bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current understanding on micro RNAs and its regulation in response to Mycobacterial infections
Authors: Singh Pravin Kumar , Singh Ajay Vir , Chauhan Devendra Singh
Published: March 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, naturally abundant, small, regulatory non-coding RNAs that inhibit gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in a sequence-specific manner. Due to involvement in a broad range of biological processes and diseases, miRNAs are now commanding considerable attention. Although much of the focus has been on the role of miRNAs in different types of cancer, recent evidence also points to a critical role of miRNAs in infectious disease, including those of bacterial origin. Now, miRNAs research is exploring rapidly as a new thrust area of biomedical research with relevance to deadly bacterial diseases like Tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The purpose of this review is to highlight the current developments in area of miRNAs regulation in Mycobacterial diseases; and how this might influence the diagnosis, understanding of disease biology, control and management in the future.
Cost and burden of gastroesophageal reflux disease among patients with persistent symptoms despite proton pump inhibitor therapy: an observational study in France
Authors: Bruley des Varannes Stanislas , Löfman Helena Granstedt , Karlsson Maria , Wahlqvist Peter , Ruth Magnus , Furstnau Mary Lou , Despiégel Nicolas , Stålhammar Nils-Olov
Published: March 2013

Background

Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder that negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQL) and work productivity. Many patients have only a partial response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and continue to experience GERD symptoms despite optimized treatment. This observational study aimed to provide information on symptoms, HRQL, resource usage, costs and treatment pathways associated with partial response to PPI therapy in French patients with GERD.

Methods

Patients with partial response to PPI therapy, defined as persistent GERD symptoms ≥3 days/week despite optimized treatment with a PPI, were recruited for this 12-month observational study. GERD symptoms, HRQL, work productivity and resource use were assessed by patient surveys. Costs were calculated based on lost work productivity and resource use.

Results

The patient population (n=262; mean age, 54 years; 40% men) carried a significant symptom burden, with 98% of patients having moderate-to-severe GERD symptoms and 65% of patients experiencing daily symptoms at baseline. HRQL and work productivity were significantly impaired, with a greater degree of impairment in patients with higher symptom burden. The mean total cost per patient over the 12-month follow-up period was €5237, of which €4674 (89%) was due to lost work productivity.

Conclusions

Partial response to PPI therapy for GERD is associated with a high symptom burden, significant impairment of HRQL and work productivity, and substantial GERD-related costs.
Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare workers in Chinese intensive care units regarding 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic
Authors: Ma Xiaochun , He Zhenyang , Wang Yushan , Jiang Li , Xu Yuan , Qian Chuanyun , Sun Rongqing , Chen Erzhen , Hu Zhenjie , Zhou Lihua , Zhou Fachun , Qin Tiehe , Cao Xiangyuan , An Youzhong , Sun Renhua , Zhang Xijing , Lin Jiandong , Ai Yuhang , Wu Dawei , Du Bin ,   the China Critical Care Clinical Trial Group (CCCCTG)
Published: March 2013

Background

To describe the knowledge and attitudes of critical care clinicians during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Methods

A survey conducted in 21 intensive care units in 17 provinces in China.

Results

Out of 733 questionnaires distributed, 695 were completed. Three hundred and fifty-six respondents (51.2%) reported their experience of caring for H1N1 patients. Despite the fact that 88.5% of all respondents ultimately finished an H1N1 training program, only 41.9% admitted that they had the knowledge of 2009 H1N1 influenza. A total of 572 respondents (82.3%) expressed willingness to care for H1N1 patients. Independent variables associated with increasing likelihood to care for patients in the logistic regression analysis were physicians or nurses rather than other professionals (odds ratio 4.056 and 3.235, p = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively), knowledge training prior to patient care (odds ratio 1.531, p = 0.044), and the confidence to know how to protect themselves and their patients (odds ratio 2.109, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Critical care clinicians reported poor knowledge of H1N1 influenza, even though most finished a relevant knowledge training program. Implementation of appropriate education program might improve compliance to infection control measures, and willingness to work in a pandemic.
In vivo temporal and spatial profile of leukocyte adhesion and migration after experimental traumatic brain injury in mice
Authors: Schwarzmaier Susanne M , Zimmermann Ricarda , McGarry Niamh B , Trabold Raimund , Kim Seong-Woong , Plesnila Nikolaus
Published: March 2013

Background

Leukocytes are believed to be involved in delayed cell death following traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, data demonstrating that blood-borne inflammatory cells are present in the injured brain prior to the onset of secondary brain damage have been inconclusive. We therefore investigated both the interaction between leukocytes and the cerebrovascular endothelium using in vivo imaging and the accumulation of leukocytes in the penumbra following experimentally induced TBI.

Methods

Experimental TBI was induced in C57/Bl6 mice (n = 42) using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury model, and leukocyte-endothelium interactions (LEI) were quantified using both intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) of superficial vessels and 2-photon microscopy of cortical vessels for up to 14 h post-CCI. In a separate experimental group, leukocyte accumulation and secondary lesion expansion were analyzed in mice that were sacrificed 15 min, 2, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h after CCI (n = 48). Finally, leukocyte adhesion was blocked with anti-CD18 antibodies, and the effects on LEI and secondary lesion expansion were determined 16 (n = 12) and 24 h (n = 21), respectively, following TBI.

