bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of chronic inflammatory neuropathies in southeast England
Authors: Mahdi‐Rogers M. , Hughes R. A. C.
Published: May 2013

Background and purpose

There is little information about the prevalence and disease burden of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathy (PDN).

Methods

Multiple sources were used to study the prevalence and clinical features of these diseases in a southeast England population of 3 557 352 people.

Results

The crude prevalences were as follows: CIDP, 2.84 (95% CI 2.31–3.45); MMN, 0.53 (95% CI 0.32–0.83); and PDN, 1.04 (95% CI 0.73–1.43) per 100 000 population. All three diseases were more common in men than in women. The peak decade of onset was older in those with CIDP (70–79 years) and PDN (70–79 years) than in those with MMN (50–59 years). Disability was greater in CIDP and PDN, with median (range) overall neuropathy limitations scores of 4 (0–8) and 4 (1–6), respectively, than in MMN, with a score of 2 (1–5).

Conclusion

The common forms of chronic inflammatory neuropathy cause a considerable disease burden in the community.
Rental Real Estate Ownership Prior to the Great Recession
Authors: Seay Martin , Carswell Andrew , Nielsen Robert , Palmer Lance
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was twofold: To provide an updated profile of rental real estate investors and to investigate household characteristics associated with investment in rental real estate prior to the Great Recession. Based on the Life Cycle Hypothesis of Savings, analyses were conducted using data from the 2004 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation. Multivariate results indicated that household net worth was the most significant correlate of rental real estate ownership. Controlling for demographic and economic factors, Black householders were more likely to own rental property than White householders, and householders aged 55–64 years were more likely to own rental property than householders aged 25–34 years Homeowners and those who were housing‐cost burdened on their primary homes were more likely to own rental property. The result showing that housing‐cost burdened homeowners were more likely to own rental real estate compared with those who were not housing‐cost burdened raises questions about overreliance on real estate as an investment prior to the Great Recession.
Factors Affecting Environmentally Responsible Behaviors in the Use of Energy‐efficient Lighting in the Home
Authors: Lee Eunsil , Park Nam‐Kyu , Han Ju Hyoung
Published: May 2013

During the last decade, lighting has become energy efficient across most sectors in the United States. However, the residential sector shows the least efficiency in lighting because of the use of incandescent lighting. To understand the reason for the slow growth in the adoption of energy‐efficient residential lighting, this study identified factors influencing the purchase of energy‐efficient lighting products, the willingness to pay more for energy‐efficient lighting, and support for policies that ban the use of inefficient lighting in the home. Through systematic random sampling, a mail survey was conducted with homeowners in the Midwest region of the United States. The final sample consisted of 307 respondents. Factor analyses and three multiple regression analyses were conducted. The results revealed that residents' adoption of energy‐efficient lighting was predicted by their attitude toward the environment and toward energy‐efficient lighting, habitual energy‐saving behavior, and their perception of the quality of energy‐efficient lighting products.
What cancer care providers need to know about CAM: the CAM‐Cancer project
Authors: Wider Barbara
Published: May 2013

‘CAM‐Cancer’ is the name of a project entitled ‘Concerted Action for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Assessment in the Cancer Field’ (CAM‐Cancer). The CAM‐Cancer website () is an open‐access information resource on CAM for cancer. It provides synthesised evidence‐based information for healthcare professionals drawing on the current research status of the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of CAM for cancer. The information is presented as ‘CAM‐summaries’, which are short and concise documents presenting background information as well as an appraisal of the evidence of efficacy and safety. CAM‐summaries are peer‐reviewed and annually updated. The fully documented and published methodology ensures that CAM‐summaries are written in an independent and non‐judgemental way to maximise their use amongst health professionals. The project is led by an international panel of experts in cancer care and/or CAM research, and supported by a wide network of professionals and cancer organisations. Originally funded by the European Commission within the Fifth Framework Programme, it is now managed by the National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM) at the University of Tromsø, Norway. The project is entirely non‐profit and receives no commercial funding.
Microbial biogeochemistry of Boiling Springs Lake: a physically dynamic, oligotrophic, low‐pH geothermal ecosystem
Authors: Siering P. L. , Wolfe G. V. , Wilson M. S. , Yip A. N. , Carey C. M. , Wardman C. D. , Shapiro R. S. , Stedman K. M. , Kyle J. , Yuan T. , Van Nostrand J. D. , He Z. , Zhou J.
Published: May 2013

