bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micropatch‐arrayed pads for non‐invasive spatial and temporal profiling of topical drugs on skin surface
Authors: Dutkiewicz Ewelina P. , Chiu Hsien‐Yi , Urban Pawel L.
Published: October 2015

Micropatch‐arrayed pads (MAPAs) are presented as a facile and sensitive sampling method for spatial profiling of topical agents adsorbed on the surface of skin. MAPAs are 28 × 28 mm sized pieces of polytetrafluoroethylene containing plurality of cavities filled with agarose hydrogel. They are affixed onto skin for 10 min with the purpose to collect drugs applied topically. Polar compounds are absorbed by the hydrogel micropatches. The probes are subsequently scanned by an automated nanospray desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system operated in the tapping dual‐polarity mode. When the liquid junction gets into contact with every micropatch, polar compounds absorbed in the hydrogel matrix are desorbed and transferred to the ion source. A 3D‐printed interface prevents evaporation of hydrogel micropatches assuring good reproducibility and sensitivity. MAPAs have been applied to follow dispersion of topical drugs applied to human skin in vivo and to porcine skin ex vivo, in the form of self‐adhesive patches. Spatiotemporal characteristics of the drug dispersion process have been revealed using this non‐invasive test. Differences between drug dispersion in vivo and ex vivo could be observed. We envision that MAPAs can be used to investigate spatiotemporal kinetics of various topical agents utilized in medical treatment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Port wine stain treated with a combination of pulsed dye laser and topical rapamycin ointment
Authors: Griffin Thomas D. , Foshee James P. , Finney Robert , Saedi Nazanin
Published: October 2015

Background and Objective

A port wine stain (PWS) is a type of capillary vascular malformation composed of malformed, dilated blood vessels within the papillary and reticular dermis. Currently, pulsed dye laser (PDL) is considered the therapeutic gold standard, although greater than 90% of lesions may be refractory to treatment. Studies have shown that a delay in treatment results in a higher proportion of patients who develop hypertrophy and nodularity within lesions that become more resistant to therapy. Therapeutic resistance is multifactorial, but is believed to be largely due to revascularization after laser treatment. Oral sirolimus and topical imiquimod have shown promise as adjunctive therapies to minimize post‐laser revascularization, but both have significant side effects. We wish to demonstrate the utility of adjunct topical sirolimus to reduce revascularization after PDL treatment.

Study Design/Patients and Methods

This is a single patient case report of a 56‐year‐old male patient with an extensive PWS. After seeing initial improvement with PDL alone, he began to experience thickening and nodularity of his PWS necessitating surgical debulking. Since this procedure, topical sirolimus 0.5% ointment has been added to his treatment regimen as an adjunct to PDL. The patient is being treated with PDL (Vbeam Perfecta, Candela/Syneron, Wayland, MA) every 4–6 weeks at varied settings with the following laser parameters: fluence 9–11 J/cm2, pulse duration 0.45–1.5 ms, focal spot size 7 mm, cooling 30/20. Sirolimus 0.5% ointment is applied to the area twice daily.

Results

The patient showed significant improvement in color and texture of his PWS. Compared to the initial therapy of PDL alone, topical sirolimus ointment in conjunction with PDL demonstrated greater improvement and maintenance of therapeutic results with fewer overall laser treatments.

Conclusion

Topical sirolimus 0.5% ointment is a safe and effective adjunct to PDL in the treatment of PWS. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:193–196, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vascularized proximal fibula epiphyseal transfer for distal radius reconstruction in children: A systematic review
Authors: Aldekhayel Salah , Govshievich Alexander , Neel Omar Fouda , Luc Mario
Published: October 2015

Purpose

Reconstruction of the distal radius in children is cumbersome, requiring simultaneous restoration of joint function and axial growth. Vascularized proximal fibular epiphyseal transfers (VFET) have been popularized over non‐vascularized transfers and prosthesis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of VFET and its associated complications.

Methods

Electronic database of PubMed MEDLINE was searched between 1970 and 2014. Studies reporting VFET for distal radius reconstruction in children (<15 years old) with clear reporting of technique (vascular pedicle) and objective outcome measures were included. Outcomes of interest were rate of graft growth, bone union and complications. A one‐way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was used to compare growth rates between pedicle types.

Results

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 25 patients. Pedicles used were anterior tibial (44%), peroneal (16%), or bi‐pedicled (40%) anastomosed in antegrade (64%) or reverse flow (36%) fashion. Among all pedicle types, best results were achieved using anterior tibial artery with reversed flow, yielding average growth rate of 0.83 cm/year (P = 0.01). Recipient complications included four premature epiphyseal plate closures, a flap loss, and six wrist radial deviations. Donor complications included six common peroneal nerve palsies (five temporary, a permanent), and a talocalcaneal instability. Overall complication rates between pedicle types were comparable (P = 0.062).

Conclusion

VFET may be a surgical option capable of restoring joint function and axial growth potential in select patients. The reverse flow technique based on the anterior tibial artery may result in superior outcomes. However, the overall complication rate is high and permanent peroneal nerve palsy may result.

