bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperphosphate-Induced Myocardial Hypertrophy through the GATA-4/NFAT-3 Signaling Pathway Is Attenuated by ERK Inhibitor Treatment
Authors: Liu Yao-Lung , Huang Chiu-Ching , Chang Chiz-Chung , Chou Che-Yi , Lin Shih-Yi , Wang I-Kuan , Hsieh Dennis Jine-Yuan , Jong Gwo-Ping , Huang Chih-Yang , Wang Chao-Min
Published: January 2015

Background/Aims: Numerous epidemiological studies have associated elevated serum phosphorus levels with cardiovascular disease and the risk of death in the general population as well as in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and dialysis patients. In this study, we explored whether elevated phosphate conditions induce cardiac hypertrophy and attempted to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms in the hypertrophic response. Methods: H9c2 myocardial cells were incubated in high-phosphate conditions to induce hypertrophy. Pathological hypertrophic responses were measured in terms of cell size, arrangement of actin filaments, and hypertrophy markers such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in myocardial cells. Several transcriptional factors involved in cardiac hypertrophy development were measured to investigate the molecular pathways involved in elevated phosphate-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Results: High-phosphate conditions induced cellular hypertrophy, marked by increased cell size, reorganization of actin filaments, and upregulation of both ANP and BNP in H9c2 cells. Both upstream calcineurin and downstream transcription factors, including GATA-4 and NFAT-3, were significantly increased under hyperphosphate conditions. Moreover, both MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 expression increased significantly, and cellular hypertrophy was markedly attenuated by U0126, an ERK1/2 inhibitor. Conclusions: These results suggest that hyperphosphate conditions induce myocardial hypertrophy through the ERK signaling pathway in H9c2 cells. Our findings provide a link between the hyperphosphate-induced response and the ERK/NFAT-3 signaling pathway that mediates the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In view of the potent and selective activity of the ERK inhibitor U0126, this agent warrants further investigation as a candidate for preventing hyperphosphate-induced cardiac hypertrophy in CKD and dialysis patients.
Association between Skin and Joint Involvement in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Treated with Adalimumab: Analysis of Data from a German Non-Interventional Study
Authors: Thaçi Diamant , Behrens Frank , Greger Gerd , Burkhardt Harald , Gnann Holger , Schopf Rudolf , Wittig Bianca Maria
Published: January 2015

Background: The association between skin and joint manifestations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) requires further characterization. Objective: We evaluated the association between severity of skin disease and joint involvement and the effectiveness and safety of adalimumab in PsA patients by baseline psoriasis severity. Methods: Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used to evaluate data from 1,918 PsA patients starting adalimumab treatment. Subgroup analyses were conducted on patients empirically grouped by baseline target lesion score as a marker of psoriasis severity. Results: Psoriasis severity was not associated with joint manifestations at baseline or after 12 months of treatment. All subgroups showed improvements in skin and joints during therapy, and adalimumab was safe and well tolerated in all subgroups. Conclusion: The severity of skin manifestations does not correlate with the severity of joint disease in PsA patients; even patients with mild skin disease may have extensive musculoskeletal involvement.
The Associations between 6-n-Propylthiouracil (PROP) Intensity and Taste Intensities Differ by TAS2R38 Haplotype
Authors: Fischer Mary E. , Cruickshanks Karen J. , Pankow James S. , Pankratz Nathan , Schubert Carla R. , Huang Guan-Hua , Klein Barbara E.K. , Klein Ronald , Pinto Alex
Published: January 2015

Background/Aims: The influence of TAS2R38 haplotype on the relationship between the perceived intensity of propylthiouracil (PROP) and the basic tastes of salt, sweet, sour, and bitter (quinine) was evaluated in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study. Methods: Genotyping was performed on 1,670 participants aged ≥45 years (mean age = 54.4; range = 45-84), and suprathreshold taste intensity was measured using filter paper disks and a general labeled magnitude scale (0-100). Results: Among those with taste intensity data and the PAV or AVI haplotype (n = 1,258), the mean perceived intensity of PROP was 37.3 (SD = 30.0), but it varied significantly (p < 0.0001) by diplotype (PAV/PAV = 60.1; PAV/AVI = 46.5; AVI/AVI = 14.4). PROP intensity was correlated with the basic taste intensities (salt: r = 0.22; sweet: r = 0.25; sour: r = 0.21; quinine bitterness: r = 0.38; p < 0.001 for all tastes); however, a significant effect modification of the PROP-taste intensity relationships by TAS2R38 diplotype was observed. There was a stronger association between PROP and each of the basic tastes in the PAV/PAV diplotype group than in the other groups. Conclusions: Directly measuring the perceived intensity of the 4 tastes, rather than using PROP intensity as an indicator of taste responsiveness, is recommended for studies of taste perception.
Evaluation of Carotid Atherosclerosis, Peripheral Arterial Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration without Coronary Artery Disease or Stroke
Authors: Taniguchi Hikari , Shiba Tomoaki , Maeno Takatoshi , Takahashi Mao
Published: January 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors for acute atherothrombotic events in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. Methods: Two hundred fifty-nine patents with exudative AMD were evaluated for carotid atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results: A mean intima-media thickness of ≥1.0 mm was found in 28.2% of patients; 8.9% of patients had severe carotid artery stenosis. The prevalence rates of severe atherosclerosis with a plaque score >10, peripheral arterial disease, and CKD were 16.6, 5.4, and 32%, respectively. Diabetes mellitus and AMD affecting eyes bilaterally were identified as risk factors for abnormal carotid artery thickening, and age and body mass index were identified as risk factors for CKD. Conclusion: The current study confirmed that potentially 30% of patients with exudative AMD without a history of coronary artery disease or stroke have a high risk of acute atherothrombotic events.
A Rod-Sparing Retinopathy in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
Authors: Chiu Cynthia S. , Mantopoulos Dimosthenis , Lessell Simmons , Cestari Dean M.
Published: January 2015

