bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes mellitus and comorbid depression in Zambia
Authors: Hapunda G. , Abubakar A. , Pouwer F. , van de Vijver F.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To replicate, in Zambia, a recent global study by the WHO, which reported that the odds of depression were not increased in African people with diabetes, and to explore the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with depression.

Methods

A total of 773 control subjects and 157 Zambian patients with diabetes completed the Major Depression Inventory and a list of demographic indicators.

Results

Compared with control subjects (mean ± sd Major Depression Inventory score 15.10 ± 9.19), depressive symptoms were significantly more common in patients with diabetes (mean ± sd Major Depression Inventory score 19.12 ± 8.95; P < 0.001). ancova showed that having diabetes [F(1,698) = 16.50, P < 0.001], being female [F(1,698) = 7.35, P < 0.01] and having low socio‐economic status (F(1,698) = 13.35, P < 0.001) were positive predictors of depression.

Conclusions

Contrary to the WHO study, we found that depression was a common comorbid health problem among Zambian people with diabetes. Clinicians should consider patients' health status, sex and socio‐economic status as potential factors predicting depression.
Risk of the development of Type 2 diabetes in relation to overall obesity, abdominal obesity and the clustering of metabolic abnormalities in Japanese individuals: does metabolically healthy overweight really exist? The Niigata Wellness Study
Authors: Heianza Y. , Kato K. , Kodama S. , Ohara N. , Suzuki A. , Tanaka S. , Hanyu O. , Sato K. , Sone H.
Published: November 2014

Aims

We investigated the risk of developing diabetes across various metabolic phenotypes by considering the presence of overall adiposity or abdominal adiposity and the number of metabolic abnormalities and aimed to clarify whether a ‘healthy overweight’ phenotype, that is, overweight with no metabolic abnormalities, was protective of the development of diabetes.

Methods

We studied 29 564 Japanese individuals without diabetes. The 5–year incidence of diabetes was assessed according to a combination of either overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) or abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm in men and ≥ 80 cm in women) and the number of metabolic factors present (hypertension, elevated triglyceride concentration, low HDL cholesterol concentration and impaired fasting glucose).

Results

A total of 1188 individuals developed diabetes. Compared with normal weight individuals with none of the four metabolic abnormalities, in overweight individuals with none of the four abnormalities there was an odds ratio (OR) of 2.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50, 3.59] for diabetes; having any one metabolic abnormality increased the risk of developing diabetes among normal weight individuals [OR 3.23 (2.55, 4.10)] and overweight individuals [OR 5.00 (3.77, 6.63)]. Among overweight individuals, the presence of impaired fasting glucose alone substantially elevated the risk of diabetes by 8.98–fold (5.52, 14.6) in comparison with the absence of the four metabolic factors.

Conclusions

Being ‘healthy overweight’ was associated with a higher OR of developing future diabetes among Japanese individuals than normal weight individuals with no metabolic abnormalities, and being overweight with one or more abnormalities had a further elevated OR compared with ‘healthy overweight’ people.
The impact of diabetes‐related complications on healthcare costs: new results from the UKPDS (UKPDS 84)
Authors: Alva M. L. , Gray A. , Mihaylova B. , Leal J. , Holman R. R.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To estimate the immediate and long‐term inpatient and non‐inpatient costs for Type 2 diabetes‐related complications.

Methods

The costs of all consultations, visits, admissions and procedures associated with diabetes‐related complications during UK Prospective Diabetes Study post‐trial monitoring in the period 1997–2007 were estimated using hospitalization records for 2791 patients in England and resource use questionnaires that were administered to 3589 patients across the UK.

Results

The estimated (95% CI) inpatient care costs (in 2012 pounds sterling) in the event year for the example of a 60‐year‐old man were: non‐fatal ischaemic heart disease £9767 (£7038–£12 696); amputation £9546 (£6416–£13 463); non‐fatal stroke £6805 (£3856–£10 278); non‐fatal myocardial infarction £6379 (£4290–£8339); fatal stroke £3954 (£2012–£6428); fatal ischaemic heart disease £3766 (£746–£5512); heart failure £3191 (£1678–4903); fatal myocardial infarction £1521 (£647–£2670); and blindness in one eye £1355 (£415–£2655). In subsequent years, estimated (95% CI) costs ranged from £1792 (£1060–£2943) for amputations to £453 (£315–£691) for blindness in one eye. Costs of non‐inpatient healthcare in the event year were: amputation £2699 (£1409–£4126); blindness in one eye £1790 (£878–£3056); non‐fatal stroke £1019 (£770–£1499); nonfatal myocardial infarction £1963 (£794–£1157); heart failure £979 (£708–£1344); non‐fatal ischaemic heart disease £864 (£718–£1014); and cataract extraction £700 (£619–£780). In each subsequent year, non‐inpatient costs ranged from £1611 (£1193–£2116) for amputations to £654 (£572–£799) for ischaemic heart disease.

