bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternity-care: measuring women’s perceptions
Authors: Clark Kim , Beatty Shelley , Reibel Tracy
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Achieving maternity-care outcomes that align with women’s needs, preferences and expectations is important but theoretically driven measures of women’s satisfaction with their entire maternity-care experience do not appear to exist. The purpose of this paper is to outline the development of an instrument to assess women’s perception of their entire maternity-care experience.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was developed on the basis of previous research and informed by a framework of standard service quality categories covering the spectrum of typical consumer concerns. A pilot survey with a sample of 195 women who had recent experience of birth was undertaken to establish valid and reliable scales pertaining to different stages of maternity care. Exploratory factor analysis was used to interpret scales and convergent validity was assessed using a modified version of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire.

Findings

– Nine theoretically informed, reliable and valid stand-alone scales measuring the achievement of different dimensions of women’s expectancies of public maternity care were developed. The study scales are intended for use in identifying some potential areas of focus for quality improvement in the delivery of maternity care.

Research limitations/implications

– Reliable and valid tools for monitoring the extent to which services respond to women’s expectations of their entire maternity care form part of the broader toolkit required to adequately manage health-care quality. This study offers guidance on the make-up of such tools.

Originality/value

– The scales produced from this research offer a means to assess maternity care across the full continuum of care and are brief and easy to use.
Environmental sustainability in European public healthcare
Authors: Chiarini Andrea , Vagnoni Emidia
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to enlarge the debate concerning the influence of leadership on environmental sustainability implementation in European public healthcare organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is a viewpoint. It is based on preliminary analysis of European standards dedicated to environmental sustainability and their spread across Europe in public healthcare organisations. Viewpoints concerning leadership are then discussed and asserted.

Findings

– This paper found a limited implementation of standards such as Green Public Procurement criteria, Eco-Management and Audit Scheme and ISO 14001 in public healthcare. Some clues indicate that the lack of implementation is related to leadership and management commitment.

Originality/value

– For the first time, this paper investigates relationships between leadership and environmental sustainability in European public healthcare opening further avenues of research on the subject.
Female aspirant human resources’ entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Kundu Subhash C. , Rani Sunita
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The main purpose of the study was to assess the entrepreneurial orientation based on personality and attitude of female aspirant human resources in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– For collecting primary data, the scale on entrepreneurial attitude orientation developed by Robinsonet al.(1991) was used. Statistical tools such as correlations, analysis of variance, means, grand means, standard deviations and percentages were used for the analysis of the primary data gathered from 500 female respondents.

Findings

– The results showed the highest score of the female respondents on the achievement motivation as compared to other three personality descriptors and lowest but positive score on the self-esteem dimension. Among attitude components, the cognition had emerged as highest. MBAs showed comparatively less entrepreneurial orientation than other categories of female aspirants. Results indicated that lower age, lower educational qualifications and high socioeconomic status supported the entrepreneurship.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was limited to only four personality traits and three attitude components. Another limitation of the study was that the data were collected from North India that could have been collected from the wider area.

Practical implications

– The study will be helpful to the female aspirant participants to decide whether to choose managerial or entrepreneurial careers. By taking cues from this study, educators can build curriculum and develop programs to encourage and empower future female entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

– Inclusion of Indian female aspirants of different backgrounds will definitely add value to the existing knowledge, management theory and practice.
Accounting for risk in the traditional RFM approach
Authors: Singh Shweta , Singh Sumit
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The Purpose of this study is to provide an alternative way to create customer valuation metric while accounting for customer riskiness. Customer relationship management (CRM) emphasizes the importance of measuring customer value. Analytics has paved the way for innovation by providing companies valuable insights into the behavior of customers. Earlier models used to measure customer value do not take into account the types and level of risk posed by customers, such as probability of churn, regularity of purchases, etc. The authors put forth a new and innovative approach to measuring customer value while, at the same time, adjusting for customer riskiness.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a non-parametric approach used in the operations research area, the authors create a risk-adjusted regency, frequency, monetary value (RARFM) score for each customer. These scores are used to segment the customers into two groups – customers with high and low RARFM scores. The authors then identify the underlying demographics and behavioral characteristics that separate the two groups.

Findings

– Findings of this paper indicate that customers who perform the best on the RARFM metric tend to be more experienced, and are more likely to exhibit behavioral tendencies that help them perform well in their jobs, such as purchasing promotional goods that act as sales aid and enhance their performance.

