bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of placental transfer of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins, dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls in normal pregnancy
Authors: Tsukimori Kiyomi , Morokuma Seiichi , Hori Tsuguhide , Takahashi Koji , Hirata Teruaki , Otera Yuka , Fukushima Kotaro , Kawamoto Toshihiro , Wake Norio
Published: June 2012

Aim:  Prenatal exposure to dioxins may result in many adverse health effects. However, the mechanisms by which dioxins are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in dioxin concentrations between maternal blood, the placenta, and cord blood in normal pregnant women, and to identify which individual congeners of these compounds are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta.

Material and Methods:  Samples were collected from 19 pregnant Japanese women. Specific congeners of seven polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and four non‐ortho polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed.

Results:  The TEQ concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs, and non‐ortho PCBs were 8.03, 3.39, and 3.95 pg TEQ/g lipid, respectively, in the maternal blood; 8.78, 3.61, and 0.87 pg TEQ/g lipid in the placenta; and 4.33, 1.25, 1.08 pg TEQ/g lipid in the cord blood. Among specific congeners, 1,2,3,7,8‐PentaCDD and 2,3,4,7,8‐PentaCDF exhibited a placenta to maternal blood ratio greater than 1.0, while OctaCDD exhibited the greatest cord blood to placenta ratio. The cord blood to maternal blood ratio of total PCDDs was significantly higher than that of total PCDFs and total non‐ortho PCBs.

Conclusion:  The dioxin concentration in cord blood was approximately half of the amount in maternal blood, despite congeners showing a high toxic equivalency factor accumulating in the placenta. PCDDs were transferred more readily than PCDFs and non‐ortho PCBs from maternal blood to the fetus through the placenta.
Risk factors of cesarean delivery at prenatal care, admission and during labor in low‐risk pregnancy: Multivariate logistic regression analysis
Authors: Yang Yun Seok , Hur Myung Haeng , Kim Soo Young
Published: June 2012

Aim:  Risk assessment for cesarean delivery is not a one‐time assessment, but rather a procedure that continues throughout pregnancy and labor. The objective of this study was to develop models to determine risk factors of cesarean delivery in three stages in low‐risk pregnancy.

Material and Methods:  The period from pregnancy to childbirth was divided into three stages, including prenatal care, admission and labor. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to develop three risk assessment models according to these stages, which were compared by areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results:  We developed three predictive models with different risk factors. The ability of each model to determine the risk of cesarean delivery differed according to the three stages. The ROC curve values differed significantly between the labor (model III) and prenatal care (model I) or admission (model II) models (z = 11.43, P < 0.001; z = 8.18, P < 0.001, respectively). There was also a difference in the ROC between models I and II (z = 6.76, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  This study shows that the models constructed for the more advanced stages of pregnancy were the more accurate risk factors of cesarean delivery. Therefore, the risk assessment model for cesarean delivery should be differently adapted according to each stage.
Early semantic and phonological effects on temporal‐ and muscle‐specific motor resonance
Authors: Meister Ingo G. , Wu Allan D. , Deblieck Choi , Iacoboni Marco
Published: June 2012

Previous studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) explored the relationships between linguistic processing and motor resonance, i.e. the activation of the motor system while perceiving others performing an action. These studies have mainly investigated a specific linguistic domain, i.e. semantics, whereas phonology has been largely neglected. Here we used single‐pulse TMS to compare the effects of semantic and phonological processing with motor resonance effects. We applied TMS to the primary motor hand area while subjects observed object‐oriented actions and performed semantic and phonological tasks related to the observed action. Motor evoked potentials were recorded in two hand muscles, one of them more involved in the execution of the observed actions than the other one, at three different timepoints (0, 200 and 400 ms after stimulus onset). The results demonstrated increased corticospinal excitability that was muscle‐specific (i.e. restricted to the hand muscle involved in the observed action), hemisphere‐specific (left), and time‐specific (400 ms after stimulus onset). The results suggest an additive effect of independent semantic and phonological processing on motor resonance. The novel phonological effect reported here expands the links between language and the motor system and is consistent with a theory of shared control for hand and mouth. Furthermore, the timing of the semantic effect suggests that motor activation during semantic processing is not an ‘epiphenomenon’ but rather is essential to the construction of meaning.
The Utility of Positive Orientation in Predicting Job Performance and Organisational Citizenship Behaviors
Authors: Alessandri Guido , Vecchione Michele , Tisak John , Deiana Giuseppina , Caria Simona , Caprara Gian Vittorio
Published: June 2012

