bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Northern voices: How far can a bottom‐up ‘new regionalism’ go towards answering the English question?
Authors: Cox Ed , Giovannini Arianna
Published: June 2015

Ed Cox and Arianna Giovannini survey the new political parties that have emerged in the north of England advocating greater decentralisation to English regions. While electoral success may be some way off, this is a propitious time in UK politics for building democratic momentum behind a bold and positive vision of devolution.
Building a constitutional convention: Citizens and the UK's constitutional moment
Authors: White Stuart
Published: June 2015

Stuart White argues that the people, rather than parliament, must settle urgent questions about the basic composition of the UK's political system and the state's relationship to society. But settling on the design and remit of the required constitutional convention(s) may be a fraught process.
Bob Gavron, 1930–2015
Authors: Blackstone Tessa
Published: June 2015

Tessa Blackstone remembers Bob Gavron, former print entrepreneur and IPPR trustee and treasurer, who passed away in February 2015. She pays tribute to his pioneering approach to the workplaces he ran, and his deep commitment to social justice.
Dependence of Crystallization Behavior on Particle Size in Barium Strontium Titanate Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Zhu Jia , Zhang Yong , Song Xiaozhen , Zhang Qian , Yang Dongliang , Chen Yongzhou
Published: June 2015

Differential thermal analysis studies on the crystallization kinetics and phase developments of barium strontium titanate glass‐ceramics have been performed for a series of glass particles with different particle sizes. The crystallization behavior was deduced to be influenced strongly by the particle size of the glass samples. These studies have revealed the initial formation at lower temperatures of metastable fresnoite Ba2TiSi2O8 (BTS) phase followed by its transformation at higher temperatures to feldspar BaAl2Si2O8 (BAS) and perovskite (Ba,Sr)TiO3 (BST) phases. The metastable BTS phase was proved to crystallize predominately by surface crystallization while the feldspar BAS phase showed significant evidence of internal crystallization. And for the perovskite BST phase, crystallization mechanism changes from surface to internal type at a critical particle size of 75 μm. In addition, activation energy and the Avrami parameter for crystallization have been determined for the three phases by the employment of glass samples with two typical particle sizes.
Executive Education is an Implementation of Supply Chain Management in Collegiate Schools of Business
Authors: Waller Matthew A. , Fawcett Stanley E.
Published: June 2015

Supply chain management involves the integration of business processes among the functions within a firm as well as between a company and its customers and suppliers to improve performance. We argue that executive education, like supply chain management, can serve as an integrator not only among departments—both academic and nonacademic—within a business school but also across the university. More urgently needed, executive education can serve as an integrator between the scholarly research function of a collegiate school of business and the practice of management and business. We call for contributions on these topics in the form of Forward Thinking submissions, original research manuscripts, and proposals for both Thought Leadership series and Special Topics forums.
Epigenetic regulation of miR‐129‐2 and its effects on the proliferation and invasion in lung cancer cells
Authors: Xiao Yingying , Li Xiaoxia , Wang Haoli , Wen Ruiling , He Juan , Tang Jun
Published: June 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Dysregulation of miRNAs, both oncogenic miRNAs and tumour‐suppressive miRNAs, is closely associated with cancer development and progression. The levels of miRNAs could be changed epigenetically by DNA methylation in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of pre‐mature miRNAs. To investigate whether DNA methylation alters the expression of miR‐129 in lung cancer, we did DNA methylation assays and found that 5′ UTR region of miR‐129‐2 gene was absolutely methylated in both A549 and SPCA‐1 lung cancer cells, but totally un‐methylated in 95‐D cells. The expression of miR‐129 was restored by 5‐Aza‐2'‐deoxycytidine (DAC), a de‐methylation agent, in both A549 and SPCA‐1 cells, resulting in attenuated cell migration and invasion ability, and decreased protein level of NF‐κB, which indicates the involvement of NF‐κB pathway. To further illustrate the roles of miR‐129 in lung tumourigenesis, we overexpressed miR‐129 in lung cancer cells by transfection of miR‐129 mimics, and found arrested cell proliferation at G2/M phase of cell cycle and inhibited cell invasion. These findings strongly suggest that miR‐129 is a tumour suppressive miRNA, playing important roles in the development and progression of human lung cancer.
Systematic reviews on child welfare services: identifying and disseminating the evidence
Authors: Kornør Hege , Bergman Hanna , Maayan Nicola , Soares‐Weiser Karla , Bjørndal Arild
Published: June 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Evidence‐based practice is at an early stage of uptake within child welfare services. To facilitate well‐informed decisions, we disseminated evidence from systematic reviews (SR) to local child welfare stakeholders in Norway through plain language summaries on a website (http://www.r‐bup.no).

Method

We developed and implemented our dissemination strategy through seven steps: (1) systematic literature search; (2) selection of relevant SRs; (3) assembly of an advisory board; (4) selection of child welfare SRs relevant to Norway; (5) prioritization of the included SRs; (6) development of a plain language summary (PLS) after feedback from the advisory board; and (7) implementation of website.