Originality/value

– The paper is innovative in its approach in terms of creating a new metric for calculating customer value. Few papers have proposed ways to handle and adjust for customer riskiness. Here, the authors propose three kinds of customer risk. Current paper provides a twist to traditional RFM analysis by creating a RARFM score for each customer, and provides a scientific way of assigning weights to RFM.
Maternal protein restriction during pregnancy and lactation alters central leptin signalling, increases food intake, and decreases bone mass in 1 year old rat offspring
Authors: Qasem Rani J , Li Jing , Tang Hee Man , Pontiggia Laura , D'mello Anil P
Published: January 2016

The effects of perinatal nutrition on offspring physiology have mostly been examined in young adult animals. Aging constitutes a risk factor for the progressive loss of metabolic flexibility and development of disease. Few studies have examined whether the phenotype programmed by perinatal nutrition persists in aging offspring. Persistence of detrimental phenotypes and their accumulative metabolic effects are important for disease causality. This study determined the effects of maternal protein restriction during pregnancy and lactation on food consumption, central leptin sensitivity, bone health, and susceptibility to high fat diet‐induced adiposity in 1‐year‐old male offspring. Sprague‐Dawley rats received either a control or a protein restricted diet throughout pregnancy and lactation and pups were weaned onto laboratory chow. One‐year‐old low protein (LP) offspring exhibited hyperphagia. The inability of an intraperitoneal (i.p.) leptin injection to reduce food intake indicated that the hyperphagia was mediated by decreased central leptin sensitivity. Hyperphagia was accompanied by lower body weight suggesting increased energy expenditure in LP offspring. Bone density and bone mineral content that are negatively regulated by leptin acting via the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), were decreased in LP offspring. LP offspring did not exhibit increased susceptibility to high fat diet induced metabolic effects or adiposity. The results presented here indicate that the programming effects of perinatal protein restriction are mediated by specific decreases in central leptin signalling to pathways involved in the regulation of food intake along with possible enhancement of different CNS leptin signalling pathways acting via the SNS to regulate bone mass and energy expenditure.
Isolation and characterization of Ligustrum micranthum (Oleaceae) microsatellite loci using paired‐end Illumina reads
Authors: Sugai Kyoko , Setsuko Suzuki
Published: January 2016

Twenty‐six microsatellite loci were developed and characterized for Ligustrum micranthum, a species endemic to the Ogasawara Islands, Japan. The genetic structure of this species must be clarified in order to restore the island's ecosystem. A total of 8511 primer pairs were designed from de novo sequencing. Of the 48 primer pairs selected, amplification and polymorphisms were tested using one population each from the Chichijima and Hahajima Islands of the Ogasawara Islands. Twenty‐six microsatellite loci were successfully amplified and the number of alleles for these loci ranged from five to 31 per locus, and the mean expected heterozygosities were 0.858 and 0.849, respectively. No significant deviation from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed in either population, and no significant linkage disequilibrium was detected between any locus pair. The microsatellite loci reported in this study can be used in future studies to evaluate the genetic structure and mating system of L. micranthum.
Genetic variation of pantropical Terminalia catappa plants with sea‐drifted seeds in the Bonin Islands: suggestions for transplantation guidelines
Authors: Setsuko Suzuki , Ohtani Masato , Sugai Kyoko , Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Kato Hidetoshi , Yoshimaru Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

The Bonin Islands are endowed with endemic species. However, these species are at risk of extinction because of the exuberance of invasive alien plants. Therefore, native plant species should be revegetated after eradicating alien plants. We investigated the genetic variation of Terminalia catappa populations in the Bonin Islands by using nuclear (n) microsatellites (simple sequence repeats [SSRs]) and chloroplast (cp) DNA. No significant differences were observed in the genetic diversity of nSSRs among 22 populations. However, recent bottlenecks were detected in three populations on the Chichijima Island group. nSSR variation and cpDNA haplotypes suggested the presence of two genetically distinct groups in the Mukojima and Chichijima Island groups and the Hahajima Island group. A similar genetic structure was observed in plants and animals in the Bonin Islands. Populations on the three islands, which were separated from other islands in each island group when the water depth was 50‐m lower than the present level, were dominated by unique nSSRs clusters, suggesting that historical changes in island connections during the Pleistocene era affected genetic substructuring. These results suggested that different factors contributed to the genetic structure of T. catappa on different geographic scales. At the whole‐island level, the genetic structure was determined by long‐distance seed dispersal by ocean currents. At the island‐group level, the genetic structure was determined by historical changes in island connections caused by changes in the sea level due to glacial–interglacial transition. These findings would help in establishing transplantation zone borders for revegetating T. catappa on the Bonin Islands.
Proteomics Approach Identifies Factors Associated With the Response to Low‐Density Lipoprotein Apheresis Therapy in Patients With Steroid‐Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Kuribayashi‐Okuma Emiko , Shibata Shigeru , Arai Shigeyuki , Ota Tatsuru , Watanabe Sumiyo , Hisaki Harumi , Okazaki Tomoki , Toda Tosifusa , Uchida Shunya
Published: January 2016

