bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamics of Droplet Impingement on a Thin Horizontal Wire
Authors: Zheng Jiayi , Wang Jing , Yu Yanshun , Chen Taotao
Published: October 2018

A model of droplet impacting on a thin horizontal wire is developed and numerically analyzed via level set method (LSM). Through varying the impact velocity, the flow regimes of droplet impacting on the wire are examined and analyzed. The detailed hydrodynamic behaviors including transient velocity and pressure distributions as well as the evolution of the gas-liquid interface during droplet impingement are investigated. The results indicate that the hanging mode, merging mode, and splitting mode appear during the droplet impingement on a thin horizontal wire. Inmerging mode, the tiny bubbles converge to big bubbles arising from the inertia difference between the liquid and the gas make. Due to the dynamic equilibrium between the friction of the thin wire and the droplet surface tension, the double reflux zone and the high-pressure zone are only observed in hanging mode rather than in merging mode and splitting mode. The flow regimes diagram depending onWeandBois provided to represent the flow regimes of droplet impacting on a thin horizontal wire. The corresponding exponential correlations are given in form ofWe=aebBoto distinguish the boundaries between these droplet flow regimes.
Innate Myeloid Cell Subset-Specific Gene Expression Patterns in the Human Colon are Altered in Crohn’s Disease Patients
Authors: Sekido Yuki , Yasumizu Yoshiaki , Nishimura Junichi , Kayama Hisako , Matsuno Hiroshi , Ogino Takayuki , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Takahashi Hidekazu , Haraguchi Naotsugu , Hata Taishi , Matsuda Chu , Doki Yuichiro , Mori Masaki , Takeda Kiyoshi , Ohkura Naganari , Sakaguchi Shimon , Mizushima Tsunekazu
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: There is a heterogeneous subset innate myeloid cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, in the human intestinal lamina propria. Several studies have demonstrated that these cells contribute to the maintenance of gut homeostasis through the induction of inflammatory responses and tolerance via cell type-specific mechanisms; whereas, disrupted innate immune responses are implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, the detailed mechanisms by which each innate myeloid subset regulates gut homeostasis and inflammation largely remain unknown. We aimed to clarify the comprehensive gene expression profiles of innate myeloid cell ­subsets in the lamina propria from normal human colons (NC) and the inflamed colon sites from patients with Crohn’s disease (CDi). Methods: We performed RNA-sequencing analysis and precise bioinformatics analysis on 3 innate myeloid cell subsets, CD14–CD11c–, CD14–CD11c+, and CD14+CD11c+CD163low cells from NC and CDi. Results: Transcriptional analysis of the 3 subsets from the NC showed distinct gene expression patterns and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed the associated innate myeloid subset-specific biological process (BP) terms. In addition, changes in gene expression patterns were observed in innate myeloid subsets from CDi. Furthermore, the core GO-BP terms for the genes upregulated in the innate myeloid cells from CDi were distinct from those found in NC. Conclusion: Our data identified the innate myeloid cell subset-specific transcriptomes and the associated enriched GO-BP terms in the NC and found these patterns were altered in CDi.
Survival Outcome of Alternative Medicine Treatment for Newly Diagnosed Acute Leukemia in Children
Authors: Chotsampancharoen Thirachit , Sripornsawan Pornpun , Duangchu Sarapee , Wongchanchailert Malai , McNeil Edward
Published: October 2018

Background: There is scarce information on the efficacy of alternative medicine (AM) alone as a treatment for newly diagnosed acute leukemia in children. We aimed to compare overall survival (OS) between children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia who received AM alone as the first-line treatment and those treated with conventional chemotherapy (CCT). Methods: Two-to-one nearest-neighbor propensity score-matching using sex, initial white blood cell count, phenotype of leukemia, and period of diagnosis was performed on 184 patients who received CCT and 92 who received AM alone after being diagnosed with leukemia. A multivariable Cox proportional-hazards regression model was then applied to assess the effect of treatment on OS after adjusting for potential confounders. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are provided. Results: After adjusting for initial white cell count and subtype of leukemia, children treated with AM alone had worse OS (HR 5.14, 95% CI 3.75–7.04) than those given CCT. The 5-year OS rate for newly diagnosed acute leukemia treated with AM medicine alone was 0%. Conclusion: AM without CCT is associated with poorer survival when compared with CCT.
An Informant-Based Simple Questionnaire for Language Assessment in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Authors: Lin Chi-Mo , Hung Guang-Uei , Wei Cheng-Yu , Tzeng Ray-Chang , Chiu Pai-Yi
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Language dysfunction is a crucial feature of brain disorders. This study investigated language dysfunction in patients with dementia with or without parkinsonism by using an informant-based simple questionnaire. Methods: Language dysfunction in normal controls (NCs), and patients with Parkinson disease (PD), Parkinson disease dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), or Alzheimer disease (AD) were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 1,662 individuals were studied: 285 NCs, 157 PD patients, 161 PDD patients, 248 DLB patients, and 811 AD patients. Patients with PD displayed higher frequency of language dysfunction in several language domains than NC. Patients with PDD and DLB showed higher frequency of language dysfunction in most of the language domains than those with AD. A composite score of our simple questionnaire was comparable with the score for the language domain of the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) in different stages of dementia due to Lewy body diseases or not. Conclusion: Our study showed that the informant-based simple questionnaire is a practical screening tool and is comparable with the language subscale of CASI. This tool can be applied in clinical practice and in the registration platform for rapid language dysfunction screening.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as an Intervention Tool to Recover from Language, Swallowing and Attentional Deficits after Stroke: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dionísio Ana , Duarte Isabel Catarina , Patrício Miguel , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: October 2018

Background: Following a stroke event, patients often are severely affected by disabilities that hinder their quality-of-life. There are currently several rehabilitative options and strategies, and it is crucial to find the most effective interventions. The applicability of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the recovery of nonmotor functions such as communication skills, swallowing ability and spatial attention after stroke remains important clinical questions. Summary: We searched PubMed and ISI Web of Science for articles that used repetitive TMS protocols to rehabilitate post-stroke deficits. We analysed qualitatively 38 articles that met the eligibility criteria; of these, 21 dealt with aphasia, 8 with dysphagia, 8 with neglect and 1 with visual extinction. The efficacy of TMS as an intervention for post-stroke rehabilitation of these nonmotor deficits was studied as well as the current limitations were assessed. Key Messages: Most part of the included studies reported statistically significant functional improvements, supporting the use of TMS for the rehabilitation of aphasia, dysphagia and neglect. Future research, with larger sample sizes, is mandatory to confirm its efficacy, determine the optimal stimulation parameters and investigate inter-subject variability.
The Making of the Good British Muslim
Authors: Püttmann Friedrich
Published: October 2018

This article investigates the meaning and political implications of the poppy hijab, a headscarf sporting British World War Remembrance poppies and intended to give British Muslims a new way of showing their social integration in public. Based on fieldwork with Muslims in London, I argue, however, that instead of furthering Muslims’ equitable inclusion in British society, the poppy hijab rather represents a Foucauldian “technology of the self” for them to prove that they are “good British Muslims”. As such, it reflects the unequal relations of power in society and may foster rather than lower general suspicion towards Muslims in Britain.
Hadrian’s Wall in Context: A Multi-Proxy Palaeoenvironmental Perspective from Lakes
Authors: Dark Petra
Published: October 2018

The Hadrian’s Wall area has more pollen sequences spanning Late Antiquity than any other part of the British Isles, but most are from peat bogs, posing problems of distinguishing between changes in the local wetland vegetation and events in the wider landscape. Here, an alternative perspective is offered by multi-proxy analyses of sediments from two lakes—Crag Lough and Grindon Lough—adjacent to the central sector of Hadrian’s Wall and the Stanegate, respectively. These demonstrate that at least the central sector of the Hadrianic frontier was constructed in a landscape already shaped by two millennia of woodland clearance, burning, farming and soil erosion. Roman military presence led to changes in agricultural and settlement patterns, but the overall impact, from an environmental perspective, was minor compared to that of prehistoric peoples. Roman withdrawal led to a relaxation in land use intensity, resulting in woodland regeneration on areas least favourable to agriculture, probably encouraged by climatic deterioration. The landscape, overall, remained predominantly open and agricultural, however, resembling that of the Late Iron Age. A multi-proxy multi-site approach offers the greatest prospect of understanding environmental and landscape changes connected with Roman military presence and withdrawal, and the varied spatial and temporal scales on which they occurred.
Environment, Climate and Society in Roman and Byzantine Butrint
Authors: Morellón Mario , Sinopoli Gaia , Izdebski Adam , Sadori Laura , Anselmetti Flavio , Hodges Richard , Regattieri Eleonora , Wagner Bernd , Brushulli Brunhilda , Ariztegui Daniel
Published: October 2018

A multiproxy analysis (sedimentology, geochemistry and pollen) of sediments recovered in the Butrint lagoon (Albania) allows us to reconstruct the environmental changes that occurred in the area during the 1st millenniumAD. In this paper, we compare these analytical results with the evidence provided by archaeological investigations carried out at the site of the Roman city of Butrint (surrounded by these lagoon waters) and in the city’s hinterlands. From this, we can say that different periods of farming and siltation (AD400–600 and 700–900) were accompanied by increased run-off and wetter conditions in the region. This coincided with the territorial and economic expansion of the Byzantine empire, suggesting the key role of trade in the profound land use changes experienced in Butrint.
Strobilanthes erecta (Acanthaceae), a newly recorded species from China and Vietnam
Authors: THANH SON NGUYEN , LIN ZHELI , NGUYEN SINH KHANG , DENG YUNFEI
Published: October 2018

Strobilanthes erecta C. B. Clarke is reported as a newly recorded species from Vietnam and China. Examination of type material revealed that Goldfussia laotica and Strobilanthes suborbicularis are conspecific with S. erecta. In addition, the pollen morphology, line drawing and distribution map of S. erecta are provided.
Climate Impacts from Afforestation and Deforestation in Europe
Authors: Strandberg G. , Kjellström E.
Published: October 2018

Changes in vegetation are known to have an impact on climate via biogeophysical effects such as changes in albedo and heat fluxes. Here, the effects of maximum afforestation and deforestation are studied over Europe. This is done by comparing three regional climate model simulations—one with present-day vegetation, one with maximum afforestation, and one with maximum deforestation. In general, afforestation leads to more evapotranspiration (ET), which leads to decreased near-surface temperature, whereas deforestation leads to less ET, which leads to increased temperature. There are exceptions, mainly in regions with little water available for ET. In such regions, changes in albedo are relatively more important for temperature. The simulated biogeophysical effect on seasonal mean temperature varies between 0.5° and 3°C across Europe. The effect on minimum and maximum temperature is larger than that on mean temperature. Increased (decreased) mean temperature is associated with an even larger increase (decrease) in maximum summer (minimum winter) temperature. The effect on precipitation is found to be small. Two additional simulations in which vegetation is changed in only one-half of the domain were also performed. These simulations show that the climatic effects from changed vegetation in Europe are local. The results imply that vegetation changes have had, and will have, a significant impact on local climate in Europe; the climatic response is comparable to climate change under RCP2.6. Therefore, effects from vegetation change should be taken into account when simulating past, present, and future climate for this region. The results also imply that vegetation changes could be used to mitigate local climate change.
Fidelity of the Observational/Reanalysis Datasets and Global Climate Models in Representation of Extreme Precipitation in East China
Authors: He Sicheng , Yang Jing , Bao Qing , Wang Lei , Wang Bin
Published: October 2018

Realistic reproduction of historical extreme precipitation has been challenging for both reanalysis and global climate model (GCM) simulations. This work assessed the fidelities of the combined gridded observational datasets, reanalysis datasets, and GCMs [CMIP5 and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Flexible Global Ocean–Atmospheric Land System Model–Finite-Volume Atmospheric Model, version 2 (FGOALS-f2)] in representing extreme precipitation over East China. The assessment used 552 stations’ rain gauge data as ground truth and focused on the probability distribution function of daily precipitation and spatial structure of extreme precipitation days. The TRMM observation displays similar rainfall intensity–frequency distributions as the stations. However, three combined gridded observational datasets, four reanalysis datasets, and most of the CMIP5 models cannot capture extreme precipitation exceeding 150 mm day−1, and all underestimate extreme precipitation frequency. The observed spatial distribution of extreme precipitation exhibits two maximum centers, located over the lower-middle reach of Yangtze River basin and the deep South China region, respectively. Combined gridded observations and JRA-55 capture these two centers, but ERA-Interim, MERRA, and CFSR and almost all CMIP5 models fail to capture them. The percentage of extreme rainfall in the total rainfall amount is generally underestimated by 25%–75% in all CMIP5 models. Higher-resolution models tend to have better performance, and physical parameterization may be crucial for simulating correct extreme precipitation. The performances are significantly improved in the newly released FGOALS-f2 as a result of increased resolution and a more realistic simulation of moisture and heating profiles. This work pinpoints the common biases in the combined gridded observational datasets and reanalysis datasets and helps to improve models’ simulation of extreme precipitation, which is critically important for reliable projection of future changes in extreme precipitation.
An Adaptive and Fully Automated Baseline Correction Method for Raman Spectroscopy Based on Morphological Operations and Mollification
Authors: Chen Hao , Xu Weiliang , Broderick Neil G.R.
Published: October 2018

Baseline drift is a commonly identified and severe problem in Raman spectra, especially for biological samples. The main cause of baseline drift in Raman spectroscopy is fluorescence generated within the sample. If left untreated, it will affect the following qualitative or quantitative analysis. In this paper, an adaptive and fully automated baseline estimation algorithm based on iteratively averaging morphological opening and closing operations is presented. The proposed method is able to deal with different shapes and amplitudes of baselines. It is tested on both simulated and experimental Raman spectra. Comparison of the proposed method with other morphology-based methods and a well-developed penalized least squares-based method is made. The results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method and its advantages—in terms of accuracy, adaptivity, and computing speed—over other algorithms. In general, this method can also be applied to other spectroscopic data or other types of one-dimensional data.
Injury Prevention Education in the Waiting Room of an Underserved Pediatric Primary Care Clinic
Authors: Habermehl Nikita , Diekroger Elizabeth , Lazebnik Rina , Kim Grace
Published: October 2018

Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of childhood mortality in the United States. Study aims included educating families about injury prevention and improving satisfaction with the waiting room experience. Two hundred caregivers with young children in the waiting room of an underserved pediatric primary care clinic participated in brief individual education sessions and received a toolkit containing small safety items and content highlighting age-appropriate safety topics. Participants completed 2 follow-up surveys, and most caregivers (94%) reported learning new information about injury prevention and thought that the intervention resulted in a better waiting room experience (91%). Of those who completed the 2-week follow-up survey (84%), 93.5% made changes at home and 42.7% bought new safety equipment. Injury prevention education can be effectively provided in the waiting room of a pediatric primary care clinic by improving reported caregiver safety knowledge and behaviors as well as satisfaction with the waiting room experience.
The investigation of the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of multi-layered nanocomposite materials from reduced graphene oxide-doped P(AN-VAc) nanofiber mats/PP spunbond
Authors: Tiyek İsmail , Yazıcı Mustafa , Alma Mehmet Hakkı , Karataş Şükrü
Published: October 2018

In this study, the production of an electromagnetic shielding material by doping reduced graphene oxide was aimed. Graphene oxide was produced from graphite through modified Hummer's method, and reduced graphene oxide was obtained by reducing graphene oxide. The reduced graphene oxide- doped poly(acrylonitrile-co-vinyl acetate) nanofiber mats were spun on the Polypropylene spunbond fabrics by a multi-needle electrospinning device at different lap numbers. Multi-layered surface samples of spunbond/nanofiber mats were obtained via calendaring process after overlapping in different layer numbers. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMSE) of these samples was measured in the range of 0.03–1.5 GHz according to ASTM D4935 standard. The effects of the numbers of laps and layers on the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of the mats were also investigated. It was found that electromagnetic shielding effectiveness is greatly affected by changing the numbers of laps and layers. Consequently, the highest electromagnetic shielding effectiveness value of 35.49 dB was obtained from the sample containing two layers of nanofiber mats, each of which consisted 50 laps of nanofibers.
Ready or Not: Examining Self-Reported Readiness for Behavior Change at Intake Assessment for Adults With an Eating Disorder
Authors: Hudson Chloe C. , Mac Neil Brad A.
Published: October 2018

We explored whether a single-item self-report measure (i.e., the Readiness Ruler) was an appropriate measure of treatment engagement in adult outpatients with eating disorders. In total, 108 women diagnosed with an eating disorder completed the Readiness Ruler and measures of symptom severity at intake to a hospital-based outpatient treatment program. Treatment engagement was operationalized as attendance to a minimum of one session of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment group, the number of CBT group sessions attended, and whether the participants dropped out of the CBT group prematurely. Results suggest that the Readiness Ruler was not associated with attending the CBT group. Among the participants who attended the program, the Readiness Ruler was not associated with the number of CBT group sessions attended or CBT group dropout. Higher Readiness Ruler score was associated with more severe symptomatology. In conclusion, the Readiness Ruler may not be a good predictor of CBT group treatment engagement for individuals with eating disorders and may instead be a proxy for symptom severity.
Experimental study on adsorbing of flue gas and its application in preventing spontaneous combustion of coal
Authors: Gao Fei , Deng Cun-Bao , Wang Xue-Feng , Li Xue-Ming , Dai Feng-Wei
Published: October 2018

We propose an experimental adsorption device, imitating the environment of a coal-mine goaf and the composition of the flue gas in Tashan Mine Power Plant. The characteristics of the coal adsorbing flue gas were studied with the atmospheric volumetric method. The factors affecting the seal of CO2 were analyzed and the effect of power plant flue gas on fire prevention in the goaf was investigated at normal temperature and pressure. It can be inferred from the experiment that N2, SO2, and H2O can also reduce CO2 adsorption capacity. The increase or decrease in pH can increase the adsorption capacity of CO2, which is apparently larger when the pH is decreasing than when the pH is increasing. The O2 adsorption capacity can evidently be reduced when the power plant flue gas is injected into the goaf. The activation energy of coal burned in air is greater than that of coal burned in flue gas, indicating that the use of power plant flue gas, with N2 and CO2 as the main components, to replace the traditional inert gas can not only save N2 generation cost, but also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, while the power plant flue gas can be adsorbed by coal.
Antipsychotic drug use and pneumonia: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dzahini O , Singh N , Taylor D , Haddad PM
Published: October 2018

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of antipsychotic exposure to the incidence and mortality of pneumonia.

Methods:

The design of this study involved meta-analysis of observational studies identified from electronic databases.

Results:

In total, 19 studies were included in the systematic review and 14 in the meta-analysis. Risk of pneumonia was increased by first-generation antipsychotics (risk ratio 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.34–2.15; five studies), second-generation antipsychotics (risk ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.55–2.41; six studies) and all antipsychotics (risk ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.60–2.10; seven studies) compared with no antipsychotic use. Pneumonia risk did not differ in seven studies comparing first-generation antipsychotics with second-generation antipsychotics (risk ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 0.85–1.35). Case fatality rate was not different in pneumonia cases associated with antipsychotic exposure versus cases without exposure (risk ratio 1.50; 95% confidence interval 0.76–2.96; two studies). All antipsychotics with data from ⩾2 studies allowing meta-analysis, were associated with a significantly increased pneumonia risk (i.e. haloperidol, olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone, quetiapine, zotepine).

Conclusion:

Exposure to both first-generation antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics is associated with an increased pneumonia risk. Clinicians need to be vigilant for the occurrence of pneumonia in patients commencing antipsychotics, especially those with other risk factors for pneumonia including older age, chronic respiratory disease, cerebrovascular disease, dysphagia and smoking.
Achievement goal motivation and cognitive strategies as predictors of musical creativity among secondary school music students
Authors: Mawang Lucy L. , Kigen Edward M. , Mutweleli Samuel M.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to (a) establish the relationships among achievement goal motivation, cognitive learning strategies, and musical creativity; (b) determine the best predictors of musical creativity among the study variables. Participants ( N = 201) were secondary school music students in Kenya. Two self-report measures, the Achievement Goal Questionnaire-Revised (AGQ-R) and Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) were used in data collection for the independent variables. Musical creativity was measured by a creative composition task and evaluated according to four dimensions of musical craftsmanship, syntax, originality and aesthetic sensitivity. The results showed that musical creativity was positively correlated with mastery-approach goal and deep processing learning strategy but negatively correlated with surface processing strategy, performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals. The best predictor of musical creativity was deep processing strategy, β = .45, p < .01, which accounted for approximately 26% of the variance in participants’ musical creativity, followed by mastery-approach goal, β = .27, p < .01, R2 =.09. The implication for music education is that music teachers should create conducive environments and adopt teaching strategies that nurture mastery-approach goal orientation and deep processing learning strategies to enhance musical creativity
Diagnostic and classification tools for chronic headache disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Potter Rachel , Probyn Katrin , Bernstein Celia , Pincus Tamar , Underwood Martin , Matharu Manjit
Published: October 2018

Background or aim

Despite guidelines and the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III beta) criteria, the diagnosis of common chronic headache disorders can be challenging for non-expert clinicians. The aim of the review was to identify headache classification tools that could be used by a non-expert clinician to classify common chronic disorders in primary care.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of studies validating diagnostic and classification headache tools published between Jan 1988 and June 2016 from key databases: MEDLINE, ASSIA, Embase, Web of Knowledge and PsycINFO. Quality assessment was assessed using items of the Quality of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2).

Results

The search identified 38 papers reporting the validation of 30 tools designed to diagnose, classify or screen for headache disorders; nine for multiple headache types, and 21 for one headache type only. We did not identify a tool validated in a primary care that can be used by a non-expert clinician to classify common chronic headache disorders and screen for primary headaches other than migraine and tension-type headache in primary care.

Conclusions

Despite the availability of many headache classification tools we propose the need for a tool that could support primary care clinicians in diagnosing and managing chronic headache disorders within primary care, and allow more targeted referral to headache specialists.
Patient Perception of Physicians and Medication Adherence Among Older Adults With Hypertension
Authors: Ward Lori M. , Thomas Joseph
Published: October 2018

Objective: To assess association between patient perception of physicians and adherence to antihypertensive medication among Medicare beneficiaries. Method: Logistic regression was used to assess association between the Patient Perception of Physicians Scale score and adherence to antihypertensive medication. The 2007 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data were used to create a 12-item patient perception of physician scale and 2008 Medicare Part D claims to assess adherence. Results: There were 2,510 beneficiaries included in the sample. The mean age was 76.4 years ( SD = ±6.88 years). Sixty-five percent of the sample was adherent in filling their antihypertensive medication. Beneficiaries with more favorable perceptions of their physician (scores 37 or higher) were more likely to be adherent to antihypertensive medications than beneficiaries with scores less than 37 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.341, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.101, 1.632], p = .0035). Discussion: These findings provide some evidence that patient perceptions of their physician are associated with adherence, and that the physician–patient relationship is an important factor.
Collagen triple helix repeat containing-1: a novel biomarker associated with disease activity in Systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Wu Q , Yang Q , Sun H
Published: October 2018

Objective

The objective of this article is to investigate whether the aberrant expression of collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (CTHRC1) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) could contribute to the pathogenesis of lupus.

Methods

We divided SLE patients into active groups (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score ≥ 6) and inactive groups (SLEDAI score < 6). Serum concentrations of CTHRC1, interferon alpha, interleukin (IL)-28A and IL-28B were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a group of 40 patients with SLE. Results were compared with those from 23 healthy controls.

Results

Serum CTHRC1 protein levels were higher in patients with SLE compared with healthy controls. Patients with active disease displayed higher CTHRC1 levels compared with those with inactive disease as well. There was a positive association between serum CTHRC1 levels and SLEDAI and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and a negative correlation with complement 3 and 4. Moreover, serum CTHRC1 levels were higher in SLE patients with arthritis and anemia compared with patients without the above-mentioned manifestations.

Conclusions

These findings indicate CTHRC1 probably plays an important part in the pathogenesis of SLE, and is positively associated with disease activity, while it also likely refers to the development of arthritis and anemia in SLE. Therefore, CTHRC1 may provide a novel research target and shed new light on the pathogenesis and therapy of SLE.
Age-Stereotype Internalization and Dissociation: Contradictory Processes or Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Authors: Weiss David , Kornadt Anna E.
Published: October 2018

There is overwhelming evidence that age stereotypes have systematic effects on older adults’ development. Regarding the direction of these effects, two seemingly opposing phenomena can be observed. On the one hand, it has been shown that older adults engage in self-stereotyping and assimilate their self-views and behavior to commonly held age stereotypes, a process described as stereotype internalization. On the other hand, there is considerable evidence for age-group dissociation, showing that when confronted with negative age stereotypes, older adults tend to distance and dissociate themselves from this negative stereotype. In addition to reviewing evidence for both processes and their respective adaptivity, we propose an integrated model of age-stereotype internalization and dissociation to explain when and why older adults internalize or dissociate from negative age stereotypes.
Lifestyle changes associated with participation in colorectal cancer screening: Prospective data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Stevens Claire , Smith Samuel G , Vrinten Charlotte , Waller Jo , Beeken Rebecca J
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Population-based cancer screening has been described as a teachable moment for behaviour change. This research examined the effect of faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) participation on smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.

Setting

Data were from screening-naïve men within the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, receiving their first FOBT invitation (n = 774). Four waves of data were included in analyses (wave 4, 2008/2009 – wave 7, 2014/2015). Baseline data were from the wave prior to FOBT invitation, and follow-up data were from the next consecutive wave (two years later).

Methods

The effects of FOBT participation, time and group-by-time interactions on health behaviours were investigated using generalised estimating equations. Almost two-thirds of the sample (62.5%; n = 484) had participated in FOBT.

Results

Screening participants were less likely to smoke (odds ratio (OR): 0.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29–0.68) and more likely to meet fruit and vegetable consumption guidelines (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.14–2.55). Smoking decreased over time (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62–0.89), but adherence to alcohol guidelines also decreased (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53–0.91). A group-by-time interaction was found for vigorous physical activity; the odds of taking part in vigorous physical activity increased for FOBT participants, but decreased for non-participants (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01–1.95).

Conclusions

This research provides tentative support for FOBT as a teachable moment for increasing vigorous physical activity. However, overall, there was limited evidence for spontaneous improvement in multiple health behaviours following participation.
Associations Between Fathers’ Work-to-Family Spillover and Their Ways to Track Children’s Whereabouts and Doings: A Hong Kong Study
Authors: Wong Wai-lap Lance
Published: October 2018

Utilizing a Hong Kong Chinese sample, this study examined how fathers’ negative work-to-family spillover was associated with their behaviors in monitoring their children’s daily doings. In total, 125 fathers with a focal child at fifth or sixth grade were invited to complete a survey. Results revealed that work spillover was negatively associated with child self-disclosure, father solicitation, and father listening and observing children, and the associations for child self-disclosure and father solicitation were mediated by father–child relations. A marginally significant positive association between work spillover and getting information from spouse was also found. The results suggest that work stress poses difficulty to fathers in directly monitoring their children and pushes them to rely on mothers as the source of knowledge.
Healthcare, Health, and Income
Authors: Orentlicher David
Published: October 2018

The medicalization model of poverty leads us to devote considerable resources to treating the healthcare problems caused by poverty while neglecting the root cause of those problems — the poverty itself. Treating symptoms rather than causes is far less effective than treating causes. When correctly understood, poverty is a major public health problem that needs to be addressed directly with effective anti-poverty programs. Only then can we properly serve the healthcare needs of the poor.
Medicalization of Rural Poverty: Challenges for Access
Authors: Weeks Elizabeth
Published: October 2018

This article provides a broad survey of issues facing rural communities and suggests that medicalization of poverty concepts and interventions need to be tailored to those populations. Rural poverty may be both broader and deeper than in urban areas. Those challenges seem to produce a constellation of health conditions, as rural residents struggle with unemployment and lack of opportunities. Relatedly, rural communities struggle to maintain financially viable hospitals and specialty providers. The article closes by offering a snapshot of rural-specific strategies to address these issues.
Situated Prevention: Framing the “New Dementia”
Authors: Leibing Annette
Published: October 2018

This article is about the recent and profound changes in the conceptualization of dementia, especially the turn towards prevention. The main argument is that more attention needs to be paid to “situated prevention” — the framing of internationally circulating data on the “new dementia” in different contexts. After introducing some of the more problematic issues related to the “new dementia,” a first comparison of major preventive clinical trials in Europe and in North America will be provided. The major insight stemming from situating the global message of preventing dementia is recognition of the responsibility researchers and policy makers bear with respect to the implicit and potential moral narratives in emerging scientific landscapes.
Fiscal Decentralization, Budget Discipline, and Local Finance Reform in Russia’s Regions
Authors: Alexeev Michael , Avxentyev Nikolay , Mamedov Arseny , Sinelnikov-Murylev Sergey G.
Published: October 2018

Using a panel of Russian regions, we estimate the link between intraregional fiscal decentralization and regional budget deficits. Although Russia’s regions are not as autonomous (either politically or fiscally) as regions in some other federal states, we obtain robust and statistically and economically significant results. Specifically, expenditure decentralization has a positive effect on consolidated regional budget balances, while transfer dependence of municipalities is associated with higher deficits. The impact of revenue decentralization depends on whether a regional government can use its tax revenue assignments with the same high degree of discretion that generally characterizes explicit fiscal transfers. We show that a 2009 local finance reform that limited the discretion of regional governments to assign regional tax revenue to municipalities has changed the effect of tax decentralization on budget discipline.
Prediction of Target Genes and Pathways Associated With Cetuximab Insensitivity in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yu Chaoran , Hong Hiju , Lu Jiaoyang , Zhao Xuan , Hu Wenjun , Zhang Sen , Zong Yaping , Mao Zhihai , Li Jianwen , Wang Mingliang , Feng Bo , Sun Jing , Zheng Minhua
Published: October 2018

Background:

Cetuximab has been regularly added to the treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer worldwide. However, due to its therapeutic insensitivity and underlying mechanisms being largely unknown, the clinical implementation of cetuximab in colorectal cancer remains limited.

Methods:

The gene expression profile GSE56386 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified between cetuximab-responsive patients and nonresponders, annotated by gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis, and further analyzed by protein–protein interaction networks. The integrative prognostic analysis was based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and PrognoScan.

Results:

1350 differentially expressed genes were identified with 298 upregulated and 1052 downregulated. Epidermis development, the cornified envelope, calcium ion binding, and amoebiasis were enriched in upregulated genes while digestion, the apical part of the cell, the 3′,5′-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity and pancreatic secretion were found enriched in downregulated genes. The top 10 hub genes were identified, including epithermal growth factor, G-protein subunit β 5, G-protein subunit γ 4, fibroblast growth factor 2, B-cell lymphoma protein 2, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β, KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase, adenylate cyclase 4, neuropeptide Y, and neurotensin. The hub genes exhibited distinct correlations in cetuximab-treated and untreated genomic profiles (GSE56386, GSE5851 and GSE82236). The highest correlation was found between B-cell lymphoma protein 2 and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β in GSE56386. The mRNA expression of hub genes was further validated in the genomic profile GSE65021. Furthermore, B-cell lymphoma protein 2 and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β also exhibited highest degrees among the hub genes correlation networks based on The Cancer Genome Atlas. Both B-cell lymphoma and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase β were not independent prognostic factors for colorectal cancer in univariate and multivariate Cox analysis. However, integrative survival analysis indicated that B-cell lymphoma protein 2 was associated with favorable prognosis (hazard ratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval, 0.30-0.95, P = .024).

Discussion:

This in silico analysis provided a feasible and reliable strategy for systematic exploration of insightful target genes, pathways and mechanisms underlying the cetuximab insensitivity in colorectal cancer. B-cell lymphoma protein 2 was associated with favorable prognosis.
Career choice motives of early childhood educators: A cross-country comparison of four European countries
Authors: Weiss Sabine , Syring Marcus , Keller-Schneider Manuela , Hellstén Meeri , Kiel Ewald
Published: October 2018

The present study compares career choice motives of future early childhood educators studying for a tertiary qualification. Suitable analyses of this kind are still missing. Diverging training systems, traditions and professional images in the different countries are related to certain motives. These motives are categorised according to a theory that is used as a theoretical framework. The study takes into account 468 student teachers from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Romania and is methodologically based on variance analyses. Overall, intrinsic motives were found to be of greater significance. This applies equally to all countries. Furthermore, addressee-related motives are more pronounced among Swiss and German prospective early childhood educators than among those from Sweden or Romania. On the contrary, extrinsic motives have a stronger presence among Romanian student teachers. Income and prestige, as the only exceptions, are important for students from Sweden and Switzerland. The results are discussed referring to country-specific working conditions and the current status of professionalisation processes existing in problem areas.
Experiences and decision making during paediatric transitions to continuous sub-cutaneous insulin infusion (CSII): A mixed method study
Authors: Altmann Erika , Stirling Christine , Broad Liz
Published: October 2018

Objectives

We aimed to improve the decision quality and outcomes for families with children or adolescents with diabetes considering continuous sub-cutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

Methods

A mixed method study involved three focus groups with youth, parents and clinicians to provide experience information as background to the development of a decision aid (DA). A pre-test (T1) and post-test (T2) evaluation of the DA with a convenience sample of five families considering initiating CSII.

Results

The focus group data showed that families found the move to CSII to be generally empowering with adolescents engaging with the technology quickly, and that experiential information from others was important in the process. Participants increased their knowledge and decreased decisional conflict after using the DA from T1 to T2. Preferred option measurement indicated that at T1, three participants were ‘unsure’ and two participants’ preferred option was CSII. After exposure to the DA at T2, those who were previously unsure had a preferred option of CSII with a resulting five people with a preferred option of CSII.

Conclusions

The results from this study suggest that transitioning to CSII for paediatric and adolescent patients and their carers may be assisted by a DA and that participants felt empowered to a make decision regarding CSII when using the PANDANI DA. The quasi-experimental design without randomisation or control group was a study limitation caused by the small number of participants. Expanding this pilot research into a randomised control trial would decrease the threat to validity from other possible explanations for the improvement in decisional conflict, such as nurse educators.
The chemodiversity of paddy soil dissolved organic matter correlates with microbial community at continental scales
Authors: Li Hong-Yi , Wang Hang , Wang Hai-Tao , Xin Pei-Yong , Xu Xin-Hua , Ma Yun , Liu Wei-Ping , Teng Chang-Yun , Jiang Cheng-Liang , Lou Li-Ping , Arnold Wyatt , Cralle Lauren , Zhu Yong-Guan , Chu Jin-Fang , Gilbert Jack A , Zhang Zhi-Jian
Published: October 2018

Background

Paddy soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) represents a major hotspot for soil biogeochemistry, yet we know little about its chemodiversity let alone the microbial community that shapes it. Here, we leveraged ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, amplicon, and metagenomic sequencing to characterize the molecular distribution of DOM and the taxonomic and functional microbial diversity in paddy soils across China. We hypothesized that variances in microbial community significantly associate with changes in soil DOM molecular composition.

Results

We report that both microbial and DOM profiles revealed geographic patterns that were associated with variation in mean monthly precipitation, mean annual temperature, and pH. DOM molecular diversity was significantly correlated with microbial taxonomic diversity. An increase in DOM molecules categorized as peptides, carbohydrates, and unsaturated aliphatics, and a decrease in those belonging to polyphenolics and polycyclic aromatics, significantly correlated with proportional changes in some of the microbial taxa, such as Syntrophobacterales, Thermoleophilia, Geobacter, Spirochaeta, Gaiella, and Defluviicoccus. DOM composition was also associated with the relative abundances of the microbial metabolic pathways, such as anaerobic carbon fixation, glycolysis, lignolysis, fermentation, and methanogenesis.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates the continental-scale distribution of DOM is significantly correlated with the taxonomic profile and metabolic potential of the rice paddy microbiome. Abiotic factors that have a distinct effect on community structure can also influence the chemodiversity of DOM and vice versa. Deciphering these associations and the underlying mechanisms can precipitate understanding of the complex ecology of paddy soils, as well as help assess the effects of human activities on biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas emissions in paddy soils.
Online Communities as Sources of Peer Support for People Living With Cancer: A Commentary
Authors: Gupta Tanya , Schapira Lidia
Published: October 2018

Online communities are virtual spaces dedicated to hosting conversations between individuals with a common interest. Information can be shared and obtained incrementally, as users can periodically post both questions and responses to other users’ questions. Although online communities have been used frequently by patients for a myriad of health issues, much remains to be learned about these resources. In this commentary, we explore the emerging role of online communities as forums for information exchange and sources of support for patients with cancer and caregivers. We discuss selected examples of online communities launched by research institutions, advocacy groups, philanthropic organizations, start-ups, and novel enterprises featuring collaborations between industry, health care professionals, and advocates. We explore the risks and benefits of online communities as perceived by oncology clinicians and provide practical recommendations for improving communication between clinicians and patients about the use of online resources.