bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with nephrotic syndrome: Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Tateyama Maki , Nakashima Ichiro , Suzuki Naoki , Kanaoka‐Suzuki Chihiro , Takano Rina , Sato Hiroshi , Kusunoki Susumu , Fujihara Kazuo , Itoyama Yasuto , Aoki Masashi
Published: April 2013

An association between the acute or chronic form of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (IDP) and nephrotic syndrome has occasionally been reported. However, the clinical pictures in IDP of these cases have attracted little attention to date. In the present report, we describe a 50‐year‐old man with IDP who developed quadriplegia with respiratory impairment followed by a remitting and relapsing course for several months with complete recovery, in which nephrotic syndrome appeared at the nadir and subsided in parallel with the neurological improvement. We also searched for the English‐language literature from 1946 to 2012 April and found 32 cases of Guillain–Barré syndrome or chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with nephrotic syndrome. We analyzed the 33 cases including the present case, and found such features as: (i) male preponderance (84.8%); (ii) motor dominant impairments with favorable final outcomes; and (iii) proteinuria occurring simultaneously with neurological symptoms and ameliorating along with neurological improvement in the majority of the cases. Available data of nerve conduction studies consistently showed demyelinating neuropathy. These findings suggest that IDP with nephrotic syndrome might be a distinctive clinical entity possibly caused by immune reactions to antigen(s) shared by peripheral nerves and the glomerulus. As nephrotic syndrome is asymptomatic or transient in some cases, IDP with nephrotic syndrome might be more prevalent than we think.
The effects of elastic band resistance training combined with blood flow restriction on strength, total bone‐free lean body mass and muscle thickness in postmenopausal women
Authors: Thiebaud Robert S. , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Fahs Christopher A. , Rossow Lindy M. , Kim Daeyeol , Abe Takashi , Anderson Mark A. , Young Kaelin C. , Bemben Debra A. , Bemben Michael G.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Elastic band (EB) training is a common form of resistance training used by the elderly, individuals with joint problems or those recovering from injury. EB training performed at low intensities by these populations may have little effect on muscle hypertrophy. However, when combined with blood flow restriction (BFR), low‐intensity EB resistance training may result in muscle hypertrophy.

Methods

Postmenopausal women (61 ± 5 years) were assigned to a moderate‐to‐high‐intensity EB group (MH, n = 8) or a low‐intensity EB group combined with BFR (LI‐BFR, n = 6). Each group performed seated chest press, seated row and seated shoulder press with EB three times a week for eight weeks. EB colours progressed in each group by having participants maintain a rating of 7–9 on the OMNI Resistance for active muscle (OMNI‐RES AM) scale (0–10) throughout training. In the LI‐BFR group, BFR pressure progressed during the first 4 weeks of training (80–120 mmHg), after which EB colours were progressed.

Results

1‐repetition maximum increased for chest press (P = 0·01), shoulder press (P = 0·02) and seated row (P = 0·01), but no differences were found between groups. Only pectoralis major muscle thickness in the upper body increased (P = 0·04). A trend was found for an increase in total bone‐free lean body mass (P = 0·055).

Conclusions

The main findings of this study were that moderate‐to‐high‐intensity EB training and low‐intensity EB training with BFR resulted in similar increases in strength, total bone‐free lean body mass and muscle thickness.
Tissue Doppler Myocardial Velocity Imaging in Infants and Children—a Window into Developmental Changes of Myocardial Mechanics
Authors: Pauliks Linda
Published: April 2013

In adults, tissue Doppler myocardial velocity imaging (TDI) is a recommended component of routine echocardiography and particularly useful to assess diastolic function of the left ventricle. In contrast, color and pulsed‐wave TDI velocities are less accepted in pediatrics, perhaps due to their strong age dependence in children. This review discusses the strengths and limitations of TDI velocity imaging in the pediatric age group. Myocardial velocities increase during normal childhood heart development, starting from fetal life, and these changes vary by cardiac segment. TDI velocity maturation opens an interesting window into the normal development of myocardial mechanics in childhood, but makes it difficult to interpret data in an individual child. Moreover, there is a wider range of normal for any given pediatric age than in adults. Still, TDI has been useful to monitor systolic heart function in children with cardiomyopathy or after heart transplantation. TDI studies revealed diastolic dysfunction in obese children and in cancer survivors with preclinical anthracycline cardiomyopathy. There is a growing body of studies using TDI to assess right heart function in children with congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension. Another potential strength of TDI velocities is the study of myocardial dyssynchrony where color TDI is well suited for rapid pediatric heart rates, even on fetal echocardiogram. Quantitative stress echocardiography with TDI is an emerging application in children that already offered insight into heart function in children with tetralogy of Fallot. Therefore, TDI velocity imaging should become part of the routine assessment of heart function in children.
Pediatric Echocardiography: New Developments and Applications
Authors: Ge Shuping
Published: April 2013

