bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma omentin and adiponectin levels as markers of adipose tissue dysfunction in normal weight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Orlik Bartłomiej , Madej Paweł , Owczarek Aleksander , Skałba Piotr , Chudek Jerzy , Olszanecka‐Glinianowicz Magdalena
Published: December 2013

Objective

It is suggested that disturbed adipokines release plays a role in PCOS pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess plasma levels of omentin and adiponectin as well as the omentin to adiponectin ratio, as markers of adipose tissue dysfunction in relation to hormonal or metabolic changes in PCOS.

Study Design, Patients and Measurements

A cross‐sectional study involved 87 PCOS (48 obese) and 72 non‐PCOS women (41 obese). Anthropometric parameters and body composition were determined, and serum glucose, hormones, omentin‐1 and adiponectin levels were measured.

Results

The adiponectin level was similar in PCOS and non‐PCOS groups, but, in both, was significantly lower in obese compared with normal weight subgroups, while the omentin‐1 level was significantly lower in the PCOS compared with the non‐PCOS group, and not related to body mass. The adiponectin to omentin‐1 ratio (AOR) was significantly higher in the PCOS than non‐PCOS group. Moreover, AOR was significantly higher in the normal weight than in obese subgroups in both PCOS and non‐PCOS groups. Multiple regression analyses revealed that AOR variability is explained by oestradiol level and all anthropometric parameters as well as FAI, but not LH to FSH and HOMA‐IR values.

Conclusions

Our results suggest secondary to insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism impairment of hormonal stroma adipose tissue function in PCOS, independent of nutritional status. Contrarily, the adipocyte hormonal dysfunction is primarily dependent on excessive fat accumulation. It seems that the AOR may be useful in the assessment of adipose tissue dysfunction not only in PCOS.
Influence on alveolar resorption of the buccal bony plate width in the edentulous ridge expansion (E.R.E.) – an experimental study in the dog
Authors: Beolchini Marco , Lang Niklaus P. , Ricci Emanuele , Bengazi Franco , Triana Barbara Garcia , Botticelli Daniele
Published: December 2013

Objective

To compare the hard tissue changes at implants installed applying edentulous ridge expansion (E.R.E.) at sites with a buccal bony wall thickness of 1 or 2 mm.

Material and methods

In six Labrador dogs, the first and second maxillary incisors were extracted, and the buccal alveolar bony plates and septa were removed. After 3 months of healing, partial‐thickness flaps were dissected, and the E.R.E. was applied bilaterally. Hence, an expansion of the buccal bony crest was obtained in both sides of the maxilla with a displacement of either a 1‐ or a 2‐mm‐wide buccal bony plate at the test and control sites, respectively. After 3 months of healing, biopsies were obtained for histological analyses.

Results

A buccal vertical resorption of the alveolar crest of 2.3 ± 0.8 and 2.1 ± 1.1 mm, and a coronal level of osseointegration at the buccal aspect of 2.7 ± 0.5 and 2.9 ± 0.9 mm were found at the test (1 mm) and control (2 mm) sites, respectively. The differences did not reach statistical significance. The mean values of the mineralized bone‐to‐implant contact (MBIC%) ranged from 62% to 73% at the buccal and lingual sites. No statistically significant differences were found. Horizontal volume gains of 1.8 and 1.1 mm were observed at the test and control sites, respectively, and the difference being statistically significant.

Conclusions

Implants installed using the E.R.E. technique yielded a high degree of osseointegration. It is suggested that the displacement of buccal bony plates of 1 mm thickness is preferable compared with that of wider dimensions.
Patient confidentiality within the context of group medical visits: is there cause for concern?
Authors: Wong Sabrina T. , Lavoie Josee G. , Browne Annette J. , MacLeod Martha L. P. , Chongo Meck
Published: December 2013

Background

Group medical visits (GMVs), clinical encounters with a medical component delivered to groups of patients, have emerged as an innovative approach to potentially increasing efficiency while enhancing the quality of primary health care (PHC).GMVs have created the need to pay explicit attention to patient confidentiality.

Objective

What strategies are used by providers and patients to address issues of confidentiality withinGMVs?

Design

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 34PHCproviders and 29 patients living in nine rural communities in British Columbia, Canada. Data were analysed using interpretive thematic analysis and a relational autonomy approach.

Results

We found three main themes: (i) choosing to disclose: balancing benefits and drawbacks ofGMVs, (ii) maintaining confidentiality inGMVs and (iii) gaining strength from interdependent relationships: patients learning from each other. Confidentiality can be addressed and was not a major concern for patients attending or providers facilitatingGMVs in these rural communities.

Discussion

Patients adopted strategies to address their own and others' concerns related to confidential health information. Providers used multiple strategies to maintain confidentiality within the group, including renegotiating what information is shared and providing examples of what information ought to be kept confidential.