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is a continuum of disorders characterized by systemic and ocular findings. Retinal abnormalities typically present as diffuse photoreceptor degeneration. Here, we report a novel case that suggests a rod-sparing variant of Bardet-Biedl syndrome.
Transcription Factor Avian Erythroblastosis Virus E26 Oncogen Homolog-1 Is a Novel Mediator of Renal Injury in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Feng Wenguang , Chumley Phillip , Prieto Minolfa C. , Miyada Kayoko , Seth Dale M. , Fatima Huma , Hua Ping , Rezonzew Gabriel , Sanders Paul W. , Jaimes Edgar A.
Published: January 2015

Transcription factor E26 transformation-specific sequence-1 (ETS-1) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of a variety of genes, including growth factors, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. We recently demonstrated that angiotensin II increases the glomerular expression of ETS-1 and that blockade of ETS-1 ameliorates the profibrotic and proinflammatory effects of angiotensin II. The Dahl salt-sensitive rat is a paradigm of salt-sensitive hypertension associated with local activation of the renin–angiotensin system. In these studies, we determined whether: (1) salt-sensitive hypertension is associated with renal expression of ETS-1 and (2) ETS-1 participates in the development of end-organ injury in salt-sensitive hypertension. Dahl salt-sensitive rats were fed a normal-salt diet (0.5% NaCl diet) or a high-salt diet (4% NaCl) for 4 weeks. Separate groups on high-salt diet received an ETS-1 dominant-negative peptide (10 mg/kg/d), an inactive ETS-1 mutant peptide (10 mg/kg/d), the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan (10 mg/kg/d), or the combination high-salt diet/dominant-negative peptide/angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker for 4 weeks. High-salt diet rats had a significant increase in the glomerular expression of the phosphorylated ETS-1 that was prevented by angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker. ETS-1 blockade reduced proteinuria, glomerular injury score, fibronectin expression, urinary transforming growth factor-β excretion, and macrophage infiltration. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker reduced proteinuria, glomerular injury score, and macrophage infiltration, whereas concomitant ETS-1 blockade and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker had additive effects and reduced interstitial fibrosis. Our studies demonstrated that salt-sensitive hypertension results in increased glomerular expression of phosphorylated ETS-1 and suggested that ETS-1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of end-organ injury in salt-sensitive hypertension.
Insomnia With Physiological Hyperarousal Is Associated With Hypertension
Authors: Li Yun , Vgontzas Alexandros N. , Fernandez-Mendoza Julio , Bixler Edward O. , Sun Yuanfeng , Zhou Junying , Ren Rong , Li Tao , Tang Xiangdong
Published: January 2015

