bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indigenous Income, Wellbeing and Behaviour: Some Policy Complications
Authors: Biddle Nicholas
Published: July 2015

The weight of evidence suggests a positive correlation between income and subjective wellbeing, particularly at lower income levels. This correlation can be used as a policy lever to influence behaviour. This relationship has not been analysed, however, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians – a policy‐relevant population sub‐group. This paper finds that the correlation between income and two measures of wellbeing, while positive for non‐remote Indigenous males, is weaker for non‐remote Indigenous females and virtually non‐existent for remote Indigenous males and females. If wellbeing is not based on income, income‐based incentive programmes may be less effective.
How does the alcohol industry attempt to influence marketing regulations? A systematic review
Authors: Savell Emily , Fooks Gary , Gilmore Anna B.
Published: July 2015

Aim

To systematically review, using a qualitative, narrative synthesis approach, papers examining alcohol industry efforts to influence alcohol marketing policy, and compare with those used by the tobacco industry.

Methods

Literature searches were conducted between April and July 2011, and updated in March 2013. Papers were included if they: made reference to alcohol industry efforts to influence (a) policy debates concerning marketing regulations, (b) new specific marketing policies or (c) broad alcohol policy which included marketing regulations; were written in English; and concerned the period 1990–2013. Alcohol industry political activity was categorized into strategies/tactics and frames/arguments. Data extraction was undertaken by the lead author and 100% of the papers were fully second‐reviewed. Seventeen papers met the review criteria.

Results

Five main political strategies and five main frames were identified. The alcohol industry argues against marketing regulation by emphasizing industry responsibility and the effectiveness of self‐regulation, questioning the effectiveness of statutory regulation and by focusing on individual responsibility. Arguments relating to industry responsibility are often reinforced through corporate social responsibility activities. The industry primarily conveys its arguments through manipulating the evidence base and by promoting ineffective voluntary codes and non‐regulatory initiatives.

Conclusions

The alcohol industry's political activity is more varied than existing models of corporate political activity suggest. The industry's opposition to marketing regulation centres on claims that the industry is responsible and that self regulation is effective. There are considerable commonalities between tobacco and alcohol industry political activity, with differences due potentially to differences in policy contexts and perceived industry legitimacy.
Postnatal growth in preterm infants and later health outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Ong Ken K. , Kennedy Kathy , Castañeda‐Gutiérrez Eurídice , Forsyth Stewart , Godfrey Keith M. , Koletzko Berthold , Latulippe Marie E. , Ozanne Susan E. , Rueda Ricardo , Schoemaker Marieke H. , van der Beek Eline M. , van Buuren Stef , Fewtrell Mary
Published: July 2015

In preterm infants, poor postnatal growth is associated with adverse neurocognitive outcomes; conversely, rapid postnatal growth is supposedly harmful for future development of metabolic diseases.

Conclusion

In this systematic review, observational studies reported consistent positive associations between postnatal weight or head growth and neurocognitive outcomes; however, there was limited evidence from the few intervention studies. Evidence linking postnatal weight gain to later adiposity and other cardiovascular disease risk factors in preterm infants was also limited.
Prevalence, correlates of major depression: A mental health survey among undergraduates at a mainland Chinese university
Authors: Li Wenjun , Meng Xiangfei , Xu Ziqi , Yu Qiong , Shi Jieping , Yu Yaqin , D'Arcy Carl , Huang Yueqin , Kou Changgui
Published: July 2015

Introduction

This cross‐sectional survey among Chinese university students aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of major depressive disorder (MDD) among undergraduates, in order to provide basic information for the prevention and treatment of depression among the college‐aged population.

Methods

A total of 2,046 undergraduates were interviewed face to face using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0 (WHO‐CIDI, version 3.0). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐IV (DSM‐IV) criteria were used to diagnose MDD. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between MDD and selected correlates.

Results

The survey response rate was 90.1% (N = 1,843). The prevalence rates of MDD were 3.9% (lifetime), 2.4% (12 months) and 0.4% (30 days). No significant gender or age differences were found in prevalence rates. No sociodemographic characteristics were related to the lifetime prevalence of MDD. In contrast, family structure and environment factors specifically being from a single‐parent family (odds ratio [OR] = 2.513, confidence interval [CI] = 1.404–2.500), parents having mental problems (OR = 1.809, CI = 1.104–2.964), and physical punishment (OR = 1.789, CI = 1.077–3.001) were associated with higher lifetime prevalence of MDD.