In this Special Issue of the Journal, 6 review articles that represent the new developments and applications of echocardiography for diagnosis and assessment of congenital heart disease from fetus to adult are included. The goal is to provide an updated review of the evidence for the current and potential use of some of the new methodologies, i.e. fetal echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, strain imaging by speckle tracking imaging, ventricular synchrony, quantification using real time three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography, and 3D echocardiography for adults with congenital heart disease. We hope this effort will provide an impetus for more investigation and ultimately clinical application of these new methodologies to improve the care of those with congenital and acquired heart diseases in the pediatric population and beyond.
Pedagogies of Hauntology in History Education: Learning to Live with the Ghosts of Disappeared Victims of War and Dictatorship
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos
Published: April 2013

Michalinos Zembylas examines how history education can be reconceived in terms of Jacques Derrida's notion of “hauntology,” that is, as an ongoing conversation with the “ghost” — in the case of this essay, the ghosts of disappeared victims of war and dictatorship. Here, Zembylas uses hauntology as both metaphor and pedagogical methodology for deconstructing the orthodoxies of academic history thinking and learning about “the disappeared.” As metaphor, hauntology evokes the figure of the ghost in order both to trouble the hegemonic status of representational modes of knowledge in remembrance practices and to undermine their ontological frames and ideological histories. As pedagogical methodology, hauntology reframes histories of loss and absence and uses them as points of departure to acknowledge the complexities and contradictions that emerge from haunting. Pedagogies of hauntology are constituted as responses to “spectacle pedagogy” in teaching about the disappeared, that is, a ubiquitous form of representation that manifests the ghosts in a sensationalized and ideological manner.
One System or Four? Cross‐Border Applications and Entries to Full‐Time Undergraduate Courses in the UK Since Devolution
Authors: Raffe David , Croxford Linda
Published: April 2013

This paper uses Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) data on applications and entries to full‐time undergraduate courses to examine the changing flows of students across the boundaries of the four countries of the United Kingdom (UK), over a period (1996–2010) that embraces parliamentary devolution. It asks whether the emergence of more distinct administrative systems of higher education, following devolution, is reflected in more distinct social systems as reflected in reduced cross‐border flows of students. It reveals a declining tendency for UK applicants to apply to, and enter, higher education in another UK country. This trend is partly attributable to devolution and to consequent changes such as differential fees. However the detailed patterns vary widely across the countries of the UK, across categories of student and across types of institution and programme.
Why do English Universities really Franchise Degrees to Overseas Providers?
Authors: Healey Nigel
Published: April 2013

Franchising degrees to overseas providers, normally for‐profit private companies, has become big business for English universities. The latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveal that there are now more international students registered for the awards of English higher education institutions that are studying wholly offshore than are on campus. There is an extensive economic literature exploring the role of franchising (or licensing) in the internationalisation of multinational companies. There are, however, few studies that have attempted to understand the reasons why so many English universities have moved beyond exporting (educating foreign students on campus) to franchising their degrees to overseas partners. This study uses an exploratory research methodology to get ‘inside the black box’. It investigates the motivations of decision‐makers entering and maintaining franchising operations at four English universities, revealing that financial considerations are less dominant than widely believed within the sector and are overshadowed by other, non‐commercial considerations.
Changes in sensory quality and aroma volatile composition during prolonged storage of ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate fruit
Authors: Mayuoni‐Kirshinbaum Lina , Daus Avinoam , Porat Ron
Published: April 2013

Flavour acceptance tests of ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate arils during prolonged storage under commercial modified atmospheres conditions yielded high preference scores during the first 12 weeks of cold storage at 7 °C, but sensory quality decreased remarkably after 16 and, especially, 20 weeks. Descriptive flavour analyses by a trained sensory panel revealed that the decrease in fruit flavour preference resulted mainly from a decrease in typical pomegranate flavour and increases in ‘overripe’ and ‘off‐flavour’ odours. GC‐MS analysis of aroma volatile contents revealed high correlations (r2 > 0.9) between accumulation of the ethanol fermentation products ethanol and ethyl acetate and the observed decrease in fruit flavour preference. In addition, we observed relatively high correlations (r2 > 0.7) between the accumulation of various sesquiterpene volatiles and the decrease in flavour preference. According to these findings, it is suggested that the decrease in flavour preference most likely resulted from massive accumulation of ethanol fermentation products and sesquiterpene volatiles.
Physical properties of tempered mixtures of cocoa butter, CBR and CBS fats
Authors: Quast Leda B. , Luccas Valdecir , Ribeiro Ana Paula B. , Cardoso Lisandro P. , Kieckbusch Theo G.
Published: April 2013

Physical characteristics of precrystallised binary mixtures of cocoa butter (CB) and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% (w/w) cocoa butter replacer (CBR) or cocoa butter substitute (CBS) were determined. The lipid composition was obtained by chromatography and the solid fat content (SFC) by nuclear magnetic resonance. Tempering was carried out using a lab‐scale agitated jacket vessel reactor. Bars made with tempered samples were submitted to X‐ray diffraction and rupture tests. Snap values of crystallised mixtures decrease with an increase in the amount of alternative fat. X‐ray diffraction patterns confirmed the predominant formation of the beta polymorph habit for CB and beta prime form for CBR and CBS. Mixtures of CB and CBR exhibit chemical compatibility. The knowledge of the snap values and of the variation of SFC with temperature proved to suffice to adequately anticipate the influence of the addition of alternative fats on chocolates physical attributes.
The effect of osmosis pretreatment on hot‐air drying and microwave drying characteristics of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) flesh
Authors: Zhao Dandan , Zhao Cuiping , Tao Hongyan , An Kejing , Ding Shenghua , Wang Zhengfu
Published: April 2013

