bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intranasal Angiotensin II in Humans Reduces Blood Pressure When Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptors Are Blocked
Authors: Derad Inge , Sayk Friedhelm , Lehnert Hendrik , Marshall Lisa , Born Jan , Nitschke Martin
Published: January 2014

Intranasal administration of angiotensin II (ANGII) affects blood pressure in a mode different from intravenously administered ANGII via a direct access to the brain bypassing the blood–brain barrier. This clinical study investigated blood pressure regulation after intranasal ANGII administration in healthy humans, whereas systemic, blood-mediated effects of ANGII were specifically blocked. In a balanced crossover design, men (n=8) and women (n=8) were intranasally administered ANGII (400 μg) or placebo after ANGII type 1 receptors had been blocked by pretreatment with valsartan (80 mg; 12 and 6 hours before intranasal administration). Plasma levels of ANGII, aldosterone, renin, vasopressin, and norepinephrine were measured; blood pressure and heart rate were recorded continuously. Intranasal ANGII acutely decreased blood pressure without altering the heart rate. Plasma levels of vasopressin and norepinephrine remained unaffected. Plasma ANGII levels were increased throughout the recording period. Aldosterone levels increased despite the peripheral ANGII type 1 receptor blockade, indicating an aldosterone escape phenomenon. In conclusion, intranasal ANGII reduces blood pressure in the presence of selective ANGII type 1 receptor blockade. Intranasal ANGII administration represents a useful approach for unraveling the role of this peptide in blood pressure regulation in humans.
Obesity and Increasing Rate of Infantile Blount Disease
Authors: Güven Ayla , Hancılı Suna , Kuru L. İhsan
Published: January 2014

Background. The incidence of infantile Blount disease is rising in parallel to the increasing obesity in children. Material and methods. Seven children (3 female) between the ages of 17 and 30 months (21.8 ± 4.3 months) were included in the study. Results. All patients had complaints of inward bowing of the legs and excess weight gain. The biochemical and hormonal assessments of all patients yielded normal results. Patients were diagnosed with infantile Blount disease based on clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings. Conclusion. This disease should be differentiated from physiological genu varum, and the potential psychosocial and physical complications are prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.
A Sociologist Walks into a Bar (and Other Academic Challenges): Towards a Methodology of Humour
Authors: Watson Cate
Published: January 2014

Humour and laughter have been regarded as suitable topics for research in the social sciences, but as methodological principles to be adopted in carrying out and representing the findings of research they have been neglected. Indeed, those scholars who have made use of humour – wit, satire, jokes etc. – risk being regarded as trivial and marginalised from the mainstream. Yet, in literature the idea that comedy can tell us something important about the human condition is widely recognised. This neglect of the potential of humour and laughter represents a serious omission. The purpose of this article is to make a sensible case for the place of humour as a methodology for the social sciences.
New Heroines of Labour: Domesticating Post-feminism and Neoliberal Capitalism in Russia
Authors: Salmenniemi Suvi , Adamson Maria
Published: January 2014

In recent years, post-feminism has become an important element of popular media culture and the object of feminist cultural critique. This article explores how post-feminism is domesticated in Russia through popular self-help literature aimed at a female audience. Drawing on a close reading of self-help texts by three best-selling Russian authors, the article examines how post-feminism is made intelligible to the Russian audience and how it articulates with other symbolic frameworks. It identifies labour as a key trope through which post-feminism is domesticated and argues that the texts invite women to invest time and energy in the labour of personality, the labour of femininity and the labour of sexuality in order to become ‘valuable subjects’. The article demonstrates that the domestication of post-feminism also involves the domestication of neoliberal capitalism in Russia, and highlights how popular psychology, neoliberal capitalism and post-feminism are symbiotically related.
Short Bowel Syndrome in Adults
Authors: Matarese Laura E. , Jeppesen Palle B. , O'Keefe Stephen J. D.
Published: January 2014

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a heterogeneous disorder with broad variation in disease severity arising from different types of intestinal resection. The spectrum of malabsorption ranges from intestinal insufficiency to intestinal failure. Individualized patient strategies involving modifications of dietary macro‐ and micronutrients, fluid, and pharmacologic options are required to maximize health and quality‐of‐life outcomes and to minimize complications and SBS‐associated mortality. Intestinal rehabilitation (IR) is an established but evolving approach to improving patient outcomes by decreasing long‐term dependency on parenteral support (PS) for nutrition and fluid requirements. Specialized IR programs employ team‐based interdisciplinary approaches to coordinate individualized patient care and treatment management through centralized facilities. Such facilities are often specialized intestinal care centers (ICCs) established at large medical centers. A multifaceted IR program offers the comprehensive interrelated services required by patients with SBS‐associated intestinal failure throughout the course of disease. Components of interdisciplinary IR programs should include medical services offering diagnostics and monitoring, pharmacologic management, and symptom and complication control; nutrition services, including dietary modifications and interventions; and supportive psychosocial and educational services. A model of care centered on the IR concept means that long‐term patient management, including decisions on long‐term PS, is overseen by a member of the specialized care center. Rational, seamless, and timely communication among the patient's network of home‐based and ICC healthcare providers is crucial to the success of any IR program. This paradigm shift to specialized IR programs will likely result in improvements across the patient care continuum.
Performance evaluation of parallel multithreaded A* heuristic search algorithm
Authors: Mahafzah Basel A.
Published: January 2014