Low‐density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL‐A) has been shown to reduce proteinuria in a subgroup of nephrotic syndrome patients refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Factors influencing the efficacy of LDL‐A in nephrotic syndrome are completely unknown. Using a proteomics approach, we aimed to identify biological markers that predict the response to LDL‐A in patients with steroid‐resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). Identification of plasma proteins bound to the dextran‐sulfate column at the first session of LDL‐A was determined by mass spectrometry. To investigate biological factors associated with the response to LDL‐A, we compared profiles of column‐bound proteins between responders (defined by more than 50% reduction of proteinuria after the treatment) and non‐responders by 2‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) coupled to mass spectrometry in seven patients with SRNS. Evaluation of proteins adsorbed to LDL‐A column in patients with SRNS revealed the identity of 62 proteins, which included apolipoproteins, complement components, and serum amyloid P‐component (SAP). Comparative analysis of the column‐bound proteins between responders and non‐responders by 2‐DE demonstrated that apolipoprotein E (APOE) and SAP levels were increased in non‐responders as compared with responders. These results were confirmed by western blotting. Moreover, serum levels of APOE and SAP were significantly higher in the non‐responder group than in the responder group by ELISA. Our data provide comprehensive analysis of proteins adsorbed by LDL‐A in SRNS, and demonstrate that the serum levels of APOE and SAP may be used to predict the response to LDL‐A in these patients.
Prospective evaluation of patient‐reported quality of life outcomes after external beam radiation treatment for prostate cancer in Victoria: A cohort study by the Victorian Prostate Cancer Registry
Authors: Patabendi Bandarage Varuni Ransika Kumari , Billah Baki , Millar Jeremy L , Evans Sue
Published: January 2016

Introduction

External beam radiation treatment (EBRT) for prostate cancer (CaP) can cause adverse effects on bowel, bladder and sexual function. We aimed to use CaP clinical registry data to evaluate variation in patient adverse effects after EBRT in Victoria.

Methods

Study subjects were men diagnosed with primary CaP between 2009 and 2014, treated with EBRT in metropolitan Melbourne, or in one of three regional integrated cancer service (ICS) regions. Information on change in general and disease‐specific health outcome 12 and 24 months after the initial diagnosis were obtained using a modified Expanded CaP index composite (EPIC)‐26 survey and there was no variation of follow up between ICSs.

Results

The proportion of men with ‘big bother’ (the most troublesome category) was compared between the ICS regions in Victoria (n = 1,825). There was no difference in big bother in urinary and sexual function across the regions at 24 months. However, patients treated in one regional cancer service had a higher proportion with ‘big bother’ (11.1%) compared with the rest of the Victoria (4.8%); (χ2 = 4.85; P = 0.02). The only significant factor for this was the location of EBRT (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.12–6.04; P = 0.02). There was no association over time in that region with change in EBRT technique from 3‐D conformal radiation therapy to intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (z‐test for proportion: 0.77; P: 0.44).

Conclusion

A comprehensive clinical cancer registry system, can be used to benchmark outcomes for men diagnosed with CaP and may detect clinically relevant variations that require further detailed evaluation and response.
Corruption as a Self‐Fulfilling Prophecy: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in Costa Rica
Authors: Corbacho Ana , Gingerich Daniel W. , Oliveros Virginia , Ruiz‐Vega Mauricio
Published: January 2016

An influential literature argues that corruption behaves as a self‐fulfilling prophecy. Its central claim is that the individual returns to corruption are a function of the perceived corruptibility of the other members of society. Empirically, this implies that if one were to exogenously increase beliefs about societal levels of corruption, willingness to engage in corruption should also increase. We evaluate this implication by utilizing an information experiment embedded in a large‐scale household survey recently conducted in the Gran Área Metropolitana of Costa Rica. Changes in beliefs about corruption were induced via the random assignment of an informational display depicting the increasing percentage of Costa Ricans who have personally witnessed an act of corruption. Consistent with the self‐fulfilling prophecy hypothesis, we find that internalizing the information from the display on average increased the probability that a respondent would be willing to bribe a police officer by approximately .05 to .10.
Cervical pessaries to prevent preterm birth in women with a multiple pregnancy: a per‐protocol analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Liem Sophie M.S. , Schuit Ewoud , van Pampus Mariëlle G. , van Melick Marjo , Monfrance Maurice , Langenveld Josje , Mol Ben W.J. , Bekedam Dick
Published: January 2016

Introduction

We recently showed that a cervical pessary prevents preterm birth and reduces poor neonatal outcomes in women with a twin pregnancy and a short cervix (<38 mm). The objective of this study was to evaluate the full potential treatment effect of the pessary in the whole group and in women with a short cervix.

Material and methods

We performed a per‐protocol analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (ProTWIN trial, NTR1858) where we excluded women who were allocated to the pessary but never had it placed. Women who had the pessary removed before 36 gestational weeks and did not deliver within 7 days after removal, were excluded. Analyses were performed on all women and in those with a cervical length <38 mm.

Results

In 23 (6%) women the pessary was not placed. In women with a cervical length <38 mm (25th percentile) the pessary reduced poor perinatal outcome (relative risk 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.13–0.78) and birth at <32 weeks (relative risk 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.20–0.87). After excluding 47 (12%) women, the time to delivery was longer in the pessary group than in the control group (whole group: hazard ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.55–0.82, cervical length <38 mm: hazard ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.22–0.57).

