bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Health System Affiliation on Hospital Resource Use Intensity and Quality of Care
Authors: Henke Rachel Mosher , Karaca Zeynal , Moore Brian , Cutler Eli , Liu Hangsheng , Marder William D. , Wong Herbert S.
Published: December 2016

Objective

To assess the impact of hospital affiliation, centralization, and managed care plan ownership on inpatient cost and quality.

Data Sources

Inpatient discharges from 3,957 community hospitals in 44 states and American Hospital Association Annual Survey data from 2010 to 2012.

Study Design

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal regression analysis using hierarchical modeling of discharges clustered within hospitals.

Data Collection

Detailed discharge data including costs, length of stay, and patient characteristics from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases were merged with hospital survey data from the American Hospital Association.

Principal Findings

Hospitals affiliated with health systems had a higher cost per discharge and better quality of care compared with independent hospitals. Centralized systems in particular had the highest cost per discharge and longest stays. Independent hospitals with managed care plans had a higher cost per discharge and better quality of care compared with other independent hospitals.

Conclusions

Increasing prevalence of health systems and hospital managed care ownership may lead to higher quality but are unlikely to reduce hospital discharge costs. Encouraging participation in innovative payment and delivery reform models, such as accountable care organizations, may be more powerful options.
Space–Time Cluster Analysis to Detect Innovative Clinical Practices: A Case Study of Aripiprazole in the Department of Veterans Affairs
Authors: Penfold Robert B. , Burgess James F. , Lee Austin F. , Li Mingfei , Miller Christopher J. , Nealon Seibert Marjorie , Semla Todd P. , Mohr David C. , Kazis Lewis E. , Bauer Mark S.
Published: December 2016

Objective

To identify space–time clusters of changes in prescribing aripiprazole for bipolar disorder among providers in the VA.

Data Sources

VA administrative data from 2002 to 2010 were used to identify prescriptions of aripiprazole for bipolar disorder. Prescriber characteristics were obtained using the Personnel and Accounting Integrated Database.

Study Design

We conducted a retrospective space–time cluster analysis using the space–time permutation statistic.

Data Extraction Methods

All VA service users with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder were included in the patient population. Individuals with any schizophrenia spectrum diagnoses were excluded. We also identified all clinicians who wrote a prescription for any bipolar disorder medication.

Principal Findings

The study population included 32,630 prescribers. Of these, 8,643 wrote qualifying prescriptions. We identified three clusters of aripiprazole prescribing centered in Massachusetts, Ohio, and the Pacific Northwest. Clusters were associated with prescribing by VA‐employed (vs. contracted) prescribers. Nurses with prescribing privileges were more likely to make a prescription for aripiprazole in cluster locations compared with psychiatrists. Primary care physicians were less likely.

Conclusions

Early prescribing of aripiprazole for bipolar disorder clustered geographically and was associated with prescriber subgroups. These methods support prospective surveillance of practice changes and identification of associated health system characteristics.
The current practice, preparedness and educational preparation of oncology professionals to provide spiritual care
Authors: Kichenadasse Ganessan , Sweet Linda , Harrington Ann , Ullah Shahid
Published: December 2016

Aim

Limited data are available on how spiritual needs of patients with cancer care are addressed by Australian oncologists. The objectives of this study were to explore the current practice, preparedness and education of Australian oncologists and oncology trainees on the provision of spiritual care for their patients with cancer.

Methods

Participants were recruited through oncology professional organizations and data collected through an anonymous online survey using a validated questionnaire.

Results

Responses from a total of 69 medical professionals were suitable for data analysis. The majority of the respondents had encountered patients with spiritual care needs during clinical consultations. Only 45% of the respondents perceived that they were able to meet the spiritual needs of their patients. Barriers to providing spiritual care identified a lack of time, education and understanding of spirituality and spiritual care in the context of health. Only 25% stated they had received some form of education on spiritual care with 7% of these stated that the education was adequate. Participants believed that they learnt how to provide spiritual care on the job or because of their self‐interest, and not as formal training.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that Australian oncology professionals often encounter patients with spiritual care needs in their clinical practice. Despite this finding, only a small proportion of the medical professionals had education on spiritual care during their professional training. Forty‐five percent of the medical practitioners believed that they were able to partly or completely meet their patients’ spiritual care needs.
Differences in attentional functioning between preterm and full‐term children underline the importance of new neuropsychological detection techniques
Authors: Giordano V , Fuiko R , Leiss U , Brandstetter S , Hayde M , Bartha‐Doering E , Klebermaß‐Schrehof K , Weiler LJ
Published: December 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate specific attentional components in preterm born children who had not yet started school.

Methods

Between January and December 2011, we assessed 52 preterm and 52 full‐term children aged between five years five months and six years two months, of comparable age and gender, at the Medical University of Vienna. Different attentional components were evaluated through selected subtests of the Test of Attentional Performance and the German version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Each child's behaviour was also evaluated using parental ratings and descriptive item‐based evaluation during neuropsychological assessment.

