bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counseling Women with a Previous Cesarean Birth: Toward a Shared Decision‐Making Partnership
Authors: Cox Kim J.
Published: April 2014

Pregnant women who had a previous cesarean birth must choose whether to have a repeat cesarean or to attempt a vaginal birth. Many of these women are candidates for a trial of labor. Current practice guidelines recommend that women should be thoroughly counseled during prenatal care about the benefits and harms of both a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) and an elective repeat cesarean delivery and be offered the opportunity to make an informed decision about mode of birth in collaboration with their provider. The purpose of this article is to improve the process of counseling, decision making, and informed consent by increasing health care providers' knowledge about the essential elements of shared decision making. Factors that affect the decisions to be made and concepts that are critical for effective counseling are explored, including clinical considerations, women's perspectives, decision‐making models, health literacy and numeracy, communicating risk, and the use of decision aids. Issues related to birth sites for TOLAC are also discussed, including access, safety, refusal of surgery, and clinical management.
Orally Administered Misoprostol for Induction of Labor with Prelabor Rupture of Membranes at Term
Authors: Radoff Kari A.
Published: April 2014

Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in approximately 8% to 10% of women with term pregnancies. The management of PROM continues to be controversial. Approaches include expectant management and immediate induction of labor. The use of orally administered misoprostol for the management of women with PROM may provide significant advantages when they choose immediate induction of labor. This literature review presents current evidence that supports the use of oral misoprostol for women with PROM, including the benefits of a decreased interval time from PROM to vaginal birth, good safety profile, and reductions in the use of oxytocin augmentation and epidural anesthesia. In addition to clinically proven benefits to women of oral misoprostol for PROM, it also has the potential to reduce chorioamnionitis by reducing the number of sterile vaginal examinations performed thereby reducing the risk of ascending bacteria. Women have also reported acceptability and satisfaction when using oral misoprostol for immediate induction of labor. This review of literature discusses what is known about the use of orally administered misoprostol for the management of term PROM and makes recommendations for clinical use.
Predictors for the development of temporomandibular disorders in scuba divers
Authors: Lobbezoo F. , van Wijk A. J. , Klingler M. C. , Ruiz Vicente E. , van Dijk C. J. , Eijkman M. A. J.
Published: April 2014

The aim was to determine predictors for the development of complaints of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in a large sample of Dutch scuba divers who were free of any TMD complaints before they started diving actively. Five‐hundred and thirty‐six scuba divers (mean ± SD age = 40·4 ± 11·9 years; 34·1% women) completed a specifically developed questionnaire, either online or on paper. Stepwise forward logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the presence of TMD pain, with several potential risk factors as predictors. Four hundred and eighty‐five of the 536 respondents were free of any TMD pain before they started diving actively. In this sample, TMD pain was present in 214 persons (44·1%). Four predictors contributed significantly to the presence of TMD pain, viz., clenching (OR = 2·466), warm water (OR = 1·685), biting on the mouthpiece (OR = 1·598), and the quality rating of the mouthpiece (OR = 0·887, that is, a higher rating means a smaller odds of having TMD pain). TMD pain is a common complaint among scuba divers who were free of such complaints before they started diving actively. Clenching, biting on the mouthpiece, and a low rating of the mouthpiece are predictors for the presence of TMD pain in scuba divers, while diving in cold water serves as a protective factor for TMD pain.
Effects of lycopene supplementation in both maternal and offspring diets on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks
Authors: Sun B. , Chen C. , Wang W. , Ma J. , Xie Q. , Gao Y. , Chen F. , Zhang X. , Bi Y.
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the effects of different supplementation ways of lycopene during pre‐hatch (from the diet of hens) and post‐hatch (from the diet of progeny) on production performance, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters in chicks. In total, 360 hens were fed diets supplemented with 0 (control group) or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. From 28 to 34 days after the start of supplementation (30 weeks old), 650 qualified eggs were collected to artificial incubation. In this trial, 2 × 2 factorial designs were used. Male chicks hatched from hens fed with 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet were fed a diet containing either 0 or 40 mg lycopene/kg diet. The results showed that, relative to control, in ovo‐deposited lycopene significantly increased chick birth body weight, improved liver total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH: GSSG), and significantly declined liver malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased liver lycopene content during 0–14 days after hatching. On days 14 after hatching, dietary lycopene in diet began to take over gradually. Both supplementation ways of lycopene increased immune organ index, serum high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, villus length and villus/crypt in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Data in this study suggested lycopene supplementation could improve antioxidant capacity and immune function, and regulate lipid metabolism in chicks.
Plasma Adrenomedullin Concentrations in Critically Ill Neonatal Foals
Authors: Toth B. , Slovis N.M. , Constable P.D. , Taylor S.D.
Published: April 2014

Background

Bacterial sepsis remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, but accurate diagnostic and prognostic markers are lacking. Adrenomedullin (AM) is a polypeptide with diverse biologic effects on the cardiovascular system that increases in septic humans and laboratory animals.

