bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congruence between preferred and actual place of death according to the presence of malignant or non-malignant disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Billingham Matthew James , Billingham Sarah-Jane
Published: January 2013

Objectives

Achieving congruence between preferred and actual place of death is increasingly being used as a quantifiable indicator of the effectiveness of palliative care services. Current secular trends indicate a reversal of the institutionalisation of death, but this has been more pronounced in patients with malignant disease. As such, this study was conducted to evaluate whether the preservation of autonomy has been addressed equitably for cancer and non-cancer populations.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in line with recommendations from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. A comprehensive computerised search of 14 databases, supplemented by a manual review of the literature was performed for all peer-reviewed publications, from 1980 to the present, identifying rates of incongruence for cancer and/or non-cancer cohorts. Aggregation of outcomes was performed using a random effects model.

Results

A total of 26 articles were identified that met the search and inclusion criteria. A non-cancer diagnosis was found to significantly increase the incidence of incongruence with a weighted risk ratio of 1.23 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.49, p=0.04) and this disparity appears to have increased since 2004. A moderate degree of heterogeneity was noted (I2=62%).

Conclusions

These findings pose a significant challenge, as a ‘good’ death has been closely matched to achieving patients’ wishes, including preferred place of death. Despite increasing awareness that those dying from chronic non-malignant diseases have extensive palliative care needs, much is still to be done to preserve their autonomy and reduce powerlessness in the face of death.
Prehospital anaesthesia performed in a rural and suburban air ambulance service staffed by a physician and paramedic: a 16-month review of practice
Authors: Chesters Adam , Keefe Nadine , Mauger Jeremy , Lockey David
Published: January 2013

Introduction

This paper describes the first 16-months experience of prehospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in a rural and suburban helicopter-based doctor-paramedic service after the introduction of a standard operating procedure (SOP) already proven in an urban trauma environment.

Method

A retrospective database review of all missions between October 2010 and January 2012 was carried out. Any RSI or intubation carried out was included, regardless of age or indication. Patients who were intubated by Ambulance Service personnel prior to the arrival of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) team were excluded.

Results

The team was activated 1156 times and attended 763 cases. A total of 88 RSIs occurring within the study period were identified as having been carried out by the EAAA team and meeting inclusion criteria for review. There were no failed intubations that required a rescue surgical airway or the placement of a supraglottic airway device. For road traffic collisions (RTCs), the overall on-scene time for patients who required an RSI was 40 min (range 15–72 min). For all other trauma, the average on-scene time was 48 min (range 25–77 min), and for medical patients, the average time spent at scene was 41 min (range 15–94 min).

Conclusions

We have demonstrated the successful introduction of a prehospital care SOP, already tested in the urban trauma environment, to a rural and suburban air ambulance service operating a fulltime doctor-paramedic model. We have shown a zero failed intubation rate over 16 months of practice during which time over 750 missions were flown, with 11.5% of these resulting in an RSI.
INNER FLOW FIELD OF POOL MIXED BY THREE SUBMERSIBLE MIXERS
Authors: TIAN FEI , SHI WEIDONG , JIANG HUA
Published: January 2013

To study the agitating effect of submersible mixers in a square sewage treatment pool, the three-dimensional modeling Pro/E software was adopted to establish the physical model. The large-scale computational fluid dynamics software FLUENT6.3 was used, and the large-scale software ICEM was selected to build an unstructured tetrahedron grid of the sewage treatment pool. Next, the sewage treatment pool was numerically simulated by RNG k-ε turbulent model and move coordinate system technology. The macrofluid field and the flow field distribution of each section were analyzed to observe the efficiency of each submersible mixer. The average velocity of the fluid and the stirring volume were studied simultaneously. Results show that, under the action of three mixers, fluid of the sewage pool forms a continuous circulating water flow. The fluid is mixed adequately. The average velocity of fluid in the pool is at around 0.3 m/s, and the fluid mixing area in the pool is more than 90%, which is in agreement with the working requirements. Consequently, it can provide a reference basis for the practical engineering application of submersible mixers by using this method.
TOWARDS A MULTIMODE QUANTUM MEMORY FOR SINGLE PHOTONS
Authors: VEISSIER L. , NICOLAS A. , GINER L. , MAXEIN D. , SHEREMET A. S. , SCHERMAN M. , BURKS S. , LAURAT J. , GIACOBINO E.
Published: January 2013

In this paper, an optical memory based on an ensemble of cold Cesium atoms interacting with light in the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) regime is studied in view of spatially multimode quantum storage. The interfacing protocol involves a control field, generating EIT for the very weak field that carries the quantum signal to be stored and enabling its mapping into the collective hyperfine coherence of the cold atomic ensemble. For the demonstration of multimode storage, the signal pulse at the single photon level is prepared in a mode with (OAM), while the control field is in a TEM00 mode. After the writing process, the information is kept in the memory register. In the retrieval phase, the information is read back from atoms to light and we show that these pulses at the single photon level with OAM can be stored and retrieved with a preserved spatial phase and a good efficiency.
Frequency-specific adaptation in human auditory cortex depends on the spectral variance in the acoustic stimulation
Authors: Herrmann Björn , Henry Molly J. , Obleser Jonas
Published: January 2013