Results

Children born preterm showed poor attentional performance in sustained attention, focused attention and distractibility, as well as reductions in processing speed in divided attention and flexibility tasks. Children born preterm also showed decreased volitional attention compared with automatic attention. No problems were detected in alertness or inhibition. In addition, a higher rate of aborted tests, decreased motivation and poorer parental ratings were detected among the preterm population compared with full‐term born children.

Conclusion

Our results highlighted differences in attentional functioning between preterm and full‐term children, indicating the importance of new neuropsychological techniques for the detection of specific attentional disorders.
Random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for weights in Murrah buffaloes
Authors: Ferreira Flavia Rita , de Araujo Neto Francisco Ribeiro , Borges Henrique Barbosa , Aspilcueta‐Borquis Rusbel Raul , Hurtado‐Lugo Naudim Alejandro , de Oliveira Henrique Nunes , de Albuquerque Lucia Galvão , Tonhati Humberto
Published: December 2016

This article reports genetic analysis of the weight at different ages of Murrah water buffaloes, using random regression models (RRM). Models ranging from third to sixth order polynomial were used to describe direct genetic and animal permanent environmental effects. Contemporary group was included as a fixed effect, and a cubic polynomial was used to model the mean curve of the population. The residual was modeled considering a log‐linear function. Two models were selected for study of genetic parameters. The first model included third and sixth order polynomials for direct genetic and animal permanent environmental effects (M36). The second model included sixth order polynomials for all random effects (M66). The estimates of heritability varied from 0.16 + 0.04 (44 days) to 0.38 + 0.04 (568 days) for model M36 and from 0.16 + 0.05 (33 days) to 0.42 + 0.05 (600 days) for model M66. Regarding estimates of the correlation for all effects, the magnitude tended to decline with the increase of the time span between measurements. These results indicate that the species has potential for genetic selection based on weight at different ages, since we found favorable genetic variability within the herd, with selection likely to be more efficient at ages near 600 days.
Long‐term follow‐up after proton beam therapy for pediatric tumors: a Japanese national survey
Authors: Mizumoto Masashi , Murayama Shigeyuki , Akimoto Tetsuo , Demizu Yusuke , Fukushima Takashi , Ishida Yuji , Oshiro Yoshiko , Numajiri Haruko , Fuji Hiroshi , Okumura Toshiyuki , Shirato Hiroki , Sakurai Hideyuki
Published: December 2016

Proton beam therapy (PBT) is a potential new alternative to treatment with photon radiotherapy that may reduce the risk of late toxicity and secondary cancer, especially for pediatric tumors. The goal of this study was to evaluate the long‐term benefits of PBT in cancer survivors. A retrospective observational study of pediatric patients who received PBT was performed at four institutions in Japan. Of 343 patients, 62 were followed up for 5 or more years. These patients included 40 males and 22 females, and had a median age of 10 years (range: 0–19 years) at the time of treatment. The irradiation dose ranged from 10.8 to 81.2 GyE (median: 50.4 GyE). The median follow‐up period was 8.1 years (5.0–31.2 years). The 5‐, 10‐ and 20‐year rates for grade 2 or higher late toxicities were 18%, 35% and 45%, respectively, and those for grade 3 or higher late toxicities were 6%, 17% and 17% respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the irradiated site (head and neck, brain) was significantly associated with late toxicities. No malignant secondary tumors occurred within the irradiated field. The 10‐ and 20‐year cumulative rates for all secondary tumors, malignant secondary tumors, and malignant nonhematologic secondary tumors were 8% and 16%, 5% and 13%, and 3% and 11%, respectively. Our data indicate that PBT has the potential to reduce the risk of late mortality and secondary malignancy. Longer follow‐up is needed to confirm the benefits of PBT for pediatric tumors.
CS2164, a novel multi‐target inhibitor against tumor angiogenesis, mitosis and chronic inflammation with anti‐tumor potency
Authors: Zhou You , Shan Song , Li Zhi‐Bin , Xin Li‐Jun , Pan De‐Si , Yang Qian‐Jiao , Liu Ying‐Ping , Yue Xu‐Peng , Liu Xiao‐Rong , Gao Ji‐Zhou , Zhang Jin‐Wen , Ning Zhi‐Qiang , Lu Xian‐Ping
Published: December 2016