Level of Evidence

IV © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:705–711, 2016.
School‐based brief psycho‐educational intervention to raise adolescent cancer awareness and address barriers to medical help‐seeking about cancer: a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hubbard Gill , Stoddart Iona , Forbat Liz , Neal Richard D. , O'Carroll Ronan E. , Haw Sally , Rauchhaus Petra , Kyle Richard G.
Published: October 2015

Objectives

Raising cancer awareness and addressing barriers to help‐seeking may improve early diagnosis. The aim was to assess whether a psycho‐educational intervention increased adolescents' cancer awareness and addressed help‐seeking barriers.

Methods

This was a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 2173 adolescents in 20 schools. The intervention was a 50‐min presentation delivered by a member of Teenage Cancer Trust's (UK charity) education team. Schools were stratified by deprivation and roll size and randomly allocated to intervention/control conditions within these strata. Outcome measures were the number of cancer warning signs and cancer risk factors recognised, help‐seeking barriers endorsed and cancer communication. Communication self‐efficacy and intervention fidelity were also assessed.

Results

Regression models showed significant differences in the number of cancer warning signs and risk factors recognised between intervention and control groups. In intervention schools, the greatest increases in recognition of cancer warning signs at 6‐month follow‐up were for unexplained weight loss (from 44.2% to 62.0%) and change in the appearance of a mole (from 46.3% to 70.7%), up by 17.8% and 24.4%, respectively. Greatest increases in recognition of cancer risk factors were for getting sunburnt more than once as a child (from 41.0% to 57.6%) and being overweight (from 42.7% to 55.5%), up by 16.6% and 12.8%, respectively. Regression models showed that adolescents in intervention schools were 2.7 times more likely to discuss cancer at 2‐week follow‐up compared with the control group. No differences in endorsement of barriers to help‐seeking were observed.

Conclusions

School‐based brief psycho‐educational interventions are easy to deliver, require little resource and improve cancer awareness. © 2015 The Authors. Psycho‐Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Surface second harmonic generation induced by 3D strain fields
Authors: Mendoza Bernardo S. , Cho Yujin , Shafiei Farbod , Downer Michael C.
Published: October 2015

We present a general phenomenological model for surface second‐harmonic generation (SSHG) induced by strain fields with up to three spatial coordinates. As an example, we apply it to thermal‐mismatch strain fields around cylindrical metallic through‐silicon‐vias (TSVs) embedded in an Si(001) surface, which are widely used as interconnects between vertically stacked silicon layers to achieve 3D integration. We find that analysis of the four different combinations of s or p incoming and outgoing polarizations enables reconstruction of the strain field. In particular, the sS combination yields tensorial components of the strain field that are different from zero; from this information, the pP, sP, and pS combinations complete the analysis of the strain field.
Enhancing small‐signal and transient stability performances in power systems with integrated energy function and functional sensitivity
Authors: Jakpattanajit Chairerg , Yokoyama Akihiko , Hoonchareon Naebboon
Published: October 2015

Small‐signal and transient stability of a power system can be improved by installing power system stabilizers (PSSs) inside the excitation controls of the generators. Nonetheless, designing and tuning the PSSs' parameters to suit all operating conditions is a complex and difficult task. Therefore, a new control scheme integrating the principles of the energy function and the functional sensitivity is proposed in this paper. The performance of this control scheme in terms of critical clearing time, simulated dynamic responses, and power oscillation damping was examined using the IEEJ West 10‐ machine test system. Test results reveal that the proposed scheme can improve both small‐signal and transient stability performances under various operating conditions and contingencies. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fluidic flow control applied for improved performance of Darrieus wind turbines
Authors: Morgulis Nir , Seifert Avraham
Published: October 2015

The focus of the present research is performance enhancement of a vertical axis Darrieus‐type wind turbine using flow control techniques. The academic and industrial interest in vertical‐axis wind turbines (VAWTs) is increasing because of its suitability to urban areas, characterized by high turbulence and low wind speeds. The paper describes experimental work performed on a GOE222 asymmetrical airfoil intended to be used in a straight‐bladed Darrieus VAWT. Airfoil characteristics were measured in a wide range of incidence angles and Reynolds numbers, relevant for the operation of a small to medium size wind turbine. A variety of passive flow control (passive porosity and surface roughness) and active flow control techniques (boundary layer suction, pulsed suction) were tested in order to evaluate their effects on the airfoil performance. The measured effects of flow control on the 2D airfoil are integrated into a modified version of a double‐multiple streamtube model in order to predict the effects on the performance and efficiency of the turbine. It was found that the improvement of 2D airfoil characteristics can be translated into improvement of total turbine performance. By the use of active flow control, it was possible to increase the VAWT maximum mechanical output. When active flow control is properly activated taking into account the azimuth and Reynolds number conditioning, the effects could be greatly increased while consuming less energy, increasing the net efficiency of the entire system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Religiousness, spirituality, and coping with stress among late adolescents: A meaning‐making perspective
Authors: Krok Dariusz
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between religiousness, spirituality (R/S), and coping among late adolescents within a meaning‐making perspective. Specifically, global meaning and situational meaning were examined as potential mediators. Two hundred and twenty one Polish participants (115 women and 106 men) completed the Religious Meaning System Questionnaire, the Self‐description Questionnaire of Spirituality, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the Situational Meaning Scale. Results of SEM analysis showed that R/S had both direct and indirect effects on coping, suggesting that global meaning and situational meaning served as partial mediators among late adolescents. The mediating role of global meaning and situational meaning may be more fully understood within the framework of the meaning‐making model. Consistent with the model, individuals with higher levels of R/S had a propensity to experience stronger global meaning in life and situational meaning, which in turn contributed to more frequent using coping styles.
Viperatoxin‐II: A novel viper venom protein as an effective bactericidal agent
Authors: Samy Ramar Perumal , Stiles Bradley G. , Chinnathambi Arunachalam , Zayed M.E. , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Franco Octavio Luiz , Rowan Edward G. , Kumar Alan Prem , Lim Lina H.K. , Sethi Gautam
Published: October 2015

