bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ibuprofen regulation of microtubule dynamics in cystic fibrosis epithelial cells
Authors: Rymut Sharon M. , Kampman Claire M. , Corey Deborah A. , Endres Tori , Cotton Calvin U. , Kelley Thomas J.
Published: June 2016

High-dose ibuprofen, an effective anti-inflammatory therapy for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF), has been shown to preserve lung function in a pediatric population. Despite its efficacy, few patients receive ibuprofen treatment due to potential renal and gastrointestinal toxicity. The mechanism of ibuprofen efficacy is also unclear. We have previously demonstrated that CF microtubules are slower to reform after depolymerization compared with respective wild-type controls. Slower microtubule dynamics in CF cells are responsible for impaired intracellular transport and are related to inflammatory signaling. Here, it is identified that high-dose ibuprofen treatment in both CF cell models and primary CF nasal epithelial cells restores microtubule reformation rates to wild-type levels, as well as induce extension of microtubules to the cell periphery. Ibuprofen treatment also restores microtubule-dependent intracellular transport monitored by measuring intracellular cholesterol transport. These effects are specific to ibuprofen as other cyclooxygenase inhibitors have no effect on these measures. Effects of ibuprofen are mimicked by stimulation of AMPK and blocked by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. We conclude that high-dose ibuprofen treatment enhances microtubule formation in CF cells likely through an AMPK-related pathway. These findings define a potential mechanism to explain the efficacy of ibuprofen therapy in CF.
Macrophage bone morphogenic protein receptor 2 depletion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and Group III pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Chen Ning-Yuan , D. Collum Scott , Luo Fayong , Weng Tingting , Le Thuy-Trahn , M. Hernandez Adriana , Philip Kemly , Molina Jose G. , Garcia-Morales Luis J. , Cao Yanna , Ko Tien C. , Amione-Guerra Javier , Al-Jabbari Odeaa , Bunge Raquel R. , Youker Keith , Bruckner Brian A. , Hamid Rizwan , Davies Jonathan , Sinha Neeraj , Karmouty-Quintana Harry
Published: June 2016

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease of unknown etiology. The development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is considered the single most significant predictor of mortality in patients with chronic lung diseases. The processes that govern the progression and development of fibroproliferative and vascular lesions in IPF are not fully understood. Using human lung explant samples from patients with IPF with or without a diagnosis of PH as well as normal control tissue, we report reduced BMPR2 expression in patients with IPF or IPF+PH. These changes were consistent with dampened P-SMAD 1/5/8 and elevated P-SMAD 2/3, demonstrating reduced BMPR2 signaling and elevated TGF-β activity in IPF. In the bleomycin (BLM) model of lung fibrosis and PH, we also report decreased BMPR2 expression compared with control animals that correlated with vascular remodeling and PH. We show that genetic abrogation or pharmacological inhibition of interleukin-6 leads to diminished markers of fibrosis and PH consistent with elevated levels of BMPR2 and reduced levels of a collection of microRNAs (miRs) that are able to degrade BMPR2. We also demonstrate that isolated bone marrow-derived macrophages from BLM-exposed mice show reduced BMPR2 levels upon exposure with IL6 or the IL6+IL6R complex that are consistent with immunohistochemistry showing reduced BMPR2 in CD206 expressing macrophages from lung sections from IPF and IPF+PH patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that depletion of BMPR2 mediated by a collection of miRs induced by IL6 and subsequent STAT3 phosphorylation as a novel mechanism participating to fibroproliferative and vascular injuries in IPF.
Mechanisms of BDNF regulation in asthmatic airway smooth muscle
Authors: Aravamudan Bharathi , Thompson Michael A. , Pabelick Christina M. , Prakash Y. S.
Published: June 2016

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin produced by airway smooth muscle (ASM), enhances inflammation effects on airway contractility, supporting the idea that locally produced growth factors influence airway diseases such as asthma. We endeavored to dissect intrinsic mechanisms regulating endogenous, as well as inflammation (TNF-α)-induced BDNF secretion in ASM of nonasthmatic vs. asthmatic humans. We focused on specific Ca2+ regulation- and inflammation-related signaling cascades and quantified BDNF secretion. We find that TNF-α enhances BDNF release by ASM cells, via several mechanisms relevant to asthma, including transient receptor potential channels TRPC3 and TRPC6 (but not TRPC1), ERK 1/2, PI3K, PLC, and PKC cascades, Rho kinase, and transcription factors cAMP response element binding protein and nuclear factor of activated T cells. Basal BDNF expression and secretion are elevated in asthmatic ASM and increase further with TNF-α exposure, involving many of these regulatory mechanisms. We conclude that airway BDNF secretion is regulated at multiple levels, providing a basis for autocrine effects of BDNF under conditions of inflammation and disease, with potential downstream influences on contractility and remodeling.
Impaired Peripheral Endothelial Function Assessed by Digital Reactive Hyperemia Peripheral Arterial Tonometry and Risk of In‐Stent Restenosis
Authors: Komura Naohiro , Tsujita Kenichi , Yamanaga Kenshi , Sakamoto Kenji , Kaikita Koichi , Hokimoto Seiji , Iwashita Satomi , Miyazaki Takashi , Akasaka Tomonori , Arima Yuichiro , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Yamamuro Megumi , Kojima Sunao , Tayama Shinji , Sugiyama Seigo , Matsui Kunihiko , Nakamura Sunao , Hibi Kiyoshi , Kimura Kazuo , Umemura Satoshi , Ogawa Hisao
Published: June 2016