Boiling Springs Lake (BSL) in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, is North America's largest hot spring, but little is known about the physical, chemical, and biological features of the system. Using a remotely operated vessel, we characterized the bathymetry and near‐surface temperatures at sub‐meter resolution. The majority of the 1.2 ha, pH 2.2 lake is 10 m deep and 50–52 °C, but temperatures reach 93 °C locally. We extracted DNA from water and sediments collected from warm (52 °C) and hot (73–83 °C) sites separated by 180 m. Gene clone libraries and functional gene microarray (GeoChip 3.0) were used to investigate the BSL community, and uptake of radiolabeled carbon sources was used to assess the relative importance of heterotrophic vs. autotrophic production. Microbial assemblages are similar in both sites despite the strong temperature differential, supporting observations of a dynamic, convectively mixed system. Bacteria in the Actinobacteria and Aquificales phyla are abundant in the water column, and Archaea distantly related to known taxa are abundant in sediments. The functional potential appears similar across a 5‐year time span, indicating a stable community with little inter‐annual variation, despite the documented seasonal temperature cycle. BSL water‐derived DNA contains genes for complete C, N, and S cycles, and low hybridization to probes for N and S oxidation suggests that reductive processes dominate. Many of the detected genes for these processes were from uncultivated bacteria, suggesting novel organisms are responsible for key ecosystem services. Selection imposed by low nutrients, low pH, and high temperature appear to result in low diversity and evenness of genes for key functions involved in C, N, and S cycling. Conversely, organic degradation genes appear to be functionally redundant, and the rapid assimilation of radiolabeled organic carbon into BSL cells suggests the importance of allochthonous C fueling heterotrophic production in the BSL C cycle.
Microclimatic challenges in global change biology
Authors: Potter Kristen A. , Arthur Woods H. , Pincebourde Sylvain
Published: May 2013

Despite decades of work on climate change biology, the scientific community remains uncertain about where and when most species distributions will respond to altered climates. A major barrier is the spatial mismatch between the size of organisms and the scale at which climate data are collected and modeled. Using a meta‐analysis of published literature, we show that grid lengths in species distribution models are, on average, ca. 10 000‐fold larger than the animals they study, and ca. 1000‐fold larger than the plants they study. And the gap is even worse than these ratios indicate, as most work has focused on organisms that are significantly biased toward large size. This mismatch is problematic because organisms do not experience climate on coarse scales. Rather, they live in microclimates, which can be highly heterogeneous and strongly divergent from surrounding macroclimates. Bridging the spatial gap should be a high priority for research and will require gathering climate data at finer scales, developing better methods for downscaling environmental data to microclimates, and improving our statistical understanding of variation at finer scales. Interdisciplinary collaborations (including ecologists, engineers, climatologists, meteorologists, statisticians, and geographers) will be key to bridging the gap, and ultimately to providing scientifically grounded data and recommendations to conservation biologists and policy makers.
Dynamin contributes to cytokinesis by stabilizing actin filaments in the contractile ring
Authors: Masud Rana A. Y. K. Md. , Tsujioka Masatsune , Miyagishima Shinya , Ueda Masahiro , Yumura Shigehiko
Published: May 2013

Dynamin has been proposed to play an important role in cytokinesis, although the nature of its contribution has remained unclear. Dictyostelium discoideum has five dynamin‐like proteins: DymA, DymB, DlpA, DlpB and DlpC. Cells mutant for dymA, dlpA or dlpB presented defects in cytokinesis that resulted in multinucleation when the cells were cultured in suspension. However, the cells could divide normally when attached to the substratum; this latter process depends on traction‐mediated cytokinesis B. A dynamin GTPase inhibitor also blocked cytokinesis in suspension, suggesting an important role for dynamin in cytokinesis A, which requires a contractile ring powered by myosin II. Myosin II did not properly localize to the cleavage furrow in dynamin mutant cells, and the furrow shape was distorted. DymA and DlpA were associated with actin filaments at the furrow. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and a DNase I binding assay showed that actin filaments in the contractile ring were significantly fragmented in mutant cells. Dynamin is therefore involved in the stabilization of actin filaments in the furrow, which, in turn, maintain proper myosin II organization. We conclude that the lack of these dynamins disrupts proper actomyosin organization and thereby disables cytokinesis A.
Dmrta1 regulates proneural gene expression downstream of Pax6 in the mammalian telencephalon
Authors: Kikkawa Takako , Obayashi Takeshi , Takahashi Masanori , Fukuzaki‐Dohi Urara , Numayama‐Tsuruta Keiko , Osumi Noriko
Published: May 2013

The transcription factor Pax6 balances cell proliferation and neuronal differentiation in the mammalian developing neocortex by regulating the expression of target genes. Using microarray analysis, we observed the down‐regulation of Dmrta1 (doublesex and mab‐3‐related transcription factor‐like family A1) in the telencephalon of Pax6 homozygous mutant rats (rSey2/rSey2). Dmrta1 expression was restricted to the neural stem/progenitor cells of the dorsal telencephalon. Overexpression of Dmrta1 induced the expression of the proneural gene Neurogenin2 (Neurog2) and conversely repressed Ascl1 (Mash1), a proneural gene expressed in the ventral telencephalon. We found that another Dmrt family molecule, Dmrt3, induced Neurog2 expression in the dorsal telencephalon. Our novel findings suggest that dual regulation of proneural genes mediated by Pax6 and Dmrt family members is crucial for cortical neurogenesis.
Is orogenesis a net sink or source of atmospheric CO2?
Authors: Skelton Alasdair
Published: May 2013

