damage on sweatshirt fleece fabrics were prepared. Using the firearm and ammunition in this study, stippling perforations were observed to a maximum muzzle‐to‐target distance of 35 cm (10 inches). In addition, radial tearing and disintegration were present (and often more extensive) at greater than contact distance. The presence of stippling perforations could augment muzzle‐to‐target distance estimates generated using the Griess test, or allow distance estimates when the Griess test is not feasible. Unlike what has been previously reported, testing on the original evidence (or similar substitute) is warranted when physical damage is used to estimate shooting distance.
Sudden Unexpected Deaths Due to Intracranial Meningioma: Presentation of Six Fatal Cases, Review of the Literature, and A Discussion of the Mechanisms of Death
Authors: Gitto Lorenzo , Bolino Giorgio , Cina Stephen J.
Published: August 2017

Deaths due to meningiomas are routinely diagnosed in clinical practice because this neoplasm tends to present with the typical progression of neurological deficits. On the other hand, sudden unexpected deaths due to meningiomas are rarely described in the literature. The study presents six fatal cases of previously undiagnosed intracranial meningiomas from the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office from 1998 to 2014. The most common explanation of the mechanism of sudden death due to intracranial neoplasms is a rapid increase in intracranial pressure produced by the mass effect of the neoplasm. Other mechanisms of death include acute intracranial and intratumoral hemorrhage, and benign neoplasms that grow in the vicinity of vital centers altering neural discharge in autonomic pathways leading to cardiac suppression or lethal arrhythmia. Forensic pathologists must keep in mind that sudden unexpected death caused by intracranial meningiomas, although extremely rare, may be encountered in the forensic setting.
Application of 3D Laser Scanner to Forensic Engineering
Authors: Park Chan‐Seong , Jeon Hong‐Pil , Choi Kwang‐Soo , Kim Jin‐Pyo , Park Nam‐Kyu
Published: August 2017

In the case of building collapses and overturned structures, a three‐dimensional (3D) collapse or overturn model is required to reconstruct the accident. As construction sites become increasingly complex and large, 3D laser scanning is sometimes the best tool to accurately document and store the site conditions. This case report presents one case of a structure collapse and one case of an overturned crane reconstructed by a 3D laser scanner. In the case of structural collapse of a prefabricated shoring system, a 3D model reconstructed all the members successfully, a task that is nearly impossible using a scale such as a tape measure. The reconstructed prefabricated shoring system was verified through a structural analysis through comparison with the construction drawings to investigate faults in construction. In the case of the overturned crane, the jib angle and other major dimensions were successfully acquired through 3D laser scanning and used to estimate the working radius. As a result, the propriety of the working radius with the given lifting load was successfully determined.
Bactericidal Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide‐Based Disinfectants Against Gram‐Positive and Gram‐Negative Bacteria on Stainless Steel Surfaces
Authors: Ríos‐Castillo Abel G. , González‐Rivas Fabián , Rodríguez‐Jerez José J.
Published: August 2017

In order to develop disinfectant formulations that leverage the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), this study evaluated the bactericidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide‐based disinfectants against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria on stainless steel surfaces. Low concentration of hydrogen peroxide as 0.5% with a cationic polymer, ethoxylated fatty alcohol, and ethyl alcohol had bactericidal efficacy (reductions ≥ 4 log10 CFU/mL) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus hirae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hydrogen peroxide‐based disinfectants were more effective against E. hirae and P. aeruginosa than to S. aureus. However, the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide against catalase positive bacteria such as S. aureus was increased when this compound was formulated with low concentrations of benzalkonium chloride or ethyl alcohol, lactic acid, sodium benzoate, cationic polymer, and salicylic acid. This study demonstrates that the use of hydrogen peroxide with other antimicrobial products, in adequate concentrations, had bactericidal efficacy in Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria on stainless steel surfaces, enabling to reduce the effective concentration of hydrogen peroxide. In the same way, the use of hydrogen peroxide‐based disinfectants could reduce the concentrations of traditional disinfectants as quaternary ammonium compounds and therefore a reduction of their chemical residues in the environment after being used.