Conclusions

AlthoughGMVs are not for all patients, a relational autonomy approach is useful in drawing attention to the context and structures which may influence their patients' ability to act autonomously. Successful delivery ofGMVs requires both patients and providers to negotiate between maintaining confidentiality and an appropriate level of disclosure.
SPEAKING BODIES, SPEAKING MINDS: ANIMALS, LANGUAGE, HISTORY
Authors: PEARSON SUSAN
Published: December 2013

This essay explores a nineteenth‐century debate over the linguistic capacity of animals in order to consider the links among language, reason, and history. Taking the American animal‐protection movement as a point of departure, I show how protectionists, linguists, anthropologists, and advocates of deaf education were divided about the origins and nature of language. Was language a product of the soul and thus unique to humans, or was it a function of the body, a complex form of the corporeal expressions that humans and animals shared? Was language divine or natural? The answers that different activists and intellectuals gave to such questions shaped their view of the relationship of humans to animals and the inclusion of the latter in the moral and political community. I suggest that such debates are helpful to historians since the possession of language—and its traces in the written word—has traditionally been used to divide prehistory and natural history from history proper. If we are to include animals in “history,” we must rethink the relationship of the discipline to language.
THE TORTURER'S HORSE: AGENCY AND ANIMALS IN HISTORY
Authors: SHAW DAVID GARY
Published: December 2013

Historians need to understand the nature of historical agency and how animals relate to this central if contested historiographical concern. Focusing on the specific context of the Napoleonic Wars and in particular the Duke of Wellington and his horse Copenhagen, I show why agency is a continuum, not limited to the complex and intentional acts of a rational man, for instance a field marshal, but extending to basic actions, group actions, and less self‐conscious actors, for instance a horse. Therefore, agency can include animals. Any action, however, must be placed into a context of reasons or understandings, the “pertinent context.” The place of animals as agents will naturally vary across historical time in great part depending on prevalent contemporary cultural assumptions. In some periods animals have operated as difficult‐to‐discern “secret agents.” I stress the variable and fluid notions of agency that have emerged in posthumanistic and actor network theoretical contexts. And I develop the idea of special associations—what I call unities—in which especially close, disciplined actors are produced, such as the skilled horse‐and‐rider of the nineteenth century. Ultimately, historical agency is likely always to involve human beings, but there is also space for animals to act with people.
A meta‐analysis of the efficacy and safety of unboosted atazanavir compared with ritonavir‐boosted protease inhibitor maintenance therapy in HIV‐infected adults with established virological suppression after induction
Authors: Baril J , Conway B , Giguère P , Ferko N , Hollmann S , Angel JB
Published: December 2013

Objectives

Treatment simplification involving induction with a ritonavir (RTV)‐boosted protease inhibitor (PI) replaced by a nonboosted PI (i.e. atazanavir) has been shown to be a viable option for long‐term antiretroviral therapy. To evaluate the clinical evidence for this approach, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating efficacy and safety in patients with established virological suppression.

Methods

Several databases were searched without limits on time or language. Searches of conferences were also conducted. RCTs were included if they compared a PI/RTV regimen to unboosted atazanavir, after induction with PI/RTV. The meta‐analysis was conducted using a random effects model for the proportion achieving virological suppression (i.e. HIV RNA < 50 and <400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL), CD4 cell counts, lipid levels and liver function tests. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as risk ratios (RRs) and continuous outcomes as mean differences (MDs).

Results

Five studies (n = 1249) met the inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in efficacy (i.e. HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL) between PI/RTV and unboosted atazanavir [RR = 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99 to 1.10], with no heterogeneity. Findings were similar in a subanalysis of studies where atazanavir/RTV was the only PI/RTV used during induction. Additional efficacy results support these findings. A significant reduction in total cholesterol (P < 0.00001), triglycerides (P = 0.0002), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.009) and hyperbilirubinaemia (P = 0.02) was observed with unboosted atazanavir vs. PI/RTV.

Conclusions

The meta‐analysis demonstrated that switching patients with virological suppression from an RTV‐boosted PI to unboosted atazanavir leads to improvements in safety (i.e. blood parameter abnormalities) without sacrificing virological efficacy.
Vitamin A and dendritic cell differentiation
Authors: Beijer Marieke R. , Kraal Georg , den Haan Joke M. M.
Published: December 2013

Vitamin A and its active metabolite retinoic acid are essential for the development and function of many tissues including the immune system. The induction of mucosal homing receptors on T and B cells by mucosal dendritic cells (DC) depends on the presence of vitamin A. Recent studies indicate that also the differentiation of CD11b+ DC subsets in the mucosa as well as the spleen depend on vitamin A signalling. As CD11b+ DC subsets exert non‐redundant functions in anti‐bacterial and anti‐fungal immune responses, defects in CD11b+ DC differentiation will contribute to the clinical problems observed during vitamin A deficiency.
Hybrid greedy heuristics based on linear programming for the three‐dimensional single bin‐size bin packing problem
Authors: Hifi Mhand , Negre Stéphane , Wu Lei
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we propose to solve the three‐dimensional single bin‐size bin packing problem (3D‐SBSBPP) using a simple strategy based on integer linear programming (ILP) heuristics, without using any improvement based on metaheuristics. We first propose an ILP that is converted into a series of three‐dimensional single knapsack problems (3D‐SKP). Then, the first tailored heuristic can be viewed as a hybrid approach in which both “selection” and “positioning” phases are combined. The first phase serves to select a subset of items where each of these items is susceptible to belonging to an active container. The positioning phase serves to pack a subset of items already preselected by the selection phase. Then, both phases cooperate till packing all items into their corresponding containers. The second heuristic can be viewed as an extended version of the first one. Indeed, before deciding whether the current container is closed or a new container is activated, “a local reoptimization phase” is considered. Finally, both proposed heuristics are evaluated on a set of random instances obtained by using the standard generator scheme of the literature. The provided results show that both proposed heuristics remain competitive when compared to the results obtained by one of the best methods of the literature.
Managing the Double Burden: Pregnancy and Labor‐Intensive Time Use in Rural China, Mexico, and Tanzania
Authors: Peterman Amber , Ng Shu Wen , Palermo Tia , Lee I‐Heng Emma
Published: December 2013

