bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near-Nerve Needle Technique Versus Surface Electrode Recordings in Electrodiagnosis of Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Authors: Kural Mustafa A. , Pugdahl Kirsten , Fuglsang-Frederiksen Anders , Andersen Henning , Tankisi Hatice
Published: December 2015

Purpose:

The sural nerve can be examined by either surface electrode recording or near-nerve technique (NNT) for electrodiagnosis of polyneuropathy. This study compared the sensitivity of these two methods and correlated nerve conduction studies to “The Utah Early Neuropathy Scale” (UENS) and HbA1c levels.

Methods:

In 29 diabetic patients, 55 sural nerves were examined with both antidromic surface recording and orthodromic NNT. The sensitivities were compared with chi-square statistics. Nerve conduction study parameters were correlated with UENS and HbA1c levels using regression analysis.

Results:

More often absent responses were seen with surface electrodes than NNT (15 vs. 0) (P < 0.001). A higher number of normal nerves were found with surface recording (27) than with NNT (15) (P < 0.001). The decrease in sensory nerve action potential amplitude correlated significantly to total UENS scores and UENS subscores for both surface recordings and NNT. However, decrease in conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential duration correlated to UENS scores and subscores more often for NNT than for surface recording. Similarly, there was significant correlation between HbA1c levels and sensory nerve action potential amplitude and duration for NNT, but not for surface electrode recordings.

Conclusions:

Near-nerve technique is recommended for better and more sensitive electrodiagnosis of polyneuropathy, and clinical scoring with UENS is of importance for diabetic neuropathy diagnosis.
Selfish mothers indeed! Resource-dependent conflict over extended parental care in free-ranging dogs
Authors: Paul Manabi , Majumder Sreejani Sen , Nandi Anjan K. , Bhadra Anindita
Published: December 2015

Parent–offspring conflict (POC) theory provides an interesting premise for understanding social dynamics in facultatively social species. In free-ranging dogs, mothers increase conflict over extended parental care with their pups beyond the weaning stage. In this study, we investigated whether resource quality affects POC in the dogs that typically live in a highly competitive environment as scavengers. We built a theoretical model to predict the alternative options available to the mother in the context of food sharing with her pups when protein-rich food (meat) is provided, as compared to carbohydrate-rich food (biscuits). We fit the mothers’ response from experimental data to the model and show that the mothers choose a selfish strategy, which can in turn ensure higher lifetime reproductive success, while depriving the current litter access to better resources. These results have interesting implications for understanding the social dynamics of the dogs, and the emergence of facultative sociality in a species that evolved from strongly social ancestors. We speculate that the tendency of increased conflict in resource-rich conditions might have driven the process of domestication in the ancestors of dogs which defected from their groups in favour of richer resources around human settlements.
Analytical acoustic pressure gradient prediction for moving medium problems
Authors: Ghorbaniasl Ghader , Huang Zhongjie , Siozos-Rousoulis Leonidas , Lacor Chris
Published: December 2015

In this paper, an acoustic pressure gradient formula capable of accounting for constant uniform flow effects is suggested. Acoustic pressure gradient calculation is key for acoustic scattering problems, because it may be used to evaluate the hardwall boundary condition. Realistic cases of rotating machines may be evaluated in a moving frame of reference and as such, an acoustic pressure gradient formula capable of accounting for constant uniform flow effects finds significant application. A frequency domain formulation was thus derived for periodic noise source motion located in a moving medium. The suggested formula is mathematically compact and easy to implement. It may offer us significant advantages when tonal noise emissions are dominant, thus finding application potential in acoustic scattering problems in rotating machines in a constant uniform flow. Moreover, the formula contains no Doppler factor, thus facilitating noise prediction for sources in supersonic motion.
Hydrogel charge regulation and electrolyte ion-concentration perturbations in nanoparticle gel electrophoresis
Authors: Hill Reghan J.
Published: December 2015

Gel electrophoresis of spherical nanoparticles (NPs) is studied using an electrokinetic model that couples the ion conservation equations to the Poisson and fluid momentum equations, thus including the so-called polarization and relaxation processes. This model is therefore the charged gel electrophoresis analogue of the well-known O’Brien and White solution of the standard electrokinetic model for free-solution electrophoresis. Results are provided for the small NPs (size around 10 nm) to which gel electrophoresis is relevant, because particles must be small enough to permeate the gel: these include the particle drag coefficient (or Brownian diffusivity), which is subject to hydrodynamic screening and electroviscous effects, and the electrophoretic mobility, which is subject to nonlinear electrostatic and charge polarization influences. Also addressed are the influences of charge-regulating gels and the accompanying particle-induced immobile charge-density perturbations. Ion-concentration perturbations attenuate the electrophoretic mobility and enhance the drag coefficient according to the particle charge and the mobility of the most abundant counterion. However, dynamic regulation of the hydrogel charge—termed the secondary immobile charge-density perturbation—has a negligible influence on the particle mobility, and may therefore be neglected for most practical purposes.
Fully optimized second-order variational estimates for the macroscopic response and field statistics in viscoplastic crystalline composites
Authors: Ponte Castañeda P.
Published: December 2015

