bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term function and morphology of the anal sphincters and the pelvic floor after primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injury
Authors: Soerensen M. M. , Pedersen B. G. , Santoro G. A. , Buntzen S. , Bek K. , Laurberg S.
Published: February 2014

Aim

More than 50% of women experience deteriorating continence over time following primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter injuries. The objectives of this study were to assess the function and morphology of the anal sphincters and pelvic floor in women with long‐term faecal incontinence after sphincter repair (primary end‐point) and to evaluate their correlation with severity of incontinence (secondary end‐point).

Method

The participants in this prospective study were recruited from a cohort of all women who sustained third or fourth degree obstetric sphincter injury reconstruction (cases) from January 1976 to November 1991. The women who delivered immediately before and after each case, without sustaining obstetric damage, were included as controls. Cases and controls were stratified into three categories: (i) continent; (ii) minor incontinence; and (iii) severe incontinence. The function and morphology of the anal sphincters and pelvic floor were evaluated by MRI, three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasonography and anorectal physiology tests.

Results

Fifty‐nine women (29 cases/30 controls; mean age 51/53 years; mean follow‐up 23.7/24.1 years, respectively) were assessed. Morphologically, cases had a significantly shorter anterior external anal sphincter length compared with controls when evaluated by three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (8.6 vs 10.2 mm; P = 0.03). Functionally, cases with severe incontinence had a significantly shorter anterior sphincter length compared with cases with minor incontinence (7.7 vs 10.4 mm; P = 0.04). No correlation could be found between anal pressures and severity of incontinence in the case group.

Conclusions

Cases had a significantly shorter anterior external anal sphincter length. Functionally, anterior sphincter length correlated with increased severity of incontinence.
Acuity of the approximate number system and preschoolers’ quantitative development
Authors: van Marle Kristy , Chu Felicia W. , Li Yaoran , Geary David C.
Published: February 2014

The study assessed the relations among acuity of the inherent approximate number system (ANS), performance on measures of symbolic quantitative knowledge, and mathematics achievement for a sample of 138 (64 boys) preschoolers. The Weber fraction (a measure of ANS acuity) and associated task accuracy were significantly correlated with mathematics achievement following one year of preschool, and predicted performance on measures of children's explicit knowledge of Arabic numerals, number words, and cardinal value, controlling for age, sex, parental education, intelligence, executive control, and preliteracy knowledge. The relation between ANS acuity, as measured by the Weber fraction and task accuracy, and mathematics achievement was fully mediated by children's performance on the symbolic quantitative tasks, with knowledge of cardinal value emerging as a particularly important mediator. The overall pattern suggests that ANS acuity facilitates the early learning of symbolic quantitative knowledge and indirectly influences mathematics achievement through this knowledge.
Epidemiology of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Taiwan, 2003 to 2008
Authors: Lu C.‐L. , Shen H.‐N. , Chen H.‐F. , Li C.‐Y.
Published: February 2014

Aims

To report the annual incidence rate and the socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics of childhood Type 1 diabetes in Taiwan in the period 2003–2008.

Methods

A total of 1306 incident cases of childhood (0–14 years) Type 1 diabetes were identified from Taiwan's National Health Insurance claim datasets from the period 2003–2008. The temporal trend of the incidence rate of Type 1 diabetes and the features of hospitalizations in the first year after diagnosis were investigated. The associations of patient characteristics, child population density and the urbanization level of the residential areas with the risk of Type 1 diabetes were assessed using Poisson regression analysis.

Results

The annual incidence rate was stable, irrespective of age and gender, with a mean annual incidence rate of 5.3 per 100 000 children. Girls were more likely than boys to develop Type 1 diabetes (6.0 vs 4.7 per 100 000 children) and the incidence rate increased with age. There was no apparent geographic variation in the incidence rates. Despite the 60% decrease in the rate of admission (from 11.0 to 5.8%) over the study period, ketoacidosis remained the major diabetes complication leading to admission for childhood Type 1 diabetes. The multivariate analysis suggested that female gender and older age were significant predictors of the incidence of Type 1 diabetes, whereas the population density of children and the urbanization levels of the residential areas were not.

Conclusions

Girls and older children should receive particular attention when formulating preventive strategies targeting Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, clinicians should still carefully optimize the management of children with Type 1 diabetes to further reduce the occurrence of ketoacidosis.
Modelling the impacts of maize decomposition on glyphosate dynamics in mulch
Authors: Aslam S. , Benoit P. , Chabauty F. , Bergheaud V. , Geng C. , Vieublé‐Gonod L. , Garnier P.
Published: February 2014

