bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous carbamazepine as short‐term replacement therapy for oral carbamazepine in adults with epilepsy: Pooled tolerability results from two open‐label trials
Authors: Lee Deborah , Kalu Uwa , Halford Jonathan J. , Biton Victor , Cloyd James , Klein Pavel , Bekersky Ihor , Peng Guangbin , Dheerendra Suresh , Tolbert Dwain
Published: April 2015

Objective

To report tolerability findings and maintenance of seizure control from a pooled analysis of phase I open‐label trial OV‐1015 (NCT01079351) and phase III study 13181A (NCT01128959).

Methods

Patients receiving a stable oral dosage of carbamazepine were switched to an intravenous (IV) carbamazepine formulation solubilized in a cyclodextrin matrix (at a 70% dosage conversion) for either a 15‐ or a 30‐min infusion every 6 h for up to 7 days and then switched back. A subset of patients who tolerated 15‐min infusions also received 2‐ to 5‐min (rapid) infusions. Assessments included physical and laboratory evaluations, electrocardiography (ECG) studies, as well as adverse event (AE) monitoring for tolerability. Convulsion/seizure AE terms and data from seizure diaries were used as proxies for the assessment of consistency of seizure control between formulations.

Results

Of the 203 patients exposed to IV carbamazepine (30 min, n = 43; 15 min, n = 160), 113 received 149 rapid infusions. During infusion, the most commonly reported AEs (≥5%) were dizziness (19%), somnolence (6%), headache (6%), and blurred vision (5%). IV carbamazepine was not associated with clinically relevant cardiac AEs. The tolerability profile appeared similar between patients who received <1,600 mg/day (n = 174) and ≥1,600 mg/day (n = 29) carbamazepine. Cyclodextrin exposure was not associated with clinically relevant changes in AEs or renal biomarkers. Seizure control was maintained as patients transitioned between oral and IV carbamazepine.

Significance

IV carbamazepine administered as multiple 30‐ or 15‐min infusions every 6 h, and as a single rapid infusion, was well tolerated as a short‐term replacement in adults with epilepsy receiving stable dosages of oral carbamazepine. Infusion site reactions, which were generally mild, were the only unique AEs identified; seizure control was generally unchanged when patients were switching between formulations.
Inter‐domain electron transfer in cellobiose dehydrogenase: modulation by pH and divalent cations
Authors: Kracher Daniel , Zahma Kawah , Schulz Christopher , Sygmund Christoph , Gorton Lo , Ludwig Roland
Published: April 2015

The flavocytochrome cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) is secreted by wood‐decomposing fungi, and is the only known extracellular enzyme with the characteristics of an electron transfer protein. Its proposed function is reduction of lytic polysaccharide mono‐oxygenase for subsequent cellulose depolymerization. Electrons are transferred from FADH2 in the catalytic flavodehydrogenase domain of CDH to haem b in a mobile cytochrome domain, which acts as a mediator and transfers electrons towards the active site of lytic polysaccharide mono‐oxygenase to activate oxygen. This vital role of the cytochrome domain is little understood, e.g. why do CDHs exhibit different pH optima and rates for inter‐domain electron transfer (IET)? This study uses kinetic techniques and docking to assess the interaction of both domains and the resulting IET with regard to pH and ions. The results show that the reported elimination of IET at neutral or alkaline pH is caused by electrostatic repulsion, which prevents adoption of the closed conformation of CDH. Divalent alkali earth metal cations are shown to exert a bridging effect between the domains at concentrations of > 3 mm, thereby neutralizing electrostatic repulsion and increasing IET rates. The necessary high ion concentration, together with the docking results, show that this effect is not caused by specific cation binding sites, but by various clusters of Asp, Glu, Asn, Gln and the haem b propionate group at the domain interface. The results show that a closed conformation of both CDH domains is necessary for IET, but the closed conformation also increases the FAD reduction rate by an electron pulling effect.
Snaps and mends: DNA breaks and chromosomal translocations
Authors: Javadekar Saniya M. , Raghavan Sathees C.
Published: April 2015

Integrity in entirety is the preferred state of any organism. The temporal and spatial integrity of the genome ensures continued survival of a cell. DNA breakage is the first step towards creation of chromosomal translocations. In this review, we highlight the factors contributing towards the breakage of chromosomal DNA. It has been well‐established that the structure and sequence of DNA play a critical role in selective fragility of the genome. Several non‐B‐DNA structures such as Z‐DNA, cruciform DNA, G‐quadruplexes, R loops and triplexes have been implicated in generation of genomic fragility leading to translocations. Similarly, specific sequences targeted by proteins such as Recombination Activating Genes and Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase are involved in translocations. Processes that ensure the integrity of the genome through repair may lead to persistence of breakage and eventually translocations if their actions are anomalous. An insufficient supply of nucleotides and chromatin architecture may also play a critical role. This review focuses on a range of events with the potential to threaten the genomic integrity of a cell, leading to cancer.
Nutrients in fruits as determinants of resource tracking by birds
Authors: Blendinger Pedro G. , Giannini Norberto P. , Zampini Iris C. , Ordoñez Roxana , Torres Sebastián , Sayago Jorge E. , Ruggera Román A. , Isla María Inés
Published: April 2015

