bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osmolarity and root canal antiseptics
Authors: Rossi‐Fedele G. , Guastalli A. R.
Published: July 2013

Antiseptics used in endodontics for disinfection purposes include root canal dressings and irrigants. Osmotic shock is known to cause the alteration of microbial cell viability and might have a role in the mechanism of action of root canal antiseptics. The aim of this review was to determine the role of osmolarity on the performance of antiseptics in root canal treatment. A literature search using the Medline electronic database was conducted up to 30 May 2013 using the following search terms and combinations: ‘osmolarity AND root canal or endodontic or antiseptic or irrigation or irrigant or medication or dressing or biofilm; osmolality AND root canal or endodontic or antiseptic or irrigation or irrigant or medication or dressing or biofilm; osmotic AND root canal or endodontic or antiseptic or irrigation or irrigant or medication or dressing or biofilm; osmosis AND root canal or endodontic or antiseptic or irrigation or irrigant or medication or dressing or biofilm; sodium chloride AND root canal or endodontic or antiseptic or irrigation or irrigant or medication or dressing or biofilm’. Publications were included if the effects of osmolarity on the clinical performance of antiseptics in root canal treatment were stated, if preparations with different osmolarities values were compared and if they were published in English. A hand search of articles published online, ‘in press’ and ‘early view’, and in the reference list of the included papers was carried out following the same criteria. A total of 3274 publications were identified using the database, and three were included in the review. The evidence available in endodontics suggests a possible role for hyperosmotic root canal medicaments as disinfectants, and that there is no influence of osmolarity on the tissue dissolution capacity of sodium hypochlorite. There are insufficient data to obtain a sound conclusion regarding the role of hypo‐osmosis in root canal disinfection, or osmosis in any further desirable ability.
Roles of cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide in murine osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Horibe Kanji , Nakamichi Yuko , Uehara Shunsuke , Nakamura Midori , Koide Masanori , Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Takahashi Naoyuki , Udagawa Nobuyuki
Published: July 2013

Cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) not only kills bacteria but also binds to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to neutralize its activity. CRAMP is highly expressed in bone marrow and its expression is reported to be up‐regulated by inflammatory and infectious stimuli. Here, we examined the role of CRAMP in murine osteoclastogenesis. Osteoclasts were formed in co‐cultures of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells in response to 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3], prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands such as LPS and flagellin through the induction of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) expression in osteoblasts. CRAMP inhibited the osteoclastogenesis in co‐cultures treated with LPS and flagellin, but not in those treated with 1α,25(OH)2D3 or PGE2. Although bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) highly expressed formyl peptide receptor 2 (a receptor of CRAMP), CRAMP showed no inhibitory effect on osteoclastogenesis in BMM cultures treated with RANKL. CRAMP suppressed both LPS‐ and flagellin‐induced RANKL expression in osteoblasts and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) expression in BMMs, suggesting that CRAMP neutralizes the actions of LPS and flagellin. LPS and flagellin enhanced the expression of CRAMP mRNA in osteoblasts. Extracellularly added CRAMP suppressed LPS‐ and flagellin‐induced CRAMP expression. These results suggest that the production of CRAMP promoted by LPS and flagellin is inhibited by CRAMP released by osteoblasts through a feedback regulation. Even though CRAMP itself has no effect on osteoclastogenesis in mice, we propose that CRAMP is an osteoblast‐derived protector in bacterial infection‐induced osteoclastic bone resorption.
Cost‐effectiveness of a nurse‐led education and psychosocial programme for patients with chronic heart failure and their partners
Authors: Ågren Susanna , S Evangelista Lorraine , Davidson Thomas , Strömberg Anna
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives. This randomised controlled trial was conducted to estimate the cost‐effectiveness of a nurse‐led education and psychosocial support programme for patients with heart failure (HF) and their partners.

Background. There are few studies evaluating cost‐effectiveness of interventions among HF patient–partner dyads.

Methods. Dyads randomised to the experimental group received nurse‐led counselling, computer‐based education and written materials aimed at developing problem‐solving skills at two, six and 12 weeks after hospitalisation with HF exacerbation. The dyads in the control group received usual care. A cost‐effectiveness analysis that included costs associated with staff time to deliver the intervention and travel costs was conducted at 12 months. Quality‐adjusted life‐year (QALY) weights for patients and partners were estimated by SF‐6D.

Results. A total of 155 dyads were included. The intervention cost was €223 per patient. Participants in both groups showed improvements in QALY weights after 12 months. However, no significant difference in QALY weights was found between the patients in the two groups, nor among their partners.

Conclusion. The intervention was not proven cost‐effective, neither for patients nor for partners. The intervention, however, had trends (but not significant) effects on the patient–partner dyads, and by analysing the QALY gained from the dyad, a reasonable mean cost‐effectiveness ratio was achieved.