Background

Drug‐eluting stents are replacing bare‐metal stents, but in‐stent restenosis (
ISR
) remains a problem. Reactive hyperemia index (
RHI
) assessed by peripheral arterial tonometry evaluates endothelial function noninvasively. We prospectively assessed the prognostic value of
RHI
in predicting
ISR
after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods and Results

RHI
was measured before percutaneous coronary intervention and at follow‐up (F/U) angiography (F/U
RHI
; 6 and 9 months post bare‐metal stents– and drug‐eluting stents– percutaneous coronary intervention, respectively) in 249 consecutive patients. At F/U,
ISR
(stenosis >50% of diameter) was seen in 68 patients (27.3%). F/U natural logarithm (
RHI
) was significantly lower in patients with
ISR
than in those without (0.52±0.23 versus 0.65±0.27,
P
<0.01); no between‐group difference in initial natural logarithm (
RHI
) (0.60±0.26 versus 0.62±0.25,
P
=0.56) was seen. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for other significant parameters in univariate analysis, F/U natural logarithm (
RHI
) independently predicted
ISR
(odds ratio: 0.13; 95%
CI
: 0.04–0.48;
P
=0.002). In receiver operating‐characteristic analysis, F/U
RHI
was the strongest predictor of
ISR
(area under the curve: 0.67; 95%
CI
: 0.60–0.75;
P
<0.01;
RHI
<1.73 had 67.6% sensitivity, 64.1% specificity); area under the curve significantly improved from 0.62 to 0.70 when
RHI
was added to traditional
ISR
risk factors (
P
=0.02). Net reclassification index was significant after addition of
RHI
(26.5%,
P
=0.002).

Conclusions

Impaired
RHI
at F/U angiography independently correlated with
ISR
, adding incremental prognostic value to the
ISR
‐risk stratification following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier:
NCT
02131935.
Trends in Consent for Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Kerkhoff Louis A. , Butler Javed , Kelkar Anita A. , Shore Supriya , Speight Candace D. , Wall Louisa K. , Dickert Neal W.
Published: June 2016

Background

Cardiovascular clinical trials depend on patient enrollment. Enrollment rates appear inadequate, but little is known about how frequently patients accept or decline offers of enrollment. The objective of this study was to assess trends and predictors of patient acceptance of offers to enroll in clinical trials for cardiovascular disease.

Methods and Results

We utilized an established database containing all randomized, controlled trials (n=1224) in cardiovascular disease published between 2001 and 2012 in the 8 highest‐impact general medical and cardiology journals. Studies were eligible if the number of patients approached and number of patients declining enrollment could be ascertained from published materials. All studies were screened for eligibility. Each eligible study was reviewed by 3 co‐authors. All discrepancies were resolved by the group. The main outcome was acceptance rate, defined as the number of patients enrolled divided by the number patients who were eligible and approached. Only 21.7% (n=266) of studies provided information sufficient to assess patient enrollment and refusals. The median acceptance rate across trials was 83.2%. Significant predictors of higher enrollment included: enrollment in the acute setting (
P
=0.031); geographical region (
P
<0.001 for group); and trial sponsorship (
P
=0.006 for group).

Conclusions

Rates of reporting data sufficient to calculate acceptance rates are low. This compromises the ability to identify drivers of low enrollment and assess trial generalizability. However, the high rates of acceptance observed suggest that factors other than patients’ decisions may be the primary drivers of declining rates of trial enrollment.
To End the Unending War
Authors: Stueck William , Yi Boram
Published: June 2016

The Korean War never has been a “forgotten war” for Koreans who lived through the brutal conflict and still live under the two competing states that it helped to establish as permanent entities. Yet, the experiences of the Korean people often have taken a backseat in the study of the war. This review essay introduces and assesses an important work that challenges this view. Korean scholar Dong-Choon Kim argues that the wartime experience of the Korean people needs serious analysis. By placing the Korean experience at the front and center of his examination, Kim provides a fuller understanding of this unending war.
Temporal Bone Mucormycosis
Authors: Katsantonis Nicolas-George , Hunter Jacob B. , O’Connell Brendan P. , He Jing , Lewis James S. , Wanna George B.
Published: June 2016

Case Details:

We present a case of temporal bone mucormycosis in a 71-year-old female with diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency department with facial nerve paresis, otorrhea, and contralateral hemiparesis. After undergoing a tympanomastoidectomy, the patient’s pathology exhibited fungal hyphae consistent with mucormycosis.

