bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients' views on the effectiveness of patient‐held records: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Sartain Samantha A. , Stressing Samantha , Prieto Jacqui
Published: July 2014

Objective

To synthesise the views of patients on patient‐held records (PHR) and to determine from a patient's perspective the effectiveness and any benefits or drawbacks to the PHR.

Design

Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies, which investigate the perspective of patients on the effectiveness of the PHR.

Data sources

Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, PubMed, Cochrane.

Review methods

Systematic review of literature relevant to the research question and thematic synthesis involving line by line coding of the quotations from participants and the interpretations of the findings offered by authors.

Results

Ten papers that reported the experiences of 455 patients were included in the thematic synthesis. Five studies focused on cancer care, two on mental health, one on antenatal care, one on chronic disease and one on learning disability. The completeness of reporting was variable. Three main themes were identified: (i) practical benefits of the PHR (having a record of one's condition, an aide memoire, useful information source and tool for sharing information across the health system); (ii) psychological benefits of the PHR (empowered to ask questions, a place to record thoughts and feelings and feeling in control); and (iii) drawbacks to the PHR (PHR imposes unwanted responsibility and ineffectiveness).

Conclusions

The effectiveness of the PHR is largely dependent upon uptake across the health system from patients and health‐care providers alike. Robust qualitative studies are needed, which offer more complete reporting and examine what patients want and need from a PHR.
An analysis of the Research Team–Service User relationship from the Service User perspective: a consideration of ‘The Three Rs’ (Roles, Relations, and Responsibilities) for healthcare research organisations
Authors: Jordan Melanie , Rowley Emma , Morriss Richard , Manning Nick
Published: July 2014

Background

This article debates interview data from service users who engaged with the work of a Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). The evidence base, to date, concerning the nature of CLAHRC work at the frontline (i.e. What is it actually like to do CLAHRC work?) is meagre; thus, this article represents an original contribution to that literature. Further, this article analyses service users' participation in research – as members of the research team – and so contributes to the body of developing literature regarding involvement too.

Objective

This article explores the nature of the Research Team–Service User relationship, plus associated roles, relations and responsibilities of collaborative health research.

Design

Qualitative social science research was undertaken in a health‐care research organization utilizing interview method and a medical sociology and organizational sociology theoretical framework for analysis. Data utilized originate from a larger evaluation study that focuses on the CLAHRC as an iterative organization and explores members' experiences.

Results

There can be a disparity between initial expectations and actual experiences of involvement for service users. Therefore, as structured via ‘The Three Rs’ (Roles, Relations and Responsibilities), aspects of the relationship are evaluated (e.g. motivation, altruism, satisfaction, transparency, scope, feedback, communication, time).

Regarding the inclusion of service users in health research teams, a careful consideration of ‘The Three Rs’ is required to ensure expectations match experiences.
Revascularization of an immature tooth with apical periodontitis using a single visit protocol: a case report
Authors: McCabe P.
Published: July 2014

Aim

To discuss the clinical and radiological outcome of a revascularization procedure which was completed in a single visit (using sodium hypochlorite 5% as the sole disinfectant) in an immature tooth with a necrotic pulp and apical periodontitis.

A 7‐year‐old girl was referred in pain following trauma to the maxillary anterior region some 6–7 weeks previously. The maxillary left central incisor tooth was diagnosed with a necrotic pulp and acute apical periodontitis. Under local anaesthesia and rubber dam isolation, an access cavity was prepared. The canal was irrigated with a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution and agitated with an ultrasonic file. A 17% EDTA solution was also used for a final rinse. Bleeding was induced into the canal space from the periapical tissues using a K‐file. An MTA layer/barrier was placed directly onto the blood clot, and a further layer of GC Fuji IX cement was placed on top of the MTA to restore the access cavity. The tooth was reevaluated at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 18 months. The tooth has remained symptom free. Radiographic examination shows progressive thickening of the root canal walls, root lengthening and apical closure.

Key learning points

Disinfection with 5% sodium hypochlorite followed by the induction of a blood clot into the root canal space may be sufficient to promote revascularization in certain circumstances.

A single visit revascularization procedure is a potential treatment option.
Going green for self or for others? Gender and identity salience effects on sustainable consumption
Authors: Costa Pinto Diego , Herter Márcia M. , Rossi Patricia , Borges Adilson
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study is to explore the effects of gender and salient identity on sustainable consumption. In particular, this research investigates how gender effects on sustainable consumption may be contingent to the identity that is salient to the consumer during the evaluation process (personal vs. social). According to identity‐based motivation theory, the salience of personal identity means that people temporarily think about themselves as individuals, whereas social identity salience means that people see themselves as part of a group. The results from an experimental study indicated that when personal identity was salient, female participants declared higher levels of sustainable consumption compared with male participants. However, when social identity was salient, male participants increased their sustainable consumption intentions to the same level as female participants. Finally, this research discusses the theoretical and managerial implications on identities, gender and sustainable consumption.
Elaborating on the attitude–behaviour gap regarding organic products: young Danish consumers and in‐store food choice
Authors: Aschemann‐Witzel Jessica , Niebuhr Aagaard Emilie Marie
Published: July 2014