Previous studies have suggested that insomnia with objective short sleep duration is associated with a higher risk of hypertension, and it has been speculated that the underlying mechanism is physiological hyperarousal. In this study, we tested whether insomnia with physiological hyperarousal measured by Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), a standard test of sleepiness/alertness, is associated with increased risk of hypertension. Two hundred nineteen chronic insomniacs and 96 normal sleepers were included in this study. Chronic insomnia was defined based on standard diagnostic criteria with symptoms lasting ≥6 months. All subjects underwent 1 night in laboratory polysomnography followed by a standard MSLT. We used the median mean MSLT value (ie, >14 minutes) and the 75th percentile of mean MSLT value (ie, >17 minutes) to define hyperarousal. Hypertension was defined based either on blood pressure measures or on diagnosis treatment by a physician. After controlling for age, sex, body mass index, apnea–hypopnea index, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol, and caffeine use, insomnia combined with MSLT >14 minutes increased the odds of hypertension by 300% (odds ratio=3.27; 95% confidence interval=1.20–8.96), whereas insomnia combined with MSLT >17 minutes increased even further the odds of hypertension by 400% (odds ratio=4.33; 95% confidence interval=1.48–12.68) compared with normal sleepers with MSLT ≤14 minutes. Insomnia associated with physiological hyperarousal is associated with a significant risk of hypertension. Long MSLT values may be a reliable index of the physiological hyperarousal and biological severity of chronic insomnia.
Effect of Aldosterone-Producing Adenoma on Endothelial Function and Rho-Associated Kinase Activity in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism
Authors: Matsumoto Takeshi , Oki Kenji , Kajikawa Masato , Nakashima Ayumu , Maruhashi Tatsuya , Iwamoto Yumiko , Iwamoto Akimichi , Oda Nozomu , Hidaka Takayuki , Kihara Yasuki , Kohno Nobuoki , Chayama Kazuaki , Goto Chikara , Aibara Yoshiki , Noma Kensuke , Liao James K. , Higashi Yukihito
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate vascular function and activity of Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs) in patients with primary aldosteronism. Vascular function, including flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation, and ROCK activity in peripheral leukocytes were evaluated in 21 patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), 23 patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), and 40 age-, sex-, and blood pressure–matched patients with essential hypertension (EHT). FMD was significantly lower in the APA group than in the IHA and EHT groups (3.2±2.0% versus 4.6±2.3% and 4.4±2.2%;
P
<0.05, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in FMD between the IHA and EHT groups. There was no significant difference in nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation in the 3 groups. ROCK activity was higher in the APA group than in the IHA and EHT groups (1.29±0.57 versus 1.00±0.46 and 0.81±0.36l;
P
<0.05, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in ROCK activity between the IHA and EHT groups. FMD correlated with age (
r
=−0.31;
P
<0.01), plasma aldosterone concentration (
r
=−0.35;
P
<0.01), and aldosterone:renin ratio (
r
=−0.34;
P
<0.01). ROCK activity correlated with age (
r
=−0.24;
P
=0.04), plasma aldosterone concentration (
r
=0.33;
P
<0.01), and aldosterone:renin ratio (
r
=0.46;
P
<0.01). After adrenalectomy, FMD and ROCK activity were restored in patients with APA. APA was associated with both endothelial dysfunction and increased ROCK activity compared with those in IHA and EHT. APA may have a higher risk of future cardiovascular events.
Morphological and taxonomical review of the genus Nirmides Hering (Lepidoptera, Limacodidae) with description of eight new species
Authors: Solovyev Alexey V.
Published: January 2015

The genus Nirmides Hering, 1931 is revised. Nowadays it includes 17 species, known from Thailand, Vietnam and the Andamans to the Philippines. Eight species are described as new to science: N. siamasp. n. (Thailand), N. ihleisp. n. (Thailand), N. dianasp. n. (Andaman Islands), N. samaressp. n. (Philippines, Samar), N. lourensisp. n. (Philippines, Luzon), N. similissp. n. (Philippines, Mindanao), N. kanlaonensissp. n. (Philippines, Negros), and N. hollowayisp. n. (Borneo). Lectotypes are designated for Susica basalis Walker, 1862 and Nirmides basalis f. fusca Hering, 1931. The taxon Nirma micron van Eecke, 1929 is removed from synonymy with Nirmides basalis (Walker, 1862) and restored to a separate species. A new synonymy is proposed: Nirmides micron (van Eecke, 1929) = Nirmides manwahi Holloway, 1990, syn. n. The homology of the sclerites of the male genitalia is discussed; the musculature of the male genitalia is examined. A key to species is given.
Mexiare gen. nov., a new Doryctinae genus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Mexico with fused first and second metasomal tergites
Authors: BELOKOBYLSKIJ SERGEY A. , SAMACA-SÁENZ ERNESTO , ZALDÍVAR-RIVERÓN ALEJANDRO
Published: January 2015

A new braconid genus from the subfamily Doryctinae, Mexiare gen. nov. (type species M. toledoi sp. nov.) is described from the state of Morelos in Central Mexico. The described species of this genus is characterised by having immovably fused first and second metasomal tergites, a feature also present in species of two Oriental (Arhaconotus Belokobylskij and Mimipodoryctes Belokobylskij) and one Neotropical (Iare Barbalho et Penteado-Dias) genera. The new genus, however, can be distinguished from the Neotropical Iare by the presence of a semi-oval basal area on the second metasomal tergite, distinctly short submedial (subbasal) cell of hind wing, more than three hamuli, considerably short second radiomedial (submarginal) cell, narrow radial (marginal) cell of fore wing and mostly smooth mesoscutum. A phylogenetic analysis among doryctine genera based on two gene markers (28S and COI) placed Mexiare gen. nov. within a previously recovered major South American clade, though its relationships with other taxa remain unclear.
A review of the species of Oreichthys (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in the Western Ghats, India
Authors: KNIGHT J. D. MARCUS , KUMAR RAHUL G.
Published: January 2015

Fishes currently assigned to Oreichthys cosuatis from the Western Ghats are shown to belong to a closely-related group of three valid species: Puntius coorgensis, which is raised from synonymy, and two new species, O. duospilus and O. incognito. Oreichthys coorgensis can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters that include 22–23+1–2 scales in the longitudinal series with 5–8 pored scales; ½3/1/2½ scales in the transverse row; 6–7 predorsal scales and usually a faint blackish spot on the caudal-fin base. Oreichthys duospilus,  sp. nov., can be distinguished by possessing an almost complete lateral line with 11–21 pored scales and two black spots: one on the dorsal fin and the other on the anal fin. Oreichthys incognito,  sp. nov., can be distinguished by a lateral line with 5 pored scales; ½3/1/1½ scales in the transverse row; 8 predorsal scales and a vertical black bar on the dorsal fin.
A new genus in the family Ptiloneuridae (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Psocomorpha: Epipsocetae) from Brazil
Authors: DA SILVA NETO ALBERTO MOREIRA , ALDRETE ALFONSO N. GARCÍA
Published: January 2015