Results

A total of 9266 potentially relevant records were screened and 120 SRs were included. The advisory board was assembled from local policymakers, practitioners, researchers, carers and consumers. The advisory board members independently ranked the 120 SRs according to relevance and prioritized 20 SRs that were written up into the PLS. The format of the PLS was tested and agreed with the board members. A website was developed and the PLSs were published starting September 2014.

Conclusion

We think that the PLSs will be valuable resources to practitioners and it will be easily accessible to caregivers and consumers. This knowledge will inform research priorities and practice in Norway, leading the way to the use of evidence‐based decisions in local child welfare services.
Medication reconciliation at admission to surgical departments
Authors: González‐García Lorena , Salmerón‐García Antonio , García‐Lirola MªAngeles , Moya‐Roldán Susana , Belda‐Rustarazo Susana , Cabeza‐Barrera José
Published: June 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

We aim to determine the prevalence of reconciliation errors (REs) at admission to surgery departments, report their potential clinical impact and analyse possible risk factors.

Methods

Prospective observational study was conducted for 8 months in a regional public hospital in Spain. The study included patients consecutively hospitalized in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology or Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery from May through December 2010. At 24–48 hours after hospital admission, the pre‐admission pharmacological treatment of patients was compared with the medication received in hospital to identify REs, which were classified by type and potential severity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted with the presence of RE as dependent variable.

Results

The study included 176 patients, 60.8% of whom were aged >65 years and consumed a mean of 5.55 (±4.33) drugs. 55.1% had ≥1 RE, with a mean of 3.21 REs per patient [95% confidence interval (CI; 2.72–3.70)]. The most frequent RE was drug omission (84.1%). No clinical risk was posed by 50.5% of the REs. Multivariate analysis evidenced fourfold higher risk of an RE in patients admitted for elective versus emergency surgery and a 1.35‐fold higher risk in patients receiving a larger number of drugs.

Conclusions

There was a high prevalence of REs among patients admitted to the surgical departments, most frequently the omission of a drug. The risk of an RE was higher in patients admitted for elective versus emergency surgery, as well as with the receipt of a larger number of drugs before admission.
Saving, Selling, Earning, and Negotiating: How Adolescents Acquire Monetary Lump Sums and Who Considers Saving
Authors: Otto Annette , Webley Paul
Published: June 2015

This study examines the importance of saving during adolescence as one way of obtaining larger sums of money, and investigates differences between adolescents who choose to save and those who do not. To this end, the strategies “saving,” “negotiating,” “selling,” and “earning” are taken into account in designing a questionnaire. Two measures of saving behaviors are used: “general tendency to save” and “saving by adjusting expenditure” when faced with an income constraint. The sample consists of 470 British school students from age 11 to 18. Results show that up to age 15, the strategies “saving” and “negotiating” are equally important and more important than “selling” or “earning.” When 15 or older, adolescents prefer “saving” above “negotiating.” Regression analyses reveal that adolescents who favor “saving” when confronted with a short‐term income constraint report a general tendency to save. Findings demonstrate the importance of developing positive financial habits early in life.
WEALTH INEQUALITY: A SURVEY
Authors: Cowell Frank A. , Van Kerm Philippe
Published: June 2015

We survey the issues involved in comparing wealth distributions and measuring wealth inequality with illustrations from the Eurosystem Household Finance and Consumption Survey.
Government Intervention and Information Aggregation by Prices
Authors: BOND PHILIP , GOLDSTEIN ITAY
Published: June 2015

Governments intervene in firms' lives in a variety of ways. To enhance the efficiency of government intervention, many researchers and policy makers call for governments to make use of information contained in stock market prices. However, price informativeness is endogenous to government policy. We analyze government policy in light of this endogeneity. In some cases, it is optimal for a government to commit to limit its reliance on market prices to avoid harming the aggregation of information into market prices. For similar reasons, it is optimal for a government to limit transparency in some dimensions.
Should we use the shorter Thai‐version quality of life and symptoms questionnaires in women with overactive bladder?
Authors: Bunyavejchevin Suvit , Liao Limin , Lu Shing‐Hwa , Choo Myung‐Soo , Rabbani Khalid Javed , Havanond Piyalamporn
Published: June 2015

Aim

The aim of this study was to test: (i) the validation and reliability of the Thai versions of overactive bladder (OAB) questionnaires (the 8‐item and 3‐item Overactive Bladder Symptoms Score questionnaires [OAB‐v8 and OAB‐v3, respectively] and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire [OAB‐q]); and (ii) the correlation of the OAB‐v8, OAB‐v3, and the single‐question Quality of Life Questionnaire (1‐QoL) to the OAB‐q in Thai women with OAB.

Material and Methods

During January to March 2011, 36 Thai women with OAB attending a urogynecology clinic at Chulalongkorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand were recruited. All questionnaires were given as a psychometric test twice, 2 weeks apart.

Results

Cronbach's alpha of the OAB‐v8 was higher (and above 0.7) than OAB‐v3 at both week 0 and week 2. The intraclass correlations (ricc) were 0.64, 0.85, and 0.97 for the OABV8, OAB‐v3, and OAB‐q, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) of OAB‐v3 and OAB‐q at weeks 0 and 2 (0.40 and 0.49) were lower than those for OAB‐v8 and OAB‐q at weeks 0 and 2 (0.62 and 0.62). All questions on the OAB‐v3 had a lower weighted kappa than OAB‐v8. There was no statistically significant difference in the OAB‐q score in each level of 1‐QoL score at week 0 (P = 0.12) and at week 2 (P = 0.29).

