bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
US experience with recombinant factor VIIa for surgery and other invasive procedures in acquired haemophilia: analysis from the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society Registry
Authors: Ma A. D. , Kessler C. M. , Al‐Mondhiry H. A. B. , Gut R. Z. , Cooper D. L.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Acquired haemophilia (AH) is a rare disorder caused by autoantibodies against factor VIII.

Aim

The Hemostasis & Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS) Registry was used to monitor the safety of recombinant FVII (rFVIIa). This study aims to report data from the HTRS Registry regarding safety and efficacy of rFVIIa for haemostatic management of surgeries and other invasive procedures in patients with AH.

Methods

For each rFVIIa‐treated procedure, the initial dose, total dose, average infused dose, number of doses and treatment duration were calculated. Efficacy was assessed on a 4‐point scale.

Results

Of 166 registered patients with AH, 37 patients underwent 58 procedures [30 (51%) rFVIIa‐treated]. The median (range) age of all patients undergoing procedures was 70 (13–93) years; for rFVIIa‐treated patients, 74 (28–89) years. Approximately 67% (39/58) of all procedures were elective. Overall, the most common procedures were endoscopy (12) and central venous access device (10); rFVIIa was used preoperatively (11), postoperatively (13) and during six follow‐up procedures during ongoing postoperative rFVIIa treatment. The median (range) initial dose was 90.0 (44–187) μg kg−1 preoperatively and 106.0 (56–270) μg kg−1 postoperatively. For rFVIIa‐treated episodes with a reported outcome, 20 (91%) were rated excellent/good or no additional agents used and 2 (9%) were rated as poor/ineffective requiring a switch to another bypassing agent. No thromboembolic events were reported.

Conclusions

Adequate haemostasis was provided for 91% of rFVIIa‐treated procedures at doses largely conforming to the package insert. No safety concerns were reported.
Tu Casa, Mi Casa: Naturalization and Belonging among Latino Immigrants
Authors: Abascal Maria
Published: November 2015

Previous studies reach contradictory conclusions regarding the relationship between residential concentration and naturalization. This paper tackles the impasse by exploring the pathways through which immigrant communities influence individual naturalization. Specifically, this study examines naturalization among Latino immigrants using the 2006 Latino National Survey linked to county data. Multilevel model results indicate that the county concentration of naturalized co-ethnics positively predicts individual naturalization, and this relationship operates through two channels: information dissemination and perceived belonging. Regarding the latter, Latino immigrants who live among naturalized co-ethnics identify more strongly as “American,” and strength of American identification mediates nearly one-half of the relationship between concentration and naturalization.
General health and state anxiety in patients recovering from colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Jakobsson Jenny , Idvall Ewa , Wann‐Hansson Christine
Published: November 2015

Aim

To describe and compare general health and state anxiety before surgery and up to 6 months after surgery in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing elective rectal resection, abdominoperineal resection or colonic resection in an enhanced recovery context.

Background

Little is known about patient‐reported health and anxiety after colorectal cancer surgery in an enhanced recovery context.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Methods

Data were collected from October 2011–February 2013. The questionnaires – EuroQol 5‐Dimensions 3‐Levels and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory – were answered before surgery, at discharge and 1 and 6 months after surgery. Data were analysed using inferential statistics to describe differences between groups of patients (Kruskal–Wallis test) and between assessments within groups (Friedman'sanova).

Results

Patients (N = 105), divided into three groups based on surgical procedure, showed a high health index and a low state anxiety in all assessments without differences between the groups. Patients considered for abdominoperineal resection rated their pre‐operative health as significantly higher than patients after rectal and colonic resections did. Within groups, patients recovering from abdominoperineal resection and rectal resection deteriorated significantly in health index 1 month after surgery. However, after 6 months they had improved again. After colonic resection, patients improved significantly in self‐rated health and anxiety 1 month after surgery with no further discernible improvement after 6 months.

Conclusion

The study showed that patients generally had a high level of health and a low level of anxiety throughout the study period. Only a few differences occurred between assessments within groups.
Factors associated with eating performance for long‐term care residents with moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment
Authors: Liu Wen , Galik Elizabeth , Boltz Marie , Nahm Eun‐Shim , Lerner Nancy , Resnick Barbara
Published: November 2015

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine the association of specific personal and environmental factors with eating performance among long‐term care residents with moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment.

Background

Eating is the one of the most basic and easiest activities of daily living to perform. While multilevel factors can be associated with eating performance, the evidence among those with dementia was insufficient.

Design

A secondary analysis of baseline data collected between March and September in 2012 from 199 residents in eight long‐term care facilities.

Methods

Eating performance was conceptualized using the single self‐care ‘feeding’ item in the Barthel Index and was scored based on four levels of dependence and assistance required. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the adjusted association of specific factors with eating performance.