Hypotheses

PlasmaAMconcentration (p[AM]) is increased in septic neonatal foals compared to sick nonseptic and healthy control foals, and p[AM] is predictive of survival in septic neonatal foals.

Animals

Ninety critically ill (42 septic, 48 sick nonseptic) and 61 healthy foals <1 week of age.

Methods

A prospective observational clinical study was performed. Venous blood was collected from critically ill foals at admission and from healthy foals at 24 hours of age. Critically ill foals were categorized as septic or sick nonseptic based on blood culture results and sepsis score. Plasma [AM] was measured by using a commercially availableELISAfor horses. Data were analyzed by using the Mann‐WhitneyU‐test andP < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Plasma [AM] was not significantly different between septic and sick nonseptic foals (P = .71), but critically ill foals had significantly increased p[AM] compared to healthy controls (P < .0001). In critically ill foals, p[AM] was not predictive of survival (P = .051). A p[AM] cutoff concentration of 0.041 ng/mL provided a test sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 54% to predict illness.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Plasma [AM] shows promise as a marker of health in neonatal foals, but p[AM] increases nonspecifically during perinatal illnesses and is not necessarily associated with sepsis.
Pharmacokinetics of Total Thyroxine after Repeated Oral Administration of Levothyroxine Solution and its Clinical Efficacy in Hypothyroid Dogs
Authors: van Dijl I.C. , Le Traon G. , van de Meulengraaf B.D.A.M. , Burgaud S. , Horspool L.J.I. , Kooistra H.S.
Published: April 2014

Background

Oral levothyroxine (l‐T4) supplementation is commonly used to treat hypothyroid dogs.

Objectives

Investigate the plasma profile and pharmacokinetics of total thyroxine (tT4) after PO administration of al‐T4solution and its clinical efficacy in hypothyroid dogs.

Animals

Ten dogs with naturally occurring hypothyroidism.

Methods

After hypothyroidism diagnosis and supplementation withl‐T4solution PO q24h at 20 μg/kg BW for minimum 4 weeks, the plasma profile and pharmacokinetics of tT4were determined over 34 hours and the clinical condition of the dogs was evaluated.

Results

Before dosing for pharmacokinetic evaluation, mean tT4concentration was 23 ± 9 nmol/L.l‐T4was absorbed rapidly (tmax, 5 hours), reaching a mean maximal tT4concentration of 56 ± 11 nmol/L. The apparent terminal half‐life was 11.8 hours. Clinical signs of hypothyroidism improved or resolved in all dogs after 4 weeks of treatment. The dosage of 20 μg/kg PO q24h was judged appropriate in 5 dogs, and 4 dogs required slight increases (9–16%). Twice daily treatment, with a 30% increase in dosage, was necessary for 1 dog.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The pharmacokinetics ofl‐T4in hypothyroid dogs was similar to that reported in healthy euthyroid dogs. Clinical and hormonal responses tol‐T4solution were rapid in all dogs. The starting dosage of 20 μg/kg PO q24h was suitable for maintenance supplementation in 50% of the dogs, minor dosage modification was required in 4 other dogs, and treatment q12h was required in 1 dog.
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Humans and Animals
Authors: Osterbur K. , Mann F.A. , Kuroki K. , DeClue A.
Published: April 2014

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), defined as the presence of altered organ function in an acutely ill patient such that homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention, is a cause of high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Many advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of this syndrome in human medicine, but much still is unknown. This comparative review will provide information regarding the history and pathophysiology ofMODSin humans and discuss howMODSaffects each major organ system in animals.
The Effect of Chinese Rhubarb, Rheum officinale, with and without Benazepril on the Progression of Naturally Occurring Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats
Authors: Hanzlicek A.S. , Roof C.J. , Sanderson M.W. , Grauer G.F.
Published: April 2014

Background

Renal fibrosis is common in progressive kidney disease. Transforming growth factors β (TGF‐β) are important mediators of all types of fibrosis, including renal fibrosis. Chinese rhubarb has been shown to have antifibrotic properties in part because of inhibition of TGF‐β and has slowed the progression of kidney disease in rodent models.

Hypothesis

That administration of a Chinese rhubarb supplement will slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats and the concurrent administration of Chinese rhubarb and benazepril will be more effective than either alone.

Animals

Twenty‐nine client‐owned cats with naturally occurring IRIS Stage 2 or early Stage 3 CKD and without comorbidity such as cancer, urinary tract obstruction, urinary tract infection, poorly controlled hyperthyroidism, or systemic hypertension were enrolled in the study.

Methods

A randomized, positive‐controlled, prospective study was performed. Cats received Chinese rhubarb, benazepril, or both in addition to standard treatment for CKD. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess changes in serum creatinine concentration, body weight, hematocrit, urine protein: urine creatinine ratio (UPC), and systemic arterial blood pressure over time between and within treatment groups over an average of 22 months.

