bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between ankle brachial index and ejection fraction in elderly Egyptians with ischemic heart disease
Authors: Amer Moatasem S , Tawfik Heba M , Abd Elmotteleb Ayman M , Maamoun Manar MA
Published: January 2014

Aim

There is a high prevalence of combined peripheral and coronary artery disease, with increasing morbidity and decline in cardiac function. The aim of the present study was to find an association between ankle brachial index, a non‐invasive measure of peripheral artery disease, and ejection fraction in elderly patients with severe coronary artery disease.

Methods

A case–control study recruiting 200 elderly male and female ischemic patients in Ain Shams University hospitals was carried out. All participants had significant coronary artery disease lesions in coronary angiography carried out before the study. Cases and controls were divided according to ankle brachial index, with further subdivision of each group according to age. Measurements include: ankle brachial index using Bistos handheld vascular Doppler (BT 200V,8 MHz), electrocardiography and echocardiography showing left ventricular ejection fraction. Coronary artery disease severity was estimated using the number of diseased vessels.

Results

The mean age of our study group was 67 years. Although our participants had mild to moderate peripheral artery disease, ejection fraction statistically decreased with decreasing ankle brachial index, being the lowest in participants aged > 70 years (46.84 ± 9.82 years) and the highest in controls aged >70 years (53.02 ± 5.53 years; P = 0.009). Ejection fraction was positively correlated with ankle brachial index (P = 0.011, 0.006) for cases and controls, respectively.

Conclusion

Ankle brachial index can correlate with ejection fraction in elderly ischemic Egyptians with more severe coronary artery disease. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 405–409.
‘SCHLICHT, NICHT EINFACH’. TRANSLATING RICHARD LEISING'S ‘WENDEGEDICHTE’
Authors: Gillett Robert
Published: January 2014

The thesis of this article is that those who are looking for an adequate literary reflection of the ‘Wende’ should look no further than two poems by Richard Leising, a relatively little known representative of the so‐called ‘Sächsische Dichterschule’. Thinking about how these poems might be translated, and how they might fare in translation, also raises the question of how non‐German readers might react to their depiction of German history, and how the voice of a poem changes according to who is reading it, and in what language.

Seitdem die deutsche Nachkriegsgeschichte ihre dramatische ‘Wende’ nahm, wird allenthalben darum gerungen, wo und wie diese ihre angemessene literarische Umsetzung finden könnte. In zwei Gedichten des kaum bekannten Vertreters der so genannten ‘Sächsischen Dichterschule’, Richard Leising, so die These dieses Beitrags, ist dies schon längst geschehen. Indem darüber nachgedacht wird, wie diese Gedichte ins Englische zu übertragen wären, werden zudem die Fragen aufgeworfen, wie Nationalgeschichte jenseits der jeweiligen Grenzen vermittelt werden kann, und wie sich die Stimme eines Gedichtes durch Lektüre und Übersetzung verändert.

For Kristof Wachinger
‘DAS LAND DAS/MAN NUR BARFUSS BETRETEN DARF’: ZU W.G. SEBALDS LYRIK
Authors: Schütte Uwe
Published: January 2014

This essay aims at an overview of W. G. Sebald's lyrical production, a hitherto neglected area of research. The article examines poetry's role in the works of Sebald and focuses in particular on texts published posthumously from his literary estate, as well as on pieces printed in various scattered sources from 1964 up to his death in 2001. The main thematic focus in this cross‐section of Sebald's lyrical writings is a motif that likewise typified his fictional works: the topic of travel. In addition my survey of Sebald's poetry is complemented by a study of those texts revolving around the motif of insomnia. Death, a dominant theme in Sebald's lyrical works, as it was in his fiction, concludes my essay.

Dieser Aufsatz unternimmt einen ersten Überblick über die in der Forschung bisher vernachlässigte lyrische Produktion von W.G. Sebald. Er fragt nach der Rolle, die die Lyrik im Werk von Sebald gespielt hat und konzentriert sich insbesondere auf die weitenteils posthum aus dem Nachlass veröffentlichten Texte sowie die von 1964 bis zum Tode Sebalds 2001 an verstreuten Orten publizierten Gedichte. Primärer thematischer Leitfaden bei diesem Querschnitt durch das poetische Schreiben ist das auch im Erzählwerk bedeutsame Motiv des Reisens. Ergänzt wird die Untersuchung der Lyrik durch eine Behandlung jener Gedichte, die um den Motivkomplex Schlaf/losigkeit kreisen. Am Ende steht dann die Thematisierung des Todes, die sich auch in der Lyrik als ein entscheidender Kernpunkt im Denken von Sebald erweist.
Screening for Heat Transport by Groundwater in Closed Geothermal Systems
Authors: Ferguson Grant
Published: January 2014

Heat transfer due to groundwater flow can significantly affect closed geothermal systems. Here, a screening method is developed, based on Peclet numbers for these systems and Darcy's law. Conduction‐only conditions should not be expected where specific discharges exceed 10−8 m/s. Constraints on hydraulic gradients allow for preliminary screening for advection based on rock or soil types. Identification of materials with very low hydraulic conductivity, such as shale and intact igneous and metamorphic rock, allow for analysis with considering conduction only. Variability in known hydraulic conductivity allows for the possibility of advection in most other rocks and soil types. Further screening relies on refinement of estimates of hydraulic gradients and hydraulic conductivity through site investigations and modeling until the presence or absence of conduction can be confirmed.
Exploring the General Practitioner–pharmacist relationship in the community setting in Ireland
Authors: Moore Thomas , Kennedy Julia , McCarthy Suzanne
Published: January 2014

Objective

To explore the General Practitioner (GP)–pharmacist relationship, to gain insight into communication between the professions and evaluate opinion on extension of the role of the community pharmacist.

