bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mentalizing after mentalization based treatment
Authors: Johnson Emma Louise , Mutti Marie-France , Springham Neil , Xenophontes Ioanna
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine a gap in knowledge about the interaction between mentalizing skills and social inclusion activity immediate after completing an intensive mentalization-based treatment (MBT) program.

Design/methodology/approach

– Lived experience was explored through the use of timelines, repeated cycles of audio-recorded focus groups and inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

– Destructive cycles between self-hatred and social-exclusion were first disrupted by MBT because people felt understood. Being understood reduced self-hatred which was an essential precursor for attempting new forms of mentalizing in social interactions. This process was challenging but continued as a virtuous cycle after treatment finished.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was limited because at three, it was small. However, the study was co-produced between professional and service users at all stages. Lived experience was carefully explored in depth and triangulated between three people. The authors acknowledge too that they have reflected on experience within only one to three years after MBT finished. Future studies might usefully replicate the methodology to trace experience up to the eight year follow up point undertaken by Bateman and Fonagy (2008).

Practical implications

– There is a great sense of loss for service users when therapy ends and that ending needs to be managed on both sides. Service users start to acquire powerful new skills and thought processes at the end of therapy. While this may not be overwhelming, they will not be used to them and so it helps when therapists help service users think about their plans and ideas for things they want to do or changes they might make in their lives.

Originality/value

– While supporting quantitative data about the outcome of therapy, this study offers the type of qualitative detail about how the psychological and social interact post-therapy, which can inform the successful management of those processes by those involved.
Remarkable lives: Clare Campbell in conversation with Jerome Carson
Authors: Campbell Clare , Carson Jerome
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Clare Campbell.

Design/methodology/approach

– Clare provides a short autobiographical account of her life. Clare is then interviewed by Jerome and describes the life enhancing impact of creativity in her own life.

Findings

– Clare describes her work initially with Wild Woman workshops and then Big Love Sista.

Research limitations/implications

– Big Love Sista started when some 40 women all came and painted self-portraits in Clare’s house, which led to an exhibition of 100 life sized portraits on women in recovery from difficult life events.

Practical implications

– Apart from the healing power of Art, Clare’s work shows the power of bringing leaders together with disadvantaged groups, using the medium of the circle to provide unique experiential change.

Social implications

– Community leaders have access to lots of resources and opportunities. In coming together with disadvantaged groups, they can serve as role models, but equally they can be inspired by those they encounter in the medium of the circle.

Originality/value

– Clare and those colleagues she has worked with over the years has shown the power of community and the transformative effects of groupwork. Few individuals can have had such a dramatic effect on so many people.
Manipulation of Water Jet Trajectory by a Nonuniform Electric Field in Water Jet Material Processing
Authors: Mohanty Satyabrata , Ehmann Kornel , Cao Jian
Published: March 2016

In spite of its applications in macromanufacturing processes, water jet processing has not been extensively applied to the field of micromanufacturing owing to its poor tolerance and lack of effective control of the jet impingement position. This paper investigates the phenomenon of liquid dielectrophoresis (LDEP) using a localized nonuniform static electric field to deflect and control the jet's trajectory at the microscale for a water jet in air. A new analytical modeling approach has been attempted by representing the stable length of a water jet as a deformable solid dielectric beam to solve for the deflection of the jet under the action of the electric field. This method bypasses the complicated flow analysis of the water jet in air and focuses specially on the effect of the electric field on the trajectory of a laminar water jet within the working length. The numerical analysis of the phenomena for this electrode configuration was carried out using comsol. Preliminary proof-of-concept experiments were conducted on a 350 μm diameter sized water jet flowing at 0.6 m/s using a pin plate electrode configuration where a deflection of around 10 deg was observed at 2000 V. The results from the simulation are in good agreement with the results obtained in the preliminary experiments. This novel approach of modeling the water jet as a deformable dielectric beam might be useful in numerous applications involving precise control of the water jet's trajectory particularly in microwater jet material processing.
Metal-assisted polyatomic SIMS and laser desorption/ionization for enhanced small molecule imaging of bacterial biofilms
Authors: Dunham Sage J. B. , Comi Troy J. , Ko Kyungwon , Li Bin , Baig Nameera F. , Morales-Soto Nydia , Shrout Joshua D. , Bohn Paul W. , Sweedler Jonathan V.
Published: March 2016

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become an important analytical tool for many sectors of science and medicine. As the application of MSI expands into new areas of inquiry, existing methodologies must be adapted and improved to meet emerging challenges. Particularly salient is the need for small molecule imaging methods that are compatible with complex multicomponent systems, a challenge that is amplified by the effects of analyte migration and matrix interference. With a focus on microbial biofilms from the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the relative advantages of two established microprobe-based MSI techniques—polyatomic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser desorption/ionization—are compared, with emphasis on exploring the effect of surface metallization on small molecule imaging. A combination of qualitative image comparison and multivariate statistical analysis demonstrates that sputtering microbial biofilms with a 2.5 nm layer of gold selectively enhances C60-SIMS ionization for several molecular classes including rhamnolipids and 2-alkyl-quinolones. Metallization also leads to the reduction of in-source fragmentation and subsequent ionization of media-specific background polymers, which improves spectral purity and image quality. These findings show that the influence of metallization upon ionization is strongly dependent on both the surface architecture and the analyte class, and further demonstrate that metal-assisted C60-SIMS is a viable method for small molecule imaging of intact molecular ions in complex biological systems.
XPS depth profiling of organic photodetectors with the gas cluster ion beam
Authors: Haberko Jakub , Marzec Mateusz M. , Bernasik Andrzej , Łużny Wojciech , Lienhard Pierre , Pereira Alexandre , Faure-Vincent Jérôme , Djurado David , Revaux Amélie
Published: March 2016