Heuristic search is used in many problems and applications, such as the 15 puzzle problem, the travelling salesman problem and web search engines. In this paper, the A* heuristic search algorithm is reconsidered by proposing a parallel generic approach based on multithreading for solving the 15 puzzle problem. Using multithreading, sequential computers are provided with virtual parallelization, yielding faster execution and easy communication. These advantageous features are provided through creating a dynamic number of concurrent threads at the run time of an application. The proposed approach is evaluated analytically and experimentally and compared with its sequential counterpart in terms of various performance metrics. It is revealed by the experimental results that multithreading is a viable approach for parallel A* heuristic search. For instance, it has been found that the parallel multithreaded A* heuristic search algorithm, in particular, outperforms the sequential approach in terms of time complexity and speedup.
Sparse roadmap spanners for asymptotically near-optimal motion planning
Authors: Dobson Andrew , Bekris Kostas E.
Published: January 2014

Asymptotically optimal planners, such as PRM*, guarantee that solutions approach optimal as the number of iterations increases. Roadmaps with this property, however, may grow too large for storing on resource-constrained robots and for achieving efficient online query resolution. By relaxing optimality, asymptotically near-optimal planners produce sparser graphs by not including all edges. The idea stems from graph spanners, which produce sparse subgraphs that guarantee near-optimality. Existing asymptotically optimal and near-optimal planners, however, include all sampled configurations as roadmap nodes, meaning only infinite-size graphs have the desired properties. To address this limitation, this work describes SPARS, an algorithm that returns a sparse roadmap spanner. The method provides the following properties: (a) probabilistic completeness, (b) asymptotic near-optimality and (c) the probability of adding nodes to the spanner converges to zero as iterations increase. The last point suggests that finite-size data structures with asymptotic near-optimality in continuous spaces may indeed exist. The approach builds simultaneously a dense graph similar to PRM* and its roadmap spanner, meaning that upon construction an infinite-size graph is still needed asymptotically. An extension of SPARS is also presented, termed SPARS2, which removes the dependency on building a dense graph for constructing the sparse roadmap spanner and for which it is shown that the same desirable properties hold. Simulations for rigid-body motion planning show that algorithms for constructing sparse roadmap spanners indeed provide small data structures and result in faster query resolution. The rate of node addition is shown to decrease over time and practically the quality of solutions is considerably better than the theoretical bounds. Upon construction, the memory requirements of SPARS2 are significantly smaller but there is a small sacrifice in the size of the final spanner relative to SPARS.
The Impact of Reality Therapy on Self-Efficacy for Substance-Involved Female Offenders in Taiwan
Authors: Law Fang Mei , Guo Gwo Jen
Published: January 2014

This study aimed to fulfill a twofold purpose. First, a 12-session reality therapy drug treatment program to enhance substance-involved females’ self-efficacy in three aspects, which have been demonstrated to be essential to recovery, was designed and implemented. Second, to test the effectiveness of the treatment program, the Index of Sense of Self-Efficacy Scale was developed and validated using Principal Component Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis. The participants in the drug treatment program were 40 incarcerated substance-involved female offenders, who were randomly assigned to equal-sized experimental and control groups. The results of the study, obtained by ANCOVA analysis, showed significant differences in the post-test scores for sense of self-efficacy in decision making, action-planning, and coping and social skills for the members of the two groups.
The Worldwide Expansion of “Organization”
Authors: Meyer John W. , Bromley Patricia
Published: January 2014

We offer an institutional explanation for the contemporary expansion of formal organization—in numbers, internal complexity, social domains, and national contexts. Much expansion lies in areas far beyond the traditional foci on technical production or political power, such as protecting the environment, promoting marginalized groups, or behaving with transparency. We argue that expansion is supported by widespread cultural rationalization in a stateless and liberal global society, characterized by scientism, rights and empowerment discourses, and an explosion of education. These cultural changes are transmitted through legal, accounting, and professionalization principles, driving the creation of new organizations and the elaboration of existing ones. The resulting organizations are constructed to be proper social actors as much as functionally effective entities. They are painted as autonomous and integrated but depend heavily on external definitions to sustain this depiction. So expansion creates organizations that are, whatever their actual effectiveness, structurally nonrational. We advance institutional theories of social organization in three main ways. First, we give an account of the expansive rise of “organization” rooted in rapid worldwide cultural rationalization. Second, we explain the construction of contemporary organizations as purposive actors, rather than passive bureaucracies. Third, we show how the expanded actorhood of the contemporary organization, and the associated interpenetration with the environment, dialectically generate structures far removed from instrumental rationality.
Bourdieu, Marx, and Capital
Authors: Desan Mathieu Hikaru
Published: January 2014