Conclusions

Diabetic complications are associated with substantial immediate and long‐term healthcare costs. Our comprehensive new estimates of these costs, derived from detailed recent UK Prospective Diabetes Study post‐trial data, should aid researchers and health policy analyses.
Concerns and perceptions about necessity in relation to insulin therapy in an ethnically diverse UK population with Type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study focusing mainly on people of South Asian origin
Authors: Patel N. , Stone M. A. , McDonough C. , Davies M. J. , Khunti K. , Eborall H.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To explore attitudes towards insulin acceptance an ethnically diverse population of people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews using a topic guide based on a literature review and findings from our previous study, which explored the perspectives of healthcare professionals about insulin initiation and management. Analysis of data involved undertaking an abductive reasoning approach in response to emerging themes.

Results

Participants discussed not only their concerns about insulin therapy, but also their views and beliefs about the necessity of insulin. Their attitudes to insulin treatment could be mapped into four main typologies. These fitted with an attitudinal scale based on the Necessity‐Concerns Framework described in the medication adherence literature, comprising four attitudes: accepting, sceptical, ambivalent and indifferent. Decisions about accepting insulin involved balancing concerns (such as needle size) against the perceived necessity of insulin (generally, inadequacy of oral medication). The South Asian and white participants had similar concerns, but these were sometimes greater in South Asian participants, because of the influence of negative views and experiences of other insulin users.

Conclusions

When discussing insulin with people with Type 2 diabetes, healthcare providers need to ensure that they explore and contribute to patients’ understanding and interpretation of the necessity of insulin as well as discussing their concerns. Furthermore, they should be aware of how an individual's social context can influence his/her perceptions about the necessity of insulin as well as their concerns, and that this influence may be greater in some South Asian populations.
Associations of depression with impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes in Chinese adults
Authors: Sun J. C. , Xu M. , Lu J. L. , Bi Y. F. , Mu Y. M. , Zhao J. J. , Liu C. , Chen L. L. , Shi L. X. , Li Q. , Yang T. , Yan L. , Wan Q. , Wu S. L. , Liu Y. , Wang G. X. , Luo Z. J. , Tang X. L. , Chen G. , Huo Y. N. , Gao Z. N. , Su Q. , Ye Z. , Wang Y. M. , Qin G. J. , Deng H. C. , Yu X. F. , Shen F. X. , Chen L. , Zhao L. B. , Wang T. G. , Lai S. H. , Li D. H. , Wang W. Q. , Ning G. ,   the Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: A Longitudinal (REACTION) Study group
Published: November 2014

Aim

To examine the association between depression and impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes in middle‐aged and elderly Chinese people, and whether depression was associated with different treatment regimens or durations of diabetes.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed among 229 047 adults living in the community aged ≥ 40 years from 25 centres in China. The self‐reported depression rating scale Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ–9) was used to diagnose probable and sub‐threshold depression. Glucose metabolism status was determined according to World Health Organization 1999 diagnostic criteria.

Results

The numbers of participants with normal glucose regulation, impaired glucose regulation, newly diagnosed diabetes and previously diagnosed diabetes were 120 458, 59 512, 24 826 and 24 251, respectively. The prevalence of sub‐threshold depression in the total sample of participants was 4.8% (4.8%, 4.8%, 4.4% and 5.6% from normal glucose regulation to previously diagnosed diabetes, respectively), and the prevalence of probable depression was 1.1% (1.1%, 1.0%, 0.9% and 1.8% from normal glucose regulation to previously diagnosed diabetes, respectively). Compared with participants with normal glucose regulation, those with previously diagnosed diabetes had increased odds of probable depression [odds ratio (OR) = 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–1.87] and sub‐threshold depression (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.24), after adjustment for multiple confounding factors. Newly diagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose regulation was not associated with depression. Among those with previously diagnosed diabetes, insulin treatment was associated with greater odds of depression compared with no treatment or oral anti‐diabetic medicine.

Conclusion

Previously diagnosed diabetes, but not newly diagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose regulation, was associated with a higher prevalence of depression. Patients receiving insulin were more likely to have depression than those not receiving treatment or being treated with oral anti‐diabetic medicine.
Place and health in diabetes: the neighbourhood environment and risk of depression in adults with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gariepy G. , Kaufman J. S. , Blair A. , Kestens Y. , Schmitz N.
Published: November 2014

Background

Depression is a common co‐illness in people with diabetes. Evidence suggests that the neighbourhood environment impacts the risk of depression, but few studies have investigated this effect in those with diabetes. We examined the effect of a range of neighbourhood characteristics on depression in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This cohort study used five waves of data from 1298 participants with Type 2 diabetes from the Diabetes Health Study (2008–2013). We assessed depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire. We measured neighbourhood deprivation using census data; density of services using geospatial data; level of greenness using satellite imagery; and perceived neighbourhood characteristics using survey data. The effect of neighbourhood factors on risk of depression was estimated using survival analysis, adjusting for sociodemographic variables. We tested effect modification by age, sex and socio‐economic characteristics using interaction terms.

Results

More physical activity facilities, cultural services and a greater level of greenness in the neighbourhood were associated with a lower risk of depression in our sample, even after adjusting for confounders. Material deprivation was associated with increased risk of depression, particularly in participants who were older or retired.