Discussion:

To our knowledge, there have been 9 reported cases of temporal bone mucormycosis, 3 of which presented with facial nerve paresis, all with some subsequent improvement. In this case, facial paralysis persisted at the time of last follow-up (2 months) despite surgery and intravenous antifungals. We also review and summarize the temporal bone mucormycosis literature.

Conclusion:

Temporal bone mucormycosis is a rare and morbid infectious disease, though its outcomes appear to be different for patients who present with isolated temporal bone disease as compared to those individuals who develop temporal bone mucormycosis secondary to a rhinologic source.
A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of a fixed dose of N-acetyl cysteine in children with autistic disorder
Authors: Dean Olivia M , Gray Kylie M , Villagonzalo Kristi-Ann , Dodd Seetal , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Vick Tanya , Tonge Bruce J , Berk Michael
Published: June 2016

Objective:

Oxidative stress, inflammation and heavy metals have been implicated in the aetiology of autistic disorder. N-acetyl cysteine has been shown to modulate these pathways, providing a rationale to trial N-acetyl cysteine for autistic disorder. There are now two published pilot studies suggesting efficacy, particularly in symptoms of irritability. This study aimed to explore if N-acetyl cysteine is a useful treatment for autistic disorder.

Method:

This was a placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial of 500 mg/day oral N-acetyl cysteine over 6 months, in addition to treatment as usual, in children with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision diagnosis of autistic disorder. The study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. The primary outcome measures were the Social Responsiveness Scale, Children’s Communication Checklist–Second Edition and the Repetitive Behavior Scale–Revised. Additionally, demographic data, the parent-completed Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Social Communication Questionnaire and clinician-administered Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule were completed.

Results:

A total of 102 children were randomised into the study, and 98 (79 male, 19 female; age range: 3.1–9.9 years) attended the baseline appointment with their parent/guardian, forming the Intention to Treat sample. There were no differences between N-acetyl cysteine and placebo-treated groups on any of the outcome measures for either primary or secondary endpoints. There was no significant difference in the number and severity of adverse events between groups.

Conclusion:

This study failed to demonstrate any benefit of adjunctive N-acetyl cysteine in treating autistic disorder. While this may reflect a true null result, methodological issues particularly the lower dose utilised in this study may be confounders.
Towards a model of how learners process feedback: A deeper look at learning
Authors: Timms Michael , DeVelle Sacha , Lay Dulce
Published: June 2016

It is well known that learners using intelligent learning environments make different use of the feedback provided by the intelligent learning environment and exhibit different patterns of behaviour. Traditional approaches to measuring such behaviour have focused on observational methods, think-aloud protocols, ratings and log data. More recently, the field of educational neuroscience has placed greater emphasis on real-time measures using eye tracking, electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our work fits into the latter vein. Drawing on a literature review from cognitive psychology, neuroscience and education, we describe our Learner Processing of Feedback in Intelligent Learning Environments model of how learners process feedback. We also present findings from a pilot study as a preliminary test of the model. Seventeen learners participated in an experiment using the intelligent learning environment known as Crystal Island. A range of data was collected, including a pre-test measuring prior knowledge, think-alouds, log data, video recordings, biometrics and post-task questionnaires. We discuss these findings and steps forward to further validate the model using physiological measures.
Variability in the Results of Meta-Analysis as a Function of Comparing Effect Sizes Based on Scores From Noncomparable Measures: A Simulation Study
Authors: Nugent William R.
Published: June 2016

Meta-analysis is a significant methodological advance that is increasingly important in research synthesis. Fundamental to meta-analysis is the presumption that effect sizes, such as the standardized mean difference (SMD), based on scores from different measures are comparable. It has been argued that population observed score SMDs based on scores from different measures A and B will be equal only if the conjunction of three conditions are met: construct equivalence (CE), equal reliabilities (ER), and the absence of differential test functioning (DTF) in all subpopulations of the combined populations of interest. It has also been speculated the results of a meta-analysis of SMDs might differ between circumstances in which the SMDs included in a meta-analysis are based on measures which all met the conjunction of these conditions and that in which the conjunction of these conditions is violated. No previous studies have tested this conjecture. This Monte Carlo study investigated this hypothesis. A population of studies comparing one of five hypothetical treatments with a placebo condition was simulated. The SMDs in these simulated studies were based on true scores from six hypothetical measures. The scores from some of these measures met the conjunction of CE, ER, and, the absence of DTF, while others failed to meet CE. Three meta-analyses were conducted using both fixed effects and random effects methods. The results suggested that the results of meta-analyses can vary to a practically significant degree when the SMDs were based on scores from measures failing to meet the CE condition. Implications for future research are considered.
Examining Strategic Fit and Misfit in the Management of Knowledge Workers
Authors: Collins Christopher , Kehoe Rebecca
Published: June 2016