It has been claimed that in extending its critical problematic to the cultural sphere, Pierre Bourdieu transcends the economism of Marx’s concept of capital. I argue that this claim must be rejected. First, I show that Marx’s concept of capital was not economistic. Second, I trace Bourdieu’s changing understanding of capital, showing how it became less compatible with Marx’s over time. Third, I point out ambiguities in Bourdieu’s concept of capital that, despite gestures toward a Marxist understanding of capital, further distance him from Marx. Fourth, I argue that Bourdieu tends to take the economic field and economic capital for granted, unlike Marx. I conclude that if different forms of capital are but extended forms of economic capital, the notion of economic capital that they extend is not a Marxist one.
A numerical method to predict the riding comfort induced by foundation construction close to a high-speed-line bridge
Authors: Cao Yanmei , Xia He , Lu Wenliang , Wang Kunpeng , Calçada Rui
Published: January 2014

This paper proposes a practical method to predict the impact of foundation construction for a new high-speed rail line on running safety and riding comfort of an existing high-speed line. The presented numerical model consists of a bridge girder/pier finite element model, a pier-bearing platform-pile foundation-soil numerical model and a train/bridge interaction model that takes into account the dynamic interactions in the train/bridge/pier/soil system. The proposed method is used in an engineering case study. The results show that the foundation construction has an obvious influence on a nearby existing high-speed-line bridge. The differential settlement of piers leads to an increase in the bridge deflection, and generally the higher the train speed, the larger the deflection. The lateral displacement of the pier has a greater influence on the ride comfort than the vertical differential settlement, and an allowance of 20 mm is suggested for lateral displacement of the pier in a ballasted high-speed line.
The Mormon Conception of Women’s Nature and Role: A Feminist Analysis
Authors: Kline Caroline
Published: January 2014

This paper explores the ways in which women’s nature has been defined as different from men’s in Mormonism. Unlike many mainstream Christian traditions, Mormons have a positive view of the Fall and of Eve, do not embrace the doctrine of original sin, and reject dualities which assign women to lower bodily categories in opposition to men’s higher rational ones. However, women in Mormonism are subordinated to men. This subordination is due, not to a sense that men are superior to women, but to a sense that man’s distinct role is to be leader in church and family. This sense of the propriety of role differentiation coexists with romantic notions of women’s greater natural spirituality and altruism. In the last section of the paper, I discuss the ways in which feminist Mormons have critiqued the notions of gender role differentiation and women’s greater spiritual capacities.
Healing and Happiness in the Christian Science Tradition
Authors: Michell Deidre
Published: January 2014

Well known as a church which promises physical healing through prayer and change of consciousness, Christian Science is less well known as one that promotes mental wellbeing through the same means. However, the founder, Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) could be held up as a model of psychological resilience through her own methods as she went from being an invalid suffering from the scourge of the nineteenth century, hysteria, to a dynamic business woman and religious leader who established an international church from her headquarters in Boston. In this paper I show that many of Eddy’s twentieth century followers have, like her, been able to become resilient and happy women treating psychological distress as they would physical concerns.
Coupled efficient layerwise finite element modeling for active vibration control of smart composite and sandwich shallow shells
Authors: Kapuria S , Yasin M Yaqoob
Published: January 2014

The active vibration suppression of smart composite and sandwich shallow shells equipped with distributed monolithic piezoelectric and piezo-fiber reinforced composite (PFRC) sensors and actuators is studied using a four-node quadrilateral shallow shell element based on a fully coupled, accurate and efficient layerwise (zigzag) theory. The shell element uses the concept of electric nodes to satisfy the equipotential condition of electroded sensor surfaces without making any approximations or averaging. The effective electromechanical properties of the PFRC laminas are computed using a coupled three-dimensional iso-field micromechanical model. Both classical (constant gain velocity feedback (CGVF)) and optimal (linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG)) control strategies are studied. A truly collocated actuator–sensor arrangement is proposed and shown to remove the instability in CGVF control of shallow shells with conventionally collocated actuators and sensors. The effects of piezoelectric fiber orientation and volume fraction ratio of PFRC, and the radius of curvature and span to thickness ratio of the shell on the control performance, are studied. It is shown that the LQG control not only suppresses the transient vibration under step/impulse excitations, but also eliminates the beating phenomena under harmonic excitation when the forcing frequency is close to the natural frequency of the system.
Characterization of the linear viscoelastic region of magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Agirre-Olabide Iker , Berasategui Joanes , Elejabarrieta Maria J , Bou-Ali M Mounir
Published: January 2014