Results

One hour after TBI leukocytes and leukocyte-platelet aggregates started to roll on the endothelium of pial venules, whereas no significant LEI were observed in pial arterioles or in sham-operated mice. With a delay of >4 h, leukocytes and aggregates did also firmly adhere to the venular endothelium. In deep cortical vessels (250 μm) LEIs were much less pronounced. Transmigration of leukocytes into the brain parenchyma only became significant after the tissue became necrotic. Treatment with anti-CD18 antibodies reduced adhesion by 65%; however, this treatment had no effect on secondary lesion expansion.

Conclusions

LEI occurred primarily in pial venules, whereas little or no LEI occurred in arterioles or deep cortical vessels. Inhibiting LEI did not affect secondary lesion expansion. Importantly, the majority of migrating leukocytes entered the injured brain parenchyma only after the tissue became necrotic. Our results therefore suggest that neither intravascular leukocyte adhesion nor the migration of leukocytes into cerebral tissue play a significant role in the development of secondary lesion expansion following TBI.
Increased risk of ischemic stroke in cervical cancer patients: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Tsai Shiang-Jiun , Huang Yung-Sung , Tung Chien-Hsueh , Lee Ching-Chih , Lee Moon-Sing , Chiou Wen-Yen , Lin Hon-Yi , Hsu Feng-Chun , Tsai Chih-Hsin , Su Yu-Chieh , Hung Shih-Kai
Published: March 2013

Background

Increased risk of ischemic stroke has been validated for several cancers, but limited study evaluated this risk in cervical cancer patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the risk of ischemic stroke in cervical cancer patients.

Methods

The study analyzed data from the 2003 to 2008 National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) provided by the National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan. Totally, 893 cervical cancer patients after radiotherapy and 1786 appendectomy patients were eligible. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the risk of ischemic stroke.

Results

The 5-year cumulative risk of ischemic stroke was significantly higher for the cervical cancer group than for the control group (7.8% vs 5.1%; p <0.005). The risk of stroke was higher in younger (age <51 years) than in older (age ≥51 years) cervical cancer patients (HR = 2.73, p = 0.04; HR = 1.37, p = 0.07) and in patients with more than two comorbid risk factors (5 years cumulative stroke rate of two comorbidities: 15% compared to no comorbidities: 4%).

Conclusions

These study demonstrated cervical cancer patients had a higher risk of ischemic stroke than the general population, especially in younger patients. Strategies to reduce this risk should be assessed.
Validation of an analytical method based on the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the fast-sequential determination of several hazardous/priority hazardous metals in soil
Authors: Frentiu Tiberiu , Ponta Michaela , Hategan Raluca
Published: March 2013

Background

The aim of this paper was the validation of a new analytical method based on the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the fast-sequential determination of several hazardous/priority hazardous metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil after microwave assisted digestion in aqua regia. Determinations were performed on the ContrAA 300 (Analytik Jena) air-acetylene flame spectrometer equipped with xenon short-arc lamp as a continuum radiation source for all elements, double monochromator consisting of a prism pre-monocromator and an echelle grating monochromator, and charge coupled device as detector. For validation a method-performance study was conducted involving the establishment of the analytical performance of the new method (limits of detection and quantification, precision and accuracy). Moreover, the Bland and Altman statistical method was used in analyzing the agreement between the proposed assay and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry as standardized method for the multielemental determination in soil.

Results

The limits of detection in soil sample (3σ criterion) in the high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry method were (mg/kg): 0.18 (Ag), 0.14 (Cd), 0.36 (Co), 0.25 (Cr), 0.09 (Cu), 1.0 (Ni), 1.4 (Pb) and 0.18 (Zn), close to those in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry: 0.12 (Ag), 0.05 (Cd), 0.15 (Co), 1.4 (Cr), 0.15 (Cu), 2.5 (Ni), 2.5 (Pb) and 0.04 (Zn). Accuracy was checked by analyzing 4 certified reference materials and a good agreement for 95% confidence interval was found in both methods, with recoveries in the range of 94–106% in atomic absorption and 97–103% in optical emission. Repeatability found by analyzing real soil samples was in the range 1.6–5.2% in atomic absorption, similar with that of 1.9–6.1% in optical emission spectrometry. The Bland and Altman method showed no statistical significant difference between the two spectrometric methods for 95% confidence interval.

Conclusions

High-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry can be successfully used for the rapid, multielemental determination of hazardous/priority hazardous metals in soil with similar analytical performances to those in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
Subtype specific genetic associations for juvenile idiopathic arthritis: ERAP1 with the enthesitis related arthritis subtype and IL23Rwith juvenile psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Hinks Anne , Martin Paul , Flynn Edward , Eyre Steve , Packham Jon ,   Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS),   BSPAR study group, Barton Anne , Worthington Jane , Thomson Wendy
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an umbrella term for all chronic childhood arthropathies and can be divided into seven subtypes. It includes the enthesitis related arthritis (ERA) subtype which displays symptoms similar to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and juvenile-onset psoriatic arthritis which has similarities to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis (Ps). We, therefore, hypothesized that two well-established susceptibility loci for AS and Ps, ERAP1 and IL23R, could also confer susceptibility to these JIA subtypes.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERAP1 (rs30187) and IL23R (rs11209026) were genotyped in JIA cases (n = 1,054) and healthy controls (n = 5,200). Genotype frequencies were compared between all JIA cases and controls using the Cochrane-Armitage trend test implemented in PLINK. Stratified analysis by ILAR subtype was performed.