Chili flesh pretreated with or without osmotic dehydration (OD) was dried in the hot‐air drying (AD) oven at 50–80 °C or in the microwave drying (MD) oven at 60–180 W. Results showed that the samples osmotically treated in mixed solution (10% salt + 50% sucrose) had the best dehydration effect as compared with single salt or sugar solutions. During the drying process, osmotically treated samples had one falling‐rate period and their effective moisture diffusivities (Deff) showed a rapidly linear increase with the decrease in moisture content, while directly drying samples showed a three‐phase falling‐rate period and their Deff increased gradually at the initial period and then rapidly at the final period. When the moisture content decreased, the activation energy increased gradually; however, for AD after OD, it decreased. Among all the processes, MD at 60 W after OD presented the largest vitamin C retention rate and the best colour difference, needing less drying time.
Cellular origin and diagnostic significance of high‐fluorescent cells in cerebrospinal fluid detected by the XE‐5000 hematology analyzer
Authors: Zimmermann M. , Otto C. , Gonzalez J.‐B. , Prokop S. , Ruprecht K.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

The Sysmex XE‐5000 is a blood and body fluid analyzer able to differentiate cells into polymorphonuclear, mononuclear, and high‐fluorescent cells (HFC). The identity of HFC in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been uncertain; however, compatible with their high nucleic acid content, HFC could represent intrathecal tumor cells. Here, we studied the cellular origin and the diagnostic significance of HFC in CSF.

Methods

Results of CSF examinations with the XE‐5000 were analyzed in 65 CSF samples with and 126 CSF samples without tumor cells, as defined by manual microscopy of CSF cytospin preparations.

Results

The XE‐5000 detected HFC in 51 of 65 tumor cell–positive and in 33 of 126 tumor cell–negative CSF samples (sensitivity: 78.5%, specificity: 73.8%, positive likelihood ratio: 3.0, negative likelihood ratio: 0.29). The percentages of HFC and tumor cells in CSF samples correlated (r² = 0.41, P < 0.0001). Tumor cells escaped detection by the XE‐5000 especially in CSF samples with a low percentage of tumor cells.

Conclusion

While this study identifies tumor cells as the predominant correlate of HFC in CSF, it suggests that measuring HFC is not an appropriate diagnostic test for intrathecal tumor cells. However, if HFC are incidentally detected in CSF, further evaluation by CSF microscopy seems mandatory.
Control of alternative splicing in immune responses: many regulators, many predictions, much still to learn
Authors: Martinez Nicole M. , Lynch Kristen W.
Published: April 2013

Most mammalian pre‐mRNAs are alternatively spliced in a manner that alters the resulting open reading frame. Consequently, alternative pre‐mRNA splicing provides an important RNA‐based layer of protein regulation and cellular function. The ubiquitous nature of alternative splicing coupled with the advent of technologies that allow global interrogation of the transcriptome have led to an increasing awareness of the possibility that widespread changes in splicing patterns contribute to lymphocyte function during an immune response. Indeed, a few notable examples of alternative splicing have clearly been demonstrated to regulate T‐cell responses to antigen. Moreover, several proteins key to the regulation of splicing in T cells have recently been identified. However, much remains to be done to truly identify the spectrum of genes that are regulated at the level of splicing in immune cells and to determine how many of these are controlled by currently known factors and pathways versus unknown mechanisms. Here, we describe the proteins, pathways, and mechanisms that have been shown to regulate alternative splicing in human T cells and discuss what is and is not known about the genes regulated by such factors. Finally, we highlight unifying themes with regards to the mechanisms and consequences of alternative splicing in the adaptive immune system and give our view of important directions for future studies.
Molecular control of Tfh‐cell differentiation by Roquin family proteins
Authors: Heissmeyer Vigo , Vogel Katharina U.
Published: April 2013