A new ptiloneurid genus from Brazil, Brasineura n. gen., is described and illustrated. It includes two species, both known only from males, one from the Chapada Diamantina (State of Bahia), and one troglophilic species from the State of Pará. It differs from all other known ptiloneurid genera, in which the males are known, by the unique structure of the phallosome, and by having a uniquely shaped hypandrium of a single sclerite. An updated identification key to the genera of Ptiloneuridae is presented and the synonymy between Brisacia and Loneura is proposed.
The first eyeless species of Tomocerus from China (Collembola, Tomoceridae) with notes on genera Tomocerus and Pogonognathellus
Authors: YU DAOYUAN , DEHARVENG LOUIS
Published: January 2015

A new cave tomocerid from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, South China is described. Tomocerus caecus sp. nov. is characterized by the absence of ocelli, the absence of posterior macrochaetae on head and the reduced number of teeth on unguis and mucro. The generic position of the new species is discussed. Tomocerus caecus sp. nov. is similar to the East Asian species Tomocerus kinoshitai Yosii, 1954 and Tomocerus similis Chen & Ma, 1997 mainly in the shape of dental spines and the small number of teeth on unguis and mucro, but different from the latters in the absence of ocelli and pigment. The differences between the genera Tomocerus Nicolet, 1842 and Pogonognathellus (Börner, 1908) are discussed with a special focus on the work of Massoud & Ellis (1974) that was long ignored by collembologists.
Mohacolora gen. n., a new genus of Ennominae (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) from South-East Asia, with description of a new species
Authors: STÜNING DIETER , LÁSZLÓ GYULA M.
Published: January 2015

The present paper contains the description of the new ennomine genus Mohacolora (Geometridae, Ennominae) and its type species M. bezverkhovi sp. n. (Vietnam, Myanmar, Bhutan and Nepal). A detailed description of the external morphological and genital characters of Mohacolora is given and the new genus is compared to the related genera Doratoptera Hampson and Descoreba Butler. Six colour photos of adult moths and 5 genitalia figures are provided.
Microphysical Constraints on Millimeter-Wavelength Scattering Properties of Snow Particles
Authors: Wood Norman B. , L’Ecuyer Tristan S. , Heymsfield Andrew J. , Stephens Graeme L.
Published: January 2015

A Bayesian optimal estimation retrieval is used to determine probability density functions of snow microphysical parameters from ground-based observations taken during four snowfall events in southern Ontario, Canada. The retrieved variables include the parameters of power laws describing particle mass and horizontally projected area. The results reveal nontrivial correlations between mass and area parameters that were not apparent in prior studies. The observations provide information mainly about the mass coefficient , somewhat less information about the mass exponent and the projected area coefficient , and minimal information about the projected area exponent . The expected values for retrieved mass power-law parameters = 0.003 28 and = 2.25 are consistent with those from several prior studies that looked at the mass of aggregate-like particles and precipitating ice aloft as functions of maximum particle dimension. Differences from other studies appear related to differences in the dimensions used to define particle size. The retrieval allows the analysis of relatively large volumes of continuous observations, greatly enhancing sampling relative to single-particle analyses. The retrieved properties are used to constrain 94-GHz (W band) radar scattering properties for a variety of snow particle shapes. Synthetic reflectivities calculated using these scattering properties and observed particle size distributions show that a branched, spatial aggregate-like particle produces good agreement with coincident observed W-band reflectivities. Uncertainties in the synthetic reflectivities, estimated by applying a simple error-propagation model, are substantial and are dominated by the uncertainties in and .
Ice Crystal Habits and Growth Processes in Stratiform Clouds with Embedded Convection Examined through Aircraft Observation in Northern China
Authors: Zhu Shichao , Guo Xueliang , Lu Guangxian , Guo Lijun
Published: January 2015

Ice crystal habits and growth processes in two cases of stratiform clouds with embedded convection are investigated using data observed simultaneously from three aircraft on 18 April 2009 and 1 May 2009 as part of the Beijing Cloud Experiment (BCE). The results show that the majority of ice crystal habits found in the two cases at temperatures between 0° and −16°C included platelike, needle column, capped column, dendrite, and irregular. A mixture of several ice crystal habits was identified in all of the clouds studied. However, the ice crystals recorded in the embedded convection regions contained more dendrites and possessed heavier riming degrees, and the ice crystals identified in the stratiform clouds contained more hexagonal plate crystals. Both riming and aggregation processes played central roles in the broadening of particle size distributions (PSDs), and these processes were more active in embedded convection regions than in stratiform regions. However, riming was more prevalent in the 18 April case than aggregation, though aggregates were evident. In contrast, the 1 May case had a more dominant aggregation processes, but also riming. With the decrease in height, PSDs broadened in both embedded convection regions and stratiform regions, but the broadening rates between 4.8 km (T ≈ −11.6°C) and 4.2 km (T ≈ −8°C) were larger than those between 4.2 km (T ≈ −8°C) and 3.6 km (T ≈ −5°C). In addition, the broadening rates of PSDs in the embedded convection regions were larger than those in the stratiform clouds, as the aggregation and riming processes of ice particles in embedded convection regions were active. High supercooled water content is critical to enhancing riming and aggregation processes in embedded convection regions.
How Robust Are Trends in the Brewer–Dobson Circulation Derived from Observed Stratospheric Temperatures?
Authors: Ossó Albert , Sola Yolanda , Rosenlof Karen , Hassler Birgit , Bech Joan , Lorente Jerónimo
Published: January 2015