Discussion

These findings showed a relatively lower prevalence of DSM‐IV/CIDI MDD in this sample of Chinese undergraduates than that reported for students in other countries. However, the prevalence rate for university students was higher than that reported for general Chinese population. Family structure and socio‐environmental factors in the student's family of origin significantly correlated with the lifetime prevalence of MDD.
On The Grounds Of Post‐Byzantine Greek Icons
Authors: Mastrotheodoros G. P. , Beltsios K. G. , Bassiakos Y. , Papadopoulou V.
Published: July 2015

The grounds of 51 post‐Byzantine icons (Eastern Orthodox panel paintings) were studied by means of analytical techniques. The artefacts cover the period from the mid‐15th to the mid‐19th century and originate mainly from western (Epirus and the Ionian Islands) and southern Greece (Crete). The findings are examined in the light of technical recipes from related areas and eras, while special insights are gained from the exploration of a gypsum processing recipe by Dionysius of Fourna. A spectrum of ground fabrication practices that is richer than that reported so far or can be deduced from surviving Greek recipes is documented; three instances of ‘grosso‐sottile’ type grounds and a case of ‘inverse grosso‐sottile’ ground are among the reported novel, for post‐Byzantine icons, findings. Moreover, a case of an early icon restoration intervention is documented.
The blood pressure lowering potential of sulodexide – a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Olde Engberink Rik H. G. , Rorije Nienke M. G. , Lambers Heerspink Hiddo J. , De Zeeuw Dick , van den Born Bert‐Jan H. , Vogt Liffert
Published: July 2015

Aims

Sulodexide is a highly purified mixture of glycosaminoglycans that has been studied for its anti‐albuminuric potential. Considering the effects of glycosaminoglycans on endothelial function and sodium homeostasis, we hypothesized that sulodexide may lower blood pressure (BP). In this meta‐analysis, we therefore investigated the antihypertensive effects of sulodexide treatment.

Methods

We selected randomized controlled trials that investigated sulodexide treatment of at least 4 weeks and measured BP at baseline and after treatment. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study design, risk of bias, population characteristics and outcome measures. In addition, we contacted authors and pharmaceutical companies to provide missing data.

Results

Eight studies, totalling 3019 subjects (mean follow‐up 4.4 months) were included. Mean age was 61 years and mean baseline BP was 135/75 mmHg. Compared with control treatment, sulodexide resulted in a significant systolic (2.2 mmHg [95% CI 0.3, 4.1], P = 0.02) and diastolic BP reduction (1.7 mmHg [95% CI 0.6, 2.9], P = 0.004). Hypertensive patients displayed the largest systolic BP and diastolic BP reductions (10.2/5.4 mmHg, P < 0.001). Higher baseline systolic and diastolic BP were significantly associated with larger systolic (r2=0.83, P < 0.001) and diastolic BP (r2=0.41, P = 0.02) reductions after sulodexide treatment. In addition, systolic (r2=0.41, P = 0.03) and diastolic BP reductions (r2=0.60, P = 0.005) were significantly associated with albuminuria reduction.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that sulodexide treatment results in a significant BP reduction, especially in hypertensive subjects. This indicates that endothelial glycosaminoglycans might be an independent therapy target in cardiovascular disease. Future studies should further address the BP lowering potential of sulodexide.
Multiple Kernel Learning with Random Effects for Predicting Longitudinal Outcomes and Data Integration
Authors: Chen Tianle , Zeng Donglin , Wang Yuanjia
Published: July 2015

Predicting disease risk and progression is one of the main goals in many clinical research studies. Cohort studies on the natural history and etiology of chronic diseases span years and data are collected at multiple visits. Although, kernel-based statistical learning methods are proven to be powerful for a wide range of disease prediction problems, these methods are only well studied for independent data, but not for longitudinal data. It is thus important to develop time-sensitive prediction rules that make use of the longitudinal nature of the data. In this paper, we develop a novel statistical learning method for longitudinal data by introducing subject-specific short-term and long-term latent effects through a designed kernel to account for within-subject correlation of longitudinal measurements. Since the presence of multiple sources of data is increasingly common, we embed our method in a multiple kernel learning framework and propose a regularized multiple kernel statistical learning with random effects to construct effective nonparametric prediction rules. Our method allows easy integration of various heterogeneous data sources and takes advantage of correlation among longitudinal measures to increase prediction power. We use different kernels for each data source taking advantage of the distinctive feature of each data modality, and then optimally combine data across modalities. We apply the developed methods to two large epidemiological studies, one on Huntington's disease and the other on Alzheimer's Disease (Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, ADNI) where we explore a unique opportunity to combine imaging and genetic data to study prediction of mild cognitive impairment, and show a substantial gain in performance while accounting for the longitudinal aspect of the data.
Distribution shifts of freshwater fish under a variable climate: comparing climatic, bioclimatic and biotic velocities
Authors: Comte Lise , Grenouillet Gaël
Published: July 2015

Aim

We aimed to quantify how stream fish species have responded to short‐term variability in climate across eight consecutive periods over the last 20 years by comparing biotic (velocities of observed species range shifts) to expected bioclimatic (velocities of climate‐induced shift in the suitable habitat of species) velocities, a measure combining species‐specific exposure and sensitivity to climate.

Location

French streams.