The contribution of positive orientation to organisational behavior has been assessed in three studies. Positive orientation has been conceptualised as a basic disposition to view life and experience from a positive outlook and operationalised as the common latent factor at the core of self‐esteem, life satisfaction, and optimism. In Study 1 (n= 203), positive orientation predicted in‐role job performance over the effects of its lower‐order components (self‐esteem, optimism, and life satisfaction), the Big Five, and positive affectivity. In Study 2 (n= 372), positive orientation predicted extra‐role performance (Organisational Citizenship Behaviors), beyond the effects due to its lower‐order components, the Big Five, and positive affectivity. In Study 3 (n= 311), a brief self‐reported measure of positive orientation predicted in‐role job performance above Core Self‐Evaluations and the conscientiousness trait. The contribution of positive orientation to a better understanding of organisational behavior is discussed.
Efficacy and safety of ‘true’ cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) as a pharmaceutical agent in diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ranasinghe P. , Jayawardana R. , Galappaththy P. , Constantine G. R. , de Vas Gunawardana N. , Katulanda P.
Published: June 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1480–1492 (2012)

Aims  Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies have frequently looked at dietary components beneficial in treatment and prevention. We aim to systematically evaluate the literature on the safety and efficacy of Cinnamomum zeylanicum on diabetes.

Methods  A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in the following databases; PubMed, Web of Science, Biological Abstracts, SciVerse Scopus, SciVerse ScienceDierect, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library. A meta‐analysis of studies examining the effect of C. zeylanicum extracts on clinical and biochemical parameters was conducted. Data were analysed using RevMan v5.1.2.

Results  The literature search identified 16 studies on C. zeylanicum (five in‐vitro, six in‐vivo and five in‐vivo/in‐vitro). However, there were no human studies. In‐vitro C. zeylanicum demonstrated a potential for reducing post‐prandial intestinal glucose absorption by inhibiting pancreatic α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase, stimulating cellular glucose uptake by membrane translocation of glucose transporter‐4, stimulating glucose metabolism and glycogen synthesis, inhibiting gluconeogenesis and stimulating insulin release and potentiating insulin receptor activity. The beneficial effects of C. zeylanicum in animals include attenuation of diabetes associated weight loss, reduction of fasting blood glucose, LDL and HbA1c, increasing HDL cholesterol and increasing circulating insulin levels. Cinnamomum zeylanicum also significantly improved metabolic derangements associated with insulin resistance. It also showed beneficial effects against diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy, with no significant toxic effects on liver and kidney and a significantly high therapeutic window.

Conclusion  Cinnamomum zeylanicum demonstrates numerous beneficial effects both in vitro and in vivo as a potential therapeutic agent for diabetes. However, further randomized clinical trials are required to establish therapeutic safety and efficacy.
Development of associations among central adiposity, adiponectin and insulin sensitivity from adolescence to young adulthood
Authors: Rasmussen‐Torvik L. J. , Pankow J. S. , Jacobs D. R. , Steinberger J. , Moran A. , Sinaiko A. R.
Published: June 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1153–1158 (2012)

Objective  To examine associations of central adiposity, serum adiponectin and clamp‐derived insulin sensitivity in a single longitudinal cohort from early adolescence to young adulthood.

Methods  The cohort was examined three times at mean ages 15 years (n = 308), 19 years (n = 218) and 22 years (n = 163). Insulin sensitivity was measured with the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Circulating adiponectin was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Computed tomography scans were used at mean age 22 to compute subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat volume. Partial Pearson correlations and linear regression were used to examine cross‐sectional associations at each examination.

Results  The moderate negative correlation between waist circumference and adiponectin was significant and essentially unchanged from mean age 15 (−0.32, P < 0.0001) to mean age 22 (−0.29, P < 0.002), whereas the negative correlation between waist circumference and insulin sensitivity and the positive correlation between adiponectin and insulin sensitivity increased steadily in magnitude to mean age 22 (−0.29, P = 0.0002; and 0.32, P < 0.0001, respectively). In regression models including both visceral and subcutaneous fat, only visceral fat was significantly associated with insulin sensitivity, while only subcutaneous fat was nearly significantly associated with adiponectin.

Conclusions  This study shows that the significant negative relationship between waist circumference and adiponectin predated the development of significant relationships between insulin sensitivity and both waist circumference and adiponectin. It also shows that adiponectin is more closely related to subcutaneous fat and insulin sensitivity is more closely related to visceral fat in young adults.
Comparing alcohol affordability in 65 cities worldwide
Authors: Kan Ming‐Yue , Lau Maggie
Published: June 2012

Introduction and Aims

To develop a measure of alcohol affordability (AA) and compare the AA of 65 cities worldwide.

Design and Methods

In this paper, AA is defined as the proportion of median daily income needed to buy a certain quantity of certain alcoholic beverages. The income data and the price of alcoholic beverages were drawn from the Union Bank of Switzerland survey and the Economist Intelligence Unit respectively.