In global carbon cycle models, orogenesis is often viewed as a sink for atmospheric CO2, acting on tectonic timescales. However, recent attempts to quantify fluxes for CO2 produced by metamorphic reactions and released to the atmosphere suggest that these are an order‐of‐magnitude greater than CO2 uptake by chemical weathering of silicate minerals, and that metamorphic CO2 is released on millennial timescales. These hypotheses have gained support from both measurements of CO2 emissions from present‐day orogenic hot springs and chromatographic modelling of carbonation reactions in metamorphic rocks from ancient orogens. In this article I review research that attempts to quantify metamorphic CO2 release fluxes, focussing specifically on studies conducted in the SW Scottish Highlands.
Where are all the crinoids? An enigma of the Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian) White Peak of midland England
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: May 2013

A glut of fossil crinoids does not lead to a succession being recognised as rich in crinoids. Crinoid palaeontology relies on cups, crowns and complete specimens, not fragments. The Carboniferous Limestone of the White Peak is rich in crinoid fragments, but depauperate in named crinoids. Something needs to be done.
Does the prognosis of colorectal mucinous carcinoma depend upon the primary tumour site? Results from two independent databases
Authors: Gao Peng , Song Yong‐xi , Xu Ying‐ying , Sun Zhe , Sun Jing‐xu , Xu Hui‐mian , Wang Zhen‐ning
Published: May 2013

Aims

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MUC) is a commonly studied histological subtype of colorectal adenocarcinoma. However, the prognostic value of MUC remains unclear, particularly in patients stratified by the primary tumour site. We aimed to analyse the prognostic value of MUC in colorectal cancer.

Methods and results

We utilized two independent data sets in this study: (i) the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data set, and (ii) the data set from a single Chinese institution (the Department of Surgical Oncology at the First Hospital of China Medical University). Patient survival was analysed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves, and comparisons were performed using the log‐rank test. MUC occurred more frequently in patients who exhibited higher pT category, higher pN category, higher TNM stage, left‐sided colon cancer and higher histological grade. Based on the SEER data set, MUC was an independent negative survival indicator in rectal cancer (HR 1.125, 1.056–1.199; P < 0.001). While there was no significant association in left‐sided colon cancer (P > 1.000), MUC was an independent protective survival indicator in right‐sided colon cancer (HR 0.925, 0.888–0.962; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

MUC was associated independently with poorer outcome for rectal cancer and was an independent protective survival indicator in right‐sided colon cancer. MUC exhibited a different outcome depending on tumour position for patients with colorectal cancer.
Osteosarcoma of the jaw: an analysis of a series of 74 cases
Authors: Paparella María Luisa , Olvi Liliana Graciela , Brandizzi Daniel , Keszler Alicia , Santini‐Araujo Eduardo , Cabrini Rómulo Luis
Published: May 2013

Aims

To analyse a series of cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw.

Methods and results

The study included 74 cases of osteosarcoma of the jaw. Their clinical, radiographic and histopathological features were analysed, and their frequency with respect to aggressive and malignant pathologies of the jaw was determined. Survival was assessed in 17 cases with available follow‐up. Osteosarcoma of the jaw accounted for 10% of primary malignant and aggressive tumours of the jaw, and for 8% of all malignant lesions of the jaw, including metastatic and lymphoproliferative tumours. The mean age was 43 ± 18 years. Radiographic features varied greatly and were non‐specific, with a predominance of mixed images. The dominant histological pattern was osteoblastic (48.4%), followed by chondroblastic (37.1%). The survival rate at 5 years was 68%. Females and patients with a predominantly chondroblastic pattern had lower survival rates.

Conclusions

Osteosarcoma of the jaw was the most frequent primary malignant tumour of the jaw. Female gender and a predominantly chondroblastic pattern may be associated with a worse prognosis.
Molecularly targeted therapies for nonmelanoma skin cancers
Authors: Liu Lucinda S. , Colegio Oscar R.
Published: May 2013

Over the past two decades, advances in the fields of cancer genetics and molecular biology have elucidated molecular pathways that cause numerous cutaneous malignancies. This in turn has spurred the rational design of molecularly targeted therapies. In this review, we discuss the molecular pathways critical to the development of nonmelanoma skin cancers and the novel pharmacologic agents that target them. Included is a review of vismodegib for basal cell carcinoma, cetuximab for squamous cell carcinomas, imatinib for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and sirolimus for Kaposi's sarcoma.
Private property and human rights: A mismatch in the 21st century?
Authors: Jacobs Harvey M.
Published: May 2013

This article explores the future of private property in land in the context of the United Nations' (UN) human rights framework. I examine the historical and current debate, and show why it is difficult to come to a definitive conclusion on a matter that has been so central to social and political philosophy. Among the questions that frame this investigation is the relevance of 18th century property‐related human rights concepts in the 21st century, where the poor are increasingly residents of informal settlements in mega‐cities. I critically assess the wording and adoption of Article 17 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I further examine the formal actions of the UN to demonstrate the confusion that exists about the role of private property. Then, I argue that private property is a human right, but this does not mean that it will take the form that it does in Western societies.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Remittance Volatility: An Empirical Test
Authors: Jackman Mahalia
Published: May 2013