The linear viscoelastic behaviour of magnetorheological elastomers is analysed in this work according to their formulation and working conditions. This study comprised both the synthesis of different magnetorheological elastomers and the strain and frequency sweep characterization under different magnetic fields and temperatures. The characterization was performed by a Physica MCR 501 rheometer from Anton Paar, equipped with a magnetorheologic cell 70/1T MRD. In the synthesis with a given elastomeric matrix, samples with different magnetic particle content are studied with two types of curing conditions: under the action of a magnetic field (anisotropic magnetorheological elastomers) and without a magnetic field (isotropic magnetorheological elastomers). The working conditions are excitation frequency, temperature and the applied external magnetic field. In this work, a new procedure to determine the linear viscoelastic behaviour is proposed; the loss factor is analysed in addition to analysing the storage modulus to determine the linear viscoelastic region of each sample. The results show that high temperatures and magnetorheological elastomers with higher volume fraction of magnetic particles restrict the linear viscoelastic behaviour of magnetorheological elastomers.
A fail-safe magnetorheological clutch excited by permanent magnets for the disengagement of automotive auxiliaries
Authors: Bucchi F. , Forte P. , Frendo F. , Musolino A. , Rizzo R.
Published: January 2014

This work was carried out in the framework of a funded project aimed at evaluating the feasibility of an ad hoc clutch for the disengagement an auxiliary device, i.e. the vacuum pump used with the powerbrake in diesel engine vehicles, when its operation is not required. In this way it is possible to improve the overall vehicle efficiency. Strict design specifications were defined with reference to available room, torque transmission, absence of axial loads and fail-safe operation. A magnetorheological clutch with permanent magnets was conceived to fulfil the technical requirements. Different clutch geometries were compared with particular reference to the fail-safe operation and torque capabilities. After an iterative procedure, in which both mechanical design and magnetic field analyses were considered, the most promising solution was defined and a prototype was built and tested. A four-pole sliding permanent magnet was adopted to generate the magnetic field. The experimental results validated the developed models and demonstrated the feasibility developed models and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed solution. A principle for the automatic clutch actuation is also presented.
Design and implementation of neural controllers for shape memory alloy–actuated manipulator
Authors: Nikdel Nazila , Badamchizadeh Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2014

This article presents a new setup and investigates neural control approaches developed to control a 1-degree-of-freedom shape memory alloy–actuated manipulator. Shape memory alloy–actuated manipulators have drawbacks such as hysteretic behavior and parameter uncertainty. The suggested control approaches should deal with these problems and make the manipulator to track the desired position. First, a mathematical model of the manipulator is presented. The control methods are then developed and applied to the experimental setup. The high performances of the proposed controllers are indicated by experimental results. A comparison between the applied control approaches is made based on the step response main factors and the control signal of each method. Finally, the frequency range for which the suggested methods are appropriate is confirmed.
The Effect of Medial and Lateral Calcaneal Osteotomies on the Tarsal Tunnel
Authors: Bruce Benjamin G. , Bariteau Jason T. , Evangelista Peter E. , Arcuri Daniel , Sandusky Matthew , DiGiovanni Christopher W.
Published: January 2014

Background:

As an entrapment phenomenon, tarsal tunnel syndrome has been described after calcaneal osteotomy, and since the tibial nerve has also been shown to be very sensitive to ankle position, position of the calcaneus after osteotomy and displacement was thought to likely influence the environment of the tibial nerve within the tarsal canal. The respective volume of the tarsal canal was therefore hypothesized to decrease with medial or lateral displacement osteotomies of the calcaneus.

Methods:

Anterior and posterior calcaneal osteotomies were made in cadaveric matched pairs and brought through sequential medial and lateral displacements. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to estimate the comparative resultant volume of the tarsal canal after each of these new positions were assumed, as compared with baseline. The proximity of the osteotomy cut to the nerve’s location was also measured.

Results:

The tarsal tunnel volume was calculated for all 5 displacement states and were as follows: far-lateral (9506 mm3), near-lateral (10 073 mm3), normal (11 839 mm3), near-medial (11 489 mm3), and far-medial (11 760 mm3). No significant difference in tarsal tunnel volume was identified between the normal, nondisplaced specimens in the anterior or posterior groups (11 954 mm3 vs 11 809 mm3). No difference in tarsal tunnel volume was identified between the anterior and posterior osteotomies at any of the 4 displacements. The distance from tibial nerve to the medial exit site of the osteotomy was found to be significantly less in the anterior group compared to the posterior group (4 mm vs 14.2 mm, P < .0001).

Conclusion:

Lateral, but not medial, osteotomy fragment displacement results in significant reduction of tarsal tunnel volume. The location of the cut does not seem to affect any substantive change in volume. Anteriorly placed osteotomies appear to jeopardize the neurovascular structures more than posteriorly placed osteotomies.

