bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult‐onset neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease is not rare in older adults
Authors: Takahashi‐Fujigasaki Junko , Nakano Yuta , Uchino Akiko , Murayama Shigeo
Published: March 2016

Neuronal intranuclear hyaline inclusion disease (NIHID) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder pathologically characterized by localized neuronal loss, and the presence of eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions in neurons and glial cells. NIHID is a heterogeneous disease entity. It is divided into three clinical subgroups: infantile, juvenile and adult forms. Recently, reports of adult‐onset cases have increased. Typical adult‐onset NIHID consists of cognitive dysfunction with leukoencephalopathy. This type of adult‐onset NIHID can be predicted by characteristic magnetic resonance images, high intensity areas on T2‐weighted/fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery images and persistent high intensity at the corticomedullary junction in diffusion‐weighted images. When clinically suspected, the ante‐mortem diagnosis can be made by biopsy. In adult‐onset NIHID, nuclear inclusions are found more frequently in glial cells, and moderate to severe white matter degeneration is often associated. Although the underlying pathological mechanisms of NIHID are largely unknown, abnormal intranuclear accumulations of proteins and/or dysfunction of protein degradation systems might be related to the pathogenesis. To further clarify the characteristics of this disease entity, biological and pathological analysis of the patients is indispensable. As this disease entity becomes better known, diagnosed cases are expected to increase. Adult‐onset NIHID might not be as extremely rare as previously thought. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 51–56.
Multiple impacts of an intergenerational program inJapan: Evidence from theResearch onProductivity throughIntergenerationalSympathyProject
Authors: Yasunaga Masashi , Murayama Yoh , Takahashi Tomoya , Ohba Hiromi , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Nonaka Kumiko , Kuraoka Masataka , Sakurai Ryota , Nishi Mariko , Sakuma Naoko , Kobayashi Erika , Shinkai Shoji , Fujiwara Yoshinori
Published: March 2016

Compelling evidence supporting the benefits of social engagement in older adults has been increasingly discussed. However, knowledge regarding an intergenerational program is limited. Herein, we provide a targeted review of intergenerational programs by focusing on our novel interventional program,Research onProductivity throughIntergenerationalSympathy. TheResearch onProductivity throughIntergenerationalSympathy program is an intergenerational picture‐book reading program launched in 2004. Participants were involved a 3‐month intensive weekly training seminar comprising classes about book selection, reading techniques and basic knowledge of children's school life. Subsequently, they participated in group activities that involved playing a hand game, and reading picture books to children at kindergartens, elementary schools and public childcare centers, once every 1–2 weeks. TheResearch onProductivity throughIntergenerationalSympathy program has shown improvement of physical and psychological functioning of older adults and healthy upbringing of children. Similarly,ExperienceCorps – designed to train and place volunteers in participating elementary schools for an academic year during which time they assist teachers – also showed positive effects for older adults' health status and the psychological/academic success of young children in theUSA. Health promotion efforts for older adults must support social policy for the creation of meaningful service programs for older adults on a large social scale. As such, an intergenerational program based on the concept of social capital, defined as “features of social organization, such as trust, norms and networks, that can improve the efficacy of society by facilitating coordinated actions,” is an effective and sustainable program for health promotion among older adults.Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16 (Suppl. 1): 98–109.
Tightly clustered markers linked to an apospory‐related gene region and quantitative trait loci mapping for agronomic traits in Brachiaria hybrids
Authors: Thaikua Sarayut , Ebina Masumi , Yamanaka Naoki , Shimoda Katsuhisa , Suenaga Kazuhiro , Kawamoto Yasuhiro
Published: March 2016

Brachiariagrass is an important tropical forage grass cultivated around the world. Despite its global importance, the development of brachiariagrass breeding programs was delayed by the complications of recombining aposporous apomictic genotypes until the late 1980s. ‘Mulato’ is the first apomictic hybrid cultivar of brachiariagrass with the development of synthetic sexual tetraploid lines. An amplified fragment‐length polymorphism (AFLP) linkage map of the apomictic pollen donor ‘Mulato’ was developed to identify molecular markers for apospory. The map contained 29 linkage groups with 272 markers. Twelve tightly clustered AFLP markers related to apospory were identified in linkage group 2. Furthermore, we identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for leaf width, leaf shape ratio (width/length), stem diameter and percentage of filled seeds using simple interval mapping and composite interval mapping. The AFLP markers tightly linked to apospory and QTLs associated with important agronomical traits will be valuable tools for marker‐assisted selection in brachiariagrass improvement programs.
Morph‐physiological responses of two switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) cultivars to cadmium stress
Authors: Liu Changhao , Lou Laiqing , Deng Junxia , Li Daojun , Yuan Shaoxun , Cai Qingsheng
Published: March 2016