Methods

Occupancy models were developed to model the distribution of 14 species across eight consecutive time periods between 1992 and 2011 and to project climate‐induced changes in the distribution of suitable area over time. Based on the projected changes in habitat suitability, we first estimated the bioclimatic velocities for each species and each transition between consecutive periods. We then applied the same approach to the observed changes in suitable habitat to estimate the observed biotic velocities. Finally, the velocities of range shifts were compared to those expected on the basis of climate changes for each reach of the hydrographic network and the consistency of distributional responses – and potential lags – across species and transitions were quantified.

Results

We found that biotic velocities were overall consistent with expectations, with observed responses matching both the direction and magnitude of bioclimatic velocities. Nonetheless, we also show that species consistently lagged behind climate (mean = 4.64 m.year−1). Lags in habitat gain were more pronounced than those in habitat loss and revealed differential vulnerability of local populations within species distributions.

Main conclusions

These findings demonstrate that integrating species‐specific sensitivities to climate into measures of climatic velocities (namely bioclimatic velocities) provide improved expectations for observed range shifts. They also suggest that stream fish may display both low ability to persist under short periods of unfavourable climate and limited capacity to disperse upstream towards newly suitable habitats.
Incorporating habitat availability into systematic planning for restoration: a species‐specific approach for Atlantic Forest mammals
Authors: Crouzeilles Renato , Beyer Hawthorne L. , Mills Morena , Grelle Carlos E. V. , Possingham Hugh P.
Published: July 2015

Aim

Species persistence often depends not only on habitat protection, but also on habitat restoration. The effectiveness of species conservation through habitat restoration can be enhanced by explicitly considering ‘habitat availability’, the combined effects of the total amount of habitat and its spatial configuration. We develop an approach for prioritizing land for restoration in a complex biome, considering habitat availability, land acquisition cost and biogeographical representation.

Location

Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Methods

We evaluate alternative restoration prioritization strategies for two mammal species with widely different dispersal abilities and habitat patch requirements. Our strategies focused on minimizing cost while meeting targets for biogeographical subregion representation and habitat availability metrics. We evaluated solutions based on the expected post‐restoration improvement in habitat availability per unit cost.

Results

Restoration through land acquisition to improve habitat availability for both species and to ensure 20% forest cover within each of the Atlantic Forest biogeographical subregions would cost US$ 17.5–20.5 billion. The 12.6 and 11.4 million ha of restored forest resulted in an increase of 10.5% and 9.8% in habitat area and 5518% (55‐fold) and 4100% (41‐fold) in future habitat availability forLeopardus pardalisandCaluromys philander, respectively. We found a high degree of concordance (> 75%) among selected planning units for each species.

Main conclusion

Substantial improvements in habitat availability that benefit both species can be realized for minimal additional cost relative to solutions based solely on cost‐minimization and biogeographical subregion representation. We demonstrate that metrics based on metapopulation theory can be quantified in complex systems and used in a systematic restoration prioritization approach to improve habitat availability cost‐effectively. Concordance among priority areas for restoration for species with widely different dispersal abilities and habitat patch requirements supports the idea that many species in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest might benefit from plans based on indicator species. This is particularly useful in data‐deficient systems like the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
Extrapolating published survival curves to obtain evidence‐based estimates of life expectancy in cerebral palsy
Authors: Day Steven M , Reynolds Robert J , Kush Scott J
Published: July 2015

Studies reporting long‐term survival probabilities for cohorts of persons with cerebral palsy provide evidence‐based information on the life expectancy of those cohorts. Some studies have provided estimates of life expectancy based on extrapolation of such evidence, whereas many others have opted not to do so. Here we review the basic methods of life table analysis necessary for performing such extrapolations, and apply these methods to obtain evidence‐based estimates of life expectancy from several studies that do not report such estimates themselves.
Improvement in executive subfunctions following cerebrospinal fluid tap test identifies idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus from its mimics
Authors: Laidet M. , Herrmann F. R. , Momjian S. , Assal F. , Allali G.
Published: July 2015

Background and purpose

Patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) present cognitive deficits that overlap with other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or vascular dementia, therefore mimicking iNPH. This prospective study aimed to compare cognitive performances between iNPH and iNPH mimics before and after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tapping.

Methods

A total of 57 patients with suspicion of iNPH (75.84 ± 6.42 years; 39% female) were included in this study (37 iNPH and 20 iNPH mimics). Neuropsychological assessments were performed before and 24 h after CSF tapping of 40 ml. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine the association between iNPH and cognitive functions, adjusted for age, education, baseline cognitive assessment and disease duration.

Results

Both groups presented the same baseline cognitive performances. After CSF tapping, iNPH patients improved their semantic (P = 0.001) and phonemic verbal fluencies (P = 0.001), whereas iNPH mimics presented similar performances to before CSF tapping. The phonemic verbal fluency (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.05; 1.96) and the Color Trails Test (odds ratio 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.01; 0.76) improvements were the two discriminative cognitive tests that identified iNPH from iNPH mimics.

