bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of continental slope on N-wave type tsunami run-up
Authors: Siva Moode , Behera Manasa Ranjan
Published: July 2016

Frequent tsunamis across the globe have devastated the coasts and led to significant loss of life and property. This calls for a better understanding and estimation of the tsunami characteristics. Considering the scale of the problem, numerical modelling is the most suitable method for tsunami simulation and understanding. Most tsunamis are long-period wave and governed by shallow water equations. Although tsunami is expected to initiate in the deeper waters with very less height, it may have significant amplification while traversing over the slopes. In this study, an attempt is made to understand the effect of continental slope on the transmission, propagation and run-up of tsunami. This study provides better understanding of the physical process through computation of tsunami run-up height and arrival time. To carry out this investigation and to get a preliminary understanding, a one-dimensional numerical model study is carried out using shallow water equations. These equations are solved using Crank–Nicolson finite difference approximation method on a staggered grid. This study is carried out by considering N-wave-type tsunami profile with leading depression (trough). In this study, various continental slope profiles available along the Indian coast were considered. The amplification or attenuation of the tsunami characteristics over these cross-sections was studied. Significant change in the tsunami run-up is observed for different continental slope and water depth on continental shelf.
Diabetes Educators
Authors: James Steven , Perry Lin , Gallagher Robyn , Lowe Julia
Published: July 2016

Background:

Various technologies are commonly used to support type 1 diabetes management (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems, smartphone and tablet applications, and video conferencing) and may foster self-care, communication, and engagement with health care services. Diabetes educators are key professional supporters of this patient group, and ideally positioned to promote and support technology use. The aim of this study was to examine diabetes educators’ perceived experiences, supports, and barriers to use of common diabetes-related technologies for people with type 1 diabetes.

Methods:

This qualitative ethnographic study recruited across metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Australia using purposive sampling of Australian Diabetes Educators Association members. Data were collected by semistructured telephone interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

Participants (n = 31) overwhelmingly indicated that overall the use of technology in the care of patients with type 1 diabetes was burdensome for them. They identified 3 themes involving common diabetes-related technologies: access to technology, available support, and technological advances. Overall, these themes demonstrated that while care was usually well intentioned it was more often fragmented and inconsistent. Most often care was provided by a small number of diabetes educators who had technology expertise.

Conclusions:

To realize the potential benefits of these relatively new but common diabetes technologies, many diabetes educators need to attain and retain the skills required to deliver this essential component of care. Furthermore, policy and strategy review is required, with reconfiguration of services to better support care delivery.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Strain In Vivo
Authors: Luque-Seron Juan Antonio , Medina-Porqueres Ivan
Published: July 2016

Context:

Distinct exercises have been proposed for knee rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. There is a need to understand ACL strain behavior during different rehabilitation exercises to protect the graft from excessive strain that could interfere with its healing process.

Objective:

To critically review studies that directly measured normal ACL strain in vivo during different movements, conditions, or exercises to gain insight into which of them may produce more strain on the ligament or the ligament graft in the case of reconstructed knees.

Data Sources:

A literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and PEDro databases was conducted. Keywords included a nterior cruciate ligament, strain, stress, deformation, transducer, rehabilitation, rehabilitation exercise, physical therapy, and physiotherapy.

Study Selection:

Inclusion criteria were (1) peer-reviewed studies published in English or Spanish, (2) research conducted on adult human subjects with normal ACLs and healthy knees, and (3) ACL strain directly measured during different movements, conditions, or exercises by using a transducer.

Study Design:

Systematic review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Data Extraction:

Specific data were abstracted from the selected studies, including isometric quadriceps and hamstrings activity, active and passive flexion-extension of the knee, closed kinetic chain exercises, and application of joint compressive load.

Results:

A total of 10 studies met all criteria and were included in the final analysis. The strain values produced by closed kinetic chain and open kinetic chain exercises were similar. However, closed kinetic chain exercises appear to attenuate the strain increase that occurs in open kinetic chain exercises when increasing resistance.

Conclusion:

These data may be relevant to develop rehabilitation exercises or programs that do not endanger the healing ACL graft and to provide a basis for future clinical trials.
A modified layered-section method for responses of fire-damaged reinforced concrete beams under static and blast loads
Authors: Pan Lu , Chen Li , Fang Qin , Zhai Chaochen , Pan Teng
Published: July 2016