Although inhibitors targeting tumor angiogenic pathway have provided improvement for clinical treatment in patients with various solid tumors, the still very limited anti‐cancer efficacy and acquired drug resistance demand new agents that may offer better clinical benefits. In the effort to find a small molecule potentially targeting several key pathways for tumor development, we designed, discovered and evaluated a novel multi‐kinase inhibitor, CS2164. CS2164 inhibited the angiogenesis‐related kinases (VEGFR2, VEGFR1, VEGFR3, PDGFRα and c‐Kit), mitosis‐related kinase Aurora B and chronic inflammation‐related kinase CSF‐1R in a high potency manner with the IC50 at a single‐digit nanomolar range. Consequently, CS2164 displayed anti‐angiogenic activities through suppression of VEGFR/PDGFR phosphorylation, inhibition of ligand‐dependent cell proliferation and capillary tube formation, and prevention of vasculature formation in tumor tissues. CS2164 also showed induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest and suppression of cell proliferation in tumor tissues through the inhibition of Aurora B‐mediated H3 phosphorylation. Furthermore, CS2164 demonstrated the inhibitory effect on CSF‐1R phosphorylation that led to the suppression of ligand‐stimulated monocyte‐to‐macrophage differentiation and reduced CSF‐1R+ cells in tumor tissues. The in vivo animal efficacy studies revealed that CS2164 induced remarkable regression or complete inhibition of tumor growth at well‐tolerated oral doses in several human tumor xenograft models. Collectively, these results indicate that CS2164 is a highly selective multi‐kinase inhibitor with potent anti‐tumor activities against tumor angiogenesis, mitosis and chronic inflammation, which may provide the rationale for further clinical assessment of CS2164 as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of cancer.
Carbonic anhydrase 2 is a novel invasion‐associated factor in urinary bladder cancers
Authors: Tachibana Hirokazu , Gi Min , Kato Minoru , Yamano Shotaro , Fujioka Masaki , Kakehashi Anna , Hirayama Yukiyoshi , Koyama Yuki , Tamada Satoshi , Nakatani Tatsuya , Wanibuchi Hideki
Published: December 2016

Rat bladder cancer is nearly always papillary non‐invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC). To establish an animal model mimicking invasive UC that arises from papillary non‐invasive UC in the bladder, male human c‐Ha‐ras proto‐oncogene transgenic rats (Hras128) were treated with 0.05% N‐butyl‐N‐(hydroxybutyl)nitrosameine (BBN) in their drinking water and/or 0.1% phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) in their diet as follows: BBN (8 weeks)→PEITC (8 weeks); PEITC (8 weeks)→BBN (8 weeks); BBN alone (16 weeks); PEITC alone (16 weeks); and no treatment. At the end of week 16, the highest incidence of invasive UC was observed in the BBN→PEITC group. Therefore, we used Hras128 rats treated with BBN followed by PEITC as a model of invasive bladder cancer to identify invasion‐associated proteins. Proteome analysis was performed to compare the protein profiles of invasive and non‐invasive UC in Hras128 rats. We identified 49 proteins that were either overexpressed or underexpressed in invasive UC but not in non‐invasive UC. Immunohistochemical analysis of carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA2), an overexpressed protein, showed that the relative number of CA2‐positive UC was significantly higher for invasive UC compared to non‐invasive UC in rats. Moreover, the incidence of CA2‐positive cancers was also significantly higher for human muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) compared to non‐MIBC (NMIBC) and was positively associated with the progression of NMIBC. Our findings indicate that CA2 is an invasion‐associated factor and suggest that it could serve as a potential therapeutic molecular target for bladder cancers.
Simplified, serine‐rich theta‐defensin analogues as antitumour peptides
Authors: Strzelecka Paulina , Czaplinska Dominika , Sadej Rafal , Wardowska Anna , Pikula Michal , Lesner Adam
Published: December 2016

θ‐defensins belong to the family of host defence peptides. They are the only known example of cyclic polypeptides in animal proteomes. This study presents the synthesis of simplified θ‐defensin analogues with pairs of cysteine replaced either by alanine, leucine or serine residues. Cytotoxicity tests were performed on human mammary epithelial (HB2) and breast cancer (SKBR3, MDA‐MB‐231) cell lines to determine whether peptides are selectively targeting cancer cells. The effect of these peptides was also evaluated in 3D Matrigel cultures, which are based on extracellular matrix components and therefore closely represent in vivo conditions. Finally, to determine whether analogues are able to sensitize MDA‐MB‐231 triple‐negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapeutics, we co‐administrated peptides with cisplatin or doxorubicin hydrochloride also in 3D Matrigel cultures. Additionally, cytotoxicity towards peripheral blood mononuclear cells and haemolytic effect were examined for a chosen representative of synthesized compounds. The results showed that positively charged serine‐containing θ‐defensin derivatives were more cytotoxic towards breast cancer cells (SKBR3, MDA‐MB‐231) than towards mammary epithelial cells (HB2). Analogues enhanced the effect of cisplatin and doxorubicin hydrochloride on triple‐negative breast cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231).
LIMITED ASSET MARKET PARTICIPATION, STICKY WAGES, AND MONETARY POLICY
Authors: Ascari Guido , Colciago Andrea , Rossi Lorenza
Published: December 2016

