bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life in an in-between landscape: Norman Angell, Tom Driberg, and the Blackwater Marshlands
Authors: Oliver Stuart
Published: March 2013

In this essay I examine the process of making meaningful places through a consideration of the life geographies of Norman Angell and Tom Driberg, two former residents of the Blackwater marshes, Essex. The essay begins by outlining how the cultural tradition of the west has tended to present marshes as marginal locations, and marshland landscapes as problematically ambiguous, and it shows how this characterization has influenced accounts of the Blackwater marshlands. I then introduce and examine the lives of Norman Angell and Tom Driberg: the former a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a solitary man for whom Northey Island provided a retreat from a threatening world; the latter a leftist politician and journalist, an extrovert who lived a colourful life in Bradwell on Sea. While both men came to the marshes as outsiders, they ended by making for themselves meaningful life geographies in the marshland, their struggles engaging with the symbolic, imaginary, and real components of the landscape. I conclude by proposing that Angell and Driberg’s life geographies indicate that, like the marshlands, landscape might best be understood as neither necessarily solid nor liquid in identity, but as a contingent process formed by local negotiation.
Large-scale evaluation of concrete repair by three-dimensional elastic-wave-based visualization technique
Authors: Momoki Shohei , Shiotani Tomoki , Chai Hwa Kian , Aggelis Dimitrios G , Kobayashi Yoshikazu
Published: March 2013

The development of elastic wave tomography technique using three-dimensional ray tracing and identification algorithm is discussed. The technique introduces hexahedral elements for isoparametric mapping of irregular structural shapes, for which the distribution of slowness of ray path is computed using simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique. In addition, the three-dimensional computation capability of the technique facilitates detailed assessment of any cross section within the measured perimeter, which is a main advantage compared to the more conventional two-dimensional elastic wave tomography. The newly developed technique was applied for evaluating the repair of concrete piers of a water intake facility by taking the transit time of primary waves (P-waves) as data for reconstruction of velocity distribution of the measured region. In this particular field implementation, multichannel elastic wave tomography measurements were carried out at selected areas on the piers before and after the repair to study the change of velocity distribution. Simple quantitative analysis for improvement of concrete Young’s modulus due to the repair was also examined. Findings obtained from field measurement and analysis confirmed the usefulness of the technique for large-scale in situ implementations.
Carbon filament yarn-based hybrid yarn for the heating of textile-reinforced concrete
Authors: Hasan MMB , Offermann M , Haupt M , Nocke A , Cherif Ch
Published: March 2013

In this study, the application of carbon filament yarn (CFY)-based conductive hybrid yarn as the heating element in a textile-reinforced concrete structure is reported. For this purpose, a hybrid yarn having a core-sheath structure (the core is made of carbon filament yarn and the sheath consists of a mixture of short glass and polypropylene fibres) is manufactured by DREF-2000 spinning technique and integrated into textile structure by tailored fibre placement method. Heat can be generated in the concrete structure by passing electric current through the conductive carbon filament yarn core of the hybrid yarn using the principle of resistive heating, where the sheath acts as the protection and isolation layer. From the initial investigations made on a small concrete specimen, important information is gathered and a large concrete slab with integrated conductive hybrid yarn is manufactured. The heat ability and the comfort level of the manufactured concrete slab are measured. The investigations have revealed the potential of using such hybrid yarn for a pointwise heating of the concrete surface for possible appliance in outdoor furniture.
Appraisal Theory: Old and New Questions
Authors: Ellsworth Phoebe C.
Published: March 2013

I describe my current thinking on two old questions—the causal role of appraisals and the relationship of appraisal theories to basic emotions theories and constructivist theories, and three (sort of) new questions—the completeness of appraisals, the role of language, and the development of automaticity in emotional responses.
The Nature and Dynamics of Relevance and Valence Appraisals: Theoretical Advances and Recent Evidence
Authors: Scherer Klaus R.
Published: March 2013

Appraisal theories of emotion have had a strong impact on the development of theory and experimental research in the domain of the affective sciences. While there is generally a high degree of convergence between theorists in this tradition, some central issues are open to debate. In this contribution three issues have been chosen for discussion: (a) varieties of relevance detection, (b) varieties of valence appraisal, and (c) sequential-cumulative effects of appraisal results. In addressing these issues, new theoretical ideas are suggested and an update of recent research on the sequence of appraisal processes is provided. Special emphasis is placed on nonverbal signatures of appraisal processes.
Comment: Language and Dimensionality in Appraisal Theory
Authors: de Sousa Ronald
Published: March 2013

The proliferation of dimensions of appraisal is both welcome and worrying. The preoccupation with sorting out causes may be somewhat otiose. And the ubiquity of emotions in levels of processing raises intriguing problems about the role of language in identifying and triggering emotions and appraisals.
Current Emotion Research in Philosophy
Authors: Griffiths Paul E.
Published: March 2013