Post‐transcriptional gene regulation by RNA‐binding proteins is a fast and effective way to adapt gene expression and change cellular responses. These trans‐acting factors have been involved in a number of cell fate decisions, and their mutation is often associated with the development of disease. The RNA‐binding protein Roquin‐1 has been found to be crucial in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune disease. This review describes the molecular role of Roquin family proteins in the control of follicular T‐helper cell differentiation. Here, we discuss the redundant regulation of Icos and Ox40 costimulatory receptor mRNAs by Roquin‐1 and Roquin‐2 proteins. A major focus is placed on the distinct activity of Roquin‐1 or Roquin‐2 proteins in the mouse models of conditional gene targeting. These recent data are then integrated into an interpretation of altered Roquin protein function in the sanroque mouse that expresses the Roquin‐1 protein with just one amino acid substitution and, different from the Roquin‐1–deficient mouse, develops lupus‐like autoimmune disease.
miR‐155: an ancient regulator of the immune system
Authors: Vigorito Elena , Kohlhaas Susan , Lu Dong , Leyland Rebecca
Published: April 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a newly recognized class of regulatory genes which repress the expression of protein‐coding genes. Numerous studies have uncovered a complex role for miRNAs regulating many aspects of a variety of cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, and lineage commitment. In the immune system, miR‐155 is unique in its ability to shape the transcriptome of activated myeloid and lymphoid cells controlling diverse biological functions ranging from inflammation to immunological memory. Not surprisingly, a tight control of miR‐155 expression is required to avoid malignant transformation, as evidenced by miR‐155 overexpression in many cancers of B‐cell origin. In this review, we discuss the potential of miR‐155 as a molecular target for therapeutic intervention and discuss the function of miR‐155 in the context of protective immunity. We first look back into the emergence of miR‐155 in evolution, which is coincidental with the emergence of the ancestors of the antigen receptors. We then summarize what we have learned about the role of miR‐155 in the regulation of lymphoid subsets at the cellular and molecular level in the context of recent progress in this field.
The pursuit of self‐interest and rule breaking in an anonymous situation
Authors: Nogami Tatsuya , Yoshida Fujio
Published: April 2013

The present study examined whether psychological self‐interest would instigate rule breaking in an anonymous situation. In total, 66 individuals were observed whether they would pursue material or psychological self‐interest by breaking existing rules under the cloak of anonymity. Anonymity was defined to minimize accountability for one's behavior, and was strictly manipulated to make all participants equally anonymous during the experiment. Results showed that only participants in the material‐reward condition broke the rules, whereas those in the psychological‐reward condition did not. Also, there was no difference found between the two conditions in subjective feelings of anonymity and public self‐awareness although rule breaking was observed only in the material‐reward condition. Implications for socially undesirable behavior in anonymous situations are discussed.
Predictors of the intent to adopt preventive innovations: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Overstreet Robert E. , Cegielski Casey , Hall Dianne
Published: April 2013

Because the literature suggests significant differences in the adoption rate of traditional innovations and those innovations classified as preventive, we examine the effectiveness of the constructs of the theory of planned behavior and social cognitive theory in predicting the adoption of preventive innovations. The current study synthesized 89 correlations from 63 studies (n = 31,158). The corrected mean correlation estimates were .51 for attitude, .52 for subjective norms, and .43 for planned behavioral control. The corrected mean correlation estimate for self‐efficacy was .47. By understanding the predictor variables of the intent to adopt a preventive innovation, proponents of specific preventive innovations may be better equipped to select strategies that could accelerate the diffusion process.
An investigation of the unique, synergistic and balanced relationships between basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation
Authors: Dysvik Anders , Kuvaas Bård , Gagné Marylène
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the relationship between psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation as proposed by self‐determination theory. Three competing hypotheses regarding the relations between need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation were tested: additive, synergistic, and balance. Two cross‐sectional studies involving 1,254 employees from a broad range of Norwegian service organizations partly supported the first two hypotheses. Although the relationship between satisfaction of the needs for autonomy and relatedness with intrinsic motivation were significant, the one with satisfaction of the need for competence was not. Instead, competence was only related to intrinsic motivation when autonomy was high. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Genome‐wide Association Analysis of Ten Chilling Tolerance Indices at the Germination and Seedling Stages in Maize
Authors: Huang Juan , Zhang Jianhua , Li Wenzhen , Hu Wei , Duan Lichao , Feng Yang , Qiu Fazhan , Yue Bing
Published: April 2013

Maize seedlings are very sensitive to chilling, especially during the transition phase from heterotrophic to autotrophic growth. Genetic dissection of the genetic basis of chilling tolerance would provide useful information for genetic improvement of maize inbreds. In this study, genome‐wide association analysis was conducted to explore the genetic architecture of maize chilling tolerance at the seed germination and seedling stages with an association panel of 125 inbreds. Ten tolerance indices (ratios of the performance of 10 germination rates and seedling growth‐related traits under chilling stress and control conditions) were investigated to assess the ability of chilling tolerance of the inbreds, and a total of 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with chilling tolerance were detected, with none of them being related to chilling tolerance at both the germination and seedling stages simultaneously. Correlation analysis also revealed that the genetic basis of chilling tolerance at the seed germination stage is generally different from that at the seedling stage. In addition, a total of 40 candidate genes involving 31 of the 43 single nucleotide polymorphisms were predicted, and were grouped into five categories according to their functions. The possible roles of these candidate genes in chilling tolerance were also discussed.
Construct validity and reliability of the Handover Evaluation Scale
Authors: O'Connell Beverly , Ockerby Cherene , Hawkins Mary
Published: April 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the psychometric properties of the Handover Evaluation Scale using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Background

Handover is a fundamental component of clinical practice and is essential to ensure safe patient care. Research indicates a number of problems with this process, with high variability in the type of information provided. Despite the reported deficits with handover practices internationally, guidelines and standardised tools for its conduct and evaluation are scarce. Further work is required to develop an instrument that measures the effectiveness of handover in a valid and reliable way.

