bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concerns about medications mediate the association of posttraumatic stress disorder with adherence to medication in stroke survivors
Authors: Edmondson Donald , Horowitz Carol R. , Goldfinger Judith Z. , Fei Kezhen , Kronish Ian M.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a consequence of acute medical events and has been associated with non‐adherence to medications. We tested whether increased concerns about medications could explain the association between PTSD and non‐adherence to medication in stroke survivors.

Design

We surveyed 535 participants aged 40 years or older who had at least one stroke or transient ischaemic attack in the previous 5 years.

Methods

We assessed PTSD using the PTSD checklist‐specific for stroke, medication adherence with the Morisky Medication Adherence Questionnaire, and beliefs about medications with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. We used logistic regression to test whether concerns about medications mediated the association between stroke‐induced PTSD and non‐adherence to medication. Covariates for adjusted analyses included age, sex, race, comorbid medical conditions, stroke‐related disability, years since last stroke/TIA, and depression.

Results

Symptoms of PTSD were correlated with greater concerns about medications (r = 0.45; p < .001), and both were associated with medication non‐adherence. Adjustment for concerns about medications attenuated the relationship between PTSD and non‐adherence to medication, from an odds ratio [OR] of 1.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.06; OR, 1.63 per 1 SD) to an OR of 1.02 (95% CI, 1.00–1.05; OR, 1.32 per 1 SD), and increased concerns about medications remained associated with increased odds of non‐adherence to medication (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.10–1.25; OR, 1.72 per 1 SD) in this fully adjusted model. A bootstrap mediation test suggested that the indirect effect was statistically significant and explained 38% of the association of PTSD to medication non‐adherence, and the direct effect of PTSD symptoms on medication non‐adherence was no longer significant.

Conclusion

Increased concerns about medications explain a significant proportion of the association between PTSD symptoms and non‐adherence to medication in stroke survivors.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject? Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common after cardiovascular events, including stroke and transient ischemic attack. PTSD due to non‐stroke cardiovascular events is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease recurrence and mortality. PTSD due to stroke is associated with increased risk for medication nonadherence in stroke survivors.

What does this study add? While PTSD has been associated with medication nonadherence in stroke survivors and acute coronary syndrome survivors, no mechanism for that association has been tested. This is the first study to provide evidence for a mediator of the PTSD‐nonadherence association, increased concerns about medications, and point to potential interventions to improve adherence in stroke survivors.
Social spaces for young children in hospital
Authors: Lambert V. , Coad J. , Hicks P. , Glacken M.
Published: January 2013

Background

In the last number of years heightened interest has been attributed to the impact of hospital environments on children's psychosocial well‐being. With policy largely built around adult assumptions, knowledge about what constitutes a child‐friendly hospital environment from young children's perspectives has been lacking. If hospital environments are to aspire to being child friendly then the views of younger aged children must be taken into account. The current study investigated young children's perspectives of hospital social spaces to inform the design of the built environment of a new children's hospital.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative participatory design was employed. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews (one‐to‐one and group workshops) which incorporated art‐based activities to actively engage young children. Fifty‐five young children aged 5 to 8 years with various acute and chronic illnesses were recruited from inpatient, outpatient and emergency departments of three children's hospitals.

Results

Young children want a diversity of readily available, independently accessible, age, gender and developmentally appropriate leisure and entertainment facilities seamlessly integrated throughout the hospital environment. Such activities were invaluable for creating a positive hospital experience for children by combating boredom, enriching choice and control and reducing a sense of isolation through enhanced socialization. When in hospital, young children want to feel socially connected to the internal hospital community as well as to the outside world. Technology can assist to broaden the spectrum of children's social connectivity when in hospital – to home, school and the wider outside world.

Conclusion

While technology offers many opportunities to support children's psychosocial well‐being when in confined healthcare spaces, the implementation and operation of such services and systems require much further research in the areas of ethics, facilitation, organizational impact and evaluation.
Implications of parent and child quality of life assessments for decisions about growth hormone treatment in eligible children
Authors: Otero S. C. , Eiser C. , Wright N. P. , Butler G.
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine differences between parents and children in ratings of child health‐related quality of life (HRQL) prior to growth hormone treatment.

Method

HRQL measures were collected from 144 children and their caregivers. Inclusion criteria were aged between 10 and 16 years, diagnosed with Turner's syndrome, acquired or idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (AGHD or IGHD) and eligible to begin human GH treatment (GHT), or non‐growth hormone deficient (GHD) short stature.

Results

Parents rated children to have poorer physical and psychosocial HRQL than children rated themselves. Differences depended on the measure used. Parents rated children with IGHD and non‐GHD short stature better than children rated themselves, but they rated children with AGHD or Turner's much worse than children rated themselves in terms of physical but not psychosocial functioning.