There remains a division between the work of philosophers who draw on the sciences of the mind to understand emotion and those who see the philosophy of emotion as more self-sufficient. This article examines this methodological division before reviewing some of the debates that have figured in the philosophical literature of the last decade: whether emotion is a single kind of thing, whether there are discrete categories of emotion, and whether emotion is a form of perception. These questions have been addressed by both sides of the methodological divide and the integration of these two approaches would have clear benefits.
Comment: The Why, When, and How of Appraisal
Authors: Frijda Nico H.
Published: March 2013

This comment argues that appraisals result from the almost incessant predictive activity of the awake brain, using its incoming and stored information. It explores how appraisal operates when it does. It argues that the analysis of the processes that lead to appraisals currently is still at an early stage.
Veterans and chronic pain
Authors: Gauntlett-Gilbert Jeremy , Wilson Sarah
Published: March 2013

Summary points

1. Musculoskeletal problems are the commonest reason for medical discharge in all the British armed forces. By definition, these problems are chronic and resistant to treatment.

2. Pain is also common in veterans who have experienced severe injuries (polytrauma), often accompanied by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) orpostconcussive syndrome.

3. In veterans seeking treatment for chronic pain, PTSD is common. There is also evidence for elevated levels of alcohol misuse in veterans who have been deployed to conflict. However, most veterans do not have pain, PTSD or alcohol problems.

4. Pain clinicians would benefit from training in meeting veterans’ needs, in order to promote their engagement and successful treatment. This should include countering stereotypes, information about the military and support for the assessment and onward referral of PTSD and alcohol problems.
Factor Structure of the Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale in Young Adults With Allergies and Asthma
Authors: Molzon Elizabeth S. , Ramsey Rachelle R. , Suorsa Kristina I. , Bonner Margaret S. , Grant DeMond M. , Chaney John M. , Mullins Larry L.
Published: March 2013

Objective. To determine the factor structure of the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale in young adults with only allergies versus those with both allergies and asthma to evaluate the domains of impairment associated with these 2 chronic health conditions. Method. A total of 454 young adults with allergies (n = 255) or asthma + allergies (n = 199) between the ages of 18 and 25 (mean = 19.39, standard deviation = 1.34) completed the study questionnaire as a part of a larger study of the psychosocial adjustment of young adults with a chronic health condition. Results. A 3-factor structure (Identity, Intimacy, and Relationships and Personal Development) of the Illness Intrusiveness Rating Scale had better fit than a 1-factor structure. Several modifications to the original 3-factor model improved the fit within this population. Conclusions. The 3-factor model was shown to be effective within young adults with allergies and asthma + allergies with some modifications. The structure of the final model was not invariant across the disease groups, although most of the items (excluding health and religious expression) performed similarly between those young adults with allergies and those with asthma + allergies.
Promoting Asthma Awareness to Older Adults
Authors: Evers Uwana , Jones Sandra C. , Caputi Peter , Iverson Don
Published: March 2013

The limited existing research on the asthma perceptions of older adults suggests that this population perceives asthma to be a childhood disease and, therefore, believe that they are not susceptible to developing the condition as an adult. The asthma mortality rate is much higher for older adults than for children, and there is considerable negative impact on health-related quality of life. However, health promotion regarding asthma is rarely aimed at this population. To address this issue, social marketing campaign messages and materials about asthma were developed for an older adult population based on quantitative survey data. Through a series of community focus groups, these messages and materials were pretested with older adults to establish the types of asthma health promotion messages, taglines, and images that engage this target audience. Materials that conveyed a “human element” appealed most to older adults, enabling them to relate to the individuals and situations depicted in the images. Positive, empowering messages containing novel information and asking questions of the target population resonated best with older adults. These features should be considered in the development of health promotion campaign materials about chronic disease targeting older adult populations.
Cardiac Myxoma With Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Ríos Josías C. , Chávarri Fernando , Morales Gabriela , Vera Luis , Adrianzén Manuel , Abarca Alfredo , Arboleda Miguel , Guzmán Iván Niño de
Published: March 2013

The presentation of myxoma in the neonatal period is quite rare. We report the case of a female patient in whom two cardiac tumors were diagnosed prenatally. Surgery was performed at eight days of age, using cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest to facilitate excision of two polypoid tumors from within the right atrium. Pathology studies were consistent with myxoma. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patient was discharged 14 days after surgery, at 22 days old.
Congenital Division of the Left Atrium (Cor Triatriatum) in the Setting of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: Edwin Frank , Kinsley Robin H. , Milner Selwyn , Mamorare Hendrick M.
Published: March 2013