A variational method is developed to estimate the macroscopic constitutive response of composite materials consisting of aggregates of viscoplastic single-crystal grains and other inhomogeneities. The method derives from a stationary variational principle for the macroscopic stress potential of the viscoplastic composite in terms of the corresponding potential of a linear comparison composite (LCC), whose viscosities and eigenstrain rates are the trial fields in the variational principle. The resulting estimates for the macroscopic response are guaranteed to be exact to second order in the heterogeneity contrast, and to satisfy known bounds. In addition, unlike earlier ‘second-order’ methods, the new method allows optimization with respect to both the viscosities and eigenstrain rates, leading to estimates that are fully stationary and exhibit no duality gaps. Consequently, the macroscopic response and field statistics of the nonlinear composite can be estimated directly from the suitably optimized LCC, without the need for difficult-to-compute correction terms. The method is applied to a simple example of a porous single crystal, and the results are found to be more accurate than earlier estimates.
Micro-scale environmental variation amplifies physiological variation among individual mussels
Authors: Jimenez Ana Gabriela , Jayawardene Sarah , Alves Shaina , Dallmer Jeremiah , Dowd W. Wesley
Published: December 2015

The contributions of temporal and spatial environmental variation to physiological variation remain poorly resolved. Rocky intertidal zone populations are subjected to thermal variation over the tidal cycle, superimposed with micro-scale variation in individuals' body temperatures. Using the sea mussel (Mytilus californianus), we assessed the consequences of this micro-scale environmental variation for physiological variation among individuals, first by examining the latter in field-acclimatized animals, second by abolishing micro-scale environmental variation via common garden acclimation, and third by restoring this variation using a reciprocal outplant approach. Common garden acclimation reduced the magnitude of variation in tissue-level antioxidant capacities by approximately 30% among mussels from a wave-protected (warm) site, but it had no effect on antioxidant variation among mussels from a wave-exposed (cool) site. The field-acclimatized level of antioxidant variation was restored only when protected-site mussels were outplanted to a high, thermally stressful site. Variation in organismal oxygen consumption rates reflected antioxidant patterns, decreasing dramatically among protected-site mussels after common gardening. These results suggest a highly plastic relationship between individuals' genotypes and their physiological phenotypes that depends on recent environmental experience. Corresponding context-dependent changes in the physiological mean–variance relationships within populations complicate prediction of responses to shifts in environmental variability that are anticipated with global change.
Equal temperature–size responses of the sexes are widespread within arthropod species
Authors: Hirst Andrew G. , Horne Curtis R. , Atkinson David
Published: December 2015

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is often affected by environmental conditions, but the effect of temperature on SSD in ectotherms still requires rigorous investigation. We compared the plastic responses of size-at-maturity to temperature between males and females within 85 diverse arthropod species, in which individuals of both sexes were reared through ontogeny under identical conditions with excess food. We find that the sexes show similar relative (proportional) temperature–body size (T–S) responses on average. The high degree of similarity occurs despite an analysis that includes a wide range of animal body sizes, variation in degree of SSD and differences in the sign of the T–S response. We find no support for Rensch's rule, which predicts greater variation in male size, or indeed the reverse, greater female size variation. SSD shows no systematic temperature dependence in any of the 17 arthropod orders examined, five of which (Diptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Calanoida) include more than six thermal responses. We suggest that the same proportional T–S response may generally have equivalent fitness costs and benefits in both sexes. This contrasts with effects of juvenile density, and food quantity/quality, which commonly result in greater size plasticity in females, suggesting these variables have different adaptive effects on SSD.
Products of the Parkinson’s-disease related glyoxalase DJ-1, D-lactate and glycolate, support mitochondrial membrane potential and neuronal survival
Authors: Toyoda Yusuke , Erkut Cihan , Pan-Montojo Francisco , Boland Sebastian , Stewart Martin P. , Müller Daniel J. , Wurst Wolfgang , Hyman Anthony A. , Kurzchalia Teymuras V.
Published: December 2015