In this work, the authors study active layers of organic photodetector devices containing phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester and Poly[(4,8-bis-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-benzo(1,2-b:4,5-b′)dithiophene)-2,6-diyl-alt-(4-(2-ethylhexanoyl)-thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-)-2-6-diyl)] (PBDTTT-C). Thin films are examined by x-ray photoemission spectroscopy coupled with argon gas cluster ion sputtering. The use of massive cluster projectiles instead of monoatomic ions has the advantage of not destroying the chemical structure of organic materials under study. The authors show how simulated aging influences the chemistry of these blends and how these alterations extend from sample surface into the bulk of the film. The authors identify several possible processes resulting from aging, including C=O bond breakage and PBDTTT-C diffusion.
Highly scalable resistive switching memory in metal nanowire crossbar arrays fabricated by electron beam lithography
Authors: Niu Jiebin , Zhang Meiyun , Li Yang , Long Shibing , Lv Hangbing , Liu Qi , Liu Ming
Published: March 2016

Resistive switching memories (RRAMs) based on oxides are promising nonvolatile memories with numerous advantages in cell structure, switching speed, operation power, and fabrication process. To promote practical application, however, the scalability issue of RRAMs should be investigated. In this work, the maskless electron beam lithography (EBL) was used to fabricate very small structures in the electron beam resist layer, which were subsequently transferred to a metal and oxide film by the lift-off process. Metal nanowires with a minimum width of 9 nm and arrays with such nanowires were fabricated by optimizing the pattern design and by correcting the electron beam proximity effect. By combining three processes of EBL, film deposition, and lift-off, Ti/HfO2/Pt-based RRAM devices with a minimum size of 10 nm integrated into a crossbar array were successfully fabricated. The fabricated devices exhibit good memory performance, including low operation voltage, good endurance, retention, uniformity, and scalability.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Chromobacterium violaceum
Strain CV017
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Hinshaw Kara C. , Macdonald Stuart J. , Chandler Josephine R.
Published: March 2016

We announce the draft genome sequence for
Chromobacterium violaceum
strain CV017, used as a model and tool to understand acyl-homoserine lactone-dependent quorum sensing. The assembly consists of 4,774,638-bp contained in 211 scaffolds.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Belonging to the Euro-American S Lineage
Authors: Malinga Lesibana A. , Abeel Thomas , Desjardins Christopher A. , Dlamini Talent C. , Cassell Gail , Chapman Sinéad B. , Birren Bruce W. , Earl Ashlee M. , van der Walt Martie
Published: March 2016

We report the whole-genome sequencing of two extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis strains belonging to the Euro-American S lineage. The RSA 114 strain showed single-nucleotide polymorphisms predicted to have drug efflux activity.
Erythema induratum of Bazin and Ponçet's arthropathy as epiphenomena of hepatic tuberculosis
Authors: Ribeiro Rita , Patrício Catarina , Silva Filipa Pais da , Silva Pedro Eduardo
Published: March 2016

A 42-year-old black woman presented with fever, polyarthritis, livedo reticularis, subcutaneous calf nodules and hepatomegaly. She had been diagnosed with depression 6 weeks prior. Blood analysis showed anaemia, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein, elevated liver enzymes, and positive antinuclear and antiribonucleoprotein antibodies. Abdominal ultrasound revealed heterogeneous hepatomegaly with necrotic lymphadenopathy around the caeliac trunk and splenic hilum. We considered the following diagnoses: lymphoma, connective tissue disease, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. Subcutaneous nodule histology was compatible with erythema induratum of Bazin, and liver biopsy evidenced granulomatous hepatitis. Although microbiological examinations were negative in tissue samples, a presumptive diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis was admitted. Having excluded other causes, erythema of Bazin, livedo reticularis and polyarticular involvement (Ponçet's arthropathy) were accepted as immunological epiphenomena associated with tuberculosis. Empirical antituberculous treatment was started and after 3 weeks the patient improved substantially. This clinical response was a further confirmation of the diagnosis.
Genetic mutations in accordance with a low malignant potential tumour are not demonstrated in clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Raspollini Maria Rosaria , Castiglione Francesca , Cheng Liang , Montironi Rodolfo , Lopez-Beltran Antonio
Published: March 2016

Clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma (CCPRCC) cases were evaluated for mutations on the following genes: KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, ERBB2, DDR2, MAP2K1, RET and EGFR. Four male and three female patients of age 42–74 years were evaluated. All cases were incidentally detected by ultrasound and ranged 1.8–3.5 cm. Microscopic examination showed variably tubulopapillary, tubular acinar, cystic architecture and the characteristic linear arrangement of nuclei. The cells were reactive with CK7 (strong), CA IX (cup-shape) and 34 β E12. CD10, AMACR/RACEMASE and GATA3 were negative. There were no mutations on any of the investigated genes. This preliminary observation supports the concept that CCPRCC might be indeed an indolent tumour worth it to be named as clear cell papillary neoplasm of low potential.
Vaccine adjuvant ginsenoside Rg1 enhances immune responses against hepatitis B surface antigen in mice
Authors: Yuan Ding , Yuan Qin , Cui Qianqian , Liu Chaoqi , Zhou Zhiyong , Zhao Haixia , Dun Yaoyan , Wang Ting , Zhang Changcheng
Published: March 2016

The adjuvant effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on immune responses against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mice was investigated. Female BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with saline or HBsAg antigen with or without Rg1 on days 7 and 21. Samples were collected 2 weeks after the boosting for the detection of anti-HBsAg immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotypes in sera and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) produced in splenocytes. The innate and adaptive immune responses were measured in mice immunized as described above. The results showed that ginsenoside Rg1 had adjuvant properties in stimulating IgG, splenocyte proliferation, and mRNA expression of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4, as well as the expression of cell surface marker TLR4 in the HBsAg-immunized mice. These results indicate that Rg1 enhances both Th1 (IgG2b and IFN-γ) and Th2 (IgG1 and IL-4) responses. In addition, the TLR4 signaling pathway is involved in the adjuvant activities of ginsenoside Rg1.
Linking Environmental Assessment and Management of Highway Construction in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Gallardo Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo , de Oliveira e Aguiar Alexandre , Sánchez Luis Enrique
Published: March 2016

Effective delivery of mitigation remains a challenge in environmental impact assessment (EIA) practice. Actual environmental protection outcomes depend as much on an appropriate ex-ante assessment as on the capacity of project proponents of implementing preventative, corrective and compensatory programs, using environmental management tools to ensure demonstrable performance. The context question explored here is: How can the EIA follow-up phase take advantage of the features and resources of environmental management systems (EMS)? Evidence was obtained by studying two cases of highway construction affecting valued environments. The projects, intentionally selected, were built in the same area with an eight-year interval between them. Follow-up resulted in the identification of significant unforeseen geo-environmental impacts leading to the adoption of corrective action not required in the terms and conditions of approval. It was found that lessons learned by different actors involved in the first project led to stronger environmental management procedures incorporated in the latter.
A General Three-Dimensional Numerical Technique for Determining the Contact Area of an Arbitrary Punch on an Elastic Half-Space
Authors: Shen Jing Jin , Xu Feng Yu , Jiang Guo Ping
Published: March 2016

The paper presents a numerical method for determining the contact area in three-dimensional elastostatic normal contact without friction. The method makes use of the theorem developed by Barber, the contact area is that over which the total indentation force achieves its maximum value. By approximating the punch by linear interpolation, the analytical expression for the indentation force is derived by virtue of the reciprocal theorem. The physical meaning of the parameter which determines the contact boundary is discussed, and its feasible range corresponding to the contact area is found. Then, the numerical algorithm for determining the parameter is developed and applied to solve several normal contact problems. The results show that the proposed numerical method possesses a good property on accuracy and convergency.
The Natural Neighbor Radial Point Interpolation Method Extended to the Crack Growth Simulation
Authors: Belinha J. , Azevedo J. M. C. , Dinis L. M. J. S. , Natal Jorge R. M.
Published: March 2016

In the present work, the Natural Neighbor Radial Point Interpolation Method (NNRPIM) is used to simulate the crack growth phenomenon in brittle materials. In order to discretize the problem domain, the NNRPIM only requires an unstructured nodal distribution. With the spatial information of the computational nodes, the NNRPIM is capable to automatically establish the nodal connectivity and to construct the interpolation functions. Additionally, using the natural neighbor geometrical concept, the NNRPIM is able to obtain, from the unstructured nodal distribution, the integration background mesh required to numerically integrate the integro-differential equations ruling the studied physical phenomenon. In this work, a crack opening path algorithm is adapted and combined with the NNRPIM. The developed algorithm is able to predict the crack growth by relocating iteratively the crack tip. The stress field in the vicinity of the crack tip is determined in each iteration and then, using the maximum circumferential stress criterion, the direction of the crack propagation is calculated. Here, the repositioning of the crack tip requires a local re-meshing. However, due to the flexibility of the natural neighbor concept, the local re-meshing do not represent a numerical difficulty. Additionally, in order to show the efficiency of the proposed approach, several demanding crack growth benchmark examples are solved.
Petroleum systems asymmetry across the South Atlantic Equatorial Margins
Authors: Dickson William , Schiefelbein Craig F. , Odegard Mark E. , Zumberge John E.
Published: March 2016