Results

The ERA subtype showed strong association with ERAP1 SNP (P trend = 0.005). The IL23R SNP showed significant association in the PsA subtype (P trend = 0.04). The SNPs were not associated with JIA overall or with any other subtype.

Conclusions

We present evidence for subtype specific association of the ERAP1 gene with ERA JIA and the IL23R gene with juvenile-onset PsA. The findings will require validation in independent JIA datasets. These results suggest distinct pathogenic pathways in these subtypes.
Improve your management skills, improve your clinical service
Authors: Oakley Clare , Sugarman Philip
Published: March 2013

This article sets out an approach to service improvement and development that depends on psychiatrists acquiring management skills, working with managers and selecting, understanding and using some structured business tools. These are essential elements in the development of clinical leadership and service vision and can add enormously to the improvement of patient care and treatment outcomes. It is important for psychiatrists to begin to acquire these skills during their training and to continue to develop them throughout their careers.
Recruitment into psychiatry: quantitative myths and qualitative challenges
Authors: Davies Teifion
Published: March 2013

Recruitment into psychiatry is perceived as problematic in the UK but the paper by Goldacre and colleagues in this issue of the Journal shows that recruitment of new UK graduates has altered little over 35 years. Sources of psychiatry's malaise should be sought in its changing focus and the quality, rather than quantity, of its recruits.
Pros and cons of specialised care in bipolar disorder: an international perspective
Authors: Vieta Eduard
Published: March 2013

Highly specialised care may have both pros and cons. Centralised expert treatment may be more effective than standard community care for bipolar disorder. Rather than trying to solve the false dichotomy between specialised v. community care, the rational integration of both approaches may enhance quality of care and cost-effectiveness.
Clinicians, researchers and community activism: lessons for mental health services from another field of medicine – HIV/AIDS
Authors: Miller Robert
Published: March 2013

Consumer participation in mental health services has grown in recent years. Preceding this, a very productive collaboration in another area – the emerging crisis of HIV/AIDS – built a coalition of service users, researchers and clinicians which had a decisive impact on research and saved many lives. There is much to learn from this for the mental health field, where, at present, partnership between service users, caregivers, researchers and clinicians is not such a productive force. This editorial outlines the respective histories in these two areas and the lessons to be learnt for consumer involvement in the mental health field.
Electrocardiogram interpretation skills in psychiatry trainees
Authors: Yadav Rashmi , Vidyarthi Ankush
Published: March 2013

Aims and method

To assess the competence of psychiatry trainees in identifying major abnormalities in a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). This was a three-stage prospective study. In stage 1, selected ECG traces were presented to the trainees. They were then asked to comment on any abnormalities of note on the ECG traces. In stage 2, an ECG e-book was made available to the trainees and the survey repeated. In stage 3, ECG workshop sessions were introduced in the mandatory teaching programme and the survey was repeated.

Results

The number of correct responses after the introduction of the workshops were significantly more when compared with correct responses in stage 2 (P= 0.0002), and stage 1 (P= 0.0091). When compared with stage 1, the correct responses in stage 2 actually showed deterioration (P= 0.0284).

Clinical implications

Our study not only shows that providing access to an e-book is not enough to improve these skills, it also shows that ECG refresher sessions improved the diagnostic accuracy markedly.
Peer observation in simulated CASC events and its effects on learning
Authors: McMullen Isabel , Checinski Ken , Halliwell Susan , Maier Michael , Raji Oyepeju , Rands Gianetta , Rao Ranga
Published: March 2013

Aims and method

Passing the MRCPsych Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC) is a significant challenge for trainee psychiatrists. We describe the process of setting up a new educational intervention of a simulated CASC examination incorporating peer observation, and report the findings from these events.

Results

The training events involved a series of simulated scenarios followed by personalised feedback from examiners. Peer observation was a fundamental part of the events and was viewed positively by the trainees with perceived improvements in knowledge and skills. Differences in self-rated and examiner-rated competence were observed more often in those who subsequently failed the CASC.

