bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenal responses to a low‐dose short synacthen test in children with asthma
Authors: Hawcutt Daniel B. , Jorgensen Andrea L. , Wallin Naomi , Thompson Ben , Peak Matthew , Lacy David , Newland Paul , Didi Mo , Couriel Jon , Blair Jo , Pirmohamed Munir , Smyth Rosalind L.
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Corticosteroids are known to cause adrenal suppression. The aim of this study was to assess clinical factors affecting responses to a low dose short synacthen test (LDSST) in asthmatic children using corticosteroids.

Design

Patients were recruited from secondary care paediatric asthma populations within the UK.

Patients

Asthmatic children (5–18 years), receiving corticosteroids, underwent a LDSST (n = 525).

Measurements

Demographics and corticosteroid doses were tested for association with baseline and peak (stimulated) cortisol concentrations.

Results

Baseline cortisol was significantly associated with age (log baseline increased 0·04 nm per year of age, P < 0·0001), but not with gender or corticosteroid dose. Peak cortisol was significantly associated with total corticosteroid cumulative dose (decreased 0·73 nm per 200 mcg/day, P < 0·001) but not with age, gender inhaled/intranasal corticosteroid cumulative dose or number of courses of rescue corticosteroids. Biochemically impaired response (peak cortisol ≤500 nm) occurred in 37·0% (161/435) overall, including children using GINA low (200–500 mcg/day beclomethasone‐CFC equivalent 32%, n = 60), medium (501–1000 mcg/day (33%, n = 57) and high (>1000 mcg/day 40%, n = 13) doses of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) similarly, and 36·6% of those using fluticasone ICS ≥500 mcg/day (71/194). Impaired response was more frequent in patients on regular oral corticosteroids (66%, n = 27, P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Children with asthma can develop biochemical adrenal suppression at similar frequencies for all ICS preparations and doses. The clinical consequence of biochemical suppression needs further study.
Partial Shape Matching Using Transformation Parameter Similarity
Authors: Guerrero Paul , Auzinger Thomas , Wimmer Michael , Jeschke Stefan
Published: November 2014

In this paper, we present a method for non‐rigid, partial shape matching in vector graphics. Given a user‐specified query region in a 2D shape, similar regions are found, even if they are non‐linearly distorted. Furthermore, a non‐linear mapping is established between the query regions and these matches, which allows the automatic transfer of editing operations such as texturing. This is achieved by a two‐step approach. First, pointwise correspondences between the query region and the whole shape are established. The transformation parameters of these correspondences are registered in an appropriate transformation space. For transformations between similar regions, these parameters form surfaces in transformation space, which are extracted in the second step of our method. The extracted regions may be related to the query region by a non‐rigid transform, enabling non‐rigid shape matching.
Tracing the geographic origin of traded leopard body parts in the indian subcontinent with DNA‐based assignment tests
Authors: Mondol Samrat , Sridhar Vanjulavalli , Yadav Prasanjeet , Gubbi Sanjay , Ramakrishnan Uma
Published: November 2014

Illicit trade in wildlife products is rapidly decimating many species across the globe. Such trade is often underestimated for wide‐ranging species until it is too late for the survival of their remaining populations. Policing this trade could be vastly improved if one could reliably determine geographic origins of illegal wildlife products and identify areas where greater enforcement is needed. Using DNA‐based assignment tests (i.e., samples are assigned to geographic locations), we addressed these factors for leopards (Panthera pardus) on the Indian subcontinent. We created geography‐specific allele frequencies from a genetic reference database of 173 leopards across India to infer geographic origins of DNA samples from 40 seized leopard skins. Sensitivity analyses of samples of known geographic origins and assignments of seized skins demonstrated robust assignments for Indian leopards. We found that confiscated pelts seized in small numbers were not necessarily from local leopards. The geographic footprint of large seizures appeared to be bigger than the cumulative footprint of several smaller seizures, indicating widespread leopard poaching across the subcontinent. Our seized samples had male‐biased sex ratios, especially the large seizures. From multiple seized sample assignments, we identified central India as a poaching hotspot for leopards. The techniques we applied can be used to identify origins of seized illegal wildlife products and trade routes at the subcontinent scale and beyond.
Tumour characteristics, treatment patterns and survival of patients aged 80 years or older with colorectal cancer
Authors: Kotake K. , Asano M. , Ozawa H. , Kobayashi H. , Sugihara K.
Published: November 2014

Aim

This study aimed to clarify tumour characteristics and treatment patterns for patients with colorectal cancer aged 80 years or older and the impact of age on survival using a large‐scale cancer registry database.

Method

The database was used to identify 40 851 colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgery between 1995 and 2004. Patients were stratified into four age groups (< 50, 50–64, 65–79, ≥ 80 years). Demographics, tumour characteristics, treatment pattern and survival were compared between age groups. Additionally, the impact of lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy on survival was studied using the propensity score‐matching method.