We describe an examination of two lines of evidence, tectono-structural evolution and hydrocarbon geochemistry, of asymmetric opening of the Atlantic Equatorial Margin. Our structural mapping used compilations of geophysical data and a review of both published literature and oil company public presentations. Geochemically, we accessed regional non-exclusive oil studies of the conjugate margins of Africa and South America, plus considerable published material. A group of non-exclusive oils was refined to 286, which clustered into five families, all represented along the NE Brazil margin but only one along the West African Transform (WAT) margin. Multiple lacustrine-sourced oils were seen around the South Atlantic, including NE Brazil, but a rich, oil-prone lacustrine source was not indicated offshore Ivory Coast and Ghana. Despite minor evidence of mixed source, possibly lacustrine stringers within an alluvial to marine setting, the predominant source is marine Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Turonian and possibly Albian). We find that opening asymmetry (a) biased the location of lacustrine (Early to mid-Cretaceous prerift to early synrift) source rocks to the NE Brazil margin and (b) locally narrowed the width of the optimal marine (Mid-Late Cretaceous postrift) WAT Margin source kitchens. Burial of the latter has aggravated the risk of late charge from light (condensate and gas) hydrocarbons.
The impact of scaled boundary conditions on wall shear stress computations in atherosclerotic human coronary bifurcations
Authors: Schrauwen Jelle T. C. , Schwarz Janina C. V. , Wentzel Jolanda J. , van der Steen Antonius F. W. , Siebes Maria , Gijsen Frank J. H.
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to determine if reliable patient-specific wall shear stress (WSS) can be computed when diameter-based scaling laws are used to impose the boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics. This study focused on mildly diseased human coronary bifurcations since they are predilection sites for atherosclerosis. Eight patients scheduled for percutaneous coronary intervention were imaged with angiography. The velocity proximal and distal of a bifurcation was acquired with intravascular Doppler measurements. These measurements were used for inflow and outflow boundary conditions for the first set of WSS computations. For the second set of computations, absolute inflow and outflow ratios were derived from geometry-based scaling laws based on angiography data. Normalized WSS maps per segment were obtained by dividing the absolute WSS by the mean WSS value. Absolute and normalized WSS maps from the measured-approach and the scaled-approach were compared. A reasonable agreement was found between the measured and scaled inflows, with a median difference of 0.08 ml/s [−0.01; 0.20]. The measured and the scaled outflow ratios showed a good agreement: 1.5 percentage points [−19.0; 4.5]. Absolute WSS maps were sensitive to the inflow and outflow variations, and relatively large differences between the two approaches were observed. For normalized WSS maps, the results for the two approaches were equivalent. This study showed that normalized WSS can be obtained from angiography data alone by applying diameter-based scaling laws to define the boundary conditions. Caution should be taken when absolute WSS is assessed from computations using scaled boundary conditions.
Genomic Profiling of Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Reveals a Changing Mutational Landscape from Disease Diagnosis to Relapse
Authors: Farrar Jason E. , Schuback Heather L. , Ries Rhonda E. , Wai Daniel , Hampton Oliver A. , Trevino Lisa R. , Alonzo Todd A. , Guidry Auvil Jaime M. , Davidsen Tanja M. , Gesuwan Patee , Hermida Leandro , Muzny Donna M. , Dewal Ninad , Rustagi Navin , Lewis Lora R. , Gamis Alan S. , Wheeler David A. , Smith Malcolm A. , Gerhard Daniela S. , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: March 2016

The genomic and clinical information used to develop and implement therapeutic approaches for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) originated primarily from adult patients and has been generalized to patients with pediatric AML. However, age-specific molecular alterations are becoming more evident and may signify the need to age-stratify treatment regimens. The NCI/COG TARGET-AML initiative used whole exome capture sequencing (WXS) to interrogate the genomic landscape of matched trios representing specimens collected upon diagnosis, remission, and relapse from 20 cases of de novo childhood AML. One hundred forty-five somatic variants at diagnosis (median 6 mutations/patient) and 149 variants at relapse (median 6.5 mutations) were identified and verified by orthogonal methodologies. Recurrent somatic variants [in (greater than or equal to) 2 patients] were identified for 10 genes (FLT3, NRAS, PTPN11, WT1, TET2, DHX15, DHX30, KIT, ETV6, KRAS), with variable persistence at relapse. The variant allele fraction (VAF), used to measure the prevalence of somatic mutations, varied widely at diagnosis. Mutations that persisted from diagnosis to relapse had a significantly higher diagnostic VAF compared with those that resolved at relapse (median VAF 0.43 vs. 0.24, P < 0.001). Further analysis revealed that 90% of the diagnostic variants with VAF >0.4 persisted to relapse compared with 28% with VAF <0.2 (P < 0.001). This study demonstrates significant variability in the mutational profile and clonal evolution of pediatric AML from diagnosis to relapse. Furthermore, mutations with high VAF at diagnosis, representing variants shared across a leukemic clonal structure, may constrain the genomic landscape at relapse and help to define key pathways for therapeutic targeting. Cancer Res; 76(8); 2197–205. ©2016 AACR.
Pathway Analysis of Genome-wide Association Study in Childhood Leukemia among Hispanics
Authors: Hsu Ling-I , Briggs Farren , Shao Xiaorong , Metayer Catherine , Wiemels Joseph L. , Chokkalingam Anand P. , Barcellos Lisa F.
Published: March 2016

Background: The incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is nearly 20% higher among Hispanics than non-Hispanic Whites. Previous studies have shown evidence for association between risk of ALL and variation within IKZF1, ARID5B, CEBPE, CDKN2A, GATA3, and BM1-PIP4K2A genes. However, variants identified only account for <10% of the genetic risk of ALL.