Design

Secondary analysis of data collected between 2006–2008 from nurses working on 24 wards across a large Australian healthcare service.

Methods

A sample of 299 nurses completed the survey that included 20 self‐report items which evaluated the effectiveness of handover. Data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported by structural equation modelling.

Results

Analyses resulted in a 14‐item Handover Evaluation Scale with three subscales: (1) quality of information (six items), (2) interaction and support (five items) and (3) efficiency (three items). A fourth subscale, patient involvement (three items), was removed from the scale as it was not a good measure of handover.

Conclusions

The scale is a self‐report, valid and reliable measure of the handover process. It provides a useful tool for monitoring and evaluating handover processes in health organisations, and it is recommended for use and further development.

Relevance to clinical practice

Monitoring handover is an important quality assurance process that is required to meet healthcare standards. This reliable and valid scale can be used in practice to monitor the quality of handover and provide information that can form the basis of education and training packages and guidelines to improve handover policies and processes.
Quorum Sensing Contributes to Seed‐to‐Seedling Transmission of Acidovorax citrulli on Watermelon
Authors: Johnson Kameka Latoya , Walcott Ronald Ricardo
Published: April 2013

Based on the observation that Acidovorax citrulli switches from saprobic to pathogenic growth for seed‐to‐seedling transmission of bacterial fruit blotch of cucurbits (BFB), we hypothesized that quorum sensing (QS) was involved in the regulation of this process. Using aacI (luxI homologue) and aacR (luxR homologue) mutants of AAC00‐1, we investigated the role of QS in watermelon seed colonization and seed‐to‐seedling transmission of BFB. aacR and aacI mutants of AAC00‐1 colonized germinating watermelon seed at wild‐type levels; however, BFB seed‐to‐seedling transmission was affected in a cell density‐dependent manner. There were no significant differences in BFB seedling transmission between watermelon seed infiltrated with approximately 1 × 106 CFU of AAC00‐1, the aacR or aacI deletion mutants (95.2, 94.9 and 98.3% BFB incidence, respectively). In contrast, when seed inoculum was reduced to approximately 1 × 103 CFU/seed, BFB seed‐to‐seedling transmission declined to 34.3% for the aacI mutant, which was significantly less than the wild type (78.6%). Interestingly, BFB seed‐to‐seedling transmission for the aacR mutant was not significantly different to the wild‐type strain. These data suggest that QS plays a role in regulation of genes involved in seed‐to‐seedling transmission of BFB.
A literature review of Case Formulation to inform Mental Health practice
Authors: Rainforth M. , Laurenson M.
Published: April 2013

Accessible summary

Explain the use of case formulation as a way of involving people experiencing mental health issues in their treatment options.

Case formulation is a framework that informs a choice of psychological treatments and links assessment and treatment phases to guide practitioners and individuals on treatment options.

This paper investigates its value and discusses training and supervision of professionals undertaking case formulation.

It includes information on how individuals with mental health issues are fully included in the process.

The findings conclude that case formulation is worthwhile and suggests improved training to improve individual outcomes.

Changes in mental health provision have led to practitioners and service providers reviewing how they incorporate service users in assessment processes and treatment decisions. Case formulation (CF) is a framework that informs a choice of psychological treatments providing a bridge between assessment and treatment phases to guide treatment options. However, CF is not routinely practised in mental health; hence this paper reviews CF literature to establish its efficacy for service users experiencing mental health issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy, reliability and validity of CF and its process and function in providing treatment for service users experiencing mental health issues and to explore practitioner training requirements. A systematic search of English language publications on CF and treatment frameworks from 1999–2011 was conducted searching electronic databases. Additionally, two seminal pieces of CF work were included. The findings demonstrate evidence of CF's efficacy and suggest practitioner training programmes to increase professional expertise and enhance service user outcomes. However, limited evidence exists and further research is required to address efficacy and training implications of CF.
Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index: Responsiveness and Testing of Criterion Validity
Authors: Benito J. , Hansen B. , DePuy V. , Davidson G.S. , Thomson A. , Simpson W. , Roe S. , Hardie E. , Lascelles B.D.X.
Published: April 2013

Background

Progress in establishing if therapies provide relief to cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD)‐associated pain is hampered by a lack of validated owner‐administered assessment methods.

Hypothesis

That an appropriately developed subjective owner‐completed instrument (Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index‐FMPI) to assessDJD‐associated impairment would have responsiveness and criterion validity.

Animals

Twenty‐five client‐owned cats with DJD‐associated pain.

Methods

FMPIresponsiveness (ability to detect the effect of an analgesic treatment) and validity (correlation with an objective measure) were explored through a stratified, randomized, double blinded, placebo‐controlled, crossover 10‐week clinical study. Meloxicam was administered to effect pain relief. A linear mixed model, backward stepwise regression, and Pearson correlations were used to assess responsiveness and criterion validity with the assumption that theNSAIDwould increase activity.

