bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining the effect of immunosuppressant adherence on graft failure risk among renal transplant recipients
Authors: Spivey Christina A. , Chisholm‐Burns Marie A. , Damadzadeh Bita , Billheimer Dean
Published: December 2013

The objective was to use the United States Renal Data System (USRDS) to quantify the relationship between immunosuppressant therapy (IST) adherence and risk of graft failure among adult renal transplant recipients (RTRs). A secondary objective was to examine the relationship among select patient characteristics and IST adherence. The study sample included adult RTRs who: received primary transplant between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2005; experienced graft survival for at least 12 months post‐transplant and had at least 12 months of data in the USRDS; utilized Medicare coverage for IST; and were prescribed cyclosporine or tacrolimus. IST adherence was measured by medication possession ratio (MPR). Pearson chi‐square tests were used to examine associations between patient characteristics and MPR quartiles. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess relationships among time to graft failure, MPR, and patient characteristics. Thirty‐one thousand nine hundred and thirteen RTRs met inclusion criteria. Older age, female gender, white race, deceased donors, and tacrolimus were associated with greater adherence (p < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard modeling indicated greater adherence, white race, and having a living donor were significantly associated with longer graft survival (p < 0.05). Future prospective studies should further examine the clinical significance of IST nonadherence as it relates to graft failure.
A systematic review of computerised serious educational games about alcohol and other drugs for adolescents
Authors: Rodriguez Daniel M. , Teesson Maree , Newton Nicola C.
Published: December 2013

Issues

Serious educational games (SEG) have been shown to be effective in educating young people about a range of topics, including languages and maths. This paper identifies the use of computerised SEGs in education about alcohol and other drugs and reviews their impact on the prevention of alcohol and drug use.

Approach

The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, ERIC, Scopus, psychINFO, pubMED and DRUG databases were searched in February 2013. Additional publications were obtained from the reference lists of the relevant papers. Studies were included if they described an evaluation of a computerised SEG that targeted alcohol and/or other drugs and had been trialled with adolescents.

Key Findings

Eight SEGs were identified targeting tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, methamphetamine, ecstasy, inhalants, cocaine and opioids. Six reported positive outcomes in terms of increased content knowledge and two reported increased negative attitudes towards the targeted drugs. Only one reported a decrease in the frequency of drug use.

Implications and Conclusion

This is the first review of the efficacy of computerised SEGs for alcohol and other drugs for adolescents. Results suggest that SEGs can increase content knowledge of alcohol and other drugs. Evidence concerning impacts on negative attitudes and alcohol and drug use is limited, with few studies examining these outcomes.
A Rose Blooms in the Winter: The Tradition of the Hortus Conclusus and its Significance as a Devotional Emblem
Authors: Larson Victoria
Published: December 2013

The hortus conclusus, or the “garden enclosed,” is a motif of biblical origin that images the Virgin Mary as a cloistered garden. Gaining popularity in the early medieval period, the Marian hortus conclusus remained the property of the Catholic church after the Reformation. There it briefly thrived, reaching its apogee in the early modern period as the eponymous subject of Henry Hawkins’ emblem book, Partheneia Sacra. The Virgin in (and as) the garden still lives a half‐life today, continuing to appear without our recognizing it in medieval and Renaissance artwork, in hymns, in the names of flowers, and in prayers. Where it is known, the Marian hortus conclusus is usually perceived as a Catholic object of adoration, but its enduring nature suggests that it holds promise as a catholic subject of devotion as well.
Praying with the World at Heart
Authors: Carvalhaes Cláudio
Published: December 2013

Praying with the world at heart is to learn to pray where people hurt, with those who suffer, with the poor. To pray is to shape the world, to expand ourselves, to hear God's voice and the voice of somebody else. In this article we want to learn how to do theology through prayer, thus, engaging the lex credendi through the lex orandi.
The Speaking that Silence Is: Prayer as Openness to God
Authors: Nelson Derek R.
Published: December 2013

Prayer exists as the dialectic between speaking and falling silent that presupposes, assumes and furthers the openness of the whole self to God. Prayer as speaking comprises thanksgiving, confession, petition, and instruction. Instruction includes a Torah‐like understanding of God's word as law, following Martin Luther. Prayer as silence includes the silence of confusion, the silence of expectation, and the silence of submission, following Søren Kierkegaard.
Local Externalities and Ownership Choices in Foreign Acquisitions by Multinational Enterprises
Authors: Mariotti Sergio , Piscitello Lucia , Elia Stefano
Published: December 2013

This article assesses the influence of spatial heterogeneity on the entry mode by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in foreign markets. Focusing on acquisitions, we claim that the location of the target firm influences the MNE's ownership choice. MNEs normally execute partial acquisitions to reduce their liability of foreignness and to preserve their target's inherent competencies, particularly in highly innovative and internationally competitive sectors. However, this phenomenon occurs less frequently if target firms are located in areas that are characterized by relevant externalities, such as core cities and industrial districts. In particular, core cities allow foreign MNEs to access a variety of information and knowledge as well as other externalities that are associated with international interconnectedness; industrial districts provide MNEs with easier access to industry‐specific agglomeration economies (a local pool of skilled labor, local input‐output linkages, and local knowledge spillovers). These locations provide substitutes for different aspects of the target firm's competences, thus reducing an MNE's need to maintain a local partner. Empirical evidence from foreign acquisitions of local manufacturing firms that occurred in Italy during the 2001–10 period confirms these expectations.
Respiratory cycle entrainment of septal neurons mediates the fast coupling of sniffing rate and hippocampal theta rhythm
Authors: Tsanov Marian , Chah Ehsan , Reilly Richard , O'Mara Shane M.
Published: December 2013