This study advances research on strategic human resource management by examining whether better firm performance depends on the alignment between an organization’s human resources (HR) system and its innovation strategy. The authors argue that the unique problems underlying exploration innovation strategies and exploitation innovation strategies require core workers to engage in different types of knowledge-search and -combination behaviors. Alternative HR systems theoretically produce different knowledge-search and -combination behaviors by way of their effect on employees’ ability, motivation, and opportunity structures at work. Drawing on a field study of 230 software firms, the authors demonstrate that alternative HR systems support either an exploration or exploitation strategy and that alignment between a firm’s HR system and innovation strategy results in firm performance gains and misalignment results in performance penalties.
Hybrid silica micro and PDDA/nanoparticles-reinforced carbon fibre composites
Authors: Santos Júlio C , Vieira Luciano MG , Panzera Túlio H , Christoforo André L , Schiavon Marco A , Scarpa Fabrizio
Published: June 2016

The work describes the manufacturing and testing of novel hybrid epoxy/carbon fibre composites with silica micro and poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride-functionalised nanoparticles. A specific chemical dispersion procedure was applied using the poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride to avoid clustering of the silica nanoparticles. The influence of the various manufacturing parameters, particles loading, and mechanical properties of the different phases has been investigated with a rigorous Design of Experiment technique based on a full factorial design (2131). Poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride-functionalised silica nanoparticles were able to provide a homogenous dispersion, with a decrease of the apparent density and enhancement of the mechanical properties in the hybrid carbon fibre composites. Compared to undispersed carbon fibre composite laminates, the use of 2 wt% functionalised nanoparticles permitted to increase the flexural modulus by 47% and the flexural strength by 15%. The hybrid carbon fibre composites showed also an increase of the tensile modulus (9%) and tensile strength (5.6%).
Experimental and numerical investigation of the effect of gaps on fatigue behavior of unidirectional carbon/epoxy automated fiber placement laminates
Authors: Elsherbini Yasser Mahmoud , Hoa Suong V
Published: June 2016

Automated fiber placement (AFP) process provides high potential to repeatability and flexibility required for manufacturing of complex parts in many industries. Performance of such parts can be influenced by AFP manufacturing induced defects such as gaps and overlaps. In this work, the effect of gaps on fatigue behavior of unidirectional carbon/epoxy laminates was investigated. Tension–tension fatigue tests were conducted on defected samples and compared to reference samples free from defects. Infrared thermography technique was used for monitoring of damage propagation during fatigue loading. Moreover, a fatigue progressive damage model (FPDM) was developed and applied to laminates containing gaps to predict fatigue damage progression and failure. The experimental results revealed that the effect of gaps depends on the maximum applied stress during fatigue. The higher is the applied stress, the higher is the reduction in fatigue life. Good agreement was found between the results of fatigue life prediction from the FPDM and the experimental results for defected specimens.
Investigating the effect of some fabric parameters on the thermal comfort properties of flat knitted acrylic fabrics for winter wear
Authors: Erdumlu Nazan , Saricam Canan
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the thermal comfort properties of flat knitted acrylic fabrics differing in terms of knit structure, tightness, thickness and porosity were investigated within the perspective of its usage in winter wear products. Measured and calculated using the data from Permetest and Alambeta devices, the thermal comfort properties were handled in three aspects, namely thermoregulation characteristics, breathability and thermo-physiological characteristics, and their relationship with fabric structural parameters were investigated statistically. The results indicated that rib 2 × 2 structures provide the optimum condition in terms of thermoregulation, breathability and thermo-physiological comfort, whose thickness and porosity values should be adjusted accordingly, since the thickness improves thermal insulation and porosity improves breathability.
China’s development policies and city size distribution: An analysis based on Zipf’s law
Authors: Fang Li , Li Peng , Song Shunfeng
Published: June 2016

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China’s urban development policies have experienced dramatic changes, from anti-urbanisation before 1978, to anti-large-city-development during 1978–1999 and coordinated urbanisation in 2000–2012. Using city-level data from 1949 to 2012, this paper examines China’s development policies and city size distribution. Evidenced by the Zipf coefficient, we found that China’s city sizes became more evenly distributed before 2000, and this pattern was reversed after 2000. These findings suggest that China’s urban system is strongly affected by its shifting urban development strategies.
Comparison of Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair with the tension-free Desarda technique: a clinical audit and review of the literature
Authors: Zulu Halalisani Goodman , Mewa Kinoo Suman , Singh Bhugwan
Published: June 2016

Ours was a retrospective chart review of all elective open inguinal hernia repairs performed in a single unit at King Edward VIII Hospital, South Africa over an 18-month period. Comparison was made regarding duration of operation, length of hospital stay and complications such as pain, haematoma formation and recurrence between the Lichtenstein and Desarda techniques. The latter was noted to have a shorter operative time and avoided cost and possible complications of mesh usage, which are significant in resource-deprived settings. A larger comparative study with longer follow-up is needed to evaluate the wider suitability of the Desarda repair.
Castor oil-based polyurethane nanocomposites reinforced with organically modified clay
Authors: Ahuja Dheeraj , Kaushik Anupama
Published: June 2016