Reinforced concrete structures are currently under the threat of both fire and blast. The absence of theoretical methods demonstrates a drawback in the assessment of blast-resistant structures after exposure to fire. A modified layered-section method was developed in this article, which was not only able to determine the complete static resistance–deflection curves of fire-damaged reinforced concrete beams but also able to predict the responses of reinforced concrete beams subjected to blast after fire exposure. The high-temperature effects and the strain-rate effects were included in the concrete and steel material models in the proposed method. A corresponding calculation program FBBA was also compiled based on the explicit Newmark algorithm on the platform of Maple software. The developed method and program were validated by the existing test results. Analytical results showed that after fire exposure, the reinforced concrete beams show significant degradation in the residual bearing capacity, but increase in the ductility. The higher the steel reinforcement ratio, the more degradation the bearing capacity of reinforced concrete beams after fire exposure suffers. The blast resistance of the fired reinforced concrete beams was underestimated without considering the strain-rate effects or just considering the average strain-rate effects.
Behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer-strengthened reinforced concrete beams under static and impact loads
Authors: Pham Thong M , Hao Hong
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer-strengthened reinforced concrete beams under static and impact loads. The experimental program includes six beams tested in static loads and seven beams tested against impact loads. Longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strips and fiber-reinforced polymer U-wraps were used to strengthen these beams. The section of four beams was modified to have a curved soffit in order to reduce the stress concentration of fiber-reinforced polymer U-wraps and provide confinement effect on longitudinal fiber-reinforced polymer strips. The experimental results showed that the proposed modification significantly increased the beam capacities as compared to their rectangular counterparts strengthened with the same amount of fiber-reinforced polymer material. In addition, this article also provides explanations and discussions on the phenomenon of shifting of the flexure failure mode under static loads to the shear–flexure failure mode under impact loads of all the beams tested in the study, as well as the proper interpretations of the measured impact forces in the tests. From the experimental results, it is recommended that the impact force and inertial force at the very early stage of an impact event should be used to design the impact resistance.
Image Statistics and the Fine Lines of Material Perception
Authors: Kim Juno , Tan Kairen , Chowdhury Nahian S.
Published: July 2016

We experience vivid percepts of objects and materials despite complexities in the way images are structured by the interaction of light with surface properties (3D shape, albedo, and gloss or specularity). Although the perception of gloss (and lightness) has been argued to depend on image statistics (e.g., sub-band skew), studies have shown that perceived gloss depends critically on the structure of luminance variations in images. Here, we found that separately adapting observers to either positive or negative skew generated declines in perceived gloss, contrary to the predictions of theories involving image statistics. We also found similar declines in perceived gloss following adaptation to contours geometrically correlated with sharp specular edges. We further found this aftereffect was stronger when contour adaptors were aligned with specular edges compared with adaptation to the same contours rotated by 90°. These findings support the view that the perception of gloss depends critically on the visual system’s ability to encode specular edge structure and not image skew.
Two Short “As” and a Rolling “R”
Authors: Wheeler Sara Louise
Published: July 2016

Names are an important aspect of our identity and sense of self. For those of us from minority communities, names may be particular, in some way, to our linguistic and cultural heritage, and thus may be at odds with their counterpart names from the dominant cultures within which we reside. The resultant tensions which ensue with regard to pronunciation and transcription can have a profound effect on the bearer of the minority name, inducing feelings of anger, disappointment, embarrassment, shame, and despair. Mispronunciation can also occur at random, even within our own linguistic cultural context, and thus can be just plain annoying. In this autoethnographic article, I draw on examples from my own biography to explore this phenomenon throughout my lifecourse.
The Validity of Standardized Interviews Used for University Admission Into Health Professional Programs
Authors: Oranye Nelson Ositadimma
Published: July 2016

In addition to the use of grade point average and academic background to assess candidates for admission into professional graduate programs, many university programs today use structured interviews to further assess candidates’ suitability. The Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Manitoba has in recent years adopted a standardized interview designed to capture specific psychometric characteristics of applicants considered relevant for scholarship in Occupational Therapy professional program. This study applied the Rasch Analysis Model to test the reliability and validity of the structured interview to determine whether the tool is invariant and fits the Rasch probabilistic model. A three-cohort interview data from 258 applicants were analyzed. The result indicates that the tool has high reliability (person separation index [PSI] = 0.8715), and was invariant across the participants. This Rasch analysis result supports the use of structured interview as an additional tool for students’ admission.
Does Living Arrangement Affect Work Status, Morbidity, and Treatment Seeking of the Elderly Population? A Study of South Indian States
Authors: Paul Arpita , Verma Raj Kumar
Published: July 2016

The well-being of the elderly population in India is of prime importance in the context of a weak social security system, breakdown of family structure, and increasing noncommunicable diseases. In this context, this study aims to understand the linkages of the living arrangements of the elderly with their work status, morbidity, and treatment-seeking behavior in four states in South India. This study was based on cross-sectional secondary data from the 60th round of National Sample Survey (NSS) on “Morbidity, Health Care and the Condition of the Aged” conducted in India in 2004. A subsample of 7,853 elderly from four demographically advanced states in South India formed the study population. Results showed that most of the elderly were working as unpaid workers in their later ages. A significant number of the elderly with primary or more education and living with their children without spouse or with other relatives worked as unpaid workers. Multivariate analyses suggest that those elderly living with their children were less likely to suffer from any morbidity and more likely to seek treatment. Economic well-being and usual activity status are significant predictors of morbidity and treatment-seeking behavior. Those elderly who lived alone were more vulnerable to poor health and more likely to work for their livelihood. Irrespective of the living arrangement, treatment seeking among the elderly was relatively higher in Kerala compared with the rest of the states. Thus, the family plays a significant role in elderly care, and living arrangement affects the work status and morbidity condition of the elderly population in the states of South India.
Teaching Social Determinants of Health in an Undergraduate Elective Course on Public Health Through Peer Wellness Coaching, Documentaries, and Self-Reflection
Authors: Garnett Bernice Raveche
Published: July 2016