Results

Almost one‐third of the residents needed help with eating. After adjusting the type of facility, number of comorbidities, chair‐sitting balance, agitation and depression, compromised eating performance was associated with severe cognitive impairment and low physical capability.

Conclusion

This study supported the association of eating performance with cognitive impairment and physical capability among long‐term care residents with moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment. Targeted interventions should be implemented to reduce the impact of cognitive decline on eating performance and promote physical capability to optimize eating performance. Future work need to use validated multiple‐item measures for eating performance and test the association of personal and environmental factors with eating performance among a larger heterogeneous group of long‐term care residents to enhance understanding of the factors.
Transition from clinician to academic: an interview study of the experiences of UK and Australian Registered Nurses
Authors: Logan Patricia A. , Gallimore David , Jordan Sue
Published: November 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and compare the experiences of nurses in Australia and the UK as they moved from clinical practice into higher education institutions.

Background

When nurse education moved from hospitals into higher education institutions, the roles and career pathways of nurse educators changed.

Design

The design method used in this study was qualitative interview study.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 14 nurse educators, seven in Australia and seven in the UK, in 2011–2012. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was undertaken and triangulated with automated content and thematic analysis by Leximancer© software.

Findings

Nurse academics in Australia and the UK voiced similar enthusiasms and concerns. These coalesced around four emergent themes: adapting to change, external pressures, teaching and progress up the academic ladder. The Leximancer© analysis for both sites ranked ‘research’ as the primary theme, linked with ‘time’, ‘University’ and ‘nursing’ on both sites. Respondents were aware of the importance of research to career progression in universities, but most prioritized their teaching and clinical commitments for the sake of their organizations. Most respondents were supported in their doctoral studies, but the absence of postdoctoral research teams, mentors and role models was striking.

Conclusion

Additional support is needed to ensure that nurse academics are able to pursue research beyond doctoral level.
Phylogenetic structure and ecological and evolutionary determinants of species richness for angiosperm trees in forest communities in China
Authors: Qian Hong , Field Richard , Zhang Jin‐Long , Zhang Jian , Chen Shengbin
Published: November 2015

Aim

Site‐level species richness is thought to result from both local conditions and species’ evolutionary history, but the nature of the evolutionary effect, and how much it underlies the correlation with current environment, are debated. Although tropical conservatism is a widely used explanatory framework along temperature gradients, it is unclear whether cold tolerance is primarily a threshold effect (e.g. freezing tolerance) or represents a more continuous constraint. Nor is it clear whether cold tolerance is the only major axis of conservatism or whether others, such as water‐stress tolerance, are additionally important or trade‐off against cold tolerance. We address these questions by testing associated predictions for forest plots distributed across 35° latitude.

Location

China.

Methods

We recorded all trees within 57 0.1‐ha plots, generated a phylogeny for the 462 angiosperm species found, and calculated phylogenetic diversity (standardized PD), net relatedness index (NRI) and phylogenetic species variability (PSV) for each plot. We tested the predictions using regression, variance partitioning and structural equation modelling to disentangle potential influences of key climate variables on NRI and PSV, and of all variables on species richness.

Results

Species richness correlated very strongly with minimum temperature, nonlinearly overall but linearly where freezing is absent. The phylogenetic variables also correlated strongly with minimum temperature. While NRI and PSV explained little additional variance in species richness, they accounted for part of the species richness–current climate correlation. Water stress added minimal explanatory power. All these variables showed strong latitudinal gradients.

Main conclusions

Minimum temperature appeared to primarily control tree species richness, via both a threshold‐like freezing effect and a linear relationship in climates without freezing. We found no clear signal of water‐stress effects. The modelled contribution of evolutionary history is consistent with cold‐tolerance conservatism, but could not account for all the species richness–climate relationship.
Role of pharmacist in cardiovascular disease‐related health promotion and in hypertension and dyslipidemia management: a cross‐sectional study in the State of Qatar
Authors: El Hajj Maguy Saffouh , Mahfoud Ziyad R. , Al Suwaidi Jassim , Alkhiyami Dania , Alasmar Aya Riyad
Published: November 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

In Qatar, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have recently become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Prevention, detection and management of CVD risk factors reduce CVD chance. The study objectives were to assess Qatar pharmacists' involvement in CVD health promotion, to identify the activities that they currently provide to patients with CVD risk factors, to describe their attitudes towards their involvement in CVD prevention and to assess their perceived barriers for provision of CVD prevention services

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of community and ambulatory pharmacists in Qatar. Pharmacist characteristics, involvement in CVD‐related activities along with their attitudes and perceived barriers were analysed using frequency distributions. Bivariate linear regression models were used to test for associations between CVD health promotion activity score and each variable. Variables with a P‐value of 0.20 or less were included in the multivariate model.

