bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect of Icariin on the Development of Preimplantation Mouse Embryos against Hydrogen Peroxide‐Induced Oxidative Injury
Authors: Ye Rong , Xu Songhua , Liu Yue , Pang Lili , Lian Xiuli , Zhong Yuhuan , Su Yang , Wang Shie
Published: June 2017

During in vitro cultivation of preimplantation embryos, the balance between ROS production and clearance is disturbed and may lead to incompetent embryos, which might be a main reason of IVF‐ET failure. Icariin (ICA) is reported to be active in clearing ROS. The present study aimed to investigate whether ICA could reverse H2O2 pretreatment‐induced mouse preimplantation embryo development arrest and, furthermore, to study the underlying mechanisms by detecting ROS levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and zygotic gene expression. The results showed that, after pretreating mouse 1‐cell embryos with 40 μM or 60 μM H2O2 for 30 min, the developmental rate of each stage embryos decreased obviously. And by adding 40 μM ICA, the developmental arrest of 60 μM H2O2 pretreated preimplantation embryos was significantly reversed. Immunostaining results showed that, comparing with the control group, ROS levels of H2O2 pretreated 1‐cell embryos were elevated and ΔΨm levels decreased. By adding ICA, the ROS levels of H2O2 pretreated 1‐cell embryos were decreased and ΔΨm levels were elevated. Furthermore, RT‐qPCR results showed that the addition of ICA reversed the H2O2‐induced downregulation of eIF‐1A mRNA expression levels. These results indicate that ICA, when used in appropriate concentration, could decrease ROS levels, increase ΔΨm levels, and modulate the expression of zygotic gene activation (ZGA) marker gene eIF‐1A, and thus promote the development of H2O2‐pretreated mouse preimplantation embryos.
miR‐382 Contributes to Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis by Downregulating HSPD1
Authors: Fang Yi , Xie Ting , Xue Ning , Kuang Qing , Wei Zheng , Liang Mingyu , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: June 2017

Redox imbalance plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CKD progression. Previously, we demonstrated that microRNA‐382 (miR‐382) contributed to TGF‐β1‐induced loss of epithelial polarity in human kidney epithelial cells, but its role in the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis remains unknown. In this study, we found that with 7 days of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in mice, the abundance of miR‐382 in the obstructed kidney was significantly increased. Meanwhile, the protein expression of heat shock protein 60 (HSPD1), a predicted target of miR‐382, was reduced after 7 days of UUO. Expression of 3‐nitrotyrosine (3‐NT) was upregulated, but expression of thioredoxin (Trx) was downregulated. Anti‐miR‐382 treatment suppressed the upregulation of miR‐382, attenuated renal interstitial fibrosis in the obstructed kidney, and reversed the downregulation of HSPD1/Trx and upregulation of 3‐NT after UUO. Furthermore, in vitro study revealed that overexpression of HSPD1 significantly restored Trx expression and reversed TGF‐β1‐induced loss of E‐cadherin, while in vivo study found that direct siRNA‐mediated suppression of HSPD1 in the UUO kidney promoted oxidative stress despite miR‐382 blockade. Our clinical data showed that upregulation of miR‐382/3‐NT and downregulation of HSPD1/Trx were also observed in IgA nephropathy patients with renal interstitial fibrosis. These data supported a novel mechanism in which miR‐382 targets HSPD1 and contributes to the redox imbalance in the development of renal fibrosis.
Mitochondrial Uncoupler Prodrug of 2,4‐Dinitrophenol, MP201, Prevents Neuronal Damage and Preserves Vision in Experimental Optic Neuritis
Authors: Khan Reas S. , Dine Kimberly , Geisler John G. , Shindler Kenneth S.
Published: June 2017

The ability of novel mitochondrial uncoupler prodrug of 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP), MP201, to prevent neuronal damage and preserve visual function in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of optic neuritis was evaluated. Optic nerve inflammation, demyelination, and axonal loss are prominent features of optic neuritis, an inflammatory optic neuropathy often associated with the central nervous system demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. Currently, optic neuritis is frequently treated with high‐dose corticosteroids, but treatment fails to prevent permanent neuronal damage and associated vision changes that occur as optic neuritis resolves, thus suggesting that additional therapies are required. MP201 administered orally, once per day, attenuated visual dysfunction, preserved retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and reduced RGC axonal loss and demyelination in the optic nerves of EAE mice, with limited effects on inflammation. The prominent mild mitochondrial uncoupling properties of MP201, with slow elimination of DNP, may contribute to the neuroprotective effect by modulating the entire mitochondria’s physiology directly. Results suggest that MP201 is a potential novel treatment for optic neuritis.
Micronuclei Frequency in Tumors Is a Predictive Biomarker for Genetic Instability and Sensitivity to the DNA Repair Inhibitor AsiDNA
Authors: Jdey Wael , Thierry Sylvain , Popova Tatiana , Stern Marc-Henri , Dutreix Marie
Published: June 2017