Parkinson’s disease is associated with mitochondrial decline in dopaminergic neurons of thesubstantia nigra. One of the genes, DJ-1/PARK7, linked with the onset of Parkinson’s disease, belongs to a novel glyoxalase family and influences mitochondrial activity. It has been assumed that glyoxalases fulfill this task by detoxifying aggressive aldehyde by-products of metabolism. Here we show that supplying either D-lactate or glycolate, products of DJ-1, rescues the requirement for the enzyme in maintenance of mitochondrial potential. We further show that glycolic acid and D-lactic acid can elevate lowered mitochondrial membrane potential caused by silencing PINK-1, another Parkinson’s related gene, as well as by paraquat, an environmental toxin known to be linked with Parkinson’s disease. We propose that DJ-1 and consequently its products are components of a novel pathway that stabilizes mitochondria during cellular stress. We go on to show that survival of cultured mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons, defective in Parkinson’s disease, is enhanced by glycolate and D-lactate. Because glycolic and D-lactic acids occur naturally, they are therefore a potential therapeutic route for treatment or prevention of Parkinson’s disease.
A framework for collaborative computational research
Authors: Paquola Apuã C. M. , Erwin Jennifer A. , Gage Fred H.
Published: December 2015

Analysis of high troughput biological data often involves the use of many software packages and in-house written code. For each analysis step there are multiple options of software tools available, each with its own capabilities, limitations and assumptions on the input and output data. The development of bioinformatics pipelines involves a great deal of experimentation with different tools and parameters, considering how each would fit to the big picture and the practical implications of their use. Organizing data analysis could prove challenging. In this work we present a set of methods and tools that aim to enable the user to experiment extensively, while keeping analyses reproducible and organized. We present a framework based on simple principles that allow data analyses to be structured in a way that emphasizes reproducibility, organization and clarity, while being simple and intuitive so that adding and modifying analysis steps can be done naturally with little extra effort. The framework suppports version control of code, documentation and data, enabling collaboration between users.
Low virulence evolves as a bet-hedging strategy in fluctuating environment
Authors: Nguyen Anne , Rajon Etienne , Fouchet David , Pontier Dominique , Rabinovich Jorge Eduardo , Gourbiére Sébastien , Menu Frédéric
Published: December 2015

The effect of fluctuating environmental conditions (i.e. environmental stochasticity) on the evolution of virulence has been broadly overlooked, presumably due to a lack of connection between the fields of evolutionary epidemiology and insect ecology. Practitioners of the latter have known for a long time that stochastic environmental variations can impact the population dynamics of many insects, some of which are vectors of infectious diseases. Here we investigate whether environmental stochasticity affecting a vector’s life history can have an indirect impact on the evolutionarily expected virulence of the parasite, using Chagas disease as an example. We model the evolution of virulence using the adaptive dynamics framework, showing that parasite virulence should decrease when the vector's dynamics randomly change in time. The decrease is even more pronounced when environmental variations are frequent and ample. This decrease in virulence can be viewed as a bet-hedging strategy: when a parasite is at a risk of not being transmitted (e.g. because vectors are scarce), its best option is to stay in the host longer – that is, to be less virulent. Lowering virulence is thus very similar to increasing iteroparity, a well-known risk-spreading strategy, and should be expected to evolve whenever parasite transmission varies randomly in time.
The needs of people with mild learning disabilities within the Scottish criminal justice system: a qualitative study of healthcare perspectives
Authors: Mediseni Fellex , Brown Michael
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The Purpose of this paper is to identify and explore the views and experiences of specialist learning disability (LD) health service professionals regarding the management of and support offered to people with LD when they come into contact with the Scottish criminal justice system (CJS).

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative design was adopted for this study due to the limited existing evidence in the area and the need to start to build and develop understanding of the phenomena under study. A purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants from an accessible population within one Scottish NHS Health Literature review, qualitative research, semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis.

Findings

– The findings identified three key themes challenges in practice; the need for additional resources; and the ability of services to provide management and support.

Originality/value

– The findings serve to contribute to the understanding of the role and contributions made by and required from specialist LD health services to manage and support people with LD in the Scottish CJS.
Am I there yet? The views of people with learning disability on forensic community rehabilitation
Authors: Davis Alana , Doyle Michael , Quayle Ethel , O'Rourke Suzanne
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– Previously, diversion from the criminal justice system for people with learning disability (LD) and serious forensic needs in Scotland meant hospitalisation. More recently new legislation has meant that community-based rehabilitation is possible for this group. The purpose of this paper is to qualitatively explore the views of people with LD subject to these legal orders. This is both a chance to work in partnership to improve services and also to make the voices of this potentially vulnerable group heard.