Results

In the over 80 age group, patients were more commonly female, with right colon cancer, multiple primary cancers, history of colorectal cancer, high serum carcinoembryonic antigen values, large tumour, undifferentiated histology, and more frequent pT3/pT4 tumours. In contrast, metastatic disease, central lymph node dissection and adjuvant chemotherapy were less frequent. Overall survival and cancer‐specific survival decreased with increasing age for any stage. Multivariate analysis showed age to be an independent predictor of overall survival (hazard ratio 1.45, 95% CI 1.34–1.58, P < 0.001). In the propensity score‐matched cohort, overall survival of the patients with central node dissection and having adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly better than for those without. This difference was not statistically significant in patients aged 80 and above.

Conclusion

This study showed a significant difference in tumour characteristics and treatment patterns in patients aged 80 and above. Even after adjustment for clinicopathological factors, the difference in survival persisted and age was considered a robust prognostic factor.
HOUSEHOLD ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO EXPENDITURES IN TURKEY: A SAMPLE‐SELECTION SYSTEM APPROACH
Authors: Bilgic Abdulbaki , Yen Steven T.
Published: November 2014

Household characteristics variables are used to quantify alcohol and tobacco participation and spending level decisions for households in Turkey using a sample‐selection system. Statistical tests support separate analyses for urban and rural households and joint estimation of the equation system to ameliorate biases and improve statistical efficiency of estimates. Household characteristics play important roles in determining binary consumption decisions and levels of spending on tobacco but play less definitive roles in alcohol spending, for both urban and rural households. Differences are found in consumption behaviors between the two types of households. (JEL C24, D12, I18)
Plant natural products: from traditional compounds to new emerging drugs in cancer therapy
Authors: Ouyang L. , Luo Y. , Tian M. , Zhang S.‐Y. , Lu R. , Wang J.‐H. , Kasimu R. , Li X.
Published: November 2014

Natural products are chemical compounds or substances produced naturally by living organisms. With the development of modern technology, more and more plant extracts have been found to be useful to medical practice. Both micromolecules and macromolecules have been reported to have the ability to inhibit tumour progression, a novel weapon to fight cancer by targeting its 10 characteristic hallmarks. In this review, we focus on summarizing plant natural compounds and their derivatives with anti‐tumour properties, into categories, according to their potential therapeutic strategies against different types of human cancer. Taken together, we present a well‐grounded review of these properties, hoping to shed new light on discovery of novel anti‐tumour therapeutic drugs from known plant natural sources.
Pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia mimicking squamous cell carcinoma in a case of CD56‐positive cytotoxic T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Ginsberg David , Hill Hilary , Wilson Barbara , Plaza Jose A. , Schieke Stefan M.
Published: November 2014

We present the case of an 84‐year‐old patient with a cutaneous CD56 positive cytotoxic T‐cell lymphoma associated with substantial pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia mimicking squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The patient presented with a 7‐month history of several progressive, ulcerated plaques on his right forearm. An initial biopsy showed changes consistent with a diagnosis of SCC for which the patient underwent surgical treatment. Several months later, the patient developed recurrent ulcerated plaques on the right forearm of which several biopsies were performed. The biopsies repeatedly showed marked pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia resembling SCC. Deeper punch biopsies, however, showed a dense superficial and deep infiltrate of markedly atypical lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong positive staining for CD3, CD8, CD56 with negative stains for CD30 and Epstein‐Barr virus‐encoded small non‐polyadenylated RNAs (EBER). Staining for beta F1 and gamma‐delta T‐cell receptor (γδ TCR) were both negative. This constellation was most consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, unspecified in association with marked pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia. Our case adds cutaneous peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, unspecified to the list of conditions associated with pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia (PCH) and illustrates once again the potential pitfalls of distinguishing marked pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia from SCC.
S100 expression by atypical megakaryocytes: a previously unreported potential pitfall in dermatopathology
Authors: Fernandez‐Flores Angel , Díaz‐Galvez Francisco‐Javier
Published: November 2014

Several types of large atypical epithelioid cells can mimic tumoral melanocytes and can therefore be a source of misdiagnosis of melanoma. Megakaryocytes are one of these types, and are not frequently mentioned in the literature. In the current report, we present the case of a 76‐year‐old man presenting with acute panmyelosis with myelofibrosis. The bone marrow biopsy contained atypical megakaryocytes that expressed S100 in the cytoplasm. We discuss how such aberrant expression could be a source of some diagnostic problems in dermatopathology, including cutaneous melanoma, metastasis of melanoma in bone marrow and metastasis of melanoma in sentinel lymph nodes.
Roepke Lecture in Economic Geography—The Lives of Others: Body Work, the Production of Difference, and Labor Geographies
Authors: McDowell Linda
Published: November 2014