Relevance to clinical practice. The study shows trends of a cost‐effective education and psychosocial care of HF patient–partner dyads.
Introduction: European labour markets in economic crisis
Authors: TORRES Raymond
Published: July 2013

Since the onset of the 2008 financial crisis, a further 8 million Europeans have become unemployed. And prolonged recession entails other risks examined here, in terms of labour market exclusion, the economic costs of long‐term unemployment, and the extent to which enterprises' job‐creating investment potential may become severely constrained. Against this background, the author critically reviews the European policy response with particular attention to the shift to fiscal consolidation since mid‐2010 and its long‐term implications for Europe's economies, labour markets and societies. Introducing the studies featured in this Special Issue, he draws on their empirical findings to discuss policy options for a reversal of current trends.
The impact of the economic crisis on EU labour markets: A comparative perspective
Authors: TRIDICO Pasquale
Published: July 2013

Using a “crisis management index” to rank the combined GDP and labour market performances of the EU's 27 Member States, the author considers why some countries performed better than others in managing the economic crisis over the period 2007–11. Based on empirical correlations and regression analysis, he concludes that the best performers share a coordinated market economy model: they feature a mix of economic policies and social institutions – including coordination mechanisms and tighter financial regulation – which helped to stabilize their levels of consumption and aggregate demand. Moreover, they do not have flexible labour markets and thus managed to maintain stable employment levels.
How do the Eurozone's Beveridge and Phillips curves perform in the face of global economic crisis?
Authors: SELL Friedrich L. , REINISCH David C.
Published: July 2013

In the light of criticism of the failure of “mainstream” economics to predict and avert the global financial and economic crisis, the authors use panel data on 11 Eurozone countries for the period 2007–10 to investigate how two of the “traditional” tools of labour economics and macroeconomics – the Beveridge and Phillips curves – perform empirically under the “stress test” of global economic crisis. After confirming the reliability of these textbook relationships between unemployment and vacancy ratios, and unemployment and inflation, respectively, they explore the correlation between inflation and vacancies. Their findings on all three relationships highlight the complementarity of supply‐side and demand‐side policies to reduce unemployment.
Productivity, deunionization and trade: Wage effects and labour share implications
Authors: JUDZIK Dario , SALA Hector
Published: July 2013

Taking the standard macroeconomic assumption of a one‐to‐one relationship between wages and productivity as given, empirical studies have extensively focused on the wage and employment effects of “unfriendly” labour market institutions. Here, by contrast, the authors examine the long‐term wage effects of productivity growth, deunionization and international trade – from 1980 to 2010, in Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. After controlling for productivity, they document an underlying downward trend in wages associated with declining union density and growing exposure to international trade. Their analysis also provides useful insights into the attendant erosion of the labour income share.
Short‐time work: The German answer to the Great Recession
Authors: BRENKE Karl , RINNE Ulf , ZIMMERMANN Klaus F.
Published: July 2013

At the height of the economic crisis in mid‐2009, the number of Germany's short‐time workers peaked at 1.5 million. Unemployment would otherwise have increased by approximately twice as much as it did. But while short‐time work certainly helped to cushion the labour market impact of the crisis, the authors caution that the country's specific circumstances preclude simple generalizations regarding its global effectiveness. Moreover, they argue, subsequent amendments to the regulatory framework made the scheme vulnerable to abuse, as reflected in the significant numbers of short‐term workers in industries unaffected by the crisis and the emergence of a pattern of “long‐term” short‐time work.
Muscular fitness, fatness and inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents
Authors: Artero E. G. , España‐Romero V. , Jiménez‐Pavón D. , Martinez‐Gómez D. , Warnberg J. , Gómez‐Martínez S. , González‐Gross M. , Vanhelst J. , Kafatos A. , Molnar D. , De Henauw S. , Moreno L. A. , Marcos A. , Castillo M. J. ,   HELENA study group
Published: July 2013

What is already known about this subject

Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases involve an inflammatory process that begins early in life.

Muscular fitness has been inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents, including inflammatory biomarkers.

More research is needed to evaluate whether the influence of muscular fitness on chronic inflammation is independent of cardiorespiratory fitness and fatness.

What this study adds

Muscular fitness is inversely related with inflammatory biomarkers during adolescence, independently of cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin resistance.

The lower inflammatory status in adolescents with higher levels of muscular fitness seems to be explained by lower levels of fatness.

Overweight and obese adolescents present an exacerbated inflammatory status, but this may be counteracted – to some extent – by maintaining appropriate levels of muscular fitness.

Background

Muscular fitness, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and fatness are mutually related with chronic inflammation.

Purpose

To examine the independent association of muscular fitness with inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents from nine European countries.

Methods

A total of 639 adolescents (296 boys) aged from 12.5 to 17.5 year were included in this report. Data collection took place in 2006–2007 and analyses in 2012. A muscular fitness score was computed from handgrip strength and standing long jump. CRF was measured using the 20 m shuttle run test. Z‐scores of C‐reactive protein, complement factors C3 and C4, leptin and white blood cell counts were summed to create a cluster of inflammatory biomarkers. Sex, age, pubertal stage and centre were used as main confounders. Additional models were further adjusted for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and sum of four skinfolds.