The retention of crop residues as mulch on the soil surface in conservation agriculture systems greatly influences the fate of pesticides, as most of the applied pesticide is intercepted by mulch before moving to the soil. This work was conducted in order to model the effect of maize decomposition on glyphosate degradation in mulch and soil. Labelled 14C‐glyphosate degradation was monitored for 49 days in three treatments with the same soils but with maize residues at different stages of decomposition (0, 20 and 49 days). Fresh residues of maize (0 days) exhibited an evolution of their biochemical fractions to a greater extent than decomposed residues. Glyphosate mineralization was faster in the 0‐day treatment in mulch residues and in the soil layer below the mulch. However, a greater formation of non‐extractable residues (NERs) was observed in mulch residues and soils in the 20‐ and 49‐day treatments than in the 0‐day treatment. Modelling maize mulch decomposition with the COP‐soil model indicated that microbial activity was different in the three treatments and depended on the initial composition of maize residues. Glyphosate mineralization in mulch and soil can be simulated with an assumption of co‐metabolism by coupling the modules of pesticide degradation and mulch carbon decomposition. Glyphosate and its metabolites, including soluble and adsorbed fractions, were simulated with the same adsorption coefficients for all treatments. The simulation of NER formation, however, suggested that more than one microbial population may be involved in the degradation process and could be added in the future development of the model.
Investigation of neuronal autoantibodies in two different focal epilepsy syndromes
Authors: Ekizoglu Esme , Tuzun Erdem , Woodhall Mark , Lang Bethan , Jacobson Leslie , Icoz Sema , Bebek Nerses , Gurses Candan , Gokyigit Aysen , Waters Patrick , Vincent Angela , Baykan Betul
Published: February 2014

Objective

Neuronal antibodies have been identified in patients with seizures as the main or sole symptom. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of these autoantibodies in patients with focal epilepsy of unknown cause (FEoUC) and in the group having mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE‐HS).

Methods

We studied anti‐neuronal antibodies of consecutive adult patients diagnosed with FEoUC and MTLE‐HS in our epilepsy center. The clinical and laboratory features of antibody‐positive patients were compared with those of seronegative patients. The responses to therapy have also been investigated.

Results

Sera from 81 patients with epilepsy were tested. We found antibodies against glycine receptor (GLY‐R) in 5 (6.2%), contactin‐associated protein 2 (CASPR‐2) in 4 (4.9%), N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDA‐R) in 2 (2.5%), and voltage‐gated potassium channel (VGKC)‐complex in 2 (2.5%) of our patients with epilepsy. Psychotic attacks and nonspecific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter changes (WMCs) showed significant associations in seropositive patients (p = 0.003 and p = 0.03, respectively). Poor drug‐response rates and total seizure counts were also higher in the seropositive patients but without reaching statistical significance. Three seropositive patients with previous epilepsy surgery showed typical histopathologic results for MTLE‐HS, but not inflammatory changes. Moreover, some patients harboring these antibodies partly benefited from immunotherapy.

Significance

We detected neuronal antibodies in one sixth of patients with focal epilepsy, GLY‐R antibodies being the leading one. Psychosis or nonspecific MRI WMCs were frequent in the seropositive group. Our results suggested that relevant antibodies should be screened for a treatment possibility in these groups.
Autophagy induced by resveratrol suppresses α‐MSH‐induced melanogenesis
Authors: Kim Eun Sung , Chang Huikyoung , Choi Hyunjung , Shin Ji Hyun , Park So Jung , Jo Yoon Kyung , Choi Eun Sun , Baek Seok Yun , Kim Byung‐Gyu , Chang Jong Wook , Kim Jin Cheon , Cho Dong‐Hyung
Published: February 2014

Autophagy degrades cellular components and organelles through a cooperative process involving autophagosomes and lysosomes. Although autophagy is known to mainly regulate the turnover of cellular components, the role of autophagy in melanogenesis has not been well addressed. Here, we show that inhibition of autophagy suppresses the antimelanogenesis activity of resveratrol (RSV), a well‐known antimelanogenic agent. RSV strongly increased autophagy in melanocytes. However, the depletion of ATG5 significantly suppressed RSV‐mediated antimelanogenesis as well as RSV‐induced autophagy in melanocytes. Moreover, suppression of ATG5 retrieved the RSV‐mediated downregulation of tyrosinase and TRP1 in α‐MSH‐treated cells. Most importantly, electron microscopy analysis revealed that autophagosomes engulfed melanin or melanosomes after combined treatment of α‐MSH and RSV. Taken together, these results suggest that RSV‐mediated autophagy regulates melanogenesis.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐1: roles in androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Panchaprateep Ratchathorn , Asawanonda Pravit
Published: February 2014

Of all the cytokines or growth factors that have been postulated to play a role in hair follicle, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) is known to be regulated by androgens. However, how IGF‐1 is altered in the balding scalp has not yet been investigated. In this study, expressions of IGF‐1 and its binding proteins by dermal papilla (DP) cells obtained from balding versus non‐balding hair follicles were quantified using growth factor array. DP cells from balding scalp follicles were found to secrete significantly less IGF‐1, IGFBP‐2 and IGFBP‐4 (P < 0.05) than their non‐balding counterparts. Our data confirmed that the downregulation of IGF‐1 may be one of the important mechanisms contributing to male pattern baldness.
LncRNA: a new player in 1α, 25(OH)2 vitamin D3/VDR protection against skin cancer formation
Authors: Jiang Yan J. , Bikle Daniel D.
Published: February 2014