In this article I address one of the key aspects of feminist arguments about the economy—that is claims about domestic and caring labor and its necessity for capitalism. I address who undertakes caring labor, in what social relations, and in which spaces in Western economies, where deindustrialization and the rise of service‐dominated employment have been associated with a transformation in the nature of work and the composition of the workforce. I review the ways in which this contemporary economic and employment change has been theorized by economic sociologists and economic geographers, in particular by labor geographers—that part of the discipline to which I feel the greatest connection—suggesting that changes in what is often termed reproductive labor have been relatively neglected at the expense of a focus on immaterial, high‐status employment in knowledge‐based economies. Through a historical example, I then illustrate the production of difference between women workers in caring jobs in the United Kingdom, arguing that closer attention to the intersection of embodied social attributes adds to explanations of continuity and change in the labor market as well as revealing a legacy of discrimination.
Role of IGF1‐(CA)19 promoter microsatellite in the clinical presentation of acromegaly
Authors: Sala Elisa , Filopanti Marcello , Ferrante Emanuele , Barbieri Anna Maria , Malchiodi Elena , Verrua Elisa , Giavoli Claudia , Lania Andrea G. , Arosio Maura , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo , Spada Anna , Mantovani Giovanna
Published: November 2014

Background

A highly polymorphic Cytosine–Adenosine (CA) repeat sequence microsatellite has been identified in the promoter region of IGF1 gene. Several studies investigated the relationship between IGF1‐(CA)n polymorphism and IGF1 levels, with conflicting results. Aim of this study was to investigate the influence of this polymorphism on clinical and biochemical characteristics of acromegalic patients.

Methods

Eighty‐eight acromegalic patients and 104 normal subjects were included in the study. Blood DNA was extracted and analysed by microsatellite technique using capillary electrophoresis. Patients and controls were subdivided in 19/19 [homozygous for the (CA)19 allele], 19/X [heterozygous for the (CA)19 allele] and X/X (any other genotype).

Results

The genotype frequency was significantly different between patients and controls, the proportion of 19/19 being lower (28·4% vs. 50·0%) and 19/X and X/X higher in acromegalic patients than in controls (P = 0·004). There were no significant differences in age, gender, basal and nadir GH, IGF1‐SDS, tumour size, metabolic parameters, outcome and treatment among the three groups. The different frequency of genotypes in acromegalic patients vs. controls, as well as the lack of relationship between IGF1‐(CA)n polymorphism and clinical and biochemical data in acromegalic patients, was confirmed using an additional alternative genotyping considering (CA)19 and (CA)20 homozygotes and heterozygotes vs. alleles with more than 19 of 20 repeats or less.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the hypothesis that IGF‐(CA)n alleles may have a significant role in determining clinical, biochemical and outcome of patients with acromegaly. The possible role of IGF1 polymorphism on susceptibility to acromegaly remains to be investigated.
TEMPTATION‐DRIVEN BEHAVIOR AND TAXATION: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS IN A LIFE‐CYCLE MODEL
Authors: Kumru Cagri S. , Thanopoulos Athanasios C.
Published: November 2014

This paper examines the impact of labor and capital income taxes in a stochastic overlapping generations (OLG) economy where agents face borrowing constraints and their behavior is temptation driven. We quantitatively establish that the existence of temptation in preferences may function as an opposing mechanism to modeling choices, such as liquidity constraints, life‐cycle structure, and idiosyncratic earnings risks, that are critical in delivering a positive capital income tax rate. We show that a sufficiently large measure of individuals having self‐control preferences, or alternatively, a sufficiently high cost of exercising self‐control, puts downward pressure on the optimal capital income tax rate. (JEL E21, E62, H55)
Cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain mediate biochemical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying sleep homeostasis
Authors: Kalinchuk Anna V. , Porkka‐Heiskanen Tarja , McCarley Robert W. , Basheer Radhika
Published: November 2014

The tight coordination of biochemical and electrophysiological mechanisms underlies the homeostatic sleep pressure (HSP) produced by sleep deprivation (SD). We have reported that during SD the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), extracellular nitric oxide (NO), adenosine [AD]ex, lactate [Lac]ex and pyruvate [Pyr]ex increase in the basal forebrain (BF). However, it is not clear whether all of them contribute to HSP leading to increased electroencephalogram (EEG) delta activity during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) recovery sleep (RS) following SD. Previously, we showed that NREM delta increase evident during RS depends on the presence of BF cholinergic (ChBF) neurons. Here, we investigated the role of ChBF cells in coordination of biochemical and EEG changes seen during SD and RS in the rat. Increases in low‐theta power (5–7 Hz), but not high‐theta (7–9 Hz), during SD correlated with the increase in NREM delta power during RS, and with the changes in nitrate/nitrite [NOx]ex and [AD]ex. Lesions of ChBF cells using IgG 192‐saporin prevented increases in [NOx]ex, [AD]ex and low‐theta activity, during SD, but did not prevent increases in [Lac]ex and [Pyr]ex. Infusion of NO donor DETA NONOate into the saporin‐treated BF failed to increase NREM RS and delta power, suggesting ChBF cells are important for mediating NO homeostatic effects. Finally, SD‐induced iNOS was mostly expressed in ChBF cells, and the intensity of iNOS induction correlated with the increase in low‐theta activity. Together, our data indicate ChBF cells are important in regulating the biochemical and EEG mechanisms that contribute to HSP.
Suckling induces a daily rhythm in the preoptic area and lateral septum but not in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in lactating rabbit does
Authors: Meza Enrique , Aguirre Juan , Waliszewski Stefan , Caba Mario
Published: November 2014