In auditory cortex, activation and subsequent adaptation is strongest for regions responding best to a stimulated tone frequency and less for regions responding best to other frequencies. Previous attempts to characterize the spread of neural adaptation in humans investigated the auditory cortex N1 component of the event-related potentials. Importantly, however, more recent studies in animals show that neural response properties are not independent of the stimulation context. To link these findings in animals to human scalp potentials, we investigated whether contextual factors of the acoustic stimulation, namely, spectral variance, affect the spread of neural adaptation. Electroencephalograms were recorded while human participants listened to random tone sequences varying in spectral variance (narrow vs. wide). Spread of adaptation was investigated by modeling single-trial neural adaptation and subsequent recovery based on the spectro-temporal stimulation history. Frequency-specific neural responses were largest on the N1 component, and the modeled neural adaptation indices were strongly predictive of trial-by-trial amplitude variations. Yet the spread of adaption varied depending on the spectral variance in the stimulation, such that adaptation spread was broadened for tone sequences with wide spectral variance. Thus the present findings reveal context-dependent auditory cortex adaptation and point toward a flexibly adjusting auditory system that changes its response properties with the spectral requirements of the acoustic environment.
Caspase-Independent Cell Death Is Involved in the Negative Effect of EGF Receptor Inhibitors on Cisplatin in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Yamaguchi Hirohito , Hsu Jennifer L. , Chen Chun-Te , Wang Ying-Nai , Hsu Ming-Chuan , Chang Shih-Shin , Du Yi , Ko How-Wen , Herbst Roy , Hung Mien-Chie
Published: January 2013

Purpose: Results of multiple clinical trials suggest that EGF receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) exhibit negative effects on platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer with wild-type (WT) EGFR, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still uncertain. Studies that identify the mechanism of how TKIs negatively affect patients with WT EGFR are important for future development of effective strategies to target lung cancer. Thus, we returned to in vitro study to investigate and determine a possible explanation for this phenomenon.

Experimental Design: We investigated the effects of TKIs and cisplatin on caspase-independent cell death (CID) and the role of CID in the efficacy of each drug and the combination. Furthermore, we studied the mechanism by which EGFR signaling pathway is involved in CID. Finally, on the basis of the identified mechanism, we tested the combinational effects of cisplatin plus suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or erastin on CID.

Results: We found that gefitinib inhibited cisplatin-induced CID but not caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. In WT EGFR cells, gefitinib not only inhibited CID but also failed to induce apoptosis, therefore compromising the efficacy of cisplatin. Inhibition of EGFR-ERK/AKT by gefitinib activates FOXO3a, which in turn reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ROS-mediated CID. To overcome this, we showed that SAHA and erastin, the inducers of ROS-mediated CID, strongly enhanced the effect of cisplatin in WT EGFR cells.

Conclusion: TKI-mediated inhibition of CID plays an important role in the efficacy of chemotherapy. Moreover, FOXO3a is a key factor in the negative effects of TKI by eliminating cisplatin-induced ROS. Clin Cancer Res; 19(4); 845–54. ©2012 AACR.
Symptoms and clinical relevance: A dilemma for clinical trials on prevention of venous thromboembolism
Authors: Agnelli Giancarlo , Bounameaux Henri
Published: January 2013

The outcomes of thromboprophylactic trials have been debated for decades. Recently, the 9th edition of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) evidence-based clinical practice guidelines based their strong recommendations only on patient-important outcomes. Practically, symptoms were considered the crucial element. Consequently, studies that primarily aimed at reducing venographic thrombi were considered less pertinent than studies that focused on symptomatic thrombosis. In the present viewpoint, we challenge the argument that “symptomatic” and “clinically relevant” are interchangeable. In particular, the case is made that asymptomatic events may be clinically relevant and that asymptomatic venographically detected thrombosis is a clinically relevant surrogate outcome for fatal pulmonary embolism.
Familial risk of venous thromboembolism in first-, second- and third-degree relatives: a nationwide family study in Sweden
Authors: Ohlsson Henrik , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina , Zöller Bengt
Published: January 2013