Conclusions

Decisions to prescribe GHT should include children's perspectives of HRQL whenever possible. Differences between parents and children are most likely in conditions that involve more complex medical needs (AGHD and Turner's). Generic and disease‐specific HRQL measures may vary in sensitivity to HRQL differences between groups. More work is required to evaluate HRQL among younger children.
Preverbal Infants' Attention to Manner and Path: Foundations for Learning Relational Terms
Authors: Pulverman Rachel , Song Lulu , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Pruden Shannon M. , Golinkoff Roberta M.
Published: January 2013

In the world, the manners and paths of motion events take place together, but in language, these features are expressed separately. How do infants learn to process motion events in linguistically appropriate ways? Forty‐six English‐learning 7‐ to 9‐month‐olds were habituated to a motion event in which a character performed both a manner and a path, and then tested on events that changed the manner, path, both, or neither. Infants detected each type of change, but only the girls showed evidence of processing manner and path as independent features. This gender difference provides clues about the universal development of manner and path concepts from more basic perceptual skills. Results have implications for how representations of linguistically relevant semantic elements develop conceptually.
Osseointegration at implants placed into delayed reimplanted roots: An experimental study in dogs
Authors: de Carvalho Cardoso Leandro , Poi Wilson Roberto , Botticelli Daniele , Junior Idelmo Rangel Garcia , Pantani Fabio , Pereira Cassiano Costa Silva
Published: January 2013

Aim

To evaluate peri‐implant bone repair of implants placed into the roots of delayed reimplanted teeth, in a process of ankylosis and external replacement resorption.

Material and methods

The third and fourth mandibular premolars of four (4) beagle dogs were used as experimental sites. The study was divided into three stages: stage 1 – endodontic and extraction/reimplantation session, stage 2 – decrowning session and stage 3 – implant placement. Two groups were identified: (I) immediate implants, including implants installed in fresh extraction sockets of the distal roots, and (II) experimental implants, including implants installed into the retained ankylotic mesial roots. In each group, 16 implants were planned to be inserted, but only 9 immediate implants and 12 experimental implants were used for analyses. Implants were intended to heal in a submerged mode. After 4 months of healing, the animals were sacrificed and ground sections were obtained for histomorphometric evaluation.

Results

Eleven of the twelve implants in the experimental group were found successful regarding clinical and radiographic aspects. For immediate implants, a lower BIC% was found at the coronal portion (BIC% 1 = 42.2%) compared with the three most coronal threads portion (BIC% 2 = 55.1). Also, experimental implants presented a lower BIC% at the coronal portion (BIC% 1 = 36.9%) compared with the three most coronal threads portion (BIC% 2 = 45.3).

Conclusion

Comparison between groups showed a higher degree of BIC% and mineralization in immediate group compared with experimental group. The differences, however, did not yield statistical significance.
Outcome of a second patch test reading of TRUE Tests® on D6/7
Authors: Torp Madsen Jakob , Andersen Klaus Ejner
Published: January 2013

Background. Two readings of patch test reactions are recommended.

Objectives. To evaluate the outcome of a second patch test reading of TRUE Test® allergens on D6/7 in relation to negative or doubtful reactions on D3/4.

Methods. This was a retrospective investigation of patch test data from January 1992 to October 2011 from consecutive eczema patients tested with the TRUE Test® panels.

Results. In the period of nearly 20 years, a total of 9997 patients were tested. The total number of positive reactions to the 29 allergens was 6509; 4.4% were positive on D6/7 and negative on D3/4; and 9.1% were positive on D6/7 after a doubtful (?+) reaction on D3/4. Neomycin was the most frequent allergen giving delayed positive reactions (57%), followed by budesonide (42%) and hydrocortisone‐17‐butyrate (31%).

Conclusion. A total of 4.4% of positive TRUE Test® reactions would be missed, and 9.1% might be missed, if only one reading was performed on D3/4. The results emphasize that many doubtful reactions at D3/4 may develop into positive reactions at a later reading. This may have important implications for evaluation of the clinical relevance of the test result.
Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway mediates high glucose induced cell injury through activation of TRPC6 in podocytes
Authors: Li Z. , Xu J. , Xu P. , Liu S. , Yang Z.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes and a frequent cause of end‐stage renal disease and recent studies suggest that podocyte damage may play a role in the pathogenesis of this. At early onset of diabetic nephropathy there is podocyte drop‐out, which is thought to provoke glomerular albuminuria and subsequent glomerular injury; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this remain poorly understood. Here we report that we tested the hypothesis that early diabetic podocyte injury is caused, at least in part, by up‐regulation of transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6), which is regulated by the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, in mouse podocytes.

Materials and methods

Mechanism of injury initiation in mouse podocytes, by high concentration of D‐glucose (HG, 30 mM), was investigated by MTT, flow cytometry, real‐time quantitative PCR, and western blot analysis.