Two cultivars of switchgrass, ‘Alamo’ (lowland type) and ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ (upland type), were used to examine the morph‐physiological responses of plants to different cadmium (Cd) levels under hydroponic condition treated with 0, 10, 20 and 40 μmol L−1 CdCl2 for 2 weeks. The main results showed that both seedlings of ‘Alamo’ and ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ can survive even in 40 μmol L−1 CdCl2 treatment. However, the growth of the two cultivars was significantly (at least P < 0.05) inhibited by Cd stress. The plant biomass, water content, photosynthetic pigments content, total root length (RL), root surface area (RA), root volume (RV) and number of root tips of two tested cultivars were significantly decreased after treatment with Cd. ‘Alamo’ showed higher capability of Cd translocation from root to shoot than ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’, but ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ had higher capability of Cd uptake and accumulation than ‘Alamo’. ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ accumulated higher Cd in root than ‘Alamo’, the root average diameter, RL, RA and RV at the root segment in 0.3–0.9 mm diameter in ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ were dramatically higher than those of ‘Alamo’, which indicates that a well‐developed root system may contribute to higher Cd accumulation in ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’. Above all, both ‘Alamo’ and ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ could be cultivated in Cd polluted area. At the same time, they have bioremediation function, especially, this function of seedling in ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ should be greater than ‘Alamo’, since the amount of Cd absorption and accumulation in ‘Cave‐in‐Rock’ was significant higher than ‘Alamo’.
Pancreatic carcinosarcoma with the same KRAS gene mutation in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components: molecular evidence for monoclonal origin of the tumour
Authors: Bai Qianming , Zhang Xin , Zhu Xiaoli , Wang Lei , Huang Dan , Cai Xu , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wang Jian , Sheng Weiqi
Published: March 2016

Aims

To better understand the histogenesis, prognosis and feasible treatment of pancreatic carcinosarcoma, a rare type of neoplasia.

Methods and results

We investigated eight additional cases of pancreatic carcinosarcoma at a single institution, including the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and KRAS mutation characteristics. We have also reviewed the current literature on this rare type of neoplasia, and summarized the clinicopathological features and feasible treatments. As a result, concordant strong nuclear immunoreactivity for P53 protein and the same type of KRAS gene mutation, c.35G>A (p.G12D) or c.35G>T (p.G12V), were showed in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components in five of eight cases. Furthermore, we found that the patients treated with surgery plus postoperative chemotherapy had longer survival than those treated with surgery only (P = 0.034 and P = 0.131 for overall survival and disease‐free survival, respectively), although Cox regression multivariate analysis indicated that it was not an independent predictor. In addition, we found KRAS mutant allele‐specific imbalance in four of our five cases of pancreatic carcinosarcoma, which was associated with advanced disease and a worse prognosis.

Conclusions

This is the largest panel of cases of pancreatic carcinosarcoma studied so far, including clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular cytogenetic features. Our findings indicate that the tumour could have been of monoclonal origin, and that the sarcomatous components might have arisen from metaplastic transformation of the carcinomatous components. Our results also suggest that surgery plus POC including gemcitabine may be a good choice for patients with pancreatic carcinosarcoma.
Risk factors associated with incident sexually transmitted infections in HIV‐positive patients in the Australian HIV Observational Database: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Mulhall BP , Wright ST , De La Mata N , Allen D , Brown K , Dickson B , Grotowski M , Jackson E , Petoumenos K , Foster R , Read T , Russell D , Smith DJ , Templeton DJ , Fairley CK , Law MG
Published: March 2016

Objectives

We established a subcohort of HIV‐positive individuals from 10 sexual health clinics within the Australian HIV Observational Database (AHOD). The aim of this study was to assess demographic and other factors that might be associated with an incident sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Methods

The cohort follow‐up was from March 2010 to March 2013, and included patients screened at least once for an STI. We used survival methods to determine time to first new and confirmed incident STI infection (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis or genital warts). Factors evaluated included sex, age, mode of HIV exposure, year of AHOD enrolment, hepatitis B or C coinfection, time‐updated CD4 cell count, time‐updated HIV RNA viral load, and prior STI diagnosis.

Results

There were 110 first incident STI diagnoses observed over 1015 person‐years of follow‐up, a crude rate of 10.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0–13.0] per 100 person‐years. Factors independently associated with increased risk of incident STI included younger age [≥ 50 vs. 30–39 years old, adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.8; P < 0.0001]; prior STI infection (aHR 2.5; 95% CI 1.6–3.8; P < 0.001), and heterosexual vs. men who have sex with men (MSM) as the likely route of exposure (aHR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1–0.6; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this cohort of individualsbeing treated with antiretroviral drugs, those who were MSM, who were 30–39 years old, and who had a prior history of STI, were at highest risk of a further STI diagnosis.
Prebrushing rinse with water on plaque removal: a split‐mouth design
Authors: Van der Sluijs E , Slot DE , Hennequin‐Hoenderdos NL , Van Leeuwen MPC , Van der Weijden GA
Published: March 2016

Objective

The aim was to evaluate whether there is an additional beneficial effect on dental plaque removal of rinsing the oral cavity with water before toothbrushing.