Congenital division of the left atrium (cor triatriatum) and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries are both rare congenital cardiac malformations; their coexistence is exceedingly rare with only two previous reports identified in the literature. This combination of lesions is characterized by a pressure-loaded morphologically left ventricle and a propensity for pulmonary edema dependent on the degree of pulmonary venous obstruction caused by the dividing left atrial shelf. The probable impact of this on the natural history and surgical decision making is discussed.
Anomalous Coronary Arteries
Authors: Shinbane Jerold S. , Shriki Jabi , Fleischman Fernando , Hindoyan Antreas , Withey James , Lee Christopher , Wilcox Alison , Cunningham Mark , Baker Craig , Matthews Ray V. , Starnes Vaughn
Published: March 2013

Cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) provides an understanding of the three-dimensional (3D) coronary artery anatomy in relation to cardiovascular thoracic structures important to the surgical management of anomalous coronary arteries (ACAs). Although some ACA variants are not clinically significant, others can lead to ischemia/infarction, related acute ventricular dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The CCTA is important to surgical decision making, as it provides noninvasive visualization of the coronary arteries with (1) assessment of origin, course, and termination of coronary artery anomalies in the context of 3D thoracic anatomy, (2) characterization of anatomy helpful for differentiation of benign versus hemodynamically significant variants, (3) identification of other cardiothoracic anomalies, and (4) detection of coronary artery disease. High-risk ACA anatomy in the appropriate clinical setting can require surgical intervention with decisions including minimally invasive versus open sternotomy approach, correction via reimplantation of a coronary artery, alteration of the ACA course without reimplantation, or bypass of an ACA. Given the rarity of ACA, there is limited data in the literature, and significant controversy related to the management issues. The management of ACA requires comprehensive clinical history, thorough assessment of cardiac function, and detailed anatomic imaging. Future studies will need to address the long-term outcome based on detailed assessment of original anatomy and surgical approach.
Dynamics of Joint Ventures between Multinational Enterprises and Local Firms in Emerging Economies: The Case of Financial Services
Authors: Patibandla Murali
Published: March 2013

Emerging economies present the case of rapid changes in markets and institutions. In this context, joint ventures between multinational enterprises (MNEs) and local firms are subject to a gamut of calculations between the partners for arriving at mutually beneficial contractual arrangements. In this note, we analyze two case studies utilizing a combination of the intangible asset theory of MNEs, Williamson’s concepts of asset specificity and holdup, and the resource-based theory of the firm. Both case studies involve financial services, namely, credit cards and insurance products. In these two cases, a large local bank provided the brand name, while the MNEs provided the back-end technical-support, which is a seeming reversal of the normal pattern in emerging markets. From a resource-based theory perspective, at the inception of such joint ventures, investments in relation to specific assets may be small and the possibility of holdup seems remote, but when markets become complex the possibility of holdup increases dramatically. In this kind of context, joint venture partners have to adopt a dynamic perspective and formulate ex ante strategies for addressing the holdup problem, even though static analysis may suggest that there is only limited or no possibility of such holdup. Our analysis brings forth fresh insights on the issue of joint ventures, especially in the context of financial services, in an emerging economy.
Managers’ Orientation on Trust and Organizational Performance
Authors: Paliszkiewicz Joanna
Published: March 2013

The construct of managerial trust has become significant in research and practice, specially after the economic crisis. This article gives an overview of trust research, identifying foundations of trust in organizations. In doing so, the article also addresses important implications of theory development and empirical research. It deals with important issues of connection between managers’ orientation on trust and organizational performance. The empirical research was conducted in enterprises from Mazovia Province in Poland. According to the research, there is positive correlation between managers’ orientation on trust and organizational performance. The trust building in organization can enhance organizational performance. There is a need to set up effective rewards and distribution mechanisms, to avoid harmful suspicion and hostility among members of organization, and to improve the trust level—All these will lead to a great improvement in the competitiveness of an organization.
Laxative effects of Salecan on normal and two models of experimental constipated mice
Authors: Zhou Mengyi , Jia Ping , Chen Jinping , Xiu Aihui , Zhao Yue , Zhan Yibei , Chen Peng , Zhang Jianfa
Published: March 2013

Background

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints with a highly prevalent and often chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Salecan on fecal output and small intestinal transit in normal and two models of drug-induced constipation mice.

Methods

ICR mice were administrated intragastrically (i.g.) by gavage with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Salecan while the control mice were received saline. The constipated mice were induced by two types of drugs, loperamide (5 mg/kg BW, i.g.) and clonidine (200 μg/kg BW, i.g.), after Salecan treatment while the control mice were received saline. Number, weight and water content of feces were subsequently measured. Small intestinal transit was monitored by phenol red marker meal.