Conclusion

The reliability of the OAB‐v3 is poorer than that of the OAB‐v8. The OAB‐v3 is poorer correlated to the OAB‐q than to the OAB‐v8. A short questionnaire, such as the OAB‐v3 and the 1‐QoL, has poor reliability and is poorly correlated to the OAB‐q and is not recommended as a replacement for the standard questionnaires, such as the OAB‐q and the OAB‐v8. The OAB‐v3 should only be used in large screening populations where there are time limits.
Immune thrombocytopenia associated with solid cancer
Authors: Shimada Takako , Saito Toshiaki , Choi Ilseung , Yamaguchi Shinichiro , Shimamoto Kumi , Ariyoshi Kazuya , Okadome Masao
Published: June 2015

Abstract

We describe a case of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) associated with ovarian cancer. At the patient's first visit to hospital, high platelet‐associated IgG and low platelet count (74 × 109/L) were noted on blood test. She was diagnosed as having ITP complicated by ovarian cancer. Four days after surgery, the platelet count had increased to within the normal range. This is the first report of a patient with ITP complicated by ovarian cancer in which the platelet count reverted to normal soon after surgery for the ovarian cancer. We also investigated the characteristics of similar solid cancers with ITP at National Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan.
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is associated with increased risk of preterm birth: a meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Huang Q.‐t. , Huang Q. , Zhong M. , Wei S.‐s. , Luo W. , Li F. , Yu Y.‐h.
Published: June 2015

Although several epidemiological studies reported that maternal chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection had significantly increased risk of undergoing adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, studies on the relationship between HCV infection and risk of preterm birth (PTB) have yielded inconclusive and inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis to investigate the association between HCV infection and PTB. The electronic database was searched until 1 September 2014. Relevant studies reporting the association between HCV infection and the risk of PTB were included for further evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using revmen 5.3 and stata 10.0. Nine studies involving 4186698 participants and 5218 HCV infection cases were included. A significant association between HCV infection and PTB was observed (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% CI 1.48–1.76, P < 0.001, fixed‐effects model). Stratification according to maternal smoking/alcohol abuse, maternal drug abuse or coinfected with HBV and/or HIV matched groups still demonstrated that women with HCV infection had a high risk for PTB. Findings from our meta‐analysis suggested that maternal HCV infection was significantly associated with an increased risk of PTB. In the future, pathophysiological studies are warranted to ascertain the causality and explore the possible biological mechanisms involved.
Gomphrena claussenii, a novel metal‐hypertolerant bioindicator species, sequesters cadmium, but not zinc, in vacuolar oxalate crystals
Authors: Villafort Carvalho Mina T. , Pongrac Paula , Mumm Roland , van Arkel Jeroen , van Aelst Adriaan , Jeromel Luka , Vavpetič Primož , Pelicon Primož , Aarts Mark G. M.
Published: June 2015

Gomphrena claussenii is a recently described zinc (Zn)‐ and cadmium (Cd)‐hypertolerant Amaranthaceae species displaying a metal bioindicator Zn/Cd accumulation response. We investigated the Zn and Cd distribution in stem and leaf tissues of G. claussenii at the cellular level, and determined metabolite profiles to investigate metabolite involvement in Zn and Cd sequestration.

Gomphrena claussenii plants exposed to high Zn and Cd supply were analysed by scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) and micro‐proton‐induced X‐ray emission (micro‐PIXE). In addition, gas chromatography‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (GC‐TOF‐MS) was used to determine metabolite profiles on high Zn and Cd exposure.

Stem and leaf tissues of G. claussenii plants exposed to control and high Cd conditions showed the abundant presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals, but on high Zn exposure, their abundance was strongly reduced. Ca and Cd co‐localized to the CaOx crystals in Cd‐exposed plants. Citrate, malate and oxalate levels were all higher in shoot tissues of metal‐exposed plants, with oxalate levels induced 2.6‐fold on Zn exposure and 6.4‐fold on Cd exposure.

Sequestration of Cd in vacuolar CaOx crystals of G. claussenii is found to be a novel mechanism to deal with Cd accumulation and tolerance.
Fractalkine in the nervous system: neuroprotective or neurotoxic molecule?
Authors: Lauro Clotilde , Catalano Myriam , Trettel Flavia , Limatola Cristina
Published: June 2015

Fractalkine (CX3CL1) is an intriguing chemokine that plays a central role in the nervous system. The expression of CX3CL1 on neurons and of its receptor CX3CR1 on microglia facilitates a privileged interaction, playing important roles in regulating the function and maturation of these cells. CX3CL1 is reported to have neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory activities in several experimental systems and animal models of disease, and its expression correlates with positive outcomes in human neuropathologies. However, a comparable amount of evidence shows that CX3CL1 sustains neuroinflammatory conditions and contributes to neurotoxicity. This review discusses the evidence in favor of the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 pair being neuroprotective and other evidence that it is neurotoxic. Our aim is to stimulate future research examining the molecular and cellular determinants responsible for this unique functional switch, which could be important for several neuropathologies.
Incidence of bradycardia at arrival to the operating room after oral or intravenous premedication with clonidine in children
Authors: Larsson Peter G. , Eksborg Staffan , Lönnqvist Per‐Arne
Published: June 2015

Background

Clonidine has been advocated as a valid alternative for premedication in children but one of the few limitations is its association with reduced heart rate (HR), which thus raises the question of the safety of clonidine as premedication in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of bradycardia in children premedicated with oral or intravenous clonidine as compared to children not receiving pharmacologic premedication.

