bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of the Acute Palliative Care Unit in an Academic Medical Center
Authors: Eti Serife , O’Mahony Sean , McHugh Marlene , Guilbe Rose , Blank Arthur , Selwyn Peter
Published: May 2013

Background:

The acute palliative care units (APCU) where the palliative medicine specialists are primarily in charge with medical management are being established in few academic medical centers. The purpose of this study is to review the demographics and outcomes of the APCU admissions and the economical implications to the Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.

Methods:

We retrospectively examined the demographics, diagnosis related groups (DRGs), length of hospital stay (LOS), discharge status and hospital charge data using data from intcernal cost accounting databases for consecutive admissions to the palliative care unit between February 2007and February 2010.

Results:

A total of 1837 patients were admitted. Six hundred eighty patients transferred from other medical-surgical units. Twenty two percent of the patients were admitted under other specialties but co-managed with the palliative medicine specialists. The top three DRGs were sepsis without or with mechanical ventilation and heart failure with major co-morbidities. The average length of stay was comparable to other medical surgical units. Seventy-two percent of the patients were discharged alive, 27% died in the hospital. The median charges were lower in the palliative care unit than in medical-surgical units (p<.0001). These benefits were more likely to occur if patients were managed directly by the specialists. Conclusion: Our data suggests that the APCU may provide cost effective, acute care for the patients with advanced chronic illness as well as the imminently dying in need of intensive symptom management.
The Effect of Cardiac Education on Knowledge and Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle
Authors: Tawalbeh Loai I. , Ahmad Muayyad M.
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of cardiac educational program on the level of knowledge and adherence to healthy lifestyle among patients with coronary artery disease in the north of Jordan. Pretest–posttest design was used. Eighty-four patients completed the posttest questionnaire. Knowledge and adherence to healthy lifestyle were measured at baseline and at 1 month after the application of the program. Paired t-test was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the change in the mean knowledge scores (10.50), p < .01 was statistically significant 1 month after the application of the program. In addition, the change in the mean adherence to healthy lifestyle scores (33.30), p < .01 was statistically significant 1 month after the application of the cardiac educational program. Implementing cardiac educational programs help enhance knowledge and adherence to healthy lifestyle among patients with coronary artery disease in north of Jordan.
“Apologies” from Pathologists
Authors: Dewar Rajan , Parkash Vinita , Forrow Lachlan , Truog Robert D.
Published: May 2013

How pathologists communicate an error is complicated by the absence of a direct physician–patient relationship. Using 2 examples, we elaborate on how other physician colleagues routinely play an intermediary role in our day-to-day transactions and in the communication of a pathologist error to the patient. The concept of a “dual-hybrid” mind-set in the intermediary physician and its role in representing the pathologists’ viewpoint adequately is considered. In a dual-hybrid mind-set, the intermediary physician can align with the patients’ philosophy and like the patient, consider the smallest deviation from norm to be an error. Alternatively, they might embrace the traditional physician philosophy and communicate only those errors that resulted in a clinically inappropriate outcome. Neither may effectively reflect the pathologists’ interests. We propose that pathologists develop strategies to communicate errors that include considerations of meeting with the patients directly. Such interactions promote healing for the patient and are relieving to the well-intentioned pathologist.
Prevalence and risk factor analysis of feline haemoplasma infection in New Zealand domestic cats using a real-time PCR assay
Authors: Jenkins Kathryn S , Dittmer Keren E , Marshall Jonathan C , Tasker Séverine
Published: May 2013

Haemotropic mycoplasmas (haemoplasmas) are small epierythrocytic bacteria that have the potential to cause severe, life-threatening haemolytic anaemia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate feline haemoplasma prevalence using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from a convenience sample of New Zealand domestic cats, including blood film examination and a risk factor analysis. DNA was extracted from 200 blood samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory for routine haematology over a 12-month period. Species-specific real-time PCR assays identified 62 cats that were positive for haemoplasma DNA, giving an overall prevalence of 31%. Twelve of the positive cats had dual infections. The prevalence of the three feline haemoplasmas was 25% for ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’, 7.5% for Mycoplasma haemofelis and 4.5% for ‘ Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis’ (CMt). All samples were positive for an internal control (feline 28S rDNA) by real-time PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of blood smear examination for haemoplasma infection in this study was 9.7% and 97.8%, respectively. Retroviral infection was tested using the Idexx Snap Feline Triple test on all samples. Twenty cats (10%) were feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive and 11 cats (5.5%) were feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) positive. Statistical comparisons, using multivariate logistic regression, indicated that positive FIV status, male gender and non-pedigree breed were significantly ( P <0.05) associated with haemoplasma infection, with odds ratios of 10.16, 5.04 and 3.03, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate the prevalence of the three main feline haemoplasma species in New Zealand for the first time, with prevalences correlating with previous overseas studies. This is the first report of CMt in New Zealand.
Factors influencing mental health providers’ intention to use telepsychotherapy in First Nations communities
Authors: Monthuy-Blanc Johana , Bouchard Stéphane , Maïano Christophe , Séguin Monique
Published: May 2013