Results

Salecan (300 mg/kg BW) significantly increased the number and weight of feces in normal mice. In two models of drug-induced constipation, Salecan dose-dependently restored the fecal number and fecal weight. The water content of feces was markedly affected by loperamide, but not by clonidine. Treatment with Salecan significantly raised the fecal water content in loperamide-induced constipation mice. Moreover, Salecan markedly stimulated the small intestinal transit in both loperamide- and clonidine-induced constipation model mice.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Salecan has a potential to be used as a hydrophilic laxative for constipation.
Early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: Radiotherapy vs. Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery (ORATOR) – study protocol for a randomized phase II trial
Authors: Nichols Anthony C , Yoo John , Hammond J Alex , Fung Kevin , Winquist Eric , Read Nancy , Venkatesan Varagur , MacNeil S Danielle , Ernst D Scott , Kuruvilla Sara , Chen Jeff , Corsten Martin , Odell Michael , Eapen Libni , Theurer Julie , Doyle Philip C , Wehrli Bret , Kwan Keith , Palma David A
Published: March 2013

Background

The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has markedly increased over the last three decades due to newly found associations with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Primary radiotherapy (RT) is the treatment of choice for OPSCC at most centers, and over the last decade, the addition of concurrent chemotherapy has led to a significant improvement in survival, but at the cost of increased acute and late toxicity. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as a promising alternative treatment, with preliminary case series demonstrating encouraging oncologic, functional, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes. However, comparisons of TORS and RT in a non-randomized fashion are susceptible to bias. The goal of this randomized phase II study is to compare QOL, functional outcomes, toxicity profiles, and survival following primary RT (± chemotherapy) vs. TORS (± adjuvant [chemo] RT) in patients with OPSCC.

Methods/Design

The target patient population comprises OPSCC patients who would be unlikely to require chemotherapy post-resection: Tumor stage T1-T2 with likely negative margins at surgery; Nodal stage N0-2, ≤3 cm in size, with no evidence of extranodal extension on imaging. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio between Arm 1 (RT ± chemotherapy) and Arm 2 (TORS ± adjuvant [chemo] RT). In Arm 1, patients with N0 disease will receive RT alone, whereas N1-2 patients will receive concurrent chemoradiation. In Arm 2, patients will undergo TORS along with selective neck dissections, which may be staged. Pathologic high-risk features will be used to determine the requirement for adjuvant radiotherapy +/- chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is QOL score using the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), with secondary endpoints including survival, toxicity, other QOL outcomes, and swallowing function. A sample of 68 patients is required.

Discussion

This study, if successful, will provide a much-needed randomized comparison of the conventional strategy of primary RT vs. the novel strategy of primary TORS. The trial is designed to provide a definitive QOL comparison between the two arms, and to inform the design of an eventual phase III trial for survival outcomes.

Trial registration

NCT01590355
Better learning in schools to improve attitudes toward abstinence and intentions for safer sex among adolescents in urban Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Rachana Manandhar , Otsuka Keiko , Poudel Krishna C , Yasuoka Junko , Lamichhane Medin , Jimba Masamine
Published: March 2013

Background

School-based sex education is an effective medium to convey health information and skills about preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies among adolescents. However, research on school-based sex education is limited in many developing countries, including Nepal. This study thus had two main objectives: (1) to assess students’ evaluation of school-based sex education, and (2) to examine the associations between students’ evaluations of school-based sex education and their (a) attitudes toward abstinence and (b) intentions for safer sex.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 634 students from six schools in the Kathmandu Valley during May–June 2010. We used a self-administered questionnaire to assess students’ evaluations of school-based sex education, attitudes toward abstinence, and intentions for safer sex. The data were then analyzed using multiple linear regression models.

Results

Regarding “information on HIV and sexual health”, many students perceived that they received the least amount of information on HIV counseling and testing centers (mean 2.29, SD 1.00) through their schools. In terms of “support and involvement of teachers and parents” in sex education, parents’ participation ranked as the lowest (mean 1.81, SD 1.01). Audiotapes were reported as the least used among the listed “teaching aids for sexual health education” (mean 1.54, SD 0.82). In multivariate analysis, receiving more “information on HIV and sexual health” was positively associated with more positive “attitudes toward abstinence” (β = 0.11, p = <0.018) and greater “intentions for safer sex” (β = 0.17, p = <0.001) among students. Similarly, increased “support and involvement from teachers and parents” was also positively associated with more positive “attitudes toward abstinence” (β = 0.16, p = <0.001) and greater “intentions for safer sex” (β = 0.15, p = <0.002).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that students’ needs and expectations regarding HIV and sexual health education are not being met through their schools. Moreover, comprehensive information on HIV and sexual health along with increased support and involvement of teachers and parents in sex education might help to improve adolescents’ attitudes toward abstinence and intentions for safer sex. Adapting future school-based interventions to incorporate such elements may thus be an effective strategy to promote adolescent sexual health.
Heavy episodic drinking and soccer practice among high school students in Brazil: the contextual aspects of this relationship
Authors: Bedendo André , Opaleye Emérita S , Andrade André Luiz Monezi , Noto Ana Regina
Published: March 2013

Background

Heavy episodic drinking (HED) (consumption of five or more drinks on the same occasion) among adolescents is related to several problems and partaking in sport or physical activities has been suggested as an option to prevent or reduce alcohol consumption among this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between soccer practice and heavy episodic drinking among high school students from Brazil.