Design/methodology/approach

– Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants subject to a community-based order. All participants were male. Ages, index behaviour, and time spent on order varied. The data was transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

– The main themes which emerged from the data were a taste of freedom, not being in control, getting control back, loneliness, and feeling like a service user. Participants described positives about community-based rehabilitation but also a number of negatives.

Practical implications

– Participant accounts suggest that the current community rehabilitation model has some shortcomings which need to be addressed. Suggestions are made for improvements to the current model relating to: achieving clarity over the role of support staff and pathways out of the system; increasing opportunities for service users to voice concerns; empowering staff teams via extensive training and supervision; and directly addressing internalised stigma to promote community integration.

Originality/value

– This is the first piece of work evaluating compulsory community forensic care for people with LD from the perspective of service users. It highlights difficulties with the system which could lead to helpful ways to evolve this model.
Scotland
'
s approach to forensic mental health and learning disabilities – the Forensic Network
Authors: Walker Helen , Murphy Lesley , Gration Vivienne
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The Forensic Mental Health Services Managed Care Network is described, including the School of Forensic Mental Health. The purpose of this paper is to outline background, it details successes and challenges, focuses on links to clinical practice for Learning Disabilities (LD) service development, describes education and training, multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working and quality improvement. Findings from a small scale brief educational study undertaken in the high-secure service are included as an example of good practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– Specific features relating to LD are highlighted. Comparisons are made with other managed clinical and managed care networks.

Findings

– The Forensic Network has evolved over time. It has played a crucial role in shaping Scotland’s approach to Forensic Mental Health and LD. Central to its success is active involvement of key stakeholders, a multi-agency approach and collaborative working practice. Future plans include formal evaluation of impact.

Originality/value

– This paper offers an interesting perspective from a forensic mental health managed care network; the existing literature is limited.
Measuring the business value of IT outsourcing: a systems approach
Authors: Kivijärvi Hannu , Toikkanen Jussi
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine information technology (IT) outsourcing measurement systems. This paper proposes a systemic framework which can be used to support the evaluation of existing and the development of new measurement systems in the outsourcing context. The framework is built on the multidimensional characteristics of the business value created by IT outsourcing (ITO).

Design/methodology/approach

– After the conceptual discussion, this paper develops a systemic procedure for evaluating and developing measurement systems. The proposed procedure is applied in a multinational corporation operating in the electronics industry and conducting global business. First, the characteristics of the previous measurement system are evaluated, then the systemic properties of the current system are assessed and, finally, a new measurement system is proposed.

Findings

– The findings reveal that the measurement systems differ on many levels, namely, input, measurement process and output. The framework provides a structure for proper comparison of alternative measurement systems. When comparing the results to the most commonly used ITO theories, specifically the resource-based view and transaction cost economics, it is somewhat surprising that individual elements such as the cost of outsourcing and focus on core competencies were not weighed any higher in the final results.

Practical implications

– Organizations have difficulties in measuring actual benefits, opportunities, costs or risks involved in outsourcing transactions. The proposed framework forms a basis to resolve the measurement problems and even support the actual sourcing decisions. The applicability of the proposed approach was verified by evaluating three different types of measurement systems in a multinational corporation conducting global business in the electronics industry.

Originality/value

– Different kinds of measurement systems can be evaluated by the same systemic framework. The evaluation process is not limited to qualitative or quantitative assessments, but the same framework can be used in both cases.
An exploratory study of factors influencing make-or-buy of sales activities
Authors: Rogers Beth , Rodrigo Padmali
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore how sales managers make resourcing decisions with particular focus on their perceptions of outsourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on in-depth interviews with 29 senior sales managers from a variety of industry sectors based in the UK. All had more than five years’ experience of making resourcing decisions.

Findings

– The findings are that resourcing decisions are prompted by cost pressure, the need to access skills or to improve flexibility. Outsourcing preferences are strongly moderated by perceived reputational risk. Availability of suitable suppliers and the ability to manage outsourcing are also practical moderators.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was purposeful in identifying and accessing senior respondents in substantial companies with extensive experience, but it was not random.

Practical implications

– Respondents reported a lack of information available when making resourcing decisions; the model proposed provides a framework by which sales managers can identify the factors which should be taken into account and the information they need to make objective evaluations of resourcing options.

