bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decolorisation of aqueous dye solutions by low‐cost adsorbents: a review
Authors: Sanghi Rashmi , Verma Preeti
Published: January 2013

Effluent generated by the textile industry can be highly coloured. Before the waste is disposed into receiving waters, colour removal is an important consideration. Because of their complex molecular structures, dyes present in the textile wastewater are not removed easily by conventional wastewater treatment processes. They are fairly stable to light, as well as heat, and resist biodegradation, thus posing a challenge to conventional physico‐chemical and biological treatment methods. Although adsorption technology using activated carbon has been considered to be an effective and proven technology, it has its limitations as it is expensive and necessitates regeneration. As cost is an important consideration in most developing countries, efforts have been made to explore the possibility of using various low‐cost alternatives that are biodegradable, abundant, readily available, and are derived from waste materials. This article is a compilation of the investigations carried out by numerous researchers (from 2002 onwards) on the effective use of different kinds of low‐cost adsorbents for the removal of specific dyes from textile wastewater.
Danger Zone Entrepreneurs: The Importance of Resilience and Self–Efficacy for Entrepreneurial Intentions
Authors: Bullough Amanda , Renko Maija , Myatt Tamara
Published: January 2013

Little is known about the drivers of entrepreneurial decisions during war. We empirically examine the effects of perceived danger, entrepreneurial self–efficacy, and resilience on entrepreneurial intentions in adverse conditions with primary survey data from Afghanistan. Our findings suggest that perceived danger is negatively related to an individual's entrepreneurial intentions, but marginally less so among highly resilient individuals. Our findings also suggest that even under conditions of war, individuals develop entrepreneurial intentions if they are able to grow from adversity (resilience) and believe in their entrepreneurial abilities (entrepreneurial self–efficacy). Practical implications for role modeling and entrepreneurship training are then discussed.
The “Cruel Radiance of What Is”: Helping Couples Live With Chronic Illness
Authors: Weingarten Kaethe
Published: January 2013

The threat of no longer being the person one wants to be hovers over each ill person and plays out relationally. The dynamic interplay of this experience of self‐loss and other‐loss (Roos, 2002; Weingarten, 2012) has a significant impact on couples, both of whom may come to have both experiences. In this article, I focus on the couples' experience of self‐ and other‐loss in the context of chronic illness, in which one person's experience flows into and informs the other's. In particular, I describe how asymmetric acknowledgment of self‐loss and other‐loss adds to the misery of couples who are already challenged by poor health. Physical pain also makes dealing with self‐ and other‐loss harder. Therapists can serve couples better if they take a fully collaborative stance; appreciate the dilemmas of witnessing; help couples distinguish new trauma from retraumatization and fear; work with the weaver's dilemma and the boatman's plight (Weingarten, 2012); and are comfortable with discussion of end of life issues.
Dynamic Financial System: Complexity, Fragility and Regulatory Principles
Authors: Ho Thomas S. Y. , Palacios Miguel , Stoll Hans R.
Published: January 2013

A financial system improves the allocation of real resources and enhances the performance of the production economy, but these benefits are offset in part by the risk of financial distress and the associated deadweight loss resulting from bankruptcy costs. We argue that “tiers” of financial claims increase complexity and fragility of the financial network. In equilibrium, the financial system grows relative to the real economy as the allocation of funds and risks becomes more sophisticated and as more financial claims are tiered. Growth is limited by the risk of a tiered, complex financial network and by the need to set aside additional capital as the financial sector grows. We discuss several sources of fragility in the financial system. We propose that regulators should limit the breaks in the system and do more to improve the resiliency of the network and less on individual issues that are only symptoms of fundamental problems of a network. We advocate a market based system of regulation in which market participants regulate each other, to a degree. In order for this to be feasible, the financial network must be organized according to three principles: trading transparency, competitive markets and competitive regulators, and incentive alignment of participants. Insofar as these regulatory approaches are successful in limiting network fragility, capital requirements can be reduced. Regulators should keep in mind this tradeoff between capital and regulation. With regard to regulatory policy, regulators should let the three principles be their guide in adapting to the evolving financial system rather than implementing narrowly conceived regulations that are quickly outmoded.
The Urban Project and Its Impact on Sense of Place: Methodological Propositions
Authors: Breux Sandra , Bédard Mario
Published: January 2013

All places have strong symbolic dimensions and hold specific values for individuals as well as for the collectivity. The urban project, which modifies the built environment or the existing functions of the place in which it intervenes, can transform the meaning of that place especially for those who live there. Such planning projects often attract the opposition of a significant faction of people. In this paper, we propose an innovative approach exploring the symbolical functions and socio‐territorial vocations given to places to better understand the degree to which the differences in meaning ascribed to a place targeted by an urban project are likely to explain the popular opposition that often emerges as soon as a planning project is announced.
Hepatic interferon‐gamma‐induced protein‐10 expression is more strongly associated with liver fibrosis than interleukin‐28B single nucleotide polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma resected patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Konishi Hideyuki , Shirabe Ken , Yoshiya Shohei , Ikeda Tetsuo , Ikegami Toru , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Ikawa‐Yoshida Ayae , Motomura Takashi , Fukuhara Takasuke , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: January 2013

Aim

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) around IL‐28B and interferon (IFN)‐stimulated gene (ISG) expression are predictors of response to standard therapy involving IFN for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We analyzed the association between these predictors to improve the prediction of the response to IFN therapy after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Data were collected from 74 patients with HCV‐induced HCC. The IL‐28B genotype and hepatic ISG mRNA levels were analyzed to clarify their association, focusing on the progression of liver fibrosis.