Methods

Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of public and private high school students from all Brazilian state capitals (N=19,132). Only students aged from 14 to 18 who reported having taken part in soccer practice, other team sports or non-practicing sports in the last month were included. Characteristics of sport practice (frequency and motivation) and HED in the last month (type of drink; where and with whom they drank; frequency of HED) were also considered. Regression models were controlled for sociodemographic variables.

Results

For all groups studied most of the students reported drinking beer, with friends and at nightclubs or bars. Soccer practice was associated to HED when compared to non-practicing sports and to other team sports. Compared to other team sports, playing soccer for pleasure or profession, but not for keep fit or health reasons, were more associated to HED. Frequency of soccer practice from 1 to 5 days per month and 20 or more days per month, but not from 6 to 19 days per month, were also more associated to HED.

Conclusions

The relationship between soccer and HED appears to be particularly stronger than in other team sports among adolescents in Brazil. Induced sociability of team sports practice cannot be assumed as the main reason for HED among soccer players. Possibly these results reflect the importance of a strong cultural association between soccer and beer in Brazil and these findings should be integrated to future prevention or intervention programs.
Co-morbidity but not dysglycaemia reduces quality of life in patients with type-2 diabetes treated with oral mono- or dual combination therapy – an analysis of the DiaRegis registry
Authors: Wasem Jürgen , Bramlage Peter , Gitt Anselm K , Binz Christiane , Krekler Michael , Deeg Evelin , Tschöpe Diethelm ,   DiaRegis Study Group
Published: March 2013

Background

Type-2 diabetes mellitus has a major impact on health related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to identify patient and treatment related variables having a major impact.

Methods

DiaRegis is a prospective diabetes registry. The EQ-5D was used to describe differences in HRQoL at baseline. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined from univariable regression analysis. For the identification of independent predictors of a low score on the EQ-5D, multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 2,760 patients were available for the present analysis (46.7% female, median age 66.2 years). Patients had considerable co-morbidity (18.3% coronary artery disease, 10.6% heart failure, 5.9% PAD and 5.0% stroke/TIA). Baseline HbA1c was 7.4%, fasting- and postprandial plasma glucose 139 mg/dl and 183 mg/dl.

The median EQ-5D was 0.9 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.8–1.0). Independent predictors for a low EQ-5D were age > 66 years (OR 1.49; 95%CI 1.08–2.06), female gender (2.11; 1.55–2.86), hypertension (1.73; 1.03–2.93), peripheral neuropathy (1.62; 0.93–2.84) and clinically relevant depression (11.01; 3.97–30.50). There was no influence of dysglycaemia on the EQ-5D score.

Conclusion

The present study suggests, that co-morbidity but not average glycaemic control reduces health related quality of life in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Significantly fewer protein functional changing variants for lipid metabolism in Africans than in Europeans
Authors: Xue Cheng , Liu Xiaoming , Gong Yun , Zhao Yuhai , Fu Yun-Xin
Published: March 2013

Background

The disorders in metabolism of energy substances are usually related to some diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and cancer, etc. However, the genetic background for these disorders has not been well understood. In this study, we explored the genetic risk differences among human populations in metabolism (catabolism and biosynthesis) of energy substances, including lipids, carbohydrates and amino acids.

Results

Two genotype datasets (Hapmap and 1000 Genome) were used for this study. The genetic risks of protein functional changing variants (PFCVs) on genes involved in lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism were calculated using two genetic risk indices: the total number of PFCVs (Num) and the total possibly harmful score of PFCVs (R). Observations in these two genotype datasets consistently showed that Africans had lower genetic risk in lipid metabolism (both catabolic and biosynthetic processes) compared to Europeans. However this relationship was not observed in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that Africans had higher efficiency of utilizing lipids as energy substances than Europeans. In other words, lipids might be more preferred as energy substances in Africans than in Europeans.
Dynamic electrophoretic fingerprinting of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein
Authors: Stieh Daniel J , Phillips Joshua L , Rogers Paul M , King Deborah F , Cianci Gianguido C , Jeffs Simon A , Gnanakaran Sandrasegaram , Shattock Robin J
Published: March 2013

Background

Interactions between the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) and its primary receptor CD4 are influenced by the physiological setting in which these events take place. In this study, we explored the surface chemistry of HIV-1 Env constructs at a range of pH and salinities relevant to mucosal and systemic compartments through electrophoretic mobility (EM) measurements. Sexual transmission events provide a more acidic environment for HIV-1 compared to dissemination and spread of infection occurring in blood or lymph node. We hypothesize functional, trimeric Env behaves differently than monomeric forms.