Originality/value

– It has been acknowledged in prior literature that there is relatively little outsourcing of sales activities. This is the first exploratory study of the perceptions of sales managers about resourcing options and the first conceptualisation of how sales resourcing decisions are made.
Accessing offshoring advantages: what and how to offshore
Authors: Mykhaylenko Alona , Motika Ágnes , Waehrens Brian Vejrum , Slepniov Dmitrij
Published: December 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of factors that affect offshoring performance results. To do so, this paper focuses on the access to location-specific advantages, rather than solely on the properties of the offshoring company, its strategy or environment. Assuming that different levels of synergy may exist between particular offshoring strategic decisions (choosing offshore outsourcing or captive offshoring and the type of function) and different offshoring advantages, this work advocates that the actual fact of realization of certain offshoring advantages (getting or not getting access to them) is a more reliable predictor of offshoring success.

Design/methodology/approach

– A set of hypotheses derived from the extant literature is tested on the data from a quantitative survey of 1,143 Scandinavian firms.

Findings

– The paper demonstrates that different governance modes and types of offshored function indeed provide different levels of access to different types of location-specific offshoring advantages. This difference may help to explain the ambiguity of offshoring initiatives performance results.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations of the work include using only the offshoring strategy elements and only their limited variety as factors potentially influencing access to offshoring advantages. Also, the findings are limited to Scandinavian companies.

Originality/value

– The paper introduces a new concept of access, which can help to more reliably predict performance outcomes of offshoring initiatives. Recommendations are also provided to practitioners dealing with offshoring initiatives.
Does Zero Tillage Improve the Livelihoods of Smallholder Cropping Farmers?
Authors: El‐Shater Tamer , Yigezu Yigezu A. , Mugera Amin , Piggin Colin , Haddad Atef , Khalil Yaseen , Loss Stephen , Aw‐Hassan A.
Published: December 2015

The biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) are well documented in the literature. However, the literature on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium‐scale farmers in the temperate developing world is scanty. Using a study of 621 wheat farmers in Syria, we provide empirical evidence on the impacts of adoption ofZTon farm income and wheat consumption. We use propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) approaches to account for potential selection biases. After controlling for confounding factors, we find that adoption of theZTtechnology leads to aUS$ 189/ha (33%) increase in net crop income and a 26 kg (34%) gain inper capitawheat consumption per year (adult equivalent) – an indication of meaningful changes in the livelihoods of the farm households. Besides the biophysical and environmental benefits documented elsewhere, our results suggest that adoption ofZTcan also be justified on economic and food security grounds. Therefore,ZTcan have sizeable impacts in transforming the agricultural sector in the temperate developing world provided that the technology is well promoted and adopted.
A prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of on‐Demand vs. nightly sildenafil citrate as assessed by Rigiscan and the international index of erectile function
Authors: Kim D. J. , Hawksworth D. J. , Hurwitz L. M. , Cullen J. , Rosner I. L. , Lue T. F. , Dean R. C.
Published: December 2015

Multiple studies have evaluated the use of PDE5 inhibitors in penile rehabilitation following nerve‐sparing prostatectomy. These studies have evaluated the use of various pharmacologic agents as well as various approaches to treatment (on‐demand vs. rehabilitative). Most of these studies relied on self‐reported outcomes to determine efficacy of the therapy which could allow response bias to affect their results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nightly sildenafil citrate therapy during penile rehabilitation, using nocturnal penile rigidity (RigiScan™, Gotop Medical, Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA) in addition to the IIEF‐EF. Patients with localized prostate cancer and normal erectile function prior to nsRP were randomized to take either nightly 50 mg sildenafil citrate or placebo starting the night following surgery. Both groups were allowed on‐demand sildenafil citrate. Erectile function was evaluated at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months post‐operatively, with a final assessment made at 13 months, following a 1 month drug washout. At all time points, self‐reported (IIEF‐EF) and objective (RigiScan™) measures were obtained and evaluated. About 74 of 97 randomized patients completed the study. On completion, 40% of patients in each group had normal erectile function based on RigiScan™ (p = 1.0). Additionally, no statistical differences were seen using the IIEF‐EF domain (32.4% of placebo, 29% of treatment; p = 0.79). Multivariable analysis showed no significant differences in erectile function based on treatment intervention. Results did show that African‐American men in this cohort were at higher risk for lower RigiScan™ scores over time (OR: 0.48, p = 0.0399). This study demonstrates that nightly sildenafil citrate does not provide a therapeutic benefit for recovery of erectile function post‐prostatectomy when compared to on‐demand dosing using both self‐reported as well as objective measures. Differences in objective recovery parameters based on patients’ race/ethnicity warrant further investigation.
Breech presentation: its predictors and consequences. An analysis of the Hungarian Tauffer Obstetric Database (1996–2011)
Authors: Zsirai László , Csákány György M. , Vargha Péter , Fülöp Vilmos , Tabák Ádám G.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Breech presentation is linked to abnormal pregnancy outcomes. However, the causality of this association is unknown. We aimed to investigate predictors of term breech presentation and pregnancy outcomes of breech presentation.

