bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective External Validation of a Predictive Score for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications
Authors: Mazo Valentín , Sabaté Sergi , Canet Jaume , Gallart Lluís , de Abreu Marcelo Gama , Belda Javier , Langeron Olivier , Hoeft Andreas , Pelosi Paolo
Published: June 2014

Background:

No externally validated risk score for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) is currently available. The authors tested the generalizability of the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia risk score for PPCs in a large European cohort (Prospective Evaluation of a RIsk Score for postoperative pulmonary COmPlications in Europe).

Methods:

Sixty-three centers recruited 5,859 surgical patients receiving general, neuraxial, or plexus block anesthesia. The Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia factors (age, preoperative arterial oxygen saturation in air, acute respiratory infection during the previous month, preoperative anemia, upper abdominal or intrathoracic surgery, surgical duration, and emergency surgery) were recorded, along with PPC occurrence (respiratory infection or failure, bronchospasm, atelectasis, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or aspiration pneumonitis). Discrimination, calibration, and diagnostic accuracy measures of the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score’s performance were calculated for the Prospective Evaluation of a RIsk Score for postoperative pulmonary COmPlications in Europe cohort and three subsamples: Spain, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe.

Results:

The full Prospective Evaluation of a RIsk Score for postoperative pulmonary COmPlications in Europe data set included 5,099 patients; 725 PPCs were recorded for 404 patients (7.9%). The score’s discrimination was good: c-statistic (95% CI), 0.80 (0.78 to 0.82). Predicted versus observed PPC rates for low, intermediate, and high risk were 0.87 and 3.39% (score <26), 7.82 and 12.98% (≥26 and <45), and 38.13 and 38.01% (≥45), respectively; the positive likelihood ratio for a score of 45 or greater was 7.12 (5.93 to 8.56). The score performed best in the Western Europe subsample—c-statistic, 0.87 (0.83 to 0.90) and positive likelihood ratio, 11.56 (8.63 to 15.47)—and worst in the Eastern Europe subsample. The predicted (5.5%) and observed (5.7%) PPC rates were most similar in the Spain subsample.

Conclusions:

The Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score predicts three levels of PPC risk in hospitals outside the development setting. Performance differs between geographic areas.
Mutational analysis of dimeric linkers in peri- and cytoplasmic domains of histidine kinase DctB reveals their functional roles in signal transduction
Authors: Liu Jiwei , Yang Jianguo , Wen Jin , Yang Yun , Wei Xiaolu , Zhang Xiaodong , Wang Yi-Ping
Published: June 2014

Membrane-associated histidine kinases (HKs) in two-component systems respond to environmental stimuli by autophosphorylation and phospho-transfer. HK typically contains a periplasmic sensor domain that regulates the cytoplasmic kinase domain through a conserved cytoplasmic linker. How signal is transduced from the ligand-binding site across the membrane barrier remains unclear. Here, we analyse two linker regions of a typical HK, DctB. One region connects the first transmembrane helix with the periplasmic Per-ARNT-Sim domains, while the other one connects the second transmembrane helix with the cytoplasmic kinase domains. We identify a leucine residue in the first linker region to be essential for the signal transduction and for maintaining the delicate balance of the dimeric interface, which is key to its activities. We also show that the other linker, belonging to the S-helix coiled-coil family, plays essential roles in signal transduction inside the cell. Furthermore, by combining mutations with opposing activities in the two regions, we show that these two signalling transduction elements are integrated to produce a combined effect on the final activity of DctB.
Genetic diversity of circulating Saffold viruses in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Authors: Naeem Asif , Hosomi Takushi , Nishimura Yorihiro , Alam Muhammad Masroor , Oka Tomoichiro , Zaidi Syed Sohail Zahoor , Shimizu Hiroyuki
Published: June 2014

Human cardioviruses or Saffold viruses (SAFVs) of the familyPicornaviridaeare newly emerging viruses whose genetic and phenotypic diversity are poorly understood. We report here the full genome sequence of 11 SAFV genotypes from Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with a re-evaluation of their genetic diversity and recombination. We detected 88 SAFV from stool samples of 943 acute flaccid paralysis cases using reverse transcriptase-PCR targeting the 5′ untranslated region (UTR). Further characterization based on complete VP1 analysis revealed 71 SAFVs belonging to 11 genotypes, including three previously unidentified genotypes. SAFV showed high genetic diversity and recombination based on phylogenetic, pairwise distance distributions and recombination mapping analyses performed herein. Phylogenies based on non-structural and UTRs were highly incongruent indicating frequent recombination events among SAFVs. We improved the SAFV genotyping classification criteria by determining new VP1 thresholds based on the principles used for the classification of enteroviruses. For genotype assignment, we propose a threshold of 23 and 10 % divergence for VP1 nucleotide and amino acid sequences, respectively. Other members of the speciesTheilovirus, such as Thera virus and Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus, are difficult to classify in the same species as SAFV, because they are genetically distinct from SAFV, with 41–56 % aa pairwise distances. The new genetic information obtained in this study will improve our understanding of the evolution and classification of SAFV.
Untangling cross-frequency coupling in neuroscience
Authors: Aru Juhan , Aru Jaan , Priesemann Viola , Wibral Michael , Lana Luiz , Pipa Gordon , Singer Wolf , Vicente Raul
Published: June 2014