Telemental health is the use of information and communications technologies and broadband networks to deliver mental health services and support wellness. Although numerous studies have demonstrated the efficiency and utility of telemental health, certain barriers may impede its implementation, including the attitudes of mental health service providers. The current study draws on the technology acceptance model (TAM) to understand the role of mental health service providers’ attitudes and perceptions of telemental health (psychotherapy delivered via videoconferencing) on their intention to use this technology with their patients. A sample of 205 broadly defined mental health service providers working on 32 First Nations reserves in the province of Quebec completed the questionnaire adapted to assess TAM for telepsychotherapy. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling provided evidence for the factor validity and reliability of the TAM in this sample. The key predictor of the intention to use telepsychotherapy was not mental health providers’ attitude toward telepsychotherapy, nor how much they expected this service to be complicated to use, but essentially how useful they expect it to be for their First Nations patients. If telemental health via videoconferencing is to be implemented in First Nations communities, it is essential to thoroughly demonstrate its utility to mental health providers. Perceived usefulness will have a positive impact on attitudes toward this technology, and perceived ease of use will positively influence perceived usefulness. Cultural issues specific to the populations receiving telemental health services may be more efficiently addressed from the angle of perceived usefulness.
Multi-contextual lives: Transnational identifications under mediatised conditions
Authors: Andersson Magnus
Published: May 2013

Influenced by the call for ‘non-media-centric media studies’, and based on interviews with transnational professionals and forced migrants, this article scrutinises transnational identifications under mediatised conditions. With the point of departure in space/mobility and everyday life practices – the common denominators in the perspectives of transnationalism and mediatisation – the analysis shows that mediated deterritorialisation is conditional due to migrants’ sociocultural resources and earlier life experiences. Hence, experiences of war and conflict may reduce the potential of mediated mobilities. The article demonstrates how media are an integrated part of migrants’ multiple identifications with the city they reside in and their country of origin. Besides establishing multiple identifications, the article shows how these identities are linked to particular contexts, practices and socialities in the migrants’ everyday lives. The conclusion is that mediatisation and transnationalism are complex matters yet a transdisciplinary, contextual and ‘non-media-centric’ approach seems to be a promising way to grasp these complexities.
Chemistry and indoor air quality in a multi-storey wooden passive (low energy) building: Formation of peroxyacetyl nitrate
Authors: Fischer A. , Langer S. , Ljungström E.
Published: May 2013

Indoor air measurements were conducted in one unoccupied apartment of a ‘near-zero-energy’ residential building with a unique, wooden construction. Ozone, NO2, fine particles and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) were measured under ‘as is’ conditions and after intentional intervention by adding ozone to simulate an ambient air ozone episode. Undisturbed concentrations were: O3 5–10 ppb, NO2 5–8 ppb, fine particles 2000–5000 cm−3, formaldehyde 35 ± 5 µg/m3, PAN 0.3 ppb. During intervention, O3 was 50–60 ppb, NO2 15–20 ppb, fine particles 20,000–25,000 cm−3, formaldehyde 44 ± 2 µg/m3 and PAN 0.7–1 ppb. It was shown that chemical reactions had taken place in the indoor air. Ozone-initiated chemistry produced various aldehydes, PAN and, as a direct response to increased ozone concentrations, also fine particles. Calculations made by a simple model of PAN formation showed that an air change rate of around 0.2 h−1 would provide optimum conditions for PAN formation in a setting comparable to that of the investigated apartment. This air change rate is well below the Swedish national minimum of 0.5 h−1. Further, the calculations show that the non-photochemical PAN formation could be a consequence of mixing ozone and nitrogen dioxide with terpenes and acetaldehyde.
Smoking Cessation Counseling for Asian Immigrants With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Saw Anne , Kim Jin , Lim Joyce , Powell Catherine , Tong Elisa K.
Published: May 2013

Engagement in modifiable risk behaviors, such as tobacco use, substantially contributes to early mortality rates in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). There is an alarmingly high prevalence of tobacco use among subgroups of Asian Americans, such as immigrants and individuals with SMI, yet there are no empirically supported effective smoking cessation interventions that have been tailored to meet the unique cultural, cognitive, and psychological needs of Asian immigrants with SMI. In this article, we share the experiences of clinicians in the delivery of smoking cessation counseling to Asian American immigrants with SMI, in the context of an Asian-focused integrated primary care and behavioral health setting. Through a qualitative analysis of clinician perspectives organized with the RE-AIM framework, we outline challenges, lessons learned, and promising directions for delivering smoking cessation counseling to Asian American immigrant clients with SMI.
Smoking Among Asian Americans
Authors: Li Shijian , Kwon Simona C. , Weerasinghe Isha , Rey Mariano J. , Trinh-Shevrin Chau
Published: May 2013