Results

Muscular fitness was negatively associated with single and clustered inflammatory biomarkers (standardized β from −0.399 to −0.100, all P‐values < 0.05). Additional adjustments for CRF and HOMA‐IR weakened the associations, but they still remained significant. The association was no longer significant when adjusting for skinfolds. Decreasing values of inflammatory score were observed across incremental levels of muscular fitness in both non‐overweight and overweight adolescents (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Adolescents with higher levels of muscular fitness present a lower chronic inflammation, and this seems to be explained by lower levels of fatness. Yet, overweight and obese adolescents may exhibit a less adverse profile if they maintain appropriate levels of muscular fitness.
A concept analysis of watchful waiting among providers caring for women in labour
Authors: Carlson Nicole S. , Lowe Nancy K.
Published: July 2013

Aim

This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of watchful waiting.

Background

Little is known about differences between the intrapartum care processes of midwives and physicians. In this time of growing rates of surgical birth outcomes, intrapartum care processes are a key area for research and improvement. Watchful waiting is a common care plan used by both midwives and physicians that involves the timing of interventions in labour.

Design

Rodgers' Evolutionary Model was used to conduct a concept analysis of the term watchful waiting.

Data sources

Scientific literature authored by, and about, midwives and physicians, as located via an intrapartum‐focused database search inclusive of years 1922–May 2012. Thirty English‐language articles from nine different countries were located, representing the midwifery and physician scientific literature focusing on watchful waiting in labour and provider decision‐making processes.

Review method

Attributes, consequences, antecedents and affecting themes were identified through a thematic analysis of the identified articles.

Results

Data analysis reveals that many midwives and physicians define watchful waiting differently, based on their philosophies of care.

Conclusion

The care of women in labour is complicated as a result of different understandings by some providers of common processes of intrapartum care.
Characterization of a New Pathogenic Acanthamoeba Species, A. byersi n. sp., Isolated from a Human with Fatal Amoebic Encephalitis
Authors: Qvarnstrom Yvonne , Nerad Thomas A. , Visvesvara Govinda S.
Published: July 2013

Acanthamoeba spp. are free‐living amoebae that are ubiquitous in natural environments. They can cause cutaneous, nasopharyngeal, and disseminated infection, leading to granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised individuals. In addition, they can cause amoebic keratitis in contact lens wearers. Acanthamoeba GAE is almost always fatal because of difficulty and delay in diagnosis and lack of optimal antimicrobial therapy. Here, we report the description of an unusual strain isolated from skin and brain of a GAE patient. The amoebae displayed large trophozoites and star‐shaped cysts, characteristics for acanthamoebas belonging to morphology Group 1. However, its unique morphology and growth characteristics differentiated this new strain from other Group 1 species. DNA sequence analysis, secondary structure prediction, and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene confirmed that this new strain belonged to Group 1, but that it was distinct from the other sequence types within that group. Thus, we hereby propose the establishment of a new species, Acanthamoeba byersi n. sp. as well as a new sequence type, T18, for this new strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Group 1 Acanthamoeba that is indisputably pathogenic in humans.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients
Authors: Wirasorn Kosin , Ngamprasertchai Thundon , Khuntikeo Narong , Pakkhem Ake , Ungarereevittaya Piti , Chindaprasirt Jarin , Sookprasert Aumkhae
Published: July 2013

Background and Aim

Cholangiocarcinoma patients usually have poor treatment outcome and a high mortality rate. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is controversial. Our study aimed to evaluate benefits of AC in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients.

Methods

A retrospective study included 263 patients who underwent curative resection in Srinakarind University Hospital. These patients had pathological reports showing a clear margin (R0) or microscopic margin (R1) of lesion‐free tissue.

Results

There were 138 patients who received AC. This group had a significantly lower mean age than patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) group (57.7 ± 8.5 vs 60.4 ± 9.0 years, P = 0.01). The level of serum albumin above 3 g/dL was more common in AC group than the NAC one (87.7% vs 79.2%, P = 0.04). Patients who received AC had significantly longer overall median survival time (21.6 vs 13.4 months, P = 0.01). Patients with a combination of gemcitabine and capecitabine regimen had the longest survival time (median overall survival time of gemcitabine and capecitabine 31.5, 5‐fluorouracil and mitomycin 17.3, 5‐fluorouracil alone 22.2, capecitabine alone 21.6, and gemcitabine alone 7.9 months, P = 0.02). Benefits of AC were likely to be found in patients who had high‐risk features, that is, high level of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9, advanced stage, T4 stage, lymph node involvement, and R1 margin.

Conclusions

AC significantly prolongs survival time in resectable cholangiocarcinoma patients, particularly in the high risk group.
Value of interleukin‐28B genetic polymorphism on retreatment outcomes of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 relapsers by peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin
Authors: Chen Ming‐Yao , Liu Chen‐Hua , Chen Ting‐Chih , Su Tung‐Hung , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chen Ding‐Shinn , Kao Jia‐Horng , Liu Chun‐Jen
Published: July 2013

Background and Aim

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is a leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy remains the standard of care for CHC genotype 1 in many Asian countries, and single nucleotide polymorphism or genotype of the interleukin‐28B (IL28B) gene is associated with the development of sustained virologic response (SVR). The predictive value of IL28B genotype for retreatment outcomes of patients with CHC was only partly clarified and deserves further investigation.