Methods: We applied pathway-based analyses to genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the California Childhood Leukemia Study to determine whether different biologic pathways were overrepresented in childhood ALL and major ALL subtypes. Furthermore, we applied causal inference and data reduction methods to prioritize candidate genes within each identified overrepresented pathway, while accounting for correlation among SNPs.

Results: Pathway analysis results indicate that different ALL subtypes may involve distinct biologic mechanisms. Focal adhesion is a shared mechanism across the different disease subtypes. For ALL, the top five overrepresented Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways include axon guidance, protein digestion and absorption, melanogenesis, leukocyte transendothelial migration, and focal adhesion (PFDR < 0.05). Notably, these pathways are connected to downstream MAPK or Wnt signaling pathways which have been linked to B-cell malignancies. Several candidate genes for ALL, such as COL6A6 and COL5A1, were identified through targeted maximum likelihood estimation.

Conclusions: This is the first study to show distinct biologic pathways are overrepresented in different ALL subtypes using pathway-based approaches, and identified potential gene candidates using causal inference methods.

Impact: The findings demonstrate that newly developed bioinformatics tools and causal inference methods can provide insights to furthering our understanding of the pathogenesis of leukemia. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 815–22. ©2016 AACR.
Impact of Pre-analytic Blood Sample Collection Factors on Metabolomics
Authors: Townsend Mary K. , Bao Ying , Poole Elizabeth M. , Bertrand Kimberly A. , Kraft Peter , Wolpin Brian M. , Clish Clary B. , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: March 2016

Background: Many epidemiologic studies are using metabolomics to discover markers of carcinogenesis. However, limited data are available on the influence of pre-analytic blood collection factors on metabolite measurement.

Methods: We quantified 166 metabolites in archived plasma from 423 Health Professionals Follow-up Study and Nurses' Health Study participants using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We compared multivariable-adjusted geometric mean metabolite LC-MS peak areas across fasting time, season of blood collection, and time of day of blood collection categories.

Results: The majority of metabolites (160 of 166 metabolites) had geometric mean peak areas that were within 15% comparing samples donated after fasting 9 to 12 versus ≥13 hours; greater differences were observed in samples donated after fasting ≤4 hours. Metabolite peak areas generally were similar across season of blood collection, although levels of certain metabolites (e.g., bile acids and purines/pyrimidines) tended to be different in the summer versus winter months. After adjusting for fasting status, geometric mean peak areas for bile acids and vitamins, but not other metabolites, differed by time of day of blood collection.

Conclusion: Fasting, season of blood collection, and time of day of blood collection were not important sources of variability in measurements of most metabolites in our study. However, considering blood collection variables in the design or analysis of studies may be important for certain specific metabolites, particularly bile acids, purines/pyrimidines, and vitamins.

Impact: These results may be useful for investigators formulating analysis plans for epidemiologic metabolomics studies, including determining which metabolites to a priori exclude from analyses. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 823–9. ©2016 AACR.
HPV Infection among Sexual Minority Women: Does it Matter How Sexual Orientation Is Measured?
Authors: Reiter PL , McRee AL
Published: March 2016

Background: Sexual minority women are at risk for infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), yet little is known about the prevalence of HPV infection among this population. Further, it is not known how the prevalence of HPV infection might vary based on how sexual orientation is measured and operationalized. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2003–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) among women ages 20–59 (n = 7,132). We examined two dimensions of sexual orientation for each woman (sexual identity and sexual behavior), as well as multiple operational definitions for each dimension (aggregating sexual minority women into one group and disaggregating sexual minority women into subgroups). Weighted logistic regression models determined how HPV infection outcomes (any HPV type, high-risk HPV type, and vaccine-preventable HPV type) varied by dimension. Results: Similar patterns emerged for sexual identity and sexual behavior. In bivariate analyses, HPV infection outcomes were more common among non-heterosexual women compared to heterosexual women (any type: 49.7% vs. 41.1%; high-risk type: 37.0% vs. 27.9%), as well as among women who reported any same-sex partners compared to women who reported only opposite-sex partners (any type: 55.9% vs. 41.0%; high-risk type: 37.7% vs. 28.2%; vaccine-preventable type: 19.1% vs. 14.0%) (P < 0.05). When we disaggregated dimensions of sexual orientation into subgroups, bisexual women and women who reported partners of both sexes had greater odds of HPV infection outcomes (P < 0.05 in bivariate analyses). Multivariate models attenuated several of these differences, though lesbian women and women who reported only same-sex partners had lower odds of most HPV infection outcomes in multivariate analyses (P < 0.05). Conclusions: HPV infection is common among sexual minority women. However, prevalence estimates vary slightly between sexual orientation dimensions and greatly depending on how a dimension is operationally defined. These findings highlight the importance of measuring sexual orientation in various ways and can help inform targeted HPV and cervical cancer prevention efforts for sexual minority women.
Perspectives from Healthcare Providers and Women about Completing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Self-Testing at Home
Authors: Zimmermann BJ , Katz ML , Moore D , Paskett ED , Reiter PL
Published: March 2016