New York City (NYC) has experienced significant decline in smoking prevalence since its antismoking campaign; however, the rates among NYC’s Asian communities have persisted since 2002. Using combined data from the REACH US Risk Factor Survey (2009-2011), this article examined ethnic- and gender-specific smoking behaviors and the effects of acculturation and location of residence on cigarette smoking behavior among Chinese, Korean, Asian Indians, and other Asian Americans. Results indicated that current smoking prevalence was higher for men than women among all four groups. Korean men and women had the highest current smoking rates whereas Indians had the lowest among the four subgroups. Asian American women reporting speaking only English at home had higher current smoking prevalence, but this was not observed for men. Living in Sunset Park, an emerging Asian ethnic enclave, was associated with higher odds of smoking than living in other locations in NYC. In conclusion, smoking prevalence varied across gender and ethnic subgroups among Asian Americans in NYC. A “one-size-fits-all” type of intervention strategy for “pan-Asians” could not be effective. Community-based culturally appropriate and gender-specific interventions for smoking cessation might be an option for Asian Americans residing in linguistically isolated ethnic enclaves.
Tensile strength of notched carbon/glass/epoxy hybrid composite laminates before and after fatigue loading
Authors: Haery Haleh Allameh , Kim Ho Sung , Zahari Rizal , Amini Ehsan
Published: May 2013

Hybrid laminates consisting of C-glass woven fabric/epoxy composite plies and 3k-carbon woven fabric/epoxy composite plies are studied for fatigue damage and residual strength. Tension–tension fatigue tests were conducted on notched composite laminates at two load ratios of 0.1 and 0.25. The laminates were fabricated with the hand lay-up process for a symmetrical stacking sequence [0/90]3s made of three 3k-carbon/epoxy composite plies at both top and bottom sections and six C-glass/epoxy composite plies in the middle. Fatigue damage was generated on notched specimens with 4 × 104 load cycles to damage for residual strength tests. The hybridization was found to be beneficial for relative damage sensitivity under one of four different fatigue conditions although its effect was marginal while three other conditions were not in favor. A relative damage sensitivity factor expression (or a criterion) was developed for quantitative comparisons between non-hybrid and hybrid composites and was theoretically demonstrated to be valid for any possible cases where various combinations are possible due to differences in strength reduction rate between two different composite systems. A theoretical framework with the relative damage sensitivity factor is proposed as a guide to deal with the complexity involving uncertainties and a large number of variables in the hybrid composite system. New damage mechanisms of the hybrid system due to dissimilarity between two sub-composite systems (i.e. glass/epoxy and carbon/epoxy) were hypothesized and tested to be valid with evidence based on microscopic and macroscopic examinations. The difference between static and fatigue damage is discussed.
Cutting Edge(s)
Authors: Petersen Eva Bendix
Published: May 2013

Through a performance piece, an ethnographic drama, the article explores what might be called academic category boundary work, around the use of nonmainstream forms of data (autoethnography)—or this is at least one possible reading of the drama. In general, the ethnographic drama is an interesting form of postfoundational scholarship in that it is both (or neither) data and analysis; it troubles the desires for transparency and real-reality that come with the usual manner of presenting the data and analysis as separate and separable. In its data+analysis simultaneity the ethnographic drama insists on being “creata,” and on offering significant insight into various cultural practices, yet by explicitly and unapologetically drawing on a literary genre, it also never lets the reader/audience forget their part and responsibility as reader/audience. As a funny twist, due to this specific ethnographic drama’s subject matter and its likely audience, any thoughts, sensations, conversations, or emotions invoked by performing/reading it will constitute a new round of data+analysis and form the beginnings of yet-to-be-written fourth acts.
Training to Measure Ankle–Brachial Index at the Undergraduate Level
Authors: Georgakarakos Efstratios , Papadaki Evaggelia , Vamvakerou Vasileia , Lytras Dimitrios , Tsiokani Afroditi , Tsolakaki Olympia , Chlimpou Dimitra , Papanas Nikolaos
Published: May 2013

We examined the effectiveness of teaching ankle–brachial index (ABI) measurement to medical students. ABI was estimated in 28 lower limbs by an experienced vascular surgeon. After a 2-week training course, 5 fourth-year students repeated the estimations and their results were compared with that of the trainer’s. There was no difference in ABI values between trainees and trainer for subjects with mild-to-moderate peripheral arterial disease (PAD; 0.77 ± 0.22 vs 0.77 ± 0.19, respectively, P = .95). In the 4 normal limbs, ABI was 1.37 ± 0.12 and 1.16 ± 0.11, as measured by the trainer and the trainees, respectively ( P < .00001). In subjects with severe PAD, trainees tended to overestimate ABI ( P = .0002) in the beginning of the educational process, but this was no longer the case at a later stage of the training with no difference in ABI values between the 2 examiner groups ( P = .09). In conclusion, training of medical students in ABI measurement can be helpful toward accurate estimation of PAD and merits further practice.
Current Achievements With Topical Negative Pressure to Improve Wound Healing in Dehiscent Ischemic Stumps of Diabetic Patients
Authors: Georgakarakos Efstratios , Charalampidis Dimitris , Kakagia Despoina , Georgiadis George S. , Lazarides Miltos K. , Papanas Nikolaos
Published: May 2013