Results

Fifty patients were identified as having major alleles (rs8099917 TT) and the remaining 24 patients had minor alleles (rs8099917 TG or GG). Hepatic ISG15 expression was lower in the IL‐28B major group than that in the IL‐28B minor group (P < 0.005). IP‐10 expression was similar between the IL‐28B major and minor groups (P = 0.44). IP‐10 expression was elevated with advancing stages of liver fibrosis in HCV infected patients (P = 0.005). In patients with mild or no fibrosis, the IL‐28B major group had lower IP‐10 expression than the IL‐28B minor group (P = 0.02). However, in patients with advanced fibrosis, IP‐10 expression was not different between the IL‐28B major and minor groups (P = 0.66).

Conclusion

Hepatic ISG15 expression is associated with IL‐28B polymorphisms, while IP‐10 is strongly affected by liver fibrosis.
What is the evidence that poster presentations are effective in promoting knowledge transfer? A state of the art review
Authors: Ilic Dragan , Rowe Nicholas
Published: January 2013

Background

Poster presentations are a common form of presenting health information at conferences and in the community. Anecdotal evidence within the discipline indicates that health information framed in a poster presentation may be an effective method of knowledge transfer.

Objectives

A state of the art review of the literature was performed to determine the effectiveness of poster presentations on knowledge transfer.

Methods

Electronic searches of various electronic databases were performed for studies published until 2012. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they provided empirical data on the effectiveness of poster presentations on changes in participant knowledge, attitude or behaviour.

Results

A total of 51 studies were identified through the database searches, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. No study evaluated the effectiveness of posters in comparison with other educational interventions. Most studies utilised a before/after methodology, with the common conclusion that posters elicit greatest effectiveness in knowledge transfer when integrated with other educational modalities.

Conclusions

The poster presentation is a commonly used format for communicating information within the academic and public health fields. Evidence from well‐designed studies comparing posters to other educational modalities is required to establish an evidence base on the effectiveness of utilising posters in achieving knowledge transfer.
Implementing CEFR in secondary education: impact on FL teachers' educational and assessment practice
Authors: Moonen Machteld , Stoutjesdijk Evelien , de Graaff Rick , Corda Alessandra
Published: January 2013

In order to study the impact of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) on foreign language teachers' teaching and assessment practice, a survey, interviews and case studies were carried out in Dutch secondary education. Teachers' perceptions, their needs and plans, and the implementation of CEFR were studied. Results show that the use of CEFR is most widespread in the use of CEFR‐related textbooks. The group of teachers that apply CEFR more extensively is relatively small. Schools differ considerably with respect to the application of CEFR for curriculum planning and for assessment and professional development. These results are discussed in the light of factors that foster the implementation of educational innovations, such as compatibility and adaptation at school and teacher level.
Moral distress and its correlates among mental health nurses in Jordan
Authors: Hamaideh Shaher H.
Published: January 2013