Purpose: Cervical cancer (CC) incidence and mortality rates are increased and CC screening rates are low among women living in Ohio Appalachia. Mailing human papillomavirus (HPV) self-tests to women to complete at home is a potential new strategy in the United States to engage women in the CC screening process. Our study sought to understand both providers' and women's perspectives on an HPV self-test that could be mailed to women and how those viewpoints may differ and/or concur. Methods: Focus groups were conducted (2014–2015) among: 1) healthcare providers practicing in four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) located in three Ohio Appalachia counties; and 2) women living in Ohio Appalachia. Results: Providers (n = 28) and women (n = 15) were accepting of HPV self-testing, however, the reason for acceptance differed between groups. Providers thought HPV self-testing would increase the possibility that under-screened women would return to the healthcare system, while women thought completing HPV self-tests at home would eliminate logistical/psychological CC screening barriers. Facilitators of completing an HPV self-test at home reported by women included decreased embarrassment, and the time and money saved by avoiding a doctor's appointment. Barriers to completing an HPV self-test at home reported by providers and women included women not being aware of the test, concerns about incorrectly completing the test and potential contamination of the obtained specimen, potential discomfort associated with completing the test, safety of the sample when returning it through the mail, issues associated with communicating test results (timing, channel, findings), and needed follow-up care. Both providers and women stressed the importance of including educational information about HPV and cervical cancer and detailed HPV self-test instructions with the mailed device. Conclusions: Findings provide insights into the facilitators and barriers of completing an HPV self-test at home, returning it, reporting results, and providing needed follow-up care. This information will be useful in developing CC screening programs that include mailed HPV self-tests.
Platelet functional and transcriptional changes induced by intralipid infusion
Authors: Beaulieu Lea , Vitseva Olga , Tanriverdi Kahraman , Kucukural Alper , Mick Eric , Hamburg Naomi , Vita Joseph , Freedman Jane
Published: March 2016

Multiple studies have shown the effects of long-term exposure to high-fat or western diets on the vascular system. There is limited knowledge on the acute effects of high circulating fat levels, specifically on platelets, which have a role in many processes, including thrombosis and inflammation. This study investigated the effects of acute, high-fat exposure on platelet function and transcript profile. Twenty healthy participants were given an intravenous infusion of 20% Intralipid emulsion and heparin over 6 hours. Blood samples were taken prior to and the day after infusion to measure platelet function and transcript expression levels. Platelet aggregation was not significantly affected by Intralipid infusion, but, when mitochondria function was inhibited by carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) or oligomycin, platelet aggregation was higher in the post-infusion state compared to baseline. Through RNA sequencing, and verified by RT-qPCR, 902 miRNAs and 617 mRNAs were affected by Intralipid infusion. MicroRNAs increased include miR-4259 and miR-346, while miR-517b and miR-517c are both decreased. Pathway analysis identified two clusters significantly enriched, including cell motility. In conclusion, acute exposure to high fat affects mitochondrial-dependent platelet function, as well as the transcript profile.
Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin and mortality in sepsis-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Yamakawa Kazuma , Saito Shinjiro , Uchino Shigehiko , Kudo Daisuke , Iizuka Yusuke , Sanui Masamitsu , Takimoto Kohei , Mayumi Toshihiko , Ono Kota , Hayakawa Mineji ,   Japan Septic Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (JSEPTIC DIC) study group
Published: March 2016

Recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM) is a novel class of anticoagulants for treating disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Although rhTM is widely used in clinical settings throughout Japan, there is limited clinical evidence supporting the use of rhTM in patients with sepsis-induced DIC. Furthermore, rhTM is not approved for DIC treatment in other countries. This study aimed to clarify the survival benefits of rhTM administration in critically ill patients. Data from 3,195 consecutive adult patients who were admitted to 42 intensive care units for the treatment of severe sepsis or septic shock between January 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively analysed, and 1,784 patients were diagnosed with DIC based on the scoring algorithm from the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine DIC (n = 645, rhTM group; n = 1,139, control group). Propensity score matching created 452 matched pairs, and logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between rhTM administration and lower in-hospital all-cause mortality in the propensity score-matched groups (odds ratio, 0.757; 95 % confidence interval, 0.574–0.999, p = 0.049). Inverse probability of treatment weighted and quintile-stratified analyses also revealed significant associations between rhTM administration and lower in-hospital all-cause mortality. Survival time in the propensity score-matched rhTM group was significantly longer than that in the propensity score-matched control group (hazard ratio, 0.781; 95 % confidence interval, 0.624–0.977, p = 0.03). Bleeding complications were not more frequent in the rhTM groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that rhTM administration is associated with reduced in-hospital all-cause mortality among patients with sepsis-induced DIC.
A reabilitação psicossocial como estratégia de cuidado: percepções e práticas desenvolvidas por trabalhadores de um serviço de saúde mental
Authors: Ribeiro Mara Cristina , Bezerra Waldez Cavalcante
Published: March 2016