Negative pressure wound therapy has been increasingly used either as a primary or as an adjunctive therapeutic measure to treat a variety of recalcitrant wounds during the past years. It is thought to act by creating a local environment that promotes cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation, leading to accelerated wound healing to the point of spontaneous closure or reducing the wound size to facilitate significantly further surgical reconstruction. This case series presents our preliminary experience with the use of a Topical Negative Pressure system in the treatment of challenging ischemic wounds of diabetic patients. It aims to underscore its beneficial effects and explore its potential role in the management of ischemic amputated stumps to avoid ipsilateral re-amputation at a higher level.
Secondary Prevention of Diabetic Foot Infections in a Caribbean Nation
Authors: Islam Shariful , Harnarayan Patrick , Cawich Shamir , Mahabir Vijai , Budhooram Steve , Bheem Vinoo , Ramsewak Shivaa , Naraynsingh Vijay
Published: May 2013

Most countries have instituted measures to limit the complications of diabetes. We evaluate secondary prevention strategies for diabetic foot infections in a Caribbean country. We performed a prospective questionnaire study evaluating all patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals across Trinidad and Tobago from July 2011 to June 2012. Primary study end points were the number of patient-detected injuries and the time interval between injury and presentation. Secondary end points included the practice of regular foot inspection (≥2 foot examinations per week) for early detection and the use of self-directed nonmedical therapies to treat foot infections. There were 446 patients admitted with diabetic foot infections at an average age of 56.9 ± 12.4 years. Three hundred and fifty-six (80%) were previously hospitalized with foot infections and 226 (51%) had already sustained end organ injury from diabetes. There were 163 (36.6%) patients walking barefoot at the time of injury and 189 (42.4%) had footwear-related injuries. In 257 (57.6%) cases, patients identified their foot injury shortly after the event. Despite early detection, they presented to hospital after a mean interval of 6.2 ± 5.03 days, with 78 (30.4%) having tried some form of home therapy first. Overall, 190 (42.6%) patients did not practice regular foot examinations. There is room for improvement in secondary preventative measures for diabetic foot infections in this setting. Educational campaigns may be beneficial to educate diabetics on the dangers of walking barefoot, the importance of appropriate footwear, regular foot inspection, and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention instead of experimenting with home remedies.
Managing Diabetic Foot Infection in India
Authors: Viswanathan Vijay , Rao V. Narayan
Published: May 2013

The burden of diabetic foot complications, in terms of both physical and socioeconomical constraints, poses a heavy challenge both to the patient and the physician, especially in developing countries, where the number of people living with diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate compared with the developed world. In developing countries like India, there are specific causes and risk factors that increase the burden of diabetic foot infections (DFIs), for example, sociocultural risk factors such as barefoot walking, using improper footwear, poor knowledge of foot care practices, lack of adequate and timely access to podiatry services, and poor health care resources. Management of DFI in light of these limitations is quite a challenge to health care professionals. Several techniques and strategies are required to address this problem and should be combined with a multidisciplinary team effort to reduce the burgeoning epidemic of diabetic foot disease. This review is intended to address some of the major aspects of management of DFI in India.
Relational Evaluation, Organization-Based Self-Esteem, and Performance
Authors: Sui Yang , Wang Hui
Published: May 2013

This study examined the effects of leader–member exchange (LMX) and perceived insider status (PIS) on employees’ performance through a relational value perspective. Results based on a sample of 183 supervisor–subordinate distinct dyads show that organization-based self-esteem (OBSE) mediated the relationship between relational evaluations (i.e., LMX and PIS) and performance. In addition, employees’ allocentric tendencies moderated the relationship between relational evaluations and OBSE and, consequently, the indirect relationship between relational evaluations and performance via OBSE. Specifically, OBSE mediated the indirect relationship between LMX (and PIS) and performance among employees with high rather than low levels of allocentrism. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Cyberloafing and Personality
Authors: Jia Heather , Jia Ronnie , Karau Steven
Published: May 2013

The current study sought to expand prior research on cyberloafing by considering the impact of personality, as well as some previously unexplored situational factors. Specifically, we examined the impact of the Big Five personality factors, as well as the presence of an Internet usage policy and perceived work meaningfulness, on the amount of employee cyberloafing. Hierarchical regression analyses found that, controlling for gender and age, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and the presence of an Internet usage policy were all negatively related with cyberloafing whereas extroversion had a significant, positive relationship with cyberloafing. Implications of these findings for research and managerial practices are discussed.
Dissociation of Vegetative and Minimally Conscious Patients Based on Brain Operational Architectonics
Authors: Fingelkurts Andrew A. , Fingelkurts Alexander A. , Bagnato Sergio , Boccagni Cristina , Galardi Giuseppe
Published: May 2013