Infections caused by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a rising threat to public health. There is an urgent need for development of promising new therapeutic agents against drug resistant bacteria like S. aureus. This report discusses purification and characterization of proteins from Indian Russell's viper snake venom. Novel 15‐kDa proteins called “Viperatoxin” (VipTx‐I and VipTx‐II) were extracted from the whole venom and evaluated using in vitro antimicrobial experiments. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of “Viperatoxin” showed high sequence homology to daboiatoxin isolated from the same venom and also matched phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes isolated from other snake venoms. In an in vitro plate assay, VipTx‐II but not VipTx‐I showed strong antimicrobial effects against S. aureus and Burkholderia pseudomallei (KHW & TES), Proteus vulgaris and P. mirabilis. The VipTx‐II was further tested by a broth‐dilution assay at 100–3.125 μg/ml concentrations. The most potent bactericidal effect was found at the lowest dilutions (MICs of 6.25 μg/ml) against B. pseudomallei, S. aureus and P. vulgaris (MICs of 12.25 μg/ml). Electron microscopic investigation revealed that the protein‐induced bactericidal potency was closely associated with pore formation and membrane damage, even at the lowest concentrations (<20 μg/ml). The toxin caused a low level of cytotoxic effects as observed in human (THP‐1) cells at higher concentrations. Molecular weight determinations of VipTx‐II by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed one major, along with a few minor bands. The results indicate that VipTx‐II plays a significant role in bactericidal and membrane damaging effects in vitro. Non‐cytotoxic properties on human cells highlight it as a promising candidate for further evaluation of antimicrobial potential in vivo.
Association between Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and myocardial infarction risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Yi-Lian , Sun Li-Ming , Zhang Li , Xu Hai-Tao , Dong Zheng , Wang Luo-Qing , Wang Ming-Lang
Published: October 2015

Published data regarding the association between Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genetic variation and myocardial infarction (MI) risk were not always consistent. Therefore, the current meta‐analysis was conducted to derive a more precise estimation of the association between ApoE polymorphism and MI risk. PubMed and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant studies. Summary odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random‐effect or fixed‐effect models based on the heterogeneity of included studies. All the tests were performed using Stata 11.0. A total of 22 eligible studies were identified in this meta‐analysis. The results show that ApoE ε2 and ε4 alleles were associated with MI risk. The study suggests that there is close association between ApoE polymorphism and MI risk. It shows that ApoE ε2 allele is a protective factor of MI, while ε4 allele is a risk factor of MI, especially in Caucasian and Asian population. Nevertheless, well‐designed, unbiased and larger sample size studies are required to confirm the results.
Client–pharmacy worker interactions regarding medical abortion in Zambia in 2009 and 2011
Authors: Hendrickson Cheryl , Fetters Tamara , Mupeta Stephen , Vwallika Bellington , Djemo Patrick , Raisanen Keris
Published: October 2015

Objective

To examine sales practices, knowledge, and behavior of pharmacy workers regarding medical abortion in 2009 and 2011 in Zambia, where hostile and stigmatizing attitudes still result in high rates of unsafe abortion.

Methods

Four mystery clients visited pharmacies during 2009 and 2011, and recorded their experiences following their interactions using a standardized form. Bivariate analysis examined pharmacy workers’ attitudes, behavior, and medical abortion‐dispensing practices.

Results

Mystery clients visited 76 pharmacies in 2009 and 80 pharmacies in 2011. In 2011, mystery clients reported hostile interactions with pharmacy workers at 8 (10%) pharmacy visits, a relative decrease from 7 (22%) in 2009 (P = 0.0353). In 2009, less than half (35 [46%]) of clients received information or had the opportunity to purchase medical abortion drugs in comparison with 53 (66%) in 2011 (P = 0.0110). In 2011, more pharmacy workers mentioned a valid medical abortion drug in comparison with 2009 (42 [53%] vs 31 [41%], respectively); however, guidance for women on misoprostol use was minimal.