Cross-frequency coupling (CFC) has been proposed to coordinate neural dynamics across spatial and temporal scales. Despite its potential relevance for understanding healthy and pathological brain function, the standard CFC analysis and physiological interpretation come with fundamental problems. For example, apparent CFC can appear because of spectral correlations due to common non-stationarities that may arise in the total absence of interactions between neural frequency components. To provide a road map towards an improved mechanistic understanding of CFC, we organize the available and potential novel statistical/modeling approaches according to their biophysical interpretability. While we do not provide solutions for all the problems described, we provide a list of practical recommendations to avoid common errors and to enhance the interpretability of CFC analysis.

Highlights

Fundamental caveats and confounds in the methodology of assessing CFC are discussed.

Significant CFC can be observed without any underlying physiological coupling.

Non-stationarity of a time-series leads to spectral correlations interpreted as CFC.

We offer practical recommendations, which can relieve some of the current confounds.

Further theoretical and experimental work is needed to ground the CFC analysis.
A Tandem Cell for Nanopore-based DNA Sequencing with Exonuclease
Authors: Sampath G.
Published: June 2014

A tandem cell is proposed for DNA sequencing in which an exonuclease enzyme cleaves bases (mononucleotides) from a strand of DNA for identification inside a nanopore. It has two nanopores and three compartments with the structure [cis1, upstream nanopore (UNP),trans1 =cis2, downstream nanopore (DNP),trans2]. The exonuclease is attached to the exit side of UNP intrans1/cis2. A cleaved base cannot regress intocis1 because of the remaining DNA strand in UNP. A profiled electric field over DNP with positive and negative components slows down base translocation through DNP. The proposed structure is modeled with a Fokker-Planck equation and a piecewise solution presented. Results from the model indicate that with probability approaching 1 bases enter DNP in their natural order, are detected without any loss, and do not regress into DNP after progressing intotrans2. Sequencing efficiency with a tandem cell would then be determined solely by the level of discrimination among the base types inside DNP.
A simple hydrated salt with a complex hydrogen-bonding network: tetrakis(5-amino-3-carboxy-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium) hexachloridocadmate(II) tetrahydrate
Authors: Bouchene Rafika , Bouacida Sofiane , Berrah Fadila , Roisnel Thierry
Published: June 2014

In the title cadmium chloride salt, (C3H5N4O2)4[CdCl6]·4H2O, the asymmetric unit comprises two N-protonated 5-amino-3-carboxy-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium cations, half a [CdCl6]4−anion and two molecules of water. The Cd2+cation is located on a centre of inversion and is coordinated by six chloride anions, forming a distorted octahedron. In the crystal structure, alternating layers of cations and anions are arranged along the [101] direction, forming a three-dimensional supramolecular networkviaa combination of hydrogen-bonding and aromatic stacking interactions.
Commitment to life roles and work-family conflict among managers in a post-socialist country
Authors: Katja Mihelič Katarina
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to work-family literature by examining antecedents and outcomes of work-family and family-work conflict (FWC) in an under-researched post-socialist country. Building on the conservation of resources theory and identity theory, the conceptual model tests relationships among occupational and marital commitment, two types of work-family conflict (WFC) and FWC, and domain satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using a self-report survey filled out by married top and middle managers from Slovenia, a Central and Eastern European country. Hypotheses were tested with structural equation modelling.

Findings

– While occupational commitment was positively related to perceived time- and strain-based WFC, no support was found for the path between marital commitment and the two types of FWC. The results further reveal that although time- and strain-based FWC were related to career satisfaction, only time-based WFC was associated with marital satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– A cross-sectional research design and the validation of the model using a managerial sample limit generalizability. The study points to the relevance of the institutional and cultural context regarding interpretation of links between established concepts.

Originality/value

– The study advances knowledge concerning WFC and FWC in a country that has undergone a process of transition from a socialist regime to a free-market economy. It adopts an integrative perspective and encompasses managers’ professional, as well as personal domains. The study tests how theories developed with samples from traditional capitalist countries apply to post-socialist countries, characterized by disparate values, norms, and societal expectations.
Promote me or protect us? The framing of policy for collective good
Authors: Selena Krishen Anjala , Raschke Robyn , Kachroo Pushkin , LaTour Michael , Verma Pratik
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to identify the best marketing communications for policy messages that makes these messages acceptable and fair to the public. Within the context of the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax, this paper examines how framing messages through the alternative perspective of tribalism can increase individual support towards the corresponding policy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a mixed methods approach. Study 1 uses a qualitative content analysis process based on grounded theory to identify the themes that surround 331 public comments on a transportation policy. Study 2 follows with two 2x2 quantitative factorial experiments to test specific hypotheses.