Methods

An open, nonrandomized, observational study design was used. During the preoperative assessment visit the children were prescribed no premedication, intravenous or oral clonidine. On arrival to the operating room (OR) HR was recorded by connecting the patient to standard monitoring with pulseoximetry and/or Electrocardiogram. The primary outcome measure was the number of patients with a HR below 85% of the lower limit of the normal range (1st centile), which was defined as bradycardia that might need clinical intervention.

Results

One thousand five hundred and seven patients were included in the analysis. 600 and 85 patients did not receive any premedication (Group 0), 305 patients received iv Clonidine (Group CIV), and 517 patients were given oral Clonidine (Group CPO). One patient in Group 0 (0.15%; 95% CI: 0–0.81%), none in Group CIV (0%; 95% CI: 0.00–0.98%), and 5 patients in Group CPO (0.97%; 95% CI: 0.31–2.24%) were observed to have a HR of <85% of the 1st centile.

Conclusion

The incidence of bradycardia following oral or intravenous premedication with clonidine in a pediatric population scheduled for anesthesia is low. Thus, it does not appear rational to refrain from using clonidine as premedication in children only due to fear of bradycardia.
A GRAS‐like gene of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) alters the gibberellin content and axillary meristem outgrowth in transgenic Arabidopsis plants
Authors: Fambrini M. , Mariotti L. , Parlanti S. , Salvini M. , Pugliesi C.
Published: June 2015

The GRAS proteins belong to a plant transcriptional regulator family that function in the regulation of plant growth and development. Despite their important roles, in sunflower only one GRAS gene (HaDella1) with the DELLA domain has been reported. Here, we provide a functional characterisation of a GRAS‐like gene from Helianthus annuus (Ha‐GRASL) lacking the DELLA motif. The Ha‐GRASL gene contains an intronless open reading frame of 1,743 bp encoding 580 amino acids. Conserved motifs in the GRAS domain are detected, including VHIID, PFYRE, SAW and two LHR motifs. Within the VHII motif, the P‐H‐N‐D‐Q‐L residues are entirely maintained. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Ha‐GRASL belongs to the SCARECROW LIKE4/7 (SCL4/7) subfamily of the GRAS consensus tree. Accumulation of Ha‐GRASL mRNA at the adaxial boundaries from P6/P7 leaf primordia suggests a role of Ha‐GRASL in the initiation of median and basal axillary meristems (AMs) of sunflower. When Ha‐GRASL is over‐expressed in Arabidopsis wild‐type plants, the number of lateral bolts increases differently from untransformed plants. However, Ha‐GRASL slightly affects the lateral suppressor (las‐4‐) mutation. Therefore, we hypothesise that Ha‐GRASL and LAS are not functionally equivalent. The over‐expression of Ha‐GRASL reduces metabolic flow of gibberellins (GAs) in Arabidopsis and this modification could be relevant in AM development. Phylogenetic analysis includes LAS and SCL4/7 in the same major clade, suggesting a more recent separation of these genes with respect to other GRAS members. We propose that some features of their ancestor, as well as AM initiation and outgrowth, are partially retained in both LAS and SCL4/7.
Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach: What Is the Empirical Impact of this Universal Theory?
Authors: Cairney Paul , Jones Michael D.
Published: June 2015

While John Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach (MSA) remains a key reference point in the public policy literature, few have attempted to assess MSA holistically. To assess its broader impact and trends in usage, we combine in‐depth analysis of representative studies, with comprehensive coverage of MSA‐inspired articles, to categorize its impact. We find that Kingdon's work makes two separate contributions. First, it has contributed to the development of “evolutionary” policy theories such as punctuated equilibrium. Second, it has prompted a large, dedicated, and often empirical, literature. However, most MSA empirical applications only engage with broader policy theory superficially. The two contributions are oddly independent of each other. We argue that these trends in application are due largely to its intuitive appeal and low “barrier to entry.” Drawing on other policy approaches, we offer suggestions to improve the MSA‐inspired literature.
Rapid recovery of invertebrate communities after ecological restoration of boreal mires
Authors: Noreika Norbertas , Kotiaho Janne S. , Penttinen Jouni , Punttila Pekka , Vuori Anna , Pajunen Timo , Autio Olli , Loukola Olli J. , Kotze D. Johan
Published: June 2015