Even though most consumers hold positive attitudes towards organic food, attitudes appear not to translate into respective behaviour to the same extent. It has been found that the high price and availability are major reasons for this attitude–behaviour gap, especially among young consumers. In Denmark, supermarkets offer a comparatively broad organic food range at relatively small price premiums; however, even in Denmark, market growth rates are moderate. To explore in detail young consumer's barriers to act upon their attitudes, we aimed at researching their thoughts and product associations at the point of sale. Qualitative accompanied shopping interviews with 10 young consumers holding positive attitudes towards organic were conducted. The analysis resulted in a model of the point‐of‐sale thoughts concerning organic food, showing that the conditions (expected quality, price premium) met in the store and the personal context (moral beliefs, household member influence) impact the argumentations, which lead to a choice decision and subsequent elaboration of the consequences of this choice. Price is discussed as a main barrier, but a temporary one: young consumers argue that they postpone organic purchases until a later stage in life. We conclude that to increase young Danish consumers' choice of organic, the high price premium image needs to be lessened and the differentiation from conventional food improved. Furthermore, communication might trigger young consumers to consider acting now upon ethical values, instead of postponing it.
Formal and relational governance in IT outsourcing: substitution, complementarity and the role of the psychological contract
Authors: Lioliou Eleni , Zimmermann Angelika , Willcocks Leslie , Gao Lan
Published: July 2014

This study aims to contribute to the literature on IT outsourcing governance by advancing our understanding of mechanisms of substitution and complementarity between formal and relational governance. Our study illustrates certain conditions under which substitution and complementarity can occur and depicts a two‐way causal relationship between them. Our examination further provides a more in‐depth assessment of relational governance by using the concept of the psychological contract. Our results demonstrate that the psychologically binding nature of the psychological contract makes it a particularly forceful substitute to formal governance, while its associations with other relationship aspects make it a forceful complement.
Cross‐bridge cycling in smooth muscle: a short review
Authors: ARNER A. , MALMQVIST U.
Published: July 2014

This review is focused on the cross‐bridge interaction of the organized contractile system of smooth muscle fibres. By using chemically skinned preparations the different enzymatic reactions of actin‐myosin interaction have been associated with mechanical events. A rigor state has been identified in smooth muscle and the binding of ATP causes dissociation of rigor cross‐bridges at rates slightly slower than those in skeletal muscle, but fast enough not to be rate‐limiting for cross‐bridge turn over in the muscle fibre. The release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is associated with force generation, and this process is not rate‐limiting for maximal shortening velocity (Vmax) in the fully activated muscle. The binding of ADP to myosin is strong in the smooth muscle contractile system, a property that might be associated with the generally slow cross‐bridge turn over. Both force and Vmax are modulated by the extent of myosin light chain phosphorylation. Low levels of activation are considered to be associated with the recruitment of slowly cycling dephosphorylated cross‐bridges which reduces shortening velocity. The attachment of these cross‐bridge states in skinned smooth muscle can be regulated by cooperative mechanisms and thin filament associated systems. Smooth muscles exhibit a large diversity in their Vmax and the individual smooth muscle tissue can alter its Vmax under physiological conditions. The diversity and the long‐term modulation of phenotype are associated with changes in myosin heavy and light chain isoform expression.
Regulation of the cross‐bridge cycle: the effects of MgADP, LC17 isoforms and telokin
Authors: SOMLYO A.V. , MATTHEW J.D. , WU X. , KHROMOV A.S. , SOMLYO A.P.
Published: July 2014

This review summarizes the role of MgADP in force maintenance by dephosphorylated cross‐bridges in smooth muscle and a potential physiological role for telokin. In tonic, compared with phasic, smooth muscles the affinity of cross‐bridges is ∼5 times higher for MgADP and the apparent second‐order rate constant for MgATP is ∼3 times lower. This gives rise to a large population of dephosphorylated cross‐bridges in tonic smooth muscle. Such cross‐bridges are thought to be major determinants of the different relaxation kinetics of the two types of smooth muscle and contribute to force maintenance at low levels of MLC20 phosphorylation, termed ‘catch‐like state’ (Somlyo & Somlyo 1967) or ‘latch’ (Dillon et al. 1981). The molecular basis of the different affinities for MgADP and MgATP between tonic and phasic smooth muscle myosin was explored by exchange of essential myosin light chain (LC17) isoforms. In phasic bladder smooth muscle the exchange of LC17b for LC17a caused a significant decrease in the unloaded shortening velocity of non‐phosphorylated, slowly cycling cross‐bridges, suggesting that the LC17 isoforms contribute to the nucleotide affinity of latch bridges. The role of telokin in Ca2+‐desensitization in phasic smooth muscle is reviewed. Telokin, the independently expressed C‐terminus of myosin light chain kinase, is extensively phosphorylated during forskolin‐ and 8‐br‐cGMP‐induced relaxation in situ. Telokin accelerated dephosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain and relaxed rabbit ileum smooth muscle. The results suggest that telokin contributes to cAMP and/or cGMP kinase‐mediated Ca2+‐desensitization of phasic smooth muscles.
Myosin light chain kinase: functional domains and structural motifs
Authors: STULL J.T. , LIN P.J. , KRUEGER J.K. , TREWHELLA J. , ZHI G.
Published: July 2014