Conclusions

Characteristics of neighbourhoods were associated with the risk of depression in people with Type 2 diabetes and there were vulnerable subgroups within this association. Clinicians are encouraged to consider the neighbourhood environment of their patients when assessing the risk of depression. Future intervention research is need for health policy recommendations.
Adherence to diabetes medication: a systematic review
Authors: Krass I. , Schieback P. , Dhippayom T.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To investigate the extent of and factors associated with adherence to Type 2 diabetes medication.

Methods

The CINAHL, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Medline, PubMed and PsychINFO databases were searched for the period January 2004 to July 2013. Papers were included in the present review if they reported the prevalence of adherence (the percentage of the study population that is classified as adherent) to Type 2 diabetes medication and used validated adherence measures with a defined cut‐off point to indicate adherence. Reported factors were classified as potential predictors if the studies that examined that particular variable reported consistent findings.

Results

Of the 27 studies included in the present review, the prevalence of adherence ranged from 38.5 to 93.1%. Only six out of 27 studies (22.2%) reported prevalence of adherence of ≥ 80% among their study population. Depression and medication cost were found to be consistent and potentially modifiable predictors for diabetes medication‐taking behaviour. The associations between adherence and other factors were inconsistent among the reviewed studies.

Conclusions

Adherence to diabetes medication remains an ongoing problem. This review has highlighted the urgent need to develop consensus about what constitutes good adherence in diabetes. Further research is needed to clarify modifiable factors, in addition to depression and medication cost, that influence adherence and may provide a focus for targeted interventions to promote adherence, optimize diabetes control and limit the progression of diabetes.
Association of neighbourhood unemployment rate with incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus in five German regions
Authors: Müller G. , Wellmann J. , Hartwig S. , Greiser K. H. , Moebus S. , Jöckel K.‐H. , Schipf S. , Völzke H. , Maier W. , Meisinger C. , Tamayo T. , Rathmann W. , Berger K. ,   the DIAB‐CORE Consortium
Published: November 2014

Aim

To analyse the association of neighbourhood unemployment with incident self‐reported physician‐diagnosed Type 2 diabetes in a population aged 45–74 years from five German regions.

Methods

Study participants were linked via their addresses at baseline to particular neighbourhoods. Individual‐level data from five population‐based studies were pooled and combined with contextual data on neighbourhood unemployment. Type 2 diabetes was assessed according to a self‐reported physician diagnosis of diabetes. We estimated proportional hazard models (Weibull distribution) in order to obtain hazard ratios and 95% CIs of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, taking into account interval‐censoring and clustering.

Results

We included 7250 participants residing in 228 inner city neighbourhoods in five German regions in our analysis. The incidence rate was 12.6 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI 11.4–13.8). The risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus was higher in men [hazard ratio 1.79 (95% CI 1.47–2.18)] than in women and higher in people with a low education level [hazard ratio 1.55 (95% CI 1.18–2.02)] than in those with a high education level. Independently of individual‐level characteristics, we found a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in neighbourhoods with high levels of unemployment [quintile 5; hazard ratio 1.72 (95% CI 1.23–2.42)] than in neighbourhoods with low unemployment (quintile 1).

Conclusions

Low education level and high neighbourhood unemployment were independently associated with an elevated risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Studies examining the impact of the residential environment on Type 2 diabetes mellitus will provide knowledge that is essential for the identification of high‐risk populations.
Early menarche increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes in young and middle‐aged Korean women
Authors: Lim J. S. , Lee H. S. , Kim E. Y. , Yi K. H. , Hwang J. S.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To investigate the association between early menarche (menarche age < 12 years) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in young and middle‐aged Korean women.

Methods

We analysed data for 4657 women aged 20–50 years from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007–2009).

Results

The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes was 2.8%. Women with early menarche had a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose than did women with later menarche (age ≥ 12 years) in the 20–30 age group (7.4% vs. 3.0%), and a higher prevalence of diabetes in the 30–40 (6.3% vs. 1.7%) and 40–50 (18.5% vs. 4.4%) age groups. The odds ratio (OR) of Type 2 diabetes in women with early menarche was 3.61 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.90–6.88] after adjusting for age. In multivariate regression, the OR of Type 2 diabetes decreased to 2.52 (95% CI, 1.29–4.94) after further adjusting for BMI. However, the OR decreased to 2.04 (95% CI, 0.95–4.39) without significance after adjusting for HOMA–IR.

Conclusions

Early menarche increased the risk of Type 2 diabetes in young and middle‐aged Korean women although adulthood adiposity attenuated the relationship. Knowledge of age at menarche is important in identifying women at risk for diabetes.
Risk of recurrent cervical artery dissection during pregnancy, childbirth and puerperium
Authors: Reinhard M. , Munz M. , von Kannen A.‐L. , Griesser‐Leute H.‐J. , Dittrich R. , Engelter S. T.
Published: November 2014

Background and purpose

Hormonal and mechanical factors might increase the risk for cervical artery dissection (CAD) during pregnancy and the puerperium. There is uncertainty how to counsel women with a previous CAD regarding the risk of CAD recurrence during pregnancy and the puerperium.