A small amount of nominal wage stickiness makes limited asset market participation (LAMP) irrelevant for the design of monetary policy. Recent research argues that LAMP could invert the slope of the IS curve in otherwise standard New Keynesian models. This, in turn, implies that optimal monetary policy rules should be passive. We show that the so‐called inverted aggregate demand logic (IADL) relies on nominal wage flexibility. Outside of extreme parameterizations, wage stickiness prevents the inversion of the slope of the IS curve. Hence, LAMP does not generally alter the trade‐offs faced by a welfare maximizing Central Bank, and for this reason it does not fundamentally affect the design of optimal simple rules and optimal monetary policy. (JEL E21, E52)
Vein graft disease in a knockout mouse model of hyperhomocysteinaemia
Authors: Steger Christina Maria , Mayr Tobias , Bonaros Nikolaos , Bonatti Johannes , Schachner Thomas
Published: December 2016

A major reason for vein graft failure after coronary artery bypass grafting is neointimal hyperplasia and thrombosis. Elevated serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, but homocysteine levels also tend to increase during the first weeks or months after cardiac surgery. To investigate this further, C57BL/6J mice (WT) and cystathionine‐beta‐synthase heterozygous knockout mice (CBS+/−), a mouse model for hyperhomocysteinaemia, underwent interposition of the vena cava of donor mice into the carotid artery of recipient mice. Two experimental groups were examined: 20 mice of each group underwent bypass surgery (group 1: WT donor and WT recipient; group 2: CBS+/− donor and CBS+/− recipient). After 4 weeks, the veins were harvested, dehydrated, paraffin‐embedded, stained and analysed by histomorphology and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, serum Hcy levels in CBS knockout animals and in WT animals before and after bypass surgery were measured. At 4 weeks postoperatively, group 2 mice showed a higher percentage of thrombosis compared to controls, a threefold increase in neointima formation, higher general vascularization, a lower percentage of elastic fibres with shortage and fragmentation in the neointima, a lower percentage of acid mucopolysaccharides in the neointima and a more intense fibrosis in the neointima and media. In conclusion, hyperhomocysteinaemic cystathionine‐beta‐synthase knockout mice can play an important role in the study of mechanisms of vein graft failure. But further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to answer the question whether or not homocysteine itself or a related metabolic factor is the key aetiologic agent for accelerated vein graft disease.
Effects of natural antioxidants in the improvement of corn oil quality: olive leaf vs. lemon balm
Authors: Şahin Selin , Bilgin Mehmet , Sayım Ezgi , Güvenilir Bedia
Published: December 2016

Commercially available corn oil was enriched in polyphenols by adding olive leaf and lemon balm extracts, respectively. First, dried and ground plants were extracted through homogeniser‐assisted extraction. Then, the dried extracts were partially dissolved into the corn oil by means of solid–liquid extraction method. Total phenolic content increased 9.5 and 2.5 times over the pure corn oil. The antioxidant activities of enriched oil by olive leaf and lemon balm extracts have been found almost 14 and 6 times higher than that of untreated oil, respectively. Olive leaf extract enhanced the quality better than lemon balm extract with respect to carotenoid (TCC) and chlorophyll contents. Addition of 0.12–0.15% natural antioxidants gave rise to increase in the stability of the oil (≈18%).
Disposiciones laborales en acuerdos de libre comercio de la UE: un marco para investigar sus efectos en los países socios
Authors: CAMPLING Liam , HARRISON James , RICHARDSON Ben , SMITH Adrian
Published: December 2016

La Unión Europea (UE) ha concluido alrededor de 50 acuerdos de libre comercio bilaterales y sigue negociando otros. En la actualidad, estos incluyen un capítulo sobre comercio y desarrollo sostenible con disposiciones laborales de enfoque «promocional», y no «condicional». Alimentando el debate sobre el objeto y la eficacia de vincular comercio y trabajo, los autores examinan las posibilidades y los límites de estas disposiciones, y señalan la ausencia de investigaciones en el terreno. A fin de colmar este vacío, proponen un programa de investigación para evaluar los efectos de estas disposiciones en los países que firman acuerdos bilaterales con la UE.
Reforzar el control en sistemas de regulación privada del trabajo. Potencial y perspectivas
Authors: MARX Axel , WOUTERS Jan
Published: December 2016

La regulación privada surge como herramienta internacional de gobernanza para el control del cumplimiento de las normas internacionales del trabajo. Recientemente se han expresado dudas sobre su eficacia para mejorar las condiciones de trabajo en las cadenas de suministro. Su método habitual de auditoría vertical se considera inadecuado para este contexto. El artículo evalúa si el diseño de estos sistemas puede reforzarse para garantizar un mayor cumplimiento. Los autores examinan el potencial y las limitaciones de mecanismos con participación de los trabajadores y actores locales, como los mecanismos de quejas, así como la dinámica de corregulación público‐privada.
Estadísticas del trabajo en Europa Sudoriental. Similitudes y diferencias entre las definiciones nacionales
Authors: FILIPI Gjergji
Published: December 2016