Mire degradation due to drainage for forestry results in the loss of mire specialist species. To halt the loss in biodiversity, ecological restoration is needed and already implemented. However, a major challenge in ecological restoration is whether actions taken have the desired outcome. Key abiotic and biotic conditions for the successful restoration of invertebrate communities can be identified by testing the “Field of Dreams” hypothesis, which postulates that if a habitat is successfully restored, species will return. This study was conducted in nine boreal mires located in Eastern Finland, 1–3 years after restoration. Parts of each mire were drained for forestry during the 1960s and 1970s, and restored in 2003–2006. Two 250 m transects were established in each of three treatments (pristine, drained, restored) per mire. We used pitfall trapping to sample carabid beetles and spiders, sweep netting to sample micromoths and crane flies and counts along the transects to sample macromoths. Vegetation cover, water table level, and climatic variables were measured along all transects. Mire specialist species and invertebrate communities responded positively to restoration and negatively to drainage, whereas generalists showed varied responses. In addition, mire specialists were associated with high cover of Sphagnum mosses and with low numbers of tall trees (>3 m). Therefore, to successfully restore populations and communities of mire specialist invertebrates, maintaining environmental conditions that favor the growth of Sphagnum mosses, rewetting the sites and removing larger trees are necessary measures.
Recovery of soil productivity with forest succession on abandoned agricultural land
Authors: Piché Nathan , Kelting Daniel L.
Published: June 2015

Much of the primary forest in the eastern United States that was converted to farmland between 1600 and 1900 has reverted back to second growth forest as a result of agriculture abandonment. This reversion back to forest gives soil productivity a chance to recover, though the rates of recovery are not well understood. Understanding the legacy effects of past disturbances like agriculture can provide important insights to support ecological restoration efforts on disturbed soils. Our goal with this study was to further understand the effects of forest development on soil productivity after agriculture abandonment. We used a chronosequence approach to examine soil properties over a 60‐year temporal scale of forest development on abandoned agricultural lands in Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties in New York,U.S.A. We measured soil properties within this chronosequence to test the hypothesis that there would be measurable recoveries of soil physical properties and fertility over time. We observed rapid recovery of physical properties (lower bulk density and higher macroporosity) of surface soils within 5–10 years after agricultural abandonment. However, we found a legacy effect of agricultural compaction still evident in subsoils, with soil strength measurements indicating that past agricultural practices still limited root growth 55–60 years after abandonment. Soil percent organic matter and mineralizable nitrogen (N) both increased with forest development, but biomass accumulation may be slowed by limited root growth in the subsoil due to high strength. We recommend assessing subsoil physical properties when developing ecological restoration plans for agricultural lands.
The efficacy of pentoxifylline/tocopherol combination in the treatment of osteoradionecrosis
Authors: Hayashi Marc , Pellecer Monica , Chung Evelyn , Sung Eric
Published: June 2015

Background

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is an unfortunate complication of radiation therapy to the head and neck. Treatment has historically centered around hyperbaric oxygen therapy and surgical removal of necrotic bone. Recently, a new theory on the pathogenesis of ORN has proposed treatment with pentoxifylline (PTX) and tocopherol/vitamin E. The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of pentoxifylline and tocopherol in the management of patients with ORN.

Methods

The hospital dentistry group managed 13 patients that presented to our service with exposed bone after cancercidal doses of radiation to the head and neck. The patients were prescribed PTX 400 mg bid and tocopherol 1,000 IU QD.

Results

Eleven of the 13 patients exhibited improvement and resolution. No adverse events were noted during treatment.

Conclusion

This medical modality of treating ORN appears safe and effective, inducing bone and mucosal healing.
Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): physical self‐concept, pain, and life satisfaction
Authors: Amesberger G. , Müller E. , Würth S.
Published: June 2015

Physical self‐concept in the elderly is assumed to be structured in terms of different domains and to contribute substantially to life satisfaction. However, little is known about the role of the physical self‐concept in older persons that are engaged in physical activity while suffering from typical age‐related impairments or chronic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the structure of physical self‐concept in a group of older persons with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), its development throughout a 12‐week skiing intervention, and its importance to life satisfaction. Factor analyses of the present data reveal that the physical self‐concept consists of four dimensions addressing strength, flexibility/coordination, endurance, and sportiness. One higher order factor extracted by hierarchical factor analyses reflects a global physical self‐concept. The 12‐week skiing intervention had no substantial impact in terms of an improvement of self‐concept. Life satisfaction is best predicted by positive changes in the subjective ratings between pre‐ and post‐test (i.e., global physical self‐concept, flexibility and coordination, and perceived sportiness) and not by objective physical performance (isokinetic strength, endurance, or coordination). Results support the assumption that physical self‐concept of older people with TKA is only marginally sensitive to a 12‐week skiing intervention.
Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): clinical and radiographic outcomes
Authors: Hofstaedter T. , Fink C. , Dorn U. , Pötzelsberger B. , Hepperger C. , Gordon K. , Müller E.
Published: June 2015