Results

A large majority of cities (87.7%, n = 57) had a high level of AA. The top 20 ranking was occupied by European and American cities with Tokyo in the Western Pacific region being the exception. All cities belonging to high‐income countries had high levels of AA. However, two cities with low‐level AA came from low‐middle‐income countries instead of low‐income countries.

Discussion and Conclusions

The findings have shown that alcohol consumption is highly affordable in many cities. If price policy is being considered as policy instrument of alcohol control, it is in urgent need of price adjustments. More specifically, the new emerging economies play a significant role in the world alcohol control movement because of their bright economic performance with huge population size. Further studies on AA, especially periodical monitoring and its impacts on alcohol consumption and alcohol related health problems, should be conducted so as to facilitate the formulation and evaluation price measure of alcohol control.
Predictors of hospital nurses' intent to stay: a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in Shanghai, China
Authors: Wang L. , Tao H. , Ellenbecker C.H. , Liu X.H.
Published: June 2012

Wang L., Tao H., Ellenbecker C.H. & Liu X.H. (2012) Predictors of hospital nurses' intent to stay: a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in Shanghai, China. International Nursing Revie

Aim:  To investigate predictors of hospital nurses' intent to stay in the nursing profession.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey design was adopted. Over 1000 nurses working in hospitals in Shanghai, China, were invited to complete a survey questionnaire between May and October 2009 and 919 nurses responded for an 82% response rate.

Findings:  Regression models explained 41.3% of variance in nurse intent to stay. Although the proposed model hypothesized 18 predictors of intent to stay, only seven were statistically significant factors of nurse intent to stay: normative commitment, economic costs commitment, age, limited alternatives commitment, praise/recognition, professional advancement opportunities and the hospital classification. Of these, the strongest predictors were normative commitment, economic costs commitment and age, which explained 37.3% of variance in nurse intent to stay.

Conclusion:  Possible strategies to improve nurses' intent to stay include employment practices that improve the work environment, increased wages and benefits, and greater professional opportunity for nurses' personal growth development and promotion. Healthcare organizations should establish an asserting and nurturing environment for nurses and improve nurses' normative commitment and economic costs commitment. Increased effort should be made to improve nurses' conditions in primary and secondary hospitals where nurses report a lower level of intent to stay in nursing.

Study Limitations:  Participants came from a limited number of hospitals in Shanghai. A larger sample from different hospitals in Shanghai and other districts in Mainland China could have enhanced the generalizability of the results and increased the power of the study.
Finding His Kronstadt: Howard Fast, 1956 and American Communism
Authors: Deery Phillip
Published: June 2012

The scholarship on the impact on communists of Khrushchev's “secret speech” to the twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1956 is limited. Generally it is located within broader studies of organisational upheavals and ideological debates at the leadership level of communist parties. Rarely has there been analysis of the reverberations at the individual level. Consistent with James R. Barrett's pioneering approach, this paper seeks to incorporate the personal into the political, and inject a subjective dimension into the familiar top‐down narrative of American communism. It will do this by focusing on the motivations, reactions and consequences of the defection of one Party member, the writer Howard Fast. It will thereby illuminate the story of personal anguish experienced by thousands in the wake of Khrushchev's revelations about Stalin.
Leadership: Arthur Calwell and the Post‐War Immigration Program*
Authors: Tavan Gwenda
Published: June 2012

Arthur Calwell was the major architect of Australia's successful post‐war migration program that laid the demographic, economic and cultural foundations of contemporary society. In public memory, however, Calwell is now mostly associated with the White Australia policy, which aimed to preserve Australia as a white, British‐Australian society by severely restricting Asian immigration. This article assesses Calwell's leadership of the immigration program, his impact and his legacy. It identifies three distinct, often irreconcilable leadership characteristics, defined in terms of him as “innovative policy‐maker’, “political broker” and “agitator”. This focus on leadership challenges the one‐dimensional view of Calwell that exists in Australian political historiography. It is also intended to extend our engagement with leadership studies and illuminate the role leadership plays in political decision‐making, especially sensitive portfolios like immigration.
The Fraser Government's “Uranium Decision” and the Foundations of Australian Non‐Proliferation Policy: A Reappraisal*
Authors: Clarke Michael
Published: June 2012

The Fraser era represents a defining moment in Australia's approach to the issues of uranium exports and non‐proliferation policy. In contrast to some well‐established positions in the literature, this essay argues that the Fraser government's August 1977 decision to approve the export of uranium was framed not only by domestic political considerations stemming from the Ranger Environmental Inquiry but also by important international factors. In particular, I argue that the non‐proliferation initiatives of the Carter administration presented the Fraser government with an opportunity to portray the export of Australian uranium as means to strengthen the non‐proliferation regime and enhance Australia's influence.
Newspaper Reporting and Changing Perceptions of Ministerial Accountability in Australia
Authors: Dowding Keith , Lewis Chris
Published: June 2012