Over the last three decades, the world has witnessed an unparalleled rise in remittances. Given the scale, trend and potential impact of these flows, several researchers have focused on determining the factors influencing remittance behaviour. But, while several studies exist on the determinants of remittances at both the microeconomic and macroeconomic levels, the literature has been largely silent on the factors influencing remittance volatility. Using a panel of 93 countries, it is found that altruistic factors (such as the age dependency ratio and the standard of living), insurance motives (captured by economic shocks at home and natural disasters), portfolio variables (interest rate volatility and exchange rate volatility), the share of skilled migrants and economic volatility in the sending country all have significant impacts on remittance volatility. However, significant differences exist across the various country groupings. This may suggest that cross‐country studies based on average behavior can conceal differences in remittance behavior across regions and can even lead to erroneous conclusions.
Successful management of airway hemangioma with propranolol
Authors: Mendiratta Vibhu , Varghese Bincy , Chander Ram , Parakh Ankit , Solanki Ravi S.
Published: May 2013

Airway hemangiomas can be difficult to manage and cause anxiety in both the parents and the treating physician. Propranolol, a nonselective beta‐blocker, has recently been used for treating proliferating infantile hemangiomas. We report successful management of a proliferating, large, mixed infantile hemangioma with subglottic extension in an Indian infant using oral propranolol in a dose of 2mg/kg/day without any side effects. Induction of early involution and freedom from the side effects of steroid therapy seem encouraging for using propranolol as a first line treatment modality in the management of troublesome hemangiomas.
First reported case of subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by Paecilomyces variotii
Authors: Vasudevan Biju , Hazra Nandita , Verma Rajesh , Srinivas Vadlamannati , Vijendran Pragasam , Badad Ambresh
Published: May 2013

Background

Hyalohyphomycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection caused by saprophytes of genera such as Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Scedosporium, Penicillium, Scopulariopsis Acremonium, and similar fungi. The literature includes only one previous report of Paecilomyces variotii human infection and very few reports of subcutaneous mycosis caused by any of the hyalohyphomycosis group of fungi.

Methods

We report an instance of fungal infection in a 50‐year‐old woman, known to have diabetes, who presented with multiple raised lesions on the upper back of two years' duration. Dermatological examination revealed a 20 × 22‐cm, swollen, indurated area on the upper back with multiple violaceous, exophytic nodules on the surface.

Results

Microscopy from pus and tissue smear revealed septate branching fungi. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stain was positive for fungal elements. Culture on three occasions yielded P. variotii. Slide culture mounts showed septate hyaline hyphae of P. variotii with elongated phialides demonstrating bulbous bases and tapering apices attached to the conidiophores. The patient was treated with itraconazole, to which she responded well.

Conclusions

This is the first reported case of subcutaneous hyalohyphomycosis caused by P. variotii. It appears that this relatively rare fungal pathogen may be starting to assert itself as an important cause of infection in humans.
Co‐infections by malaria parasites decrease feather growth but not feather quality in house martin
Authors: Marzal Alfonso , Asghar Muhammad , Rodríguez Laura , Reviriego Maribel , Hermosell Ignacio G. , Balbontín Javier , Garcia‐Longoria Luz , de Lope Florentino , Bensch Staffan
Published: May 2013

During moult, stressors such as malaria and related haemosporidian parasites (e.g.PlasmodiumandHaemoproteus) could affect the growth rate and quality of feathers, which in turn may compromise future reproduction and survival. Recent advances in molecular methods to study parasites have revealed that co‐infections with multiple parasites are frequent in bird–malaria parasite systems. However, there is no study of the consequences of co‐infections on the moult of birds. In house martinsDelichon urbicacaptured and studied at a breeding site in Europe during 11 yr, we measured the quality and the growth rate of tail feathers moulted in the African winter quarters in parallel with the infection status of blood parasites that are also transmitted on the wintering ground. Here we tested if the infection with two haemosporidian parasite lineages has more negative effects than a single lineage infection. We found that birds with haemosporidian infection had lower body condition. We also found that birds co‐infected with two haemosporidian lineages had the lowest inferred growth rate of their tail feathers as compared with uninfected and single infected individuals, but co‐infections had no effect on feather quality. In addition, feather quality was negatively correlated with feather growth rate, suggesting that these two traits are traded‐off against each other. We encourage the study of haemosporidian parasite infection as potential mechanism driving this trade‐off in wild populations of birds.
Inference from presence‐only data; the ongoing controversy
Authors: Hastie Trevor , Fithian Will
Published: May 2013

Presence‐only data abounds in ecology, often accompanied by a background sample. Although many interesting aspects of the species’ distribution can be learned from such data, one cannot learn the overall species occurrence probability, or prevalence, without making unjustified simplifying assumptions. In this forum article we question the approach of Royle et al. (2012) that claims to be able to do this.
Staff Expectations and Views of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Stenfert Kroese Biza , Jahoda Andrew , Pert Carol , Trower Peter , Dagnan Dave , Selkirk Mhairi
Published: May 2013

Background

The role of support workers and other professionals in the psychotherapeutic process has been commented upon but not as yet been systematically investigated.