Sunlight, vitamin D and skin cancer form a controversial brew. While too much sunlight exposure causes skin cancer, it is the major source of vitamin D from skin. We propose that these processes can be balanced. Vitamin D signalling (VDS) protects against skin cancer as demonstrated by the susceptibility of the skin to tumor formation in VDR null mice and protection from UVB‐induced mutations when VDR agonists are administered. The question is how is protection afforded. Previously, we have focused on the Wnt/β‐catenin/hedgehog and DNA damage repair (DDR) pathways. As VDR regulates hundreds of genes with thousands of VDR response elements (VDRE) throughout the genome, and many VDREs are in non‐coding regions, we decided to explore long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNA). LncRNAs are mRNA‐like transcripts ranging from 200 bases ~100 kb lacking significant open reading frames. They are aberrantly expressed in human cancers and involved in a spectrum of tumorigenic/metastatic processes (cell proliferation/apoptosis/angiogenesis). We discovered that VDS regulated the expression of certain lncRNAs in a manner consistent with VDS protection against skin cancer. Given the huge variation in genes actively regulated by 1,25(OH)2D from different cell types, it is conceivable that our results could apply to personalized medicine based on the distinctive lncRNA profiles. These lncRNAs could also serve as skin cancer biomarkers secreted into the blood or urine via exosomes as demonstrated in other cancer types (breast, prostate). Modulation of lncRNA profile by VDS may also provide insight into regulating pathways such as Wnt/ß‐catenin and hedgehog.
Effects of professional oral health care on elderly: randomized trial
Authors: Morino T , Ookawa K , Haruta N , Hagiwara Y , Seki M
Published: February 2014

Objective

To better understand the role of the professional oral health care for elderly in improving geriatric oral health, the effects of short‐term professional oral health care (once per week for 1 month) on oral microbiological parameters were assessed.

Methods

Parallel, open‐labelled, randomize‐controlled trial was undertaken in a nursing home for elderly in Shizuoka, Japan. Thirty‐four dentate elderly over 74 years were randomly assigned from ID number to the intervention (17/34) and control (17/34) groups. The outcomes were changes in oral microbiological parameters (number of bacteria in unstimulated saliva; whole bacteria, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium and Prevotella: opportunistic pathogens detection: and index of oral hygiene evaluation [Dental Plaque Index, DPI]) within the intervention period. Each parameter was evaluated at before and after intervention period. Four elderly were lost from mortality (1), bone fracture (1), refused to participate (1) and multi‐antibiotics usage (1). Finally, 30 elderly were analysed (14/intervention and 16/control).

Results

At baseline, no difference was found between the control and intervention groups. After the intervention period, the percentage of Streptococcus species increased significantly in the intervention group (Intervention, 86% [12/14]; Control, 50% [8/16]: Fisher's, right‐tailed, P < 0.05). Moreover, DPI significantly improved in the intervention group (Intervention, 57% [8/14]; Control, 13% [2/16]: Fisher's, two‐tailed, P < 0.05). The improvement in DPI extended for 3 months after intervention. None of side effects were reported.

Conclusion

The short‐term professional oral health care can improve oral conditions in the elderly.
Nitrogen limitation and microbial diversity at the treeline
Authors: Thébault Aurélie , Clément Jean‐Christophe , Ibanez Sébastien , Roy Julien , Geremia Roberto A. , Pérez Cecilia A. , Buttler Alexandre , Estienne Yvan , Lavorel Sandra
Published: February 2014

Tree growth limitation at treeline has mainly been studied in terms of carbon limitation while effects and mechanisms of potential nitrogen (N) limitation are barely known, especially in the southern hemisphere. We investigated how soil abiotic properties and microbial community structure and composition change from lower to upper sites within three vegetation belts (Nothofagus betuloidesandN. pumilioforests, and alpine vegetation) across an elevation gradient (from 0 to 650 m a.s.l.) in Cordillera Darwin, southern Patagonia. Increasing elevation was associated with a decrease in soil N‐NH4+availability within theN. pumilioand the alpine vegetation belt. Within the alpine vegetation belt, a concurrent increase in the soil C:N ratio was associated with a shift from bacterial‐dominated in lower alpine sites to fungal‐dominated microbial communities in upper alpine sites. Lower forested belts (N. betuloides, N. pumilio) exhibited more complex patterns both in terms of soil properties and microbial communities. Overall, our results concur with recent findings from high‐latitude and altitude ecosystems showing decreased nutrient availability with elevation, leading to fungal‐dominated microbial communities. We suggest that growth limitation at treeline may result, in addition to proximal climatic parameters, from a competition between trees and soil microbial communities for limited soil inorganic N. At higher elevation, soil microbial communities could have comparably greater capacities to uptake soil N than trees, and the shift towards a fungal‐dominated community would favour N immobilization over N mineralization. Though evidences of altered nutrient dynamics in tree and alpine plant tissue with increasing altitude remain needed, we contend that the measured residual low amount of inorganic N available for trees in the soil could participate to the establishment limitation. Finally, our results suggest that responses of soil microbial communities to elevation could be influenced by functional properties of forest communities for instance through variations in litter quality.
Dispersal restricts local biomass but promotes the recovery of metacommunities after temperature stress
Authors: de Boer M. Karin , Moor Helen , Matthiessen Birte , Hillebrand Helmut , Eriksson Britas Klemens
Published: February 2014