Practical Application

The study of the bactericidal properties of environmentally nontoxic disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide, sole or in formulations with other disinfectants against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria can enhance the efficacy of various commonly used disinfectant formulations with the hygiene benefits that it entails. Also, the use of hydrogen peroxide formulations can reduce the concentration levels of products that generate environmental residues.
Control of Native Spoilage Yeast on Dealcoholized Red Wine by Preservatives Alone and in Binary Mixtures
Authors: Sánchez‐Rubio Marta , Guerrouj Kamal , Taboada‐Rodríguez Amaury , López‐Gómez Antonio , Marín‐Iniesta Fulgencio
Published: August 2017

In order to preserve a commercial dealcoholized red wine (DRW), a study with 4 preservatives and binary mixtures of them were performed against 2 native spoilage yeasts: Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) for potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, sodium metabisulfite and dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) were evaluated in DRW stored at 25 °C. MICs of potassium sorbate and sodium metabisulfite were 250 and 60 mg/kg, respectively for both target strains. However for sodium benzoate, differences between yeasts were found; R. mucilaginosa was inhibited at 125 mg/kg, while S. cerevisiae at 250 mg/kg. Regarding MFC, differences between strains were only found for sodium metabisulfite obtaining a MFC of 500 mg/kg for R. mucilaginosa and a MFC of 250 mg/kg for S. cerevisiae. Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate showed the MFC at 1000 mg/kg and DMDC at 200 mg/kg. Regarding the effect of binary mixtures the Fractional Fungicidal Concentration Index (FFCi) methodology showed that binary mixtures of 100 mg/kg DMDC/200 mg/kg potassium sorbate (FFCi = 0.7) and 50 mg/kg DMDC / 400 mg/kg sodium benzoate (FFCi = 0.65) have both synergistic effect against the 2 target strains. These binary mixtures can control the growth of spoilage yeasts in DRW without metabisulfite addition. The results of this work may be important in preserving the health of DRW consumers by eliminating the use of metabisulfite and reducing the risk of growth of R. mucilagosa, recently recognized as an emerging pathogen.
Discussion of “The Consequences of Audit‐Related Earnings Revisions”
Authors: Hillison Sean M. , Peecher Mark E.
Published: August 2017

We organize our discussion of Haislip, Myers, Scholz, and Seidel (2017) (hereafter HMSS) around three areas: managing auditor business risk, a lack of auditor competence as an alternative story to auditors acting independently for their results, and drawing inferences from archival vis‐à‐vis experimental studies. We conclude our discussion by arguing that the investigation by HMSS sets the stage for future research concerning why earnings revisions occur and why auditors and CFOs appear to bear adverse consequences when they do occur.
Development of an instrument for the evaluation of advanced life support performance
Authors: Peltonen L.‐M. , Peltonen V. , Salanterä S. , Tommila M.
Published: August 2017

Background

Assessing advanced life support (ALS) competence requires validated instruments. Existing instruments include aspects of technical skills (TS), non‐technical skills (NTS) or both, but one instrument for detailed assessment that suits all resuscitation situations is lacking. This study aimed to develop an instrument for the evaluation of the overall ALS performance of the whole team.

Methods

This instrument development study had four phases. First, we reviewed literature and resuscitation guidelines to explore items to include in the instrument. Thereafter, we interviewed resuscitation team professionals (n = 66), using the critical incident technique, to determine possible additional aspects associated with the performance of ALS. Second, we developed an instrument based on the findings. Third, we used an expert panel (n = 20) to assess the validity of the developed instrument. Finally, we revised the instrument based on the experts’ comments and tested it with six experts who evaluated 22 video recorded resuscitations.

Results

The final version of the developed instrument had 69 items divided into adherence to guidelines (28 items), clinical decision‐making (5 items), workload management (12 items), team behaviour (8 items), information management (6 items), patient integrity and consideration of laymen (4 items) and work routines (6 items). The Cronbach's α values were good, and strong correlations between the overall performance and the instrument were observed.

Conclusion

The instrument may be useful for detailed assessment of the team's overall performance, but the numerous items make the use demanding. The instrument is still under development, and more research is needed to determine its psychometric properties.
CRF1 Receptor‐Dependent Increases in Irritability‐Like Behavior During Abstinence from Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure
Authors: Kimbrough Adam , de Guglielmo Giordano , Kononoff Jenni , Kallupi Marsida , Zorrilla Eric P. , George Olivier
Published: August 2017

Background

In humans, emotional and physical signs of withdrawal from ethanol are commonly seen. Many of these symptoms, including anxiety‐like and depression‐like behavior, have been characterized in animal models of ethanol dependence. One issue with several current behavioral tests that measure withdrawal in animal models is that they are often not repeatable within subjects over time. Additionally, irritability, one of the most common symptoms of ethanol withdrawal in humans, has not been well characterized in animal models. The corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF)‐CRF1 receptor system has been suggested to be critical for the emergence of anxiety‐like behavior in ethanol dependence, but the role of this system in irritability‐like behavior has not been characterized.