Results

The dynamic electrophoretic fingerprint of trimeric gp140 revealed a change in EM from strongly negative to strongly positive as pH increased from that of the lower female genital tract (pHx) to that of the blood (pHy). Similar findings were observed using a trimeric influenza Haemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein, indicating that this may be a general attribute of trimeric viral envelope glycoproteins. These findings were supported by computationally modeling the surface charge of various gp120 and HA crystal structures. To identify the behavior of the infectious agent and its target cells, EM measurements were made on purified whole HIV-1 virions and primary T-lymphocytes. Viral particles had a largely negative surface charge, and lacked the regions of positivity near neutral pH that were observed with trimeric Env. T cells changed their surface chemistry as a function of activation state, becoming more negative over a wider range of pH after activation. Soluble recombinant CD4 (sCD4) was found to be positively charged under a wide range of conditions. Binding studies between sCD4 and gp140 show that the affinity of CD4-gp140 interactions depends on pH.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings allow a more complete model of the electrochemical forces involved in HIV-1 Env functionality. These results indicate that the influence of the localized environment on the interactions of HIV with target cells are more pronounced than previously appreciated. There is differential chemistry of trimeric, but not monomeric, Env under conditions which mimic the mucosa compared to those found systemically. This should be taken into consideration during design of immunogens which targets virus at mucosal portals of entry.
Prevalence of HCV genotypes in district Mardan
Authors: Afridi Suliman Qadir , Zahid Muhammad Nouman , Shabbir Muhammad Zubair , Hussain Zeenat , Mukhtar Nadia , Tipu Muhammad Yasin , Akhtar Fareeha , Yaqub Tahir
Published: March 2013

Background

Approximately 170 million people are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. The prevalence of chronic HCV infections in Pakistan is about 5%, with most individuals being infected with HCV genotype 3a. Data on HCV genotypes distribution across various districts of the country are scarce. One example is district Mardan from where such data is available only from 17 individuals. Accordingly, the present study aimed at determining HCV genotypes distribution among 177 HCV RNA positive individuals from district Mardan.

Findings

Serum samples (n = 215) from patients suspected of hepatitis C were collected and processed for Nested PCR based detection and subsequent genotyping. Gender-wise and age-wise differences in HCV prevalence and HCV genotypes distribution were determined by χ 2 test. Out of the total 215 serum samples, 177 were found to be positive for HCV RNA. The genotype 3a was the most predominant genotype among HCV RNA positive samples with a prevalence of 90.3%, followed by genotype 1a (5.6%), mixed genotypes (2.8%), genotype 3b (0.6%) and genotype 4 (0.6%). The HCV prevalence was higher in young individuals than old people and was indicative of reduced survival rate beyond 40 years.

Conclusion

HCV genotype 3a is the most predominant genotype in district Mardan. The state of the art preventive and therapeutic strategies should be implemented to control the spread of HCV infections. Further temporal studies involving different geographical areas of Pakistan, are required to improve the control measures for HCV infection.
An educational intervention to reduce the use of potentially inappropriate medications among older adults (EMPOWER study): protocol for a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Martin Philippe , Tamblyn Robyn , Ahmed Sara , Tannenbaum Cara
Published: March 2013

Background

Currently, far too many older adults consume inappropriate prescriptions, which increase the risk of adverse drug reactions and unnecessary hospitalizations. A health education program directly informing patients of prescription risks may promote inappropriate prescription discontinuation in chronic benzodiazepine users.

Methods/Design

This is a cluster randomized controlled trial using a two-arm parallel-design. A total of 250 older chronic benzodiazepine users recruited from community pharmacies in the greater Montreal area will be studied with informed consent. A participating pharmacy with recruited participants represents a cluster, the unit of randomization. For every four pharmacies recruited, a simple 2:2 randomization is used to allocate clusters into intervention and control arms. Participants will be followed for 1 year. Within the intervention clusters, participants will receive a novel educational intervention detailing risks and safe alternatives to their current potentially inappropriate medication, while the control group will be wait-listed for the intervention for 6 months and receive usual care during that time period. The primary outcome is the rate of change in benzodiazepine use at 6 months. Secondary outcomes are changes in risk perception, self-efficacy for discontinuing benzodiazepines, and activation of patients initiating discussions with their physician or pharmacist about safer prescribing practices. An intention-to-treat analysis will be followed.