La importancia de armonizar las definiciones estadísticas nacionales de empleo e inactividad es evidente, tanto en aras de la exactitud en general como de la comparabilidad de los datos internacionales. Se comparan aquí someramente las prácticas estadísticas de Albania, Bosnia y Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croacia, Eslovenia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia y Turquía. Si bien todos estos países recaban datos a través de encuestas de población activa, existen discrepancias en las definiciones y la clasificación según la situación laboral de determinados grupos, en particular en lo que respecta a la categoría estadística de desempleo. Por eso es necesario continuar la labor de armonización.
Microdenticulates of the Funnel Beaker Culture
Authors: Högberg Anders
Published: December 2016

In a study published in 1994, HelleJuel Jensen observed that microdenticulates are tools whose function is difficult to assess. She calls the use of the tools “an unresolved functional puzzle”. This study proceeds from that conclusion. Based on attribute and use-wear analyses together with contextual studies the results show that microdenticulates are complex tools, in which other parts of the flake besides the denticulated edge were used. The result also show that other flint objects from the flint asemblage were used for the same operations as the microdenticulates. The work comprised a conceptual action in which the production, use, and deposition of the material were all parts of the same process. The task was given in advance. The work probably consisted of preparing or treating plant fi bres in some way in order to make thread, rope, bast, or the like. The result shows that seemingly simple tools like microdenticulates were a part of the materiality of the south Scandinavian Funnel Beaker complex. The work conducted using the microdenticultates and the tool box associated with them was associated with concepts shared by people over large areas (present day south Sweden and Denmark) over hundreds of years (from Early Neolithic to Middle Neolithic AI).
Demographic Proxies for the Neolithic
Authors: Torfing Tobias
Published: December 2016

The article discusses the use of summed probability distribution as a demographic proxy, and highlights several issues with this method, especially during periods of change in the exploitation of the landscape or during social transformation. With a case study from the Lange-land region in Denmark an alternative and corrective approach is applied, were number of settlements and size of settlement is included. With this approach a very different development can be described.
Kaup 2014
Authors: Randsborg Klavs , Merkytė Inga , Merkevičus Algimantas , Kulakov Vladimir I. , Cordes Adam , Gregersen Kristian M. , Lynnerup Niels , Šatavičius Egidijus
Published: December 2016

The article is a report on field activities of 2014 at a renowned location of Kaup forest near Wiskiauten/Viskiautai, nowadays Kaliningrad oblast of Russia, and a sentimental journey through the research history in a region at the crossroads of ancient communication webs, and more recently – of diverse political agendas. Field activities focused on the so-called Barrow 1, the only known mound at Kaup dated to the Neolithic, otherwise dotted with burials of the Viking Age. It was an attempt to reconstruct barrow architecture, which has resulted in a deconstruction of previous views based on rather scarce excavation reports of the 19th– early 20thcentury. The Neolithic barrow of Kaup remains a unique testimony of the social complexity and spatial awareness of the early 3rd millennium BC when Europe was under the spell of the Corded Ware and other related cultural phenomena.
Ancient Roman Urine Chemistry
Authors: Witty Michael
Published: December 2016

Important ancient Roman chemical processes involved ammonium, especially fulling. Ammonium accumulates in decaying urine as a dilute chemical agent but is unfortunately present alongside substances which interfere with later processes, such as malodorous organic compounds and bacterial debris. This paper demonstrates how ancients may have obtained concentrated material by crystallization of ammonium salts and purification to a high degree by simple decanting, which uses only those resources available in the first century AD. It is proposed that first century Romans used decayed urine to produce the urine powder “Struvite”, a pure and concentrated form of ammonium. Possession of concentrated ammonium allows for a very wide range of chemical processes but only the very simplest example is presented in this paper; smelling salts.
A ‘Divination Staff’ from Viking-Age Norway
Authors: Brunning Sue
Published: December 2016

A long iron rod in the British Museum’s Viking collection (accession number 1894,1105.5) has been reclassified by curators. Accessioned in the nineteenth century as a fishing tool and later recast as a roasting spit, it can now be added to a group of enigmatic iron rods that are widely interpreted as the special attribute of thevölva, or Norse seeress.
Residential Mobility and Social Behaviors of Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Cotton Brandi Parker
Published: December 2016

PROBLEM

The association between residential mobility and negative behaviors in adolescence has attracted multidisciplinary attention.

METHODS

The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic literature review in order to synthesize research that measured mobility and at least one social behavior among participants 11 thru 18 years of age. The systematic
search yielded 22 studies.

FINDINGS

Residential mobility is associated with negative behaviors among adolescents, including social problems, delinquency, substance and nicotine use, and adolescent pregnancy. However, these effects are explained by neighborhood disadvantage and inherent differences between movers and nonmovers.