Conventional myosin light chain kinase found in differentiated smooth and non‐muscle cells is a dedicated Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase which phosphorylates the regulatory light chain of myosin II. This phosphorylation increases the actin‐activated myosin ATPase activity and is thought to play major roles in a number of biological processes, including smooth muscle contraction. The catalytic domain contains residues on its surface that bind a regulatory segment resulting in autoinhibition through an intrasteric mechanism. When Ca2+/calmodulin binds, there is a marked displacement of the regulatory segment from the catalytic cleft allowing phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain. Kinase activity depends upon Ca2+/calmodulin binding not only to the canonical calmodulin‐binding sequence but also to additional interactions between Ca2+/calmodulin and the catalytic core. Previous biochemical evidence shows myosin light chain kinase binds tightly to actomyosin containing filaments. The kinase has low‐affinity myosin and actin binding sites in Ig‐like motifs at the N‐ and C‐terminus, respectively. Recent results show the N‐terminus of myosin light chain kinase is responsible for filament binding in vivo. However, the apparent binding affinity is greater for smooth muscle myofilaments, purified thin filaments, or actin‐containing filaments in permeable cells than for purified smooth muscle F‐actin or actomyosin filaments from skeletal muscle. These results suggest a protein on actin thin filaments that may facilitate kinase binding. Myosin light chain kinase does not dissociate from filaments in the presence of Ca2+/calmodulin raising the interesting question as to how the kinase phosphorylates myosin in thick filaments if it is bound to actin‐containing thin filaments.
Lipid second messengers derived from glycerolipids and sphingolipids, and their role in smooth muscle function*
Authors: OHANIAN J. , LIU G. , OHANIAN V. , HEAGERTY A.M.
Published: July 2014

The processes that link activation of an external receptor to the internal mechanisms that elicit a physiological response have been the subject of extensive investigation. It has been established that rather than just being an inert barrier to protect the cell from environmental damage, there are populations of phospholipids located within the plasma membrane that act as a reservoir for signalling molecules and when a receptor binds its appropriate activating ligand a chain of events is initiated which leads to the breakdown of these lipids and the release of second messengers. Such processes are rapid enough for physiological responses to be effected. The purpose of this review is to examine the profile of lipid second messengers derived from glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. In the former class are included phosphoinositide and phosphatidylcholine and the latter includes sphingomyelin. Hydrolysis of such parent compounds is mediated by phospholipases and the profile of metabolites appears to be agonist specific and modulated by a number of mechanisms including heterotrimeric G‐protein subunits, small G‐proteins, alterations in intracellular calcium concentration, protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases. The recent interest in sphingolipids, particularly in vascular smooth muscle cells, has been provoked by the observation that ceramide and sphingoid base formation is observed in response to vasoconstrictor hormones.
Cation Field Strength Effects on Boron Coordination in Binary Borate Glasses
Authors: Wu Jingshi , Stebbins Jonathan F.
Published: July 2014

The field strength of modifier cations in boron‐containing oxide glasses has important but complex effects on boron coordination, and has long been known to have major effects on glass and liquid properties. With well‐constrained compositional and fictive temperature information in three binary borate glass series, we report how different modifier cations (Na+, Ba2+, Ca2+) affect boron coordination (11B MAS NMR), as well as glass transition temperatures and configurational heat capacities (DSC). Using estimated reaction enthalpies for converting a [4]B to a [3]B with an NBO from previous studies, we compare boron coordinations in glasses with different modifier cations on an isothermal basis. Temperature and modifier cation effects can thus be isolated. At low modifier contents [R = (Na2,Ca,Ba)O/B2O3<0.45], N4 is systematically higher in the order Na>Ba>Ca, suggesting the enhanced stabilization of NBO for the divalent cations, especially for the smaller Ca2+. At higher R values, N4 for Na borates drops below values for Ca and Ba borates. The trend in N4 with modifier field strength reverses at high R values (~ R > 0.7), with Ca > Ba > Na. The transition may be related to the enhanced stabilization of [4]B‐O‐[4]B groups by higher field strength cations in NBO‐rich glasses in which boron is the primary network component.
Processing and Properties of Textured Potassium Sodium Niobate [K,Na]NbO3 Ceramic Ribbons by Alginate Gelation Method
Authors: Mensur‐Alkoy Ebru , Berksoy‐Yavuz Ayşe , Alkoy Sedat
Published: July 2014