Material and methods

Using a Hungarian registry, all term (≥ 37 weeks), singleton pregnancies with cephalic, and breech presentation in 1996–2011 were analyzed (n = 41 796). Covariates were maternal medical history and data on the present pregnancy. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate predictors of breech presentation and of delivery (cesarean section or other obstetrical interventions at birth) and fetal outcomes (Apgar score ≤ 7, need for perinatal intensive treatment, intrauterine death or perinatal mortality) related to breech presentation.

Results

Breech presentation was independently associated with older maternal age, medical history (primiparity, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, hormone treatment, and assisted reproduction), maternal morbidities (hypertension and oligohydramnios), and the fetal factors (female sex, younger gestational age at delivery, developmental abnormalities, small for gestational age, and birthweight). An adverse delivery outcome was 11.7 times (95% confidence interval 11.3–12.0) and an adverse fetal outcome was 1.39 times (95% confidence interval 1.33–1.45) more frequent in pregnancies with breech presentation compared with cephalic presentation. Further adjustment for predictors of breech presentation had no major effect on the delivery outcome, but it reduced the risk of adverse fetal outcome (odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.14–1.24).

Conclusions

Breech presentation is a marker of pathological pregnancy and is independently associated with an increased risk of gestational complications. Closer surveillance and appropriate management of pregnancies with breech presentation is warranted to prevent adverse perinatal outcomes.
Spontaneous regression of CIN2 in women aged 18–24 years: a retrospective study of a state‐wide population in Western Australia
Authors: Munro Aime , Powell Rhys G. , A. Cohen Paul , Bowen Shirley , Spilsbury Katrina , O'Leary Peter , Semmens James B. , Codde Jim , Williams Vincent , Steel Nerida , Leung Yee
Published: December 2015

Introduction

CIN2 has a high rate of spontaneous regression in young women and may be managed conservatively in appropriately selected patients. This study aimed to investigate health outcomes in women aged 18–24 years with biopsy‐confirmed CIN2.

Material and methods

A retrospective cohort study of Western Australian women aged 18–24 years diagnosed with CIN2 on cervical biopsy from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2010. Women who had not received treatment at ≥4 months following CIN2 diagnosis were classified as managed ‘conservatively’. Subsequent cervical cytology and/or biopsy test results were used to report lesion regression (absence of dysplasia or an epithelial lesion of lower grade than CIN2) and disease persistence (CIN2, CIN3 or ACIS).

Results

Follow‐up data were available for 2417 women of whom 924 (38.2%) were ‘conservatively’ managed. In all, 152 (16.4%) conservatively managed women had a lesion more severe than CIN2 detected within 24 months of initial diagnosis, of which 144 were CIN3 and eight were ACIS. There was no statistically significant association between rates of regression and patient age, Socio‐economic Indexes for Areas or Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia indices. The 2‐year regression rate for CIN2 was estimated to be 59.5% (95%CI 0.5–0.6) in this cohort of women.

Conclusion

In conservatively managed young women with CIN2 there was a high rate of spontaneous disease regression. Thus, excisional or ablative treatments may be avoided in selected patients who receive appropriate counseling and who are able to comply with more intensive and prolonged follow‐up requirements.
Comparing the performance of a new disposable pneumatic tocodynamometer with a standard tocodynamometer
Authors: Eswaran Hari , Wilson James D. , Murphy Pam , Siegel Eric R. , Lowery Curtis L.
Published: December 2015

Introduction

The goal was to test a newly developed pneumatic tocodynamometer (pTOCO) that is disposable and lightweight, and evaluate its equivalence to the standard strain gauge‐based tocodynamometer (TOCO).

Material and methods

The equivalence between the devices was determined by both mechanical testing and recording of contractile events on women. The data were recorded simultaneously from a pTOCO prototype and standard TOCO that were in place on women who were undergoing routine contraction monitoring in the Labor and Delivery unit at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In this prospective equivalence study, the output from 31 recordings on 28 pregnant women that had 171 measureable contractions simultaneously in both types of TOCO were analyzed. The traces were scored for contraction start, peak and end times, and the duration of the event was computed from these times.

Results

The response curve to loaded weights and applied pressure were similar for both devices, indicating their mechanical equivalence. The paired differences in times and duration between devices were subjected to mixed‐models analysis to test the pTOCO for equivalence with standard TOCOs using the two‐one‐sided tests procedure. The event times and duration analyzed simultaneously from both TOCO types were all found to be significantly equivalent to within ±10 s (all p‐values ≤0.0001).