Throughout the developed world, there is a general perception that politicians are more corrupt than they used to be. In Australia these claims appear to be supported in recent decades by far more calls for ministers to resign. In this article we argue that the perception of declining quality in our federal government ministers is the result of much greater media attention, the rise of new controversial cross‐cutting issues and changing cultural attitudes rather than declining parliamentary and ministerial standards. We argue that the belief that politicians are more corrupt or less trustworthy than they used to be has arisen because they are now much more comprehensively reported upon; and we suggest that ministerial accountability might have been enhanced by more extensive media coverage.
Children’s Use of Analogy During Collaborative Reasoning
Authors: Lin Tzu‐Jung , Anderson Richard C. , Hummel John E. , Jadallah May , Miller Brian W. , Nguyen‐Jahiel Kim , Morris Joshua A. , Kuo Li‐Jen , Kim Il‐Hee , Wu Xiaoying , Dong Ting
Published: June 2012

This microgenetic study examined social influences on children’s development of analogical reasoning during peer‐led small‐group discussions of stories about controversial issues. A total of 277 analogies were identified among 7,215 child turns for speaking during 54 discussions from 18 discussion groups in 6 fourth‐grade classrooms (N= 120; ageM = 10.0,SD = 0.6). Use of analogy was found to spread among the children in discussion groups and occur at an accelerating rate, primarily because of the increasing use of novel analogies. Relational analogies with shared surface features triggered purely relational analogies during the next 2 speaking turns, showing a trend of relational shift. These results provide distinctive new evidence for the importance of social interaction in an aspect of cognitive development.
MANAGING PUBLIC CONSULTATION: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND EMPIRICAL FINDINGS FROM BELGIAN CASE STUDIES
Authors: VAN DAMME JAN , BRANS MARLEEN
Published: June 2012

This article addresses the question of how governments can set up and manage, in an increasingly complex policy environment, processes of public consultation that lead to good outcomes. Drawing upon insights of democratic theory and literature on network and interactive governance, the article discusses the organization and outcomes of public consultation processes. The analysis of four Belgian cases shows that the absence of open process rules does not prevent good outcomes. Second, the level of managerial autonomy is positively correlated with the intensity of process design and management. Third, cases with intensive process design and management have better overall results. These findings question some normative assumptions in the literature, positing the need for open process rules regarding entrance, scope of discussion, and interaction. Intensive process design and management with rules properly accommodating the policy situation is possibly a better means of achieving good results than rule openness. These findings challenge the need for legislation stipulating in detail who needs to be consulted, about what, and how.
A THEORY OF CULTURE‐SWITCHING: LEADERSHIP AND RED‐TAPE DURING HURRICANE KATRINA
Authors: MOYNIHAN DONALD P.
Published: June 2012

This article draws upon studies of organizational culture and sense‐making to develop a theory of culture‐switching. Culture‐switching occurs when organizational actors shift emphasis from one existing organizational cultural assumption to another to reshape organizational action. The concept is demonstrated in a case study of the Hurricane Katrina response by the US Department of Defense (DOD). A slow initial DOD response arose because of self‐imposed red‐tape designed to limit engagement in crisis response, reflecting a cultural assumption of the need to maintain autonomy. DOD leaders altered the nature of the response by committing to another widely‐shared cultural assumption: a ‘can‐do’ approach to achieving difficult goals regardless of obstacles. The case illustrates how different organizational cultural assumptions interact with red tape to foster either inertia or a proactive response.
CAN THE SAME KEY OPEN DIFFERENT LOCKS? ADMINISTRATIVE VALUES UNDERLYING PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT IN CHINA
Authors: CHAN HON S. , GAO JIE
Published: June 2012

Can one policy instrument be used to accomplish administrative values with different or even conflicting attributes? In his well‐known theoretical framework of three clusters of administrative values, Hood argues that management designs that prioritize certain values will be less capable of accomplishing other values. An incompatibility problem exists if one seeks to integrate different sets of values into the same management design. This article further develops Hood's framework by introducing a new set of values that are highly stressed in regimes with a unified politics–administration. Based on a case study of the Chinese performance measurement system, this article argues that different sets of values can be accomplished, though unevenly, by the same management design. Although incompatibility appears, its extent can be neutralized to a degree so that all sets of values are more or less accomplished, without some succeeding at the cost of others.
Contagious flexibility? A study on whether schedule flexibility facilitates work‐life enrichment
Authors: PEDERSEN VIVI BACH , JEPPESEN HANS JEPPE
Published: June 2012

Pedersen, V. B. & Jeppesen, H. J. (2012). Contagious flexibility? A study on whether schedule flexibility facilitates work‐life enrichment. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 347–359.