Polyurethane(PU) nanocomposites were prepared using high shear mixing from castor oil, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and modified clay (Closite 30B) as filler. The synthesis was carried out in bulk and without catalyst in the presence of clay. The clay percentage was varied from 1% to 5% by weight of the nanocomposite. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mechanical and water absorption properties. TEM and WAXD results confirmed exfoliation upto 3% clay in the nanocomposite. Hydrogen bonding between clay and PU matrix was reflected in FTIR. The Young’s modulus improved more than 300% with addition of 4% clay but decreased further due to clay aggregation. The diffusivity and permeability decreased significantly for nanocomposites due to tortuous path offered by exfoliated clay platelets to diffusing water molecules.
Impact of Cultural “Ambiance” on the Spatial Distribution of Creative Professions
Authors: Kourtit Karima , Nijkamp Peter
Published: June 2016

Creativity has in recent years received much attention from the research community, in relation to both technological innovation and knowledge spillovers. In the same vein, the concept of a creative class and of a creative city has gained a rising popularity. The present study aims to investigate the impacts of the urban “ambiance” on the spatial dispersion of heterogeneous types of creative people over different urban agglomerations. To that end, creative people are classified according to their profession or job class into Bohemians, creative core, and creative professionals. This article, then, seeks to relate the presence of each of these groups to the cultural ambiance of a given locality beside other moderator variables. Next, an econometric model is constructed and applied to explain the spatial distribution of creative professions in the Netherlands. Our study first maps out the spatial spread of these three creative classes in the Netherlands. Next, the shares of these creative classes are related to cultural, ecological, ethnic, and geographic characteristics of Dutch municipalities. Our results show that Bohemians and people belonging to the creative core exhibit a specific spatial pattern: they appear to be overrepresented in municipalities with a relative overconcentration of culture, nature, and ethnic diversity and with a short distance to job places.
Inequality, preschool education and cognitive development in Ethiopia
Authors: Woldehanna Tassew
Published: June 2016

This study used longitudinal data from the Young Lives Project in Ethiopia to examine the main factors relating to preschool access and their potential effects on cognitive performance of children aged five and eight years. The results show that only one quarter of the preschool-aged children have the opportunity to attend this vital stage of education, with significant disparities by family wealth, education and regional location. Regardless of its limited coverage, preschool attendance is shown to have statistically significant positive effects on cognitive performance, measured by receptive vocabulary and mathematics tests. The effects do not also seem to fade away at a later age, as the inequality in cognitive abilities at age five continues to exist at the age of eight. Furthermore, using mediation analyses, causal chains between family backgrounds and cognitive performance were thoroughly analyzed. Bootstrap results show that preschool attendance mediates about one third of the direct effects of family wealth, education and regional location on child cognitive performance. Nevertheless, despite the importance of preschool education, public investment in this area is currently very limited, with the private sector taking the key role and exacerbating the inequality that exists between children of the rich and poor. These findings thus emphasize the need for government involvement in the form of public investment to this subsector to increase access for all children and reduce future educational inequalities.
Introduction to the special section on pathways underlying the impact of economic inequality on children’s development
Authors: Wachs Theodore D. , Cueto Santiago
Published: June 2016

A special section of the International Journal of Behavioral Development devoted to the topic of pathways underlying the impact of economic inequality on children’s development.
Socio-economic status and early childhood cognitive skills
Authors: Lopez Boo Florencia
Published: June 2016

This article documents differences in cognitive development, as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), between children from households with high and low socioeconomic status (SES) in two different phases of early childhood in four developing countries. A large number of potential mediators, such as urban residence, preschool attendance, early nutrition, caregiver’s education, and primary school attendance are discussed. Overall, the SES gradient is reduced but persists in most countries even when controlling for all the mediators. The mediational analysis shows that, while urban residence, caregiver’s education and early nutrition appear as significant mediators of the SES-PPVT relation for all countries and most ages, the size of the effect varies widely. For instance, after adding all mediators, the magnitude of the SES-PPVT relation drops by almost half in Peru (mainly due to urban residence), India (mainly due to caregiver’s education at age 5 and urban residence at age 8) and Vietnam at age 5 (mainly due to caregiver’s education). However, it only drops by one third in Ethiopia (mainly due to caregiver’s education at age 5 and urban residence at age 8). The relative importance of each mediator also changes depending on children’s age. Preschool attendance only appears as a minor mediator in Ethiopia and Vietnam at age 5, while primary school attendance does not appear as a significant mediator in any country.
Growth and development among infants and preschoolers in rural India
Authors: Black Maureen M. , Fernandez-Rao Sylvia , Hurley Kristen M. , Tilton Nicholas , Balakrishna Nagalla , Harding Kimberly B. , Reinhart Greg , Radhakrishna Kankipati Vijaya , Nair Krishnapillai Madhavan
Published: June 2016