Therapeutic strategies targeting DNA repair pathway defects have been widely explored, but often only benefit small numbers of patients. Here we characterized potential predictive biomarkers for treatment with AsiDNA, a novel first-in-class DNA repair inhibitor. We evaluated genetic instability and DNA repair defects by direct and indirect assays in 12 breast cancer cell lines to estimate the spontaneous occurrence of single-strand and double-strand breaks (DSB). For each cell line, we monitored constitutive PARP activation, spontaneous DNA damage by alkaline comet assay, basal micronuclei levels, the number of large-scale chromosomal rearrangements (LST), and the status of several DNA repair pathways by transcriptome and genome analysis. Sensitivity to AsiDNA was associated with a high spontaneous frequency of cells with micronuclei and LST and specific alterations in DNA repair pathways that essentially monitor DSB repair defects. A high basal level of micronuclei as a predictive biomarker for AsiDNA treatment was validated in 43 tumor cell lines from various tissues and 15 models of cell- and patient-derived xenografts. Micronuclei quantification was also possible in patient biopsies. Overall, this study identified genetic instability as a predictive biomarker for sensitivity to AsiDNA treatment. That micronuclei frequency can be measured in biopsies and does not reveal the same genetic instability as conventional genome assays opens new perspectives for refining the classification of tumors with genetic instability. Cancer Res; 77(16); 4207–16. ©2017 AACR.
Changes in Sleep Architecture under Sustained Pain in Adult Male Rats Subjected to Neonatal Short-Lasting Local Inflammatory Insult
Authors: Yang Cheryl C.H. , Huang Shiang-Suo , Lai Chun-Ting , Kuo Terry B.J. , Chu Ya-Chun
Published: June 2017

Neonatal, short-lasting, local, nociceptive insult by carrageenan can cause long-term alterations in somatosensory and neurohumoral systems. We previously revealed hyporesponsiveness of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) after painful stimulation of adult rats in a neonatal carrageenan-induced pain model. Sleep disturbance has been highly correlated with pain and ANS activity. In the present study, adult rats that had received an intraplantar injection of carrageenan on postnatal day 1 were investigated to determine if there were alterations in their sleep architecture upon the stimulation of pain. Polysomnographic and heart rate variability recordings were carried out, with a wireless transmission of data, for 24 h under baseline conditions and after an intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant to induce sustained nociception. Increased active awake (AW) and decreased quiet sleep (QS) and paradoxical sleep (PS) times were noted in the control animals. In the carrageenan-treated rats, the AW time increased but with decreased alertness, as revealed by decreases in beta and increases in theta power. The QS time did not decrease. The PS time decreased during the first 12 h, then increased during the following 12 h, suggesting an early rebound of formerly deprived PS time. Sympathetic activation under sustained pain was not apparent in any stage of sleep in carrageenan-treated rats and was even suppressed in AW time. An impaired sympathetic reaction to pain may have contributed to the atypical changes in sleep architecture in these rats. In conclusion, pain in early life has a long-term effect on the cardiovascular-autonomic-electroencephalographic responses to pain later in life. The physiological relevance of these results remains undetermined.
Cerebral Perfusion and the Risk of Dementia
Authors: Wolters Frank J. , Zonneveld Hazel I. , Hofman Albert , van der Lugt Aad , Koudstaal Peter J. , Vernooij Meike W. , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: June 2017

Background:

Cerebral hypoperfusion has previously been associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia in various cross-sectional studies, but whether hypoperfusion precedes neurodegeneration is unknown. We prospectively determined the association of cerebral perfusion with subsequent cognitive decline and development of dementia.

Methods:

Between 2005 and 2012, we measured cerebral blood flow by 2-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging in participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study without dementia. We determined the association of cerebral perfusion (mL/100mL/min) with risk of dementia (until 2015) using a Cox model, adjusting for age, sex, demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, and apolipoprotein E genotype. We repeated analyses for Alzheimer disease and accounting for stroke. We used linear regression to determine change in cognitive performance during 2 consecutive examination rounds in relation to perfusion. Finally, we investigated whether associations were modified by baseline severity of white matter hyperintensities.

Results:

Of 4759 participants (median age 61.3 years, 55.2% women) with a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 123 participants developed dementia (97 Alzheimer disease). Lower cerebral perfusion was associated with higher risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval per standard deviation decrease, 1.07–1.61), similar for Alzheimer disease only, and unaltered by accounting for stroke. Risk of dementia with hypoperfusion was higher with increasing severity of white matter hyperintensities (with severe white matter hyperintensities; hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–2.14). At cognitive reexamination after on average 5.7 years, lower baseline perfusion was associated with accelerated decline in cognition (global cognition: β=−0.029,
P
=0.003), which was similar after excluding those with incident dementia, and again most profound in individuals with higher volume of white matter hyperintensities (
P
value for interaction=0.019).

