bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silenced Husbands
Authors: Charsley Katharine , Liversage Anika
Published: March 2015

In both Denmark and Britain, legal and policy discourses have relied on a range of problems implicitly or explicitly linked to transnational marriages involving ethnic minorities in order to control and change the character of spousal immigration. These discourses often focus on the vulnerability of Muslim women, while Muslim men appear as patriarchal figures abusing their power over co-ethnic women. In this article, we use qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with Pakistanis in the United Kingdom and Turks in Denmark to explore gendered challenges for Muslim migrant husbands and demonstrate experiences inconsistent with the assumptions that underpin regulation. Attention to intersecting identities reveals weaknesses in such men’s relational positions and multiple arenas in which their masculinity is problematized or denigrated. In combination, these representations function to limit such men’s ability to give voice to their vulnerabilities and the challenges they face and thus to reinforce assumptions of male hegemony.
Reconsidering Findings of “No Effects” in Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Chaney Bradford
Published: March 2015

The primary technique that many researchers use to analyze data from randomized control trials (RCTs)—detecting the average treatment effect (ATE)—imposes assumptions upon the data that often are not correct. Both theory and past research suggest that treatments may have significant impacts on subgroups even when showing no overall effect. Giving primacy to ATEs thus may lead to the rejection of treatments that in fact are helpful to some people. Using simulations, I examine the power of ATEs to detect treatment impacts when treatment impacts vary. Models that allow for varying impacts accurately measure the treatment effect in the simulation and are robust in a variety of circumstances. However, a focus on ATEs often fails to find the known treatment effects.
Changes in alcohol drinking and subsequent sickness absence
Authors: Salonsalmi Aino , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero , Laaksonen Mikko
Published: March 2015

Aims: The aim was to examine whether changes in alcohol drinking are associated with sickness absence. Methods: Repeated postal questionnaires on alcohol drinking were conducted among employees of the City of Helsinki in 2000–2 and 2007 to assess changes in drinking habits between these two time points. Data on the number of self-certified and medically confirmed sickness absences were derived from the employer’s register. Sickness absences were followed from 2007 until the end of 2010 among employees participating in both questionnaire surveys. The study includes 3252 female and 682 male employees 40–60 years old at baseline. Poisson regression was used in the data analysis and population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated. Results: Alcohol drinking was associated especially with self-certified sickness absence. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for increasing weekly average drinking were 1.38, 1.18–1.62 among women and 1.58, 1.18–2.12 among men. Also stable problem drinking (for women 1.39, 1.26–1.54, for men 1.44, 1.10–1.87) and among women stable heavy drinking (1.53, 1.20–1.94) increased self-certified sickness absence. There were associations between alcohol drinking and medically confirmed sickness absence but these were mainly explained by health and health behaviours. Also, a decrease in weekly average drinking was associated with sickness absence among women whereas among men former problem drinking increased sickness absence. According to the PAF values, problem drinking had a stronger contribution to sickness absence than weekly average drinking. Conclusions: Alcohol drinking is particularly associated with self-certified sickness absence. Reducing adverse drinking habits is likely to prevent sickness absence.
Mothers’ and their daughters’ use of preventive measures against cervical cancer
Authors: Sander Bente Braad , Vázquez-Prada Miguel , Rebolj Matejka , Valentiner-Branth Palle , Lynge Elsebeth
Published: March 2015

Aims: Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and screening are complementary preventive measures against cervical cancer. In Denmark, screening and vaccination are free of charge for the women. In total, 75% of women are screened and about 90% of girls are vaccinated with at least one dose. Our aim was to determine whether, in Denmark, daughters of unscreened mothers are less likely to be vaccinated against HPV than are daughters of screened mothers. Methods: We used population-based data from the Danish Patient Register, Health Service Registration, Pathology Data Bank, and Civil Registration System. Individual-level data on screening, vaccination, and vital status until 31 December 2010 were retrieved. Daughters were linked to their mothers through the link provided in the Civil Registration System. The study population included 149,147 girls born in 1993–1997 and their mothers. We calculated birth cohort-specific relative risks (RRs) of non-initiation of HPV vaccination in daughters depending on their mothers’ screening status. Results: In total, 8% of girls did not receive any vaccination, and 35% of their mothers were unscreened. Among the 92% of girls receiving at least one vaccine dose, 14% of mothers were unscreened. The birth cohort-specific RRs of non-initiation of vaccination given an unscreened mother varied between 2.16 (95% CI: 2.00–2.33) and 2.83 (95% CI: 2.63–3.05). Conclusions: The observed association between screening and vaccination suggest that it will be difficult to increase the vaccination coverage by, for example, counselling at the mother’s cervical screening appointment. Other measures to increase the coverage with vaccination will be important.
Abstinence and current or former alcohol use as predictors of disability retirement in Finland
Authors: Kaila-Kangas Leena , Kivekäs Teija , Laitinen Jaana , Koskinen Aki , Härkänen Tommi , Hirvonen Leena , Leino-Arjas Päivi
Published: March 2015