Method

In total, 48 non‐dental, systemically healthy participants ≥18 years were included in this randomized controlled clinical trial using a split‐mouth design. The participants were requested to refrain from any form of oral hygiene for 48 h. First dental plaque scores (PI) were assessed full mouth. Two randomly assigned contra‐lateral quadrants were brushed. Next the participant rinsed for 1 min with 15 ml water. Subsequently, the opposite two contra‐lateral quadrants were brushed. Brushing was performed without toothpaste. Subsequently the second full‐mouth PI assessment was performed. The brushing and rinsing procedure was performed under supervision and brushing time was tracked by a timer, each quadrant was brushed for 30 s. For the buccal, lingual, and approximal surfaces and tooth type, a subanalysis was performed.

Results

At baseline there was no statistically significantly difference between the two sets of contra‐lateral quadrants. When a water rinse was used before toothbrushing the PI‐score was reduced by 58%. If water rinse was used post‐brushing the PI‐score reduced by 57%. The difference of 0.04 in mean plaque index score reduction between the two brushing regimens was not significant(P = 0.162).

Conclusion

When a 2 min brushing exercise was performed, on average more than 55% dental plaque was removed. Prerinsing with water did not contribute significantly to toothbrush efficacy.
The Economic and Psychological Burden to Hospitals and Care Facilities of AcceptingEPACandidates in Japan
Authors: Hirano Yuko O. , Tsubota Kunio
Published: March 2016

The Japanese government has encouraged the opening of the domestic market to foreign workers under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as a “special case” in order “to promote the trade relationship between Japan and the countries that sign the agreement” since 2008. According to the literature, the introduction of nurses and care workers is not at all economical. Many empirical studies indicate that the costs of acceptingEPAcandidates is crucial for accepting institutions. In this study, the authors developed a multiple regression model for the economic and psychological burden ofEPAand evaluated the goodness of fit of the model by comparing hospitals and care facilities. The multiple regression analysis indicated a good fit model for hospitals, but not for care facilities. The authors speculate that there are some differences in management between hospitals and care facilities that should be considered in interpreting this phenomenon.
Can Certified Care Workers Become Long‐term Settlers?: Case Study of 49 Filipinos under the Japan–Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement
Authors: Takahata Sachi
Published: March 2016

This article focuses on the first group of Filipino certified care worker (kaigo fukushishi) candidates who joined Japan's caregiving workforce under the Japan–Philippines economic partnership agreement (EPA) in 2009. The arrival of this group marked the start of the arrival of Filipinos specifically to work and study for 3 years in a designated care facility in order to take Japan's unique national board exam in 2013. Based on the follow‐up research on 49 of the first group of 190 Filipino candidates, this study examines the lives of those passing the board exam who decided to remain and continue to work in Japan. Being able to transfer to various care facilities for better employment conditions, their quality of life in Japan has improved, while the issues regarding their residential status and reuniting with their family have yet to be resolved.
Planting Some New Thoughts on the Landscape
Authors: Gallagher Shaun
Published: March 2016

In this comment on Jonathan Glover's Alien Landscapes? I'll focus on two issues: social cognition in autism, and delusions; and I'll introduce a new topic – solitary confinement – as a supplement to Glover's far‐ranging analyses.
The effects of assisted cycling therapy (ACT) and voluntary cycling on reaction time and measures of executive function in adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Ringenbach S. D. R. , Holzapfel S. D. , Mulvey G. M. , Jimenez A. , Benson A. , Richter M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Reports of positive effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in persons with Down syndrome are extremely limited. However, a novel exercise intervention, termed assisted cycling therapy (ACT), has resulted in acutely improved cognitive planning ability and reaction times as well as improved cognitive planning after 8 weeks of ACT in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome. Here, we report the effects of 8 weeks of ACT on reaction time, set‐shifting, inhibition and language fluency in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Methods

Adolescents with Down syndrome (age: ~18 years) were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of ACT (n = 17) or voluntary cycling (VC: n = 16), and a convenience sample (n = 11) was assigned to be an inactive comparison group (NC: n = 11). During ACT, the cycling cadence of the participants was augmented to an average cadence that was 80% faster than the voluntary cadence of the VC group. The increase in cadence was achieved with an electric motor in the stationary bicycle. Reaction time, set‐shifting, inhibition and language fluency were assessed before and after 8 weeks of intervention.

Results

Power output and heart rates of the ACT and VC groups were almost identical, but the ACT cadence was significantly faster. The ACT group, but not the VC or NC groups, showed significantly improved reactions times (Hedges' g = −0.42) and inhibitory control (g = 0.18). Only the VC group showed improved set‐shifting ability (g = 0.57). The ACT and VC groups displayed improved semantic language fluency (g = 0.25, g = 0.22, respectively).