Landscape connectivity can increase the capacity of communities to maintain their function when environments change by promoting the immigration of species or populations with adapted traits. However, high immigration may also restrict fine tuning of species compositions to local environmental conditions by homogenizing the community. Here we demonstrate that dispersal generates such a tradeoff between maximizing local biomass and the capacity of model periphyton metacommunities to recover after a simulated heat wave. In non‐disturbed metacommunities, dispersal decreased the total biomass by preventing differentiation in species composition between the local patches making up the metacommunity. On the contrary, in metacommunities exposed to a realistic summer heat wave, dispersal promoted recovery by increasing the biomass of heat tolerant species in all local patches. Thus, the heat wave reorganized the species composition of the metacommunities and after an initial decrease in total biomass by 38.7%, dispersal fueled a full recovery of biomass in the restructured metacommunities. Although dispersal may decrease equilibrium biomass, our results highlight that connectivity is a key requirement for the response diversity that allows ecological communities to adapt to climate change through species sorting.
Trophic shift of soil animal species with forest type as indicated by stable isotope analysis
Authors: Klarner Bernhard , Ehnes Roswitha B. , Erdmann Georgia , Eitzinger Bernhard , Pollierer Melanie M. , Maraun Mark , Scheu Stefan
Published: February 2014

Anthropogenic land use shapes the dynamics and composition of central European forests and changes the quality and availability of resources of the decomposer system. These changes likely alter the structure and functioning of soil animal food webs. Using stable isotope analysis (13C, 15N) we investigated the trophic position and resource use of soil animal species in each of four forest types (coniferous, young managed beech, old managed beech and unmanaged beech forests) across three regions in Germany. Twenty‐eight species of soil invertebrates were analyzed covering three consumer levels and a representative spectrum of feeding types and morphologies. Data on stable isotope signatures of leaf litter, fine roots and soil were included to evaluate to which extent signatures of soil animals vary with those of local resources. Soil animal δ15N and δ13C signatures varied with the respective signatures of leaf litter and fine roots. After calibration to leaf litter signatures, soil animal stable isotope signatures of the different beech forests did not differ significantly. However, thick leaf litter layers, such as those in coniferous forests, were associated with low animal stable isotope signatures presumably due to reduced access of decomposer animals to root‐derived resources, suggesting that the decomposer food web is shifted towards leaf litter based energy pathways with the shift affecting all consumer levels. Variation in stable isotope signatures of soil animal species with litter quality parameters suggests that nutrition of third level but not first and second level consumers is related to litter quality, potentially due to microorganisms locking up litter resources thereby hampering their propagation to higher trophic levels.
Morphology and Ontogenesis of Psilotrichides hawaiiensis nov. gen., nov. spec. and Molecular Phylogeny of the Psilotrichidae (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)
Authors: Heber Domingo , Stoeck Thorsten , Foissner Wilhelm
Published: February 2014

The Psilotrichidae are a family of middle‐sized hypotrichs with unique morphological and ontogenetic features (e.g. the oral primordium develops in a deep pouch) that, however, did not provide a definite phylogenetic signal. Thus, we studied the 18S rRNA gene of Urospinula succisa (Müller 1786) Esteban et al., 2001 as well as the morphology and ontogenesis of Psilotrichides hawaiiensis, a new genus and species from an ephemeral swamp on Oahu Island, Hawaii. The molecular data classify the psilotrichids into the oxytrichids but without clear branching position. A brief revision, using the structure of the oral apparatus, the location of the contractile vacuole, and three ontogenetic features, showed four distinct genera: Psilotricha Stein, 1859; Urospinula Corliss, 1960; Hemiholosticha Gelei, 1954; and Psilotrichides nov. gen., which differs from the confamilials mainly by the obliquely oriented buccal cavity and the shape of the undulating membranes as well as by a distinct ridge along the right buccal margin. The pyriform species, P. hawaiiensis, is about 65 × 45 μm in size and is easily recognized by the table tennis racket‐shaped appearance due to the elongated last cirrus of the left marginal row. Refined diagnoses are provided for the family Psilotrichidae Bütschli, 1889 and the genera contained.
Swimming in air‐breathing fishes
Authors: Lefevre S. , Domenici P. , McKenzie D. J.
Published: February 2014