Aim: According to previous studies, abstinence from alcohol increases the risk of disability retirement (DR). We studied whether former alcohol users’ poor mental or physical health might have contributed to this result. Methods: Prospective population-based study of 3621 occupationally active Finns aged 30–55 years at baseline. Disability pension data for 2000−2011 was retrieved from national pension records. We examined medically certified disability retirement due to all causes and due to mental disorders among lifelong abstainers, former drinkers, those with an alcohol use disorder irrespective of consumption and current users, further classified according to weekly intake of alcohol. Chronic somatic diseases were evaluated in a clinical examination and common mental and alcohol use disorders using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Cox regression was used. Results: Neither lifelong abstinence nor alcohol consumption, even at hazardous levels, without alcohol use disorder was associated with disability retirement. Compared with light drinkers, former drinkers’ hazard ratio for DR due to mental disorders was 2.67 (95% CI 1.39−5.13), allowing for somatic and mental morbidity, physical and psychosocial workload, health behaviour and socio-demographic factors. The respective hazard ratio of DR due to all causes for those with alcohol use disorder was 2.17 (1.49−3.16) and of DR due to mental disorders 4.04 (2.02 to 8.06). Conclusions: Lifelong abstinence did not predict disability retirement. Former drinkers and people with alcohol use disorders were at a multi-fold risk of work disability due to mental disorders compared with light drinkers, thus it is important to support their work ability.
The impact of paintings hung on lecture room walls on the speech intelligibility and perception of background noise
Authors: Čudina Mirko , Prezelj Jurij , Pušlar-Čudina Milena
Published: March 2015

The most important parameter for rooms designed for speech (classroom or lecture room) is speech intelligibility. Speech intelligibility depends on the reverberation time, speech-to-noise ratio and geometry of the room, among others. At the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, the reverberation times in lecture rooms observed exceed the optimal value from 0.31 to 0.87 s and in some of them, speech intelligibility is below the threshold of good or even satisfactory. For reducing reverberation time and improving speech intelligibility, an alternative method was proposed, by hanging art paintings on the room walls. Experiments have shown that by doing so, reverberation time can be reduced by increasing the absorption coefficient by more than 30% in the most audible part of the frequency spectra (between 500 and 1500 Hz). The absorption coefficient can be increased by using different dimensions of paintings, different air spaces behind the canvas, by appropriate thickness of the paint layers and by adding absorption material behind the canvas. Subjective tests have also shown that paintings with proper colour combinations (pastel colours with prevailing green, blue and grey colours) are appropriate for soothing the undesirable effect of background sound (noise) by changing perception in the brain.
Influence of Risk/Safety Information Framing on Android App-Installation Decisions
Authors: Chen Jing , Gates Christopher S. , Li Ninghui , Proctor Robert W.
Published: March 2015

We conducted three experiments with participants recruited on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to examine the influence on app-installation decisions of summary risk information derived from the app permissions. This information can be framed negatively as amount of risk or positively as amount of safety, which was varied in all the experiments. In Experiments 1 and 2, the participants performed tasks in which they selected two Android apps from a list of six; in Experiment 3, the tasks were to reject two apps from the list. This summary information influenced the participants to choose less risky alternatives, particularly when it was framed in terms of safety and the app had high user ratings. Participants in the safety condition reported that they attended more to the summary score than did those in the risk condition. They also showed better comprehension of what the score was conveying, regardless of whether the task was to select or reject. The results imply that development of a valid risk/safety index for apps has the potential to improve users’ app-installation decisions, especially if that information is framed as amount of safety.
Are Active Video Games Associated With Less Screen Media or Conventional Physical Activity?
Authors: Beltrán-Carrillo Vicente J. , Beltrán-Carrillo Juan I. , González-Cutre David , Biddle Stuart J. H. , Montero-Carretero Carlos
Published: March 2015

This study analyzed the time adolescents spend on active video games, sedentary screen media, and conventional physical activity as well as the interrelationships between these variables. Data were collected from 570 Spanish adolescents (15–16 years old) who completed a self-report questionnaire. A path analysis was carried out to analyze the relationships among the different variables. Time in television, video games, and physical activity were higher in males than in females. The use of television and video games positively predicted the use of active video games, which positively predicted physical activity participation. The findings of this study show that sedentary screen media and physical activity are behaviors that can coexist. The promotion of active video games as part of general strategies for the promotion of physical activity could be desirable, but it is likely to contribute to physical activity levels in only a small way. This article finishes with some recommendations related to the use of active/inactive screen media and the promotion of physical activity.
Detection of alpha-fetoprotein via a magnetic-beads-based sandwich immunoassay combined with giant magnetoimpedance biochip
Authors: Wang Tao , Guo Lei , Lei Chong , Sun Xuecheng , Liu Yan , Zhou Yong
Published: March 2015