Method

To explore their views and expectations of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for adults with intellectual disabilities, eleven paid support workers and professionals were recruited and interviewed before the CBT sessions commenced for their service users and nine took part in the second interview that took place after nine sessions.

Results

Thematic Analysis of the interview transcripts indicates that staff members do not perceive CBT as a long‐term solution for psychological problems have little knowledge of CBT and do not feel included in the process. Nevertheless, after nine sessions, most participants reported improved psychological well‐being for their service users and expressed a wish for longer‐term involvement of the therapist.

Conclusions

The results suggest that for CBT to be effective in the longer term, the therapist is required to consider a wider systemic approach including staff training and supervision, staff and management consultancy and creating a delicate balance between confidentiality and sharing the psychological formulation with ‘significant others’ to ensure maintenance and generalisation of improved psychological well‐being.
Percutaneous Endocardial Occlusion of Incompletely Surgically Ligated Left Atrial Appendage
Authors: ARYANA ARASH , CAVACO DIOGO , ARTHUR ARVIN , O'NEILL PADRAIG GEAROID , ADRAGÃO PEDRO , D'AVILA ANDRÉ
Published: May 2013

Percutaneous Endocardial Occlusion of ISLL

Introduction

Surgical ligation of the left atrial appendage is considered standard of care in patients who undergo mitral valve surgery or as an adjunct to a surgical Maze procedure for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, several studies have demonstrated that this can result in incompletely surgically ligated left atrial appendage (ISLL) in a significant number of patients. It is believed that ISLL may in turn promote thrombus formation and lead to clinically relevant thromboembolic events. A novel approach for percutaneous endocardial occlusion of ISLL is described.

Methods and Results

Seven patients with AF and ISLL following prior open‐chest, surgical suture ligation in the absence of rheumatic heart disease, underwent percutaneous endocardial ISLL occlusion using an Amplatzer Septal Occluder device guided by fluoroscopy and transesophageal echocardiography through a novel approach. Three patients were diagnosed in the setting of acute embolic stroke, 2 at the time of cardiac arrhythmia ablation and 2 by elective precardioversion transesophageal echocardiography. All patients were treated with oral anticoagulation therapy. Acute and long‐term ISLL occlusion was successfully achieved in 6 patients, in whom oral anticoagulation was eventually discontinued without any embolic events during 10 ± 2 months of follow‐up.

Conclusion

Percutaneous endocardial occlusion of ISLL is feasible using an Amplatzer Septal Occluder device. Additional studies are required to evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of this therapeutic treatment strategy in patients with ISLL.
The Impact of the Volatility of Monetary Policy Shocks
Authors: MUMTAZ HAROON , ZANETTI FRANCESCO
Published: May 2013

This paper studies the impact of the volatility of monetary policy using a structural vector auroregression (SVAR) model enriched along two dimensions. First, it allows for time‐varying variance of monetary policy shocks via a stochastic volatility specification. Second, it allows a dynamic interaction between the level of the endogenous variables in the VAR and the time‐varying volatility. The analysis establishes that the nominal interest rate, output growth, and inflation fall in reaction to an increase in the volatility of monetary policy. The analysis also develops a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model enriched with stochastic volatility to monetary policy that generates similar responses and provides a theoretical underpinning of these findings.
Strategic Effects of Regulatory Capital Requirements in Imperfect Banking Competition
Authors: SCHLIEPHAKE EVA , KIRSTEIN ROLAND
Published: May 2013

This paper analyzes the competitive effects of regulatory minimum capital requirements on an oligopolistic loan market. Before competing in loan rates banks choose their capital structure, thereby making an imperfect commitment to a loan capacity. It is shown that due to this imperfect commitment, regulatory requirements not only increase the marginal cost of loan supply, but can also have a collusive effect resulting in increased profits. This paper derives the threshold value from which capital requirements can turn one round Bertrand competition into a two‐stage interaction with capacity commitment, leading to Cournot outcomes. Therefore, it provides theoretical support for the applicability of the Cournot approach when modeling imperfect loan competition.
Pain and pain‐related situations surrounding community‐dwelling older persons
Authors: Tse Mimi , Wan Vanessa TC , Wong Alex MH
Published: May 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the pain prevalence in community‐dwelling older adults and to explore the relationships between pain and physical and psychological parameters.

Background

Uncontrolled chronic pain is one of the barriers preventing older people from achieving active ageing. Effective pain management can enhance their mobility, increasing the happiness level and thus the quality of life.

Design

Exploratory cross‐sectional study.

Method

Cognitively intact community‐dwelling older persons aged over 60 in Hong Kong were invited for a 20–25‐minute interview.