Discussions

These and previous results support the hypothesis of increased neuroplasticity and prefrontal cortex function following ACT and, to a smaller extent, following VC. Both ACT and VC appear to be associated with cortical benefits, but based on current and previous results, ACT seems to maximize the benefits.
How can rAAV‐α‐synuclein and the fibril α‐synuclein models advance our understanding of Parkinson's disease?
Authors: Volpicelli‐Daley Laura A. , Kirik Deniz , Stoyka Lindsay E. , Standaert David G. , Harms Ashley S.
Published: March 2016

Animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) are important for understanding the mechanisms of the disease and can contribute to developing and validating novel therapeutics. Ideally, these models should replicate the cardinal features of PD, such as progressive neurodegeneration of catecholaminergic neurons and motor defects. Many current PD models emphasize pathological forms of α‐synuclein, based on findings that autosomal dominant mutations in α‐synuclein and duplications/triplications of the SNCA gene cause PD. In addition, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, primarily composed of α‐synuclein, represent the predominant pathological characteristics of PD. These inclusions have defined features, such as insolubility in non‐ionic detergent, hyperphosphorylation, proteinase K sensitivity, a filamentous appearance by electron microscopy, and β‐sheet structure. Furthermore, it has become clear that Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites are found throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, and could account not only for motor symptoms, but also for non‐motor symptoms of the disease. The goal of this review is to describe two new α‐synuclein‐based models: the recombinant adeno‐associated viral vector‐α‐synuclein model and the α‐synuclein fibril model. An advantage of both models is that they do not require extensive crossbreeding of rodents transgenic for α‐synuclein with other rodents transgenic for genes of interest to study the impact of such genes on PD‐related pathology and phenotypes. In addition, abnormal α‐synuclein can be expressed in brain regions relevant for disease. Here, we discuss the features of each model, how each model has contributed thus far to our understanding of PD, and the advantages and potential caveats of each model.

image

This review describes two α‐synuclein‐based rodent models of Parkinson's disease: the rAAV‐α‐synuclein model and the α‐synuclein fibril model. The key features of these models are described, and the extent to which they recapitulate features of PD, such as α‐synuclein inclusion formation, loss of dopaminergic synapses in the striatum, motor defects, inflammation, and dopamine neuron death.

This article is part of a special issue on Parkinson disease.
Estimating Brain Lesion Volume Change in Multiple Sclerosis by Subtraction of Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Horsfield Mark A. , Rocca Maria A. , Pagani Elisabetta , Storelli Loredana , Preziosa Paolo , Messina Roberta , Camesasca Fabiano , Copetti Massimiliano , Filippi Massimo
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

Change in lesion volume over time, measured on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, is an important outcome measure for natural history studies and clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS).

PURPOSE

To develop and test image analysis methods for quantification of lesion volume change in order to improve reliability.

METHODS

The technique is based on registration and subtraction, and was evaluated in a cohort of 20 MS patients with dual‐echo images acquired annually over a period of four years. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics review boards of participating centers, and all subjects gave written informed consent. The repeatability was compared to that obtained by the standard method for obtaining lesion volume change by evaluating the total volume at each time point, and then subtracting the volumes to obtain the difference.

RESULTS

Compared to the standard method, the subtraction method had improved intrarater correlation (0.95 and 0.72 for the subtraction method and the standard method, respectively) and interrater correlation (0.51 and 0.28, respectively). Furthermore, the mean time required to analyze the scans from one patient was 41 minutes for the subtraction method compared to 125 minutes for the standard method.

CONCLUSION

Use of the subtraction algorithm leads to improved reliability and lower operator fatigue in clinical trials and studies of the natural history of MS.
Optimal Rate of Convergence for Empirical Quantiles and Distribution Functions for Time Series
Authors: Jirak Moritz
Published: March 2016

Given a stationary sequence
, we are interested in the rate of convergence in the central limit theorem of the empirical quantiles and the empirical distribution function. Under a general notion of weak dependence, we show a Berry–Esseen result with optimal rate n−1/2. The setup includes many prominent time series models, such as functions of ARMA or (augmented) GARCH processes. In this context, optimal Berry–Esseen rates for empirical quantiles appear to be novel.
Functional Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity
Authors: Aue Alexander , Horváth Lajos , F. Pellatt Daniel
Published: March 2016

Heteroskedasticity is a common feature of financial time series and is commonly addressed in the model building process through the use of autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (GARCH) processes. More recently, multivariate variants of these processes have been the focus of research with attention given to methods seeking an efficient and economic estimation of a large number of model parameters. Because of the need for estimation of many parameters, however, these models may not be suitable for modelling now prevalent high‐frequency volatility data. One potentially useful way to bypass these issues is to take a functional approach. In this article, theory is developed for a new functional version of the GARCH process, termed fGARCH. The main results are concerned with the structure of the fGARCH(1,1) process, providing criteria for the existence of strictly stationary solutions both in the space of square‐integrable and continuous functions. An estimation procedure is introduced, and its consistency and asymptotic normality are verified. A small empirical study highlights potential applications to intraday volatility estimation.
Diagnostic yield of 24‐hour esophageal manometry in non‐cardiac chest pain
Authors: Barret M. , Herregods T. V. K. , Oors J. M. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J.
Published: March 2016

Background

In the past, ambulatory 24‐h manometry has been shown useful for the evaluation of patients with non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP). With the diagnostic improvements brought by pH‐impedance monitoring and high‐resolution manometry (HRM), the contribution of ambulatory 24‐h manometry to the diagnosis of esophageal hypertensive disorders has become uncertain. Our aim was to assess the additional diagnostic yield of ambulatory manometry to HRM and ambulatory pH‐impedance monitoring in this patient population.