As ações desenvolvidas nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) defrontam-se com impasses clínicos e operacionais quando avaliadas sob a perspectiva da Reabilitação Psicossocial. O estudo, desenvolvido em um CAPS da cidade de São Paulo, visou conhecer como o conceito da Reabilitação Psicossocial é assimilado por seus trabalhadores, como estes a relacionam às suas práticas e como a percebem na instituição em que estão inseridos. A abordagem metodológica foi qualitativa. Participaram do estudo oito trabalhadores. Para a produção dos dados foi utilizada a entrevista semiestruturada e para a análise a técnica de Análise Temática. Verificou-se que a condução prática das ações do cuidado em saúde mental deve estar embasada pelo entendimento do que é o processo de Reabilitação Psicossocial. Também se observou que os trabalhadores percebem de forma crítica as condutas institucionais que priorizam intervenções dentro do serviço e pouco articuladas aos contextos externos. O estudo sugere que trabalhar com a estratégia da Reabilitação Psicossocial exige flexibilidade no enfrentamento de diferentes desafios, garantindo a presença da coletividade no processo. Também aponta para a necessidade de elaboração de instrumentos de monitoramento e avaliação dos serviços.
Incubadoras tecnológicas de cooperativas populares: realidade da incubação de empreendimentos econômicos solidários com participação de usuários de serviços de saúde mental
Authors: Lussi Isabela Aparecida De Oliveira , Tessarini Léia Andrade , Morato Giovana
Published: March 2016

As Incubadoras Tecnológicas de Cooperativas Populares (ITCPs) são organizações vinculadas às universidades que têm papel importante no desenvolvimento da Economia Solidária. Com o surgimento da reabilitação psicossocial, os empreendimentos econômicos solidários (EES) tornaram-se uma alternativa de inserção social pelo trabalho para usuários de serviços de saúde mental. A presente pesquisa objetivou investigar quais ITCPs estão incubando EES que contam com a participação destes usuários, caracterizar esses empreendimentos e identificar as principais demandas, desafios, dificuldades e oportunidades encontradas no processo de incubação de tais empreendimentos. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo que teve participação de 4 profissionais responsáveis pela incubação dos EES vinculados a 3 ITCPs. Os resultados apontaram que as demandas, os desafios, as dificuldades e as oportunidades relacionam-se principalmente com: o exercício da autogestão; os processos de produção; a interferência das subjetividades dos participantes dos EES no trabalho coletivo e aos apoios e parcerias. As intervenções dos técnicos de incubação se mostraram essenciais para a possível resolubilidade das dificuldades e aproveitamento das facilidades para efetivar a reabilitação psicossocial dos usuários.
Familiares, profissionais de saúde mental e a alteridade da loucura
Authors: Constantinidis Teresinha Cid , De Andrade Angela Nobre
Published: March 2016

Este estudo pretende compreender a relação de familiares e profissionais de saúde mental com a loucura e discutir suas possíveis repercussões nas ações de atenção e cuidado à pessoa com sofrimento psíquico. Em perspectiva qualitativa de investigação, foram entrevistados familiares de usuários e profissionais de dois centros de atenção psicossocial. A análise temática do conteúdo indicou regularidades discursivas que delinearam quatro categorias: (1) termos e ideias associadas à loucura; (2) loucura concebida como falta; (3) comportamento diferente e o diagnóstico; (4) loucura, doença mental e controle. Os resultados apontam que, na visão dos profissionais, a loucura está aquém em relação a um modelo de saúde mental idealizado. Diante disso, buscam classificar e controlar suas manifestações. Os familiares não acreditam na utilização de possibilidades e meios relacionais com seu familiar com sofrimento psíquico, associando-o à invalidez e tentam controlá-lo, como forma de lidarem com a alteridade.
Os impactos das identidades transgênero na sociabilidade de travestis e mulheres transexuais.
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Gonçalves Lima Borges da , Bezerra Waldez Cavalcante , Queiroz Sandra Bomfim de
Published: March 2016

Este artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa realizada no município de Maceió-AL, entre março de 2013 a setembro de 2014, e teve como objetivo geral compreender os impactos das identidades transgênero na sociabilidade de travestis e mulheres transexuais. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, que utilizou três fontes para registros e produção dos dados: diário de campo, observação participante e grupo focal. Os dados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo. A apresentação e discussão dos resultados se deram a partir de três categorias temáticas: A família como primeiro grupo que exclui; A escola como lócus de reprodução do preconceito e discriminação; A rua que acolhe e vulnerabiliza. Os resultados evidenciaram que a expressão das identidades transgênero repercute negativamente na sociabilidade das travestis e transexuais, empurrando-as para uma situação de vulnerabilidade social e gerando sofrimentos diversos.
Lipoprotein(a) Levels Are Associated With Subclinical Calcific Aortic Valve Disease in White and Black Individuals
Authors: Cao Jing , Steffen Brian T. , Budoff Matthew , Post Wendy S. , Thanassoulis George , Kestenbaum Bryan , McConnell Joseph P. , Warnick Russell , Guan Weihua , Tsai Michael Y.
Published: March 2016

Objective—

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a risk factor for calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) but has not been evaluated across multiple races/ethnicities. This study aimed to determine whether Lp(a) cutoff values used in clinical laboratories to assess risk of cardiovascular disease identify subclinical CAVD and its severity and whether significant relations are observed across race/ethnicity.