Methods

A postal questionnaire sent to 500 GPs and 335 community pharmacists with work addresses in the counties of Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick, Ireland.

Key findings

An overall response rate of 56% was achieved. Clear differences of opinion exist between GPs and pharmacists on the extension of the role of the community pharmacist; pharmacist provision of vaccinations (12% of GPs in favour versus 78% of pharmacists), pharmacists prescribing the oral contraceptive pill (18% GP versus 88% pharmacist) and increasing the prescribing power of the pharmacist (37% GP versus 95% pharmacist). Fifty-four percent of GPs and 97% of pharmacists were in favour of pharmacists providing screening services, while 82% of GPs and 96% of pharmacists were in favour of pharmacists dealing with minor ailments. Seventy-three percent of GPs and 43% of pharmacists agreed that communication between the professions was very good.

Discussion

This study identifies a clear difference of opinion on the extension of the role of the community pharmacist and recognises problems in communication between the professions. This comes on the background of continued calls from the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland for an extension of pharmacist roles and continued opposition from the Irish Medical Organisation to such moves. This study highlights the need for increased dialogue between representative organisations and a commitment for professional agendas to be set aside in the best interests of patients.
The Training Needs of Staff Supporting Individuals Ageing with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Wark Stuart , Hussain Rafat , Edwards Helen
Published: January 2014

Background

The issue of ageing within the cohort of people with intellectual disabilities has been an increasing focus for research. However, the training needs of the staff who support them has not been subject of extensive examination.

Materials and Methods

A multiround Delphi project was conducted focusing upon the impact ageing issues have on the support provided by disability workers, and what training is required to address the identified areas.

Results

Three rounds of the Delphi identified twenty‐six separate important issues. A thematic analysis identified five main themes including Generic Training Issues; Medical Issues; Emerging Ageing Issues Requiring Changing Support; Mental Health Issues; and Quality of Life.

Conclusions

The study identified a series of training priorities for staff assisting people ageing with an intellectual disability. It would appear possible for many training programmes to be developed and delivered with minimal cost impacts even within rural localities.
Spatial Variability in Nutrient Transport by HUC8, State, and Subbasin Based on Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin SPARROW Models
Authors: Robertson Dale M. , Saad David A. , Schwarz Gregory E.
Published: January 2014

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) has been linked to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. With geospatial datasets for 2002, including inputs from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and monitored loads throughout the MARB, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) watershed models were constructed specifically for the MARB, which reduced simulation errors from previous models. Based on these models, N loads/yields were highest from the central part (centered over Iowa and Indiana) of the MARB (Corn Belt), and the highest P yields were scattered throughout the MARB. Spatial differences in yields from previous studies resulted from different descriptions of the dominant sources (N yields are highest with crop‐oriented agriculture and P yields are highest with crop and animal agriculture and major WWTPs) and different descriptions of downstream transport. Delivered loads/yields from the MARB SPARROW models are used to rank subbasins, states, and eight‐digit Hydrologic Unit Code basins (HUC8s) by N and P contributions and then rankings are compared with those from other studies. Changes in delivered yields result in an average absolute change of 1.3 (N) and 1.9 (P) places in state ranking and 41 (N) and 69 (P) places in HUC8 ranking from those made with previous national‐scale SPARROW models. This information may help managers decide where efforts could have the largest effects (highest ranked areas) and thus reduce hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Labor Market for New Law Professors
Authors: George Tracey E. , Yoon Albert H.
Published: January 2014

Law school professors control the production of lawyers and influence the evolution of law. Understanding who is hired as a tenure‐track law professor is of clear importance to debates about the state of legal education in the United States. But while opinions abound on the law school hiring process, little is empirically known about what explains success in the market for law professors. Using a unique and extensive data set of survey responses from candidates in the 2007–2008 legal academic labor market, we examine the factors that influence which candidates are interviewed and ultimately hired by law schools. We find that law schools appear open to nontraditional candidates in the early phases of the hiring process but when it comes to the ultimate decision—hiring—they focus on candidates who look like current law professors.
Optimization of Brewer's Spent Grain‐Enriched Biscuits Processing Formula
Authors: Guo Mengmeng , Du Jinhua , Zhang Zhao'An , Zhang Kaili , Jin Yuhong
Published: January 2014

Beer brewing produces large quantities of BSG which is rich in protein and DF with the increase of wheat malt as beer materials. The present study develops a BSG‐enriched biscuit formula. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of BSG significantly (P < 0.05) affected the alkalinity, color (L*, a*, b*) and sensory evaluation. By increasing BSG and salad oil, the L* value of biscuits decreased with an increase in both a* and b* values. The optimum formula was BSG particle size 0.16 mm, BSG substitution 10%, salad oil 12%, syrup 20 ∼ 25%, leavening agent 0.4%. The BSG biscuits tended to have lower alkalinity and hardness, higher bulk density, protein and sensory evaluation in comparison with the control samples. The incorporation of BSG brought the biscuits a fragrant wheat smell and a chocolate appearance.