Fruit pulp is an important source of nutrients for many bird species. Fruit‐eating birds use a variety of strategies to cope with changes in the availability of fruits, exhibiting a remarkable ability to track resources. We assessed the role of nutrient availability in the fruiting environment as a factor driving resource tracking by fruit‐eating birds. Fruit consumption by the four most common frugivorous species in a 6‐ha plot in the Southern Yungas montane forest of Argentina was assessed. We determined the content of selected nutrients (soluble carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, ascorbic acid and essential minerals) in 22 fruiting plant species eaten by birds, and measured fruit–frugivore interactions and the availability of nutrients and dry fruit pulp mass over 2 years. There was strong temporal covariation in the availability of the selected nutrients in fruits across the study period. Similarly, the availability of nutrients in the fruiting environment covaried with pulp mass. Fruit consumption by the four commonest bird species and the abundance of most species were positively associated with nutrient availability and dry pulp mass. Nutrient availability was a good predictor of temporal fruit tracking by three of the four commonest frugivores. Despite large differences in particular nutrient concentrations in fruits, overall nutrient (and pulp) quantity in the fruiting environment played a greater role in fruit tracking than did the nutritional quality of individual fruits. While overall nutrient availability (i.e. across fruit) and total pulp mass were important determinants of fruit tracking, we suggest that plant species‐specific differences in fruit nutrient concentration may be important in short‐term foraging decisions involved in fruit choice and nutritional balance of birds.
A Facile and Fast Gelation Process to Prepare Highly Spherical Millimeter‐Sized Silica Aerogel Beads
Authors: Yu Yuxi , Guo Deqian , Fang Jiyu
Published: April 2015

Millimeter‐sized silica aerogel beads were successfully prepared by a facile fast gelation process, in which silica sol beads were generated by extruding preformed silica sol through multiple nozzles into oil phase and then transformed into silica alcogel beads, followed by supercritical drying. The transition process from the silica sol to the silica alcogel beads was finished at a 97.6% conversion rate. The resultant silica aerogel beads have an average diameter of ~1.5 mm with a good sphericity, and an average pore size of ~12 nm with topical porous three‐dimensional network structures.
Prognostic value of preoperative pyuria in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Satake Naoya , Ohno Yoshio , Nakashima Jun , Ohori Makoto , Tachibana Masaaki
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative pyuria in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 237 patients diagnosed with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Pyuria was defined as urine containing ≥5 white blood cells per high power field. The association between clinicopathological factors and recurrence was assessed by Cox univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Preoperative pyuria was found in 116 (49.0%) patients. Pyuria was significantly associated with advanced age, positive cytology, multiple tumors, large tumor size, non‐papillary tumors, T1 tumors and high‐grade tumors. In univariate analysis of the entire patient population, pyuria, positive urine cytology, multiple tumors, pT1 tumors and no bacillus Calmette–Guérin were significantly associated with recurrence. Multivariate analysis showed that pyuria was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio 3.332, 95% confidence interval 2.052–5.410; P < 0.001), along with positive urine cytology, multiple tumors and no bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy. Subanalysis of the patients who underwent bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy also showed that pyuria was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio 2.062, 95% confidence interval 1.085–3.918, P = 0.027). The 2‐year recurrence‐free survival rate for patients with pyuria was significantly lower than for patients without pyuria (65.5% vs 80.7%; P = 0.027).

Conclusions

Preoperative pyuria seems to be significantly associated with recurrence in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, and it might be a useful predictor for recurrence after bacillus Calmette–Guérin therapy.
Sex allocation according to multiple sexually dimorphic traits of both parents in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Authors: Romano A. , Romano M. , Caprioli M. , Costanzo A. , Parolini M. , Rubolini D. , Saino N.
Published: April 2015

Parents should differentially invest in sons or daughters depending on the sex‐specific fitness returns from male and female offspring. In species with sexually selected heritable male characters, highly ornamented fathers should overproduce sons, which will be more sexually attractive than sons of less ornamented fathers. Because of genetic correlations between the sexes, females that express traits which are under selection in males should also overproduce sons. However, sex allocation strategies may consist in reaction norms leading to spatiotemporal variation in the association between offspring sex ratio (SR) and parental phenotype. We analysed offspringSRin barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) over 8 years in relation to two sexually dimorphic traits: tail length and melanin‐based ventral plumage coloration. The proportion of sons increased with maternal plumage darkness and paternal tail length, consistently with sexual dimorphism in these traits. The size of the effect of these parental traits on SR was large compared to other studies of offspringSRin birds. Barn swallows thus manipulate offspringSRto overproduce ‘sexy sons’ and potentially to mitigate the costs of intralocus sexually antagonistic selection. Interannual variation in the relationships between offspringSRand parental traits was observed which may suggest phenotypic plasticity in sex allocation and provides a proximate explanation for inconsistent results of studies of sex allocation in relation to sexual ornamentation in birds.
Adaptation of the Mishel Uncertainty of Illness Scale (MUIS) for chronic patients in Italy
Authors: Giammanco Maria Daniela , Gitto Lara , Barberis Nadia , Santoro Domenico
Published: April 2015