Labor‐intensive work is often a way of life for women living in rural areas of developing countries. The physical exertion involved in such work may result in poor health outcomes for mothers and infants when continued through pregnancy. Using longitudinal data from China, Mexico, and Tanzania, we examine the relationship between pregnancy and four time‐use outcomes, measured as hours spent in the past week on: (1) housework, (2) caregiving, (3) agricultural work, and (4) self‐employment or nonagricultural work outside the home. An individual fixed‐effects approach is adopted to overcome the potential time‐invariant woman‐level endogeneity of pregnancy status. With few exceptions, we do not find significantly different time‐use patterns between pregnant and nonpregnant women. The assumption that women decrease labor‐intensive work in developing countries during pregnancy needs revisiting and may have implications for both women's livelihood programming and assistance during childbearing periods.
Multiple‐scale assessment of understory herb species diversity in pine plantations after long‐term restoration
Authors: Wang Shi‐Xiong , Guo Hua , Wang Xiao‐An , Fan Wei‐Yi , Duan Ren‐Yan
Published: December 2013

Plantations are established for a variety of purposes including wood production, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration. However, their implications for species diversity are considerably debated. To assess restoration effect of species diversity in plantations after 50 years’ natural restoration, understory herb species diversity of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) plantations were characterized and compared with secondary growth oak (Quercus wutaishanica) forests by additive partitioning across three different nested spatial scales (subplot, plot and site scales) in the middle of the Loess Plateau, northwestern China. Whether these two forest types demonstrate different structuring processes was also examined by quantifying the relative contributions of space and the environment on community composition. Overall, the two forests displayed similar accumulation of species diversity across spatial scales. The contribution of species diversity components increased with the spatial scale, and both forests displayed lower alpha diversity at the subplot scale but higher beta diversity at the plot and site scales. There was no significant difference in alpha or beta diversity between the two forests at any of the three scales, but in species compositions at the subplot and plot scales (p < 0.05). The diversity of both forest types were simultaneously governed by environmental and spatial processes, with the exception of a greater contribution of each component in the secondary growth oak forests, but both forests were dominated by environmental processes. Our study highlight the significant role of spatial scales in assessing the result of biodiversity restoration of plantations. These results suggest that pine plantations function in a similar manner as secondary growth oak forests for understory herb diversity, albeit with different community compositions.
Primulina tsoongii sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from a limestone area in north Guangxi, China
Authors: Liang Hui‐Ling , Kong De‐Xin , Shi Yan‐Cai , Zhao Bo , Wen Fang
Published: December 2013

Primulina tsoongii sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated here. This new species resembles P. hochiensis and P. hochiensis var. rosulata, but is easily distinguished by its sparsely hirsute mature leaves, narrow bracts (only 0.4–0.5 in diameter) and undivided yellowish ligulate stigma with dense elongate papillae.
Bromus salangensis sp. nov. (Gramineae), a perennial brome grass from Afghanistan
Authors: Naderi Reza , Rahiminejad Mohammad Reza , Vitek Ernst
Published: December 2013

During work on a new synopsis on the genus Bromus L. for the ‘Flora Iranica’ region, an Afghan perennial brome grass previously identified as the Caucasian B. biebersteinii Roem. & Schult., was found to be a new species. It is described here as B. salangensis sp. nov. This discovery rejected the record of B. biebersteinii for Afghanistan.
Hemiboea lutea sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from Guangxi, China
Authors: Wen Fang , Zhao Bo , Liang Gui‐You , Wei Yi‐Gang
Published: December 2013

Hemiboea lutea F. Wen, G. Y. Liang & Y. G. Wei, a new species in Gesneriaceae is described and illustrated from Guangxi, China. It differs from the similar species H. cavaleriei by having sessile or subsessile leaves, longer peduncles (6–10 cm), spheroidal or triangular‐spheroidal subinvolucre, 5‐divided calyx with lobes fused for 1/3 of their length, revolute and uncinate apex of calyx lobes, larger bright yellow corolla (5–7 cm long), longer staminodes with indistinctively uncinate anther and longer pistil (3.5–3.7 cm).
The Use of Signal Analyses of Ventricular Tachycardia Electrograms to Predict the Response of Antitachycardia Pacing in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: TUAN TA‐CHUAN , LO MEN‐TZUNG , LIN YENN‐JIANG , HSIEH WAN‐HSIN , LIN CHEN , HUANG NORDEN E. , LO LI‐WEI , CHAO TZE‐FAN , LIAO JO‐NAN , HSIEH YU‐CHENG , WU TSU‐JUEY , CHEN SHIH‐ANN
Published: December 2013

ICDs and Signal Analyses

Introduction

Antitachycardia pacing (ATP), a quick, painless, and effective therapy available in implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs), can terminate most, but not all, sustained ventricular tachycardias (VTs). This study investigated the possible ventricular electrogram (EGM) factors for predicting the effectiveness of ATP therapy from ICD recordings.