Fishes with bimodal respiration differ in the extent of their reliance on air breathing to support aerobic metabolism, which is reflected in their lifestyles and ecologies. Many freshwater species undertake seasonal and reproductive migrations that presumably involve sustained aerobic exercise. In the six species studied to date, aerobic exercise in swim flumes stimulated air‐breathing behaviour, and there is evidence that surfacing frequency and oxygen uptake from air show an exponential increase with increasing swimming speed. In some species, this was associated with an increase in the proportion of aerobic metabolism met by aerial respiration, while in others the proportion remained relatively constant. The ecological significance of anaerobic swimming activities, such as sprinting and fast‐start manoeuvres during predator–prey interactions, has been little studied in air‐breathing fishes. Some species practise air breathing during recovery itself, while others prefer to increase aquatic respiration, possibly to promote branchial ion exchange to restore acid–base balance, and to remain quiescent and avoid being visible to predators. Overall, the diversity of air‐breathing fishes is reflected in their swimming physiology as well, and further research is needed to increase the understanding of the differences and the mechanisms through which air breathing is controlled and used during exercise.
Sustained periodic terrestrial locomotion in air‐breathing fishes
Authors: Pace C. M. , Gibb A. C.
Published: February 2014

While emergent behaviours have long been reported for air‐breathing osteichthyians, only recently have researchers undertaken quantitative analyses of terrestrial locomotion. This review summarizes studies of sustained periodic terrestrial movements by air‐breathing fishes and quantifies the contributions of the paired appendages and the axial body to forward propulsion. Elongate fishes with axial‐based locomotion, e.g. the ropefish Erpetoichthys calabaricus, generate an anterior‐to‐posterior wave of undulation that travels down the axial musculoskeletal system and pushes the body against the substratum at multiple points. In contrast, appendage‐based locomotors, e.g. the barred mudskipper Periophthalmus argentilineatus, produce no axial bending during sustained locomotion, but instead use repeated protraction–retraction cycles of the pectoral fins to elevate the centre of mass and propel the entire body anteriorly. Fishes that use an axial–appendage‐based mechanism, e.g. walking catfishes Clarias spp., produce side‐to‐side, whole‐body bending in co‐ordination with protraction–retraction cycles of the pectoral fins. Once the body is maximally bent to one side, the tail is pressed against the substratum and drawn back through the mid‐sagittal plane, which elevates the centre of mass and rotates it about a fulcrum formed by the pectoral fin and the ground. Although appendage‐based terrestrial locomotion appears to be rare in osteichthyians, many different species appear to have converged upon functionally similar axial‐based and axial–appendage‐based movements. Based on common forms observed across divergent taxa, it appears that dorsoventral compression of the body, elongation of the axial skeleton or the presence of robust pectoral fins can facilitate effective terrestrial movement by air‐breathing fishes.
Breaking wind to survive: fishes that breathe air with their gut
Authors: Nelson J. A.
Published: February 2014

Several taxonomically disparate groups of fishes have evolved the ability to extract oxygen from the air with elements of their gut. Despite perceived difficulties with balancing digestive and respiratory function, gut air breathing (GAB) has evolved multiple times in fishes and several GAB families are among the most successful fish families in terms of species numbers. When gut segments evolve into an air‐breathing organ (ABO), there is generally a specialized region for exchange of gases where the gut wall has diminished, vascularization has increased, capillaries have penetrated into the luminal epithelium and surfactant is produced. This specialized region is generally separated from digestive portions of the gut by sphincters. GAB fishes tend to be facultative air breathers that use air breathing to supplement aquatic respiration in hypoxic waters. Some hindgut breathers may be continuous, but not obligate air breathers (obligate air breathers drown if denied access to air). Gut ABOs are generally used only for oxygen uptake; CO2 elimination seems to occur via the gills and skin in all GAB fishes studied. Aerial ventilation in GAB fishes is driven primarily by oxygen partial pressure of the water (PO2) and possibly also by metabolic demand. The effect of aerial ventilation on branchial ventilation and the cardiovascular system is complex and generalizations across taxa or ABO type are not currently possible. Blood from GAB fishes generally has a low blood oxygen partial pressure that half saturates haemoglobin (p50) with a very low erythrocytic nucleoside triphosphate concentration [NTP]. GAB behaviour in nature depends on the social and ecological context of the animal as well as on physiological factors.
Burden in Caregivers of Cognitively Impaired Elderly Adults at Time of Hospitalization: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis
Authors: Shankar Kalpana N. , Hirschman Karen B. , Hanlon Alexandra L. , Naylor Mary D.
Published: February 2014

Objectives

To describe the factors associated with burden that caregivers of cognitively impaired older adults (dementia, delirium, or both) at the time of hospitalization experienced.

Design

Cross‐sectional data analyses.

Setting

Three hospitals—one academic tertiary hospital and two associated community hospitals.

Participants

Caregivers (N = 495) of cognitively impaired older adults at the time of hospital admission.

Measurements

Multivariable linear regression was performed to analyze the effect of the independent variables (caregiver: demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, self‐efficacy; older adult: neuropsychiatric symptoms, delirium, functional deficits) on caregiver burden.