Methods

A total of 75 CHC genotype 1 Taiwanese patients who relapsed after 24‐week PEG‐IFN/RBV combination therapy and received retreatment with a 48‐week PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy were consecutively enrolled since November 2009. The associations among IL28B rs8099917 genotype, virologic kinetics, and treatment outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Rapid virologic response (RVR) at week 4, end‐of‐treatment virologic response (EOT‐VR) and SVR was 37%, 73%, and 52%, respectively. Relapse rate was 29%. None of patients had rs8099917 GG genotype. Patients with TT genotype (n = 54, 72%) had higher rates of RVR (50% vs 5%, P = 0.0002), end‐of‐treatment virologic response (85% vs 43%, P = 0.0001), and SVR (67% vs 14%, P = 0.0001) than those with GT genotype (n = 21, 28%). Combination of IL28B TT genotype and achieving RVR had 85% positive and 90% negative predictive values of SVR.

Conclusions

About half of the Taiwanese CHC relapsers to a previous 24‐week combination therapy achieve SVR after retreatment for 48 weeks. IL28B genotype influences on‐treatment viral kinetics and SVR rate in these retreated patients. Baseline IL28B genotype and RVR can serve as early predictors for treatment success.
Sex, Hormones and Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus: Hormonal Modulation of Neurogenesis and Potential Functional Implications
Authors: Galea L. A. M. , Wainwright S. R. , Roes M. M. , Duarte‐Guterman P. , Chow C. , Hamson D. K.
Published: July 2013

The hippocampus is an area of the brain that undergoes dramatic plasticity in response to experience and hormone exposure. The hippocampus retains the ability to produce new neurones in most mammalian species and is a structure that is targeted in a number of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, many of which are influenced by both sex and sex hormone exposure. Intriguingly, gonadal and adrenal hormones affect the structure and function of the hippocampus differently in males and females. Adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus is regulated by both gonadal and adrenal hormones in a sex‐ and experience‐dependent way. Sex differences in the effects of steroid hormones to modulate hippocampal plasticity should not be completely unexpected because the physiology of males and females is different, with the most notable difference being that females gestate and nurse the offspring. Furthermore, reproductive experience (i.e. pregnancy and mothering) results in permanent changes to the maternal brain, including the hippocampus. This review outlines the ability of gonadal and stress hormones to modulate multiple aspects of neurogenesis (cell proliferation and cell survival) in both male and female rodents. The function of adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus is linked to spatial memory and depression, and the present review provides early evidence of the functional links between the hormonal modulation of neurogenesis that may contribute to the regulation of cognition and stress.
G‐Protein Oestrogen Receptor 1: Trials and Tribulations of a Membrane Oestrogen Receptor
Authors: Srivastava D. P. , Evans P. D.
Published: July 2013

Oestrogens are now recognised to be able to initiate rapid, fast responses, in addition to their classical, longer‐term actions. There is a growing appreciation of the potential implications of this mode of action for oestrogenic signalling in both neuronal and non‐neuronal systems. As such, much effort has been made to determine the mechanisms that are critical for transducing these rapid effects into cellular responses. Recently, an orphan G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR), termed GPR30, was identified as an oestrogen‐sensitive receptor in cancer cells. This receptor, now term G‐protein oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) has been the subject of many investigations, and a role for this receptor in the nervous system is now emerging. In this review, we highlight some of the more recent advances in our understanding of the distribution and subcellular localisation of this receptor in the brain, as well as some of the evidence for the potential role that this receptor may play in the brain. We then discuss some of the controversies surrounding the pharmacology of this receptor, and attempt to reconcile these by suggesting that the ‘agonist‐specific coupling’ model of GPCR function may provide a potential explanation for some of the divergent reports of GPER1 pharmacology.
Effect of a group intervention in the primary healthcare setting on continuing adherence to physical exercise routines in obese women
Authors: del Rey‐Moya Luz Maria , Castilla‐Álvarez Carmen , Pichiule‐Castañeda Myrian , Rico‐Blázquez Milagros , Escortell‐Mayor Esperanza , Gómez‐Quevedo Rosa ,   The Camina Group
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To determine the effect of a seven‐week‐long, group‐delivered, nurse‐monitored, exercise training programme on the adherence of obese women to physical exercise routines at 12 months.

Background

The worldwide obesity epidemic is posing huge public health challenges. The main cause of obesity in Europe is very possibly a sedentary lifestyle. Uncertainty exists regarding whether people will continue to exercise once a structured intervention programme of physical activity ends.

Design

No‐control‐group (before–after) intervention study.