Methods

All patients underwent 24‐h ambulatory pressure‐pH‐impedance monitoring and HRM. Patients had retrosternal pain as a predominant symptom and no explanation after cardiologic and digestive endoscopic evaluations. Diagnostic measurements were analyzed by two independent physicians.

Key Results

Fifty‐nine patients met the inclusion criteria; 37.3% of the patients had their symptoms explained by abnormalities on pH‐impedance monitoring and 6.8% by ambulatory manometry. Functional chest pain was diagnosed in 52.5% of the patients. High‐resolution manometry, using the Chicago Classification v3.0 criteria alone, did not identify any of the four patients with esophageal spasm on ambulatory manometry. However, taking into account other abnormalities, such as simultaneous (rapid) or repetitive contractions, HRM had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 98.2% for the diagnosis of esophageal spasm.

Conclusions & Inferences

In the work‐up of NCCP, ambulatory 24‐h manometry has a low additional diagnostic yield. However, it remains the best technique to identify esophageal spasm as the cause of symptoms. This is particularly useful when an unequivocal diagnosis is needed before treatment.
Parental self‐efficacy in managing food allergy and mental health predicts food allergy‐related quality of life
Authors: Knibb Rebecca C. , Barnes Christopher , Stalker Carol
Published: March 2016

Background

Food allergy has been shown to have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL) and can be difficult to manage in order to avoid potentially life‐threatening reactions. Parental self‐efficacy (confidence) in managing food allergy for their child might explain variations in QoL. This study aimed to examine whether self‐efficacy in parents of food allergic children was a good predictor of QoL of the family.

Methods

Parents of children with clinically diagnosed food allergy completed the Food Allergy Self‐Efficacy Scale for Parents (FASE‐P), the Food Allergy Quality of Life Parental Burden Scale (FAQL‐PB), the GHQ‐12 (to measure mental health) and the Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM), which measures perceived likelihood of a severe allergic reaction.

Results

A total of 434 parents took part. Greater parental QoL was significantly related to greater self‐efficacy for food allergy management, better mental health, lower perceived likelihood of a severe reaction, older age in parent and child and fewer number of allergies (all p < 0.05). Food allergy self‐efficacy explained more of the variance in QoL than any other variable and self‐efficacy related to management of social activities and precaution and prevention of an allergic reaction appeared to be the most important aspects.

Conclusions

Parental self‐efficacy in management of a child's food allergy is important and is associated with better parental QoL. It would be useful to measure self‐efficacy at visits to allergy clinic in order to focus support; interventions to improve self‐efficacy in parents of food allergic children should be explored.
Development of a nomogram to estimate the quality of life in asthmatic children using the Childhood Asthma Control Test
Authors: Montalbano Laura , Cilluffo Giovanna , Gentile Manuel , Ferrante Giuliana , Malizia Velia , Cibella Fabio , Viegi Giovanni , Passalacqua Giovanni , La Grutta Stefania
Published: March 2016

Background

Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) provides detailed information on QoL in asthmatic children, whereas Childhood Asthma Control Test (C‐ACT) Questionnaire is the most validated instrument for asthma control. No study assessed the relationship between C‐ACT and QoL in children by means of those instruments. The aim of this study was to determine whether a QoL estimation is possible using the C‐ACT questionnaire in asthmatic children.

Methods

Medical history, spirometry, C‐ACT, and PAQLQ were assessed in 144 (60% male) outpatient asthmatic children from September 2011 to November 2014. A generalized linear model (GLM) for the prediction of PAQLQ was obtained through a stepwise procedure starting from a full model with all C‐ACT items, and predictive nomograms were created.

Results

Fifty‐five (38%) well‐controlled (WC) asthma, 37 (26%) partially controlled (PC) asthma, and 52 (36%) uncontrolled asthma (UA) patients were enrolled. Persistent asthmatics (PA) were significantly more uncontrolled (p < 0.0001). A significant reduction in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25–75 (p = 0.005, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.001, respectively) was found in WC vs. UA. Through a stepwise process, a reduced model showed a positive relationship between the PAQLQ and the four items of C‐ACT. The regression equations for predicted PAQLQ were ln(PAQLQ) = 1.17 + 0.05*C‐ACT2 + 0.03*C‐ACT3 + 0.04*C‐ACT6 + 0.03*C‐ACT7. Thus, a nomogram was constructed.