Results

No significant differences were detected in serum creatinine concentration, body weight, hematocrit, UPC, and systemic arterial pressure over time between or within treatment groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study failed to detect a significant difference in the progression of CKD in cats treated with Chinese rhubarb, benazepril, or both. Further study in specific subsets of cats with CKD is warranted.
Keeping up with the Jones case: establishing constructive trusts in ‘sole legal owner’ scenarios
Authors: Sloan Brian
Published: April 2014

This paper considers the influence of the Supreme Court decision in Jones v Kernott on subsequent cases. It focuses on situations with which Jones was not directly concerned, namely where there is only one legal owner of a home and a non-legal-owning cohabitant seeks to establish that he has an equitable interest in it under a common intention constructive trust. The paper argues that while judges have mostly accepted that Jones is relevant to such sole-owner cases, they have had few opportunities (and taken fewer) to move beyond the restrictive approach of Lloyds Bank plc v Rosset and allow novel outcomes in the light of Jones as yet. It is contended that this state of affairs could ultimately produce a conservative approach that is undesirable for cohabitants who make indirect or non-financial contributions to shared lives, and remain without comprehensive statutory property and financial provision on relationship breakdown.
Role of angiogenic factors/cell adhesion markers in serum of cirrhotic patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome
Authors: Raevens Sarah , Coulon Stephanie , Van Steenkiste Christophe , Colman Roos , Verhelst Xavier , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Geerts Anja , Perkmann Thomas , Horvatits Thomas , Fuhrmann Valentin , Colle Isabelle
Published: April 2014

Background & Aims

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a complication of chronic liver disease resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. It is caused by intrapulmonary vascular dilations and arteriovenous connections with devastating influence on gas exchange. The pathogenesis is not completely understood but evidence mounts for angiogenesis. Aims of this study were to identify angiogenic factors in serum of patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and to study the possibility to predict its presence by these factors.

Methods

Multiplex assays were used to measure the concentration of angiogenic factors in patients with (n = 30) and without hepatopulmonary syndrome (n = 30). Diagnosis was based on the presence of gas exchange abnormality and intrapulmonary vasodilations according to published guidelines.

Results

Patients with and without hepatopulmonary syndrome had similar MELD scores (median: 11.2 vs. 11.6; P = 0.7), Child–Pugh score (P = 0.7) and PaCO2 values (median: 35 vs. 37; P = 0.06). PaO2 and P(A‐a) O2 gradient were significantly different (respectively median of 80 vs. 86, P = 0.02; and 24 vs. 16, P = 0.004). Based on area under the curve (AUC) data and P‐values, the best predictors were vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) (AUC = 0.932; P < 0.001) and intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM3) (AUC = 0.741; P = 0.003). Combining these factors results in an AUC of 0.99 (after cross‐validation still 0.99).

Conclusions

VCAM1 and ICAM3 might be promising biomarkers for predicting hepatopulmonary syndrome. Combining these factors results in an AUC of 0.99 and a negative predictive value of 100%. Determining the concentration of these biomarkers might be a screening method to detect hepatopulmonary syndrome. The use of these biomarkers should be validated in larger groups of patients.
Effects of population characteristics and structure on estimates of effective population size in a house sparrow metapopulation
Authors: Baalsrud Helle Tessand , Sæther Bernt‐Erik , Hagen Ingerid Julie , Myhre Ane Marlene , Ringsby Thor Harald , Pärn Henrik , Jensen Henrik
Published: April 2014

Effective population size (Ne) is a key parameter to understand evolutionary processes and the viability of endangered populations as it determines the rate of genetic drift and inbreeding. Low Ne can lead to inbreeding depression and reduced population adaptability. In this study, we estimated contemporary Ne using genetic estimators (LDNE, ONeSAMP, MLNE and CoNe) as well as a demographic estimator in a natural insular house sparrow metapopulation. We investigated whether population characteristics (population size, sex ratio, immigration rate, variance in population size and population growth rate) explained variation within and among populations in the ratio of effective to census population size (Ne/Nc). In general, Ne/Nc ratios increased with immigration rates. Genetic Ne was much larger than demographic Ne, probably due to a greater effect of immigration on genetic than demographic processes in local populations. Moreover, although estimates of genetic Ne seemed to track Nc quite well, the genetic Ne‐estimates were often larger than Nc within populations. Estimates of genetic Ne for the metapopulation were however within the expected range (<Nc). Our results suggest that in fragmented populations, even low levels of gene flow may have important consequences for the interpretation of genetic estimates of Ne. Consequently, further studies are needed to understand how Ne estimated in local populations or the total metapopulation relates to actual rates of genetic drift and inbreeding.
Mosquitoes rely on their gut microbiota for development
Authors: Coon Kerri L. , Vogel Kevin J. , Brown Mark R. , Strand Michael R.
Published: April 2014