Methods

In an observational study of four stroke centers, all women aged 16–45 years with primary CAD in the previous decade were asked to participate in a standardized assessment on long‐term follow‐up with a special focus on pregnancies and recurrent CAD.

Results

Ninety‐two women were identified and 53 of them were included in the analysis (60%). Eleven women declined to participate, 28 were untraceable. The 39 non‐participants did not differ from participants regarding key baseline characteristics. Average follow‐up time was 72 months. Nine women (17%) had recurrent CAD after a median of 14 days (range 2 days to 117 months). Eleven women (20%) had a total of 13 completed pregnancies at a median of 44 months (range 12–84 months) after index CAD. Two of the pregnant women (18%) had suffered recurrent CAD ≥18 months prior to the pregnancy. All 13 pregnancies and puerperia went without recurrent CADs or cerebrovascular events. This includes giving birth by vaginal delivery (n = 6) and caesarean section (n = 7). None of the five women with typical connective tissue disease became pregnant.

Conclusions

Our observation suggests that the risk of recurrent CAD may not be greatly increased with pregnancies starting at least 12 months after CAD in women without typical connective tissue disease.
Radiation‐use efficiency for forage kale crops grown under different nitrogen application rates
Authors: Chakwizira E. , Brown H. E. , de Ruiter J. M.
Published: November 2014

Crop growth is related to radiation‐use efficiency (RUE), which is influenced by the nitrogen (N) status of the crop, expressed at canopy level as specific leaf N (SLN) or at plant level as N nutrition index (NNI). To determine the mechanisms through which N affects dry‐matter (DM) production of forage kale, results from two experiments (N treatment range 0–500 kg ha−1) were analysed for fractional radiation interception (RI), accumulated radiation (Racc), RUE, N uptake, critical N concentration (Nc), NNI and SLN. The measured variables (DM, RI and SLN) and the calculated variables (NNI, Racc and RUE) increased with N supply. RUE increased from 0·74 and 0·89 g MJ−1 IPAR for the control treatments to 1·50 and 1·95 g MJ−1 IPAR under adequate N and water in both experiments. This represented an increase in RUE of 52–146% for the range of N treatments used in both experiments, whilst Racc increased by 9–17%, compared with the control treatments. Subsequently, the total DM yield of kale increased from 6·7 and 8 t DM ha−1 for the control treatments to ≥ 19 t DM ha−1 when ≥150 kg N ha−1 was applied. The DM yields for the 500 kg N ha−1 treatments were 25·5 and 27·6 t DM ha−1 for the two experiments. RUE increased linearly with SLN, at an average rate of 0·38 g DM MJ−1 IPAR per each additional 1 g N m−2 leaf until a maximum RUE of 1·90 g MJ−1 IPAR was reached in both experiments. There were no changes in RUE with SLN of > 2·6 g m−2 and NNI >1, implying luxury N uptake. RUE was the most dominant driver of forage kale DM yield increases in response to SLN and NNI.
Yearly variation in maize silage fermentation and nutritive quality
Authors: Loučka R. , Hakl J. , Jirmanová J. , Tyrolová Y.
Published: November 2014

A significant effect of year on maize nutritive value has been reported in many studies; however, the direct effect of year on both nutritive values and fermentation traits of maize silage has not been directly investigated. During a 7‐year period (2006–2012), we investigated the following variables of 597 maize silages commercially produced in bunker silos on farms in the Czech Republic: dry‐matter content (DM), crude protein (CP), starch, amylase‐treated neutral detergent fibre (aNDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and net energy lactation (NEL), as well as fermentation traits such as pH, contents of lactic acid (LA), acetic acid (AA), butyric acid (BA) and the ratio between LA and volatile fatty acids. The effect of year and DM explained 16 and 30% of the variability in nutritive and fermentation traits respectively. Although a common silage DM content was used for each year, the climatic effect of year significantly changed almost all tested variables, but particularly aNDF, ADF, starch, AA and BA. The year contribution to trait variability effect was as much as two times higher for fermentation traits (12·6%) as for nutritive value (6·1%). Temperature–precipitation relationships associated with achieved maize yield were considered as factors explaining the year effect. Temperature and precipitation averaged over the full vegetation period had low relevance to nutritive and fermentation traits. This study reveals the importance of year‐to‐year variation in silage nutritive value and fermentation, which could be useful for understanding the contribution of year to these changes in both field experiments and national assessments.
An investigation into the feasibility of designing a framework for the quantitative evaluation of the Clinical Librarian service at an NHS Trust in Brighton, UK
Authors: Deshmukh Archana , Roper Tom
Published: November 2014

This feature presents research undertaken by Archana Deshmukh for her MA dissertation at the University of Brighton. She worked closely with Tom Roper, the Clinical Librarian at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, in a project to explore the feasibility of applying quantitative measures to evaluate the Clinical Librarian service. The investigation used an innovative participatory approach and the findings showed that although an exclusively quantitative approach to evaluation is not feasible, using a mixed methods approach is a way forward. Agreed outputs and outcomes could be embedded in a marketing plan, and the resulting framework could provide evidence to demonstrate overall impact. Archana graduated in July 2014, gaining a Distinction in the MA in Information Studies, and she is currently looking for work in the health information sector.
International trends in health science librarianship part 12: South Asia (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka)
Authors: Joshi Medha , Ali Anwar Mumtaz , Ullah Midrar , Kuruppu Chandrani
Published: November 2014

This is the 12th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship. This issue describes developments in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century in South Asia. The three contributors report on challenges facing health science librarians in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is consensus as to the need for education, training and professional development. Starting in the next issue, the focus will turn to Africa, starting with countries in southern Africa.