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) clusters in families, but the familial risk of VTE has only been determined in first-degree relatives. This nationwide study aimed to determine the familial risk of VTE in first-, second- and third-degree relatives of affected individuals. The Swedish Multi-Generation Register was linked to Hospital Discharge Register data for the period 1987–2009. This was a case-cohort study. Odds ratios (ORs) for VTE were calculated for individuals whose relatives were hospitalised for VTE, as determined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and those whose relatives were unaffected by VTE. The familial OR for VTE was 2.49 in siblings (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40–2.58), 2.65 in children (2.50–2.80), 2.09 in parents (2.03–2.15), 1.52 in maternal half-siblings (1.26–1.85), 2.34 in paternal half-siblings (2.00–2.73), 1.69 in nieces/nephews (1.57–1.82), 1.47 in cousins (1.33–1.64), and 1.14 in spouses of individuals diagnosed with VTE (1.09–1.18). Familial clustering was stronger at young ages. The familial transmission was slightly stronger for males compared with females but was only significant for siblings 1.13 (1.05–1.22) and parents 1.11 (1.05–1.78) of probands. The present data showing an increased VTE risk among not only first-degree relatives but also second- and third-degree relatives indicate that the genetic component of the familial clustering of VTE is strong. Family history is a potentially useful genetic surrogate marker for clinical VTE risk assessment, even in second- and third degree-relatives.
Artificial burrows with basal chambers are preferred by pygmy bluetongue lizards, Tiliqua adelaidensis
Authors: Staugas Elijah J. , Fenner Aaron L. , Ebrahimi Mehregan , Bull C. Michael
Published: January 2013

Natural refuges are sometimes supplemented with artificial refuges to enhance populations of endangered species, or to improve the success of translocation and relocation programs. The design and structure of these artificial structures should incorporate key features of natural refuges. We aimed to improve the design of artificial burrows currently used in the conservation of the pygmy bluetongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, by comparing burrows with or without a basal chamber. We found that lizards chose burrows with chambers significantly more often, but that neither the size of the chamber, nor the substrate lining the chamber influenced the choice. Incorporating a basal chamber into the design of artificial burrows should provide more favourable artificial refuges for these lizards and should be incorporated into future conservation management programs.
Side Effects of Multiculturalism
Authors: Kauff Mathias , Asbrock Frank , Thörner Stefan , Wagner Ulrich
Published: January 2013

We studied the influence of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) on the relationship between a multicultural ideology and attitudes about ethnic diversity and immigrants. We hypothesized that a multicultural ideology poses a threat to authoritarian individuals, which leads to a decrease in positive diversity beliefs and an increase in prejudice toward immigrants. On the basis of representative survey-data from 23 European countries, we showed that the negative relationship between RWA and positive diversity beliefs was stronger the more a country engages in multiculturalism (Study 1). In addition, in two experiments we demonstrated that RWA moderated the relationship between a video promoting multiculturalism (Study 2) or a picture showing a multicultural group (Study 3) and attitudes toward immigrants and diversity. As expected, for high-RWAs, both stimuli led to an increase in prejudice. In Study 3, perceived threat mediated the relationship between a multicultural norm and prejudice for people high in RWA.
Developing and Leveraging Human Capital Resource to Promote Service Quality
Authors: Aryee Samuel , Walumbwa Fred O. , Seidu Emmanuel Y. M. , Otaye Lilian E.
Published: January 2013

Grounded in Vroom’s motivational framework of performance, we examine the interactive influence of collective human capital (ability) and aggregated service orientation (motivation) on the cross-level relationship between high-performance work systems (HPWS) and individual-level service quality. Results of hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) revealed that HPWS related to collective human capital and aggregated service orientation, which in turn related to individual-level service quality. Furthermore, both HLM and ordinary least squares regression analyses revealed a cross-level interaction effect of collective human capital and aggregated service orientation such that high levels of collective human capital and aggregated service orientation influence individual-level service quality.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in different ethnic groups in Turkey
Authors: Kumbasar Baki , Yenigun Mustafa , Ataoglu Hayriye Esra , Sar Fuat , Serez Kemal , Turker Tunga , Tamay Sebnem , Kutlu Mehmet , Seven Cemal , Ebil Samet Serkan , Temiz Levent Umit , Ergen Kadir , Kaptanogullari Ozlem Harmankaya , Kazancıoglu Rumayza
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in various ethnic groups in Istanbul, Turkey.

Methods

Study participants were aged ≥20 years. Risk factor components for metabolic syndrome were measured and its presence was determined in study participants.

Results

The study included 254 Greeks, 273 West Thracians, 275 East Turkistanis and 304 Armenians. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly different between groups (Greeks, 19.3%; West Thracians, 24.9%; East Turkistanis, 15.3%; Armenians, 20.4%), and increased with age in all groups. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were found mainly in Greeks (females, 64.5%; males, 61.6%) and West Thracians (females, 75.8%; males, 73.1%). Among East Turkistanis, HDL-C and triglyceride levels were significantly higher compared with the other ethnic groups. Hypertension was the most frequently encountered component of metabolic syndrome in East Turkistanis.