Field studies indicate adult mosquitoes (Culicidae) host low diversity communities of bacteria that vary greatly among individuals and species. In contrast, it remains unclear how adult mosquitoes acquire their microbiome, what influences community structure, and whether the microbiome is important for survival. Here, we used pyrosequencing of 16S rRNAto characterize the bacterial communities of three mosquito species reared under identical conditions. Two of these species,Aedes aegyptiandAnopheles gambiae, are anautogenous and must blood‐feed to produce eggs, while one,Georgecraigius atropalpus, is autogenous and produces eggs without blood feeding. Each mosquito species contained a low diversity community comprised primarily of aerobic bacteria acquired from the aquatic habitat in which larvae developed. Our results suggested that the communities inAe. aegyptiandAn. gambiaelarvae share more similarities with one another than withG. atropalpus. Studies withAe. aegyptialso strongly suggested that adults transstadially acquired several members of the larval bacterial community, but only four genera of bacteria present in blood fed females were detected on eggs. Functional assays showed that axenic larvae of each species failed to develop beyond the first instar. Experiments withAe. aegyptiindicated several members of the microbial community andEscherichia colisuccessfully colonized axenic larvae and rescued development. Overall, our results provide new insights about the acquisition and structure of bacterial communities in mosquitoes. They also indicate that three mosquito species spanning the breadth of theCulicidae depend on their gut microbiome for development.
Gene expression in closely related species mirrors local adaptation: consequences for responses to a warming world
Authors: O'Neil Shawn T. , Dzurisin Jason D. K. , Williams Caroline M. , Lobo Neil F. , Higgins Jessica K. , Deines Jillian M. , Carmichael Rory D. , Zeng Erliang , Tan John C. , Wu Grace C. , Emrich Scott J. , Hellmann Jessica J.
Published: April 2014

Local adaptation of populations could preclude or slow range expansions in response to changing climate, particularly when dispersal is limited. To investigate the differential responses of populations to changing climatic conditions, we exposed poleward peripheral and central populations of two Lepidoptera to reciprocal, common‐garden climatic conditions and compared their whole‐transcriptome expression. We found evidence of simple population differentiation in both species, and in the species with previously identified population structure and phenotypic local adaptation, we found several hundred genes that responded in a synchronized and localized fashion. These genes were primarily involved in energy metabolism and oxidative stress, and expression levels were most divergent between populations in the same environment in which we previously detected divergence for metabolism. We found no localized genes in the species with less population structure and for which no local adaptation was previously detected. These results challenge the assumption that species are functionally similar across their ranges and poleward peripheral populations are preadapted to warmer conditions. Rather, some taxa deserve population‐level consideration when predicting the effects of climate change because they respond in genetically based, distinctive ways to changing conditions.
How adolescent Japanese girls arrive at human papilloma virus vaccination: A semistructured interview study
Authors: Wakimizu Rie , Nishigaki Kaori , Fujioka Hiroshi , Maehara Koji , Kuroki Haruo , Saito Tadashi , Uduki Katsuya
Published: April 2014

We examined the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination process in adolescent Japanese girls, including protective and obstructive factors to develop and practice enlightenment activities and educational interventions for promoting HPV vaccination to adolescent Japanese girls and their families. We conducted semistructured interviews with 20 adolescent Japanese girls who lived in the wider Tokyo area. To analyze the interview data, we adopted the modified grounded‐theory approach. We identified three stages in the vaccination process: first encounter with cervical cancer and HPV vaccine, thoughts about vaccination, and adjustment with parents toward vaccination. The girls “knew” their knowledge and information on cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine from experts, parents, and friends, “considered and discussed” HPV vaccination in their own way or with parents, and “arranged” actual vaccination. This process was influenced by the promoting/obstructive factors in each stage. Healthcare providers should understand the experiences and feelings of adolescent girls who were confronted with HPV vaccination in the context of their vaccination process and conduct enlightenment activities to promote vaccination, keeping the promoting and obstructive factors suggested in this study in mind.
Awakening to the other: Reflections on developing intercultural competence through an undergraduate study tour
Authors: Stone Teresa E. , Francis Lyn , van der Riet Pamela , Dedkhard Saowapa , Junlapeeya Piyatida , Orwat Edith
Published: April 2014

For the past 4 years, undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia, have undertaken a two week cultural study tour in Thailand, being exposed to a broad range of cultural interactions, health settings in rural and remote areas, and health‐treatment approaches, including traditional and complementary therapies. Student evaluations and reflections were collected after the 2010 and 2011 study tours. This paper reports on findings following thematic analysis of the data, which identified central themes, including connectivity to others, “awakenings”, “embodiment”, and looking to the future. Findings included a recognition by students of a growth in awareness and change in perspective, which they felt would impact on their future approach in caring for patients from culturally‐ and linguistically‐diverse backgrounds. We conclude that the study tour provided an effective way of sensitizing students to cultural differences and promoting cross‐cultural awareness.
Randomized clinical trial: rikkunshito in the treatment of functional dyspepsia—a multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Suzuki H. , Matsuzaki J. , Fukushima Y. , Suzaki F. , Kasugai K. , Nishizawa T. , Naito Y. , Hayakawa T. , Kamiya T. , Andoh T. , Yoshida H. , Tokura Y. , Nagata H. , Kobayakawa M. , Mori M. , Kato K. , Hosoda H. , Takebayashi T. , Miura S. , Uemura N. , Joh T. , Hibi T. , Tack J. ,   Rikkunshito study group
Published: April 2014

Background

Rikkunshito, a standardized Japanese herbal medicine, is thought to accelerate gastric emptying and relieve dyspepsia, although no large‐scale, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials of rikkunshito have been conducted. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of rikkunshito for treating functional dyspepsia (FD).