This article deals with the design of an integrated giant magnetoimpedance biochip combined with a sandwich immunoassay for the detection of alpha-fetoprotein, and we have offered the possible physical origins of the enhanced giant magnetoimpedance responses caused by Dynabeads. The giant-magnetoimpedance-based magnetic immunoassay showed a good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of 3 ng/mL alpha-fetoprotein. We also observed that there was significant difference in detection sensitivity between two giant magnetoimpedance biochips, which is probably related to the electroplating instability. Such an integrated giant magnetoimpedance biochip could be extended for the detection toward a wide spectrum of target biomolecules and shows promising potential for clinical applications.
Efficacy of degarelix in prostate cancer patients following failure on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist treatment: results from an open-label, multicentre, uncontrolled, phase II trial (CS27)
Authors: Miller Kurt , Simson Gabriele , Goble Sandra , Persson Bo-Eric
Published: March 2015

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of second-line degarelix in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after treatment failure with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.

Methods:

This 1-year exploratory, multicentre, open-label phase II trial was performed in 2 patient cohorts (Cohort 1, n = 25; Cohort 2, n = 12) in Germany. Patients with castrate-resistant PCa after primary hormonal treatment received degarelix 240 mg, followed by 11 monthly maintenance doses of 80 mg. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with decreasing/stable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (relative change ⩽+10% of baseline PSA) after 3 months.

Results:

At Month 3, the response rate (intention-to-treat, last observation carried forward analysis) was 16.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.74–37.38] in Cohort 1 and 33.3% (95% CI: 9.92–65.11) in Cohort 2. The probability of completing 12 months without PSA progression was 8.8% (95% CI: 1.51–24.3) in Cohort 1 and 8.3% (95% CI: 0.5–31.1) in Cohort 2. Degarelix was well tolerated; the most frequently reported adverse events were local injection-site reactions.

Conclusions:

In PCa patients who failed LHRH therapy, degarelix was well tolerated and achieved a limited PSA response. Phase III trials show that disease control benefits with degarelix versus agonists are more clearly demonstrated as first-line therapy.
“That’s not something I was, I am, or am ever going to be:” multimodal self-assertion in digital video production
Authors: Doerr-Stevens Candance
Published: March 2015

Issues of representation and identity are paramount in youth media. These issues are further complicated when youth draw on popular culture and other media resources as vehicles to interpret and represent themselves ( Alvermann, 2008 , Jenkins et al., 2006 ). While youth-produced media often draw on popular culture resources and are frequently accused of reproducing dominant stereotypes, many young media makers are often acutely aware of their audiences and deliberately use media resources to establish social connections that will enhance and manipulate audience reception. Using mediated discourse analysis ( Norris & Jones, 2005 ), this paper examines the documentary video production process of one such group of youth, exploring their process of purposeful selection and assemblage of popular culture and media resources. Findings reveal nuanced patterns of multimodal combination to establish and maintain attention of key audiences while asserting alternative social positions.
Utopia: An imaginative, critical and playful dialogue on the meaning and practice of contemporary education
Authors: Hayes Michael T. , Marino Matthew
Published: March 2015

In this article the authors re-examine Sir Thomas More’s classic book Utopia as a potential source of ideas and concepts for examining, understanding and imagining contemporary education. Too often the concept utopia is used to criticize an idea, perspective or image as offering a simplistic solution to a complex problem, or, at its worst, as a model that all must be forced to accept. In our rereading of Utopia we suggest that the book and the concept can be best understood as an imaginative, critical and playful dialogue. When applied to the field of education utopia offers the potential for reimagining how we engage with and conceptualize educational theory and practice.
The pendulum swing of user instruction and interaction
Authors: Ramsay Judith , Terras Melody M
Published: March 2015

The use of technology to support learning is well recognised. One generation ago a major strand of human–computer interaction research focussed on the development of forms of instruction in how to interact with computers. Today, however, the advanced usability of modern technologies has all but removed the presence of many user manuals. Learners, educators and developers now need to know not how to use the technology per se: the adoption of user-centred design has solved much of this. Rather, they must understand the nature of learner behaviour across contexts: insight is required into ‘how to learn’ using mobile technology and ‘how to manage and structure’ learning behaviour across changing contexts whilst mobile. To this end, we advocate a reinvention of effective user instruction at the metacognitive level, and use a classic framework developed in the early 1980s to structure our conceptualisation of the onward research and development effort that is required for 21st century user instruction and support.
The Intimate Machine – 30 years on
Authors: Frude Neil , Jandrić Petar
Published: March 2015