Discrimination between patients in vegetative (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) is currently based upon the behavioral gold standard. Behavioral assessment remains equivocal and difficult to interpret as evidence for the presence or absence of consciousness, resulting in possible clinical misdiagnosis in such patients. Application of an operational architectonics (OA) strategy to electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis reveals that absence of consciousness in patients in VS is paralleled by significant impairment in overall EEG operational architecture compared to patients in MCS: neuronal assemblies become smaller, their life span shortened, and they became highly unstable and functionally disconnected (desynchronized). However, in a previous study, patients with different brain damage etiologies were intermixed. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate whether the application of OA methodology to EEG could reliably dissociate patients in VS and MCS independent of brain damage etiology. We conclude that the observed EEG OA structure impairment in patients in VS and partial preservation in patients in MCS is a marker of consciousness/unconsciousness rather than physiological damage. Results of this study may have neuroscientific, clinical, and ethical implications.
Thrombolysis of an acute stroke presentation with an incidental unruptured aneurysm
Authors: Ganesalingam J , Redwood R , Jenkins IH
Published: May 2013

Many patients with acute ischaemic stroke have contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. We describe a 45 yr old Afro-Caribbean female with HbSC disease whom was electively admitted for a cerebral angiogram to evaluate an intracavernous aneurysm measuring 20 mm in diameter. During the procedure, she suffered a right MCA territory ischaemic event with a NIHSS of 10. A CT angiogram demonstrated no dissection and no evidence of a major vessel occlusion. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was administered intravenously within 60 minutes of symptom onset. She had clinical and haematological evidence of a painful sickle cell crisis and required manual exchange transfusion within a few hours of thrombolysis. This is the first reported case of the use of thrombolysis for acute stroke in a sickle cell crisis; and in the presence of such a large unruptured aneurysm. A registry of unusual thrombolysis cases might help clinicians in cases when there is little evidence to support decision-making.
PEAR1 attenuates megakaryopoiesis via control of the PI3K/PTEN pathway
Authors: Kauskot Alexandre , Vandenbriele Christophe , Louwette Sophie , Gijsbers Rik , Tousseyn Thomas , Freson Kathleen , Verhamme Peter , Hoylaerts Marc F.
Published: May 2013

Key Points

PEAR1 is a negative regulator of megakaryocyte proliferation in vitro and thrombocyte formation in vivo. PEAR1 regulates the PI3K/PTEN pathway.
Megakaryocytes promote murine osteoblastic HSC niche expansion and stem cell engraftment after radioablative conditioning
Authors: Olson Timothy S. , Caselli Anna , Otsuru Satoru , Hofmann Ted J. , Williams Richard , Paolucci Paolo , Dominici Massimo , Horwitz Edwin M.
Published: May 2013

Key Points

After radioablative conditioning, host megakaryocytes promote endosteal HSC niche expansion and donor stem cell engraftment. Thrombopoietin administration before radiation and bone marrow transplant enhances megakaryocyte promotion of HSC engraftment.
HIF prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) is a critical regulator of hematopoietic stem cell maintenance during steady-state and stress
Authors: Singh Rashim Pal , Franke Kristin , Kalucka Joanna , Mamlouk Soulafa , Muschter Antje , Gembarska Agnieszka , Grinenko Tatyana , Willam Carsten , Naumann Ronald , Anastassiadis Konstantinos , Stewart A. Francis , Bornstein Stefan , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Breier Georg , Waskow Claudia , Wielockx Ben
Published: May 2013

Key Points

Loss of the oxygen sensor PHD2 in the HSC compartment in mice results in the HIF1α-driven induction of multipotent progenitors. PHD2-deficient hematopoietic progenitors are outcompeted during severe stress while HSCs are encouraged to self-renew.
Interfacing cellular networks of S. cerevisiae and E. coli: Connecting dynamic and genetic information
Authors: Matos Simoes Ricardo de , Dehmer Matthias , Emmert-Streib Frank
Published: May 2013

Background

In recent years, various types of cellular networks have penetrated biology and are nowadays used omnipresently for studying eukaryote and prokaryote organisms. Still, the relation and the biological overlap among phenomenological and inferential gene networks, e.g., between the protein interaction network and the gene regulatory network inferred from large-scale transcriptomic data, is largely unexplored.

Results

We provide in this study an in-depth analysis of the structural, functional and chromosomal relationship between a protein-protein network, a transcriptional regulatory network and an inferred gene regulatory network, for S. cerevisiae and E. coli. Further, we study global and local aspects of these networks and their biological information overlap by comparing, e.g., the functional co-occurrence of Gene Ontology terms by exploiting the available interaction structure among the genes.

Conclusions

Although the individual networks represent different levels of cellular interactions with global structural and functional dissimilarities, we observe crucial functions of their network interfaces for the assembly of protein complexes, proteolysis, transcription, translation, metabolic and regulatory interactions. Overall, our results shed light on the integrability of these networks and their interfacing biological processes.
Chinese herbal medicine for impaired glucose tolerance: a randomized placebo controlled trial
Authors: Grant Suzanne J , Chang Dennis Hsu-Tung , Liu Jianxun , Wong Vincent , Kiat Hosen , Bensoussan Alan
Published: May 2013

Background

Diabetes remains a major health problem worldwide. Low-risk low-cost alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions are needed where lifestyle modifications have failed. We conducted a double-blind randomised placebo controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a Chinese herbal formula, Jiangtang Xiaozhi, in treating impaired glucose control and insulin resistance in persons with prediabetes and controlled diabetes.