Most global circulation models and climate–chemistry models forced with increasing greenhouse gases predict a strengthening of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) in the twenty-first century, and some of them claim that such strengthening has already begun at the end of the twentieth century. However, observational evidence for such a trend remains inconclusive. The goal of this paper is to examine the evidence for observed trends in the stratospheric overturning circulation using a suite of currently available observational stratospheric temperature data. Trends are examined as “departures” from the global mean temperature, since such trends reflect the effects of dynamics and spatially inhomogeneous radiative forcing and are to first order independent of the direct radiative effects of increasing well-mixed greenhouse gas concentrations.

The primary conclusion of the study is that temperature observations do not reveal statistically significant trends in the Brewer–Dobson circulation over the period from 1979 to the present, as covered by Microwave Sounding Unit and Stratospheric Sounding Unit temperatures. The estimated trends in the BDC are weak in all datasets and not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. In many cases, different data products yield very different results, particularly when the trends are stratified by season. Implications for the interpretation of recent stratospheric climate change are discussed. The results illustrate the essential need to better constrain the accuracy of future stratospheric temperature datasets.
The prioritisation of provinces for public grants allocation by a decision-making methodology based on type-2 fuzzy sets
Authors: Kiliç Mesut , Kaya İhsan
Published: January 2015

Regional development agencies (RDA) are the units established for accelerating regional development and increasing local capacity. They aim at activating the regional dynamics and to reduce the intra-regional and inter-regional development gap. In a region, each province may have a different development level. This would pose a problem for socio-economic development. In order to reduce the disparities among the provinces, financial support mechanisms of development agencies would be a beneficial influence only if supports are used with to correct strategies. In order to play a vital role to reduce intra-regional disparities, it is necessary to consider many criteria to categorise settlements in terms of socio-economic development. Some of these criteria are generally subjective and extremely difficult to express in numbers. However, fuzzy sets are a great help to decision makers in a prioritisation of provinces for public grants allocation process with linguistic variables and measurement challenges. In this study, a new city-ranking model has been proposed for development agencies operating in Turkey. To address ambiguities and relativities in real-world scenarios more conveniently, type-2 fuzzy sets and crisp sets have been simultaneously used in multicriteria decision making (MCDM) process of grants allocation. To illustrate the proposed model better, an application with real case data has been performed in the Middle Black Sea Development Agency in Turkey.
Use and misuse of glucocorticoids in the community of Raxaul Block, North Bihar
Authors: Masih Shelesh , Cynthia Stephen Sharon , Joy Armstrong Lois , Finny Philip
Published: January 2015

Background

Glucocorticoid misuse is widely recognised but inadequately addressed issue in India. This study reports the use and misuse of glucocorticoids in Raxaul Block, North Bihar, India.

Methods

A two-stage sampling method was used to interview 240 households during April and May 2013. In each household, anyone who had been sick in the last 6 months had their medication use recorded.

Results

In total, 113 out of 334 (33·8%) were found to have taken a glucocorticoid in the last 6 months (95% CI: 28.7–38.9%). One hundred (88.4%) of these were considered to be inappropriate. Seventy-nine percent had been using glucocorticoids for more than 1 month; 60.2% were prescribed by local, unlicensed practitioners.

Conclusions

Glucocorticoid misuse will contribute to the burden of hypertension, diabetes, osteoporotic fracture, tuberculosis, cataracts and deaths due to hypoadrenal crisis. One in 15 people in Raxaul Block are likely to have a suppressed hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Overattribution of Liking in Computer-Mediated Communication
Authors: Walther Joseph B. , Kashian Nicole , Jang Jeong-woo , Shin Soo Yun
Published: January 2015

Previous research found that computer-mediated communication (CMC) users affectively compensate for partners when they believe their partners’ negative demeanor to be malleable, but unlike in other media, they discount their own influence on their partner. This research examined attributions that chat users make when they influence their partners but do not recognize their own causal influence. Dyads conducted either online text-based conversations or audio interactions. Each male dyad member was told that his female partner (who was actually naïve) was in a bad mood or had an unpleasant personality. Although they had rated their ability to influence others’ demeanors as lesser when using CMC compared with those who anticipated telephone (audio), males acted more pleasantly when expecting a bad mood, and rated the partner as behaving more pleasantly, in CMC. In CMC, males filled the attributional gap by inferring that partners’ behavior reflected partners’ liking toward them. These findings extend the hyperpersonal model of CMC to explain how illusions about partners’ affection may come to influence the sociability of online interaction and vice versa.
Longitudinal Associations of Language Brokering and Parent-Adolescent Closeness in Immigrant Latino Families
Authors: Tilghman-Osborne Emile M. , Bámaca-Colbert Mayra , Witherspoon Dawn , Wadsworth Martha E. , Hecht Michael L.
Published: January 2015