Conclusions

The analysis confirms the principal findings of the intention‐to‐treat analysis. Time to delivery was longer in the pessary group than in the control group when censored data were used. This implies the pessary should not be removed until labor is evident.
Superoxide dismutases in chronic gastritis
Authors: Švagelj Dražen , Terzić Velimir , Dovhanj Jasna , Švagelj Marija , Cvrković Mirta , Švagelj Ivan
Published: January 2016

Human gastric diseases have shown significant changes in the activity and expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoforms. The aim of this study was to detect Mn‐SOD activity and expression in the tissue of gastric mucosa, primarily in chronic gastritis (immunohistochemical Helicobacter pylori‐negative gastritis, without other pathohistological changes) and to evaluate their possible connection with pathohistological diagnosis. We examined 51 consecutive outpatients undergoing endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients were classified based on their histopathological examinations and divided into three groups: 51 patients (archive samples between 2004–2009) with chronic immunohistochemical Helicobacter pylori‐negative gastritis (mononuclear cells infiltration were graded as absent, moderate, severe) divided into three groups. Severity of gastritis was graded according to the updated Sydney system. Gastric tissue samples were used to determine the expression of Mn‐SOD with anti‐Mn‐SOD Ab immunohistochemically. The Mn‐SOD expression was more frequently present in specimens with severe and moderate inflammation of gastric mucosa than in those with normal mucosa. In patients with normal histological finding, positive immunoreactivity of Mn‐SOD was not found. Our results determine the changes in Mn‐SOD expression occurring in the normal gastric mucosa that had undergone changes in the intensity of chronic inflammatory infiltrates in the lamina propria.
Identification of internal control genes in milk‐derived mammary epithelial cells during lactation cycle of Indian zebu cow
Authors: Jatav Pradeep , Sodhi Monika , Sharma Ankita , Mann Sandeep , Kishore Amit , Shandilya Umesh K , Mohanty Ashok K , Kataria Ranjit S , Yadav Poonam , Verma Preeti , Kumar Surinder , Malakar Dhruba , Mukesh Manishi
Published: January 2016

The present study aims to evaluate the suitability of 10 candidate genes, namely GAPDH, ACTB, RPS15A, RPL4, RPS9, RPS23, HMBS, HPRT1, EEF1A1 and UBI as internal control genes (ICG) to normalize the transcriptional data of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) in Indian cows. A total of 52 MEC samples were isolated from milk of Sahiwal cows (major indigenous dairy breed of India) across different stages of lactation: Early (5–15 days), Peak (30–60 days), Mid (100–140 days) and Late (> 240 days). Three different statistical algorithms: geNorm, Normfinder and BestKeeper were used to assess the suitability of these genes. In geNorm analysis, all the genes exhibited expression stability (M) values below 0.5 with EEF1A1 and RPL4 showing the maximum expression stability. Similar to geNorm, Normfinder also identified EEF1A1 and RPL4 as two of the most stable genes. In Bestkeeper algorithm as well, all the 10 genes showed consistent expression levels. The analysis showed that four genes, that is, EEF1A1, RPL4, GAPDH and ACTB exhibited higher coefficient of correlation to the Bestkeeper index, lower coefficient of variance and standard deviation, indicating their superiority to be used as ICG. The present analysis has provided evidence that RPL4, EEF1A1, GAPDH and ACTB could probably act as most suitable genes for normalizing the transcriptional data of milk‐derived mammary epithelial cells of Indian cows.
Ribosomal RNA analysis in the diagnosis of Diamond‐Blackfan Anaemia
Authors: Quarello Paola , Garelli Emanuela , Carando Adriana , Mancini Cecilia , Foglia Luiselda , Botto Carlotta , Farruggia Piero , De Keersmaecker Kim , Aspesi Anna , Ellis Steve R. , Dianzani Irma , Ramenghi Ugo
Published: January 2016

Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is an inherited disease characterized by pure erythroid aplasia that has been tagged as a ‘ribosomopathy’. We report a multi‐centre study focused on the analysis of rRNA processing of 53 Italian DBA patients using capillary electrophoresis analysis of rRNA maturation of the 40S and 60S ribosomal subunits. The ratio of 28S/18S rRNA was higher in patients with mutated ribosomal proteins (RPs) of the small ribosomal subunit. In contrast, patients with mutated RPs of the large ribosomal subunit (RPLs) had a lower 28S/18S ratio. The assay reported here would be amenable for development as a diagnostic tool.
TP53 mutation in patients with high‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Middeke Jan M. , Herold Sylvia , Rücker‐Braun Elke , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Stelljes Matthias , Kaufmann Martin , Schäfer‐Eckart Kerstin , Baldus Claudia D. , Stuhlmann Reingard , Ho Anthony D. , Einsele Hermann , Rösler Wolf , Serve Hubert , Hänel Mathias , Sohlbach Kristina , Klesse Christian , Mohr Brigitte , Heidenreich Falk , Stölzel Friedrich , Röllig Christoph , Platzbecker Uwe , Ehninger Gerhard , Bornhäuser Martin , Thiede Christian , Schetelig Johannes ,   the Study Alliance Leukaemia (SAL)
Published: January 2016