Moral distress has received much attention in international nursing published work in recent years. However, in the published work, little is known about the moral distress of mental health nurses. The aims of this study were to examine the intensity level of moral distress, to identify the best predictors of moral distress, and to examine relationships of moral distress with burnout, job satisfaction, intention to leave the current job, and both demographic and work‐related variables of that group. Employing a descriptive correlational cross‐section design and a convenience sampling method, data were collected using the Moral Distress Scale for Psychiatric Nurses, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Job Satisfaction Scale from 130 Jordanian mental health nurses working in the largest psychiatric hospital in Jordan. Results showed that the intensity level of moral distress was found to be moderately high, especially in an ‘unethical conduct by caregivers’ subscale. Age, income level, nurses' years of experience, and caseloads correlated significantly and negatively with moral distress, while educational level and intention to leave the current job correlated significantly and positively with moral distress. Interestingly, job satisfaction did not significantly correlate with moral distress. Income level, caseloads, burnout level, attending workshops in mental health, and educational level were the best predictors of moral distress. More studies on moral distress and continuing educational interventional programs aimed at minimizing the levels of moral distress and burnout at institutional and individual level are required.
Fragility Analysis of Highway Bridges Based on Long‐Term Monitoring Data
Authors: Torbol Marco , Gomez Hugo , Feng Maria
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  In the probabilistic seismic risk assessment of highway transportation networks, fragility curves are used to represent the vulnerability of a bridge. Because these networks have hundreds or thousands of bridges, it is not possible to study each bridge individually. Instead, bridges with similar properties are grouped together and are represented by the same fragility curve. However, this approach may be inadequate at times for different reasons. For instance, bridges with similar geometrical and material properties could have different age and/or could deteriorate at a different rate. Moreover, certain bridges are unique such as a cable stayed bridge or a suspension bridge. In this study, fragility curves are calculated based not only on the geometry and material properties but also on vibration data recorded by a structural health monitoring system. The fragility curves are used to track changes of the structural parameters of a bridge throughout its service life. Based on vibration data the fragility curves are updated reflecting a change in structural parameters. Fragility curves based on vibration data, whenever these are available, represent the vulnerability of a bridge with greater accuracy than fragility curves based only on the geometry and material properties. This article demonstrates the applicability of structural health monitoring to generate more reliable fragility curves. This is useful not only for bridges that are unique, which are usually the first to be instrumented, but for every instrumented bridge as well.
Working hours in Chinese enterprises: evidence from matched employer–employee data
Authors: Mishra Vinod , Smyth Russell
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this article is to explore the factors that are correlated with hours worked in China. A distinguishing feature of the study is that we used representative‐matched employer and employee data. Hence, in addition to the usual worker characteristics examined in conventional economic models of labour supply, we also took into account the influence of firm characteristics and policies on the number of hours worked. The results suggested that in addition to the hourly wage rate, labour supply characteristics and human capital characteristics of the individual, firm‐level differences are important in explaining variation in weekly hours worked in Chinese firms. In particular, our results suggested that there is a norm of longer working hours in firms that employ a high proportion of female and migrant workers, that hours worked are less in firms which pay overtime and that hours worked are less in firms in which labour disputes have disrupted production. The policy implications of Chinese firms reducing hours worked were discussed.
New species of the genus Plesiolacerta (Squamata: Lacertidae) from the upper Oligocene (MP28) of Southern Germany and a revision of the type species Plesiolacerta lydekkeri
Authors: ČERŇANSKÝ ANDREJ , AUGÉ MARC LOUIS
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  The lacertid material from the locality of Herrlingen 8 (upper Oligocene, MP28) is described as a new species of the genus Plesiolacerta. The material is disarticulated and comprises isolated elements including parietal, frontal, maxilla and dentary. It can be assigned to a single species on the basis of the external surface ornamentation. This morphology is typical for the genus Plesiolacerta, but the material differs in detail from the type species P. lydekkeri. The most significant feature of the new species is that the occipital scute of the parietal bone is narrow, rectangular in shape and anteroposteriorly short. Hitherto, the last occurrence of this genus was in the lower Oligocene. This material represents the first evidence of the existence of this genus in the upper Oligocene. Therefore, our knowledge of its evolution is expanded by providing new data on its spatial and temporal ranges and morphology. This taxon has a much longer history than we thought. In addition, the Eocene species, P. lydekkeri, is reviewed here. P. lydekkeri shares the most lacertid synapomorphies and, given our present knowledge, Plesiolacerta is a taxon very close to or possibly within crown Lacertidae. The frontal and postorbitofrontal of Plesiolacerta are described for the first time. In view of the primitive morphology and early occurrence of Plesiolacerta, it seems that the feature of a longer anterior region of the frontal could be considered as a plesiomorphic feature within lacertid lizards, and the condition in Timon (approximately the same length) as derived.
First report of craniide brachiopods in the Palaeozoic of Iran (Pseudocrania, Ordovician), and Early to Mid‐Ordovician biogeography of the Craniida
Authors: BASSETT MICHAEL G. , GHOBADI POUR MANSOUREH , POPOV LEONID E. , KEBRIA‐ee ZADEH MOHAMMAD‐REZA
Published: January 2013

Abstract:  Lower Ordovician faunas of Bohemia (Perunica), Baltica and North China include the oldest known representatives of the Order Craniida, but otherwise in Gondwana and associated terranes, the record of craniides is sparse. Pseudocrania insperata sp. nov. from the Lashkarak Formation of the Eastern Alborz Mountains is the first and as yet only record of the occurrence of craniides in the Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) of Iran and temperate to high latitude peri‐Gondwana. Pseudocrania was known hitherto only from the Middle Ordovician of Baltoscandia and the Chu‐Ili terrane of Kazakhstan.
Hepatic and Extrahepatic Malignancies in Cirrhosis Caused by Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Kodama Kazuhisa , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Hashimoto Etsuko , Taniai Makiko , Shiratori Keiko
Published: January 2013

Background

To clarify the carcinogenic factors associated with steatohepatitis, we investigated the characteristic features of hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies in patients with cirrhotic nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH‐LC) and cirrhotic alcoholic liver disease (ALD‐LC).