Results

HG induced apoptosis and reduced viability of differentiated podocytes. It caused time‐dependent up‐regulation of TRPC6 and activation of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway, in mouse podocytes. In these cells, blockade of the Wnt signalling pathway by dickkopf related protein 1 (Dkk1) resulted in effective reduction of TRPC6 up‐regulation and amelioration of podocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, reduction of cell viability induced by HG was attenuated by treatment with Dkk1.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway may potentially be active in pathogenesis of TRPC6‐mediated diabetic podocyte injury.
Strategic breakthrough in adult ABO‐incompatible living donor liver transplantation: preliminary results of consecutive seven cases
Authors: Soejima Yuji , Muto Jyun , Matono Rumi , Ninomiya Mizuki , Ikeda Tetsuo , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Uchiyama Hideaki , Ikegami Toru , Shirabe Ken , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: January 2013

ABO‐incompatibility is a major obstacle to expanding exiguous donor pools in adult liver transplantation, especially in countries where grafts from deceased donors are uncommon. We present our preliminary results of ABO‐incompatible (ABO‐I) adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a new, simple protocol. Seven consecutive cases of ABO‐I LDLT were managed by the same protocol including pre‐operative administration of a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m2) followed by three to five sessions of plasma exchange before LDLT without portal infusion therapy. The triple immunosuppression protocol consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroids, with mycophenolate mofetil starting seven d before LDLT. Splenectomy was performed for all cases. All patients are alive (100% survival) with a mean follow‐up of 852 d (715–990 d). Neither antibody‐mediated nor hyperacute rejection were encountered. There was only one episode of mild acute cellular rejection, for which steroid augmentation was effective. The median preformed isoagglutinin antibody titer before plasma exchange was 256, while the median antibody titer immediately before LDLT was 16. In conclusion, adult ABO‐I LDLT results were excellent – comparable or even superior to those of ABO‐compatible LDLT. ABO‐I adult LDLT has now become a more applicable modality without the need for an appropriate donor.
Nail stem cells
Authors: Sellheyer Klaus
Published: January 2013

Our knowledge on stem cells of the hair follicle has increased exponentially after the bulge was characterized as the stem cell niche two decades ago. In contrast, little is known about stem cells in the nail unit. Whereas hair follicles are plentiful and easy to access, the human body has only twenty nails and they are rarely biopsied. Therefore, examining fetal material offers unique advantages. In the following mini‐review, our current knowledge on nail stem cells is summarized and analogies to the hair follicle stem cells are drawn.
Feather regeneration as a model for organogenesis
Authors: Lin Sung‐Jan , Wideliz Randall B. , Yue Zhicao , Li Ang , Wu Xiaoshan , Jiang Ting‐Xin , Wu Ping , Chuong Cheng‐Ming
Published: January 2013

In the process of organogenesis, different cell types form organized tissues and tissues are integrated into an organ. Most organs form in the developmental stage, but new organs can also form in physiological states or following injuries during adulthood. Feathers are a good model to study post‐natal organogenesis because they regenerate episodically under physiological conditions and in response to injuries such as plucking. Epidermal stem cells in the collar can respond to activation signals. Dermal papilla located at the follicle base controls the regenerative process. Adhesion molecules (e.g., neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), tenascin), morphogens (e.g., Wnt3a, sprouty, fibroblast growth factor [FGF]10), and differentiation markers (e.g., keratins) are expressed dynamically in initiation, growth and resting phases of the feather cycle. Epidermal cells are shaped into different feather morphologies based on the molecular micro‐environment at the moment of morphogenesis. Chicken feather variants provide a rich resource for us to identify genetic determinants involved in feather regeneration and morphogenesis. An example of using genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis to identify alpha keratin 75 as the mutation in frizzled chickens is demonstrated. Due to its accessibility to experimental manipulation and observation, results of regeneration can be analyzed in a comprehensive way. The layout of time dimension along the distal (formed earlier) to proximal (formed later) feather axis makes the morphological analyses easier. Therefore feather regeneration can be a unique model for understanding organogenesis: from activation of stem cells under various physiological conditions to serving as the Rosetta stone for deciphering the language of morphogenesis.
Extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence daily activity of a Mediterranean cyprinid
Authors: Martelo Joana , Grossman Gary D. , Filomena Magalhães M.
Published: January 2013

Factors shaping individual behavior remain poorly understood for European cyprinids. We examined the effects of extrinsic (temperature and year) and intrinsic factors (body size and shoal size) on the daily activity of chub Squalius torgalensis, a critically endangered cyprinid found in the Torgal stream, Portugal. We quantified chub behaviors while snorkeling, using instantaneous sampling of focal individuals, in spring 2009 and 2010. We used Principal Component Analysis to describe individual behavior and assessed competing models relating individual behavior to explanatory variables using Akaike's Information Criterion. Year had a strong influence on chub behavior, with individuals spending more time drift foraging and orienting in 2009, whereas in 2010 they spent more time benthic foraging and cruising. Shoal size did not influence behaviors in 2009, but in 2010 individuals in small shoals foraged benthically and searched with greater frequency than those in large shoals. Individuals increased cruising and decreased searching as they grew in length, but the opposite trend was observed as temperature increased. Our results indicate that both extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence daily activity of chub, with individual behaviors varying between years, and depending upon shoal size, body size and temperature. This suggests that chub display high levels of individual behavioral flexibility, which may be important for fish inhabiting harsh and highly variable Mediterranean streams. Conservation efforts for this species will benefit by integrating behavioral information into management strategies.
Impaired littoral energy pathways cause a shift to pelagic resources by fish in recovering lake food webs
Authors: Luek Andreas , Morgan George E. , Wissel Bjoern , Gunn John M. , Ramcharan Charles W.
Published: January 2013