Results

A total of 141 pharmacists completed the survey (response rate 60%). More than 70% responded with rarely or never to 6 out of the 10 CVD health promotion activities. Eighty‐four per cent and 68% always or often describe to patients the appropriate time to take antihypertensive medications and the common medication adverse effects, respectively. Yet, 50% rarely or never review the medication refill history or provide adherence interventions. Lack of CVD educational materials was the top perceived barrier (55%) in addition to lack of having private counselling area (44.6%), and lack of time (38.3%). Females and community pharmacists were more involved in CVD health promotion (P = 0.046 and P = 0.017, respectively) than their counterparts. Health promotion practice increased with increasing attitudes score and decreased with increased barriers score (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The scope of pharmacy practice in CVD prevention is limited in Qatar. Efforts need to be exerted to increase pharmacists' involvement in CVD prevention
Validity and reliability of the Diagnostic Adaptive Behaviour Scale
Authors: Tassé M. J. , Schalock R. L. , Balboni G. , Spreat S. , Navas P.
Published: November 2015

Background

The Diagnostic Adaptive Behaviour Scale (DABS) is a new standardised adaptive behaviour measure that provides information for evaluating limitations in adaptive behaviour for the purpose of determining a diagnosis of intellectual disability. This article presents validity evidence and reliability data for the DABS.

Method

Validity evidence was based on comparing DABS scores with scores obtained on the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale, second edition. The stability of the test scores was measured using a test and retest, and inter‐rater reliability was assessed by computing the inter‐respondent concordance.

Results

The DABS convergent validity coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.84, while the test–retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.78 to 0.95, and the inter‐rater concordance as measured by intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.61 to 0.87.

Conclusions

All obtained validity and reliability indicators were strong and comparable with the validity and reliability coefficients of the most commonly used adaptive behaviour instruments. These results and the advantages of the DABS for clinician and researcher use are discussed.
Partial Treatment Requests and Underlying Motives of Applicants for Gender Affirming Interventions
Authors: Beek Titia F. , Kreukels Baudewijntje P.C. , Cohen-Kettenis Peggy T. , Steensma Thomas D.
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Historically, only individuals with a cross-gender identity who wanted to receive a full treatment, were eligible for “complete sex reassignment” consisting of feminizing/masculinizing hormone treatment and several surgical interventions including genital surgery (full treatment). Currently, it is unclear what motives underlie a request for hormones only or surgery only or a combination of hormones and surgery (e.g., a mastectomy), but no genital surgery (partial treatment).

Aims

The aims of this study were (i) to describe treatment requests of applicants at a specialized gender identity clinic in the Netherlands; and (ii) to explore the motives underlying a partial treatment request, including the role of (non-binary) gender identity.

Methods

Information was collected on all 386 adults who applied for treatment at the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria of the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in the year 2013. Treatment requests were available for 360 individuals: 233 natal men (64.7%) and 127 natal women (35.3%). Treatment requests were systematically collected during assessment. Individuals were classified as either desiring a full or partial treatment. The motives behind a partial treatment request were collected and categorized as well.

Results

The majority of applicants at our gender identity clinic requested full treatment. Among those who requested partial treatment, the most reported underlying motive was surgical risks/outcomes. Only a small number of applicants requested partial treatment to bring their body into alignment with their non-binary gender identity.

Conclusion

It becomes clear that partial treatment is requested by a substantial number of applicants. This emphasizes the need for gender identity clinics to provide information about the medical possibilities and limitations, and careful introduction and evaluation of non-standard treatment options.
Idiopathic Partial Thrombosis (IPT) of the Corpus Cavernosum: A Hypothesis-Generating Case Series and Review of the Literature
Authors: Weyne Emmanuel , Schillebeeckx Charlotte , Jamaer Caroline , D'Hulst Pieter , Bozzini Giorgio , Grunert Richard , d'Hondt Frederiek , Hoebeke Piet , Müller Alexander , Van Renterghem Koenraad , Joniau Steven , Albersen Maarten
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Idiopathic partial thrombosis (IPT) of the corpus cavernosum is a rare condition. The etiology is not fully understood; however, the presence of an either or not congenital web in these patients may contribute to the development of IPT.

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe 18 new IPT cases and compare these with 38 cases found in the literature.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics are given.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures used were clinical presentation, clinical and radiographical diagnostics, treatment and resolution of symptoms.