Results

Higher burden was associated with younger caregiver age (P = .02), being a spouse (P = .03), depressive symptoms (P < .001), caregivers’ lower perceived self‐efficacy in managing care recipient symptoms (P = .002), and limited finances at the end of the month (P = .01). Caregiver burden was also strongly associated with the care recipient factors distressing neuropsychiatric symptoms (P = .001), delirium (P = .001), and greater functional deficits in basic activities of daily living (P = .001).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that caregivers of older adults who were cognitively impaired at hospital admission experience burden. Understanding the factors that contribute to burden at the time of hospitalization for caregivers of persons with cognitive impairment can inform the development of interventions targeted throughout the hospitalization that have the potential to decrease burden.
Life Cycle Assessment and Service Life Prediction
Authors: Grant Aneurin , Ries Robert , Kibert Charles
Published: February 2014

Models of buildings in life cycle assessment (LCA) often use simple descriptions of operational energy, maintenance, and material replacement. The scope of many building LCAs is often limited and uses assumptions such as building lifetimes of 30 to 50 years. In actuality, building lifetimes vary considerably, and scenarios using standard assumptions may have incorrect results. Assumptions concerning material replacement, repair, and maintenance should be deliberate and as realistic as possible. This research was initiated to demonstrate the importance of service life assumptions on building life cycle assessment results. Three roof types (built‐up, thermoplastic membrane, and vegetated) and three wall forms (brick, aluminum, and wood siding) were analyzed. These materials were combined and modeled as nine distinct building envelopes. Five service life models were used to determine the service life of materials and systems. The analysis considered impacts related to material manufacturing, construction, operation, and maintenance. The Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other environmental Impacts global warming potential, atmospheric eco‐toxicity, and atmospheric acidification impact assessment indicators were used. The analysis of the cumulative life cycle impact and life cycle impact per year found that life cycle impact was primarily dependent on the predicted frequency of major material replacement as well as differences in the frequency and intensity of prescribed maintenance. In some scenarios, the relative differences in the life cycle impact of the alternatives were dependent on the environmental indicator used.
Neural network modelling of asphalt adhesion determined by AFM
Authors: TAREFDER R.A. , AHSAN S.
Published: February 2014

This study constructs a neural network (NN) model to quantify adhesion from atomic force microscopy (AFM) data. AFM data contain five‐point force–distance values. A total of 760 observations are used to build NN model. To train the network, AFM tip‐sample distance data, percentage of lime, type and percentage of polymer and asphalt chemical functional groups are given as inputs and AFM force as an output. To select the NN architecture, one and two hidden layers with varying neurons are tried with 10 input nodes in the input layer and 5 output nodes in the output layer. Two hidden layers with 9 and 17 nodes in the first and second layer, respectively, show the best performance. A 10‐9‐17‐5 NN is selected as the final structure of the NN model. Test results for the trained model show good prediction ability. The model is further applied to evaluate the effect of five different percentages of lime on the adhesion of asphalt. Results show that increase in the percentage of lime is very effective at reducing moisture damage in a styrene butadiene polymer modified asphalt sample. However, increase in lime percentage above 1.5% does not help reduce moisture damage in the styrene butadiene styrene polymer modified sample.
Clinical implications of Schwann cell biology
Authors: Armati Patricia J. , Mathey Emily K.
Published: February 2014

The neuroglia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are derived from the neural crest and are a diverse family of cells. They consist of myelinating Schwann cells, non‐myelinating Schwann cells, satellite cells, and perisynaptic Schwann cells. Due to their prominent role in the formation of myelin, myelinating Schwann cells are the best recognised of these cells. However, Schwann cells and the other neuroglia of the PNS have many functions that are independent of myelination and contribute significantly to the functioning of the peripheral nerve in both health and disease. Here we discuss the contribution of PNS neuroglial cells to clinical deficit in neurodegenerative disease, peripheral neuropathy, and pain.
Do Patient Characteristics Influence Nursing Adherence to a Guideline for Preventing Delirium?
Authors: Ijkema Roelie , Langelaan Maaike , van de Steeg Lotte , Wagner Cordula
Published: February 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine if the characteristics of patients influence nursing adherence to a quality improvement guideline. This guideline consists of delirium risk screening and preventive care, including the use of the Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS).

Design

A retrospective patient record review study was performed in 18 Dutch hospitals that were implementing a quality improvement project regarding delirium care. The records of patients 70 years of age or older were reviewed over an 11‐month period.

Methods

Patient characteristics, as well as the extent of risk screening and the application of the DOSS within the screened and nonscreened groups, were recorded by experienced research nurses. Characteristics were compared between these groups and within the high‐risk group using multilevel logistic regression analysis.

Findings

A total of 1,881 patient records were analyzed. In 55% of the total sample, a risk screening was conducted, of which 44% were identified as patients with a high risk for delirium. Acute admissions were screened significantly less often. The DOSS was used in 48% of the patients in the high‐risk group, but also in 13% of the patients without an identified risk and in 15% of the nonscreened patients. The factors influencing the use of the DOSS in screened and nonscreened patients included age, domestic circumstances, suffering from dementia, and acute admission. In the nonscreened group, comorbidity also showed significance.