Conclusion

Pharmacy workers exhibited increased awareness of misoprostol, less hostility, and a willingness to sell medical abortion drugs; however, they continued to provide inadequate information on misoprostol for medical abortion. Effective training of pharmacy employees is vital in increasing access to safe induced‐abortion care.
Postpartum adverse effects and sexual satisfaction following cesarean delivery in Beijing
Authors: Qian Ruiya , Chen Zhenghong , Tang Lirong , Zhang Weiyuan
Published: October 2015

Objective

To investigate short‐ and long‐term postpartum complications of different delivery methods in terms of sexual satisfaction, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and pelvic‐floor dysfunction in the Beijing region.

Methods

A questionnaire‐based study was conducted between June 30, 2013 and July 1, 2014. Female residents of Beijing aged 20–65 years, who were attending routine physical examinations, were enrolled and completed a face‐to‐face survey including questions on short‐ and long‐term complications related to sexual satisfaction, SUI, and pelvic‐floor dysfunction postpartum.

Results

In total, 2649 individuals were enrolled. In comparison with patients that underwent vaginal delivery, patients that had undergone cesarean delivery experienced a greater length of time before resuming intercourse (2.70 ± 2.09 months vs 4.32 ± 4.10 months; P < 0.001) and higher incidences of decreased libido (93 [6.1%] vs 234 [20.7%]; P < 0.001), vaginal dryness (39 [2.6%] vs 177 [15.7%]; P < 0.001), sexual dissatisfaction (117 [7.7%] vs 234 [20.7%]; P < 0.001), and painful intercourse (48 [3.2%] vs 252 [22.3%]; P < 0.001) after delivery. Cesarean delivery did not demonstrate any long‐term protective effects against future SUI in comparison with vaginal delivery.

Conclusion

Cesarean delivery resulted in a greater incidence of adverse effects on postpartum sexual function and cesarean delivery provides no long‐term protective effects against postpartum SUI.
Atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging
Authors: Graff‐Radford Jonathan , Madhavan Malini , Vemuri Prashanthi , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Cha Ruth H. , Mielke Michelle M. , Kantarci Kejal , Lowe Val , Senjem Matthew L. , Gunter Jeffrey L. , Knopman David S. , Petersen Ronald C. , Jack Clifford R. , Roberts Rosebud O.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

The objective of our study was to investigate cross‐sectional associations of atrial fibrillation with neuroimaging measures of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease and their interactions with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging scans of individuals from a population‐based study were analyzed for infarctions, total gray matter, and hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity volumes. A subsample underwent positron emission tomography imaging.

Results

Atrial fibrillation was associated with infarctions and lower total gray matter volume. Compared with subjects with no atrial fibrillation and no infarction, the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for MCI was 2.99 (1.57–5.70; P = .001) among participants with atrial fibrillation and infarction, 0.90 (0.45–1.80; P = .77) for atrial fibrillation and no infarction, and 1.50 (0.96–2.34; P = .08) for no atrial fibrillation and any infarction.

Discussion

Participants with both atrial fibrillation and infarction are more likely to have MCI than participants with either infarction or atrial fibrillation alone.
“Pd is Where Teachers are Learning!” High School Social Studies Teachers' Formal and Informal Professional Learning
Authors: Thacker Emma S.
Published: October 2015

The present study used social learning theory and situated learning theory as a way to examine secondary social studies teacher participants' formal and informal professional learning. Existing literature is just beginning to attend to the potential of informal professional learning and to distinguish between formal and informal professional learning, so this exploratory study used observations of scheduled and spontaneous professional learning experiences, semi-structured interviews with 12 secondary social studies teachers, and relevant documents to consider the following research question: In what ways do high school social studies teacher participants engage in formal and informal professional learning? Results indicate that while secondary social studies teachers engage in a variety of formal and informal professional learning experiences, their informal learning experiences are the most valuable and significant for their classroom practice. While informal professional learning is not a replacement for traditional formal professional learning, lessons learned here can inform ways to improve formal professional learning and to capitalize upon teachers’ existing informal professional learning experiences. This study provides insight into the ways in which social studies teachers support their growth outside of formal professional development.
Predicting prognosis and therapeutic response from interactions between lymphocytes and tumor cells
Authors: Quigley David A. , Kristensen Vessela
Published: October 2015

As epithelial tumors grow from single cells to a malignant mass of invasive tissue, they must exploit the innate inflammatory response, while evading the adaptive immune system. Prognosis of solid tumors has historically focused on macroscopic features such as size, grade, and mitotic index. It is now clear that prognosis assessment must also consider the stromal and immune cells that surround and infiltrate the tumor. Tumors promote growth, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling by subverting the normal functions of macrophages and other cells of the innate immune system that inhabit their microenvironment. Simultaneously, tumor cells escape from and inactivate the adaptive immune system by exploiting the mechanisms preventing damaging auto‐immune responses in cytotoxic T cells. The presence of CD8+ T cells within epithelial tumors is now a well‐supported marker of better prognosis in many tumor types. However, this benefit is counterbalanced by immune regulatory cell populations that promote tumor escape from immune surveillance and metastasis. Therapeutic approaches that kill tumor cells selectively by re‐activating immune checkpoints are becoming an established therapeutic option, but it is not yet clear how to identify which patients will benefit from this treatment modality. Evidence is accumulating that identifying the presence of T cell‐activating neoantigens, produced by mutated proteins in tumors, will play an important role in checkpoint inhibitor prognosis. This review provides an overview of the evidence that lymphocytic infiltration of tumors has prognostic value in many epithelial tumor types and is linked to the success of chemical and immune checkpoint therapeutic strategies.
Olfactory dysfunction and its measurement in the clinic
Authors: Doty Richard L.
Published: October 2015