JM
Peer Review at the Health Information and Libraries Journal
Authors: Grant Maria J.
Published: November 2014

At its best, peer review can mean receiving constructive feedback to help you make the most of your writing. At the Health Information and Libraries Journal, we strive to make the peer review a positive process for both authors and referees. We adopt a process of double‐blind peer review. To receive two reviews in a timely manner, three referees are initially invited for each article submitted. The referees are asked to submit their review noting errors, areas of ambiguity or clarification required before the editor and editorial team consider the manuscript ready for publication. As with most journals, it's unlikely that your writing will be accepted in its original form; a typical outcome will be for a recommendation for major or minor revisions. This is good! It means the editorial team has seen something of likely interest to their readership and wants to help you develop it to a publishable standard. There can be a surprising amount of development and change in a manuscript from original submission through to publication. While you may be experienced in your field, you may not have much experience of writing for publication. As a referee, you get an intriguing insight into the shape of manuscripts in their original form.
Gene and protein expression of oestrogen‐β and progesterone receptors in facial melasma and adjacent healthy skin in women
Authors: Tamega A. de A. , Miot H. A. , Moço N. P. , Silva M. G. , Marques M. E. A. , Miot L. D. B.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Compare gene and protein expression for oestrogen receptor‐β (ER‐β) and progesterone receptor (PR) in facial melasma and adjacent healthy skin.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study including 42 women with facial melasma, conducted at the Dermatology Service of Botucatu Medical School of São Paulo State University, Brazil. Biopsies of the melasma skin were performed, together with healthy surrounding skin. The gene expression (real‐time PCR) of the hormone receptors in the tissue was evaluated. Subsequently, skin fragments were immunostained for nuclear ER‐β and PR, evaluated according to their HSCORE (epidermis) and percentage of staining per microscopic field (dermis).

Results

Messenger RNA tissue expression for ER‐β and PR showed no difference between melasma‐affected skin fragments and the healthy perilesional areas (P > 0.2). Median nuclear epithelial expression for ER‐β and PR was higher in lesioned skin (HSCORE 157 and 58) than in the healthy perilesional skin (HSCORE 97 and 19; P < 0.01), with no difference in dermal immunostaining. Nuclear histological expression for ER‐β was associated to sun‐induced melasma and negative familiar background; PR expression was associated to sun‐induced melasma and darker phototypes.

Conclusion

No difference was observed in gene expression for oestrogen‐β and progesterone receptors in melasma‐affected skin compared with adjacent healthy skin. However, the higher protein expression of these receptors in melasma‐affected epithelia suggests hormonal participation in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Improvement of the facial evenness of leave‐on skincare products by a modified application method in Chinese women
Authors: Zou Y. , Wang X. , Fan G.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Objective

To understand the habits of Chinese women applying leave‐on skincare products (LOSCP) and to improve female facial evenness of anti‐ageing cosmetics through modifying facial skincare smear ways.

Methods

A questionnaire on the method of applying LOSCP was distributed to 60 women with habit of using LOSCP. Their facial images before and after applying LOSCP were taken, and their positioning and grey value were used to analyse the effects of different applying methods on the uniformity of facial LOSCP.

Results

LOSCP including anti‐ageing cosmetics have been widely used among Chinese women for a long time. However, some women do not concern how to properly apply LOSCP. In our survey, the main focal points of the face are forehead, malar region, cheek, mouth corners and chin when they looking into the mirror, and mouth corners and inner canthus are often overlooked when applying cosmetic products. The image analysis found that after applying the LOSCP, the greyscale of the forehead, glabella, malar region, upper lip region and jaw changed significantly whereas that of canthus, mouth corners and lateral cheek region was not significantly different. Applying an improved smear method (11‐point method)could significantly increase the grey values of various facial areas.