Practical Applications

Large quantities of BSG are produced with the rising beer yield in the world. The production of turbid beer leads to an increased number of BSG which has higher amounts of protein and DF as more wheat malt (≥ 40%) is used in beer materials. The consumption of DF provided health benefits including protection against cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other degenerative diseases. Currently, BSG is mainly sold as a raw material for animal feeding or industrial material for ethanol/polysaccharide production in China. However, few researches have used BSG as a material in food production. In the present study, one nutrient‐riched biscuit was obtained by incorporating BSG into cake flour which improved the harmonious flavor and appearance. Both nutritional and economic values were finally increased via the optimum formula.
Effectiveness of Cranberry Capsules to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Vulnerable Older Persons: A Double‐Blind Randomized Placebo‐Controlled Trial in Long‐Term Care Facilities
Authors: Caljouw Monique A. A. , van den Hout Wilbert B. , Putter Hein , Achterberg Wilco P. , Cools Herman J. M. , Gussekloo Jacobijn
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To determine whether cranberry capsules prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) in long‐term care facility (LTCF) residents.

Design

Double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled multicenter trial.

Setting

Long‐term care facilities (LTCFs).

Participants

LTCF residents (N = 928; 703 women, median age 84).

Measurements

Cranberry and placebo capsules were taken twice daily for 12 months. Participants were stratified according to UTI risk (risk factors included long‐term catheterization, diabetes mellitus, ≥1 UTI in preceding year). Main outcomes were incidence of UTI according to a clinical definition and a strict definition.

Results

In participants with high UTI risk at baseline (n = 516), the incidence of clinically defined UTI was lower with cranberry capsules than with placebo (62.8 vs 84.8 per 100 person‐years at risk, P = .04); the treatment effect was 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57–0.97). For the strict definition, the treatment effect was 1.02 (95% CI = 0.68–1.55). No difference in UTI incidence between cranberry and placebo was found in participants with low UTI risk (n = 412).

Conclusion

In LTCF residents with high UTI risk at baseline, taking cranberry capsules twice daily reduces the incidence of clinically defined UTI, although it does not reduce the incidence of strictly defined UTI. No difference in incidence of UTI was found in residents with low UTI risk.
Role of Body Temperature in Diagnosing Bacterial Infection in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Sloane Philip D. , Kistler Christine , Mitchell C. Madeline , Beeber Anna S. , Bertrand Rosanna M. , Edwards Alrick S. , Olsho Lauren E. W. , Hadden, BA Louise S. , Bateman James R. , Zimmerman Sheryl
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To provide empirically based recommendations for incorporating body temperature into clinical decision‐making regarding diagnosing infection in nursing home (NH) residents.

Design

Retrospective.

Setting

Twelve North Carolina NHs.

Participants

NH residents (N = 1,007) with 1,858 randomly selected antibiotic prescribing episodes.

Measurements

Maximum prescription‐day temperature plus the three most recent nonillness temperatures were recorded for each prescribing episode. Two empirically based definitions of fever were developed: population‐based (population mean nonillness temperature plus 2 population standard deviations (SDs)) and individualized (individual mean nonillness temperature plus 2 population SDs). These definitions were used along with previously published fever criteria and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria to determine how often each prescribing episode was associated with a “fever” according to each definition.

Results

Mean population nonillness temperature was 97.7 ± 0.5ºF. If “normal” were defined as less than 2 SDs above the mean, fever would be defined as any temperature above 98.7ºF, and the previously published fever cut‐points and the IDSA criteria are 4.8 SDs above this mean. Between 30% and 32% of the 1,858 prescribing episodes examined were associated with temperatures more than 2 SDs above the population mean nonillness temperature, whereas only 10% to 11% of episodes met the previously published and IDSA fever definitions.

Conclusion

Clinicians should apply empirically based definitions to assess fever in NH residents. Furthermore, low fever prevalence in residents treated with antibiotics according to all definitions suggests that some prescribing may not be associated with acute bacterial infection.
Depressive Symptoms Precede Memory Decline, but Not Vice Versa, in Non‐Demented Older Adults
Authors: Zahodne Laura B. , Stern Yaakov , Manly Jennifer J.
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To determine whether depressive symptoms typically precede or follow memory declines.

Design

An autoregressive latent trajectory model was used to examine the direction of the relationship between depressive symptoms and memory decline observed over 12 years.