CONCLUSION

For youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, moving may be one indicator of problem behaviors. Attending to
when and why youth move—and to where—contributes to an understanding of the etiology of risky behaviors.
Concomitant elevations of MMP‐9, NGAL, proMMP‐9/NGAL and neutrophil elastase in serum of smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Bchir Sarra , Nasr Hela ben , Bouchet Sandrine , Benzarti Mohamed , Garrouch Abdelhamid , Tabka Zouhair , Susin Santos , Chahed Karim , Bauvois Brigitte
Published: December 2016

A growing body of evidence points towards smoking‐related phenotypic differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As COPD is associated with systemic inflammation, we determined whether smoking status is related to serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (pro‐ and active MMP‐9), neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL) and the proMMP‐9/NGAL complex in patients with COPD. Serum samples were collected in 100 stable‐phase COPD patients (82 smokers, 18 never‐smokers) and 28 healthy adults (21 smokers, 7 never‐smokers). Serum levels of studied factors were measured in ELISA. Our data provide the first evidence of simultaneously elevated serum levels of MMP‐9, NGAL and proMMP‐9/NGAL in COPD smokers. While the triad discriminated between smokers and non‐smokers in the COPD group, MMP‐9 and proMMP‐9/NGAL (but not NGAL) discriminated between smokers with and without COPD. Adjustment for age and smoking pack‐years did not alter the findings. Serum MMP‐9, NGAL and proMMP‐9/NGAL levels were not correlated with the GOLD stage or FEV1 decline. Furthermore, serum levels of neutrophil elastase (NE) and MMP‐3 (but not of IL‐6 and MMP‐12) were also higher in COPD smokers than in healthy smokers before and after adjustment for age and pack‐years. Among COPD smokers, levels of MMP‐9, NGAL and proMMP‐9/NGAL were positively correlated with NE (P < 0.0001) but not with the remaining factors. Gelatin zymography detected proMMP‐9 in serum samples of healthy and COPD smoking groups. Our results suggest that associated serum levels of proMMP‐9, NGAL, proMMP‐9/NGAL and NE may reflect the state of systemic inflammation in COPD related to cigarette smoking.
Mothers’ intentions to vaccinate their teenaged children against human papillomavirus, as predicted by sex in South Korea: An application of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Kim Kyung Mi , Choi Jeong Sil
Published: December 2016

Aim

This study was conducted in order to examine the intention of mothers to vaccinate their teenaged children against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, according to the children's sex. Based on the theory of planned behavior, the study identified the sex‐specific predictors of mothers’ intention to vaccinate their teenaged children against HPV.

Methods

This was a descriptive survey study that included, as participants, 200 mothers whose teenaged children were not vaccinated against HPV.

Results

The mothers’ experience with HPV vaccination was a significant predictor of their childrens’ HPV vaccination status. For the mothers of sons, subjective norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control were found to be significant predictors of intention of HPV vaccination, with an explanatory power of 69.5%. For those with daughters, only attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors, with an explanatory power of 79.6%.

Conclusion

The application of the theory of planned behavior is an effective method to determine the predictors of children's HPV vaccination status. In order to improve the HPV vaccination rate of teenaged children, strategies for education and effective promotion that involve mothers should be developed.
Microtubule‐associated proteins, Bik1 and Bim1, are required for faithful partitioning of the endogenous 2 micron plasmids in budding yeast
Authors: Prajapati Hemant Kumar , Rizvi Syed Meraj Azhar , Rathore Ishan , Ghosh Santanu K.
Published: December 2016

The 2 μ plasmid of budding yeast shows high mitotic stability similar to that of chromosomes by using its self‐encoded systems, namely partitioning and amplification. The partitioning system consists of the plasmid‐borne proteins Rep1, Rep2 and a cis‐acting locus STB that, along with several host factors, ensures efficient segregation of the plasmid. The plasmids show high stability as they presumably co‐segregate with chromosomes through utilization of various host factors. To acquire these host factors, the plasmids are thought to localize to a certain sub‐nuclear locale probably assisted by the motor protein, Kip1 and microtubules. Here, we show that the microtubule‐associated proteins Bik1 and Bim1 are also important host factors in this process, perhaps by acting as an adapter between the plasmid and the motor and thus helping to anchor the plasmid to microtubules. Abrogation of Kip1 recruitment at STB in the absence of Bik1 argues for its function at STB upstream of Kip1. Consistent with this, both Bik1 and Bim1 associate with plasmids without any assistance from the Rep proteins. As observed earlier with other host factors, lack of Bik1 or Bim1 also causes a cohesion defect between sister plasmids leading to plasmid missegregation.
Simple equation for calculation of plasma clearance for evaluation of renal function without urine collection in rats
Authors: Liu Xiang , Peng Dejun , Tian Hao , Lu Chengyu
Published: December 2016

To develop an equation for the evaluation of renal function in rats using three dilutions of plasma samples and to validate this method by comparison with a reference method. The investigation was conducted in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats after delivery of three doses of iohexol, with blood samples collected before and after dosage using a quantitative blood collection method. Plasma iohexol concentrations were detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The extraction recovery of iohexol from plasma was >97.30% and the calibration curve was linear (r2 = 0.9997) over iohexol concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 µg/mL. The method had an RE of <9.310 and intra‐ and inter‐day RSD of <5.137% and <3.693%, respectively. The plasma clearance values obtained from the equation correlated closely (r = 0.763) with those obtained using the reference method. The relatively correlation in the results obtained using the method under investigation and the reference method indicate that this new equation can be used for preliminary assessment of renal function in rats.
Care‐givers’ reflections on an ethics education immersive simulation care experience: A series of epiphanous events
Authors: Gallagher Ann , Peacock Matthew , Zasada Magdalena , Coucke Trees , Cox Anna , Janssens Nele
Published: December 2016