Fish communities may increase in biomass and productivity due to energy subsidies from the littoral invertebrate community. In lakes recovering from acidification and metal contamination, such as those in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, impaired benthic invertebrate communities (i.e., low diversity with higher abundance of small‐bodied taxa) allowed a critical test of the role of these littoral pathways on fish diet. We compared fish abundance, diversity, diet and biomass in eight recovering and eight reference lakes and related availability of the main littoral and pelagic invertebrate groups to fish diet regime using stable isotope analysis. A Bayesian mixing model (MixSIR) was used to estimate diet likelihood, and convex hull analysis was used to estimate trophic niche space of fish communities. Fish biomass did not differ between impaired and reference lakes despite substantial differences in potential diet. Fish depended strongly on littoral benthos in the reference lakes but consumed more pelagic food in the impaired lakes. The trophic niche of the focal, most common fish species (i.e., yellow perch, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed and brown bullhead) was larger in the impaired lakes. We attributed these differences to low diversity at the highest trophic levels of fish communities in the impaired lakes as well as to depauperate benthic invertebrate communities. In contrast to the food webs of most temperate lakes, fish in impaired lakes preyed less on littoral invertebrates yet still managed to maintain a reference lake level of biomass standing crop by relying more on pelagic resources – macro zooplankton such as Chaoborus.
Mortality and growth of dwarf mistletoe‐infected red and white fir and the efficacy of thinning for reducing associated losses
Authors: Mehl H. K. , Mori S. R. , Frankel S. J. , Rizzo D. M.
Published: January 2013

In managed forests dominated by true fir (Abies) species, stands are often restocked using understory trees retained during timber harvest, making the effects of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.) infestation on small true fir a concern. This study examined the response of small red (A. magnifica) and white (A. concolor) fir and their dwarf mistletoes (A. abietinum f.sp. magnificae and A. abietinum f.sp. concoloris, respectively) to precommercial thinning treatments in fir‐dominated stands in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Tree diameters and dwarf mistletoe ratings were monitored from 1981 to 2001, and mortality was observed from 1981 to 2006. Red and white fir survival and radial growth decreased significantly with greater mistletoe ratings and increased with larger diameters and live crown ratios. Thinning significantly increased survival and growth of white, but not red fir. Over the course of the study, mistletoe ratings for both fir species did not change significantly in unthinned stands, but increased in thinned stands. However, while statistically significant, increases in mistletoe ratings in thinned stands were gradual and mistletoe ratings did not statistically differ between treatments 20 years post‐thinning. Additionally, thinning did not significantly influence mistletoe spread to uninfected trees, indicating that precommercial thinning in lightly infested red and white fir stands will not likely result in substantial increases in dwarf mistletoe abundance over typical harvesting intervals. Overall, while severe dwarf mistletoe infection ratings reduced tree survival and growth, because ratings remained low, actual losses resulting from mistletoes during this study were minor and will not likely result in substantial economic losses over normal harvesting intervals. This finding indicates that precommercial thinning treatments designed specifically to compensate for mistletoe‐associated losses may not be necessary when managing red and white fir for timber production.
GABAA, NMDA and mGlu2 receptors tonically regulate inhibition and excitation in the thalamic reticular nucleus
Authors: Crabtree John W. , Lodge David , Bashir Zafar I. , Isaac John T. R.
Published: January 2013

Traditionally, neurotransmitters are associated with a fast, or phasic, type of action on neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). However, accumulating evidence indicates that γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate can also have a continual, or tonic, influence on these cells. Here, in voltage‐ and current‐clamp recordings in rat brain slices, we identify three types of tonically active receptors in a single CNS structure, the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN). Thus, TRN contains constitutively active GABAA receptors (GABAARs), which are located on TRN neurons and generate a persistent outward Cl− current. When TRN neurons are depolarized, blockade of this current increases their action potential output in response to current injection. Furthermore, TRN contains tonically active GluN2B‐containing N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs). These are located on reticuloreticular GABAergic terminals in TRN and generate a persistent facilitation of vesicular GABA release from these terminals. In addition, TRN contains tonically active metabotropic glutamate type 2 receptors (mGlu2Rs). These are located on glutamatergic cortical terminals in TRN and generate a persistent reduction of vesicular glutamate release from these terminals. Although tonically active GABAARs, NMDARs and mGlu2Rs operate through different mechanisms, we propose that the continual and combined activity of these three receptor types ultimately serves to hyperpolarize TRN neurons, which will differentially affect the output of these cells depending upon the current state of their membrane potential. Thus, when TRN cells are relatively depolarized, their firing in single‐spike tonic mode will be reduced, whereas when these cells are relatively hyperpolarized, their ability to fire in multispike burst mode will be facilitated.
How does climate change influence demographic processes of widespread species? Lessons from the comparative analysis of contrasted populations of roe deer
Authors: Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Mark Hewison A. J. , Klein François , Plard Floriane , Douhard Mathieu , Davison Raziel , Bonenfant Christophe
Published: January 2013