Methods

FD patients received 2.5 g rikkunshito or placebo three times a day for 8 weeks in this multicenter, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial. The primary end point was the proportion of responders at 8 weeks after starting test drug, determined by global patient assessment (GPA). The improvement in four major dyspepsia symptoms severity scale was also evaluated. In addition, plasma ghrelin levels were investigated before and after treatment.

Key Results

Two hundred forty‐seven patients were randomly assigned. In the eighth week, the rikkunshito group had more GPA responders (33.6%) than the placebo (23.8%), although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.09). Epigastric pain was significantly improved (p = 0.04) and postprandial fullness tended to improve (p = 0.06) in the rikkunshito group at week 8. Rikkunshito was relatively more effective among Helicobacter pylori‐infected participants (rikkunshito: 40.0% vs placebo: 20.5%, p = 0.07), and seemed less effective among H. pylori‐uninfected participants (rikkunshito: 29.3% vs placebo: 25.6%, p = 0.72). Among H. pylori‐positive individuals, acyl ghrelin levels were improved just in rikkunshito group. There were no severe adverse events in both groups.

Conclusions & Inferences

Administration of rikkunshito for 8 weeks reduced dyspepsia, particularly symptoms of epigastric pain and postprandial fullness. (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, Number UMIN000003954).
Investment Frictions and the Aggregate Output Loss in China
Authors: Wu Guiying Laura
Published: April 2014

Investment frictions reduce, delay or protract investment expenditure that is necessary for firms to capture growth opportunities. Using a capital adjustment costs framework, this article estimates the gap between China's actual and frictionless aggregate output. It applies the method of simulated moments to a fully structural investment model on a panel of Chinese firms and takes into account potential unobserved heterogeneities and measurement error in the data. The estimated capital adjustment costs imply that if Chinese firms had faced a lower level of adjustment costs such as in the US, China's aggregate output would be 25% higher.
Acupuncture for Acute Postoperative Pain after Back Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Cho Young‐Hun , Kim Chang‐Kyu , Heo Kwang‐Ho , Lee Myeong Soo , Ha In‐Hyuk , Son Dong Wuk , Choi Byung Kwan , Song Geun‐Sung , Shin Byung‐Cheul
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Acupuncture is commonly used as a complimentary treatment for pain management. However, there has been no systematic review summarizing the current evidence concerning the effectiveness of acupuncture for acute postoperative pain after back surgery. This systematic review aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for acute postoperative pain (≤1 week) after back surgery.

Methods

We searched 15 electronic databases without language restrictions. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility and extracted data, outcomes, and risk of bias. Random effect meta‐analyses and subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

Five trials, including 3 of high quality, met our inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis showed positive results for acupuncture treatment of pain after surgery in terms of the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity 24 hours after surgery, when compared to sham acupuncture (standard mean difference −0.67 (−1.04 to −0.31), P = 0.0003), whereas the other meta‐analysis did not show a positive effect of acupuncture on 24‐hour opiate demands when compared to sham acupuncture (standard mean difference −0.23 (−0.58 to 0.13), P = 0.21).

Conclusion

Our systematic review finds encouraging but limited evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for acute postoperative pain after back surgery. Further rigorously designed clinical trials are required.
A novel crop water analysis system: identification of water stress tolerant genotypes of canola (Brassica napus L.) using non‐invasive magnetic turgor pressure probes
Authors: Kant Surya , Burch David , Ehrenberger Wilhelm , Bitter Rebecca , Rüger Simon , Mason John , Zimmermann Ulrich , Spangenberg German
Published: April 2014

Changing global climatic conditions and irrigation water shortages impose water stress conditions on crops. To develop genotypes tolerant to water stress necessitates reliable high‐throughput methods to study plant water status and water stress tolerance mechanisms. We report the use of a non‐destructive, automated, precise and rapid system for assessing real‐time water status in canola plants. Leaf patch clamp pressure probes were clamped on the leaves of four different genotypes of canola grown under field conditions. The data generated diurnal curves characterizing the pattern of turgor pressure maintenance within the leaves. A novel methodology termed ‘inverse hysteresis’ was developed to measure relative water stress levels in plants using the probe‐derived data. The inverse hysteresis data show that genotypes CT12 and CT15 had a higher ability to withstand water stress and were more tolerant to water stress than DS23 and DS35. The chlorophyll content and seed yield were also higher in CT12 and CT15. This novel analytical tool for monitoring water status in canola plants will be of great benefit in other crop species to efficiently screen genotypes for water stress tolerance.
Hydrogen peroxide mediates abscisic acid‐induced HSP70 accumulation and heat tolerance in grafted cucumber plants
Authors: LI HAO , LIU SHAN‐SHAN , YI CHANG‐YU , WANG FENG , ZHOU JIE , XIA XIAO‐JIAN , SHI KAI , ZHOU YAN‐HONG , YU JING‐QUAN
Published: April 2014