Schedule flexibility defines an important generating resource for work‐life enrichment; however, our knowledge about how such spillovers take place is limited. This multiple case study examines how workers from different working time contexts with varying levels of schedule flexibility experience work‐life interplay. Given the adopted explorative design, it is important to interpret the findings in a tentative light. Nonetheless, the study offers important insight into work‐life enrichment that may guide future research in this field. The findings indicate that schedule flexibility may act as a boundary‐spanning resource owing to the agency potential it offers workers. Thus, it seemed that flexible schedule opportunities enabled workers to engage more fully in personal life activities, which in turn had a positive influence on their work involvement through positive affect. Such positive role engagements appeared, however, to be greatly determined by workers’ boundary management and by time conditions of work and family. In conclusion, the major findings and limitation of the study are discussed against existing research and theory.
Interaction between endogenous and exogenous orienting in crossmodal attention
Authors: CHEN XIAOXI , CHEN QI , GAO DINGGUO , YUE ZHENZHU
Published: June 2012

Chen, X., Chen, Q., Gao, D. & Yue, Z. (2012). Interaction between endogenous and exogenous orienting in crossmodal attention. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 303–308.

Using a cue‐target paradigm, we investigated the interaction between endogenous and exogenous orienting in cross‐modal attention. A peripheral (exogenous) cue was presented after a central (endogenous) cue with a variable time interval. The endogenous and exogenous cues were presented in one sensory modality (auditory in Experiment 1 and visual in Experiment 2) whereas the target was presented in another modality. Both experiments showed a significant endogenous cuing effect (longer reaction times in the invalid condition than in the valid condition). However, exogenous cuing produced a facilitatory effect in both experiments in response to the target when endogenous cuing was valid, but it elicited a facilitatory effect in Experiment 1 and an inhibitory effect in Experiment 2 when endogenous cuing was invalid. These findings indicate that endogenous and exogenous cuing can co‐operate in orienting attention to the crossmodal target. Moreover, the interaction between endogenous and exogenous orienting of attention is modulated by the modality between the cue and the target.
Has The Accuracy of Macroeconomic Forecasts for Germany Improved?
Authors: Heilemann Ullrich , Stekler Herman O.
Published: June 2012

This study asks whether the accuracy of macroeconomic forecasts for Germany has improved over time. We examine one-year-ahead forecasts of rates of real GDP growth and inflation for the years 1967-2010, by three major German forecasters and the OECD. We find that overall error levels are high but not much different from those of the U.S. and U.K. In the 1980s and 1990s accuracy improved somewhat, but has now returned to its 1970s level, indicating that it reflects the variance of growth and inflation. Benchmark comparisons with these predictions with ex post forecasts of a macroeconometric model indicate that accuracy can be improved, but it will be difficult to achieve.
Effective Taxation of Top Incomes in Germany
Authors: Bach Stefan , Corneo Giacomo , Steiner Viktor
Published: June 2012

We exploit a dataset that includes the individual tax returns of all taxpayers in the top percentile of the income distribution in Germany to pin down the effective income taxation of households with very high incomes. Taking tax base erosion into account, we find that the top percentile of the income distribution pays an effective average tax rate of 30.5% and contributes more than a quarter of total income tax revenue. Within the top percentile, the effective average tax rate is first increasing, then decreasing, with income. Since the 1990s, effective average tax rates for the German super-rich have fallen by about a third, with major reductions occurring in the wake of the personal income tax reform of 2001-05. As a result, the concentration of net incomes at the very top of the distribution has strongly increased in Germany.
Crime, Deterrence, and Democracy
Authors: Dušek Libor
Published: June 2012

The article provides new evidence on the effects of a major shock to deterrence on crime. The collapse of communism in the Czech Republic in 1989 was followed by sharp reductions in the probability and severity of punishment and by sharp increases in crime rates. I investigate whether deterrence was a significant contributor to the post-1989 growth in crime on a panel dataset of Czech regions. The results show strong deterrence effects for robbery, theft and intentional injury, but not for murder and rape. About 25% of the increase in robberies and 50% of the growth in thefts is accounted for by weaker deterrence.
Increased stroke risk in Bell's palsy patients without steroid treatment
Authors: Lee C.‐C. , Su Y.‐C. , Chien S.‐H. , Ho H.‐C. , Hung S.‐K. , Lee M.‐S. , Chou P. , Chiu B. C.‐H. , Huang Y.‐S.
Published: June 2012

Background and purpose

To investigate the risk of stroke development following a diagnosis of Bell's palsy in a nationwide follow‐up study.

Methods and materials

Information on Bell's palsy and other factors relevant for stroke was obtained for 433 218 eligible subjects without previous stroke who had ambulatory visit in 2004. Of those, 897 patients with Bell's palsy were identified. Over a median 2.9 years of follow‐up, 4581 incident strokes were identified. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals [CI] with Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, co‐morbidities, and important risk factors. Standardized incidence ratio of stroke amongst patients with Bell's palsy was analyzed.