How populations respond to climate change depends on the interplay between life history, resource availability, and the intensity of the change. Roe deer are income breeders, with high levels of allocation to reproduction, and are hence strongly constrained by the availability of high quality resources during spring. We investigated how recent climate change has influenced demographic processes in two populations of this widespread species. Spring began increasingly earlier over the study, allowing us to identify 2 periods with contrasting onset of spring. Both populations grew more slowly when spring was early. As expected for a long‐lived and iteroparous species, adult survival had the greatest potential impact on population growth. Using perturbation analyses, we measured the relative contribution of the demographic parameters to observed variation in population growth, both within and between periods and populations. Within periods, the identity of the critical parameter depended on the variance in growth rate, but variation in recruitment was the main driver of observed demographic change between periods of contrasting spring earliness. Our results indicate that roe deer in forest habitats cannot currently cope with increasingly early springs. We hypothesise that they should shift their distribution to richer, more heterogeneous landscapes to offset energetic requirements during the critical rearing stage.
Safety of endovascular treatment beyond the 6‐h time window in 205 patients
Authors: Jung S. , Gralla J. , Fischer U. , Mono M.‐L. , Weck A. , Lüdi R. , Heldner M. R. , Findling O. , El‐Koussy M. , Brekenfeld C. , Schroth G. , Mattle H. P. , Arnold M.
Published: January 2013

Background and purpose

Intra‐arterial treatment (IAT) is effective when performed within 6 h of symptom onset in selected stroke patients (‘T < 6H’). Its safety and efficacy is unclear when the patient has had symptoms for more than 6 h (‘T > 6H’) or for an unknown time (unclear‐onset stroke, UOS), or woke up with a stroke (wake‐up stroke, WUS). In this study we compared the safety of IAT in these four patient groups.

Methods

Eight‐hundred and fifty‐nine patients treated with IAT were enrolled. The main outcome parameters were clinical outcome [excellent: modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0 or 1; or favorable: mRS 0–2] or mortality 3 months after treatment. Further outcome parameters were the rates of vessel recanalization, and cerebral and systemic hemorrhage.

Results

Six‐hundred and fifty‐four patients were treated before (T < 6H) and 205 after 6 h or an unknown time (128 T > 6H, 55 WUS and 22 UOS). NIHSS scores were higher in UOS patients than in T < 6H patients, vertebrobasilar occlusion was more common in T > 6H and UOS patients, and middle cerebral artery occlusions less common in T > 6H than in T < 6H patients. Other baseline characteristics were similar. There was no significant difference in clinical outcome and the rate of hemorrhage in multivariable regression analysis.

Conclusions

Clinical outcome of our four groups of patients was similar with no increase of hemorrhage rates in patients treated after awakening, after an unknown time or more than 6 h. Our preliminary data suggest that treatment of such patients may be performed safely. If confirmed in randomized trials, this would have major clinical implications.
Lacosamide as a new treatment option in status epilepticus
Authors: Höfler Julia , Trinka Eugen
Published: January 2013

Status epilepticus is among the most common neurologic emergencies, with a mortality rate of up to 20%. The most important therapeutic goal is fast, effective, and well‐tolerated cessation of status epilepticus. Intravenous phenytoin/fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, or valproate is the current standard treatment after failure of benzodiazepines. Lacosamide as a new antiepileptic drug has been available as an intravenous solution since 2009. To date, PubMed lists 19 studies (10 single case reports and 9 case series), reporting a total of 136 episodes of refractory status epilepticus (50% nonconvulsive status epilepticus, 31% focal status epilepticus, and 19% convulsive status epilepticus) treated with lacosamide. The most often used bolus dose was 200–400 mg over 3–5 min. The overall success rate was 56% (76/136). Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 25% (34/136) of patients: mild sedation in 25 cases, 1 patient with possible angioedema, 2 with allergic skin reaction, 4 with hypotension, and 1 with pruritus. One patient developed a third‐degree atrioventricular (AV) block and paroxysmal asystole. Overall, the rate of AEs was low. Current evidence on the use of intravenous lacosamide in acute seizures and status epilepticus is restricted to retrospective case reports and case series (class IV). Further prospective studies to inform clinicians are necessary.
Increase in the number of patients with seizures following the Great East‐Japan Earthquake
Authors: Shibahara Ichiyo , Osawa Shin‐Ichiro , Kon Hiroyuki , Morita Takahiro , Nakasato Nobukazu , Tominaga Teiji , Narita Norio
Published: January 2013