Methods and Results

In this study, we analyzed 113 EGMs of VT episodes acquired from 20 patients who received ATP or shock to terminate tachyarrhythmias during follow‐up after ICD implantations. The relationship between the outcome of ATP and VT EGM features (such as voltage, width, cycle length, and beat‐to‐beat morphologic variation) was investigated. The divergence (beat‐to‐beat morphologic variation) of the VT EGMs was determined by calculating the total deviation of all EGMs away from the average template after all VT EMGs were aligned. In total, 72 (63.7%) successful (Group I) and 41 (36.3%) unsuccessful (Group II) ATP therapy episodes were analyzed. The mean amplitude, cycle length, and EGM width were similar between these 2 groups (P > 0.05). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that the only predictor of successful ATP was the divergence among the VT EGMs (0.56 ± 0.32 vs 1.07 ± 0.64, P < 0.001, for Groups 1 and 2, respectively). The optimal cutoff value for determining a successful ATP therapy was 0.73 (with an area under the curve of 0.769, sensitivity of 81.9% [95% CI = 71.1–90.0], and specificity of 65.9% [95% CI = 49.4–79.9], P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Signal analyses from stored EGMs of VT can predict the response of ATP therapy in patients with ICD implantations. A lesser ventricular beat‐to‐beat morphologic variation in the intracardiac recordings from ICDs correlated with a higher probability of a successful ATP.
A Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients at Heightened Risk for Early Demise Following Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: RICKARD JOHN , CHENG ALAN , SPRAGG DAVID , CANTILLON DANIEL , BARANOWSKI BRYAN , VARMA NIRAJ , WILKOFF BRUCE L. , TANG W.H. WILSON
Published: December 2013

Prediction Rule to Identify Patients at High Risk for Early Demise Following CRT

Background

In patients with advanced heart failure, the decision of whether to pursue cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) or to proceed directly to advanced heart failure therapies can be challenging. We sought to create a prediction rule to identify patients with advanced systolic heart failure at heightened risk of rapid deterioration despite receiving CRT.

Methods

Clinical data were collected on consecutive patients with advanced heart failure presenting for a new CRT device at the Cleveland Clinic between February 12, 2002 and July 8, 2008. Early demise was defined as death, left ventricular assist device, or heart transplant within 6 months following CRT implant. Using a multivariate model, variables associated with early demise were identified and a prediction rule created.

Results

A total of 879 patients were included of whom 47 met criteria for early demise. Using forward stepwise regression followed by a bootstrapping analysis, the final model included: left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter ≥6.5 cm (OR 3.23 [1.72–6.06 g], P < 0.001), the presence of a non‐left bundle branch block (non‐LBBB) morphology (OR 2.18 [1.18–4.04, P = 0.013]), creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dL (OR 2.98 [1.52–5.49], P < 0.001), and lack of or intolerance to β‐blocker use (OR 2.80 [1.46–5.39], P = 0.002). The specificity for ≥2 and ≥3 risk factors was 72.6% and 94.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

Left ventricular dilatation, the presence of a non‐LBBB morphology, renal dysfunction, and lack of or intolerance to β‐blockers are associated with early demise following CRT. In patients with at least 3 of these factors, bypassing CRT with early adoption of advanced heart failure therapies may be considered given the high specificity for rapid decline.
Health‐Related Quality of Life and Functional Status Quality Indicators for Older Persons with Multiple Chronic Conditions
Authors: Dy Sydney M. , Pfoh Elizabeth R. , Salive Marcel E. , Boyd Cynthia M.
Published: December 2013

Objectives

To explore central challenges with translating self‐reported measurement tools for functional status and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) into ambulatory quality indicators for older people with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs).

Design

Review.

Setting

Sources including the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse and National Quality Forum were reviewed for existing ambulatory quality indicators relevant to functional status, HRQOL, and people with MCCs.

Participants

Seven informants with expertise in indicators using functional status and HRQOL.

Measurements

Informant interviews were conducted to explore knowledge about these types of indicators, particularly usability and feasibility.

Results

Nine important existing indicators were identified in the review. For process, identified indicators addressed whether providers assessed functional status; outcome indicators addressed quality of life. In interviews, informants agreed that indicators using self‐reported data were important in this population. Challenges identified included concerns about usability due to inability to discriminate quality of care adequately between organizations and feasibility concerns regarding high data collection burden, with a correspondingly low response rate. Validity was also a concern because evidence is mixed that healthcare interventions can improve HRQOL or functional status for this population. As a possible first step, a structural standard could be systematic collection of these measures in a specific setting.