Methods

A total of 72 patients with NASH‐LC and 85 with ALD‐LC (both biopsy‐proven steatohepatitis without hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) were assessed with regard to the development of hepatic and extrahepatic malignancies. Risk factors for HCC were analyzed.

Results

During follow‐up, 10 NASH‐LC patients and 6 ALD‐LC patients developed HCC. The 5‐year HCC development rate was similar for these 2 groups, being 10.5% in the NASH‐LC group and 12.3% in the ALD‐LC group. After adjusting for age and gender, the HCC development rates were also similar. Risk factors for HCC in the NASH‐LC group were older age, higher γ‐GTP level, and higher Child–Pugh score as determined by Cox hazards analysis. Regarding risk factors in the ALD‐LC group, no risk factor was found by Cox hazards analysis, although diabetes mellitus led to a significantly higher HCC rate by log‐rank test (p = 0.013). Regarding extrahepatic cancer, only 1 NASH‐LC patient (1.4%) developed endometrial cancer. In contrast, 7 ALD‐LC patients (8.2%) had other cancers (p = 0.052).

Conclusions

Comparison between NASH‐LC and ALD‐LC revealed similar HCC development curves. However, the risk factors for HCC and extrahepatic malignancies differed between the 2 diseases. In ALD‐LC, the incidences of HCC and extrahepatic cancer are similar. When treating LC patients with NASH or ALD, the risk factors and extrahepatic malignancies associated with ALD‐LC should be assessed.
Green grass and high tides: grazing lawns in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (commentary on Burkepile 2013)
Authors: Gruner Daniel S. , Mooney Kailen A.
Published: January 2013

Deron Burkepile advances a review of compelling empirical examples arguing that common mechanisms may structure grazing systems in both terrestrial and aquatic biomes. We welcome this synthesis, and on many specific points we concur. In this commentary we further develop the characteristics of grazing systems, grazing lawns in particular, reviewing their prevalence across systems wet and dry. Then, we use studies from terrestrial browsing systems – and their aquatic parallels – to explore major contrasts that are still prominent in cross‐system comparisons. We rely heavily on quantitative reviews and meta‐analyses to assess the prevalence and generality of the evidence for common mechanisms across grazing ecosystems. Although this approach sacrifices the detail from singular studies, it avoids undue focus on singular exceptions, instead highlighting key similarities and contrasts across biomes.
Frontier America's Health System Challenges and Population Health Outcomes
Authors: Nayar Preethy , Yu Fang , Apenteng Bettye A.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The objective of this cross‐sectional descriptive study was to examine and compare the county‐level characteristics including demographic factors, health system factors, and population health outcomes of frontier and nonfrontier counties in the United States. All counties in the United States were studied using the merged County Health Rankings 2011 and the Area Resource File 2009 databases. Of a total of 3,141 counties in the County Health Rankings 2011 database, 438 were identified as frontier counties using the conventional definition of fewer than 7 persons per square mile.

Findings

Frontier counties were found to have a significantly higher proportion of elderly, Hispanic, and Native American residents than nonfrontier counties. Frontier counties have lower household income and lower levels of illiteracy. Frontier counties also have significantly fewer primary care physicians and higher uninsurance rates. Although frontier counties have a lower percentage of ZIP codes with healthy food and recreational facilities, the incidence of obesity is lower in frontier areas.

Conclusions

Empirical literature on the population health outcomes and health system factors of frontier areas is limited. Frontier communities in the United States face significant challenges in terms of having populations with a higher need for primary care such as the elderly and poor. In addition, they face access barriers due to geographic remoteness. The availability of reliable data on population outcomes will enable policy makers to monitor the health status of frontier populations and to design solutions to the access issues that these populations face.
Hydrostrategy, Hydropolitics, and Security in the Kura‐Araks Basin of the South Caucasus
Authors: Campana Michael E. , Vener Berrin Basak , Lee Baek Soo
Published: January 2013

After the Soviet Union's dissolution, the Kura‐Araks Basin became an international river basin with respect to the South Caucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Despite differences among these countries, they depend greatly on the Kura‐Araks Basin. They proposed to jointly monitor Kura‐Araks Basin surface water quality and obtained funding to do so from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Science for Peace Programme. Thus, the South Caucasus River Monitoring Project was born in late 2002. The South Caucasus River Monitoring Project formally ended in December 2009, and was a model of collaboration and cooperation in a region where such traits have at times been in short supply. Not only were valuable data collected, but collegial professional relationships also were forged among the participants. In the long run, this latter aspect will likely prove to be the most important product, not just for the South Caucasus, but for others as well.
Associations between perinatal factors and adiponectin and leptin in 9‐year‐old Mexican–American children
Authors: Volberg Vitaly , Harley Kim G. , Aguilar Raul S. , Rosas Lisa G. , Huen Karen , Yousefi Paul , Davé Veronica , Phan Nguyet , Lustig Robert H. , Eskenazi Brenda , Holland Nina
Published: January 2013

What is already known about this subject

Mexican–American children are at particularly high risk of obesity.