Root–shoot communications play important roles in plant stress responses. Here, we examined the roles of root‐sourced signals in the shoot response to heat in cucumber plants. Cucumber plants grafted onto their own roots and luffa roots were exposed to aerial and root‐zone heat to examine their tolerance by assessing the levels of oxidative stress, PSII photoinhibition, accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA), H2O2 and heat shock protein (HSP) 70 using immunoblotting, chlorophyll fluorescence, immunoassay, CeCl3 staining and Western blotting, respectively. Grafting onto the luffa rootstock enhanced the shoot tolerance to the heat. This enhanced tolerance was associated with increased accumulation of ABA and apoplastic H2O2, RBOH transcripts and HSP70 expression and a decrease in oxidative stress in the shoots. The increases in the ABA and H2O2 concentrations in the shoots were attributed to an increase in ABA transport from roots and an increase in ABA biosynthesis in the shoots when the root‐zone and shoots were heat stressed, respectively. Inhibition of H2O2 accumulation compromised luffa rootstock‐induced HSP70 expression and heat tolerance. These results suggest that, under heat stress, ABA triggers the expression of HSP70 in an apoplastic H2O2‐dependent manner, implicating the role of an ABA‐dependent H2O2‐driven mechanism in a systemic response involving root–shoot communication.
Young Women's Reasons to Seek Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening
Authors: Backonja Uba , Royer Heather R. , Lauver Diane R.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To describe young women's reasons to seek and not to seek sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening; to explore whether reasons differed by age and STI screening history.

Design and Sample

Cross‐sectional, descriptive. Female students (N = 216) at a university in the Midwestern United States.

Measures

An anonymous online survey was designed based on the Theory of Care Seeking Behavior and literature regarding STI screening among young women.

Results

The most common reason to seek STI screening was to start treatment promptly (85%); the most common reason not to seek screening was being asymptomatic (54%). Participants' reasons differed by age and screening history. Women under 25 were more likely than women 25 and older to seek screening because of encouragement from female role models (p < .01). Women who had never been screened were more likely than women who had been screened to avoid screening because of embarrassment (p < .05). Novel findings included seeking STI screening because it “should be done” if sexually active and because of encouragement from female role models.

Conclusions

Health care and public health professionals can use these findings to develop strategies to improve STI screening rates among young women.
Cruise Ships and Bush Medicine: Globalization on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and Effects on the Health of Creole Women
Authors: Mitchell Emma McKim , Steeves Richard , Dillingham Rebecca
Published: April 2014

Objectives

Global health research into the relationship between health, economic inequalities, and globalization is necessary to address increasing health disparities in low income countries. Nicaragua has high levels of poverty and extreme poverty when compared with other Central and South American Countries.

Design and Sample

Photovoice and ethnographic research methods were used to explore health experiences of Creole women in Bluefields, Nicaragua and the intersections between culture, socioeconomic status, and gender. Twelve Creole women participants, ages 18–45.

Measures

After initial focus groups, participants used disposable cameras to document health experiences. Follow‐up interviews were conducted about the meaning of each photo. Participants then selected photos to be included in a city‐wide photoshow.

Results

In initial focus groups, participants described great distress over changes they perceived in Creole culture and how these changes affect the health of the next generation. Participants related most of these changes to the economy and globalization. Photos taken were primarily of aspects of Creole culture, including household practices and traditional remedies from Creole culture.

Conclusions

Findings on the relationships between culture, disease, and community‐identified health risks in this minority population can help health care providers and public health policymakers develop and sustain culturally appropriate health interventions.
Heterologous expression of the yeast HAL5 gene in tomato enhances salt tolerance by reducing shoot Na+ accumulation in the long term
Authors: García‐Abellan Jose O. , Egea Isabel , Pineda Benito , Sanchez‐Bel Paloma , Belver Andres , Garcia‐Sogo Begoña , Flores Francisco B. , Atares Alejandro , Moreno Vicente , Bolarin Maria C.
Published: April 2014