Conclusion

Improvement in executive subfunctions after CSF tapping identified iNPH patients from other neurological conditions that mimic iNPH. These findings respond to clinical issues encountered on a daily basis and would improve the diagnostic process of iNPH.
Ictal perfusion changes associated with seizure progression in the amygdala kindling model in the rhesus monkey
Authors: Cleeren Evy , Casteels Cindy , Goffin Karolien , Janssen Peter , Van Paesschen Wim
Published: July 2015

Objective

Amygdala kindling is a widely used animal model for studying mesial temporal lobe epileptogenesis. In the macaque monkey, electrical amygdala kindling develops slowly and provides an opportunity for investigating ictal perfusion changes during epileptogenesis.

Methods

Two rhesus monkeys were electrically kindled through chronically implanted electrodes in the right amygdala over a period of 16 and 17 months. Ictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was performed during each of the four predefined clinical stages.

Results

Afterdischarge duration increased slowly over 477 days for monkey K and 515 days for monkey S (18 ± 8 s in stage I; 52 ± 13 s in stage IV). During this time, the animals progressed through four clinical stages ranging from interrupting ongoing behavior to bilateral convulsions. Ictal SPECT perfusion imaging showed well‐localized but widely distributed regions of hyperperfusion and hypoperfusion, in both cortical and subcortical structures, at every seizure stage. A large portion of the ictal network was involved in the early stages of epileptogenesis and subsequently expanded over time as seizure severity evolved.

Significance

Our data indicate that the different mesial temporal lobe seizure types occur within a common network affecting several parts of the brain, and that seizure severity may be determined by seizure‐induced epileptogenesis within a bihemispheric network that is implicated from the start of the process.
The Impact of Regret on Exports
Authors: Broll Udo , Wong Kit Pong , Welzel Peter
Published: July 2015

We examine optimal production and export decisions of a firm facing exchange rate uncertainty, where the firm’s management is not only risk averse but also regret averse, i.e., is characterized by a utility function that includes disutility from having chosen ex post suboptimal alternatives. Experimental and empirical results support the view that managers tend to be regret averse. Under regret aversion a negative risk premium need not preclude the firm from exporting which would be the case if the firm were only risk averse. Exporting creates an implicit hedge against the possibility of regret when the realized spot exchange rate turns out to be high. The regret-averse firm as such has a greater ex ante incentive to export than the purely risk averse firm. Finally, we use a two-state example to illustrate that the firm optimally exports more (less) to the foreign country than in the case of pure risk aversion if the low (high) spot exchange rate is more likely to prevail. Regret aversion as such plays a crucial role in determining the firm’s optimal allocation between domestic sales and foreign exports.
Frequency of seropositivity against infectious agents amongst pemphigus vulgaris patients: a case–control study on Strongyloides stercoralis, Helicobacter pylori, Toxoplasma gondii, Leishmania major, and Epstein–Barr virus
Authors: Mortazavi Hossein , Hejazi Pardis , Khamesipour Ali , Mohebali Mehdi , Ehsani Amir Hooshang , Mohammadi Younes , Farahani Iman Vasheghani , Amirzargar Ali Akbar
Published: July 2015

Background

Environmental and genetic factors may contribute to the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) as an autoimmune disease. We aimed to determine rates of seropositivity for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against a number of infectious agents in untreated and treated PV patients and in healthy individuals.

Methods

Eighty‐two newly diagnosed untreated PV patients (34 men and 48 women; mean ± standard deviation [SD] age: 44.18 ± 14.43 years) and 36 previously diagnosed patients under immunosuppressive therapy (16 men and 20 women; mean ± SD age: 38.53 ± 9.96 years) were enrolled in the study. The clinical diagnosis of PV was confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence findings. As a control group, 131 healthy individuals (68 men and 63 women; mean ± SD age: 42.56 ± 19.69 years) were recruited. In all patients and controls, serum IgG antibodies against Strongyloides stercoralis, Helicobacter pylori, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen, and Leishmania major were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. The indirect immunofluorescence test was used to detect IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii.