Setting

Washington/Hamilton Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project, a community‐based longitudinal study of aging and dementia in northern Manhattan.

Participants

Older adults initially without dementia (n = 2,425).

Measurements

Memory composite scores were computed from three subscores of the Selective Reminding Test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a 10‐item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Analyses controlled for age, sex, recruitment wave, education, black race, and Hispanic ethnicity measured at baseline and chronic disease burden measured at each study visit.

Results

Initial depressive symptoms predicted worse memory scores at the second study visit (B weight = −0.03; P = .003) and accelerated memory decline over the entire study period (B weight = −0.02; P = .03). Memory scores did not predict subsequent depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that depressive symptoms precede memory decline, but not vice versa, in late life. This pattern of results is consistent with hypotheses that depression is a prodrome of dementia or a causal contributor to memory decline. Clinicians should be aware that depressive symptoms may represent an early indicator not only of dementia, as reported previously, but also of memory decline more generally.
Relationship Between Dysphagia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Community‐Based Elderly Cohort: The Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging
Authors: Yang Eun Joo , Kim Ki Woong , Lim Jae‐Young , Paik Nam‐Jong
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between dysphagia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults residing in an independent‐living facility in Korea.

Design

Population‐based, cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Seongnam, Korea.

Participants

Korean men and women aged 65 and older living in a typical South Korean city (n = 415) were enrolled in the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging.

Measurements

Dysphagia was assessed using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, digit span test, and lexical fluency test. MCI was diagnosed using operational diagnostic criteria and further classified into amnestic and nonamnestic MCI.

Results

Men with nonanmestic MCI had a greater likelihood of having dysphagia (odds ratio (OR) = 3.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.12–12.72) than men without MCI. Men with nonanmestic MCI were almost six times as likely to have dysphagia (OR = 5.78, 95% CI = 1.15–29.27) as men with no neurological disorder after adjusting for age, education level, current smoking and drinking, diabetes mellitus, and apolipoprotein E‐4 carrier status.

Conclusion

Men with nonamnestic MCI were more likely to have dysphagia than were their counterparts without MCI, whereas this difference was not found in men with amnestic MCI and women. Assessment of executive functions that interfere with planning of motor activities may be useful in predicting dysphagia and in planning preventive and therapeutic strategies for older men.
Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Electricity Generated from Conventionally Produced Natural Gas
Authors: O'Donoughue Patrick R. , Heath Garvin A. , Dolan Stacey L. , Vorum Martin
Published: January 2014

This research provides a systematic review and harmonization of the life cycle assessment (LCA) literature of electricity generated from conventionally produced natural gas. We focus on estimates of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted in the life cycle of electricity generation from natural gas‐fired combustion turbine (NGCT) and combined‐cycle (NGCC) systems. The smaller set of LCAs of liquefied natural gas power systems and natural gas plants with carbon capture and storage were also collected, but analyzed to a lesser extent. A meta‐analytical process we term “harmonization” was employed to align several system boundaries and technical performance parameters to better allow for cross‐study comparisons, with the aim of clarifying central tendency and reducing variability in estimates of life cycle GHG emissions.

Of over 250 references identified, 42 passed screens for technological relevance and study quality, providing a total of 69 estimates for NGCT and NGCC. Harmonization increased the median estimates in each category as a result of several factors not typically considered in the previous research, including the regular clearing of liquids from a well, and consolidated the interquartile range for NGCC to 420 to 480 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt‐hour (g CO2‐eq/kWh) and for NGCT to 570 to 750 g CO2‐eq/kWh, with medians of 450 and 670 CO2‐eq/kWh, respectively. Harmonization of thermal efficiency had the largest effect in reducing variability; methane leakage rate is likely similarly influential, but was unharmonized in this assessment as a result of the significant current uncertainties in its estimation, an area that is justifiably receiving significant research attention.
Meta‐analysis and candidate gene mining of low‐phosphorus tolerance in maize
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Uddin Mohammed Shalim , Zou Cheng , Xie Chuanxiao , Xu Yunbi , Li Wen‐Xue
Published: January 2014

Plants with tolerance to low‐phosphorus (P) can grow better under low‐P conditions, and understanding of genetic mechanisms of low‐P tolerance can not only facilitate identifying relevant genes but also help to develop low‐P tolerant cultivars. QTL meta‐analysis was conducted after a comprehensive review of the reports on QTL mapping for low‐P tolerance‐related traits in maize. Meta‐analysis produced 23 consensus QTL (cQTL), 17 of which located in similar chromosome regions to those previously reported to influence root traits. Meanwhile, candidate gene mining yielded 215 genes, 22 of which located in the cQTL regions. These 22 genes are homologous to 14 functionally characterized genes that were found to participate in plant low‐P tolerance, including genes encoding miR399s, Pi transporters and purple acid phosphatases. Four cQTL loci (cQTL2‐1, cQTL5‐3, cQTL6‐2, and cQTL10‐2) may play important roles for low‐P tolerance because each contains more original QTL and has better consistency across previous reports.
Analyzing the human liver vascular architecture by combining vascular corrosion casting and micro‐CT scanning: a feasibility study
Authors: Debbaut Charlotte , Segers Patrick , Cornillie Pieter , Casteleyn Christophe , Dierick Manuel , Laleman Wim , Monbaliu Diethard
Published: January 2014