Economic inequities are common in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), and are associated with poor growth and development among young children. The objectives are to examine whether maternal education and home environment quality: 1) protect children by attenuating the association between economic inequities and children’s growth and development, or 2) promote children’s growth and development, regardless of economic inequities. The sample includes 512 infants and 321 preschoolers in 26 villages in rural India (Project Grow Smart). Data for children: physical growth (weight and length/height measured) and development (Mullen Scales of Early Learning); for mothers/households: economic inequities measured by household assets, education, depressive symptoms, and home environment (HOME Inventory). Data are analyzed with linear mixed models (LMM) for infants and preschoolers separately, adjusted for village/preschool clustering, including asset-by-education/home interactions. Among infants, but not preschoolers, the education/home factor attenuates relations between assets and growth, eliminating differential relations in infant growth between high/low-asset families, suggesting protection. Among infants and preschoolers, the education/home factor is significantly or marginally associated with most child development scales, regardless of economic inequities, suggesting promotion. Strategies to enhance maternal education and home environment quality may protect infants in low-asset families from poor growth, promote development among infants and preschoolers, and prevent early disparities.
More than poverty
Authors: Wachs Theodore D. , Cueto Santiago , Yao Haogen
Published: June 2016

Studies from both high and low-middle income (LAMI) countries have documented how being reared in poverty is linked to compromised child development. Links between poverty and development are mediated by the timing and extent of exposure to both risk factors nested under poverty and to protective influences which can attenuate the impact of risk. While children from high-, middle-, and low-income countries are exposed to similar types of developmental risks, children from low- and middle-income countries are exposed to a greater number, more varied and more intense risks. Given these contextual differences, cumulative risk models may provide a better fit than mediated models for understanding the nature of pathways linking economic insufficiency and developmental inequality in low- and middle-income countries, and for designing interventions to promote development of children from these countries. New evidence from a large scale UNICEF data set illustrates the application of a cumulative risk/protective perspective in low- and middle-income countries.
Pathways to improved development for children living in poverty
Authors: Knauer Heather A. , Kagawa Rose M. C. , García-Guerra Armando , Schnaas Lourdes , Neufeld Lynnette M. , Fernald Lia C. H.
Published: June 2016

Conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) have shown mixed effects on child development outcomes in the context of poverty. Direct parenting support integrated with CCTs may improve the effectiveness of CCTs for children’s development, and benefits could occur via improvements in parenting practices or the home environment. Here, we use data from a randomized effectiveness trial to examine the pathways connecting parenting support and child development. The parenting program ( EI: Educación Inicial) was implemented at scale among beneficiaries of Prospera (a CCT, previously Oportunidades and Progresa). Participants included children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old ( n = 1,362) from 91 rural communities in three Mexican states. Communities were stratified by indigenous classification and randomized to one of three arms: (T0) Comparison group (CCT benefits only); (T1) CCT benefits plus availability of EI in the community; or (T2) CCT benefits plus promotion and encouragement by the CCT program to participate in EI. Findings were that participation in the T2 arm of the study was associated with a 13% increase in the number of play activities that parents engaged in with their children, particularly shared storybook reading and singing. Parents in T2 showed nearly two times greater odds of reading daily to their children. In mediation analyses, the amount of play activities and shared book reading explained up to 32% of the effects of the EI parenting program on child development outcomes. In this study, collaboration and integration of two social programs was critical for program impact, which occurred through pathways relating to parental engagement in reading and play.
Representing and integrating bibliographic information into the Semantic Web: A comparison of four conceptual models
Authors: Zapounidou Sofia , Sfakakis Michalis , Papatheodorou Christos
Published: June 2016

Integration of library data into the Semantic Web environment is a key issue for libraries and is approached on the basis of interoperability between conceptual models. Several data models exist for the representation and publication of library data in the Semantic Web and therefore inter-domain and intra-domain interoperability issues emerge as a growing number of web data are generated. Achieving interoperability for different representations of the same or related entities between the library and other cultural heritage institutions shall enhance rich bibliographic data reusability and support the development of new data-driven information services. This paper aims to investigate common ground and convergences between four conceptual models, namely Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), FRBR Object-Oriented (FRBRoo), Bibliographic Framework (BIBFRAME) and Europeana Data Model (EDM), enabling semantically-richer interoperability by studying the representation of monographs, as well as of content relationships (derivative and equivalent bibliographic relationships) and of whole-part relationships between them.
The Impact of Homophobic Labels on the Internalized Homophobia and Body Image of Gay Men: The Moderation Role of Coming-Out
Authors: Bianchi Mauro , Piccoli Valentina , Zotti Davide , Fasoli Fabio , Carnaghi Andrea
Published: June 2016