There has been little previous scholarship regarding the aims, options and impact of ethics education on residential care‐givers. This manuscript details findings from a pragmatic cluster trial evaluating the impact of three different approaches to ethics education. The focus of the article is on one of the interventions, an immersive simulation experience. The simulation experience required residential care‐givers to assume the profile of elderly care‐recipients for a 24‐hr period. The care‐givers were student nurses. The project was reviewed favourably by a university ethics committee, and participants provided informed consent. Data from six postsimulation experience focus groups were analysed thematically and three themes were identified: the experience of vulnerability, dignity in care and the organisation of care. Findings suggest that the immersive simulation experience had a powerful immediate impact as participants described epiphanous insights relating to their care experiences. It is suggested that reflecting on and recording epiphanous events has the potential to sustain ethical care practices. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of different ethics education interventions in different cultural contexts. Exploration is also required regarding the meaning and significance of care epiphanies, those “most delicate and evanescent of moments,” for the sustainability of ethical care.
Direct litter interference and indirect soil competitive effects of two contrasting phenotypes of a spiny legume shrub drive the forb composition of an oromediterranean community
Authors: Michalet Richard , Maalouf Jean‐Paul , Hayek Patrick Al
Published: December 2016

Contrasting phenotypes of foundation species are known to differentially affect understorey plants. However, there is little knowledge on both the mechanisms of competition (resource competition versus interference) of stress‐tolerant phenotypes and the importance of indirect interactions. In an oromediterranean community from Mount Lebanon we assessed the effects on understorey forbs of two contrasting phenotypes, a tight competitive from stressful habitat and a loose facilitative from more benign habitat. In a dry south and a wet north exposure we assessed short‐term resource effects removing shrub canopy and long‐term soil effects (including litter interference) with the comparison of forb performances in adjacent naturally open areas vs no shrub. Indirect effects were quantified through the removal of grasses. Abundance, richness and biomass of forbs were measured in all treatments after one year of experiment, together with litter depth and soil moisture. We found strong direct negative soil effects of the tight phenotype on all forb performances and in particular in south exposure. These effects were due to litter interference on water availability, but not to resource competition. They were likely explained by the high hydrophobicity of organic matter accumulating in the stressful habitat of the tight phenotype. We also found an indirect competition of the loose phenotype for forb richness, due to its direct positive soil effect on competitive grasses, and in particular in south exposure. Our results improve our knowledge on the importance of litter interference in dry nutrient‐poor habitats and the role of indirect interactions in phenotypic effects on understorey species.
From Middle Power to Pivot Power: Korea as an Arctic Observer in the Age of Eurasia
Authors: Watson Iain
Published: December 2016

Whilst identification of Korea's Arctic issue agenda and motives has been established, there is little examination as to determining why certain issues and partnerships are being developed at certain points in the context of regional geopolitical shifts. I argue that Korea's role in the Arctic represents a shift in Korea's middle power strategy from bridge nation to pivot nation. Korea's current Arctic strategy links to a wider transcontinental strategy. As a result, conventional middle power criteria are being challenged by a strategy based on network centrality rather than “middle” structural location or resource concentration. This shift represents not just “middle power” leverage but opens potentially different understandings and expectations over what counts as middle power leverage.
Prospects and Issues in Systemizing Ecological Defense Planning: Case Study of Korea
Authors: Hinata‐Yamaguchi Ryo
Published: December 2016

This paper purports to outline the prospects and issues in systemizing ecological defense planning and to assess the progress in the ROK. While the defense sectors in the United States and a number of European states have taken steps toward systemizing ecological measures in recent years, progress in the ROK has been slow. Problems point to not only technical challenges in systemizing ecological measures, but also to the lack of political and bureaucratic facilitation. To examine the problem in question, the paper is divided into four sections. First, the paper will outline the environmental impact of military institutions and their actions. Second, the progress in systemizing ecological measures in the defense sector will be examined. Third, problems in Korea's handling of environmental issues relating to the defense sector will be assessed. Then, in the fourth section, the paper will outline the key steps the ROK must take in systemizing ecological defense planning. The paper concludes that further efforts are needed in conceptualizing and systemizing ecological defense planning to not only shape new norms in the defense sector and their activities, but also to comprehensively address both traditional and non‐traditional security concerns in the region.
Female suicides: Psychosocial and psychiatric characteristics identified by a psychological autopsy study in Japan
Authors: Kodaka Manami , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Yamauchi Takashi , Takai Michiko , Shirakawa Norihito , Takeshima Tadashi
Published: December 2016

Aim

Although the female suicide rate in Japan is one of the highest among OECD countries, little has been done to assess the psychosocial and psychiatric characteristics of Japanese female suicide completers. This study aimed to examine sex differences in psychosocial and psychiatric characteristics of suicide completers using a psychological autopsy study method, and to identify female suicide factors and intervention points to prevent female suicides.