Methods

The present study compared the effects of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure‐induced ethanol dependence on irritability‐like behavior in rats using the bottle‐brush test during acute withdrawal and protracted abstinence. Rats were trained to self‐administer ethanol in operant chambers and then either left in a nondependent state or made dependent via CIE. Naïve, nondependent, and dependent rats were tested for irritability‐like behavior in the bottle‐brush test 8 hours and 2 weeks into abstinence from ethanol. Separate cohorts of dependent and nondependent rats were used to examine the effect of the specific CRF1 receptor antagonist R121919 on irritability‐like behavior.

Results

Dependent rats exhibited escalated ethanol intake compared with their own pre‐CIE baseline and nondependent rats. At both time points of abstinence, ethanol‐dependent rats exhibited increased aggressive‐like responses compared with naïve and nondependent rats. R121919 reduced irritability‐like behavior in both dependent and nondependent rats, but dependent rats were more sensitive to R121919.

Conclusions

Irritability‐like behavior is a clinically relevant and reliable measure of negative emotional states that is partially mediated by activation of the CRF‐CRF1 system and remains elevated during protracted abstinence in ethanol‐dependent rats.
Low‐frequency volatility of real estate securities and macroeconomic risk
Authors: Lee Chyi Lin , Stevenson Simon , Lee Ming‐Long
Published: August 2017

Real estate securities have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from stocks generally. Key amongst them is that underpinning the firms are both real and investment assets. Therefore, the connections between the underlying macroeconomy and listed real estate firms are of heightened importance. To consider the linkages with macroeconomic fundamentals, we extract the ‘low‐frequency’ volatility component from aggregate volatility shocks in 11 international securitised real estate markets using Engle and Rangel's (2008) Spline‐GARCHmodel. The analysis reveals that the low‐frequency volatility of real estate securities has strong and positive association with most of the macroeconomic risk proxies examined. Differences between real estate securities and common stocks have also been identified.
Boys have better short‐term and long‐term survival rates after intensive care admissions than girls
Authors: Johansson Frigyesi E , Andersson P , Frigyesi A
Published: August 2017

Aim

We investigated possible gender differences in paediatric intensive care morbidity‐adjusted mortality.

Methods

In this study, data on all 21 972 paediatric intensive care admissions in Sweden between 2008 and 2015 were analysed regarding morbidity‐adjusted survival, using Cox regression, with age, gender and estimated mortality ratio as dependent variables and using the standardised mortality ratio at 90 days after admission. The data were obtained from the Swedish Intensive Care Registry.

Results

We found that boys had better overall survival than girls (hazard ratio 0.91 for boys, p = 0.035). In addition, the 90‐day survival was also better for boys (standardised mortality ratio 0.85 for boys versus 1.02 for girls, p = 0.0014). The survival advantage was most evident in children less than a year old and for nonsurgical patients. The male advantage was also seen in children admitted with respiratory insufficiency and seizures and was furthermore independent of any concurrent cardiac condition. We did not find any gender difference in the intensity of care or length of stay when corrected for morbidity.

Conclusion

This study showed that boys have better outcomes than girls after intensive care admissions. The difference does not seem to be based on inequality of care.
Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is frequently associated with long hospitalisation for emergency care in Nigeria
Authors: Olusanya Bolajoko O. , Mabogunje Cecilia A. , Imam Zainab O. , Emokpae Abieyuwa A.
Published: August 2017

Aim

This study investigated the frequency and predictors of a long hospital stay (LHS) for severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in Nigeria.

Methods

Length of stay (LOS) for severe hyperbilirubinaemia was examined among neonates consecutively admitted to the emergency department of a children's hospital in Lagos from January 2013 to December 2014. The median LOS was used as the cut‐off for LHS. Multivariate logistic regression determined the independent predictors of LHS based on demographic and clinical factors significantly associated with the log‐transformed LOS in the bivariate analyses.

Results

We enrolled 622 hyperbilirubinaemic infants with a median age of four days (interquartile range 2–6 days) and 276 (44.4%) had LHS based on the median LOS of five days. Regardless of their birth place, infants were significantly more likely to have LHS if they were admitted in the first two days of life (p = 0.008) – especially with birth asphyxia – or had acute bilirubin encephalopathy (p = 0.001) and required one (p = 0.020) or repeat (p = 0.022) exchange transfusions. Infants who required repeat exchange transfusions had the highest odds for LHS (odds ratio 4.98, 95% confidence interval 1.26–19.76).