Conclusion

The designed nomogram provides a highly predictive assessment of QoL in individual patients, facilitating a more comprehensive assessment of asthmatic children in usual clinical care.
Effects of an early referral system on liver transplantation for hepatoblastoma at Texas Children's Hospital
Authors: Kueht Michael , Thompson Patrick , Rana Abbas , Cotton Ronald , O'Mahony Christine , Goss John
Published: March 2016

The purposes of this study were to analyze the effects of an ERS on time to transplantation and to describe our center's experience with OLT for HB. Patients who received OLT for HB between 2000 and 2013 were included. Patient and allograft characteristics, chemotherapy regimens, and prior surgical therapies were examined. The interval between diagnosis and OLT prior to and following the institution of an ERS for transplant was compared. Survival and tumor recurrence were analyzed. Nineteen patients received OLT for HB (mean age 33 months). All children received grafts from deceased donors. Two patients underwent prior resections. Tumor recurred in four patients (21.1%). Both patients who received salvage transplants experienced post‐OLT recurrence. Three of the four recurrences occurred in spite of adjuvant chemotherapy. There were three deaths: two from metastatic disease. One‐ and five‐yr survivals were 86.1% and 73.8%. After the institution of the ERS, the mean interval between tissue diagnosis and OLT was significantly reduced. Our series of 19 patients demonstrates a 21% recurrence of HB following OLT despite chemotherapy. Five‐yr survival reached 73.8%. A system of early referral can effectively reduce times between diagnosis and transplant.
SPATIO‐FUNCTIONAL DETERMINANTS OF SMALL TOWNS: A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED INDIAN SMALL TOWNS
Authors: Alam Ashfaque , Choudhury Binayak
Published: March 2016

To investigate the growth dynamics of small towns in India, we examine functional and spatial determinants . Urban growth is a concentration of the population in response to the availability of diverse amenities and facilities in urban centers. Subsequently, the urban population is distributed among settlements of varying sizes. Although the share of the urban population accounted for by small towns (less than 20,000) in 2011 in India was 12.83%, their relative share of proposed capital expenditure in urban infrastructure for 2012–2031 is estimated at only 6.8%. This calls for a major policy shift toward the development of small towns. The significant growth of small towns and their increasing decadal growth rate and percentage share in the total urban population of India calls for a substantiation of their significance. Because any settlement is usually concentrated on its center, which can be described by both functional and spatial determinants, the spatio‐functional determinants of small towns are investigated to determine their centrality.
The importance of ‘tooglies’ to the ethnography of F.E. Williams, government anthropologist
Authors: Rohatynskyj Marta
Published: March 2016

The theoretical orientation, encapsulated in the semi‐serious concept of ‘tooglies'of F.E. Williams, government anthropologist for the Territory of Papua in the inter‐war period, is considered. His ideas about culture change are contrasted with those of Bronislaw Malinowski, who acted as his mentor at one time. His treatment of the social organisational anomaly of Sogeri Koiari ‘sex affiliation’, often cited as a case of parallel bilineal descent, is compared with Margaret Mead's analysis of the ‘Mundugumor ropes’, which is classed as the opposite, cross‐sex bilineal descent. It is shown that Williams was able to get a clearer insight into this anomalous data than Mead and Fortune, and, on the whole, worked with an understanding of culture and Papuan social organisation that presages the relational approach of today.
Evidence for multidimensional resilience in adult patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassemias: Is it more common than we think?
Authors: Almahmoud S. Y. , Coifman K. G. , Ross G. S. , Kleinert D. , Giardina P.
Published: March 2016

Background

Life expectancy of patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassemias has increased with the development of improved treatment over the last few decades. However, β‐thalassemia disorder still has considerable lifetime treatment demands and heightened risk of frequent complications due to transfusion‐transmitted infections and iron overload, which may affect thalassemic patients' functioning in different domains.

Objectives

The vast majority of published studies on thalassemic patients have focused on children and adolescent functioning, and little research has examined adults. Hence, the current study was planned to examine the functioning and resilience of adult thalassemic patients in a comprehensive way.

Methods

We examined multidimensional resilience and functioning across different domains (psychological adjustment, treatment adherence, social functioning and occupational functioning). We also examined demographic and medical variables that may relate to resilience and functioning. Participants were adult patients [n = 38; age M = 31·63, standard deviation (SD) = 7·72; 72% female] with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia in treatment in a hospital in the northeastern United States.

Results

The results suggest that most adult thalassemic patients tend to be resilient, demonstrating good functioning in four main domains: psychological adjustment, treatment adherence, social functioning and occupational functioning.

Conclusion

Despite the considerable demands of their illness, adult thalassemic patients appeared to be adapting well, demonstrating evidence of multidimensional resilience.
The hemostatic properties of thawed pooled cryoprecipitate up to 72 hours
Authors: Green Laura , Backholer Lucy , Wiltshire Mike , Platton Sean , Stanworth Simon J. , Cardigan Rebecca
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

There is increasing interest in replacing fibrinogen early for the treatment of major hemorrhage. In countries where cryoprecipitate is the main concentrated source of fibrinogen, the thawing process complicates the timely availability of cryoprecipitate for transfusion early during major bleeding. The aim of the study was to investigate the hemostatic quality of cryoprecipitate, thawed and held at 18 to 24°C for up to 72 hours.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Pooled cryoprecipitate (16 units [eight group O and eight group A]) were thawed at 35 ± 2°C for 20 minutes and held at ambient temperature (18‐24°C) for up to 72 hours. Samples were tested at 0, 4, 10, 24, 48, and 72 hours after thawing for Factor (F)VIII, fibrinogen activity, FXIII, rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM), and thrombin generation (TG).