Memory for odour information may result from temporal coupling between the olfactory and hippocampal systems. Respiration defines the frequency of olfactory perception, but how the respiratory rate affects hippocampal oscillations remains poorly understood. The afferent connectivity of the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca complex (MS/DB) proposes this region as a crossroads between respiratory and limbic pathways. Here we investigate if the firing rates of septal neurons integrate respiratory rate signals. We demonstrate that approximately 50% of MS/DB neurons are temporally correlated with sniffing frequency. Moreover, a group of slow‐spiking septal neurons are phase‐locked to the sniffing cycle. We show that inter‐burst intervals of MS/DB theta cells relate to the sniff rate. Intranasal odour infusion evokes sniff phase preference for the activity of fast‐spiking MS/DB neurons. Concurrently, the infusion augments the correlation between sniffing and limbic theta oscillations. During periods of sniffing–theta correlation, CA1 place cells fired preferentially during the inhalation phase, suggesting the theta cycle as a coherent time frame for central olfactory processing. Furthermore, injection of the GABAergic agonist muscimol into medial septum induces a parallel decrease of sniffing and theta frequencies. Our findings provide experimental evidence that MS/DB does not merely generate theta rhythm, but actively integrates sensorimotor stimuli that reflect sniffing rate. Such integration may provide temporal oscillatory synchronisation of MS/DB‐innervated limbic structures with the sniffing cycle.
Negotiating episcopal support in the Merovingian kingdom of Reims (ad 561–75)
Authors: Halfond Gregory
Published: December 2013

Minimal scholarly attention has been paid to the ecclesiastical policies of King Sigibert I of Reims (r. 561–75). An examination of Sigibert's policies suggests the lengths to which the king went to attract and maintain episcopal allies in strategic and politically divided civitates. While Gregory of Tours in his Decem Libri Historiarum blamed Sigibert's death on his stubborn refusal to heed episcopal counsel, the bishop of Tours recognized that the king of Reims was not consistently hostile to the church and its bishops, and saw the circumstances of Sigibert's untimely death as ultimately tragic.
Command, control and contestation: negotiating security at the London 2012 Olympics
Authors: Fussey Pete
Published: December 2013

Mega‐event security is often characterised as an exceptional exercise in terms of scale, scope and form, and considered variously through macro‐theoretical lenses citing the assertion of overarching disciplinary, neoliberal, colonial corporatist and other interest‐based aspirations. Based on empirical analysis of the London 2012 Olympic security operation and of those who resisted it (including data drawn from interviews and participant observations with key security agencies and activists), this paper interrogates the complex, diverse and often fragmented contestations over space across the Olympic neighbourhood. Despite the professed unity of purpose among Olympic planners (such as the protection of sponsors' access to the marketplace), more detailed analysis reveals both the application and purpose of ordering processes as contested and sometimes contradictory realms. Here, the longstanding recognition that space is used in simultaneously diverse ways is reflected in its control. Drawing on Foucauldian notions of security different impositions of order – regulatory, exclusionary, disciplinary, suggestive and assuasive – are argued to exist simultaneously in the same broadly defined area.
Lessons from the Bay of Bengal ITLOS case: stepping offshore for a ‘deeper’ maritime political geography
Authors: Lin Shaun , Schofield Clive
Published: December 2013

On 14 March 2012, the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delimited a maritime boundary with respect to multiple distinct maritime jurisdictional zones (territorial sea, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf) between Bangladesh and Myanmar (Bay of Bengal Case). ITLOS did not, however, wholly resolve the issues of marine governance that the two states face in the Bay of Bengal, leaving a number of complex and potentially problematic issues outstanding, including the unique creation of what was termed a ‘grey area’, the governance arrangements for which are open to debate. This commentary highlights future opportunities of research on the outer continental shelf and the grey area in political geography.
Absence of primary cilia in cell cycle‐arrested human breast cancer cells
Authors: Nobutani Kentaro , Shimono Yohei , Yoshida Midori , Mizutani Kiyohito , Minami Akihiro , Kono Seishi , Mukohara Toru , Yamasaki Takashi , Itoh Tomoo , Takao Shintaro , Minami Hironobu , Azuma Takeshi , Takai Yoshimi
Published: December 2013