Treatment success in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is heterogeneous. Cytogenetic and molecular alterations are strong prognostic factors, which have been used to individualize treatment. Here, we studied the impact of TP53 mutations on the outcome of AML patients with adverse cytogenetic risk treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Samples of 97 patients with AML and adverse‐risk cytogenetics who had received a HSCT within three randomized trials were analysed. Complete sequencing of the TP53 coding region was performed using next generation sequencing. The median age was 51 years. Overall, TP53 mutations were found in 40 patients (41%). With a median follow up of 67 months, the three‐year probabilities of overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival for patients with TP53 wild type were 33% [95% confidence interval (CI), 21% to 45%] and 24% (95% CI, 13% to 35%) compared to 10% (95% CI, 0% to 19%) and 8% (95% CI, 0% to 16%) (P = 0·002 and P = 0·007) for those with mutated TP53, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the TP53‐mutation status had a negative impact on OS (Hazard Ratio = 1·7; P = 0·066). Mutational analysis of TP53 might be an important additional tool to predict outcome after HSCT in patients with adverse karyotype AML.
Therapy with low‐dose azacitidine for MDS in children and young adults: a retrospective analysis of the EWOG‐MDS study group
Authors: Cseh Annamaria M. , Niemeyer Charlotte M. , Yoshimi Ayami , Catala Albert , Frühwald Michael C. , Hasle Henrik , van den Heuvel‐Eibrink Mary M. , Lauten Melchior , De Moerloose Barbara , Smith Owen P. , Bernig Toralf , Gruhn Bernd , Kulozik Andreas E. , Metzler Markus , Olcay Lale , Suttorp Meinolf , Furlan Ingrid , Strahm Brigitte , Flotho Christian
Published: January 2016

Low‐dose azacitidine is efficient and safe in the therapy of malignant myeloid disorders in adults but data in children are lacking. We present a retrospective analysis of 24 children and young adults with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who received azacitidine at the time of first diagnosis or relapse after allotransplant (2 children were treated with azacitidine both initially and for relapse). Diagnoses were refractory cytopenia of childhood (N = 4), advanced primary MDS (N = 9) and secondary MDS (N = 11). The median duration of treatment was four cycles. Azacitidine was well tolerated, but cytopenias led to dose reduction in five cases. Treatment was discontinued in one child because of impaired renal function. Sixteen MDS patients were treated with azacitidine at first diagnosis. One complete clinical remission was observed and one child showed complete marrow remission; six children experienced stable disease with haematological improvement. Ten children received azacitidine for relapsed MDS after transplant: of these, seven experienced stable disease for 2–30 cycles (median 3), including one patient with haematological improvement for seven cycles. In summary, azacitidine is effective in some children with MDS and appears to be a non‐toxic option in palliative situations to prolong survival.
Socioeconomic inequalities and determinants of oral hygiene status amongUrbanIndian adolescents
Authors: Mathur Manu Raj , Tsakos Georgios , Parmar Priyanka , Millett Christopher J. , Watt Richard G.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To assess the socioeconomic inequalities in oral hygiene and to explore the role of various socioeconomic and psychosocial factors as determinants of these inequalities among adolescents residing in Delhi National Capital Territory.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1386 adolescents aged 12–15 years from three different socioeconomic groups according to their area of residence (middle‐class areas, resettlement colonies and urban slum colonies). Level of oral hygiene was examined clinically using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI‐S), and an interviewer‐administered questionnaire was used to measure key socio‐demographic variables and psychosocial and health‐related behaviours. Logistic regression analysis tested the association between area of residence and poor oral hygiene.

Results

Poor oral hygiene was observed in 50.2% of the adolescents. There was a socioeconomic gradient in poor oral hygiene, with higher prevalence observed at each level of deprivation. These differences were only partly explained, and the differences between adolescent groups remained statistically significant after adjusting for various demographic variables, standard of living, social capital, social support and health‐affecting behaviours (OR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.30–2.76; andOR: 2.50, 95%CI: 1.60–3.92 for adolescents from resettlement colonies and urban slums, respectively, than middle‐class adolescents).

Conclusion

Area of residence emerged as a strong socioeconomic predictor of prevalence of poor oral hygiene among Indian adolescents. Various material, psychosocial and behavioural factors did not fully explain the observed inequalities in poor oral hygiene among different adolescent groups.
Thunderstorm‐related asthma: what happens and why
Authors: D'Amato G. , Vitale C. , D'Amato M. , Cecchi L. , Liccardi G. , Molino A. , Vatrella A. , Sanduzzi A. , Maesano C. , Annesi‐Maesano I.
Published: January 2016

The fifth report issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasts that greenhouse gases will increase the global temperature as well as the frequency of extreme weather phenomena. An increasing body of evidence shows the occurrence of severe asthma epidemics during thunderstorms in the pollen season, in various geographical zones. The main hypotheses explaining association between thunderstorms and asthma claim that thunderstorms can concentrate pollen grains at ground level which may then release allergenic particles of respirable size in the atmosphere after their rupture by osmotic shock. During the first 20–30 min of a thunderstorm, patients suffering from pollen allergies may inhale a high concentration of the allergenic material that is dispersed into the atmosphere, which in turn can induce asthmatic reactions, often severe. Subjects without asthma symptoms, but affected by seasonal rhinitis can also experience an asthma attack. All subjects affected by pollen allergy should be alerted to the danger of being outdoors during a thunderstorm in the pollen season, as such events may be an important cause of severe exacerbations. In light of these observations, it is useful to predict thunderstorms and thus minimize thunderstorm‐related events.
Chronic inflammatory airway diseases: the central role of the epithelium revisited
Authors: Gohy S. T. , Hupin C. , Pilette C. , Ladjemi M. Z.
Published: January 2016