Conclusions

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied between ethnic groups living in the same geographical location. In Turkey, metabolic syndrome is common. It is important to determine differences between ethnic groups, as this will assist in identifying those at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Comparative analysis of a complement fixation assay and enzyme immunoassay to determine the seroprevalence of measles and varicella in a survey of healthcare workers
Authors: Shibata Hiroshi , Kumakura Shunichi , Isobe Takeshi , Hirose Masahiro , Ohe Miki , Nishimura Nobuhiro , Onoda Keiichi , Nagai Atsushi , Yamaguchi Shuhei
Published: January 2013

Objective

Seroprevalence surveys of healthcare workers for vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles and varicella, are essential for disease prevention and infection control programmes. The purpose of this study was to compare the complement fixation (CF) assay and an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against measles and varicella viruses in healthcare workers.

Methods

Antimeasles and antivaricella antibody titres were measured simultaneously in serum samples from healthcare workers employed at a Japanese university hospital, using the CF assay and an EIA.

Results

Serum samples were obtained from 898 healthcare workers. Seropositivity rates determined using the CF assay and EIA were 67.8% versus 94.0%, respectively, for measles, and 83.2% versus 97.6% for varicella. Compared with EIA, a nine- and 22-fold higher number of seronegative subjects was identified by the CF assay for measles and varicella, respectively.

Conclusion

Differences between the CF assay and EIA in detecting seronegative or seropositive healthcare workers for measles and varicella suggest that undertaking a seroprevalence survey using an EIA, rather than a CF assay, would more accurately determine susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases, in healthcare settings.
Improvement in collagen metabolism after 12 weeks’ cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Li Mingjiang , Zhou Yanli , Zhou Yongming , Babu Kamesh , Wang Yueling
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To investigate the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on collagen metabolism biomarkers and their relationship to cardiac function, in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).

Methods

Serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of MMP-9 (TIMP-1), carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) were quantified before and after 12 weeks’ treatment, in patients with ICM receiving CRT and standard medical therapy (CRT group) or standard medical therapy alone (non-CRT group), and in controls. Cardiac function was measured echocardiographically.

Results

MMP-9, TIMP-1, ICTP and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly higher, and the PICP/ICTP ratio significantly lower, in patients with ICM ( n = 27) compared with controls ( n = 20). After 12 weeks’ treatment, MMP-9, TIMP-1, ICTP and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were significantly higher, and the PICP/ICTP ratio significantly lower, in the non-CRT group ( n = 15) compared with the CRT group ( n = 12). The PICP/ICTP ratio correlated positively with TIMP-1 and negatively with MMP-9. The early/atrial ratio and left ventricular ejection fraction correlated positively and negatively, respectively, with the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. Echocardiographic measurements of cardiac function were significantly worse in patients with ICM compared with controls and improved significantly after treatment in the CRT group.

Conclusions

In ICM, collagen degradation biomarkers were elevated and correlated positively with cardiac function. CRT partially reversed the deterioration in collagen metabolism and enhanced cardiac function.
Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance – current knowledge and future perspectives
Authors: Guan Xizhou , Xue Xinying , Liu Yuxia , Wang Jing , Wang Yong , Wang Jianxin , Wang Kaifei , Jiang Hong , Zhang Lina , Yang Bing , Wang N , Pan Lei
Published: January 2013

Quinolones are a group of antimicrobial agents that were serendipitously discovered as byproducts of the synthesis of chloroquine. Chemical modifications, such as the addition of fluorine or piperazine, resulted in the synthesis of third- and fourth-generation fluoroquinolones, with broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions against aerobic or anaerobic, Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The efficacy and consequent widespread use of quinolones and fluoroquinolones has led to a steady global increase in resistance, mediated via gene mutations, alterations in efflux or cell membranes and plasmid-conferred resistance. The first plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance gene, qnrA1, was detected in 1998. Since then, many other genes have been identified and the underlying mechanisms of resistance have been elucidated. This review provides an overview of quinolone resistance, with particular emphasis on plasmid-mediated resistance.
7,8-Dihydroxy coumarin promotes chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Shao Ying , Lin Quan , Liu Haipeng , Zhang Duo
Published: January 2013

Objective

To investigate the effects of 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin on the chondrogenic differentiation of rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs).

Methods

ADMSCs were cultured using a micromass suspension method and incubated with different concentrations of 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 for 3 weeks: group A (negative control, no drug treatment); group B (positive control, 10 ng/ml TGF-β1); groups C, D and E (incubated with 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin, respectively); groups F, G and H (incubated with 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin, respectively, plus 10 ng/ml TGF-β1). Markers of chondrogenic differentiation were measured using histology, immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

Results

When used alone, 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin only weakly induced the chondrogenic differentiation of ADMSCs. 7,8-Dihydroxy coumarin used in combination with TGF-β1 strongly induced chondrogenic differentiation of ADMSCs. For some of the markers of chondrogenic differentiation, the extent of the induction was 7,8-dihydroxy coumarin dose-dependent.