Conclusions:

Cerebral hypoperfusion is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia in the general population.
Dog Training Programs in Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections
Authors: Antonio Michael E. , Davis Rosalyn G. , Shutt Susan R.
Published: June 2017

Regardless of the effectiveness of nonhuman animal programs to reduce recidivism among offenders, such programs are popular and used widely in the United States correctional system. Proponents cite measured improvements in attitudes and behaviors among prisoners, and report benefits from building trust with local and national organizations. The present study compared responses from inmates and staff associated with dog training programs in Pennsylvania’s Department of Corrections. Generally, all participants viewed the dog training program positively, agreeing that it reduced recidivism and inmate misconduct, and increased morale and positive social interactions. Inmates perceived the programs to be more effective than staff for reducing recidivism and for improving marketable skills. Female participants and participants from female institutions agreed more that the programs decreased recidivism and non-violent incidents in prison, and brought all inmates together as a community, compared to male participants and those from male institutions, respectively. Policy implications are also discussed.
What Controls and What is Controlled?
Authors: Chudoba Ewa
Published: June 2017

Shusterman cites Dewey as a preeminent influence, but also endeavors to differentiate himself from his philosophical predecessor. Thus while both emphasize embodiment, Dewey stresses that the body is coupled to the world, and Shusterman sees it as more internally complete, almost setting this up as an ideal to be pursued. Consequently Dewey regards bodily action and resultant experience as co-determined by the world, whereas Shusterman believes the body and experience is more under the control of the individual. This article contrasts Dewey and Shusterman’s approaches. It specifically ponders the Deweyan concepts of pervasive and unifying quality, and concludes that these ideas cast doubt on some of Shusterman’s views, specifically his emphasis on internal control.
Nuttall’s species of Sphaeromeria transferred to Artemisia (Asteraceae): a new combination and comments on typifications
Authors: MOSYAKIN SERGEI L. , SHULTZ LEILA M. , BOIKO GANNA V.
Published: June 2017

Following recent molecular phylogenetic studies, the genus Sphaeromeria has been synonymized with Artemisia and its taxa are included in Artemisia subg. Tridentatae. The new combination is proposed, Artemisia nuttallii (Torr. & A. Gray) Mosyakin, L.M. Shultz & G.V. Boiko, comb. nov. (= Sphaeromeria argentea Nutt., non A. argentea L’Her.; Tanacetum nuttallii Torr. & A. Gray; Artemisia macarthuri Sòn. Garcia et al., nom. illeg.). Notes on typifications of the names Sphaeromeria argentea and S. capitata Nutt. (now Artemisia capitata (Nutt.) Sòn. Garcia et al.) are provided; both are typified by Nuttall’s specimens from BM. Additional original specimens of these two species recently found in the Turczaninow memorial collection at the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW) are discussed.
Stylotrichium hortensiae (Asteraceae—Eupatorieae): A new species from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: AMORIM VIVIAN OLIVEIRA , ROQUE NÁDIA
Published: June 2017

Stylotrichium is a small genus in which all the five species are restricted to the rocky field vegetation (campo rupestre) in Chapada Diamantina, Bahia state, Brazil. From recent field collections in the area we have recognized a new species based on morphology. Stylotrichium hortensiae is distinguished by laminae oblanceolate to oblong (3.5–8 × 1–3 cm), greater number of flowers (35–45), anther connective appendage as long as wide, style 6.5 mm long, and pappus 1–1.5 mm long. A species description, illustrations, a key to the species, comments, and a distribution map are provided.
Validation of the name Quercus protoroburoides (Fagaceae)
Authors: TASHEV ALEXANDER , TSAVKOV EVGENI
Published: June 2017

The name Quercus protoroburoides is validated. It was assigned to a new science representative of the genus Quercus discovered in 1968 by Dipl. Eng. B. Buzov in the valley of river Rilska on the territory of the Rila Mountains, Bulgaria. the taxon was originally named Quercus macranthera subsp. balcanica and subsequently renamed to Quercus protoroburoides. However, it has never been described according to the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants and, owing to this, the name is invalid and has never been included in any Flora or Key. It differs significantly from the already known members of this genus in Bulgaria and Europe. Information on this taxon will fill a gap in the knowledge of the taxonomic diversity in Quercus.
Discovery of the subfamily Rhopalomutillinae (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae) in China and description of Pherotilla brothersi sp. nov.
Authors: ZHOU HU-TING , LELEJ ARKADY S. , XU ZAI-FU
Published: June 2017