Although there has been a surge of recommendations and best practices for developing undergraduate public health curricula, nascent research and national recommendations provide limited concrete guidance on evidence-based curricula practices to use and teach the social determinants of health framework to undergraduate students. This descriptive practice article will briefly describe the curriculum and instructional practices of a public health elective course within a U.S. university with a newly offered graduate program in public health but no formal undergraduate public health program of study and will specifically address some of the challenges and lessons learned in teaching the social determinants of health to ensure that the undergraduate student is “becoming an educated citizen.” To ensure that students are grounded, the social–ecological model is used weekly in class lectures and exercises to provide a visual framework through which the social determinants of health, starting at the individual level, can be illustrated through the various nested ecological systems of the model. Pedagogical approaches to using and addressing social determinants of health and health disparities include documentaries, peer wellness coaching, student engagement, and critical self-reflection. Student feedback and lessons learned are provided.
College Education and Sense of Control
Authors: McFarland Michael J. , Wagner Brandon , Marklin Scarlett
Published: July 2016

Although researchers routinely find a positive association between education and sense of control, it is unclear whether this association represents a causal connection or rather reflects correlations with unobserved factors related to family background and genetics. Using data on monozygotic twin pairs ( n = 231) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, the authors employ a twin-pair fixed-effects design that accounts for all unobserved shared factors between twin pairs. The results show that possessing a college degree was associated with a 0.79 standard deviation increase in sense of control relative to those with a high school degree or less. By providing the most conservative test of this causal pathway to date, the authors provide empirical support to theoretical arguments positing that educational effects on health are realized in part through increasing individual sense of control.
PD-L1 expression on neoplastic or stromal cells is respectively a poor or good prognostic factor for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Miyoshi Hiroaki , Kiyasu Junichi , Kato Takeharu , Yoshida Noriaki , Shimono Joji , Yokoyama Shintaro , Taniguchi Hiroaki , Sasaki Yuya , Kurita Daisuke , Kawamoto Keisuke , Kato Koji , Imaizumi Yoshitaka , Seto Masao , Ohshima Koichi
Published: July 2016

Key Points

PD-L1 expression in neoplastic cells or stromal cells is associated with poor or good prognosis in ATLL, respectively. Distinction of expression pattern of PD-L1 might be important on the point of prognostic and therapeutic markers in ATLL.
Osteoclasts promote immune suppressive microenvironment in multiple myeloma: therapeutic implication
Authors: An Gang , Acharya Chirag , Feng Xiaoyan , Wen Kenneth , Zhong Mike , Zhang Li , Munshi Nikhil C. , Qiu Lugui , Tai Yu-Tzu , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: July 2016

Key Points

OCs play a crucial role in myeloma-induced immunosuppressive microenvironment. Therapeutic anti-CD38 mAb partially overcomes the immunosuppressive effect of OCs.
CHAI and LATAIE: new genetic diseases of CTLA-4 checkpoint insufficiency
Authors: Lo Bernice , Fritz Jill M. , Su Helen C. , Uzel Gulbu , Jordan Michael B. , Lenardo Michael J.
Published: July 2016

CTLA-4 is a critical inhibitory “checkpoint” molecule of immune activation. Several recent reports have described patients with immune dysregulation and lymphoproliferative disease resulting from 2 different genetic diseases that directly or indirectly cause CTLA-4 deficiency. Numerous articles have also been published describing CTLA-4 blockade in cancer immunotherapy and its side effects, which are ultimately the consequence of treatment-induced CTLA-4 deficiency. Here, we review these 2 diseases and CTLA-4 blockade therapy, emphasizing the crucial role of CTLA-4 in immune checkpoint regulation.
Interleukin-1α drives the dysfunctional cross-talk of the airway epithelium and lung fibroblasts in COPD
Authors: Osei Emmanuel T. , Noordhoek Jacobien A. , Hackett Tillie L. , Spanjer Anita I.R. , Postma Dirkje S. , Timens Wim , Brandsma Corry-Anke , Heijink Irene H.
Published: July 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been associated with aberrant epithelial–mesenchymal interactions resulting in inflammatory and remodelling processes. We developed a co-culture model using COPD and control-derived airway epithelial cells (AECs) and lung fibroblasts to understand the mediators that are involved in remodelling and inflammation in COPD.