Conclusion

Severe hyperbilirubinaemia was frequently associated with long hospitalisation in Nigeria, especially if neonates had birth asphyxia or required exchange transfusions.
Meta‐analysis of depression among marriage‐based migrant women in South Korea
Authors: Nho Choong Rai , Kim Jeong‐Hwa , Shin Hye Jung , Heo Seong Hui
Published: August 2017

Using meta‐analysis, this study examines the effect sizes of the variables related to depression and the moderating effects of depression among marriage‐based migrant women in South Korea to determine the implications for human service fields. This study identified 25 peer‐reviewed articles from 2000 to 2014 published in either Korean or in English. Results showed that (i) Korean language proficiency and economic hardship had significant effect sizes relative to depression; (ii) the psychosocial characteristics (i.e., acculturative stress, social support, marital satisfaction, life satisfaction, and self‐esteem) of this population had medium effect sizes relative to depression; and (iii) use of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale, residence in agricultural areas, average age, and average length of stay in Korea had significant moderating effects. Based on these results, the authors discuss social work practices and policies for this population, suggesting the priorization of marriage‐based migrant women in agricultural areas who have lived in Korea for short lengths of time.
Relationships between corpus callosum and language lateralization in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders
Authors: Tréhout Maxime , Leroux Elise , Delcroix Nicolas , Dollfus Sonia
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The question of whether there is a continuum or a dichotomy among patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorders (BD) has not been clearly resolved and remains a challenge. Thus, the identification of specific biomarkers of these disorders might be helpful. The present study investigated the volume of the corpus callosum (CC) and functional lateralization for language as potential biomarkers and their relationships in SZ and BD.

Methods

The study included 20 patients with SZ, 20 patients with BD and 40 healthy controls (HC). A functional lateralization index (FLI) was computed for each participant within the language comprehension network. For each participant, the volume of the total CC and those of three subregions were extracted. These variables and their anatomo‐functional relationships were investigated.

Results

In comparison to HC, SZ patients presented a decreased leftward lateralization for language, whereas this was not found in BD patients. However, as compared to SZ patients and HC, BD patients showed a reduction in CC volume associated with a lower leftward lateralization for language.

Conclusions

Our study revealed that SZ patients displayed a reduction of the leftward functional lateralization for language; however, no reduction of CC volume was observed, whereas BD patients presented a decreased volume of the CC associated with a lower leftward asymmetry for language. The results of our study detected distinct anomalies in both SZ and BD that may be considered as specific biomarkers of these disorders related to neurodevelopmental models.
Psychosis in bipolar disorder: Does it represent a more “severe” illness?
Authors: Burton Cynthia Z , Ryan Kelly A , Kamali Masoud , Marshall David F , Harrington Gloria , McInnis Melvin G , Tso Ivy F
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Although there is a common clinical assumption that bipolar disorder with psychotic features reflects greater severity than bipolar disorder without psychosis, the existing empirical literature is mixed. This study investigated the phenomenology of psychosis as well as demographic, clinical, functional, and neuropsychological features in a large, cross‐sectional sample of participants with bipolar disorder divided by history of psychosis.

Methods

In a large single study, 168 affective‐only bipolar disorder (BP‐A) participants and 213 bipolar disorder with a history of psychosis (BP‐P) participants completed a comprehensive clinical diagnostic interview and neuropsychological testing. t tests, chi‐square tests, and Bayes factors were used to investigate group differences or lack thereof.

Results

The prevalence of psychosis in this sample (53%) was similar to published reports. Nearly half of BP‐P participants experienced grandiose delusions, and relatively few endorsed “first‐rank” hallucinations of running commentary or two or more voices conversing. There were no demographic or neuropsychological differences between groups. BP‐A participants experienced greater chronicity of affective symptoms and a greater degree of rapid cycling than BP‐P participants; there were no other clinical differences between groups.