Rationale, aims and objectives

Uncertainty is a component of the illness experience and is likely to increase the burden of managing chronic illness, as cardiac pathologies and renal diseases. The impact of uncertainty should be taken into account and addressed with targeted intervention programmes. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the diffusion of the assessment of uncertainty in illness by validating the Mishel uncertainty in illness scale (MUIS) on chronic Italian patients.

Method

The MUIS questionnaire was administered to 200 patients suffering from cardiac diseases and 50 patients with renal diseases. A confirmatory factor analysis was run for each of the MUIS dimensions (ambiguity, inconsistency, complexity and unpredictability).

Results

After some item reduction, three of the four MUIS scales, namely, ambiguity, inconsistency and complexity, exhibited satisfactory reliability coefficients (with Cronbach's alphas of, respectively, 0.796, 0.778 and 0.705), highly significant standardized regression weights and satisfactory/highly satisfactory fit indexes. Nevertheless, as the correlations among the scales mentioned earlier were high (all above 0.8) and statistically significant, the three subsets of ambiguity, complexity and inconsistency items were allowed to load onto a new single factor. A monodimensional uncertainty construct, grouping the majority of the items encompassed by these three MUIS scales, was successfully validated.

Conclusions

This study provides researchers with an easy‐to‐administer instrument which is useful to investigate a crucial aspect related with patients' quality of life. Although a unique uncertainty construct is proposed, the in‐depth analysis of the replies to each single item of the MUIS could help to monitor patients' emotional responses to the diagnosis and to the course of this disease and it might be useful to define appropriate strategies of coping and to focus on patients' quests for simplicity and clarity of treatment.
Synaptic vesicle exocytosis and increased cytosolic calcium are both necessary but not sufficient for activity‐dependent bulk endocytosis
Authors: Morton Andrew , Marland Jamie R. K. , Cousin Michael A.
Published: April 2015

Activity‐dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE) is the dominant synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis mode in central nerve terminals during intense neuronal activity. By definition this mode is triggered by neuronal activity; however, key questions regarding its mechanism of activation remain unaddressed. To determine the basic requirements for ADBE triggering in central nerve terminals, we decoupled SV fusion events from activity‐dependent calcium influx using either clostridial neurotoxins or buffering of intracellular calcium. ADBE was monitored both optically and morphologically by observing uptake of the fluid phase markers tetramethylrhodamine‐dextran and horse radish peroxidase respectively. Ablation of SV fusion with tetanus toxin resulted in the arrest of ADBE, but had no effect on other calcium‐dependent events such as activity‐dependent dynamin I dephosphorylation, indicating that SV exocytosis is necessary for triggering. Furthermore, the calcium chelator EGTA abolished ADBE while leaving SV exocytosis intact, demonstrating that ADBE is triggered by intracellular free calcium increases outside the active zone. Activity‐dependent dynamin I dephosphorylation was also arrested in EGTA‐treated neurons, consistent with its proposed role in triggering ADBE. Thus, SV fusion and increased cytoplasmic free calcium are both necessary but not sufficient individually to trigger ADBE.

image

Activity‐dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE) is the dominant synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis mode in central nerve terminals during intense neuronal activity. To determine the minimal requirements for ADBE triggering, we decoupled SV fusion events from activity‐dependent calcium influx using either clostridial neurotoxins or buffering of intracellular calcium. We found that SV fusion and increased cytoplasmic free calcium are both necessary but not sufficient to trigger ADBE.
Deconstructing cartilage shape and size into contributions from embryogenesis, metamorphosis, and tadpole and frog growth
Authors: Rose Christopher S. , Murawinski Danny , Horne Virginia
Published: April 2015