The respiratory epithelium plays a critical role for the maintenance of airway integrity and defense against inhaled particles. Physical barrier provided by apical junctions and mucociliary clearance clears inhaled pathogens, allergens or toxics, to prevent continuous stimulation of adaptive immune responses. The “chemical barrier”, consisting of several anti‐microbial factors such as lysozyme and lactoferrin, constitutes another protective mechanism of the mucosae against external aggressions before adaptive immune response starts. The reconstruction of damaged respiratory epithelium is crucial to restore this barrier. This review examines the role of the airway epithelium through recent advances in health and chronic inflammatory diseases in the lower conducting airways (in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Better understanding of normal and altered epithelial functions continuously provides new insights into the physiopathology of chronic airway diseases and should help to identify new epithelial‐targeted therapies.
Isolated hypoplasia of abdominal wall muscles associated with fetal ascites
Authors: Travan Laura , Naviglio Samuele , Cont Gabriele , Brovedani Pierpaolo , Davanzo Riccardo , Demarini Sergio
Published: January 2016

We report the case of an infant born after parvovirus B19‐induced fetal hydrops, who presented at birth with bilateral abdominal wall laxity, which was more evident on the flanks. Imaging exams revealed congenital hypoplasia of oblique abdominal muscles not associated with other anatomical abnormalities except for small liver calcifications. We review the medical literature and identify similar cases associated with fetal ascites. We propose that isolated hypoplasia of abdominal wall muscles can be associated with fetal ascites from various causes, and represents a separate condition from prune belly syndrome.
A non‐sense MCM9 mutation in a familial case of primary ovarian insufficiency
Authors: Fauchereau F. , Shalev S. , Chervinsky E. , Beck‐Fruchter R. , Legois B. , Fellous M. , Caburet S. , Veitia R.A.
Published: January 2016

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) results in an early loss of ovarian function, and remains idiopathic in about 80% of cases. Here, we have performed a complete genetic study of a consanguineous family with two POI cases. Linkage analysis and homozygosity mapping identified 12 homozygous regions with linkage, totalling 84 Mb. Whole‐exome sequencing of the two patients and a non‐affected sister allowed us to detect a homozygous causal variant in the MCM9 gene. The variant c.1483G>T [p.E495*], confirmed using Sanger sequencing, introduced a premature stop codon in coding exon 8 and is expected to lead to the loss of a functional protein. MCM9 belongs to a complex required for DNA repair by homologous recombination, and its impairment in mouse is known to induce meiotic recombination defects and oocyte degeneration. A previous study recently described two consanguineous families in which homozygous mutations of MCM9 were responsible for POI and short stature. Interestingly, the affected sisters in the family described here had a normal height. Altogether, our results provide the confirmation of the implication of MCM9 variants in POI and expand their phenotypic spectrum.
Genetics of human Bardet–Biedl syndrome, an updates
Authors: Khan S.A. , Muhammad N. , Khan M.A. , Kamal A. , Rehman Z.U. , Khan S.
Published: January 2016

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) is an autosomal recessive multisystemic human genetic disorder characterized by six major defects including obesity, mental retardation, renal anomalies, polydactyly, retinal degeneration and hypogenitalism. In several cases ofBBS, few other features such as metabolic defects, cardiovascular anomalies, speech deficits, hearing loss, hypertension, hepatic defects and high incidence of diabetes mellitus have been reported as well. TheBBSdisplays extensive genetic heterogeneity. To date, 19 genes have been mapped on different chromosomes causingBBSphenotypes having varied mutational load of eachBBSgene. In this review, we have discussed clinical spectrum and genetics ofBBS. This report presents a concise overview of the current knowledge on clinical data and its molecular genetics progress upto date.
Temporal sequence of recovery‐related events following maximal exercise assessed by heart rate variability and blood lactate concentration
Authors: Hoshi Rosangela Akemi , Vanderlei Luiz Carlos Marques , de Godoy Moacir Fernandes , Bastos Fábio do Nascimento , Netto Jayme , Pastre Carlos Marcelo
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To analyse the temporal sequence of recovery events related to autonomic nervous system and metabolic processes following maximal exercise, applying linear and nonlinear indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood lactate concentration.

Methods

On the following day of the maximum oxygen consumption test, 20 participants firstly lay down for 20 min for resting data collection and then underwent the constant velocity exhaustive test, which consisted in running at 100% of maximal velocity reached on the previous day until exhaustion. Immediately after the end of exercise, the participants kept a supine position for 120 min recovering passively. Prior to exercise and at every 10 min during the recovery time, blood samples were collected to determine lactate concentration, and heart rate variability analysis (time and frequency domain indices and recurrence plot variables) was performed. Friedman's test, complemented with Dunn's multiple comparison test, was used to compare recovery moments and baseline values.

Results

From 70 min, no significant differences were detected between lactate concentration and baseline. HRV indices were considered recovered at different timings: at 60 min for SD2; at 70 min for SDNN and LF; at 80 min for RMSSD, HF and SD1 and at 90 min for recurrence plot variables.