Conclusions

Overall, these results contradict the conventional notion that bipolar disorder with psychotic features represents a more severe illness than bipolar disorder without a history of psychosis. The presence of psychosis does not appear to be associated with poorer clinical/functional outcome or suggest a greater degree of neuropsychological impairment; conversely, the absence of psychosis was associated with affective chronicity and rapid cycling. Nosological and treatment implications are discussed.
Two kinds of physician‐assisted death
Authors: den Hartogh Govert
Published: August 2017

I argue that the concept ‘physician‐assisted suicide’ covers two procedures that should be distinguished: giving someone access to humane means to end his own life, and taking co‐responsibility for the safe and effective execution of that plan. In the first section I explain the distinction, in the following sections I show why it is important. To begin with I argue that we should expect the laws that permit these two kinds of ‘assistance’ to be different in their justificatory structure. Laws that permit giving access only presuppose that the right to self‐determination implies a right to suicide, but laws that permit doctors to take co‐responsibility may have to appeal to a principle of mercy or beneficence. Actually this difference in justificatory structure can to some extent be found in existing regulatory systems, though far from consistently. Finally I argue that if one recognizes a right to suicide, as Oregon and other American states implicitly do, and as the European Court of Human Rights has recently done explicitly, one is committed to permit the first kind of ‘assistance’ under some conditions.
Spatial Capture–Mark–Resight Estimation of Animal Population Density
Authors: Efford Murray G. , Hunter Christine M.
Published: August 2017

Sightings of previously marked animals can extend a capture–recapture dataset without the added cost of capturing new animals for marking. Combined marking and resighting methods are therefore an attractive option in animal population studies, and there exist various likelihood-based non-spatial models, and some spatial versions fitted by Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling. As implemented to date, the focus has been on modeling sightings only, which requires that the spatial distribution of pre-marked animals is known. We develop a suite of likelihood-based spatial mark–resight models that either include the marking phase (“capture–mark–resight” models) or require a known distribution of marked animals (narrow-sense “mark–resight”). The new models sacrifice some information in the covariance structure of the counts of unmarked animals; estimation is by maximizing a pseudolikelihood with a simulation-based adjustment for overdispersion in the sightings of unmarked animals. Simulations suggest that the resulting estimates of population density have low bias and adequate confidence interval coverage under typical sampling conditions. Further work is needed to specify the conditions under which ignoring covariance results in unacceptable loss of precision, or to modify the pseudolikelihood to include that information. The methods are applied to a study of ship rats Rattus rattus using live traps and video cameras in a New Zealand forest, and to previously published data.
Parents' voices: “Our process of advocating for our child with autism.” A meta‐synthesis of parents' perspectives
Authors: Boshoff K. , Gibbs D. , Phillips R. L. , Wiles L. , Porter L.
Published: August 2017

Background

Advocacy has been described by parents of children with autism as an important coping strategy, enabling them to move forward by redirecting emotions into actions. A key factor in the development of collaborative and constructive partnerships between service providers and parents is having an understanding of how parents engage in advocacy and the support needed to do so. This meta‐synthesis was undertaken to consolidate in‐depth qualitative data from parents' perspectives of the process that they use to advocate for their children with autism.

Methods

A qualitative meta‐synthesis was conducted, whereby 15 databases were systematically searched. Thirty‐one studies were identified and appraised using an adapted version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Data were synthesized into themes through the steps of review, meta‐aggregation, integration, and interpretation.

Results

The voices of 1,662 parents are presented describing the process of advocacy in the stages of seeking a diagnosis, seeking self‐education, and taking action. Taking action includes 2 subthemes: seeking, access, and use of support services and community engagement and educating others.

Conclusions

Results highlight the significant impact that positive experiences with first‐line professionals have during the diagnosis process and how these experiences lay the foundation for all future relationships with other service providers. Important implications arise from this meta‐synthesis for service providers in supporting parents' advocacy and hence building constructive relationships with families with a child with autism.
C4Bgene influences intestinal microbiota through complement activation in patients with paediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Nissilä E , Korpela K , Lokki A I , Paakkanen R , Jokiranta S , de Vos W M , Lokki M-L , Kolho K-L , Meri S
Published: August 2017

Complement C4 genes are linked to paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD), but the mechanisms have remained unclear. We examined the influence of C4B gene number on intestinal microbiota and in-vitro serum complement activation by intestinal microbes in PIBD patients. Complement C4A and C4B gene numbers were determined by genomic reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from 64 patients with PIBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis). The severity of the disease course was determined from faecal calprotectin levels. Intestinal microbiota was assessed using the HITChip microarray. Complement reactivity in patients was analysed by incubating their sera with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Akkermansia muciniphila and determining the levels of C3a and soluble terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) using enzyme immunoassays. The microbiota diversity was wider in patients with no C4B genes than in those with one or two C4B genes, irrespective of intestinal inflammation. C4B and total C4 gene numbers correlated positively with soluble terminal complement complex (TCC, SC5b-9) levels when patient serum samples were stimulated with bacteria. Our results suggest that the C4B gene number associates positively with inflammation in patients with PIBD. Multiple copies of the C4B gene may thus aggravate the IBD-associated dysbiosis through escalated complement reactivity towards the microbiota.
Magnetic resonance imaging reveals elevated aortic pulse wave velocity in obese and overweight adolescents
Authors: Caterini J. E. , Banks L. , Wells G. D. , Cifra B. , Slorach C. , McCrindle B. W. , Seed M.
Published: August 2017

The aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured via cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be used to non‐invasively assess changes in arterial stiffness and potential underlying vascular dysfunction. This technique could unmask early arterial dysfunction in overweight and obese youth at risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the association between vascular stiffness, percentage body fat, body mass index (BMI), and cardiac function in adolescents across the weight spectrum through both CMR and standard applanation tonometry (AT)‐based PWV measurements. PWV and left‐ventricular cardiac function were assessed using 3.0 T CMR in obese and overweight (OB/OW) participants (n = 12) and controls (n = 7). PWV was also estimated via carotid–femoral AT. OB/OW participants did not differ from healthy‐weight controls regarding cardiometabolic risk factors or physical activity levels, but there was a trend towards higher levels of triglycerides in obese/overweight participants (P = 0.07). Mean PWV was higher in obese participants when corrected for age and sex (P = 0.01), and was positively associated with BMI (β = 0.51, P = 0.02). PWV estimated through AT was not significantly different between groups. Cardiac function measured by left‐ventricular ejection fraction z‐score was inversely associated with mean PWV (β = −0.57, P = 0.026). Increasing arterial stiffness and decreasing cardiac function were evident among our overweight and obese cohort. PWV estimated by CMR could detect early increases in arterial stiffness vs. traditional AT measurements of PWV.
Periostin promotes migration and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells via the Jun amino‐terminal kinases (JNK) pathway under inflammatory conditions
Authors: Tang Yi , Liu Lin , Wang Pei , Chen Donglei , Wu Ziqiang , Tang Chunbo
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐mediated periodontal tissue regeneration is considered to be a promising method for periodontitis treatment. The molecular mechanism of functional regulation by MSCs remains unclear, thus limiting their application. Our previous study discovered that Periostin (POSTN) promoted the migration and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLSCs), but it is still unclear whether POSTN is able to restore the regenerative potential of PDLSCs under inflammatory conditions. In this study, we investigated the effect of POSTN on PDLSCs under inflammatory conditions and its mechanism.

Materials and methods

PDLSCs were isolated from periodontal ligament tissue. TNF‐α was used at 10 ng/mL to mimic inflammatory conditions. Lentivirus POSTN shRNA was used to knock down POSTN. Recombinant human POSTN (rhPOSTN) was used to stimulate PDLSCs. A scratch assay was used to analyse cell migration. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red staining and expression of osteogenesis‐related genes were used to investigate the osteogenic differentiation potential. Western blot analysis was used to detect the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and AKT signalling pathways.

Results

After a 10 ng/mL TNF‐α treatment, knockdown of POSTN impeded scratch closure, inhibited ALP activity and mineralization in vitro, and decreased expression of RUNX2, OSX, OPN and OCN in PDLSCs, while 75 ng/mL rhPOSTN significantly accelerated scratch closure, enhanced ALP activity and mineralization in vitro, and increased expression of RUNX2, OSX, OPN and OCN. In addition, knockdown of POSTN inhibited expression of phosphorylated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (p‐JNK), while 75 ng/mL rhPOSTN increased expression of p‐JNK in PDLSCs with TNF‐α treatment. Furthermore, inhibition of JNK by its inhibitor SP600125 dramatically blocked POSTN‐enhanced scratch closure, ALP activity and mineralization in PDLSCs.

Conclusions

Our results revealed that POSTN might promote the migration and osteogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs via the JNK pathway, providing insight into the mechanism underlying MSC biology under inflammatory conditions and identifying a potential target for improving periodontal tissue regeneration.
Induction of retinal‐dependent calcium influx in human melanocytes by UVA or UVB radiation contributes to the stimulation of melanosome transfer
Authors: Hu Qing‐Mei , Yi Wen‐Juan , Su Meng‐Yun , Jiang Shan , Xu Shi‐Zheng , Lei Tie‐Chi
Published: August 2017

Objectives

The transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to neighbouring keratinocytes is critical to protect the skin from the deleterious effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation; however, the initial factor(s) that stimulates melanosome transfer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the induction of retinal‐dependent calcium (Ca2+) influx in melanocytes (MCs) by UVA or UVB irradiation and the effect of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 1 (TRPM1) (melastatin1)‐related Ca2+ influx on melanosome transfer.