RESULTS

There were no significant changes in levels of fibrinogen and FXIII over 72 hours. There was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in FVIII at 24, 48, and 72 hours compared with the baseline; however, at all time points units met the UK specification for FVIII level. The peak thrombin, endogenous thrombin potential, and all ROTEM variables remained unchanged after 72 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

The hemostatic properties of thawed pooled cryoprecipitate, maintained at ambient temperature, remain stable for up to 72 hours. Stocking a prethawed product may optimize inventory management, to ensure product availability for rapid transfusion. Further studies need to assess the potential risk of bacterial contamination arising from storage at ambient temperature to determine the maximum shelf life for cryoprecipitate after thawing.
Transcription of thymic stromal lymphopoietin via Toll‐like receptor 2 in canine keratinocytes: a possible association of Staphylococcus spp. in the deterioration of allergic inflammation in canine atopic dermatitis
Authors: Sakamoto Mayu , Asahina Ryota , Kamishina Hiroaki , Maeda Sadatoshi
Published: March 2016

Background

Colonization, overgrowth and subsequent infection by Staphylococcus spp. is frequently observed in canine atopic dermatitis (CAD), where it contributes to the intensity of cutaneous inflammation. The mechanisms by which staphylococci contribute to the pathogenesis of CAD are unclear. Studies suggest that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine induced by a cell wall component of Staphylococcus spp., may play a critical role in Th2 responses including the pathogenesis of CAD.

Hypothesis/Objective

To determine if synthetic triacylated lipopeptide (TLR1/2 ligand), a cell wall component of Staphylococcus spp., induces the transcription of TSLP via TLR2 in canine keratinocytes.

Methods

Transcription of TSLP was quantified in a canine keratinocyte cell line after stimulation with synthetic triacylated lipopeptide, and again after inhibition of TLR2 by a targeted small interfering RNA.

Results

The transcription of TSLP was enhanced 6 h after stimulation with the synthetic triacylated lipopeptide; it was completely suppressed by knockdown of TLR2.

Conclusions and clinical importance

The results demonstrated that a synthetic cell wall component of Staphylococcus spp. induced transcription of TSLP via TLR2 in canine keratinocytes. Additional studies will be required to investigate whether Staphylococcus spp. contributes to Th2 responses in CAD through TLR2‐mediated TSLP production.
Arrhythmogenic and metabolic remodelling of failing human heart
Authors: Gloschat C. R. , Koppel A. C. , Aras K. K. , Brennan J. A. , Holzem K. M. , Efimov I. R.
Published: March 2016

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global burden of HF continues to rise, with prevalence rates estimated at 1–2% and incidence approaching 5–10 per 1000 persons annually. The complex pathophysiology of HF impacts virtually all aspects of normal cardiac function – from structure and mechanics to metabolism and electrophysiology – leading to impaired mechanical contraction and sudden cardiac death. Pharmacotherapy and device therapy are the primary methods of treating HF, but neither is able to stop or reverse disease progression. Thus, there is an acute need to translate basic research into improved HF therapy. Animal model investigations are a critical component of HF research. However, the translation from cellular and animal models to the bedside is hampered by significant differences between species and among physiological scales. Our studies over the last 8 years show that hypotheses generated in animal models need to be validated in human in vitro models. Importantly, however, human heart investigations can establish translational platforms for safety and efficacy studies before embarking on costly and risky clinical trials. This review summarizes recent developments in human HF investigations of electrophysiology remodelling, metabolic remodelling, and β‐adrenergic remodelling and discusses promising new technologies for HF research.

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Capturing Cyclic Variability in Exhaust Gas Recirculation Dilute Spark-Ignition Combustion Using Multicycle RANS
Authors: Scarcelli Riccardo , Sevik James , Wallner Thomas , Richards Keith , Pomraning Eric , Senecal Peter K.
Published: March 2016

Dilute combustion is an effective approach to increase the thermal efficiency of spark-ignition (SI) internal combustion engines (ICEs). However, high dilution levels typically result in large cycle-to-cycle variations (CCV) and poor combustion stability, therefore limiting the efficiency improvement. In order to extend the dilution tolerance of SI engines, advanced ignition systems are the subject of extensive research. When simulating the effect of the ignition characteristics on CCV, providing a numerical result matching the measured average in-cylinder pressure trace does not deliver useful information regarding combustion stability. Typically large eddy simulations (LES) are performed to simulate cyclic engine variations, since Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeling is expected to deliver an ensemble-averaged result. In this paper, it is shown that, when using RANS, the cyclic perturbations coming from different initial conditions at each cycle are not damped out even after many simulated cycles. As a result, multicycle RANS results feature cyclic variability. This allows evaluating the effect of advanced ignition sources on combustion stability but requires validation against the entire cycle-resolved experimental dataset. A single-cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) research engine is simulated using RANS and the numerical results for 20 consecutive engine cycles are evaluated for several operating conditions, including stoichiometric as well as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) dilute operation. The effect of the ignition characteristics on CCV is also evaluated. Results show not only that multicycle RANS simulations can capture cyclic variability and deliver similar trends as the experimental data but more importantly that RANS might be an effective, lower-cost alternative to LES for the evaluation of ignition strategies for combustion systems that operate close to the stability limit.
Ion Nitriding CoCrMo Alloy for Orthopedic Applications Studied by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Analysis and Tribocorrosion Behavior
Authors: Wang Qingliang , Zhang Xin , Huang Chuanhui , Luo Yong
Published: March 2016