This conversation focuses on a book published in 1983 that examined ‘animism’, the tendency to regard non-living entities as living and sentient. The Intimate Machine suggested that animism will be fully exploited by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, generating artefacts that will engage the user in ‘social’ interactions so that eventually people will form close and beneficial social relationships with artificial ‘companion systems’. The author of the book, clinical psychologist Neil Frude, is asked to reflect on his book and, although he admits that his techno-optimism in the 1980s was exaggerated, it is clear that he still holds to his major thesis. He considers ‘virtual pets’, such as Tamagotchi, Furby and Sony’s Aibo, and considers why they did not evolve into more sophisticated social artefacts. Frude identifies three vital elements needed for a successful artificial companion – animism, artistry and AI – and acknowledges that the last of these has been the weak link. However, even simple AI programs can make an impressive impact when skilfully implemented. He emphasizes the relevance of characterization, pointing to examples in recent computer-generated animations. In the context of interactive technology, the addition of character and artificial personality will generate companion machines that are highly engaging and exceptionally appealing. Insights into the likely nature and roles of artificial companions, and how people will relate to them, are available in the science fiction corpus, and this literature has also examined relevant ethical and social issues. Finally, he considers some of the possible clinical applications of such systems in both physical health and mental health and he also reflects on some of the potential dangers of the kind of artefact that he is envisioning.
Conventional Humeral Retroversion Measurements Using Computed Tomography Slices or Ultrasound Images Are Not Correlated With the 3-Dimensional Humeral Retroversion Angle
Authors: Saka Masayuki , Yamauchi Hiroki , Yoshioka Toru , Hamada Hidetoshi , Gamada Kazuyoshi
Published: March 2015

Background:

Humeral retroversion angles determined by previous techniques are varied and/or biased by morphologic variations of the proximal and distal humerus, and their validity should be revisited. To overcome the limitations of previous studies associated with 2-dimensional (2D) images and the reference axes, a 3-dimensional (3D) measurement of humeral retroversion is required. However, comparisons of 2D imaging methods with the 3D computed tomography (CT) measurement as a reference standard have not been heretofore performed.

Purpose:

To determine whether the 3D CT humeral retroversion angle in baseball players is correlated with conventional humeral retroversion measurements.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A total of 28 humeri from 14 male baseball players were used for measuring humeral retroversion. Participants underwent CT scans, and geometric bone models were created for measuring the 3D CT humeral retroversion angle. Using CT slices, the 2D CT humeral retroversion angle was also determined. Bicipital forearm angle was assessed using the indirect ultrasound technique. Linear regressions and Bland-Altman plots were used to determine whether there were agreements among 3 variables: the 3D CT retroversion, 2D CT retroversion, and bicipital forearm angles.

Results:

In linear regression analyses, the 3D humeral retroversion angle was not predicted by the 2D CT retroversion ( R = 0.167, R2 = 0.028, P = .395) or the bicipital forearm angle ( R = 0.049, R2 = 0.002, P = .805). The bias of these 2 methods was 20.9° and –15.3°, respectively. Regression analysis demonstrated that the bicipital forearm angle was a significant predictor of the 2D CT retroversion angle ( R = 0.632, R2 = 0.400, P < .001).

Conclusion:

The 3D CT humeral retroversion angle was found to be underestimated by the 2D CT retroversion angle and overestimated by the bicipital forearm angle obtained by the indirect ultrasound, although a previously observed relationship between the 2D CT retroversion and bicipital forearm angles was confirmed.

Clinical Relevance:

Precise measurement of humeral retroversion angle is important because retroversion has been linked to upper extremity disorders, including throwing-related shoulder and elbow disorders in baseball players.
Student Collaboration and Standards-Based Music Learning
Authors: Cangro Richard
Published: March 2015

This article is a review of relevant literature on collaborative, standards-based music learning. The review is organized as follows: (a) historical perspective, (b) collaborative music learning, (c) collaboration and creating, (d) collaboration and performing, (e) collaboration and responding, and (f) conclusions. In an effort to bridge the gap between developing well-rounded musicians and addressing the need for students to view their learning as coparticipating in a real, in-the-world social practice, this article provides scholarship that focuses attention on the importance of providing opportunities for music students to collaborate through creating, performing, and responding.
A Survey of the Music Integration Practices of North Dakota Elementary Classroom Teachers
Authors: O’Keefe KariJo , Dearden Katherine Norman , West Robert
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the nature of North Dakota elementary classroom teachers’ (NDECT) music integration in the general classroom. The majority of NDECTs integrated music with: the subjects of Language Arts (62.01%), Mathematics (55.00%), and Physical Education (50.89%); the settings of Group Work Time (64.29%), Morning Carpet Time/Welcome Time (58.54%), Free Time (58.13%), and Individual Work Time (55.43%); and Math Skills (62.01%) and Everyday Skills (53.99%). Listening to Music (89.13%) and Singing Songs (72.83%) were the most frequently reported musical activities. Significant differences were found between music integration into core subjects (i.e., mathematics, language arts, science, social studies/history) and other variables (i.e., gender, grade level taught, music training, collaboration with the music teacher). The subjects provided reasons (e.g., not knowing where to include it into an already-full day) as to why they included music only rarely in their classrooms.
Osteoblast ablation reduces normal long-term hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal but accelerates leukemia development
Authors: Bowers Marisa , Zhang Bin , Ho Yinwei , Agarwal Puneet , Chen Ching-Cheng , Bhatia Ravi
Published: March 2015