Random and <001> textured potassium sodium niobate – [K,Na]NbO3 (KNN) ceramics with 1 mole% CuO sintering aid were fabricated in ribbon form through a combination of novel alginate gelation process and templated grain growth methods using platelike sodium niobate ‐ NaNbO3 (NN) template particles. The platelike NN template particles were prepared by a two‐step molten salt synthesis method. Ribbons were drawn from alginate‐based slurries without or with 10 wt% NN template particles using 50 mm long slit nozzle with a rectangular orifice of 10 mm × 1 mm. Development of crystallographic texture as a result of varying sintering time and temperature was evaluated through the calculation of the degree of orientation as measured by the Lotgering factor (ƒ(001)) and an ƒ(001) of 0.81 was achieved. The electrical properties of textured ribbons were evaluated with polarization and strain versus electric field measurements.
Benefiting from the Wrongdoing of Others
Authors: Goodin Robert E. , Barry Christian
Published: July 2014

Bracket out the wrong of committing a wrong, or conspiring or colluding or conniving with others in their committing one. Suppose you have done none of those things, and you find yourself merely benefiting from a wrong committed wholly by someone else. What, if anything, is wrong with that? What, if any, duties follow from it? If straightforward restitution were possible — if you could just ‘give back’ what you received as a result of the wrongdoing to its rightful owner — then matters are morally more straightforward. But in real‐world cases that is often impossible, and questions of ‘how much, from whom and to whom?’ become far more vexing. The beneficiary disgorging all benefits of the wrong is part of the story, but where that is not possible or will not suffice to compensate the victim of wrongdoing we discuss various ways of allocating the cost of making the victim whole, including supplementation from public coffers.
Nitric oxide donors rescue diabetic nephropathy through oxidative‐stress‐ and nitrosative‐stress‐mediated Wnt signaling pathways
Authors: Hsu Yung‐Chien , Lee Pei‐Hsien , Lei Chen‐Chou , Ho Cheng , Shih Ya‐Hsueh , Lin Chun‐Liang
Published: July 2014

Aims/Introduction

The role of the renal nitric oxide (NO) system in the pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy constitutes a very challenging and fertile field for future investigation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether NO donors can attenuate diabetic renal fibrosis and apoptosis through modulating oxidative‐ and nitrosative‐stress, and Wnt signaling using in vivo diabetic models.

Materials and Methods

Diabetic rat was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Rats in each group were intraperitoneally given 2,2′‐(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)bis‐ethanamine (1 U/kg/day) and vehicle for 28 and 56 consecutive days. Expression of the oxidative‐ and nitrosative‐stress, and Wnt signaling components were examined in kidneys from diabetic animals by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

NO donor treatment significantly reduced the ratio of kidney weight to bodyweight and proteinuria. This treatment also significantly restored the suppressive effect of diabetes on urinary NO2 + NO3 levels. Immunohistochemistry showed that NO donor treatment significantly reduced transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, fibronectin, cleaved caspase‐3 and triphosphate‐biotin nick end‐labeling expression in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. We found that diabetes promoted 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine, and peroxynitrite expression coincided with reduced endothelial NO synthase expression in glomeruli. Interestingly, NO donor treatment completely removed oxidative stress and nitrosative stress, and restored endothelial NO synthase expression in diabetic renal glomeruli. Immunohistomorphometry results showed that NO donor treatment significantly restored suppressed Wnt5a expression and β‐catenin immunoreactivities in glomeruli. Based on laser‐captured microdissection for quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, diabetes significantly increased TGF‐β1, and fibronectin expression coincided with depressed Wnt5a expression. NO donor treatment reduced TGF‐β1, fibronectin activation, and the suppressing effect of diabetes on Wnt5a and β‐catenin expression in renal glomeruli.

Conclusions

NO donor treatment alleviates extracellular matrix accumulation and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy in vivo by not only preventing the diabetes‐mediated oxidative and nitrostative stress, but also restoring downregulation of endothelial NO synthase expression and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. These findings suggest that modulation of NO is a viable alternative strategy for rescuing diabetic renal injury.
Association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein genotypes with paraoxonase‐1 activity, lipid profile and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A study in San Luis, Argentina
Authors: Siewert Susana , Gonzalez Irma Ines , Lucero Roberto Osvaldo , Ojeda Marta Susana
Published: July 2014

Aims/Introduction

Diabetic dyslipidemia is common in type 2 diabetes. The TaqIB polymorphism in cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP; B1 and B2 alleles; rs708272) is associated with changes in enzyme activity and lipid concentrations. The aim of the present study was to assess associations of CETP genotypes with lipoprotein profile, oxidant/anti‐oxidant status and the plasma activity of paraoxonase‐1 (PON‐1) in a population of diabetic patients living in San Luis, Argentina.