Conclusion

Although functional status and HRQOL are important outcomes for older people with MCCs, few relevant ambulatory quality indicators exist, and there are concerns with usability, feasibility, and validity. Further research is needed on how best to incorporate these outcomes into quality indicators for people with MCCs.
Evaluation of crush syndrome patients with extremity injuries in the 2011 Van Earthquake in Turkey
Authors: Guner Sukriye Ilkay , Oncu Mehmet Resit
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To perform a descriptive analysis of crush syndrome patients with extremity injuries, which will be used as a reference for future disasters.

Background

In disasters like earthquake, cooperation among medical workers is very important for the follow‐up and treatment of patients. Knowing the complications that may emerge with the crush syndrome is one of the responsibilities of the nurses.

Design

Descriptive analysis.

Methods

The medical records of patients with crush syndrome following the 2011 Van Earthquake were retrospectively reviewed. The results were compared with the current literature.

Results

Of the 46 patients with crush syndrome who had extreme trauma, 26 (57%) were men, 20 (43%) were women, and the average age was 38·9 ± 12·5. Fasciotomy was performed in 21 of the patients due to progressive compartment syndromes. Amputations were performed in seven patients who had previously undergone a fasciotomy. Sepsis was observed in seven patients, wound infection in 18, pericardial effusion in three and pleural effusion in two. Additionally, femoral fracture was observed in one patient, tibial fractures in five, haemothorax in three, abdominal traumas in seven and pulmonary embolism in one.

Conclusion

Wound care and antibiotic treatment are important to prevent infections in crush injury. In addition to this, dehydration and electrocardiography changes in hyperkalaemia are observed in crush syndrome. Nurses have significant responsibilities to follow up these observations and their implications.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study may provide the basis for developing strategies in future for optimising attempts to rescue and the nurse care planning of survivors with crush injuries and crush syndrome after earthquakes.
The effect of educational intervention on the pain and rehabilitation performance of patients who undergo a total knee replacement
Authors: Chen Su‐Ru , Chen Chyang‐Shiong , Lin Pi‐Chu
Published: December 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine the effects of health education on postoperative pain, the practice of rehabilitative exercises and functional recovery of total knee‐replacement patients.

Background

Most total knee‐replacement patients experience pain and limited physical activities during recovery and rehabilitation. Many patients fail to implement an effective rehabilitation plan because of the pain and a lack of practical knowledge regarding the rehabilitation process.

Design

Quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

We recruited 92 total knee‐replacement patients for our study. The experimental group (n = 42) received a health‐educational intervention. The control group (n = 50) received routine care.

Results

The experimental group reported lower levels of postoperative pain than the control group. The stair‐climbing ability of the experimental group was superior to that of the control group. The experimental group also had superior scores for regular straight‐leg raises and muscle power of the affected leg, compared with the control group.

Conclusion

The preoperative health‐educational intervention reduced the level of postoperative pain experience by total knee‐replacement patients, increased the regularity with which they performed rehabilitative exercises and accelerated the recovery of their physical functioning.

Relevance to clinical practice

The health‐educational model can be included in regular clinical management and care of total knee‐replacement patients.
Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by selected phenylalkylcaffeine analogues
Authors: Petzer Anél , Grobler Paul , Bergh Jacobus J , Petzer Jacobus P
Published: December 2013

Objectives

Caffeine represents a useful scaffold for the design of monoamine oxidase (MAO) type B inhibitors. Specifically, substitution on the C8 position yields structures which are high-potency MAO-B inhibitors. To explore the structure–activity relationships of MAO-B inhibition by caffeine-derived compounds, this study examines the MAO inhibitory properties of a series of phenylalkylcaffeine analogues.

Methods

Employing the recombinant human enzymes, the potencies (IC50 values) by which the caffeine analogues inhibit MAO-A and MAO-B were measured. The reversibility of inhibition of a selected inhibitor was determined by measuring the recovery of enzyme activity after dilution and dialysis of enzyme-inhibitor mixtures.

Key findings

The results document that the phenylalkylcaffeine analogues are reversible and selective MAO-B inhibitors with a competitive mode of inhibition. The most potent analogue, 8-(7-phenylheptyl)caffeine, exhibits IC50 values for the inhibition of MAO-A and MAO-B of 3.01 μm and 0.086 μm, respectively. Increasing the length of the alkyl side chain leads to enhanced MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitory potency while introduction of a carbonyl group reduces MAO-B inhibitory potency.