Clinical Relevance:

These findings provide surgeons with clinical evidence in support of performing a prophylactic tarsal tunnel release for patients undergoing lateralizing calcaneal osteotomies.
Medication safety and the administration of intravenous vincristine: International survey of oncology pharmacists
Authors: Gilbar Peter , Chambers Carole R , Larizza Maria
Published: January 2014

Purpose

The risk of medication errors with vincristine administration is well documented. Our objective was to ascertain how vincristine is administered worldwide and determine what strategies for preventing the accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine are in place.

Methods

A survey, comprising 28 questions, was distributed to 363 International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners members from 42 countries via email. Questions were asked on methods of vincristine administration, intrathecal drug administration and strategies used to prevent medication errors. A reminder was sent and the survey was available on the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners website. Only one survey per institution was requested.

Results

In all, 62 responses from 15 countries were received, with the majority from Australia. Vincristine was dispensed in mini-bags in 77.4% of centres, though some also used syringes. Syringes were used in 31.1% of centres, with half these doses prepared undiluted. Administration took 5 to 15 minutes in most centres (78.8%). The most common reasons for still using syringes were perceived risk of extravasation and faster infusion time. Despite numerous vincristine administrations, extravasation was very rare. Other recommended strategies for error prevention were in use in the majority of centres.

Conclusion

Comparisons with three previous surveys are difficult as the majority of respondents in those studies were from the USA. A number of areas appear to have improved, particularly the preparation of vincristine in mini-bags, but they are far from perfect. Deaths continue to occur following accidental intrathecal administration of vincristine. International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioner members are urged to lead the way in incorporating strategies for prevention into institutions worldwide.
Effects of Methylphenidate on Default-Mode Network/Task-Positive Network Synchronization in Children With ADHD
Authors: Querne Laurent , Fall Sidy , Le Moing Anne-Gaëlle , Bourel-Ponchel Emilie , Delignières Aline , Simonnot Anais , de Broca Alain , Gondry-Jouet Catherine , Boucart Muriel , Berquin Patrick
Published: January 2014

Objective: A failure of the anti-phase synchronization between default-mode (DMN) and task-positive networks (TPN) may be involved in a main manifestation of ADHD: moment-to-moment variability. The study investigated whereby methylphenidate may improve TPN/DMN synchronization in ADHD. Method: Eleven drug-naive ADHD children and 11 typically developing (TD) children performed a flanker task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. The ADHD group was scanned without and 1 month later with methylphenidate. The signal was analyzed by independent component analysis. Results: The TD group showed anti-phase DMN/TPN synchronization. The unmedicated ADHD group showed synchronous activity in the posterior DMN only, which was positively correlated with response time variability for the flanker task. Methylphenidate initiated a partial anti-phase TPN/DMN synchronization, reduced variability, and abolished the variability/DMN correlation. Conclusion: Although results should be interpreted cautiously because the sample size is small, they suggest that a failure of the TPN/DMN synchronization could be involved in the moment-to-moment variability in ADHD. Methylphenidate initiated TPN/DMN synchronization, which in turn appeared to reduce variability.
Cost effectiveness of a pragmatic exercise intervention (EXIMS) for people with multiple sclerosis: economic evaluation of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tosh J , Dixon S , Carter A , Daley A , Petty J , Roalfe A , Sharrack B , Saxton JM
Published: January 2014

Background:

Exercise is a safe, non-pharmacological adjunctive treatment for people with multiple sclerosis but cost-effective approaches to implementing exercise within health care settings are needed.

Objective:

The objective of this paper is to assess the cost effectiveness of a pragmatic exercise intervention in conjunction with usual care compared to usual care only in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis.

Methods:

A cost-utility analysis of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial over nine months of follow-up was conducted. A total of 120 people with multiple sclerosis were randomised (1:1) to the intervention or usual care. Exercising participants received 18 supervised and 18 home exercise sessions over 12 weeks. The primary outcome for the cost utility analysis was the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, calculated using utilities measured by the EQ-5D questionnaire.

Results:

The incremental cost per QALY of the intervention was £10,137 per QALY gained compared to usual care. The probability of being cost effective at a £20,000 per QALY threshold was 0.75, rising to 0.78 at a £30,000 per QALY threshold.

Conclusion:

The pragmatic exercise intervention is highly likely to be cost effective at current established thresholds, and there is scope for it to be tailored to particular sub-groups of patients or services to reduce its cost impact.
Implementation of the ‘Sapere Migliora’ information aid for newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis in routine clinical practice: a late-phase controlled trial
Authors: Giordano A , Lugaresi A , Confalonieri P , Granella F , Radice D , Trojano M , Martinelli V , Solari A ,   on behalf of the SIMS-Practice group, Giordano A , Martinelli V , Lugaresi A , Pucci E , Granella F , Trojano M , Solari A , Martinelli V , Pucci E , Messmer Uccelli M , Lugaresi A , Giordano A , Granella F , Solari A , Giordano A , Ferrari G , Martini F , Solari A , Radice D , D’Annunzio G , Lugaresi A , Farina D , Travaglini D , Pietrolongo E , Onofrj M , Torri Clerici V , Bonanno S , Brambilla L , Confalonieri P , Martinelli V , Radaelli M , Messina J , Comi G , Tortorella C , Luciannatelli E , Trojano M , Senesi C , Tsantes E , Granella F , Conti MZ , Rottoli MR , Bellantonio P , Fischetti M , Fantozzi R , Pala A , Traccis S , Di Battista G , Bianchi M , Benedetti MD , Gaetani L , Di Filippo M , Carolei A , Totaro R , Lanzillo R , Brescia Morra V , Coppola R , Cottone S , Chiavazza C , Cavalla P , Leonardi C , Aguglia U , Ziuliani C , Valla P , Sasanelli F , Valentino P , Quattrone A , Martino Policlinico G. , Russo M , Vita G , Immovilli P
Published: January 2014