Previous studies using cultured cells showed that primary cilia are present in quiescent cells, but are absent in proliferating cells. We studied here the relationship between the presence or absence of primary cilia and the cell cycle arrest of normal epithelial cells and cancer cells in the human normal breast and breast cancer tissues. In normal breast tissues, although most epithelial cells were nonproliferating as estimated by the immunofluorescence staining of the proliferation marker Ki‐67, primary cilia were present only in 20–40% of the epithelial cells. In breast cancer tissues, primary cilia were not observed in any of the breast cancer cells. Furthermore, primary cilia were hardly observed in the nonproliferating cancer cells in the orthotopic and metastatic human breast cancer xenograft tumors in mice. These results indicate that the absence of primary cilia does not necessarily represent the proliferating phases of normal epithelial cells and cancer cells.
Evaluation of the immature platelet fraction as an indicator of platelet recovery in dengue patients
Authors: Dadu T. , Sehgal K. , Joshi M. , Khodaiji S.
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication in many disorders (such as aplastic anemia, ITP, dengue fever,), the etiology being multifactorial. Immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a new parameter which is a measure of reticulated platelets that reflects the rate of thrombopoiesis. We tried to evaluate IPF as an indicator to predict the recovery of platelets in patients with dengue.

Methods

A total of 32 patients suffering from dengue fever (as confirmed by NS1 antigen or IgM antibody positivity for dengue) were taken for the study. The platelet count and IPF value of all these patients were evaluated on a daily basis.

Results

It was found out that IPF has a strong correlation with the recovery of platelet counts in patients with dengue. 84.3% patients showed recovery within 24 h after attaining the peak IPF, 93.75% of the patients showed recovery within 24–48 h of the rise of the IPF compared with the previous day's value, and 100% patients showed a recovery within 24 h of the fall of the IPF compared with the previous days. It was also observed that 93.75% of the patients show platelet recovery within 24–48 h if the IPF was more than 10%.

Conclusion

Based on our study, we concluded that IPF can be used to evaluate the recovery of platelets in patients with dengue. It holds a great promise of becoming a reliable future guide for decisions concerning platelet transfusions.
General health of opioid substitution therapy clients
Authors: Islam M. M. , Taylor A. , Smyth C. , Day C. A.
Published: December 2013

Five common medical conditions among opioid substitution therapy (OST) clients were assessed during a health promotion event held at a tertiary hospital‐based OST clinic in Sydney, Australia. Data were collected anthropometrically (body mass index and waist circumference), using spirometry, electrocardiogram, Pap test histories, Fibroscan and medical record review. Assessments were undertaken by specialised hospital staff. Abnormal results were found for 17% of those who underwent an electrocardiogram, 60% were anti‐hepatitis C virus positive (40% were viraemic), fibrosis was detected in one‐third (7% severe fibrosis and 18% cirrhosis), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was detected among 30% of participants with 7% at Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage II and 2% at stage III. Forty‐seven percent of the female respondents reported that they had not had a Pap test in the previous 2 years. Findings indicate that OST clients suffer several health problems that OST clinics are well placed to identify and provide support for referrals.
La Recomendación del piso de protección social: ¿puede un documento de seis páginas cambiar el rumbo de la historia social?
Authors: Cichon Michael
Published: December 2013

En junio de 2012 la comunidad mundial dio un importante paso hacia el firme establecimiento de la protección social como parte de las estrategias nacionales y mundiales de desarrollo. La Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo adoptó unánimemente la Recomendación sobre los pisos de protección social, 2012 (núm. 202), para proporcionar el contenido concreto del derecho humano a la seguridad social. Este artículo sitúa a la Recomendación en el contexto histórico del establecimiento de normas y el desarrollo de políticas, relata el surgimiento del concepto de piso de protección social y analiza el contenido de la nueva Recomendación y algunos de sus aspectos políticos candentes. Luego, examina si el nuevo instrumento cuenta con el potencial para cambiar la realidad social de los 185 Estados miembros de la OIT y concluye que su adopción es una demostración sin precedentes de la buena voluntad y del amplio alcance del consenso mundial en materia de políticas sociales. Sin embargo, a fin de facilitar la creación de espacios de cambio en las políticas nacionales, la campaña para alcanzar un mínimo de seguridad social para todas las necesidades debe proseguir y mantenerse en el programa internacional. Para terminar, el artículo enumera estrategias que la coalición mundial promotora de esta campaña debe adoptar para que la seguridad social siga siendo o se convierta en un objetivo inalienable de las estrategias nacionales e internacionales de desarrollo.
La Recomendación sobre los pisos de protección social, 2012 (núm. 202): completar las normas para cerrar la brecha de cobertura
Authors: Kulke Ursula , Guilbault Emmanuelle St‐Pierre
Published: December 2013

En junio de 2012 la 101.ª reunión de la Conferencia Internacional del Trabajo (CIT) adoptó la Recomendación sobre los pisos de protección social, 2012 (núm. 202). Este artículo explora los vínculos entre dicha recomendación y las normas de seguridad social preexistentes de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) y su complementariedad con éstas. En respuesta a las preguntas acerca de si las normas de seguridad social de la OIT existentes han perdido su relevancia y si la nueva recomendación se ha adoptado con el fin de sustituir las ya existentes, el artículo concluye que su adopción no sólo complementa sino que también amplía y fortalece el código internacional de seguridad social existente. En conjunto, se considera que la citada recomendación y los convenios de seguridad social de la OIT proporcionan un marco normativo completo y adecuado para el establecimiento y el mantenimiento de sistemas integrales de seguridad social.
Revisión de las políticas para avanzar hacia la cobertura universal de salud en los países de bajos ingresos: ventajas de los pisos nacionales de protección social
Authors: Scheil‐Adlung Xenia
Published: December 2013