Methods

One Hundred Seventy‐Four women from the Madrid region (Spain) aged ≥ 45 years with a body mass index of ≥30 undertook a maximum of 21 × 1 hour exercise training programme sessions (three per week) over seven weeks starting in February 2009. The number of women making use of exercise training programme before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 months postintervention, was recorded using the Nursing Outcome Classification. Information was collected by interviewing the study subjects. Bivariate (McNemar and Student's t‐tests) and multivariate (binary logistic regression) analyses were then performed.

Results

The Nursing Outcome Classification Indicator ‘Does the subject follow an exercise training programme?’ showed that at the end of one year, the percentage of women who remained adhered to exercise training programme increased in those who completed the study (from 11–41%). As the number of programmed exercise training programme sessions completed increased beyond 14, so too did the likelihood of adhering to an exercise training programme regime at one year.

Conclusion

The results show that an exercise training programme intervention can encourage obese women to continue exercising after exercise interventions end.

Relevance to clinical practice

This type of intervention could provide a valuable means of helping women lose weight and improve their health. It may also have important economic benefits for health systems. Clinical trials with longer follow‐up times and in other populations are needed to confirm the present results.
Social support, coping strategies and health‐related quality of life among primary caregivers of stroke survivors in China
Authors: Yu Yunhong , Hu Jie , Efird Jimmy T , McCoy Thomas P
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To examine the relationships of social support and coping strategies to health‐related quality of life among primary caregivers of stroke survivors inChina.

Background

Caring for a stroke survivor is highly stressful, which can negatively affect a caregiver's physical and psychological well‐being. Stroke caregivers generally report more somatic symptoms, depressive symptoms, sleep disorders and social isolation. They generally have poorer quality of life than the general population.

Design

A cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational study.

Methods

A quasi‐random, point of reference sample of 121 survivor–caregiver dyads was recruited from three community health centres and six health service stations in a city in centralChina. Data were collected in face‐to‐face interviews at participants’ homes using structured questionnaires.

Results

Higher educational levels, planning and active coping were positively associated with health‐related quality of life. The number of chronic conditions, hours of care per day and functional dependence of the survivor were negatively related to quality of life.

Conclusion

Active coping strategies predicted better health‐related quality of life. Findings suggest that intervention programmes should be developed to enhance caregivers of stroke survivors’ coping skills and improve social support for these caregivers inChina.

Relevance to clinical practice

Community healthcare providers may need to help caregivers strengthen strategies that are effective (planning, active coping, seeking instrumental and emotional support) and change those that are not helpful (venting, denial and self‐blame).
A mixed‐method study exploring suffering and alleviation in participants attending a chronic pain management programme
Authors: Dysvik Elin , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Furnes Bodil
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To explore and describe the suffering of patients that arises from chronic pain, and the alleviation of this suffering within a chronic pain management programme. In this mixed‐method study, we examined how quantitative findings can be integrated to answer a complex research question and expand qualitative findings.

Background

Suffering and grief often follow chronic pain and can involve a number of experiences. Therefore, understanding and explaining the chronic pain experience must incorporate subjective experiences and phenomenological dimensions.

Design

A qualitatively driven multiple mixed‐method design. The qualitative core was supplemented with three quantitative sequential components and integrated after analyses in a result narrative.

Methods

Thirty‐four consecutive outpatients were recruited to an eight‐week pain management programme that was founded on cognitive behavioural therapy. The qualitative core component consisted of asking the participants about their experiences of the programme after the completion and again after six months. Two quantitative questionnaires, measuring living with pain and grief and loss were administered at pretest, post‐test and six‐month follow‐up. Satisfaction with the programme was measured after its completion.

Results

Both the qualitative reports and the quantitative data showed that the programme had been valuable and alleviated the participants' suffering. The written reports described the importance of group processes, increased self‐understanding and other aspects that were meaningful to the participants. The quantitative data provided additional information about what and how the programme had been important to the participants.

Conclusions

The findings clearly indicate that suffering can be alleviated by attending such programme as several key shifts in perspectives took place, and allowed them to move towards a better life.

Relevance to clinical practice

By attending such programme, patients may learn about cognitive and behavioural factors that contribute to chronic pain and suffering and how alleviation is possible through change of focus and active involvement.
Factors associated with health‐related quality of life among overweight or obese adults
Authors: Wang Jing , Sereika Susan M , Styn Mindi A , Burke Lora E
Published: July 2013

Aims and objectives

To identify factors associated with health‐related quality of life among overweight or obese adults.

Background

The obesity epidemic presents a global challenge. Obesity is associated with lower health‐related quality of life; however, no study has comprehensively examined correlates of health‐related quality of life in this population.

Design

A cross‐sectional design.

Methods

The physical component score, mental component score and eight domain scores of the Short Form‐36 v2 were used to assess health‐related quality of life. We identified 23 possible correlates of health‐related quality of life, including age, body mass index, health and weight histories, perceived stress, cholesterol‐lowering diet self‐efficacy, problem‐solving, binge eating, dietary intake and physical activity. Correlational analyses were used to examine the bivariate associations between correlates and health‐related quality of life variables. All possible subsets regression was used to develop predictive models of health‐related quality of life.