Conclusions

7,8-Dihydroxy coumarin appears to work synergistically with TGF-β1 to strongly induce chondrogenic differentiation of rat-derived ADMSCs.
Heavy metals accumulation in crab and shrimps from Pulicat lake, north Chennai coastal region, southeast coast of India
Authors: Batvari B Prabhu Dass , Sivakumar S , Shanthi K , Lee Kui-Jae , Oh Byung-Taek , Krishnamoorthy RR , Kamala-Kannan Seralathan
Published: January 2013

The accumulation of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) was examined in crab ( Scylla serrata) and shrimps ( Penaeus semisulcatus, Penaeus indicus, and Penaeus monodon) collected from Pulicat lake that receives effluents from industries located in north Chennai, southeast coast of India. The results showed limited difference between crab and prawns as well as significant variations between the organs. Pb is the highly accumulated metal in both crab and shrimps, except P. monodon. The highest metal concentration was mostly found in the liver followed by other organs. The concentration of metals in edible parts (muscle) was within the permissible level and safe for consumption. However, the results of the study clearly indicate the biomagnification of metals in Pulicat lake.
Wear in metal-on-metal total disc arthroplasty
Authors: Moghadas Parshia , Mahomed Aziza , Hukins David WL , Shepherd Duncan ET
Published: January 2013

The wear of a model metal-on-metal ball-and-socket total disc arthroplasty was measured in a simulator. The ball had a radius of 10 mm, and there was a radial clearance between ball and socket of 0.015 mm. The model was subjected to simultaneous flexion–extension, lateral bending, axial rotation (frequency: 1 Hz) and compression (frequency: 2 Hz, maximum load: 2 kN). Throughout the tests, the models were immersed in calf serum diluted to a concentration of 15 g protein per litre, at a controlled temperature of 37 °C. Tests were performed on three models. At regular intervals (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 million cycles), mass and surface roughness were determined; mass measurements were converted into the volume lost as a result of wear. All measurements were repeated six times. Wear occurred in two stages. In the first stage (duration about 1 million cycles), there was a linear wear rate of 2.01 ± 0.04 mm3 per million cycles; in the second stage, there was a linear wear rate of 0.76 ± 0.02 mm3 per million cycles. Surface roughness increased linearly in the first million cycles and then continued to increase linearly but more slowly.
Effect of simplifications of bone and components inclination on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication modeling of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis
Authors: Meng Qingen , Liu Feng , Fisher John , Jin Zhongmin
Published: January 2013

It is important to study the lubrication mechanism of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis in order to understand its overall tribological performance, thereby minimize the wear particles. Previous elastohydrodynamic lubrication studies of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis neglected the effects of the orientations of the cup and head. Simplified pelvic and femoral bone models were also adopted for the previous studies. These simplifications may lead to unrealistic predictions. For the first time, an elastohydrodynamic lubrication model was developed and solved for a full metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty. The effects of the orientations of components and the realistic bones on the lubrication performance of metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis were investigated by comparing the full model with simplified models. It was found that the orientation of the head played a very important role in the prediction of pressure distributions and film profiles of the metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis. The inclination of the hemispherical cup up to 45° had no appreciable effect on the lubrication performance of the metal-on-metal hip resurfacing prosthesis. Moreover, the combined effect of material properties and structures of bones was negligible. Future studies should focus on higher inclination angles, smaller coverage angle and microseparation related to the occurrences of edge loading.
Risk-Adjusted Resource Allocation
Authors: Chang Hsien-Yen , Bodycombe David P. , Huang Weng-Foung , Weiner Jonathan P.
Published: January 2013

Objectives. To determine if access to medical services differed by regions and to demonstrate the extent of the differences of adopting a claims-based risk-adjustment system versus a demographic model for regional resource allocation. Methods. The claims of a 1% random sample of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance enrollees (N = 173 175) in 2002 was used. The number of visits and morbidity-adjusted resource consumption were calculated individually then collapsed regionally. Regional expected resource allocation was compared with actual consumption. Results. After controlling for diagnosis-based health measures, the average numbers of visits were stable across regions. Two models were consistent in showing over- or underutilization; the overall difference between two models in resource allocation was 5.8% at the district level. We observed strong urban overutilization and rural underutilization. Conclusions. Access to medical services is similar across regions. The adoption of a diagnosis-based model over a demographic-adjusted budgeting method would affect resource allocation considerably.
The Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits
Authors: Berg Joanna M. , Lilienfeld Scott O. , Reddy Sheethal D. , Latzman Robert D. , Roose Annelore , Craighead Linda W. , Pace Thaddeus W. W. , Raison Charles L.
Published: January 2013