Conclusions

Patient characteristics influence nursing in preventive delirium care.

Clinical Relevance

The findings can help to improve preventive delirium care by nurses.
The Discrimination of Using the Short Physical Performance Battery to Screen Frailty for Community‐Dwelling Elderly People
Authors: Chang Shu‐Fang , Yang Rong‐Sen , Lin Tsung‐Ching , Chiu Shu‐Ching , Chen Mei‐Li , Lee Hui‐Chen
Published: February 2014

Purpose

This study explored the risk factors, cut‐off points, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of physical performance testing among community‐dwelling frail elderly people in Taiwan.

Organizing Construct

The empirical measurement of frailty is based on the following five indicators: weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slow responses, and minimal physical activity. The frail phenotype is considered present if three or more of the indicators are observed. Meanwhile, a short battery of physical performance tests was conducted to assess the balance, mobility, and flexibility among elderly people.

Methods

A cross‐sectional research design was executed. Participants were evaluated using a short battery of physical performance tests to assess their physical performance. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed.

Findings

The logistic regression results showed that the factors significantly correlated to frailty included falls in the previous year, smoking, hypertension, and bone and joint disease. Physical performance test scores were analyzed using the ROC curves to discriminate frailty statuses. The analysis results showed that the areas under the ROC curves for the diagnostic accuracy of right‐hand grip, left‐hand grip, and the 8‐foot up‐and‐go test reached 0.70, and the optimal cut‐off points determined using Youden's index were 17.25 kg, 20.75 kg, and 8.13 s, respectively.

Conclusions

The research findings suggest that physical performance variables can be used to effectively screen elderly people at risk for frailty in the community.

Clinical Relevance

The findings offer reference values for physical performance tests specific to community‐dwelling frail elderly people. The information can enable health practitioners to achieve early identification of frailty among elderly people with anthropometric characteristics similar to those associated with people in Asian countries.
Equity Analyst Recommendations: A Case for Affirmative Disclosure?
Authors: BAKER WILLIAM , DUMONT GREGORY
Published: February 2014

The financial well‐being of retail investors is impacted by the quality of their investment decisions. Inaccurate or misleading financial information that is misconstrued by investors to be reliable can compromise decision making. This research reports on the results of three studies that show despite the fact that equities with “buy” ratings significantly underperform equities with “hold” ratings, retail investors rely on them when making investment decisions. It also shows analysts' guidance remains inaccurate in the aggregate despite the passage of Sarbanes‐Oxley and related legislation/regulation. This article begins a conversation on the implications of this dilemma, specifically the value of affirmative disclosure as a remedy.
Melatonin modulates the autophagic response in acute liver failure induced by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus
Authors: San‐Miguel Beatriz , Crespo Irene , Vallejo Daniela , Álvarez Marcelino , Prieto Jesús , González‐Gallego Javier , Tuñón María J.
Published: February 2014

Autophagy is an important survival pathway and participates in the host response to infection. Beneficial effects of melatonin have been previously reported in an animal model of acute liver failure (ALF) induced by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). This study was aimed to investigate whether melatonin protection against liver injury induced by the RHDV associates to modulation of autophagy. Rabbits were infected with 2 × 104 hemagglutination units of a RHDV isolate and received 20 mg/kg melatonin at 0, 12, and 24 hr postinfection. RHDV induced autophagy, with increased expression of beclin‐1, ubiquitin‐like autophagy‐related (Atg)5, Atg12, Atg16L1 and sequestrosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1), protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) staining, and conversion of LC3‐I to autophagosome‐associated LC3‐II. These effects reached a maximum at 24 hr postinfection, in parallel to extensive colocalization of LC3 and lysosome‐associated membrane protein (LAMP)‐1. The autophagic response induced by RHDV infection was significantly inhibited by melatonin administration. Melatonin treatment also resulted in decreased immunoreactivity for RHDV viral VP60 antigen and a significantly reduction in RHDV VP60 mRNA levels, oxidized to reduced glutathione ratio (GSSG/GSH), caspase‐3 activity, and immunoglobulin‐heavy‐chain‐binding protein (BiP) and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) expression. Results indicate that, in addition to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects, and the suppression of ER stress, melatonin induces a decrease in autophagy associated with RHDV infection and inhibits RHDV RNA replication. Results obtained reveal novel molecular pathways accounting for the protective effect of melatonin in this animal model of ALF.
Proliferative effects of melatonin on Schwann cells: implication for nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Chang Hung‐Ming , Liu Chiung‐Hui , Hsu Wen‐Ming , Chen Li‐You , Wang Han‐Pin , Wu Tsung‐Huan , Chen Kuan‐Ying , Ho Wen‐Hsin , Liao Wen‐Chieh
Published: February 2014