AECs and fibroblasts obtained from COPD and control lung tissue were grown in co-culture with fetal lung fibroblast or human bronchial epithelial cell lines. mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory mediators, pro-fibrotic molecules and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were assessed.

Co-culture resulted in the release of pro-inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-8/CXCL8 and heat shock protein (Hsp70) from lung fibroblasts, and decreased expression of ECM molecules (e.g.collagen, decorin) that was not different between control and COPD-derived primary cells. This pro-inflammatory effect was mediated by epithelial-derived IL-1α and increased upon epithelial exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). When exposed to CSE, COPD-derived AECs elicited a stronger IL-1α response compared with control-derived airway epithelium and this corresponded with a significantly enhanced IL-8 release from lung fibroblasts.

We demonstrate that, through IL-1α production, AECs induce a pro-inflammatory lung fibroblast phenotype that is further enhanced with CSE exposure in COPD, suggesting an aberrant epithelial–fibroblast interaction in COPD.
Frontline Science: Tryptophan restriction arrests B cell development and enhances microbial diversity in WT and prematurely aging Ercc1−/Δ7 mice
Authors: van Beek Adriaan A , Hugenholtz Floor , Meijer Ben , Sovran Bruno , Perdijk Olaf , Vermeij Wilbert P , Brandt Renata M C , Barnhoorn Sander , Hoeijmakers Jan H J , de Vos Paul , Leenen Pieter J M , Hendriks Rudi W , Savelkoul Huub F J
Published: July 2016

With aging, tryptophan metabolism is affected. Tryptophan has a crucial role in the induction of immune tolerance and the maintenance of gut microbiota. We, therefore, studied the effect of dietary tryptophan restriction in young wild-type (WT) mice (118-wk life span) and in DNA-repair deficient, premature-aged (Ercc1−/Δ7) mice (20-wk life span). First, we found that the effect of aging on the distribution of B and T cells in bone marrow (BM) and in the periphery of 16-wk-old Ercc1−/Δ7 mice was comparable to that in 18-mo-old WT mice. Dietary tryptophan restriction caused an arrest of B cell development in the BM, accompanied by diminished B cell frequencies in the periphery. In general, old Ercc1−/Δ7 mice showed similar responses to tryptophan restriction compared with young WT mice, indicative of age-independent effects. Dietary tryptophan restriction increased microbial diversity and made the gut microbiota composition of old Ercc1−/Δ7 mice more similar to that of young WT mice. The decreased abundances of Alistipes and Akkermansia spp. after dietary tryptophan restriction correlated significantly with decreased B cell precursor numbers. In conclusion, we report that dietary tryptophan restriction arrests B cell development and concomitantly changes gut microbiota composition. Our study suggests a beneficial interplay between dietary tryptophan, B cell development, and gut microbial composition on several aspects of age-induced changes.
Frontline Science: Sphingosine rescues burn-injured mice from pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Authors: Rice Teresa C , Seitz Aaron P , Edwards Michael J , Gulbins Erich , Caldwell Charles C
Published: July 2016

Burn patients with concomitant pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection have mortality rates as high as 50%, despite antibiotic therapy. Sphingosine is generated from ceramide via ceramidase and has been reported to have antimicrobial properties. We observed a reduction in sphingosine and a concurrent increase in ceramide in bronchial epithelial cells after burn injury. After PA inoculation, these mice had a significant decrease in survival compared to noninjured mice. However, when injured mice were pretreated with sphingosine or neutral ceramidase and subsequently infected, mortality and bacterial levels were robustly reduced. We further observed that sphingosine directly kills PA. Together, these results demonstrate that reduction in sphingosine is associated with an increased susceptibility to pulmonary infection after burn injury. Restoration of sphingosine levels through direct sphingosine administration or conversion of the increased ceramide to sphingosine by neutral ceramidase reduces mortality and mitigates pulmonary infection after burn injury.
A rat model for hepatitis E virus
Authors: Debing Yannick , Mishra Niraj , Verbeken Erik , Ramaekers Kaat , Dallmeier Kai , Neyts Johan
Published: July 2016

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the prime causes of acute viral hepatitis, whereas chronic hepatitis E is increasingly recognized as an important problem in the transplant setting. Nevertheless, the fundamental understanding of the biology of HEV replication is limited and there are few therapeutic options. The development of such therapies is partially hindered by the lack of a robust and convenient animal model. We propose the infection of athymic nude rats with the rat HEV strain LA-B350 as such a model. A cDNA clone pLA-B350 was constructed and the infectivity of its capped RNA transcripts was confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a subgenomic replicon pLA-B350/luc was constructed and validated for in vitro antiviral studies. Interestingly, rat HEV proved to be less sensitive to the antiviral activity of alpha interferon, ribavirin and mycophenolic acid, than genotype 3 HEV. As a proof-of-concept, part of the C-terminal polymerase sequence of pLA-B350/luc was swapped with its genotype 3 HEV counterpart: the resulting chimeric replicon replicated with comparable efficiency as the wild-type construct, confirming that LA-B350 is amenable to humanization. Finally, ribavirin effectively inhibited LA-B350 replication in athymic nude rats, confirming the suitability of the rat model for antiviral studies.
Identification of a nutrient sensing transcriptional network in monocytes by using inbred rat models of cafeteria diet
Authors: Martínez-Micaelo N. , González-Abuín N. , Terra X. , Ardévol A. , Pinent M. , Petretto E. , Behmoaras J. , Blay M.
Published: July 2016