The sense of smell is largely taken for granted by laypersons and medical professionals alike. Indeed, its role in determining the flavor of foods and beverages, as well as in warning of, or protecting against, environmental hazards, often goes unrecognized. This is exemplified, in part, by the fact that most patients presenting to medical clinics with “taste” problems are typically subjected to complex brain imaging and gastroenterological tests without the sense of smell even being tested or considered as a basis of the problem. Aside from frank deficiencies in sweet, sour, bitter, salty and savory (umami) sensations, “taste” disorders most commonly reflect inadequate stimulation of the olfactory receptors via the retronasal route; i.e., from volatiles passing to the receptors from the oral cavity through the nasal pharynx. This article describes the two most common procedures for measuring the sense of smell in the clinic and provides examples of the application of these tests to diseases and other disorders frequently associated with smell loss. Basic issues related to olfactory testing and evaluation are addressed. It is pointed out that smell loss, particularly in later life, can be a harbinger for not only a range of neurodegenerative diseases, but can be a prognostic indicator of early mortality.
The effectiveness of dopamine agonists for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms post brain injury and stroke
Authors: Sami Musa Basseer , Faruqui Rafey
Published: October 2015

Objective

Traumatic brain injury and stroke are among the leading causes of neurological disability worldwide. Although dopaminergic agents have long been associated with improvement of neuropsychiatric outcomes, to date much of the evidence to date has been in case reports and case series or open label trials.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review of double-blinded randomised controlled trials (RCT) to determine the effect of dopaminergic agents on pre-defined outcomes of (a) apathy; (b) psychomotor retardation; (c) behavioural management and (d) cognitive function. Databases searched were: Medline, EMBASE, and PsychInfo for human studies. The Cochrane Clinical Trials Database and the TRIP Medical database were also searched. All identified studies, were further hand-searched.

Results

We identified six studies providing data on 227 participants, 150 of whom received dopaminergic therapy. Trials were compromised by cross-over design, inadequate wash out period, small numbers and heterogeneous outcome measures. However one good quality RCT demonstrates the efficacy of amantadine in behavioural management. One further RCT shows methylphenidate-levodopa is efficacious for mood post-stroke. One study shows rotigotine to improve hemi-inattention caused by prefrontal damage.

Conclusion

Our systematic review demonstrates an evolving evidence base to suggest some benefits in agitation and aggression, mood and attentional deficits. However, there are key limitations of the studies undertaken to date involving small numbers of participants, heterogeneous outcome measures, and variable study designs. There is a need for on-going large prospective double-blind RCTs in these medications using standardised criteria and outcomes to fully understand their effectiveness in this patient group.
ON A MEASURE ZERO STABILITY PROBLEM OF A CYCLIC EQUATION
Authors: CHUNG JAEYOUNG , RASSIAS JOHN MICHAEL
Published: October 2015

Let$G$be a commutative group,$Y$a real Banach space and$f:G\rightarrow Y$. We prove the Ulam–Hyers stability theorem for the cyclic functional equation$$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \frac{1}{|H|}\mathop{\sum }_{h\in H}f(x+h\cdot y)=f(x)+f(y) & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$for all$x,y\in {\rm\Omega}$, where$H$is a finite cyclic subgroup of$\text{Aut}(G)$and${\rm\Omega}\subset G\times G$satisfies a certain condition. As a consequence, we consider a measure zero stability problem of the functional equation$$\begin{eqnarray}\displaystyle \frac{1}{N}\mathop{\sum }_{k=1}^{N}f(z+{\it\omega}^{k}{\it\zeta})=f(z)+f({\it\zeta}) & & \displaystyle \nonumber\end{eqnarray}$$for all$(z,{\it\zeta})\in {\rm\Omega}$, where$f:\mathbb{C}\rightarrow Y,\,{\it\omega}=e^{2{\it\pi}i/N}$and${\rm\Omega}\subset \mathbb{C}^{2}$has four-dimensional Lebesgue measure$0$.
Association of dietary and serum vitamin E with bone mineral density in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Wen-qi , Liu Jun , Cao Yi , Zhu Ying-ying , Guan Ke , Chen Yu-ming
Published: October 2015