Although a full understanding of the hepatic circulation is one of the keys to successfully perform liver surgery and to elucidate liver pathology, relatively little is known about the functional organization of the liver vasculature. Therefore, we materialized and visualized the human hepatic vasculature at different scales, and performed a morphological analysis by combining vascular corrosion casting with novel micro‐computer tomography (CT) and image analysis techniques. A human liver vascular corrosion cast was obtained by simultaneous resin injection in the hepatic artery (HA) and portal vein (PV). A high resolution (110 μm) micro‐CT scan of the total cast allowed gathering detailed macrovascular data. Subsequently, a mesocirculation sample (starting at generation 5; 88 × 68 × 80 mm³) and a microcirculation sample (terminal vessels including sinusoids; 2.0 × 1.5 × 1.7 mm³) were dissected and imaged at a 71‐μm and 2.6‐μm resolution, respectively. Segmentations and 3D reconstructions allowed quantifying the macro‐ and mesoscale branching topology, and geometrical features of HA, PV and hepatic venous trees up to 13 generations (radii ranging from 13.2 mm to 80 μm; lengths from 74.4 mm to 0.74 mm), as well as microvascular characteristics (mean sinusoidal radius of 6.63 μm). Combining corrosion casting and micro‐CT imaging allows quantifying the branching topology and geometrical features of hepatic trees using a multiscale approach from the macro‐ down to the microcirculation. This may lead to novel insights into liver circulation, such as internal blood flow distributions and anatomical consequences of pathologies (e.g. cirrhosis).
Dynamic Observation of Artery Endothelial Cell Layers in Response to Bare Metal Stent and Paclitaxel‐Eluting Stent In Vitro
Authors: LIU YUQING , WANG XIAN , LU JINSONG
Published: January 2014

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the mechanism of paclitaxel‐eluting stent (PES) induced thrombosis by real‐time dynamic monitoring of live endothelial cells.

Background

PES is widely used in clinics to inhibit restenosis effectively. However, late stent thrombosis is a major concern with the use of PES.

Methods

We established an in vitro cell culture system to mimic the close contact of endothelial cells with PES struts. The dynamic response of porcine innominate artery endothelial cells (PIECs) to stents was observed using a bright field microscope and a high‐resolution charge‐coupled device

Results

PES changed elongated PIECs to round PIECs within 24 hours. Paracellular gaps were readily observed in a PIEC monolayer exposed to PES. By contrast, paracellular gaps were almost undetectable in an endothelial monolayer incubated with bare metal stent (BMS). As incubation time was prolonged (days 5–9), round PIECs returned to their elongated shape, but paracellular gaps were retained at lower frequencies and smaller sizes than those on days 1 and 2. In addition, the PIEC monolayer in the PES group retained an uneven surface topology during incubation, whereas PIECs in the BMS group developed a smooth surface of epithelial cell sheets on days 5–7.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that the shift of cell shape causes impaired integrity of the monolayer characteristic with enlarged paracellular gaps and uneven surface topology in exposure to PES. The results might serve as structural information for understanding the mechanism of PES‐induced early and late thrombosis. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:182–190)
Use of Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Catheters Used for Extracorporeal Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Langston C. , Eatroff A. , Poeppel K.
Published: January 2014

Background

Intraluminal thrombosis of central venous catheters used for renal replacement therapy (RRT) decreases the ability to provide adequate treatment. Alteplase is a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator that has been used to improve the function of catheters used for RRT in humans.

Objectives

To retrospectively review alteplase instillation in dysfunctional catheters used for RRT in dogs and cats.

Animals

Seventeen dogs and 8 cats receiving RRT for kidney failure.

Methods

Medical records of patients in which alteplase was used for RRT catheter dysfunction from 2004 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed to characterize reasons for use, improvement in function, increase in blood flow, and duration of improvement.

Results

Alteplase was instilled 43 times in 29 catheters, most commonly because of suspicion that the catheter would not provide sufficient flow on the next treatment (n = 21). The second most common reason was inability to start a dialysis treatment (n = 12). Catheter function improved after alteplase instillation in 34 of 43 treatments (79%). Median blood flow rate increased by 13% (18 mL/min) in the dialysis session after alteplase instillation. Seven of 29 catheters (24%) were treated with alteplase on >1 occasion (median time to second treatment, 8 days), and 1 catheter had to be replaced because of intractable dysfunction.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Alteplase is effective at improving function of central venous catheters used to provide RRT, but the results are short‐lived.
Epilepsy in Cats: Theory and Practice
Authors: Pakozdy A. , Halasz P. , Klang A.
Published: January 2014