Obesity has reached pandemic levels worldwide. The current models of diet-induced obesity in rodents use predominantly high-fat based diets that do not take into account the consumption of variety of highly palatable, energy dense foods that are prevalent in Western society. We and others have shown that cafeteria diet (CAF) is a robust and reproducible model of human metabolic syndrome with tissue inflammation in the rat. We have previously shown that inbred rat strains such as Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Lewis (LEW) show different susceptibilities to CAF diets with distinct metabolic and morphometric profiles. Here we show a difference in plasma MCP-1 levels and investigate the effect of CAF diet on peripheral blood monocyte transcriptome as powerful stress-sensing immune cells in WKY and LEW rats. We found that 75.5% of the differentially expressed transcripts under CAF diet were up-regulated in WKY rats and were functionally related to the activation of the immune response. Using a gene co-expression network constructed from the genes differentially expressed between CAF diet-fed LEW and WKY rats, we identified the Acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2 (Acss2) as a hub gene for a nutrient sensing cluster of transcripts in monocytes. Acss2 genomic region is significantly enriched for previously established metabolism quantitative trait loci in the rat. Notably, monocyte expression levels of Acss2 significantly correlated with plasma glucose, triglyceride, leptin and NEFA levels as well as morphometric measurements such as body weight and the total fat following CAF in the rat. These results show the importance of the genetic background in nutritional genomics and identify inbred rat strains as potential models for CAF-induced obesity.
Development and interval testing of a naturalistic driving methodology to evaluate driving behavior in clinical research
Authors: Babulal Ganesh M. , Addison Aaron , Ghoshal Nupur , Stout Sarah H. , Vernon Elizabeth K. , Sellan Mark , Roe Catherine M.
Published: July 2016

Background: The number of older adults in the United States will double by 2056. Additionally, the number of licensed drivers will increase along with extended driving-life expectancy. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death in older adults. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) also negatively impacts driving ability and increases crash risk. Conventional methods to evaluate driving ability are limited in predicting decline among older adults. Innovations in GPS hardware and software can monitor driving behavior in the actual environments people drive in. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices are affordable, easy to install and capture large volumes of data in real-time. However, adapting these methodologies for research can be challenging. This study sought to adapt a COTS device and determine an interval that produced accurate data on the actual route driven for use in future studies involving older adults with and without AD. 

Methods: Three subjects drove a single course in different vehicles at different intervals (30, 60 and 120 seconds), at different times of day, morning (9:00-11:59AM), afternoon (2:00-5:00PM) and night (7:00-10pm). The nine datasets were examined to determine the optimal collection interval.

Results: Compared to the 120-second and 60-second intervals, the 30-second interval was optimal in capturing the actual route driven along with the lowest number of incorrect paths and affordability weighing considerations for data storage and curation.

Discussion: Use of COTS devices offers minimal installation efforts, unobtrusive monitoring and discreet data extraction.  However, these devices require strict protocols and controlled testing for adoption into research paradigms.  After reliability and validity testing, these devices may provide valuable insight into daily driving behaviors and intraindividual change over time for populations of older adults with and without AD.  Data can be aggregated over time to look at changes or adverse events and ascertain if decline in performance is occurring.
Early Coronary Thrombosis without ST-Segment Elevation Following Repair of Acute Aortic Dissection
Authors: Carino Davide , Nicolini Francesco , Romano Giorgio , Ricci Matteo , Gherli Tiziano
Published: July 2016

Acute coronary thrombosis after emergent surgery for acute Type A aortic dissection is a rare event that can remain undiagnosed in absence of typical electrocardiogram readings. We report a case of left anterior descending artery thrombosis without ST-segment elevation three days after surgical repair, which was successfully treated with angioplasty and stenting.
An annotated synopsis of the powder post beetles of Iran (Coleoptera: Bostrichoidea: Bostrichidae)
Authors: Liu Lan-Yu , Ghahari Hassan , Beaver Roger A.
Published: July 2016

An annotated synopsis of Iranian Bostrichidae (Coleoptera: Bostrichoidea) is provided as a basis for future studies, with notes on distribution, host plants, biology and economic importance. In total, 31 species from 18 genera and 4 subfamilies (Bostrichinae, Dinoderinae, Lyctinae and Psoinae) are listed from Iran. Sinoxylon anale Lesne, 1897, Sinoxylon perforans (Schrank, 1789), Stephanopachys linearis (Kugelann, 1792) and Xylopertha retusa (Olivier, 1790) are new records for Iran.
Management of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: an evidence-based review
Authors: Covaro Augusto , Vilà-Canet Gemma , de Frutos Ana García , Ubierna Maite T. , Ciccolo Francesco , Caceres Enric
Published: July 2016