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a recreational alpine skiing intervention on implant‐related factors, such as loosening and wear, in patients with total knee arthoplasty (TKA). A group of 16 TKA patients were examined 2.3 ± 0.1 years after skiing about 80 days over three seasons inclusive of a ski intervention of 2–3 times per week (25.5 days) over a 12‐week period. Mean follow‐up period was 5.1 ± 1 years after surgery. All patients had excellent clinical and radiological outcomes. The average flexion was 120–130°, the average Oxford Knee Score increased from 15 points pre‐operatively to 47.4 points post‐operatively. An average Tegner activity level of 5.5 was assessed, indicating a very high post‐operative activity level. No radiolucencies or osteolyses were observed in any of the radiographs. One patient sustained a meniscal tear in the contralateral knee. Recreational alpine skiing on intermediate terrain at moderate speed can be recommended after TKA. Analysis of mid‐term follow‐up has not shown any negative effect on the implant loosening or additional polyethylene wear.
The clinical significance of infrared thermography for the prediction of postherpetic neuralgia in acute herpes zoster patients
Authors: Ko E. J. , No Y. A. , Park K. Y. , Li K. , Seo S. J. , Hong C. K.
Published: June 2015

Background

Infrared thermography is a non‐invasive diagnostic tool that provides information for damage to the nerve, there was some reports that thermal asymmetry of acute Herpes zoster (HZ) patients was significantly related to development of PHN.

Objective

To identify whether infrared thermography is useful as a predictor for the development of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and as an objective assessment tool of subjective pain in acute HZ patients.

Methods

Infrared thermography was performed on the affected body regions of 112 patients who had been diagnosed with an acute stage of HZ. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Differences >0.5°C for the mean temperature across the face and trunk were considered abnormal. According to whether PHN developed or not, we analyzed the correlation of risk factors.

Results

The study consisted of a total of 112 subjects (46 males and 66 females) with an age range of 9–93 years. The following summarizes the analysis results. (1) As pain severity increased, the occurrence of PHN increased significantly. (2) In older patients, the occurrence of PHN was significantly higher. (3) As the temperature difference between the affected and contralateral dermatome (ΔT) increased, the occurrence of PHN increased significantly. (4) There is a statically significant association between diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of PHN. (5) There is no correlation between pain intensity and ΔT.

Conclusion

In this study, we showed that infrared thermography is useful as a predictor of PHN development in acute HZ patients but is not useful as an objective assessment tool for indicating subjective pain.
Pilot study of antibodies against varicella zoster virus and human immunodeficiency virus in relation to the risk of developing stroke, nested within a rural cohort in Uganda
Authors: Asiki Gershim , Stockdale Lisa , Kasamba Ivan , Vudriko Tobias , Tumwekwase Grace , Johnston Tom , Kaleebu Pontiano , Kamali Anatoli , Seeley Janet , Newton Robert
Published: June 2015

Objective

The risk of stroke rises after episodes of herpes zoster and chickenpox, which are caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). We conducted a pilot case–control study of stroke, nested within a long‐standing cohort in Uganda (the General Population Cohort), to examine antibodies against VZV prior to diagnosis.

Methods

We used stored sera to examine the evolution of IgG and IgM antibodies against VZV among 31 clinically confirmed cases of stroke and 132 matched controls. For each participant, three samples of sera were identified: one each, taken at or near the time of (pseudo)diagnosis, between 5 and 10 years prior to diagnosis and at 15 years prior to diagnosis.

Results

All participants had detectable antibodies against VZV, but there were no significant differences between cases and controls in the 15 years prior to diagnosis. As a secondary finding, 16% (5/31) of cases and 6% (8/132) of controls had HIV (OR 3.0; 95% CI 0.8–10.1; P = 0.06).

Conclusions

This is the first prospective study to examine a biological measure of exposure to VZV prior to diagnosis of stroke and although we identified no significant association, in this small pilot, with limited characterisation of cases, we cannot exclude the possibility that the virus is causal for a subset. The impact of HIV on risk of stroke has not been well characterised and warrants further study.
Stunting is associated with poor outcomes in childhood pneumonia
Authors: Moschovis Peter P. , Addo‐Yobo Emmanuel O. D. , Banajeh Salem , Chisaka Noel , Christiani David C. , Hayden Douglas , Jeena Prakash , MacLeod William B. , Mino Greta , Patel Archana , Qazi Shamim , Santosham Mathuram , Thea Donald M. , Hibberd Patricia L.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Stunting affects 26.7% of children worldwide, and little is known about its effects on the outcomes of childhood pneumonia. We evaluated the effect of stunting on the outcomes of pneumonia among children enrolled in two large clinical trials.

Methods

We analysed data from two WHO and USAID‐sponsored inpatient treatment trials, the Severe Pneumonia Evaluation Antimicrobial Research study (n = 958) and the Amoxicillin Penicillin Pneumonia International Study (n = 1702), which enrolled children aged 2–59 months across 16 sites in LMICs. We assessed the effect of stunting (height‐for‐age Z score < −2) on treatment outcome and time to resolution of hypoxaemic pneumonia.

Results

Among 2542 (96%) children with valid data for height, 28% were stunted and 12.8% failed treatment by 5 days. The failure rate among stunted patients was 16.0% vs. 11.5% among non‐stunted patients [unadjusted RR = 1.24 (95% CI 1.08, 1.41); adjusted RR = 1.28 (95% CI 1.10, 1.48)]. An inverse relationship was observed between height and failure rates, even among non‐stunted children. Among 845 patients with hypoxaemic pneumonia, stunting was associated with a lower probability of normalisation of respiratory rate [HR = 0.63 (95% CI 0.52, 0.75)] and oxygen saturation [HR = 0.74 (95% CI 0.61, 0.89)].