For salt tolerance to be achieved in the long‐term plants must regulate Na+/K+ homeostasis over time. In this study, we show that the salt tolerance induced by overexpression of the yeast HAL5 gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was related to a lower leaf Na+ accumulation in the long term, by reducing Na+ transport from root to shoot over time regardless of the severity of salt stress. Furthermore, maintaining Na+/K+ homeostasis over time was associated with changes in the transcript levels of the Na+ and K+ transporters such as SlHKT1;2 and SlHAK5. The expression of SlHKT1;2 was upregulated in response to salinity in roots of transgenic plants but downregulated in the roots of wild‐type (WT) plants, which seems to be related to the lower Na+ transport rate from root to shoot in transgenic plants. The expression of the SlHAK5 increased in roots and leaves of both WT and transgenic plants under salinity. However, this increase was much higher in the leaves of transgenic plants than in those of WT plants, which may be associated with the ability of transgenic leaves to maintain Na+/K+ homeostasis over time. Taken together, the results show that the salt tolerance mechanism induced by HAL5 overexpression in tomato is related to the appropriate regulation of ion transport from root to shoot and maintenance of the leaf Na+/K+ homeostasis through modulation of SlHKT1 and SlHAK5 over time.
Near‐Misses and Future Disaster Preparedness
Authors: Dillon Robin L. , Tinsley Catherine H. , Burns William J.
Published: April 2014

Disasters garner attention when they occur, and organizations commonly extract valuable lessons from visible failures, adopting new behaviors in response. For example, the United States saw numerous security policy changes following the September 11 terrorist attacks and emergency management and shelter policy changes following Hurricane Katrina. But what about those events that occur that fall short of disaster? Research that examines prior hazard experience shows that this experience can be a mixed blessing. Prior experience can stimulate protective measures, but sometimes prior experience can deceive people into feeling an unwarranted sense of safety. This research focuses on how people interpret near‐miss experiences. We demonstrate that when near‐misses are interpreted as disasters that did not occur and thus provide the perception that the system is resilient to the hazard, people illegitimately underestimate the danger of subsequent hazardous situations and make riskier decisions. On the other hand, if near‐misses can be recognized and interpreted as disasters that almost happened and thus provide the perception that the system is vulnerable to the hazard, this will counter the basic “near‐miss” effect and encourage mitigation. In this article, we use these distinctions between resilient and vulnerable near‐misses to examine how people come to define an event as either a resilient or vulnerable near‐miss, as well as how this interpretation influences their perceptions of risk and their future preparedness behavior. Our contribution is in highlighting the critical role that people's interpretation of the prior experience has on their subsequent behavior and in measuring what shapes this interpretation.
A Multicriteria Decision Analysis Model and Risk Assessment Framework for Carbon Capture and Storage
Authors: Humphries Choptiany John Michael , Pelot Ronald
Published: April 2014

Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) has been applied to various energy problems to incorporate a variety of qualitative and quantitative criteria, usually spanning environmental, social, engineering, and economic fields. MCDA and associated methods such as life‐cycle assessments and cost‐benefit analysis can also include risk analysis to address uncertainties in criteria estimates. One technology now being assessed to help mitigate climate change is carbon capture and storage (CCS). CCS is a new process that captures CO2 emissions from fossil‐fueled power plants and injects them into geological reservoirs for storage. It presents a unique challenge to decisionmakers (DMs) due to its technical complexity, range of environmental, social, and economic impacts, variety of stakeholders, and long time spans. The authors have developed a risk assessment model using a MCDA approach for CCS decisions such as selecting between CO2 storage locations and choosing among different mitigation actions for reducing risks. The model includes uncertainty measures for several factors, utility curve representations of all variables, Monte Carlo simulation, and sensitivity analysis. This article uses a CCS scenario example to demonstrate the development and application of the model based on data derived from published articles and publicly available sources. The model allows high‐level DMs to better understand project risks and the tradeoffs inherent in modern, complex energy decisions.
Ethnicity‐related variations of left ventricular remodeling in adolescent amateur football players
Authors: Pelà G. , Li Calzi M. , Crocamo A. , Pattoneri P. , Goldoni M. , Anedda A. , Musiari L. , Biggi A. , Bonetti A. , Montanari A.
Published: April 2014

Adult and adolescent elite black athletes display – as compared with their white counterparts – excessively increased left ventricle (LV) wall thickness (LVWT), mass (LVM), and relative wall thickness (RWT). To investigate such ethnicity‐related differences in non‐professional adolescent athletes, 138 male, amateur football players [age 14.0 ± 1.7 years, 42 West‐African blacks (BA) and 96 Italian whites (WA)] underwent an echocardiographic study of LV diameters, LVWT, maximal wall thickness (MWT), LVM, and RWT as remodeling index. BA vs WA exhibited greater thickness of septum and posterior wall, higher MWT (10.3 ± 1.7 vs 8.8 ± 1.1 mm), and higher LVM (117 ± 27 vs 101 ± 20 g/m2) and RWT (0.44 ± 0.07 vs 0.35 ± 0.04). Age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, and ethnicity predicted MWT and LVM, whereas ethnicity was the sole strong predictor of RWT. The greater MWT, LVWT, and LVM of 14‐year‐old, amateur‐level BA vs WA indicates that ethnicity substantially affects LV structure in adolescent, non‐professional athletes. In contrast with MWT and LVM, elevated RWT was predicted by black ethnicity only. We suggest that concentric‐type LV remodeling is a peculiar LV phenotype in adolescent African athletes.
Body Image and Body Change Strategies Within Friendship Dyads and Groups: Implications for Adolescent Appearance‐based Rejection Sensitivity
Authors: Webb Haley J. , Zimmer‐Gembeck Melanie J.
Published: April 2014