A pesar de los avances en la ampliación de la cobertura de la protección social de salud, la mayoría de los países de bajos ingresos aún están lejos de alcanzar la cobertura universal de salud, por lo que es casi seguro que no se cumplan los objetivos clave relacionados con las mejoras de salud, como los fijados por los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM). Los principales afectados son las poblaciones más vulnerables: los pobres de las zonas urbanas y rurales y los trabajadores de la economía informal y sus familias. Lo más preocupante es que los avances podrían no sólo limitarse sino incluso invertirse si las políticas continúan sin abordar las causas fundamentales de las deficiencias y los déficit de la cobertura de salud. En este artículo se proporcionan pruebas de que dichas causas se hallan tanto dentro como fuera del sector de salud y están estrechamente relacionadas con la pobreza y otras formas de vulnerabilidad. Se argumenta que la única manera de lograr un progreso sostenible hacia la cobertura universal de salud en un plazo de tiempo adecuado es centrarse, de modo simultáneo, en: a) extender la cobertura de salud y mejorar el acceso a la atención médica necesaria; b) proporcionar seguridad de ingresos mediante ayudas a las personas necesitadas; c) abordar las limitaciones o la imposibilidad de participar en la generación de ingresos procedentes del trabajo, y d) aplicar políticas coherentes dentro y entre los sectores sociales, económicos y de salud que establezcan prioridades en la disminución de la pobreza. Dichas políticas pueden aplicarse mejor en el contexto de los pisos de protección social (PPS) nacionales que se centran en el acceso como mínimo a la asistencia médica básica y en proporcionar, al menos, la seguridad básica del ingreso durante el ciclo de vida a todas las personas necesitadas. La aplicación de los PPS puede romper los vínculos mutuos entre la mala salud, la pobreza y otras vulnerabilidades y lograr un progreso sostenible hacia la cobertura universal de salud y otros objetivos de protección social.
The Effect of Making a Voluntary Labour Market Programme Compulsory: Evidence from a UK Experiment
Authors: Dorsett Richard , Smeaton Deborah , Speckesser Stefan
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates the effects on employment and benefit receipt of making a voluntary active labour market programme compulsory. This policy change, which targeted long‐term unemployed people over the age of 50, was piloted in a number of areas within the UK and evaluated by individual random assignment of the requirement to participate. The results show that mandating participation resulted in a sustained increase in employment and a corresponding reduction in benefit receipt. The results were driven at least in part by a deterrent effect.
Fiscal Fan Charts: A Tool for Assessing Member States' (Likely?) Compliance with EU Fiscal Rules
Authors: Cronin David , Dowd Kevin
Published: December 2013

This paper sets out a methodology for constructing fan charts for the government deficit and debt ratios over the medium term. It relies on information contained in Stability/Convergence Programme Updates, a model of the relevant stochastic process (for example, that of real GDP) or processes, and a parameter estimate of the sensitivity of the primary budget balance to the output gap for the member state under consideration. A model of the dynamic deficit–debt relationship allows the impact of random output growth to work its way through the fiscal arithmetic in a consistent and traceable way to produce fan charts over a five‐year forecast horizon. The initial set of fiscal fan charts included here for Ireland use the indicative public finance projections set out in its 2011 Update. The methodology makes the standard assumption of no fiscal policy response to any change in the budgetary position over the period such as could arise from changes in growth rates. Governments will, however, generally be in a position to adjust fiscal policy towards meeting a specific target, such as the 3 per cent Maastricht Treaty deficit target. A second set of fan charts is included that indicates how the probabilistic range of fiscal outcomes could be affected by a tightening of fiscal policy in 2013–15.
Scorzonera aksekiensis sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Duran Ahmet , Öztürk Meryem , Çetin Özlem
Published: December 2013

Scorzonera aksekiensis A. Duran & M. Öztürk sp. nov. from the Akseki district (C3 Antalya province) in Turkey is described and illustrated. The diagnostic morphological characters of similar taxa are discussed. Scorzonera aksekiensis is related to S. semicana DC. from which it mainly differs in its habitus, indumentum, leaves, capitula and achenes. The ecology, biogeography and conservation status of the new species are also presented. The geographical distribution of S. aksekiensis and related species is mapped.
Dopant Site Occupancy and Chemical Expansion in Rare Earth‐Doped Barium Zirconate
Authors: Han Donglin , Shinoda Kozo , Uda Tetsuya
Published: December 2013