Results

A total of 173 participants were recruited, with a mean age of 73·2. The average pain intensity was 3·97 ± 1·80. Oral analgesic drugs were used by 47·1% of participants, and 86·0% used nonpharmacological methods to relieve pain. Compared with participants free of chronic pain, participants with pain had lower happiness levels (p < 0·05). In addition, levels of mobility (p < 0·05) and physical quality of life (p < 0·05) were lower for older people with pain. Pain intensity was negatively correlated with physical quality of life (p < 0·05) and self‐efficacy (p < 0·05), and positively correlated with mystery (p < 0·05), permanence (p < 0·05) and self‐blame (p < 0·05) in pain belief.

Conclusion

It was noted that nonpharmacological methods were commonly used by older persons as pain relief and that older persons with pain were less happy, less mobile and had a poorer quality of life as compared to their counterparts without pain.

Relevance to clinical practice

It is important to educate community‐dwelling older persons on methods of pain management and to maintain their physical and psychological well‐being in order to engage them in the community and lead a healthy and happy ageing.
SKYSCRAPERS AND SKYLINES: NEW YORK AND CHICAGO, 1885–2007
Authors: Barr Jason
Published: May 2013

This paper investigates skyscraper competition between New York City and Chicago. The urban economics literature is generally silent on strategic interaction between cities, yet skyscraper rivalry between these cities is a part of U.S. historiography. This paper tests whether there is, in fact, strategic interaction across cities. First, I find that each city has positive reaction functions with respect to the other city, suggesting strategic complementarity. In regard to zoning, I find that height regulations negatively impacted each city, but produced positive responses by the other city, providing evidence for strategic substitutability.
Studying the effect of lipid chain length on the precipitation of a poorly water soluble drug from self-emulsifying drug delivery system on dispersion into aqueous medium
Authors: Prasad Dev , Chauhan Harsh , Atef Eman
Published: May 2013

Objective

The lipid excipients of the self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) could play a role in interfering with the drug precipitation to maintain its supersaturation, a step with possible major significance on the SEDDS. Thus, the effect of lipid chain length on indomethacin precipitation rate from SEDDS upon dilution was studied.

Method

Indomethacin SEDDS were prepared using medium and long chain lipids at 5% and 13% (w/w) drug load. Two medium chain lipids Lauroglycol and Capryol, and two long chain lipids Labrafil and castor oil, were studied. The 13% w/w SEDDS were evaluated for drug release, and the physicochemical properties of the precipitated drug were characterized by PXRD, DSC, IR and Raman.

Key findings

The final optimized SEDDS consisted of Lauroglycol (lipid): Transcutol (co-solvent): Labrasol (surfactant). No precipitate was observed with long chain lipids SEDDS, whereas medium chain lipids SEDDS showed precipitation within 30 min of drug release from 13% w/w formulations. Precipitation studies showed that the medium chain lipids resulted in a modified indomethacin form possibly an ester. The ester formation signifies the interaction between indomethacin and medium chain length lipids.

Conclusions

The study emphasizes the importance of lipids chain length of excipients in successful SEDDS formulations. The study provides insight into the underlying drug lipid interactions in SEDDS formulations.
Elevated expression of tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced protein 8 (TNFAIP8)‐like 2 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with disease progression of acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure
Authors: Wang L.‐Y. , Fan Y.‐C. , Zhao J. , Gao S. , Sun F.‐K. , Han J. , Yang Y. , Wang K.
Published: May 2013

Aberrant immunity response contributes to the pathogenesis of acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced protein‐8 like‐2 (TIPE2) is a recently identified molecular to maintain immune homoeostasis, but its role in acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) is unknown. We detected TIPE2 mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 56 patients with ACHBLF, 60 chronic hepatitis B patients, 24 healthy controls and analysed its role in disease severity and prognosis. TIPE2 mRNA expression in patients with ACHBLF was higher than that of patients with chronic infection or healthy controls. In patients with ACHBLF, TIPE2 mRNA level was positively correlated with serum total bilirubin, international normalized ratio and model for end‐stage liver disease scores. Furthermore, the level of TIPE2 mRNA was significantly higher in nonsurvivors than survivors in patients with ACHBLF. The mRNA level of TIPE2 gradually decreased week by week in survivors accompanied by recovery from patients with ACHBLF, while its expression sustained at high levels in nonsurvivors. TIPE2 mRNA level after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation ex vivo in patients with ACHBLF was higher compared with controls and patients with chronic infection. Meanwhile, cytokines ex vivo secreted were measured as a marker of immune activation. After LPS stimulation, interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α mRNA expression were reduced in patients with ACHBLF, and a significantly negative correlation was found between TIPE2 and TNF‐α mRNA levels. In conclusion, our results identified the potential role of TIPE2 in predicting disease progression and prognosis in patients with ACHBLF by negative regulating of cell‐mediated immunity.
Treatment for bovineEscherichia colimastitis – an evidence‐based approach
Authors: Suojala L. , Kaartinen L. , Pyörälä S.
Published: May 2013