Conclusions

During passive recovery after maximal exercise, restoration processes seem to comply an order, considering analysed HRV indices and lactate removal: at first, lactate concentration reaches normal values, allowing sympathovagal reorganization, and then, parasympathetic function is able to complete its reestablishment followed by system complexity recovering.
41 years into the bronchial tree: a very obstructive cap
Authors: Pellissier Aude , Kebdani Samira , Lacheheb Mohamed , Lainez Ségolène , Froudarakis Marios E. , Vergnon Jean‐Michel
Published: January 2016

Inhaled foreign body, which remains unknown from the childhood until the mid‐age is extremely rare. We report the case of a 58‐year‐old man who was addressed to our department to remove a pen cap, inhaled forty‐one years earlier. It was discovered during a routine pre‐op check‐up for bronchiectasis, caused by the long period of retention into the bronchial tree. The successful removal of the cap changed completely the therapeutic strategy, as there was no indication for surgical resection any more.
Long time enzyme replacement therapy stabilizes obstructive lung disease and alters peripheral immune cell subsets in Fabry patients
Authors: Odler Balázs , Cseh Áron , Constantin Tamás , Fekete György , Losonczy György , Tamási Lilla , Benke Kálmán , Szilveszter Bálint , Müller Veronika
Published: January 2016

Background

Fabry disease is an X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder, causing accumulation of globotriaosylceramid in different organs. Glycolipids are activators of different immune cell subsets the resulting inflammation is responsible for organ damage. Pulmonary involvement leads to airway inflammation; however, data on severity, as well as the effect of enzyme replacement therapy on lung function parameters and changes in peripheral immune cell subsets on lung involvement are sparse.

Methods

Seven Fabry patients and four carriers underwent detailed clinical examinations screening for pulmonary manifestations. Repetitive measurements were performed on five patients on ERT (average follow‐up 5 years). Patients with Fabry disease and control volunteers were included into peripheral blood cell measurements.

Results

Lung involvement was present in all patients. Symptoms suggestive for lung disease were mild, however, obstructive ventilatory disorder, dominantly affecting small airways accompanied by hyperinflation was demonstrated in all affected patients. ERT resulted in small improvement of FEV1 in most treated patients. Decreased ratio of myeloid DC, Th17 cells while increase in T helper (Th)1 cells, and no change in Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) cells were detected in Fabry patients.

Conclusions

Fabry disease results mainly in mild symptoms related to lung involvement, characterized by moderate non‐reversible obstructive ventilatory disorder. Stabilization of airway obstruction during follow‐up was observed using ERT in most patients, emphasizing the importance of this treatment in respect of pulmonary manifestations. Changes of immune cell subsets in the peripheral blood might play a role in inflammatory process, including small airways in Fabry patient's lung.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression is associated with decreased GATA‐3 immunohistochemical staining
Authors: Solus Jason F. , Hassan Khaled , Lee Sena J. , Hsi Andy C. , Rosman Ilana S. , Dehmeri Shadmehr , Schaffer András
Published: January 2016

Background

The GATA family of transcription factors is an essential regulator of cellular proliferation and differentiation. In the skin, GATA‐3 is critical for epidermal stratification and maintenance of barrier function. A role for GATA‐3 in the development of human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is not known. Here, we investigated GATA‐3 immunohistochemical staining in premalignant and invasive cutaneous SCC from sun‐exposed and sun‐protected skin.

Methods

GATA‐3 immunohistochemistry was performed on actinic keratoses (AK) (n = 19), in situ squamous cell carcinomas with actinic [SCCIS (A)] (n = 9) or bowenoid features [SCCIS (B)] (n = 17), well‐, moderately and poorly differentiated SCC (n = 36), Bowenoid papulosis of the perineum (n = 15) and penile SCC (pSCC) (n = 10).

Results

We found that GATA‐3 immunohistochemical staining is progressively lost in sun‐exposed skin as neoplasia progresses from pre‐cancerous AK to SCCIS (A), and ultimately, to SCC, which shows near absent GATA‐3 staining. This reduction in GATA‐3 staining is independent of histological grade in SCC. Only slight down‐regulation of GATA‐3 was seen in all cases of SCCIS (B) and Bowenoid papulosis, while near absent GATA‐3 expression was seen in pSCC.

Conclusion

We propose that decreased GATA‐3 immunohistochemical staining is associated with cutaneous SCC progression on both sun‐exposed and sun‐protected sites.
Cerebral palsy and perinatal mortality after pregnancy‐induced hypertension across the gestational age spectrum: observations of a reconstructed total population cohort
Authors: Blair Eve , Watson Linda ,   the Australian Cerebral Palsy Register Group
Published: January 2016

Aim

Pregnancy‐induced hypertension/pre‐eclampsia (PIH/PE) is associated with cerebral palsy (CP) in term births but if sufficiently severe to necessitate preterm delivery predicts a lower risk of CP than observed in gestational peers. We investigated whether this apparent ‘protection’ was attributable to inappropriately chosen comparison groups and/or an increased risk of perinatal death.