Conclusion

The way of Chinese women applying LOSCP may result in facial unevenness of skin products. By improving facial skincare smear method, one can make the products even in all facial areas, thereby ensuring the efficacy of anti‐ageing cosmetics. Thus, further improvement and education regarding skincare is required.
Processing of Porous SiC by Aluminum‐Derived Binders and Sacrificial Porogen Leaching Method
Authors: Resmi Viswanadhan Girija , Deepa Jayaprakash Prasanna , Lakshmi Vijaya , Rajan Thazhavilai Ponnu Devaraj , Pavithran Chorappan , Pai Bellembettu Chandrasekhara
Published: November 2014

Porous SiC was successfully fabricated by a facile and energy efficient sacrificial porogen leaching method using in situ synthesized aluminum‐based binders by reaction bonding at low sintering temperatures of 600–1000°C. Porous SiC ceramics with porosity in the range of 30–58% and compressive strength of 1–33 MPa were obtained. Interconnected bimodal pores were produced by both stacking of SiC particles and leach out of salt. During sintering, the aluminum binder experienced metal to ceramic transformations forming various alumina polymorphs (γ, δ, θ and α‐Al2O3). The porogen content and sintering temperatures significantly influence the properties of porous SiC.
A novel intronic splice site deletion of the IL‐2 receptor common gamma chain results in expression of a dysfunctional protein and T‐cell‐positive X‐linked Severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Gray P. E. A. , Logan G. J. , Alexander I. E. , Poulton S. , Roscioli T. , Ziegler J.
Published: November 2014

X‐linked severe combined immunodeficiency is caused by mutations in the IL‐2 receptor common gamma chain and classically presents in the first 6 months of life with predisposition to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. In most instances, affected individuals are lymphopenic with near complete absence of T cells and NK cells. We report a boy who presented at 12 months of age with Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia and a family history consistent with X‐linked recessive inheritance. He had a normal lymphocyte count including the presence of T cells and a broad T‐cell‐receptor diversity, as well as normal surface expression of the common gamma chain (CD132) protein. He however had profound hypogammaglobulinaemia, and IL‐2‐induced STAT5 phosphorylation was absent. Sequencing of IL‐2RG demonstrated a 12‐base pair intronic deletion close to the canonical splice site of exon 5, which resulted in a variety of truncated IL2RG mRNA species. A review of the literature identified 4 other patients with T‐cell‐positive X‐SCID, with the current patient being the first associated with an mRNA splicing defect. This case raises the question of how a dysfunctional protein incapable of mediating STAT5 phosphorylation might nonetheless support T‐cell development. Possible explanations are that STAT5‐mediated signal transduction may be less relevant to IL7‐receptor‐mediated T‐cell development than are other IL7R‐induced intracellular transduction pathways or that a low level of STAT5 phosphorylation, undetectable in the laboratory, may be sufficient to support some T‐cell development.
RHX Dating of Archeological Ceramics Via a New Method to Determine Effective Lifetime Temperature
Authors: Moinester Murray , Piasetzky Eli , Braverman Michael
Published: November 2014

Determining the absolute chronology of ceramic artifacts has significant implications for archeological and historical research. Wilson, Hall et al. recently suggested a new technique for direct absolute dating of archeological ceramics based on a moisture‐induced chemical reaction, called rehydroxylation (RHX) dating. RHX dating proceeds by measuring the mass of chemically combined water in the ceramics in the form of OH hydroxyls, and the mass gain rate at the Effective Lifetime Temperature (ELT) that the ceramics experienced over its lifetime. To date, ELT determinations have been based on estimates of the ceramic's lifetime temperature history; taking into account weather and climate data and the depth at which the artifact was found. The uncertainty in determining the ELT can be a major component of the overall dating uncertainty. Here, we propose an alternative method which relies minimally on weather and climate data, and provides more precise determinations of the ELT and the ceramic age. The proposed method (SAS: Same Age Samples) involves a minimum of four measurements of the RHX mass gain rate constant for two ceramic samples of the same age at two temperatures. We show via simulations that the proposed SAS method can determine the ELT with a precision of 0.2 K which is comparable to the best ELT determination based on lifetime temperature history, and also comparable to available microbalance temperature resolutions of around 0.1 K. The corresponding percent age error is then 1.4%, or 43 yr for a 3000‐yr‐old ceramic. The proposed SAS method should be tested with ceramic samples of different ages, whose ELT are well‐known.
Thermally Stable BaTiO3‐Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 Solid Solution with High Relative Permittivity in a Broad Temperature Usage Range
Authors: Chen Xiuli , Chen Jie , Ma Dandan , Fang Liang , Zhou Huanfu
Published: November 2014

A combined X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, and dielectric characterization of (1–x)BaTiO3−xBi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 ceramic system were investigated for compositions of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2. Single‐phase perovskite‐type XRD patterns were observed for all compositions. A systematically structural change from tetragonal to pseudocubic symmetry occurred at 0.04 < x < 0.06, which agrees well with the analysis of Raman spectra. Dielectric measurements indicated that the crossover from a classic ferroelectric to relaxor ferroelectric occurred at x ≥ 0.04. Compared with other compositions, the temperature independence of relative permittivity at T > Tm significantly ameliorated at x = 0.1: near‐stable temperature coefficient of higher relative permittivity (~6800 ± 15%) and the corresponding loss tanδ ≤ 0.09 over a more broader temperature range of 25°C–240°C (1 kHz), which indicates that this ceramic is a promising dielectric material for elevated temperature dielectrics.
Investigation on Tunable Performance of BMN/BST Multilayer and BMN–BST Composite Thin Films
Authors: Yu Shihui , Li Lingxia , Zhang Weifeng , Xu Dan , Dong Helei
Published: November 2014