Maternal behavior in the rabbit is restricted to a brief nursing period every day. Previously, we demonstrated that this event induces daily rhythms of Period1 (PER1) protein, the product of the clock gene Per1, in oxytocinergic and dopaminergic populations in the hypothalamus of lactating rabbit does. This is significant for the periodic production and ejection of milk, but the activation of other areas of the brain has not been explored. Here, we hypothesised that daily suckling would induce a rhythm in the preoptic area, lateral septum, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, which are important areas for the expression of maternal behavior in mammals, including the rabbit. To this end, we analysed PER1 expression in those areas through a complete 24‐h cycle at lactation day 7. Does were scheduled to nurse during either the day at 10:00 h [zeitgeber time (ZT)03] or the night at 02:00 h (ZT19). Non‐pregnant, non‐lactating females were used as controls. In contrast to control females, lactating does showed a clear, significant rhythm of PER1 that shifted in parallel with the timing of nursing in the preoptic area and lateral septum. We determined that the maximal expression of PER1 at 8 h after scheduled nursing decreased significantly at 24 and 48 h after the absence of suckling. This effect was more pronounced in the lateral septum than in the preoptic area. We conclude that daily suckling is a powerful stimulus inducing rhythmic activity in brain structures in the rabbit that appear to form part of a maternal entrainable circuit.
TRPA1 contributes to capsaicin‐induced facial cold hyperalgesia in rats
Authors: Honda Kuniya , Shinoda Masamichi , Furukawa Akihiko , Kita Kozue , Noma Noboru , Iwata Koichi
Published: November 2014

Orofacial cold hyperalgesia is known to cause severe persistent pain in the face following trigeminal nerve injury or inflammation, and transient receptor potential (TRP) vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and TRP ankylin 1 (TRPA1) are thought to be involved in cold hyperalgesia. However, how these two receptors are involved in cold hyperalgesia is not fully understood. To clarify the mechanisms underlying facial cold hyperalgesia, nocifensive behaviors to cold stimulation, the expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 in trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons, and TG neuronal excitability to cold stimulation following facial capsaicin injection were examined in rats. The head‐withdrawal reflex threshold (HWRT) to cold stimulation of the lateral facial skin was significantly decreased following facial capsaicin injection. This reduction of HWRT was significantly recovered following local injection of TRPV1 antagonist as well as TRPA1 antagonist. Approximately 30% of TG neurons innervating the lateral facial skin expressed both TRPV1 and TRPA1, and about 64% of TRPA1‐positive neurons also expressed TRPV1. The TG neuronal excitability to noxious cold stimulation was significantly increased following facial capsaicin injection and this increase was recovered by pretreatment with TRPA1 antagonist. These findings suggest that TRPA1 sensitization via TRPV1 signaling in TG neurons is involved in cold hyperalgesia following facial skin capsaicin injection.
Computed tomographic myelography of a foal with discospondylitis and extradural spinal cord compression due to a vertebral abscess
Authors: Garcia E. B. , Biller D. S. , Beard L. , Bawa B. , Nuth E. , Goravanahally M.
Published: November 2014

A one‐month‐old Quarter Horse colt presented with progressive gait abnormalities and weakness. The foal was ataxic at presentation. Radiography identified focal endplate irregularities and lysis atC6–7. Radiographic diagnosis was discospondylitis. Computed tomographic myelography was performed immediately following euthanasia and identified an extradural compressive spinal cord lesion corresponding to the site of discospondylitis.Post mortemexamination findings included abscess formation at theC6–7 intervertebral space with osteomyelitis extending into the adjacent physes and subchondral bone of caudalC6and cranialC7. The vertebral abscess extended into the ventral spinal canal atC6–7 and was identified as the cause of extradural spinal cord compression.Salmonellasp. was cultured and isolated from purulent exudate at the intervertebral space. Computed tomographic myelography has not been previously reported for assessment of discospondylitis in horses and was successful at accurately characterising spinal cord compression in addition to osteolytic changes associated with discospondylitis.
It Takes a Department! A Study of the Culture of Proficiency in Three Successful Foreign Language Teacher Education Programs
Authors: Brooks Frank B. , Darhower Mark Anthony
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the contexts and practices of three undergraduate foreign language teacher education programs identified by ACTFL/Language Testing International and reported by Glisan, Swender, and Surface (2013) as having a high success rate in propelling their graduates into the Advanced proficiency level on the ACTFL scale. Data were collected during interviews with faculty and students at each of the three campuses. The results revealed a number of common practices among the programs, which undoubtedly contribute to their success.
Sphingosine 1‐phosphate has anti‐apoptotic effect on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and proliferative effect on hepatocytes in a paracrine manner in human
Authors: Nowatari Takeshi , Murata Soichiro , Nakayama Ken , Sano Naoki , Maruyama Takehito , Nozaki Reiji , Ikeda Naoya , Fukunaga Kiyoshi , Ohkohchi Nobuhiro
Published: November 2014

Aim

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite released from erythrocytes and platelets, and is a potent stimulus for endothelial cell proliferation. However, the role of S1P on human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) remains unclear. The proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in LSEC are involved in the promotion of liver regeneration and the suppression of liver injury after liver resection and transplantation. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of S1P on human LSEC and the interaction between S1P and LSEC in hepatocyte proliferation in vitro.