Conclusions

Phenylalkylcaffeines represent a new class of high-potency MAO-B inhibitors with the longer alkyl side chains yielding enhanced inhibitory activity. Such compounds may represent useful leads for the development of anti-parkinsonian therapies.
The progressive effects of a high‐fat diet on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, growth performance and serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) and Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)
Authors: Donaldson J. , Dangarembizi R. , Mtetwa B. , Madziva M. T. , Erlwanger K. H.
Published: December 2013

To investigate the progressive effects of a high‐fat diet on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, growth performance and serum lipid concentrations in Guinea fowl and Muscovy ducks, 36 Guinea fowl and 36 Muscovy ducks were divided into two groups, for each species, and fed either a standard (STD = commercial poultry feed) or high‐fat diet (HFD = commercial poultry feed with 20% palm oil and 2% lard) for up to 12 weeks. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks on the diets, six birds from each group were euthanized and blood samples collected. Osmotic fragility was assessed by measuring the haemoglobin released by erythrocytes placed in serially diluted solutions of phosphate‐buffered saline, spectrophotometrically. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were also determined. Fragiligrams from erythrocytes from both species of birds on the HFD were not different to those on the STD. However, Muscovy duck erythrocytes were more resistant to haemolysis compared with Guinea fowl erythrocytes. Final body mass and serum triglyceride levels were not significantly different (p > 0.05, anova) between the birds in the HFD and STD groups, for both species of birds. In contrast, serum cholesterol levels were significantly higher in birds on the HFD compared with those on the STD, after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of feeding, for both species of birds. Feeding Guinea fowl and Muscovy ducks a high‐fat diet for up to 12 weeks resulted in hypercholesterolaemia but had no effect on final body mass, erythrocyte osmotic fragility or serum triglyceride concentrations in either bird species.
Accidental finding of Hashimoto‐like thyroiditis in male B.U.T. 6 turkeys at slaughter
Authors: Plesch P. , Schade B. , Breithaupt A. , Bellof G. , Kienzle E.
Published: December 2013

In the context of a study on the tolerance of rapeseed meal in B.U.T. 6 turkeys, thyroid glands were histologically and immunohistochemically examined because of potential thyreostatic effects. In all groups including the controls with no rapeseed meal in their food, there was a high incidence of lymphocytic infiltration and thyroiditis (14% of thyroids with moderate to severe lymphocytic thyroiditis). Thirty per cent of mononuclear inflammatory cells were immunohistochemically identified as T cells. There were occasional accumulations of PAX‐5 labelled cells, indicating germinal centre development. These lesions resemble Hashimoto's disease in humans. The effect on thyroid function is unknown. Mild hypothyreosis might enhance productivity but also explain dispositions towards diseases seen in context with thyroid dysfunction such as skin diseases (foot pad disease?) and cardiovascular problems. Further studies on thyroid function in these turkeys are needed.
Effect of feeding tannin degrading bacterial culture (Streptococcus gallolyticus strain TDGB 406) on nutrient utilization, urinary purine derivatives and growth performance of goats fed on Quercus semicarpifolia leaves
Authors: Kumar K. , Chaudhary L. C. , Agarwal N. , Kamra D. N.
Published: December 2013

To study the effect of supplementation of tannin degrading bacterial culture (Streptococcus gallolyticus strain TDGB 406) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and urinary purine derivatives of goats fed on oak (Quercus semicarpifolia) leaves. For growth study, eighteen billy goats (4 month old, average body weight 9.50 ± 1.50 kg) were distributed into three groups of six animals each. The animals of group 1 served as control while animals of groups 2 (T1) and 3 (T2) were given (@ 5 ml/kg live weight) autoclaved and live culture of isolate TDGB 406 (106 cells/ml) respectively. The animals were fed measured quantity of dry oak leaves as the main roughage source and ad libitum maize hay along with fixed quantity of concentrate mixture. The feeding of live culture of isolate TDGB 406 (probiotic) did not affect dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients except that of dry matter and crude protein, which was higher in T2 group as compared to control. All the animals were in positive nitrogen balance. There was no significant effect of feeding isolate TDGB 406 on urinary purine derivatives (microbial protein production) in goats. The body weight gain and average live weight gain was significantly higher (p = 0.071) in T2 group as compared to control. Feed conversion efficiency was also better in the goats fed on live culture of TDGB 406 (T2). The feeding of tannin degrading bacterial isolate TDGB 406 as probiotic resulted in improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio in goats fed on oak leaves as one of the main roughage source.
Comparative floral development in the tribe Mentheae (Nepetoideae: Lamiaceae) and its bearing on the evolution of floral patterns in asterids
Authors: NAGHILOO Somayeh , KHODAVERDI Masoumeh , ESMAILLOU Zahra , DADPOUR Mohammad Reza , RUDALL Paula J.
Published: December 2013

A comparative developmental study of flowers was carried out using epi‐illumination light microscopy on four genera of Lamiaceae (Nepeta, Rosmarinus, Salvia, and Ziziphora), representing all three subtribes of Mentheae. All species examined share unidirectional (adaxial to abaxial) sepal initiation, except Rosmarinus, which has the reverse unidirectional sequence, starting abaxially. Initiated but suppressed bracteoles were detected only in Rosmarinus. In Rosmarinus, Salvia, and Ziziphora, initiation of petals and stamens proceeds unidirectionally from the abaxial side. Floral initiation of Nepeta has bidirectional inception of petals and unidirectional stamen initiation from the adaxial side. Temporal overlap in organ initiation between petal and stamen whorls occurs in all taxa, though this feature is more prominent in Rosmarinus. Significant structural and developmental features that distinguish the four genera include: (1) polysymmetric calyx tube, highly tomentose corolla and deeply four‐partitioned ovary in Nepeta; (2) monosymmetric two‐lipped calyx and shallowly four‐partitioned ovary in Ziziphora; and (3) suppression of adaxial stamens in Salvia and Rosmarinus. Adaxial stamens are absent from Rosmarinus, but reduced stamens remain as staminodia in Salvia. In a phylogenetic context, the late monosymmetry of Nepeta and very early monosymmetry of Rosmarinus could both be regarded as derived conditions compared with the early monosymmetry of Salvia and Ziziphora.
Transnational crimes related to health: How should the law respond to the illicit organ tourism?
Authors: McGuinness Sheelagh , McHale Jean V
Published: December 2013