The Inventory of Callous and Unemotional Traits (ICU), developed to assess callous/unemotional (CU) traits, has recently experienced increased attention in light of the proposal to add a CU specifier to the conduct disorder diagnosis in DSM-5. In a sample of 70 at-risk adolescents (ages 13-17 years) in the foster care system who received a contemplative intervention program, the present study placed the ICU within a nomological network of correlates, including anxiety, depression, hopefulness, loneliness, and physiological measures of stress (e.g., cortisol). The findings offered some support for the ICU’s construct validity, including significant negative associations with measures of compassion toward others. Nevertheless, unexpected substantial positive correlations emerged with multiple measures of psychological distress, raising questions concerning other aspects of the ICU’s construct validity. Taken together, results of the current study suggest that rather than assessing a dearth of all major emotions as implied by its name and some previous descriptions, the ICU may be heavily saturated with negative emotionality and global maladjustment.
Fibroblast Growth Factors in Neurodevelopment and Psychopathology
Authors: Terwisscha van Scheltinga Afke F. , Bakker Steven C. , Kahn René S. , Kas Martien J. H.
Published: January 2013

In psychiatric disorders, the effect of genetic and environmental factors may converge on molecular pathways and brain circuits related to growth factor functioning. In this review, we describe how disturbances in fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors influence behavior by affecting brain development. Recently, several studies reported associations of members of the FGF family with psychiatric disorders. FGFs are key candidates to modulate the impact of environmental factors, such as stress. Mutant mice for FGF receptor 1 show schizophrenia-like behaviors that are related to general loss of neurons and postnatal glia dysfunction. Mice lacking FGF2, a FGFR1 ligand, show similar reductions in brain volume and hyperactivity, as well as increased anxiety behaviors. FGFR2 and FGF17 are involved in the development of frontal brain regions and impairments in cognitive and social behaviors, respectively. Moreover, treatment with FGF2 was beneficial for depressive and cognitive measures in several animal studies and one human study. These findings indicate the importance of the FGF system with respect to developing novel etiology-directed treatments for psychopathology.
Intramyocardial Injection of Heart Tissue-Derived Extracellular Matrix Improves Postinfarction Cardiac Function in Rats
Authors: Dai Wangde , Gerczuk Paul , Zhang Yuanyuan , Smith Leona , Kopyov Oleg , Kay Gregory L. , Jyrala Aarne J. , Kloner Robert A.
Published: January 2013

Aims:

We determined whether implantation of heart tissue-derived decellularized matrix, which contains native biochemical and structural matrix composition, could thicken the infarcted left ventricular (LV) wall and improve LV function in a rat myocardial infarction model.

Methods and Results:

Myocardial infarction was induced by left coronary ligation in Fischer rats. One week later, saline (75 μL, n = 17) or matrix (75 μL, n = 19) was directly injected into the infarcted area. At 6 weeks after injection, cardiac function was assessed by left ventriculogram, echocardiography, and Millar catheter. The hearts were pressure fixed to measure postmortem LV volume and processed for histology. Left ventriculogram demonstrated that LV ejection fraction (EF) was significantly greater in the matrix-treated (56.7% ± 1.4%) than in the saline-treated group (52.4% ± 1.5%; P = .043), and paradoxical LV systolic bulging was significantly reduced in the matrix-treated group (6.2% ± 1.6% of the LV circumference) compared to the saline-treated group (10.3% ± 1.3%; P = .048). Matrix implantation significantly increased the thickness of infarcted LV wall (0.602 ± 0.029 mm) compared to the saline-treated group (0.484 ± 0.03 mm; P = .0084). Infarct expansion index was significantly lower in the matrix-treated group (1.053 ± 0.051) than in the saline-treated group (1.382 ± 0.096, P = .0058). Blood vessel density and c-kit positive staining cells within the infarct area were comparable between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

Implantation of heart tissue-derived decellularized matrix thickens the LV infarcted wall, prevents paradoxical LV systolic bulging, and improves LV EF after myocardial infarction in rats. This benefit was not dependent on the enhanced angiogenesis or the recruitment of endogenous stem cells to the injury site.
The Time and Space of Materiality in Organizations and the Natural Environment
Authors: Bansal Pratima , Knox-Hayes Janelle
Published: January 2013

In this article, we argue that prior organizations research has contributed to the erosion of the natural environment by failing to discriminate physical materiality from sociomateriality. The time–space attributes of physical materiality are more immutable than sociomateriality, so the compression of time and space in and by organizations is disrupting the cycles of the natural environment. We illustrate this point through the example of carbon markets. The development of futures and other financial derivatives contributes to the compression of time, whereas the movement of capital worldwide contributes to the compression of space. This time–space compression disembodies financial instruments from their physical target, namely, carbon, leading to the distortion of the instrument’s “real” value and hampering carbon emissions reductions. We call for organizational theories that more fully account for physical materiality.
Are Physicians and Patients in Agreement? Exploring Dyadic Concordance
Authors: Coran Justin J. , Koropeckyj-Cox Tanya , Arnold Christa L.
Published: January 2013