The subfamily Rhopalomutillinae of the family Mutillidae, represented by the genus Pherotilla Brothers, 2015, is newly recorded from China. Pherotilla brothersi Zhou, Lelej & Xu, sp. nov. (China: Yunnan) is described and illustrated. A key to the Oriental species of Pherotilla is given.
College and Career Readiness and the Every Student Succeeds Act
Authors: Malin Joel R. , Bragg Debra D. , Hackmann Donald G.
Published: June 2017

Purpose: This study addressed the current policy push to improve students’ college and career readiness (CCR) as manifested within the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and examined CCR policy in the state of Illinois as a case study, noting ways in which provisions for CCR programs prepare all students, including those historically underserved by higher education, to be prepared for education and employment post–high school. Research Methods: A critical analytic approach was undertaken, foregrounding equity. We conducted thematic content analysis of ESSA and Illinois policy, employing a CCR accountability paradigm. Findings: CCR-related content was contained throughout ESSA. Although content varied, themes were identified. Dual enrollment provisions were prominent in ESSA but not the Illinois’ CCR laws; however, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics was emphasized in both. ESSA introduced but did not fully clarify what constitutes a well-rounded education and did not identify particular reporting and accountability provisions, whereas two Illinois’ CCR bills focused on remedial education and the third evidenced a more comprehensive and integrated CCR approach. These findings suggest distinct federal and Illinois’ CCR visions. A more systematic equity focus was evident within ESSA. Implications for Research, Policy, and Practice: ESSA provisions providing new flexibilities to states portend wide variation in emphasis toward, and accountability for, long-standing equity issues. District officials will also likely have substantial flexibility in their administration, design, and implementation of ESSA-funded CCR programming, which may affect educational equity in ways that advantage and disadvantage. We thus provide several cautions and recommendations.
Three broad parental feeding styles and young children’s snack intake
Authors: Boots Samantha B , Tiggemann Marika , Corsini Nadia
Published: June 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify broad overarching feeding styles that parents may use and their effects on pre-school-aged children’s healthy and unhealthy snack intake.

Design:

Cross sectional study

Methods:

Mothers ( n = 611) of children aged 2–7 years (mean age 3.9 years) completed an online survey assessing parent-feeding strategies and parent-reported child snack intake. Data were analysed in two phases. First, principal components analysis identified three major feeding styles that were labelled overt control, covert control and parent modelling. Then, structural equation modelling was used to see whether these factors were related differentially to reported child snack intake.

Results:

The intake of healthy snack food was associated with higher covert control and parent modelling and lower overt control. The reverse was true for unhealthy snack intake, with the intake of these foods associated with lower covert control and parental modelling, and higher overt control.

Conclusion:

Our findings show that parent-feeding styles that attempt to control the child’s environment seem to have a positive impact on snack intake, while styles aimed at controlling the child (overt control) seem to have a detrimental impact.
Governing Sex Work Through Crime
Authors: Graham Laura
Published: June 2017

This article uses Jonathan Simon’s concept of ‘governing through crime’ as a framework to argue that the state has framed sex work, and its surrounding problems, as issues of crime. There has been a privileging and proliferation of criminal justice responses to sex work in England and Wales, at the expense of more social or welfare-based responses and at the expense of creating safer environments for sex workers to work. Criminal law is used to manage and control sex work, to reinforce other policies, such as immigration and border control, and to appear to be doing something about the ‘problem’ of sex work without providing rights to sex workers. By framing sex work as an issue of crime, with sex workers being both the perpetrators of crime and the potential victims of exploitative crime, the state is able to legitimise its actions against sex workers, while ignoring the harm done to sex workers by the state.
The Electronic Spanish Prisoner
Authors: Gillespie Alisdair A
Published: June 2017

This article considers the issue of romance frauds, a form of behaviour that has recently gathered significant public attention. A romance fraud operates by persuading a person to believe they are in a legitimate romance and then using that romance to extract money, gifts or other financial rewards from them. The emotional consequences of romance fraud can be significant, with victims often experiencing feelings akin to grief. This paper considers whether such behaviour should be considered a financial crime or whether the behaviour inherent within it means that it should be considered an offence against the person.
The Effect of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Peer-Assisted Learning Structures on Music Achievement and Learner Engagement in Seventh-Grade Band
Authors: Johnson Erik
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of two different reciprocal peer-assisted learning (PAL) arrangements on music achievement and learner engagement in the secondary instrumental music classroom. Using a quasi-experimental design, students from six separate seventh-grade bands from one large urban/suburban school district ( N = 261) were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions: symmetrical PAL, where students of like ability were paired together, and asymmetrical PAL, where students of divergent ability were paired together. Students worked in pairs over the course of four weeks and took turns being the “learner” and the “teacher” to improve sight-reading ability and music theory knowledge. Student pairs were allowed to determine their own rules for interaction, turn taking, and the amount of material to be covered in each session. Three pre-/posttest outcome variables were assessed: sight-reading performance, music theory knowledge, and learner engagement. Additionally, individual socioeconomic status (SES) and motivation orientation were compared as potential moderating variables. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that regardless of PAL pairings, there were significant gains for each of the outcome variables. Moreover, interaction effects were found between learner engagement, method of instruction, and SES.
An investigation into UK medical students’ knowledge of lifestyle factors on cancer
Authors: Luckman S , Xiao C , McLennan E , Anderson AS , Mutrie N , Moug SJ
Published: June 2017

Background and aim

Lifestyle factor modification (alcohol, smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity) has the potential to reduce cancer incidence and cancer survival. This study assessed the knowledge of lifestyle factors and cancer in undergraduate medical students.