Results

Patients most frequently presented with perineal swelling (10/18; 56%) and pain (13/18; 72%), unilateral (12/18; 67%) or bilateral (4/18; 22%), and pain during erection (10/18; 72%). Penile curvature, dysuria or fever (each 1/18; 6%) were uncommon presenting symptoms. In our series, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a fibrous web in the corpus cavernosum in 100% of cases and was more bilaterally (11/18; 61%) than unilaterally (7/18; 39%) diagnosed. Cycling was found to be a provocative factor for IPT occurrence in patients at risk as 61% (11/18) of patients reported being a frequent cyclist with the episode of IPT occurring immediately after or during cycling activity in 8 out of 18 patients (8/18; 44%). In five centers, 15 patients were treated conservatively, the majority being treated with therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparin and simultaneous anti-aggregant therapy. In one center, all three patients were treated with a surgical approach. Complete resolution of symptoms was noted in only 50% of cases.

Conclusion

IPT is a condition that presents typically with perineal pain and swelling. Cycling is often seen as a provocative factor, while the presence of a fibrous web at the level of the crurocavernosal junction is the underlying disorder allowing for entrapment of blood in the crura. Conservative treatment provides a reasonably good outcome in most cases. For therapy resistant cases, surgery can be considered.
The macrophage activation marker CD163 is associated with IL28B genotype and hepatic inflammation in chronic hepatitis C virus infected patients
Authors: Dultz G. , Gerber L. , Zeuzem S. , Sarrazin C. , Waidmann O.
Published: November 2015

Recent data highlighted the association of the macrophage activation marker CD163 with histological inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of successful antiviral treatment and IL28B genotypes on macrophage activation reflected by CD163 levels in HCV infected patients. In a retrospective cohort study, serum sCD163 levels were correlated with results of liver histopathology, IL28B genotyping and clinical parameters in 329 patients with HCV infection, 15 healthy controls and in 161 patients who achieved a sustained virologic response after antiviral treatment. sCD163 levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic HCV infection in comparison to healthy controls (5202 vs 896 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, sCD163 was independently associated with histologically determined inflammation (P = 0.043) but not with fibrosis (P = 0.091). sCD163 dropped significantly after successful antiviral treatment in comparison to baseline values (5202 vs 3093 ng/mL, P < 0.001). In the univariate analyses, sCD163 was significantly associated with IL28B genotype (C/C vs C/T+T/T) with higher values in the C/C group (6098 vs 4812 ng/mL, P = 0.003). In the multivariate logistic regression model, sCD163 levels were significantly associated with IL28B genotype (P = 0.003) and sustained virologic response (SVR) (P < 0.001). Our data support the association of activated liver macrophages with hepatic necroinflammation in chronic HCV infection as sCD163 levels drop rapidly after SVR. The irresponsiveness of IL28B minor genotypes to interferon might be related to a lower level of macrophage activation in these patients.
Introspection, Anton's Syndrome, and Human Echolocation
Authors: Allen‐Hermanson Sean
Published: November 2015

Philosophers have recently argued that since there are people who are blind, but don't know it, and people who echolocate, but don't know it, conscious introspection is highly unreliable. I contend that a second look at Anton's syndrome, human echolocation, and ‘facial vision’ suggests otherwise. These examples do not support skepticism about the reliability of introspection.
Citizen Attributions of Blame in Third‐Party Governance
Authors: Marvel John D. , Girth Amanda M.
Published: November 2015

The authors use a survey experiment to examine how structural differences in governance arrangements affect citizens’ notions of who is culpable for poor service quality. More specifically, two questions are investigated: (1) When things go wrong, do citizens attribute more blame to political actors if the provider of government services is a public agency or a private contractor? (2) Does the length of the accountability chain linking political actors to service providers influence citizens’ attributions of blame? The authors hypothesize that provider sector and accountability chain length affect citizens’ perceptions of political actors’ control over service delivery, which, in turn, inform citizens’ attributions of blame. Mixed support is found for this theory.
Bully Partisan or Partisan Bully?: Partisanship, Elite Polarization, and U.S. Presidential Communication*
Authors: Harrison Brian F.
Published: November 2015

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of perceptions of elite polarization on presidential communication. Polarization among political elites has been a well‐studied aspect of political science scholarship. Party competition is seen as healthy for democracy; however, polarization often leads to gridlock and legislative inaction. There is ongoing debate about how elite polarization affects individual attitude formation, particularly in relation to important political institutions like the American presidency.

Methods

I conducted randomized laboratory experiments in which respondents read information about the state of partisanship in American politics, viewed videos of President Obama, and then answered questions about issues and presidential approval.