Approach and Results—

Lp(a) concentrations were measured using a turbidimetric immunoassay, and subclinical CAVD was measured by quantifying aortic valve calcification (AVC) through computed tomographic scanning in 4678 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Relative risk and ordered logistic regression analysis determined cross-sectional associations of Lp(a) with AVC and its severity, respectively. The conventional 30 mg/dL Lp(a) clinical cutoff was associated with AVC in white (relative risk: 1.56; confidence interval: 1.24–1.96) and was borderline significant (
P
=0.059) in black study participants (relative risk: 1.55; confidence interval: 0.98–2.44). Whites with levels ≥50 mg/dL also showed higher prevalence of AVC (relative risk: 1.72; confidence interval: 1.36–2.17) than those below this level. Significant associations were observed between Lp(a) and degree of AVC in both white and black individuals. The presence of existing coronary artery calcification did not affect these associations of Lp(a) and CAVD. There were no significant findings in Hispanics or Chinese.

Conclusions—

Lp(a) cutoff values that are currently used to assess cardiovascular risk seem to be applicable to CAVD, but our results suggest race/ethnicity may be important in cutoff selection. Further studies are warranted to determine whether race/ethnicity influences Lp(a) and risk of CAVD incidence and its progression.
Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction Under Diabetic Conditions by miR-504
Authors: Reddy Marpadga A. , Das Sadhan , Zhuo Chen , Jin Wen , Wang Mei , Lanting Linda , Natarajan Rama
Published: March 2016

Objective—

Diabetes mellitus accelerates proatherogenic and proinflammatory phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) associated with vascular complications. Evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in VSMC functions, but their role under diabetic conditions is unclear. We profiled miRNAs in VSMC from diabetic mice and examined their role in VSMC dysfunction.

Approach and Results—

High throughput small RNA-sequencing identified 135 differentially expressed miRNAs in VSMC from type 2 diabetic db/db mice (db/dbVSMC) versus nondiabetic db/+ mice. Several of these miRNAs were known to regulate VSMC functions. We further focused on miR-504, because it was highly upregulated in db/dbVSMC, and its function in VSMC is unknown. miR-504 and its host gene
Fgf13
were significantly increased in db/dbVSMC and in aortas from db/db mice. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR-504 targets including signaling adaptor Grb10 and transcription factor Egr2 could regulate growth factor signaling. We experimentally validated
Grb10
and
Egr2
as novel targets of miR-504. Overexpression of miR-504 in VSMC inhibited contractile genes and enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation, proliferation, and migration. These effects were blocked by miR-504 inhibitors. Grb10 knockdown mimicked miR-504 functions and increased inflammatory genes. Egr2 knockdown-inhibited anti-inflammatory
Socs1
and increased proinflammatory genes. Furthermore, high glucose and palmitic acid upregulated miR-504 and inflammatory genes, but downregulated
Grb10
.

Conclusions—

Diabetes mellitus misregulates several miRNAs including miR-504 that can promote VSMC dysfunction. Because changes in many of these miRNAs are sustained in diabetic VSMC even after in vitro culture, they may be involved in metabolic memory of vascular complications. Targeting such mechanisms could offer novel therapeutic strategies for diabetic complications.
Characterizing Cathepsin Activity and Macrophage Subtypes in Excised Human Carotid Plaques
Authors: Abd-Elrahman Ihab , Meir Karen , Kosuge Hisanori , Ben-Nun Yael , Weiss Sadan Tommy , Rubinstein Chen , Samet Yaacov , McConnell Michael V. , Blum Galia
Published: March 2016

Background and Purpose—

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, contributing to both strokes and heart attacks. Macrophages are key players in atherogenesis, promoting vascular inflammation and arterial remodeling through cysteine cathepsin proteases. We used a cathepsin-targeted activity-based probe in human carotid plaque to assess its diagnostic potential and evaluate macrophage subtypes ex vivo.

Methods—

Carotid plaque specimens surgically removed during endarterectomy from 62 patients (age range, 38% female, 28% symptomatic) were graded pathologically as either stable (Grade 1) or unstable (Grade 2 or 3). A cathepsin activity-based probe was used to quantify individual cathepsins in plaque tissue and macrophage subtypes.

Results—

Cathepsin B and S activities were increased in unstable carotid plaques. They were quantified using the probe to biochemically investigate individual cathepsins (Cathepsin B and S: 0.97 and 0.90 for grade 3 versus 0.51 and 0.59 for grade 1;
P
=0.006 and
P
=0.03 arbitrary units (AU), respectively). Higher cathepsin activity was observed in carotid plaques from symptomatic patients (Cathepsin B and S: 0.65 and 0.77 for asymptomatic, 0.99 and 1.17 for symptomatic;
P
=0.008 and
P
=0.005 AU, respectively). Additionally, it was demonstrated that M2 macrophages from unstable plaques express cathepsin activity 5-fold higher than M2 macrophages from stable plaques (25.52 versus 5.22;
P
=0.008 AU).

Conclusions—

Targeting cathepsin activity in human carotid plaques may present a novel diagnostic tool for characterizing high-risk plaques. Novel cathepsin activity patterns within plaques and macrophage subpopulations suggest their involvement in the transition to active disease.