In the afternoon of March 11, 2011, Kesennuma City was hit by the Great East‐Japan Earthquake and a devastating tsunami. The purpose of this retrospective study is to document possible changes in the number of patients with distinct neurologic diseases seeking treatment following this disaster. Because of Kesennuma's unique geographical location, the city was isolated by the disaster, allowing for a study with relatively limited population selection bias. Patients admitted for neurologic emergencies from January 14 to May 5 in 2011 (n = 117) were compared with patients in the corresponding 16‐week periods in 2008–2010 (n = 323). The number of patients with unprovoked seizures was significantly higher during the 8‐week period after the earthquake (n = 13) than during the same periods in 2008 (n = 6), 2009 (n = 3), and 2010 (no patients) (p = 0.0062). In contrast, the number of patients treated for other neurologic diseases such as stroke, trauma, and tumors remained unchanged. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an increase in the number of patients with seizures following a life‐threatening natural disaster. We suggest that stress associated with life‐threatening situations may enhance seizure generation.
An Empirical Investigation of Audit Pricing in the Public Sector: The Case of Greek LGOs
Authors: Cohen Sandra , Leventis Stergios
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the associations between audit pricing and multidimensional characteristics of local governments by using a sample of Greek municipalities. The Greek institutional setting is interesting because it is politically pluralistic. Moreover, independent auditors appointed through a bid process exclusively perform the audits. Our results suggest a considerable variation on audit fees which is mainly driven by politically related factors indicating the importance of relevant theoretical anticipations in audit pricing in the public sector. Agency costs appear strong enough to explain audit pricing. We also confirm prior findings on the significance of audit complexity and size. Results also suggest that audit fees are reduced when an internal team dedicated to accrual accounting is appointed. Therefore, our conclusions offer practical implications for policy setters and regulators in the public sector in relation to audit quality.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Stepping Stones Triple P: A Mixed‐Disability Trial
Authors: Roux Gemma , Sofronoff Kate , Sanders Matthew
Published: January 2013

Stepping Stones Triple P (SSTP) is a parenting program designed for families of a child with a disability. The current study involved a randomized controlled trial of Group Stepping Stones Triple P (GSSTP) for a mixed‐disability group. Participants were 52 families of children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or an intellectual disability. The results demonstrated significant improvements in parent‐reported child behavior, parenting styles, parental satisfaction, and conflict about parenting. Results among participants were similar despite children's differing impairments. The intervention effect was maintained at 6‐month follow‐up. The results indicate that GSSTP is a promising intervention for a mixed‐disability group. Limitations of the study, along with areas for future research, are also discussed.
Underwriter Reputation, Issuer Ownership, and Pre‐IPO Earnings Management: Evidence from China
Authors: Chen Chao , Shi Haina , Xu Haoping
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the correlation between pre‐initial public offering (pre‐IPO) earnings management and underwriter reputation for issuers with different ownership structures in China. We document a significantly inverse relationship between underwriter reputation and pre‐IPO earnings management for non‐state‐owned enterprises (NSOE) issuers only, while no significant association is found for state‐owned enterprises (SOE) issuers. We also find that for the NSOE new issue market, underwriter reputation is positively correlated with issuer post‐IPO performance indicating that prestigious underwriters can incrementally improve issuer post‐IPO performance.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine to treat constipation in the elderly
Authors: Cherniack E. Paul
Published: January 2013

Many modalities of complementary and alternative medicine, such as probiotic bacteria, traditional herbal medicines, biofeedback and massage, have been used to treat constipation in older adults. Virtually all studies in the published literature have been plagued with methodological problems, such as lack of blinding. Chinese herbal medications have been the most frequent subject of studies in controlled trials, but have suffered from methodological insufficiencies, and few have been published in publications other than Chinese language journals. Several therapies, such as yogurt containing probiotic bacteria and massage, are relatively easy to use by the patient, and are likely to cause few adverse reactions. Therefore, complementary and alternative therapies might show the greatest promise for being adopted as adjunctive therapies to conventional treatment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 533–538.
Political Control and Managerial Survival in State‐Owned Enterprises
Authors: Ennser‐Jedenastik Laurenz
Published: January 2013

This article explores the impact of political determinants on the survival of managers in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs). Drawing on theories of bureaucratic delegation, it is argued that preference divergence between principals and agents as well as among principals is a major driver of managerial turnover. More specifically, the partisan affiliation ofSOE‐managers with the government, the opposition, or individual ministers can serve to explain the length of their tenure. The analysis employsCox proportional hazard regressions to test these hypotheses on an original data set of 1,671 managers serving in 87 public corporations inAustria between 1995 and 2010, thus presenting one of the first large‐nanalyses of political appointments in a parliamentary system. The results strongly support the proposition that partisan affiliation drives managerial survival.
Weight of apically extruded debris following use of two canal instrumentation techniques and two designs of irrigation needles
Authors: Yeter K. Y. , Evcil M. S. , Ayranci L. B. , Ersoy I.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To compare the weight of apically extruded debris associated with canal shaping using K‐files, and the Revo‐S system using two different needle tips, open‐ended and side‐vented.