Conclusion

pTOCO is equivalent to the standard TOCO in the detection of the timing and duration of uterine contractions. pTOCO would provide a lightweight, disposable alternative to commercially available standard TOCOs.
Glucose tolerance in obese pregnant women determines newborn fat mass
Authors: Carlsen Emma M. , Renault Kristina M. , Nørgaard Kirsten , Nilas Lisbet , Jensen Jens‐Erik B. , Hitz Mette F. , Michaelsen Kim F. , Cortes Dina , Pryds Ole
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Offspring of obese women have both short‐term and long‐term increased morbidities. We investigated the relationship between maternal 2‐h plasma glucose level determined by an oral glucose tolerance test, degree of obesity, gestational weight gain and total fat, abdominal fat, and fat‐free masses in the offspring of obese mothers.

Material and methods

Obese mother–newborn dyads were recruited and 2‐h plasma glucose levels were assessed during gestational weeks 27–30; neonatal body composition was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning (DXA) within 48 h of birth.

Results

Among 264 term, healthy, and singleton infants eligible for inclusion, 248 were included. Of these, 205 (83%) obese mother–newborn dyads had aDXAscan and 2‐h plasma glucose measurements. Linear regression analysis showed that birthweight z‐scores correlated with 2‐h plasma glucose levels (p= 0.002) after adjusting for gestational weight gain, maternal age, education, smoking, prepregnancy degree of obesity, parity, and birth length. Total (p= 0.012) and abdominal (p= 0.039) fat masses correlated with 2‐h plasma glucose levels after adjusting for gestational weight gain, maternal age, education, smoking, prepregnancy degree of obesity, parity, gestational age, and newborn sex. There was no association between total (p= 0.88) and abdominal (p= 0.61) fat‐free masses and 2‐h plasma glucose.

Conclusion

At 27–30 weeks of gestation, 2‐h plasma glucose levels are related to total and abdominal newborn fat masses, but not to fat‐free mass. Interventions targeting maternal postprandial glucose levels may induce more appropriate birthweight, thereby reducing the risk of subsequent morbidity.
The intake of selected foods by six‐year‐old Swedish children differs according to parental education and migration status
Authors: Säfsten Eleonor , Nyberg Gisela , Elinder Liselotte Schäfer , Norman Åsa , Patterson Emma
Published: December 2015

Aim

Little is known about how parental migration status may be associated with children's diets. We examined whether the intake of selected foods by six‐year‐old children differed according to their parents’ migration status, taking education level into account.

Methods

This study used pooled baseline data from two clustered randomised controlled trials of A Healthy School Start, conducted in municipalities of low‐to‐medium socio‐economic status in Stockholm County, Sweden. The children's intake of selected healthy and unhealthy foods was reported by parents using the Eating and Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the children's height and weight were measured. Parental education and country of birth were self‐reported.

Results

Data were available for 520 children. Low parental education was associated with significantly higher intakes of fruit, higher intakes of several unhealthy foods and lower intakes of vegetables. Children of parents born outside the Nordic region had higher intakes of all unhealthy foods as well as fruit and vegetables, even when adjusted for education. A negative association between high education and overweight was only seen in children of Nordic‐born parents.

Conclusion

Parental migration status was a strong predictor of the intake of selected foods and was a stronger predictor than parental education.
Rituximab plus hyper‐CVAD alternating with MTX/Ara‐C in patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma: 15‐year follow‐up of a phase II study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center
Authors: Chihara Dai , Cheah Chan Y. , Westin Jason R. , Fayad Luis E. , Rodriguez Maria A. , Hagemeister Fredrick B. , Pro Barbara , McLaughlin Peter , Younes Anas , Samaniego Felipe , Goy Andre , Cabanillas Fernando , Kantarjian Hagop , Kwak Larry W. , Wang Michael L. , Romaguera Jorge E.
Published: December 2015

Intensive chemotherapy regimens containing cytarabine have substantially improved remission durability and overall survival in younger adults with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, there have been no long‐term follow‐up results for patients treated with these regimens. We present long‐term survival outcomes from a pivotal phase II trial of rituximab, hyper‐fractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate and cytarabine (R‐HCVAD/MA). At 15 years of follow‐up (median: 13·4 years), the median failure‐free survival (FFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients was 4·8 years and 10·7 years, respectively. The FFS seems to have plateaued after 10 years, with an estimated 15‐year FFS of 30% in younger patients (≤65 years). Patients who achieved complete response (CR) after 2 cycles had a favourable median FFS of 8·8 years. Six patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia (MDS/AML) whilst in first CR. The 10‐year cumulative incidence of MDS/AML of patients in first remission was 6·2% (95% confidence interval: 2·5–12·2%). In patients with newly diagnosed MCL, R‐HCVAD/MA showed sustained efficacy, with a median OS exceeding 10 years in all patients and freedom from disease recurrence of nearly 15 years in almost one‐third of the younger patients (≤65 years).
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16: Other ion channels
Authors: Alexander Stephen PH , Kelly Eamonn , Marrion Neil , Peters John A , Benson Helen E , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J , Sharman Joanna L , Southan Christopher , Davies Jamie A ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2015