Results

Positive responses of cats to placebo (P = .0001) and meloxicam treatment (P = .0004) were detected; however, the instrument did not detect any difference between placebo and meloxicam (linear mixed model), even for the high impairment cases. Percent meloxicam target dose administered, temperament, and total baselineFMPIscore were covariates that most affectedFMPIscores. Controlling for significant covariates, most positive effects were seen for placebo treatment. Positive treatment effects on activity were detected, but only for the cases designated as most highly impaired.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Neither responsiveness nor criterion validity were detected by the inclusion criteria for cases in this study. The data suggest that further work is indicated to understand factors affecting activity in cats to optimize inclusion criteria.
Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy of the Combination Therapy of Alfuzosin and Tadalafil in Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: KUMAR Santosh , KONDAREDDY Chilekampalli , GANESAMONI Raguram , NANJAPPA Bhuvanesh , SINGH Shrawan K.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of alfuzosin and tadalafil as combination therapy compared with each monotherapy, in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Methods

Men over the age of 50 years with LUTS secondary to BPH and an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) 8 or higher, were randomized to receive 10 mg alfuzosin (n = 25), 10 mg tadalafil (n = 25) or the combination of both the drugs (n = 25) once daily for 3 months. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change in IPSS from the baseline. Secondary endpoints were changes in IPSS storage and voiding subscores, peak urinary flow rate, residual urine volume, IPSS quality of life score and erectile domain score.

Results

There were significant improvements in all IPSS scores, peak urinary flow rate and IPSS quality of life score from baseline at both 6 weeks and 3 months in all the three groups (P < 0.003). Combination therapy was better than monotherapy in improving IPSS scores and reducing post‐void residual urine volume (P < 0.005). Combination therapy was similar to alfuzosin regarding improvement in maximum urine flow rate (P = 0.22), similar to tadalafil in improvement on erectile function (P = 0.22) and better than each monotherapy in improving the IPSS quality of life (P ≤ 0.015).

Conclusion

Alfuzosin and tadalafil combination therapy provides greater symptomatic improvement as compared to either monotherapy in men with LUTS due to BPH.
Pervasive selection or is it…? why areFSToutliers sometimes so frequent?
Authors: Bierne Nicolas , Roze Denis , Welch John J.
Published: April 2013

It is now common for population geneticists to estimateFSTfor a large number of loci across the genome, before testing for selected loci as being outliers to theFSTdistribution. One surprising result of suchFSTscans is the often high proportion (>1% and sometimes >10%) of outliers detected, and this is often interpreted as evidence for pervasive local adaptation. In this issue ofMolecularEcolog, Fourcadeet al. () observe that a particularly high rate ofFSToutliers has often been found in river organisms, such as fishes or damselflies, despite there being no obvious reason why selection should affect a larger proportion of the genomes of these organisms. Using computer simulations, Fourcadeet al. () show that the strong correlation in co‐ancestry produced in long one‐dimensional landscapes (such as rivers, valleys, peninsulas, oceanic ridges or coastlines) greatly increases the neutral variance inFST, especially when the landscape is further reticulated into fractal networks. As a consequence, outlier tests have a high rate of false positives, unless this correlation can be taken into account. Fourcadeet al.'s study highlights an extreme case of the general problem, first noticed by Robertson (,b) and Nei & Maruyama (), that correlated co‐ancestry inflates the neutral variance inFSTwhen compared to its expectation under an island model of population structure. Similar warnings about the validity of outlier tests have appeared regularly since then but have not been widely cited in the recent genomics literature. We further emphasize thatFSToutliers can arise in many different ways and that outlier tests are not designed for situations where the genetic architecture of local adaptation involves many loci.
Distributional and Peer‐Induced Fairness in Supply Chain Contract Design
Authors: Ho Teck‐Hua , Su Xuanming , Wu Yaozhong
Published: April 2013

Members of a supply chain often make profit comparisons. A retailer exhibits peer‐induced fairness concerns when his own profit is behind that of a peer retailer interacting with the same supplier. In addition, a retailer exhibits distributional fairness when his supplier's share of total profit is larger than his own. While existing research focuses exclusively on distributional fairness concerns, this study investigates how both types of fairness might interact and influence economic outcomes in a supply chain. We consider a one‐supplier and two‐retailer supply chain setting, and we show that (i) in the presence of distributional fairness alone, the wholesale price offer is lower than the standard wholesale price offer; (ii) in the presence of both types of fairness, the second wholesale price is higher than the first wholesale price; and (iii) in the presence of both types of fairness, the second retailer makes a lower profit and has a lower share of the total supply chain profit than the first retailer. We run controlled experiments with subjects motivated by substantial monetary incentives and show that subject behaviors are consistent with the model predictions. Structural estimation on the data suggests that peer‐induced fairness is more salient than distributional fairness.
Downhill Varices Secondary to HeRO Graft‐Related SVC Syndrome
Authors: Pillai Unnikrishnan , Roopkiranjot Kahlon , Lakshminarayan Nandagopal , Balabhadrapatruni Krishna , Gebregeorgis Wihib , Kissner Paul
Published: April 2013