Methods

Immortalized human LSEC were used. LSEC were cultured with S1P, and the cell proliferation, anti‐apoptosis, signal transductions and production of cytokines and growth factors were subsequently examined. To investigate the interaction between S1P and LSEC in hepatocyte proliferation, primary human hepatocytes were cultured with the supernatants of LSEC with and without S1P. DNA synthesis and signal transductions in hepatocytes were examined.

Results

S1P induced LSEC proliferation through activation of Akt and extracellular signal‐related kinase pathways and suppressed LSEC apoptosis by affecting the expression levels of Bcl‐2, Bax and cleaved caspase‐3. S1P promoted interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in LSEC. The supernatants of LSEC cultured with S1P enhanced hepatocyte DNA synthesis more strongly than the supernatants of LSEC cultured without S1P through activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 pathway.

Conclusion

S1P has proliferative and anti‐apoptotic effects and promotes the production of IL‐6 and VEGF in human LSEC, thereby promoting hepatocyte proliferation.
An identification guide to some major Quaternary fossil reef‐building coral genera (Acropora, Isopora, Montipora, and Porites)
Authors: Humblet Marc , Hongo Chuki , Sugihara Kaoru
Published: November 2014

Fossil coral identification is essential for paleoenvironment and sea level reconstructions and in paleoecological and evolutionary studies. It follows the taxonomy of their modern analogues and therefore is based on the external skeleton macromorphology. However, for geologists examining outcrops or drill cores, identification largely relies on cross sections. The coral surface is usually obscured by encrusters or by sediments, or because corals are broken or eroded. It is therefore important to understand the relationship between the internal structure of corals and their surface morphology. We provide a comprehensive description of the internal structure of four common coral genera (Acropora, Isopora, Montipora, and Porites). This identification guide is addressed to reef geologists who wish to identify Quaternary reef corals at the generic level based on cross sections. The massive basal part of Acropora is composed of an interbranch space filled with a highly regular mesh‐like network of skeletal elements parallel and perpendicular to growth direction. Corallites have conspicuous dissepiments with a ladder‐like appearance in longitudinal section. Corallites of Isopora are structurally similar but they do not show the same differentiation into axial and radial corallites. Corallites are generally sinuous and the coenosteum is less regular. Montipora has smaller corallites which appear as tubes lined with spiny septa. The coenosteum is characterized by long rod‐like skeletal elements parallel to growth direction projecting upward at the colony surface to form spinules or larger ornementations. These vertical rods are connected laterally by short bar‐like skeletal elements. In Porites, the size of corallites is similar to Montipora but they are juxtaposed and completely filled with skeletal elements. Longitudinal cross sections display a dense network of corallites' skeletal components parallel and perpendicular to growth direction. This new taxonomic guide provides a useful reference material for those who attempt to identify reef‐building corals in the fossil record.
Determination of fourteen sunscreen agents in cosmetics using high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Chang N. I. , Yoo M. Y. , Lee S. H.
Published: November 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Commercial sunscreens consist of various compounds ranging from inorganic mineral pigments to organic chemical absorbents to achieve the required degree of protection against sunlight. However, the UV radiation screening ingredients have side effects. In this study, therefore, to ensure compliance with the maximum permissible chemical concentrations in sunscreen cosmetic products, a simultaneous and improved determination method for sunscreen chemicals was assessed.

Methods

Waters 2690 separations module HPLC system equipped with a Waters 486 tunable absorbance detector (UV–visible detector) has been employed and optimized to detect 14 compounds. For the separation, a Waters C18 column (5 μm, 4.6 mm i.d. 150 mm) and 1% of 0.1 M phosphoric acid in ethanol (solvent A) and in distilled water (solvent B) as mobile phases were used.

Results

The correlation coefficients of 14 standard mixture solutions exceeded 0.9993 in the range 2.5–200 μg mL−1. The intra‐ and interday recovery and precision (relative standard deviation) of the method were 90.91–109.98% and within 10%, respectively, indicating that the developed method could provide reliable, precise and reproducible data. The detection limit was determined to be 0.01–1.99 μg mL−1, and the quantization limit was determined to be 0.02–6.02 μg mL−1, which were relatively lower than previous studies.

Conclusion

This method was highly optimized in terms of selectivity, reproducibility and efficiency for the detection of 14 compounds. The validation data indicated that the improved method was quite suitable for their quantitative analysis of commercial product samples. Therefore, this method was applied to the determination of 14 compounds in commercial sunscreen cosmetic products. We verified that the amounts of sunscreen ingredients in the five currently sold sunscreens were >0.5% and within the designated limit, which means those could produce the safe and desired sunscreen effects on the skin. The present method could be applied to effectively monitor the process management and quality control of the cosmetics that are sold in the market.
Root surface strain during canal shaping and its influence on apical microcrack development: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Jamleh A. , Komabayashi T. , Ebihara A. , Nassar M. , Watanabe S. , Yoshioka T. , Miyara K. , Suda H.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To determine the root surface strain (RSS) generated during root canal shaping and its effects on apical microcrack development.

Methodology

Twenty‐five extracted human mandibular premolars were selected and decoronated. The teeth were instrumented with either the ProTaper (PT) or WaveOne (WO) (Dentsply Maillefer) NiTi rotary systems (n = 10 per group) or used as controls (n = 5). Instrumented root canals were enlarged to ProTaper F4 (size 40, 0.06 taper) or using WaveOne LARGE (size 40, 0.08 taper) instruments according to the manufacturer's instructions. An electrical strain gage (KFG02‐120‐C1‐16, Kyowa Dengyo, Tokyo, Japan) was fixed on the proximal root surface and connected to a strain amplifier via a bridge box in order to measure RSS. During canal shaping, the strain output of the amplifier was recorded. The instantaneous RSS induced by each instrument and the maximum RSSs were determined. All teeth were then stained with contrast media and imaged with micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) at an isotropic resolution of 10 μm to detect microcracks. The mean maximum RSS values (microstrain) and mean number of microcracks recorded for both groups were tested for statistical significance using Mann–Whitney U‐test. Presence/absence of microcracks in both groups was compared by chi‐square tests.

Results

Increased baseline RSS from strain accumulation during canal shaping was observed, with similar maximum RSS (mean ± SD) for PT (416.6 ± 185.1 μstrain) and WO (398.2 ± 163.8 μstrain) (P = 0.94). The interevaluator reliability for microcrack detection using micro‐CT had a kappa value of 0.998. Compared to the PT group, there was a trend for fewer samples with microcracks in the WO group (P = 0.051). On the micro‐CT images, apical microcracks were detected in 20 PT and 11 WO samples (P = 0.10). The microcracks were observed in the buccolingual direction in all WO and 81% of PT samples. No vertical root fractures were found. The maximum RSS obtained during canal shaping was poorly correlated with the number of microcracks found (R2 = 0.093).

Conclusions

Based on these preliminary data, canal shaping appears to cause apical microcracks regardless of the type of rotary instrument motion. Contrast‐enhanced micro‐CT was able to identify microcracks in roots.
Do Mediterraneans really do it better? Explaining the lower gender wage gap in southern European countries
Authors: Alaez‐Aller Ricardo , Longas‐Garcia Juan Carlos , Ullibarri‐Arce Miren
Published: November 2014

This article sets out to help provide a more detailed explanation for the narrower gender wage gap in Mediterranean countries. Two explanatory hypotheses are put forward and compared empirically using the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU‐SILC). The most widely accepted hypothesis is that gender wage gaps across countries are negatively correlated with gender employment gaps. The second hypothesis, however, is supported by evidence that the narrower wage gap in Mediterranean countries could be due to the differences in demand for labour in EU countries as a result ultimately of decisions by major corporations concerning the location of the activities in their value chain.
Epidemiology, disease burden and outcomes of cirrhosis in a large secondary care hospital in South Auckland, New Zealand
Authors: Hsiang J. C. , Bai W. W. , Raos Z. , Stableforth W. , Upton A. , Selvaratnam S. , Gane E. J. , Gerred S. J.
Published: November 2014

Background

Liver cirrhosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality; however, little is known about its impact in New Zealand.

Aims

We aim to determine the disease burden, epidemiology and outcomes of cirrhotic patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of cirrhosis patients under secondary public hospital care in a geographically defined region, between the years 2000 and 2011. Cirrhosis complications and mortality was recorded. Poisson log‐linear regression analysis was performed for incidence rate ratio (IRR) and Cox regression analysis was used to analyse time‐related events.

Results

Seven hundred and forty‐six cirrhotic patients were analysed; most were European/Other (39.9%), Pacific islanders (21.6%), Southeast Asian/Chinese (17.8%) and Maori (12.3%). 68.4% were male. The common primary aetiologies for cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis (37.3%), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) cirrhosis (24.1%), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cirrhosis (22.3%) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) cirrhosis (16.4%). The hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality rates were highest in NAFLD and CHB cirrhosis groups (3.0 and 3.1 per 100 patient‐year respectively), compared with ALD and CHC groups (2.2 and 1.4 per 100 patient‐year, all P < 0.05 respectively). Patients with ALD and NAFLD cirrhosis had the highest all‐cause and non‐HCC mortality rate compared with viral hepatitis cirrhosis groups. The IRR for HCC incidence, liver‐related mortality and HCC mortality were 1.087, 1.098 and 1.114, respectively (all P < 0.001), suggesting increasing incidence and disease burden over the study period.

Conclusion

The number of cirrhotic patients in secondary care is increasing steadily. Cirrhosis complications and mortality rates are also rising, particularly the incidence and mortality of HCC.
Does the availability of therapeutic drug monitoring, computerised dose recommendation and prescribing decision support services promote compliance with national gentamicin prescribing guidelines?
Authors: Diasinos N. , Baysari M. , Kumar S. , Day R. O.
Published: November 2014

Background

Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is highly effective in treating Gram‐negative infections, but inappropriate use leads to toxicity. In 2010, the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines (Antibiotic) were revised to recommend the use of computerised methods to individualise dosing of gentamicin and optimise therapy, rather than traditional nomogram approaches.