Language brokering is a common practice for Latino youth with immigrant parents. Yet little is known about how youth’s feelings about this responsibility contribute to the parent-adolescent relationship. In this study, we examined the longitudinal associations between language brokering attitudes and parent-adolescent closeness in a sample of Latino early adolescents ( n = 813, Maget1 = 12.32, SDt1 = .59), while taking into account language brokering frequency and the possible moderating role of sex. Results suggested that sex of the adolescent was a moderator. Specifically, younger males who felt closer to their parents had more positive attitudes toward language brokering, which dissipated as they aged. Furthermore, language brokering frequency had a delayed positive contribution to language brokering attitudes and parent-adolescent closeness, which was stronger for males than females. Results are discussed in terms of how age and gender cultural norms contribute to the relation between language brokering and parent-adolescent closeness.
Pre-existing Lumbar Spine Diagnosis as a Predictor of Outcomes in National Football League Athletes
Authors: Schroeder Gregory D. , Lynch T. Sean , Gibbs Daniel B. , Chow Ian , LaBelle Mark , Patel Alpesh A. , Savage Jason W. , Hsu Wellington K. , Nuber Gordon W.
Published: January 2015

Background:

It is currently unknown how pre-existing lumbar spine conditions may affect the medical evaluation, draft status, and subsequent career performance of National Football League (NFL) players.

Purpose:

To determine if a pre-existing lumbar diagnosis affects a player’s draft status or his performance and longevity in the NFL.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level 3.

Methods:

The investigators evaluated the written medical evaluations and imaging reports of prospective NFL players from a single franchise during the NFL Scouting Combine from 2003 to 2011. Players with a reported lumbar spine diagnosis and with appropriate imaging were included in this study. Athletes were then matched to control draftees without a lumbar spine diagnosis by age, position, year, and round drafted. Career statistics and performance scores were calculated.

Results:

Of a total of 2965 athletes evaluated, 414 were identified as having a pre-existing lumbar spine diagnosis. Players without a lumbar spine diagnosis were more likely to be drafted than were those with a diagnosis (80.2% vs 61.1%, respectively, P < .001). Drafted athletes with pre-existing lumbar spine injuries had a decrease in the number of years played compared with the matched control group (4.0 vs 4.3 years, respectively, P = .001), games played (46.5 vs 50.8, respectively, P = .0001), and games started (28.1 vs 30.6, respectively, P = .02) but not performance score (1.4 vs 1.8, respectively, P = .13). Compared with controls, players were less likely to be drafted if they had been diagnosed with spondylosis (62.37% vs 78.55%), a lumbar herniated disc (60.27% vs 78.43%), or spondylolysis with or without spondylolisthesis (64.44% vs 78.15%) ( P < .001 for all), but there was no appreciable effect on career performance; however, the diagnosis of spondylolysis was associated with a decrease in career longevity ( P < .05). Notably, 2 athletes who had undergone posterior lateral lumbar fusion were drafted. One played in 125 games, and the other is still active and has played in 108 games.

Conclusion:

The data in this study suggest that athletes with pre-existing lumbar spine conditions were less likely to be drafted and that the diagnosis is associated with a decrease in career longevity but not performance. Players with lumbar fusion have achieved successful careers in the NFL.
An Institutional/Organizational Turn
Authors: Moen Phyllis
Published: January 2015

This review essay examines three recent books contributing toward a broader reframing of approaches to and scholarship on the work–family–gender interface. They are part of an institutional/organizational turn, focusing explicitly on public and organizational policies and practices that constrain or facilitate both gender equality and work–life quality. This moves beyond microlevel studies of individuals and families to link and situate gender inequality, stress, and work–family conundrums in outdated state and organizational policy regimes, norms, and expectations that can be challenged and changed.
Bayesian regression models for the estimation of net cost of disease using aggregate data
Authors: Mitsakakis Nicholas , Tomlinson George
Published: January 2015

Estimation of net costs attributed to a disease or other health condition is very important for health economists and policy makers. Skewness and heteroscedasticity are well-known characteristics for cost data, making linear models generally inappropriate and dictating the use of other types of models, such as gamma regression. Additional hurdles emerge when individual level data are not available. In this paper, we consider the latter case were data are only available at the aggregate level, containing means and standard deviations for different strata defined by a number of demographic and clinical factors. We summarize a number of methods that can be used for this estimation, and we propose a Bayesian approach that utilizes the sample stratum specific standard deviations as stochastic. We investigate the performance of two linear mixed models, comparing them with two proposed gamma regression mixed models, to analyze simulated data generated by gamma and log-normal distributions. Our proposed Bayesian approach seems to have significant advantages for net cost estimation when only aggregate data are available. The implemented gamma models do not seem to offer the expected benefits over the linear models; however, further investigation and refinement is needed.
Parenting Interventions for Indigenous Child Psychosocial Functioning: A Scoping Review
Authors: Macvean Michelle , Shlonsky Aron , Mildon Robyn , Devine Ben
Published: January 2015

Objectives:

To scope evaluations of Indigenous parenting programs designed to improve child psychosocial outcomes.