Methods

A semi‐structured interview was conducted with close family members of adult suicide completers. The interview included questions regarding sociodemographic factors, suicide characteristics, previous suicidal behaviors and a family history of suicidal behaviors, financial problems, and physical/psychiatric problems. Fisher's exact test and the Student's t‐test were used to explore sex differences in these survey items, and individual descriptive information of female suicide cases was also examined.

Results

Of the 92 suicide completers, 28 were female and 64 were male. Females had a significantly higher prevalence of a history of self‐harm/suicide attempts (P < 0.001). The prevalence of eating disorders was significantly higher among females than males (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the importance of providing psychological and social support to caregivers of those who repeatedly attempt suicide and express suicidal thoughts, and to suggest the need to improve community care systems to be aware of suicide risk factors among female suicide attempters.
Advancing Policy Process Research at Its Overlap with Public Management Scholarship and Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Studies
Authors: Weible Christopher M. , Carter David P.
Published: December 2016

A scholarly nexus is defined as identifiable spheres of theoretical and empirical overlap between academic fields or disciplines. This article explores the nexus between policy process research, public management scholarship, and nonprofit and voluntary action studies, oriented from the perspective of policy process scholars. The article begins with a description of policy process research, including some of its major thematic emphases regarding governance problems and processes. It next discusses limitations of policy process research imposed by its scope of inquiry, theoretical black boxes, and omitted factors. Three strategies—filling, zooming, and linking—for addressing these limitations are introduced. The article ends with rationales for leveraging research at the nexus to advance both specialized and general knowledge about public policy processes and governance issues.
Engineering central metabolism – a grand challenge for plant biologists
Authors: Sweetlove Lee J. , Nielsen Jens , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: December 2016

The goal of increasing crop productivity and nutrient‐use efficiency is being addressed by a number of ambitious research projects seeking to re‐engineer photosynthetic biochemistry. Many of these projects will require the engineering of substantial changes in fluxes of central metabolism. However, as has been amply demonstrated in simpler systems such as microbes, central metabolism is extremely difficult to rationally engineer. This is because of multiple layers of regulation that operate to maintain metabolic steady state and because of the highly connected nature of central metabolism. In this review we discuss new approaches for metabolic engineering that have the potential to address these problems and dramatically improve the success with which we can rationally engineer central metabolism in plants. In particular, we advocate the adoption of an iterative ‘design‐build‐test‐learn’ cycle using fast‐to‐transform model plants as test beds. This approach can be realised by coupling new molecular tools to incorporate multiple transgenes in nuclear and plastid genomes with computational modelling to design the engineering strategy and to understand the metabolic phenotype of the engineered organism. We also envisage that mutagenesis could be used to fine‐tune the balance between the endogenous metabolic network and the introduced enzymes. Finally, we emphasise the importance of considering the plant as a whole system and not isolated organs: the greatest increase in crop productivity will be achieved if both source and sink metabolism are engineered.
Application of O3/UV/H2O2 oxidation and process optimization for treatment of potato chips manufacturing wastewater
Authors: Arslan Ayla , Topkaya Eylem , Özbay Bilge , Özbay Ismail , Veli Sevil
Published: December 2016

Effluents coming from potato chips manufacturing have high organic loads and require adequate treatment before discharge to environment. In this study, O3/UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process was applied to treat these wastewaters. With this aim, batch experiments were conducted in a reaction tank equipped with ozone injection and UV irradiation. Process variables were determined to be pH, ozone concentration, reaction time, H2O2 dosage and efficiency of the system was evaluated considering total organic carbon (TOC) removal. Central composite design technique was applied to examine the individual and synergetic effects of the experimental factors. A quadratic model was developed to maximize the TOC removal. Furthermore, operation costs were calculated for different experimental conditions and interactions between process variables and costs were analysed.
Assessment and optimization of thermal and fluidity properties of high strength concrete via genetic algorithm
Authors: Şimşek Barış , Şimşek Emir Hüseyin
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based Genetic Algorithm (GA) using MATLAB® to assess and optimize the thermal and fluidity of high strength concrete (HSC). The overall heat transfer coefficient, slump-spread flow and T50 time was defined as thermal and fluidity properties of high strength concrete. In addition to above mentioned properties, a 28-day compressive strength of HSC was also determined. Water to binder ratio, fine aggregate to total aggregate ratio and the percentage of super-plasticizer content was determined as effective factors on thermal and fluidity properties of HSC. GA based multi-objective optimization method was carried out by obtaining quadratic models using RSM. Having excessive or low ratio of water to binder provides lower overall heat transfer coefficient. Moreover, T50 time of high strength concrete decreased with the increasing of water to binder ratio and the percentage of superplasticizer content. Results show that RSM based GA is effective in determining optimal mixture ratios of HSC.