Features of the perinatal environment, including maternal nutrition, anthropometry, glucose tolerance and growth rate during infancy are implicated in programming of obesity in the offspring.

What this study adds

Greater rate of weight or length gain in the first 6 months of life is associated with lower 9‐year child adiponectin levels, adjusting for 9‐year child BMI.

Nine‐year‐old child adipokine levels are strongly related to those of their mothers’.

Objectives

To (i) determine whether perinatal factors (including maternal anthropometry and nutrition and early life growth measures) are associated with adiponectin and leptin levels in 9‐year‐old children, and (ii) assess relationships between adiponectin, leptin and concurrent lipid profile in these children.

Methods

We measured plasma adiponectin and leptin for 146 mothers–9‐year‐old child pairs from the ongoing longitudinal birth cohort followed by the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas. Data on perinatal factors, including sociodemographics, maternal anthropometry and nutrition, and early life child growth were collected during pregnancy, birth and 6‐month visits.

Results

Greater rate of weight and length gain during the first 6 months of life were associated with lower adiponectin in 9‐year‐olds (β = −2.0, P = 0.04; β = −8.2, P = 0.02, respectively) adjusting for child body mass index (BMI). We found no associations between child adipokine levels and either maternal calorie, protein, total fat, saturated fat, fibre, sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption during pregnancy or children's concurrent sugar‐sweetened beverage and fast food intake. Lipid profile in 9‐year‐old children closely reflected adiponectin but not leptin levels after adjustment for child BMI. Additionally, we report that child adipokine levels were closely related to their mothers’ levels at the 9‐year visit.

Conclusion

Overall, our results support the hypothesis that early life factors may contribute to altered adipokine levels in children.
Dispersal patterns in space and time: a case study of Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae
Authors: Banasiak Łukasz , Piwczyński Marcin , Uliński Tomasz , Downie Stephen R. , Watson Mark F. , Shakya Bandana , Spalik Krzysztof
Published: January 2013

Aim

To analyse spatial and temporal patterns of dispersal events in the euapioids (Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae).

Location

Worldwide, with an emphasis on the Northern Hemisphere.

Methods

A phylogeny of euapioids was inferred from 1194 nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrDNA ITS) sequences using Bayesian methods. The reconstruction of ancestral areas was performed simultaneously with phylogenetic inference using a Markov discrete phylogeographical model with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection (BSSVS). Routes with significant non‐zero migration rates were identified using Bayes factors. For each significant track and each tree, the distribution of dispersals in time was scored and the asymmetry of dispersals was evaluated.

Results

The root of the euapioid umbellifers was reconstructed at c. 44.51 Ma (95% highest posterior density interval: 39.11–51.55 Ma). The Eastern Asiatic Region was reconstructed as the most probable ancestral area for the root of the tree. Seventeen migration routes have significant non‐zero migration rates. Five of these tracks represent long‐distance transoceanic routes: (1) western Eurasia–North America, (2) Eastern Asiatic Region–North America, (3) Australia–Neotropical Kingdom, (4) Australia–Neantarctic, and (5) Neotropical Kingdom–sub‐Saharan Africa. Most dispersal events occurred among the areas that comprise the major diversification centres of apioid umbellifers: western Eurasia and the Mediterranean, Irano‐Turanian and Eastern Asiatic regions. The floristic exchange among these regions was more or less symmetrical in all directions and continuous in time. The exchange between North America and the Eastern Asiatic Region was asymmetrical; the asymmetry of dispersals between western Eurasia and North America was less pronounced and not statistically significant. Floristic exchange was significantly asymmetrical for the Nearctic–Neotropical Kingdom, Nearctic–Neantarctic, western Eurasia–sub‐Saharan Africa, and western Eurasia–Siberia migration tracks.

Main conclusions

The observed dispersal pattern – intense and symmetrical within the same climatic zone versus scarce and often unidirectional between climatic zones or along long‐distance transoceanic tracks – suggests that both the availability of suitable habitats and geographical barriers have played crucial roles in determining the present distribution of euapioid umbellifers.
Periodontitis and chronic kidney disease: a systematic review of the association of diseases and the effect of periodontal treatment on estimated glomerular filtration rate
Authors: Chambrone Leandro , Foz Adriana M. , Guglielmetti Mariana R. , Pannuti Cláudio M. , Artese Hilana P. C. , Feres Magda , Romito Giuseppe A.
Published: January 2013

Aim

The aim of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the effect of periodontal treatment (PT) on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched up to and including September 30, 2012 to observational (S1) and interventional (S2) studies on the association of periodontitis with CKD. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if they reported the eGFR. Search was conducted by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the observational studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) adapted for this review, and the Cochrane's Collaboration risk of bias assessment tool. A random‐effects odds‐ratio meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate the degree of association between periodontitis and CKD.