Results

Newly‐diagnosed untreated PV patients had significantly higher rates of seropositivity of IgG antibodies against S. stercoralis and H. pylori compared with the control group (69.5% vs. 16.0% [P < 0.001] and 79.3% vs. 59.5% [P = 0.004], respectively). For the other agents, namely T. gondii, L. major, and EBV capsid antigen, the differences between groups in seropositivity for IgG antibodies were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Significant associations between S. stercoralis and H. pylori seropositivity rates and untreated disease led to the hypothesis that these pathogenic agents may contribute to the pathogenesis of PV.
Transcription factor CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein is involved in regulation of expression of sterol carrier protein x in Spodoptera litura
Authors: Liang L.‐N. , Zhang L.‐L. , Zeng B.‐J. , Zheng S.‐C. , Feng Q.‐L.
Published: July 2015

The Spodoptera litura sterol carrier protein x (SlSCPx) gene is expressed in various tissues throughout the life cycle and plays important role in sterol absorption and transport. In this study, the effects of insect hormones (20‐hydroexcdysone and juvenile hormone) and lipids (arachidonic acid, cholesterol) on the expression of SlSCPx was analysed by reverse‐transcriptase PCR. The results showed that none of these substances significantly induced the expression of SlSCPx in Spodoptera litura‐221 (Spli‐221) cells. To identify the transcription factors responsible for regulation of SlSCPx expression, a 3311‐bp promoter sequence of the gene was cloned. Transcriptional activity of the promoter was studied using an in vivo promoter/reporter system and a 29‐bp sequence between −1000 and −1029 nucleotides (nt) upstream of this gene was found to be responsible for the up‐regulation of the gene. Over‐expression of CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP) in Spli‐221 cells increased the promoter activity 5.57‐fold. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that two nuclear proteins bound to this sequence. Recombinant C/EBP specifically bound with a putative cis‐regulatory element (CRE). Mutation of the C/EBP CRE abolished the binding of the C/EBP with the CRE. These results suggest that the transcription factor C/EBP may regulate the expression of SlSCPx by binding to the CRE in the promoter of this gene.
Contamination Predictions of Cape Hake Fillets during Display and Storage by Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Hexadecanoic Acid
Authors: Venter Pierre , Swanepoel Hanita , Lues Ryk J.F , Luwes Nicolaas
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to design an artificial neural network (ANN) that could distinguish between Cape hake fillets displayed and stored on ice that have been exposed to excessive contamination and those that were not. The selected variable was a biochemical indicator, hexadecanoic acid, a fatty acid. Cape hake fillets with and without excessive contamination was kept on ice and analyzed every 48 h over a period of 10 days. A novel ANN was designed and applied, which provided an acceptable prediction on the contaminated fillets based only on the hexadecanoic acid changes during day 8 (T4) and day 10 (T5). The ANN consisted of a multilayered network with supervised training arranged into an ordered hierarchy of layers, in which connections were allowed only between nodes in immediately adjacent layers. The network consists of two inputs, T4 and T5 connected to two neurones that are connected to one output neuron that indicates a prediction on contamination of the fillets. These two neurons are connected to one output neuron that indicates a prediction on contamination of the fillets.

Practical Applications

The model sets the stage for the development of alternative quality control measures for retailers and buyers of fish and other foods that contain fatty acids such as hexadecanoic acid to provide saver food.
Proteolysis, Lipolysis and Sensory Characteristics of a Tunisian Dry Fermented Poultry Meat Sausage with Oregano and Thyme Essential Oils
Authors: El Adab Sabrine , Hassouna Mnasser
Published: July 2015

The effects of the addition of oregano (0.25% v/v) and thyme (0.25% v/v) essential oils (EOs) on the microbiological, biochemical and sensory characteristics of a Tunisian dry fermented poultry meat sausage were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of oregano and thyme EOs improved the hygienic quality of dry fermented sausages by reducing the Enterobacteriaceae counts, total coliform counts and Staphylococcus aureus counts. Proteolysis was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the addition of EOs during ripening of sausages. In fact, the most abundant free amino acids detected in the final product were arginine, glycine, threonine, alanine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and lysine. Regarding lipolysis and lipid oxidation, it can be deduced that the addition of oregano and thyme EOs decreased significantly the thiobarbituric acid values during the last two weeks of ripening, but lipolysis was not significantly affected. Finally, the addition of EOs did not significantly affect the sensory properties of sausages.

Practical Applications

Poultry meat products provide a suitable environment for proliferation of meat spoilage microorganisms. The increase in resistance of food spoilage microorganisms to current preservatives, the consumer's demand for safe and minimally processed foods, and the hazards associated with the use of high doses of chemical preservatives have led to the need for finding safer alternatives in food preservation. Consumers have also become more critical about the use of synthetic additives to preserve food or enhance characteristics such as color and flavor. Hence, there is a growing trend toward minimally processed foods. As a consequence, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils have received considerable attention in food preservation. Nowadays, the need for safe products with standard and desirable technological properties has resulted in the use of essential oils for the production of the dry fermented sausages to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms and extend the shelf life of the product.
Citrobacter braakii: A Major Cause of False‐Positive Results on MacConkey and Levine's Eosin Methylene Blue Selective Agars Used for the Isolation of Escherichia Coli from Fresh Vegetable Samples
Authors: Kim Hong‐Seok , Kim Young‐Ji , Chon Jung‐Whan , Kim Dong‐Hyeon , Kim Kwang‐Yeop , Seo Kun‐Ho
Published: July 2015