Methods:

Electronic databases, gray literature, Indigenous websites and journals, and reference lists were searched. The search was restricted to high-income countries with a history of colonialism.

Results:

Sixteen studies describing evaluations of 13 programs were found. Most were controlled studies from United States and Australia, targeting child social, emotional, behavioral and mental health outcomes, and these were delivered to groups of parents. Program content focused most often on child development and learning, child behavior management, and parent–child interactions. Some studies reported improvements in child and parent outcomes, though the majority used self-report measures and some were noncontrolled studies.

Conclusions:

This scoping review provides the first known map of evaluations of programs targeting parents of Indigenous children. There were few rigorous evaluations of effectiveness. A rigorous systematic review is needed to evaluate the strength and extent of these findings.
The Art of Coming Out
Authors: Billings Andrew C. , Moscowitz Leigh M. , Rae Coral , Brown-Devlin Natalie
Published: January 2015

On April 29, 2013, Jason Collins became the first male to come out as gay as an active member in a professional team sport. This study examines two prongs of the media response to the Collins announcement, analyzing 364 newspaper articles and 7,556 tweets covering the first week of coverage of Collins’ decision to make his sexual orientation public. Results showed an overwhelmingly positive yet bifurcated response between the two media platforms. Comparisons between media platforms and ramifications for theory and the increasingly public role of sexual orientation are offered.
Exploring the interactive space of the ‘outsider within’: Practising feminist situated knowledge in studying transnational adoption
Authors: Zhao Yan
Published: January 2015

Central to scholarly discussions within the field of feminist epistemology is the question of a researcher’s positionality and the subsequent impact on knowledge production. In particular, Donna Haraway’s elaboration of ‘situated knowledge’ has been highly influential. As an epistemological principle, this concept emphasizes the researcher’s embodied location within the research context. Yet the question remains, how does one apply this principle within the concrete practices of knowledge production? In a research project based on Norwegian transnational adoptees’ identity work, the author, being an immigrant, was situated as an ‘outsider within’. How does this positionality influence knowledge production? The concept of ‘outsider within’ comes from standpoint epistemology and has been taken up within black feminist thought to authorize knowledge about dominant society produced from a position of marginality. However as a concrete situatedness, can an ‘outsider within’ position also be used to think about the production of situated knowledge? This article offers an exploration of these questions. The author argues that one way to put feminist situated knowledge to use within an empirical study is through the conceptualization of ‘outsider within’ as a situated interactive space instead of a fixed standpoint.
Friction fade-out at polymer-like carbon films slid by ZrO2 pins under hydrogen environment
Authors: Nosaka Masataka , Mifune Akira , Kawaguchi Masahiro , Shiiba Takashi , Kato Takahisa
Published: January 2015

Friction tests using ceramic pins against fully hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (polymer-like carbon, PLC) film under H2/He mixed gas or pure H2 gas environment were conducted. The test results of ZrO2 (YSZ: yttria-stabilized zirconia) pin slid against PLC film with an applied load of 4.9 N showed that the friction coefficient dropped to the tribometer noise level (friction fade-out, FFO) as low as 0.0002. In another experiment with the same materials and with an applied load of 30.4 N, the friction coefficient dropped to 0.0001–0.0005, which continued more than 4 h. Optical microscope and scanning electron microscopic observations, nano-indentation, surface profiler, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry measurements were conducted and the mechanism for inviting FFO is investigated. It is found by an optical microscopic observation that the transfer film has small blisters, indicating some gaseous substance is generated at the ZrO2 surface. It is discussed based on the measurements that ZrO2 catalysis plays very important roles for gaseous substances generation and for H-passivation on both PLC and transfer film surfaces, which are closely relating to FFO through gas-lubrication effect, and through reducing adhesive force, respectively.
Travel arrangement as a moderator in image–satisfaction–behavior relations
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Li Jun Justin , Yang Yan
Published: January 2015

With more and more destinations relying on repeat travelers, the inclination of tourists to revisit some destinations has become a significant topic of study. Therefore, the reasons for travelers’ revisits have been addressed in many research studies. These studies have determined several factors of the revisit inclination, such as satisfaction, destination image, and perceived quality. However, in most of the previous studies about the relationships among the destination image and tourists’ satisfaction, as well as their behavioral intentions to the destination, the moderating variables were not considered. Consequently, we analyzed the moderator effects of certain characteristics of different travel arrangements on the theoretical relationship among the destination image, tourists’ satisfaction, and their behavioral intentions to the destination. This article first identifies the similarities and differences among these two types of Chinese outbound travelers in terms of their demographic and trip characteristics. It then confirms that these two types of travelers differ in terms of the relationships among perceived destination images, satisfaction level, and future behavioral intentions using an invariance test of structural model. According to the multiple group cause-and-effect analysis, the results show that travel arrangement can largely affect either the relations between destination image and tourists’ satisfaction or their behavioral intentions. Moreover, the relationship between either destination image and tourists’ satisfaction or their behavioral intentions is generally stronger for independent visitors. Finally, the influences are discussed from both theoretical and practical perspective.
Social work in acute hospital settings in Northern Ireland: The views of service users, carers and multi-disciplinary professionals
Authors: McLaughlin John
Published: January 2015