Background:

The SIMS-Trial showed that the ‘Sapere Migliora’ information aid (IA) for newly diagnosed people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) effectively improved patient knowledge and satisfaction with care.

Objectives:

The objectives of this paper are to assess the effectiveness of the IA in clinical practice and to compare the whole IA with the take-home booklet/website component alone.

Methods:

After updating the IA and replacing the CD with a website, a prospective, open-label non-randomised controlled trial compared the whole IA (group A, five SIMS-Trial centres) to take-home (group B, 16 centres). One month after the intervention, participants completed the MS Knowledge Questionnaire (MSKQ), care satisfaction questionnaire (COSM-R) (primary study outcomes), Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale, and ad hoc questionnaire appraising the IA.

Results:

We enrolled 159 newly diagnosed PwMS (May 2012–March 2013). Drop-outs were four of 77 (5%, group A) and 11/82 (13%, group B). Primary endpoint (highest tertile both for MSKQ and COSM-R section 2 scores) was achieved by 38/77 (49%) group A and 33/82 (40%) group B ( p = 0.25). Attainment of secondary outcomes was also similar between groups.

Conclusions:

This study shows that the entire IA is not superior to the booklet/website alone, and that both are comparable in efficacy to the intervention arm of the SIMS-Trial.

Trial registration number:

ISRCTN78940214.
Pragmatic intervention for increasing self-directed exercise behaviour and improving important health outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Carter A , Daley A , Humphreys L , Snowdon N , Woodroofe N , Petty J , Roalfe A , Tosh J , Sharrack B , Saxton JM
Published: January 2014

Background:

Exercise programmes that can demonstrate evidence of long-lasting clinical effectiveness are needed for people with multiple sclerosis (P wMS).

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a practically implemented exercise programme on self-directed exercise behaviour and important health outcomes in P wMS to nine months of follow-up.

Methods:

We conducted a parallel-arm, randomised controlled trial: 120 P wMS (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 1.0–6.5) randomised to a three-month exercise intervention plus usual care, or usual care only. Two supervised plus one home-exercise session (weeks 1–6) were followed by one supervised and two home-exercise sessions (weeks 7–12). Cognitive-behavioural techniques promoted long-term exercise behaviour change. Outcomes were blindly assessed at baseline and at three and nine months after randomisation. The primary outcome was self-reported exercise behaviour (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ)). Secondary outcomes included fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Results:

The intervention increased self-reported exercise (9.6 points; 95% CI: 2.0 to 17.3 points; p = 0.01) and improved fatigue ( p < 0.0001) and many HRQoL domains ( p ≤ 0.03) at three months. The improvements in emotional well-being ( p = 0.01), social function ( p = 0.004) and overall quality of life ( p = 0.001) were sustained for nine months.

Conclusion:

This pragmatic approach to implementing exercise increases self-reported exercise behaviour, improves fatigue and leads to a sustained enhancement of HRQoL domains in P wMS.
Association of building characteristics, residential heating and ventilation with asthmatic symptoms of preschool children in Shanghai: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Liu Wei , Huang Chen , Hu Yu , Zou Zhijun , Zhao Zhuohui , Sundell Jan
Published: January 2014

A China, Children, Homes, Health (CCHH) study was conducted in Shanghai to investigate the associations between residential characteristics and childhood asthma, wheeze and dry cough of 4- to 6-year-old children. In the present study, 13,335 children participated in the questionnaire survey, and the questionnaires were completed by children’s parents with a response rate of 85.3%. Multiple logistic regression analysis was the main method for analyses. Using wood as fuel for cooking was shown to have a strong positive association with asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 2.84, 1.24–6.54). Existence of a highway within 200 m of the residence could have a positive association with wheeze ever (1.20, 1.02–1.41) and dry cough (1.22, 1.02–1.40). Children having suffered wheeze symptom ever was negatively associated with the use of fume exhaust ventilator in the kitchen (0.85, 0.73–0.99) and exhaust fan in the bathroom (0.86, 0.78–0.95) but positively associated with the use of home air purifier (1.22, 1.05–1.41). The results indicated that the residential characteristics such as surrounding environment and household equipments could have notable association with children’s health in Shanghai. Using clean fuel for home cooking, living far away from a highway or increasing home ventilation could possibly reduce the children’s risk of suffering asthmatic symptoms.
Urban heat island in Padua, Italy: Experimental and theoretical analysis
Authors: Noro M. , Busato F. , Lazzarin R.M.
Published: January 2014