Materials and Methods

For oxidative stress status parameters, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and catalase and PON‐1 activity were assessed in 40 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 healthy participants. CETP polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction‐based methods.

Results

Type 2 diabetes mellitus had significantly higher concentrations of oxidative stress parameters: TBARS (P < 0.0001) and catalase activity (P < 0.0001). PON‐1 activity and NO levels were significantly lower in diabetics (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0008, respectively). The CETP genotypes distribution among study groups was not significantly different. The B2 carriers of the TaqIB CETP polymorphism are associated with higher high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and PON‐1 activity in control and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Linear regression analysis showed that there was a significant and positive correlation between the changes of PON‐1 activity and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in non‐B1B1 (B2 carriers) in controls (r = 0.83, P < 0.0001) and diabetic patients (r = 0.39, P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

The results of the current study show that type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by intense oxidative stress, and that the alterations observed in the lipoprotein profile and PON‐1 activity might be related to the higher CETP activity in diabetic patients as a consequence of insulin resistance.
Response to the dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes might be associated with a diplotype of two single nucleotide polymorphisms on the interleukin‐6 promoter region under a certain level of physical activity
Authors: Matsui Mizue , Takahashi Yoshihiko , Takebe Noriko , Takahashi Kazuma , Nagasawa Kan , Honma Hiroyuki , Oda Tomoyasu , Ono Mitsutaka , Nakagawa Riyuki , Sasai Takayoshi , Togashi Hirobumi , Hangai Mari , Kajiwara Takashi , Taneichi Haruhito , Ishigaki Yasushi , Satoh Jo
Published: July 2014

Aims/Introduction

Muscle‐derived interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) has been reported to promote glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion, and we explored the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human IL‐6 promoter region with the responsiveness to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4Is), drugs that increase circulating GLP‐1.

Materials and Methods

The present observational study enrolled Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes who took a DPP‐4I over 3 months, and most of the clinical information was collected retrospectively. We defined non‐responders as those having less than a 0.2% decrease of the glycated hemoglobin level at 3 or 4 months after starting DPP‐4I treatment. Physical activity was retrospectively estimated by the Japanese short version of International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results

We studied 316 patients whose physical activity corresponding to the season of the DPP‐4I administration was estimated. The non‐responder rate was 29.7%. We analyzed rs1800796 and rs2097677, both are suggested to be functional in Japanese. Multivariate analysis for all patients showed that the adjusted odds ratio for the non‐responder risk of the diplotype rs1800796 G/*–rs2097677 A/* against C/C‐G/G (OR_G*A*) was 0.445 (P = 0.068). When patients were stratified by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire into low (n = 149) and moderate/high (n = 167) activity groups, however, OR_G*A* in each group was 1.58 (P = 0.615) and 0.153 (P = 0.003), respectively.

Conclusions

The diplotype rs1800796 G/*–rs2097677 A/* might contribute to responsiveness to DPP‐4Is in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes under a certain level of physical activity. However, further investigation is warranted to confirm this.
Comparative study on topical immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory treatments for plasma cell vulvitis: long‐term efficacy and safety
Authors: Virgili A. , Borghi A. , Minghetti S. , Corazza M.
Published: July 2014

Background

Evidence on the treatment of plasma cell vulvitis (PCV) is scarce and comparative studies are lacking.

Objective

To assess and compare the effectiveness and safety, on a long‐term basis, of three topical interventions for the treatment of PCV.

Methods

Retrospectively collected efficacy and safety data of a cohort of PCV patients treated with fusidic acid 2% and betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream fixed combination (FA/BM, 14 patients), clobetasol propionate 0.05% ointment (CP, six patients) and tacrolimus 0.1% ointment (TC, four patients) at different regimens between January 2000 and June 2013 were analysed. Treatment outcome was assessed according to Investigator Global Assessment (i) symptoms and (ii) signs, at 12, 24 and 52 weeks.

Results

After 12 weeks, 85% of all patients achieved satisfactory improvement in PCV‐related symptoms and maintained the improvement across a 52‐week observation period. About 45% achieved a satisfactory result in clinical signs after 12 weeks, without further improvement during the following 9 months. No statistical differences in response were found among treatment groups at 12, 24 and 52 weeks. All study treatments were significantly more effective in improving PCV symptoms rather than clinical signs. With regard to treatment tolerability, one patient (7.1%) in FA/BM group and one (25%) in TC group discontinued the treatment due to local side‐effects.

Conclusions

CP, FA/BM and TC are effective and safe in treating PCV, inducing both a rapid improvement of the disease, notably of symptoms, and stabilizing its control.
Atypical development of configural face recognition in children with autism, Down syndrome and Williams syndrome
Authors: Dimitriou D. , Leonard H. C. , Karmiloff‐Smith A. , Johnson M. H. , Thomas M. S. C.
Published: July 2014

Background

Configural processing in face recognition is a sensitivity to the spacing between facial features. It has been argued both that its presence represents a high level of expertise in face recognition, and also that it is a developmentally vulnerable process.