Results

Search strategy identified 2456 potentially eligible articles, of which four cross‐sectional, one retrospective, and three interventional studies were included. Four S1, 80.0% reported some degree of association between periodontitis and CKD. Similarly, such an outcome was supported by pooled estimates (OR: 1.65, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.35, 2.01, p < 0.00001, χ2 = 1.70, I2 = 0%). All interventional studies found positive outcomes related to treatment.

Conclusion

There is quite consistent evidence to support the positive association between periodontitis and CKD, as well as the positive effect of PT on eGFR.
A pragmatic strategy for the review of clinical evidence
Authors: Sagliocca Luciano , De Masi Salvatore , Ferrigno Luigina , Mele Alfonso , Traversa Giuseppe
Published: January 2013

Background

Systematic reviews (SR) of clinical evidence are rightfully considered the basis for developing recommendations to support decisions in current practice. To avoid bias, SRs are expected to be systematic in their research strategy and are exhaustive. The drawback of the latter criteria relies in the substantial work needed to conduct and keep SRs updated. The objective of this paper is to compare a research strategy based on the review of a selected number of core journals, which we consider a ‘pragmatic review’ (PR), with that derived by an SR in estimating the efficacy of treatments.

Methods

Five clinical areas were considered for the comparison between the two strategies: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dermatology, heart failure, renal diseases and stroke. We extracted a systematic sample from all the Cochrane SRs pertaining to each area and were published before April 2010. Two groups of journals were considered in the PR: six general journals that commonly published research for the five clinical areas, and five specialist journals with the highest impact factor in each area. To assess the agreement in the findings of SRs and PRs, we considered both the direction of the estimates and P‐values.

Results

A sample of 27 SRs included 171 overall analyses and 259 subgroup analyses related to primary outcomes. The PR captured one or more clinical trials in 24 of the 27 SRs (89%), and 118 of the 171 overall analyses (69%) were replicated. The PR supported the recommendations to use (or not) the study treatment in 11 of the 13 SRs (85%), which ended with a clinical recommendation.

Conclusions

We verified in a sample of SRs that the conclusion of a research strategy based on a pre‐defined set of general and specialist medical journals is able to replicate almost all the clinical recommendations of a formal SR.
Attentional control in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Hudson John M. , Flowers Kenneth A. , Walster Kerri L.
Published: January 2013

Across different studies, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) demonstrate impairments on numerous measures of attentional control that are classically associated with frontal lobe functioning. One aspect of attentional control that has not been examined in TLE is the ability to execute two modality‐specific tasks concurrently. We sought to examine the status of dual‐task coordination in TLE. We further examined the cohorts' performance on a range of traditional measures of attentional control. Eighteen TLE patients and 22 healthy controls participated in the study. Dual‐task performance involved comparing the capacity to execute a tracking and a digit recall task simultaneously with the capacity to execute the tasks separately. We also administered measures of: set shifting (odd‐man‐out test), sustained attention (elevator counting), selective attention (elevator counting with distraction), and divided attention (trail making test). We found that the proportional decrement in dual‐task performance relative to single‐task performance did not vary between the groups (TLE = 92.48%; controls = 93.70%), nor was there a significant difference in sustained attention (p > .10). Patients with TLE did demonstrate marked deficits in selective attention (p < .0001), divided attention (p < .01), and set shifting (p < .01). These findings add to the knowledge about cognitive dysfunction in TLE, indicating that impairments in attentional control in TLE tend to be selective. The greatest deficits appear to be on tasks that invoke a high level of processing resources. In contrast, sustained attention is less compromised and the capacity to allocate cognitive resources appears to be normal in patients with TLE.
How Do Ex Ante Severance Pay Contracts Fit into Optimal Executive Incentive Schemes?
Authors: RAU P. RAGHAVENDRA , XU JIN
Published: January 2013

We analyze a sample of over 3,600 ex ante explicit severance pay agreements in place at 808 firms and show that firms set ex ante explicit severance pay agreements as one component in managing the optimal level of equity incentives. Younger executives are more likely to receive explicit contracts and better terms. Firms with high distress risk, high takeover probability, and high return volatility are significantly more likely to enter into new or revised severance contracts. Finally, ex post payouts to managers are largely determined by the ex ante contract terms.
Early Changes in Brain FDG Metabolism during Anticancer Therapy in Patients with Pharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Hsieh Te‐Chun , Wu Yu‐Chin , Yen Kuo‐Yang , Chen Shan‐Wen , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: January 2013

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to evaluate whether therapy‐related changes occurred in brain metabolism at an earlier stage during the course of anticancer therapy.

METHODS

We recruited 14 non‐diabetic male patients with newly diagnosed pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. We analyzed the patients’ serial brain FDG PET/CT scans by SPM8 to establish whether any therapy‐related changes had occurred in brain FDG metabolism, either during or after the course of therapy.