Findings

– If messages are framed to address the collective losses of the political tribe for collective good, then they generate more favorable attitudes towards the policy, as opposed to the self-interest perspective.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper focuses on two political tribes: the collective good and self-interest. Additional research needs to address the other socially symbolic political tribes to develop the empirical research on the theory of tribalism.

Practical implications

– The marketing of public policy based on traditional segmentation is limiting. Policy messages can be more salient if they are framed for the political consumption of the socially symbolic tribe.

Originality/value

– A key contribution is that the paper is the first to use a mixed methods approach, with two studies that examine the effects of framing policy from a tribalism perspective.
Towards building a skill based society in India
Authors: Edakkandi Meethal Reji
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether public-private partnerships (PPPs) in skill building and employability training have or were able to contribute making quality skill training and employability services accessible at affordable prices to the poor as well as marginalized sections of the population in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a case study approach. The key sections of the paper review the existing vocational and skill building ecosystem in the country and the recent policy initiatives. The other sections of the paper describes the business model of Gram Tarang, highlighting their strategies of mobilization of candidates, training infrastructure, curriculum and key aspects of partnership with industry and employers, strategies for scaling up and sustainability.

Findings

– Review of past experience in skill building and employability training in the country suggests that neither the public nor the private training institutions have been able to deliver quality training that is responsive to industry demands. Gram Tarang provides an example of a PPP model that assists young people who are constrained by low-income levels, inadequate skills, irregular employment and absence of opportunities for training and development.

Practical implications

– The model has some significant features which include its approaches to mobilization of prospective candidates, sharing of programme costs, accredited curriculum, design and delivery of training programmes in consultation with its partners, constant dialogue and interface with its partner organization, mobilization of resources and scaling up through a hub and spoke model.

Originality/value

– This paper tries to fill the gaps in the literature on inclusive skill building and employability.
Influence of ageing treatment on microstructure, mechanical properties and adhesive wear behaviour of 6063 aluminium alloy
Authors: Büyükdoğan Serkan , Gündüz Süleyman , Türkmen Mustafa
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The paper aims to provide new observations about static strain ageing in aluminium (Al) alloys which are widely used in structural applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present work aims to provide theoretical and practical information to industries or researchers who may be interested in the effect of static strain ageing on mechanical properties of Al alloys. The data are sorted into the following sections: introduction, materials and experimental procedure, results and discussion and conclusions.

Findings

– Tensile strength, proof strength (0.2 per cent) and percentage elongation measurement were used to investigate the effect of strain ageing on the mechanical properties. Wear tests were performed by sliding the pin specimens, which were prepared from as-received, solution heat-treated, deformed and undeformed specimens after ageing, on high-speed tool steel (64 HRC). It is concluded that the variations in ageing time improved the strength and wear resistance of the 6063 Al alloy; however, a plastically deformed solution-treated alloy has higher strength and wear resistance than undeformed specimens for different ageing times at 180°C.

Practical implications

– A very useful source of information for industries using or planning to produce Al alloys.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils an identified resource need and offers practical help to the industries.
Ethical leadership, work engagement, and voice behavior
Authors: Cheng Jen-Wei , Chang Shu-Ching , Kuo Jyh-Huei , Cheung Yu-Ha
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to draw on ethical leadership and regulatory focus theory perspectives to examine the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between ethical leadership and voice behavior, and it addresses the moderating effect of promotion focus on the relationship between ethical leadership and work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a sample of 239 supervisor-subordinate dyads collected from a large economic research institution in northern Taiwan to test all hypotheses.

Findings

– The paper finds that ethical leadership facilitates subordinates to engage in their work and encourages subordinates to speak up. This study also reveals a positive relationship between ethical leadership and work engagement that is moderated by the subordinate's self-regulatory focus, which is driven by a focus on promotion.

Originality/value

– The paper extends ethical leadership theory by considering that work engagement serves as a cognitive motivational underpinning in support of the link between ethical leadership and voice behavior. The results provide new and deeper insights in explaining the impact of ethical leadership on voice behavior by strengthening the mediating role of work engagement.
Ethnographic study on the Harley Davidson culture and community
Authors: Corey Jeromy , Millage Phil
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– One of the most powerful and organizing methods in the world today revolves around the activities that individuals participate in and the subsequent interpersonal relationships that give people meaning in life. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Today's society longs to add meaning and identity to their lives in a variety of ways. A sense of belonging, or a sense of community, has proven very impactful on the lives of many and creates certain changes to an individual's mindset that relate to the specific subsets of culture and consumption to which they identify with.