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters are well‐documented causes of benign central vein stenosis, which can be associated with proximal or downhill esophageal varices due to shunting of blood flow from the upper portion of the body through the esophageal venous plexuses. A majority of these cases remain asymptomatic. As a result, studies are largely limited to symptomatic patients, with incidence rates ranging from 16% to 29%. Recently, Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) graft has been introduced as an effective alternate hemodialysis access in catheter‐dependent patients, especially in the presence of significant central venous occlusion. It differs from a conventional arteriovenous graft (AVG) by the fact that its venous outflow end is in the right atrium via one of the central veins, bypassing any significant occlusion upstream. Lower intervention rates and reduced incidence of bacteremia make it comparable to conventional tunneled catheters. However, the incidence of central vein occlusion and associated complications with HeRO grafts is unknown. We present the first case of gastrointestinal bleeding from downhill esophageal varices secondary to HeRO – graft‐related SVC occlusion.
The HI‐STAR study: resource utilization and costs associated with serologic testing for antibody‐positive patients at four United States medical centers
Authors: Mazonson Peter , Efrusy Molly , Santas Chris , Ziman Alyssa , Burner James , Roseff Susan , Vijayaraghavan Arthi , Kaufman Richard
Published: April 2013

Background

Little is known about how the resource utilization and costs of serologic work ups for positive antibody screens vary across subpopulations based on diagnosis, transfusion history, and serologic testing history.

Study Design and Methods

Detailed data were collected on patient demographics, diagnoses, transfusion history, history of known allo‐ and autoantibodies, and specific serologic tests performed for 6077 consecutive serologic work ups in 3608 antibody‐positive patients between 2009 and 2011 at four US academic medical centers. Direct testing costs were also determined at each site for each serologic test performed to calculate total costs per work up and per patient over the duration of the study.

Results

The mean direct cost of serologic testing was $114 per work up and $195 per patient. The mean cost per patient was significantly higher for 12 of 19 diagnostic categories evaluated, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (mean cost per patient, $1490; p < 0.001), hematologic malignancies ($640, p < 0.001), and transplant recipients ($462, p = 0.019). Patient transfusion and serologic testing characteristics associated with greatest increases in costs included history of a warm autoantibody ($626, p < 0.001) and more than five prior transfusions ($404, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Antibody‐positive patients with complex diagnoses or transfusion histories require significantly more resources and incur greater cost to assess red blood cell antibody status.
Comparative analysis of triplex nucleic acid test assays in United States blood donors
Authors: Stramer Susan L. , Krysztof David E. , Brodsky Jaye P. , Fickett Tracy A. , Reynolds Benjamin , Dodd Roger Y. , Kleinman Steven H.
Published: April 2013

Background

This study assessed the clinical sensitivity of three fully automated, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) triplex nucleic acid test (NAT) assays by individual donation (ID‐NAT) and at operational minipool (MP‐NAT) sizes used worldwide.

Study Design and Methods

MPX, Ultrio, and Ultrio Plus were used to test 2222 pedigreed, marker‐positive samples with varying viral loads, each from a unique US blood donor. NAT‐positive, seronegative yield samples (16 HBV, 156 HCV, and 23 HIV) were tested in replicates of three; undiluted; and in 1:6, 1:8, and 1:16 dilutions (MP6, MP8, and MP16), simulating various MP sizes. Seropositive samples (1276 HBV, 488 HCV, and 263 HIV) were tested by ID‐NAT in singlet.

Results

MPX‐MP6 and Ultrio Plus‐MP16 had equivalent HCV sensitivity. Although Ultrio Plus‐MP16 for HIV trended toward lesser sensitivity, this was not corroborated in a large substudy of low‐viral‐load samples in which Ultrio Plus‐MP8/MP16 showed 100% reactivity. MPX‐ID and Ultrio Plus‐ID HBV clinical sensitivity were identical, but MPX‐MP6 was significantly more sensitive than Ultrio Plus‐MP16; the differential yield projected to one HBV NAT yield per 4.72 million US donations. Ultrio Plus HBV sensitivity did not increase at MP8 versus MP16. Ultrio Plus versus Ultrio sensitivity was significantly increased in HBV‐infected donors with early acute, late acute or chronic, and occult infections. No difference in sensitivity was noted for any virus for MPX‐MP6 versus Ultrio Plus‐ID.

Conclusions

Our data support US donation screening with MPX‐MP6 or Ultrio Plus‐MP16 since the HBV DNA detection of Ultrio Plus was significantly enhanced (vs. Ultrio) without compromising HIV or HCV RNA detection.
Novel RHD alleles with weak hemagglutination and genetic Exon 9 diversity: weak D Types 45.1, 75, and 76
Authors: Gassner Christoph , Utz Irene , Schennach Harald , Ramoni Angela , Steiner Hannes , Scholz Sabine , Kreklau Ursula , Körmöczi Günther F.
Published: April 2013

Background

Molecular variant RHD allele analysis is best complemented by detailed characterization of the associated D phenotype.