Methods and results

A total of 218 students (7 UK universities) completed an online survey of nine questions in three areas: knowledge (lifestyle factors and cancer); information sources; clinical practice (witnessed clinical counselling). Diet, alcohol, smoking and physical activity were recognised as lifestyle factors by 98% of responders, while only 69% reported weight. The links of lung cancer/smoking and alcohol/liver cancer were recognised by >90%, while only 10% reported weight or physical activity being linked to any cancer. University teaching on lifestyle factors and cancer was reported by 78%: 34% rating it good/very good. GPs were witnessed giving lifestyle advice by 85% of responders.

Conclusions

Most respondents were aware of a relationship between lifestyle factors and cancer, mainly as a result of undergraduate teaching. Further work may widen the breadth of knowledge, and potentially improve primary and secondary cancer prevention.
Predicting mobile apps spread: An epidemiological random network modeling approach
Authors: Alegre-Sanahuja Juan , Cortés Juan-Carlos , Villanueva Rafael-Jacinto , Santonja Francisco-José
Published: June 2017

The mobile applications business is a really big market, growing constantly. In app marketing, a key issue is to predict future app installations. The influence of the peers seems to be very relevant when downloading apps. Therefore, the study of the evolution of mobile apps spread may be approached using a proper network model that considers the influence of peers. Influence of peers and other social contagions have been successfully described using models of epidemiological type. Hence, in this paper we propose an epidemiological random network model with realistic parameters to predict the evolution of downloads of apps. With this model, we are able to predict the behavior of an app in the market in the short term looking at its evolution in the early days of its launch. The numerical results provided by the proposed network are compared with data from real apps. This comparison shows that predictions improve as the model is fed back. Marketing researchers and strategy business managers can benefit from the proposed model since it can be helpful to predict app behavior over the time anticipating the spread of an app.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation of blood flow profile and shear stresses in bileaflet mechanical heart valve by using monolithic approach
Authors: Kadhim Saleem Khalefa , Nasif Mohammad Shakir , Al-Kayiem Hussain H , Al-Waked Rafat
Published: June 2017

Bileaflet mechanical heart valves (BMHVs) are widely used to replace diseased heart valves. However, patients may suffer from implant complications, such as platelet aggregation and damage to blood cells, which could lead to BMHV failure. These complications are related to the blood flow patterns in the BMHV. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model was developed to investigate blood hydrodynamics and shear stresses at different cardiac cycles. A user-defined function (UDF) code was developed to model the valve leaflet motion. This UDF updates the tetrahedral mesh according to the location of the valve leaflet, which enables modeling of complicated moving geometries and achieves solution convergence with ease without the need to adjust the relaxation factor values. The agreement between the experimental and numerical results indicates that the developed model could be used with confidence to simulate BMHV motion and blood flow. Furthermore, valve leaflet and valve pivot were found to be continuously exposed to shear stresses higher than 52.3 Pa which according to previous research findings may cause damage to blood platelets.
Contesting access to power in urban Pakistan
Authors: Naqvi Ijlal
Published: June 2017

Studies of informal housing and urban citizenship in South Asia frequently link the precariousness of squatter life with the struggle to formalise engagement with the state. However, this article argues that the transition to a more formal mode of making claims on the state is a shift in terrain that is no less negotiated and contested. Through an ethnography of access to electrical power in Islamabad, Pakistan, this article explores the pervasiveness of informality in access to service delivery for a squatter settlement and its bourgeois neighbours. The politics of access to urban infrastructure reveal a state of pervasive predation and a collective imaginary which puts little credence in formality.
Introductory Psychology
Authors: Toomey Thomas , Richardson Deborah , Hammock Georgina
Published: June 2017

Many students who declare a psychology major are unaware that they are studying a scientific discipline, precipitating a need for exercises and experiences that help students understand the scientific nature of the discipline. The present study explores aspects of an introductory psychology class that may contribute to students’ understanding of psychological science. Surveys were distributed to 168 students, asking how each of several in-class (e.g., attending lecture) and out-of-class (e.g., participating in research studies) research experiences contributed to their knowledge of psychology as a science and understanding of psychological research. Students reported that in-class experiences contributed more to their understanding of psychological research than out-of-class experiences.
Migrant workers and fissured workforces: CS Wind and the dilemmas of organizing intra-company transfers in Canada
Authors: Tucker Eric
Published: June 2017