Findings

– The authors find that Harley Davidson has a strong following in the USA and suggest that it might also have one in China.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the authors attempt to define and better categorize a subset of the Harley Davidson following, while studying the habits, relationships, and reasoning behind both the new motorcycle owners, and the veterans of the Harley Davidson way of life. The authors will also attempt to analyze the role relationships (spouse, significant other, and friends or relatives) play in the decision to join this niche subculture. Analyzing these potential and newly converted Harley Davidson customers to gain insight and understanding about the deciding social factors at play in choosing this brand over the others is a primary focus. In studying this unique subculture of consumption, the authors hope to better understand the development and rationale of new Harley Davidson riders and to measure certain personal levels of enjoyment on an individual or group setting, and to analyze the impact on ones social image before and after purchase.
Organizational justice and employee engagement
Authors: Ghosh Piyali , Rai Alka , Sinha Apsha
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore whether perceptions of distributive, procedural and interactional justice are related to employee engagement, as an extension of the antecedents-consequences model of Saks (2006), and to examine the possibility of inter-relationships between these three dimensions of justice.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 210 employees of public sector banks in India covered measures of job and organization engagement (OE) proposed by Saks (2006) and the scale on distributive, procedural and interactional justice developed by Niehoff and Moorman (1993). The relationships between justice perceptions and engagement were analysed using correlations and hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

– Results show that distributive, procedural and interactional are inter-related with each other. Further, distributive and interactional justice take precedence over procedural justice in determining job engagement, while distributive justice plays the most important role in determining OE, followed by procedural and interactional justice.

Practical implications

– By highlighting the inter-relationships among the three dimensions of justice, this study offers useful insights into the underlying processes through which job and OE can be improved through these inter-relationships. Findings also highlight the application of concepts like relative deprivation in Indian public sector banks to increase the engagement levels of their employees.

Originality/value

– This paper adds to the very small number of studies that have investigated the role of interactional justice in enhancing job and OEs. It has also established inter-relationships between the three dimensions of organizational justice and their individual roles in determining job and OEs.
Improving access to adult vaccination: a tool for healthy ageing
Authors: Scrutton Jonathan , Sinclair David , Walker Trinley
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how access to vaccination for older people in the UK can be both improved and used as a tool for healthy ageing.

Design/methodology/approach

– ILC-UK released a report “Adult Immunisation in the UK”, which applied a UK perspective to a 2013 Supporting Active Ageing Through Immunisation (SAATI) report on immunisation. The ILC report combined the SAATI findings with a traditional literature review, a policy review incorporating grey literature and the outcomes of a focus group discussion. This paper highlights the key findings of the ILC-UK report.

Findings

– Vaccination needs to be included as part of proactive strategies to promote healthy and active ageing. Initiatives need to be explored that increase the rate of delivery of vaccinations. Barriers to the vaccination of health and social care professionals working with older people need to be removed. The government should explore using psychological insights into human behaviour to improve the take-up of vaccinations amongst adults. The range of settings where older people can receive vaccination needs to be expanded. Information on the potential benefits of immunisation should be made readily available and easily accessible to older people.

Practical implications

– The paper calls for a structural shift in how vaccination services in the UK are organised.

Social implications

– The paper calls for a cultural shift in how society views immunisation and the role it has to play in the healthy ageing process.

Originality/value

– The paper uses new European research on immunisation and applies it to the UK's situation.
A novel TRPS1 mutation in a family with tricho‐rhino‐phalangeal syndrome type 1
Authors: Fujisawa Tomomi , Fukao Toshiyuki , Shimomura Yutaka , Seishima Mariko
Published: June 2014

Tricho‐rhino‐phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is an autosomal‐dominant disease characterized by sparse and slow‐growing scalp hair and craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities. We report here the case of two girls and their father who had TRPS type 1 and received a diagnosis of a new mutation of TRPS1 based on their clinical symptoms. Moreover, histological studies on skin samples obtained from one of the patients showed enhanced signal transducers and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 expression in the outer root sheath. However, TRPS1 protein expression was not reduced in the patient's follicles. These findings indicate that truncated TRPS1 protein from the mutant allele may be stably expressed in the patient's follicles and that enhanced STAT3 expression may be involved in the development of sparse and thin scalp hair in TRPS.
Phytoplankton succession affects the composition of Polynucleobacter subtypes in humic lakes
Authors: Paver Sara F. , Youngblut Nicholas D. , Whitaker Rachel J. , Kent Angela D.
Published: June 2014