In this paper, to paraphrase Scheper-Hughes, we explore the contested legalities and illegalities of medical tourism. Increasingly, individuals are travelling outside of their home jurisdiction to access health services. This may be for a range of reasons: for speed, for cheapness or in some cases to bypass criminal restrictions at state level. This paper explores those who fall into the latter category and who travel to avoid statutory or regulatory prohibitions in relation to certain clinical procedures in England and Wales. In this paper, we consider the appropriate legal response to illicit transplant tourism. We examine the legitimacy of using extra-territorial jurisdiction to enforce the ban on the commercial trade in organs found in the Human Tissue Act 2004. We suggest that this, along with the recent Draft Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking in Human Organs, provide an effective response to the transnational crime of illicit organ tourism.
What should teachers know about spelling?
Authors: Adoniou Misty
Published: December 2013

This article describes essential teacher knowledge for teaching spelling, along with a description of how this knowledge may convert to effective classroom pedagogy. The article is the result of a study of 14 beginning teachers who were participants in a broader study of their experience of teaching literacy in the first year in the classroom after graduation. The broad aim of the study was to determine if there were changes that could be made to their teacher preparation that would better prepare them to teach literacy in their first year teaching in the classroom. Teaching spelling was quickly identified as an area of literacy in which they were struggling. They were nervous about their own spelling skills but also had a limited pedagogy for spelling. The article describes the spelling knowledge they needed to have, with reference to the challenges they faced and presents the changes that were subsequently made to the teacher preparation of future teachers at the university from which they graduated.
Evaluating health‐related quality of life in patients with polycystic liver disease and determining the impact of symptoms and liver volume
Authors: Wijnands Titus F. M. , Neijenhuis Myrte K. , Kievit Wietske , Nevens Frederik , Hogan Marie C. , Torres Vicente E. , Gevers Tom J. G. , Drenth Joost P. H.
Published: December 2013

Background & Aims

Polycystic liver disease (PLD) follows a progressive course ultimately leading to severe hepatomegaly and mechanical complaints in a subset of patients. It is still unknown to what extent this compromises health‐related quality of life (HRQL). Our aim was to determine HRQL in PLD patients and investigate its association with concurrent abdominal symptoms and liver volume.

Methods

Pooled data of 92 severe PLD patients from two randomized clinical trials were used for our cross‐sectional analysis. HRQL was assessed using the generic short‐form health survey (SF‐36) resulting in eight scale scores and the summarizing physical (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). Subsequently, these were compared with the general population. Abdominal symptoms were measured with a standardized, 7‐point scale questionnaire in 54 patients. We dichotomized symptoms for absence or presence and compared them with the component scores. Finally, a possible correlation between liver volume and HRQL was explored.

Results

Demographics showed severe polycystic livers (mean 4906 ± 2315 ml). PCS was significantly lower compared with the general population (P < 0.001), in contrast with a similar MCS (P = 0.82). PLD patients had statistically significant (P < 0.05) diminished physical functioning, role physical, general health, vitality and social functioning scores. Upper‐ and lower abdominal pain and dyspnoea were significantly associated with a reduced PCS (P < 0.01). No correlation was found between liver volume and HRQL.

Conclusion

Polycystic liver disease patients had significantly lower HRQL in the physical dimension compared with the general population. Abdominal pain and dyspnoea had a significant impact on this physical dimension of HRQL.
Safety of paediatric percutaneous native kidney biopsy and factors predicting bleeding complications
Authors: Rianthavorn Pornpimol , Kerr Stephen J , Chiengthong Kanhatai
Published: December 2013

Aim

Data on safety of paediatric percutaneous native kidney biopsy (PNKB) using automated biopsy devices and real‐time ultrasonography are lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and to identify factors predicting bleeding complications associated with this PNKB protocol.

Methods

A total of 227 patients aged <18 years who underwent the first PNKB were analyzed. The primary outcome was bleeding complications divided into minor and major bleeding complications. Minor bleeding complications included perirenal haematoma and macroscopic haematuria. Major bleeding complications included requirement of blood transfusion, a higher level of care or vasopressors to maintain haemodynamic stability, requirement of angiographic or surgical intervention, or death.

Results

Perirenal haematoma occurred in 58 patients (25%) and macroscopic haematuria occurred in 46 patients (20%). Two factors were independently associated with perirenal haematoma in a multivariate model. These were male gender and weight for height Z‐score <−0.5. Three patients (1.3%), all with perirenal haematoma had major bleeding complications (two required blood transfusion and one underwent surgery to repair an injured renal artery).