The veterinary literature on epilepsy in cats is less extensive than that for dogs. The present review summarizes the most important human definitions related to epilepsy and discusses the difficulties in applying them in daily veterinary practice. Epileptic seizures can have a wide range of clinical signs and are not necessarily typical in all cases. Whether a seizure event is epileptic can only be suspected based on clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging findings as electroencephalography diagnostic techniques have not yet been developed to a sufficiently accurate level in veterinary medicine. In addition, the present review aims to describe other diagnoses and nonepileptic conditions that might be mistaken for epileptic seizures. Seizures associated with hippocampal lesions are described and discussed extensively, as they seem to be a special entity only recognized in the past few years. Furthermore, we focus on clinical work‐up and on treatment that can be recommended based on the literature and summarize the limited data available relating to the outcome. Critical commentary is provided as most studies are based on very weak evidence.
The Subnational Connection in Unitary Regimes: Progressive Ambition and Legislative Behavior inUruguay
Authors: Chasquetti Daniel , Micozzi Juan Pablo
Published: January 2014

How do legislators develop reputations to further their individual goals in environments with limited space for personalization? In this article, we evaluate congressional behavior by legislators with gubernatorial expectations in a unitary environment where parties control political activities and institutions hinder individualization. By analyzing the process of drafting bills inUruguay, we demonstrate that deputies with subnational executive ambition tend to bias legislation towards their districts, especially those from small and peripheral units. Findings reinforce the importance of incorporating ambition to legislative studies and open a new direction towards the analysis of multiple career patterns within a specific case.
Control of pili and sialyltransferase expression in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is mediated by the transcriptional regulator CrgA
Authors: Matthias Kathryn A. , Rest Richard F.
Published: January 2014

Contact‐regulated gene A (CrgA) is a transcriptional regulator present in the pathogenic Neisseria that functions as both an activator and a repressor of transcription following contact with host cells. While its mechanism of action has been studied extensively in Neisseria meningitidis, the specific subset of genes that CrgA targets has been debated. Although the majority of these constitute virulence genes, suggesting that CrgA is important in pathogenesis, no study to date has examined the effects of CrgA in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. In this report, we generated a knockout mutant of crgA (ΔcrgA) in the serum‐sensitive gonococcal strain F62. crgA deletion resulted in a reduction in the transcript and protein levels of the primary pilin component pilE via mechanisms that were both contact‐dependent and ‐independent. In contrast, ΔcrgA overexpressed the main determinant of serum resistance in F62, lipooligosaccharide sialyltransferase (Lst). CrgA‐mediated lst repression was direct as both recombinant and native CrgA bound to the lst promoter at multiple locations in EMSA and ChIP assays respectively. The increase in Lst levels associated with crgA deletion correlated with enhanced protection against killing by normal human serum. These data suggest a role for CrgA in virulence regulation during both cell adherence and planktonic growth.
„Dem unheimliche Bilde des Mährchens gleich“
Authors: Zittel Claus
Published: January 2014

Nietzsche verwendet in seiner Geburt der Tragödie einen ebenso rätselhaften wie unheimlichen Vergleich: Er spricht von Augen, die sich umdrehen, um sich selbst anzuschauen. Dieser Essay will die poetologische Dimension dieses Vergleichs für die ästhetische Konzeption der „Geburt der Tragödie“ aufzeigen und bringt dafür als Quelle eine Geschichte von Hans Christian Andersen ins Spiel, die sowohl motivische als auch strukturelle Ähnlichkeiten aufweist.
Unintentional Cervical Dural Tap Treated with Lumbar Blood Patch
Authors: Lebrun Christophe , Peek Dirk , Vanelderen Pascal , Van Zundert Jan
Published: January 2014

Cervical radicular pain presents itself as pain radiating from the neck to the arm. If conservative treatment fails, a cervical epidural steroid injection can be considered. A rare but possible complication resulting from the interlaminar approach is unintentional cervical dural puncture that may result in post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH). Dural puncture from an interlaminar cervical epidural injection reportedly range from 0.25% to 2.65%. An epidural blood patch is a possible treatment option when conservative treatment fails. Relief could be secondary to ‘sealing’ of the dural tear from the clotted blood and reestablishment of physiological intracranial pressure. Another theory is an increase in the subarachnoid pressure from the injected blood. The increased pressure may restore normal intracranial pressure.

We describe 2 cases of cervical PDPH treated with lumbar epidural blood patch. In 1 case, there was complete resolution of the symptoms and in the other case, there was great improvement of symptoms and a high thoracic blood patch was performed to resolve the remaining headache.
Measuring Pain Intensity in Patients with Neck Pain: Does It Matter How You Do It?
Authors: Kamper Steven J. , Grootjans Sanneke J.M. , Michaleff Zoe A. , Maher Christopher G. , McAuley James H. , Sterling Michele
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate whether variations in the way that pain intensity is measured in patients with neck pain influences the magnitude of pain ratings. The study uses data from 3 longitudinal studies (n = 361 at baseline) on people with neck pain due to whiplash injuries. Pain measures included verbal rating scales, numerical rating scales and a visual analog scale. Different measures asked patient to rate current pain, average pain over 24 hours, over 1 week, or over 4 weeks. Scores were converted to a 0‐100 scale and tracked over time, correlations between measures were calculated. Mixed models regression was used to explore the factors which influenced the differences between scores on the measures. Scores on the different measures were significantly different from each other in each dataset (P < 0.02). The effect of recall period was significant in all datasets and the effect of number of response options was significant in 2 of 3 datasets. Pain intensity ratings appear to be sensitive to method of measurement. It is likely the length of recall time (eg, pain today vs. average pain over 4 weeks) has a significant influence on pain ratings. The influence of number of response options is less certain. Systematic reviewers should not uncritically rescale and pool absolute pain scores from instruments with varying scale descriptors or recall periods.
Physiological and transcriptomic characterization of submergence and reoxygenation responses in soybean seedlings
Authors: TAMANG BISHAL G. , MAGLIOZZI JOSEPH O. , MAROOF M. A. SAGHAI , FUKAO TAKESHI
Published: January 2014