Clinical implications

Simulated CASC examination as a training event with a strong focus on observing and learning from peers provides a useful learning experience and supports trainees who are preparing for the CASC examination.
The Good Guys: McCarthy'sThe Roadas Post – 9/11 Male Sentimental Novel
Authors: Sullivan Nell
Published: March 2013

The trauma of 9/11 ushered in a new age of male-centered sentimentality. With its focus on a father's sacrificial love for his young son in a postapocalyptic setting, Cormac McCarthy's The Road reflects this shift to male-centered sentimentality. In The Road, McCarthy appropriates the sentimental novel as space for unembarrassed male tenderness by nullifying nation as a structuring force of masculinity, excluding the mother from the plot, and rendering sheltered domesticity as unheimlich. McCarthy's good-guy sentimental thereby undoes an implicitly matriarchal domestic power structure and confers upon the father the affective power traditionally ascribed to feminine or feminized sentimental subjects.
FAK–Src signalling is important to renal collecting duct morphogenesis: discovery using a hierarchical screening technique
Authors: Tai Guangping , Hohenstein Peter , Davies Jamie A.
Published: March 2013

This report describes a hierarchical screening technique for identification of pathways that control the morphogenesis of the renal collecting duct system. The multi-step screen involves a first round using a 2-dimensional, cell-line-based scrape-healing assay, then a second round using a 3-dimensional tubulogenesis assay; both of these rounds use new cell lines described in this report. The final stage is ex vivo organ culture. We demonstrate the utility of the screen by using it to identify the FAK–Src-pathway signalling as being important for collecting duct development, specifically for the cell proliferation on which this development depends.
Crystal structure of 2,6-diiodo-8-(3-iodophenyl)-phenyl-BODIPY, C19H16BF2I3N2
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Jiang Wenjuan , Li Yajuan , Zhang Junna , Son Young-A
Published: March 2013

C19H16BF2I3N2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 10.163(1) Å, b = 10.682(1) Å, c = 11.592(1) Å, α = 63.658(1)°, β = 79.529(3)°, γ = 72.106(2)°, V = 1071.6 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0306, wRref(F2) = 0.0721, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of 5-(2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine- 2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C13H14N2O4
Authors: Li Xiaochuan , Li Yajuan , Zhang Junna , Son Young-A
Published: March 2013

C13H14N2O4, orthorhombic, Pna21 (no. 33), a = 15.85(2) Å, b = 4.318(5) Å, c = 17.42(2) Å, V = 1191.9 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0823, wRref(F2) = 0.2340, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of 2,2’-((1E,1'E)-(1,4-phenylene-bis(azanylylidene))- bis(methanylylidene))bis(4-bromophenol), C20H14Br2N2O2
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: March 2013

C20H14Br2N2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 20.219(4) Å, b = 6.899(1) Å, c = 6.195(1) Å, β = 96.473(4)°, V = 858.6 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0372, wRref(F2) = 0.0925, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of ethyl 3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzoate, C9H8Br2O3
Authors: Lu Zai-Sheng , Zhu Guang-Zhou , Shi Huan-Le
Published: March 2013

C9H8Br2O3, orthorhombic, Pbca (no. 61), a = 16.340(2) Å, b = 7.580(1) Å, c = 16.944(2) Å, V = 2098.6 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0231, wRref(F2) = 0.0521, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of (2E)-3-(biphenyl-4-yl)-1-(4,4’’-difluoro-5’-methoxy- 1,1’:3’,1’’-terphenyl-4’-yl)prop-2-en-1-one, C34H24F2O2
Authors: Betz Richard , Gerber Thomas , Hosten Eric , Samshuddin Seranthimata , Narayana Badiadka , Sarojini Balladka K.
Published: March 2013

C34H24F2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 15.6240(5) Å, b = 7.0828(2) Å, c = 24.3641(7) Å, β = 105.522(2)°, V = 2597.9 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0516, wRref(F2) = 0.1260, T = 200 K.
MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinases, microtubule dynamics, and spermatogenesis
Authors: Tang Elizabeth I , Mruk Dolores D , Cheng C Yan
Published: March 2013

During spermatogenesis, spermatids derived from meiosis simultaneously undergo extensive morphological transformation, to become highly specialized and metabolically quiescent cells, and transport across the seminiferous epithelium. Spermatids are also transported back-and-forth across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle until they line up at the luminal edge of the tubule to prepare for spermiation at stage VIII of the cycle. Spermatid transport thus requires the intricate coordination of the cytoskeletons in Sertoli cells (SCs) as spermatids are nonmotile cells lacking the ultrastructures of lamellipodia and filopodia, as well as the organized components of the cytoskeletons. In the course of preparing this brief review, we were surprised to see that, except for some earlier eminent morphological studies, little is known about the regulation of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton and the coordination of MT with the actin-based cytoskeleton to regulate spermatid transport during the epithelia cycle, illustrating that this is a largely neglected area of research in the field. Herein, we summarize recent findings in the field regarding the significance of actin- and tubulin-based cytoskeletons in SCs that support spermatid transport; we also highlight specific areas of research that deserve attention in future studies.
Neonatal Airway Obstruction
Authors: Chinnadurai Sivakumar , Goudy Steven L.
Published: March 2013

Airway obstruction is one of the most common life-threatening conditions among newborns and presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the neonatologist. Successfully distinguishing between the many potential airway lesions will lead to a more rapid and efficient evaluation and enhance patient outcomes. This review addresses each anatomic level of potential upper airway compromise, highlighting appropriate studies to determine the diagnosis and outline the necessary treatments.
Well-Child Care Clinical Practice Redesign for Young Children: A Systematic Review of Strategies and Tools
Authors: Coker Tumaini R. , Windon Annika , Moreno Candice , Schuster Mark A. , Chung Paul J.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Various proposals have been made to redesign well-child care (WCC) for young children, yet no peer-reviewed publication has examined the evidence for these. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review on WCC clinical practice redesign for children aged 0 to 5 years.