Appearance‐based rejection sensitivity (appearance‐RS) consists of concerns about, and expectations of, rejection because of one's appearance (Park). This study examined dyadic‐ and group‐level friendship characteristics as correlates of early adolescents' appearance‐RS. Using subgroups of an initial sample of 380 participants, appearance‐RS was examined within best friend relationships (N = 132, Mage = 13.84) and friendship groups (N = 186, Mage = 13.83). Overall, best friends were similar in their appearance‐RS, body dissatisfaction, restrictive dieting, appearance‐conditional self‐worth, appearance values, and self‐rated attractiveness. Similarities between individuals and their friendship groups were consistent with the findings for dyads, except for self‐rated attractiveness and dieting. Appearance‐RS was higher in adolescents whose best friends and friendship groups reported greater restrictive dieting and appearance‐conditional self‐worth. In general, associations did not differ for boys and girls, but having a higher proportion of boys in the friendship group was associated with lowered appearance concerns.
Number of Children Placed Outside the Home as an Indicator – Social and Moral Implications of Commensuration
Authors: Alastalo Marja , Pösö Tarja
Published: April 2014

The article explores what goes into one particular child indicator – children placed outside their home – and how it makes its object of description knowable and governable. This indicator is widely used in the making of social policy as a follow‐up and performance indicator and is applied also in social research, including cross‐national comparisons, to recognize problems and their scope, especially with reference to child welfare. The indicator is analyzed as an instance of commensuration. Commensuration produces depersonalized, public forms of knowledge that are often deemed superior to private, particularistic forms of knowledge. The work demonstrates how the category of out‐of‐home placement comes into being in a process wherein the particular knowledge of social workers in child welfare agencies is transformed into the macro‐social knowledge embodied in the national register and, eventually, incorporated into the indicator. Hence this commensurative process renders differences as magnitude. The empirical case examined is theFinnish child indicator. The commensuration of children placed outside the home has several consequences, which shape both child protection as a social phenomenon and the understanding that the policy measures appear to require. In addition, some suggestions are made for the concrete development of the indicator.
Are Uniqueness and Deducibility of Identicals the Same?
Authors: Naibo Alberto , Petrolo Mattia
Published: April 2014

A comparison is given between two conditions used to define logical constants:Belnap's uniqueness andHacking's deducibility of identicals. It is shown that, in spite of some surface similarities, there is a deep difference between them. On the one hand, deducibility of identicals turns out to be a weaker and less demanding condition than uniqueness. On the other hand, deducibility of identicals is shown to be more faithful to the inferentialist perspective, permitting definition of genuinely proof‐theoretical concepts. This kind of analysis is driven by exploiting theCurry–Howard correspondence. In particular, deducibility of identicals is shown to correspond to the computational property of eta expansion, which is essential in the characterization of propositional identity.
An epidemiologic cohort study reviewing the practice of blood product transfusions among a population of pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Lieberman Lani , Liu Yang , Portwine Carol , Barty Rebecca L. , Heddle Nancy M.
Published: April 2014

Background

Despite the high utilization of blood products by pediatric oncology patients, literature in this population remains scarce. The primary objective of this study was to assess red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) utilization rates and transfusion thresholds in pediatric oncology patients. The secondary objective was to describe transfusion‐related complications including RBC alloantibody development and transfusion reactions.

Study Design and Methods

This epidemiologic cohort study involved pediatric oncology patients at a Canadian academic children's hospital between April 2002 and December 2011. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and transfusion variables were collected from the Transfusion Registry for Utilization Statistics and Tracking database, a large database that captures more than 50 demographic and clinical variables as well as comprehensive transfusion information and laboratory test results.

Results

Of 647 pediatric oncology patients, 430 (66%) received a RBC or PLT transfusion or both during this time period. The median transfusion threshold before a RBC and PLT transfusion was a hemoglobin (Hb) value of 72 g/L (interquartile range [IQR], 68‐76 g/L) and a PLT count of 16 × 109/L (IQR, 10 × 109‐23 × 109/L), respectively. Ninety‐two percent of the issued RBC and PLT products (7507/8154) were cytomegalovirus negative and 90% were irradiated (7299/8154). RBC alloantibody development and transfusion reactions were reported infrequently in 0.5% (2/423) and 4.5% (8/179) of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion

This study assessed utilization rates, transfusion thresholds, alloantibody development, and transfusion reactions in pediatric oncology patients. The descriptive results from this epidemiologic study provide baseline information to generate hypotheses to be tested in future interventional studies.