Phytoplankton influence the composition of bacterial communities, but the taxonomic specificity of algal–bacterial interactions is unclear due to the aggregation of ecologically distinct bacterial populations by community characterization methods. Here we examine whether phytoplankton seasonal succession affects the composition of subtypes within the cosmopolitan freshwater bacterial genus Polynucleobacter. Changes in the composition of Polynucleobacter subtypes were characterized in samples collected weekly from May to August in 2003 and 2008 from three humic lakes using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting of the protein‐encoding cytochrome c oxidase ccoN gene. Changes in phytoplankton population abundances explained, on average, 30% of temporal variation in the composition of Polynucleobacter subtypes and the interaction between phytoplankton and the environment explained an additional 18% of temporal variation. The effect of phytoplankton on specific Polynucleobacter subtypes was experimentally confirmed by changes in Polynucleobacter subtype composition following incubation with different phytoplankton assemblages or a no‐phytoplankton control. Phytoplankton‐associated subtypes and differentiation in substrate use among subtypes likely contribute to the effects of phytoplankton on Polynucleobacter subtype composition. Interactions between unique Polynucleobacter populations and phytoplankton highlight the ecological significance and specificity of species interactions in freshwater communities.
Political Parties and Power: A New Framework for Analysis
Authors: Rye Danny
Published: June 2014

Political parties are both vehicles for the pursuit of power and specific sites in which it is produced, organised, fought over, captured and lost. However, the literature on parties has not kept up with theoretical developments and largely lacks an explicit, systematic theorisation of power. To address this, a framework of power is proposed in this article that introduces some of the more nuanced and sophisticated insights of political theory to the analysis of parties without dismissing the benefits of more established approaches. Power is approached as a rich, multilayered concept, derived from diverse intellectual traditions. The framework acts as a heuristic which encapsulates individual agency, the strategic mobilisation of rules and norms, rationalisation and bureaucracy, the constitution of agents and the micro-level discipline of bodies. This provides a more satisfying framework for analysing power in parties than has previously been offered.
Providing training in positive behavioural support and physical interventions for parents of children with autism and related behavioural difficulties
Authors: Preece David
Published: June 2014

Though professionals working with children on the autism spectrum who display challenging behaviour routinely receive training in the use of both positive behavioural support techniques and physical interventions, such training is rarely provided for the parents of these children. This article reports on the impact of training provided for family members associated with eight children aged 7–11 years who were associated with the same special school. Participants were surveyed before and after training, and at a 12‐week follow‐up session. Data were triangulated by interviewing staff providing and supporting the training. The results suggest that attending the training increased parents' confidence in understanding and managing the child's behaviour, and reduced the use of physical interventions. Positive factors associated with parent training are discussed, as well as challenges to its provision, and the cost and potential impact of providing training is compared with other models of support. Limitations of the study and areas for further research are identified.
Fair Trade
Authors: Richardson Martin , Stähler Frank
Published: June 2014

This paper analyses a setting in which a vertically integrated fair‐trade firm competes against vertically disintegrated, profit‐maximising oligopolists. Consumers of the fair‐trade product derive a ‘warm glow’ that depends on the wage paid to fair‐trade producers; the firm returns all surplus to its farmers. Trade integration will unambiguously increase the size of the fair‐trade firm, but the relative size compared to oligopolists may shrink. Furthermore, we show that the ‘warm glow’ effect may support a marginal expansion of the volume of fair trade, but for rather perverse reasons.
Prevalence and associated factors of obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes in Beijing, China 对中国北京住院2型糖尿病患者的阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停患病率的调查与相关因素分析
Authors: Zhang Rui , Guo Xiaohui , Guo Lixin , Lu Juming , Zhou Xianghai , Ji Linong
Published: June 2014

Background

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China.

Methods

Patients with T2DM who were hospitalized in four facilities in Beijing were invited to participate in the study. In all, 337 patients were enrolled consecutively, and 210 (62.3%) completed the study. Data from 472 patients in a non‐consecutive expanding study were analyzed for the association study. A portable monitoring device was used to detect the presence of OSA. The apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest level of oxygen saturation during the night were recorded to evaluate the severity of OSA. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for OSA for risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of OSA was 66.7%. The prevalence of moderate to severe OSA (AHI ≥15/h) was 20.0%. The multi‐adjusted OR (95% confidence interval) estimating OSA corresponding to a 1‐year increase in age was 1.06 (1.04, 1.08), whereas that to a 1‐kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI) was 1.18 (1.11, 1.26). The lowest oxygen saturation was associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and cerebral infarction; the multivariate adjusted OR (95% CI) corresponding to a 1% increase in lowest oxygen saturation were 0.95 (0.92, 0.99) and 0.97 (0.94, 0.99), respectively.