METHODS:

PubMed was searched using criteria to identify relevant English-language articles published from January 1981 through February 2012. Observational studies, controlled trials, and systematic reviews evaluating efficiency and effectiveness of WCC for children aged 0 to 5 were selected. Interventions were organized into 3 categories: providers, formats (how care is provided; eg, non–face-to-face formats), and locations for care. Data were extracted by independent article review, including study quality, of 3 investigators with consensus resolution of discrepancies.

RESULTS:

Of 275 articles screened, 33 met inclusion criteria. Seventeen articles focused on providers, 13 on formats, 2 on locations, and 1 miscellaneous. We found evidence that WCC provided in groups is at least as effective in providing WCC as 1-on-1 visits. There was limited evidence regarding other formats, although evidence suggested that non-face-to-face formats, particularly web-based tools, could enhance anticipatory guidance and possibly reduce parents’ need for clinical contacts for minor concerns between well-child visits. The addition of a non–medical professional trained as a developmental specialist may improve receipt of WCC services and enhance parenting practices. There was insufficient evidence on nonclinical locations for WCC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Evidence suggests that there are promising WCC redesign tools and strategies that may be ready for larger-scale testing and may have important implications for preventive care delivery to young children in the United States.
Reducing Quality-of-Care Disparities in Childhood Asthma:La Red de Asma InfantilIntervention in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Authors: Lara Marielena , Ramos-Valencia Gilberto , González-Gavillán Jesús A. , López-Malpica Fernando , Morales-Reyes Beatriz , Marín Heriberto , Rodríguez-Sánchez Mario H. , Mitchell Herman
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Although children living in Puerto Rico have the highest asthma prevalence of all US children, little is known regarding the quality-of-care disparities they experience nor the adaptability of existing asthma evidence-based interventions to reduce these disparities. The objective of this study was to describe our experience in reducing quality-of-care disparities among Puerto Rican children with asthma by adapting 2 existing evidence-based asthma interventions.

METHODS:

We describe our experience in adapting and implementing 2 previously tested asthma evidence-based interventions: the Yes We Can program and the Inner-City Asthma Study intervention. We assessed the feasibility of combining key components of the 2 interventions to reduce asthma symptoms and estimated the potential cost savings associated with reductions in asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits. A total of 117 children with moderate and severe asthma participated in the 12-month intervention in 2 housing projects in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A community-academic team with the necessary technical and cultural competences adapted and implemented the intervention.

RESULTS:

Our case study revealed the feasibility of implementing the combined intervention, henceforth referred to as La Red intervention, in the selected Puerto Rican communities experiencing a disproportionately high level of asthma burden. After 1-year follow-up, La Red intervention significantly reduced asthma symptoms and exceeded reductions of the original interventions. Asthma-related hospitalizations and emergency department use, and their associated high costs, were also significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS:

Asthma evidence-based interventions can be adapted to improve quality of care for children with asthma in a different cultural community setting.
National Quality Measures for Child Mental Health Care: Background, Progress, and Next Steps
Authors: Zima Bonnie T. , Murphy J. Michael , Scholle Sarah Hudson , Hoagwood Kimberly Eaton , Sachdeva Ramesh C. , Mangione-Smith Rita , Woods Donna , Kamin Hayley S. , Jellinek Michael
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To review recent health policies related to measuring child health care quality, the selection processes of national child health quality measures, the nationally recommended quality measures for child mental health care and their evidence strength, the progress made toward developing new measures, and early lessons learned from these national efforts.

METHODS:

Methods used included description of the selection process of child health care quality measures from 2 independent national initiatives, the recommended quality measures for child mental health care, and the strength of scientific evidence supporting them.

RESULTS:

Of the child health quality measures recommended or endorsed during these national initiatives, only 9 unique measures were related to child mental health.

CONCLUSIONS:

The development of new child mental health quality measures poses methodologic challenges that will require a paradigm shift to align research with its accelerated pace.
Do Parent Perceptions Predict Continuity of Publicly Funded Care for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?
Authors: Zima Bonnie T. , Bussing Regina , Tang Lingqi , Zhang Lily
Published: March 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether parent perceptions about care (barriers, disorder knowledge, treatment willingness) vary among children who drop out of or stay in publicly funded care for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to explore whether parent perceptions are predictive of staying in care over time.

METHODS:

A longitudinal cohort study of 529 children ages 5 to 11 years receiving care for ADHD in primary care or specialty mental health clinics in a large, countywide, managed-care Medicaid program. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify parent perceptions associated with the likelihood of staying in care across three 6-month time intervals, controlling for child and parent demographic characteristics, parental distress, clinical need, and recent special education use.

RESULTS:

At least three-fourths of children had at least 1 contact for any mental health care during a 6-month time interval (75%, 85%, 76%). Parent-perceived barriers, ADHD knowledge, and counseling willingness did not predict staying in care, whereas willingness for medication treatment was predictive at baseline. Minority status, nonmarried parent, parental distress, clinical need, and special education use were predictive of staying in care, but mostly during only one 6-month time interval, and their influence varied over time.