This study investigates whether homophobic labels and category-neutral terms are differently appraised as a function of levels of coming-out. After reporting their coming-out status, participants were exposed to either homophobic or category labels and reported their semantic associations, level of internalized homophobia, and body perceptions. Results show that labels were more positively evaluated as participants’ coming-out increased. High–coming-out individuals reported higher internalized homophobia and body concerns in the homophobic rather than category labels condition. Low–coming-out individuals displayed the reverse pattern.
Intersectionality as a tool for social movements: Strategies of inclusion and representation in the Québécois women’s movement
Authors: Laperrière Marie , Lépinard Eléonore
Published: June 2016

As a social movement strategy, intersectionality is used to foster the inclusion and representation of minority groups. In this article, we examine how Québécois women’s organizations use intersectionality as a tool to include immigrant and Native women. We argue that intersectionality can entail different practices with potentially conflicting goals. We conclude that social movement scholars would benefit from paying attention to intersectionality and to how it is practised by activists and organizations. Indeed, a focus on intersectionality sheds light on the tensions inherent in the processes by which organizations construct collective identities, formulate political demands, manage internal conflicts and build alliances.
Opportunity or dead end? Rethinking the study of entrepreneurial action without a concept of opportunity
Authors: Kitching John , Rouse Julia
Published: June 2016

This article has two objectives: to critique the dominant opportunity discovery and creation literatures and to propose a new, critical realist–inspired analytical framework to theorise the causes, processes and consequences of entrepreneurial action – one that needs no concept of opportunity. We offer three reasons to support our critique of opportunity studies. First, there are important absences, contradictions and inconsistencies in definitions of opportunity in theoretical and empirical work that mean the term cannot signal a clear direction for theorising or empirical research. Our central criticism is that the concept of opportunity cannot refer simultaneously, without contradiction, to a social context offering profit-making prospects, to particular practices and to agents’ subjective beliefs or imagined futures. Second, a new definition of opportunity would perpetuate the conceptual chaos. Third, useful concepts to capture important entrepreneurial processes are readily available, for instance, combining resources, creating new ventures and achieving product sales, which render a concept of opportunity superfluous. Instead, we conceptualise entrepreneurial action as investments in resources intended to create new goods and services for market exchange emergent from the interaction between agential, social-structural and cultural causal powers.
Palliative care delivery across health sectors: A population-level observational study
Authors: Tanuseputro Peter , Budhwani Suman , Bai Yu Qing , Wodchis Walter P
Published: June 2016

Background:

Little population-level information exists about the delivery of palliative care across multiple health sectors, important in providing a complete picture of current care and gaps in care.

Aim:

Provide a population perspective on end-of-life palliative care delivery across health sectors.

Design:

Retrospective population-level cohort study, describing palliative care in the last year of life using linked health administrative databases.

Setting/participants:

All decedents in Ontario, Canada, from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2012 ( n = 177,817).

Results:

Across all health sectors, about half (51.9%) of all decedents received at least one record of palliative care in the last year of life. Being female, middle-aged, living in wealthier and urban neighborhoods, having cancer, and less multi-morbidity were all associated with higher odds of palliative care receipt. Among 92,276 decedents receiving palliative care, 84.9% received care in acute care hospitals. Among recipients, 35 mean days of palliative care were delivered. About half (49.1%) of all palliative care days were delivered in the last 2 months of life, and half (50.1%) had palliative care initiated in this period. Only about one-fifth of all decedents (19.3%) received end-of-life care through publicly funded home care. Less than 10% of decedents had a record of a palliative care home visit from a physician.

Conclusion:

We describe methods to capture palliative care using administrative data. Despite an estimate of overall reach (51.9%) that is higher than previous estimates, we have shown that palliative care is infrequently delivered particularly in community settings and to non-cancer patients and occurs close to death.
Involvement of medial prefrontal cortex alpha-2 adrenoceptors on memory acquisition deficit induced by arachidonylcyclopropylamide, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, in rats; possible involvement of Ca2+ channels
Authors: Beiranvand Afsaneh , Nasehi Mohammad , Zarrindast Mohammad-Reza , Moghaddasi Mehrnoush
Published: June 2016

Functional interactions between cannabinoid and alpha-2 adrenergic systems in cognitive control in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) seem possible. The present study evaluated the possible role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors of the prefrontal cortex on effect of arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA), a cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) agonist, in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the mPFC, trained in a step-through task, and tested 24 h after training to measure step-through latency. Results indicate that pre-training microinjection of ACPA (0.05 and 0.5 μg/rat) and clonidine (alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist; 1 and 2 μg/rat) reduce memory acquisition. Pre-training subthreshold dose of clonidine (0.5 µg/rat) restored memory-impairing effect of ACPA (0.05 and 0.5 µg/rat). On the other hand, pre-training administration of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine in all doses used (0.5, 1, and 2 μg/rat) did not affect memory acquisition by itself, while a subthreshold dose of yohimbine (2 µg/rat) potentiated memory impairment induced by ACPA (0.005 µg/rat). Finally, a subthreshold dose of SKF96365 (a Ca2+ channel blocker) blocked clonidine and yohimbine effect of memory responses induced by ACPA. In conclusion, these data indicate that mPFC alpha-2 adrenoceptors play an important role in ACPA-induced amnesia and Ca2+ channels have a critical role this phenomenon.
Effect of hypertension and peroxynitrite decomposition with FeTMPyP on CBF and stroke outcome
Authors: Cipolla Marilyn J , Sweet Julie G , Chan Siu-Lung
Published: June 2016