Bovine mastitis caused byEscherichia colican range from being a subclinical infection of the mammary gland to a severe systemic disease. Cow‐dependent factors such as lactation stage and age affect the severity of coliform mastitis. Evidence for the efficacy of antimicrobial treatment forE. colimastitis is very limited. Antimicrobial resistance is generally not a limiting factor for treatment, but it should be monitored to detect changes in resistance profiles. The only antimicrobials for which there is some scientific evidence of beneficial effects in the treatment forE. colimastitis are fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins. Both are critically important drugs, the use of which in animals destined for food should be limited to specific indications and should be based on bacteriological diagnosis. The suggested routine protocol in dairy herds could target the primary antimicrobial treatment for mastitis, specifically infections caused by gram‐positive bacteria. InE. colimastitis with mild to moderate clinical signs, a non‐antimicrobial approach (anti‐inflammatory treatment, frequent milking and fluid therapy) should be the first option. In cases of severeE. colimastitis, parenteral administration of fluoroquinolones, or third‐ or fourth‐generation cephalosporins, is recommended due to the risk of unlimited growth of bacteria in the mammary gland and ensuing bacteremia. Evidence for the efficacy of intramammary‐administered antimicrobial treatment forE. colimastitis is so limited that it cannot be recommended. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs have documented the efficacy in the treatment forE. colimastitis and are recommended for supportive treatment for clinical mastitis.
Depletion of melamine and cyanuric acid in kidney of catfish Ictalurus punctatus and trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Stine C. B. , Nochetto C. , Gieseker C. M. , Evans E. R. , Hasbrouck N. R. , Mayer T. D. , Girard L. , Reimschuessel R.
Published: May 2013

A risk assessment conducted in 2007 identified significant knowledge gaps about tissue residues of melamine and related triazine analogs such as cyanuric acid in animals that had eaten contaminated food. The USFDA subsequently designed studies to determine residue levels in muscle, serum, and kidneys of catfish and trout given a single gavage dose of 20 mg/kg body weight (BW) of melamine, cyanuric acid, or 20 mg/kg BW of both compounds simultaneously. Renal triazines were determined by LC‐MS/MS at postdose days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 (and day 42 for trout). When dosed individually, melamine and cyanuric acid kidney residues depleted much faster than those in fish given both compounds together. Combined dose residue depletion was punctuated by extreme outliers due to the formation of persistent renal melamine cyanurate crystals.
Shrub encroachment shifts the bioclimatic limit between marcescent and sclerophyllous oaks along an elevation gradient in west‐central Spain
Authors: Madrigal‐González Jaime , García‐Rodríguez José A. , Zavala Miguel A.
Published: May 2013

Questions

(1) Does shrub encroachment affect the regeneration of two contrasting species of oak along an elevation gradient in the west‐central Iberian Peninsula? (2) Do different nurse shrubs have any relevant species‐specific effects along the gradient? (3) Does shrub encroachment affect the location of the bioclimatic limit between these two oak species along the elevation gradient?

Location

Twelve sites distributed from the Arribes del Duero plains to the Sistema Central mountains (Salamanca province, Spain).

Methods

We measured the regeneration of two contrasting oak tree species (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota Samp – sclerophyllous, Q. pyrenaica Willd – marcescent) as the relative percentage cover of seedlings and saplings (<1.3‐m high) in plots 10 m in diameter distributed in stands of different age. We fixed the bioclimatic limit at 50% relative proportion of species in each plot, i.e. whether one species was more abundant than the other in a plot. Shrub stand age was estimated by counting growth rings in the principal stems of the oldest shrubs in a plot. We fitted generalized linear mixed models to analyse the effects of elevation, specific nurse shrub and shrub stand age on regeneration and the probability of one species being more abundant than the other.

Results

The regeneration and relative proportion of Q. ilex (sclerophyllous) decreased with elevation. Regeneration did not vary with shrub encroachment, although the relative proportion increased notably in the youngest stands. In turn, regeneration and relative proportion of Q. pyrenaica (deciduous) significantly increased towards the upper sites and mature shrub stands. We found no evidence of specific nurse shrub effects on regeneration or the probability of one species being more abundant than the other in either of the two species of oak.

Conclusions

The bioclimatic limit between the two contrasting species of oak shifted with shrub stand age along the elevation gradient. Land practices preventing shrub encroachment can thus indirectly shift this limit towards higher elevations. The effects of shrubs may be critical in resolving the climatic and land‐use effects on elevation shifts of species under changing conditions in bioclimatic transitions.
Characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen titres in North American tertiary referral liver centres
Authors: Congly Stephen E. , Wong Philip , Al‐Busafi Said A. , Doucette Karen , Fung Scott K. , Ghali Peter , Fonseca Kevin , Myers Robert P. , Osiowy Carla , Coffin Carla S.
Published: May 2013

Background & Aims

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) have been related to clinical outcome. In this nationwide cross‐sectional study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV genotype and qHBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

Six hundred and thirty patients with CHB were seen in four urban tertiary referral centres in Canada. HBV genotype was determined by line probe assay (INNO‐LIPA) and HBV DNA quantified by commercial PCR (Roche TaqMan, sensitivity <55 IU/ml or AMPLICOR, sensitivity <60 IU/ml). Titres of qHBsAg were determined by an in‐house assay based on the WHO standard (calibration range 0.24–62.5 IU/ml).