Key Points

Bone marrow OB ablation leads to reduced quiescence, long-term engraftment, and self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells. Significantly accelerated leukemia development and reduced survival are seen in transgenic BCR-ABL mice following OB ablation.
Selective inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 blocks initiation and maintenance of B-cell transformation
Authors: Alinari Lapo , Mahasenan Kiran V. , Yan Fengting , Karkhanis Vrajesh , Chung Ji-Hyun , Smith Emily M. , Quinion Carl , Smith Porsha L. , Kim Lisa , Patton John T. , Lapalombella Rosa , Yu Bo , Wu Yun , Roy Satavisha , De Leo Alessandra , Pileri Stefano , Agostinelli Claudio , Ayers Leona , Bradner James E. , Chen-Kiang Selina , Elemento Olivier , Motiwala Tasneem , Majumder Sarmila , Byrd John C. , Jacob Samson , Sif Said , Li Chenglong , Baiocchi Robert A.
Published: March 2015

Key Points

EBV infection leads to PRMT5 overexpression and global epigenetic changes that are essential to drive B-lymphocyte transformation. Highly selective PRMT5 inhibitors represent a novel, first-in-class drug that restores critical regulatory checkpoints in lymphoma cells.
No impact of passive smoke on the somatic profile of lung cancers in never-smokers
Authors: Couraud Sébastien , Debieuvre Didier , Moreau Lionel , Dumont Patrick , Margery Jacques , Quoix Elisabeth , Duvert Bernard , Cellerin Laurent , Baize Nathalie , Taviot Bruno , Coudurier Marie , Cadranel Jacques , Missy Pascale , Morin Franck , Mornex Jean-François , Zalcman Gérard , Souquet Pierre-Jean
Published: March 2015

EGFRandHER2mutations andALKrearrangement are known to be related to lung cancer in never-smokers, whileKRAS,BRAFandPIK3CAmutations are typically observed among smokers. There is still debate surrounding whether never-smokers exposed to passive smoke exhibit a “smoker-like” somatic profile compared with unexposed never-smokers.

Passive smoke exposure was assessed in the French BioCAST/IFCT-1002 never-smoker lung cancer cohort and routine molecular profiles analyses were compiled.

Of the 384 patients recruited into BioCAST, 319 were tested for at least one biomarker and provided data relating to passive smoking. Overall, 219 (66%) reported having been exposed to passive smoking. No significant difference was observed between mutation frequency and passive smoke exposure (EGFRmutation: 46% in never exposedversus41% in ever exposed;KRAS: 7%versus7%;ALK: 13%versus11%;HER2: 4%versus5%;BRAF: 6%versus5%;PIK3CA: 4%versus2%). We observed a nonsignificant trend for a negative association betweenEGFRmutation and cumulative duration of passive smoke exposure. No association was found for other biomarkers.

There is no clear association between passive smoke exposure and somatic profile in lifelong, never-smoker lung cancer.
Imprinting of the COPD airway epithelium for dedifferentiation and mesenchymal transition
Authors: Gohy Sophie T. , Hupin Cloé , Fregimilicka Chantal , Detry Bruno R. , Bouzin Caroline , Gaide Chevronay Héloïse , Lecocq Marylène , Weynand Birgit , Ladjemi Maha Z. , Pierreux Christophe E. , Birembaut Philippe , Polette Myriam , Pilette Charles
Published: March 2015

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epithelial changes and subepithelial fibrosis are salient features in conducting airways. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been recently suggested in COPD, but the mechanisms and relationship to peribronchial fibrosis remain unclear. We hypothesised that de-differentiation of the COPD respiratory epithelium through EMT could participate in airway fibrosis and thereby, in airway obstruction.

Surgical lung tissue and primary broncho-epithelial cultures (in air–liquid interface (ALI)) from 104 patients were assessed for EMT markers. Cell cultures were also assayed for mesenchymal features and for the role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1.

The bronchial epithelium from COPD patients showed increased vimentin and decreased ZO-1 and E-cadherin expression. Increased vimentin expression correlated with basement membrane thickening and airflow limitation. ALI broncho-epithelial cells from COPD patients also displayed EMT phenotype in up to 2 weeks of culture, were more spindle shaped and released more fibronectin. Targeting TGF-β1 during ALI differentiation prevented vimentin induction and fibronectin release.

In COPD, the airway epithelium displays features of de-differentiation towards mesenchymal cells, which correlate with peribronchial fibrosis and airflow limitation, and which are partly due to a TGF-β1-driven epithelial reprogramming.
Obstructive respiratory events and premature atrial contractions after cardioversion
Authors: Linz Dominik , Hohl Mathias , Ukena Christian , Mahfoud Felix , Wirth Klaus , Neuberger Hans-Ruprecht , Böhm Michael
Published: March 2015

Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after electrical cardioversion (ECV) is increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

In patients with persistent AF, with (n=40) and without (n=32) obstructive respiratory events (OREs) during sedation for ECV, we determined the occurrence of premature atrial contractions (PACs) before and after insertion of a nasopharyngeal tube. The influence of acute obstructive respiratory events on atrial electrophysiology after termination of AF was studied in pigs.