Canadian temporary foreign worker programs have been proliferating in recent years. While much attention has deservedly focused on programs that target so-called low-skilled workers, such as seasonal agricultural workers and live-in caregivers, other programs have been expanding, and have recently been reorganized into the International Mobility Program (IMP). Streams within the IMP are quite diverse and there are few legal limits on their growth. One of these, intra-company transfers (ICTs), is not new, but it now extends beyond professional and managerial workers to more permeable and expansive categories. As a result, unions increasingly face the prospect of organizing workplaces where ICTs and other migrant workers are employed alongside permanent employees, raising difficult legal issues and strategic dilemmas. This article presents a detailed case study of one union’s response to this situation.
Impact of home-based, patient-centered support for people with advanced illness in an open health system: A retrospective claims analysis of health expenditures, utilization, and quality of care at end of life
Authors: Sudat Sylvia EK , Franco Anjali , Pressman Alice R , Rosenfeld Kenneth , Gornet Elizabeth , Stewart Walter
Published: June 2017

Background:

Home-based care coordination and support programs for people with advanced illness work alongside usual care to promote personal care goals, which usually include a preference for home-based end-of-life care. More research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these programs, especially when disseminated on a large scale. Advanced Illness Management is one such program, implemented within a large open health system in northern California, USA.

Aim:

To evaluate the impact of Advanced Illness Management on end-of-life resource utilization, cost of care, and care quality, as indicators of program success in supporting patient care goals.

Design:

A retrospective-matched observational study analyzing medical claims in the final 3 months of life.

Setting/participants:

Medicare fee-for-service 2010–2014 decedents in northern California, USA.

Results:

Final month total expenditures for Advanced Illness Management enrollees ( N = 1352) were reduced by US$4824 (US$3379, US$6268) and inpatient payments by US$6127 (US$4874, US$7682). Enrollees also experienced 150 fewer hospitalizations/1000 (101, 198) and 1361 fewer hospital days/1000 (998, 1725). The percentage of hospice enrollees increased by 17.9 percentage points (14.7, 21.0), hospital deaths decreased by 8.2 percentage points (5.5, 10.8), and intensive care unit deaths decreased by 7.1 percentage points (5.2, 8.9). End-of-life chemotherapy use and non-inpatient expenditures in months 2 and 3 prior to death did not differ significantly from the control group.

Conclusion:

Advanced Illness Management has a positive impact on inpatient utilization, cost of care, hospice enrollment, and site of death. This suggests that home-based support programs for people with advanced illness can be successful on a large scale in supporting personal end-of-life care choices.
The complex relationship between household income of family caregivers, access to palliative care services and place of death: A national household population survey
Authors: Johnson Miriam J , Allgar Victoria , Chen Hong , Dunn Laurie , Macleod Una , Currow David C
Published: June 2017

Background:

Previous work shows that more affluent patients with cancer are more likely to die at home, whereas those dying from non-cancer conditions are more likely to die in hospital. Family caregivers are an important factor in determining place of death.

Aim:

To investigate associations between family caregivers’ household income, patients’ access to specialist palliative care and place of patients’ death, by level of personal end-of-life care.

Design:

A cross-sectional community household population survey.

Setting and participants:

Respondents to the Household Survey for England.

Results:

One-third of 1265 bereaved respondents had provided personal end-of-life care (caregivers) (30%). Just over half (55%) of decedents accessed palliative care services and 15% died in a hospice. Place of death and access to palliative care were strongly related ( p < 0.001). Palliative care services reduced the proportion of deaths in hospital ( p < 0.001), and decedents accessing palliative care were more likely to die at home than those who did not ( p < 0.001). Respondents’ income was not associated with palliative care access ( p = 0.233). Overall, respondents’ income and home death were not related ( p = 0.106), but decedents with caregivers in the highest income group were least likely to die at home ( p = 0.069).

Conclusion:

For people who had someone close to them die, decedents’ access to palliative care services was associated with fewer deaths in hospital and more home deaths. Respondents’ income was unrelated to care recipients’ place of death when adjusted for palliative care access. When only caregivers were considered, decedents with caregivers from higher income quartiles were the least likely to die at home. Family caregivers from higher income brackets are likely to be powerful patient advocates. Caregiver information needs must be addressed especially with regard to stage of disease, aim of care and appropriate interventions at the end of life.
Attribution of blame to rape victims and offenders, and attribution of severity in rape cases
Authors: Idisis Yael , Edoute Alice
Published: June 2017