In the present study, the composition of ion nitriding layer of forged CoCrMo alloy was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The tribocorrosion was investigated in 25% calf serum solution. The results showed that CrN and Cr2N phases formed in ion nitriding layer. The content of CrN phase was about 70.2% and Cr2N is only about 29.8%. The corrosion potential (Ecorr) of ion nitriding sample was about −310 mV and the untreated sample was about −820 mV. On condition of tribocorrosion, the friction coefficient of untreated sample was less than those of nitriding sample under different applied loads. At the same applied load, the current density of ion nitriding sample was higher than that of the untreated one. Ktot and Kw of ion nitriding sample were less than the untreated one, which showed the better tribocorrosion resistance. The ratio of Kc/Kw for ion nitriding sample lied in the range of 0.1 < Kc/Kw < 1 under three tested loads, showing that the mechanism was controlled by a wear dominated corrosion.
Acoustic centering of a baffled piston in the circular harmonics domain
Authors: Shabtai Noam R. , Vorländer Michael
Published: March 2016

The acoustic center of radiating sources is relevant to the modeling of radiation patterns and to their effective implementation in acoustical applications and computer models. However, the acoustic center of the sources may not be unique and therefore should be defined. Previously studied source centering algorithms used analytic methods for specific acoustic models, or applied post processing methods on a recorded sound from an acoustic source that was surrounded by a spherical microphone array. This work performs an acoustic centering of a radiating circular baffled piston that is formed by an open termination of a circular pipe. A signal processing based acoustic centering algorithm is redefined for this case and is shown to be correlated with the effective length of the pipe.
Empathy Inhibits Aggression in Competition: The Role of Provocation, Emotion, and Gender
Authors: Stanger Nicholas , Kavussanu Maria , McIntyre David , Ring Christopher
Published: March 2016

Although the empathy–aggression relationship has been well documented, research has yet to establish whether emotions mediate and gender moderates this relationship in athletes, under conditions of low and high provocation. In this experiment, we assigned team-sport athletes to either a high (n = 40) or a low (n = 40) empathy group, and asked them to compete in a reaction-time task against a (fictitious) opponent, under conditions of low and high provocation. Empathy reduced aggression (i.e., intensity of electrical shock administered to the opponent) at low provocation in men, and at both low and high provocation in women. Guilt mediated the effect of empathy on aggression at low provocation in men; anger did not mediate any effects of empathy on aggression. Our findings indicate that the inhibitory effect of empathy on aggression and the mediating role of guilt are moderated by provocation and gender.
Psychological Momentum During and Across Sports Matches: Evidence for Interconnected Time Scales
Authors: Den Hartigh Ruud J. R. , Van Geert Paul L. C. , Van Yperen Nico W. , Cox Ralf F. A. , Gernigon Christophe
Published: March 2016

This study on psychological momentum (PM) in sports provides the first experimental test of an interconnection between short-term PM (during a match) and long-term PM (across a series of matches). Twenty-two competitive athletes were striving to win a prize during a rowing-ergometer tournament, consisting of manipulated races. As hypothesized, athletes who had developed long-term positive PM after two successful races were less sensitive to a negative momentum scenario in the third race, compared with athletes who had developed long-term negative PM after two unsuccessful races. More specifically, the exerted efforts, perceptions of momentum, and self-efficacy were higher for participants who had developed long-term positive PM, and their perceptions of momentum and self-efficacy decreased less rapidly. These results illustrate a typical complex dynamical systems property, namely interconnected time scales, and provide deeper insights into the dynamical nature of PM.
Are Motor Adjustments Quick Because They Don’t Require Detection or Because They Escape Competition?
Authors: Wyble Bradley P. , Rosenbaum David A.
Published: March 2016

Smeets et al. (2016) suggested that motor adjustments may be quick because they don’t require stimulus detection. We agree that these rapid adjustments probably reflect rapid perceptual processing rather than rapid motor execution, but we question whether the absence of detection is the best way to explain the effect. We suggest that it is unclear what mechanisms would be involved in detection and why detection would be required in some of the cases discussed by Smeets et al. Instead, we suggest that ultra-fast motor adjustments require very little competition among possible stimuli or responses. We suggest that escaping competition rather than avoiding detection may be the cause of the very short reaction times that Smeets et al. identified.