This paper reports the study of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon in Padua, a medium size city in the North-East of Italy, one of the most industrialized and developed parts of the country. Data recorded by two fixed meteorological stations (in the centre and out of Padua) during the period 1994–2011 were analysed, showing some increase in the UHI effect during this period. Experimental measurements were carried out during 2012 summer. The main thermo-hygrometric variables (dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity and global solar radiation) were measured by a mobile survey along an exact path, selected in order to cross different zones of the city area: urban, sub-urban and rural. The results indicate the presence of UHI effect in urban zones of the city up to 6 ℃. Some measurements in situ had been carried out in order to evaluate the mean radiant temperature (besides the other meteorological variables) in some characteristic sites of the city area: historic centre, high- and low-density populated residential zones, industrial zone and rural zone. Two simulation models were used to calculate some outdoor comfort indices and to evaluate the effect of some mitigation strategy in characteristic sites of the city.
Mangling the process: a meta-theoretical account of process theorizing
Authors: Demir Robert , Lychnell Lars-Olof
Published: January 2014

Process approaches are increasingly applied in qualitative studies in many fields within social sciences. Yet, few studies have seriously elaborated on the ontological premises of process theorizing. This study addresses this void by suggesting a process philosophical framework. The framework is ontologically grounded with the concepts of causality, spatiality, and temporality in process theorizing. We use these tenets for developing three process theorizing techniques – articulating, relating, and conjugating. Articulating denotes to effectively expressing the potential identifying and generative properties of the process. Relating is the technique by which one maintains continuous connections within and between reified properties of a process. Conjugating is the technique by which a process’ identifying and generative properties are pulled together from various temporal and spatial sites in order to form a novel nexus. Each of these techniques builds on process philosophy and process theory and is illustrated through examples from prior process studies.
Symptomatic Popliteal Vein Aneurysm
Authors: Premaratne Shyamal , Tan Tze-Woei , Coulter Amy H. , Doumite Darin , Zhang Wayne W.
Published: January 2014

Popliteal vein aneurysms (PVAs) can have serious consequences, including pulmonary embolism and death. We report a case of PVA in a previously healthy 58-year-old female with a history of pain in her right popliteal fossa for the past 3 years. Patient had no history of trauma or claudication of the right leg. Following a preoperative venogram to confirm the diagnosis, the PVA was dissected circumferentially through a posterior incision. The aneurysm was resected and repaired with lateral venorrhaphy. Patient had an uneventful recovery. Due to the possibility of severe consequences, if left untreated, early surgical repair is highly recommended whether the patient has symptoms or not.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Multiple Aneurysms as a Sequel of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Authors: McVeigh T. , Hynes N. , Tawfick W. , Sultan S.
Published: January 2014

This case represents the first report of multiple arterial aneurysms including aortic, iliac, visceral, and coronary aneurysms associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome. It presents an interesting case of epinephrine abuse and the unfortunate sequelae. This case illustrates novel approaches in emergency repair of internal iliac artery aneurysm rupture and the management of visceral artery aneurysms and exemplifies how multiple endovascular technologies can be utilized even in the high-risk polymorbid patient.
A disease-specific activity score for Thromboangiitis obliterans
Authors: Fazeli Bahare , Ravari Hassan
Published: January 2014

Introduction

The aim of this study was to find a disease-specific activity score for Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO).

Methods

About 173 admission records from 125 patients with TAO over the period 2005–2011 were evaluated. The outcome of the patients was categorized as saved-limb or limb-loss. The risk of limb loss associated with each clinical sign or symptom and complete blood count (CBC) data were then assessed. This risk assessment value was multiplied by 100 to obtain the percentage risk, which was then considered to be the risk score. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for demonstrating cut-offs for each score. The reliability of the risk score was evaluated using a split-half reliability test. The divergent validity of the risk score was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient between the total scores of the patients with and without limb loss.

Results

The maximum possible clinical and CBC scores were 221 and 180, respectively, giving a maximum total score of 401. The cut-offs for clinical, laboratory and total score were 115, 75 and 213, respectively.