Results

In 630 patients (57% male, 69% Asian, median age 42 years), 21% were hepatitis B e antigen positive and the median alanine aminotransferase was 29 U/L. The HBV genotype distribution was A (16%), B (29%), C (31%), D (16%), E (6%). HBV genotype was strongly associated with ethnicity, but neither genotype nor qHBsAg correlated with the degree of fibrosis. In the treatment‐naïve patients, the baseline qHBsAg levels correlated with HBV DNA (r = 0.2517, P < 0.0008). The median qHBsAg levels were lowest in patients with genotype B (P < 0.0001), but no significant correlation was noted with all other HBV genotypes.

Conclusions

In this large North American HBV epidemiological study, genotypes B and C were the most common; however, all genotypes (A–E) were observed with varied distribution nationwide. Baseline qHBsAg significantly correlated with HBV DNA and with HBV genotype B, but not with liver fibrosis.
Educating to Build Bridges
Authors: Goldin Andrea Paula , Calero Cecilia Inés , Peña Marcela , Ribeiro Sidarta , Sigman Mariano
Published: May 2013

In March 2012, 30 faculty and 49 students from all over the world met in El Calafate, Argentina, during two intense weeks. It was the second Latin American School for Education, Cognitive, and Neural Sciences (LASchool), sponsored by the James S. McDonnell Foundation. The LA School seeks to critically examine research findings potentially relevant to the development, design, and implementation of effective educational practices, and to foster a new generation of researchers able to operate at the interface between education and science. Here we introduce a special issue which brings together theory, experiments, and educational interventions which emerged from ideas presented and discussed during the 2012 LASchool.
Guided Play: Where Curricular Goals Meet a Playful Pedagogy
Authors: Weisberg Deena Skolnick , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick
Published: May 2013

Decades of research demonstrate that a strong curricular approach to preschool education is important for later developmental outcomes. Although these findings have often been used to support the implementation of educational programs based on direct instruction, we argue that guided play approaches can be equally effective at delivering content and are more developmentally appropriate in their focus on child‐centered exploration. Guided play lies midway between direct instruction and free play, presenting a learning goal, and scaffolding the environment while allowing children to maintain a large degree of control over their learning. The evidence suggests that such approaches often outperform direct‐instruction approaches in encouraging a variety of positive academic outcomes. We argue that guided play approaches are effective because they create learning situations that encourage children to become active and engaged partners in the learning process.
A Rhythmic Musical Intervention for Poor Readers: A Comparison of Efficacy With a Letter‐Based Intervention
Authors: Bhide Adeetee , Power Alan , Goswami Usha
Published: May 2013

There is growing evidence that children with reading difficulties show impaired auditory rhythm perception and impairments in musical beat perception tasks. Rhythmic musical interventions with poorer readers may thus improve rhythmic entrainment and consequently improve reading and phonological skills. Here we compare the effects of a musical intervention for poor readers with a software intervention of known efficacy based on rhyme training and phoneme‐grapheme learning. The research question was whether the musical intervention would produce gains of comparable effect sizes to the phoneme‐grapheme intervention for children who were falling behind in reading development. Broadly, the two interventions had similar benefits for literacy, with large effect sizes.
Educating to Use Evidence in Thinking About Education
Authors: Newcombe Nora S.
Published: May 2013

There is an increasing emphasis on evidence‐based education, and the sciences of learning are progressing rapidly. But are reports, guidelines, and outreach enough to disseminate this knowledge and affect educational practice? In fact, policy makers and the public often resist evidence‐based recommendations about education. This article suggests that some of the problems lie in well‐known difficulties in everyday reasoning and decision making, especially in situations that involve probability and uncertainty. We should communicate and educate so as to address these difficulties.
Training Planning and Working Memory in Third Graders
Authors: Goldin Andrea Paula , Segretin María Soledad , Hermida María Julia , Paz Luciano , Lipina Sebastián Javier , Sigman Mariano
Published: May 2013

Working memory and planning are fundamental cognitive skills supporting fluid reasoning. We show that 2 games that train working memory and planning skills in school‐aged children promote transfer to 2 different tasks: an attentional test and a fluid reasoning test. We also show long‐term improvement of planning and memory capacities in 8‐year‐old children after playing adaptive computer games specifically tailored to entrain these cognitive functions. Working memory capacity expanded from 5 to 7 items by using our games. Furthermore, steady progression in the task indicates that this capacity can be trained rapidly. Planning abilities persisted in a nonmarkovian form of play, where a move is highly influenced by previous moves, avoiding back‐ups. Here, we introduce a public and growing platform (http://www.matemarote.com.ar/) developed for this research which has the potential for wide use in educational research.