Methods

Seventy-one patients with prediabetes or ‘controlled’ diabetes were randomised to receive 3 capsules of Jiangtang Xiaozhi (n = 39) or placebo (n = 32) three times daily for 16 weeks with a follow up eight weeks later (week 24). The primary outcome was change in glycaemic control as evidenced by fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Other measures included change in fasting insulin, insulin resistance and sensitivity, lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), body mass index (BMI), waist girth, blood pressure (BP), health related quality of life (HRQoL) and safety. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to model outcomes at 16 weeks, by treatment group corrected for baseline level of the outcome variable.

Results

In patients receiving Jiangtang Xiaozhi, FBG was not significantly different (p = 0.73) compared to placebo after 16 weeks of treatment (6.3 ± 1.1 mmol/L vs 6.7 ± 1.3 mmol/L). There was a significant difference (p = 0.04) in the mean levels of fasting insulin between the treatment group (11.6 ± 5.5 mmol/L) and the placebo group (22.1 ± 25.9 mmol/L). Insulin resistance slightly decreased in the treatment group (1.58 ± 0.74) compared to that of the placebo group (2.43 ± 1.59) but this change did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). Patients taking Jiangtang Xiaozhi had a significant improvement in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level compared to the placebo group at week 16 (p = 0.03). Mean levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, waist-girth, HRQoL, BP, CRP and insulin sensitivity were not significantly different between the two groups. The herbal medicine was well tolerated.

Conclusions

In the current study, the 16 week Jiangtang Xiaozhi treatment did not lower fasting blood glucose, but it improved serum insulin and HDL cholesterol in a Western population with prediabetes or controlled diabetes. Our trial may have been underpowered. Dosage needs to be considered before commencing a longer adequately powered trial.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12612000128897;https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=362005
Determinants of antenatal and delivery care utilization in Tigray region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tsegay Yalem , Gebrehiwot Tesfay , Goicolea Isabel , Edin Kerstin , Lemma Hailemariam , Sebastian Miguel San
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Despite the international emphasis in the last few years on the need to address the unmet health needs of pregnant women and children, progress in reducing maternal mortality has been slow. This is particularly worrying in sub-Saharan Africa where over 162,000 women still die each year during pregnancy and childbirth, most of them because of the lack of access to skilled delivery attendance and emergency care. With a maternal mortality ratio of 673 per 100,000 live births and 19,000 maternal deaths annually, Ethiopia is a major contributor to the worldwide death toll of mothers. While some studies have looked at different risk factors for antenatal care (ANC) and delivery service utilisation in the country, information coming from community-based studies related to the Health Extension Programme (HEP) in rural areas is limited. This study aims to determine the prevalence of maternal health care utilisation and explore its determinants among rural women aged 15–49 years in Tigray, Ethiopia.

Methods

The study was a community-based cross-sectional survey using a structured questionnaire. A cluster sampling technique was used to select women who had given birth at least once in the five years prior to the survey period. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to elicit the impact of each factor on ANC and institutional delivery service utilisation.

Results

The response rate was 99% (n=1113). The mean age of the participants was 30.4 years. The proportion of women who received ANC for their recent births was 54%; only 46 (4.1%) of women gave birth at a health facility. Factors associated with ANC utilisation were marital status, education, proximity of health facility to the village, and husband’s occupation, while use of institutional delivery was mainly associated with parity, education, having received ANC advice, a history of difficult/prolonged labour, and husbands’ occupation.

Conclusions

A relatively acceptable utilisation of ANC services but extremely low institutional delivery was observed. Classical socio-demographic factors were associated with both ANC and institutional delivery attendance. ANC advice can contribute to increase institutional delivery use. Different aspects of HEP need to be strengthened to improve maternal health in Tigray.
Relationship between sampling and multirate filterbanks in the linear canonical transform domain
Authors: Zhang Feng , Tao Ran , Wang Yue
Published: May 2013

Multirate filterbanks have found applications in speech processing, image processing, communications, and in the development of new sampling theorems. This paper explores the relationship between sampling theorems and multirate filterbanks in the linear canonical transform (LCT) domain. The sampling identity and the interpolation identity for bandlimited signals in the LCT domain are discussed and then employed to obtain a discrete-time implementation for bandlimited signals in the LCT domain from their multichannel samples. Furthermore, we relate the multichannel sampling for bandlimited signals in the LCT domain as well as the corresponding continuous-time LCT filterbank to the discrete-time LCT filterbank, which can lead to new sampling strategies for bandlimited signals in the LCT domain.
Oxidative stress in cancer-bearing dogs assessed by measuring serum malondialdehyde
Authors: Macotpet Arayaporn , Suksawat Fanan , Sukon Peerapol , Pimpakdee Komgrit , Pattarapanwichien Ekkachai , Tangrassameeprasert Roongpet , Boonsiri Patcharee
Published: May 2013

Background

Oxidative stress, an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causes lipid peroxidation resulting in cell and tissue damages. It may be associated with the development and progression of cancers in dogs. Malondialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipid peroxidation, is commonly used as a marker of oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to assess oxidative stress in cancer-bearing dogs by measuring serum MDA levels. All client-owned dogs underwent physical examination at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University to determine the health status with the owner’s consent. Blood samples of cancer-bearing dogs (N = 80) and clinically normal dogs (N = 101) were obtained and subjected for determination of MDA levels. In addition, complete blood count, creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase were measured.