Results

Compared with non‐Bell's palsy patients, patients with Bell's palsy had a 2.02‐times (95% CI, 1.42–2.86) higher risk of stroke. The adjusted HR of developing stroke for patients with Bell's palsy treated with and without systemic steroid were 1.67 (95% CI, 0.69–4) and 2.10 (95%, 1.40–3.07), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with Bell's palsy carry a higher risk of stroke than the general population. Our data suggest that these patients might benefit from a more intensive stroke prevention therapy and regular follow‐up after initial diagnosis.
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with myasthenia gravis and improvement of fatigue after supplementation of vitamin D3: a pilot study
Authors: Askmark H. , Haggård L. , Nygren I. , Punga A. R.
Published: June 2012

Background

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Vitamin D has important roles both in the autoimmune response and in skeletal muscles. We determined the levels of 25‐hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] in patients with MG and in healthy subjects to determine whether vitamin D deficiency is present in MG and whether vitamin D supplementation has beneficial effects on fatigue.

Methods

Plasma levels of 25(OH)D were analyzed in 33 patients with MG (22 males; mean age, 58 years) and in 50 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched blood donors, without vitamin D3 medication. MG composite (MGC) score assessed fatigue. Thirteen patients with MG without previous vitamin D3 supplementation were started on vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) 800 IU/day, with a follow‐up examination after 2.5–10 months (mean, 6 months).

Results

Patients with MG without pre‐existing vitamin D3 supplementation (N = 16) had a mean MGC of 4.5 and lower plasma 25(OH)D levels (mean, 51 ± 19 nM) than healthy controls (69 ± 21 nM) (P = 0.017). Seventeen patients had pre‐existing vitamin D3 supplementation, because of corticosteroid treatment, and their mean 25(OH)D was 79 ± 22 nM and mean MGC was 5.5. In the 13 patients who received cholecalciferol, 25(OH)D was overall increased at follow‐up with 22% (P = 0.033) and MGC score improved by 38% (P = 0.05).

Conclusions

Plasma 25(OH)D levels are significantly lower in patients with MG compared with healthy controls. As vitamin D has beneficial effects on the autoimmune response and on fatigue score in patients with MG, we suggest monitoring this parameter in patients with MG and supplementation with vitamin D3 when 25(OH)D levels are low.
Soluble amyloid precursor protein α in the cerebrospinal fluid as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Miyajima M. , Nakajima M. , Ogino I. , Miyata H. , Motoi Y. , Arai H.
Published: June 2012

Background

Cognitive impairment is difficult to improve after shunt operation in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). This study aims to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers predictive of improvement in cognitive function.

Methods

This study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2010 on consecutive, unselected admissions to our program for the treatment of patients with clinically suspected iNPH. Lumbar CSF concentrations of total tau (Tau), tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p‐tau), soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP), sAPPα, sAPPβ, and β‐amyloid1‐42 (Aβ42) were analyzed by ELISA.

Results

Concentrations of p‐tau, sAPP, sAPPα, and sAPPβ were strong diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing between iNPH and Alzheimer's disease (AD). sAPPα exhibited the highest accuracy in differentiating iNPH from patients with AD and normal controls, with an area under the curve value of 0.994. We examined the prognostic value of p‐tau and sAPPα for cognition function after surgery. With a cutoff value of 198 ng/ml or less for sAPPα, sensitivity and specificity are 66.7% and 82.9%, respectively, whilst the Mini‐Mental State Examination score at 6 months after surgery is expected to be 25 or more.

Conclusion

Our results show that sAPPα is a suitable biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of iNPH.
Real‐time imaging of plasma membrane deformations reveals pre‐fusion membrane curvature changes and a role for dynamin in the regulation of fusion pore expansion
Authors: Anantharam Arun , Axelrod Daniel , Holz Ronald W.
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 661–671.

Assays for real‐time investigation of exocytosis typically measure what is released from the granule. From this, inferences are made about the dynamics of membrane remodeling as fusion progresses from start to finish. We have recently undertaken a different approach to investigate the fusion process, by focusing not primarily on the granule, but rather its partner in exocytosis – the plasma membrane. We have been guided by the idea that biochemical interactions between the granule and plasma membranes before and during fusion, cause changes in membrane conformation. To enable study of membrane conformation, a novel imaging technique was developed combining polarized excitation of an oriented membrane probe 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′,3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (diI) with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (pTIRFM). Because this technique measures changes in membrane conformation (or deformations) directly, its usefulness persists even after granule cargo reporter (catecholamine, or protein), is no longer present. In this mini‐review, we first summarize the workings of pTIRFM. We then discuss the application of the technique to investigate deformations in the membrane preceding fusion, and later, during fusion pore expansion. Finally, we discuss how expansion of the fusion pore may be regulated by the GTPase activity of dynamin.
Food incentives improve adherence to tuberculosis drug treatment among homeless patients in Russia
Authors: Gärden Bodil , Samarina Arina , Stavchanskaya Irina , Alsterlund Rolf , Övregaard Amanda , Taganova Olga , Shpakovskaya Ludmilla , Zjemkov Vladimir , Ridell Malin , Larsson Lars‐Olof
Published: June 2012