Conclusion

A high prevalence of OSA was observed in this sample of patients with T2DM in China. Age and BMI were associated with the presence of OSA. The lowest oxygen saturation was independently associated with the presence of PDR and cerebral infarction.
Mediating effects of forgiveness and emotion‐focused coping on post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms caused by physical injury and perceived threat
Authors: Bae Sung‐Man , Hyun Myoung‐Ho , Ra Young‐Sun
Published: June 2014

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model (including cognitive appraisal, coping strategy, and forgiveness variables) predicting post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 127 adults who were involved in traffic accidents.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient departments of three urban hospitals in South Korea. We utilized the path analysis to identify the best fitting model to our data.

Results

Path analysis showed that the baseline model compared with an alternative model was more appropriate for our data. Our results indicated that the severity of physical injury was directly related to the participants' perceived threat. The perceived threat had direct and indirect effects on PTSD symptoms through forgiveness and emotion‐focused coping strategies. One of the significant findings was that victims' forgiveness of the person at fault for the accident reduced their PTSD symptoms. The severity of physical injury was not related directly to PTSD symptoms.

Discussion

Our study demonstrates that victim's forgiveness of the person at fault in a traumatic situation can be useful in helping their recovery after trauma and the forgiveness process may be applied to traffic accident situations as well as other types of interpersonal trauma.
Determination of optimal vitamin D3 dosing regimens in HIV‐infected paediatric patients using a population pharmacokinetic approach
Authors: Foissac Frantz , Meyzer Candice , Frange Pierre , Chappuy Hélène , Benaboud Sihem , Bouazza Naïm , Friedlander Gérard , Souberbielle Jean‐Claude , Urien Saïk , Blanche Stéphane , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc
Published: June 2014

Aims

To investigate 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D] population pharmacokinetics in children and adolescents, to establish factors that influence 25(OH)D pharmacokinetics and to assess different vitamin D3 dosing schemes to reach sufficient 25(OH)D concentrations (>30 ng ml−1).

Methods

This monocentric prospective study included 91 young HIV‐infected patients aged 3 to 24 years. Patients received a 100 000 IU vitamin D3 supplementation. A total of 171 25(OH)D concentrations were used to perform a population pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results

At baseline 28% of patients had 25(OH)D concentrations below 10 ng ml−1, 69% between 10 and 30 ng ml−1 and 3% above 30 ng ml−1. 25(OH)D pharmacokinetics were best described by a one compartment model with an additional production parameter reflecting the input from diet and sun exposure. The effects of skin phototype and bodyweight were significant on 25(OH)D production before any supplementation. The basal level was 27% lower in non‐white skin phototype patients and was slightly decreased with bodyweight. No significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations were related to antiretroviral drugs. To obtain concentrations between 30 and 80 ng ml−1, patients with baseline concentrations between 10 and 30 ng ml−1 should receive 100 000 IU per 3 months. However, vitamin D deficient patients (<10 ng ml−1) would need an intensive phase of 100 000 IU per 2 weeks (two times) followed 2 weeks later by a maintenance phase of 100 000 IU per 3 months.

Conclusions

Skin phototype and bodyweight had an influence on the basal production of 25(OH)D. According to 25(OH)D baseline concentrations, dosing schemes to reach sufficient concentrations are proposed.
Applying an observational lens to identify parental behaviours associated with children's homework motivation
Authors: Pino‐Pasternak Deborah
Published: June 2014

Background

Extant research has traditionally associated children's achievement motivation with socio‐emotional parental behaviours such as demonstrations of affect, responsiveness, and the degree of parental control.

Aims

This study explored the extent to which parental socio‐emotional and instructional behaviours (including the contingency of instructional scaffolding) both related to children's mastery and performance tendencies towards homework‐like activities.

Sample

The study involved nine underachieving primary‐aged children and their parents, with four children showing predominantly mastery‐oriented behaviours in the homework context and five showing predominantly performance‐oriented behaviours.

Methods

An in‐depth observational analysis of video‐recorded parent–child interactions during four homework‐like sessions was carried out for each case. Socio‐emotional and instructional parental behaviours were coded and subjected to nonparametric quantitative analyses. Subsequently, thick descriptions of parent–child interactions were used to identify critical aspects of parental assistance.

Results

Moderate cognitive demand was associated with mastery orientation, while negative affect was related to performance orientation. As revealed quantitatively and qualitatively, socio‐emotional and instructional parental behaviours were also associated with each other, forming distinct profiles of parental behaviours related to children's homework motivation.