Rare earth‐doped BaZrO3 is a very attractive material in electrochemical applications due to its proton conductive property. In this work, powder X‐ray diffraction patterns of BaZr0.8M0.2O3−δ (M = Sc, Eu, Sm, Dy) were collected using synchrotron radiation, and also using characteristic X‐ray of CuKα in dry and wet atmospheres at high temperature. Then, a combined interpretation of the diffraction patterns was established by using Rietveld refinement. The results revealed that an obvious lattice expansion was observed for BaZr0.8M0.2O3−δ (M = Sc, Eu, Sm, Dy) in wet O2 compared with the case in dry condition, indicating a chemical expansion effect on lattice volume by incorporating water into lattice. Eu, Sm, and Dy cations occupied both A‐ and B‐sites of BaZrO3 crystalline lattice, whereas Sc cations were determined to occupy B‐site only. These results indicate clearly an increasing tendency toward A‐site occupation for the rare earth cations in BaZrO3 with an increasing radius.
Facile Growth of Cu2O Nanowires on Reduced Graphene Sheets with High Nonenzymatic Electrocatalytic Activity Toward Glucose
Authors: Feng Xiaoxia , Guo Changfa , Mao Liyuan , Ning Jiqiang , Hu Yong
Published: December 2013

In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of a unique hybrid structure by directly growing ultrathin Cu2O nanowires (about 5 nm in diameter) onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via a facile solvothermal method. This is a facile process carried out at 120°C for 6 h, in which only cupric acetate and rGO sheets are used as initiating materials, ethylene glycol as the solvent and reducing agent, and soldium acetate as precipitator, without employing any additional surfactant. Furthermore, the as‐obtained nanocomposites‐modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) shows significantly improved electrochemical performance in nonenzymatic amperometric glucose detection, exhibiting the good linear behavior with glucose concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 0.1 mM with a high gradient of 80.17 μA/mM. More importantly, interference from the oxidation of common interfering species under physiological conditions, such as uric acid, dopamine, and ascorbic acid, is effectively avoided. Therefore, these nanocomposites may be a promising electrode material for the determination of glucose.
Calcium Sulfoaluminate Sodalite (Ca4Al6O12SO4) Crystal Structure Evaluation and Bulk Modulus Determination
Authors: Hargis Craig W. , Moon Juhyuk , Lothenbach Barbara , Winnefeld Frank , Wenk Hans‐Rudolf , Monteiro Paulo J. M.
Published: December 2013

The predominant phase of calcium sulfoaluminate cement, Ca4(Al6O12)SO4, was investigated using high‐pressure synchrotron X‐ray diffraction from ambient pressure to 4.75 GPa. A critical review of the crystal structure of Ca4(Al6O12)SO4 is presented. Rietveld refinements showed the orthorhombic crystal structure to best match the observed peak intensities and positions for pure Ca4(Al6O12)SO4. The compressibility of Ca4(Al6O12)SO4 was studied using cubic, orthorhombic, and tetragonal crystal structures due to the lack of consensus on the actual space group, and all three models provided similar results of 69(6) GPa. With its divalent cage ions, the bulk modulus of Ca4(Al6O12)SO4 is higher than other sodalites with monovalent cage ions, such as Na8(AlSiO4)6Cl2 or Na8(AlSiO4)6(OH)2·H2O. Likewise, comparing this study to previous ones shows the lattice compressibility of aluminate sodalites decreases with increasing size of the caged ions. Ca4(Al6O12)SO4 is more compressible than other cement clinker phases such as tricalcium aluminate and less compressible than hydrated cement phases such as ettringite and hemicarboaluminate.
(Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 and (Cr5/8Ti3/8)4AlC3: New MAX‐phase Compounds in Ti–Cr–Al–C System
Authors: Liu Zhimou , Zheng Liya , Sun Luchao , Qian Yuhai , Wang Jingyang , Li Meishuan
Published: December 2013

Two new MAX compounds, (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 and (Cr5/8Ti3/8)4AlC3, were successfully synthesized by hot‐pressing elemental powders at 1500°C for 1 h under 30 MPa in a flowing argon atmosphere. Their crystal structures were indentified and characterized by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. (Cr2/3Ti1/3)3AlC2 and (Cr5/8Ti3/8)4AlC3 have the same crystal structures with the well‐characterized Ti3AlC2 and Ti4AlN3, respectively.
Adverse childhood experiences: towards a clear conceptual meaning
Authors: Kalmakis Karen A. , Chandler Genevieve E.
Published: December 2013

Aim

To report an analysis of the concept of adverse childhood experiences.

Background

Adverse childhood experiences have been associated with negative physical and psychological health outcomes, but this phenomenon lacks the clear, consistent meaning necessary for use in nursing research, theory development and practice.

Design

Concept clarification.

Data Sources

The literature search was not limited a priori by date and included publications with abstracts in English from PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Social Abstracts. The search retrieved 128 articles published from 1970–2013. The search term ‘adverse childhood experiences’ was used, with similar terms permitted. A snowball approach was used to expand the search to relevant literature.

Methods

The articles were read and analysed following Norris's five steps for concept clarification to refine, elucidate and operationally define the concept and the context in which it occurred.

Results

Adverse childhood experiences were defined operationally as childhood events, varying in severity and often chronic, occurring in a child's family or social environment that cause harm or distress, thereby disrupting the child's physical or psychological health and development.