Lumbar spinal stenosis has become one of the most disabling pathologies in the elderly population. Some additional conditions such as foraminal stenosis or degenerative spondylosis with a history of back pain and leg pain must be considered before treatment. A completely appropriate protocol and unified management of spinal stenosis have not yet been well defined. The objective of this literature review is to provide evidence-based recommendations reflected in the highest-quality clinical literature available to address key clinical questions surrounding the management of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Cite this article: Covaro A, Vilà-Canet G, García de Frutos A, Ubierna MT, Ciccolo F, Caceres E. Management of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis: an evidence-based review article. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:267-274. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.000030.
The acceptability to patients of video-consulting in general practice: semi-structured interviews in three diverse general practices.
Authors: Leng Sophie , MacDougall Margaret , McKinstry Brian
Published: July 2016

Background & Objective: To improve patient access to healthcare, the UK government has encouraged technology-based approaches including internet video-consulting. However, little is known about patient acceptance of video-consulting as a consulting method. We aimed to explore primary care patients’ views video-consulting.Method & Results:  We used semi-structured interviews to survey 270 patients in NHS Lothian. Three diverse General Practices were chosen purposively and sequential patients attending the practice at a range of different times of day were invited to participate. Patients were asked to indicate their level of computer proficiency and provide their views on the use of video-call consulting and what specific applications it might have. We found that 135 of 270 respondents (50%, 95% CI 43.9%-56.1%) would use video-consulting. Patients under 60 years were over two times more likely to use it (OR 2.2, 95% CI 2.1-6.6, n = 248) and evidence of a positive trend between increasing computer proficiency and those who would video-consult was found, (χ2 = 43.97, p < 0.0005, n=270). Patients who had previously used video-calling services (such as Skype™)were approximately six times more likely to favour video-consulting than those who had not (OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.5-9.9, n = 270).Conclusions: This suggests strong patient interest in video-consulting in primary care, however, it is possible that in the short to medium term there may be access inequality favouring younger and more technically able people. Further studies are needed to determine the content, safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of employing this medium.
Patient-facing Technology for Identification of COPD in Primary Care
Authors: Ahern David Kevin , Parker Donna , Eaton Charles , Rafferty Caitlin , Wroblewski Joseph , Goldman Roberta
Published: July 2016

The proliferation of mobile devices and emergence of interoperable ‘mHealth’ apps is accelerating development and deployment of patient-facing risk assessments in primary care. The present study describes a user-centered design and an agile development approach to creation of an app for assessing lungfunction as part of a randomized controlled trial for the   dentification of chronic obstructive lung disease in primary care. Seventeen patients recruited from a hospital-based, ambulatory family medicine clinic agreed to be videotaped while using the app, Lung Age, on a first-generation iPad prior to their providerencounter. Subsequently, participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide upon exiting their medical visit. Observational data indicated that participants took advantage of the portability and flexibility of the tablet device in the exam room to engage with the Lung Age app with the optionto share and discuss their results with their providers. Results from the semistructured interviews indicated that participants perceived the Lung Age app as intuitive and easy to use. These results demonstrate that tablet computers and mHealth apps can be used to deploy acceptable and useable electronic risk assessments in primary care settings. Future research focused on the impact and outcomes of patient-centered, mHealth apps for risk screening in primary care is warranted.
A exploratory study on multicultural attitudes: German and Korean youth
Authors: Jeong Moon Seong , Jeon Young Eun
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine the differences and similarities of the multicultural attitudes between German and Korean youth. For this matter, eighth-grade students(German youth: 205, Korean youth: 203) from 5 classes at Hessen and Nordrhein-Westfalen provinces in Germany and 4 middle school classes at Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in Korea, were surveyed. And 5 Germany youths and 5 Korean youths were interviewed. The questionnaire based on Munroe & Pearson(2006)’s MASQE(Multicultural Attitude Scale Questionnaire), included youth’ cognitive, emotional and behavioral descriptions about multicultural society. Drawing upon the survey and interviews data, the results raise several questions. First, Findings from this study revealed German youth were more positive attitude than Korean at multicultural society. One explanation for this result should consider the potential of the time of exposure to multicultural situation. Germany has more long multicultural history than Korea. And German youth reported they had more multicultural education experience than Korea. But a lot of exposure to multicultural situation dose not always effect positively multicultural attitude of youth. Therefore, further research could focus on the correlations between exposure to multicultural society and multicultural attitude. Second, German youth, who experienced multicultural education, was more positive attitude than the other group. However there was no statistically significant difference between two Korean group means on multicultural attitude. We should consider the quality and quantity of multicultural education in Korean. Third, Both of German and Korean youth, who had multicultural friends and were interested in multicultural society, have more positive multicultural attitude than the other groups. These findings mean the exposure of multicultural situation have positive effect on multicultural attitude.
An ethnography study on the experiences and characteristics of peer relationships among multicultural adolescents
Authors: Jang Yeon-ju , Shin Namin
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences and characteristics of peer relationships in the context of multicultural classroom. The participants of this study were 33 adolescents (17 boys) enrolled at one of the alternative multicultural schools located at Seoul, Korea. The students were 15.5 years old in average (14-17 years old); and the nationalities of one of their parents represented 10 different countries. Data were collected through 2 years of ethnography study in which the first author played the role of a drama teacher while conducting the research by means of observation and interviews with the students and teachers as well. Four themes emerged with regard to the characteristics of peer relationships among multiculural adolescents. First, the majority of the students regarded a kind of ‘body language’ as a main strategy to approach their peers and maintain the relationships afterwards. Second, teasing or verbal harrassment were observed targeting a specific student; but those behaviors also played the role of showing a personal interest in peers. Third, personality characteristics were counted as a critical factor determining preferences among the students. Forth, the students were used to cultural differences among themselves, tending to accept their peers as they were. In concluding, we made discussions and suggestions which may help teachers concerning students from a variety of cultural backgrounds in guiding them to form and maintain healthy peer relationships among themselves.
Influence of Type and Amount of Carbon in Cigarette Filters on Smokers’ Mouth Level Exposure to “Tar”, Nicotine, 1,3-Butadiene, Benzene, Toluene, Isoprene, and Acrylonitrile
Authors: Nother Kathryn , Ashley Madeleine S. , Clayton Peter M.
Published: July 2016