We investigated the effect of peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FeTMPyP treatment on perfusion deficit, vascular function and stroke outcome in Wistar ( n = 26) and spontaneously hypertensive rats stroke-prone (SHRSP; n = 26) that underwent tMCAO for 2 h or Sham operation. Peri-infarct CBF was measured by hydrogen clearance in the absence or presence of FeTMPyP (10 mg/kg, i.v.) or vehicle 10 min before reperfusion. Myogenic tone of parenchymal arterioles (PAs) was measured as an indication of small vessel resistance (SVR). Baseline CBF was similar between Wistar and SHRSP (114 ± 12 vs. 132 ± 9 mL/100 g/min); however, MCAO caused greater perfusion deficit in SHRSP (24 ± 6 vs. 7 ± 1 mL/100 g/min; p < 0.05) and increased infarct volume by TTC (12 ± 6 vs. 32 ± 2%; p < 0.05). Reperfusion CBF was decreased from baseline in both SHRSP and Wistar (54 ± 16 and 46 ± 19 mL/100 g/min; p < 0.05), suggesting increased infarction in SHRSP was related to greater perfusion deficit. PAs from SHRSP had increased tone vs. Wistar that was enhanced after tMCAO. FeTMPyP treatment did not affect CBF during ischemia or reperfusion, or tone of PAs, but decreased the incidence of hemorrhage in SHRSP by 50%. Thus, increased tone in PAs from SHRSP could increase perfusion deficit during MCAO that was not alleviated by FeTMPyP.
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 facilitates heme scavenging after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice
Authors: Wang Gaiqing , Manaenko Anatol , Shao Anwen , Ou Yibo , Yang Peng , Budbazar Enkhjargal , Nowrangi Derek , Zhang John H , Tang Jiping
Published: June 2016

Heme-degradation after erythrocyte lysis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of intracerebral hemorrhage. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 is a receptor expressed predominately at the neurovascular interface, which facilitates the clearance of the hemopexin and heme complex. In the present study, we investigated the role of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 in heme removal and neuroprotection in a mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Endogenous low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 and hemopexin were increased in ipsilateral brain after intracerebral hemorrhage, accompanied by increased hemoglobin levels, brain water content, blood–brain barrier permeability and neurological deficits. Exogenous human recombinant low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 protein reduced hematoma volume, brain water content surrounding hematoma, blood–brain barrier permeability and improved neurological function three days after intracerebral hemorrhage. The expression of malondialdehyde, fluoro-Jade C positive cells and cleaved caspase 3 was increased three days after intracerebral hemorrhage in the ipsilateral brain tissues and decreased with recombinant low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1. Intracerebral hemorrhage decreased and recombinant low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 increased the levels of superoxide dismutase 1. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 siRNA reduced the effect of human recombinant low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 on all outcomes measured. Collectively, our findings suggest that low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 contributed to heme clearance and blood–brain barrier protection after intracerebral hemorrhage. The use of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 as supplement provides a novel approach to ameliorating intracerebral hemorrhage brain injury via its pleiotropic neuroprotective effects.
Systematic and detailed analysis of behavioural tests in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke: Tests for long-term assessment
Authors: Trueman Rebecca C , Diaz Claris , Farr Tracy D , Harrison David J , Fuller Anna , Tokarczuk Paweł F , Stewart Andrew J , Paisey Stephen J , Dunnett Stephen B
Published: June 2016

In order to test therapeutics, functional assessments are required. In pre-clinical stroke research, there is little consensus regarding the most appropriate behavioural tasks to assess deficits, especially when testing over extended times in milder models with short occlusion times and small lesion volumes. In this study, we comprehensively assessed 16 different behavioural tests, with the aim of identifying those that show robust, reliable and stable deficits for up to two months. These tasks are regularly used in stroke research, as well as being useful for examining striatal dysfunction in models of Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Two cohorts of male Wistar rats underwent the intraluminal filament model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (30 min) and were imaged 24 h later. This resulted in primarily subcortical infarcts, with a small amount of cortical damage. Animals were tested, along with sham and naïve groups at 24 h, seven days, and one and two months. Following behavioural testing, brains were processed and striatal neuronal counts were performed alongside measurements of total brain and white matter atrophy. The staircase, adjusting steps, rotarod and apomorphine-induced rotations were the most reliable for assessing long-term deficits in the 30 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke.