bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organisation and formal activism: insights from the anarchist tradition
Authors: Ferretti Federico
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute for the special number Protest and Activism With(out) Organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Elisée Reclus (1830-1905) wrote in 1851 that “anarchy is the highest expression of order”. This statement, clashing with the bourgeois commonplaces on anarchy as chaos, anticipated the theories, elaborated collectively by the anarchist geographers Reclus, Pëtr Kropotkin (1842-1921), and Léon Metchnikoff (1838-1888), on mutual aid and cooperation as the bases of a society more rationally organised than the State and capitalist one. If a (minority) part of the anarchist movement, in the following decades, assumed this sort of “natural order” to argue that there was no necessity of a political organisation, many militants stated on the contrary the necessity of a formal anarchist (or anarcho-syndicalist) organisation to prepare the revolution and to put in practice the principle of an horizontal and federalist society starting from daily life.

Findings

The author’s main argument is that the idea of a public and formalized anarchist organisation has been consistent with the claims of the anarchist geographers for the possibility of an ordered anarchist society and that it was a very geographical conception, as the spatial and territorial activity patterns of anarchist individuals, groups, and federations was a central issue among anarchist organisers.

Originality/value

Drawing on present literature on geography and anarchism and on the multidisciplinary transnational turn of anarchist studies, the author addresses, through primary sources, the contentions and openings of the organisational question in anarchism from Reclus, Kropotkin, and Metchnikoff to the anarchist federations of present day, and its links with the issue of constructive anarchism and with the problem of violence.
Comorbid autoimmune diseases in patients with sarcoidosis: A nationwide case–control study in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Chi‐Hung , Chung Pei‐I. , Wu Chen‐Yi , Chen Yen‐Ta , Chiu Yun‐Wen , Chang Yun‐Ting , Liu Han‐Nan
Published: October 2016

The association between sarcoidosis and autoimmune comorbidities has been reported, however, it has seldom been confirmed by a large nationwide study. Our study aimed to clarify the association between sarcoidosis and autoimmune comorbidities in the Taiwanese. A total of 1237 patients with sarcoidosis and 4948 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 1997 to 2010. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to calculate the odds of comorbidities between the two groups. The prevalence of sarcoidosis was 2.17/100 000 individuals in Taiwan. Sarcoidosis patients tended to run a higher risk of autoimmune comorbidities than the control group (17.6% vs 9.4%, P < 0.05). Autoimmune thyroid disease (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.64), Sjögren's syndrome (aOR, 11.6; 95% CI, 4.36–31.0) and ankylosing spondylitis (aOR, 3.80; 95% CI, 2.42–5.97) were significantly associated with sarcoidosis. The sex‐stratified analyses were carried out to demonstrate a significant association of sarcoidosis with ankylosing spondylitis in both sexes, but with autoimmune thyroid disease in male patients and with Sjögren's syndrome female patients, respectively. Besides, the diagnosis of the autoimmune comorbidities strongly associated with sarcoidosis tended to be established after that of sarcoidosis. This study demonstrated that patients with sarcoidosis tended to have autoimmune thyroid disease, Sjögren's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis, and the diagnosis of sarcoidosis usually preceded that of associated comorbidities. Clinicians should be alert to autoimmune comorbidities in patients with sarcoidosis.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of first‐pass success rates in emergency department intubation: Creating a benchmark for emergency airway care
Authors: Park Louise , Zeng Irene , Brainard Andrew
Published: October 2016

Objective

Many EDs have begun to evaluate their airway performance. The first‐pass success (FPS) rate is a commonly used marker of proficiency, and has been associated with rates of adverse events. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis is to quantify the ED FPS rates and summarise the rates of adverse events associated with endotracheal intubation.

Methods

A structured literature search was performed through MEDLINE and EMBASE. Research published since 2000 was included if it prospectively collected data on all patients intubated in the ED and reported the FPS rates. Data on demographics, indication, FPS rates, adverse events, proportion by RSI and proportion by emergency medicine doctors were extracted. Pooled mean FPS rates were estimated using a random effects model.

Results

The literature search generated 21 162 articles. Full‐text review identified 16 publications for meta‐analysis. This included a total of 42 081 intubations from 83 institutions, in 10 countries. The FPS rate was 84.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 80.1–87.4] in the ‘ED‐All’ group and 81.8% (95% CI 76.3–86.2) in the ‘Trauma‐Only’ group. The incidence rates of commonly reported adverse events were hypoxia 6.4% (95% CI 2.5–11.9), hypotension 3.0% (95% CI 1.5–4.9), oesophageal intubation 3.5% (95% CI 2.3–4.9), greater than three attempts 0.8% (95% CI 0.4–1.4), cricothyrotomy 0.3% (95% CI 0.1–0.5) and peri‐intubation cardiac arrest 0.6% (95% CI 0.2–1.0).