Results

The sample (n = 210) was predominantly White (84·8%), female (78·1%) and middle‐aged (average age = 46·80 years). Age, body mass index, education, having children at home, and being hypertensive were identified as the best predictors of physical component score, explaining about 9% of the variance. Age, marital status, having hyperlipidaemia, perceived stress, problem‐solving, self‐efficacy, binge eating and barriers to healthy eating predicted mental component score, explaining approximately 48% of the variance. Physical functioning and role physical domains of health‐related quality of life had similar sets of predictors, with 15% and 13% of the variance explained, respectively, while similar predictors were identified for bodily pain (6%), general health (26%), vitality (40%), social functioning (32%), role emotional (42%) and mental health (46%) domains.

Conclusions

Psychosocial factors were associated with the mental‐related quality of life. Further exploration of factors related to physical‐related quality of life is warranted in this population.

Relevance to clinical practice

When working with overweight/obese adults who are trying to lose weight, nurses need to consider socio‐demographic and psychosocial factors in the development of a treatment plan that will improve health‐related quality of life in this population.
IL‐17C and its receptor IL‐17RA/IL‐17RE identify human oral epithelial cell as an inflammatory cell in recurrent aphthous ulcer
Authors: Al‐Samadi Ahmed , Kouri Vesa‐Petteri , Salem Abdelhakim , Ainola Mari , Kaivosoja Emilia , Barreto Gonçalo , Konttinen Yrjö T. , Hietanen Jarkko , Häyrinen‐Immonen Ritva
Published: July 2013

Background

Recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) is an ulcerative disease of non‐keratinized oral mucosa. Colon and bronchial epithelial cells produce interleukin‐17C (IL‐17C) upon stimulation of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR3 and TLR5, which are highly expressed in epithelial cells in RAU lesions. We therefore investigated the eventual presence and function of IL‐17C in cultured human oral keratinocytes (HOK) and control biopsies compared to RAU lesions.

Methods

Expression of IL‐17A, IL‐17C, IL‐17RA and IL‐17RE was analysed in cultured HOK cells using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). HOK cells were stimulated with IL‐17C and analysed for IL‐8 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) using qRT‐PCR. Control mucosa (n = 5) was immunostained for IL‐17A, IL‐17C, IL‐8, TNF‐α and mast cell tryptase and compared with RAU lesions (n = 5) using the mean grey scale value.

Results

IL‐17C, but no IL‐17A, mRNA was found in cultured HOK cells. Components of the heterodimeric IL‐17RA/IL‐17RE receptor for IL‐17C were also highly expressed. Stimulation of HOK with IL‐17C increased TNF‐α mRNA (P = 0.03; IL‐8 increase was not statistically significant). HOK in RAU lesions stained intensively for IL‐17C compared to controls (P = 0.006). This was associated with increased epithelial immunostaining of TNF‐α (P = 0.04) and IL‐8 (P = 0.02). Most of the inflammatory cells which stained for IL‐17A in control mucosa and RAU lesions were also mast cell tryptase positive.

Conclusion

IL‐17C is highly expressed in epithelial cells in RAU lesions, where it seems to stimulate oral keratinocytes via IL‐17RA/IL‐17RE to produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Human oral epithelial cells are probably important inflammatory cells in RAU.
The State of Hepatitis B and C in the Mediterranean and Balkan Countries: Report from a Summit Conference
Authors: Hatzakis A. , Van Damme P. , Alcorn K. , Gore C. , Benazzouz M. , Berkane S. , Buti M. , Carballo M. , Cortes Martins H. , Deuffic‐Burban S. , Dominguez A. , Donoghoe M. , Elzouki A‐N. , Ben‐Alaya Bouafif N. , Esmat G. , Esteban R. , Fabri M. , Fenton K. , Goldberg D. , Goulis I. , Hadjichristodoulou T. , Hatzigeorgiou T. , Hamouda O. , Hasurdjiev S. , Hughes S. , Kautz A. , Malik M. , Manolakopoulos S. , Matičič M. , Papatheodoridis G. , Peck R. , Peterle A. , Potamitis G. , Prati D. , Roudot‐Thoraval F. , Reic T. , Sharara A. , Shennak M. , Shiha G. , Shouval D. , Sočan M. , Thomas H. , Thursz M. , Tosti M. , Trépo C. , Vince A. , Vounou E. , Wiessing L. , Manns M.
Published: July 2013