Methodology

Forty freshly extracted mandibular premolar teeth were divided into four groups as follows; Group 1a: Hand instrumentation of root canal with open‐ended needle used to provide irrigation, Group 1b: Hand instrumentation with a two side‐port needle, Group 2a: Revo‐S preparation with open‐ended needle, Group 2b: Revo‐S preparation with a two side‐port needle. One Eppendorf tube for each tooth was weighed with a 0.0001 electronic weighing machine before instrumentation procedures. During instrumentation, irrigation was performed after every instrument with 1 mL distilled water. On completion of the preparation, teeth were removed from the Eppendorf tubes. All of the tubes were incubated at 37 °C for 15 days, to evaporate the irrigant. After the incubation period, tubes were weighed again. The difference between pre‐and post‐debris weights was calculated, and statistical evaluation was performed using analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance.

Results

No statistically significant difference was observed between K‐files and the RevoS system. A significant difference was observed between needles (P < 0.05). Open‐ended needles were associated with significantly more debris than side‐vented needles (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Both hand and rotary canal instrumentation resulted in extrusion of debris beyond the apical foramen. No significant difference was observed between K‐files and Revo‐S system. Open‐ended needles were associated with significantly more extruded debris than two side‐port needles.
Microcomputed tomography analysis of the root canal morphology of single‐rooted mandibular canines
Authors: Versiani M. A. , Pécora J. D. , Sousa‐Neto M. D.
Published: January 2013

Aim

To investigate the anatomy of single‐rooted mandibular canine teeth using microcomputed tomography (μCT).

Methodology

One hundred straight single‐rooted human mandibular canines were selected from a pool of extracted teeth and evaluated using μCT. The anatomy of each tooth (length of the roots, presence of accessory canals and apical deltas, position and major diameter of the apical foramen and distance between anatomical landmarks) as well as the two‐ and three‐dimensional morphological aspects of the canal (area, perimeter, form factor, roundness, major and minor diameter, volume, surface area and structure model index) were evaluated. The results of the morphological analysis in each canal third were compared statistically using Friedman's test (α = 0.05).

Results

The length of the roots ranged from 12.53 to 18.08 mm. Thirty‐one specimens had no accessory canals. The location of the apical foramen varied considerably. The mean distance from the root apex to the major apical foramen was 0.27 ± 0.25 mm, and the major diameter of the major apical foramen ranged from 0.16 to 0.72 mm. Mean major and minor diameters of the canal 1 mm short of the foramen were 0.43 and 0.31 mm, respectively. Overall, the mean area, perimeter, form factor, roundness, major and minor diameters, volume, surface area and structure model index (SMI) were 0.85 ± 0.31 mm2, 3.69 ± 0.88 mm, 0.70 ± 0.09, 0.59 ± 0.11, 1.36 ± 0.36 mm and 0.72 ± 0.14 mm, 13.33 ± 4.98 mm3, 63.5 ± 16.4 mm2 and 3.35 ± 0.64, respectively, with significant statistical difference between thirds (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The anatomy and morphology of the root canal of single‐rooted canines varied widely in different levels of the root.
Identifying drug-related problems during transition between secondary and primary care in New Zealand
Authors: Maxwell Kathryn , Harrison Jeff , Scahill Shane , Braund Rhiannon
Published: January 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the type and frequency of drug-related problems (DRPs) that are encountered when dispensing secondary care prescriptions in community pharmacy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted attempting to recruit all patients presenting with secondary care prescriptions to a single community pharmacy in New Zealand over a 3-month period. The DRPs were recorded to allow analysis of the types and frequencies of the problems seen.

Key findings

During the 3-month period 401 patients consented to participate and 840 prescription items were analysed. DRPs were identified in 20% of prescription items analysed (n = 172), affecting 38% patients (n = 155). Bureaucratic interventions concerning product availability and payment issues accounted for 55% and affected 11% of the prescription items analysed. The remaining 45% of DRPs concerned clinical and patient issues and affected 9% of prescription items.