Materials and methods

Primary human epidermal MCs were exposed to physiological doses of UVB or UVA light and loaded with a calcium indicator Fluo‐4 dye. The change of intracellular calcium of MCs was monitored using a two‐photon confocal fluorescence microscopy. MCs were co‐cultured with human epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) in the absence or presence of voriconazole (a TRPM1 blocker) or calcium chelators. MCs were also transfected with TRPM1 siRNA for silencing the expression of TRPM1 gene. The melanosome transfer in the co‐cultured cells was quantitatively analysed using flow cytometry and was further confirmed by immunofluorescent double‐staining. The protein levels and distributions of TRPM1, OPN3 and OPN5 in MCs were measured by Western blotting or immunofluorescent staining.

Results

The retinal‐dependent Ca2+ influx of UVA‐exposed melanocytes differed greatly from that of UVB‐exposed melanocytes in the timing‐phase. The protein expression of TRPM1 in mono‐ and co‐cultured MCs was dose‐dependently up‐regulated by UVA and UVB. TRPM1 siRNA‐mediated knockdown and the blockage of TRPM1 channel using a putative antagonist (voriconazole) significantly inhibited melanosome transfer in co‐cultures following UVA or UVB exposure.

Conclusions

The distinct time‐phases of Ca2+ influx in MCs induced by UVA or UVB contribute to the consecutive stimulation of melanosome transfer, thereby providing a potent photoprotection against harmful UV radiation.
The value of macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 level in differentiating benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Xu Chun Hua , Xue Jin Shan , Zhang Xiu Wei , Yu Li Ke , Lin Yong
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Macrophage inhibitory cytokine‐1 (MIC‐1), a transforming growth factor‐β superfamily cytokine, is involved in tumor pathogenesis, and its measurement can be used as a clinical tool for the diagnosis of a wide range of cancers.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic value of serum MIC‐1 in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs).

Methods

Serum specimens from 158 malignant SPN patients, 110 benign SPN patients, along with 120 healthy volunteers. The levels of serum MIC‐1 were measured by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Serum levels of MIC‐1 in malignant SPN patients were significantly higher than those in benign SPN patients (P < .01), or those in healthy volunteers (P < .01). With a cutoff of 685.8 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity of MIC‐1 in differentiating between malignant SPN patients and benign SPN patients, and between malignant SPN patients and healthy volunteers was, 56.3% and 92.7%, and 65.8% and 96.7%, respectively. An area under the curve (AUC) for malignant SPN resulting from MIC‐1, which was significantly better than any other tumor markers tested including carbohydrate antigens 12‐5 (CA125), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

Conclusions

In conclusion, measurement of serum MIC‐1 levels could be considered as a diagnostic biomarker for malignant SPN patients.
Neural substrate and clinical significance of general movements: an update
Authors: Hadders‐Algra Mijna
Published: August 2017

General movements are present from early fetal life to 3 to 5 months corrected age. Atypical general movements, especially in the last, so‐called fidgety general movement phase, are predictive of cerebral palsy (CP). This review updates knowledge on the neural substrate and clinical significance of typical and atypical general movements. Typical general movements are primarily characterized by complexity and variation. Presumably these core characteristics are initially induced by modulating activity of the cortical subplate. When the subplate gradually dissolves between 3 months before term and 3 months corrected age the cortical plate takes over. This coincides with the fidgety general movement phase. Conceivably, fidgety activity reflects ‘sparsification’, i.e. fragmentation of cortical network activity. The quintessential feature of atypical general movements is reduced complexity and variation. This is attributed to impaired integrity of extensive cortical‐subcortical networks, in which the subplate and periventricular white matter play a prominent role. The most serious forms of network impairment are associated with absent fidgety movements.

What this paper adds

The emergence of fidgety movements reflects a developmental transition from widespread to fragmented cortical network activity.

Atypical general movements characterized by reduced complexity and variation are attributed to impaired integrity of extensive cortical‐subcortical networks.
Multislice spiral CT angiography for evaluation of acute aortic syndrome
Authors: Zhao De‐Li , Liu Xin‐Ding , Zhao Cheng‐Lei , Zhou Hai‐Ting , Wang Guo‐Kun , Liang Hong‐Wei , Zhang Jin‐Ling
Published: August 2017

Objective

To discuss the diagnostic value of multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in acute aortic syndrome (AAS).