Complete inundation at the early seedling stage is a common environmental constraint for soybean production throughout the world. As floodwaters subside, submerged seedlings are subsequently exposed to reoxygenation stress in the natural progression of a flood event. Here, we characterized the fundamental acclimation responses to submergence and reoxygenation in soybean at the seedling establishment stage. Approximately 90% of seedlings succumbed during 3 d of inundation under constant darkness, whereas 10 d of submergence were lethal to over 90% of seedlings under 12 h light/12 h dark cycles, indicating the significance of underwater photosynthesis in seedling survival. Submergence rapidly decreased the abundance of carbohydrate reserves and ATP in aerial tissue of seedlings although chlorophyll breakdown was not observed. The carbohydrate and ATP contents were recovered upon de‐submergence, but sudden exposure to oxygen also induced lipid peroxidation, confirming that reoxygenation induced oxidative stress. Whole transcriptome analysis recognized genome‐scale reconfiguration of gene expression that regulates various signalling and metabolic pathways under submergence and reoxygenation. Comparative analysis of differentially regulated genes in shoots and roots of soybean and other plants defines conserved, organ‐specific and species‐specific adjustments which enhance adaptability to submergence and reoxygenation through different metabolic pathways.
The Blame and the Shame: Kennedy's Choice to Resume Nuclear Tests in 1962
Authors: Fazzi Dario
Published: January 2014

More than fifty years ago, human beings faced the gravest nuclear escalation in world history. From early summer 1961, the Soviet Union started to challenge the United States on many fronts: The Soviets built a wall that divided Berlin, thus transforming that city into a symbol of the cold war itself. Furthermore, the Soviets were improving their intercontinental ballistic missiles system by testing a long‐range missile named R‐9 Desna—or SS‐8 Sasin as NATO reports called it. As part of this escalation strategy, they decided to resume their atmospheric nuclear testing program by late summer of that year. At that point, the American administration had to decide whether and how to reply to the systematic and increasing Soviet threats. This essay tries to explain to what extent Kennedy's administration was shattered by a combination of uneasiness and anxiety in dealing with the choice to resume atmospheric nuclear tests. While the administration was pressured by strategists, military elites, and nuclear hard‐liners who called for a bold reply to the USSR's provocations, the administration also had to contend with an internal public opinion that was reluctant to passively accept the resumption of American tests. Indeed, many Americans, who were scared by nuclear fallout, had been educated, coordinated, and organized by several private and influential anti‐nuclear groups. These groups took the lead in protesting and eventually increased the general awareness of nuclear testing. Consequently, as recently disclosed documents seem to confirm, this essay considers Kennedy's choice as a particularly complex one. Rhetorically, ideologically, and strategically, the choice to delay and limit the U.S. nuclear program ultimately meant the end of an era and the advent of the détente.
The ash dieback crisis: genetic variation in resistance can prove a long‐term solution
Authors: McKinney L. V. , Nielsen L. R. , Collinge D. B. , Thomsen I. M. , Hansen J. K. , Kjær E. D.
Published: January 2014

Over the last two decades, ash dieback has become a major problem inEurope, where the causative fungus has invaded the continent rapidly. The disease is caused by the invasive pathogenic fungusHymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus(anamorphChalara fraxinea), which causes severe symptoms and dieback in common ash,Fraxinus excelsior. It is becoming a significant threat to biodiversity in forest ecosystems and the economic and aesthetic impacts are immense. Despite the presence of the disease for at least 10 years inScandinavia, a small fraction ofF. excelsiortrees have remained vigorous, and these trees exhibit no or low levels of symptoms even where neighbouring trees are very sick. This gives hope that a fraction of the ash trees will retain a sufficiently viable growth to survive. Following a period of high mortality in natural populations, selection and breeding of remaining viable ash trees could therefore provide a route for restoring the role of ash in the landscape. This paper reviews the available data on disease dissemination, and the consequences thereof in terms of symptom severity and mortality, and appraises studies that have tested the hypothesis that less‐affected trees have genetically based resistance. The implications of the results for the adaptive potential of common ash to respond to the disease through natural or assisted selection are discussed. The risks of adverse fitness effects of population fragmentation due to high mortality are considered. Finally, it is recommended that resistant trees (genotypes) should be selected to facilitate conservation of the species.
Tissue‐print and squash real‐time PCR for direct detection of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’ species in citrus plants and psyllid vectors
Authors: Bertolini E. , Felipe R. T. A. , Sauer A. V. , Lopes S. A. , Arilla A. , Vidal E. , Mourão Filho F. A. A. , Nunes W. M. C. , Bové J. M. , López M. M. , Cambra M.
Published: January 2014