Dyadic concordance in physician–patient interactions can be defined as the extent of agreement between physicians and patients in their perceptions of the clinical encounter. The current research specifically examined two types of concordance: informational concordance—the extent of agreement in physician and patient responses regarding patient information (education, self-rated health, pain); and interactional concordance—the extent of physician–patient agreement regarding the patient’s level of confidence and trust in the physician and the perceived quality of explanations concerning diagnosis and treatment. Using a convenience sample of physicians and patients ( N = 50 dyads), a paired survey method was tested, which measured and compared physician and patient reports to identify informational and interactional concordances. Factors potentially related to dyadic concordance were also measured, including demographic characteristics (patient race, gender, age, and education) and clinical factors (whether this was a first visit and physician specialty in family medicine or oncology). The paired survey showed informational discordances, as physicians tended to underestimate patients’ pain and overestimate patient education. Interactional discordances included overestimating patients’ understanding of diagnosis and treatment explanations and patients’ level of confidence and trust. Discordances were linked to patient dissatisfaction with physician listening, having unanswered questions, and feeling the physician had not spent enough time. The paired survey method effectively identified physician–patient discordances that may interfere with effective medical practice; this method may be used in various settings to identify potential areas of improvement in health communication and education.
Motivating Factors for Small and Midsized Businesses to Implement Worksite Health Promotion
Authors: Witt Laurel B. , Olsen Delane , Ablah Elizabeth
Published: January 2013

Objective. This study explores the decision-making process, including motivating factors, for small and midsized businesses in the Midwest to implement health promotion initiatives. Method. This a replication of a study conducted in the Pacific Northwest. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted with key informants from 12 Midwestern metropolitan employers with fewer than 1,000 employees. Informants were interviewed regarding their companies’ policies and practices around workplace health promotion programming adoption and valuation. Results. Workplace health promotion adoption at these small and midsized businesses was motivated by three goals: to lower health care costs, to address human relations objectives, and to improve productivity. Low upfront cost was the most frequently considered criterion in choosing which workplace health promotion program to offer. Barriers to implementation included lack of employee buy-in, prohibitive costs, and personnel or time constraints. Aids to implementation included employee buy-in and affordability. Conclusions. This study suggests that cost considerations predominate in the workplace health promotion decision-making process at small to midsized businesses. Furthermore, employee buy-in cannot be underestimated as a factor in successful program implementation or longevity. Employees, along with executives and human resources management, must be appropriately targeted by health promotion practitioners in workplace health promotion efforts.
The Remnants of Theocracy: The Puritans, the Jeremiad and the Contemporary Culture Wars
Authors: Kaveny M.Cathleen
Published: January 2013

In this commentary I investigate the roots of American exceptionalism in the Puritan conception of the special covenantal relationship of New England (and later, America) with God. I argue that the contemporary culture has maintained the Puritan idea of exceptionalism, while having forgotten some of the moral constraints upon personal and national conduct that accompanied that idea. For the Puritans, material and military prosperity followed from conformity to the moral requirements inscribed in their divine covenant with God. I argue that in the contemporary context, the direction is reversed: Culture warriors show their worthiness to impose their moral vision upon the country by defending the nation’s material and military prosperity.
Collisions of convergence
Authors: van den Bulck Hilde , Tambuyzer Sil
Published: January 2013

Taking the Flemish Public Service Broadcasting institution VRT’s news department as a case in point, this article analyses the impact of newsroom convergence and integration on perceptions of newsroom workers of their professional identity, the quality and professionalism of their work, and on the relationship between management and news workers. This was studied through a combination of in-depth interviews with key management figures and an online survey conducted with all VRT news workers, complemented by an analysis of relevant internal documents. Results point to certain tensions or collisions of convergence, all closely related to a clash between organizational and professional (medium- or programme-specific) culture: a collision between working for and identifying with separate cultural in-groups versus VRT News as a whole, between the impact of technological versus human factors and other contextual issues on the integration process, and between news managers and news workers.
To wish impossible things*
Authors: Micó Josep Lluís , Masip Pere , Domingo David
Published: January 2013

Research into current developments in newsrooms has paid a great deal of attention to convergence projects, focusing on emerging models of newswork and the attitudes of journalists towards change. This study proposes a longitudinal approach to the research of convergence, defined as a process where the outcomes are shaped by aspirations, power relationships and internal communications within a media corporation. The case of a European public broadcaster is evaluated through interviews performed over the span of five years. For the analysis of the discourses of journalists and managers, the article tries to build bridges between two traditions of innovation research: diffusion of innovations theory and actor-network theory. The proposed theoretical framework unveils the intricate and unpredictable nature of innovation processes in journalism. Results suggest that journalists’ evaluation of the relative advantage of convergence depends on their position in the network. In the case analysed, the complexity of groups within the media company, the historical distance between newsrooms, and power relationships complicated the compatibility of convergence with the organizational structure.
Role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: latest findings and interpretations
Authors: Sokolove Jeremy , Lepus Christin M.
Published: January 2013

Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been classified as a noninflammatory arthritis; however, the dichotomy between inflammatory and degenerative arthritis is becoming less clear with the recognition of a plethora of ongoing immune processes within the OA joint and synovium. Synovitis is defined as inflammation of the synovial membrane and is characteristic of classical inflammatory arthritidies. Increasingly recognized is the presence of synovitis in a significant proportion of patients with primary OA, and based on this observation, further studies have gone on to implicate joint inflammation and synovitis in the pathogenesis of OA. However, clinical OA is not one disease but a final common pathway secondary to many predisposing factors, most notably age, joint trauma, altered biomechanics, and obesity. How such biochemical and mechanical processes contribute to the progressive joint failure characteristic of OA is tightly linked to the interplay of joint damage, the immune response to perceived damage, and the subsequent state of chronic inflammation resulting in propagation and progression toward the phenotype recognized as clinical OA. This review will discuss a wide range of evolving data leading to our current hypotheses regarding the role of immune activation and inflammation in OA onset and progression. Although OA can affect any joint, most commonly the knee, hip, spine, and hands, this review will focus primarily on OA of the knee as this is the joint most well characterized by epidemiologic, imaging, and translational studies investigating the association of inflammation with OA.
Differential expression of major histocompatibility complex class I in developmental glioneuronal lesions
Authors: Prabowo Avanita S , Iyer Anand M , Anink Jasper J , Spliet Wim GM , van Rijen Peter C , Aronica Eleonora
Published: January 2013

Purpose

The expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) in the brain has received considerable interest not only because of its fundamental role in the immune system, but also for its non-immune functions in the context of activity-dependent brain development and plasticity.

Methods

In the present study we evaluated the expression and cellular pattern of MHC-I in focal glioneuronal lesions associated with intractable epilepsy. MHC-I expression was studied in epilepsy surgery cases with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD I,n= 6; FCD IIa,n= 6 and FCD IIb,n= 15), tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC, cortical tubers;n= 6) or ganglioglioma (GG;n= 15) using immunocytochemistry. Evaluation of T lymphocytes with granzyme-B+granules and albumin immunoreactivity was also performed.

Results

All lesions were characterized by MHC-I expression in blood vessels. Expression in both endothelial and microglial cells as well as in neurons (dysmorphic/dysplastic neurons) was observed in FCD II, TSC and GG cases. We observed perivascular and parenchymal T lymphocytes (CD8+, T-cytotoxic) with granzyme-B+granules in FCD IIb and TSC specimens. Albumin extravasation, with uptake in astrocytes, was observed in FCD IIb and GG cases.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a prominent upregulation of MHC-I as part of the immune response occurring in epileptogenic glioneuronal lesions. In particular, the induction of MHC-I in neuronal cells appears to be a feature of type II FCD, TSC and GG and may represent an important accompanying event of the immune response, associated with blood–brain barrier dysfunction, in these developmental lesions.
Protective effect of transparent film dressing on proton therapy induced skin reactions
Authors: Whaley Jonathan T , Kirk Maura , Cengel Keith , McDonough James , Bekelman Justin , Christodouleas John P
Published: January 2013

Objective

Proton therapy can result in clinically significant radiation dermatitis. In some clinical scenarios, such as lung or breast cancer, the risk of severe radiation dermatitis may limit beam arrangement and prescription doses. Patients undergoing proton therapy for prostate cancer commonly develop mild radiation dermatitis. Herein, we report the outcomes of two prostate cancer patients whose radiation dermatitis appears to have been substantially diminished by transparent film dressings (Beekley stickers).

Methods

This is a descriptive report of the skin toxicity observed in two patients undergoing proton therapy for prostate cancer at a single institution in 2011. A phantom dosimetric study was performed to evaluate the impact of a transparent film dressing on a beam’s spread out Bragg peak (SOBP).

Results

Two patients with low risk prostate cancer were treated with proton therapy to a total dose of 79.2Gy (RBE) in 1.8 Gy (RBE) fractions using two opposed lateral beams daily. Both patients had small circular (2.5 cm diameter) transparent adhesive markers placed on their skin to assist with daily alignment. Patient 1 had markers in place bilaterally for the entirety of treatment. Patient 2 had a marker in place for three weeks on one side and six weeks on the other. Over the course of therapy, both men developed typical Grade 1 radiation dermatitis (asymptomatic erythema) on their hips; however, in both patients, the erythema was substantially decreased beneath the markers. Patient 2 demonstrated less attenuation and thus greater erythema in the skin covered for three weeks compared to the skin covered for six weeks. The difference in skin changes between the covered and uncovered skin persisted for at least 1 month. A phantom study of double scattered beam SOBP with and without the marker in the beam path showed no gross dosimetric effect.

Conclusions

Transparent adhesive markers appear to have attenuated radiation dermatitis in these two patients without affecting the SOBP. One patient may have exhibited a dose–response effect. The reproducibility and underlying mechanisms are unclear. However, the potential to leverage this effect to improve proton-related radiation dermatitis in other clinical scenarios is intriguing. Exploratory animal studies are underway.