Little is known about social work in acute hospital settings in Northern Ireland and the impact of the community care reforms on the hospital discharge process. This article presents findings of a small-scale exploratory study of the hospital social work service in two acute hospitals in Northern Ireland. The views of service users, carers, health and social care professionals and hospital and community based social workers were sought on the value, strengths and limitations of the service in one of the local board areas using focus groups, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews.

Findings

The results indicate that hospital social workers are highly valued by service users for their responsiveness, emotional support and practical help during the process of hospitalisation. While empowering practice was reported by some carers, discharge pressures had the potential to undermine person-centred practice in the care management process. Healthcare professionals valued hospital social workers for their assessment skills and commitment to patient care while community based colleagues perceived them as being particularly skilled in inter-disciplinary and inter-agency collaboration. Hospital social workers reported that their role had become increasingly proceduralised within a target culture, leaving less time to address the emotional needs of users and carers.

Applications

Policy, practice and research implications of the study are discussed. It is argued that hospital social workers locally and nationally could benefit from forming strategic alliances, in partnership with service users and carers, to explore ways to collectively resist neoliberal policy developments at the health and social care interface.
Probing SGLT2 as a therapeutic target for diabetes: Basic physiology and consequences
Authors: Gallo Linda A , Wright Ernest M , Vallon Volker
Published: January 2015

Traditional treatments for type 1 and type 2 diabetes are often associated with side effects, including weight gain and hypoglycaemia that may offset the benefits of blood glucose lowering. The kidneys filter and reabsorb large amounts of glucose, and urine is almost free of glucose in normoglycaemia. The sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT)-2 in the early proximal tubule reabsorbs the majority of filtered glucose. Remaining glucose is reabsorbed by SGLT1 in the late proximal tubule. Diabetes enhances renal glucose reabsorption by increasing the tubular glucose load and the expression of SGLT2 (as shown in mice), which maintains hyperglycaemia. Inhibitors of SGLT2 enhance urinary glucose excretion and thereby lower blood glucose levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The load-dependent increase in SGLT1-mediated glucose reabsorption explains why SGLT2 inhibitors in normoglycaemic conditions enhance urinary glucose excretion to only ~50% of the filtered glucose. The role of SGLT1 in both renal and intestinal glucose reabsorption provides a rationale for the development of dual SGLT1/2 inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood glucose levels independent of insulin and induce pleiotropic actions that may be relevant in the context of lowering cardiovascular risk. Ongoing long-term clinical studies will determine whether SGLT2 inhibitors have a safety profile and exert cardiovascular benefits that are superior to traditional agents.
Early outcomes and perioperative risk assessment in elective open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair: An analysis of national data over a five-year period
Authors: Dayama Anand , Sugano Dordaneh , Reeves James G , Rivera Aksim , Tsilimparis Nikolaos
Published: January 2015

Open surgical repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We sought to analyse multicentre national data on early outcomes of open surgical thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Patients who underwent open repair of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm from 2005 to 2010 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The primary endpoint was mortality at 30 days. Patient demographics, clinical variables, and intraoperative parameters were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods to identify risk factors for mortality. Of the 682 elective repairs, 30-day outcomes of elective repairs were: 10.0% mortality, 21.6% surgical complications, 42.2% pulmonary complications, 17.2% renal complications, 12.9% cardiovascular complications, 19.2% septic complications, and 6.6% wound complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, ASA-class IV, dependent functional status prior to surgery, and operation time are independent risk factors for mortality. Our study found a higher rate of mortality nationwide, as compared to several previous single center studies.
Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Schwartz Aaron , Watson Jonathan N. , Hutchinson Mark R.
Published: January 2015

Context:

Patellar tendinopathy is a common condition. There are a wide variety of treatment options available, the majority of which are nonoperative. No consensus exists on the optimal method of treatment.

Evidence Acquisition:

PubMed spanning 1962-2014.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Results:

The majority of cases resolve with nonoperative therapy: rest, physical therapy with eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatories, corticosteroid injections, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, glyceryl trinitrate, platelet-rich plasma injections, and ultrasound-guided sclerosis. Refractory cases may require either open or arthroscopic debridement of the patellar tendon. Corticosteroid injections provide short-term pain relief but increase risk of tendon rupture. Anti-inflammatories and injectable agents have shown mixed results. Surgical treatment is effective in many refractory cases unresponsive to nonoperative modalities.

Conclusion:

Physical therapy with an eccentric exercise program is the mainstay of treatment for patellar tendinopathy. Platelet-rich plasma has demonstrated mixed results; evidence-based recommendations on its efficacy cannot be made. In the event that nonoperative treatment fails, surgical intervention has produced good to excellent outcomes in the majority of patients.