Results

The results show that when participants were primed to think about elite polarization as high, presidential communication yields job‐approval ratings, issue‐importance ratings, and issue stances closer to the party line, compared to participants primed to think elite polarization is low or when there was no prime at all.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that when primed to think about strong partisan disagreements, partisan identity overwhelms respondents, and makes them focus most on their partisan identity, regardless of content; without such a prime, respondents are more likely to consider the content of presidential communication. Perceptions of partisan acrimony can affect how partisans perceive important institutions like the presidency in terms of job approval and issue stance.
Globalization, Contact, and Religious Identity: A Cross‐National Analysis of Interreligious Favorability*
Authors: Ciftci Sabri , Nawaz Muhammad Asif , Sydiq Tareq
Published: November 2015

Objectives

This article examines cross‐national variation in interreligious favorability across the globe. We develop and test several hypotheses linking globalization to attitudes toward the religious other through mechanisms of religious belonging and contact.

Methods

Utilizing cross‐national data in 20 countries from the Pew Global Attitudes Surveys (2011), we run a series of multilevel and logistic regression estimations to test our hypotheses about global contact, religious identity, and interreligious favorability.

Results

We find that global contact has a positive effect on interreligious favorability, whereas holding religious identity increases negative sentiments toward religious outgroups. We also find that increased levels of globalization inhibit the negative impact of religious belonging and threat perceptions on favorable views of the religious other.

Conclusion

Although globalization increases the salience of religion as an exclusive identity category at the expense of decreased interreligious favorability, individuals become more conducive to interreligious tolerance thanks to frequent social contact at higher levels of globalization.
An Experimental Study of the Impact of Social Comparison on Investment*
Authors: Hoover Gary A. , Kimbrough Erik O.
Published: November 2015

Objectives

With increasing attention being paid to inequality and poverty, this article attempts to shed light on mechanisms by which the poor arrive at decisions that are suboptimal and lead to “poverty traps.”

Methods

We design a laboratory experiment in which we induce wealth and income differences between subjects to compare their behavior in a simple, two‐period life‐cycle savings and consumption task that controls subjects’ homegrown risk preferences and isolates the impact of social comparison.

Results

We find evidence that social comparison leads to suboptimal investment choices among the income‐poor.

Conclusions

One interpretation is that this is driven by a discouragement effect among those who are less likely to benefit from their investments—despite that fact that, by design, investment by all types leads to the same increase in expected utility.
Possible mechanism by which renal sympathetic denervation improves left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction
Authors: Zheng Xiao‐Xin , Li Xiao‐Yan , Lyu Yong‐Nan , He Yi‐Yu , Wan Wei‐Guo , Zhu Hong‐Ling , Jiang Xue‐Jun
Published: November 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

The enzyme system that is responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover is the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which can be blocked by the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Whether renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) is able to ameliorate post‐myocardial infarction left ventricular remodelling through attenuation of ECM via regulation of MMP activity and/or the MMP–TIMP complex remains unknown.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Renal sympathetic denervation has therapeutic effects on post‐myocardial infarction left ventricular remodelling, probably by attenuating the ECM through regulation of the MMP9–TIMP1 complex in the transforming growth factor‐β1 (a profibrotic cytokine that accelerates ECM remodelling after ischaemia) signalling pathway.

Whether renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) is able to ameliorate post‐myocardial infarction (post‐MI) left ventricular (LV) remodelling by attenuation of the extracellular matrix via regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and/or the MMP–tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) complex remains unknown. Sixty‐five Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal (N, n = 15), RSD (RSD, n = 15), myocardial infarction (MI, n = 15) and RSD 3 days after MI (MI3d+RSD, n = 20). The bilateral renal nerves were surgically denervated 3 days after MI had been induced by coronary artery ligation. Left ventricular function was assessed using echocardiography and a Millar catheter at 6 weeks post‐MI. Plasma noradrenaline, angiotensin II and aldosterone, collagen volume fraction, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP1 in heart tissue were measured 6 weeks after MI. In rats with MI3d+RSD compared with MI rats, RSD improved systolic and diastolic function, resulting in an improvement in ejection fraction (P < 0.05), fractional shortening (P < 0.05) and LV internal dimension in systole (P < 0.05) and diastole (P < 0.05). Additionally, RSD treatment decreased left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (P < 0.05) and increased LV systolic pressure (P < 0.05) and maximal and minimal rate of LV pressure (both P < 0.05). Meanwhile, RSD reduced collagen content (P < 0.01). TIMP1 was upregulated (P < 0.05), whereas MMP2, MMP9 and TGF‐β1 were downregulated in the LV of RSD‐treated animals (P < 0.05). Renal sympathetic denervation has therapeutic effects on post‐MI LV remodelling, probably owing to effects on the extracellular matrix by regulation of the MMP9–TIMP1 balance in the TGF‐β1 signalling pathway. Renal sympathetic denervation may be considered as a non‐pharmacological approach for the improvement of post‐MI cardiac dysfunction.
Concurrent Development of Endurance Capacity and Explosiveness: Training Characteristics of World-Class Nordic Combined Athletes
Authors: Tønnessen Espen , Rasdal Vegard , Svendsen Ida S. , Haugen Thomas A. , Hem Erlend , Sandbakk Øyvind
Published: November 2015

Performing at an elite level in Nordic combined (NC) requires both the explosiveness required for ski jumping performance and the endurance capacity required for cross-country skiing.