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 1750 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.13351/full. Other ion channels are one of the eight major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, voltage‐gated ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The Concise Guide is published in landscape format in order to facilitate comparison of related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2015, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in the previous Guides to Receptors & Channels and the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and GRAC and provides a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16: Catalytic receptors
Authors: Alexander Stephen PH , Fabbro Doriano , Kelly Eamonn , Marrion Neil , Peters John A , Benson Helen E , Faccenda Elena , Pawson Adam J , Sharman Joanna L , Southan Christopher , Davies Jamie A ,   CGTP Collaborators
Published: December 2015

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2015/16 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 1750 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.13353/full. G protein‐coupled receptors are one of the eight major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being: G protein‐coupled receptors, ligand‐gated ion channels, voltage‐gated ion channels, other ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, enzymes and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. The Concise Guide is published in landscape format in order to facilitate comparison of related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2015, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in the previous Guides to Receptors & Channels and the Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14. It is produced in conjunction with NC‐IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR‐DB and GRAC and provides a permanent, citable, point‐in‐time record that will survive database updates.
Deportation experiences and depression among U.S. citizen‐children with undocumented Mexican parents
Authors: Gulbas L. E. , Zayas L. H. , Yoon H. , Szlyk H. , Aguilar‐Gaxiola S. , Natera G.
Published: December 2015

Background

There is a critical need to document the mental health effects of immigration policies and practices on children vulnerable to parental deportation. Few studies capture the differential experiences produced by U.S. citizen‐children's encounters with immigration enforcement, much less in ways that analyse mental health outcomes alongside the psychosocial contexts within which those outcomes arise.

Methods

We explore the psychosocial dimensions of depression in U.S. citizen‐children with undocumented Mexican parents to examine differences between citizen‐children affected and not affected by parental deportation. An exploratory mixed‐method design was used to integrate a quantitative measure of depression symptoms (CDI‐2) within qualitative data collected with 48 citizen‐children aged 8 to 15 with and without experiences of parental deportation.

Results

Stressors elicited by citizen‐children in the qualitative interview included an inability to communicate with friends, negative perceptions of Mexico, financial struggles, loss of supportive school networks, stressed relation with parent(s) and violence. Fifty percent of citizen‐children with probable depression – regardless of experiences with parental deportation – cited ‘stressed relation with parents,’ compared to 9% without depression. In contrast, themes of ‘loss of supportive school network’ and ‘violence’ were mentioned almost exclusively by citizen‐children with probable depression and affected by parental deportation.

Conclusions

While citizen‐children who suffer parental deportation experience the most severe consequences associated with immigration enforcement, our findings also suggest that the burden of mental health issues extends to those children concomitantly affected by immigration enforcement policies that target their undocumented parents.
Origin of mutation in sporadic cases of severe haemophilia A in Sweden
Authors: Mårtensson A. , Ivarsson S. , Letelier A. , Manderstedt E. , Halldén C. , Ljung R.
Published: December 2015

Many newly diagnosed Swedish severe haemophilia A (HA) patients are sporadic cases. Some genotypically non‐carrier mothers have gone on to have two descendants with the same mutation, presumably because of mosaicism. Aims: To define the origin of mutation in sporadic cases of HA, reveal possible sex‐specific differences in mutagenesis and identify potential mosaics among non‐carrier mothers. Method: Sanger sequencing characterized the mutations and microsatellite haplotyping determined the origin of the X chromosome carrying the mutation in 3 generations of 45 families with sporadic severe HA. Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) was used in five cases to reveal that mosaicism mutations are not found on conventional DNA sequencing. Results: In 23 out of 45 families, the mother carried the mutation and in 5 out of 28 families, the grandmother was also a carrier. The X chromosome was of grandpaternal origin in 17 out of 23 cases. One of five tested mothers was a mosaic with a mutation frequency of 7%. Conclusion: In 40 out of 45 families, the sporadic case resulted from a mutation in the last two generations. In 82% (23/28), the carrier mothers had a de novo mutation where the X chromosome was of paternal origin in 74% (17/23). ddPCR is a potentially powerful and promising analysis for mosaicism in HA.