Previous studies have suggested that vitamin E (VE) may affect bone health, but the findings have been inconclusive. We examined the relationship between VE status (in both diet and serum) and bone mineral density (BMD) among Chinese adults. This community-based study included 3203 adults (2178 women and 1025 men) aged 40–75 years from Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China. General and dietary intake information were collected using structured questionnaire interviews. The serum α-tocopherol (TF) level was quantified by reversed-phase HPLC. The BMD of the whole body, the lumbar spine and left hip sites (total, neck, trochanter, intertrochanter and Ward’s triangle) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In women, the dietary intake of VE was significantly and positively associated with BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, intertrochanter and femur neck sites after adjusting for covariates (Ptrend: 0·001–0·017). Women in quartile 3 of VE intake typically had the highest BMD; the covariate-adjusted mean BMD were 2·5, 3·06, 3·41 and 3·54 % higher, respectively, in quartile 3 (v. 1) at the four above-mentioned sites. Similar positive associations were observed between cholesterol-adjusted serum α-TF levels and BMD at each of the studied bone sites (Ptrend: 0·001–0·022). The covariate-adjusted mean BMD were 1·24–4·83 % greater in quartile 4 (v. 1) in women. However, no significant associations were seen between the VE levels (dietary or serum) and the BMD at any site in men. In conclusion, greater consumption and higher serum levels of VE are associated with greater BMD in Chinese women but not in Chinese men.
DEMOCRACY AS A CONTESTED CONCEPT IN POST-WAR WESTERN EUROPE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POLITICAL DEBATES IN FRANCE, WEST GERMANY, AND ITALY
Authors: CORDUWENER PEPIJN
Published: October 2015

This article explores how political parties in France, West Germany, and Italy conceptualized democracy and challenged the conceptions of democracy of their political adversaries between the end of the 1940s and the early 1960s. It studies from a comparative perspective the different conceptions of democracy held by Christian democrat, Left-wing, and Gaullist political actors and shows how these diverged on key issues such as the economic system, foreign policy, the separation of powers, electoral systems, and the use of state institutions in the defence of democracy against anti-democratic forces. In this way, the article reveals how in the first fifteen years after the Second World War, government and opposition parties disputed each other's democratic credentials and political legitimacy, and it thereby reconsiders the claim that there existed a broad consensus on the meaning of democracy among political elites in post-war Western Europe. It is argued that these different conceptions of democracy only started to converge after they had clashed during political crises at the turn of the 1960s in all three states. This study thereby contributes to an enhanced understanding the formation of the post-war democratic order in Western Europe.
Saltation and the P-map
Authors: Hayes Bruce , White James
Published: October 2015

We define a saltatory phonological alternation as one in which sound A is converted to C, leaping over phonetically intermediate B. For example, in Campidanian Sardinian, intervocalic /p/ is realised as [β] – leaping over [b], which does not alternate. Based on experimental evidence, we argue that saltation is marked, i.e. a UG bias causes language learners to disprefer it. However, despite its marked status, saltation does occur. We survey its diachronic origins, and suggest that it is never introduced as a sound change, but arises only from a variety of historical accidents. For the formal analysis of saltation, we propose a new approach, based on Zuraw's (2007, 2013) *Mapconstraints and Steriade's (2001, 2009) P-map. This approach is more restrictive than previous proposals, and accounts for psycholinguistic evidence indicating an anti-saltation learning bias: saltation is disfavoured during learning because it is by definition not a P-map-compliant pattern.
Telephone Management Program for Patients Discharged From an Emergency Department After a Suicide Attempt
Authors: Cebria Ana Isabel , Pérez-Bonaventura Iris , Cuijpers Pim , Kerkhof Ad , Parra Isabel , Escayola Anna , García–Parés Gemma , Oliva Joan Carles , Puntí Joaquim , López David , Valles Vicenç , Pamias Montserrat , Hegerl Ulrich , Pérez-Sola Victor , Palao Diego J.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Aim: In a previous controlled study, the authors reported on the significant beneficial effects of a telephone intervention program for prevention of suicide attempts by patients for up to 1 year. This study reports the 5-year follow-up data. Outcomes were number of recurrences and time to recurrence. Method: The intervention was carried out on patients discharged from the emergency room (ER) following attempted suicide (Sabadell). It consisted of a systematic, 1-year telephone follow-up program: after 1 week, and thereafter at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals to assess the risk of suicide and encourage adherence to treatment. The population in the control group (Terrassa) received treatment as usual after discharge, without additional telephone contact. Results: The effect of reattempt prevention observed in the first year was not maintained over the long term. Conclusion: A telephone management program for patients discharged from an ER after attempted suicide could be considered a useful strategy in delaying further suicide attempts and reducing the rate of reattempts in the first year. However, results showed that the beneficial effects were not maintained at the 5-year follow-up.
Clinical and Psychosocial Profiles of Asian Immigrants Who Repeatedly Attempt Suicide
Authors: Chung Irene W. , Caine Eric D. , Barron Charles T. , Badaracco Mary A.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Background: Persons who repeatedly attempt suicide comprise a highly distressed population that warrants the understanding of risk and protective factors in assessment and treatment. There is a dearth of literature on Asian immigrants’ suicidal behavior. Aims: The study aimed to capture the clinical and psychosocial profiles of Asian immigrants who made repeated suicide attempts. Method: We utilized retrospective chart reviews (n = 44) and in-person interviews (n = 12) in two urban public hospitals. Results: The study samples shared major suicide risk factors identified in studies of other populations. Participants of the interview sample suffered from a pervasive sense of hopelessness stemming from social isolation, self-stigma, feelings of failure in their life roles, and perceptions of rejection by their families. Conversely, psychological well-being – feeling cared for and able to reciprocate care for others – appeared to be a protective factor for participants who improved in their functioning and recovery. Conclusion: The study lays the groundwork for further research on suicide risk and protective factors.
Live to cheat another day: bacterial dormancy facilitates the social exploitation of β-lactamases
Authors: Medaney Frances , Dimitriu Tatiana , Ellis Richard J , Raymond Ben
Published: October 2015