CONCLUSIONS:

Parent willingness for medication treatment along with several demographic and need factors predicted staying in care but not consistently over time. Future research is needed to develop practical tools for clinicians to elicit parent priorities about ADHD treatment and to integrate them into quality-improvement interventions targeted to improving shared decision-making for longer term ADHD care.
Annealing Behavior of Locally Confined Dislocation Loops Under Inert And Oxidizing Ambient
Authors: Tsamis C. , Skarlatos D. , Raptis I. , Tsoukalas D. , Calvo P. , Colombeau B. , Cristiano F. , Claverie A.
Published: March 2013

In this work, we report data for the growth kinetics of locally confined dislocation loops organized within lines of controlled dimension and periodicity. The dislocation loop lines were formed in the crystalline substrate after local Si implantation and annealing in predefined areas. The distance between the lines ranges between 0.2 νm to 5 μm. It is shown that the kinetics of the DLs depends on the distance between them. When the distance is less than 1 μm, the DLs behave in a similar fashion like those grown in a continuous layer, under inert and oxidizing conditions. However, when the distance between the lines is increased (eg. 5 μm), the behavior of the loops is changed. Fast dissolution of the dislocations loops is observed during annealing in inert ambient, due to enhanced interstitial losses, while under oxidizing conditions the loops grow faster.
Cephalic measures in normal pre-school children 3 to 7-years of age
Authors: Diament A. J. , Rodrigues F. W.
Published: March 2013

In a study designed to determine standards for the Developmental Neurological Examination (DNE) several measures of the head were also recorded. The study consisted in the examination of 200 children, half from each sex, 40 from each age group (3 to 7-years of age). These children were selected among 755 normal pre-school-age children, living in the city of São Paulo (Brazil). The criteria for selection were both anamnestic and clinic. The following measures of the head were recorded: cephalic perimeter, biauricular and antero-posterior distances (Diament, 1967). A new cephalic index (nCI) was also determined (Diament, 1968). This index is useful in detecting changes in head shape mainly in cases of precocious cranioestenosis (Diament, 1968; Facure, 1972). The statistical analysis consisted in determining means and standard errors for each measure. For the new cephalic index it was shown through the Kruskal-Wallis test that there were no significant difference between age and sex. Therefore we considered all groups together to find out the tolerance region for the new index which turned out to be given by the interval: 0.848-1.002. This result is based in 186 cases since 14 were excluded because of some problems in the recording process. Therefore we expect with a confidence of 95% that the above interval covers 90% of the population, in the 3 to 7 years age-groups independently of sex.
Evolução neurológica de crianças de baixo peso ao nascimento
Authors: Diament Aron J. , Deluqui Celina G. , Grossmann Rosi M.
Published: March 2013

A prematuridade constitui problema de importância tanto para os pediatras, devido às intercorrências que sobrevêm na sua evolução, como para os neuropediatras, no que diz respeito aos aspectos evolutivos neurológicos. Desconhece-se ainda todas as causas que levam ao nascimento de baixo peso, embora várias estejam ligadas a fatores genéticos e ambientais intra-uterinos (quemopatias). No intuito de se estudar a evolução de tais crianças, uma equipe chefiada pelo Prof. E. Marcondes, abrangendo aspectos multidisciplinares ligados à Pediatria, Pediatria Social, Neuropediatria, Psiquiatria, Otorrinolaringologia, Oftalmologia e Odontologia, vem trabalhando, há 9 anos, no estudo longitudinal, procurando abranger todos os aspectos de crescimento e desenvolvimento de crianças de baixo peso ao nascimento. De 189 crianças encaminhadas do Berçário, 129 foram estudadas destacando-se os aspectos neurológicos e a maioria acompanhada até 4-5 anos de idade, e poucas até 9 anos. Estas crianças foram subdivididas em 3 grupos: Grupo I, crianças que nasceram com peso até 1750 g; Grupo II, entre 1751 e 2000 g; Grupo III, 2001 g em diante e abaixo de 2500 g. Os exames neurológicos foram efetuados segundo sistematização utilizada na Clínica Neurológica da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo23. Inicialmente foi efetuada uma revisão da literatura sobre os trabalhos mais importantes que tratam da evolução neurológica dos prematuros. Após a apresentação de seus resultados os autores tentam correlacionar a evolução neurológica com índices de quociente de desenvolvimento, efetuados mediante testes de Gesell e suas variantes, para verificar a existência do chamado "continuum de lesão" de Knobloch & col.12.
Análise do comportamento e sociedade: implicações para uma ciência dos valores
Authors: Bogo Anne Carolynne , Laurenti Carolina
Published: March 2013