Activation of proliferation of Schwann cells is crucial for axonal guidance and successful nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Considering melatonin plays an important role in proliferative regulation of central glial cells, the present study determined whether melatonin can effectively promote Schwann cell proliferation and improve nerve regeneration after PNI. The spontaneous immortalized rat Schwann cell line (RSC 96 cells) was first analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) to detect the potential existence of melatonin receptors. The melatonin receptor‐mediated signaling responsible for proliferation was examined by measuring the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2) pathway. The in vivo model of PNI was performed by the end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy. The quantity of Schwann cells as well as the number of re‐innervated motor end plates (MEP) on target muscles was examined to represent the functional recovery of injured nerves. QPCR results indicated that MT1 is the dominant receptor in Schwann cells. Immunoblotting and proliferation assay revealed an enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and increased number of RSC 96 cells following melatonin administration. Nonselective melatonin receptor antagonist (luzindole) treatment significantly suppressed all the above findings, suggesting that the proliferative effects of melatonin were mediated by a receptor‐dependent pathway. In vivo results corresponded well with in vitro findings in which melatonin effectively increased the amount of proliferated Schwann cells and re‐innervated MEP on target muscles following PNI. As melatonin successfully improves nerve regeneration by promoting Schwann cell proliferation, therapeutic use of melatonin may thus serve as a promising strategy to counteract the PNI‐induced neuronal disability.
Brandtodinium gen. nov. and B. nutricula comb. Nov. (Dinophyceae), a dinoflagellate commonly found in symbiosis with polycystine radiolarians
Authors: Probert Ian , Siano Raffaele , Poirier Camille , Decelle Johan , Biard Tristan , Tuji Akihiro , Suzuki Noritoshi , Not Fabrice
Published: February 2014

Symbiotic interactions between pelagic hosts and microalgae have received little attention, although they are widespread in the photic layer of the world ocean, where they play a fundamental role in the ecology of the planktonic ecosystem. Polycystine radiolarians (including the orders Spumellaria, Collodaria and Nassellaria) are planktonic heterotrophic protists that are widely distributed and often abundant in the ocean. Many polycystines host symbiotic microalgae within their cytoplasm, mostly thought to be the dinoflagellate Scrippsiella nutricula, a species originally described by Karl Brandt in the late nineteenth century as Zooxanthella nutricula. The free‐living stage of this dinoflagellate has never been characterized in terms of morphology and thecal plate tabulation. We examined morphological characters and sequenced conservative ribosomal markers of clonal cultures of the free‐living stage of symbiotic dinoflagellates isolated from radiolarian hosts from the three polycystine orders. In addition, we sequenced symbiont genes directly from several polycystine‐symbiont holobiont specimens from different oceanic regions. Thecal plate arrangement of the free‐living stage does not match that of Scrippsiella or related genera, and LSU and SSU rDNA‐based molecular phylogenies place these symbionts in a distinct clade within the Peridiniales. Both phylogenetic analyses and the comparison of morphological features of culture strains with those reported for other closely related species support the erection of a new genus that we name Brandtodinium gen. nov. and the recombination of S. nutricula as B. nutricula comb. nov.
Toll‐like receptor‐mediated immune responses are attenuated in the presence of high levels of hepatitis B virus surface antigen
Authors: Jiang M. , Broering R. , Trippler M. , Poggenpohl L. , Fiedler M. , Gerken G. , Lu M. , Schlaak J. F.
Published: February 2014

It has been recently shown that Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signalling in murine nonparenchymal liver cells (NPCs) is suppressed in the presence of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). It is not clear, however, whether this is also relevant for the adaptive immune responses and how this effect is mediated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients and controls were stimulated by TLR ligands in the absence or presence of autologous serum. Interestingly, TLR‐mediated cytokine expression (Interleukin‐6 and ‐10) as well as TLR3‐induced interferon (IFN) expression in PBMCs of HBV patients was significantly higher than in the healthy volunteers, showing a negative correlation with the levels of HBsAg. In addition, TLR3‐mediated IFN‐γ production was inhibited in the presence of HBV‐containing serum. To mechanistically analyse this observation, murine Kupffer cells (KCs) and sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were stimulated with TLR3 ligands in the presence or absence of HBsAg. Mixed lymphocyte reactions were performed to study T‐cell activation induced by TLR‐stimulated NPCs. Gene expression of cytokines and TLR3 was analysed by quantitative rt‐PCR, and activation of transcription factors was assessed by Western blot or reporter gene assays. TLR‐induced expression of interferon γ, interferon sensitive genes and proinflammatory cytokines in murine KCs and LSECs was efficiently suppressed in the presence of HBsAg, whereas the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokines was enhanced. Activation of NFκB, IRF‐3 and MAPKs in these liver cells was potently suppressed by HBsAg. T‐cell activation mediated through TLR3‐stimulated KCs or LSECs was suppressed by HBsAg which could be reverted by anti‐IL‐10 antibodies. These findings may, at least in part, explain how HBV evades innate and adaptive immune responses to maintain a persistent infection.