Conclusion

Further cohort studies for evaluating the efficacy of different treatments for limb salvage of TAO patients based on these score are suggested.
Genetic variation at aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) loci in populations of Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting polluted and reference habitats
Authors: Reitzel Adam M , Karchner Sibel I , Franks Diana G , Evans Brad R , Nacci Diane , Champlin Denise , Vieira Verónica M , Hahn Mark E
Published: January 2014

Background

The non-migratory killifish Fundulus heteroclitus inhabits clean and polluted environments interspersed throughout its range along the Atlantic coast of North America. Several populations of this species have successfully adapted to environments contaminated with toxic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Previous studies suggest that the mechanism of resistance to these and other “dioxin-like compounds” (DLCs) may involve reduced signaling through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway. Here we investigated gene diversity and evidence for positive selection at three AHR-related loci (AHR1, AHR2, AHRR) in F. heteroclitus by comparing alleles from seven locations ranging over 600 km along the northeastern US, including extremely polluted and reference estuaries, with a focus on New Bedford Harbor (MA, USA), a PCB Superfund site, and nearby reference sites.

Results

We identified 98 single nucleotide polymorphisms within three AHR-related loci among all populations, including synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions. Haplotype distributions were spatially segregated and F-statistics suggested strong population genetic structure at these loci, consistent with previous studies showing strong population genetic structure at other F. heteroclitus loci. Genetic diversity at these three loci was not significantly different in contaminated sites as compared to reference sites. However, for AHR2 the New Bedford Harbor population had significant FST values in comparison to the nearest reference populations. Tests for positive selection revealed ten nonsynonymous polymorphisms in AHR1 and four in AHR2. Four nonsynonymous SNPs in AHR1 and three in AHR2 showed large differences in base frequency between New Bedford Harbor and its reference site. Tests for isolation-by-distance revealed evidence for non-neutral change at the AHR2 locus.

Conclusion

Together, these data suggest that F. heteroclitus populations in reference and polluted sites have similar genetic diversity, providing no evidence for strong genetic bottlenecks for populations in polluted locations. However, the data provide evidence for genetic differentiation among sites, selection at specific nucleotides in AHR1 and AHR2, and specific AHR2 SNPs and haplotypes that are associated with the PCB-resistant phenotype in the New Bedford Harbor population. The results suggest that AHRs, and especially AHR2, may be important, recurring targets for selection in local adaptation to dioxin-like aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants.
New Olig1null mice confirm a non-essential role for Olig1 in oligodendrocyte development
Authors: Paes de Faria Joana , Kessaris Nicoletta , Andrew Paul , Richardson William D , Li Huiliang
Published: January 2014

Background

Olig1 and Olig2, encoding closely related basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, were originally identified in screens for glial-specific genes. Olig1 and Olig2 are both expressed in restricted parts of the neuroepithelium of the embryonic spinal cord and telencephalon and subsequently in oligodendrocyte lineage cells throughout life. In the spinal cord, Olig2 plays a crucial role in the development of oligodendrocytes and motor neurons, and both cell types are lost from Olig2 null mutant mice. The role of Olig1 has been more cryptic. It was initially reported that Olig1 null mice (with a Cre-Pgk-Neo cassette at the Olig1 locus) have a mild developmental phenotype characterized by a slight delay in oligodendrocyte differentiation. However, a subsequent study of the same line following removal of Pgk-Neo (leaving Olig1-Cre) found severe disruption of oligodendrocyte production, myelination failure and early postnatal lethality. A plausible explanation was proposed, that the highly expressed Pgk-Neo cassette in the original line might have up-regulated the neighbouring Olig2 gene, compensating for loss of Olig1. However, this was not tested, so the importance of Olig1 for oligodendrocyte development has remained unclear.

Results

We generated two independent lines of Olig1 null mice. Both lines had a mild phenotype featuring slightly delayed oligodendrocyte differentiation and maturation but no long-term effect. In addition, we found that Olig2 transcripts were not up-regulated in our Olig1 null mice.

Conclusions

Our findings support the original conclusion that Olig1 plays a minor and non-essential role in oligodendrocyte development and have implications for the interpretation of studies based on Olig1 deficient mice (and perhaps Olig1-Cre mice) from different sources.
Selection and phenotypic characterization of a core collection of Brachypodium distachyon inbred lines
Authors: Tyler Ludmila , Fangel Jonatan U , Fagerström Alexandra Dotson , Steinwand Michael A , Raab Theodore K , Willats William GT , Vogel John P
Published: January 2014

Background

The model grass Brachypodium distachyon is increasingly used to study various aspects of grass biology. A large and genotypically diverse collection of B. distachyon germplasm has been assembled by the research community. The natural variation in this collection can serve as a powerful experimental tool for many areas of inquiry, including investigating biomass traits.

Results

We surveyed the phenotypic diversity in a large collection of inbred lines and then selected a core collection of lines for more detailed analysis with an emphasis on traits relevant to the use of grasses as biofuel and grain crops. Phenotypic characters examined included plant height, growth habit, stem density, flowering time, and seed weight. We also surveyed differences in cell wall composition using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP). In all cases, we observed extensive natural variation including a two-fold variation in stem density, four-fold variation in ferulic acid bound to hemicellulose, and 1.7-fold variation in seed mass.

Conclusion

These characterizations can provide the criteria for selecting diverse lines for future investigations of the genetic basis of the observed phenotypic variation.