Conclusions

This study has shown that the secondary–primary interface is problematic with respect to DRPs. Although pharmacists are in a position to identify and act on these DRPs, access to basic patient notes such as a discharge summary and including pharmacists in the communication between secondary and primary providers should assist in achieving seamless care for the patient and help to identify and prevent DRPs.
The Interplay Between Tonal Synchrony and Social Engagement in Mother–Infant Interaction
Authors: Van Puyvelde Martine , Loots Gerrit , Vinck Bart , De Coster Lotta , Matthijs Liesbeth , Mouvet Kimberley , Pattyn Nathalie
Published: January 2013

This study explores the relationship between tonal synchrony and maternal‐infant social engagement based on free‐play recordings of 15 mothers and their 3‐month‐old infants in a laboratory setting. Moment‐by‐moment analyses on a microlevel were used to study social engagement and vocal interaction. We analysed and categorized 854 vocalization periods (mother‐only vocalizations, tonal interaction periods, nontonal interaction periods, and mutual silence). Tonal synchrony was analysed in terms of harmonic and pentatonic series based on pitch frequency analyses. Social engagement was microanalyzed in terms of matched and mismatched engagement states. ANOVA‐repeated measures revealed, most importantly, a significant relationship between TIPs and social interaction repair, which indicates the importance of tonal synchrony in the flow of social engagement in mother–infant dyads. Other significant relationships were found between (a)nTIPs/mismatch–mismatch, and, (b) MOV/affect loss. As mentioned in the discussion, the findings are suggestive for clinical applications (e.g., music therapy) and warrant further research.
Applications of deterministic and stochastic rock physics modelling to anisotropic velocity model building
Authors: Bachrach Ran , Osypov Konstantin , Nichols Dave , Yang Yi , Liu Yangjun , Woodward Marta
Published: January 2013

Modern anisotropic depth imaging requires transverse isotropy velocity models. Because the surface seismic experiment alone cannot uniquely determine all transverse isotropy parameters, additional information is required. Traditional methods that use checkshots can only constrain anisotropy locally near the well and thus model building requires 3D extrapolation of well data. We propose to use rock physics. Rock physics compaction modelling of shales and sandy shales can be used to constrain and predict anisotropic parameters of sediments whose depositional environment is governed by compaction. In this study, we present several applications of rock physics modelling to anisotropic velocity model building. We show how both deterministic and stochastic rock physics modelling can be used for initial anisotropic velocity model building and as a constraint for anisotropic parameter estimation. In all cases, all predicted anisotropy models are physical and realizable in terms of effective medium theory and do not violate elasticity theory.
Activins and Inhibins: Expression and Role in Normal and Pathological Canine Reproductive Organs: A review
Authors: Marino G. , Zanghì A.
Published: January 2013

Activins and inhibins are regulatory proteins of the reproductive function. Inhibins antagonise the activin signalling at different levels and are responsible for the negative feedback in the regulation of the release of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which, in turn, is promoted by locally produced activins. In the canine ovary, both peptides are expressed by developing follicles and corpora lutea. Activins may play a stimulatory role in follicular development, promoting the aromatase function; inhibins modulate these processes and suppress the hyperplasic/neoplastic stimuli. Activins are required for ovulation and corpus luteum formation, while inhibins stimulate progesterone synthesis. The exclusive production of alpha‐inhibin by granulosa cells allows the peptide to be used as marker to identify canine ovarian stromal tumours by immunohistochemistry. In the male, activins are powerful morphogenetic factors in the foetal testis. In the adult, they display a modulating action on spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function. Inhibins, produced mainly by Leydig cells, promote testosterone secretion. Canine testicular tumours, such as Leydig, Sertoli and granulosa cell tumours (GCTs), may express inhibin subunits and produce high circulating levels of these glycoproteins. In the canine prostate, activins inhibit epithelium proliferation, antagonising androgen effects, but they are synthesised under androgenic stimulus.
Selecting Species for Passive and Active Riparian Restoration in Southern Mexico
Authors: Meli Paula , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel , Rey‐Benayas José M.
Published: January 2013

In revegetation projects, distinguishing species that can be passively restored by natural regeneration from those requiring active restoration is not a trivial decision. We quantified tree species dominance (measured by an importance value index, IVIi) and used abundance–size correlations to select those species suitable for passive and/or active restoration of disturbed riparian vegetation in the Lacandonia region, Southern Mexico. We sampled riparian vegetation in a 50 × 10–m transect in each of six reference (RE) and five disturbed (DE) riparian ecosystems. Those species representing more than 50% of total IVI in each ecosystem were selected, and Spearman rank correlation between abundance and diameter classes was calculated. For eight species, it was determined that passive restoration could be sufficient for their establishment. Another eight species could be transplanted by means of active restoration. Five species regenerate well in only one ecosystem type, suggesting that both restoration strategies could be used depending on the degree of degradation. Finally, two species were determined to not be suitable for restoration in the RE (based on the above selection criteria) and were not selected during this initial stage of our restoration project. The high number of tree species found in the RE suggests that the species pool for ecological restoration is large. However, sampling in both ecosystem types helped us reduce the number of species that requires active restoration. Restoration objectives must guide the selection of which methods to implement; in different conditions, other criteria such as dispersal syndrome or social value could be considered in the species selection.