Conclusion

Research published in the last 16 years shows a mean ED FPS rate of 84.1%. This represents the best available published data that can be used to benchmark emergency airway performance.
Does Guidewire Exchange Influence Infection Rate Related to Catheters Used for Vascular Access in Children on Chronic Hemodialysis?
Authors: Rus Rina R , Battelino Nina , Ponikvar Rafael , Premru Vladimir , Novljan Gregor
Published: October 2016

A central venous catheter (CVC) can either be inserted “de novo” or placed by guidewire exchange (GWE). From September 1998 to September 2015, 32 children (19 boys, 13 girls) were hemodialyzed in our unit by using a CVC. The mean age at CVC insertion was 12.6 ± 0.5 years. A total of 121 uncuffed catheters were placed, either “de novo” or by GWE in 64 (52.9%) and 57 (47.1%) cases, respectively. The most frequent cause for line revision was catheter dysfunction in 40/121 (33.1%) patients. The overall incidence of bacteremia was 1.5/1000 catheter‐days. The incidence in newly inserted and GWE catheters was 1.4 and 1.7/1000 catheter‐days, respectively. The difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.939). The infection rate correlated with patient age, and was higher in younger children (P = 0.006). GWE is an effective option of line revision, and did not influence the infection rate in our study.
The “Tears of the Virgin” at Lakes Entrance, southeast Australia were made by the intertidal barnacle Chthamalus antennatus (Cirripedia: Thoracica) and cyanobacteria
Authors: BUCKERIDGE John S. , NEWMAN William A.
Published: October 2016

Curious eroded depressions, most resembling an eye shedding an elongate tear, are found in gently sloping, intertidal, carbonate‐rich arenite outcropping on the sea coast near Lakes Entrance, Victoria, southeast Australia. The depressions, known locally as “Tears of the Virgin,” are evidently formed by multiple generations of a barnacle, Chthamalus antennatus Darwin, 1854 in association with cyanobacteria. While the round part of a depression offers the barnacle a modicum of protection from impacts during high tides, it is also partially inhabited by cyanobacteria, which extend into and tend to fill the elongate tear. As such, this appears to be the first case of mutualism between a higher invertebrate and cyanobacteria, with the cyanobacteria reducing the barnacle's risk of desiccation while receiving metabolic wastes from it during low tides. It is also the first record of a balanomorph barnacle eroding calcareous arenite beneath its shell, the net effect of which would be expected to reduce its adhesion to the substrate. However, the siliceous residue, resulting from the barnacle's dissolution of the more than 80% of the calcite‐rich sedimentary rock, is sequestered in delicate folds on the inside of the shell wall as it grows. A brief review of cirripedes capable of excavation includes the first photographic documentation of excavation of a mollusc shell by a verrucomorph.
Am I too old for this, Doctor? Using population life expectancy to guide clinical decision‐making
Authors: Broad Joanna B , Dunstan Kim , Claridge Annabelle , Harris Roger
Published: October 2016

Objective

Prognostication is important in clinical decision‐making, especially for older people. The aim was to present estimates of life expectancy for older people in New Zealand.

Methods

Statistics New Zealand age–sex‐specific death rates were used to derive quartiles of expected years of life remaining in people aged over 65 years.

Results

Given current patterns and trends in New Zealand death rates, 50% of women reaching age 80 years in 2016 can expect to live at least another 10.5 years, 25% will live over 14.7 years, and 25% will die within 6.2 years. Comparable results for men reaching age 80 years in 2016 are 8.5 years, 12.7 years and 4.6 years, respectively. Of those reaching age 90 years in 2016, median expected years of life left is 4.2 years for women and 3.4 years for men.

Conclusion

Demographic norms are useful as a guide when specific predictive tools are unavailable.
Public Debt Issuance Impact on Management Forecasting Frequency: Evidence from Regulation Fair Disclosure
Authors: Mo Kyoungwon , Kim Boyoung
Published: October 2016

We examine firms' strategic management disclosure policies on debt offerings and their consequences on the cost of debt, considering Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD). We find that firms issue more management disclosures before debt offerings and witness pronounced increases in management forecasting after Regulation FD, suggesting that Regulation FD affects their disclosure policy before debt offerings. Furthermore, firms with high information asymmetry release more management disclosures before debt offerings, and creditors reward increased public disclosures with a lower cost of debt. We believe that this study contributes to the literature on debt offerings and the impact of Regulation FD.
Does positron emission tomography/computed tomography change management in colorectal cancer?
Authors: Falconer Rachel , Connor Saxon , Balasingam Adrian , Eglinton Tim
Published: October 2016

Background

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is used pre‐operatively in patients with metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer to identify those who have potentially curative disease. However, a recent randomized trial questioned the added benefit of PET/CT over conventional imaging in patients with liver metastases. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with colorectal cancer in whom PET/CT altered surgical management, in a single tertiary centre.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of all patients with colorectal cancer who had a PET/CT for colorectal cancer, funded by the Canterbury District Health Board between 2010 and 2014.

Results

Some 111 PET/CT scans were performed on 105 patients. A total of 38% of PET/CT were for patients with known or suspected liver metastases, 23% for suspected local recurrence and 18% for known or suspected lung metastases. Five scans were for post‐operative patients with a rising carcinoembryonic antigen and no attributable source on conventional imaging. PET/CT identified additional extrahepatic sites of disease in 19 of 111 (17%) scans in patients deemed to have potentially operable disease. Overall, PET/CT altered surgical management following six of 42 (14%) scans for patients with liver metastases, four of 20 (20%) scans for patients with lung metastases and six of 26 (23%) scans for patients with local recurrence.

Conclusion

PET/CT remains a useful adjunct to conventional imaging in the pre‐operative workup of patients with colorectal cancer.
Clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of cutaneous lymphomas: current status and future directions
Authors: Rubio‐Gonzalez Belen , Zain Jasmine , Rosen Steven T. , Querfeld Christiane
Published: October 2016

The primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of T‐, Natural Killer‐ and B‐ cell neoplasms with a wide range of clinical and pathological presentations, and with very different prognoses compared to systemic lymphomas. Recent studies have shown that the skin microenvironment, which is composed of various immune cell subsets as well as their spatial distribution and T‐cell interactions through different chemokines and cytokines, has an important role in the development and pathogenesis of cutaneous lymphomas and has assisted in the development of novel and more effective immunotherapies. The following review will focus on the major subtypes of primary cutaneous lymphomas, including the clinical and histological patterns, molecular hallmarks, and current and future treatment strategies.
Synthetic non‐peptide low molecular weight agonists of the relaxin receptor 1
Authors: Agoulnik Alexander I , Agoulnik Irina U , Hu Xin , Marugan Juan
Published: October 2016

Relaxin is a small heterodimeric peptide hormone of the insulin/relaxin superfamily produced mainly in female and male reproductive organs. It has potent antifibrotic, vasodilatory and angiogenic effects and regulates the normal function of various physiological systems. Preclinical studies and recent clinical trials have shown the promise of recombinant relaxin as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases. However, there are the universal drawbacks of peptide‐based pharmacology that apply to relaxin: a short half‐life in vivo requires its continuous delivery, and there are high costs of production, storage and treatment, as well as the possibility of immune responses. All these issues can be resolved by the development of low non‐peptide MW agonists of the relaxin receptors which are stable, bioavailable, easily synthesized and specific. In this review, we describe the discovery and characterization of the first series of such compounds. The lead compound, ML290, binds to an allosteric site of the relaxin GPCR, RXFP1. ML290 shows high activity and efficacy, measured by cAMP response, in cells expressing endogenous or transfected RXFP1. Relaxin‐like effects of ML290 were shown in various functional cellular assays in vitro. ML290 has excellent absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties and in vivo stability. The identified series of low MW agonists does not activate rodent RXFP1 receptors and thus, the production of a RXFP1 humanized mouse model is needed for preclinical studies. The future analysis and clinical perspectives of relaxin receptor agonists are discussed.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc
Synaptic Zn2+ and febrile seizure susceptibility
Authors: Reid Christopher A , Hildebrand Michael S , Mullen Saul A , Hildebrand Joanne M , Berkovic Samuel F , Petrou Steven
Published: October 2016

Zn2+, the second most prevalent trace element in the body, is essential for supporting a wide range of biological functions. While the majority of Zn2+ in the brain is protein‐bound, a significant proportion of free Zn2+ is found co‐localized with glutamate in synaptic vesicles and is released in an activity‐dependent manner. Clinical studies have shown Zn2+ levels are significantly lower in blood and cerebrospinal fluid of children that suffer febrile seizures. Likewise, investigations in multiple animal models demonstrate that low levels of brain Zn2+ increase seizure susceptibility. Recent work provides human genetic evidence that disruption of brain Zn2+ homeostasis at the level of the synapse is associated with increased seizure susceptibility. In this review, we have explored the clinical, functional and genetic data supporting the view that low synaptic Zn2+ increases cellular excitability and febrile seizure susceptibility. Finally, the review focuses on the potential of therapeutic Zn2+ supplementation for at risk patients.
Developing tailored positive parenting messages for a clinic‐based communication programme
Authors: Weaver N. L. , Weaver T. L. , Nicks S. E. , Jupka K. A. , Sallee H. , Jacobsen H. , Henley W. , Jaques M.
Published: October 2016

Background

Health care providers fill a central role in the prevention of both child abuse and neglect (CA/N) and unintentional childhood injury. Health communication interventions hold promise for promoting attitudes and behaviours among parents that increase positive parenting practices, which may be linked to decreased rates of intentional and unintentional childhood injuries. This manuscript describes the development of ‘RISE Up’, an ambulatory clinic‐based childhood injury prevention programme that provides tailored, injury prevention print materials to parents of children ages 0–5.

Methods

Fifteen semi‐structured key informant interviews were conducted with clinic healthcare providers and staff to develop communication strategies and materials for caregivers. Cognitive response testing was then conducted with 20 caregivers of the priority population to assess all materials. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic coding methods.

Results

Formative research revealed that health care providers and caregivers were very responsive to messages and materials. Health care providers reported that abuse and neglect were particularly relevant to their patients and noted several benefits to implementing the RISE Up programme in a health care setting. Caregivers generally found messages on reducing the risks of injuries, as well as the graphics displayed in the RISE Up programme to be helpful.

Conclusions

Addressing the common determinants of both intentional and unintentional childhood injury through customized print materials may be a useful component of comprehensive prevention efforts to address childhood injury risk with greater impact. Providers and parents responded favourably to this communication strategy.
Piecewise‐planar Reconstruction of Multi‐room Interiors with Arbitrary Wall Arrangements
Authors: Mura C. , Mattausch O. , Pajarola R.
Published: October 2016

Reconstructing the as‐built architectural shape of building interiors has emerged in recent years as an important and challenging research problem. An effective approach must be able to faithfully capture the architectural structures and separate permanent components from clutter (e.g. furniture), while at the same time dealing with defects in the input data. For many applications, higher‐level information on the environment is also required, in particular the shape of individual rooms. To solve this ill‐posed problem, state‐of‐the‐art methods assume constrained input environments with a 2.5D or, more restrictively, a Manhattan‐world structure, which significantly restricts their applicability in real‐world settings. We present a novel pipeline that allows to reconstruct general 3D interior architectures, significantly increasing the range of real‐world architectures that can be reconstructed and labeled by any interior reconstruction method to date. Our method finds candidate permanent components by reasoning on a graph‐based scene representation, then uses them to build a 3D linear cell complex that is partitioned into separate rooms through a multi‐label energy minimization formulation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method by applying it to a variety of real‐world and synthetic datasets and by comparing it to more specialized state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Growth and fruition of a pathology research community: the Dothistroma story
Authors: Bradshaw R. E.
Published: October 2016

This special issue of Forest Pathology focuses on Dothistroma needle blight and showcases the collaborative work of a global community of Dothistroma researchers on the pathogens, hosts and environmental effects on this disease. The growth of the Dothistroma community from its humble beginnings ten years ago, to a consortium of scientists from 41 countries facilitated by a European Cooperation in Science and Technology Action, is outlined here. Key achievements of the group and highlights of articles in this special issue are summarized. There is much research still to be done, but the collaborative work of this community will continue and also extend beyond Dothistroma to many other areas of forest pathology.
Evaluation of an alcohol screening and brief advice training programme for NHS general dental practitioners
Authors: Ntouva A. , Sanatinia R. , Watt R. G.
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Primary care dentists are in a unique position to screen for alcohol misuse and provide brief advice to patients; however, lack of knowledge and confidence are some of the barriers cited for their reluctance to do so.

Aims

This study describes the evaluation of a novel brief alcohol advice training programme specifically designed and tailored to the needs of NHS general dental practitioners.

Materials and Methods

The training programme was developed as part of a feasibility trial and included a mixture of theoretical and practical elements. During 8 h of highly interactive sessions, participants took part in role‐plays, including scenarios of patients of varying age groups, oral health status, dental attendance and different levels of motivation. Training manuals and other resources were also given. Knowledge, attitudes and confidence scores were assessed before and after the sessions. Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐ranks and McNemar's tests were used to compare participants’ performance before and after the completion of the programme.

Results

Significant positive changes were observed in all training objectives. There was an overall improvement of 23% in levels of knowledge, a 40% increase in positive attitudes towards alcohol screening and intervention and 80% increase in confidence scores. Fidelity assessments of the implementation of the intervention in the trial showed that dentists who completed the training successfully went on to screen for alcohol misuse and provide brief advice to patients.

Conclusion

NHS dentists can be successfully trained with the relevant knowledge, attitudes and confidence needed to deliver alcohol screening and brief advice to patients.
Comparisons of the efficacy and tolerability of mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine as treatments for neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Chen H. , Qiu W. , Zhang Q. , Wang J. , Shi Z. , Liu J. , Lian Z. , Feng H. , Miao X. , Zhou H.
Published: October 2016

Background and purpose

To research and compare the efficacy and tolerability of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine (AZA) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods

In this observational study, we enrolled patients with NMO/NMOSD who received either MMF or AZA for 6 months or more. We compared the efficacy and tolerability of MMF and AZA as preventive treatments in patients with NMO/NMOSD.

Results

Baseline variables between groups were not significantly different. In the MMF‐treated (n = 105) and AZA‐treated (n = 105) groups, 56.2% and 52.4%, respectively, of patients were relapse‐free, and both median annualized relapse rates and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were lower (P = 0.000). More patients in the AZA than MMF group stopped or switched to another preventive treatment because of adverse effects. The Expanded Disability Status Scale scores at final follow‐up were lower in the AZA group than in the MMF group, the duration after treatment was longer in the AZA group than in the MMF group, and more patients in the AZA than MMF group concurrently used prednisone (P < 0.05). Neither the Kaplan–Meier survival estimates (P > 0.05) nor the Cox proportional hazard model (P > 0.05) indicated a significant difference in relapse between MMF‐ and AZA‐treated groups.

Conclusions

Both MMF and AZA were effective in patients with NMO/NMOSD. Fewer and more mild adverse events were attributed to MMF than AZA. The probability of maintaining a relapse‐free state was not significantly different between the MMF and AZA groups. However, more effective treatments with more acceptable safety profiles are still needed.
Bankers on the Board and CEO Incentives
Authors: Kang Min Jung , Kim Andy (Y. Han)
Published: October 2016

The Sarbanes‐Oxley Act demanded the presence of more financial experts on corporate boards to improve governance. Directors from lending banks require particular attention because of the conflicts of interest between shareholders and debtholders despite their financial expertise. In this paper, we examine whether commercial banker directors work in the best interests of shareholders in providing incentives to the CEO. We find that the CEO's compensation VEGA is lower if an affiliated banker director is on the board. Further, we find that commercial banker directors increase debt‐like compensation (Sundaram and Yermack, 2007) and make it less sensitive to risk.
Carbon emissions from agricultural expansion and intensification in the Chaco
Authors: Baumann Matthias , Gasparri Ignacio , Piquer‐Rodríguez María , Gavier Pizarro Gregorio , Griffiths Patrick , Hostert Patrick , Kuemmerle Tobias
Published: October 2016

Carbon emissions from land‐use changes in tropical dry forest systems are poorly understood, although they are likely globally significant. The South American Chaco has recently emerged as a hot spot of agricultural expansion and intensification, as cattle ranching and soybean cultivation expand into forests, and as soybean cultivation replaces grazing lands. Still, our knowledge of the rates and spatial patterns of these land‐use changes and how they affected carbon emissions remains partial. We used the Landsat satellite image archive to reconstruct land‐use change over the past 30 years and applied a carbon bookkeeping model to quantify how these changes affected carbon budgets. Between 1985 and 2013, more than 142 000 km2 of the Chaco's forests, equaling 20% of all forest, was replaced by croplands (38.9%) or grazing lands (61.1%). Of those grazing lands that existed in 1985, about 40% were subsequently converted to cropland. These land‐use changes resulted in substantial carbon emissions, totaling 824 Tg C between 1985 and 2013, and 46.2 Tg C for 2013 alone. The majority of these emissions came from forest‐to‐grazing‐land conversions (68%), but post‐deforestation land‐use change triggered an additional 52.6 Tg C. Although tropical dry forests are less carbon‐dense than moist tropical forests, carbon emissions from land‐use change in the Chaco were similar in magnitude to those from other major tropical deforestation frontiers. Our study thus highlights the urgent need for an improved monitoring of the often overlooked tropical dry forests and savannas, and more broadly speaking the value of the Landsat image archive for quantifying carbon fluxes from land change.
Black Leadership and Outside Allies in Virginia Freedom Schools
Authors: Bonastia Christopher
Published: October 2016

In July 1963, students from Queens College (QC) and a group of New York City teachers traveled to Prince Edward County (PEC), Virginia, to teach local black youth in Freedom Schools. The county had eliminated public education four years earlier to avoid a desegregation order. PEC Freedom Schools represented the first major effort to recruit an integrated group of outside teachers and students to educate black students in a civil rights battleground over an entire summer.

In contrast to the racial and class tensions that arose between black leaders and predominantly white volunteers in other civil rights campaigns, PEC volunteers willingly deferred to the expertise of local and outside black leaders. This paper identifies the relatively modest scope and well-defined mission of the program, the real-world experiences of volunteers, and the high quality of black leadership as factors that led to this positive outcome.
Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on microbial growth, quality and enzymatic defence of sanitiser washed fresh coriander
Authors: Fang Xiangjun , Chen Hangjun , Gao Haiyan , Yang Hailong , Li Yunlong , Mao Peicheng , Jin Tony Z.
Published: October 2016

Fresh coriander samples were washed in an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution and stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with air (T0), 4%O2 + 3%CO2 + 93%N2 (T1); 10%O2 + 3%CO2 + 87%N2 (T2); 15%O2 + 3%CO2 + 82%N2 (T3); 20%O2 + 3%CO2 + 77%N2 (T4) at 4 °C for 14 days. After 14 days, the ascorbic acid contents in samples were 24.8 (T3), 22.4 (T4), 19.6 (T0), 18.2 (T2) and 8.8 (T1) mg/100 g; the total phenol contents were 59.9 (T3), 53.8 (T0), 50.1 (T4), 44.8 (T2) and 39.3 (T1) mg gallic acid/100 g; and the total chlorophyll contents were 1.60 (T3), 1.52 (T4), 1.05 (T2), 0.91 (T0) and 0.63 (T1) mg g−1 respectively. T3 treatment resulted in the best colour maintenance, the least bacterial growth, and the highest activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase throughout the storage period as compared to others. The data revealed that the T3 MAP condition in combination of aqueous chlorine dioxide washing significantly (P < 0.05) maintained the quality and extended the shelf life of fresh coriander.
Antioxidant potential and quality characteristics of Mediterranean fruit‐based extruded snacks
Authors: Lucas‐González Raquel , Viuda‐Martos Manuel , Pérez‐Alvarez José Angel , Fernández‐López Juana
Published: October 2016

‘Mediterranean snacks’ (dried fruits and nuts as principal ingredients), a little known food product with a high nutritional value, might be considered a good alternative for consumers looking for healthy snacks. The aim of this research was to determine the physicochemical properties and nutritional value of this type of food stuff (traditionally called ‘fruit cakes’ in Mediterranean countries) and to evaluate their phenolic content and antioxidant activity. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks studied are shelf‐stable at room temperature (because of their pH and water activity values). The final product has a low moisture (<32%) and high sugar content (>30%), the only sugars being those naturally present in the food. All the fruit‐based extruded snacks had a dietary fibre content higher than 10% (high‐fibre foods). Date extruded snack and apricot extruded snack showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid content and also the highest antioxidant activity as determined by the DPPH and FRAP methods.
Bioconversion of agro‐industrial by‐products to lactic acid using Lactobacillus sakei and two Pediococcus spp. strains
Authors: Juodeikiene Grazina , Klupsaite Dovile , Zadeike Daiva , Cizeikiene Dalia , Vidziunaite Ieva , Bartkiene Elena , Cernauskas Darius
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioconversion efficiency of rich in cellulose agro‐industrial by‐products such as wheat bran (WB), spent distiller's grain with solids (DGS), brewer's spent grain (BSG) and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) wholemeal fraction (LF) to lactic acid (LA) using acid tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains Lactobacillus sakei KTU05‐06, Pediococcus acidilactici KTU05‐7 and P. pentosaceus KTU05‐9. Carbohydrase preparation Depol™ 692L was used for the hydrolysis of non‐starch polysaccharides. Analysed raw materials were suitable substrates for LAB propagation and L‐lactic acid production. The lowest pH (3.6) was found in LF medium after 48 h fermentation with P. acidilactici and P. pentosaceus strains. The lowest pH (3.86) was measured in WB fermented with L. sakei, and in DGS and BSG (pH 3.8 and 3.9 respectively) fermented with P. acidilactici. The highest endoxylanase activity was excreted by the P. acidilactici and P. pentosaceus (84 and 69 XU g−1 respectively), and the highest α‐amylase activity was of L. sakei (255.6 AU g−1) after 24 h incubation in WB medium. The L‐lactic acid concentration of 86.11 g kg−1 was reached after the bioconversion of hydrolysed WB in combination with 48 h fermentation by P. pentosaceus KTU05‐9 strain. LA contents between 222 and 282 mg kg−1 was produced from lupin processing residues via fermentation using P. acidilactici and P. pentosaceus KTU05‐9 strains. The major challenge within the presented study is the viability of tested LAB in cereal waste media and effective LA production at a low pH (3.6–3.8).
Demonstration of the cold sintering process study for the densification and grain growth of ZnO ceramics
Authors: Funahashi Shuichi , Guo Jing , Guo Hanzheng , Wang Ke , Baker Amanda L. , Shiratsuyu Kosuke , Randall Clive A.
Published: October 2016

With the cold sintering process (CSP), it was found that adding acetic acid to an aqueous solution dramatically changed both the densities and the grain microstructures of the ZnO ceramics. Bulk densities >90% theoretical were realized below 100°C, and the average conductivity of CSP samples at around 300°C was similar to samples conventionally sintered at 1400°C. Frequently, ZnO is also used as a model ceramic system for fundamental studies for sintering. By the same procedure as the grain growth of the conventional sintering, the kinetic grain growth exponent of the CSP samples was determined as N=3, and the calculated activated energy of grain growth was 43 kJ/mol, which is much lower than that reported using conventional sintering. The evidence for grain growth under the CSP is important as it indicates that there is a genuine sintering process being activated at these low temperatures and it is beyond a pressurized densification process.
The Magic Wand Question and Recovery‐Focused Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Authors: Wells Karen , McCaig Marie
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

This paper uses a case study to describe the implementation of the Magic Wand Question (MWQ), also known as the miracle question, in a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in Scotland. The MWQ, a common intervention, is based on a Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) approach. This intervention was undertaken by a third year student nurse with the intention of demonstrating how practice can be more closely aligned to a recovery‐focused, strengths‐based approach, which is in line with national policy.

METHODS

SFBT has a growing evidence base for use with children and young people. However, there are still some common uncertainties about its use; therefore, a literature review has been undertaken to further explore the evidence base for the use of SFBT, with a focus on the MWQ. Furthermore, an exploration of the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the MWQ is provided with a 15‐year‐old girl experiencing symptoms of low mood.

RESULTS

Although limitations have been identified, giving careful consideration to posing the MWQ, through detailed planning prior to implementation, led to an increased understanding of factors supporting the use of the MWQ and reduced any uncertainty around when to use the MWQ in practice. In this clinical intervention, with a 15‐year‐old girl experiencing symptoms of low mood, the use of the MWQ was successful.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of any treatment is best judged by the individual receiving care, and positive results have been achieved in this case study. Use of this approach ensured professionals were looking beyond diagnosis, illness, and problems in line with the principles of recovery‐focused practice (Scottish Recovery Network [SRN] and NHS Education for Scotland [NES], 2007). The use of the MWQ in this case enhanced the knowledge of evidence‐based practices, in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, ) and improved overall outcomes for individuals receiving care.
Quality of life and emotional impact of a fixed‐dose combination of antihypertensive drugs in patients with uncontrolled hypertension
Authors: Schmieder Roland E. , Jumar Agnes , Fronk Eva‐Maria , Alexandre Ana‐Filipa , Bramlage Peter
Published: October 2016

Often considered to be a symptomless condition, hypertension can be associated with a significant emotional burden. To analyze changes of health‐related quality of life as well as the emotional burden questions regarding the impact of hypertension were incorporated into the noninterventional SeviTarget study. Comparisons were made between baseline and follow‐up findings, and between patients with treatment target achievement and those without. A total of 5831 patients were recruited. At baseline, only 33.3% of patients described their current state of health as good or excellent, while at follow‐up this value had risen to 75.8%. Responses regarding symptoms and limitations in activities and mental factors such as anxiety associated with treatment all improved during antihypertensive treatment. Changes to more optimistic responses were more likely for patients who achieved a target BP of <140/90 mm Hg. The study demonstrates that improvements in quality of life and the perceived emotional burden related to hypertension can be achieved with effective management of hypertension.
Annual report of the Women's Health Care Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2016
Authors: Takamatsu Kiyoshi , Kitawaki Jo
Published: October 2016

In order to improve women's quality of life, over the year leading up to June 2016, the Women's Health Care Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology focused upon: (i) breast management; (ii) influence of a therapy for gynecologic disease on physical condition; (iii) nonsurgical management of pelvic organ prolapse; (iv) survey of infectious diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Japan; (v) health care for female athletes; (vi) a training program for women's health‐care advisers; and (vii) revising the Japanese guideline on hormone‐replacement therapy. In order to publicize the activities of our committee widely, the detailed activities of the seven subcommittees are described in this report, which is based on the Japanese version of the annual report (Acta Obst Gynaec Jpn 2016; 68 (6): 1404–1416).
They Should Say “I Don't”: Norms About Midpregnancy Marriage and Job Loss
Authors: Gassman‐Pines Anna , Gibson‐Davis Christina M. , Vernot Corey , Butler Maggie , Hall Natalie , Taylor Lauren , Eastwood Katherine , Zhang Xinri
Published: October 2016

This study examined effects of local economic conditions on individuals' attitudes toward midpregnancy marriages using an experimental vignette method. Adults (N = 460) were each shown two vignettes about a hypothetical couple expecting a baby; within each vignette pair, vignettes randomly varied as to whether the couple lived in a community that had recently experienced job losses or had stable employment. Respondents indicated if the couple should and will get married before the baby's birth. Results showed that worse local economic conditions led people to believe that marriage would be less common. Among more socioeconomically disadvantaged respondents, if the hypothetical couple lived in a community with job loss, fewer respondents also thought that the couple should marry. In contrast, among more socioeconomically advantaged respondents, slightly more respondents thought that the couple should marry. When economic conditions worsen, low‐socioeconomic‐status individuals may believe that financial prerequisites for marriage become harder to meet.
Immunoregulatory effects of 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(5-amino-3-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide (06K) in non-immunized and SRBC-immunized mice
Authors: Drynda Angelika , Obmińska-Mrukowicz Bożena , Zaczyńska Ewa , Zimecki Michał , Ryng Stanisław , Mączyński Marcin
Published: October 2016

Objectives

Immunoregulatory properties of 06K derivative (4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(5-amino-3-methylisoxazole-4-carbonyl)-thiosemicarbazide) in mouse in vivo models were investigated.

Methods

Several in vivo models were used: humoral and cellular immune response, carrageenan inflammatory reaction and determination of lymphocyte subsets in non-immunized mice.

Key findings

The compound administered before or after immunization with sheep erythrocytes (sheep red blood cell (SRBC)) elevated the number of plaque-forming cells (PFC), and this effect was stronger at lower doses. Although total haemagglutinin titres to SRBC decreased upon postimmunization treatment, IgG titre increased. In the model of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to ovalbumin (OVA), the compound, applied intraperitoneally before an eliciting dose of an antigen but not before immunization, inhibited the magnitude of a cutaneous reaction. Further, 06K significantly diminished carrageenan-induced foot pad inflammation when administered 1 h before carrageenan. The compound, administered intraperitoneally to naïve mice, elicited changes in weight, cell number in lymphoid organs and content of lymphocyte subsets, depending on the dose and number of applications. Phenotypic changes included increased turnover of thymocytes, changes in B-cell distribution in spleens and lymph nodes, increased percentage of CD8+ cells and regulatory CD4+CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells.

Conclusions

Immunoregulatory properties of 06K involve mobilization of lymphopoiesis and generation of regulatory T cells.
Effect of ball milling on the physicochemical properties of atorvastatin calcium sesquihydrate: the dissolution kinetic behaviours of milled amorphous solids
Authors: Kobayashi Makiko , Hattori Yusuke , Sasaki Tetsuo , Otsuka Makoto
Published: October 2016

Objectives

The purposes of this study were to clarify the amorphization by ball milling of atorvastatin calcium sesquihydrate (AT) and to analyse the change in dissolution kinetics.

Methods

The amorphous AT was prepared from crystal AT by ball milling and analysed in terms of the changes of its physicochemical properties by powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Moreover, to evaluate the usefulness of the amorphous form for pharmaceutical development, intrinsic solubility of the ground product was evaluated using a dissolution kinetic method.

Key findings

The XRD results indicated that crystalline AT was transformed into amorphous solids by more than 30-min milling. The thermal analysis result suggested that chemical potential of the ground AT are changed significantly by milling. The IR spectra of the AT showed the band shift from the amide group at 3406 cm−1 with an intermolecular hydrogen bond to a free amide group at 3365 cm−1 by milling. The dissolution of amorphous AT follows a dissolution kinetic model involving phase transformation.

Conclusions

The initial dissolution rate of the ground product increased with the increase in milling time to reflect the increase in the intrinsic solubility based on the amorphous state.
Improving the oral bioavailability of buprenorphine: an in-vivo proof of concept
Authors: Joshi Anand , Halquist Matthew , Konsoula Zacharoula , Liu Yongzhen , Jones J P , Heidbreder Christian , Gerk Phillip M
Published: October 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to improve the oral bioavailability of buprenorphine by inhibiting presystemic metabolism via the oral co-administration of ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ compounds, thus providing an orally administered drug product with less variability and comparable or higher exposure compared with the sublingual route.

Methods

The present studies were performed in Sprague Dawley rats following either intravenous or oral administration of buprenorphine/naloxone and oral co-administration of ‘Generally Recognized as Safe’ compounds referred to as ‘adjuvants’. Plasma samples were collected up to 22 h postdosing followed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis.

Key findings

The adjuvants increased Cmax (21 ± 16 ng/ml vs 75 ± 33 ng/ml; 3.6-fold) and AUC(0–22 h) (10.6 ± 8.11 μg min/ml vs 22.9 ± 11.7 μg min/ml; 2.2-fold) values of buprenorphine (control vs adjuvant-treated, respectively). The absolute oral bioavailability of buprenorphine doubled (from 1.24% to 2.68%) in the presence of the adjuvants.

Conclusions

One may suggest that the adjuvant treatment most likely inhibited the presystemic metabolic enzymes, thus decreasing the intestinal ‘first-pass effect’ on buprenorphine. Additional studies are now required to further explore the concept of inhibiting presystemic metabolism of buprenorphine by adjuvants to potentially increase the oral bioavailability of buprenorphine.
Prevalence of spinous process impingement in thoracic vertebrae on radiographs of clinically‐unaffected dogs
Authors: Thierry F. , Bradley K. , Warren‐Smith C.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To assess the prevalence of impinged spinous processes in asymptomatic dogs.

Methods

One hundred and ninety lateral thoracic radiographs of asymptomatic dogs radiographed for reasons other than spinal pain, were retrospectively reviewed by two board‐certified radiologists. Images were assessed for impinged spinous processes and graded for narrowing, sclerosis or remodelling of the spinous processes.

Results

The prevalence of impinged spinous processes in unaffected dogs was 33·2%. Seventy‐five of 79 (95%) lesions were located betweenT8andT11. Impingement of the spinous processes was more common in older dogs and larger dogs displayed more frequent and more severe impingement of the spinous processes compared with smaller breeds.

Clinical Significance

Spinous process impingement is common in animals with no history of spinal pain, indicating that this radiographic finding should be interpreted with caution.
Contretemps: Of Extinction and Romanticism
Authors: Khalip Jacques
Published: October 2016

This essay considers how extinction functions as a concept within romantic studies and as an inhuman dynamic inscribed in the concept of Romanticism itself. Beginning with an essay on Paul de Man and moving to analyses of Wordsworth and Clare alongside contemporary work by Dipesh Chakrabarty, it argues for the necessity of rethinking evolution and life in the context of the Anthropocene. How would romantic thought change once one thinks of lives that are not reducibly human? And what would be the status of such poetry?