Purpose:

To describe the characteristics of world-class NC athletes’ training and determine how endurance and non–endurance (ie, strength, power, and ski jumping) training is periodized.

Methods:

Annual training characteristics and the periodization of endurance and non–endurance training were determined by analyzing the training diaries of 6 world-class NC athletes.

Results:

Of 846 ± 72 annual training hours, 540 ± 37 h were endurance training, with 88.6% being low-, 5.9% moderate-, and 5.5% high-intensity training. While training frequency remained relatively constant, the total training volume was reduced from the general preparatory to the competition phase, primarily due to less low- and moderate-intensity training (P < .05). A total of 236 ± 55 h/y were spent as non–endurance training, including 211 ± 44 h of power and ski-jump-specific training (908 ± 165 ski jumps and ski-jump imitations). The proportion of non–endurance training increased significantly toward the competition phase (P < .05).

Conclusion:

World-class NC athletes reduce the volume of low- and moderate-intensity endurance training toward the competition phase, followed by an increase in the relative contribution of power and ski-jump training. These data provide novel insight on how successful athletes execute their training and may facilitate more-precise coaching of future athletes in this sport. In addition, this information is of high relevance for the training organization of other sports that require optimization of 2 fundamentally different physical capacities.
Providing Access to Physical Activity: The Intersection of Teaching, Outreach, and Scholarship
Authors: Wadsworth Danielle D. , Rudisill Mary E. , Russell Jared A. , McDonald James R. , Pascoe David D.
Published: November 2015

The School of Kinesiology at Auburn University unites teaching, research, and outreach efforts to provide access to physical activity for local, statewide, and global communities. This paper provides a brief overview of the programs as well as strategies to mobilize efforts for physical activity outreach within an academic setting. School-wide efforts include youth initiatives, physical activity assessments offered through our TigerFit program, and the United States Olympic Team Handball training center. All programs provide service-learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as outreach outcomes. Furthermore, the programs provide a platform for scholarship in the form of publications, partnerships for grant submissions, and student research projects. Merging teaching, outreach, and scholarship has provided longevity for the programs, thereby establishing long-term social ties to the community and providing continued access to physical activity to promote public health.
Activation of mTORC1 in skeletal muscle regulates whole-body metabolism through FGF21
Authors: Guridi Maitea , Tintignac Lionel A. , Lin Shuo , Kupr Barbara , Castets Perrine , Rüegg Markus A.
Published: November 2015

Constitutively active mTORC1 stimulates release of FGF21 from skeletal muscle, leading to weight loss in mice.
Distant relatives can share gene function
Authors: Zahn Laura M.
Published: November 2015

Genes that prevent self-fertilization in poppy can function in
Arabidopsis
, which diverged 140 million years ago.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Extended-Infusion Piperacillin and Tazobactam in Critically Ill Children
Authors: Nichols Kristen , Chung Eun Kyoung , Knoderer Chad A. , Buenger Lauren E. , Healy Daniel P. , Dees Jennifer , Crumby Ashley S. , Kays Michael B.
Published: November 2015

The study objective was to evaluate the population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of extended-infusion piperacillin-tazobactam in children hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Seventy-two serum samples were collected at steady state from 12 patients who received piperacillin-tazobactam at 100/12.5 mg/kg of body weight every 8 h infused over 4 h. Population pharmacokinetic analyses were performed using NONMEM, and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate the piperacillin pharmacokinetic profiles for dosing regimens of 80 to 100 mg/kg of the piperacillin component given every 6 to 8 h and infused over 0.5, 3, or 4 h. The probability of target attainment (PTA) for a cumulative percentage of the dosing interval that the drug concentration exceeds the MIC under steady-state pharmacokinetic conditions (
T
MIC
) of ≥50% was calculated at MICs ranging from 0.25 to 64 mg/liter. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age, weight, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were 5 ± 3 years, 17 ± 6.2 kg, and 118 ± 41 ml/min/1.73 m
2
, respectively. A one-compartment model with zero-order input and first-order elimination best fit the pharmacokinetic data for both drugs. Weight was significantly associated with piperacillin clearance, and weight and sex were significantly associated with tazobactam clearance. Pharmacokinetic parameters (mean ± SD) for piperacillin and tazobactam were as follows: clearance, 0.22 ± 0.07 and 0.19 ± 0.07 liter/h/kg, respectively; volume of distribution, 0.43 ± 0.16 and 0.37 ± 0.14 liter/kg, respectively. All extended-infusion regimens achieved PTAs of >90% at MICs of ≤16 mg/liter. Only the 3-h infusion regimens given every 6 h achieved PTAs of >90% at an MIC of 32 mg/liter. For susceptible bacterial pathogens, piperacillin-tazobactam doses of ≥80/10 mg/kg given every 8 h and infused over 4 h achieve adequate pharmacodynamic exposures in critically ill children.
Efficacy of Extended-Interval Dosing of Micafungin Evaluated Using a Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Study with Humanized Doses in Mice
Authors: Lepak A. , Marchillo K. , VanHecker J. , Azie N. , Andes D.
Published: November 2015

The pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics of the echinocandins favor infrequent administration of large doses. The
in vivo
investigation reported here tested the utility of a range of humanized dose levels of micafungin using a variety of prolonged dosing intervals for the prevention and therapy of established disseminated candidiasis. Humanized doses of 600 mg administered every 6 days prevented fungal growth in prophylaxis. Humanized doses of 300 to 1,000 mg administered every 6 days demonstrated efficacy for established infections.
Dose–response association of screen time-based sedentary behaviour in children and adolescents and depression: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Liu Mingli , Wu Lang , Yao Shuqiao
Published: November 2015

Background

Depression represents a growing public health burden. Understanding how screen time (ST) in juveniles may be associated with risk of depression is critical for the development of prevention and intervention strategies. Findings from studies addressing this question thus far have been inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of data related to this question.

Methods

The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO systematically (up to 6 May 2015). OR was adopted as the pooled measurement of association between ST and depression risk. Dose–response was estimated by a generalised least squares trend estimation.

Results

Twelve cross-sectional studies and four longitudinal studies (including 1 cohort study) involving a total of 127 714 participants were included. Overall, higher ST in preadolescent children and adolescents was significantly associated with a higher risk of depression (OR=1.12; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.22). Screen type, age, population and reference category acted as significant moderators. Compared with the reference group who had no ST, there was a non-linear dose–response association of ST with a decreasing risk of depression at ST<2 h/day, with the lowest risk being observed for 1 h/day (OR=0.88; 95% CI 0.84 to 0.93).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that ST in children and adolescents is associated with depression risk in a non-linear dose–response manner.
Community preparedness for emergency: a cross-sectional survey of residents in Heilongjiang of China
Authors: Xu Weilan , Hao Yanhua , Wu Qunhong , Ning Ning , You Jia , Liu Chaojie , Jiao Mingli , Gao Lijun , Kang Zheng , Liang Libo , Sun Hong , Cui Yu , Li Ye , Han Xiaonan , Fang Xin , Zhao Xiyan , Hu Man , Ding Ding , Gao Hao , Lu Jun
Published: November 2015

Objective

This article aims to identify factors that shape the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of community residents in China's Heilongjiang province towards emergency preparedness. Findings of such a study may provide evidence to support the development of effective public risk communication strategies and education campaigns.

Design

A cross-sectional household questionnaire survey was conducted in Heilongjiang province in 2014. A stratified cluster sampling strategy was employed to select study participants. The questionnaires were administered using face-to-face interviews. 2800 questionnaires were completed, among which 2686 (95.9%) were considered valid for data analyses. A multivariate logistic regression model was adopted to identify the extent to which the independent variables were associated with emergency preparedness.

Results

Fewer than 5% respondents were well prepared for emergency. Over half (52%) of poorly prepared respondents did not know what to do in emergency; women (OR=1.691), higher household income (OR ranging from 1.666 to 2.117), previous experience with emergency (OR=1.552), higher levels of knowledge about emergency (OR=2.192), risk awareness (OR=1.531), self-efficacy (OR=1.796), as well as positive attitudes towards emergency preparedness (OR=2.265) were significant predictors for emergency preparedness. Neither educational attainment nor exposure to awareness-raising entered into the logic regression model as a significant predictor for emergency preparedness.

Conclusions

The level of emergency preparedness in Heilongjiang residents is very low, which is linked with poor knowledge and attitudes of the residents towards emergency preparedness. Future emergency awareness campaigns should be more focused and tailored to the needs of intended audience, taking into consideration of their usual source of information and knowledge in relation to emergency.
Patterns of platelet-rich plasma use among Australasian sports physicians
Authors: Samra David J , Orchard John W
Published: November 2015

Background

We hypothesised that the application, production and administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) varies widely among sports physicians, bringing into question the validity and consistency of PRP described in research and clinical use. We also assessed congruence between the reported clinical indications for PRP, and the available research evidence for these indications.

Methods

We conducted an anonymous 23 question online survey of 153 current Fellows of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians (ACSP), using an emailed link. It was opened from April 2014 until August 2014.