Incidence of PACs directly after ECV was higher in patients with OREs compared to those without OREs (7±2versus1±1 per 10 s, respectively; p<0.01). Occurrence of PACs could be reduced by 79% by insertion of a nasopharyngeal tube. In a subsequent sleeping study, patients with OREs had higher apnoea–hypopnoea indices and more PACs during night. 16 patient with and four patients without OREs had a relapse of AF during 1 week after ECV (p<0.01). In pigs, acute OREs after 30 min of AF increased occurrence of PACs and vulnerability for reinduction of AF, which could be attenuated by atropine, beta-blockers and renal denervation.

OREs are associated with increased occurrence of PACs and more early relapse of AF. OREs increase occurrence of PACs and vulnerability for reinduction of AF by sympathovagal imbalance.
αvβ6 integrin may be a potential prognostic biomarker in interstitial lung disease
Authors: Saini Gauri , Porte Joanne , Weinreb Paul H. , Violette Shelia M. , Wallace William A. , McKeever Tricia M. , Jenkins Gisli
Published: March 2015

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis are progressive interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with limited treatment options and poor survival. However, the rate of disease progression is variable, implying there may be different endotypes of disease. We hypothesised that immunophenotyping biopsies from ILD patients might reveal distinct endotypes of progressive fibrotic disease, which may facilitate stratification when undertaking clinical trials of novel therapies for IPF.

43 paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed lung tissue sections were immunostained for five molecules implicated in the pathogenesis of the fibrosis: α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), αvβ6 integrin, pro-surfactant protein C (SP-C), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and tenascin-C (TenC). Levels of immunostaining and numbers of fibroblastic foci were quantified using operator-dependent and -independent methods. The relationship of all these markers to overall survival was analysed.

Staining revealed high levels of αSMA, αvβ6 integrin, pro-SP-C, HGF and TenC, and fibroblastic foci. Immunostaining varied across samples for all molecules but only the extent of αvβ6 integrin immunostaining was associated with increased mortality. There was no association with the other markers measured.

Our data suggest high levels of αvβ6 integrin may identify a specific endotype of progressive fibrotic lung disease.
Investigation of GaInAs strain reducing layer combined with InAs quantum dots embedded in Ga(In)As subcell of triple junction GaInP/Ga(In)As/Ge solar cell
Authors: Li Senlin , Bi Jingfeng , Li Mingyang , Yang Meijia , Song Minghui , Liu Guanzhou , Xiong Weiping , Li Yang , Fang Yanyan , Chen Changqing , Lin Guijiang , Chen Wenjun , Wu Chaoyu , Wang Duxiang
Published: March 2015

The InAs/GaAs quantum dots structure embedded in GaInP/Ga(In)As/Ge triple junction solar cell with and without Ga0.90In0.10As strain reducing layer was investigated. Conversion efficiency of 33.91% at 1,000 suns AM 1.5D with Ga0.90In0.10As strain reducing layer was demonstrated. A 1.19% improvement of the conversion efficiency was obtained via inserting the Ga0.90In0.10As strain reducing layer. The main contribution of this improvement was from the increase of the short-circuit current, which is caused by the reduction of the Shockley–Read–Hall recombination centers. Consequently, there was a decrease in open circuit voltage due to the lower thermal activation energy of confined carriers in Ga0.9In0.1As than GaAs and a reduction in the effective band gap of quantum dots.
Structure and properties of Co-doped ZnO films prepared by thermal oxidization under a high magnetic field
Authors: Li Guojian , Wang Huimin , Wang Qiang , Zhao Yue , Wang Zhen , Du Jiaojiao , Ma Yonghui
Published: March 2015

The effect of a high magnetic field applied during oxidation on the structure, optical transmittance, resistivity, and magnetism of cobalt (Co)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films prepared by oxidizing evaporated Zn/Co bilayer thin films in open air was studied. The relationship between the structure and properties of films oxidized with and without an applied magnetic field was analyzed. The results show that the high magnetic field obviously changed the structure and properties of the Co-doped ZnO films. The Lorentz force of the high magnetic field suppressed the oxidation growth on nanowhiskers. As a result, ZnO nanowires were formed without a magnetic field, whereas polyhedral particles formed under a 6 T magnetic field. This morphology variation from dendrite to polyhedron caused the transmittance below 1,200 nm of the film oxidized under a magnetic field of 6 T to be much lower than that of the film oxidized without a magnetic field. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicated that the high magnetic field suppressed Co substitution in the ZnO lattice, increased the concentration of oxygen vacancies, and changed the chemical state of Co. The increased concentration of oxygen vacancies affected the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the film oxidized under a magnetic field of 6 T compared with that of the film oxidized without a magnetic field. The changes of oxygen vacancy concentration and Co state caused by the application of the high magnetic field also increase the ferromagnetism of the film at room temperature. All of these results indicate that a high magnetic field is an effective tool to modify the structure and properties of ZnO thin films.
‘Need-to-Know’ emergency medicine articles of 2014
Authors: Huis in ‘t Veld Maite A , Nguyen Tu C , Martinez Joseph P , Mattu Amal
Published: March 2015