Fresh vegetables are a frequent cause of foodborne disease outbreaks because they often do not undergo heat treatment prior to consumption. Pathogenic Escherichia coli strains are the major causative agents of produce‐related outbreaks. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of conventional E. coli selective medium, MacConkey (MAC) agar, for the screening of fresh vegetable samples and evaluated the discrimination ability of Levine's eosin methylene blue (L‐EMB) agar for E. coli‐like colonies obtained from MAC agar. A total of 120 samples of lettuces (n = 60) and radish sprouts (n = 60) were analyzed. Among 17 (14.2%) MAC agar plates containing putative E. coli colonies, only one plate was confirmed E. coli‐positive (positive predictive value = 5.9%). All 16 false‐positive isolates were identified as Citrobacter braakii and formed E. coli‐like colonies on L‐EMB agar. These results indicate that in order to reduce false‐positive results in screening fresh vegetable samples, both MAC and L‐EMB selective agars should be modified with the aim of providing reliable differentiation between E. coli and C. braakii.

Practical Applications

Although MacConkey (MAC) and Levine's eosin methylene blue (L‐EMB) agars are not specific for the detection of pathogenic Escherichia coli, the media are recommended for the isolation of pathogenic E. coli (except E. coli O157:H7) in the Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual. This is due to the fact that it is difficult to develop each pathogenic strains‐specific selective media as they were not classified by their biochemical characteristics. However, the unexpected high prevalence of Citrobacter braakii in fresh vegetables observed in this study indicates that the screening potential of these E. coli selective media needs to be improved.
Antibiotic Resistance of Lactobacillus sp. Isolated from Commercial Probiotic Preparations
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Tomar Sudhir Kumar , Sangwan Vikas , Goswami Pawas , Singh Rameshwar
Published: July 2015

The aim of our study was to assess the antibiotic resistance among commercially available probiotic Lactobacilli. A total of 30 isolates were characterized after isolation from 19 commercial products, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus fermentum. All the isolates were further subjected to antibiotic susceptibility test using disc diffusion method against a total of 45 antibiotics. Most of the isolates were found to exhibit multiple resistance against some of the most commonly used antibiotics. The isolates showed high level of resistance toward nalidixic acid, vancomycin, kanamycin, teicoplanin, co‐trimoxazole, amikacin, streptomycin, norfloxacin, cefepime and nitrofurantoin. Besides, isolates displayed a low level of resistance toward tobramycin, gentamicin, ampicillin, cefaclor, methicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, amoxyclav, sulbactam, oxacillin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cloxacillin and novobiocin. All the isolates were found to be susceptible against cefatrixone, ceftazidime, cefadroxil, cefotaxime, cephalothin, cefoperazone and netillin, whereas none of the strains showed resistant to clindamycin, erythromycin, linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin and doxycycline. The present study showed that antibiotic resistance is prevalent in different species of probiotic strains, which may pose a food safety concern. Hence, antibiotic sensitivity should be considered as an important part of safety assessment for the evaluation of probiotics.

Practical Applications

Antibiotic resistance has become a major public health concern and is drawing the interest of health and research professionals all around the world. Commercial probiotics are generally considered as safe for humans but due to their very high consumption there is a need to put sufficient safeguards to protect the consumers from any adverse effects. The safety of these probiotic strains is becoming prerequisite with antibiotic resistance as an emerging issue and their potential to transfer antibiotic resistance genes to pathogenic/commensal bacteria cannot be neglected. The anticipated problem is that probiotic strains and starter cultures might contain naturally occurring antibiotic resistance genes which if present on mobile genetic elements can be transferred to commensal and pathogenic organisms in the gut. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that bacterial strains harboring transferable antibiotic resistance genes should not be used in animal feeds, fermented and probiotic foods for human use.
Remission maintained by monotherapy after biological + immunosuppressive combination for Crohn's disease in clinical practice
Authors: Ampuero Javier , Rojas‐Feria María , Castro‐Fernández Manuel , Millán‐Lorenzo Marina , Guerrero-Jiménez Pedro , Romero‐Gómez Manuel
Published: July 2015

Background and Aim:

The optimal time to withdraw combined biological + immunosuppressive therapy in Crohn's disease is debated. Following remission of 6 months with the combined therapy, we assessed the efficacy of monotherapy in maintaining remission.

Methods:

Crohn's disease patients (n = 75) were retrospectively selected from clinical records for having achieved remission within 6 months of receiving combined biological + immunosuppressive therapy. Treatment continued for a further year with one or the other of the combination drugs withdrawn. Clinical remission was defined as Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) < 150 and endoscopic remission as CDAI < 150 + absence of mucosal lesions + no signs of active inflammation on ileocolonoscopy. Crohn's disease relapse was defined as CDAI > 250.