Conclusion

This concept clarification should raise awareness and understanding of the diverse nature and shared characteristics of adverse childhood experiences that are believed to influence the health of individuals as they age. This clarified concept will help expand research on health consequences of adverse childhood experiences and interventions to improve health. We recommend promoting a model of primary care that pays attention to the social and familial influences on the health of individuals worldwide.
Attenuation of steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis in mice fed a methionine‐choline deficient diet by CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein deficiency
Authors: Toriguchi Kan , Hatano Etsuro , Tanabe Kazutaka , Takemoto Kenji , Nakamura Kojiro , Koyama Yukinori , Seo Satoru , Taura Kojiro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: December 2013

Background and Aims

Hepatic steatosis is a metabolic liver disease with the potential to progress to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) deficiency in the development of steatosis‐associated progression of HCC.

Methods

Eight‐week‐old wild‐type (WT) and CHOP knockout (CHOP−/−) mice were fed a normal or methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet. Mice were sacrificed after 3 weeks, and steatosis, inflammation, apoptosis, and liver damage were assessed. We also evaluated fibrosis after 8 weeks of nutrition intervention. To explore the role of CHOP in liver carcinogenesis, 25 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was injected intraperitoneally into 2‐week‐old mice, which were then fed the aforementioned diets from 8 to 24 weeks of age. CHOP expression in HCC patient livers was also evaluated.

Results

CHOP deficiency did not affect steatosis but significantly reduced apoptotic cells, inflammation scores, and serum liver enzymes. It also significantly suppressed total serum bilirubin levels, fibrotic area size, and messenger RNA expression of profibrotic cytokines. DEN‐initiated carcinogenesis was promoted by the MCD diet, while CHOP deficiency significantly attenuated the total number and maximum diameter of tumors and the Ki‐67 labeling index. In human livers, CHOP expression was enhanced in parallel with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis‐to‐HCC progression.

Conclusions

CHOP deficiency attenuated apoptosis, inflammation, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis under fat‐loading conditions, indicating that a therapeutic strategy targeting CHOP might be effective for fat‐induced liver injury and protecting against promotion of carcinogenesis in patients with liver steatosis.
Coping strategies for activities of daily living in women whose hands affected by systemic sclerosis
Authors: Cinar Fatma I , Unver Vesile , Cinar Muhammet , Yilmaz Sedat , Simsek Ismail , Tosun Nuran , Erdem Hakan , Yilmaz Fatma , Pay Salih , Dinc Ayhan
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine the challenges experienced by women with systemic sclerosis, whose hands affected, while performing activities of daily living and their coping strategies.

Background

Many of the patients with systemic sclerosis experience difficulties in performing daily activities. One of the most important reasons for that is the impaired hand function due to their diseases.

Design

A descriptive cross‐sectional design was conducted and questionnaire was used in this study.

Methods

The study was performed in a Rheumatology Department at a tertiary‐care hospital in Turkey between April 2010–December 2011. Nineteen patients with systemic sclerosis with hand involvement were enrolled in this study. The data were collected by using both a demographic data form and an Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire.

Results

According to Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire, the most scored dimension that patients can do with much difficulty was ‘eating’ and the dimension that patients unable to do was ‘washing/clothes care’. In ‘eating’ dimension, the most difficult activities were ‘opening glass jar’, ‘opening juice bottle’ and ‘opening bottle’ that requiring the movement of rotation. Their coping strategies for these activities were as follows: try to open with a towel, try to remove the edge of the palm with a knife, use the hand palm and help from someone else (spouse, neighbour, etc.). In ‘washing/clothes care’ dimension, the most difficult activities were ‘turning up hem of a skirt’, ‘washing up in bowl’ and ‘cutting out material’. For these activities, they use some coping strategies such as getting help from tailor, washing in the machine instead of hand washing.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that impaired hand function affects the daily life activities of patients with systemic sclerosis, and patients have developed some coping strategies to overcome these difficulties.

Relevance to clinical practice

The coping strategies used by patients can be helpful for the other patients with systemic sclerosis.
Exercise engagement in people with prediabetes – a qualitative study
Authors: Kuo Yu‐Lun , Wu Shu‐Chen , Hayter Mark , Hsu Wen‐Lin , Chang Mei , Huang Sen‐Fang , Chang Shu‐Chuan
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore the experiences of people with prediabetes who engage in exercise, from the initiation of exercise to the discontinuation or continuation of exercise.

Background

People with prediabetes are the high‐risk group for developing type 2 diabetes. Engaging in exercise is an important health behaviour to prevent or delay this. However, many people with prediabetes fail to develop and maintain a regular exercise regime.

Design

A grounded theory study.

Methods

Data were collected from August 2011–November 2012. Twenty participants with impaired fasting glucose from a medical centre in Taiwan were enrolled in this study for in‐depth interview. The data were entered into NVivo 8·0 qualitative data management software after transcription and were analysed by constant comparative method.

Results

A theory of the process by which people with prediabetes approach the development of exercise behaviour was developed, comprising four stages: developing awareness, creating the health blueprint, action cycle of internal struggle and developing spontaneous regular exercise. Developing awareness was the starting point for the process of implementing exercise. The core category was action cycle of struggle that all participants experienced this stage, and the spontaneous regular exercise was the highest level of exercise process.