Conclusions

Stunting increases the risk of treatment failure and is associated with a longer course of recovery in children with pneumonia. Strategies to decrease stunting may decrease the burden of adverse outcomes in childhood pneumonia in low‐resource settings.
Tuberculosis case detection in Nigeria, the unfinished agenda
Authors: Obasanya Joshua , Abdurrahman Saddiq T. , Oladimeji Olanrewaju , Lawson Lovett , Dacombe Russell , Chukwueme Nkem , Abiola Tubi , Mustapha Gidado , Sola Christophe , Dominguez Jose , Cuevas Luis E.
Published: June 2015

Objective

Underdetection of TB is a major problem in sub‐Saharan Africa. WHO recommends countries should have at least 1 laboratory per 100 000 population. However, this recommendation is not evidence based.

Methods

We analysed surveillance data of the Nigerian National TB Control Programme (2008‐2012) to describe TB case detection rates, their geographical distribution and their association with the density of diagnostic laboratories and HIV prevalence.

Results

The median CDR was 17.7 (range 4.7–75.8%) in 2008, increasing to 28.6% (range 10.6–72.4%) in 2012 (P < 0.01). The CDR2012 was associated with the 2008 baseline; however, states with CDR2008 < 30% had larger increases than states with CDR2008 > 30. There were 990 laboratories in 2008 and 1453 in 2012 (46.7% increase, range by state −3% to +118). The state CDR2012 could be predicted by the laboratory density (P < 0.001), but was not associated with HIV prevalence or the proportion of smear‐positive cases. CDR2012 and laboratory density were correlated among states having < and > than 1 laboratory per 100 000 population.

Conclusion

There are large variations in laboratory density and CDR across the Nigerian states. The CDR is associated with the laboratory density. A much larger number of diagnostic centres are needed. It is likely that a laboratory density above the recommended WHO guideline would result in even higher case detection, and this ratio should be considered a minimum threshold.
Intermittent cycles of remote ischemic preconditioning augment diabetic foot ulcer healing
Authors: Shaked Gad , Czeiger David , Abu Arar Anwar , Katz Tiberiu , Harman‐Boehm Ilana , Sebbag Gilbert
Published: June 2015

The morbidity and mortality caused by diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) are still significant. Conservative treatment of DFU is often ineffective. Treatment modalities using stem cells directly into the DFU or systematically have been introduced recently. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been proved to be a cheap, simple, and safe method which can augment stem cells number in the peripheral blood circulation. This study's purpose was to test whether IPC can improve DFU healing. Forty diabetic patients were enrolled and divided into study and control groups. All patients received their regular treatment. The study group patients received in addition brief, transient cycles of IPC while the control group patients received a sham procedure only. The procedure was repeated every 2 weeks to complete a follow‐up period of 6 weeks. The ulcers were photographed to measure wound area, and the degree of granulation tissue was assessed. No serious adverse events were noted. Twenty‐two patients from the study group and 12 from the control group completed the entire follow‐up. The ratio of patients who reached complete healing of their ulcer was 9/22 (41%) in the study group compared with 0/12 (0%) in the control group, p = 0.01. Furthermore, the mean remaining ulcer area at the end of the follow‐up was significantly smaller in the study group, 25 ± 6% of the initial area vs. 61 ± 10% in the control group, p = 0.007. The degree of granulation increased after one cycle of treatment in 8/24 (33%) study patients compared to 3/16 (19%) in the control group, p = 0.47. Remote, repeated IPC significantly improves the healing of DFU. This simple, safe, inexpensive treatment method should be considered to be routinely applied to diabetic patients with DFU in addition to other regular treatment modalities.
Variation of plantar pressure in Chinese diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yang Chuan , Xiao Huisheng , Wang Chuan , Mai LiFang , Liu Dan , Qi Yiqing , Ren Meng , Yan Li
Published: June 2015

To investigate dynamic changes in plantar pressure in Chinese diabetes mellitus patients and to provide a basis for further preventing diabetic foot. This is a cross‐sectional investigation including 649 Chinese diabetes mellitus patients (diabetes group) and 808 “normal” Chinese persons (nondiabetes group) with normal blood glucose levels. All the subjects provided a complete medical history and underwent a physical examination and a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. All subjects walked barefoot with their usual gait, and their dynamic plantar forces were measured using the one‐step method with a plantar pressure measurement instrument; 5 measurements were performed for each foot. No significant differences were found in age, height, body weight, or body mass index between the two groups. The fasting blood glucose levels, plantar contact time, maximum force, pressure‐time integrals and force‐time integrals in the diabetes group were significantly higher than those in the nondiabetes group (p < 0.05). However, the maximum pressure was significantly higher in the nondiabetes group than in the diabetes group (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the contact areas between the two groups (p > 0.05). The maximum plantar force distributions were essentially the same, with the highest force found for the medial heel, followed by the medial forefoot and the first toe. The peak plantar pressure was located at the medial forefoot for the nondiabetes group and at the hallucis for the diabetes group. In the diabetes group, the momentum in each plantar region was higher than that in the nondiabetes group; this difference was especially apparent in the heel, the lateral forefoot and the hallucis. The dynamic plantar pressures in diabetic patients differ from those in nondiabetic people with increased maximum force and pressure, a different distribution pattern and significantly increased momentum, which may lead to the formation of foot ulcers.
Application Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Reveals Failure Modes for Interferential Stimulation Therapy in Treating Chronic Constipation
Authors: Feng Tan Andre Yi , Black Don , Medwyn Hutson John , Southwell Bridget Rae
Published: June 2015