O behaviorismo radical tem sido alvo de muitas críticas, principalmente no que se refere às questões éticas. A despeito dessas críticas, Skinner considera a análise do comportamento uma ciência dos valores, discutindo a moralidade em termos de comportamento moral. Entretanto, a afirmação de que a análise do comportamento é uma ciência dos valores pode ter consequências sociais distintas a depender do modelo de ciência adotado como pressuposto. O debate científico contemporâneo trata da crise do modelo moderno de ciência e do surgimento de outro: o modelo pós-moderno. Uma das diferenças entre essas duas propostas científicas refere-se à relação entre ciência e sociedade. Considerando esses aspectos, o objetivo deste trabalho é discutir qual modelo de ciência, moderno ou pós-moderno, norteia a assertiva skinneriana que declara a análise do comportamento uma ciência dos valores. Para tanto, serão apresentadas, inicialmente, algumas concepções tradicionais de explicação do comportamento moral e as principais críticas que Skinner dirige a elas. Em seguida, o sistema ético skinneriano será analisado, juntamente às questões sociais envolvidas na prática do analista do comportamento. E, por fim, discutir-se-á como cada modelo de ciência pode subsidiar práticas de intervenção diferentes, com consequências sociais igualmente distintas.
Periodontal Tissue and Serum Concentration of Clarithromycin After Systemic Administration in Patients Affected by Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Raghunatha K. , George Joann P.
Published: March 2013

Background: During the past two decades, dentists and microbiologists have relied on periodontal antibiotic therapy in the management of periodontitis. This association has accumulated and strengthened exponentially. Macrolides attain high therapeutic concentrations in infected tissue, so they are potentially a good choice for inhibiting invasive periodontal pathogens. Clarithromycin accumulates in phagocytes, monocytes, fibroblasts, polymorphonuclear cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes. These cells are more numerous at inflamed sites, so it is reasonable to expect clarithromycin levels to be higher in periodontally diseased sites. This study determines the distribution profile of clarithromycin in the gingiva of patients with periodontitis compared to serum after systemic administration of clarithromycin.

Methods: Twenty patients (14 males and six females, aged 25 to 45 years) with chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Gingival index and plaque index were recorded at baseline and 3 days after administration of 500 mg clarithromycin, twice daily, for 3 days. Intravenous blood and biopsy of periodontal tissue samples were taken on the third day. These samples were analyzed for detection of clarithromycin concentration using high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results: Approximately 6 hours after the last dose of clarithromycin, mean clarithromycin concentrations in serum and periodontal tissue were 0.465 μg/mL and 2.61 μg/g, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant.

Conclusions: Clarithromycin can attain higher levels in gingiva than serum of patients with periodontitis. This distribution profile of clarithromycin can thus be advantageous in the management of periodontal lesions.
The Significance of Keratinized Mucosa on Implant Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lin Guo‐Hao , Chan Hsun‐Liang , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: March 2013

Background: Whether a minimal width of keratinized mucosa (KM) is required to maintain peri‐implant tissue health has been a topic of interest. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to investigate the effect of KM on various peri‐implant health‐related parameters.

Methods: An electronic search of five databases (from 1965 to October 2012) and a hand search of peer‐reviewed journals for relevant articles were performed. Human cross‐sectional or longitudinal studies with data on the relationship between the amount of KM around dental implants and various peri‐implant parameters, with a follow‐up period of at least 6 months, were included.

Results: Eleven studies, seven cross‐sectional and four longitudinal, were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated with meta‐analyses for each clinical parameter. The results showed statistically significant differences in plaque index (PI) and modified PI (WMD = −0.27, 95% CI = −0.43 to −0.11), modified gingival index (mGI) (WMD = −0.48, 95% CI = −0.70 to −0.27), mucosal recession (MR) (WMD = −0.60 mm, 95% CI = −0.85 to −0.36 mm), and attachment loss (AL) (WMD = −0.35 mm, 95% CI = −0.65 mm to −0.06 mm), all favoring implants with wide KM. However, comparisons of other parameters (bleeding on probing, modified bleeding index, GI, probing depth, and radiographic bone loss) did not reach statistically significant differences. The result of heterogeneity test showed only one parameter (AL, P value for the χ2 test = 0.30 and I2 test = 18%) had a low degree of heterogeneity among analyzed studies; meta‐analyses of other parameters presented moderate‐to‐high degree of heterogeneity. Limitations of the present review include limited number of selected studies (n = 11), existence of heterogeneity and publication bias, and only English‐written articles searched.

Conclusion: Based on current available evidence, a lack of adequate KM around endosseous dental implants is associated with more plaque accumulation, tissue inflammation, MR, and AL.
Immunosuppression for Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Chen Yizhi , Schieppati Arrigo , Cai Guangyan , Chen Xiangmei , Zamora Javier , Giuliano Giovanni A. , Braun Norbert , Perna Annalisa
Published: March 2013

Background and objectives

The efficacy and safety of immunosuppression for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) with nephrotic syndrome are still controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

The Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, Chinese Database, and Clinical Trial Registries (June 2012) were searched to identify RCTs investigating the effect of immunosuppression on adults with IMN and nephrotic syndrome.