The breakdown of antibiotics by β-lactamases may be cooperative, since resistant cells can detoxify their environment and facilitate the growth of susceptible neighbours. However, previous studies of this phenomenon have used artificial bacterial vectors or engineered bacteria to increase the secretion of β-lactamases from cells. Here, we investigated whether a broad-spectrum β-lactamase gene carried by a naturally occurring plasmid (pCT) is cooperative under a range of conditions. In ordinary batch culture on solid media, there was little or no evidence that resistant bacteria could protect susceptible cells from ampicillin, although resistant colonies could locally detoxify this growth medium. However, when susceptible cells were inoculated at high densities, late-appearing phenotypically susceptible bacteria grew in the vicinity of resistant colonies. We infer that persisters, cells that have survived antibiotics by undergoing a period of dormancy, founded these satellite colonies. The number of persister colonies was positively correlated with the density of resistant colonies and increased as antibiotic concentrations decreased. We argue that detoxification can be cooperative under a limited range of conditions: if the toxins are bacteriostatic rather than bacteridical; or if susceptible cells invade communities after resistant bacteria; or if dormancy allows susceptible cells to avoid bactericides. Resistance and tolerance were previously thought to be independent solutions for surviving antibiotics. Here, we show that these are interacting strategies: the presence of bacteria adopting one solution can have substantial effects on the fitness of their neighbours.
Pharmaceutical screen identifies novel target processes for activation of autophagy with a broad translational potential
Authors: Chauhan Santosh , Ahmed Zahra , Bradfute Steven B. , Arko-Mensah John , Mandell Michael A. , Won Choi Seong , Kimura Tomonori , Blanchet Fabien , Waller Anna , Mudd Michal H. , Jiang Shanya , Sklar Larry , Timmins Graham S. , Maphis Nicole , Bhaskar Kiran , Piguet Vincent , Deretic Vojo
Published: October 2015

Autophagy is a conserved homeostatic process active in all human cells and affecting a spectrum of diseases. Here we use a pharmaceutical screen to discover new mechanisms for activation of autophagy. We identify a subset of pharmaceuticals inducing autophagic flux with effects in diverse cellular systems modelling specific stages of several human diseases such as HIV transmission and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation in Alzheimer’s disease. One drug, flubendazole, is a potent inducer of autophagy initiation and flux by affecting acetylated and dynamic microtubules in a reciprocal way. Disruption of dynamic microtubules by flubendazole results in mTOR deactivation and dissociation from lysosomes leading to TFEB (transcription factor EB) nuclear translocation and activation of autophagy. By inducing microtubule acetylation, flubendazole activates JNK1 leading to Bcl-2 phosphorylation, causing release of Beclin1 from Bcl-2-Beclin1 complexes for autophagy induction, thus uncovering a new approach to inducing autophagic flux that may be applicable in disease treatment.
Direct observations of American eels migrating across the continental shelf to the Sargasso Sea
Authors: Béguer-Pon Mélanie , Castonguay Martin , Shan Shiliang , Benchetrit José , Dodson Julian J.
Published: October 2015

Since inferring spawning areas from larval distributions in the Sargasso Sea a century ago, the oceanic migration of adult American eels has remained a mystery. No adult eel has ever been observed migrating in the open ocean or in the spawning area. Here, we track movements of maturing eels equipped with pop-up satellite archival tags from the Scotian Shelf (Canada) into the open ocean, with one individual migrating 2,400 km to the northern limit of the spawning site in the Sargasso Sea. The reconstructed routes suggest a migration in two phases: one over the continental shelf and along its edge in shallow waters; the second in deeper waters straight south towards the spawning area. This study is the first direct evidence of adult Anguilla migrating to the Sargasso Sea and represents an important step forward in the understanding of routes and migratory cues.
IRAK1 is a therapeutic target that drives breast cancer metastasis and resistance to paclitaxel
Authors: Wee Zhen Ning , Yatim Siti Maryam J. M. , Kohlbauer Vera K , Feng Min , Goh Jian Yuan , Bao Yi , Lee Puay Leng , Zhang Songjing , Wang Pan Pan , Lim Elgene , Tam Wai Leong , Cai Yu , Ditzel Henrik J , Hoon Dave S. B. , Tan Ern Yu , Yu Qiang
Published: October 2015