Aim

To determine whether gentamicin prescribing was compliant with the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines, version 14 (2010) in a setting where computerised dose recommendation resources and computerised decision support were available, and to determine why the resources were effective or ineffective in achieving compliance to guidelines.

Methods

During phase 1, a retrospective audit of gentamicin prescribing from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 (n = 826) at a 320‐bed teaching hospital in Sydney was undertaken. In phase 2, 12 doctors from specialties with high‐volume prescribing of gentamicin were interviewed.

Results

Intravenous gentamicin was used in 545 cases, 81% of which were for short‐term therapy (≤48 h). Doctors feared inducing toxicity in patients, but limited the dose rather than altering the dosing interval according to renal function. Of the ‘continued’ dosing cases, 55% went unmonitored and the computerised dose recommendation service was rarely used. Doctors were unaware of its availability despite electronic alerts accompanying prescriptions of gentamicin.

Conclusions

In comparison with the national guidelines, there was significant under‐dosing and monitoring practices were haphazard. Computerised electronic alerts were ineffective in informing users. To improve prescribing practices, we recommend exploring alternative computerised decision support approaches (e.g. pre‐written orders) and more pervasive and persuasive implementation strategies.
Factors relating to consent for organ donation: prospective data on potential organ donors
Authors: Marck C. H. , Neate S. L. , Skinner M. R. , Dwyer B. M. , Hickey B. B. , D'Costa R. , Weiland T. J. , Jelinek G. A.
Published: November 2014

Background

Obtaining family consent to organ donation is a significant obstacle to improving further Australian deceased organ donation rates. Currently, neither the consent rates for donors eligible to donate after circulatory death, nor factors that influence decision to decline or consent to donation in general are known in Australia.

Methods

This study at four university teaching hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria, examined consecutive patients where organ donation was discussed with the family

Results

A total of 123 cases were identified; the family consent rate was 52.8%, and 34.1% proceeded to donation. Consent to donation was related to potential donor factors such as country of birth, cultural background in Australia, a non‐religious or Christian background and registration on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Family‐related factors included being English speaking and having knowledge of the deceased's wishes about organ donation. Family of donation after circulatory death‐eligible donors were less likely to consent to donation than the family of donation after brain death‐eligible donors, although not reaching statistical significance. Among consented potential donors, those eligible for donation after brain death and with a shorter length of stay were more likely to proceed to donating organs for transplantation.

Conclusion

Despite a small sample size, these findings describe current consent and donation rates and associated factors and may assist in improving conversations about organ donation.
Determining the best shipper sizes for sending products to customers
Authors: Alonso M.T. , Alvarez‐Valdes R. , Parreño F. , Tamarit J.M.
Published: November 2014

A distribution company has to send products, packed into shippers, from the warehouse to retail shops. The number of different shipper types is regarded as a parameter given by the user, who is looking for a balance between transportation costs and stock and procurement costs. The problem is to decide the sizes of the shipper types to keep at the warehouse so as to minimize the cost of meeting the forecasted demand over the planning horizon. In this paper, we describe an integer linear programming formulation for the problem and obtaining feasible solutions. Other models, based on multiknapsack and p‐median and facility location models, are for obtaining lower bounds. We study several ways of reducing the set of possible shipper types in order to obtain models of a manageable size. The feasible solutions obtained are improved by using a reduced model and metaheuristic algorithm. A computational study conducted on real instances provided by the company is presented and discussed.
Filling in the Missing Link between Universalism and Democracy: The Case of Costa Rica
Authors: Martínez Franzoni Juliana , Sánchez-Ancochea Diego
Published: November 2014

This article explores a missing link in the recent literature on the formation of social policies: that between democracy and universalism, one desirable yet elusive feature of these policies. We base our argument on a case study of Costa Rica, the most successful case of universalism in Latin America. We proceed by first depicting Costa Rica's peculiar policy architecture, based on the incremental expansion of benefits funded on payroll taxes. Then we reconstruct the policy process to stress the key role played by technopoliticians in a democratic context. Backed by political leadership and equipped with international ideas, technopoliticians drove social policy design from agenda setting to adoption and implementation. Third, we argue that key aspects of the policy architecture established in the early 1940s were fundamental building blocks for a distinctive and seldom explored road to universalism. We conclude considering contemporary implications.
GGR Biennial Critical Review: Analytical Developments Since 2012
Authors: Wiedenbeck Michael , Bédard L. Paul , Bugoi Roxana , Horan Mary , Linge Kathryn , Merchel Silke , Morales Luiz F. G. , Savard Dany , Souders A. Kate , Sylvester Paul
Published: November 2014