The burden of disease due to chronic viral hepatitis constitutes a global threat. In many Balkan and Mediterranean countries, the disease burden due to viral hepatitis remains largely unrecognized, including in high‐risk groups and migrants, because of a lack of reliable epidemiological data, suggesting the need for better and targeted surveillance for public health gains. In many countries, the burden of chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B and C is increasing due to ageing of unvaccinated populations and migration, and a probable increase in drug injecting. Targeted vaccination strategies for hepatitis B virus (HBV) among risk groups and harm reduction interventions at adequate scale and coverage for injecting drug users are needed. Transmission of HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in healthcare settings and a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV among recipients of blood and blood products in the Balkan and North African countries highlight the need to implement and monitor universal precautions in these settings and use voluntary, nonremunerated, repeat donors. Progress in drug discovery has improved outcomes of treatment for both HBV and HCV, although access is limited by the high costs of these drugs and resources available for health care. Egypt, with the highest burden of hepatitis C in the world, provides treatment through its National Control Strategy. Addressing the burden of viral hepatitis in the Balkan and Mediterranean regions will require national commitments in the form of strategic plans, financial and human resources, normative guidance and technical support from regional agencies and research.
Low‐wage Jobs — Springboard to High‐paid Ones?
Authors: Knabe Andreas , Plum Alexander
Published: July 2013

We examine whether low‐paid jobs have an effect on the probability that unemployed persons obtain better‐paid jobs in the future (springboard effect). We make use of data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) and apply a dynamic random effects bivariate probit model. Our results suggest that low‐wage jobs can act as springboards to better‐paid work. The improvement of the chance to obtain a high‐wage job by accepting low‐paid work is particularly large for less‐skilled persons and for individuals who experienced longer periods of unemployment. Low‐paid work is less beneficial if the job is associated with a low social status.
Arterial function and anatomy in obese children with cardiovascular risk factors
Authors: Guven Baris , Demirpence Savas , Yilmazer Murat Muhtar , Carti Ozgur Umac , Tavli Vedide , Mese Timur , Oner Taliha
Published: July 2013

Background

Limited data are available related to the effects of cardiovascular risk factors on abdominal arterial stiffness using carotid and brachial artery indices. Therefore, we aimed to determine arterial changes in obese children and investigate any relation with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Thirty‐eight obese children (mean body mass index: 28.35 ± 4.65 kg/m2) and 34 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects underwent ultrasound measurements of abdominal, carotid and brachial arteries. Aortic strain, pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep), pressure strain normalized by diastolic blood pressure (Ep*), carotid intima‐media thickness, carotid artery compliance, brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation, and well‐known cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in the obese children.

Results

Obese children had significantly higher Ep and Ep* parameters than the healthy controls (mean: 242.6 [107.1–666.6], 164.2 [110.6–231.5]; P < 0.001, and mean: 3.39 [1.76–7.5], 2.64 [1.46–4.2]; P < 0.001, respectively). Ep and Ep* were significantly correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r = 0.587, P = 0.001; r = 0.467, P = 0.004, respectively). Receiver–operator curve analysis of Ep for identification of children with cardiovascular risk factors showed that the area under the curve for hyperinsulinemia was 0.80 (P < 0.001) and for hypertriglyceridemia was 0.62 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Abdominal arterial stiffness parameters as well as carotid intima‐media thickness and brachial arterial flow‐mediated dilatation assessment were similarly useful in identifying obese children with cardiovascular risk factors. Insulin resistance is related with the augmented rigidity of the aortic wall in obese children.
Spectroscopy, Microscopy and Fluorescence Imaging of Origanum vulgare L. Basis for Nondestructive Quality Assessment
Authors: Novo Johanna M. , Iriel Analia , Claudia Marchi María , Gabriela Lagorio María
Published: July 2013

The organs of Origanum vulgare L. plant were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and autofluorescence imaging. The different organs were also studied spectroscopically. Fluorescence emission spectra were recorded for intact inflorescences, leaves and stems. Several fluorescence ratios (Blue/Red, Blue/Far‐red, Green/Red and Green/Far‐red), which varied depending on the considered organ of the plant, were derived. For leaves, a dependence of fluorescence spectra with water content was obtained as well. The intact samples were also analyzed by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. These spectra were transformed to the Remission function depending on the wavenumber and two absorption bands (811 and 1740 cm−1), which displayed differences according to the plant organ sampled, were detected. These results were consistent with higher carvacrol content in inflorescences. The spectroscopic results were connected with the microscopic observation and with the presence of relevant nutraceutics contained in the plant. The optical indexes derived in this work may serve as potential indicators to be explored in the development of nondestructive methods for oregano quality assessment.
Association of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ root infection, but not phloem plugging with root loss on huanglongbing‐affected trees prior to appearance of foliar symptoms
Authors: Johnson E. G. , Wu J. , Bright D. B. , Graham J. H.
Published: July 2013

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a systemic disease of citrus caused by phloem‐limited bacteria ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ spp. with ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las) the most widespread. Phloem‐limited bacteria such as liberibacters and phytoplasmas are emerging as major pathogens of woody and herbaceous plants. Little is known about their systemic movement within a plant and the disease process in these tissues. Las movement after initial infection was monitored in leaves and roots of greenhouse trees. Root density, storage starch content, and vascular system anatomy in relation to Las presence in field and greenhouse trees, both with and without symptoms, showed the importance of root infection in disease development. Las preferentially colonized roots before leaves, where it multiplied and quickly invaded leaves when new foliar flush became a sink tissue for phloem flow. This led to the discovery that roots were damaged by root infection prior to development of visible foliar symptoms and was not associated with carbohydrate starvation caused by phloem‐plugging as previously hypothesized. The role of root infection in systemic insect‐vectored bacterial pathogens has been underestimated. These findings demonstrate the significance of early root infection to tree health and suggest a model for phloem‐limited bacterial movement from the initial insect feeding site to the roots where it replicates, damages the host root system, and then spreads to the rest of the canopy during subsequent leaf flushes. This model provides a framework for testing movement of phloem‐limited bacteria to gain greater understanding of how these pathogens cause disease and spread.
Suppression of clubroot by Clonostachys rosea via antibiosis and induced host resistance
Authors: Lahlali R. , Peng G.
Published: July 2013