Method

We report a cross‐syndrome investigation of the development of configural face recognition in school‐aged children with autism, Down syndrome and Williams syndrome compared with a typically developing comparison group. Cross‐sectional trajectory analyses were used to compare configural and featural face recognition utilising the ‘Jane faces’ task. Trajectories were constructed linking featural and configural performance either to chronological age or to different measures of mental age (receptive vocabulary, visuospatial construction), as well as the Benton face recognition task.

Results

An emergent inversion effect across age for detecting configural but not featural changes in faces was established as the marker of typical development. Children from clinical groups displayed atypical profiles that differed across all groups.

Conclusion

We discuss the implications for the nature of face processing within the respective developmental disorders, and how the cross‐sectional syndrome comparison informs the constraints that shape the typical development of face recognition.
Breastfeeding and the Risk of Ovarian Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Feng Li‐Ping , Chen Hong‐Lin , Shen Mei‐Yun
Published: July 2014

Introduction

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to assess the association between breastfeeding and risk of ovarian cancer.

Methods

Relevant observational studies were identified by a search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through December 2012. Summary odds ratios (ORs) for ovarian cancer, comparing women who had breastfed with women who had not, were calculated using a random‐effects model. A dose–response meta‐analysis assessed the risk of ovarian cancer by breastfeeding duration.

Results

A total of 19 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Compared with women who had not breastfed, women who had breastfed had a significantly decreased risk of ovarian cancer, with an OR of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.57‐0.76; P < .001). We observed an inverse linear relationship with breastfeeding duration: for every one‐month increase in breastfeeding, the OR was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97‐0.99; P < .001). A nonlinear association was also apparent, with a sharp decrease in the OR when breastfeeding duration was 8 to 10 months. There was evidence of heterogeneity (I2 = 83.9%). No publication bias was found (Begg test, P = 0.89; Egger test, P = 0.89).

Discussion

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer proportional to duration. Breastfeeding for 8 to 10 months may be most effective for reducing the risk of ovarian cancer.

[Correction added to online publication: The article, “Breastfeeding and the Risk of Ovarian Cancer: A Meta‐Analysis,” by L‐P Feng, H‐L Chen, and M‐Y Shen (J Midwifery Womens Health. 2014;59[4]:428–437. Published online on July 25, 2014.) contains unattributed text on page 436 of the Discussion section from the following article and should have included the appropriate citation: Jordan SJ, Siskind V, Green AC, Whiteman DC, Webb PM. Breastfeeding and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 2009;21:109–116.]
Altered Brain White Matter Integrity in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A TBSS Study
Authors: Liu Zhenyin , Xu Yong , An Jie , Wang Junjing , Yin Xiangyuan , Huang Ruiwang , Lv Xiaofei , Chen Lina , Wang Wensheng , Qiu Shijun
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to explore the possible changed cerebral white matter regions in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS).

METHODS

Twenty TLE patients and 22 age‐ and gender‐matched normal controls were included in this study. Voxel‐wise analyses of multiple diffusion metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were performed with TBSS.

RESULTS

TLE patients exhibited significantly reduced FA in widespread white matter regions including bilateral limbic circuit, corpus callosum, thalamus, internal/external capsule, temporooccipital connections, frontotemporal connections; increase of MD was exhibited significantly almost in the left hemisphere. A significant decrease in global FA integrity was shown in epilepsy subjects compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, it exhibited a significant positive correlation between the disease duration and MD of whole brain.

CONCLUSIONS

TLE is associated with widespread abnormalities in cerebral white matter tracts and these changes may have important clinical consequences.
A prospective study of the introduction of complementary foods in contemporary Australian infants: What, when and why?
Authors: Newby Ruth M , Davies Peter SW
Published: July 2014

Aim

To accurately establish the extent to which breastfeeding exclusivity and duration and the introduction of foods other than breast milk are congruous with Australian infant feeding guidelines among a cohort of primiparous women and their infants in Australia.

Method

The Feeding Queensland Babies Study is primarily a questionnaire‐based prospective birth cohort study of infant feeding attitudes and behaviours but also collected significant data on feeding patterns in infancy. These data were extracted from the demographic questionnaire and from questionnaires administered at 4 and 6 months of infant age. Participants were healthy primiparous Australian women aged between 18 and 40 years, recruited by convenience sampling in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected by self‐administered questionnaire both online and on paper between October 2010 and September 2011.

Results

Breastfeeding initiation in this cohort is high; however, by 4 months of age, 15.4% of mothers had completely ceased any breastfeeding, 28.7% of infants had been given formula and 18.5% had been introduced to baby cereal. By 6 months of age, 98.4% of infants had been introduced to non‐milk foods, most commonly at a rate of one new food every 4 to 5 days.