Results:

Twenty‐eight percent (21/75) patients were relapsers. Withdrawal of biological therapy was more frequent than immunosuppressive (73.3% vs 26.7%) with no significant differences in relapse rates (30.9% vs 20%; P = 0.401). Endoscopic remission was more accurate than clinical remission (relapse rates: 10.5% vs 33.9%; P = 0.05). C‐reactive‐protein was higher in relapsers (19.2 ± 23.7 mg/L vs 2.5 ± 4.7 mg/L; P = 0.009). Multivariate analysis indicated C‐reactive protein > 5 mg/L (odds ratios [OR]: 30.12; 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 5.91–153.38; P = 0.0001) and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.19; P = 0.047) as independent factors predicting relapse. There was a strong trend toward a protective effect of endoscopic remission (OR: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.02–1.22; P = 0.077).

Conclusion:

A subgroup of Crohn's disease patients treated with combination therapy can be identified (C‐reactive protein < 5 mg/L, endoscopic remission, and older age at Crohn's disease diagnosis) who would continue in remission despite cessation of the biological (expensive) component of the combination therapy.
Emergency nurses' experience of crisis: A qualitative study
Authors: Vasli Parvaneh , Dehghan‐Nayeri Nahid
Published: July 2015

Aim

A crisis is an environment created in a rapidly changing and chaotic work setting which is found in a busy emergency department of a hospital with higher intensity. The objective of this study was to define and explore emergency room nurses' description of crisis in critical situations and to identify barriers and mitigating factors that affect how nurses handle crises.

Methods

This study is a qualitative research with a content analysis approach. Eighteen emergency nurses were purposefully selected to take part in this study. Data collection was through face‐to‐face semistructured interviews until data saturation was finalized. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis.

Results

The data analysis consisted of four main categories: (i) loss of balance; (ii) crisis control (anticipation–preparation, resource control, control skills, and supporting nurses); (iii) human factors related to staff (sufficient staff, competent staff, individual characteristics, ability to communicate); and (iv) teamwork (cooperation and reciprocal trust).

Conclusion

Findings showed the meaning of the crisis and challenges and issues faced by emergency nurses throughout the crisis. Health services authorities can use these results to make comprehensive plans in order to reduce emergency crises.
Random control trial of hot compresses for women those who used laxatives on severity of constipation and quality of life
Authors: Kira Izumi
Published: July 2015

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of hot compresses for constipation and quality of life (QOL), with a focus on taking laxatives.

Methods

Meeting the inclusion criteria were 60 women, who had taken over‐the‐counter laxatives for constipation. Sixty women were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The study period was 4 weeks: the first 2 weeks (baseline) without intervention and the last 2 weeks (intervention) with heat stimulus using a commercially available thermic sheet (40°C). Women affixed the sheet to the lumbar area with the Jacoby line in the center immediately after waking and were instructed to remove the sheet after 5 h during the intervention period every day. During the intervention, women recorded their daily defecation and completed the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), Constipation QOL 15 (CQ), and 36 Item Short Form Survey.

Results

The author excluded incomplete records and study protocol deviations; as a result, a total of 39 subjects (21 hot compresses group, 18 control group) was used for the analysis. Significant improvement was seen in days of defecation and the number of defecations per week for the intervention group. Significant improvement was also seen in physical and psychological subcategory of CQ15. No significant differences were found in the amount of laxatives used.

Conclusion

The lumbar application of a 40°C hot compresses in female adults with constipation improved their conditions of defecation and QOL, even though it did not reduce the amount of laxatives.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide erases the fear memory and facilitates long‐term potentiation in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats
Authors: Wu Xin , Zhang Jie‐Ting , Liu Jue , Yang Si , Chen Tao , Chen Jian‐Guo , Wang Fang
Published: July 2015

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 amino acid neuropeptide, which plays a critical role in the central nervous system.CGRPbinds to G protein‐coupled receptors, includingCGRP1, which couples positively to adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) activation.CGRPandCGRP1 receptors are enriched in central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), the main part of the amygdala, which regulates conditioned fear memories. Here, we reported the importance ofCGRPandCGRP1 receptor for synaptic plasticity in the CeA and the extinction of fear memory in rats. Our electrophysiological and behavioralin vitroandin vivoresults showed exogenous application ofCGRPinduced an immediate and lasting long‐term potentiation in the basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, but not in the lateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway, while bilateral intra‐CeA infusionCGRP(0, 5, 13 and 21 μM/side) dose dependently enhanced fear memory extinction. The effects were blocked byCGRP1 receptor antagonist (CGRP8–37),N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors antagonistMK801 andPKAinhibitor H89. These results demonstrate thatCGRPcan lead to long‐term potentiation of basolateral nucleus of amygdala–CeA pathway through aPKA‐dependent postsynaptic mechanism that involvedN‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors and enhance the extinction of fear memory in rats. Together, the results strongly support a pivotal role ofCGRPin the synaptic plasticity of CeA and extinction of fear memory.