Understanding skeletal diversification involves knowing not only how skeletal rudiments are shaped embryonically, but also how skeletal shape changes throughout life. The pharyngeal arch (PA) skeleton of metamorphosing amphibians persists largely as cartilage and undergoes two phases of development (embryogenesis and metamorphosis) and two phases of growth (larval and post‐metamorphic). Though embryogenesis and metamorphosis produce species‐specific features of PA cartilage shape, the extents to which shape and size change during growth and metamorphosis remain unaddressed. This study uses allometric equations and thin‐plate spline, relative warp and elliptic Fourier analyses to describe shape and size trajectories for the ventral PA cartilages of the frog Xenopus laevis in tadpole and frog growth and metamorphosis. Cartilage sizes scale negatively with body size in both growth phases and cartilage shapes scale isometrically or close to it. This implies that most species‐specific aspects of cartilage shape arise in embryogenesis and metamorphosis. Contributions from growth are limited to minor changes in lower jaw (LJ) curvature that produce relative gape narrowing and widening in tadpoles and frogs, respectively, and most cartilages becoming relatively thinner. Metamorphosis involves previously unreported decreases in cartilage size as well as changes in cartilage shape. The LJ becomes slightly longer, narrower and more curved, and the adult ceratohyal emerges from deep within the resorbing tadpole ceratohyal. This contrast in shape and size changes suggests a fundamental difference in the underlying cellular pathways. The observation that variation in PA cartilage shape decreases with tadpole growth supports the hypothesis that isometric growth is required for the metamorphic remodeling of PA cartilages. It also supports the existence of shape‐regulating mechanisms that are specific to PA cartilages and that resist local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity.
Form and function of the mammalian inner ear
Authors: Ekdale Eric G.
Published: April 2015

The inner ear of mammals consists of the cochlea, which is involved with the sense of hearing, and the vestibule and three semicircular canals, which are involved with the sense of balance. Although different regions of the inner ear contribute to different functions, the bony chambers and membranous ducts are morphologically continuous. The gross anatomy of the cochlea that has been related to auditory physiologies includes overall size of the structure, including volume and total spiral length, development of internal cochlear structures, including the primary and secondary bony laminae, morphology of the spiral nerve ganglion, and the nature of cochlear coiling, including total number of turns completed by the cochlear canal and the relative diameters of the basal and apical turns. The overall sizes, shapes, and orientations of the semicircular canals are related to sensitivity to head rotations and possibly locomotor behaviors. Intraspecific variation, primarily in the shape and orientation of the semicircular canals, may provide additional clues to help us better understand form and function of the inner ear.
Can resilience be developed at work? A meta‐analytic review of resilience‐building programme effectiveness
Authors: Vanhove Adam J. , Herian Mitchel N. , Perez Alycia L. U. , Harms Peter D. , Lester Paul B.
Published: April 2015

Organizations have increasingly sought to adopt resilience‐building programmes to prevent absenteeism, counterproductive work behaviour, and other stress‐related issues. However, the effectiveness of these programmes remains unclear as a comprehensive review of existing primary evidence has not been undertaken. Using 42 independent samples across 37 studies, the present meta‐analysis sought to address this limitation in the literature by summarizing the effectiveness of resilience‐building programmes implemented in organizational contexts. Results demonstrated that the overall effect of such programmes was small (d = 0.21) and that programme effects diminish over time (dproximal = 0.26 vs. ddistal = 0.07). Alternatively, moderator analyses revealed that programmes targeting individuals thought to be at greater risk of experiencing stress and lacking core protective factors showed the opposite effect over time. Programmes employing a one‐on‐one delivery format (e.g., coaching) were most effective, followed by the classroom‐based group delivery format. Programmes using train‐the‐trainer and computer‐based delivery formats were least effective. Finally, substantially stronger effects were observed among studies employing single‐group within‐participant designs, in comparison with studies utilizing between‐participant designs. Taken together, these findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for advancing the study and use of resilience‐building in the workplace.

Practitioner points

Resilience‐building programmes have had a modest effect in the workplace. The effect is weaker than that associated with secondary prevention techniques, but similar to those shown for other primary prevention techniques.

Across primary studies, programme effects diminished substantially from proximal (≤1 month post‐intervention) to distal time points (>1 month). However, among those at greater risk of experiencing stress or who lack protective resources, weak proximal effects became stronger when measured distally. To optimize the effectiveness of resilience‐building programmes, developers should carefully conduct needs assessments, identifying individuals at elevated risk.

Methodological decisions (i.e., the use of within‐ vs. between‐participant designs) may have a substantial impact on the conclusions researchers draw regarding the effectiveness of resilience‐building programmes. When evaluating the effectiveness of resilience‐building programmes, researchers and practitioners should compare observed effects to estimates of mean effects across studies using similar evaluative designs.
Psychometric evaluation of the Indonesian version of the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised
Authors: Warsini S. , Buettner P. , Mills J. , West C. , Usher K.
Published: April 2015

Accessible summary

The Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R) was translated into Indonesian with consideration of content and linguistic equivalence.

The study demonstrated the reliability and validity of the Indonesian version of the IES‐R for measuring the psychological impact of natural disasters.

This is the first study to demonstrate that the Indonesian IES‐R is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the psychosocial impact of disasters among Indonesian survivors.