Conclusion

Contemporary prospective data on infant feeding have value in describing trends that may influence the health outcomes of a generation of Australian children. Even in this group of relatively well‐educated Australian women, premature cessation of breastfeeding and the early introduction of foods other than breast milk to infants demonstrate behaviours not congruous with evidence‐based guidelines.
Melatonin: a well‐documented antioxidant with conditional pro‐oxidant actions
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Mei , Zhang Yiqiang
Published: July 2014

Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine), an indoleamine produced in many organs including the pineal gland, was initially characterized as a hormone primarily involved in circadian regulation of physiological and neuroendocrine function. Subsequent studies found that melatonin and its metabolic derivatives possess strong free radical scavenging properties. These metabolites are potent antioxidants against both ROS (reactive oxygen species) and RNS (reactive nitrogen species). The mechanisms by which melatonin and its metabolites protect against free radicals and oxidative stress include direct scavenging of radicals and radical products, induction of the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reduction of the activation of pro‐oxidant enzymes, and maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, melatonin has been shown to reduce oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and DNA under a very wide set of conditions where toxic derivatives of oxygen are known to be produced. Although the vast majority of studies proved the antioxidant capacity of melatonin and its derivatives, a few studies using cultured cells found that melatonin promoted the generation of ROS at pharmacological concentrations (μm to mm range) in several tumor and nontumor cells; thus, melatonin functioned as a conditional pro‐oxidant. Mechanistically, melatonin may stimulate ROS production through its interaction with calmodulin. Also, melatonin may interact with mitochondrial complex III or mitochondrial transition pore to promote ROS production. Whether melatonin functions as a pro‐oxidant under in vivo conditions is not well documented; thus, whether the reported in vitro pro‐oxidant actions come into play in live organisms remains to be established.
Diet‐dependent incorporation of biomarkers: implications for food‐web studies using stable isotope and fatty acid analyses with special application to chemosynthetic environments
Authors: Thurber Andrew R.
Published: July 2014

Metazoan consumption of Bacteria and Archaea may impact key microbially mediated processes, yet techniques to quantify trophic linkages require laboratory evaluation before robust application to field observations are possible. In this laboratory‐based study, an annelid belonging to a genus common at reducing habitats, Ophryotrocha labronica, was raised on eukaryotic, bacterial or archaeal food sources to test whether fatty acid and stable isotope paradigms are appropriate to quantitatively model metazoan consumption of microbial food sources. This annelid's δ13C tissue‐diet shift, −3.6‰ to +3.6‰, was neither zero nor constant and was a function of the δ13C value and the C : N ratio of its food. Nitrogen isotope (mean δ15N) tissue‐diet shifts ranged from −0.8‰ to −3.0‰ when raised in antibiotic‐laden seawater in contrast to the tissue‐diet shifts of +2.3 to +3.4 that are often used to define a species’ trophic level. The use of antibiotics to control microbial growth during the experiment appeared to have little effect on these fractionation values, except for individuals fed Spinacia oleracea that may have been impacted by the antibiotic treatment; when antibiotics were not used the δ15N value of O. labronica was not different from the S. oleracea that it consumed. Fatty acid profiles within this species were largely independent of diet. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, commonly used as a metric for phytoplankton consumption and not provided by the food sources, were present in O. labronica tissues regardless of food source. This suggests that O. labronica can synthesize these fatty acids. Whereas field studies have shown the importance of biomarker approaches, tissue‐diet shifts based on the literature could erroneously characterize the diet and trophic level of this species. This is especially true in food webs that are known to rely on microbial production, such as those found at deep‐sea chemosynthetic habitats.
Metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese – the 2013 Stock Conference report
Authors: Samocha‐Bonet D. , Dixit V. D. , Kahn C. R. , Leibel R. L. , Lin X. , Nieuwdorp M. , Pietiläinen K. H. , Rabasa‐Lhoret R. , Roden M. , Scherer P. E. , Klein S. , Ravussin E.
Published: July 2014

Obesity is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, but some obese individuals, despite having excessive body fat, exhibit metabolic health that is comparable with that of lean individuals. The ‘healthy obese’ phenotype was described in the 1980s, but major advancements in its characterization were only made in the past five years. During this time, several new mechanisms that may be involved in health preservation in obesity were proposed through the use of transgenic animal models, use of sophisticated imaging techniques and in vivo measurements of insulin sensitivity. However, the main obstacle in advancing our understanding of the metabolically healthy obese phenotype and its related long‐term health risks is the lack of a standardized definition. Here, we summarize the proceedings of the 13th Stock Conference of the International Association of the Study of Obesity. We describe the current research and highlight the unanswered questions and gaps in the field. Better understanding of metabolic health in obesity will assist in therapeutic decision‐making and help identify therapeutic targets to improve metabolic health in obesity.
Symbolic providers help people regulate affect relationally: Implications for perceived support
Authors: LAKEY BRIAN , COOPER COREY , CRONIN ARIKA , WHITAKER TRAVIS
Published: July 2014