Conclusions

The findings support the idea that instructional parental behaviours are as important as socio‐emotional ones in the analysis of children's homework motivation. The value of observational methods in investigating the target variables is discussed.
Incidence of urethral stricture after bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate using TURis: results from a randomised trial
Authors: Komura Kazumasa , Inamoto Teruo , Takai Tomoaki , Uchimoto Taizo , Saito Kenkichi , Tanda Naoki , Minami Koichiro , Oide Rintaro , Uehara Hirofumi , Takahara Kiyoshi , Hirano Hajime , Nomi Hayahito , Kiyama Satoshi , Watsuji Toshikazu , Azuma Haruhito
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To assess whether bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B‐TURP) using the TURis® system has a similar level of efficacy and safety to that of the traditional monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (M‐TURP), and to evaluate the impact of the TURis system on postoperative urethral stricture rates over a 36‐month follow‐up period.

Patients and Methods

A total of 136 patients with benign prostatic obstruction were randomised to undergo either B‐TURP using the TURis system or conventional M‐TURP, and were regularly followed for 36 months after surgery. The primary endpoint was safety, which included the long‐term complication rates of postoperative urethral stricture. The secondary endpoint was the follow‐up measurement of efficacy.

Results

In peri‐operative findings, no patient in either treatment group presented with transurethral resection syndrome, and the decline in levels of haemoglobin and hematocrit were similar. The mean operation time was significantly extended in the TURis treatment group compared with the M‐TURP group (79.5 vs 68.6 min; P = 0.032) and postoperative clot retention was more likely to be seen after M‐TURP (P = 0.044). Similar efficacy findings were maintained throughout 36 months, but a significant difference in postoperative urethral stricture rates between groups was detected (6.6% in M‐TURP vs 19.0% in TURis; P = 0.022). After stratifying patients according to prostate volume, there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups with regard to urethral stricture rates in patients with a prostate volume ≤ 70 mL (3.8% in M‐TURP vs 3.8% in TURis), but in the TURis group there was a significantly higher urethral stricture rate compared with the M‐TURP group in patients with a prostate volume >70 mL (20% in TURis vs 2.2% in M‐TURP; P = 0.012). Furthermore, the mean operation time for TURis was significantly longer than for M‐TURP for the subgroup of patients with a prostate volume > 70 mL (99.6 vs 77.2 min; P = 0.011), but not for the subgroup of patients with a prostate volume ≤ 70 mL.

Conclusion

The TURis system seems to be as efficacious and safe as conventional M‐TURP except that there was a higher incidence of urethral stricture in patients with larger preoperative prostate volumes.
Targeting multiple cannabinoid anti‐tumour pathways with a resorcinol derivative leads to inhibition of advanced stages of breast cancer
Authors: Murase Ryuichi , Kawamura Rumi , Singer Eric , Pakdel Arash , Sarma Pranamee , Judkins Jonathon , Elwakeel Eiman , Dayal Sonali , Martinez‐Martinez Esther , Amere Mukkanti , Gujjar Ramesh , Mahadevan Anu , Desprez Pierre‐Yves , McAllister Sean D
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose

The psychoactive cannabinoid Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the non‐psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) can both reduce cancer progression, each through distinct anti‐tumour pathways. Our goal was to discover a compound that could efficiently target both cannabinoid anti‐tumour pathways.

Experimental Approach

To measure breast cancer cell proliferation/viability and invasion, MTT and Boyden chamber assays were used. Modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis was measured using dichlorodihydrofluorescein and annexin/propidium iodide, respectively, in combination with cell flow cytometry. Changes in protein levels were evaluated using Western analysis. Orthotopic and i.v. mouse models of breast cancer metastasis were used to test the activity of cannabinoids in vivo.

Key Results

CBD reduced breast cancer metastasis in advanced stages of the disease as the direct result of down‐regulating the transcriptional regulator Id1. However, this was associated with moderate increases in survival. We therefore screened for analogues that could co‐target cannabinoid anti‐tumour pathways (CBD‐ and THC‐associated) and discovered the compound O‐1663. This analogue inhibited Id1, produced a marked stimulation of ROS, up‐regulated autophagy and induced apoptosis. Of all the compounds tested, it was the most potent at inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion in culture and metastasis in vivo.

Conclusions and Implications

O‐1663 prolonged survival in advanced stages of breast cancer metastasis. Developing compounds that can simultaneously target multiple cannabinoid anti‐tumour pathways efficiently may provide a novel approach for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Vasorelaxant effects of novel Kv7.4 channel enhancers ML213 and NS15370
Authors: Jepps T A , Bentzen B H , Stott J B , Povstyan O V , Sivaloganathan K , Dalby‐Brown W , Greenwood I A
Published: June 2014

Background and Purpose

The KCNQ‐encoded voltage‐gated potassium channel family (Kv7.1‐Kv7.5) are established regulators of smooth muscle contractility, where Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 predominate. Various Kv7.2–7.5 channel enhancers have been developed that have been shown to cause a vasorelaxation in both rodent and human blood vessels. Recently, two novel Kv7 channel enhancers have been identified, ML213 and NS15370, that show increased potency, particularly on Kv7.4 channels. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of these novel enhancers in different rat blood vessels and compare them with Kv7 enhancers (S‐1, BMS204352, retigabine) described previously. We also sought to determine the binding sites of the new Kv7 enhancers.