The mechanism of the biofungicide Prestop® (Clonostachys rosea) was investigated for control of clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) on canola. The key product components were partitioned and assessed for their effect on pathogen resting spores, root hair infection (RHI) and disease development using light microscopy, quantitative PCR and different application treatments during infection. The whole product of Prestop was consistently more effective than the C. rosea conidial suspension or product filtrate alone in reducing RHI and clubroot development. This biofungicide showed little effect on germination or viability of resting spores. Two‐application treatments at seeding and 7–14 days after seeding achieved greater clubroot control than a single application of the biofungicide at either seeding or post‐seeding stage. This may indicate the need to maintain a high biofungicide dose in the soil during primary and secondary infection. This biocontrol fungus colonized the rhizosphere and interior of canola roots extensively, and possibly induced plant resistance based on up‐regulation of the genes that are involved in jasmonic acid (BnOPR2), ethylene (BnACO) and phenylpropanoid (BnOPCL, BnCCR) biosynthetic pathways. It is concluded that the biofungicide Prestop suppressed clubroot on canola at least via root colonization and induced systemic resistance (ISR), and the latter may be through the modulation of phenylpropanoid and jasmonic acid/ethylene metabolic pathways elicited by the fungus.
Immunolocalization of Aquaporin Water Channels in the Domestic Cat Male Genital Tract
Authors: Arrighi S , Aralla M
Published: July 2013

Contents

Four different aquaporins (AQP1, 2, 5 and 9), integral membrane water channels that facilitate rapid passive movement of water, were immuno‐localized in the excurrent ducts collected from sexually mature cats during orchiectomy. Aquaporins 1, 2 and 9, were immuno‐localized at distinct levels, whereas AQP5 was undetectable all along the feline genital tract. No immunoreactivity was present at the level of the rete testis with any of the antibodies tested. In the efferent ducts, AQP1‐immunoreactivity was strongly evidenced at the apical surface of the non‐ciliated cells, and AQP9‐immunoreactivity was shown at the periphery of both ciliated and non‐ciliated cells. Aquaporins 2 was absent in the caput epididymidis, either in the efferent ducts or in the epididymal duct. Otherwise, AQP2 was increasingly localized at the adluminal surface of principal cells from the corpus to the cauda epididymidis and more weakly in the vas deferens epithelium. The supranuclear zone of the epididymal principal cells was AQP9‐immunoreactive throughout the duct, with the exclusion of the vacuolated sub‐region of the caput and with higher reaction intensity in the cauda region. AQP1 was present in the blood vessels all along the genital tract. AQP1 was expressed also in the smooth muscle layer of the vas deferens. The tested AQP molecules showed a different expression pattern in comparison with laboratory mammals, primates and the dog, unique other carnivore species studied to date. The present information is possibly useful in regard to the regional morphology of the feline epididymis and correlated functions, which are still a matter of debate.
The influence of maternal optimality and infant temperament on parenting stress at 12 months among mothers with substance abuse and psychiatric problems
Authors: Siqveland Torill S. , Olafsen Kåre S. , Moe Vibeke
Published: July 2013

The present prospective longitudinal study aimed to investigate the long‐term impact of maternal optimality assessed during pregnancy on parenting stress at infant age 12 months. In this study the concept of optimality was utilized to investigate maternal variations regarding resources during pregnancy in relation to later parenting stress, among three different groups of mothers that were recruited from substance abuse treatment, psychiatric outpatient treatment and well‐baby clinics respectively. The influence of infant temperament on parenting stress was also examined. All mothers were interviewed during pregnancy. At 12 months, infant temperament (Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory; Rowe & Plomin, 1977) and stress in the parent and child domain (Parenting Stress Index; Abidin, 1955) were assessed. Results demonstrated higher levels of parenting stress among mothers in the clinical groups, compared to the non‐clinical group. Furthermore, it was the maternal psychiatric optimality index in combination with child temperament characteristics (child emotionality) that contributed uniquely to stress in the parent domain, while stress in the child domain was significantly associated only with child temperament characteristics (both child emotionality and soothability). The association between maternal psychiatric optimality assessed in pregnancy, infant temperament and parenting stress when the infants were 12 months old, points to the importance of simultaneously addressing the mothers' own psychological distress, and to support positive mother–infant interactions. Each woman's individual optimality profile may be used to display needs of follow‐up in order to prevent enduring effects of non‐optimality on parenting stress.