The rate of change of benzodiazepine use will be compared between intervention and control groups at the individual level at the 6-month follow-up. Risk differences between the control and experimental groups will be calculated, and the robust variance estimator will be used to estimate the associated 95% confidence interval (CI). As a sensitivity analysis (and/or if any confounders are unbalanced between the groups), we will estimate the risk difference for the intervention via a marginal model estimated via generalized estimating equations with an exchangeable correlation structure.

Discussion

Targeting consumers directly as catalysts for engaging physicians and pharmacists in collaborative discontinuation of benzodiazepine drugs is a novel approach to reduce inappropriate prescriptions. By directly empowering chronic users with knowledge about risks, we hope to imitate the success of individually targeted anti-smoking campaigns.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01148186
Production and extraction of sugars from switchgrass hydrolyzed in ionic liquids
Authors: Sun Ning , Liu Hanbin , Sathitsuksanoh Noppadon , Stavila Vitalie , Sawant Manali , Bonito Anaise , Tran Kim , George Anthe , Sale Kenneth L , Singh Seema , Simmons Blake A , Holmes Bradley M
Published: March 2013

Background

The use of Ionic liquids (ILs) as biomass solvents is considered to be an attractive alternative for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Acid catalysts have been used previously to hydrolyze polysaccharides into fermentable sugars during IL pretreatment. This could potentially provide a means of liberating fermentable sugars from biomass without the use of costly enzymes. However, the separation of the sugars from the aqueous IL and recovery of IL is challenging and imperative to make this process viable.

Results

Aqueous alkaline solutions are used to induce the formation of a biphasic system to recover sugars produced from the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of switchgrass in imidazolium-based ILs. The amount of sugar produced from this process was proportional to the extent of biomass solubilized. Pretreatment at high temperatures (e.g., 160°C, 1.5 h) was more effective in producing glucose. Sugar extraction into the alkali phase was dependent on both the amount of sugar produced by acidolysis and the alkali concentration in the aqueous extractant phase. Maximum yields of 53% glucose and 88% xylose are recovered in the alkali phase, based on the amounts present in the initial biomass. The partition coefficients of glucose and xylose between the IL and alkali phases can be accurately predicted using molecular dynamics simulations.

Conclusions

This biphasic system may enable the facile recycling of IL and rapid recovery of the sugars, and provides an alternative route to the production of monomeric sugars from biomass that eliminates the need for enzymatic saccharification and also reduces the amount of water required.
Knowledge and utilization of computer among health workers in Addis Ababa hospitals, Ethiopia: computer literacy in the health sector
Authors: Mohammed Ebrahim , Andargie Gashaw , Meseret Solomon , Girma Eshetu
Published: March 2013

Background

Incorporation of information technology advancements in healthcare has gained wide acceptance in the last two decades. Developed countries have successfully incorporated information technology advancements in their healthcare system thus, improving healthcare. However, only a limited application of information technology advancements is seen in developing countries in their healthcare system. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing knowledge and utilization of computer among health workers in Addis Ababa hospitals.

Methods

A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 health workers who were selected using stratified sampling technique from all governmental hospitals in Addis Ababa. Data was collected from April 15 to April 30, 2010 using a structured, self-administered, and pre-tested questionnaire from five government hospitals in Addis Ababa. The data was entered into Epi Info version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS version 16. Analysis was done using multinomial logistic regression technique.

Results

A total of 270 participants, age ranging from 21 to 60 years responded to the survey (88.8% response rate). A total of 91 (33.7%) respondents had an adequate knowledge of computers while 108 (40.0%) had fair knowledge and 71(26.3%) of the respondents showed inadequate knowledge. A total of 38(14.1%) were adequately utilizing computers, 14(5.2%) demonstrated average or fair utilization and majority of the respondents 218(80.7%) inadequately utilized computers. Significant predictor variables were average monthly income, job satisfaction index and own computer possession.

Conclusions

Computer knowledge and utilization habit of health workers were found to be very low. Increasing accessibility to computers and delivering training on the use of computers for workers will increases the knowledge and utilization of computers. This will facilitate the rate of diffusion of the technology to the health sector. Hence, programs targeted at enhancing knowledge and skill of computer use and increasing access to computer should be designed. The association between computer knowledge/skill and health care delivery competence should be studied.
Affinity-based target deconvolution of safranal
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Hossein , Mehri Soghra , Abolhassani Mohammad Mahdi , Ramezani Mohammad , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Abnous Khalil
Published: March 2013

Background and the purpose of the study

Affinity-based target deconvolution is an emerging method for the identification of interactions between drugs/drug candidates and cellular proteins, and helps to predict potential activities and side effects of a given compound. In the present study, we hypothesized that a part of safranal pharmacological effects, one of the major constituent ofCrocus sativusL., relies on its physical interaction with target proteins.

Methods

Affinity chromatography solid support was prepared by covalent attachment of safranal to agarose beads. After passing tissue lysate through the column, safranal-bound proteins were isolated and separated on SDS-PAGE or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry and Mascot software.