Results

This review was an update (36 RCTs, 1762 participants) of the 2004 version (18 RCTs, 1025 participants). Immunosuppression significantly reduced all-cause mortality or ESRD (15 RCTs, 791 participants; risk ratio, 0.58 [95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.95]; P=0.03). However, the result was not consistent when prespecified subgroup analyses were undertaken. Immunosuppression increased complete or partial remission (CR + PR) (16 RCTs, 864 participants; 1.31 [1.01–1.70]; P=0.04) but resulted in more withdrawals or hospitalizations (16 RCTs, 880 participants; 5.35 [2.19–13.02]; P=0.002). Corticosteroids combined with alkylating agents significantly reduced all-cause mortality or ESRD (8 RCTs, 448 participants; 0.44 [0.26–0.75]; P=0.002) and increased CR + PR (7 RCTs, 422 participants; 1.46 [1.13–1.89]; P=0.004) but led to more adverse events (4 RCTs, 303 participants; 4.20 [1.15–15.32]; P=0.03). Cyclophosphamide was safer than chlorambucil (3 RCTs, 147 participants; 0.48 [0.26–0.90]; P=0.02). Cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil failed to show superiority over alkylating agents. Tacrolimus and adrenocorticotropic hormone significantly reduced proteinuria.

Conclusions

Alkylating agents plus corticosteroids had long-term and short-term benefits for adult IMN, but resulted in more withdrawals or hospitalizations.
Revenue and Branding Strategy in the Norwegian News Market
Authors: Sjøvaag Helle
Published: March 2013

Future revenue streams for journalism are said not to lie in breaking news, but in specialist journalism that can engender income to sustain news production. A case study of the Norwegian TV 2 News Channel, however, shows that its profit-making features lie not in its content but in its mode of distribution. The added value of the channel to DTT subscription packages is as much due to TV 2’s market power and news brand value as to the news channel concept itself. This article analyses the function of the news channel in today’s competitive journalistic landscape from the perspective of news sociology and media economy, presenting a quantitative content analysis of the news output of TV 2 News Channel, qualitative interviews with TV 2 news editors, and analysis of key strategy documents of the organization.
Modification of Polyacrylamide–β–Zeolite Composite by Phytic Acid for the Removal of Lead from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Faghihian Hossein , Farsani Sepideh Nazari
Published: March 2013

Polyacrylamide-zeolite composite was prepared by direct polymerization of polyacrylamide in suspensions of β-zeolite. Phytic acid was then immobilized on the composite surface. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Thermal gravimetry (TG) techniques were employed to characterize the synthesized adsorbent. The adsorptive features of the composite and the modified composite were investigated for the removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution in view of dependency on pH, time, ion concentration, temperature, selectivity, kinetics and reusability. The adsorption isotherms were evaluated with reference to the Langmuir and Freundlich models. Thermodynamic of the system was calculated. ΔG<0 indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous. Good compatibility of the adsorption kinetics to the pseudo-second-order model predicted that the rate-controlling step was a chemical sorption. The selectivity experiments showed that the adsorbents were selective toward Pb2+ in the presence of Zn2+ and Cd2+. The reusability of the adsorbent was tested for four regeneration cycles.
Multi-variant Sorption Optimization for the Uptake Of Pb(II) Ions by Jamun Seed Waste
Authors: Siyal Ali N. , Memon Saima Q. , Amanullah Mahar , Pirzada Tajnees , Parveen Sajida , Sodho Naveed A.
Published: March 2013

In the present study, jamun seed waste has been explored for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution. The multi-variant sorption optimization was achieved by the factorial design approach. 99.91% of Pb(II) ions was removed from aqueous solution. The results predicted by the model were in good agreement with the experimental results (the values of R2 and R2
adj. were found to be 99.89% and 99.95%, respectively). Langmuir and D-R isotherm studies were carried out to find adsorbent’s capacities (183.9 ± 0.31 mg/g and 184.5 ± 0.16 mg/g respectively), sorption free energy 13.17 ± 0.16 and RL values in the range of 0.05-0.77, suggested the favorable chemical and/or ion exchange nature of the sorption process. The FT-IR study was carried out for unloaded and Pb(II) ions loaded jamun seed, indicated, Pb(II) ions associated with nitrogen and oxygen of jamun seed containing moieties during the adsorption process. The proposed method was successfully validated and applied for the treatment of Pb(II) ions contaminating drinking water.
Letter to Editor: Impact of labor on uterine scar healing
Authors: Roberge Stéphanie , Bujold Emmanuel
Published: March 2013

Ultrasound of uterine scar after cesarean and measurement of its thickness can be used to evaluate its healing and risk factors for scar defect and uterine rupture. However, we believe that a period of up to 6 months after surgery is necessary to achieve complete healing of the scar, especially in cases of cesarean performed during labor.
Fabrication and characterization of polysilane: PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Yoshida Kazumi , Oku Takeo , Suzuki Atsushi , Akiyama Tsuyoshi , Tokumitsu Katsuhisa , Nakamura Mika , Yamada Masahiro
Published: March 2013

Polysilane/fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells were fabricated on indium tin oxide electrodes by a spin-coating method, and performance and microstructures of the solar cells were investigated. Decaphenylcyclopentasilane (PDPS), polymethlyphenylsilane (PMPS) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were used for the solar cells. The conversion efficiencies of PDPS:PCBM solar cells were higher than those of PMPS:PCBM devises. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction indicated that PDPS:PCBM layer had a nanocomposite structure.