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is seriously threatening and/or damaging the citrus industry worldwide. Accurate detection of the three species associated with HLB disease, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’ and ‘Candidatus Liberibacter americanus’, is essential for the preventive control of the disease. Real‐time PCR is a useful tool for bacterial detection. However, nucleic acid purification steps limit the number of samples that can be processed by PCR. Universal detection of ‘Ca. Liberibacter’ species was achieved by direct tissue‐printing and spotting of plant leaf petiole extracts or squashing of individual psyllids onto paper or nylon membranes. Primers were designed and used with TaqMan chemistry for accurate detection of the bacterium in immobilized targets (prints of 10 overlapping leaf pedicels per tree, or squashed single vectors), by extraction with water and direct use for real‐time PCR. This simplified method was validated and could detect HLB‐liberibacters in 100% of leaves with symptoms and 59% of symptomless leaves collected from HLB‐infected trees. The use of direct assays as template showed good agreement with use of purified DNA (κ = 0·76 ± 0·052). The squash assay allowed detection of the bacterium in 40% of mature Diaphorina citri that fed on leaves of HLB‐infected trees with or without symptoms. A commercial ready‐made kit based on this technology showed 96% accuracy in intra‐laboratory performance studies. The simplified direct methods of sample preparation presented herein can be effectively adopted for use in rapid screening of HLB agents in extensive surveys, certification schemes or for epidemiological and research studies.
Genotypic variation in the ability of landraces and commercial cereal varieties to avoid manganese deficiency in soils with limited manganese availability: is there a role for root‐exuded phytases?
Authors: George Timothy S. , French Andrew S. , Brown Lawrie K. , Karley Alison J. , White Philip J. , Ramsay Luke , Daniell Tim J.
Published: January 2014

The marginal agricultural‐systems of the Machair in the Western Isles of Scotland often have limited micronutrient availability because of alkaline soils. Traditional landraces of oats, barley and rye are thought to be better adapted to cope with the limited manganese (Mn) availability of these soils. When commercial cultivars are grown on the Machair, limited Mn‐availability reduces crop yield and quality. We hypothesised that traditional cereal landraces selected on the Machair acquire Mn more effectively and that this could be linked to exudation of phytase from roots which would release Mn complexed with inositol phosphates. Growth and Mn‐acquisition of five landraces and three commercial cultivars of barley and oats were determined in Machair soil. In addition, root phytase activities were assayed under Mn‐starvation and sufficiency in hydroponics. In Machair soil, landraces had greater capacity for acquiring Mn and a greater ability to achieve maximum yield compared to the commercial cultivars. Under Mn‐starvation, root phytase exudation was upregulated in all plants, suggesting that this trait might allow cereals to acquire more Mn when Mn‐availability is limited. In the landraces, exuded phytase activity related positively to relative Mn‐accumulation, whereas in the commercial cultivars this relationship was negative, suggesting that this trait may be secondary to an efficiency trait that has been lost from commercial germplasm by breeding. This research shows that cereal landraces possess traits that could be useful for improving the Mn‐acquisition of commercial varieties. Exploiting the genetic diversity of landraces could improve the sustainability of agriculture on marginal calcareous lands globally.
Aspects of nursing with evidence‐base when nursing frail older adults: a phenomenographic analysis of interviews with nurses in municipal care
Authors: Gustafsson Lena‐Karin , Mattsson Karin , Dubbelman Kerstin , Snöljung Åsa
Published: January 2014

Introduction

In earlier research as well as in political discussion and documents, the topic of evidence has been highlighted as one of the most important concerns in nursing care. This study focuses on understanding what lies behind nurses' ways of acting regarding evidence‐based nursing through an illumination of the way they perceive the phenomena.

Aim

The aim was to identify and describe the different ways municipal care nurses perceive aspects of working with evidence when nursing frail older adults.

Methods

An explorative design with a phenomenographic approach based on interviews with nurses working with home‐based care within the municipality was used in order to gain understanding of nurse's perceptions of the phenomena.

Results

Findings revealed that the nurses perceived a variety of aspects when working with evidence when nursing frail older people. Aspects with a spectra of different perceptions shown in the analysis were as follows: Evidence‐based nursing as a desired intention/mission, lack of practical supporting structures to apply evidence, lack of confidence in own capacity to apply evidence and a belief that it will work anyway.

Conclusions

Findings reveal that it is a challenge to implement research both on an individual as well as on an organisational level. Understanding the contextual perceptions of evidence by nurses can cast light on the barriers as well as the prerequisites of working with evidence while caring for frail older adults in municipal care.