Results and major conclusion

Data showed that safranal physically binds to beta actin, cytochrome b-c1 complex sub-unit 1, trifunctional enzyme sub-unit beta and ATP synthase sub-unit alpha and beta. These interactions may explain part of safranal’s pharmacological effects. However, phenotypic and/or biological relevance of these interactions remains to be elucidated by future pharmacological studies.
Effect of IMOD™ on the inflammatory process after acute ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Farhoudi Mehdi , Najafi-Nesheli Mahdi , Hashemilar Mazyar , Mahmoodpoor Ata , Sharifipour Ehsan , Baradaran Behzad , Taheraghdam Aliakbar , Savadi-Oskouei Daryoush , Sadeghi-Bazargani Homayoun , Sadeghi-hokmabadi Elyar , Akbari Hosein , Rikhtegar Reza
Published: March 2013

Background and purpose of the study

Considering the role of inflammation in acute cerebrovascular accidents, anti-inflammatory treatment has been considered as an option in cerebrovascular diseases. Regarding the properties of Setarud (IMOD™) in immune regulation, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of this medication in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods

In this randomized clinical trial, 99 patients with their first ever acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups of IMOD™ (n = 49) and control (n = 50). The control group underwent routine treatment and the intervention group underwent routine treatment plus daily intermittent infusion of IMOD™ (250mg on the first day and then 375mg into DW5% serum during a 30-minute period for 7 days). The serum levels of inflammatory markers were evaluated on the first day (baseline) and on 4th and 7th days. Data were analyzed and the results were compared.

Results and major conclusion

58 males (58.6%) and 41 females (41.4%) with a mean age of 67.00 ± 8.82 years, who had their first ever stroke attack, were enrolled in this trial. Treatment with IMOD™ showed a decreasing trend in IL-6 levels compared to the control group (p = 0.04). In addition, the treatment resulted in the control of increasing serum levels of hsCRP after 7 days compared to the control group (p = 0.02). There was an insignificant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1 levels in the IMOD™ group. Considering the prominent role of inflammation after an ischemic cerebral damage, it appears that treatment with IMOD™ improves the inflammatory profile. Therefore, IMOD™ (Setarud) might be considered as a therapeutic option in the acute ischemic stroke. However, future studies are necessary on its long-term results and clinical efficacy.
What to do with chronically sick animals? Pastoralists’ management strategies in the far north region of Cameroon
Authors: Healy Profitós Jessica M , Moritz Mark , Garabed Rebecca B
Published: March 2013

While the goal of African pastoralists is health and longevity of herd and household, some of their management strategies appear to counter this long-term goal. Pastoralists in the far north region of Cameroon, for example, do not always remove chronically sick animals from their herds, even though chronic diseases, such as brucellosis, are contagious and have the potential to cause fertility problems in the herd. We used ethnographic and epidemiologic methods to understand why pastoralists do not remove chronically sick animals and whether their management strategies have an impact on herd fertility. We used semi-structured interviews to collect data on pastoralists' understandings of disease and its impacts on fertility as well as data on herd management. We compared these data with disease prevalence and herd fertility data to measure the effect of management strategies on herd fertility. We found that the percentage of chronically sick animals in a herd negatively correlated with herd fertility, but this was not true for the prevalence of brucellosis. Thus, preliminary examination of disease costs and benefits suggests that herders' decisions to keep sick animals in their herds may lower herd fertility, but this is not due to brucellosis alone. The results of this study underline the complexity of infectious disease ecology in pastoral systems and the need for holistic and comprehensive studies of the ecology of infectious diseases in pastoral systems.
A case of bilateral pleural effusion as the first sign of multiple myeloma
Authors: Xu Xuan-li , Shen Yi-hong , Shen Qian , Zhou Jian-ying
Published: March 2013

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of hematological malignancy that can affect all types of tissues in human. However, it is extremely rare that pleural effusion presents as the first sign in MM patients. A 54-year-old male patient attended our department of respiratory medicine complaining of shortness of breath for the past 3 months. A chest computer tomography (CT) radiograph revealed a bilateral pleural effusion, which was further assessed as exudative type. Sinus spiral CT scan demonstrated diffuse bone destruction of craniofacial bone. A broad reduction of the lumbar bone signal was confirmed by MRI. Furthermore, pleural biopsy showed abnormal proliferation of plasmocytes whereas bone marrow biopsy showed active hyperplasia of plasmacytoid cells. Interestingly, Bence-Jones protein in urine and serum protein electrophoresis was negative. The patient was diagnosed as non-secretory MM. He then underwent chemotherapy with vincristine, adriamycin and dexamethasone. Partial regression of the pleural effusion was achieved after two rounds of chemotherapy, and the patient has been followed for more than one year.