The purpose of this research was to translate and to test an Indonesian version of the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (I‐IES‐R) as a measurement of psychological distress following a natural disaster. Sample of 30 Mt. Merapi residents participated in pilot testing and 110 survivors completed the test‐retest of the I‐IES‐R. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine construct validity, and Cronbach's alpha was used to assess reliability. The results of the translational phase of the study indicated that the Indonesian version of the IES‐R captures the content of the original tool with appropriate adaptation for cultural differences. The Indonesian IES‐R revealed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.90 for test and 0.92 for retest for the total score. In addition, the Cronbach alpha for subscales intrusion, avoidance and hyper arousal in the initial scale testing were 0.85, 0.75, and 0.74, respectively, and for the retest 0.88, 0.79, and 0.82, respectively. The reliability coefficient of the test‐retest results was 0.75 [95% confidence interval = (0.64, 0.83)], and exploratory factor analysis identified three underlying factors: intrusion, avoidance, and hyper arousal. The I‐IES‐R can be considered a useful screening tool that can be used by mental health nurses to assess the psychological impact of natural disasters on survivors in Indonesia.
Poor sleep quality is associated with a negative cognitive bias and decreased sustained attention
Authors: Gobin Christina M. , Banks Jonathan B. , Fins Ana I. , Tartar Jaime L.
Published: April 2015

Poor sleep quality has been demonstrated to diminish cognitive performance, impair psychosocial functioning and alter the perception of stress. At present, however, there is little understanding of how sleep quality affects emotion processing. The aim of the present study was to determine the extent to which sleep quality, measured through the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, influences affective symptoms as well as the interaction between stress and performance on an emotional memory test and sustained attention task. To that end, 154 undergraduate students (mean age: 21.27 years, standard deviation = 4.03) completed a series of measures, including the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Sustained Attention to Response Task, an emotion picture recognition task and affective symptom questionnaires following either a control or physical stress manipulation, the cold pressor test. As sleep quality and psychosocial functioning differ among chronotypes, we also included chronotype and time of day as variables of interest to ensure that the effects of sleep quality on the emotional and non‐emotional tasks were not attributed to these related factors. We found that poor sleep quality is related to greater depressive symptoms, anxiety and mood disturbances. While an overall relationship between global Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score and emotion and attention measures was not supported, poor sleep quality, as an independent component, was associated with better memory for negative stimuli and a deficit in sustained attention to non‐emotional stimuli. Importantly, these effects were not sensitive to stress, chronotype or time of day. Combined, these results suggest that individuals with poor sleep quality show an increase in affective symptomatology as well as a negative cognitive bias with a concomitant decrease in sustained attention to non‐emotional stimuli.
Analysis of change in anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibody and effect on myasthenia gravis symptoms by adjusting tacrolimus dosage according to the blood concentration
Authors: Yokota Keisuke , Fujii Yoshitaka , Shitara Masayuki , Hikosaka Yu , Okuda Katsuhiro , Moriyama Satoru , Sasaki Hidefumi , Yano Motoki
Published: April 2015

Background

Since its introduction, tacrolimus has been widely used in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. However, the correlation between the blood concentration level of the drug, the change in anti‐acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody and the effect of the drug has not been reported.

Aim

We sought to evaluate the correlation between the dose of tacrolimus and the blood concentration, change in anti‐AChR antibody, and the effect on MG symptoms.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of 28 patients who were treated with tacrolimus. Steroid dose was not changed during the tacrolimus treatment. Change in the dose and the blood concentration of tacrolimus, the level of anti‐AChR antibody, and Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Clinical Classification were analyzed.

Results

The anti‐AChR antibody level decreased in 19 patients (19/26; 73%). There was a positive correlation between the dosage of tacrolimus and the blood concentration at the latest observation. The mean antibody level was reduced from 153.4 ± 278.2 nmol/L to 83.2 ± 148.7 nmol/L, (P = 0.013). Regarding the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Clinical Classification, the score improved in 22 patients (22/28; 79%). There was a significant positive correlation between the change in the anti‐AChR antibody titers and the change in Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Clinical Classification.

Conclusion

Tacrolimus is useful for treatment of MG patients. However, because the blood level of the drug at the same dosage varies among patients, a careful adjustment of the dose according to the blood concentration is necessary.
Modified Six Elements Test: Earlier diagnosis of the correlation between motor and executive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease without dementia
Authors: Murakami Hidetomo , Owan Yoshiyuki , Oguchi Tatsunori , Nomoto Shohei , Shozawa Hidenobu , Kubota Satomi , Mori Yukiko , Mizuma Keita , Futamura Akinori , Kobayakawa Mutsutaka , Kezuka Machiko , Midorikawa Akira , Miller Michael W , Kawamura Mitsuru
Published: April 2015

Background

In patients with Parkinson's disease, executive deficits are known to correlate with motor dysfunctions, such as gait and postural instability. However executive deficits are sometimes difficult to detect using common frontal assessment batteries. Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome includes six subtests to evaluate different aspects of executive function required in daily life. Among these the Modified Six Elements Test examines higher levels of executive function with regard to prospective memory and organization of behavior.

Aim

Using Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome we examined which types of executive dysfunction correlate with motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease without apparent dementia.