Key Results

Both ML213 and NS15370 relaxed segments of rat thoracic aorta, renal artery and mesenteric artery in a concentration‐dependent manner. In the mesenteric artery ML213 and NS15370 displayed EC50s that were far lower than other Kv7 enhancers tested. Current‐clamp experiments revealed that both novel enhancers, at low concentrations, caused significant hyperpolarization in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells. In addition, we determined that the stimulatory effect of these enhancers relied on a tryptophan residue located in the S5 domain, which is the same binding site for the other Kv7 enhancers tested in this study.

Conclusions and Implications

This study has identified and characterized ML213 and NS15370 as potent vasorelaxants in different blood vessels, thereby highlighting these new compounds as potential therapeutics for various smooth muscle disorders.
WHI‐P154 enhances the chemotherapeutic effect of anticancer agents in ABCG2‐overexpressing cells
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Yun‐Kai , Wang Yi‐Jun , Kathawala Rishil J. , Patel Atish , Zhu Hua , Sodani Kamlesh , Talele Tanaji T. , Ambudkar Suresh V. , Chen Zhe‐Sheng , Fu Li‐Wu
Published: June 2014

ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transmembrane proteins evidently decrease the intracellular accumulation of substrate chemotherapeutic drugs by extruding them against a concentration gradient, thereby inducing drug resistance. Here we reported the effect of WHI‐P154, an irreversible inhibitor of Janus kinase 3 and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases, on reversing ABC transporters‐mediated drug resistance. We found that WHI‐P154 significantly enhanced the sensitivity of ABCG2‐overexpressing cells to its substrates. WHI‐P154 moderately sensitized ABCB1‐overexpressing KB‐C2 cells to its substrates whereas showed no sensitizing effect on ABCC1‐, ABCC2 or ABCC10‐mediated drug resistance. Moreover, WHI‐P154 produced a significant increase in the intracellular accumulation of [³H]‐mitoxantrone in ABCG2‐overexpressing cells. The expression levels nor the localization of the ABCG2 protein was altered after treatment of ABCG2‐overexpressing cells with WHI‐P154. Further studies indicated that WHI‐P154 enhanced the ATPase activity of ABCG2 at low concentrations (<10 μM). Additionally, a docking model predicted the binding conformation of WHI‐P154 within the transmembrane region of homology‐modeled human ABCG2 transporter. Collectively, these findings highlighted WHI‐P154 could significantly reverse ABCG2‐mediated multidrug drug resistance by directly blocking the efflux function.
Periodontitis, implant loss and peri‐implantitis. A meta‐analysis
Authors: Sgolastra F. , Petrucci A. , Severino M. , Gatto R. , Monaco A.
Published: June 2014

Objective

The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the role of periodontal disease as a risk factor for implant loss, peri‐implantitis and implant‐bone loss.

Materials and methods

Six electronic database and a manual search resulted in 7391 unique publications; after selection only 16 studies were included in systematic review. Dichotomous data were expressed as risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), while continuous data were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD). Due to the expected inter‐study heterogeneity, a random effect model was used for both type of data. The pooled effect was considered significant for a P < 0.05.

Results

Meta‐analysis revealed that an higher and significant risk for implant loss was present in patients affected by PD (RR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.31–2.17, P < 0.0001). A higher and significant IBL was present in patients with periodontal disease, when compared with patients periodontally healthy (SMD: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18–0.58, P = 0.0002). Patients periodontally compromised showed an increased risk of PI, when compared with patients without periodontitis (RR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.51–3.12, P < 0.0001) No evidence of significant heterogeneity was detected for the three outcomes.

Conclusion

Strong evidence suggests that periodontitis is a risk factor for implant loss; moderate evidence revealed that periodontitis is a risk factor for peri‐implantitis and that patients with periodontitis have higher implant‐bone loss.
The Place of Earth in Lutheran Funeral Rites: Mapping the Current Terrain
Authors: Stewart Benjamin M.
Published: June 2014

Do funeral rites help Christians leave the earth or return to the earth? This article identifies the conceptual metaphors by which the funeral rites in Evangelical Lutheran Worship portray earth. All of the conceptual metaphors related to earth in the rites identified by this essay are at least compatible with an overarching image of journey, and most of the conceptual metaphors are directly structured by the journey image. While these conceptual metaphors can be understood as mapping a journey that seeks to abandon the earth for an otherworldly heaven, a number of tensions within the metaphors challenge this trajectory with an earthward goal of resting in the fruitful, living earth. The article concludes by briefly identifying some ecotheologically promising synergies between some of the biblical‐theological images and the emerging practices of conservation burial.