RESULTS

Decreased metabolism was noted during the anticancer therapy, displaying a symmetric pattern involving bilateral basal ganglia and bilateral occipital lobes. The decrease in FDG metabolism in these regions persisted after the anticancer therapy had terminated. However, relative recovery of the metabolism was noted in the bilateral occipital lobes, whereas further deterioration was noted in bilateral basal ganglia.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed that unappreciable changes in brain metabolism can occur during the early course of anticancer therapy, and persist even after therapy has terminated. Although the exact mechanism remains unclear, these changes may be related to the systemic effects of chemotherapy or radiotherapy as well as subclinical cancer‐related depressive or adjustment mood disorder.
Two Different Morphologies of Chronic Unilateral Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion: Evaluation using High‐Resolution MRI
Authors: Kim Sun Mi , Ryu Chang‐Woo , Jahng Geon‐Ho , Kim Eui Jong , Choi Woo Suk
Published: January 2013

INTRODUCTION

Characterizing the morphologies of occluded artery segments may help elucidate the etiology of chronic intracranial artery occlusion. We acquired high‐resolution MRI (HR‐MRI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in patients with chronic unilateral MCA occlusion and evaluated the MRI and clinical findings.

METHODS

We selected 20 consecutive patients who presented with unilateral MCA occlusion. Proton‐density weighted HR‐MRI of the occluded MCA was acquired using a 3.0 Tesla MRI. We surveyed the morphology of the MCA at the occluded segment. Symptoms, the presence of other stenotic arteries, and atherosclerosis risk factors were compared for patients grouped by different findings on HR‐MRI.

RESULTS

MCA occlusions were classified into the following two groups: plugged MCA (13/20) with a clear view of the MCA trunk or vanishing MCA (7/20) with no MCA trunk visible in the Sylvian cistern. The presence of other stenotic arteries was more frequent in the plugged MCA group than in the vanishing MCA group.

CONCLUSIONS

HR‐MRI can characterize the morphology of pathologic segments of chronic unilateral MCA occlusions in vivo. In chronic MCA occlusion, morphological analysis using HR‐MRI may enhance the effort to assess the etiology in company with the angiographic finding.
Doppler and Volumetric Echocardiographic Methods for Cardiac Output Measurement in Standing Adult Horses
Authors: McConachie E. , Barton M.H. , Rapoport G. , Giguère S.
Published: January 2013

Background

Cardiac output (CO) is not routinely measured in critically ill adult horses because of invasiveness of currently validated methods. NoninvasiveCOmonitoring would complement clinical assessment of hemodynamic status in adult horses.

Hypothesis

Volumetric methods for measuringCOwill have better agreement with lithium dilution than Doppler‐based methods.

Animals

Eight healthy adult horses.

Methods

Prospective study.COwas manipulated with continuous rate infusions of dobutamine and romifidine to achieve high and lowCOstates, respectively. At each level,COwas measured by lithium dilution and various echocardiographic methods. Images stored as video loops were reviewed by an individual blinded to the lithium dilution results.

Results

Lithium dilution determinations ofCOranged between 16.6 and 63.0 L/min. There was a significant effect of method ofCOmeasurement (P < .001), but no significant effect ofCOlevel (P = .089) or interaction between level and method (P = .607) on the absolute value of the bias. The absolute values of the bias of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) Doppler, Simpson, 4‐chamber area‐length, and bullet methods [5.5, 6.1, 6.5, 8.8 L/min, respectively] were significantly lower than that of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) Doppler or cubic methods [14.8, 24.3 L/min, respectively].

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The 4‐chamber area‐length, Simpson, bullet, andRVOTDoppler provided better agreement with lithium dilution than the other methods evaluated. These methods warrant further investigation for use in critically ill adult horses.
Symbiotic formulation in experimentally induced liver fibrosis in rats: intestinal microbiota as a key point to treat liver damage?
Authors: D'Argenio Giuseppe , Cariello Rita , Tuccillo Concetta , Mazzone Giovanna , Federico Alessandro , Funaro Annalisa , De Magistris Laura , Grossi Enzo , Callegari Maria L. , Chirico Marilena , Caporaso Nicola , Romano Marco , Morelli Lorenzo , Loguercio Carmela
Published: January 2013

Aim

Evidence indicates that intestinal microbiota may participate in both the induction and the progression of liver damage. The aim of our research was the detection and evaluation of the effects of chronic treatment with a symbiotic formulation on CCl4‐induced rat liver fibrosis.

Results

CCl4 significantly increased gastric permeability in respect to basal values, and the treatment with symbiotic significantly decreased it. CCl4 per se induced a decrease in intestinal permeability. This effect was also seen in fibrotic rats treated with symbiotic and was still evident when normal rats were treated with symbiotic alone (P < 0.001 in all cases). Circulating levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α were significantly increased in rats with liver fibrosis as compared with normal rats, while symbiotic treatment normalized the plasma levels of TNF‐α and significantly enhanced anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL 10. TNF‐α, TGF‐β, TLR4, TLR2, iNOS and α‐SMA mRNA expression in the liver were up‐regulated in rats with CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis and down‐regulated by symbiotic treatment. Moreover, IL‐10 and eNOS mRNA levels were increased in the CCL4+symbiotic group. Symbiotic treatment of fibrotic rats normalized serum ALT, AST and improved histology and liver collagen deposition. DGGE analysis of faecal samples revealed that CCl4 administration and symbiotic treatment either alone or in combination produced modifications in faecal profiles vs controls.