Results

The survey confirmed that there is wide variation in the application, production and administration of PRP. Over one-third (38%) of sports physicians performed PRP injections themselves. Almost half of clinicians (49%) did not provide the service themselves, and only referred for PRP injections. The remaining clinicians did not inject PRP or refer for PRP injections at all. Clinicians who provided PRP injections varied from an average of 0–500 injections per month, with a median of 12 times per month. Australian sports physicians were far more likely to use PRP than their New Zealand counterparts. For sports physicians who provided or referred for PRP injections, tendinopathy was overwhelmingly cited (n=63) as the condition for which clinicians thought PRP was most effective. 30 respondents cited effectiveness for osteoarthritis.

Conclusions

This study confirms that there is no clear consensus among sports physicians on the preparation, administration or best clinical indications for PRP.
The use of optical imaging techniques in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Beg Sabina , Wilson Ana , Ragunath Krish
Published: November 2015

With significant advances in the management of gastrointestinal disease there has been a move from diagnosing advanced pathology, to detecting early lesions that are potentially amenable to curative endoscopic treatment. This has required an improvement in diagnostics, with a focus on identifying and characterising subtle mucosal changes. There is great interest in the use of optical technologies to predict histology and enable the formulation of a real-time in vivo diagnosis, a so-called ‘optical biopsy’. The aim of this review is to explore the evidence for the use of the current commercially available imaging techniques in the gastrointestinal tract.
Environmental influences on the epigenomes of herpetofauna and fish
Authors: Hammond S. Austin , Nelson Christopher J. , Helbing Caren C.
Published: November 2015

Herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) and fish represent important sentinel and indicator species for environmental and ecosystem health. It is widely accepted that the epigenome plays an important role in gene expression regulation. Environmental stimuli, including temperature and pollutants, influence gene activity, and there is growing evidence demonstrating that an important mechanism is through modulation of the epigenome. This has been primarily studied in human and mammalian models; relatively little is known about the impact of environmental conditions or pollutants on herpetofauna or fish epigenomes and the regulatory consequences of these changes on gene expression. Herein we review recent studies that have begun to address this deficiency, which have mainly focused on limited specific epigenetic marks and individual genes or large-scale global changes in DNA methylation, owing to the comparative ease of measurement. Greater understanding of the epigenetic influences of these environmental factors will depend on increased availability of relevant species-specific genomic sequence information to facilitate chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA methylation experiments.
Connemara: its position and role in the Grampian Orogeny
Authors: Dewey John F. , Ryan Paul D.
Published: November 2015

In the Irish and British Caledonides, the early Ordovician Grampian Orogeny was the result of collision between the Laurentian rifted margin and an oceanic island arc. The Connemara terrain in western Ireland differs in position and character from all other parts of the exposed Dalradian rocks of the Grampian Orogen in lying south of the collided arc and fore-arc, and in having north-verging fold nappes that developed synchronously with the intrusion of huge volumes of calc-alkaline magmas that provided the heat for regional Barrovian metamorphism. We have tested this hypothesis with a numerical model, which demonstrates its admissablity. Connemara is not a terrane, displaced with respect to the remainder of the Grampian Orogen but was overridden, northwards, by the arc and its fore-arc basin (South Mayo Trough), frontal ophiolite complex (Deer Park) and accretionary complex (Killadangan). Deposition in the South Mayo Trough occurred below sea level and above the evolving Grampian Orogen, which developed on a hyper-extended rifted margin bounded to the north by the Clew Bay Line.
The ergogenic supplement β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) attenuates insulin resistance through suppressing GLUT-2 in rat liver
Authors: Sharawy Maha H. , El-Awady Mohammed S. , Megahed Nirmeen , Gameil Nariman M.
Published: November 2015

This study investigates the effect of the ergogenic supplement β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on insulin resistance induced by high-fructose diet (HFD) in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed 60% HFD for 12 weeks and HMB (320 mg·kg−1·day−1, orally) for 4 weeks. HFD significantly increased fasting insulin, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C), liver glycogen content, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, while it decreased glucose and insulin tolerance. Furthermore, HFD significantly increased serum triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels, while it significantly decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Moreover, HFD significantly increased mRNA expression of glucose transporter type-2 (GLUT-2), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) but decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) in liver. Aortic relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was impaired and histopathology showed severe hepatic steatosis. HMB significantly increased insulin tolerance and decreased fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HBA1C, hepatic glycogen content, serum TG, LDL-C, and VLDL-C. Additionally, HMB enhanced ACh-induced relaxation, ameliorated hepatic steatosis, and decreased mRNA expression of GLUT-2. In conclusion, HMB may attenuate insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis through inhibiting GLUT-2 in liver.