Materials and methods

The clinical and imaging data of 36 cases diagnosed as AAS by MSCTA were collected. The manifestations of the MSCTA images were reviewed retrospectively, and the average x‐ray dose was calculated.

Results

Among 36 AAS cases, 16 cases had aortic dissection (AD), 8 cases had penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU), 7 cases had intramural hematoma (IMH), and 5 cases had unstable thoracic aneurysm (UTA). Of 16 cases with AD, type A and type B accounted for 43.7% (7/16) and 56.3% (9/16), respectively. Of 7 cases with IMH, type A and type B accounted for 42.9% (3/7) and 57.1% (4/7), respectively.

Conclusion

In spite of the x‐ray radiation, MSCTA proves to be a rapid and noninvasive imaging technique for the diagnosis of AAS.
Echocardiography‐quantified myocardial strain—a marker of global and regional infarct size that stratifies likelihood of left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Kim Jiwon , Rodriguez‐Diego Sara , Srinivasan Aparna , Brown Rachel‐Maria , Pollie Meridith P. , Di Franco Antonino , Goldburg Samantha R. , Siden Jonathan Y. , Ratcliffe Mark B. , Levine Robert A. , Devereux Richard B. , Weinsaft Jonathan W.
Published: August 2017

Background

Myocardial strain provides a novel means of quantifying subtle alterations in contractile function; incremental utility post‐MI is unknown.

Objectives

To test longitudinal—quantified by postprocessing routine echo—for assessment of MI size measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and conventional methods, and assess regional and global strain (GLS) as markers of LV thrombus.

Methods

The population comprised of patients with anterior ST‐segment MI who underwent echo and CMR prospectively. Preexisting echoes were retrieved, re‐analyzed for strain, and compared to conventional MI markers as well as CMR‐evidenced MI, function, and thrombus.

Results

Seventy‐four patients underwent echo and CMR 4 ± 1 weeks post‐MI; 72% had abnormal GLS. CMR‐quantified MI size was 2.5‐fold larger and EF lower among patients with abnormal GLS, paralleling 2.6–3.1 fold differences in Q‐wave size and CPK (all P ≤ .002). GLS correlated with CMR‐quantified MI (r = .66), CPK (r = .52) and Q‐wave area (r = .44; all P ≤ .001): Regional strain was lower in the base, mid, and apical LV among patients with CMR‐defined transmural MI in each territory (P < .05) and correlated with cine‐CMR regional EF (r = .53–.71; P < .001) and echo wall motion (r = .45–.71; P < .001). GLS and apical strain were ~2‐fold lower among patients with LV thrombus (P ≤ .002): Apical strain yielded higher diagnostic performance for thrombus (AUC: 0.83 [0.72–0.93], P = .001) than wall motion (0.73 [0.58–0.88], P = .02), as did global strain (0.78 [0.65–0.90], P = .005) compared to LVEF (0.58 [0.45–0.72], P = .41).

Conclusions

Echo‐quantified longitudinal strain provides a marker of MI size and improves stratification for post‐MI LV thrombus beyond conventional indices.
Traumatic dental injuries in Brazilian children and oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Silva‐Oliveira Fernando , Goursand Daniela , Ferreira Raquel Conceição , Paiva Paula Cristina Pelli , Paiva Haroldo Neves , Ferreira Efigênia Ferreira , Zarzar Patrícia Maria
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims

Population‐based studies that investigate the impact of TDI on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) among school children and its association with socioeconomic factors are scarce and offer conflicting results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TDI on OHRQoL among school children and its association with socioeconomic status.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 588 12‐year‐old children enrolled in public and private schools in the urban areas in the city of Diamantina (southeastern Brazil). Clinical examinations were performed for the diagnosis of traumatic dental injury based on Andreasen's classification. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11–14), which has been validated for the population in Brazil, was employed to evaluate oral health‐related quality of life. Socioeconomic status and overjet were also analyzed. Statistical analysis involved the chi‐square test and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 29.4% of the students exhibited some type of trauma to at least one tooth. A negative impact on oral health‐related quality of life was found in 53.1% of the sample. Traumatic dental injury was associated with a high impact on oral health‐related quality of life [OR = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.08‐2.39)] and overjet >3 mm [OR = 5.42 (95% CI: 3.66‐8.02)]. However, no statistically significant associations were found between TDI and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions

Prevalence of traumatic dental injury was high among the children who participated in the study, and it was associated with a high impact on oral health‐related quality of life as well as overjet >3 mm.