Conclusion

It is not easy for people with prediabetes to develop a regular exercise regime. Exercise behaviour will be either continued or discontinued secondary to driving and resistive forces.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study provides useful information to help practitioners design exercise intervention strategies and provide psychological support to people with prediabetes.
The effect of educational intervention on prevention of postpartum depression: an application of health locus of control
Authors: Moshki Mahdi , Baloochi Beydokhti Tahereh , Cheravi Khadijeh
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To assess the effectiveness of application of health locus of control in pregnant women for prevention of postpartum depression in Iran.

Background

Nearly 10–15% of women suffer postnatal depression by the end of the second week after delivery, which creates problems in caring for the child that may affect child's future learning and concentration.

Design

Pre–post experimental design.

Methods

Two hundred and thirty volunteer women were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale and the Edinburg Depression Scale. Based on the associations found in the pretest, intervention programme was planned and carried out in the focused group discussion method. Data were collected after the end of scheduled sessions, immediately and one month later. The data were analysed with SPSS‐16 using statistical methods including anova, chi‐square test, Student's t‐test and paired t‐test.

Results

Chance health locus of control significantly reduced and internal health locus of control significantly increased, immediately after intervention. Also, a month after intervention, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in reducing postpartum depression.

Conclusions

The planned participatory intervention led to empowerment and increased awareness and internalisation of health control beliefs and less tendency towards external health control beliefs, especially chance, improvement in general health leading to improved psychological health for prevention of postpartum depression in mothers.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinicians might assess chance and internal health locus of control to identify the women at risk of developing depression during their pregnancy and to develop prevention and treatment plans.
Oral calcium pectinate-insulin nanoparticles: influences of alginate, sodium chloride and Tween 80 on their blood glucose lowering performance
Authors: Wong Tin W , Sumiran Nurjaya
Published: December 2013

Objective

Examine the formation of pectin-insulin nanoparticles and their blood glucose lowering properties.

Methods

The calcium pectinate nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation method, with alginate, sodium chloride or Tween 80 as additive. Their in vitro physicochemical, drug release and in vivo blood glucose lowering characteristics were evaluated.

Key findings

Spherical calcium pectinate-insulin nanoparticles were characterized by size, zeta potential, insulin content and insulin association efficiency of 348.4 ± 12.9 nm, −17.9 ± 0.8 mV, 8.4 ± 1.0% and 63.8 ± 7.4%, respectively. They released less than 25% insulin following 24 h in simulated intestinal medium and exhibited delayed blood glucose lowering effect in rats. Incorporation of solubilizer sodium chloride or Tween 80 into nanoparticles did not enhance blood glucose lowering capacity owing to sodium chloride reduced matrix insulin content and Tween 80 interacted with water and had its blood glucose dilution effect negated. Combination of nanoparticles with alginate gel to allow prolonged intestinal residence and more insulin release did not enhance their blood glucose lowering capacity because of calcium alginate-cross-linked gel formation that could retard insulin release and migration into systemic circulation.

Conclusion

Physicochemical responses of additives in vivo affected blood glucose regulation property of pectin-insulin nanoparticles.
Pulmonary function changes in rats with taurocholate‐induced pancreatitis are attenuated by pretreatment with melatonin
Authors: Chou Ting‐Ywan , Reiter Russel J. , Chen Kuan‐Hao , Leu Fur‐Jiang , Wang David , Yeh Diana Y.
Published: December 2013

Melatonin is a free radical scavenger and broad‐spectrum antioxidant with immunomodulatory effects. We studied the effects of melatonin on changes in lung function, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and inflammatory cell sequestration in an acute pancreatitis (AP)‐associated lung inflammation model. Acute pancreatitis was induced by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct of rats. Animals were randomized into control, AP, and a melatonin pretreatment (10 mg/kg)/AP group. Functional residual capacity (FRC), lung compliance (Cchord), expiratory flow rate at 50% (FEF50), airway resistance index (RI), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) were evaluated. White blood cell count (WBC) and hydrogen peroxide, lung lavage fluid WBC, methylguanidine, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), nitric oxide (NO), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) levels were determined. Lung wet‐to‐dry weight ratio, peroxynitrite, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA and protein were measured. AP induction resulted in reductions in FRC, Cchord, FEF50, and PEF, and increase in RI and lung wet‐to‐dry weight ratio. Blood and lung lavage fluid WBC, lavage fluid LDH, protein, and blood hydrogen peroxide also increased. Levels of hydroxyl radicals, nitric oxide, and LTB4 in lung lavage fluid, inducible NOS mRNA, protein expression, and peroxynitrite in lung tissue also were significantly elevated. Pretreatment with melatonin attenuated obstructive and restrictive ventilatory insufficiency induced by AP. Blood and lavage WBC, lavage LDH and protein, lung edema, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and lipoxygenase pathway derivatives were also significantly attenuated by melatonin. We conclude that melatonin decreases AP‐induced obstructive and restrictive lung function changes via its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Hepatitis C and lipid metabolism, hepatic steatosis, and NAFLD: still important in the era of direct acting antiviral therapy?
Authors: Cheng F.‐K. F. , Torres D. M. , Harrison S. A.
Published: December 2013