Advances in the chemical, crystallographic and isotopic characterisation of geological and environmental materials can often be ascribed to technological improvements in analytical hardware or to innovative approaches to data acquisition and/or its interpretation. This biennial review addresses key laboratory methods that form much of the foundation for analytical geochemistry; again, this contribution is presented as a compendium of laboratory techniques. We highlight advances that have appeared since January 2012 and that are of particular significance for the chemical and isotopic characterisation of geomaterials. Prominent scientists from the selected analytical fields present publications they judge to be particular noteworthy, providing background information about the method and assessing where further opportunities might be anticipated. In addition to the well‐established technologies such as thermal ionisation mass spectrometry and plasma emission spectroscopy, this publication also presents new or rapidly growing methods such as electron backscattered diffraction analysis and atom probe tomography – a very sensitive method providing atomic scale information.
PSOCUBE, a multidimensional assessment of psoriasis patients as a both clinically/practically sustainable and evidence‐based algorithm
Authors: Linder D. , Altomare G. , Amato S. , Amerio P. , Balato N. , Campanati A. , Conti A. , Gisondi P. , Prignano F. , Saraceno R. , Piaserico S.
Published: November 2014

Background

There is increasing awareness of the clinical relevance of psoriasis comorbidities and of the importance of timely and effective screening for such comorbidities in the management of psoriatic patients. Previous works have focused on assessing evidence for prevalence of comorbidities and on the best available evidence for sensitivity in diagnosing suspected comorbidities. No algorithms are available, which have been tested on large numbers of physicians concerning the acceptance of such algorithms both by practicing clinical dermatologists and by their consulting specialists from other fields.

Objective

To propose a multidimensional assessment algorithm for psoriasis comorbidities which may prove at the same time enough sensitive and practically sustainable in daily clinical practice.

Methods

After an exhaustive literature search, we performed a Delphi procedure involving 50 dedicated dermatological centres to obtain a standardized assessment algorithm, which would meet requirements of sustainability and acceptability both from the point of view of Evidence‐Based Medicine as well as from the point of view of practical and clinical feasibility: to meet both requirements, results from the Delphi procedure were elaborated and modified by a restricted panel of experts.

Results

The procedure has yielded PSOCUBE, a three‐dimensional table comprising 14 clinical examination and history taking items, 32 screening laboratory and instrumental exams and 11 clinimetric scores.

Conclusion

PSOCUBE, a simple algorithm, may be employed by practising dermatologists to perform standardized assessment procedures on psoriatic patients raising the chances of early recognition of patients at risk for comorbidities, thus fostering more effective prevention; PSOCUBE may therefore contribute to reduce the overall impact of this chronic, widespread disease.
Similar preferences for ornamentation in opposite‐ and same‐sex choice experiments
Authors: Cardoso G. C. , Leitão A. V. , Funghi C. , Batalha H. R. , Lopes R. J. , Mota P. G.
Published: November 2014

Selection due to social interactions comprises competition over matings (sexual selection stricto sensu) plus other forms of social competition and cooperation. Sexual selection explains sex differences in ornamentation and in various other phenotypes, but does not easily explain cases where those phenotypes are similar in males and females. Understanding such similarities requires knowing how phenotypes influence nonsexual social interactions as well, which can be very important in gregarious animals, but whose role for phenotypic evolution has been overlooked. For example, ‘mate choice’ experiments often found preferences for ornamentation, but have not assessed whether those are strictly sexual or are general social preferences. Using choice experiments with a gregarious and mutually ornamented finch, the common waxbill (Estrilda astrild), we show that preferences for ornamentation in the opposite‐sex also extend to same‐sex interactions. Waxbills discriminated between opposite‐ and same‐sex individuals, but most preferences for colour traits were similar when interacting with either sex. Similar preferences in sexual and nonsexual associations may be widespread in nature, either as social adaptations or as by‐product of mate preferences. In either case, such preferences may set the stage for the evolution of mutual ornamentation and of various other similarities between the sexes.
The G894t, T‐786c and 4b/a polymorphisms in Enos gene and cancer risk: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Chen Ling Min , Wang Man Ni , Chen Xiang Jun , Li Nian , De Huang Ying , Chen Min
Published: November 2014

Objective

Published results on association between eNOS polymorphisms and cancer risk are conflicting. We aimed to investigate the association and give an overall understanding of possible risk role of eNOS.

Method

We searched PubMed and EMbase databases. The pooled ORs and 95% CIs for the association between eNOS polymorphisms and cancer risk was estimated using fixed‐ or random‐ effect model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed for further analysis.

Results

The Overall results showed no significant association of G894T polymorphism with cancer susceptibility (T vs. G: OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.07; TT+GT vs. GG: OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.09; TT vs. GT+GG: OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.17). For the T‐786C polymorphism, pooled OR under recessive model suggested that CC genotype was significantly associated with increased cancer risk (CC vs. TC+TT: OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.57). For the 4b/a polymorphism, pooled OR for recessive model suggested positive result of 4a/4a genotype (aa vs. ba+bb: OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.43). In subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant association was found in Caucasians in recessive model but not in Asians for T‐786C and 4b/a, respectively. In subgroup analysis by cancer types, significant result was obtained for breast cancer in recessive model for the T‐786C polymorphism.

Conclusion

The eNOS G894T polymorphism may not be a major risk factor for most types of cancers. The CC of T‐786C polymorphism and 4a/4a of 4b/a polymorphism are associated with cancer risk, especially in Caucasians. There is significant association between T786C polymorphism and breast cancer risk. More data are needed to verify these results.