Every year, thousands of articles are published in numerous medical journals that relate to the clinical practice of medicine. However, it is impossible for a single clinician to stay abreast of the literature, let alone to determine which articles should change daily practice. Physicians in our department have searched the emergency medicine and the specialty literature of 2014 to determine which articles are most relevant to the clinical practice of emergency medicine, summarized them, and listed key take-home points from these ‘need-to-know’ articles.
Predicting Abraham model solvent coefficients
Authors: Bradley Jean-Claude , Abraham Michael H , Acree William E , Lang Andrew SID
Published: March 2015

Background

The Abraham general solvation model can be used in a broad set of scenarios involving partitioning and solubility, yet is limited to a set of solvents with measured Abraham coefficients. Here we extend the range of applicability of Abraham’s model by creating open models that can be used to predict the solvent coefficients for all organic solvents.

Results

We created open random forest models for the solvent coefficients e, s, a, b, and v that had out-of-bag R2 values of 0.31, 0.77, 0.92, 0.47, and 0.63 respectively. The models were used to suggest sustainable solvent replacements for commonly used solvents. For example, our models predict that propylene glycol may be used as a general sustainable solvent replacement for methanol.

Conclusion

The solvent coefficient models extend the range of applicability of the Abraham general solvation equations to all organic solvents. The models were developed under Open Notebook Science conditions which makes them open, reproducible, and as useful as possible.
Comparison of two hyaluronic acid formulations for safety and efficacy (CHASE) study in knee osteoarthritis: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 26-week non-inferiority trial comparing Durolane to Artz
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhang Ke , Zhang Xianlong , Zhu Zhenan , Yan Shigui , Sun Tiansheng , Guo Ai , Jones John , Steen R Grant , Shan Bin , Zhang Jenny , Lin Jianhao
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) is often used as therapy for knee osteoarthritis because it is less expensive and less aggressive than total knee replacement. Therefore, it is important to document whether HA is safe and efficacious. We tested whether single and multiple injection viscosupplementation with HA is associated with clinically meaningful pain relief in a new randomized clinical trial (RCT). Our objective was to compare safety and efficacy of intra-articular HA in two formulations: one 3.0 ml injection of Durolane versus five 2.5 ml injections of Artz for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain.

Methods

Patients (N = 349) from the People’s Republic of China were randomized to treatment (Durolane = 175, Artz = 174). The Durolane group received a 3.0 ml injection at week 0 (baseline), with sham skin punctures at weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4. The Artz group received one 2.5 ml injection at each of the same time points. The primary assessment tool was the Likert-type Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) pain scale at weeks 0, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 26. Secondary assessments were WOMAC physical function, knee stiffness, and global self-assessment, at identical time points. Statistically-controlled analyses were non-inferiority of Durolane over 18, then over 26 weeks, with a priori non-inferiority defined as 8% of the relevant scale. Acetaminophen was permitted as rescue analgesia and all adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

Overall study retention was excellent; 332 patients (95.1%) completed 18 weeks and 319 (91.4%) completed 26 weeks, with no significant retention difference between treatment arms. All variables met non-inferiority criteria over 18 and 26 weeks. Efficacy response in both arms was >90%. Treatment-related AEs were 9.8% (17/174) for Artz and 13.1% (23/175) for Durolane.

Conclusions

A single injection of Durolane is non-inferior to 5 injections of Artz over 18 and 26 weeks for pain, physical function, global self-assessment, and knee stiffness. Both treatments were efficacious, safe, and well tolerated.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01295580. Registered 11 February 2011.
Characterising deviation from treat-to-target strategies for early rheumatoid arthritis: the first three years
Authors: Wabe Nasir , Sorich Michael J , Wechalekar Mihir D , Cleland Leslie G , McWilliams Leah , Lee Anita , Spargo Llewellyn , Metcalf Robert G , Hall Cindy , Proudman Susanna M , Wiese Michael D
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Treat-to-target (T2T) strategies using a protocol of pre-defined adjustments of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) according to disease activity improve outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, successful implementation may be limited by deviations from the protocol. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of protocol deviation, explore the reasons and identify subsets of patients in whom treatment protocols are more difficult to follow.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, treatment-naïve patients with RA of less than one year’s duration, attending a dedicated early arthritis clinic between 2001 and 2013, were followed for three years from initiation of combination therapy with conventional DMARDs which was subsequently modified according to a T2T protocol. At each clinic visit, whether deviation from the protocol occurred, the type of deviation and the reasons for deviation were assessed. The relationship between protocol deviations and baseline variables was determined using linear regression analysis.