The BMN/BST multilayer and BMN–BST composite thin films have been fabricated by pulsed laser deposition on Au/TiOx/SiO2/Si substrate. The multilayer thin films comprising one, two, and four periodic compositional Bi1.5MgNb1.5O7/Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BMN/BST) layers (PCBLs) have been elaborated with the final same thickness. The four PCBLs show the largest dielectric constant of ~168 and tunability of 40.6% at a maximum applied bias field of 0.67 MV/cm and the lowest loss tangent of ~0.006, whereas the figure of merit (FOM) is 72. The BMN–BST composite thin films exhibit medium dielectric constant of ~238, low loss tangent of ~0.0053, and superior tunable dielectric properties at room temperature. Calculations of tunability and FOM display a maximum value of 49.3% at 670 kV/cm and ~88, respectively.
Individuals’ Trading Prior to Earnings Announcements
Authors: Tsai Shih‐Chuan
Published: November 2014

This paper investigates the relationship between individuals’ net trading and stock price movements before and after annual earnings announcements for the Taiwan Stock Exchange. We conduct an event study on the effects of pre‐event individual trade imbalances on pre‐ and post‐announcement abnormal returns. With a unique and comprehensive dataset, we accurately classify executed orders by aggressiveness of order price. The evidence indicates that while individuals, as a group, are not informed about impending earnings announcements, individuals who place aggressive orders are informed as their net trading coincides with contemporaneous and future stock returns. Aggressive individuals lose their edge during the financial crisis. More importantly, the advantage (disadvantage) for individuals who adopt aggressive (passive) orders weakens when foreign institutions own concentrated equity in firms. We also find that net individual trading contains information about abnormal returns that either past returns or volume does not subsume. Controlling for past returns, trading volume and volatility, or using an alternative measure of net individual trading does not change our conclusions.
The Effect of Numeracy Level on Completeness of Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Rao Vishal N. , Sheridan Stacey L. , Tuttle Laura A. , Lin Feng‐Chang , Shimbo Daichi , Diaz Keith M. , Hinderliter Alan L. , Viera Anthony J.
Published: November 2014

Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) readings predict the increased risks of cardiovascular events and end‐organ damage independent of office blood pressure (BP). Numeracy (the ability to handle numbers) may limit the feasibility of patients' performing HBPM. The authors analyzed data from 409 adults recruited from 12 North Carolina primary care clinics who completed a three‐item numeracy assessment, the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine–Short Form health literacy assessment, and HBPM over 2 weeks. Among the 409 participants, 73% were college graduates and 69% had adequate numeracy. Completion of HBPM was greater among those with adequate numeracy (96.2% vs 93.7%; P=.009) and did not correlate with health literacy scores. More participants with adequate numeracy reported completion of ≥85% of readings than those with low numeracy (95% vs 88%; P=.018). Adequate numeracy, but not high literacy, is associated with more complete HBPM reporting. Whether higher numeracy is associated with more accurate self‐reported readings is an area of future research.
Ambulatory vs Office Blood Pressure Monitoring in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Ahmed Jafar , Ozorio Valerie , Farrant Maritza , Van Der Merwe Walter
Published: November 2014

Hypertension is common following renal transplantation and has adverse effects on cardiovascular and graft health. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is better at overall blood pressure (BP) assessment and is necessary to diagnose nocturnal hypertension, which is also implicated in poor outcomes. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 98 renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and compared officeBPand ambulatoryBPrecordings.ABPMrevealed discordance between officeBPand ambulatoryBPin 61% of patients, with 3% caused by white‐coat and 58% caused by masked hypertension (of which 33% were caused by isolated nocturnal hypertension). Overall, mean systolicBPwas 3.6 mm Hg (0.5–6.5) and diastolicBPwas 7.5 mm Hg (5.7–9.3) higher via ambulatoryBPthan officeBP. This was independent of estimated glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, transplant time/type, and comorbidities. A total of 42% of patients had their management changed after results fromABPM.ABPMshould be routinely offered as part of hypertension management inRTRs.
Effect of Fall‐Related Concerns on Physical, Mental, and Social Function in Community‐Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: van der Meulen Erik , Zijlstra G.A. Rixt , Ambergen Ton , Kempen Gertrudis I.J.M.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To determine the effect of fall‐related concerns on physical, mental, and social function.

Design

Community‐based prospective cohort study (secondary analysis using control group data from a randomized controlled trial).

Setting

Two municipalities in the south of the Netherlands.

Participants

Community‐dwelling older adults (N = 260).

Measurements

Two groups were created using Modified Falls Efficacy Scale scores (high and low levels of fall‐related concerns). Five outcome measures representing physical, mental, and social function were included: activities of daily living (ADLs), symptoms of depression, feelings of anxiety, social participation, and social support interactions. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 2, 8, and 14 months. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance and mixed‐effect regression models for longitudinal data, adjusting for age, sex, living status (alone or with another person), educational level, cognitive status, self‐perceived health, and falls history at baseline.

Results

At baseline, significantly more limitations in ADLs and social participation were found for older persons with high levels of fall‐related concerns than for those with low levels of concern. These differences persisted over 14 months of follow‐up and were consistent over time. No significant differences were found for symptoms of depression, feelings of anxiety, or social support interactions, except for feelings of anxiety at 14 months.