Results

Serum MDA was significantly higher in cancer-bearing dogs than in clinically normal dogs (mean ± SD, 4.68 ± 1.32 μmol/L vs 2.95 ± 0.61 μmol/L, respectively; p < 0.001). Packed cell volume (mean ± SD, 36.18 ± 7.65% vs 44.84 ± 5.54%), hemoglobin (mean ± SD, 11.93 ± 2.88 g% vs 15.17 ± 2.00 g%) and red blood cells (median (IQA), 6.05 (2.15) vs 8.09 (1.34)) were all significantly lower in cancer-bearing dogs than in clinically normal dogs. However, the reverse was true for white blood cells (median (IQA), 18.20 (11.95) vs 14.90 (5.10)). Neither creatinine nor alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly different between groups.

Conclusions

This study supports the conclusion that oxidative stress is associated with many types of cancers in dogs, as serum MDA levels were significantly higher in cancer-bearing dogs compared to clinically normal dogs.
Expression of pAkt affects p53 codon 72 polymorphism-based prediction of response to radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Xie Xiaoxue , Wang Hui , Jin Hekun , Ouyang Shuyu , Zhou Jumei , Hu Jun , Xi Xuping , Luo Junming , Zhang Yingying , Hu Bingqiang
Published: May 2013

Background

Codon 72 (Arg/Pro), the most frequently studied single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of p53 to date, is associated with the ability of the gene to induce cell apoptosis. The PI3K/Akt pathway plays an essential role in the transcriptional activation function of p53, and is an important factor in radiotherapy resistance. The present study was designed to evaluate the prediction of response to radiotherapy based on p53 codon 72 SNP and pAkt expression in biopsy specimens of locoregional nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) before treatment.

Materials and methods

In total, 75 consecutive patients with locoregional NPC were enrolled. The p53 codon 72 SNP was identified from retrospectively collected paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens using Sanger sequencing. Expression patterns of p53, p21, 14-3-3σ, and pAkt proteins were investigated using immunohistochemical analyses. The effects of genetic polymorphisms and protein expression on progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model, Kaplan–Meier method, and log-rank test.

Results

The p53 codon 72 Pro/Pro carriers showed lower risk of disease progression (local recurrence and distant metastases) (HR: 0.300; 95% CI: 0.092–0.983;p=0.047). However, this association between the p53 codon 72 polymorphism and PFS was not significant in the pAkt-positive subgroup. No association was observed between protein expression of p53, p21 or 14-3-3σ and p53 codon72 polymorphisms. Notably, positive expression of p53 protein appeared to be correlated with poorer PFS among patients diagnosed as local regional lymph node metastasis (N+) before treatment (p=0.032).

Conclusions

The p53 codon 72 Pro/Pro genotype may be an effective independent prognostic marker for better outcome in patients with locoregional NPC. Based on the current findings, we hypothesize that pAkt weakens the predictive value of p53 codon 72 SNP in NPC. A combination of positive p53 protein expression and local regional lymph node metastasis may additionally be predictive of high risk of disease progression.
Safe and targeted anticancer therapy for ovarian cancer using a novel class of curcumin analogs
Authors: Rath Kellie S , McCann Georgia A , Cohn David E , Rivera Brian K , Kuppusamy Periannan , Selvendiran Karuppaiyah
Published: May 2013

A diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer is the beginning of a long and arduous journey for a patient. Worldwide, approximately half of the individuals undergoing therapy for advanced cancer will succumb to the disease, or consequences of treatment. Well-known and widely-used chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin are toxic to both cancer and non-cancerous cells, and have debilitating side effects Therefore, development of new targeted anticancer therapies that can selectively kill cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues is essential to develop more effective therapies. We have developed a new class of synthetic curcumin analogs, diarylidenyl-piperidones (DAPs), which have higher anticancer activity and enhanced bio-absorption than curcumin. The DAP backbone structure exhibits cytotoxic (anticancer) activity, whereas the N-hydroxypyrroline (-NOH) moiety found on some variants functions as a cellular- or tissue-specific modulator (antioxidant) of cytotoxicity. The anticancer activity of the DAPs has been evaluated using a number of ovarian cancer cell lines, and the safety has been evaluated in a number of non-cancerous cell lines. Both variations of the DAP compounds showed similar levels of cell death in ovarian cancer cells, however the compounds with the -NOH modification were less toxic to non-cancerous cells. The selective cytotoxicity of the DAP–NOH compounds suggests that they will be useful as safe and effective anticancer agents. This article reviews some of the key findings of our work with the DAP compounds, and compares this to some of the targeted therapies currently used in ovarian cancer therapy.
The role of chemotherapy in advanced solitary fibrous tumors: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Park Min S , Ravi Vinod , Conley Anthony , Patel Shreyaskumar R , Trent Jonathan C , Lev Dina C , Lazar Alexander J , Wang Wei-Lien , Benjamin Robert S , Araujo Dejka M
Published: May 2013