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have an individual prevalence of 1.8–3% and at least 30%, respectively, in the United States. It is therefore not surprising that there is overlap between these two common chronic liver diseases, although the relationship appears to go beyond isolated co‐existence. Hepatic steatosis is a common feature of CHC infection and can be related to both metabolic and viral specific factors. Steatosis in the setting of nongenotype 3 CHC has been predictive of response to therapy prior to the advent of the direct acting antiviral medications (DAAs). Similarly, lipid metabolism appears important in response to CHC treatment. The pathways for both lipid homeostasis and NAFLD as it pertains to CHC infection as well as the utilization of statin therapy in CHC infection will be reviewed with a focus on the relevance of these topics in the era of DAA therapy.
Treatment of severe, nonfulminant acute hepatitis B with lamivudine vs placebo: a prospective randomized double‐blinded multicentre trial
Authors: Wiegand J. , Wedemeyer H. , Franke A. , Rößler S. , Zeuzem S. , Teuber G. , Wächtler M. , Römmele U. , Ruf B. , Spengler U. , Trautwein C. , Bock C. T. , Fiedler G. M. , Thiery J. , Manns M. P. , Brosteanu O. , Tillmann H. L. ,   the German Hep‐Net Acute Hepatitis B (GAHB) Study Group
Published: December 2013

Acute hepatitis B virus (aHBV) infection can lead to fulminant liver failure, which likely is prevented by early lamivudine therapy. Even nonfulminant but severe acute hepatitis B can lead to significant morbidity and impaired quality of life. Therefore, lamivudine was evaluated in patients with severe aHBV in a placebo‐controlled trial. Patients with severe aHBV infection (ALT >10× ULN, bilirubin >85 μm, prothrombin time >50%) were prospectively treated with lamivudine 100 mg/day or with placebo within 8 days after the diagnosis. The primary end point was time to bilirubin <34.2 μm. Secondary end points were time to clear HBsAg and HBV‐DNA, development of anti‐HBs and normalization of ALT. Eighteen cases were randomized to lamivudine, 17 to placebo. 94% of patients were hospitalized. No individual progressed to hepatic failure; all but one patient achieved the primary end point. Due to smaller than expected patient numbers, all study end points did not become statistically significant between treatment arms. Median time end points [in days] were bilirubin <34.2 μm (26.5 vs 32), ALT normalization (35 vs 48) and HBsAg clearance (48 vs 67) referring to earlier recovery under lamivudine, in contrast to loss of HBV‐DNA (62 vs 54) and development of anti‐HBs (119 vs 109). In all but two patients (one in every group), HBsAg clearance was reached in the study. Adverse events occurred more frequently during lamivudine therapy, but did not reach statistical significance. Lamivudine may ameliorate severe aHBV infection, but limited patient numbers prevented definite conclusions.
The archaellum: a rotating type IV pilus
Authors: Shahapure Rajesh , Driessen Rosalie P.C. , Haurat M. Florencia , Albers Sonja‐Verena , Dame Remus Th.
Published: December 2013

Microbes have evolved sophisticated mechanisms of motility allowing them to respond to changing environmental conditions. While this cellular process is well characterized in bacteria, the mode and mechanisms of motility are poorly understood in archaea. This study examines the motility of individual cells of the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Specifically, we investigated motility of cells producing exclusively the archaeal swimming organelle, the archaellum. Archaella are structurally and in sequence similar to bacterial type IV pili involved in surface motility via pilus extension‐retraction cycles and not to rotating bacterial flagella. Unexpectedly, our studies reveal a novel type of behaviour for type IV pilus like structures: archaella rotate and their rotation drives swimming motility. Moreover, we demonstrate that temperature has a direct effect on rotation velocity explaining temperature‐dependent swimming velocity.
Helicobacter pylori periplasmic receptor CeuE (HP1561) modulates its nickel affinity via organic metallophores
Authors: Shaik Md Munan , Cendron Laura , Salamina Marco , Ruzzene Maria , Zanotti Giuseppe
Published: December 2013

In Gram‐negative bacteria, nickel uptake is guaranteed by multiple and complex systems that operate at the membrane and periplasmic level. Helicobacter pylori employs other yet uncharacterized systems to import the nickel required for the maturation of key enzymes, such as urease and hydrogenase. H. pylori CeuE protein (HP1561), previously annotated as the periplasmic component of an ATP‐binding cassette (ABC)‐type transporter apparatus responsible of haem/siderophores or other Fe(III)‐complexes uptake, has been recently proposed to be on the contrary involved in nickel/cobalt acquisition. In this work, the crystal structure of H. pylori CeuE has been determined at 1.65 Å resolution using the single anomalous dispersion (SAD) method. It comprises two structurally similar globular domains, each consisting of a central five‐stranded β‐sheet surrounded by α‐helices, an arrangement commonly classified as a Rossmann‐like fold. Structurally, H. pylori CeuE belongs to the class III periplasmic substrate‐binding protein. Both crystallographic data and fluorescence binding assays allow to exclude a role of the protein in the transport of Vitamin B12, enterobactin, haem and isolated Ni2+ ions. On the contrary, the crystal structure and plasmon resonance studies about CeuE/Ni‐(l‐His)2 complex indicate that in H. pylori nickel transport is supported by CeuE protein and requires the presence of a natural nickelophore, analogously to what has been recently demonstrated for NikA from Escherichia coli.