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 117–122

Food incentives improve adherence to tuberculosis drug treatment among homeless patients in Russia

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of food incentives on adherence to tuberculosis (TB) drug treatment among homeless patients with TB. Food packages were thus given as a part of directly observed therapy to 142 homeless patients with TB at a dispensary in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation. In addition, a social worker provided the patients with information and legal assistance, for example help with internal passports. Among the 142 patients, 66 were included in the study at the dispensary during their entire treatment period, while 76 patients were included in the study during shorter periods mainly because of transfer to inpatient care. In the first group, 59% of the patients continued the TB drug treatment without interruption in contrast to 31% in a control group. In the second group, that is those studied during shorter periods, 95% continued the TB drug treatment without interruption while attached to the dispensary. Food was introduced in the TB programme of the City of St. Petersburg as a consequence of this study. In conclusion, it can be stated that the food incentive had a strong positive impact on the adherence to TB drug treatment among these socially marginalized patients. The social support contributed in all probability also to the positive results.
Phylogenetic evidence for multiple and secondary introductions of invasive snails: Pomacea species in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Lv Shan , Zhang Yi , Liu He‐Xiang , Hu Ling , Liu Qin , Wei Fu‐Rong , Guo Yun‐Hai , Steinmann Peter , Hu Wei , Zhou Xiao‐Nong , Utzinger Jürg
Published: June 2012

Aim

To determine the genetic diversity of invasive snails (Pomacea spp.) that are implicated in crop damage, environmental degradation and human disease, and to determine their distribution pattern in a large part of eastern Asia.

Location

People's Republic of China (P.R. China).

Methods

We collected Pomacea snails in a national survey using a grid sampling approach. Overall, 544 snails from 54 sites were used for the present investigation. The mitochondrial cox1 gene was amplified and sequenced from all the snails. We determined and classified the haplotypes using network analyses and mapped them within P.R. China. Haplotypes from this study, together with sequences available from GenBank, were used to reveal the global distribution of Pomacea canaliculata and P. insularum.

Results

We obtained 521 cox1 sequences and identified 24 unique haplotypes. Six haplotypes were commonly found in P.R. China. Two species, P. canaliculata and P. insularum, and one cryptic group were observed. The distribution of the 24 haplotypes across P.R. China shows a mosaic pattern. Globally, only six of 112 haplotypes of P. canaliculata, P. insularum, P. dolioides, P. lineata and P. paludosa are shared between introduced and native snail populations. We found 16 haplotype clusters, five of which occur in mainland P.R. China. Three of the five clusters could be traced back to South America. The remaining two clusters were unique to P.R. China.

Main conclusions

Phylogenetic analyses indicate that P. canaliculata, P. insularum and two cryptic groups, discovered by the present and previous studies, coexist in the mainland of P.R. China. The mosaic distribution and the high diversity found in the collection sites suggests multiple and secondary introductions. The findings indicate the importance of preventing further intentional introductions and call for appraisal of the risk posed by these snails in vulnerable areas. Discrimination of the ecological impacts of the different species or genotypes will help to develop setting‐specific management strategies.
The Fewer the Merrier?: Assessing Stigma Surrounding Consensually Non‐monogamous Romantic Relationships
Authors: Conley Terri D. , Moors Amy C. , Matsick Jes L. , Ziegler Ali
Published: June 2012

In the context of recent debates about same‐sex marriage, consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships have recently begun making their way into media discussions. In the current research, we investigated whether stigma is attached to these nonnormative romantic relationships and, conversely, whether halo effects surround monogamous relationships. In Study 1 we analyzed open‐ended responses to the question “what are the benefits of monogamy?”. The most commonly mentioned benefits included the promotion of commitment and health (especially the prevention of sexually transmitted infections [STIs]). In Study 2, descriptions of CNM relationships were strongly stigmatized and a substantial halo effect surrounded monogamous relationships. Specifically, monogamous relationships were rated more positively than CNM relationships on every dimension (both relationship‐relevant and arbitrary relationship‐irrelevant factors) that we examined and across diverse social groups, including CNM individuals themselves. In Study 3, we conducted a person perception study in which participants provided their impressions of a monogamous or a CNM relationship. The monogamous couple was rated overwhelmingly more favorably than the CNM relationship. Finally, in Study 4, we replicated the findings with a set of traits that were generated with regard to relationships in general (rather than monogamous relationships, specifically) and with a broader set of arbitrary traits. Across all studies, the results consistently demonstrated stigma surrounding CNM and a halo effect surrounding monogamy. Implications for future research examining similarities and differences between monogamous and CNM relationships are discussed.
Terminology Matters: Patient Understanding of “Opioids” and “Narcotics”
Authors: Wallace Lorraine S. , Keenum Amy J. , AbdurRaqeeb Obaydah , Miser William F. , Wexler Randy K.
Published: June 2012

Background:  The terms “opioid” and “narcotic” are often used interchangeably by healthcare providers. The purpose of this study was to compare understanding “narcotics” vs. “opioids.”