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Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) plays an essential role in synaptic plasticity in the amygdala and fear memory. We found that CGRP‐induced chemical long‐term potentiation (LTP) in a dose‐dependent way in the BLA–CeA (basolateral and central nucleus of amygdala, respectively) pathway and enhanced fear memory extinction in rats through a protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent postsynaptic mechanism that involved NMDA receptors. These results support a pivotal role of CGRP in amygdala.
CREATING A LAB IN THE FIELD: ECONOMICS EXPERIMENTS FOR POLICYMAKING
Authors: Viceisza Angelino C. G.
Published: July 2015

In this paper, I focus on the role that artefactual and certain framed field experiments (what I term “lab‐like field experiments” or LFEs) play in informing policymaking. Using examples, primarily from rural contexts in developing countries, I identify four main purposes of LFEs: (1) to test theories or heuristic principles; (2) to identify and estimate parameters associated with characteristics; (3) to explore the structural nature of parameters derived from empirical methods including other types of experiments; and (4) to assess methodological difficulties associated with LFEs and how these can impact parameter estimates. I address the importance of generalizability for LFEs that are intended to inform policymaking and in the process, emphasize the complementary role between LFEs and other empirical methods, in particular other experiments. Finally, I discuss nine basic principles for conducting LFEs and suggest four directions for future research.
Interorganizational Relationship Trends of Critical Access Hospitals
Authors: Hearld Larry R. , Carroll Nathaniel W.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

Examine the types of interorganizational relationships (IORs)—defined as formal linkages between 2 or more organizations to produce or coordinate some good or service—pursued by Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), how these relationship patterns have changed over time, and how these relationships compare to non‐CAHs.

Methods

We used univariate analyses to describe the prevalence of different types of formal horizontal (eg, system affiliation) and vertical (eg, physician organization, nursing home ownership) relationships for CAHs over time (2002‐2012) and chi‐square tests to compare the prevalence of these relationships to non‐CAHs.

Findings

Contract management relationships were more prevalent among CAHs than other types of hospitals, and they declined over time for all types of hospitals. Network membership was more common among CAHs compared to rural, non‐CAHs. Tightly integrated relationships with physician organizations were more common among CAHs, relative to rural, non‐CAHs. Nursing home ownership was more prevalent among CAHs and rural, non‐CAHs relative to urban, non‐CAHs, but it declined over time for all hospital types.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight a number of differences in the types of IORs pursued by CAHs relative to other types of hospitals and raise questions about the role of the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program in stimulating these differences. Our findings also suggest that even though the prevalence of hospitals engaging in any horizontal or vertical strategy was relatively stable, the fluctuations in the particular forms of these IORs were more dramatic.
Degree of Perceived Accent in Finnish as a Second Language for Turkish Children Born in Finland
Authors: Uzal Melike , Peltonen Teemu , Huotilainen Minna , Aaltonen Olli
Published: July 2015

This study investigated whether children born in a second language (L2) environment pronounce their L2 with foreign accents and, if so, when foreign accents first emerge. This study also examined the latest age of onset (AO) of extensive L2 experience at which native L2 pronunciation is possible and explored several factors that affect the degree of perceived accent for child L2 learners. Participants included 20 native Finnish children and 19 Finnish‐born Turkish children 7–17 years of age (mean AO = 3) as well as 61 native Finnish raters who evaluated the speech samples for foreign accent using a 9‐point scale. Only 4 of the 19 Turkish children spoke Finnish without foreign accents, which were first detectable at an AO of 2.5 years. AO was the main determiner of perceived accent, followed by home use of first language (L1), and the amount of L2 and L1 use. These findings suggest that there is an interplay between AO and language use factors in determining child L2 learners’ accent.
Toward an experimental synthesis of the chondritic insoluble organic matter
Authors: Biron Kasia , Derenne Sylvie , Robert François , Rouzaud Jean‐Noël
Published: July 2015

Based on the statistical model proposed for the molecular structure of the insoluble organic matter (IOM) isolated from the Murchison meteorite, it was recently proposed that, in the solar T‐Tauri disk regions where (photo)dissociation of gaseous molecules takes place, aromatics result from the cyclization/aromatization of short aliphatics. This hypothesis is tested in this study, with n‐alkanes being submitted to high‐frequency discharge at low pressure. The contamination issue was eliminated using deuterated precursor. IOM was formed and studied using solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, RuO4 oxidation, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. It exhibits numerous similarities at the molecular level with the hydrocarbon backbone of the natural IOM, reinforcing the idea that the initial precursors of the IOM were originally chains in the gas. Moreover, a fine comparison between the chemical structure of several meteorite IOM suggests either that (i) the meteorite IOMs share a common precursor standing for the synthetic IOM or that (ii) the slight differences between the meteorite IOMs reflect differences in their environment at the time of their formation i.e., related to plasma temperature that, in turn, dictates the dissociation–recombination rates of organic fragments.