Activated carbons are effective adsorbents for many volatile organic compounds and are used in cigarette filters to remove selected smoke toxicants. Polymer-derived carbon is more effective in removing many vapour phase toxicants found in cigarette smoke than coconut-shell-derived carbon. We compared mouth-level exposure to “tar”, nicotine and five vapour phase constituents (1,3- butadiene, benzene, toluene, isoprene, acrylonitrile) in two groups of Romanian smokers of 4-mg or 8-mg International Organization for Standardization (ISO) “tar” bands. Test cigarettes with 4 and 8 mg ISO “tar” were manufactured for the study with two target levels of polymer-derived carbon (30 mg and 56 mg), along with control cigarettes containing a target level of 56 mg of coconut-shell-derived carbon in both “tar” bands. No significant differences were found between mouth-level exposure to “tar” or nicotine yields obtained from control and test products (p > 0.05) in either ISO “tar” band. Mouth-level exposure to each of the five vapour phase constituents was significantly lower from the test products with polymer-derived carbon (p < 0.0001) than from control cigarettes with coconut-shell-derived carbon, by an average of 25% with 30 mg polymer-derived carbon and around 50% with 56 mg. [Beitr. Tabakforsch. Int. 27 (2016) 40-53]
The relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate trajectory and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Davis Timothy M E , Chubb S A Paul , Davis Wendy A
Published: July 2016

Objective

To investigate the association between estimated GFR (eGFR) and all-cause mortality, including the contribution of temporal eGFR changes, in well-characterised community-based patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Longitudinal observational study.

Methods

Participants from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase 1 were assessed between 1993 and 1996 and followed until end-December 2012. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to assess the relationship between baseline eGFR category (Stage 1–5) and all-cause death, and between eGFR trajectories assigned by semiparametric group-based modelling (GBM) and all-cause death in patients with five post-baseline annual eGFR measurements.

Results

In the full cohort (1296 patients; mean±s.d. age 64.1±11.3years, 48.6% males), 738 (56.9%) died during 12.9±6.1years of follow-up. There was a U-shaped relationship between all-cause death and eGFR category. With Stage 3 (45–59mL/min/1.73m2) as reference, the strongest association was for eGFR ≥90mL/min/1.73m2 (hazard ratio (95% CI) 2.01 (1.52–2.66); P<0.001). GBM identified four linear trajectories (‘low’, ‘medium’, ‘high’, ‘high/declining’) in 532 patients with serial eGFR measurements. With medium trajectory as reference, eGFR trajectory displaced baseline eGFR category as an independent predictor of death, with low and high/declining trajectories associated with more than double the risk (2.03 (1.30–3.18) and 2.24 (1.31–3.83) respectively, P≤0.003) and associated median reductions in survival of 6.5 and 8.7years respectively.

Conclusion

There is a nonlinear relationship between eGFR and death in type 2 diabetes, which is at least partially explained by a sub-group of patients with an initially high but then rapidly declining eGFR.
The cardiovascular system in familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia: a cross-sectional study on physiological effects of inactivating variants in the calcium-sensing receptor gene
Authors: Breum Jakobsen Niels Frederik , Laugesen Esben , Rolighed Lars , Nissen Peter H , Poulsen Per Løgstrup , Pedersen Erling Bjerregaard , Mosekilde Leif , Rejnmark Lars
Published: July 2016

Objective

Loss-of-function variants in the gene encoding the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) result in familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH), causing hypercalcemia with high normal or elevated parathyroid hormone levels. The CASR may also influence electrolyte and water homeostasis. It is unknown whether FHH affects cardiovascular health. We, therefore investigated whether FHH is associated with changes in the regulation of the cardiovascular system by measuring 24-h blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness and vasoactive hormones.