Conclusion

Older persons with higher levels of fall‐related concerns reported up to 14 months poorer ADL and social participation for up to 14 months than those with lower levels of fall‐related concerns. From a clinical point of view, the clear relationship between fall‐related concerns and ADL dysfunction and social participation may help to target groups who are at risk of developing adverse consequences of concerns about falls.
Changes in Bone Mineral Density May Predict the Risk of Fracture Differently in Older Adults According to Fall History
Authors: Berry Sarah D. , McLean Robert R. , Hannan Marian T. , Cupples L. Adrienne , Kiel Douglas P.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To determine whether the association between change in bone mass density (BMD) over 4 years and risk of hip and nonvertebral fracture differs according to an individual's history of falls.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Framingham, Massachusetts.

Participants

Individuals with two measures of BMD at the femoral neck (mean age 78.8; 310 male, 492 female).

Measurements

Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between percentage change in BMD (per sex‐specific standard deviation) and risk of incident hip and nonvertebral fracture. Models were stratified based on history of falls (≥1 falls in the past year) and recurrent falls (≥2 falls) ascertained at the time of the second BMD test. Interactions were tested by including the term “fall history * change in BMD” in the models.

Results

Mean change in BMD was −0.6%/year; 27.8% of participants reported falls, and 10.8% reported recurrent falls. Seventy‐six incident hip and 175 incident nonvertebral fractures occurred over a median follow‐up of 9.0 years. There was no difference in the association between change in BMD and hip fracture according to history of falls (P for interaction = .57). The HR associated with change in BMD and nonvertebral fracture was 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10–1.56) in participants without a history of falls and 0.95 (95% CI 0.70–1.28) in those with a fall (interaction P = .07). Results for recurrent fallers were similar.

Conclusion

The effect of BMD loss on risk of nonvertebral fracture may be greater in persons without a history of falls. It is possible that change in BMD contributes less to fracture risk when a strong risk factor for fracture, such as falls, is present.
Mild Cognitive Dysfunction Does Not Affect Diabetes Mellitus Control in Minority Elderly Adults
Authors: Palta Priya , Golden Sherita H. , Teresi Jeanne , Palmas Walter , Weinstock Ruth S. , Shea Steven , Manly Jennifer J. , Luchsinger Jose A.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To determine whether older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and cognitive dysfunction have poorer metabolic control of glycosylated hemoglobin, systolic blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol than those without cognitive dysfunction.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

A minority cohort in New York City previously recruited for a trial of telemedicine.

Participants

Persons aged 73.0 ± 3.0 (N = 613; 69.5% female; 82.5% Hispanic, 15.5% non‐Hispanic black).

Measurements

Participants were classified with executive or memory dysfunction based on standardized score cutoffs (<16th percentile) for the Color Trails Test and Selective Reminding Test. Linear mixed models were used to compare repeated measures of the metabolic measures and evaluate the rates of change in individuals with and without dysfunction.

Results

Of the 613 participants, 331 (54%) had executive dysfunction, 202 (33%) had memory dysfunction, and 96 (16%) had both. Over a median of 2 years, participants with executive or memory dysfunction did not exhibit significantly poorer metabolic control than those without executive function or memory type cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusion

Cognitive dysfunction in the mild range did not seem to affect diabetes mellitus control parameters in this multiethnic cohort of older adults with diabetes mellitus, although it cannot be excluded that cognitive impairment was overcome through assistance from formal or informal caregivers. It is possible that more‐severe cognitive dysfunction could affect control.
Trends in Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Older Adults
Authors: McAdams‐DeMarco Mara A. , James Nathan , Salter Megan L. , Walston Jeremy , Segev Dorry L.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

To estimate mortality and death‐censored graft loss according to year of kidney transplant (KT) between 1990 and 2011.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).

Participants

KT recipients aged 65 and older at the time of transplantation (N = 30,207).

Measurements

Mortality and death‐censored graft loss ascertained through center report and linkage to Social Security Death Master File and to Medicare.

Results

Older adults currently account for 18.4% of KT recipients, up from 3.4% in 1990; similar increases were noted for deceased donor (5.4 times percentage increase) and live donor (9.1 times percentage increase) transplants. Current recipients are not only older, but also more likely to be female and African American, have lengthier pretransplant dialysis, have diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and receive marginal kidneys. Mortality for older deceased donor recipients between 2009 and 2011 was 57% lower (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33–0.56, P < .001) than between 1990 and 1993; mortality for older live donor recipients was 50% lower (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.36–0.68, P < .001). Death‐censored graft loss for older deceased donor recipients between 2009 and 2011 was 65% lower (HR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.29–0.42, P < .001) than between 1990 and 1993; death‐censored graft loss for older live donor recipients was 59% lower (HR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.24–0.70, P < .001).

Conclusion

Despite a major increase in number of older adults transplanted and an expanding window of transplant eligibility, mortality and graft loss have decreased substantially for this recipient population. These trends are important to understand for patient counseling and transplant referral.