Conclusions

The favourable safety information from our study is useful when counselling the parents and patients undergoing similar protocols. PNKB can be safely performed when precautions are taken to prevent bleeding. Selection of biopsy instruments should be tailored according to patient size.
Accumulation of the sigma‐1 receptor is common to neuronal nuclear inclusions in various neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Miki Yasuo , Mori Fumiaki , Kon Tomoya , Tanji Kunikazu , Toyoshima Yasuko , Yoshida Mari , Sasaki Hidenao , Kakita Akiyoshi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Wakabayashi Koichi
Published: December 2013

The sigma‐1 receptor (SIGMAR1) is now known to be one of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, which participate in the degradation of misfolded proteins in cells via the ER‐related degradation machinery linked to the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Mutations of the SIGMAR1 gene are implicated in the pathogenesis of familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration and motor neuron disease. Involvement of ER dysfunction in the formation of inclusion bodies in various neurodegenerative diseases has also become evident. We performed immunohistochemical staining to clarify the localization of SIGMAR1 in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative disorders, including trans‐activation response DNA protein 43 (TDP‐43) proteinopathy, tauopathy, α‐synucleinopathy, polyglutamine disease and intranuclear inclusion body disease (INIBD). Double‐immunocytofluorescence and Western blot analyses of cultured cells were also performed to investigate the role of SIGMAR1 using a specific exportin 1 inhibitor, leptomycin B and an ER stress inducer, thapsigargin. SIGMAR1 was consistently shown to be co‐localized with neuronal nuclear inclusions in TDP‐43 proteinopathy, five polyglutamine diseases and INIBD, as well as in intranuclear Marinesco bodies in aged normal controls. Cytoplasmic inclusions in neurons and glial cells were unreactive for SIGMAR1. In cultured cells, immunocytofluorescent study showed that leptomycin B and thapsigargin were shown to sequester SIGMAR1 within the nucleus, acting together with p62. This finding was also supported by immunoblot analysis. These results indicate that SIGMAR1 might shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Neurodegenerative diseases characterized by neuronal nuclear inclusions might utilize the ER‐related degradation machinery as a common pathway for the degradation of aberrant proteins.
Relation between remission status and attention in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Fukumoto Motoyuki , Hashimoto Ryota , Ohi Kazutaka , Yasuda Yuka , Yamamori Hidenaga , Umeda‐Yano Satomi , Iwase Masao , Kazui Hiroaki , Takeda Masatoshi
Published: December 2013

Aim

Patients with schizophrenia in remission have shown significantly higher levels of neurocognitive function than patients not in remission. However, previous studies have mainly examined the association between neurocognitive function and the remission status of schizophrenia without considering the time component of the definition for remission using cross‐sectional methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between remission status with considering time components and three cognitive functions of intellectual ability, memory and attention, which were examined before fulfilling the remission criteria, using longitudinal methods.

Methods

We assessed the remission status using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) on the same patients twice: at recruitment and at 6 months after the first PANSS assessment. Cognitive tests were performed within 3 months after recruitment. At recruitment, 337 patients were enrolled. Of the patients, 63 patients were followed up and completedthe first and second PANSS assessments and three cognitive tests at the end of study.

Results

Of the patients, 33 patients fulfilled the remission criteria, while 30 patients did not fulfill the criteria. Patients in remission showed significantly higher levels of 2‐digit (P = 0.020) and 3‐digit (P = 0.015) Continuous Performance Test scores, attention/concentration in the Wechsler Memory Scale‐Revised (P = 0.034) and processing speeds in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III (P = 0.047) than patients not in remission. Additionally, these cognitive scores were positively correlated with each other (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that patients who achieve remission may demonstrate a pre‐existing higher level of attention than patients who do not achieve remission.
Structural correlates of cognitive deficit and elevated gamma noise power in schizophrenia
Authors: Suazo Vanessa , Díez Álvaro , Montes Carlos , Molina Vicente
Published: December 2013

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the relation between cognition, gray matter (GM) volumes and gamma noise power (amount of background oscillatory activity in the gamma band) in schizophrenia.

Methods

We explored the relation between cognitive performance and regional GM volumes using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM), in order to discover if the association between gamma noise power (an electroencephalography measurement of background activity in the gamma band) and cognition is observed through structural deficits related to the disease. Noise power, magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive assessments were obtained in 17 drug‐free paranoid patients with schizophrenia and 13 healthy controls.

Results

In comparison with controls, patients showed GM deficits at posterior cingulate (bilateral),left inferior parietal (supramarginal gyrus) and left inferior dorsolateral prefrontal regions. Patients exhibited a direct association between performance in working memory and right temporal (superior and inferior gyri) GM densities. They also displayed a negative association between right anterior cerebellum volume and gamma noise power at the frontal midline (Fz) site.

Conclusion

A structural deficit in the cerebellum may be involved in gamma activity disorganization in schizophrenia. Temporal structural deficits may relate to cognitive dysfunction in this illness.