This article examines Wolf’s hypothesis of modular judgment in the context of rape myths and attribution of blame to rape victims. Modular judgment was operationalized using blame schemata suited to judgment of everyday aggression. Each of 88 female participants, of whom 29 were sexual trauma survivor therapists, 29 were sex offender therapists and 30 were non-therapists, was presented with written descriptions of 16 rapes, which included information regarding the victim’s behaviors before (her prior sexual experience), during (the kind and the degree of the resistance she exhibited) and after the rape (meeting or not meeting with the attacker). Dependent variables were attribution of blame to the survivor, attribution of blame to the attacker and judgments regarding severity of the rape. As expected, the therapists attributed less blame to the survivors and more blame to the attacker, and judged the rapes as slightly more severe than did non-therapist participants. For all participants in this study, the survivor’s behavior after the rape carried the greatest weight regarding attribution of responsibility to her. These results are discussed in terms of the theories of modular judgment and defensive attribution, and the just world theory. We recommend further investigations with regard to the perceived connection between survivors’ behaviors after a rape and blame attribution.
The Long Macro View
Authors: Lusch Robert F.
Published: June 2017

This invited commentary is an edited transcript of remarks made at the opening session of the 40th Annual Macromarketing Conference at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago (June 25-28, 2015). The minor changes that have been added to the verbal remarks below (e.g., section titles, insertions of a few implied words) have been made for clarification purposes only. The theme of that conference was Social Justice Marketing as Provisioning Technology. The focus takes a very long macro view (40,000 years of homo sapiens as a species!). This telescoping lens enables us to view Homo sapiens aggregately, as a macro systemic sociohistoric structure, with an unknown but arguably alterable future. Hence the essay title, “The Long Macro View”.
Do People Have a Thing for Bling? Examining Aesthetic Preferences for Shiny Objects
Authors: Silvia Paul J. , Christensen Alexander P. , Cotter Katherine N. , Jackson Tatyana A. , Galyean Corey B. , McCroskey Tanner J. , Rasheed Aaliyah Zeenat
Published: June 2017

Researchers in the evolutionary aesthetics tradition have suggested that people prefer shiny objects because glossiness connotes water. We consider some methodological issues in past research and present an experiment that manipulated the glossiness of metal objects. Young adults ( n = 134) viewed silver coins that were either dull or in “brilliant uncirculated” condition as well as copper cylinders that were either rough and tarnished, polished with a brushed surface, or polished with a mirror finish. Ratings of attractiveness showed that people preferred the shiny over the tarnished coin and the glossy copper bar over the tarnished and brushed ones. These effects were not simply due to perceived quality or implied effort. The findings demonstrate that, after many potential confounds have been avoided or controlled for, people do seem to have a thing for bling.
Treatment of patients with aortic disease during pregnancy and after delivery
Authors: Liu Yu-Yong , Li Hai-Yang , Jiang Wen-Jian , Guan Xin-Liang , Wang Xiao-Long , Liu Ou , Zhu Jun-Ming , Sun Li-Zhong , Zhang Hong-Jia
Published: June 2017

Objective

This study aimed to review treatment of patients with aortic disease during pregnancy and after delivery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using data from 12 patients with aortic disease during pregnancy and after delivery in our institution from May 2005 to December 2014. Patients were provided different treatments based on the type of aortic disease and clinical characteristics.

Results

The mean age was 29.83 ± 4.17 years, mean height was 171.7 ± 8.22 cm, mean weight was 68.55 ± 10.62 kg, and mean body mass index was 23.18 ± 2.93 kg/m2. Two patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection died of renal failure after surgery. All of the other patients were discharged. Six foetuses survived. One patient continued her pregnancy after an aortic operation. The gestational age of the remaining five patients was less than 28 weeks at the time of the operation and all foetuses of these five patients died.

Conclusions

A suitable treatment strategy for aortic disease during pregnancy and after delivery should be chosen based on an individual’s comprehensive clinical condition. Foetal management should be chosen based on gestational age and severity of aortic disease.
Evaluation of cerebral glioma using 3T diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging and the relationship between diffusion kurtosis metrics and tumor cellularity
Authors: Qi Chong , Yang Song , Meng Lanxi , Chen Huiyuan , Li Zhenlan , Wang Sijia , Jiang Tao , Li Shaowu
Published: June 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical utility of diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging in the characterization of cerebral glioma and investigate correlations between diffusion and kurtosis metrics with tumor cellularity.

Materials and Methods

A group of 163 patients (age: 40.5 ± 11.5 years) diagnosed with cerebral glioma underwent diffusion kurtosis tensor imaging with a 3 T scanner. Diffusion and kurtosis metrics were measured in the solid part of tumors, and their abilities to distinguish between tumor grades was evaluated. In addition, we analyzed correlations between the metrics and tumor cellularity.