Background

Patients with advanced solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) have a poor prognosis; treatment options for recurrent disease are particularly limited. Several novel targeted agents have recently shown promise against advanced SFTs, but the relative efficacy of new agents is difficult to assess because data on the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy for SFTs are limited. We thus sought to estimate the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy for SFTs by reviewing data on tumor response to therapy and progression-free survival from SFT patients who received this therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes of 21 patients with grossly measurable, advanced SFTs (unresectable metastatic disease or potentially resectable primary tumors) who received conventional chemotherapy and follow-up at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1994 and June 2007. Best tumor response to therapy was assessed using the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors 1.1. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate median progression-free survival (PFS) duration.

Results

Of 21 patients, 4 received more than 1 regimen of chemotherapy, for a total of 25 treatments. Doxorubicin-based chemotherapy was given in 15 cases (60%), gemcitabine-based therapy in 5 cases (20%), and paclitaxel in 5 cases (20%). First-line chemotherapy was delivered in 18 cases (72%). No patients had a complete or partial response, 16 (89%) had stable disease, and 2 (11%) had disease progression. Five patients (28%) maintained stable disease for at least 6 months after first-line treatment. The median PFS duration was 4.6 months. The median overall survival from diagnosis was 10.3 years.

Conclusion

Conventional chemotherapy is effective in controlling or stabilizing locally advanced and metastatic SFTs. Our findings can serve as a reference for tumor response and clinical outcomes in the assessment of novel treatments for SFTs.
Imaging receptor for advanced glycation end product expression in mouse model of hind limb ischemia
Authors: Tekabe Yared , Kollaros Maria , Li Chong , Zhang Geping , Schmidt Ann Marie , Johnson Lynne
Published: May 2013

Background

The purpose of this study is to image the effect of diabetes on expression of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) in limb ischemia in live animals.

Methods

Male wild-type C57BL/6 mice were either made diabetic or left as control. Two months later, diabetic and non-diabetic mice underwent left femoral artery ligation. The right leg served as lesion control. Five days later, mice were injected with 15.1 ± 4.4 MBq 99mTc-anti-RAGE F(ab’)2 and 4 to 5 h later (blood pool clearance) underwent SPECT/CT imaging. At the completion of imaging, mice were euthanized, hind limbs counted and sectioned, and scans reconstructed. Regions of interest were drawn on serial transverse sections comprising the hind limbs and activity in millicuries summed and divided by the injected dose (ID). Quantitative histology was performed for RAGE staining and angiogenesis.

Results

Uptake of 99mTc-anti-RAGE F(ab')2 as %ID × 10−3 was higher in the left (ischemic) limbs for the diabetic mice (n = 8) compared to non-diabetic mice (n = 8) (1.20 ± 0.44% vs. 0.49 ± 0.40%; P = 0.0007) and corresponded to less angiogenesis in the diabetic mice. Uptake was also higher in the right limbs of diabetic compared to non-diabetic animals (0.82 ± 0.33% vs. 0.40 ± 0.14%; P = 0.0004).

Conclusions

These data show the feasibility of imaging and quantifying the effect of diabetes on RAGE expression in limb ischemia.
The effect of cigarette smoke exposure on vitamin D level and biochemical parameters of mothers and neonates
Authors: Banihosseini Seyede Zahra , Baheiraei Azam , Shirzad Nooshin , Heshmat Ramin , Mohsenifar Afshin
Published: May 2013

Background

Exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy leads to several adverse effects on mother and child. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of being a passive smoker during pregnancy on vitamin D level and related biochemical indices including parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in mothers and newborns.

Methods

One hundred eight pregnant women and their newborns participated in a historical cohort study in two equal groups (n = 54) with and without cigarette smoke exposure. Maternal blood and urine samples and blood samples of umbilical cord were obtained in the delivery room. Concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D and related biochemical indices in samples of maternal and cord blood were investigated. Exposure to cigarette smoke was evaluated through questionnaire and maternal urine and umbilical cord serum cotinine levels.

Results

The mean level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in maternal serum was 9.28 ± 5.19 ng/mlin exposed and 10.75 ± 5.26 ng/ml in non-exposed group(p > 0.05). The mean concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in cord serum was 10.83 ± 6.68 ng/ml in the exposed and 11.05 ± 4.99 ng/ml in the non-exposed group(p > 0.05). The exposed mothers had significantly higher parathyroid hormone level (p = 0.013), lower serum calcium (p = 0.024) and higher serum alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.024). There was a significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D within both exposed and non-exposed groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Maternal exposure to cigarette smoking during pregnancy negatively influences serum calcium level and increase parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase in mothers.