Methods

A total of 54 Parkinson's disease patients with Mini‐Mental State Examination scores over 24 were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (total score of parts II and III as general motor function, subscores of tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, gait disturbance and postural instability) for motor assessment, and both the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome (total raw score of all subtests and subscores of each of the 6 subtests) and Frontal Assessment Battery for executive function. Correlation coefficients for executive and motor assessments were compared.

Results

Among the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome subtests, the Modified Six Elements Test showed the strongest correlation with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale subscore of gait disturbance, but did not correlate with patient background factors, such as age.

Conclusion

Even in Parkinson's disease without apparent dementia, deficits in complex executive functions, such as prospective memory and organization of behavior, correlate with motor dysfunctions, especially gait. We believe the Modified Six Elements Test is useful to evaluate early executive deficits.
Whole‐exome sequencing reveals a missense mutation in the KCND3 gene in a patient with SCA19/22
Authors: Wang Ying , Koh Kishin , Namekawa Michito , Takiyama Yoshihisa
Published: April 2015

We report a 45‐year‐old Japanese man with SCA19/22. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation (c.1169G>A, p.S390N) in the KCND3 gene. Although this mutation has been reported to cause SCA19 in a Dutch patient, a co‐segregation study of the mutation has not been carried out. In the present family, since the S390M mutation was found in the patient but not in the unaffected siblings, we suspected co‐segregation of this mutation with the disease in our family. Our patient presented with juvenile‐onset pure cerebellar ataxia associated with pes cavus, which has not been previously described in SCA19/22. Thus, our patient would expand the clinical spectrum of SCA19/22. In the case of juvenile‐onset pure cerebellar ataxia with autosomal dominant transmission, SCA19/22 should be considered.
Comparison of reading performance tests concerning difficulty of sentences and paragraphs and their reliability
Authors: Brussee Tamara , van Nispen Ruth M. A. , Klerkx Edwin M. F. J. , Knol Dirk L. , van Rens Ger H. M. B.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

In research and practice, sentences or paragraphs of reading tests may be randomly chosen to assess reading performance. This means that in addition to test reliability, all sentences or paragraphs should be reliable and equally difficult to read. The sentences and paragraphs of five (un‐) standardised Dutch reading tests were investigated in this regard.

Methods

Tests were performed with 71 normally sighted persons (mean age 55 [18–86] years). All sentences and paragraphs had equal print size. The relative difficulty of sentences and paragraphs from the five Dutch reading tests was tested with linear mixed models (reading speed) and generalised linear models (mistakes).

Results

Reading speed in standard words per min ranged from 179 (Radner) to 142 (De Nederlanders). Reading mistakes per 100 characters ranged from 0.25 (Radner) to 0.40 (Colenbrander). On the Colenbrander charts 7/24 sentences were read significantly faster vs 5/24 read slower (sentence reliability 0.56–0.87); International Reading Speed Texts 3/10 vs 3/10 [0.94–0.97]; Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology 14/55 vs 15/55 [0.64–0.92]; De Nederlanders 2/6 vs 3/6 [0.83–0.94]; Radner 4/24 vs 3/24 [0.73–0.87]. Agreement between tests differed from 1 to 36 standard words per minute and 0.01 to 0.14 mistakes per 100 characters.

Conclusion

The Radner, with the highest number of equally difficult sentences, is appropriate to measure reading acuity as well as reading speed in a heterogeneous population; the International Reading Speed Texts, with the highest paragraph reliability, provides long paragraphs to measure reading speed. The Colenbrander and Laboratory of Experimental Ophthalmology are suitable for daily practice; however, for research or inspection purposes, reliable sentences must be chosen. Although the clinical relevance of the differences between the tests is debatable, use of the De Nederlanders as a reading test remains questionable.
Methodology and reporting of diagnostic accuracy studies of automated perimetry in glaucoma: evaluation using a standardised approach
Authors: Fidalgo Bruno M. R. , Crabb David P. , Lawrenson John G.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

To evaluate methodological and reporting quality of diagnostic accuracy studies of perimetry in glaucoma and to determine whether there had been any improvement since the publication of the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) guidelines.

Methods

A systematic review of English language articles published between 1993 and 2013 reporting the diagnostic accuracy of perimetry in glaucoma. Articles were appraised for methodological quality using the 14‐item Quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) and evaluated for quality of reporting by applying the STARD checklist.

Results

Fifty‐eight articles were appraised. Overall methodological quality of these studies was moderate with a median number of QUADAS items rated as ‘yes’ equal to nine (out of a maximum of 14) (IQR 7–10). The studies were often poorly reported; median score of STARD items fully reported was 11 out of 25 (IQR 10–14). A comparison of the studies published in 10‐year periods before and after the publication of the STARD checklist in 2003 found quality of reporting had not substantially improved.