Results

Mean kurtosis (MK) revealed a significant difference between each pair of tumor grades ( P < 0.05) and produced the best performance in a receiver operating characteristics analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.89, sensitivity/specificity = 83.3/90). In contrast, mean diffusivity (MD) revealed a significant difference only for tumor grade II versus IV ( P < 0.05). No significant differences between grades were detected with fractional anisotropy (FA; P > 0.05). Thus, kurtosis metrics exhibited a positive and strong correlation with tumor cellularity, while MD exhibited a negative or weak correlation with tumor cellularity.

Conclusion

Diffusion kurtosis metrics, particularly MK, demonstrated superior performance in distinguishing cerebral glioma of different grades compared with conventional diffusion metrics, and were closely associated with tumor cellularity.
Specific targeting of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressing breast cancer cells by polyethylene glycol-grafted polyethyleneimine modified with anti-HER2 single-domain antibody
Authors: Saqafi Batoul , Rahbarizadeh Fatemeh
Published: June 2017

Polyethyleneimine is one of the most efficient non-viral gene delivery agents. However, some limitations such as non-specific cell binding, interactions with blood components, and relatively high cytotoxicity restrict its in vivo applications. In order to improve the properties of this molecule as a gene transfection vector, in this study, we developed a nano-carrier system based on polyethyleneimine derivatives synthesized by grafting bi-functional polyethylene glycol molecules (MAL-PEG3500-NHS) to 25 kDa branched polyethyleneimine polymer at three different molar ratios of 10, 20, and 30 (polyethylene glycol:polyethyleneimine). Variable domain of heavy-chain antibody against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 as targeting agent was conjugated to polyethylene glycol–polyethyleneimine copolymer. In order to find the most effective resultant conjugate, the effect of these modifications on physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and gene transfection efficiency of polyethyleneimine polymer was evaluated. According to the findings of this study and compared to unconjugated polyethyleneimine, PEGylated polyethyleneimine copolymers exhibit lower in vitro cytotoxicity. Polyethylene glycol–polyethyleneimine copolymer conjugated at a molar ratio of 10:1 (polyethylene glycol:polyethyleneimine) demonstrated a low cytotoxicity effect and desirable physicochemical properties. Anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 variable domain of heavy-chain antibody conjugation further reduced the cytotoxicity of unmodified polyethyleneimine in all cell lines studied by 1.5- to 2-folds and also resulted in higher cellular uptake and transfection ability of this copolymer in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpressing breast cancer cell lines versus normal breast cells or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative cell lines. Altogether, our data suggested that variable domain of heavy-chain antibody–polyethylene glycol–polyethyleneimine copolymers might be an efficient nano-carrier system for specific targeting of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expressing tumors.
Factors That Impact the Success of Interorganizational Health Promotion Collaborations: A Scoping Review
Authors: Seaton Cherisse L. , Holm Nikolai , Bottorff Joan L. , Jones-Bricker Margaret , Errey Sally , Caperchione Cristina M. , Lamont Sonia , Johnson Steven T. , Healy Theresa
Published: June 2017

Objective:

To explore published empirical literature in order to identify factors that facilitate or inhibit collaborative approaches for health promotion using a scoping review methodology.

Data Source:

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, and Academic Search Complete for articles published between January 2001 and October 2015 was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

To be included studies had to: be an original research article, published in English, involve at least 2 organizations in a health promotion partnership, and identify factors contributing to or constraining the success of an established (or prior) partnership. Studies were excluded if they focused on primary care collaboration or organizations jointly lobbying for a cause.

Data Extraction:

Data extraction was completed by 2 members of the author team using a summary chart to extract information relevant to the factors that facilitated or constrained collaboration success.

Data Synthesis:

NVivo 10 was used to code article content into the thematic categories identified in the data extraction.

Results:

Twenty-five studies across 8 countries were identified. Several key factors contributed to collaborative effectiveness, including a shared vision, leadership, member characteristics, organizational commitment, available resources, clear roles/responsibilities, trust/clear communication, and engagement of the target population.

Conclusion:

In general, the findings were consistent with previous reviews; however, additional novel themes did emerge.
Nonprofit Resource Contribution and Mission Alignment in Interorganizational, Cross-Sector Public Health Networks
Authors: Chapman Carrie L. , Varda Danielle M.
Published: June 2017

Given the complexity of today’s social and political dilemmas, a common method of program and policy implementation is surfacing in the form of interorganizational, cross-sector goal-directed networks. This article applies the “Core Dimensions of Connectivity” framework to analyze how the increasing inclusion of nonprofit organizations in public health goal-directed interorganizational networks is associated with goal achievement. Variables related to sector-based resource contributions and mission alignment were analyzed in their relation to outcomes in 177 networks. The findings indicate that significant differences exist across sectors. Compared to public and for-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations bring a greater number and diversity of resources to public health networks, and are perceived by their public and for-profit partners as having the strongest support of the network’s mission. We also find that resource contributions and mission alignment affect outcome achievement. This article discusses practical challenges networks face and informs techniques for effectively managing interorganizational goal-directed networks.