Metastatic tumour recurrence due to failed treatments remains a major challenge of breast cancer clinical management. Here we report that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) is overexpressed in a subset of breast cancers, in particular triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where it acts to drive aggressive growth, metastasis and acquired resistance to paclitaxel treatment. We show that IRAK1 overexpression confers TNBC growth advantage through NF-κB-related cytokine secretion and metastatic TNBC cells exhibit gain of IRAK1 dependency, resulting in high susceptibility to genetic and pharmacologic inhibition of IRAK1. Importantly, paclitaxel treatment induces strong IRAK1 phosphorylation, an increase in inflammatory cytokine expression, enrichment of cancer stem cells and acquired resistance to paclitaxel treatment. Pharmacologic inhibition of IRAK1 is able to reverse paclitaxel resistance by triggering massive apoptosis at least in part through inhibiting p38-MCL1 pro-survival pathway. Our study thus demonstrates IRAK1 as a promising therapeutic target for TNBC metastasis and paclitaxel resistance.
Postsynaptic density levels of the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit and PSD-95 protein in prefrontal cortex from people with schizophrenia
Authors: Catts Vibeke Sørensen , Derminio Dominique Suzanne , Hahn Chang-Gyu , Weickert Cynthia Shannon
Published: October 2015

Background:

There is converging evidence of involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Our group recently identified a decrease in total NR1 mRNA and protein expression in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a case-control study of individuals with schizophrenia (n=37/group). The NR1 subunit is critical to NMDA receptor function at the postsynaptic density, a cellular structure rich in the scaffolding protein, PSD-95. The extent to which the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit is altered at the site of action, in the postsynaptic density, is not clear.

Aims:

To extend our previous results by measuring levels of NR1 and PSD-95 protein in postsynaptic density-enriched fractions of prefrontal cortex from the same individuals in the case-control study noted above.

Methods:

Postsynaptic density-enriched fractions were isolated from fresh-frozen prefrontal cortex (BA10) and subjected to western blot analysis for NR1 and PSD-95.

Results:

We found a 20% decrease in NR1 protein (t(66)=−2.874, P=0.006) and a 30% decrease in PSD-95 protein (t(63)=−2.668, P=0.010) in postsynaptic density-enriched fractions from individuals with schizophrenia relative to unaffected controls.

Conclusions:

Individuals with schizophrenia have less NR1 protein, and therefore potentially fewer functional NMDA receptors, at the postsynaptic density. The associated decrease in PSD-95 protein at the postsynaptic density suggests that not only are glutamate receptors compromised in individuals with schizophrenia, but the overall spine architecture and downstream signaling supported by PSD-95 may also be deficient.
Iodine source apportionment in the Malawian diet
Authors: Watts M. J. , Joy E. J. M. , Young S. D. , Broadley M. R. , Chilimba A. D. C. , Gibson R. S. , Siyame E. W. P. , Kalimbira A. A. , Chilima B. , Ander E. L.
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to characterise nutritional-I status in Malawi. Dietary-I intakes were assessed using new datasets of crop, fish, salt and water-I concentrations, while I status was assessed for 60 women living on each of calcareous and non-calcareous soils as defined by urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Iodine concentration in staple foods was low, with median concentrations of 0.01 mg kg−1 in maize grain, 0.008 mg kg−1 in roots and tubers, but 0.155 mg kg−1 in leafy vegetables. Freshwater fish is a good source of dietary-I with a median concentration of 0.51 mg kg−1. Mean Malawian dietary-Iodine intake from food, excluding salt, was just 7.8 μg d−1 compared to an adult requirement of 150 μg d−1. Despite low dietary-I intake from food, median UICs were 203 μg L−1 with only 12% defined as I deficient whilst 21% exhibited excessive I intake. Iodised salt is likely to be the main source of dietary I intake in Malawi; thus, I nutrition mainly depends on the usage and concentration of I in iodised salt. Drinking water could be a significant source of I in some areas, providing up to 108 μg d−1 based on consumption of 2 L d−1.
Body Fluid Interferon-γ Release Assay for Diagnosis of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiao-Xia , Liu Ya-Lan , Zhai Kan , Shi Huan-Zhong , Tong Zhao-Hui
Published: October 2015

The diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is difficult. In recent years, T-cell interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used in diagnosing tuberculosis. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of body fluid IGRAs in diagnosing EPTB. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane bibliographies were searched for English language articles. 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of body fluid IGRAs for diagnosing EPTB were 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83–0.92] and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.79–0.90), respectively. For the fluid T-SPOT.TB, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88–0.95) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78–0.91), respectively. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of the fluid T-SPOT.TB was 46.99 (95% CI: 13.69–161.28) for tuberculosis pleurisy, 26.46 (95% CI: 11.38–61.56) for tuberculosis peritonitis and 97.86 (95% CI: 25.31–378.45) for tuberculosis meningitis. The application of T-SPOT. TB in the diagnosis of EPTB performed better in the body fluid than in the blood. The diagnostic values of the fluid T-SPOT.TB varied for different fluid categories. However, the utility of T-SPOT.TB was limited due to its suboptimal accuracy and higher cost compared with conventional tests.