Conclusions

Methodological and reporting quality of diagnostic accuracy studies of perimetry is sub‐optimal and appears not to have improved substantially following the development of the STARD reporting guidance. This observation is consistent with previous studies in ophthalmology and in other medical specialities.
Leaving Violence Behind: Disengaging from Politically Motivated Violence in Northern Ireland
Authors: Ferguson Neil , Burgess Mark , Hollywood Ian
Published: April 2015

This article explores the processes involved in leaving social movements or disengaging from terrorist activities by providing an analysis of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Red Hand Commando (RHC) transformation away from politically motivated violence towards a civilian nonmilitary role. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to gain an understanding of participant accounts of leaving violence behind and disengaging from terrorism. Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed the interplay of individual‐, organizational‐, and societal‐level processes in incentivizing and obstructing disengagement from politically motivated violence. The findings resonate with other case studies exploring the processes involved in disengagement from political violence among other terror groupings across the globe. The results are discussed in relation to a number of topics, including the implementation of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) in postconflict societies, the dynamic role of collective identity in the engagement in and disengagement from politically motivated violence, and the role of prison in shaping disengagement from politically motivated violence.
“I Make Here My Soil. I Make Here My Country.”
Authors: Fathi Mastoureh
Published: April 2015

This article discusses the complex and multilayered notion of class in the lives of Iranian women migrant doctors in Britain. Addressing classed identities in skilled migrants' lives and professional belonging, the article first examines the construction of foreignness and the problem of belonging for a groups of doctors and dentists who lived in different cities in Britain in 2009–11. Second, drawn from the first point, it discusses the notion of “deserving to belong.” This article suggests that these highly political narratives should be read within an intersectional framework in order to understand the complex issues involved in the lives of skilled migrants.
Construction of the Israeli‐Jewish Conflict‐Supportive Narrative and the Struggle Over Its Dominance
Authors: Oren Neta , Nets‐Zehngut Rafi , Bar‐Tal Daniel
Published: April 2015

Societies involved in intractable conflicts form a conflict‐supporting master narrative that provides justification and explanation of the conflict as a whole as well as narratives about its specific events and relevant persons. Both types of narratives fulfill important functions in satisfying the basic sociopsychological needs of the individuals and the collectives involved, as well as in maintaining a positive image of the society in the international community. In order to fill these needs, the narratives tend to be selective, biased, and simplistic. Moreover, because these narratives are so functional, societies go to extraordinary lengths to maintain their dominance among their own people and internationally. The present article analyzes the specific case of the Israeli‐Jewish narrative of the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict with regard to the methods that are used in the narrative's construction and the ways through which formal authorities strive to preserve its dominance in Israel and in the international community.
Reassessing “City Limits” in Urban Public Policy
Authors: Deslatte Aaron
Published: April 2015

Urban public policy continues to explore the problems of urban growth and decline in a multidisciplinary fashion, focusing multiple theoretical lenses on questions of governance and division of authority as well as the practical applications for areas of policy specialization. This article reviews recent articles on income, housing, and racial/ethnic stratification, which share a common link of mobility‐based prescriptions. It also reviews the role sustainability, equity, and cultural norms play in scholarship. The field is moving in a direction that integrates classical rational choice and sociological explanations for policies addressing sustainability and equity, the role of cultural identity in urban renewal efforts, and long‐standing problems of citizen participation in government decision making.
Opening the Black Box: Cabinet Authorship of Legislative Proposals in a Multiparty Presidential System
Authors: Gaylord Sylvia , Rennó Lúcio
Published: April 2015

This article seeks to understand multiparty cabinets in presidential systems. The article applies theories developed for parliamentary systems to the case of Brazil and uses ministerial endorsements of executive bills to test whether multiparty cabinets are anchored in an office or a policy‐seeking compact. The analysis shows that participation in policy making within the cabinet is highly concentrated in technical ministries and ministries occupied by the president's party. The analysis also shows that ideological heterogeneity is a significant predictor of ministerial endorsement, indicating that under conditions of ideological proximity, presidential cabinets are able to share policy‐making responsibilities.
Presidential Debates, Partisan Motivations, and Political Interest
Authors: Mullinix Kevin J.
Published: April 2015

How does the public evaluate candidates in presidential debates? Previous literature often points to attitude reinforcement, but much of this research ignores heterogeneous effects between individuals. This article builds upon research on debate evaluations and motivated reasoning to isolate which individuals—beyond basic partisan differences—are affected by presidential debates. Like prior work, I find partisan reinforcement effects, but more importantly, I show that these effects are heterogeneous based on political interest (a dynamic never before shown in this context). The most interested individuals are the most likely to demonstrate reinforcement effects. These findings have critical implications for communication effects, opinion formation, presidential campaigns, and polarization.
Unilateral Orders as Constituency Outreach: Executive Orders, Proclamations, and the Public Presidency
Authors: Rottinghaus Brandon , Warber Adam L.
Published: April 2015