Relational regulation theory (Lakey & Orehek, ) predicts that the correlation between perceived support and mental health emerges through ordinary conversation and shared activities rather than through conversations about stress and how to cope with it. Observing the conversations and activities of others also helps regulate mental health. Symbolic providers (known only through media) mimic how real providers regulate affect in that recipients observe the conversations and shared activities of symbolic providers. Thus, many perceived support findings obtained for real providers should also be found for symbolic providers. We found the same links between perceived support and affect when recipients rated symbolic providers as when recipients rated real providers. When participants' affect was worsened, viewing symbolic providers helped restore affect.
Increased Complexity Has Its Benefits
Authors: Young Michael D. , Hermann Margaret G.
Published: July 2014

This piece is a response to the Conway, Conway, Gornick, and Houck (2014) description of an automated method for assessing integrative complexity. It builds on the authors' 15 years of experience in automating a variety of textual analysis coding schemes including that measuring conceptual complexity and is intended to address some of the issues raised in the process of automating content analysis categories.
Prevalence and correlates of a ‘knee’ pattern on the maximal expiratory flow‐volume loop in young adults
Authors: Shin Hayden H. , Sears Malcolm R. , Hancox Robert J.
Published: July 2014

Background and objective

Visual inspection of the maximal flow‐volume curve is an important step in interpreting spirometry. Many young people have a convex inflection or ‘knee’ on the expiratory part of the loop. This is thought to be a normal variant, but this view is based on theoretical grounds, and the epidemiology of the knee pattern has never been reported.

Methods

Flow‐volume loops from an unselected birth cohort of 1037 individuals at ages 18, 26, 32 and 38 years were visually inspected for a knee pattern. Associations with asthma diagnoses, smoking history, body mass index (BMI) and spirometry were assessed.

Results

The knee pattern was found in approximately two thirds of men and women at age 18. The prevalence decreased with age, but it was more likely to persist in women. The knee was more common after bronchodilator and was associated with higher forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratios and mid‐expiratory flow rates. There was no association with smoking, except for an inverse correlation in men at age 18. No association was found with BMI. Women with asthma were less likely to have a knee at both ages 18 and 38, whereas men with asthma showed an inverse association at age 18.

Conclusions

A knee is a very common pattern on flow‐volume loop in young adults. In accordance with theoretical predictions, the prevalence of the knee declines with age, but it is more likely to persist in women. It is associated with less airflow obstruction and is less common in people with asthma.
Stable carbon‐isotope record of shallow‐marine evaporative epicratonic basin carbonates, Ordovician Williston Basin, North America
Authors: Husinec Antun , Bergström Stig M.
Published: July 2014

Secular variations in stable carbon‐isotope values of marine carbonates are used widely to correlate successions that lack high‐resolution index fossils. Various environmental processes, however, commonly may affect and alter the primary marine carbon‐isotope signal in shallow epicratonic basins. This study focuses on the marine carbon‐isotope record from the carbonate–evaporite succession of the upper Katian (Upper Ordovician) Red River Formation of the shallow epicratonic Williston Basin, USA. It documents the carbon‐isotope signal between the two major Ordovician positive shifts in δ13C, the early Katian Guttenberg and the Hirnantian excursions. Eight δ13C stages are identified based on positive excursions, shifts from positive to negative values and relatively uniform δ13Ccarb values. A correlation between carbon‐isotope trends and the relative sea‐level changes based on gross facies stacking patterns shows no clear relation. Based on the available biostratigraphy and δ13C trends, the studied Williston Basin curves are tied to the isotope curves from the North American Midcontinent, Québec (Anticosti Island) and Estonia, which confirm the Late Katian age (Aphelognathus divergens Conodont Zone) of the upper Red River Formation. The differences in the δ13C overall trend and absolute values, coupled with the petrographic and cathodoluminescence evidence, suggest that the carbon‐isotope record has been affected by the syndepositional environmental processes in the shallow and periodically isolated Williston Basin, and stabilized by later burial diagenesis under reducing conditions and the presence of isotopically more negative fluids.
Counting imaginary quadratic points via universal torsors
Authors: Derenthal Ulrich , Frei Christopher
Published: July 2014

A conjecture of Manin predicts the distribution of rational points on Fano varieties. We provide a framework for proofs of Manin’s conjecture for del Pezzo surfaces over imaginary quadratic fields, using universal torsors. Some of our tools are formulated over arbitrary number fields. As an application, we prove Manin’s conjecture over imaginary quadratic fields$K$for the quartic del Pezzo surface$S$of singularity type${\boldsymbol{A}}_{3}$with five lines given in${\mathbb{P}}_{K}^{4}$by the equations${x}_{0}{x}_{1}-{x}_{2}{x}_{3}={x}_{0}{x}_{3}+{x}_{1}{x}_{3}+{x}_{2}{x}_{4}=0$.