Methods:  A convenience sample of English‐speaking women (n = 188), aged 21–45 years, seeking care at a primary care clinic were asked (1) “What is an opioid/narcotic?” (2) “Give an example of an opioid/narcotic?” (3) “Why does someone take an opioid/narcotic?” and (4) “What happens when someone takes an opioid/narcotic for a long time?” Responses were recorded verbatim by a research assistant and then coded independently by two investigators.

Results:  More than half of respondents (55.9%) responded “don’t know” to all 4 opioid questions, while just 3.2% responded “don’t know” to all 4 narcotic questions (P < 0.01). Most women were unfamiliar with the term opioid (76.3%) and did not know why someone would take an opioid (68.8%). About two‐thirds of respondents were able to give an example of a narcotic (64.2%) and knew the consequences of long‐term narcotic use (63.2%).

Conclusions:  While more women were more familiar with narcotic, many identified negative connotations with this term. Future research should explore how to improve patient understanding and attitudes regarding both the terms opioids and narcotics.
Testing Adverse Selection With Two‐Dimensional Information: Evidence From the Singapore Auto Insurance Market
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhang Wei , Valdez Emiliano A.
Published: June 2012

Abstract

This article examines adverse selection in insurance markets with two‐dimensional information: policyholders’ riskiness and degree of risk aversion. We build a theoretical model to make equilibrium predictions on competitive insurance screening. We study several variations on the pattern of information asymmetry. The outcomes range from full separation to partial separation, and complete pooling of risk types. Next, we propose a copula approach to jointly examine policyholders’ coverage choice and accident occurrence in the Singapore automobile insurance market. Furthermore, we invoke the theory to identify subgroups of policyholders for whom one may expect the risk–coverage correlation and adverse selection to arise.
Designing a Countercyclical Insurance Program for Systemic Risk
Authors: Boyle Phelim , Kim Joseph H. T.
Published: June 2012

Abstract

This article proposes a framework for measuring and managing systemic risk. Current solvency regulations have been criticized for their focus on individual firms rather than the system as a whole. We show how an insurance program can be designed to deal with systemic risk through a risk charge on participating institutions. The risk charge is based on the generalized co‐conditional tail expectation, a conditional risk measure adapted from conditional value‐at‐risk. Current regulations have been criticized on the grounds that their capital requirements are procyclical. They require extra capital in periods of extreme stress thus exacerbating a crisis. We show how to construct a countercyclical risk charge and illustrate the approach using a numerical example.
All by Myself: Personal Qualifications versus Party Affiliation in Colombian Mayoral Elections
Authors: Avellaneda Claudia N. , Escobar-Lemmon Maria C.
Published: June 2012

Political decentralization has been promoted as a way to devolve responsibility, bring government closer to citizens, and improve accountability. The shift prompted new local elections, but were the elected officials responsive to citizens or to national party elites? This study examines unique survey data from 125 Colombian mayors to identify the factors they believe were critical in their victories and thereby to identify the people to whom they believe they owe loyalty: citizens or party leaders. Examining the relative value mayors assign to their own actions versus those of the party, combined with information on how they financed campaigns, sheds important light on subnational electoral dynamics in Colombia.
Tunable Blue Emission from Ta5+ Doped Sulfophosphate Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Yang Yifan , Zeng Huidan , Ren Jing , Yuan Shuanglong , Fan Chaxing , Sun Luyi , Chen Guorong
Published: June 2012

In this article, Ta5+ ion doped P2O5–ZnO–ZnSO4–Na2O glasses were prepared. Luminescence properties of Ta5+ doped sulfophosphate glass‐ceramics were studied. A broad blue emission band of Ta5+ doped sulfaphosphate glass excited by 254 nm Ultraviolet (UV) light was observed at the range 350–600 nm. After thermal treatment, the luminescence intensity of Ta5+ doped glass‐ceramic was significantly enhanced by over 400%. More importantly, the luminescence intensity could be fine‐tuned by controlling the matrix crystallinity surrounding the Ta5+ cations, which was achieved via a facile heat treatment. Compared with the glass samples, the decay life of Ta5+ doped glass‐ceramics became shorter and two different decay times were calculated based on a second‐order exponential decay model. This indicates that Ta5+ cations properly exist around NaZnPO4 crystallite in the residual glass phase.