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is used to treat chronic constipation in the home environment. Incorrect application of TES may lead to ineffective therapy. We used an application failure mode and effects analysis (AFMEA) to analyze and rank problems. In developing mitigation options to minimize or eliminate failure modes, we identified design and engineering requirements for a new, simple-to-use stimulation system to deliver TES at home for treating chronic constipation, and educational material required to train clinicians, patients, and users. This provided a structured approach to the analysis and design of an improved device for treating chronic constipation.
Combined wet and dry cleaning of SiGe(001)
Authors: Park Sang Wook , Kaufman-Osborn Tobin , Kim Hyonwoong , Siddiqui Shariq , Sahu Bhagawan , Yoshida Naomi , Brandt Adam , Kummel Andrew C.
Published: June 2015

Combined wet and dry cleaning via hydrofluoric acid (HF) and atomic hydrogen on Si0.6Ge0.4(001) surface was studied at the atomic level using ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to understand the chemical transformations of the surface. Aqueous HF removes native oxide, but residual carbon and oxygen are still observed on Si0.6Ge0.4(001) due to hydrocarbon contamination from post HF exposure to ambient. The oxygen contamination can be eliminated by shielding the sample from ambient via covering the sample in the HF cleaning solution until the sample is introduced to the vacuum chamber or by transferring the sample in an inert environment; however, both processes still leave carbon contaminant. Dry in-situ atomic hydrogen cleaning above 330 °C removes the carbon contamination on the surface consistent with a thermally activated atomic hydrogen reaction with surface hydrocarbon. A postdeposition anneal at 550 °C induces formation of an atomically flat and ordered SiGe surface observed by STM. STS verifies that the wet and dry cleaned surface has an unpinned Fermi level with no states between the conduction and valence band edge comparable to sputter cleaned SiGe surfaces.
Covalent Modification of Bacteriophage T4 DNA Inhibits CRISPR-Cas9
Authors: Bryson Alexandra L. , Hwang Young , Sherrill-Mix Scott , Wu Gary D. , Lewis James D. , Black Lindsay , Clark Tyson A. , Bushman Frederic D.
Published: June 2015

The genomic DNAs of tailed bacteriophages are commonly modified by the attachment of chemical groups. Some forms of DNA modification are known to protect phage DNA from cleavage by restriction enzymes, but others are of unknown function. Recently, the CRISPR-Cas nuclease complexes were shown to mediate bacterial adaptive immunity by RNA-guided target recognition, raising the question of whether phage DNA modifications may also block attack by CRISPR-Cas9. We investigated phage T4 as a model system, where cytosine is replaced with glucosyl-hydroxymethylcytosine (glc-HMC). We first quantified the extent and distribution of covalent modifications in T4 DNA by single-molecule DNA sequencing and enzymatic probing. We then designed CRISPR spacer sequences targeting T4 and found that wild-type T4 containing glc-HMC was insensitive to attack by CRISPR-Cas9 but mutants with unmodified cytosine were sensitive. Phage with HMC showed only intermediate sensitivity. While this work was in progress, another group reported examples of heavily engineered CRISRP-Cas9 complexes that could, in fact, overcome the effects of T4 DNA modification, indicating that modifications can inhibit but do not always fully block attack.

IMPORTANCE
Bacteria were recently found to have a form of adaptive immunity, the CRISPR-Cas systems, which use nucleic acid pairing to recognize and cleave genomic DNA of invaders such as bacteriophage. Historic work with tailed phages has shown that phage DNA is often modified by covalent attachment of large chemical groups. Here we demonstrate that DNA modification in phage T4 inhibits attack by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. This finding provides insight into mechanisms of host-virus competition and also a new set of tools that may be useful in modulating the activity of CRISPR-Cas9 in genome engineering applications.
Safeguarding the child athlete in sport: a review, a framework and recommendations for the IOC youth athlete development model
Authors: Mountjoy M , Rhind D J A , Tiivas A , Leglise M
Published: June 2015

Participation in sport has many physical, psychological and social benefits for the child athlete. A growing body of evidence indicates, however, that sport participation may have inherent threats for the child’s well-being. The subject of safeguarding children in sport has seen an increase in scientific study in recent years. In particular, there is increasing emphasis on identifying who is involved in abuse, the context of where it occurs and the identification of the various forms of abuse that take place in the sporting domain. Safeguarding principles developed by the International Safeguarding Children in Sport Founders Group are presented along with 8 underlying pillars which underpin the successful adoption and implementation of safeguarding strategies. This safeguarding model is designed to assist sport organisations in the creation of a safe sporting environment to ensure that the child athlete can flourish and reach their athletic potential through an enjoyable experience. The aim of this narrative review is to (1) present a summary of the scientific literature on the threats to children in sport; (2) introduce a framework to categorise these threats; (3) identify research gaps in the field and (4) provide safeguarding recommendations for sport organisations.