Scholarship on the unilateral presidency has focused on presidential policy making with the stroke of a pen. However, such studies overlook the influence that the public presidency can have on shaping the president's unilateral strategies. Our research question seeks to link these two elements by exploring the following question: under what conditions do presidents issue executive orders and proclamations as part of their public presidency? Using new data charting the use of these directives to target populations in society, we analyze the role of the political environment on engendering both more constituency‐based executive orders and proclamations. The results suggest presidents issue more constituency‐based proclamations, but not executive orders, when Congress and the executive branch are more likely to disagree on policy or when Congress is institutionally stronger compared to the president. Presidents are less likely to issue these orders during election years (for proclamations), in changing popularity, or when their party has returned to office. The implications suggest the importance of broadening the study of unilateral orders to link the public and administrative presidencies.
Comedian‐in‐Chief: Presidential Jokes as Enthymematic Crisis Rhetoric
Authors: Waisanen Don
Published: April 2015

To understand how jokes have functioned as part of U.S. presidents' strategic communication, this project examined every available White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD) speech over the last century, documenting various presidents' approaches to humor. I argue that the ability to talk about difficult or taboo subjects through jokes' deeply enthymematic ways of communicating has offered presidents expanded rhetorical spaces during crises, providing insights into why they started using humor with such routine frequency. Working with multiple factors shaping the modern presidency, presidents have used the elastic and inventive nature of enthymematic joking in attempts to move pressing issues outside immediate lines of criticism. The use of jokes in presidential communication is charted through three periods of WHCD. Several implications are drawn from this analysis, including the risks of humor as a rhetorical strategy.
Polls and Elections: Do the Presidential Primary Debates Matter? Measuring Candidate Speaking Time and Audience Response during the 2012 Primaries
Authors: Stewart Patrick A.
Published: April 2015

Televised presidential primary debates are highly important for partisans by providing unmediated information concerning candidate viability. Here the presumptive winner of a given primary may be indicated during debates through both the speaking time they are given and the audience response they elicit. Here I explore both candidate speaking time and audience laughter and applause by content, analyzing six 2012 Republican Party primary debates. Debate venue plays a significant role in determining applause and, to a lesser extent, laughter. There is also a negative relationship between candidate speaking time and audience laughter, suggesting an insurgent strategy for second‐tier candidates. © 2014 Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
The Law: White House Equities: The New Executive Privilege
Authors: Rozell Mark J. , Epstein Daniel Z.
Published: April 2015

Presidential administrations have devised numerous legal rationales, such as executive privilege, for concealing information. A relatively new and related rationale is “White House equities.” Although not statutorily defined, White House counsels and other executive officials have interpreted White House equities to encompass all agency communications either to the White House or prepared for communication with the White House. Records classified as containing White House equities provide a basis for the president to assert executive privilege to justify the withholding or redaction of records. This article describes and analyzes the rise and evolution of White House equities, and it critically assesses the impact of the use of this vehicle of information control on the balance of powers of the national government and the principle of democratic accountability.
The Historical Presidency: In the Inner Circle: Anna Rosenberg and Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidency, 1941‐1945
Authors: McGuire John Thomas
Published: April 2015

Scholars have long noted how President Franklin D. Roosevelt used a network of formal and informal advisors and executive agencies. Few if any, however, have noted the advisory role played by Anna Rosenberg during the war years. Using both personal and presidential papers, this article explores the diverse ways that Rosenberg assisted Roosevelt, including conveying the demands of African American leaders, supervising troubled agencies, and most important, serving as the president's alter ego in labor‐management relations.
Anticoagulation in Chronic Hemodialysis: Progress Toward an Optimal Approach
Authors: Kessler Michèle , Moureau Frédérique , Nguyen Philippe
Published: April 2015

Appropriate anticoagulation for hemodialysis (HD) requires a subtle balance between under‐ and over‐heparinization to prevent extracorporeal circuit (ECC) clotting and bleeding, respectively. We discuss five key issues relating to anticoagulation therapy for chronicHDin adults following a review of relevant literature published since 2002: (i) options for standardization of anticoagulation inHDsettings. The major nephrology societies have issued low evidence level recommendations on this subject. Interventional studies have generally investigated novel low‐molecular weight heparins and provided data on safety of dosing regimens that cannot readily be extrapolated to clinical practice; (ii) identification of clinical and biological parameters to aid individualization of anticoagulation treatment. We find that use of clinical and biological monitoring of anticoagulation duringHDsessions is currently not clearly defined in routine clinical practice; (iii) role ofECCelements (dialysis membrane and blood lines), dialysis modalities, and blood flow in clotting development; (iv) options to reduce or suppress systemic heparinization duringHDsessions. Alternative strategies have been investigated, especially when the routine mode of anticoagulation was not suitable in patients at high risk of bleeding or was contraindicated; (v) optimization of anticoagulation therapy for the individual patient. We conclude by proposing a standardized approach to deliver anticoagulation treatment forHDbased on an individualized prescription prepared according to the patient's profile and needs.