Study Design and Methods

Variant D types were characterized using molecular typing, RHD sequencing, extended serologic D antigen investigations, and flow cytometric D antigen quantification.

Results

We discovered three novel weak D types termed weak D Types 45.1, 75, and 76 with RHD nucleotide substitutions coding for amino acid exchanges in predicted intracellular RhD polypeptide stretches; antigen densities of approximately 1.990, 900, and 240 D sites per red blood cell were found, respectively. Adsorption‐elution technique–supported D epitope mapping of these three weak D types demonstrated the expression of all tested D epitopes. Initial molecular typing of the three investigated samples by RHD gene exon scanning polymerase chain reaction using sequence‐specific priming yielded a negative reaction for A1193 located in RHD Exon 9 and could be explained by specific mutations for weak D Types 45.1 (C818T, G1195A), 75 (G1194C), and 76 (A1215C).

Conclusion

All novel weak D types expressed all tested D epitopes. It is of interest that for weak D Types 45.1, 75, and 76, similar alleles with a maximal divergence of one amino acid only, that is, weak D Types 45, 41, and 68, respectively, have been reported so far.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 3 April 2013
Authors: Uslaner Jason , Smith Orla
Published: April 2013

In this podcast, Jason Uslaner discusses the discovery of a new class of sleep inducing agents with fewer side effects than existing sedatives.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence: a Successful or Deleterious Association in the Bacterial World?
Authors: Beceiro Alejandro , Tomás María , Bou Germán
Published: April 2013

Hosts and bacteria have coevolved over millions of years, during which pathogenic bacteria have modified their virulence mechanisms to adapt to host defense systems. Although the spread of pathogens has been hindered by the discovery and widespread use of antimicrobial agents, antimicrobial resistance has increased globally. The emergence of resistant bacteria has accelerated in recent years, mainly as a result of increased selective pressure. However, although antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence have developed on different timescales, they share some common characteristics. This review considers how bacterial virulence and fitness are affected by antibiotic resistance and also how the relationship between virulence and resistance is affected by different genetic mechanisms (e.g., coselection and compensatory mutations) and by the most prevalent global responses. The interplay between these factors and the associated biological costs depend on four main factors: the bacterial species involved, virulence and resistance mechanisms, the ecological niche, and the host. The development of new strategies involving new antimicrobials or nonantimicrobial compounds and of novel diagnostic methods that focus on high-risk clones and rapid tests to detect virulence markers may help to resolve the increasing problem of the association between virulence and resistance, which is becoming more beneficial for pathogenic bacteria.
Parents’ first moments with their very preterm babies: a qualitative study
Authors: Arnold Leah , Sawyer Alexandra , Rabe Heike , Abbott Jane , Gyte Gillian , Duley Lelia , Ayers Susan
Published: April 2013

Objectives

To assess parents’ first experiences of their very preterm babies and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

Participants

32 mothers and 7 fathers of very preterm babies (<32 weeks gestation).

Setting

Three neonatal units in tertiary care hospitals in South East England.

Results

Five themes were identified. The first describes parents’ blurred recall of the birth. The second shows the anticipation of seeing and touching their baby for the first time was characterised by contrasting emotions, with some parents feeling scared and others excited about the event. The third theme describes parents’ first sight and touch of their babies and their ‘rollercoaster’ of emotions during this time. It also highlights the importance of touch to trigger and strengthen the parent–baby bond. However, some parents were worried that touching or holding the baby might transmit infection or interfere with care. The fourth theme captures parents’ impressions of NICU and how overwhelming this was particularly for parents who had not toured NICU beforehand or whose first sight of their baby was on NICU. The final theme captures unique experiences of fathers, in particular that many felt excluded and confused about their role.

Conclusions

This study informs family-centred care by providing insight into the experiences of parents of very preterm infants at a time when they are most in need of support. Clinical implications include the importance of offering parents preparatory tours of the NICU and including fathers.
The influence of phosphorylation of prothymosin α on its nuclear import and antiapoptotic activity
Authors: Moreira David , Díaz-Jullien Cristina , Sarandeses Concepción S. , Covelo Guillermo , Barbeito Pablo , Freire Manuel
Published: April 2013

Phosphorylation of prothymosin α (ProTα) appears not to affect its influence on chromatin remodelling. To determine whether it affects nuclear import or cytosolic antiapoptotic activity, cells were transfected with vectors generating tagged recombinant ProTα (rProTα), either wild-type (rProTα-wt), which is partially phosphorylated posttranslation or the nonphosphorylatable rProTα-T7A. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed the predominant location of native ProTα, rProTα-wt, and rProTα-T7A in the nucleus. The activity of caspases 9 and 3 following apoptosis induction treatment (staurosporine) indicated reduction of apoptosis by rProTα-wt but not by rProTα-T7A. It is concluded that phosphorylation of ProTα is required for its antiapoptotic activity, but it does not affect its nuclear import.