Design

Cross-sectional study comparing 50 patients with FHH to age- and gender-matched controls.

Results

Studied subjects (69% women) had a mean age of 56years. A similar number of patients and controls (33%) were on treatment with antihypertensive drugs. Overall, no differences were found between groups in 24-h ambulatory BP or pulse wave velocity. However, compared with controls, diastolic BP during nighttime was lower in FHH females (60±5 vs 66±9mmHg, P<0.01) and higher in FHH males (69±6 vs 64±5mmHg, P=0.02). FHH was associated with a significantly higher plasma osmolality (P<0.01), higher plasma levels of vasopressin (P<0.01) and a higher renal excretion of epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) (P=0.03), whereas urine aquaporin-2 and plasma sodium, aldosterone and renin did not differ between groups. FHH patients had a lower urinary volume with an increased osmolality if analyses were restricted to those not on treatments with antihypertensive drugs.

Conclusions

FHH does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of CVD.
Cross-sectional area of the median nerve is increased in primary autoimmune hypothyroidism and decreases upon treatment with thyroxine
Authors: Holováčová Dana , Kužma Martin , Killinger Zdenko , Payer Juraj
Published: July 2016

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of nervus medianus by ultrasound in newly diagnosed primary hypothyroid patients after thyroxine replacement treatment.

Patients and methods

The cohort comprised 30 patients with newly diagnosed primary autoimmune hypothyroidism. These were subsequently compared with 30 controls, matched for sex, BMI and age. Ultrasound evaluation, including measurement of CSA at the level of the pisiform bone or tunnel inlet was performed at baseline and after 3months. A CSA threshold of more than 10mm2was considered pathological.

Results

CSA was increased in patients compared with controls (9.8±0.7mm2vs 7.2±1.1mm2;P<0.001). Thyroxin substitution increased fT4levels (baseline, 11.0±0.6pmol/L vs 15.5±0.4pmol/L;P<0.001) and decreased TSH (baseline, 23.9±6.0mIU/L vs 2.7±0.2mIU/L;P<0.001). Thyroxine treatment decreased CSA to 8.4mm2±0.3mm2(P=0.033). Before treatment, four patients experienced distal paresthesia in the median nerve distribution area. Increased CSA pathognomonic for carpal tunnel syndrome found in two symptomatic patients normalized after 3months. No clinical symptoms were observed after 3months. A positive correlation was found between TSH and CSA (R=0.155,P=0.05) before treatment.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that increase in median nerve CSA caused by primary autoimmune hypothyroidism can be fully reversible after achieving target levels of TSH and fT4.
Pituitary stalk thickening: the role of an innovative MRI imaging analysis which may assist in determining clinical management
Authors: Sbardella Emilia , Joseph Robin N , Jafar-Mohammadi Bahram , Isidori Andrea M , Cudlip Simon , Grossman Ashley B
Published: July 2016

Context

Disease processes that affect the pituitary stalk are broad; the diagnosis and management of these lesions remains unclear.

Objective

The aim was to assess the clinical, biochemical and histopathological characteristics of pituitary stalk lesions and their association with specific MRI features in order to provide diagnostic and prognostic guidance.

Design and methods

Retrospective observational study of 36 patients (mean age 37years, range: 4–83) with pituitary stalk thickening evaluated at a university hospital in Oxford, UK, 2007–2015. We reviewed morphology, signal intensity, enhancement and texture appearance at MRI (evaluated with the ImageJ programme), along with clinical, biochemical, histopathological and long-term follow-up data.

Results

Diagnosis was considered certain for 22 patients: 46% neoplastic, 32% inflammatory and 22% congenital lesions. In the remaining 14 patients, a diagnosis of a non-neoplastic disorder was assumed on the basis of long-term follow-up (mean 41.3months, range: 12–84). Diabetes insipidus and headache were common features in 47 and 42% at presentation, with secondary hypogonadism the most frequent anterior pituitary defect. Neoplasia was suggested on size criteria or progression with 30% sensitivity. However, textural analysis of MRI scans revealed a significant correlation between the tumour pathology and pituitary stalk heterogeneity in pre- and post-gadolinium T1-weighted images (sensitivity: 88.9%, specificity: 91.7%).

Conclusions

New techniques of MRI imaging analysis may identify clinically significant neoplastic lesions, thus directing future therapy. We propose possible textural heterogeneity criteria of the pituitary stalk on pre- and post-gadolinium T1 images with the aim of differentiating between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions with a high degree of accuracy.