Conclusions

Our results provide evidence that in CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis, significant changes in gastro‐intestinal permeability and in faecal flora occur. Treatment with a specific symbiotic formulation significantly affects these changes, leading to improvement in both liver inflammation and fibrosis.
Decomposition of childhood malnutrition in Cambodia
Authors: Sunil Thankam S. , Sagna Marguerite
Published: January 2013

Childhood malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries, and in Cambodia, it is estimated that approximately 42% of the children are stunted, which is considered to be very high. In the present study, we examined the effects of proximate and socio‐economic determinants on childhood malnutrition in Cambodia. In addition, we examined the effects of the changes in these proximate determinants on childhood malnutrition between 2000 and 2005. Our analytical approach included descriptive, logistic regression and decomposition analyses. Separate analyses are estimated for 2000 and 2005 survey. The primary component of the difference in stunting is attributable to the rates component, indicating that the decrease of stunting is due mainly to the decrease in stunting rates between 2000 and 2005. While majority of the differences in childhood malnutrition between 2000 and 2005 can be attributed to differences in the distribution of malnutrition determinants between 2000 and 2005, differences in their effects also showed some significance.
An autopsied case of progressive supranuclear palsy presenting with cerebellar ataxia and severe cerebellar involvement
Authors: Iwasaki Yasushi , Mori Keiko , Ito Masumi , Tatsumi Shinsui , Mimuro Maya , Yoshida Mari
Published: January 2013

A Japanese male patient presented with gait disturbance at the age of 69 years. His principal symptom was cerebellar ataxia for several years. He was initially diagnosed as having olivopontocerebellar atrophy because dysarthria and ataxia gradually developed, and head CT scan showed apparent atrophy of the cerebellum and brainstem and dilatation of the fourth ventricle. Later, he showed vertical gaze palsy, dysphagia, retrocollis, parkinsonism, axial dominant rigidity and grasp reflex, and therefore, the diagnosis was modified to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Progressive atrophy of the frontotemporal lobe, cerebellum and brainstem, and dilatation of the lateral, third and fourth ventricles were evident on MRI. Gastrostomy and tracheotomy were performed 9 and 10 years after onset, respectively, and the patient died after 11 years disease duration. At autopsy the brain weighed 1000 g and showed atrophy of the frontotemporal lobe, cerebellum and brainstem. Neurofibrillary tangles, mainly globose‐type revealed by Gallyas‐Braak silver staining, were extensively observed in the cerebral cortex and subcortical grey matter. Numerous glial fibrillary tangles, including tuft‐shaped astrocytes and coiled bodies, and extensive argyrophilic threads were also recognized, particularly in the frontal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellar white matter, brainstem and spinal cord. The Purkinje cell layer showed severe neuron loss with Bergmann's gliosis, and the dentate nucleus showed severe neuron loss with grumose degeneration. Tau‐positive/Gallyas‐positive inclusions in the Purkinje cells and the glial cells of the Purkinje cell layer were observed. Pathological findings of the present patient were consistent with the diagnosis of PSP, but the olivopontocerebellar involvement, particularly in the cerebellum, was generally more severe, and the quantity of tau‐positive/Gallyas‐positive structures were more abundant than in typical PSP cases. The existence of a distinct, rare PSP subtype with severe olivopontocerebellar involvement, “PSP‐C“, which tends to be clinically misdiagnosed as spinocerebellar degeneration in the early disease stage, is noteworthy. The present case corresponded to this rare subtype of PSP.
Reinforcement in plants
Authors: Hopkins Robin
Published: January 2013

A major goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how diverging populations become species. The evolution of reproductive isolation (RI) halts the genomic homogenization caused by gene flow and recombination, and enables differentiation and local adaptations to become fixed between newly forming species. Selection can favor the strengthening ofRIthrough a process termed reinforcement. Reinforcement occurs when selection favors traits that decrease mating between two incipient species in response to costly mating or the production of maladapted hybrids. Although this process has been investigated more frequently in animals, there is also evidence of reinforcement in plants. There are three strategies for the investigation of the process of reinforcement: case studies of species or diverging taxa; experimental evolution studies; and comparative studies. Here,Idiscuss how all three strategies find evidence consistent with reinforcement occurring in plants.Ifocus largely on case studies, and use research onPhlox drummondiito illustrate the importance of testing alternative hypotheses. Although the existing evidence suggests that reinforcement can occur, further investigations, particularly using large‐scale comparative studies, are needed to determine the importance of reinforcement in plant speciation.