Results

In total, 198 patients contributed 3,654 clinic visits. The prevalence of protocol deviations was 24.5% and deviation in at least at one clinic visit was experienced by 90.4% of patients. The median time to first deviation was 30 weeks. Continuing existing treatment rather than intensifying therapy was the most common type of deviation (59.9%). Patient and physician related factors were the most common reasons for deviation, each accounting for 24.7% of deviations, followed by toxicities (23.3%) and comorbidities (20.0%). The prevalence of protocol deviations was lower among patients who achieved remission after three years (13.1%; 162 deviations out of 1,228 visits) compared with those who were not in remission (30.9%; 523/1692) (P <0.0001). On multivariate analysis, only body mass index (P = 0.003) and helplessness score (P = 0.04) were independent predictors of protocol deviations although the predictive power of the model was not strong (R
2
 = 0.17).

Conclusions

Deviation from a T2T protocol occurred in one quarter of visits, indicating that applying the T2T approach is feasible in clinical practice. Failure to escalate dose when indicated was commonly encountered, and just under half of the observed deviations were related to either toxicities or comorbidities and were therefore justifiable on clinical grounds.
Non-invasive in vivo imaging of arthritis in a collagen-induced murine model with phosphatidylserine-binding near-infrared (NIR) dye
Authors: Chan Marion M , Gray Brian D , Pak Koon Y , Fong Dunne
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Development of non-invasive molecular imaging techniques that are based on cellular changes in inflammation has been of active interest for arthritis diagnosis. This technology will allow real-time detection of tissue damage and facilitate earlier treatment of the disease, thus representing an improvement over X-rays, which detect bone damage at the advanced stage. Tracing apoptosis, an event occurring in inflammation, has been a strategy used. PSVue 794 is a low-molecular-weight, near-infrared (NIR)-emitting complex of bis(zinc2+-dipicolylamine) (Zn-DPA) that binds to phosphatidylserine (PS), a plasma membrane anionic phospholipid that becomes flipped externally upon cell death by apoptosis. In this study, we evaluated the capacity of PSVue 794 to act as an in vivo probe for non-invasive molecular imaging assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via metabolic function in murine collagen-induced arthritis, a widely adopted animal model for RA.

Methods

Male DBA/1 strain mice were treated twice with chicken collagen type II in Freund’s adjuvant. Their arthritis development was determined by measuring footpad thickness and confirmed with X-ray analysis and histology. In vivo imaging was performed with the NIR dye and the LI-COR Odyssey Image System. The level of emission was compared among mice with different disease severity, non-arthritic mice and arthritic mice injected with a control dye without the Zn-DPA targeting moiety.

Results

Fluorescent emission correlated reliably with the degree of footpad swelling and the manifestation of arthritis. Ex vivo examination showed emission was from the joint. Specificity of binding was confirmed by the lack of emission when arthritic mice were given the control dye. Furthermore, the PS-binding protein annexin V displaced the NIR dye from binding, and the difference in emission was numerically measurable on a scale.

Conclusions

This report introduces an economical alternative method for assessing arthritis non-invasively in murine models. Inflammation in feet and ankles can be measured longitudinally using the PSVue 794 probe for cell death and with a commonly available multipurpose imager. This technique provides metabolic and functional information that anatomical measurement of footpad swelling or visual determination of arthritic index cannot. It also may decrease the number of animals required per experiment because tissue damage will not necessarily require evaluation by harvesting joints for histology.
A practical approach to vitamin and mineral supplementation in food allergic children
Authors: Meyer Rosan , De Koker Claire , Dziubak Robert , Skrapac Ana‐Kristina , Godwin Heather , Reeve Kate , Chebar‐Lozinsky Adriana , Shah Neil
Published: March 2015

Background

The management of food allergy in children requires elimination of the offending allergens, which significantly contribute to micronutrient intake. Vitamin and mineral supplementation are commonly suggested as part of dietary management. However a targeted supplementation regime requires a complete nutritional assessment, which includes food diaries. Ideally these should be analysed using a computerised program, but are very time consuming. We therefore set out to evaluate current practice of vitamin and mineral supplementation in a cohort of children with non‐Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated food allergies.

Methods

This prospective, observational study recruited children aged 4 weeks – 16 years, who required to follow an elimination diet for non‐IgE mediated allergies. Only children that improved according to a symptom score and were on a vitamin and/or mineral supplement were included. A 3‐day food diary including vitamin and mineral supplementation was recorded and analysed using Dietplan computer program. We assessed dietary adequacy with/without the supplement using the Dietary Reference Values.

Results

One hundred‐and‐ten children had completed food diaries and of these 29% (32/110) were taking vitamin and/or mineral supplements. Children on hypoallergenic formulas were significantly (p = 0.007) less likely to be on supplements than those on alternative over‐the‐counter milks. Seventy‐one percent had prescribable supplements, suggested by a dietitian/physician. Sixty percent of those without a vitamin supplement had a low vitamin D intake, but low zinc, calcium and selenium was also common. Of the supplemented cohort many continued to be either under or over‐supplemented.

Conclusion

This study has raised the question for the first time, whether clinicians dealing with paediatric food allergies should consider routine vitamin and/or mineral supplements in the light of deficient intake being so common in addition to being so difficult to predict.