Method

Perinatal information was collected from medical records of children with CP, individually matched neonatal survivors without CP, and representative samples of perinatal deaths of Western Australian birth cohorts from 1980 to 1995. Compared with these data, the sensitivity of statutorily collected PIH/PE data was assessed for each outcome group. Using these sensitivities, the estimated risks of death and CP in births to all women with and without PIH/PE were compared.

Results

Sensitivity of statutory PIH/PE data decreased with increasingly poor outcome. Reconstructed cohorts showed that PIH/PE increased the risks both of CP and of perinatal death in births at lower gestations except in births <27 weeks, where the risk of perinatal death only increased greatly.

Interpretation

PIH/PE does not protect against poor outcome at any gestational age. Previously reported protective effects originate from inappropriate control for gestational age and not from higher gestation‐specific perinatal mortality.
ENHANCED CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION AND CHILDREN'S MEDICAID COVERAGE
Authors: Marton James , Snyder Angela , Zhou Mei
Published: January 2016

This article examines a potential unintended consequence of the mandated Medicaid citizenship verification requirements of the 2005 Deficit Reduction Act (DRA). We investigate whether or not these new rules led to an increase in the Medicaid exit rate among enrollees using state administrative data from Georgia. We do this by comparing the exit rate for children enrolled in Medicaid whose first coverage recertification occurs just after implementation of the DRA (which we refer to as a “high impact” first recertification) with those whose first recertification occurs just prior (which we refer to as a “low impact” first recertification). Our analysis suggests that children in the high‐impact first recertification group were about 2 percentage points more likely to exit Medicaid than those in the low‐impact group. Furthermore, these additional exits occurred in racial and ethnic groups more likely to be citizens than noncitizens and prereform estimates suggest that there were very few (roughly 0.10%) noncitizen Medicaid enrollees to begin with. Taken together, our results suggest that the DRA‐enhanced citizenship verification rules led to an increase in Medicaid disenrollment, and thus a reduction in coverage, among citizens. (JEL I18, I38, J13)
Functional transformation series and the evolutionary origin of novel forms: evidence from a remarkable termite defensive organ
Authors: Kaji Tomonari , Keiler Jonas , Bourguignon Thomas , Miura Toru
Published: January 2016

The origins of evolutionary novelties are often deeply puzzling. They are generally associated with new functions that were absent in ancestors. The new functional configuration should arise via intermediate stages without any loss of function or impediment to the whole organism during the transitions. Therefore, understanding of the functional configurations of transitional states can shed light on how novel forms arise. Here we infer the evolutionary origin of a highly specialized termite defensive organ “nasus” where different functions overlap in different structural configurations at intermediate evolutionary stages to ensure that each phase is functional. Soldiers of a nasutitermitine termite use reconfigured mandibular muscles to squirt a viscous secretion from a nozzle‐like head projection (the nasus). This contrasts sharply with the primitive defensive strategy where mandibles are used to bite. MicroCT observations of soldiers of Nasutitermes takasagoensis and of species with the ancestral state (Hodotermopsis sjostedti, Embiratermes neotenicus) revealed three different yet fully functional configurations in the transition from ancestral to novel state: (i) elevated hydrostatic pressure induced by contraction of mandibular muscles when biting gently oozes secretion from a gland; (ii) direct pressure on an enlarged gland arises from expansion of the mandibular muscles when biting; (iii) squirting in a piston‐like manner by an inflated gland enveloped by highly modified mandibular muscles. Even a structure as exotic as the nasus therefore appears to have evolved with no loss of function at any stage. Such a functional approach, holds much promise for understanding the evolutionary origin of seemingly preposterous novel forms.
Methanogens rapidly transition from methane production to iron reduction
Authors: Sivan O. , Shusta S. S. , Valentine D. L.
Published: January 2016

Methanogenesis, the microbial methane (CH4) production, is traditionally thought to anchor the mineralization of organic matter as the ultimate respiratory process in deep sediments, despite the presence of oxidized mineral phases, such as iron oxides. This process is carried out by archaea that have also been shown to be capable of reducing iron in high levels of electron donors such as hydrogen. The current pure culture study demonstrates that methanogenic archaea (Methanosarcina barkeri) rapidly switch from methanogenesis to iron‐oxide reduction close to natural conditions, with nitrogen atmosphere, even when faced with substrate limitations. Intensive, biotic iron reduction was observed following the addition of poorly crystalline ferrihydrite and complex organic matter and was accompanied by inhibition of methane production. The reaction rate of this process was of the first order and was dependent only on the initial iron concentrations. Ferrous iron production did not accelerate significantly with the addition of 9,10‐anthraquinone‐2,6‐disulfonate (AQDS) but increased by 11–28% with the addition of phenazine‐1‐carboxylate (PCA), suggesting the possible role of methanophenazines in the electron transport. The coupling between ferrous iron and methane production has important global implications. The rapid transition from methanogenesis to reduction of iron–oxides close to the natural conditions in sediments may help to explain the globally‐distributed phenomena of increasing ferrous concentrations below the traditional iron reduction zone in the deep ‘methanogenic’ sediment horizon, with implications for metabolic networking in these subsurface ecosystems and in past geological settings.